One protesting Sumilao lady farmer hospitalized in Leyte

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 29, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  One of the protesting Higaonon farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon who are on a 60-day protest march to Manila, was hospitalized at the Leyte Provincial Hospital in the afternoon of October 29 because of exhaustion.

Mayor Roque Tiu of Tanauan, Leyte who is the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Leyte Chapter, informed the Philippine Information Agency that the he was requested to send the Tanauan Ambulance to Mayorga, Leyte, about 30 minutes away from Tanauan, to transport the lady Sumilao farmer who collapsed while walking towards Dulag and Tolosa.

Mayor Tiu said that he immediately dispatched the town ambulance to Mayorga and was informed that the lady Sumilao farmer was brought to the Leyte Provincial Hospital because of stomach cramps. The lady farmer was given dextrose.

Department of Agrarian Reform Assistant Regional Director Antonio Tan said that the same lady farmer was given dextrose at the Abuyog District Hospital last night. The protesting farmers, according to ARD Tan slept in Abuyog last night.

Today, the lady farmer again walked from Abuyog going to Tolosa, Leyte where they are supposed to sleep tonight.

On October 30, the protesting farmers are expected to arrive in Tacloban City and will sleep at the Sto. Niño Church.

The protesting Higaonon farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon started the Visayas-leg of their 60-day protest march to Manila on Wednesday, October 25, arriving in Liloan. The Visayas leg will last for 16 days.

According to the protesting farmers, their protest march seeks to dramatize the farmers’ 10-year clamor for ownership of the 144-hectare Quisumbing Estate which they claim form part of their ancestral land.

They are going to Manila to request President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to intercede for them. In 1995, the farmers were issued a certificate of land ownership award over the estate but Malacañang later canceled the CLOA.

Information received by the Philippine Information Agency stated that the farmers are also advocating the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform program which is supposed to expire next year.

According to verified information, the farmers who were originally 54 when they left San Vicente Village at about 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon of October 10 are now down to 51 when their medical support team decided not to let Sonia Bayo and Dote Agustin to continue with the walk.

A week of walking had taken physical toll on the two marchers with Agustin suffering from recurrent fever while Bayo, with recurring stomach pains and vomiting. Agustin’s wife, Emerita Buclasan, was forced to return to Bukidnon to attend to her sick husband.

Guiuan Mayor to media: Rewrite history

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
October 28, 2007

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  Municipal Mayor Annaliza G. Kwan of Guiuan called on the press and historians to rewrite Philippine History.  This she said in her speech during the “Sentimental Journey Celebration” in Ngolos, Guiuan recently.

Apparently appalled by what she called misrepresentation of events in history books, Kwan delivered emotionally her talk before an audience of veterans, their sons and daughters. Guiuan, she said is never mentioned in any book which accounts Leyte Landing nor the one which tells about Magellan’s in 1521.

From her readings, she further believes that Gen. Douglas McArthur could have not landed in Leyte on July 20, 1946, were it not for the Suluan Island Raid in Guiuan.  Her analysis dictates that the guerillas who attacked the Japanese who disguised themselves as fishermen in the Guiuan waters contributed in the operation which cleared the path for McArthur’s landing in Leyte, yet never is it mentioned partly or otherwise. 

Also, she has kept on searching for any paragraph in any Philippine History book which would somehow mention of her town’s barangay Ngolos, being once the Supply Depot of the American Naval Base which was then based in the Samar island. She likewise laments that the Guiuan airport which was of world standard then, is silent in the books. 

“Why can’t they say something about these significant places and events which transpired in this part of the country?”, she asked.

She understands of course the confidentiality of these facilities before as she referred to military parlance which is perhaps the reason for all of these silences.  But that was more than 60 years ago, Kwan stressed, and today it is best to place things and events in their proper perspectives, she concluded. Thus, her appeal to the media and to the local historians, to rewrite history. 

The  October 17 celebration, which is a few days before McArthur’s Leyte Landing (October 20),  is a brainchild of former governor, Gen. Ruperto Ambil, Jr.

Biliran policewoman is one of the Ten Best Policewomen of RP

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 27, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The men and women of the Philippine National Police in Region 8, especially Police Regional Office 8 Director, General Abner Cabalquinto, has a reason to smile these days.

Inspector Ma. Bella Rentuaya of Biliran, Police Regional Office 8, is one of this year’s ten outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines. Her winning in the country’s search will surely serve as an inspiration to other policewomen not only of the Region but of the whole country as well.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo honored the outstanding policewomen of the Philippine National Police in a simple rites held at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang on October 25.

Aside from Rentuaya, the other awardees are Police Senior Inspector Rosalinda Abellon of Negros Oriental, Police Regional Office 7; Chief Inspector Janet Homo of Health Service; PO3 Annaliza Cotiangco (Police Regional Office 13), PO2 Mary Jane Dalumay (Penablanca Police Regional Office 2), Chief Insp. Madeline Cacao (Police Regional Office 10), PO3 Liza Jane Alteza (Iriga City Police Regional Office 5), SPO2 Ramonita Pajanostan (AIDSOTF), PO2 Jaidee Lunggami (PNP SAF), and Supt. Ligaya Cabal (Crime Laboratory Group).

The outstanding policewomen have exemplified noteworthy accomplishments in various fields of police work such as law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice and community relations.

Aside from the medals, the honorees also received cash incentives from the Zonta Club of Makati which started the annual search in 2002 in order to give recognition of the importance of police women as partners of men in institutional transformation of the country’s premiere law enforcement agency.

Former Leyte governor and congressman, appointed PAGCOR vice-president by PGMA

By Provincial Media Relations Center (PMRC Leyte)
October 26, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Former three-termer Leyte governor and First District Representative Remedios “Matin” Petilla describes her new post as vice-president of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to be a challenging one since it would be nationwide in scope.

However, the former lady solon said it would still have a semblance of what she has been doing during the past decade as her assignment is specially focused on anti-poverty programs of the national government for the ten identified poorest provinces in the country today.

For the most part, she disclosed, these anti-poverty programs do not cover the province of Leyte but said, she would find ways to provide aid to the province in any way she can.

She said her appointment also means that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is confident of her capacity to facilitate these anti-poverty projects, considered among the topmost agenda of the PGMA administration of alleviating poverty in the countryside.

This the former congresswoman said in answer that her appointment may have come as a “reward” for giving way to another candidate in the last May elections, nipping her plan to run for another term as Leyte first district representative.

It can be recalled that she gave up her reelection bid to pave the way for unification with the administration party umbrella in the province that subsequently saw to the uncontested win of incumbent first district congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a member of PGMA’s KAMPI party.

Aside from being named as vice president of PAGCOR the former lady solon was also appointed as the chairman of the board of director of the sequestered television station IBC-13.

Her stand on the current issue whether to privatize the government-run TV station, she said she still has to look into the overall operation and set up of the company and took with other members of the board and other officials to decide if privatizing it is the better option.

It was learned that for this new position she would be holding office for at least three times a week in Manila, but the bulk of her time will be spent in assisting PGMA’s anti-poverty projects in the Visayas.

Five Samar town converge for peace and development forum

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
October 26, 2007

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Five towns in Samar will converge on October 27, 2007 at the Basey Gymnasium to hold a Peace and Development Forum.

The towns of Basey, Marabut, Sta. Rita, Pinabacdao and Talalora, along with some 500 rural folks belonging to the newly organized Barangay Organized Party (BOP) will take oath as active converts to Kaunlaran ay Isulong Bayan Ibig Gumawa ng Aksiyon Ngayon (KAIBIGAN) Barangay Chapter.

In an invitation to the media, Col. Francisco B. Lanuza, through army Major Armand Rico of the 801st Infantry Brigade with the mentioned LGUs will facilitate the so called social integration of the rural participants.

These participants have been ‘retrieved’ from the influences of the rebels, said the army major through their Special Operation Team (SOT).

With this new development, Officer Rico believes that only a handful of armed NPA’s remain.

KAIBIGAN as coined by the 801st IB is a roadmap to a strategic development concept aimed at maintaining peace and order in the island of Samar thereby ushering progress and development that has long been wanting.

Part of the would-be job of these converts will be to monitor the presence of ‘strangers’ in the barangay to easily ward off suspicious elements.

The BOPs will maintain an open line of communication with government troops for possible assistance.

The army officer added that a press conference with Catbalogan and Tacloban media will follow in the presence of the five Samar Mayors, Hon. Wilfredo Estorninos of  Basey, Marabut Mayor Percival Ortillo, Sta. Rita Mayor Lisandro Adolfo, Pinabacdao Mayor Mario Quijano and  Talalora Mayor Cornelio Bersales.

134 candidates vie for 57 Punong Barangay posts in Samar’s capital

By NINFA B QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
October 26, 2007

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Some  134 Punong Barangay (village chief) candidates have crowded the 57 vacant posts for village chieftain while more than a thousand heads are vying for some 299 kagawad thrones in Samar’s capital Catbalogan City.

In a list obtained from Catbalogan COMELEC Officer Edgar delos Reyes, the list revealed that some seven Punong Barangay candidates are sure-fire winners as they are virtually unopposed.

Zosimo Dacles of Barangay Albalate, Leo Panis of Bagongon, Jaime Labian of Darahuway Guti, Rafael Muñoz of Estaka, Violeta Nablo of Ibol, Manuel Dacuma of Lobo and Stephany Tan of Poblacion  04 are lucky candidates with no opponent.

While unopposed candidates are running in seven barangays, five Punong Barangay candidates are running in Barangay Poblacion 13 and Barangay Rama.

For Barangay Kagawad where there are only 399 vacant posts, some 1,118 have crowded the registry.

Based on COMELEC record, Barangay Maulong has the most number of Kagawad candidates with 37; Barangay Rama 31 and Barangay Guindapunan 30.

In the Sangguniang Kabataan scenario, as they too will be electing their Chairperson and seven kagawad on October 29, some 579 are competing for some 399 posts like the Punong Barangays.

Like the seven unopposed Punong Barangays, some five SK Chairmen are also running unopposed. SK Marvin Jabon of Barangay Bangon; Diano Pesidas of Barangay Canhawan Goti, Kristinna Cassandra Aquino of Poblacion 05; Ariel Candido of Poblacion 08 and Jovy Gabane of Barangay Totoringan.

Some 135 SK Chairman candidates have to fight it out to fill the 57 thrones as Barangay SK Chairmen.

Meanwhile for SK Kagawad some 517 hopefuls of the 399 posts will slug it out.

Massive fake drug test results submitted to COMELEC exposed

By EMY C. BONIFACIO
October 23, 2007

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Provincial COMELEC Office, this city, has been furnished a copy of a letter-complaint forwarded by ten (10) would be candidates in the forthcoming synchronized Barangay and SK elections, coming from the Municipality of Matuguinao, Samar, on alleged fake drug test results submitted by almost 60% of its candidates.

Based on the complaint, a certain candidate was able to get copies of drug test results of Erlinda Verano Diaz and Jeffrey Velarde Sorio, candidates for Barangay Captains of Brgy. Rizal and San Isidro, both in the Municipality of Matuguinao, respectively. The said results, duly certified by the COMELEC Officer forms part of the documentary requirements submitted by the candidates on the last day of the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COCs), were being suspected as fake considering that these candidates were monitored to have failed to undergo actual drug testing, since its mandatory requirement was disseminated.

A close scrutiny of the documents revealed that the two drug test results, purportedly issued by the Calbayog Drug Testing Services in Calbayog City, have the same transaction numbers, accession numbers, date and time received and reported and a very prominent tampering on the portions of the names, ages, sex and birthdates, which were typewritten as reflected on the drug test reports.  This has caused alarm among the rest of the candidates, thus, they have requested to check on the drug test results of their opponents at the COMELECs Office, Matuguinao.  A massive fraud perceived by the opposition candidates, made them decide to bring the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation, Samar District.

The initial investigation reported the release of a Certification dated October 20, 2007, issued by Ma. Eppie T. Villanueva, RMT, Analyst of Calbayog Drug Testing Services, that attests to the non-existence of the names of Erlinda V. Diaz and Jeffrey V. Sorio in the logbook of their drug test results neither in the computer files on-line with the DOH-DTOMIS. It further disclosed the name of the original holder of the said drug test result which has been copied and tampered to appear as the original drug test results of the candidates who are allegedly supported by a high ranking politician in the municipality. The certifications confirmed that the results submitted to the COMELEC were not authentic and genuine.

Meanwhile, an interview conducted with the complainants revealed that there were individuals who are behind the solicitation of the amount of Seven Hundred Pesos (P700.00) from the administration candidates in exchange for the COC forms, documentary stamps, pictures, COMELEC subscription and a drug test, as package deals. Prominent names have been mentioned to have direct hand in manipulating the electoral processes.  One of the witnesses was even quoted as saying, “the COMELEC Officer must have knowledge about this fraud since he has accepted said photocopied/tampered drug test results of some candidates contrary to the required submission of the original and without the candidates personally appearing and signing in the logbook of the COMELEC. I hope that this matter will get media’s attention and the COMELEC’s thorough investigation to uncover the people behind the anomaly…We will really appreciate it if this matter will be brought to the attention of the national television programs like the XXX or Imbestigador for forewarn others of a similar problem”.

After having gathered the evidences, proper cases/complaints were already filed at the NBI and the COMELEC. The complainants are hopeful that the Law Department, COMELEC, Manila will favorably act on their request for a thorough investigation and possible disqualification of all the candidates who have submitted fake drug test results.

LMP supports revitalization program on responsible mining

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 23, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The National Government has the support of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), in its effort to revitalize responsible mining through socially responsible mining.

During the October 16 meeting at the Manila Hotel, the members of the National Directorate of LMP expressed their bold support to the Revitalization Program for Responsible Mining as embodied in Executive Order 270 and the Mining Association of the Philippines to help alleviate poverty in the countryside, address the environmental, social and health concerns of affected communities and bring about socially responsible mining on the ground.

Upon the motion of Mayor Roque A. Tiu of the municipality of Tanauan, province of Leyte and duly seconded en masse, the LMP National Directorate passed the resolution of support, copies of which, will be forwarded to all members of the LMP, ULAP, members of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Office of the President for their information and appropriate actions.

Executive Order No. 270, as amended states that it shall be the policy of the Government to promote responsible mineral resources exploration, development and utilization, in order to enhance economic growth, in a manner that adheres to the principles of sustainable development and with due regard for justice and equity, sensitivity to the culture of the Filipino people and respect for the Philippine sovereignty.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines feel that there is a need to establish a more active partnership among the LMP, the Minerals Development Council, the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines to promote socially responsible mining development in concerned Philippine municipalities and to address the various issues and concerns relative to the Revitalization Program for Responsible Mining as agreed during the LMP 2nd National Directorate Meeting at the Manila Hotel on October 16-17, 2007.

The LMP through its 1,510 member-municipalities, has always been in the forefront of providing services and implementing local government initiatives with the assistance of relevant stakeholders in support of governance reforms and socio-economic development to its constituencies.

The Minerals Development Council has the primary responsibility of advancing the government’s policy of responsible and sustainable development of the State’s mineral resources.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, is directly in charge of the administration and disposition of the country’s mineral lands and mineral resources.