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

Another Transco Power Pylon toppled in Marawi

Cagayan de Oro City (Mike Banos/Mar 16) – Another transmission pylon of the National Transmission Corporation has been toppled near Marawi City.

Engr. Emmanuel Abellanosa, Transco assistant vice president for Mindanao operations and maintenance, confirmed that another Transco power pylon was toppled in Bgy. Sogod, Marawi City around 11:30PM Tuesday when all four legs were ripped off by an improvised explosive device.

This follows two earlier attacks Sunday evening on Tower No. 7 located in Buenavista, Upper Abaga , Balo-i, Lanao del Norte and Tower No. 39 in the hinterland barangay of Bagtik, Puga-an Iligan City which were similarly attacked with the use of improvised explosive devices, though the latter failed to topple.

Although the three attacks failed to interrupt electric power service in Mindanao, Abellanosa said power service to the Picop plant in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte and Mindanao Silicon in Manticao, Misamis Oriental have been curtailed. Up to this time, Mr. Abellanosa said no threats or demand letters of any kind have been received by Transco.

"We need more fresh troops to patrol our lines," Abellanosa said. "Kulang kayo."

The area is under the jurisdiction of the 103rd Infantry Brigade under Col. Raynard Ronnie Y. Javier, an organic unit of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division based in Kuta Major Cesar L. Sang-an, Bgy. Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur under the command of Maj. Gen. Raymund Ferrer.

In an earlier interview by a local ABS CBN here, PNP Region 10 Director Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan said the bombers may have been motivated by revenge following the pullout of the Philippine Marines from the area of the attacks.

Although there were no attacks on Transco power pylons while the Marines were assigned in Lanao, Capuyan said there were a number of incidents involving the Marines and various armed groups from the area which may have triggered the present spate of attacks.

The series of attacks recall the February 28, 2003 incident when alleged Muslim rebels bombed a power station and toppled five Transco power pylons in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, cutting off electricity to almost all of Mindanao for several hours and costing the National Power Corporation P10-million in repairs to its 138-kilovolt Abaga-Lugait transmission line at Transco tower 5 which took almost a week to complete.

Reports from Camp Aguinaldo said the alleged rebels initially attacked a Napocor transmission tower with an IED at Tuminado, Lanao del Sur, causing the relay station in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte to trip and plunging the whole Mindanao grid into darkness.

Homemade bombs were also used earlier to topple five other transmission towers in Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao, including the only remaining power link between the northeast and southeast of the island.

The MILF subsequently denied responsibility for the bombings saying it has never been their policy to attack civilian centers or power lines. So far, the MILF has not commented on the present series of attacks.

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Moreno condemns Salay killings

CAGAYAN DE ORO JOURNAL (Maricel Casino-Revira/March 15) -Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar S. Moreno on Wednesday requested the police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a thorough investigation on the recent spate of killings in Salay, town Misamis Oriental.

Moreno called upon PNP Provincial Director PS/Supt. Danilo Pelisco and NBI regional director Atty. Virgilio Mendez to “leave no stone unturned in solving these killings and bring the perpetrators to the bar of justice.”

Moreno condemned in “the strongest terms the cold-blooded” killing of Sichi Gandinao last Saturday.

In a statement, Moreno said that “coming, as it did, very closely after the killing last month of Mr. Dalmacio Gandinao, one would naturally suspect that these killings are linked.”

His statement further reads, ”putting an end to a person’s life disturbs every decent peace-loving individual all throughout the world.”

“More so, if the termination is done by violent means. No well-meaning person will ever accept this kind of barbarism.”

“Misamis Oriental is blessed with peace-loving, hard-working and patriotic residents and the provincial government is firmly committed to promote Misamis Oriental further to higher levels and help its people achieve their dreams,” Moreno said.

Cagayan de Oro Journal

Seniors stage rally over GSIS pensions

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce/March 6) - A group of retired government employees on Friday trooped to the streets for a demonstration aimed at pressuring the Government Service Insurance Corp. (GSIS) to increase their pensions and give more benefits.

Members of the group, called Government Retirees’ Association of the Philippines (Graphil), braved the heat of the sun as they staged rally near the GSIS office in Carmen, this city.

They demanded that GSIS increase their pensions again by at least 12 percent each year or even more.

Graphil leader Roberto Mabulay said the retirees were dismayed after GSIS reduced the annual pension increase to three percent.

The group also questioned the GSIS’s move to stop giving benefits to the beneficiaries of the deceased.

The organized retirees also demanded that GSIS compute loans based on the actual years of public service of the pensioner.

The GSIS, they said, make the computations based on the number of years when they served as regular employees of the government. Many of them started as casual/contractual employees of the government and were regularized years later.

Former mayors Pablo Magtajas of Cagayan de Oro and Jaime Abarrientos of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental, joined the protesters. Former city health officer Dr. Jacinto Frias also came.

The pensioners accused the GSIS of corruption.

The alleged corruption, they said, has resulted in delays in the release of pensions.

The pensioners claimed they have yet to receive their pensions this year.

“GSIS is cruel,” said Mabulay. “Why they are always delaying our claims? Where are our pensions? They should explain to us what really happened to our pensions.”

“It’s Charter is a social legislation whose mission is to serve its members,” Mabulay, a lawyer who once served in GSIS, told crowd.

Mabulay’s group raised five major concerns:

- restoration of the annual increase of 12 percent which was reduced by the agency to three percent in 2004.

- resumption of Christmas gifts;

- increase in burial benefits from P20 thousand to P40 thousand;

- appointment of retiree to the GSIS board;

- establishment of GSIS bank

Luz Briones, the head of the local GSIS office, appeased the protesters by talking to them.

Briones in a news conference, said GSIS temporarily stopped releasing some of the benefits after the office discovered there were many false claims and discrepancies.

A number of pensioners did not inform GSIS that they have remarried or that their children, who are beneficiaries, have already turned 18.

Briones said she would refer the complaints to her superiors in Manila.

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GSIS gave P.5b to false claimants yearly

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce / March 3)The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is purging its list pensioners so half a billion pesos would not go to false claims yearly officials said yesterday.

Edgar Eduardo, GSIS vice president for field operations for Visayas and Mindanao, said GSIS uncovered a financial leakage when it started computerizing its database of spouses and children of deceased GSIS pensioners.

Beneficiaries of “survivorship pension” are entitled to benefits as long as surviving spouses does not re-marry and the children-beneficiaries have not reached 18 years old.

Eduardo said GSIS has been sending checks to about 81,000 beneficiaries of survivorship pensions for quite some time. The average pension is some P2,400 each month.

However, officials discovered that many of the beneficiaries have long ceased to qualify.

Eduardo said the discovery prompted the GSIS to reevaluate all survivorship pension claims.

As part of the “massive cleansing,” GSIS opted to temporarily suspend releasing survivorship pensions since January, he said.

Initially, he said, the GSIS found that 15 thousand of the 81 thousand beneficiaries were no longer qualified. The figure translates to some P36 million monthly or P432 million annually.

Eduardo admitted that the move was unpopular but the GSIS had to decide whether to condone the losses or temporarily suspend the release of survivorship pensions until it could purge the list.

“We chose to do what was right. We had to suspend pensions until we could cleanse our database. The GSIS is the money of government employees. It is immoral to throw away their money just because we are afraid to correct the survivorship pension records,” he said.

Eduardo said beneficiaries need not worry because the “massive cleansing” would be completed before the month ends.

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10 NPAs, 2 soldiers killed in Bukidnon

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City (Ben Balce) - TEN New People’s Army rebels and two soldiers were killed and three other government troopers were wounded in a firefight in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon last Thursday, the military reported yesterday.

Maj. Samuel Sagun, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said that the military preempted the communists’ plans to sabotage the ongoing festival in the city following the eight-hour firefight.

Sagun said elements of the 26th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations in the hinterlands of the city when they caught up with a 30-man fully-armed rebel group belonging to the Front Committee 89 at around 8 a.m.

Sagun said the military commanders sent an MG-520 attack helicopter to provide air support for the soldiers at the height of the firefight but it was not able to able to perform its assigned task.

"It was not able to provide air support because the troops were dangerously close to the rebels, the soldiers might be hit. It just went on a precision flight, it just flew above the encounter area," said Sagun.

He said the fighting lasted up to 4 p.m., resulting in the death of the 10 rebels, two of them females, and two soldiers – Cpl. Antonio Jamanda and Pfc Franklin Tan – and wounding of three other troopers, two of them militiamen.

Also recovered from the scene of the encounter were one M16 and one M14 rifles, a landmine and assorted ammunition, said Sagun, adding that government forces have launched pursuit operations against the remnants of the rebel group.

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Cop slain in gunfight at Buk'n police HQ's gate

MALAYBALAY City (Aurelle P. Arais / March 2)- A policeman was killed in a gunfight at the gate of Bukidnon provincial police office headquarters here at around 9:20 in the evening last Wednesday.

Police Supt. Juan Ratunil, Bukidnon provincial police director identified the fatality as PO2 Procoro Lutrago, a member of the 1003rd provincial police mobile group.

According to reports, the slain policeman was on duty at the gate, when two unidentified persons approached and shot him several times using an unknown caliber of hand guns.

Two other policemen responded prompting an exchange of gun fires.
However, the suspects were able to flee to an unknown direction.

It was not known if any of the suspects was hit during the encounter.

Some witnesses said that the two suspects fled from the crime scene riding a motorcycle.
During the hot pursuit operation, police recovered an abandoned motorcycle at Barangay 9, this city without a license plate number believed used by the suspects.

Ratunil said that before the suspects fled, they grabbed the Armalite rifle of the slain policeman.
The slain policeman succumbed to death with 20 gun shot wounds in various parts of the body.

It was also known if the incident was a direct attack against the provincial police office or personal motive in nature.

As of press time, an investigation is still going on.

Meanwhile, Ratunil clarified that the said incident will not affect the on going Kaamulan Festival and 90th Foundation Day of the province.

Bukidnon provincial police office beefed up its security measures to deter a similar attack in the future.

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