Monday, February 15, 2016
Five bets take stage in CDO debate 2016
CAGAYAN de Oro City (Golden Journal / Feb. 15, 2016) - It’s all systems go for the presidential debate here on Feb 21, Friday with all five candidates confirming their participation, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez said yesterday.
In a radio interview, Jimenez said security has been tightened in and around the Capitol University where the debate will be held at 5 p.m.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director Chief Supt. Lyndel Desquitado said they are prepared for the “big event,” along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Desquitado said they have already inspected the debate venue and checkpoints have been set up across the city.
The police official also said they have urged local residents to help the police and the military in the peacekeeping efforts.
To take part in the debate are Sen. Grace Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Manuel Roxas II and Sen. Miriam Santiago.
The “PiliPinas Debate 2016,” organized by GMA 7 and the Inquirer in cooperation with the Comelec, will start in the afternoon. Each of the participants would be given one minute to give his or her opening statements and 90 seconds to answer a question, Jimenez toldMagnum radio.
The three major topics in the debate are peace and security, poverty alleviation and agriculture.
With many Filipinos expected to stay home today, Malacañang said they should sacrifice a little by watching the debate to know the candidates better.
“These will just be two hours of our busy schedule and on a Sunday when everyone wants to relax and de-stress a bit. Maybe this is a little sacrifice for the country – that we all watch, talk about the answers and the questions themselves and through this our decision for the country will be aided,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said over dzRB.
He said the people should realize the real winners in these debates would be themselves and the country in general.
“This becomes the way for the candidates to really face the important questions and give everyone time to reflect,” Quezon said.
Senate President Franklin Drilon also urged voters to tune in to the televised debates so they can make more informed decision come May 9.
He said the debates would provide voters with information about the plans and platforms of candidates that they could use as basis on who to elect as the next president and vice president.
“I hope that the public will not miss this chance to tune in and listen to the answers that will be given by those who want to lead this country for the next years, and if they really can continue the progress which we have already made in the past six years,” he said.
“These debates will give the voters throughout the country an important mechanism to know where the candidates stand on critical issues, such as on the fight against corruption, poverty alleviation, ending political dynasties, job generation and tax reform.”
If the Comelec decides to hold debates for the senatorial candidates, he would definitely participate in all of them, Drilon said.
“I will welcome any such opportunity to present my platforms and my suggestions, as a veteran lawmaker, on what political, social and economic reforms we need to undertake to ensure our nation’s continued progress,” he said. Drilon is running for reelection.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, national chairman of Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP), said his party would choose its candidate based on their statements in the debate.
“The presidential candidates must tackle the clamor for Mindanao is for a federal system of government, so that we can let each region of Mindanao, not only the Bangsamoro people, develop by giving them federal status,” Rodriguez said.
Another presidential debate sponsored by The Star, TV5 and the BusinessWorld is scheduled in Cebu on March 20. A third debate will be held in Luzon sponsored by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin.
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Golden Journal's channel/YouTube
In a radio interview, Jimenez said security has been tightened in and around the Capitol University where the debate will be held at 5 p.m.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director Chief Supt. Lyndel Desquitado said they are prepared for the “big event,” along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Desquitado said they have already inspected the debate venue and checkpoints have been set up across the city.
The police official also said they have urged local residents to help the police and the military in the peacekeeping efforts.
To take part in the debate are Sen. Grace Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Manuel Roxas II and Sen. Miriam Santiago.
The “PiliPinas Debate 2016,” organized by GMA 7 and the Inquirer in cooperation with the Comelec, will start in the afternoon. Each of the participants would be given one minute to give his or her opening statements and 90 seconds to answer a question, Jimenez toldMagnum radio.
The three major topics in the debate are peace and security, poverty alleviation and agriculture.
With many Filipinos expected to stay home today, Malacañang said they should sacrifice a little by watching the debate to know the candidates better.
“These will just be two hours of our busy schedule and on a Sunday when everyone wants to relax and de-stress a bit. Maybe this is a little sacrifice for the country – that we all watch, talk about the answers and the questions themselves and through this our decision for the country will be aided,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said over dzRB.
He said the people should realize the real winners in these debates would be themselves and the country in general.
“This becomes the way for the candidates to really face the important questions and give everyone time to reflect,” Quezon said.
Senate President Franklin Drilon also urged voters to tune in to the televised debates so they can make more informed decision come May 9.
He said the debates would provide voters with information about the plans and platforms of candidates that they could use as basis on who to elect as the next president and vice president.
“I hope that the public will not miss this chance to tune in and listen to the answers that will be given by those who want to lead this country for the next years, and if they really can continue the progress which we have already made in the past six years,” he said.
“These debates will give the voters throughout the country an important mechanism to know where the candidates stand on critical issues, such as on the fight against corruption, poverty alleviation, ending political dynasties, job generation and tax reform.”
If the Comelec decides to hold debates for the senatorial candidates, he would definitely participate in all of them, Drilon said.
“I will welcome any such opportunity to present my platforms and my suggestions, as a veteran lawmaker, on what political, social and economic reforms we need to undertake to ensure our nation’s continued progress,” he said. Drilon is running for reelection.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, national chairman of Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP), said his party would choose its candidate based on their statements in the debate.
“The presidential candidates must tackle the clamor for Mindanao is for a federal system of government, so that we can let each region of Mindanao, not only the Bangsamoro people, develop by giving them federal status,” Rodriguez said.
Another presidential debate sponsored by The Star, TV5 and the BusinessWorld is scheduled in Cebu on March 20. A third debate will be held in Luzon sponsored by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin.
Ledesma inducts 2016 YMCA officers, board of directors
Gonzalo “Al” Gesta assumes Oro’s YMCA, Inc. head
CAGAYAN de Oro City (BEN BALCE / Golden Journal) - BDO Velez Branch manager Gonzalo “Al” Gesta assumed the presidency of the Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc. (YMCA) after Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma installed him into office with new other officers and board of directors at Dynasty Court hotel here on Feb 12, Saturday.
Ledesma serves as the guest of honor and speaker and the chief inducting officer with four other government officials in northern Mindanao.
Commonly known as YMCA or simply the Y is a worldwide organization based in Geneva, Switzerland with more than 57 million beneficiaries from 125 national associations.
In his message, Archbishop Ledesma reminded the installed set of officers for 2016 to put Christian principles into practice by developing a healthy “body, mind, and spirit.”
The three angles are reflected by the different sides of the (red) triangle—part of all YMCA logos.
From its inception, it grew rapidly and ultimately became a worldwide movement founded on the principles of Muscular Christianity.
Meanwhile, Gesta in his acceptance speech explained that local YMCAs engage in a wide variety of charitable activities, including providing athletic facilities, holding classes for a wide variety of skills, proselytizing Christianity, and humanitarian work.
“YMCAs remain religious organizations,” said Gesta.
Many national or local organizations de-emphasize this aspect, while others choose to prioritize its religious mission above all others.
The different local YMCAs are voluntarily affiliated through their national organizations, according to Gesta.
The national organizations in turn are part of both an Area Alliance and the World Alliance of YMCAs.
The World Alliance’s main motto is “empowering young people”, and it is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
With regard to the history and purpose of the founding, this “organization and its female counterpart (YWCA) were established to provide low-cost housing in a safe Christian environment for rural young men and women journeying to the cities.
It was associated with industrialization and the movement of young people to cities to work.
The YMCA “combined preaching in the streets and the distribution of religious tracts with a social ministry.
Philanthropists saw them as places for wholesome recreation that would preserve youth from the temptations of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution and that would promote good citizenship.”
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Golden Journal's channel/YouTube
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Cagayan de Oro City Archbishop Most Rev. Antonio J.
Ledesma (4th from left) strikes a pose after receiving
a memento from newly installed YMCA-Cagayan de
Oro City president Gonzalo “Al” Gesta. Lower left
photo shows Bishop Ledesma with other inducting
officers (sitting, wearing ribbon necklace).
(Photos by BEN BALCE)
|
Ledesma serves as the guest of honor and speaker and the chief inducting officer with four other government officials in northern Mindanao.
Commonly known as YMCA or simply the Y is a worldwide organization based in Geneva, Switzerland with more than 57 million beneficiaries from 125 national associations.
The three angles are reflected by the different sides of the (red) triangle—part of all YMCA logos.
From its inception, it grew rapidly and ultimately became a worldwide movement founded on the principles of Muscular Christianity.
Meanwhile, Gesta in his acceptance speech explained that local YMCAs engage in a wide variety of charitable activities, including providing athletic facilities, holding classes for a wide variety of skills, proselytizing Christianity, and humanitarian work.
“YMCAs remain religious organizations,” said Gesta.
Many national or local organizations de-emphasize this aspect, while others choose to prioritize its religious mission above all others.
The different local YMCAs are voluntarily affiliated through their national organizations, according to Gesta.
The national organizations in turn are part of both an Area Alliance and the World Alliance of YMCAs.
The World Alliance’s main motto is “empowering young people”, and it is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
With regard to the history and purpose of the founding, this “organization and its female counterpart (YWCA) were established to provide low-cost housing in a safe Christian environment for rural young men and women journeying to the cities.
It was associated with industrialization and the movement of young people to cities to work.
The YMCA “combined preaching in the streets and the distribution of religious tracts with a social ministry.
Philanthropists saw them as places for wholesome recreation that would preserve youth from the temptations of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution and that would promote good citizenship.”
Shop your way to Los Angeles with the VisMin SM Stores and PAL
With summer just ahead, Visayas and Mindanao residents have a chance to take a holiday in Los Angeles, the Philippine Airlines newest destination when they shop at the SM Stores in the region.
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| Shop at The SM Store and get a chance to win a roundtrip ticket to Los Angeles, USA via Philippine Airlines. For every Php 2,000 single-receipt purchase made until March 31, 2016 using your SM Advantage/ Prestige/BDO Rewards cards at any participating branches entitles you to join the raffle and get a chance to win one of the roundtrip tickets to Los Angeles, USA or other international and local destination via Philippine Airlines. Participating stores include The SM Store Cebu, Seaside Cebu, Consolacion, Bacolod, Iloilo, Delgado, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Lanang Premier and General Santos. |
In The SM Store and PAL’s Shop Your Way to Los Angeles e-raffle promotion, thirty- two (32) lucky winners will receive a roundtrip ticket to Los Angeles or other international and local destinations served by the airlines from the Cebu International Airport.
Five lucky shoppers have a chance to win roundtrip tickets to Los Angeles; while three others have a chance to win airline tickets to Japan. There will be four winners of roundtrip tickets to Manila; and 20 winners of round trip tickets from Cebu to other Vismin destinations.
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| The famous Sta. Monica Pier at Los Angeles, USA. |
How to win? Simply shop at The SM Store VISMIN branches! For every Php 2,000 single-receipt purchase made until March 31, 2016 using your SM Advantage / Prestige / BDO Rewards cards at any participating The SM Store branches, you can get a chance to win one of the roundtrip tickets to Los Angeles and other destinations via Philippines Airlines.
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| Hollywood’s glitz and glamour awaits five lucky shoppers in The SM Store and PAL’s Shop Your Way To Los Angeles joint promotion. |
You can double your chances of winning using BDO Credit and Debit Card.
There will be two raffle draws: fifteen winners will be drawn March 15, 2016 for the February 26- March 10, 2016 shopping period; and 17 winners will be drawn on April 8, 2016 for the March 11-31, 2016 shopping period. The E-Raffle draw will be held at the MCI office, 4th floor One E-Com Center, Harbor Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City in the presence of DTI and SM representatives.
Participating stores include The SM Store Cebu, Seaside Cebu, Consolacion, Bacolod, Iloilo, Delgado, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Lanang Premier and General Santos.
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| Tokyo, Japan is one of the destinations to win at The SM Store and PAL’s joint raffle promotion. |
Shop Your Way to Los Angeles at the
Vismin SM Stores with Philippine Airlines.
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Monday, February 08, 2016
Ulep orders offices to get rid of ‘fixers’
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Gesta assumes Oro’s YMCA head. Cagayan de Oro City Archbishop
Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma (3rd from right) leads the Installation and Induction Ceremonies of the 2016 Board of Directors of the Cagayan de Oro Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Inc. headed by its newly elected president BDO Velez Branch manager Gonzalo “Al”
Gesta (center, facing right).
Archbishop Ledesma serves as the chief
inducting officer and the guest of honor and speaker held at Dynasty Court Hotel on February 12, 2016. (Photo by BEN BALCE) |
CAGAYAN de Oro City - (BEN BALCE / Golden Journal) - A senior official of the Department of Transportation and
Communication (DOTC) has ordered all transportation offices in the country to
get rid of “fixers” within the premises of the Land Transportation Offices
(LTO).
Northern Mindanao regional director Hilarion Ulep said
that in compliance with the directive, the LTO regional office issued a
memorandum to bar all known fixers from entering the LTO premises in the
regional office here.
Ulep said that although fixing had already been banned by
past LTO chiefs, the new memorandum was intended to complement the
implementation of Republic Act (RA) 9485, otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape
Act.
In a memorandum dated Jan. 12, 2016, new assistant
Secretary Roberto Cabrera III, has ordered all LTO offices nationwide to ban
fixers from entering the LTO offices amid reports and complaints of the
proliferation of fixers in the LTO premises around the country.
Ulep said that in compliance with the directive, the LTO
regional office had issued a memorandum to five provincial offices in Northern
Mindanao and to the various LTO satellite offices in Cagayan De Oro and the
neighboring cities in the region.
"All employees and personnel are hereby reminded to
wear at all times their office identification card," Ulep said.
Adding that anybody who is caught violating this new
memorandum would be dealt with accordingly, according to Ulep. (with PNA)
Monday, December 14, 2015
NGCP denies hand on power outage in Oro
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CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno congratulates the winners
of the ‘Search for Outstanding Indigenous People Leaders. |
CAGAYAN de Oro City (GOLDEN JOURNAL/BEN BALCE) - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)
on Friday denied any knowledge of the “rotating brownouts” in this trading hub
of Northern Mindanao.
Local businessmen and residents in Cagayan De Oro City
have complained of the three-to-four hours of rotating power outage imposed by
the local power energy distributor Cagayan De Oro Power and Light Company (CEPALCO)
here.
CEPALCO officials explained that the power allocated for
distribution to electricity subscribers here was less than the daily allocation
of 150 megawatts.
The NGCP, a private company tasked to transmit power and
electricity to various power distributors in Mindanao, has denied any knowledge
of allocated power to the local power distributors.
Beth Ladaga of the NGCP’s Corporate Affairs in Mindanao,
said that the NGCP is not privy to the amount of power allocated to the local
power distributors.
“The NGCP only transmits the power allocated to the power
distributors in Mindanao. We have no knowledge how much power is allocated,
although we know that the allocation varies on a daily basis,” Ladaga said.
She said that the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR)
and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM)
determine the amount of power allocations to the power distributors, which is
transmitted through the power grid maintained by the NGCP.
4ID destroys 186 loose firearms in Cag de Oro
CAGAYAN de Oro City (Golden Journal / 12/14/15) - The Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) “demilitarized”
186 firearms during a ceremony here Monday morning last week.
4ID commander Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao led the destruction
of the loose firearms witnessed by local officials.
Members of the Army’s general staff also joined the
destruction of the firearms, most of them assault rifles.
The military used iron cutters to cut the firearms and render
them unserviceable.
Lactao said that the military here conducts the “demilitarization” of firearms twice a year.
Share a toy at SM
 |
SM shoppers can play Santa to less fortunate
kids by donating old or new toys at the Share a Toy booth at the SM Store and Toy Kingdom in SM City Cagayan de Oro and in all SM Malls
nationwide until December 31, 2015. When they
buy new toys to give, they get P50 off coupon on a minimum P500 single-receipt purchase on regular-priced toys. |
A joint project of The SM Store and Toy Kingdom in partnership with SM Foundation and the Department of Social Welfare and Development – the Share a Toy campaign continuously promotes involvement among society in spreading the spirit of Christmas by simply giving toys, old or new to kids in less fortunate communities and accredited organizations.
Shoppers do their share by visiting Share a Toy booth at The SM Store and Toy Kingdom in SM City Cagayan de Oro and in all SM Malls nationwide where shoppers can donate old or new toys until December 31, 2015.
SM and Toy Kingdom are likewise sharing the joys of Christmas with big-hearted shoppers.
Every time they buy toys to donate from SM and Toy Kingdom, every P500 single receipt purchase on regular priced toys entitles one to a P50 off coupon valid untilJanuary 31, 2016.
Maximum of ten (10) coupons will be given per transaction.
Share a Toy and make a child happy this Christmas at SM!
Monday, December 07, 2015
LTO-10 posts 10.09% hike in revenue: Ulep
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NORTHERN Mindanao Land Transportation Office
regional
director Hilarion Ulep strikes a pose as he shows to
the
public the motorcycle units seized by the LTO-10
enforcers.
|
LTO-10 regional director Hilarion Ulep said the agency
was also able to surpass its first semester revenue target by more than P36
million. The amount collected for the first semester of 2015 is
P369,735,686.63.
“It’s higher by 10.88% compared to P333,443,313.70 in the
same period last year,” said Ulep.
Based on the LTO’s accomplishment report, the sources of
revenue are the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC), vehicle registration
penalties and license fees.
Ulep said that almost all the districts increased their
first semester revenues from last year with the Cagayan de Oro District Office
(CDODO) posting the highest collection of P135.2 million as of 3rd quarter this
year.
“Even though CDO district office decreases 6.45% at the
3rd quarter, still an 18.88% increased at the first semester this year,” said
Ulep.
He added the region’s new registration unit also
collected P81,300,013.34 more than P50 million after the 3rd Quarter this year.
While, district offices of Iligan and Malaybalay
collected P62.6 million and P49.8 respectively for the 3rd Quarter this year.
Ulep said the agency’s strong revenue indicates that the
agency has been efficiently carrying out the tasks mandated by the government.
Ulep said, “the revenue collection will go back to the
public in the form of better service and projects from the LTO.”
The other DO/EO’s collected the following amounts:
Maramag, P40.1 million; E-Patrol X, P39.25 million; Ozamis City, P26.20; CDO LC, P21.67 million; Oroquieta City,
P20.72 million; and Regional Office,
P20.14.
Others are Gingoog City, P16.18 million; Tubod, Lanao del
Norte, P12.81 million; DLRC Cagayan, P10.25; Camiguin, P9.62 million; Valencia
M.U, P9.57 million and Tangub City, P9.11 million.
Acenas says Oro remains a peaceful city, safe for tourists
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| Vice Mayor Ceasar Ian Acenas |
Acenas issued the statement to dispel insinuations by
some candidates of “Mr. and Miss PanContinental International Global Beauty
Pageant” that Cagayan De Oro City is not a safe place for foreigners.
Pageant candidate Nicole Harding of New Zealand said in
published reports that she was warned that “Cagayan de Oro is worse than
Afghanistan.”
“Harding’s statements were aired by local and foreign
media and if not corrected will adversely affect the efforts of the city
government to lure more investors and foreign visitors here,” Acenas said.
He said everyone should know that Cagayan de Oro has
always been and is still a very peaceful place.
"In fact, Cagayan De Oro City remains a favorite
convention and tourist destination, nothing has changed and that the statement
of Harding was unfounded. We also have many foreign residents and guests who
are happily living in our city,” Acenas said.
He called on concerned government agencies to look into
the pageant mess and to find ways to ensure that the incident would not happen
again.
“All those who are visiting the city should have the best
experience as I believe that is what we, Kagay-anons, want to give them,” he
said. (BB with PNA)
BFAR says illegal fishing remains a problem in Misor
Visa Tan Dimeren, BFAR regional director, said that there
are three hot spot areas for illegal fishing in Misamis Oriental while
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Bambi lights up Capitol Park for Christmas.
Christmas is now in the air at Vicente de Lara Park at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol in Cagayan de Oro City after the formal switching on of the Christmas lights of different colors last Friday by Misamis Oriental governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano together with other provincial government officials. (Photos by BEN BALCE) |
She said there were reports about “encroachment of
fishing boats” and dynamite fishing in the coastal towns while dynamite fishing
is prevalent in Cagayan De Oro City’s coastal areas.
Dimeren said that with only 50 personnel assigned at the
Maritime Police in Northern Mindanao, law enforcers find it difficult to check
the illegal fishing activities in the region.
The BFAR official, however, hopes that illegal fishing in
Northern Mindanao would be minimized following the formation of a task force
comprising the Maritime police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National
Police along with the media to monitor illegal fishing in the region.
She said that the formation of the task force is mandated
under Republic Act No. RA 10654, which imposes stiffer penalties against those
caught engaging in illegal fishing. (With PNA)
Monday, November 30, 2015
Bangsa Moro Party launches crusade
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Moro Party take-offs crusade. OFFICIALS of the Bangsa Moro
Party (BMP) pose during a press conference held at Klub
Filipino, Greenhills,
San Juan on November 26, 2015.
From left to right: Atty. J Ricardo H.
Moreño, Director for
Media Services;
Judge Casan-Ali Limbona, Vice-Chairman
for National and Internal Affairs; Datu Mengka M. Alim,
Chairman for Region ll; Sultan Punduma Sani ,
Vice chairman
for political affairs; Sultan Firdausi I.Y. Abbas, Ph.D.,
Chairman Executive Council; Atty. Ombra T. Jainal,
Executive Vice- Chairman; Assemblyman
Ali Montaha Babao
Vice-Chairman for
International Affairs; Abdullah Nur Benito,
Vice-Chairman for Security and
Special Services and
Atty. Dalidig A. Sumndad, Vice-Chairman for Legal Affairs.
(Photo supplied)
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The BMP was established in 1985 by the Conference of the Bangsa Moro Islamic Organization’s (CBMIO), composed of fifty-eight (58) Moro Organizations as the political arm of the Bangsa Moro revolutionary struggle of which the Chairman of the Bangsa Moro Party Executive Council, Sultan Firdausi I. Y. Abbas, Ph.D. was the CBMIO Secretary-General.
The BMP looks at the 2016 polls as the opportunity for the Bangsa Moro to freely choose the leaders they can trust and depend on, according to Abbas.
“This elections unlike the previous ones which were actually selections and not elections will be held simultaneously with the national elections. The incumbent president is outgoing and the administration will have to concentrate on the candidacy of senator Mar Roxas who is tailing in the surveys. Today, malacañang’s tentacles will not be as formidable as in the past. Its machinery to rig the ARMM elections will not be as strong and overwhelming. Their candidate has to fend for himself. Man to man our candidate is far stronger.” Executive Vice –Chairman Atty. Ombra T. Jainal who hails from Sulu said.
The Resolution points out that, “The ARMM governors since President Corazon Aquino have failed to institutionalized the aspiration, sentiments and goals of the Bangsa Moro for a progressive economic future, and protect and develop their cultural and patrimonial heritage;
The leaders of the ARMM through the years have failed to implement the provisions of the organic acts 6734 and 9054;
Those who assumed office of ARMM regional governor miserably failed to deliver the basic needs to the people, protect their health, their livelihood and their security, and have been consistently puppets of Malacañang;
The BMP in its program of government believe that the ARMM must be dignified, honorable and honest and can be realized if these virtues become mandatory in the character of the men and women who exercise authority, especially and primarily the regional governor.
“The time has come to now install a man with integrity, competence and courage as regional governor,” said Abbas who is also the Sultan of Lanao del Sur.
Integrity to command the respect of his peers and those in Manila; Competence to be able to draw up a program and a paradigm to usher in peace and development in the region; courage to say no to those who intrude into the business of the ARMM for their own interests and no to the powers that be who want to stifle and control the autonomous government.”
Based on the Resolution 1337, the party declared its support for Vice Governor Sakur M. Tan of Sulu as the Regional ARMM Governor.
Sultan Abbas stated that the traits necessary for efficient, competent and successful leadership in the ARMM are succinctly in the character of Vice-Governor Sakur M. Tan- a man who will not kow-tow to Malacañang, who will stand strong and firm on his principles and will not betray the trust of the Bangsa Moro.
The BMP Executive Council in it declaration of support acknowledged that through the years Governor Tan has struggled and fought to have his place under the sun, to protect and help his people and raise his area to a satisfactory economic level despite the turmoil, stood brave and unyielding to terrorist demands and surviving an explosion triggered by terrorists.
Sulu through the decades has always been difficult to govern and administer but Governor Tan succeeded for he has in his heart the welfare of all his constituents and listens to all who come to him for as he says “Everyone has something to say, some idea to contribute and it is a duty to listen not just as governor, but as a Muslim.”
The Chairman of the Executive Council also pointed out that the MNLF wings of Nurullagi Misuari and Mayor Mus Sema of Cotabato City are united in their political pursuit to make the ARMM truly autonomous and the instrument to develop the moro areas and raise the level of the economic and social conditions of the Bangsa Moro under the BMP banner and there are even MILF officers who are with the BMP because the ARMM elections is a separate issue from the BBL.
The other executive officers other than Sultan Abbas and Atty. Jainal, who was former Solicitor-General of the ARMM are: Atty. Omar S. Sema, Secretary General, scion of the Sema Clan of Cotabato City, Sultan Punduma Sani, Vice-Chairman for Political Affairs , the Incumbent Vice-Chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front-MNLF, Sultan of Guimba, Lanao del Sur, Lt. General in the Bangsa Moro Army, member of the Top 90, and former Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, ARMM, Atty. Dalidig A. Sumndad, Vice-Chairman for Legal Affairs, Former President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Marawi City Chapter and Deputy General Counsel, Assemblyman Datu Ali Montaha Babao, Vice-Chairman for International Affairs, Incumbent Floor Leader of the Bangsa Moro National Parliament MNLF, former Assemblyman of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development, SPCPD, Judge Casan-Ali Limbona, Vice-Chairman for National and Internal Affairs, Former Judge, Shairah District Court, Abdullah Nur Benito, Vice-Chairman for Security and Special Services, former member of the MNLF Central Committee and Johaira R. Conding, Vice-Chairperson for Women Affairs, of the Rashid, Dimaporo and Conding Clans of the Lanao Provinces and Marawi City.
The regional chairmen are Dr. Naguib A. Munder, Asnawi Sinsuat Limbona, Datu Mengka M. Alim, Abdulkadir M. Yahya, Jr., Habib Andang Hashim, Abdelnasser Hadjiula and Ali Montaha M. Babao, Jr., Regions I to Vll respectively.
1 hurt as rebels attack tribal village in Bukidnon
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| Lt. Col. Lennon G. BABILONIA |
Capt. Norman Tagros, spokesperson of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion based here, identified the wounded as Angelo "Loyloy" Yanggahon, a member of the Umayamnon tribe, who sustained a gunshot wound in his right arm.
Tagros said that Yanggahon has been undergoing treatment in the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Malaybalay City. The victim is now in stable condition, Tagros said.
He said that the NPA rebels believed to belong to the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee fired their guns indiscriminately toward the tribal village of Miaray, in Mandahican, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon Monday evening.
Tagros said that the terrified Lumads of the Umayamnon tribe fled toward the outskirts of the tribal village as the tribe’s cultural guards known “Baganis” could do nothing but witnessed the unfolding terror.
Tagros said that the local authorities are still determining the number of evacuees who have fled to the town proper as the military mounted a combat operation in the area.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Lennon G. Babilonia, commanding officer of the army’s 8IB, accused the NPA rebels of atrocities committed against the tribal communities in the borders of Bukidnon and Agusan Del Sur.
He said that the military is investigating into the motive of the NPA in attacking the tribal communities in Northern Mindanao.
“We assure our people, especially our Lumad brothers, that the military will bring the perpetrators of these atrocities to justice while continuing the service to secure the tribal communities,” Babilonia said. (With PNA)
NGCP says power supply in Mindanao remains bleak
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THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) admitted that
the grid operator failed to resolve right-of-way issues due to landowner’s
excessive demand of payment. NGCP even said transmission lines become
non-operational because some landowners are preventing the NGCP from
properly maintaining the power lines, then Mindanao will continue to be
plagued by power interruptions in the future. (BB)
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Beth Ladaga, who heads the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Regional Corporate and Public Affairs said that the energy situation will not improve if there are no transmission lines to deliver the new capacity to the distribution utilities and household consumers.
Ladaga was referring to various transmission lines that crossed along farm lots in Lanao Del Sur that have remained vulnerable due to trees planted by landowners who want payment at exorbitant rates.
She cited the case of a certain Balao Pundag who has planted 1,500 trees along the right of way of the NGCP’s transmission lines that threatens the Agus 2 – Kibawe 138kV line.
Ladaga said the NGCP has been negotiating with Pundag for the past 16 months in the hope the maintenance crew could enter the lot area and clear the trees that poses danger to the power transmission lines.
The NGCP has expressed the willingness to pay PHP77,750 for the 1,500 trees in its prevailing market and assessed value. However, Pundag wants a PHP478,650 payment for the trees, the NGCP said.
Ladaga said the NGCP has to stick to a standard valuation of property, which is based on verifiable sources such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and government financial institutions.
“It is sad to think that for years, both the government and private sectors have been working together to invite power stakeholders to build new sources of energy in Mindanao in order to address the island’s power deficiency,” she said.
She that the NGCP has been working to ensure that the facilities necessary to connect these plants to the grid are already in place by the time these power plants are ready to operate.
However, if our transmission lines become non-operational because some landowners are preventing the NGCP from properly maintaining the power lines, then Mindanao will continue to be plagued by power interruptions in the future, Ladaga said.(With PNA)
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