Cops raise alert level as anti-terror law show on

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- Cagayan de oro City police head Senior Supt. Aurelio Trampe Jr., starting yesterday (Monday) placed the entire city on heightened security alert under the two-day consultation, dubbed the “Mindanao Peace and Order Summit” to be held at the Pryce Plaza.

“Additional personnel will be deployed in crowded places in the entire city,” said Trampe.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will meet with her Cabinet security cluster also today (Tuesday) in the city in the first leg of public consultations on the Human Security Act (HSA) which is set to take effect on July 15.

Trampe said they expect about 500 participants to attend the two-day consultation.

“We provide 2nd and 3rd layer security to President Arroyo,” said Trampe adding that including route security of the participants and security to all places of activities and billeting hotels.

Expected to attend the summit are leaders and experts in the security field from the government, business, religious and the academe, according to Trampe.

Meanwhile, protest action would also be seen today, as known Arroyo’s critics like Karapatan and other militant groups in the city and Misamis Oriental would stage protest actions during her arrival at the Cagayan de Oro Lumbia airport today.

Militants feared so-called terror suspects would immediately be arrested once the HSA took effect.

But National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales in his capacity as defense department officer in charge yesterday reassured the public the HSA had enough safeguards to prevent its abuse.

“There is nothing to fear really, we only have a few terrorists in the country. The law is there to protect the public, not to harm them,” he said, adding people must commit a terrorist act before they can be arrested.

“The terrorist act has to happen after the affectivity of the law,” he said.

Trampe said they expect militant groups to hold protest actions but this would not hinder the consultation.

He said security had been tightened at the venue and in other areas of the city.

“We are prepared with our civil disturbance management team in case of rallies,” said Trampe.

Gonzales also said the anti-terror law was all set for implementation but its organizational structure was still being finalized.“We’ve already complied with most of the requirements but I’m not sure how complete our organization is because we have to identify members of the office that would implement it,” he said.

City Mayor Constantino Jaraula who was the one welcomed the opening program yesterday said President Arroyo would be arriving at 3 pm today.

Jaraula with Gonzales led the kick-off public consultation with more than 500 participants from the different local government officials in Mindanao including different sectors from all over the region.

Gonzales, however, was mum on what changes would be adopted to fine-tune the HSA which has been heavily criticized even before it could take effect.

Gonzales said the national government is now the one initiating the information campaign on the HSA in partnership with other departments such as Justice and interior and local government in Mindanao.

“The campaign will focus not only on the provisions of the law. The public should see its contextual backdrop,” said Gonzales adding -- the existence of terror cells throughout the region and the world.

According to a government handout, the summit aims to identify problems and difficulties faced in fighting terrorists from the perspectives of the stakeholders and to agree on an action agenda to strengthen local mechanisms for counter-terrorism.

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7 narcotics agents axed

CAGAYAN de Oro City – (Ben Balce / June 23) CITY police director Senior Supt. Aurelio Trampe has relieved from Cagayan de Oro Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) seven police officers.

Trampe’s order came after the police unit was caught in a controversy that stemmed from a complaint that its agents mauled and illegally arrested a man suspected to be an illegal drug dealer in Bayabas last week.

The complaint is threatening to bungle whatever case the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) has against the suspect, Renjun Catamco.

Relieved from the CDEU were SPO1 Reynaldo de la Victoria, and PO2s Joel Deloso, George Tabian Jr., Frederick Yamis, Alvin Enzel Nacaya, Fred Yasay Jr., and Ariel Lig-ang.

Authorities however said the relief order was not a penalty.

“It was not necessarily a penalty. The case is still under investigation,” said Trampe.

Unnamed CDEU personnel are facing investigation by the Cocpo’s internal affairs service for allegedly breaking the police rules in treating crime suspects when they arrested the 32-year old Catamco during a cock derby in Bayabas last weekend.

The new head of the CDEU, Insp. Exudio Vidal said the seven officers were merely affected by a revamp ordered by Trampe.

SPO1 de la Victoria, the highest ranking officer in the group, was transferred to the City Mobile Group (CMG) while Deloso, Tabian, Yamis, Nacaya, Yasay, and Lig-ang were assigned to various police station in the city.

The relief order took effect early this week.

Vidal said the relief order for the seven police officers had nothing to do with the Catamco complaint.

Trampe said the officers had to be transferred because the new CDEU chief had to bring his trusted men.

Catamco has alleged that CDEU agents violated the rules when they arrested him. His sister and other witnesses claimed officers took turns in beating Catamco, illegally arrested and illegally detained the drug suspect.

Catamco has denied any wrongdoing and maintained his innocence despite the police’s claim that he was in the barangay’s list of suspected drug pushers in Bayabas.

SPO2 Rico Justalero has maintained that the CDEU’s use of force was justified because Catamco allegedly fought back and resisted arrest.

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Man hangs self

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – (Ben Balce / June 20) A MAN hanged himself following a disagreement with his common-law wife’s mother in Opol, Misamis Oreintal.

SPO4 Henry Patao identified the suicide as Rolando Gaboy, 20, of Poblacion, Opol, town.

Patao said investigators found no signs of foul play.


He said the suicide was believed to be emotionally unstable when he hanged himself early morning yesterday inside a nipa hut.

Patao said Gaboy was suffering from financial problems.

Gaboy was found dead around 6 a.m. by members of the household at the backyard of the house where he had stayed.

The victim used a thick cord in killing himself.

Patao said Gaboy had lived with a common-law wife’ who gave birth a week ago.

Investigators said Gaboy was hurt when he was told by his partner’s mother to leave the house. This supposedly happened a night before he killed himself.

Patao said the woman admitted to investigators that she had a disagreement with the suicide. But she said she did not mean to hurt Gaboy’s feelings.


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4 cops in trouble for beating suspect

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — (Ben Balce / June 19) AT LEAST four members of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office are now in trouble after beating and arbitrarily detaining civilian Renjun Catamco, 32, last Saturday.

Catamco is still detained at the Maharlika Detention Center for alleged involvement in drug pushing, a charge he denies.

Catamco’s relative Rose Jane Balaba claimed Catamco was beaten and kicked in the face, head and stomach by police officers. Although Balaba lodged a complaint on Saturday evening yet, it was only Monday morning when action was taken on the case.

Balaba identified the suspects as a certain Yamis, Nacaya, La Victoria and Jodaps, all members of the City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Cagayan de Oro Police.

"If that’s true. That is a violation of our policy," said City Director Senior Supt. Aurellio Trampe adding he have not yet received formal complaint.

Internal Affairs OIC Insp. Henry Peñero said they are still waiting for a formal complaint from the victim.

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Vanity Works Salon, Day Spa open in Rosario Strip, Limketkai Center

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - (PR / June 7) - Salons and spas seem to be sprouting everywhere in the city like the proverbial mushrooms now the rainy season is creeping in, but there’s a new twist to this new one which just opened (bloomed?) last week at the Rosario Strip in Limketkai Center.

“It’s a salon and day spa rolled into one,” says budding entrepreneur and self-confessed kikay Roselle Paras, daughter of Oro Chamber President Elpie and the moving spirit behind Vanity Works Salon & Day Spa. “I wanted to put up a salon with the ambience of a spa where clients could be more relaxed and laid back while having their hair done or their feet scrubbed.”

True enough, the ambience when one comes through the door is more spa than salon, with the soft pink motif done in girlie-girlie kikay style by Roselle’s Ate Roxanne Paras-Uy, an interior design graduate of the College of the Holy Spirit. Roxanne is also the designer of the family’s other enterprises like Coffee Works (Roselle’s first business venture) and P.Joe’s Diner.

Vanity Works is also probably the only day spa or salon in the city where you can find Crocs, and imported cosmetics like Yardley, Color Workshop, Victoria’s Secret and Pierre Cardin, all outrageously priced low! This she says is possible because she sources them straight from the U.S.

To the uninitiated, a day spa is a spa sans the full menu of services one associates with the genre. It’s a “Day” spa because its schedule (1-10PM daily for Vanity Works) allows workers and clients go home at a decent hour.

But you still get the full menu of spa services like facials, waxing, glow bodyscrub, seaweed slimming body scrub, eyelash perm, bikini facial and luxurious footspa.

Waxing is done using the “roller head system” which is cleaner and guarantees no chances of getting “burned” as the temperature is regulated. All services are rendered by professionally trained cosmetologists who have also been selected and trained for their personal courtesy and decorum (no noisy, nosy and tsismosa attendants here, sorry!)

Check out the exclusives: probably the only place in town now where one can get a bikini facial (treatment includes removal of ingrown hair caused by shaving) for only P250, and a Sphinx/Totally Bare Down There Wax (a type of Brazilian wax) for P600. For the squeamish, there’s topical anesthetic available, but you’ll have to cover the P600 cost of the entire tube.

And check out the prices: facials use Babor (Germany) cosmetics, one of the world’s top 10 cosmetics, yet are only priced at one half or one third of virtually the same service in Manila’s top salons and spas. A Premier Facial, for instance, will only set you back P800, whereas the same service using Babor cosmetics in Manila would easily cost you P1,200.

A Babor Body Scrub in Vanity Works only costs P500 vs. P1,200 up in Manila while a Luxurious Footspa using seven (7) Babor cosmetics with the full soak, scrub and lotion routine with anti-callous, mask, lightening and some reflexology is only P380 vs a minimum of P500 in Manila (where it’s better known as a phyto pedic footspa).

The salon is open from 10AM-9:00PM and has a “semi-private” room in the spa area for clients having their nails done or maybe getting a footscrub. Some indicative prices for some services: haircut with shampoo and blow-dry (P110), manicure/pedicure P80/90, Express Footscrub P200, L’Oreal Hairspa w/ vial P550+, Powerdose P480 up, Hair Reborn P600 up, and L’Oreal Xtenso Rebonding P3,000++.

And consider the little extras that naturally come with the location: just a step away from Limketkai Mall and Big R Supercenter, right in the middle of Limketkai’s entertainment and food center, the Rosario Strip, free parking. All clients are entitled to free ice tea and coffee while those wanting to order something more can easily order from Coffee Works next door which is not only delivered free but with a discount pa! (sobra!)

Any more? Unbelievable, but yes! Very soon, Roselle promises a free Wi-Fi connection for clients who want to do their work or surf the net while having their hair done or getting a foot scrub…so, those guys and gals with the laptops can give now work while being pampered head to foot. Now that’s the totally celebrating vanity!

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WFP, Unilab, Kraft help keep Lanao children in school

CAGAYAN DE ORO JOURNAL (Danny C. Escabarte/June 6) - LIFE for Norbin and other children of Ilian, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur revolves around the simplicity of its environment and farming areas. The school and farm have somewhat molded their young outlook of how it is to live in this place, with the challenges of poverty as a daily reality.

Everyday, he sees his father wake up very early; with his farm tools on hand, proceeds to the farm while his mother takes care of the kids, and prepare them for school. Usually, children in the village bring cooked root crops and bananas as baon for recess time while those who have some money buy junk foods.

“Before… no breakfast, just a cup of coffee will do”, says Norbin when asked what’s their food at home. “We can’t even drink milk. When cropping season is bad, two of us will share and eat a single plate of rice with dried fish”, he added.

Oftentimes, children in Barangay Ilian skipped their classes to help their parents in the farm. Class attendance is very irregular during these times observes Ben- the community worker assigned in the area.

The recurring conflict sometimes also displaced families and damaged some crops in the process. Families who rely mostly from farming would be in difficult situation when conflict arises and when there is low production.

Timbang Padate, Norbin’s mother- was glad when in June 2006, the United Nations-World Food Programme (UN-WFP) has identified their village as one of the recipients of its food aid initiative. “Sukran” (thank you), was her words upon knowing of the good news.

“From spending more time in the farm, the children can now focus their attention in schooling”, she said. As part of the food for education (FFE) package, students who stay in school would receive twenty-five (25) kilograms of rice every two months. A school-based supplemental feeding program was also put in place.

The food aid program also has other component that addresses specific concerns in the target areas such as the mother and child nutrition (MCN) component.

Companies, NGOs, LGUs’ parallel response

The humanitarian endeavor for the children and families of Lanao del Sur got a boost when other groups supported the initiative. The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) mobilized and sought product donations from its member companies and corporate friends complimenting aid resources from WFP. With the assistance of the local government units in the province through their local health offices, donated goods were delivered to target beneficiaries.

Kraft Foods Phils donated more than PhP 2 Million worth of vitamin C-rich mango fruit juices as additional source of vitamins for children and mothers. The juices will compliment the on-site supplemental feeding being held in the school.

United Laboratories also provided more than PhP2 Million worth of medicines, Citrinets (vitamin C) and Femina Iron supplements for lactating mothers.

Meanwhile, local government units had their hands full every time goods and food commodities would arrive in the province. Using available vehicles and manpower, they will transport the commodities to hinterland barangays where children and families gladly awaited its arrival.

Community health volunteers who are the first to respond to community’s health calls and inquiries were elated to receive the 70 medical kits from the Elena Tan Foundation. Volunteers will be using them to render services particularly in hard to reach areas, bringing to the people other government-led health services.

Addressing lack of access to food while keeping children in school

Besides supporting the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the aid for Lanao’s children also addressed the most basic of all necessities, and that is the right and access to food and education.

With the food aid initiative, children now enjoy their time in school and with their family as well. They no longer have to skip classes to help their parents in the farm just to have a steady supply of food on the table.

Like the rest of the children in the village, Norbin now regularly participates in school activities, her mother said. “He is now very attentive in class and has gained weight”, her mother added. Norbin has only this to say; “Thanks to Allah for giving us this wonderful opportunity”.

Other children in Mindanao’s depressed areas are also on the same ground with similar predicament like Lanao’s children. In the other priority areas of Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; some children go to school without breakfast, without shoes, no writing materials, some are without slippers or even decent clothes for school; and yet they continue to walk the unpaved roads and ride bancas just to reach their school.

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Cagayanon Palparan wooes Oro, Misamis Oriental votes

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce / May 11) – Controversial retired major general Jovito Palparan Jr. yesterday said he was optimistic his party-list group Bantay would win votes in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental that are needed for the group to send representatives to the Lower House.

Palparan, who rose to national prominence for his fight against communist rebels, is the top nominee of the party-list group Bantay. The group has four nominees.

In a news conference here, the 57-year old Palparan said he was seeking the help of Cagayanons and Misamisnons.

Palparan is a native of Cagayan de Oro. He was born on Antonio Luna street and he went to grade school and high school in the city.

“My appeal to my fellow Cagayanons is that they vote for Bantay, not Palparan, in Monday’s elections,” said Palparan.

Palparan said he plans to pursue his crusade against the communist insurgency in Congress.

“There is nothing wrong in communism as an ideology. What is wrong is their armed rebellion,” said Palparan.

Palparan has been accused of masterminding the killings of activists in the countrysides, a charge that he vehemently denied.

“Do you know what Bantay is? Yung ‘Bowowow’? The dog is the man’s best friend,” said Palparan, adding that the group would be the Filipino’s “best friend” in Congress.

Palparan said national security and the economy were on top of his priorities.

“With my entry, my focus will be on the communities that have become victims of our security problems. We have problems in economics and security,” Palparan said.

“There are direct victims and consequential victims. In the communities, people cannot work because of the conflict.”

Palparan said communist rebels want people to remain poor so they could exploit them.

“”It is not true that they want to uplift the lives of the people.”

Many people, he said, are unskilled, and “because they lack the skills, they cannot find work.”

In a way, Palparan said, Bantay could be described as an “anti-communist group.”
“Communism is nagging problem,” he said. “Insurgentss promote revolution, and we cannot allow that.”

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Ceasefire chief cites economic gains of peace process

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Baños / May 8) - There's a clear link between peace and economic development, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the erstwhile conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

This was the observation made by BGen. Edgardo Gurrea, chief of government's Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (GRP-CCCH), in a series of peace advocacy forums conducted across military camps in South Central Mindanao over the weekend.

In his presentation, Gurrea said that between 2002 to 2005, the number of violent encounters between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) went down from almost 700 to 10, registering a drop rate of 97.3 percent.

This dramatic reduction, he said, resulted to an economic growth rate of nearly 18 percent in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). That record, Gurrea added, represented the "highest Gross Regional Domestic Product growth rate nationwide for CY 2003-2004."

Government and the MILF had begun ceasefire talks as early as July 1997. Implementing guidelines have been drafted since then, and various ceasefire mechanisms have been put in place.

Among these are the joint GRP-MILF CCCH, the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group that coordinates police action against criminal activities within conflict areas, and the International Monitoring Team which helps monitor and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.

Keeping the peace has not been easy, though. Major battles were seen in the MILF's Camp Abubakar in 2001 and in its last stronghold in Buliok Complex in Maguindanao in 2003. Despite these, and the periodic reports of alleged ceasefire violations from both sides notwithstanding, Gurrea insists the truce is holding up.

"And we have the dividends to prove it," he said. Among these is the increasing interest and commitment from the donor community. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has just begun the spadework for a two-year study on the socio-economic reconstruction of conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Canada has just put in an additional P40 million to fund development efforts in the island, on top of the P30 million it already shelled out last year. And the European Union has pledged to pitch in to the World Bank-administered Mindanao Trust Fund to the tune of one million euros.

News reports confirmed that, contrary to previous norms and in recognition of earnest peace-building efforts being undertaken today by civil society, donor countries are now willing to support development initiatives even if a peace agreement has yet to be reached.

Other benefits cited by Gurrea are (1) a "marked improvement" in the level of trust between MILF and government forces as manifested in joint socio-civic activities and anti-crime operations, and (2) a broadening of awareness of local government officials on the "imperatives of an enduring peace in Mindanao."

Gurrea said the GRP-MILF-IMT CCCH is also inviting media to a tripartite conference launching at Pryce Plaza Hotel on May 9, 8:30AM.

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Acosta: Garci already eyeing win in Bukidnon 1st District

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (May 4) – Congressional candidate Ma. Lourdes “Malou” Acosta has express alarm over her closest rival former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano’s alleged pronouncement that he is already waiting for his formal declaration by the Commission on Election (Comelec) as the official winner in the province’s 1st District.

Acosta said the pronouncement only bolster suspicions that Garcillano is a manipulator of elections results.

But the young Acosta, who is running for public office for the first time under the Liberal Party vowed to give Garcillano “the battle of his life” if he resorted to dirty tactics.
Garcillano became a national figure for his alleged involvement in the “Hello Garci” scandal in 2004. He was questioned in Congress for his alleged participation in the alleged rigging of the results of the 2004 presidential elections.

“all eyes are on him. The people in the 1st District of Bukidnon are now aware of the notoriety of this man and they won’t allow him to perform his dirty tricks again” said Acosta.

Although she expressed confidence that the people’s vigilance would make it difficult for anyone to cheat. Acosta said she and her group would not put their guards down.

“Aside from the commitments coming from different election watchdogs and volunteers to monitor Garcillano’s movements, we have already put in place our own mechanisms to prevent cheating in the coming elections,” Acosta said.

Acosta said she was banking on her being a political neophyte and on her family’s record in the 1st District, to win the district’s congressional seat.

Her mother Socorro and brother Neric have both served as representatives of the 1st District. Neric is seeking the gubernatorial post while Socorro is seeking reelection as mayor of vote-rich Manolo Fortich town.

In contrast, Acosta said her opponent has even made “Hello Garci” a campaign slogan.

“He relies on the thought that voters have short memories and that public anger has already subdued,” Acosta said.
Acosta said she was optimistic because surveys have shown her leading in the surveys. (Gold Star Daily)

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Oro media wear black to protest violence

CAGAYAN DE ORO JOURNAL (Ben Balce / April 25) - Mediamen in Cagayan de Oro yesterday wore black to show protest on the recent killing of a police reporter and a provincial correspondent that was wounded last week.

The Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday asked their colleagues to wear black and make yesterday (Wednesday) “black”.

Palacios was found dead on April 18, in Mapalad Village, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija at about 6:00 a.m. Palacios was the 51st mediaman killed under the Arroyo regime.

Police report said his body showing signs of torture and shot through the chin.

The following day Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Delfin Mallari Jr. was wounded when he and DZMM correspondent Johnny Glorioso were ambushed in Lucena City.

COPC president Gerry Orcullo said wearing black is the protest of the recent killing Palacios and a murder attempt against Mallari.

“We expressed outrage at the murder of Palacios and a murder attempt against Mallari in a black day today for press freedom,” said Orcullo.

Orcullo also called on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to "take fresh steps to counter violence against the press.

“This government should not wait for these journalists to abandon their pens and cameras,” said Orcullo adding these killings should completely stop now.

The killings of journalists made our country the world’s most dangerous country for journalists after Iraq according to Orcullo.

The COPC and NUJP, called wearing black “a day of action” in reaction to the wave of violence against the media all over the country.

Last week the NUJP also called the killing of Palacios and murder attempt to Mallari as another "dark period for Philippine media.”

Orcullo also said that journalists in Cagayan de Oro would be definitely holding protests against the latest assaults soonest as possible.

“Mindanao media men are decrying to unsolved cases since democracy was restored in the Philippines in 1986,” said Orcullo.

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Kiram gets an enthusistics welcome in Agusan

THE SULTAN'S SUPPORTERS. Team Unity candidate Sultan Jamalul Kiram gets an enthusiastic welcome as he enters the Bayugan multi-purpose gym in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, where the administration slate held a rally before a jampacked crowd. ( Team Unity Photo)

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Team Unity has one big push in Mindanao

(Advertorial)

CAGAYAN DE ORO JOURNAL (April 22) - Team Unity’s campaign juggernaut will mount this week its first major solid push in central Mindanao in a two-day caravan covering five provinces and three cities in the Socsksargen (South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Saranggani-General Santos City) corridor, a region long hobbled by armed conflicts between government forces and secessionist rebels but which is now fast becoming the island’s economic gem.

The region’s political moguls – General Santos (GenSan) City Mayor Lita Nunez, Sarangani Gov. Migz Dominguez, Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel, Sultan Kudarat Datu Pax Mangadadatu, Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan and Vice Gov. Datu Bimbo Sinsuat, Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema – will host the caravan and political rallies and are expected to pledge to work for a 12-0 win for Team Unity.

Team Unity’s caravan, scheduled to start from Cotabato City today (April 18), will end the following day in another motorcade in GenSan City. A proclamation rally, hosted by GenSan Mayor Lita Nunez, will be held at the city’s Freedom Park shortly after a scheduled dinner at the residence of newly crowned WBC super-featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who is also seeking a congressional post representing the city.

“This is Team Unity’s first major campaign push in Mindanao,” Tourism Secretary and Team Unity spokesman Joseph Ace Durano said yesterday. He recalled that the team of senatorial bets Joker Arroyo, Luis “Chavit” Singson, Vicente Sotto, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, and Ralph Recto had their Pulong Sulong campaign huddle with the voters in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte in the first week of March, but said “this happened at the time when the Team Unity’s slate was divided into teams.”

Durano said a series of rallies in the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani would be squeezed into the two-day caravan.

As scheduled, today’s caravan will start from Cotabato City, the administrative center of Mindanao’s former Region 12 (Central Mindanao), and end in Koronadal City, the administrative center of the newly formed Socsksargen region.

Tomorrow (Thursday), the Team Unity senatorial bets will motor to General Santos City where they are to hold a news conference and later join Sarangani Gov. Dominguez in a proclamation rally in the town of Alabel, near the border of Gensan City. They will then return to GenSan City in a motorcade to have dinner at Pacquiao’s residence and join the proclamation rally hosted by Mayor Nunez.

Socsksargen is Mindanao’s fast-booming economic area, accounting for the country’s largest total daily fish landings. It is also the country’s leading producer of sashimi-grade tuna.

TU senatorial candidates Sultan Jamalul Kiram of Sulu and Juan Miguel Zubiri of Bukidnon vowed to work for peace and development in Mindanao, citing President Arroyo’s commitment to bring peace and progress in the country’s second biggest island. Another TU candidate, Prospero Pichay, represented Surigao del Sur in the House of Representatives.

Aside from the three bets who represent Mindanao in Team Unity senatorial slate and the five fellow candidates who first conducted their Pulong Sulong there, other TU senator-hopefuls to join the Mindanao caravan are Edgardo Angara, Michael Defensor, Vicente Magsaysay and Cesar Montano.

The twelve TU senatorial candidates are hoping to score a 12-0 win in Mindanao, owing to a solid network of dedicated political workers belonging to the six political parties within the ruling coalition.

They are batting for the continuation of President Arroyo’s “8 by ‘08” agenda which aims to sustain the country’s economic growth and spread among the people the fruits of this growth.

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Ledesma to Jarales: "Go ahead!"

*FICCO backs Jarales for Misor Board

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma (left) 2nd District Misamis Oriental provincial board aspirant Fermin Jarales (right) pose for lensman after a few hours talk at bishop’s palace.

CAGAYAN DE ORO JOURNAL (Ben Balce/April 19) - "Go ahead!"

Thus said Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma days after provincial board aspirant for 2nd District Misamis Oriental Fermin Villaroya Jarales visited him seeking his guidance at the bishop’s palace.

Jarales, 28, among the youngest provincial board aspirants in the province, decided to file his certificate of candidacy a day after Ledesma’s "spiritual" guidance.

"I wish you (Jarales) all the luck in your candidacy," said Ledesma adding: "As you want to serve people for the common good is also serving God."

Earlier, Ledesma, vice-president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), through the "Magsilingan Ka!", an interfaith, businessmen’s movement and similar groups that were recently created for clean and credible elections in the entire archdiocese.

Ledesma said, they are taking this step because of the lessons from the May 2004 elections that were widely believed to have been marred by massive cheating.

Jarales is running under Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) and is also the PDSP’s Cagayan de Oro chairman.

"My visit to the bishop is part of my decision to serve a larger number of people. Serving our people is one of my purposes being a member of Columbian Squire Marshall in the archdiocese," said Jarales.

In 1923, Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald, a noted expert in the field of social welfare work with young people, created an official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus. What Brother Barnabas devised is the Columbian Squires. Jarales is also a Legion of Mary worker.

"To talk to the bishop seeking guidance is not to get attention from the Church, but an intention to continue serving the people as Columbian Squires member and a Christian," said Jarales.

Meanwhile, Ledesma reiterated that the Catholic Church would not endorse any politician or political party during their campaign sorties.

Ledesma said that candidates could only seek support from any religious group and not from individual priests.

"The leaders of the bishops’ organization through ‘Magsilingan Ka’ movement had a "free wheeling" discussion and openly expressing support for platforms of governance espoused by candidates through trans-partisan politics. " said Ledesma.
In a related development, the First Community Credit Cooperative (FICCO) expressed support to Jarales’ bid for the provincial board.

The 100 thousand-strong’ Ficco endorsed Jarales, himself being a Ficco board member.

Jarales is the second son of the 7 children of Mr. Ban Jarales and Mrs. Jocelyn Villaroya of Gimangpang, Initao, Misamis Oriental.

As to professional experience, Jarales was employed as human resource development manager of Misamis Oriental - 1 Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. (Moresco) in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental from November 2006 to April 13, 2007.

"I resigned from my position at Moresco to prove that I’m serious with my candidacy," said Jarales, taking a snipe at his detractors.

He also used to the municipal administrator of Opol LGU from January 2002 to November 2006.

Jarales also worked as legal researcher at Dela Rosa Gomos Dayao Cantago & Narrido Law Firm in Cagayan de Oro from January 1998 to 2002.

He was also the assistant regional coordinator of the Federation of free Workers (FFW) Region 10 in January 2002.

He was an intern of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 (Trade Promotions Division) in May 1997 and was employed at Cagayan de Oro – Iligan Corridor – Project Management Office (CIC – PMO) in April 1997.

Jarales is a product of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) graduated (full scholar, Dean’s list) with the degree of BS in Development Communication
(Major in Journalism) from June 1994 to March 1998.

At present, he is taking up Bachelor of Laws (Third Year) at the same institution.

During his college days at Xavier University, Jarales was president of XU Aggie Student Council in 1997-1998; chairperson, Directorate XU Central Student Government in 1997 – 1998; Editor – In – Chief of ‘Communique’ college organ in1996; a ‘Crusader’ college organ correspondent in 1996-1997 and founder of Mastersonian Scythe Fraternity in 1997.

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Acostas cry foul, link accuser to Joe

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce / April 16) - THE Acostas lashed back at an anti-corruption group in Bukidnon and accused it of being used as a political tool to discredit them in time for this year's elections.

Three members of Acosta family are seeking three key positions in Bukidnon in hopes of wrestling power from incumbent Gov. Jose Zubiri and his allies. Rep. Nereus Acosta of the province's 1st District is challenging Zubiri's reelection bid, his mother Socorro is seeking to retain her position as the leader of the vote-rich Manolo Fortich town and his sister Ma. Lourdes wants to represent the 1st District in the Lower House.

Socorro a former congresswoman, called the Bukidnon Crusade Against Corruption (BCAC) a fake, saying it allowed itself to be used by the Zubiris for an alleged political demolition job.

Ms. Acosta said BCAC's accusations against her family were ill-motivated.

"These are all lies... malicious and politically motivated," said Acosta as she brushed aside charges she and her family benefitted from the release of public funds to two province-based cooperatives.

Acosta accused Zubiri of being behind BCAC in pursuing graft cases against her and other members of her family.

"The Zubiris are the ones behind the recycling of all these obsolete issues which should be best forgotten. They are always using these issues against us (Acostas) every time there is an election just for them to gain political mileage," said Acosta.

Gov. Zubiri, she said, was "kicking a dead horse."

Acosta said the leader of BCAC, Fr. Venancio Balansag Jr., is a known ally of Zubiri and even allegedly related by affinity to a nephew of Zubiri.

She said Balansag and his group's silence on the damning corruption issues against the Zubiri administration, including the capitol's controversial purchase and subsequent sale of a tomato paste plant in Manolo Fortich town, is suspect.

The Acosta camp said the plant was bought for some P20 million and subsequently sold for some P92 million. The Acostas alleged that "not a single centavo" from the sale of the property went to the coffers of the capitol.

"Clearly, BCAC is a political demolition campaign masquerading as an anti-corruption movement," said Acosta.

Balansag and his group have accused the Acostas of granting millions of pesos in public funds to Bukidnon-based cooperatives that allegedly being run by members of the Acosta family.

Acosta laughed off the accusations, saying the allegations were raised again because Zubiri and his allies were already feeling that heat.

Aggravating this, she said Zubiri's son Miguel, the representative of another Bukidnon didtrict, is poorly performing in the surveys among candidates for senators.

"Our political opponents are threatened and they are becoming more and more desperate," said Socorro.

Specifically, Balnsag's group accused the Acostas of releasing some P8 million in congressional funds for the Bukidnon Integrated Network of Home Industries Inc. (Binhi) and the Bukidnon Vegetable Producers Cooperative (BVPC). The group alleged that was given without the green light of the Manolo Fortich town council.

Elmer de la Rosa, a lawyer of the Acostas, said the funds that were released to Binhi and BVPC were intended for micro-credit loans with interest rates of 2.5 percent per month for operational expenses.

These loans, he said, were granted without collateral to people in need.

"The Grameen banking was scoofed at by the Acosta family's political opponents, particularly the Zubiris, as rather quixotic but when they saw its success, they then wanted to destroy it," de la Rosa said.

De la Rosa said Rep. Acosta's father Juan initiated the lending program, patterned after the Grameen lending program of Bangladesh, to address the credit needs of poor women in Mindanao.

"The programs really helped and uplifted the lives of the people in Bukidnon. They are now lauding the Acosta for the initiative," said de la Rosa.

He said Binhi and BVPC have independent boards of trustees and are not controlled by any family alleged by Balansag and his group.

De la Rosa however admitted that when Binhi was organized in 1989, Dr. Juan Acosta sat as a member of its 15-person interim board.

He said Zubiri's candidate for congressman in the 1st District, Candido Pancrudo, also sat in the Interim board together with Dr. Acosta, Nelson Binayao, Evangeline Urtado and Corazon Arboli.

De la Rosa said Juan left Binhi in 1991, long before the cooperative received a government grant through Rep. Acosta. Neither did Juan get elected as an official of BVPC," he said.

"The Acostas did not control and neither do they own or even have financial interests in Binhi. Of the 15 incorporators, only Juan was an Acosta," said De la Rosa.

Because the Acostas believed in the cooperatives, de la Rosa said the family donated a 1,500-square meter property to BVPC and they allowed Binhi to use one of the family-owned buildings for free.

Binhi, an organization registered with Securuties and exchange Commission (SEC), started with 20 members 17 years ago. It now has a membership of some eight thousand in 140 barangays in eight towns in Bukidnon.

Cagayan de Oro Journal / Home

Certified list of candidates in Cagayan de Oro

City Mayor
Canoy, Rhona Torralba, Independent
Borres, Felix, Jr. Frias, Independent
Magtajas, Pablo Pagute, PDP Laban/Uno
Calingin, Antonio Padilla, Nationalist People's Coalition
Jaraula, Constantino Galagnara, Lakas-CMDFor

Vice-Mayor
Calingin, Alvin Roa, PDP Laban/Uno
Tagarda, Manolo Zarate, Nationalist People's Coalition
Emano, Vicente Yap, Lakas-CMD

1st District (house of representative)
Tagarda, Manolo Zarate, Independent (withdrew-03-29-07/11:43PM)
Soriano, Antonio Sabanpan, PDP Laban
Montesa, Camilo Miguel Macalla, Liberal Party
Canoy, Reuben Rabe, Independent
Daba, Annie Yamut, Kampi
Bacal, Henry Jabeguero, Independent
Uy, Rolando Adlao, Independent
Spiers, Michelle Tagarda, Lakas-CMD

City Councilors
Baylon, William Nguho, Independent
Oracles, Michael Angelo Martir, Independent
Diel, Carlos Dy, Independent
Nagasan, Rhodora Majaducon, Independent
Ucab, Julieto Quiblat, Independent
Canoy, Marc Torralba, Independent
Calonia, Dominador Pagara, PDP Laban/Uno
Abbu, Jose Pepe Palmera, PDP Laban
Dabatian, Douglas Waga, PDP Laban/Uno
Acedera, Ben Joseph III Falcon, PDP Laban/Uno
Raagas, Roy Hilario Padla, PDP Laban/Uno
Abacahin, Reynaldo Cuas, PDSP
Pansacala, Pastor, Sr. Alisbo, PDSP
Abaday, Roger Gabatan, PDP-Laban/Uno
Cabal, Ricardo Abcede, Nationalist People's Coalition
Sagut, Jose Clodualdo Fallar, Nationalist People's Coalition
Sambaan, Alan Roy Mendoza, Nationalist People's Coalition
Daba, Ruel Roa, Nationalist People's Coalition
Glema, Antonio Cartagena, Nationalist People's Coalition
Ragas, Nicolas Caseñas, Independent
Galacio, Rodulfo Quitos, PDP Laban
Ocon, Elsa Sabrido, PDP Laban/Uno
Lachica, Jaime Janopol, Independent
Calizo, Mary Cor Reyes, Lakas-CMD
Bacal, Alden Dacanay, Lakas-CMD
Acenas, Caesar Ian Enerio, Lakas-CMD
arba, Adrian Lagamon, Lakas-CMD
Brellita, Anthony Obsioma, Lakas-CMD
Pajo, Dante Betonio, Lakas-CMD
Guibone, Cancio Pacuribot, Lakas-CMD
Licayan, Simeon Verula, Lakas-CMD
Beja, Camilo II Molina, Nationalist People's Coalition
Domo, Beverly Bu-ong, Nationalist People's Coalition

2nd District (House of Representative)
Rodriguez, Rufus Bautista, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino/Uno
Jardin, Samuel Aloysius Magdadaro, PDSP
Rojas, Francisco, Sr. Gorres, KBL
Cabanlas, Edgar Salcedo, Independent
Benaldo, Jose Benjamin Abrio, Lakas-CMD/Kampi

City Councilors
Valmoria, Virgilio Pacheco, Nationalist People's Coalition
Lao, Teodulfo, Jr. Escalera, PDP-Laban
Baconga, Pio Dalman, PDP-Laban/Uno
Damo, Carmelito Ranara, PDP-Laban/Uno
Ravanera, Manuel Revilla, PDP-Laban/Uno
Gan, Leon, Jr. Dumanganop, PDP-Laban/Uno
Saarenas, Eric Pagapula-an, Independent
Mediante, Demosthenes, Jr. Aquino, Nationalist People's Coalition
David, Domingo Sonny Gatasi, Nationalist People's Coalition
Caseres, Anatalio, Jr. Dela Torre, PDP Laban/Uno
Ledesma, Rene Rodriguez, PDP-Laban/Uno
Ramos, Jenny Martinez, Independent
Yee, Morito Pacturan, Independent
Agcopra, Joebert Bonife, PDP-Laban/Uno
Advincula, Reynaldo Navarro, Lakas-CMD
Elipe, President Dagondon, Lakas-CMD
Tabor, Ramon Galvez, Lakas-CMD
Dacer, Alexander Sabana, Lakas-CMD
Nacaya, Ian Mark Quiblat, Lakas-CMD
Goking, Alfonso Go, Lakas-CMD
Salcedo, Enrico Dael, Lakas-CMD
Abejuela, Emmanuel Daing, Lakas-CMD

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New hope for Bacolod City

By GEORGE AGUILAR
(Opinion)

SQUATTING, poor sanitary facilities, poor sewage systems, garbage and traffic, plus the growing incidences of crime, are among the major problems of Bacolod City. The roots of these problems, of course, lie in the pervading poverty, a parochial educational system that sorely lacks facilities (despite the grossly mispriced computers donated by some local officials to public schools), and the lack of employment opportunities in a city that is no longer purely agricultural, but not yet industrial. This I noticed shortly after I moved into the city of smiles as a permanent resident almost two decades ago. The problems were there in the early 90's. They grew worse as the years went by.

Why can't the city government do anything about the above mentioned problems? Well, for one, economic gains made in the city tend to stay in the hands of the elite few and the slowly growing middle class. The poor remain to be as impoverished as they were some 17 years ago. Worse, the population of the poor is growing at an alarming rate with the flourishing of squatters' areas and black market businesses all over the city. Logs, illegal or quasi legal, continue to be dumped onto "side walk" carpentry shops along Lopez Jaena St. while city officials conveniently look the other way. The growing number of public utility vehicles vies for passengers to the point of double and triple parking along busy intersections while hawkers shout and traffic enforcements mere look on.

Bacolod city can no longer claim to be safe from crime. Indeed crime has flourished lately. This includes rape, hold up, burglary, and even the most heinous of crimes. Moreover, urban poor gangs and fraternities have become more public and bolder while spoiled elite kids use our city strips to race their expensive and dangerously fast cars and motorcycles. When caught these rich drag (drug?) racers won't go or stay in jail.

Our city officials seem to be incapable of dealing with the above mentioned problems mainly because they are too engrossed with making more and more money and/or preparing for the next elections. Indeed, everything they do seems to be politically motivated and calculated. Indeed, one root of all of our woes stem from a failure of leadership. This failure of leadership is the fault of the voting public at large. We seem to vote for the least competent among the candidates for each election.

Easily, we can trace the problem for poor leadership in the city to dirty and dishonest elections. There are some 200,000 voter's in the city of Bacolod. Only 40,000 of these voters come from the A and B classes. The remaining 160,000 come from the D and C classes. The votes of the lower middle and urban poor count in every election. This fact alone could and does empower the city's poor but in a perverse manner. Instead of using their votes to vote for pro-poor leaders in Bacolod, the organized poor sell their votes for a few hundreds of pesos, a free trip to the polling centers, plus lunch and snacks (even groceries at times) to boot. For the price of money that is not even enough to get them through the second day, the poor in Bacolod tend to sell their votes to unscrupulous politicians. People who buy votes certainly do not deserve to be in office. But precisely because they do buy votes they win elections easily. And after elections they will spend the next two and a half years making up for the money they spent in buying votes and more. It's a deadly cycle this unprincipled leadership and we can only blame ourselves for allowing vote buying to remain unchallenged within our midst.

But there is hope yet for Bacolod city. Recently a group of independents, principled candidates that belong neither to the machineriesd political parties have emerged from out of the blue. Atty. Andy Hagad, running to represent Bacolod city, Atty. Joel Dojillo, running for mayor, Atty. Lyndon Cana, vice mayor, Celia Flor and Jocelyn Battapa, both running for councilors, are all running as independents who base their platforms on electoral reforms and good governance.

These independents stand a better chance of winning if they will band together instead of going it alone. Most of the 40,000 A & B voters will vote for the independents. The problem is their lack of machineries among the C, D, and E voters. Will they be able to reach out to the remaining 160,000 urban poor voters their message of hope in time? I. for one, am praying that they do!

For Comment, email at george.aguilar@gmail.com

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Capuyan raises alert in Northern Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce/April 3) - Northern Mindanao police head Chief Superintendent Teodorico Capuyan on Tuesday placed the entire region on heightened security alert under the celebration of the week-long observance of the Holy Week.

“Additional personnel will be deployed in crowded places in observance of the Holy Week,” said Capuyan.

POLICE Regional Office 10 regional director Chief Supt. Teodorico B. Capuyan talks to his men for the deployment of additional police personnel in churches, beach resorts and tourism spots in the entire Northern Mindanao during Holy Week.

Capuyan said a directive came from Camp Crame was also part of the 75-day summer security plan “Oplan-Bantay-Lakbay.”

Capuyan said he already instructed the directorate for operations to relay for immediate implementation the implementing guidelines of Oplan-Bantay to police provincial and city directors and heads of the PNP regional support units.

“This Holy Week, all policemen should be alert and visible at all times,” Capuyan said.Capuyan said that the said security plan of the PNP started nationwide since last week.

Deploying of additional police personnel in churches and venues during Holy Week already started since last week.

“We will deploy more men to air, sea and land transportation,” he said adding in anticipation of the heavy commuter and motorist traffic in the region.

The plan is to coincide with closing of the school year when the most students are expected to flock home to the provinces for the Holy Week and summer vacation.

The 75-day security plan covers the last week of March until the second week of June when regular classes resume.

As part of the security plan, Capuyan said police personnel will conduct security checks at air, sea ports and bus terminals to guard against criminals and terrorists who may take advantage of the holiday season.


ADDITIONAL police force in NorMin, shortly after PRO 10 regional director C/Supt. Capuyan deployed additional cops in the region for the observance of the Holy Week.

“Police units will conduct patrol operations, particularly in beach resorts and tourism spots in region 10,” Capuyan said.

Capuyan also instructed his men to coordinate with the ships owners and personnel in a move to impose additional security measures at the seaports in cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Ozamis.“Our men will be deployed also along national highways, primarily in places where the people want to observe Holy Week,” Capuyan said.

Meanwhile, Camp Alagar’s spokesman P/SSupt. Rolando Dela Vega said police assistance centers will be established along the highways.“During Lent, several police assistance will be seen including volunteer groups.

These centers will serve as quick reaction points for security and medical assistance,” Dela Vega said adding that the centers would also the advance command post for traffic and security operations.

Cagayan de Oro Journal / Home

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE RAMPANT EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, COMMENDING THE SUPREME COURT FOR ITS QUICK AND DECISIVE ACTION, AND DEMANDING CONCRETE ACTION ON THE PART OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT

WHEREAS, occurrence of extrajudicial killings, of lawyers, judges, political activists, and journalists all over the Philippines has reached condemnable proportions as blatant examples of utter disregard for human rights and due process of law.

WHEREAS, this fact has been confirmed by findings of international bodies and even by the government-initiated commission headed by retired Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Jose Melo;

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court, under the leadership of the Chief Justice, Hon. Reynato S. Puno, has acted immediately and decisively to address the problem by designating nearly a hundred Regional Trial Courts as Special Courts hear, try, and decide cases of extrajudicial killings particularly of political activists and members of the media;

WHEREAS, the Executive Branch of the government, is widely perceived to be doing little to effectively act on the problem. On the contrary, representatives of the administration have publicly brushed the matter aside by generalizing the spate of killings as products of a purge in the ranks of the communist insurgency, by giving a blanket denial of perceived military and state involvement in the killing, and, even worse, by casting aspersions upon the those who brought the matter to light;

WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies, in particular, have been reported to be citing the trite and unacceptable excuse of having no witnesses or the absence of complainants to justify their marked inability to produce a resolution of these killings;

WHEREAS, the continued failure of the state to address the matter and cause an end to this problem will have grave and dire consequences as it seriously undermines the rule of law, exemplifies the government’s inability to maintain peace and order, and seriously degrades the general public’s trust in the justice system.

NOW THEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, it is HEREBY RESOLVED as IT IS RESOLVED in this Plenary Session of the 11th National Convention of Lawyers in Cagayan de Oro City, as follows:

a. THAT the Integrated Bar of the Philippines condemns in the strongest possible terms, the blatant and wanton disregard of the value of human life, of the most basic of human rights, and of the rule of law exemplified by the unabated wave of extrajudicial killings of lawyers, judges, political activists, and journalists all over the country;

b. THAT the Supreme Court of the Philippines be HIGHLY COMMENDED for it’s exemplary leadership in immediately recognizing and responding to the gravity of situation by designating Special Courts and promulgating special rules mandating the speedy resolution of cases involving extrajudicial killings;

c. THAT the Integrated Bar of the Philippines CALLS upon the Executive Branch of government to put a stop to the perceived indifference of it’s agents and representatives to the plight of the victims of extrajudicial killings and their families and, further, to cause the resolution of these so-called “UNSOLVED KILLINGS” with accountability on the part of the leadership of law enforcement agencies and other state forces who are shown to be unable to perform their duties and functions; and

d. THAT all chapters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines be enjoined to assist the families of victims of extrajudicial killings by providing needed legal assistance and, further, to closely monitor the actions taken by law enforcement and other government agencies in addressing such cases;

Let a copy of this resolution be furnished the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines and all chapters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines .

Done this 31st day of March, 2007 at Cagayan de Oro , Philippines

PROPONENT:


ATTY. CAESAR S. EUROPA
President
IBP – Davao City Chapter

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Acosta sister faces off with ‘Hello Garci’

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Nelson Constantino and Ben Balce / March 30) - Bukidnon’s first district has become an interesting battleground between a virtual political neophyte and one with quite a reputation.

Ma. Lourdes “Malou” Acosta, the youngest daughter of former congresswoman and now the incumbent Manolo Fortich Mayor Socorro Acosta filed her certificate of candidacy under the Liberal Party (LP) Wednesday afternoon, shortly after her opponent, former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, was officially registered before the Provincial Comelec Office in Malaybalay City earlier in the day.

Her older brother and three-termer Rep. Nerius Acosta who is running for governor of the province would leave the seat vacant.

Relatively unknown despite the Acostas’ political stronghold in the province’s 1st District, Malou Acosta, at the University of the Philippines, was mobbed by both local and national media right after her certificate of candidacy was officially received by provincial election assistant Felicitas Adiong.

Asked for readiness, to slug it out with the man allegedly behind the controversial “Hello Garci” scandal, the young Acosta blurted out: “Ako’y handang handa na.”

Running for public office for the first time, she said she is aware of Garcillano’s reputation as the alleged architect of the so-called “Dagdag-Bawas” operations and other elections frauds in the past.

“I know what he’s capable of doing,” Acosta said, but quickly pointed out that the people’s vigilance would make it difficult for Garcillano to succeed.

Garcillano filed his candidacy as an independent, but many believe he is being backed by the Malacañang.

Garcillano launched his bid for the congressional seat of Bukidnon’s 1st District with much fanfare in Malaybaly City. In his motorcade were members of the famous Viva Hot Babes.

It was a show of force as some 50 vans and luxury vehicles lined up in a parade to the Comelec office in Malaybalay City. On the vehicles were placards with the markings: “We love Garci.”

Garcillano denied that Malacañang behind his candidacy.

“I am running on my own as an independent candidate and I am not supported by the president,” said Garcillano adding the President has not even called him since the Garci scandal broke out.
He said it was his right to run for public office and he did not need to ask the permission of anyone.

Cagayan de Oro Journal

Administration bets increasing forward momentum

MORE TEAM UNITY BETS NOW IN 'WINNING CIRCLE'

TEAM Unity is sustaining the forward momentum midway through the campaign season as the latest tracking polls indicate that five of its candidates are statistically in the Magic 12 list and four more are within striking distance of the winning circle.

Unity team candidates Kiram and Magsaysay.

According to Tourism Secretary and Team Unity Spokesman Ace Durano, who voiced optimism of a high probability that most, if not all, of the Team Unity bets will make it come May 14, said the results of the latest SWS poll show that "Team Unity is increasing its momentum as Election Day draws closer. The solid economic performance of the Arroyo administration and the formidable grassroots network supporting the slate nationwide are definite positive factors in this development."

The latest survey conducted by SWS last 15 – 18 March showed TU bets Ralph Recto, Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo and Tito Sotto landing in the winning circle. Mike Defensor, in 15th place, is also considered to be statistically in the winning column with the survey's margin of error.

Juan Miguel Zubiri, Vicente Magsaysay Jr., Cesar Montano and Prospero Pichay are within striking distance of the Top 12 list, according to the latest SWS poll, while the rankings of Tessie Aquino Oreta and Jamalul Kiram have gone up by one to three rungs.

Durano noted that other surveys show that Chavit Singson is on the winning list, such as the one conducted recently among the academics in Pangasinan, where 8 of the Team Unity bets were on the Magic 12, including the Ilocos Sur governor.

"A bigger surge is expected in the weeks ahead," Durano said as he expressed confidence that the administration candidates will be able to gain substantial ground against the opposition with the start on Friday (March 30) of the official campaign for local posts, which will likely be dominated by candidates belonging to the ruling coalition.

"We still have one-and-a-half months to go before Election Day. Rankings may variably change depending on the dynamics of the political situation, especially when the local candidates begin their campaign," Durano said. "We expect a sure and steady climb of all our candidates with the strength and cohesiveness of our local network."

He noted that the significant five percent jump in the satisfaction rating of President Arroyo, from 34 percent last November to 39 percent in February "will translate into immeasurable gains for Tam Unity's 12 administration candidates" whose "platform of government seeks to sustain and even accelerate the pace of economic growth—so that she can make good on her promise of social payback for the marginalized sector."

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MNLF consolidates for Misuari candidacy

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce/March 27) — Over a hundred former leaders and members of the Moro National Liberation Front Saturday launched a National Unified Command under which all MNLF forces in Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were placed.

"MNLF as strong as before." Hundreds of armed supporters of Misuari gather at Lanao camp.

The NUC said it is backing the Sulu gubernatorial bid of former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari.

"The MNLF soldiers always back Nur’s principles and leadership until now," said Alexander Marohombsar Lagawa, NUC commanding general and a close aide of Misuari.

Misuari, former ARMM governor, was allowed out of detention on March 20 to file his candidacy.

MNLF field commanders mounted a show of force during the NUC launching at the 3rd MNLF Mobile Army at Camp Jabal Nur in Madamba, Lanao del Sur.

"The NUC is not waging war against the government but on poverty and the need for meaningful and sustainable development for Mindanao," said Lagawa.

The MNLF’s armed regulars composed of hundreds of reformists and splinter groups converged at Camp Jabal Nur with their high-powered firearms, including .50 and .30 caliber machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

In a press conference attended by mediamen from Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the MNLF commanders presented a manifesto demanding that government grant full liberty to Misuari.

"No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations," Lagawa told MNLF leaders at the tightly secured Camp Jabal Nur, one of the group’s active camps in Mindanao.

"The MNLF is as strong as before," Lagawa also said.

Zainoding Dimalutang, NUC spokesman and deputy commander, said the Organization of Islamic Conference has asked government to free Misuari.

NUC spokesman and deputy commander Zainoding Dimalutang (left) exchanging words with Cagayan de Oro Journal editor Ben Balce (right) during NUC launching in Camp Jabal Nur in Lanao del Sur.

He said the MNLF, which signed a peace pact with government in 1996, was the first Moro organization to gain observer status in the OIC through the efforts of Misuari.

"As we renew our camaraderie and alliances, we also celebrate the continuing friendship of the MNLF with the stakeholders of Mindanao, with the government and media," Dimalutang also said.

Misuari was charged with rebellion for allegedly leading an MILF uprising in 2002. He fled to Malaysia but was arrested and repatriated.

Cagayan de Oro Journal

Team Unity 'cagers' play for a win

WEARING bright yellow uniform, three Team Unity senatorial bets – Vic Magsaysay, Ralph Recto and Sultan Jamalul Kiram -- take on the hardcourt of Libmanan Sports Complex in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, to play basketball during their campaign swing to Bicol and southern Tagalog provinces over the weekend. (Team Unity Photo Release)

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MNLF's unified command 'NUC' made public; Mindanao media men visit Camp Jabal Nur

NATIONAL UNIFIED COMMAND (NUC) of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as they strike a pose with mediamen from cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan after a press conference with NUC commanding general Alexander Marohombsar Lagawa and Zainoding Dimalutang, NUC deputy commander and spokesman, both Nur Misuari's close and loyal aides. The unification of forces was held Saturday at Camp Jabal Nur General Command in Cabasaran, Madamba, Lanao del Sur as calling for immediate implementation of Phase II of the GRP-MNLF peace talks signed in 1996. Also shown in photo is the Cagayan de Oro Journal editor Ben Balce (standing wearing black hat, 6th from left). (Abel Moya).

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CDO, Iligan accredited as retirement havens

CAGAYAN DE ORO JOURNAL (Ben Balce/March 24) - CAGAYAN de Oro and Iligan Cities have been accredited by the Philippine Retirement Authority Inc. (PRAI) as retirement havens.

Edgardo Aglipay, PRAI chair, said they have been intensifying the campaign to lure in retirees from all over the world. He said by 2010, their target would be 900,000 retirees both foreign and local.

He said Cagayan de Oro and Iligan are two areas in Northern Mindanao that will be promoted as sites suited for retirees because of their facilities.

Both are considered high-end locations with their high elevation and beaches.

"Foreign national retirees, particularly from the Middle East countries, will be the most suited in these two cities," said Aglipay.

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Team Unity gets Ilongo votes

Team Unity candidates in Ilo-Ilo – (from left) Prospero Pichay, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Tito Sotto, Chavit Singson and Migz Zubiri – raise their arms to acknowledge the cheers of their supporters after holding a Pulong-Sulong as part of their campaign sortie in Iloilo City last week. (Team Unity Photo Supply)

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Minimum jeepney fare in Region 10 reduced to P6.00

CAGAYAN DE ORO JOURNAL (Ben Balce / March 22) Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday announced a provisional decrease in jeepney fares in Northern Mindanao by an average of 50 centavos.

This means the fare is now down from P6.50 to P6 for the first four kilometers.

LTFRB chair Thompson Lantion made the announcement when he met with local transport leaders during a consultation last Wednesday, March 21, 2007.

Mandangan Darimbang, LTFRB director for Region 10, said the adjustment was based on the fuel-price decreases since January.

It was the Transport Federation of Cagayan de Oro (Trafeco), the biggest organization of jeepney, van and taxi owners and drivers here, that asked the LTFRB to lower the fares, said Darimbang.

“Desisyon kini mismo sa among grupo nga mag-petition mi for a decrease sa pletehan,” said Trafeco president Virgilio Valmoria.

Valmoria cited several reasons, one of which was the LTFRB decision to stop imposing the P3-thousand penalty on jeepney operators who failed to renew their LTFRB papers.

“We are helping the LTFRB because they also approved our request to reduce the penalties,” said Valmoria.

Second, Valmoria said, the group was dismayed because many passengers only pay P6 despite the P6.50 minimum fare.

”Mao ra man gihapon, maningil mi ug P6.50, P6 ra gihapon ang itunol sa pasahero. Mas maayo na lang nga i-P6 sirado lang ang minimum (fare) para di mi masakitan,” said Valmoria.

LTFRB will be giving the jeepney operators fare matrices for free. In the past, LTFRB imposed fees in exchange for fare matrices.

Trafeco said it would help the government in making sure that the adjustments are made in the jeepney fares under a campaign called Bantay Pasahe.

Lantion said the LTFRB would conduct another hearing on whether the jeepney fare would be pegged as is or adjusted. A decision would be made in July.

“It will really depend on the market forces by the time.” he said.

Parallel to the decrease of jeepney fares is the decrease in special privilege fares for senior citizens, students and the disabled also at 50 centavos. The minimum fare for these people is now pegged at P5 for the first four kilometers.

Darimbang said the jeepney fares in the region would remain the same as long as the average price of fuel is below P39. if the prices shoot to P39 or more, the fares would be increased based on the agreement, he said.

Lantion also took time to look into the long drawn-out dispute between the Rural Transit of Mindanao (RTMI) and Super 5 over the issue of undercharging.

Cagayan de Oro Journal

Mis Or guv turns over P3.8 million worth of medical equipment

TURN-OVER OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar S. Moreno recently turned over a P3.8 million worth of medical supplies and equipment to the seven district hospitals funded by the Philhealth Capitation Fund. These include an anesthesia machine, nebulizer sets, bedside pulse oximeter, glucometer, centrifuge machine, basic surgical sets, banmanometer, ECG machine, among others. The seven district hospitals in Misamis Oriental are located in Gingoog City , Balingasag, Talisayan, Initao, Claveria, Manticao, and Magsaysay. Revenues of these hospitals have so far increased brought about by the much improved quality of service. This can be partly attributed to the huge number of Philhealth enrollees all over the province. For 2007, the capitol has enrolled 100,000 indigent families at the Philhealth Indigency Insurance Program benefiting at least 500 thousand individuals. (MISOR PRESS OFFICE)

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MILF: "We respect the supremacy of the ongoing talks with RP"

CAGAYAN DE ORO (Teng Datu/March 21) - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) officials yesterday emphasized that they respect the supremacy of the ongoing peace agreement as they reply to the press statement of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo over the weekend.

In an interview with the MILF Chief aired over a local radio station here, Chairman Murad Ebrahim mentioned that the MILF leadership respects the impasse peace process and existing ceasefire agreement despite of the latest skirmishes in town Midsayap, Cotabato and some boundaries of Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan provinces.

“We are always committed to the ongoing peace talks with the Philippine government,” said Ebrahim.

He said, the MILF is continuing to adhere whatever the agreement given by the International Monitoring Team and Government of Republic of the Philippines in order to guard the sanctity of the peace process.

The MILF Chairman said that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has no intention to neither quarrel its own nest nor violate the existing ceasefire so as to preserve the significance of peace accord,

The Bangsamoro person is tired to move to one place to another, which is resulted to the on going clashes in the area, he added.

Chairman Ebrahim, claimed that there some groups who took advantage the situation who do not want peace in Mindanao may be due to their vested interest such as economic and political interest.

He said, there is no other solution to the Mindanao problem except to conduct comprehensive negotiation, the solution to the century old problem is must be anchored to the culture and certain belief of the Bangsamoro people which will absolutely foreign from the Constitution of the Philippine Government.

He said in a press statement that reached in the Cagayan de Oro Journal that the Bangsamoro people would only exercise their own culture and religious law through to Right to Self Determination (RSD).

Right to Self Determination is being recognized not only by the Philippine Government but in international law. except the provision that contradict to the Philippine constitution. He added.

In the last of statement, the MILF chief stressed that Development and infrastructure projects of the conflict-affected areas by the foreign donors is the off shoot of the peace agreement to fully support the on going peace talks between the MILF and GRP.

Cagayan de Oro Journal