MikeLigalig.com

Computer security specialists warn that hackers are using fake YouTube pages to trick people into opening their machines to diabolical software.

A deceptive YouTube attack evolving as it spreads on the Internet is part of a growing trend of hackers to prowl popular online social networking communities in which people trustingly share web links and mini-programs.

"We are seeing tools like this not just for YouTube, but for MySpace, Facebook, America Online instant messaging ...," Trend Micro software threat research manager Jamz Yaneza told AFP on Thursday.

"All the various social networking sites have been hit with some page or another."

Hackers using the YouTube attack send people links to what are said to be must-see snippets at the Google-owned video-sharing website.

The links, instead, connect to convincingly realistic replicas of YouTube pages and tell people that a software update is needed to view a requested video.

Agreeing to the update lets the hacker install malicious software that could log keystrokes, steal data, or even take over people's computers, according to David Perry of Trend Micro.

Victims are not likely to catch onto the invasion since the hackers' software is able to stealthily link to the real YouTube website and play a promised video.

"This works as your typical drive-by download," Yaneza said of hackers planting malicious software in machines while rerouting online traffic.

"Essentially this can be used as a tool to serve up everything -- botnets, key loggers. Visually, you can't differentiate this from your regular YouTube page, it is done so well."

While some computer users might be able to spy something unusual about the online address, or "URL," of a bogus page, the safest thing to do is not trust links and instead go directly to YouTube for recommended videos. - AFP and Yahoo News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqbxcC8bqug

But Gabby and Sharon were not able to see each other, according to the report.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4xk1Bv1l_o

Senator Kiko Pangilinan denies the report.

By Ricardo F. Lo
Philippine Star Columnist

If not to basketball players, actresses are usually linked to politicians. Name some?

Now-Sen. Migz Zubiri and Vina Morales. Migz is happily married to Audrey Tan (with whom he has a months-old child) and Vina to a businessman (father of the baby she's heavy with).

Beth Tamayo is married to a town mayor while Alicia Meyer is giving birth anytime now to her and a politician's love child.

Of course, there's Sharon Cuneta whose marriage to Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is currently a fodder for the gossip mill, and Cristina "Kring-Kring" Gonzalez who's married to Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.

Pauleen Luna and Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian have already broken up; while Quezon City Councilor Aiko Melendez and Bulacan (Bulacan) Vice Mayor Patrick Meneses are, according to Aiko, "happy" in each other's company.

And now, Maui Taylor and Quezon City Councilor Ariel Inton whose constant togetherness is being (mis?)taken by many people to mean something else. Since last month when Ariel invited Maui to grace a charity event as part of his birthday celebration, she has been helping him distribute books in Q.C. schools and rice among the city's poor residents.

"Nothing personal," Maui told the Funfare DPA. "I simply enjoy helping him in his charity projects."

"No problem, though," added the DPA. "Maui is free and so is Ariel."

Bolingitboy, I am very impressed with your ideas and grasp of pressing issues in our country.

By Sara Rimer
The New York Times

The United States is failing to develop the math skills of both girls and boys, especially among those who could excel at the highest levels, a new study asserts, and girls who do succeed in the field are almost all immigrants or the daughters of immigrants from countries where mathematics is more highly valued.

The study suggests that while many girls have exceptional talent in math â€" the talent to become top math researchers, scientists and engineers â€" they are rarely identified in the United States. A major reason, according to the study, is that American culture does not highly value talent in math, and so discourages girls â€" and boys, for that matter â€" from excelling in the field. The study will be published Friday in Notices of the American Mathematical Society.

By Gavin Clarke
The Register UK

It seems that tech's billionaires are sharing the privations of ordinary citizens, whose savings are vanishing and pensions becoming worthless as stock markets tumble.

Bill Gates' 15-year reign as America's richest person is reportedly over, as the value of his investments has shrunk, surrendering his crown to investor Warren Buffett.

Gates, who amassed his fortune on Windows with Microsoft, has seen his net worth fall by $2.5bn to $55bn in four weeks while Buffett, who made his cash pile by investing in a broad portfolio with his Berkshire Hathaway baby, soared $8bn to $58bn, according to a revised Forbes rich list.

America's third richest person, and tech's best remunerated chief executive, has also taken a thumping but still holds on to his number-three slot. Larry Ellison is now worth $25.4bn, down from $27bn in the middle of September.

By Henry Samuel
Telegraph.co.uk

Dr Joel Brenner, the US National Counterintelligence Executive, warned that hundreds of chip and pin machines in stores and supermarkets across Europe have been tampered with to allow details of shoppers' credit card accounts to be relayed to overseas fraudsters.

These details are then used to make cash withdrawals or siphon off money from card holders' accounts in what is one of the largest scams of its kind.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph, America's counterintelligence chief said: "Previously only a nation state's intelligence service would have been capable of pulling off this type of operation. It's scary."

An organised crime syndicate is suspected of having tampered with the chip and pin machines, either during the manufacturing process at a factory in China, or shortly after they came off the production line.

In what is known as a "supply chain attack", criminals managed to bypass security measures and doctor the devices before they were dispatched from the factories where they were made.

The machines were opened, tampered with and perfectly resealed, said Dr Brenner, "so that it was impossible to tell even for someone working at the factory that they had been tampered with." They were then exported to Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium.

An investigation launched by Mastercard International is understood to have discovered several of the corrupted machines at British branches of Asda and Sainsbury's.

In all, hundreds of devices in Britian and other affected countries had been copying the account details and pin numbers of thousands of credit and debit cards over the past nine months and transmitting the data via mobile phone networks to underworld electronic experts in Lahore, Pakistan.

By Saul Hansell
New York Times

Verizon Wireless this week told companies that send out text messages that starting Nov. 1 it will impose a fee of 3 cents for each message it delivers to the phones of its subscribers. The plan prompted waves of protest among many of the companies that use text messages, and Verizon has backed off the details.

The 3-cent fee would be in addition to the fee of as much as 20 cents that those subscribers pay Verizon to receive the same message.

Text messages have become a popular way for companies to send bits of information to customers â€" sports scores, flight delays, bank balances or the latest updates from a social network.

The charge by Verizon Wireless, the nation’s second-largest cellphone service provider after AT&T, may prompt companies that have been working to tap into the texting boom to rethink their strategies. Many may simply stop sending messages to Verizon customers.

By Dale G. Israel
Cebu Daily News

Mandaue City Administrator Briccio Joseph Boholst yesterday justified the practice of allowing city officials and personnel to avail of cash advances to provide “a fast (and) responsive delivery of services” to city residents.

Boholst, in response to questions raised by city councilors over the P6.5 million cash advances incurred by Mayor Jonas Cortes’ top subordinates, assured that these advances made by department heads, including him, and other employees were in the process of being liquidated.

“The trade-off there is hold the activity or not to have it. So which would you want?” Boholst asked of his P450,000 cash advance for Mandaue City’s participation in the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo festival held last August.

Seven law graduates from the University of San Carlos (USC), their driver and two others were hurt after a passenger bus hit the sport utility vehicle they were riding along the national highway in Gerona, Tarlac province, on Wednesday, police said.

Senior Insp. Crescencio Cuaresma, Gerona police chief, said the victims â€" Michael Abad, 24; Rocel Gallo, 25; Honey Ang, 24; Andre Seno (identified as Andrei Sina in the police report), 24; Maria Carmen Tomis, 25; Alexa Lelis, 24; and Jerome Abayen, 24; and their driver, Ryan Yap, 35 â€" were on their way to Metro Manila when the accident happened in barangay Poblacion 3 about 5:30 a.m.

Alex Monteclar, dean of the of the USC College of Law, said he was informed by Andre Seno's father, former Mandaue City mayor Amadeo Seno.

He said he only knew that Andre broke his leg and would probably be airlifted from Manila to Cebu City.

Cuaresma said the group came from a tour of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. - Cebu Daily News

By Doris Bongcac
PDI

Tudela town on Camotes Island would have three mayors if the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) approves a request of the Cebu Provincial Board to designate Vice Mayor Clint Maratas as acting mayor.

Provincial Board (PB) Member Victor Maambong said it was important for someone to stand as an “authority figure” in the municipality. The town’s leadership is in limbo pending the resolution of an election case filed by Demetrio Granada against Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo, which is pending with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In Monday's PB session, Board Member Agnes Magpale filed a resolution urging the Comelec to resolve the pending election case.

While the resolution was unopposed, Maambong also urged the Land Bank of the Philippines, which is Tudela's depository bank and government agencies like DILG and the Commission on Audit to recognize Maratas as the acting mayor.

In the absence of a clear chief executive, Tudela would have difficulty delivering basic services, said Maambong.

An online campaign to encourage the public to plant 10 million trees by 2011 will be launched next week, according to organizers of the event.

The “10@10: The 10 Million Trees Campaign” will mark the 10th year anniversary of Luntiang Pilipinas (Green Philippines ), the urban forestry program founded by Senator Loren Legarda, who has been known to be a long-time environmental advocate, an e-mailed statement to media said.

Citing concerns for the “disastrous effects of the climate crisis worldwide,” the nationwide online campaign, to be launched on October 14, is hoping to encourage the “valuable contribution of individuals, private corporations and businesses, and national and local government agencies in planting 10 million trees by year 2011,” it said.

It also hopes to help mitigate the impact of global warming on the health, security, and lives of the Filipinos,” the statement said.

A memorandum of agreement among Luntiang Pilipinas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) has been signed, with these agencies serving as the monitoring networks to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign. Logistical support will be provided by Intel Philippines while the World AgroForestry Foundation will provide technical assistance for this campaign, it said. - source: PDI

By Richard Behar
Foxnews.com

The World Bank Group's computer network â€" one of the largest repositories of sensitive data about the economies of every nation â€" has been raided repeatedly by outsiders for more than a year, FOX News has learned.

It is still not known how much information was stolen. But sources inside the bank confirm that servers in the institution's highly-restricted treasury unit were deeply penetrated with spy software last April. Invaders also had full access to the rest of the bank's network for nearly a month in June and July.

In total, at least six major intrusions â€" two of them using the same group of IP addresses originating from China â€" have been detected at the World Bank since the summer of 2007, with the most recent breach occurring just last month.

This piece of news should gladden not only the hearts of Far Eastern University students and alumni. It’s a national triumph that FEU’s symbolâ€"the more elegant cousin of the Philippine water buffalo which the Haribon once called “Mindoro’s endangered treasure” and later “the Philippines’ endangered flagship species”â€"is no longer about to disappear from the face of the earth.

The tamaraw resembles the carabao. But it is darker, has a shorter tail and a V-shaped set of horns while the carabao’s horn is crescent- or C-shaped. A mature tamaraw stands at only about three feet high at the shoulder and weighs 300 kilograms.

Unlike the farming carabao, the tamaraw is wild and fierce. It attacks and pursues intruders.

Scientists who spoke at the Third Tamaraw Forum, held at FEU on Friday, gave the news that the population of Bubalus mindorensis (that’s the tamaraw’s scientific name), also called the “Mindoro dwarf buffalo” has started to stabilize thanks to private sector and government efforts.

Until 2005, Haribon still referred to the tamaraw as an endangered species.

A report by the environmentalist NGO’s writer-researcher Art Fuentes in February 2005 said: “Apart from the Philippine eagle, perhaps there is only one other animal that can best symbolize the mass extinction of species that is happening here in the Philippinesâ€"the Tamaraw. Once found in the thousands on the island of Mindoro in the early 1900s, it is estimated that fewer than 300 survive today. source: goodnewspilipinas.com

Following are real estate appraisers licensure examinees who garnered the 10 highest places:

1. Jojit Paras Silos -- 90.00%

2. Rito Gallega Maagad -- 89.00%

3. Homer Cariño Dorin -- 87.00%

4. Antonio Aquino Avila -- 86.00%
Servillano Jr Marciano Manguera -- 86.00%

5. Carmen Mondejar Gimeno -- 84.00%
Wilton Samparada Iya -- 84.00%
Josephine Arce Ubante -- 84.00%
Bartolome Batac Ventura -- 84.00%

6. Crisday Briones Bodiongan -- 83.00%
Robert Peter Megia Forbes -- 83.00
Ismael Taccad Lactao -- 83.00%

7. Carlos Banzon Bonilla -- 82.00%
Glenn Pedrialva Guinto -- 82.00%

8. Teresita Flores Ison -- 81.00%
Albert Bulahan Ochia -- 81.00%
Raquel Rubillos Pomida -- 81.00%
Rengie Oliva Villablanca -- 81.00%

9. Maria Chona Flores Quirante -- 80.00%

10. Regis Sicat Costales -- 78.00%
Allan Richard Paz Pacis -- 78.00%
Renato Jr Cunanan Torno -- 78.00%
Noel Jason Samson Vasquez -- 78.00%

Following are the top five test-takers of the Real Estate Brokers Licensure Examination:

1. Raphael Pulumbarit Reventar -- 86.00%

2. Glicerio Maarat Avanceña -- 82.00%
Larry Quebada Solis -- 82.00%

3. Jose Mari Generoso Corota -- 81.00%
Karen Lyn Sison Esdrelon -- 81.00%
Jackie Crisologo Saguisag -- 81.00%

4. Antonio Gerardo Emmanuel Mapa Achacoso -- 80.00%
Allen Cecil Orara Amurao -- 80.00%
John Arangorin Apatan -- 80.00%
Fluellen Notar Besitan -- 80.00%
Rhodora Lentejas Dapula -- 80.00%
Maria Junio Dela Cruz -- 80.00%
Delbert Lloyd Verano Fanuncio -- 80.00%
Elena Natividad Dizon Gonzales -- 80.00%
Mae Maria Co Ong -- 80.00%
Roland Rhonnel Manalese Suarez -- 80.00%
Richard Calaguas Trinidad -- 80.00%

5. Isagani Mark Kintanar Atanacio -- 79.00%
Caroline Chua Cu -- 79.00%
Cathrina Myla Santos Lim -- 79.00%
Walfredo Bueno Montañano -- 79.00%
Melva Gloria Pino -- 79.00%

source: PDI

The top 10 examinees of the interior design board exam are:

1. Rossette Oliquiano Yabut, De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde -- 86.70%

2. Bernadette Tan Uy, University of San Carlos -- 86.20%

3. Geraldine Javier Verga, Philippine School of Interior Design -- 85.10%

4. Anne Marie Christine Kuo Lim -- Philippine School of Interior Design -- 84.65%

5. Heidi Lucindo Salvador, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Main-Sta. Mesa -- 84.10%

6. Anne Astrid Nadal Sangil, University of the Philippines-Diliman -- 83.85%

7. Childy Ramos Elamparo, University of the Philippines-Diliman -- 83.15%

8. Anla Tamanu Li, University of Santo Tomas -- 82.50%

9. Kazel Umali Ferreras, University of the Philippines-Diliman -- 82.10%

10. Joseph Carl Albert Garin Evidente, La Consolacion College-Bacolod City -- 81.95%

source: PDI

The Professional Regulation Commission announced Friday that 38 passed the Professional Electronics Engineer Examination given by the Board of Electronics Engineering in Manila this month.

By Katherine Evangelista, Leila Salaverria
PDI

The grand plan to successively file three identical impeachment complaints against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the House of Representatives was thwarted Saturday by the simple matter of there being no Secretary General to receive it.

Businessman Jose De Venecia III, who led the group, said House secretary general Marylyn Yap was in Switzerland.

He said his group would instead file the complaint Monday, when the officer-in-charge’s temporary appointment takes effect.

De Venecia added that House Speaker Prospero Nograles promised on Friday that he would have the office of the secretary general open for half the day to allow the group to file the case.

By Joann Santiago
Philippine News Agency

The consolidated efforts made by major central banks spearheaded by the US’ Federal Reserve was considered by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as a move that will give it more leg room in its policy stance.

In a text message to reporters, BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the rate cuts along with the “improved inflation expectations gives us greater monetary policy space.”

This statement was made after the Fed and six other central banks cut their respective policy rates Wednesday in a bid to address the continuing global slowdown that started in the US.

The other central banks that cut rates include the Bank of England, the European Central Bank as well as those in Canada, China, Sweden, and Switzerland.

To date, the Fed’s policy rate is 1.5 percent, down from two percent when the US central bank last slashed it in June 2008 in line with its move to save the world’s largest economy from collapsing.

After the rate cuts the Bank of England rate is now at 4.5 percent from five percent previously while that of the European Central Bank is now at 3.75 percent.

The rate cuts made by seven major central banks around the world was, on the other hand, contrary to the decision made by BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) Monday this week.

The Board kept the central bank’s present policy rates, which is six percent for the overnight borrowing or reverse repurchase (RRP) facility and eight percent for the overnight lending or repurchase (RP), on back of improving inflation expectations due to the decline of rate of price increases.

Inflation last September stood at 11.9 percent from the previous month’s 12.5 percent as prices of oil and food continue to decline.

By Leonard Acosta
Philippine News Agency

Albay Governor and presidential economic adviser Joey Salceda has proposed a P50-billion financial package increasing the capitalization of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Philippine Deposit and Insurance Corp. (PDIC).

Salceda’s proposal calls for an increased capitalization of BSP by P40 billion and PDIC by P10 billion through the national government Multi-Year Obligatory Authority (MYOA).

Salceda said this measure would boost the real economy by protecting bank depositors who invested their hard earned money in their choice banks, thereby also assisting these banks.

In his proposal, the BSP, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Insurance Commission (IC) shall have an integrated financial oversight and supervision to close regulatory gaps versus current banks, investment houses under these regulatory bodies.

He said the BSP and PDIC should not engage in bailing out financially distressed banks and investment institutions but rather initiate measures to protect depositors by increasing their deposit insurance coverage.

The proposal calls for a gradual increase in the deposit insurance coverage to P500,000 from the current P250,000.

According to records, 95 percent of savings and current accounts are under the P250,000 insurable coverage of bank deposit accounts, which ”represents only 14 percent of the insurable amount” Salceda said.

“This is a pre-emptive rather than responding measure to counter this crisis triggered by the United States’ financial crash which would surely affect the country,” he noted.

He also stressed, “we can run but we can’t hide from the impact of an imminent global recession which is being conveyed by the crash in global markets.”

Salceda, one of the top economic advisers of President Arroyo, averred that “If we must assist banks, then we have to protect depositors, neither the lenders nor borrowers.”

He also recommended the setting up of an economic stimulus package up to P75 billion to strengthen the country’s real economy.

The Eco-package would shield the poor thru direct income transfer, increase food production thru DA interventions and expand productive capacity thru infrastructure acceleration.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today she will sign into law a bill that would effectively lower transaction flows and the cost of doing business in the country, and bolster the fight against corruption and red tape.

Authored principally by Sen. Edgardo Angara and Quezon City Rep. Vincent Crisologo, the Credit Information System (CIS) measure was approved by both Houses of Congress last month.

The CIS also seeks to improve the quality of human resources, and build a seamless infrastructure network which are all crucial for the Philippines to remain competitive and attractive to investments.

The legislation also seeks to lower the cost and risk of financing, reduce the cost of gathering credit information and the amount to be passed on to borrowers, and thereby reduce interest rates on loans.

Speaking before 150 local and foreign business leaders at the Business Roundtable with the Government of the Philippines this morning at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City, the President said the new law will develop efficient access to financing and reduce paper requirements in doing credit-related business in the country.

“In a few days time, I will be signing a bill into law on a Credit Information System that will reduce the paper requirements for accessing financing,” she said.

The new law would establish a central credit bureau spearheaded by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as part of capital market reforms.

The operations and services of the CIS is expected to greatly improve the overall availability of credit, especially to small borrowers; lower the cost of credit to responsible debtors, reduce dependence on collateral to secure credit facilities and enable financial institutions to lower their overall credit risk, thus contributing to a healthier and more stable financial system. - Philippine News Agency

By Perla G. Lena
Philippine News Agency

The administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ably prepared the Philippine economy to face the effects of the economic slowdown that is happening in the United States at present.

"The Philippines is better prepared to face the turbulence," Dr. Emil Antonio Jr., president of the Center for Research and Communication Foundation, Inc. and former dean of the School of Economic of the University of Asia and the Pacific, during an economic briefing here Friday.

Speaking before hundreds of participants in the briefing dubbed as ‘Challenging Times, Discovering Opportunities,’ Antonio stressed that the national saving rate has improved, the private sector has incurred surplus and the government has a lower deficit.

“The economy is in a better position definitely to cope with the difficulties. It has good cash position, it spending less than what it’s earning and it has beginning to have access to other funds,” he said.

At present, he cited that the peso-dollar rate is moving up again and if it will continue to grow up again it will ‘probably correct the imbalance.’

However, he warned the public to prepare for "more stupid statement about the possibility of collapsed of the Philippine economy especially some people are positioning for 2010."

“Keep your cool. Forget politics for the moment and focus on your business,’ he said. “Don’t lose focus on your business; the economy can still expand even with the difficulties.”

He cited the growing business process outsourcing (BPOs) as one of the areas for opportunity as well as the health and the education sector.

At present, he explained that the BPO industry is still in its stage of growth as only four percent of its market has been tapped.

The opening of opportunities in health and education sectors, which he called as recession proof, would mean that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the US will not be affected because majority of them are into these two sectors.

“The lesson is focus on the growth sectors and dissociate yourself from those that are lagging behind,” he said.

Antonio likewise dispelled fears that the country’s export industry will suffer because of the slowdown in the United States economy because the Philippines is "a small seller in a very, very huge market."

He stressed that the country can sell as much as it wants provided that the goods are sold at the prevailing price and are of good quality.

“This is not demand problem, it is a supply problem. The key here is competitiveness in terms of production cost and quality. If we think that our export is slowing down because the US economy is slowing down, think again,” he cited.

Consumers can expect more price reductions in November by as much as P3 to P5 per liter as prices of crude in the world market continue to drop.

Ramon Villavicencio, chairman of independent oil player Flying V said they are projecting that prices of fuel in the international market will even go down to US $ 50 per barrel to even as low as US $ 40 per barrel.

"There is a possibility that Dubai crude may even go down to $ 40 to $ 50 per barrel," Villavicencio said.

In the meeting called by the Department of Energy (DOE) last week, Villavicencio said they have no more under-recovery since they were able to recover it when prices went down during the months of July to September.

Citing the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), Villavicencio said that in June their under-recovery reached to P9 per liter but from June to September, the MOPS decreased by P11.80 per liter, however, the foreign exchange went up by P2.40 per liter, Villavicencio said.

Asked if there will be another rollback this month, Villavicencio decline to give any assurance saying “it really depends on competition and market forces.”

However, he assured that the rollback is most definite in November.

Oil major players such as Pilipinas Shell, Petron Corporation, Chevron Philippines, Seaoil Philippines and Flying V are set to implement a P1 per liter rollback on the prices of diesel and kerosene midnight of Friday as a result of the softening of the prices in the world market.

However, Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. double the price of their reduction by implementing a P2 per liter rollback on their diesel and kerosene Friday midnight.

October price of imported diesel and gasoline now ranged at about US$ 104.4 and US$ 96.4 per barrel from US$ 121 and US$ 96 per barrel in September.

Dubai crude, on the other hand, has been averaging at US$ 83 per barrel from US$ 96 per barrel over the same period.

Since August, oil companies reduced their prices for the 11th time and total reductions already reached P9.50 per liter for diesel and P11.50 per liter for gasoline. - PNA

The Washington Post has cited the Philippines for its unwavering development of alternative fuel sources, particularly of geothermal energy, as it enthused that the country is now the world’s top geothermal energy user in the world.

In an October 4 article entitled “Filipinos Draw Power From Buried Heat,” the respected US newspaper revealed that “this country (Philippines) has become the world’s largest consumer of electricity from geothermal sources…”

The Washington Post added that in terms of “installed geothermal power capacity, the country (Philippines) ranks No. 2 in the world, narrowly trailing the United States, which has far more geothermal potential, far more engineering talent and far greater demand for clean sustainable power.”

The article revealed that “geothermal power now accounts for about 28 percent of the electricity generated in the Philippines.”

“With 90 million people, about 40 percent of whom live on less than US$ 2 a day, this country has become the world’s largest consumer of electricity from geothermal sources.

“Billions of dollars have been saved here because of reduced need for imported oil and coal,” continued the article which quoted Stanford University geothermal power expert Roland Horne, who had been to the Philippines more than 20 times, as stressing, thus:

“The Philippines would be in hugely worse shape without geothermal as an indigenous energy source.”

The Washington Post article -- which extolled the Philippine government’s unwavering focus in the exploration and development of geothermal energy sources â€" pointed out that the United States government was not as consistent in its own geothermal power policies.

“But unlike in the Philippines, the government policy in the United States has been inconsistent,” the article lamented, comparing the United States government’s “short-term” geothermal energy policies with that of the Philippines’ “champion(ing) of this form of energy” since the early 70s.

The article came out five days before the Philippine government announced Thursday (Oct. 9) that oil had been found in the country’s Galoc fields off the northwest tip of Palawan island. - Philippine News Agency

The provincial government of Palawan has allocated P31 million for the distribution of agricultural input subsidy to the almost 16,847 farmers in the province in support to the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s food security program.

Governor Joel T. Reyes said the P31 million is part of P62 million unreleased Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from 2002 to 2004 being loaned to Development Bank of the Philipines (DBP) to be utilized for the province’s food security program.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, Reyes and provincial leaders separately launched the food security program and distributed agricultural farm inputs to the farmer-beneficiaries in the towns of Aborlan and Narra.

Reyes assured that provincial government is determined to help farmers enhance its rice production and ease from the spiraling farm inputs across the globe.

He said the fertilizer subsidy program is a partnership with the Department of Agriculture which involves the distribution of discount coupons for the purchase of this vital input equivalent to P500 per farmer.

Reyes said Palawan is still self-sufficient in rice supply.

He cited that in 2007, the province harvested 269,000 metric tons, both in wet and dry cropping seasons.

The province has a surplus of 51,800 metric tons based on its population of 850,000, he noted. - PNA

The Police Regional Office 12 is now equipped with bomb detection paraphernalia considered as a vital tool in the government’s fight against terrorism in Central Mindanao.

Police Supt. Franklin Alvero, chief, regional explosive ordnance division, PRO 12 said the equipment and paraphernalia are very necessary in the drive in the preservation of law and order and anti terrorism efforts of the government in the region.

Alvero disclosed these tools are now in the EOD offices of the newly inaugurated building of the Regional Bomb Squad Unit and General Santos City Police Office Bomb Squad Unit at Camp Fermin Lira, General Santos City.

Alvero revealed that the paraphernalia was donated by the United States Embassy in Manila represented by Mr. Jacob M. Wohlman, Regional Security Officer of the Diplomatic Service Office.

The donation, according to Alvero, comprised of bomb suit kit, detector, x-ray machine and other post blast investigation tools amounting to more than P1 million. - PNA

Vice Mayor Sara Z. Duterte will meet with security officials in a bid to confirm assassination plots against three members of the Davao City Council.

Duterte said City Councilor Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling reportedly is in the hit-list of the New People’s Army (NPA) and an assassin had been sent down from the mountains of Paquibato district to carry out the hit job.

City Councilors Peter Lavina and Angela Librado-Trinidad, known for their leftist bent, reportedly is subject of the same operations apparently by rightists’ elements.

Cabling said he does not know why he could be in the hit list, saying he has no debt to the people.

Cabling is the chair of the committee on housing, rural and urban development, and has lately been praised for his efforts to provide socialized housing to the homeless urban poor.

On the other hand, Lavina has deplored reports saying he has a house in far-flung Barangay Tamayong in Calinan district that he loaned out to communist rebels.

Trinidad has complained she is being tailed by suspicious persons and that allegedly could only be from the military.

Trinidad, daughter of the late militant firebrand Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairperson Erasto “Nonoy” Librado is a ranking official of the leftist Bayan Muna, branded by the military as a legal front organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). - PNA

The Davao City Council is looking seriously at the application of two companies seeking permit to operate bottling plants in Barangay Binugao, Toril district, identified as water resource areas and sitting atop the aquifer of the city.

SMI Corporation and Interveb Corporation are seeking reclassification into heavy industrial zones of their properties for plants for bottled water and soft drinks operations.

The applications were heard during a hearing last Tuesday by the committee on housing, rural and urban development chaired by councilor Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.

At the hearing, Rey Chavez, head of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) engineering division, said the water district is interposing no objection to the project being outside of the DCWD area of operations.

But Chavez bared water extraction from the aquifer by both private and public wells currently stand at 5,000 liters per second or a mere 2,000 liters below the threshold of 7,000 liters per second.

The bottling projects are water resource-intensive and will be digging wells for the bottling and operational needs.

Chavez’s position appears to downplay present efforts by DCWD to tap surface water in Panigan and Tamugan rivers in Calinan district to ease pressure on the aquifer, where the water firm pumps out water for the city’s needs. - PNA

An XRM 125 cc Honda motorcycle bearing plate number 9987 driven by a certain Nap Javier, a resident of Purok 6 Paradise, Libertad, Butuan City was the latest victim of carjacking incidents in the region.

Police said that while Javier was driving on Thursday evening along Emily Homes subdivision road in Barangay Libertad at around 9 p.m. three unidentified male suspects at gunpoint flagged him down and ordered him to turnover peacefully the motorcycle he was driving.

The suspects, Javier told the police were riding a red TMX single motorcycle with no plate number.

The suspects then fled along with the carjack XRM model motorcycle leaving the helpless victim behind at the dimly lighted portion of the subdivision road.

The heavily populated Emily Homes subdivision is just three kilometers away from the Barangay Libertad Police Station and Camp Rafael Rodriguez where the regional police office is located.

Last month, at least three similar incidents involving an XRM Honda motorcycle took place in the newly built second Butuan Magsaysay Bridge in Barangay San Vicente.

One of them was shot dead after refusing to give his brand new purchase XRM motorcycle.

Two days ago, another XRM motorcycle was carjack in one of Butuan City's busy streets. - PNA

The cluster regional director of the Commission on Audit (COA) in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) was ambushed by unidentified motor-cycle riding men Thursday night at South Montilla Boulevard corner Bougainvilla St., Butuan City.

Chief Supt. Jaime E. Milla, regional director of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) already ordered region-wide manhunt against the suspects.

Senior Supt. Nestor M. Fajura, chief of operation and plans division of PRO 13, identified the victim as Romeo Coral Uy, 54, regional director of COA Caraga region.

“Latest medical bulletin stated that the victim is already out of danger from a bullet wound at his left thigh,” said Fajura.

Initial report stated that the victim was passing along south of Montilla Blvd and Bougonvilla st. when suddenly two unidentified suspects on board a yellow single motorcycle appeared from nowhere and shot the victim at close range.

The suspects immediately fled after hitting the COA director and bystanders came for a rescue and brought the victim to the hospital. - PNA

The first government-owned dialysis center in Pangasinan will soon be operational in January next year.

This was assured by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. on Friday during the groundbreaking ceremonies for the center at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City.

Construction of the building will start immediately to be jointly funded by the provincial government and the San Carlos City government headed by Mayor Julier Resuello, which earmarked some P15 million counterpart.

The center will be named after Julier's father, the late San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello who, during his time, sought better health services for his people.

The center, according to Espino, will be equipped with 14 dialysis machines, 12 of which will be donated by the United States-based Davita Incorporated Mission headed by Peter Cayaban.

Espino said the center will implement the provincial government’s action plan to make costly specialized medical treatment available to averaged income residents, especially indigent families.

The Pangasinan governor has vowed to upgrade hospital facilities in Pangasinan for them to be at par if not better than the facilities of private hospitals and clinics.

“It’s a dream that can be realized” he said, pointing out that he plans to install fully-air-conditioned maternal and newly born care units to the six district and seven community hospitals. - PNA

A female septuagenarian died in a fire early Tuesday in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, where at least five houses were leveled to the ground.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Glen Patrocinio, arson investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection in the province, said the houses that were razed were those of Ricardo Cataal, Lucero Gayo, Felisa Capa, Marlyn Ramirez and Lolita Silva.

They were clustered in an area along Magallanes Highway in Tanjay City.

The casualty was identified as Hermonina Cataal, 75 years old, sister of Ricardo, who sustained burns in different parts of her body.

The cause of the fire was initially traced to an unattended lighted candle inside the Cataal residence, fire investigators said.

Damage to property was placed at P1 million.

Tanjay City Mayor Lawrence Teves lamented what he described as the lack of preparation by the city’s fire department after he learned that one of the firetrucks bogged down. - PNA

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police director Chief Supt. Bensali Jabarani said he is in favor for the conduct operations to rescue the two kidnapped aid workers in Basilan province.

Esperancita Hupida, program director of Nagdilaab Foundation Incorporated (NFI) and Millet Mendoza, a Manila-based freelance community development specialist are now on their 26th day of captivity.

Jabarani, however, said he will leave it up to the families of the hostages and the organization they belong to decide whether or not they opt for a rescue operation.

He disclosed that they have intensified intelligence operation to determine the whereabouts of the kidnappers as well as their hostages.

Hupida and Mendoza were seized by 10 gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits in the afternoon of September 15 in the village of Cabangalan, Unkaya Pukan town.

The captives were returning to Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province, coming from Tipo-Tipo where they are implementing humanitarian project when they were seized. - PNA

By Lilybeth Ison
Philippine News Agency

After a grueling two-week marathon plenary session, the House of Representatives approved on second reading around 3:34 a.m. Saturday the proposed P1.415-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2009.

Speaker Prospero Nograles described the 2009 GAA as "a very flexible, reform-oriented budget, and a recession-responsive policy action that our people can depend on, an antidote to economic stagnation."

He said the proposed outlay supports the government’s priority programs and projects for 2009 and designed to meet any and all contingencies that may arise as a result of the current global economic slowdown spawned by the U.S. financial crisis.

"Despite the U.S. government’s US$ 700-billion bailout package, we cannot be complacent but should anticipate any possible ill-effects the crisis may have on the Philippine economy," he said.

"Infrastructure development programs would help pump prime the economy while promoting the absorptive capacities of implementing agencies. We also have to heighten tax collections by improving tax administration," he added.

House appropriations committee Chairman Rep. Junie Cua (Quirino) said the approved 2009 GAA is "a document that embodies the aspirations of the nation."

"This budget is a product not only of the members of the House of Representatives but of the public itself, as we vigorously pursue a participative approach allowing for inputs, evaluations, and recommendations from the civil society so that it can becomes a people’s budget in every sense of the word," he said.

Cua noted that the proposed 2009 outlay is only P188.3-billion or 15.4 percent higher than the budget for the current year of P1.226-trillion.

He also noted that of the P1.415-trillion package, about P867.969-billion represents new appropriations and the remainder covers automatically appropriated items such as debt servicing, the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), and retirement premiums of government personnel.

Former chairman and now senior vice chairman of the appropriations panel, Rep. Edcel Lagman said the House's approved 2009 GAA "is not a mere compendium of budgetary allocations but, more importantly, a document of policy directions."

He said no country is insulated from the ill-effects of the international economic crisis and financial turmoil.

"Our role is limited to mitigating the adverse effects of the crisis to shield our people, particularly the marginalized and disadvantaged. We can only offer buffers and safety nets. Perforce, we must play and deliver this role to the hilt," he said.

Even as the proposed 2009 national budget contained in House Bill no. 4115, has been approved on second reading, individual amendments could still be submitted by any of the 240 members to the Committee on Appropriations during the recess before the voluminous document is printed for its third and final reading approval come session resumption on November 10.

Further amendments and realignment of budgetary provisions may still be done and finalized during the expected bicameral conference committee after the Senate shall have approved on final reading their version of the proposed spending bill hopefully before Christmas.

Under Committee Report 1323 on HB 5116, the highest priority was given to the Department of Education (DepEd) with P167.9-billion, or an increase of P18.7-billion from its 2008 level of P149.2-billion.

At second spot was the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with P120-billion, an increase of P17.6-billion from the 2008 outlay of P102.4-billion.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) came next with P61.9-billion; followed by the Department of National Defense (DND) with P61.5-billion.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will receive P39.7-billion, which includes allocation for the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA).

The DA budget for 2009, including the budget for AFMA, will increase by P14.3-billion or 56.3 percent from the current year’s budget of P25.4-billion.

It has earmarked six assistance packages, which comprises the FIELDS (fertilizer assistance, irrigation and other infrastructure facilities, extension and education loans for inputs, loan assistance, dryers and other postharvest facilities, and seed subsidies) program to address the problem on food security.

The Department of Health (DoH) was allocated with P27.8-billion; the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) with P23.6-billion; the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) with P16.1-billion; the Department of Finance (DoF) with P13.8-billion; and the Department of Justice (DoJ) with P12.8-billion.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will receive P10.5-billion, which is higher by 114.3 percent from its 2008 budget of P4.9-billion.

In terms of expense class, personal services will get a share of P429.727-billion or 30.37 percent of the total pie. Maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) are allocated the amount of P781.154-billion or 55.21 percent, while capital outlay and net lending will receive P204.119-billion or 14.43 percent.

By sector allocation, social services will get the highest share at P433.992-billion or 30.67 percent. Economic services will get 25.54 percent share or P361.394-billion.

Debt service sector will get P302.65-billion or 21.39 percent of the total budget; general public services are allotted 16.93 percent or P239.591-billion; defense will have P65.216-billion or 4.61 percent; and net lending with P12.157-billion or 0.86 percent.

The local government units (LGUs) will get a share of P249.989-billion or about 18 percent of the budget representing their share from the IRA.

Nograles lauded the diligence, efficiency and hard work of House appropriations committee Chairman Rep. Junie Cua, senior Vice Chairman Edcel Lagman and other vice chairmen and staff of the Committee on appropriations.

The same is true with Majority Leader Arthur Defensor and senior deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales and other deputies -â€" Reps. Del de Guzman, and Crispin Remulla, among others -- for their collaborative brilliance in steering plenary deliberations until the votes were counted.

Nograles also lauded the Deputy Speakers -- Amelita Villarosa, Eric Singson, Pablo Garcia, Raul del Mar and Arnulfo Fuentebella -- for their vital leadership role in presiding over the marathon plenary sessions, and the members of the majority coalition and cited the critical collaboration of the minority led by Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora throughout the budget process.

The Iranian bulk carrier “M/V Iran Deyanat,” with two Filipinos on its 29-man crew, was released Oct. 10, by its Somali captors, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported today.

The Filipinos were identified as able seamen 44-year old Sergio Paloma of Leyte and 30-year old Reynaldo Uy of Davao. They are reported to be in “safe and good condition” and arrangements for their repatriation to Manila is done by the Philippine embassy in Muscat, Oman.

After the vessel and crew were released from captivity somewhere in Somalia, it is now heading for Muscat, where it is expected to arrive by Oct. 14, DFA spokesperson Claro Cristobal said.

The “M/V Iran Deyanat” was seized by Somali pirates on August 21 as the carrier plied the perilous Gulf of Aden which also embraces the failed state of Somalia. Because of Somalia’s state of affairs, negotiations for the release of all hostages in at least 10 incidents of high seas piracy in the last quarter have been tense and dangerous. - PNA

Police are looking into several possible motives behind the shooting of a village official who is also the incoming chairman of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) board.

Rolando Gregorio, 55, a councilor of Upper Calarian village, suffered a bullet wound in the neck when shot Wednesday night by one of two men riding tandem in a motorcycle.

The police learned that Gregorio was playing a card game with some of his nephews when the gunmen arrived. One of the assailants alighted from the motorcycle and shot the victim with a handgun.

They fled amid the commotion in the area.

Gregorio's relatives rushed the victim to a private hospital where he is confined for treatment. - Sun Star Daily

The Department of Education (DepEd) is conducting a series of Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) test on all Sundays of October to give the country's out-of-school youths (OSYs) a chance to earn a high school diploma.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said the first test was held last October 5. It targeted OSYs from Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Central Mindanao, Caraga region, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

On October 12, DepEd will expect examinees from Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

Those from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are set to take the October 19 slot.

October 26, meanwhile, is for OSYs from Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Secretary Lapus said the test will be conducted in 189 school divisions nationwide. - Sun Star Daily

Freedom from Debt Coalition-Iloilo Chapter has lauded the five governors of Western Visayas for their stand against the establishment of the proposed 164-MW coal-fired power plant of Global Business Power Corporation, the owner of Panay Power Corporation.

"We commend the collective stand of our governors in rejecting the construction of the coal plant. Its effort is for the protection of the greater good - the interest of the thousands of electricity consumers in Iloilo City under Panay Electric Company," said lawyer Romeo Gerochi, chairperson of FDC-Iloilo.

Gerochi added: "The entry of the coal plant will further aggravate what is already the most expensive electricity in the country today because of Peco and PPC's onerous power purchase agreement."

"The proponent is again promising cheap electricity, just like what they did in 1997 but its electricity rates have skyrocketed in such a short period, said Gerochi.

The FDC-Iloilo is among the numerous organizations that are opposed to the coal-fired power plant being proposed for construction in Barangay Ingore, La Paz district, in Iloilo City, by the GBPC, a subsidiary of Metrobank group of companies.

In its petition to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the five governors have warned of the dire consequences of the coal plant project to the environment and people's health.

"We are disturbed by the issuance of the ECC, as such; the governors urged the national leadership to revoke the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by Secretary Lito Atienza of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)," the governors said in a statement.

Among the governors who signed the petition are Governor Carlito Marquez of Aklan, Governor Victor Tanco Sr. of Capiz, Governor Isidro Zayco of Negros Occidental, and Governor Felipe Hilan Nava of Guimaras. The effort was led by Antique Governor Zalvacion Perez, a staunch renewable energy advocate, and the current chairperson of the Regional Development Council. - Sun Star Iloilo

Frozen boxed pork meat products of Matutum Meat Packaging Corp. (MMPC) will soon be exported to Singapore after the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority gave its go signal for South Cotabato's meat-packing company to start exporting pork to Singapore.

Dr. Emilio Escobillo Jr., president of the South Cotabato Swine Producers Association, said Socospa is targeting to capture about 25 percent of Singapore's demand for pork meat products. However, he added that they would see to it that this would not affect the domestic market.

According to Escobillo, swine producers in Socksargen used to have live shipment to Manila of about 24,000 hogs per month but now the shipment has reduced to about 10,000 hogs per month.

"Sa ngayon kasi kinakatay na lang dito," he explained. - Sun Star Daily

Production of a new catfish (hito) variety has gained ground in General Santos City in a bid to produce stable domestic supply of the product now being touted as the "next generation fish" in the country.

This new catfish variety is called Pangasius, also known as sutchi catfish or striped catfish.

The most common varieties being grown in the country are African and native catfishes.

In an interview, Rochelle A. Otoc, industry development officer for the local Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said the country is importing 500 metric tons of Pangasius fillet from Vietnam used by restaurants and fast food chains.

"Based on consultations with fish pond owners in the region, they can easily provide the 30 hectares initially targeted for the commercial production of Pangasius catfish in the area," Otoc said. - Sun Star Daily

Gasi, Kiamba, Sarangani -- Tboli villagers condemned an attack by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels that left five barangay buildings razed to the ground, including a Tindahan sa Kalinaw (store for peace) and a day-care center.

The MILF rebels also torched the building where the village chair and the local council hold office, a waiting shed and a stage used for various activities.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

Barangay chair Mariano Fado wants "justice for what happened to our barangay." He asked higher authorities to investigate the incident and file appropriate charges against the culprits.

Fado said an armed group he refused to name had warned villagers to evacuate or their village would be torched.

"Unsa pud among kasalanan. Wala man ko kalaban na Muslim. Open man ko sa ila bakit ganun?" Fado said. (What is our sin? I don’t have Muslim enemies. What has this happened?) - Sun Star General Santos City

A man eaten up by jealousy threatened to kill himself by climbing up a telecoms tower in Matina Aplaya Friday, gathering a huge audience in the process, among them Davao City officials and Rescue 911 personnel.

But that was all it was, a threat, as Rodrigo Artajo Jr., 21, climbed down after getting the commitments of former vice mayor Luis C. Bonguyan and Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III to be the main sponsors in his wedding to his live-in partner, Catherine.

Artajo has a daughter with Catherine.

It wasn't clear what Artajo was jealous about, but among those begging him to come down was Catherine, who brought with her their daughter. - Sun Star Davao City

In line with the clamor for more vigilant protection of the public health and welfare, a lawmaker has filed a bill limiting the practice of body piercing and tattooing only to licensed body piercing specialists or tattooists.

Representative Narciso D. Santiago III (Party-List, Alliance for Rural Concerns) filed House Bill 5056, which provides that all body piercing and tattooing shall be performed in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Health.

Santiago said the process of body piercing and tattooing involves puncturing through the dermis layer of the skin; if done under unsanitary conditions, this could affect one's health.

"Complications may arise for those with pre-existing medical conditions such as chronic infection, uncontrollable or prolonged bleeding, scarring, Hepatitis B and C, tetanus, skin allergies, abscesses or boils, and inflammation and nerve damage may result because of these procedures," Santiago said.

The measure requires persons who wish to engage in body piercing or tattooing to first obtain a permit from the Department of Health (DOH).

Likewise, the bill prohibits persons, firms, corporations, partnerships, or other associations from operating body piercing studios or tattoo studios without first obtaining a permit from the health department.

Under the bill, anyone who performs body piercing or tattooing without a permit from the DOH shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment (one month and one day to six months) or a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 or both at the discretion of the court. - Sun Star Davao City

Thousands of passengers, students, and office workers alike were stranded Friday when heavy downpours causing flooding in Davao City's main thoroughfares shortly before the evening rush hour began.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

Knee-deep waters to the dreaded waist-deep floodwaters inundated a number of streets, causing the early evening traffic to snarl.

The streets of J.P. Laurel Ave, Quirino Ave, R. Magsaysay Ave, inner city streets in Uyanguren, Quimpo Boulevard, portions of MacArthur Highway, R. Castillo St., and Ponciano St. were flooded.

Heavy downpour brought about by a shallow low pressure area started to fall at 4:30 p.m. and continued for an hour accompanied by moderate gusts of wind and thunder. However, a drizzle continued throughout the night. The floodwaters receded around 10 p.m.

Based on the weather report of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa), a shallow low pressure area was affecting Southern Mindanao Friday, causing the heavy downpours. The shallow low pressure area has moved north and is now in the eastern part of the Visayas.

Flooding has been a perennial problem for Dabawenyos due to the lack or absence of an efficient drainage system in Davao City. - Sun Star Daily Davao

Acting Lapu-Lapu City Police Director Mariano Natuel said he won’t bother meeting chapter leaders of rival Tau Gamma Phi and Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho) fraternities for a peace accord saying this was proven ineffective because leaders of both groups cannot control their members.

Natuel said enforcing the old curfew ordinance can also be effective in preventing conflict between the two groups from worsening because RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act prohibits detention of minors in conflict with the law.

He said police patrol in areas where members of either group regularly converge is the most logical approach to stop frat-related violence.

Two Akrho members were among five people injured in a shooting incident Wednesday evening on Maximo Patalinjug Ave. in Barangay Basak. The shooters were reportedly members of Tau Gamma.

One of the wounded Akrho members is 17-year-old Clark Lequin. He is still confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City for a gunshot wound below his right armpit.

“The curfew ordinance is a hassle to parents because after minors are lectured by the social welfare officer, they are allowed to leave. It’s just a cycle,” Natuel said. - Sun Star Cebu

The parents of a public school student who suffered third-degree burns during a class experiment sought Cebu City Hall’s help in paying for her hospital bills.

Following the incident, an insurance system for public school students was proposed.

Jovy and Herman Donadillo appealed to some city councilors for help, saying they could not afford the treatment of the burns on their daughter’s face, neck, arms, legs and thighs.

Christy Joy, 15, and her classmates were reportedly working on an experiment during their chemistry class at the Camp Lapu-Lapu National High School when the chemicals came in contact with her skin.

Who’s responsible?

City Councilor Gerardo Carillo said they will find out how the incident happened, who was responsible for it and if there was negligence on the part of the school officials.
He assured, though, that the City will pay for the hospital bills and the medicines.

“The City Government will foot the bill, the City will shoulder their expenses, but we will also check why it happened in the school and who is responsible for it,” Carillo told reporters yesterday. - Sun Star Cebu

The firearms and explosives section of the police has confirmed that Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez’s son Joavan does not own a licensed firearm and is not legally allowed to keep ammunition.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 Supervising Agent Renan Oliva said the confirmation came by way of a certificate signed by Chief Insp. Jacinto Cezar, head of the Firearms Explosives Security Agencies and Guards Supervisory Section (Fesagss) 7.

“This is what we need to support the complaint of illegal possession,” Oliva, a lawyer, said in an interview yesterday. The unlawful possession of a gun or ammunition is prohibited under Republic Act (RA) 8294.

“We can file the complaint on Monday, as soon as we get approval from the regional director,” he said.

Pieces of ammunition for firearms chambered in .45 cal. and 9mm, together with magazines for a pistol and a submachine gun, were taken from Joavan when NBI 7 agents arrested him at a massage parlor late Monday night.

He is facing charges for serious illegal detention filed by cousins and vulcanizing shop workers Osbert and Winston Abellana. Their aunt, Merceditha, filed a case against Joavan for robbery.

Meanwhile, vulcanizing shop manager Merceditha Abellana and her nephew Winston will have their time in court to explain their signed affidavits of desistance clearing Joavan of any criminal liability, Talisay City Prosecutor Marshall Rubia said yesterday.

“They will be given a chance to explain the circumstances that led them into signing their affidavits,” Rubia said.

This, he added, if the defense will present the affidavits of desistance of Merceditha, 46, and Winston, 18, in court.

Rubia said the prosecutor’s office no longer has jurisdiction over the serious illegal detention and robbery charges against Joavan, as these have already been elevated to court.

Merceditha, a widow, earlier accused Joavan of taking away a 21-inch Sanyo television and a DVD player from her vulcanizing shop in Tabunok last August.  - Sun Star Cebu

By Cong Corrales
Sun Star Cagayan De Oro

A City Council member took the cudgels Friday for village residents who demanded the closure of a corn processing plant they accused of emitting foul odor that allegedly brought them different ailments.

"The complaint should be resolved immediately so that health of the community will not suffer," said Councilor Dante Pajo, chair of the committee on health and social services.

Residents of Barangay Tablon are blaming the obnoxious odor that the Cagayan Corn Products Corporation (CCPC) is allegedly discharging in the air.

The residents who spoke to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro complained of difficulty in breathing, headache, nausea and skin irritation every time the plant allegedly emits the foul odor.

Pajo said the problem has been reported for quite some time, and the Department on Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Northern Mindanao should not dilly-dally on investigating the complaint.

It was learned that the plant was closed in 1993 by then mayor Pablo Magtajas after it was found violating environmental laws.

The closure stemmed from the findings of DENR's Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) stating that CCPC was one of the biggest pollution contributors in the city.

It was not immediately known why the plant was able to reopen and why the local government approved its business permit.

Records from the DENR-Northern Mindanao showed that CCPC has another pending pollution case that is already 15 years running. PAB has yet to render judgment on the case.

A fire razed Friday about 90 houses and two school buildings in the coastal village of Leon Garcia, Agdao district, damaging an estimated P5 million worth of properties.

Fire officer Wilberto Rico Neil Kwantiu, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief, said they received a call at 2:56 p.m. and immediately dispatched fire trucks to the area.

"Since densely populated at maliit yung streets, nahirapan tayo mag-penetrate kaagad. Wala ding madadaanan sa may coastline (The densely populated area and the narrow streets prevented us from penetrating quickly to the area)," Kwantiu said.

Kwantiu added that a change in wind direction contributed to the fast spread of the fire.

"Umikot yung hangin. Nahirapan mag maneuver sa kabila ang ating mga bombero. Muntik na nga ang isang fire truck natin. (Our fire volunteers found it difficult to reach houses on fire because of the wind direction) Pero with help from the residents na nagdala ng tubig and the Air Force na nagpaulan, we had the fire completely out by 5 p.m.," he said.

"Under control na siya by 4:30 p.m. When we arrived, we made sure na hindi na madadamay yung ibang di pa nasusunog," he added.  - Sun Star Davao

Some cargo forwarders in Tagbilaran can be found in the link below:

http://boholsuperpages.ph/shipping-and-transportation/cargo-transit/

By Miriam Aquino
PIA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urges the general public to report any unofficial use of government vehicles nationwide to the Presidential Action Center (PACE), as part of the intensified energy-saving and anti-graft and corruption campaign of the government.

As contained in Administrative Order 239, all government agencies, including those of the government-owned and controlled corporations are prohibited to use government vehicles for purposes other than official business.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is enjoined to assist in the monitoring, coordination, as well as for the prompt and effective implementation of this directive particularly in the identification of the reported government vehicles.

Under this Order, the vehicles shall be used officially through the issuance of a serially numbered trip ticket, duly signed by an authorized official and shall be displayed on the windshield or in another conspicuous place on the vehicle.

These red plated vehicles must be kept in a designated / provided garage after office hours, during weekends and even on holidays.

The Order also states that use of government vehicles on Sundays, legal holidays, or out of the regular office hours and even outside the route of the officials and employees which are authorized to use them, or by a person other than the one authorized shall be treated a prima facie evidence of violation.

The report shall contain the type of vehicles used, plate number, the place and time where the government vehicle is seen/found and preferably should be taken with pictures for harder evidence.

Anyone found violating the provisions of the Order shall be sternly dealt with in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations at the Office of the Ombudsman.

Other regions are now following the footstep of Central Visayas where the program dubbed 'Subcontracting Partners for Innovation' (SPIN) that initially rolled out in the region has successfully provided a means of livelihood for rebel returnees and indigents in cleared conflict areas.

The SPIN Program, a government-private undertaking, not only generates employment for rebel returnees and the poor but likewise assists exporters in increasing production volume of exported products with a greater impact in the promotion of peace in areas commonly known as breeding grounds for insurgency.

Under the program, rebel returnees and indigents are made to undergo skills training on weaving and craftsmanship after which, their hand-made products that are for actual export orders are bought by the exporter once these passed quality standards. This way, rebel returnees and the indigents can immediately earn an income after a hard day's work with their earnings dependent on the number of products they can make.

The program is a collaboration of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7), the Armed Forces of the Philippines- Central Command (AFP-CentCom) and Cebu-based exporters led by the 33 Point 3 Exports where they join forces to train residents in cleared conflict areas as well as and disadvantaged areas to make quality products for export.

Cost of trainings was shared by DTI, the exporter and LGU where the specific barangay is located.

This year alone, the program has provided 26 skills trainings in 17 towns in Central Visayas and around 1,128 residents have benefited from the program. Over the last 11 years, 33 Point 3 has generated over 8,000 employment opportunities throughout the region and assisted 23 municipalities.

Because of the success of the program, the DTI has allocated P2M in the country for the project considering that local government units have also seen the positive impact of the program and are willing to share in the costs of training. As such, the skills training can be implemented in more towns than originally planned. - PIA

By Freddie G. Lazaro
Manila Bulletin

Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano ordered yesterday policemen to conduct a thorough investigation on the suspected cyanide poisoning that caused the death of at least two fishermen and hospitalization of 54 other residents of Barangay Pilar, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur.

Likewise, the governor ordered the administrator of the Tagudin General Hospital to provide the medicines needed by the victims.

"I’d already told the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province to determine the cause of the incident and I’d also instructed the head of the Tagudin General Hospital to give medical help to the victims," Savellano said yesterday.

Chief Inspector Jugith del Prado, Sta. Cruz chief of police, said that his men are conducting a follow-up investigation on the incident.

"We had already submitted water samples from the Buaya River in Barangay Pilar, Sta. Cruz for examination by the Bureau of Fisheries and Acquatic Resources (BFAR) at the regional office to determine if there’s contamination of the water," Del Prado said.

Dr. Eugene Dauz, head of the Tagudin General Hospital, theorized that "cyanide" poisoning might cause the victims to fall ill, noting the presence of the following symptoms â€" severe stomach ache, vomiting, dizziness, difficult in breathing, and body weakness.

To determine the cause of the poisoning, Dauz referred the case to the Toxicology and Epidemiology Division of the Department of Health (DoH) in Manila and to BFAR for the conduct of laboratory examination of the water samples taken from the Buaya River as well as the samples of the ingested food taken from the victims.

It was reported that more than one week before the residents fell ill, some of them went fishing in the Buaya River to catch a kind of fish, known in Ilocano as "ipon" (small fish).

By Dexter A. See
Manila Bulletin

BAKUN, Benguet â€" Tribal elders in 10 communities in Barangay Gambang, this town have voiced out their opposition to a mineral exploration project being pursued by a mining company in their villages.

They warned that the exploration activities would cause divisiveness in their communities.

The council of elders indicated their opposition to mining in the certificates of rejection which they forwarded to the barangay council of Gambang. The elders said they are vehemently opposing the controversial mining exploration being undertaken by Royalco Philippines Inc.

However, instead of acting on the certificates of rejection, the barangay council forwarded it to the regional office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as well as the offices of officials of Benguet and Bakun.

The elders said that farming is their preferred source of livelihood and employment.

They claimed that mining operations would automatically begin after the conduct of the exploration project to confirm the presence of substantial mineral deposits.

They said that once actual mining begins, their source of domestic water and irrigation would be adversely affected, if not depleted.

They also said they are conserving the land for the future generations, and for this reason, they are not ready to allow the land to be destroyed by large-scale mining.

By Ben Arche
Manila Bulletin

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Baganga town in Davao Oriental province sentenced a man to two counts of reclusion perpetua or 80 years of imprisonment for raping his daughter sometime in 2001 and 2003.

Presiding Judge Jose B. Lopez of RTC Branch 7 convicted the accused after the prosecution proved his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Earlier, the young victim testified that at about 12 noon sometime in 2001 in Boston, Davao Oriental, she was abused byher father in a coconut plantation. She was 11-years-old at the time.

In her testimony, she narrated that she could not resist because her father threatened to kill her mother and other members of their family.

The victim also admitted that she was repeatedly abused by her father but could no longer recall the dates.

The accused, however, denied the accusations of his daughter. He said that although they were staying in the same room, nothing happened between them.

But the court ruled that the complainants’ testimony in open court was candid, straightforward, and honest and she never broke down during the conduct of direct and cross-examinations against her.

The court also ordered the accused to indemnify the victim the amount of P75,000 as moral damages, another P75,000 for civil indemnity, and another P25,000 for each case.

By Bong Reblando and Mike U. Crismundo
Manila Bulletin

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - A Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader and his follower, whose group raided two villages in Kiamba, Sarangani last Saturday but were injured in a fierce gun battle by pursuing police and Army troops surrendered Wednesday to the authorities.

Chief Supt. Felizardo Serapio Jr., Central Mindano police chief, identified the rebel leader as Rico Watamama, deputy chief of the 107th Base Command of the MILF and Nasser Bancil, a rebel cadre and aide of Watamama.

On the government side, two soldiers of the 25th Infantry Battalion under Major Roland Rodil identified as Private First Class Ebenzer Libres and Private Judy Galves were also wounded in the firefight that took place in Barangay Gasi, Kiamba.

He said Watamama and Bancil apparently were disgusted to find out that they were abandoned by their leader Commander Alo Binago and would die soon if they did not surrender to seek medical treatment for their injuries.

"More rebels are contemplating to yield to the authorities because of the wounds they got during the fierce fighting with soldiers and police forces. Just like Watamama and Bancil, they were also left unattended by Commander Binago," Serapio said.

Watamama and Bancil were among the 40 heavily armed guerrillas of the 104th and 107th Base Commands who attacked Saturday the Kling plantation owned by the family of Cong. Erwin Chiongbian and Vice-Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon of Sarangani.

Two of the plantation employees - security guard Jupiter Pequiro and lady worker Gloria Lyn Barrientos â€" were also wounded in the attack as the rogue MILF rebels fired rocket propelled grenade launchers to Chiongbian’s plantation in Barangay Kling, Kiamba shortly before midnight last Friday.

Though wounded, Pequiro managed to fire back at the rebel band and engaged the insurgents in a firefight enabling other plantation guards to reinforce him and put up a fight, foiling the rebels’ plan to enter the plantation.

Commander Alo Binago is a field commander of fugitive Ustadz Amelil Umbra Kato, 105th MILF Base Command chief, who also attacked nearby Maasim town in August looting stores and a pharmacy at the public market and attacked the town hall and police station but failed when local policemen fought back and stood their ground.

Kiamba police chief Inspector Alex Joe Orcajada said reinforcing police forces failed to engage the rebels in a gunfight, where attackers quickly withdrew towards Barangay Gasi, one of whom was identified by plantation workers who witnessed the firefight.

From Kling, the rebels proceeded to Barangay Gasi and torched five buildings there, including a day-care center, the barangay hall, a multi-purpose stage, and a "Tindahan sa Kalinaw" or Peace Store.

By Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.
Manila Bulletin

The provincial government of Cebu has offered to shoulder the travel expenses of the 23 detained Cebuano overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Trinidad-Tobago so they can immediately return and reunite with their families.

Although three of the detained OFWs are residents of Cebu City, a chartered city that is not under the provincial government, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the offer for help applies to everybody.

"We need to ensure their safety because they are Cebuanos, whether they lived in the city or in the province," Garcia said.

During the meeting between Governor Garcia and the families of the OFWs, they called Labor Attache Florinda Herrera to inform her that the families decided on the immediate return of their loved ones.

Earlier, Garcia informed Herrera of the provincial government’s offer to shoulder the airfare but the official informed the governor that the OFWs wanted to iron things out so they can continue working abroad.

Herrera informed Garcia that the offer of the provincial government is no longer necessary because the secretary of labor already informed her that they have the funds for it, a statement which allegedly drew the ire of the families.

The 23 Cebuano OFWs were brought to a prison facility in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago following their arrest by immigration authorities for working without the necessary permits.

They had stopped working for the company that had originally hired them in the Caribbean state, and were accepting another job offers after they felt shortchanged in their original one-year contract.

Earlier, worried family members in Cebu have asked the help of government officials, including Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna and Senate President Manuel Villar, to help the workers return to the Philippines.

The family of 37-year-old Jacqueline Ann Fortuna, a civil engineer, was particularly worried because she is the only female in the group.

"We just want her and her companions home safe. It is torture for the family to know that they are in prison. We don’t know what to do," Fortuna’s sister Marisol said.

It was gathered that the group was hired last June by South America-based Multitask General Maintenance Co. Limited through the Be Glad Worldwide Placement Agency, a Cebu City-based recruitment firm that is accredited with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

They were supposed to work as construction workers at Bacolet, Scarborough in Tobago Island.

By Ferdie Castro
Manila Bulletin

Two persons were killed and another was wounded by unidentified men in a shooting spree in a cockpit arena in Lipa City, Batangas last Wednesday night.

Police identified the dead victims as Menandro Briones, businessman engaged in towing and transport services, and Francisco Llaga, civilian.

Briones was declared dead on arrival at Mary Mediatrix Hospital, while Llaga died on the spot.

A certain Adolfo Agustin suffered a bullet wound in the left arm and was in a stable condition.

Investigation showed that the victims were inside the Lipa cockpit arena in Barangay Balintawak at 9:10 p.m. last Wednesday when unidentified men armed with short guns opened fire at them.

Try to contact the Philippine Embassy in UK. Maybe they have a list of transport companies. Once your stuff arrives in Manila, it would be then easy to ship them to Tagbilaran.

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has ratcheted up his assault on his Democratic rival's character, with a new advert branding him "too risky".

The ad accuses Barack Obama of hiding ties to Bill Ayers, an ex-member of former militant group, the Weathermen.

Mr Obama has insisted he is not close to Mr Ayers. A spokesman said the ad was a "desperate and dishonest" attack.

Meanwhile, in a bid to attract young voters, Mr Obama has reportedly bought advertising time on three MTV networks.

Officials at MTV told the New York Times newspaper that his campaign had bought advertising time on Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike and could start running ads very soon.

Mr Obama is the first US presidential candidate to buy advertising time on the networks, which did not previously allow political advertising, an MTV spokesman said. - BBC News

French novelist Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize for Literature.

The 68-year-old has been honoured with the 10m kronor (£820,810) award for his distinguished life's work.

The Swedish Academy describes him as "an author of new departures, poetic adventure and sensual ecstasy."

It goes on to call him "an explorer of a humanity beyond and below the reigning civilisation." British author Doris Lessing won last year's prize.

Le Clezio's breakthrough as a novelist came in 1980 with Desert, a work the Swedish academy praised for its "magnificent images of a lost culture in the North African desert."

Philosopher

His most recent works include 2007's Ballaciner, a work the academy called a "deeply personal essay about the history of the art of film".

The author has also included several books for children, among them Lullaby in 1980 and Balaabilou in 1985.

He has won a number of literary honours in his native France, among them the Prix Larbaud in 1972 and the Grand Prix Jean Giono in 1997.

Born in Nice in 1940, Le Clezio spent two years as a child in Nigeria and has taught in universities in Bangkok, Boston and Mexico City. - BBC

The US government's debts have ballooned so badly the National Debt Clock in New York has run out of digits to record the spiralling figure.

The digital counter marks the national debt level, but when that passed the $10 trillion point last month, the sign could not display the full amount.

The board was erected to highlight the $2.7 trillion level of debt in 1989.

The clock's owners say two more zeros will be added, allowing the clock to record a quadrillion dollars of debt.

Douglas Durst, son of the late Seymour Durst - the clock's inventor - hopes to replace the Manhattan clock with its lengthier replacement early next year.

For the time being, the Times Square counter's electronic dollar sign has been replaced with the extra digit required.

For its part, the digital dollar symbol has been supplanted by a cheaper version - perhaps a sign of the times for the American economy.

Some economists believe the $700bn bail-out plan for ailing US financial institutions could send the national debt level to $11 trillion. - BBC

The hospital will be facing a tough battle in this case. I have a strong feeling the patient's family would emerge victorious in the litigation.

Where did you get the copies of these training videos?

Do you have a reseller's license to distribute these videos for profit/commercial purposes?

If you get these videos from Pirate Bay and you're selling them, you can be sued by the Copyright Holders.

Six central banks, including the Bank of England, have cut interest rates by half a percentage point in an effort to steady the faltering global economy.

No decision on UK rates had been expected until Thursday - and the move puts the interest rate at 4.5% from 5%.

The US Federal Reserve has cut rates from 2% to 1.5% and the European Central Bank (ECB) trimmed its rate from 4.25% to 3.75%.

The unprecedented, co-ordinated step came amid slumping world stock markets.

The central banks of Canada and Sweden and Switzerland all took similar action in the co-ordinated move.

China also cut its rate, but by 0.27 percentage points.

European financial markets reacted well, pulling back some of the losses seen earlier on Wednesday.

The last time the Bank of England cut rates in a special meeting was on 18 September 2001 - when rates came down from 5% to 4.75%.

In the UK, some mortgage lenders also immediately passed on the rate cut to borrowers - trimming their variable rates.

By Leslie Venzon
PNA

An industry leader expects more foreign direct and portfolio investments pouring into the country in the face of the economic slowdown in the United States.

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president Sergio Ortiz-Luis said investors would start looking for safer places to do business, including the Philippines.

“To certain degree, this crisis is bringing more investments in the BPOs (business process outsourcing). That’s one of the bright sides (of the US crisis) and hopefully, foreign direct investments and maybe even portfolio investments must start shifting in this area of the world rather in the US,” he noted.

To take advantage of this opportunity, Ortiz-Luis cited the need for the Philippines to improve its competitiveness, particularly infrastructure and in other areas where the country is perceived to be weak.

He said significant reforms have been already undertaken to simplify business procedures and expanding access to credit financing.

The significant growths generated by the booming BPO, along with other service export sectors, are expected to make up for lower revenues of merchandise exports resulting from reduced shipments to the US.

“Even with all these problems, the (projected) growth of 35 to 40 percent in the services sector will still be met,” Ortiz-Luis noted.

With this, he said, industry players are maintaining their growth projection of three to five percent for this year.

Ortiz-Luis said the impact of the US crisis was already factored in the growth forecast, adding that the US is no longer their big market.

Government data indicated that export earnings in July 2008 rose by 4.3 percent to $ 4.43 billion, although at a much lower rate compared to an 8.8-percent growth the previous month.

This brought receipts from merchandise exports during the first seven months of the year to $ 30 billion, up by 4.1 percent from last year’s.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said today that the executive clemency granted to murder-convict Claudio Teehankee Jr. went through the proper process and there was no secrecy behind the pardon contrary to the claims in some quarters.

In his weekly press conference in Malacanang this afternoon, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita stressed that the decision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to grant pardon to Teehankee was based on the merit and that the rules governing the grant of executive clemency to prisoners were strictly followed.

Teehankee was convicted in 1992 by the Regional Trial Court of Makati for the murder of Maureen Hultman, the homicide of Roland Chapman, and the frustrated murder of Jussi Leino.

Ermita pointed out that contrary to allegations that Teehankee was granted pardon in secrecy, the Board of Pardons and Parole advertised in the Philippine Star way back on Feb. 6, 2004 a notice that the cases of 16 prisoners, including Teehankee, would be reviewed “for the purpose of considering them for Parole/Executive Clemency.”

Teehankee’s actual length of time served in prison totaled 17 years, two months and nine days. Based on the time served for good conduct, he would be considered to have served a total of 21 years, three months and five days in prison, Ermita said.

The Executive Secretary revealed that on Nov. 11, 1999, Teehankee and the Hultmans executed a settlement agreement in which Teehankee and his family sold, ceded, and assigned “all their rights and interests over the house located at No. 53 San Juan St., B. Capitolyo x x x for and in consideration of P6,964,504.40, as full and complete payment of Claudio Teehankee Jr.’s civil obligation to the Hultmans.”

Under the agreement, the Hultmans, “through their duly authorized representative herein, will not object nor interpose any opposition to the application for such parole or the commutation or shortening of the sentence of Claudio Teehankee Jr., or to such other similar proceedings or relief, provided that the same shall be in accordance with law.”

Ermita said that on Jan. 13, 2003, the Hultmans “filed with the trial court a notice of satisfaction of judgment with respect to the civil aspect of the case.”

He said the Hultmans could not have been completely in the dark about Teehankee’s application for pardon. They knew all along that Teehankee’s application for pardon was under consideration, he added.  - PNA

It appears that the father is India-born, and probably an Indian national. All the names in the story have Indian trace.

Let us always remember that no matter how hard life can be, to be alive, in all its pains and sorrows, is a billion times better than to be dead.

A mango tree cannot bear a santol fruit.

True faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will always manifest in the daily conduct of that person's life.

Good work is a result of true faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says it all:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

Salvation, according to the above verse, is a gift from God. A gift is free. If it is not free, then it is not a gift. A gift can only be considered a gift if and when it is free.

What we need to do is to receive that gift from God by declaring our faith in Christ Jesus, confessing our sins, believing on His death and resurrection, and inviting Him to come to our life as the only Lord and Savior.

Salvation had been completed by Christ in the cross. There is nothing that a man can do in order to earn the grace of God, an unmerited favor from our Creator.

We do good works not in order to be saved but we do good things as our response to God's love in us.

Example, we do good works for our parents not in order to maintain our status as children of our parents, but our good works for them are our response to their love and care for us children.

No good work can satisfy God's requirement for righteousness. Isaiah 64:4-9 says that "All our righteousness is filthy rags" in the eyes of God.

It is only when we put our faith in Christ Jesus that God's requirement for righteousness is being satisfied. What happens when a person puts his faith in Christ is that Christ's own righteousness is imputed in that person so that when God the Father sees that person, it is the righteousness of Christ that the Father sees, not the person's.

A person who is truly saved, though he or she may stumble during his/her lifetime, will always look at Christ as the author of salvation.

But a person cannot use faith as license to do wrong. When such a thing happens, maybe that person does not have a true faith in Christ.

One's faith in Christ is complete; there is nothing that we can add to it to receive eternal life. "For God so loved the world that He sent His begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

The other thief, the repentant one who was hanging in the cross, put his faith in Christ and declared it "Ginoo, hinumdumi ako kung atua ka na sa imong Paraiso." Jesus honored the thief's faith right there and then and he got eternal salvation on the moment he declared his faith. Jesus said: "Karon dayon mahiuban ka sa akong Paraiso."

Pangutana: Did Christ tell the thief "Pagbuhat una ug matarong aron madala ka sa akong gingharian"?

Anyone who is reading this thread can receive eternal salvation right away if he or she openly declares his / her faith in Christ Jesus. And if that person dies tomorrow or an hour later, that person, as Christ had promised, will live throughout eternity.

Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace alone that you have been saved, it is a gift of God, not of works, least anyone should boast.

Many Filipinos are maltreated in Sabah, Malaysia. In another report, thousands of Filipinos in Sabah, most of them undocumented, working in palm oil plantations, were beaten by their Malaysian masters.

Another setback for Thailand tourism. Though Bangkok is fairly safe, media stories have created a bad picture of Thailand. The protesters are just hurting themselves by hurting their economy.

The Filipino community in London is set to launch "concerted efforts" against British government-owned British Broadcasting Corp (BBC) for its reportedly "racist and humiliating" portrayal of a Filipina domestic worker, a lawmaker said on Monday.

Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas, head of the subcommittee on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said during the plenary debates on the proposed 2009 budget that Philippine Embassy representatives in the United Kingdom are already coordinating with the Filipino community there regarding their protest actions.

"The Philippine embassy, our representatives there, already have met with the Filipino community for concerted efforts versus the BBC such as a silent protest and a vigil right at the BBC," said Mandanas.

He added that an email campaign "condemning" the BBC and a demand for apology are likewise being circulated among the community.

The Philippine Embassy has sent letters of complaint to various UK government offices - including the UK regulatory industry, the mayor of London, and the BBC itself - while Philippine Ambassador to the UK Edgardo Espiritu is studying whether any legal action can be made, added Mandanas.

"Ambassador Espiritu is really very active in filing the complaint and studying whatever actions can be done," said the Batangas representative.

Mandanas made the statements in response to the inquiry of Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, who earlier during the day urged the DFA to demand an apology from the British government for the BBC skit portraying a Filipina domestic worker in a "humiliating" manner. The controversial skit, aired in the September 26 episode of "Harry and Paul," showed comedian Harry Enfield telling a postman that he is ordering his Filipino maid to mate with his friend Paul Whitehouse.

Hontiveros said the supposed young Filipina, who was wearing a grey uniform and an apron, was shown "gyrating and dancing lasciviously."

"He (Enfield) kept ordering the girl to gyrate and dance in front of Paul and even instructed her to hump him," Hontiveros said in a statement.

The lawmaker added that "when an indifferent Paul stood up to go inside the house, Harry scolded the Filipina girl, telling her to get out and just go. The scene closed with the postman sidling up to the Filipina, whispering to her as they walked off together."

Hontiveros said the humiliating portrayal of Filipina workers "promotes negative stereotypes that cultivate impunity among those who abuse Filipina workers abroad."

"By making a horrible scene of exploitation an object of ridicule, the show trivializes an act of abuse commonly experienced by Filipina workers abroad. It desensitizes its audience on human trafficking, an issue that merit global indignation," she said.

She added that making overseas Filipinas appear as submissive sex objects reinforces the notion that foreigners could easily hire small and sexy Filipina domestic helpers and turn them into sexual objects. - GMAnews.TV

Thanks Raquel for posting the picture. Glad to see both of you.

BBC News - The driver of a bus that overturned in California killing eight passengers has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, police say.

Quentin Watts, 52, who was seriously injured, was arrested after witness statements were taken, police said.

Several of the 35 people injured in the crash remain in critical condition.

The bus was travelling from Sacramento to Colusa Casino Resort when Sunday evening's accident happened near the northern Californian town of Williams.

"It looks like they were going up to the casino to have a good time," California Highway Patrol Commander Fran Clader told the Associated Press news agency.

"Unfortunately, it resulted in tragedy."

Communication problems

Police are investigating whether Mr Watts was under the influence of alcohol, prescription or non-prescription drugs - or a combination - when the accident happened.

The bus had swerved from a two-lane country road into a water-filled ditch, crushing some passengers as it rolled, police said.

It came to a standstill, crumpled but upright, about 60 miles (100km) north of Sacramento.

No other vehicles are thought to have been involved in the incident.

The owner of the charter bus - which had an invalid licence plate and no seat belts - was still being investigated, police said.

China has canceled military and diplomatic exchanges with the US in protest at a $6.5bn deal to supply Taiwan with arms, US officials say.

A number of senior level visits and military-to-military exchanges due before November would not go ahead, the US defence department said.

The sales include advanced interceptor missiles, Apache helicopters and submarine-launched missiles.

China regards Taiwan as its territory and opposes US military support.

'Unfortunate'

Pentagon spokesman Maj Stewart Upton said: "China's continued politicisation of our military relationship results in missed opportunities."

The Chinese move affects a visit by a senior Chinese general, navy port calls and meetings on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

China will also not participate in an exchange on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

"It's an unfortunate step," said US state department deputy spokesman Robert Wood.

On Saturday the Chinese foreign ministry said: "The Chinese government and the Chinese people strongly oppose and object to the US government's actions, which harm Chinese interests and Sino-US relations." - BBC

By the Bohol Chronicle

The move to allow the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) in the province will be strongly blocked by the Church.

This was the categorical statement issued by Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran who articulated on the ill effects of gambling, whether legal or illegal.

He said that when people resort to gambling, it destroys their productiveness and encourages idleness in mind and body since they will simply depend and hope to win in their daily bets.

"False hope," is what gambling will inculcate in the minds of the people, the bishop stressed.

The statement of the church leader came a day after reports surfaced that Rep. Adam Jala (3rd dist), vice chairman of the House committee on government enterprises, is spearheading the campaign for the entry of STL here.

In a separate interview with the Chronicle, the young solon believes that STL is the only way to eradicate the rampant illegal numbers game of swertres in Bohol.

He said that while proceeds of the illegal swertres goes solely to the financiers and ushers, STL can bring wider benefits to government.

The solon said aside from contributing to the charity fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the municipalities where the STL operates will get 10 percent share and another 5 percent goes to the provincial government. The STL will ensure the bettors of their legitimate winnings while a gainful employment will be generated through the various STL centers to be opened here.

Bishop Medroso said the Church does not believe on the premise that operating STL can eradicate the illegal numbers game. Instead, it will further proliferate gambling since STL will now go side-by-side with what is illegal, giving the people two choices, whether they bet with the legal or illegal swertres.

The church official said advocating gambling is just like supporting an illegal activity since it destroys the moral fiber of society. Once gambling goes unabated, many families will go hungry and crime rate will increase as people seek money to sustain their daily requirements for gambling, he said.

STL will surely be blocked if it attempts entry here, Medroso said citing that this is the common stand of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

However, Rep. Jala admitted that he has sounded off the town mayors to study the STL operations since it will benefit the local coffers with the 10% share of its proceeds. He likewise sought the endorsement of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan considering that the provincial government takes 5% share of STL operations.

The solon said there are already 15 Luzon provinces allowing the operation of STL since it benefits their respective provinces and municipalities. He said that Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca who is a staunch fighter on gambling is now supporting STL as she believes that the way to eradicate jueteng is to allow the legalized betting through PCSO's lottery.

The bettors of STL, Jala said can get the chance to win P800 from a P1 bet and even .25 centavos bet can get the chance to win P200.

Asked on who will operate the STL if ever it gets a nod here, the solon said it will be up for the PCSO to screen applicants. However, he clarified that no LGU be allowed to operate the lottery.

ILLEGAL SWERTRES PROLIFERATES

The illegal numbers game of swertres proliferates in the province.

This is admitted by police authorities here. In fact no apprehensions have been heard lately on swertres ushers or financiers.

Observers noted that some local officials are known "beneficiaries" of the proceeds of swertres, thus no campaign has been sustained to eradicate this illegal numbers game.

Some mayors are allegedly receiving shares from swertres operators here.

By Sunday Post

      The Ombudsman recently released an affirmation to the 2001 resolution dismissing the graft case that the once popular “Six Lawyers” filed against the set of provincial officials during the stint of former governor Rene Relampagos and the president of Salcon Phils. Inc. following the joint venture entered into for the privatization of the water and power utilities of the province.

      Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro affixed his signature on July 2 on the last page of the February 22, 2001 resolution to signify his approval on the recommendation of Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Primo Miro to approve the 2001 resolution penned by Graft Investigator Officer Sarah Jo Vergara of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas based in Cebu City.

      For lack of merit, Vergara dismissed the criminal case anchored on alleged violations of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 7080 or the act penalizing plunder, that the “Six Lawyers” led by Lawyer Zotico Ochavillo filed against Relampagos as the governor then; now First District Rep. Edgar Chatto as the vice-governor then; the Provincial Board members then- -now Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo, Arnold Lungay, Lawyer Felix Uy, Chatto’s chief of staff Isabelito Tongco, Eufrasio Mascariñas, Exequiel Madriñan, Francisco Alesna Sr., Severino Caberte, PB Member Concepcion Lim, Renato Lim and Lemuel Digal (then Sangguniang Kabataan Federated president); then provincial legal officer Inocentes Lopez; the late Juanito Cambangay as the provincial planning and development officer; and Dennis Villareal as president of Salcon.

      Ochavillo, former governor Victor dela Serna, the late Nerio Zamora, and three other lawyers were dubbed as the Six Lawyers who were most vocal in the protest against the joint venture of the provincial government and Salcon in the operation of the Provincial Public Utilities Department (PPUD) that distributed power and water in Tagbilaran City which is now the Bohol Light Company, Inc. (BLCI) and the Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI).

      Through a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA), the sale of only P155 million gave the Salcon Group of Companies 70 percent ownership of PPUD's power and water distribution assets and franchises.

      Ochavillo’s group alleged that the provincial officials and Villareal conspired for the sale of the electric and water systems owned by the Province of Bohol “in favor of Salcon Power Corporation for only about ten percent of their appraised value.

      They alleged the officials and Salcon top honchos hatched the conspiracy “as early as April 1997 when Salcon was allowed to conduct a study for the improvement of the province.”

      The Six Lawyers smelled something on Relampagos’ decision to privatize PPUD then wherein Salcon, who offered P150 million was declared winner in the public bidding when Asian Appraisal Co., Inc. appraised the facilities to be worth P1.48 billion in total amount.

      However, Ochavillo’s group “failed to mention that under the present state of conditions, the appraised value of both utilities was in the negative”

      The Ombudsman further cited that the six lawyers “either erred or deliberately misrepresented in assuming that the potential valuations under the proposed joint business were the absolute and immutable valuations of the two utilities”.

      It was also found to be untrue that Salcon was “pre-ordained” to win in the public bidding, considering the company’s evident determination taking into account the tariff proposal, Bid Price and Funding Program, and the Rehabilitation Program in the technical proposals.

      Moreover, the Ombudsman cited that actually, the valuation report and the Income Statement “yield the perception that the ultimate amount of P1.48 billion, or whatever value augmentation” that Ochavillo’s group saw was supposedly “to be realized within a period of 20 years”.

      “These were never meant to be conveyed or interpreted as the actual worth of the subject utilities, and as such, should be the monetary consideration for an outright purchase. The disputed figures are declared amidst financial statements covering the years from 1999 to 2018 and were based on client projections or estimates or forecasts,” Vergara explained in the resolution.

By Sunday Post

The idealism of youth was seen as the motivating factor that pushed Cong. Adam Relson Jala of the third district to introduce the Small Town Lottery or STL in Bohol. Jala is still 29 years old.

This was confirmed by the congressman himself who was asked to explain his motivation in “baby-sitting” the entry of STL in Bohol.

But the young congresman’s father, Eladio, was not keen of seeing the day that his son’s pet measure will not meet stiff opposition. He cited the conservatism of the Boholanos.

Even before the congressman took off to a good start with his “STL baby”, the local Church already made known its vehement opposition that it will not see the light of day in Bohol.

Msgr. Jeffrey Malanog, vicar general and speaking in behalf of the local diocese, said that anything that concerns gambling, be it state-sanctioned or privately operated, will always be opposed by the Church.

The church dignitary was asked to react on the Jala measure and mincing no words he said if it need be, parishioners will be rallied to take to the streets, if only to block the entry of  STL in Bohol.

Msgr. Malanog said  gambling in whatever form  is a no- no in the province.

In explaining his side of the STL entry , the young Jala said that his idealism to stamp out illegal gambling is foremost in his mind.

Calling himself as a staunch advocate against illegal gambling, he said the illegal numbers game called “Swertres” has become so popular with the masses that he found it  so difficult to stop.

In Bohol, the Swetres phenomenon has become so widespread that even how much police authorities vowed to eradicate it, Swertres is still the gambling of choice among the poor. The legislator found the STL as the ultimate antidote to Swertres.

Cong. Jala expressed optimism that with STL, he is hoping that the illegal numbers racket will lose its luster and in the process make the masses shift patronage to the legal numbers game.

But his father was not as enthusiastic.

The former congressman, in a separate interview, said that he predicted a rough sailing for his son’s favorite numbers game.

The elder Jala said it would have a different story altogether if his son got first the backing of Gov. Erico Aumentado because the governor’s influence on municipal mayors was beyond doubt.

The former solon also suggested that it would have been better for his son to enlist the support of the two other lawmakersâ€"Reps. Edgar Chatto of the first district and Roberto Cajes of the second district. Both solons have their own strong influence with their respective mayors who incidentally was the target of Jala’s wellspring of support.

Just how serious the young Jala’s bid to penetrate Bohol as another STL stronghold, was the fact that he already informed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of his intention to introduce the state-supported lottery here.

At the same time, Cong.Jala denied insinuations that he was acting in behalf of some powerful interest who are out to corner the STL franchise in Bohol. He said he has no other agenda in introducing the STL except his drive and determination to stop all kinds of illegal numbers game.

This question cropped up after it was known that the young Jala is a good friend of Dato Arroyo, the presidential son who is a representative of Camarines Sur.

The STL is another form of gambling popularized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes along with lotto.

By Sunday Post

The drive to rid the city of illicit business operations is in full swing.

Only yesterday, City Mayor Dan Neri Lim lowered the boom on four business establishments which were found to have operated sans business and mayor’s permits.

Mark Leo Monton, chief of the city’s general service office and the mayor’s chief enforcer against erring business establishments, identified the four as Bohol Heritage Resort in Mansasa district this city, Seoul Restaurant & KTV also in Mansasa, Ruchelle Computers and A’AS Stop N Dine. Ruchelle Computers is the newly opened branch of the computer dealer at the Aldea Shopping Complex along CPG Avenue, this city. The restaurant is located under the shade of a big acasia tree along CPG North Avenue. Fronting the restaurant is a row of stalls owned by lawyer Victor de la Serna.

The acasia is part of the de la Serna-owned property.

The Korean Restaurant & KTV is located inside the compound of a seaside residential house owned by Marilyn Magat, a known buyer of antiques.

The palatial residence was converted into a resort complex named Bohol Heritage Resort. After several renovations of the property, the owners decided to convert it into a resort, with two karaoke bars and a restaurant christened as Café Margarita.

The other KTV Bar owned by the Magats and named Club Heat was long closed apparently due to lack of business patronage. This according to Mrs. Magat who was interviewed Friday after the closure order was served.

The resort owner, however, refused to acknowledge the closure order.

The Korean-owned KTV had long been the object of complaints by neighboring residents. The neighbors said they were disturbed when the bar opened until the wee hours of dawn.

The Post learned that a formal complaint by concerned neighbors was  lodged before the Mansasa barangay council. The same council forwarded the complaint to the city mayor’s office prompting Mayor Lim to order its closure Friday.

The order to padlock the establishments was in line with the penal clause of City Ordinance No.RC-001 Article A of Section 3A. The local ordinance states that any person who shall establish, operate and conduct any business, trade or activity mentioned in this article in the City of Tagbilaran shall first obtain a mayor’s permit.

By Loy Palapos
Sunday Post

Living up to an established name of a clan is, more often than not, a Herculean task. It reminded me of a friend whose father was his namesake. Recognizing the accomplishment of his father, the Junior felt the big burden of living up to the status of the Senior. Even to himself, he had to prove that he was worthy of the name. The stress must have been devastating, but he took the challenge. Perhaps thinking that he needed speed to reach his goal, he ran and he stumbled.

One admired and respected clan in Bohol was planted and nurtured by Atty. Victoriano Tirol, Sr. through the first University of Bohol. His siblings in the second generation have lived up to his expectations. Today, the third generation of Tirols have also proven themselves excellent in their chosen careers. Consciously or subconsciously, they have discerned the challenge they are facing, if only to deserve the well-earned name.   

Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno (MTM) is the eldest of the eldest son of the great patriarch. A Neonatologist by profession, she heads the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital. She is married to a seaman, a situation that gives her ample time for her patients. There was a time, she ventured into a prawn and milkfish farming; but because of the time she had to spend away from the hospital, she sold her agri-business.

Now, she has found another business venture, which makes her unwind from the strains of endless hours of patient-care, “The Kainggit Grill”, which is now a favorite of gourmets who love to partake of seafoods while enjoying the sea breeze and listening to gentle waves just a few feet away.

But her main concern is still about health-care, especially of babies born prematurely. She bewails the fact that the mortality rate of premature babies sometimes reaches a big 60%. One reason for this horrible outcome is the lack of a Portable X-Ray Machine.

Thus, was born her plan to knock at the hearts of some benevolent benefactors who could spare a part of their extra earnings, the accumulation of which could buy the 1.2 million-peso hospital equipment. To reach the consciousness of the prospective donors, she and some friends embarked on a novel project: “Bike Around Bohol For A Cause”. She launched the project last September 25, biking from Tagbilaran City to Garcia Hernandez, where her group was met with enthusiasm. She hopes other bikers would join her cause and save many ill-fated newborns.

This interview took place at the Prawn Farm of ICM. She was accompanied by Leah Tirol-Magno and a German Lady-friend who shared her dream of serving the indigents.

LMP: What prodded you to take up medicine?

MTM: Ever since, I always believe that the best way to serve the Lord is to become a Doctor; I just felt that way. Maybe because I was influenced by my parents and grandparents. There was never a moment in our life when we had any privacy at all. Every morning, there are people knocking at our doors asking for help.

LMP: Was it not a disturbance?

MTM: We were used to it.

LMP: Did you enjoy life in a family of politicians?

MTM: What I enjoyed most was seeing the people who left the house with slips of paper thinking that would solve their problem. What I don’t like was that people sometimes took advantage of the situation. I learned to deal with it by not being annoyed and just looked at the bigger picture. If people are bad, they get to be good by helping them. I just pick the best out of every situation and not focus on what others are thinking.

LMP: If you’re going to make a comparison between the life of a politician and the life of a medical practitioner, what would that be?

MTM: Both are interesting. If you’re interested, it’s not tough anymore.

LMP: Aside from your profession, what else can make you happy?

MTM: The idea of being in a profession where somebody comes to me for help and help them without restrictions… that would really make me happy.

LMP: Why not enter politics? You could be of more help.

MTM: I always considered my life to be guided by the Lord. I was offered the job in the second highest position at the hospital, which would have been a nice position; but I found out that there were limitations because of the rules, so I declined. About politics, if that is another venue so I could be of help, then why not? I am open to anything.

LMP: If you become the Chief of Hospital, can you do more?

MTM: Up to a certain point. But I don’t have it in my mind because you have to be prepared for that.

LMP: Let’s go to the business side. Do you have plans of expansion or opening another branch?

MTM: There’s always the plan of expansion. In fact, when we were just starting out, I already mapped out where the other branches would be. We’re planning to have five of them in five years time.

LMP: I remember one time, we sponsored a lecture series about “bangus”. I remember you attending that in Ubay. Are you into that kind of business too?

MTM: I was. But I had to give up my prawn farm because I was spreading myself too thin. Besides, my parents had a prawn farm and I can easily ask them to rent out the place and supervise it for them.

LMP: Did it bring you out of your job?

MTM: I actually considered it as my way of relaxing. I loved sitting on my dilapidated “nipa” hut and just looked into the stillness of the water and watched the prawns jump. It gave me so much joy.

LMP: I remember when you were in high school probably, you were the Reyna Elena in a Santacruzan. Did it come into your mind to enter the glamour side and be on the spotlight?

MTM: No. I’d rather be on the sideline supervising the activity than on the front with all the glamour. I like to keep things very simple. Bring me to the mountains, I would enjoy it more.

LMP: If you are to name one person who influenced you, who would that be?

MTM: My grandfather. If there’s one thing I vividly remember of him, it was one Sunday morning, a man came to our house asking for money. My grandfather gave him some. When my grandmother saw this, he scolded my father saying “why give him money… he’s a bum, an ex-convict!” My grandfather just laughed and said, “you know what, Ma, I always believed that no matter how bad a person is, there is always something good in him.” I carry that all the time.

LMP: You mentioned about a project, what is it about?

MTM: I have this desire to help my patients which is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Gallares Hospital. We have as many as 31 patients. We get babies as small as 1 kilogram or 500 grams. They have problems in breathing because their lungs are not mature yet, so we have to do a chest x-ray for them. But the machine in the unit got broken.

LMP: What is the percentage of mortality today?

MTM: As high as 40 to 60 percent. So I intend on raising funds to buy a Portable X-Ray Machine. Since my birthday is coming, instead of having a party, I would just make a project, the “Bike Around Bohol for A Cause”. Before I started, I made a research about how the machine would cost. And it’s for 1.2 million pesos.

LMP: How do you plan to go about it?

MTM: I will just make people be aware of how important it is to have a Portable X-Ray Machine in a hospital. To raise funds, I would tie-up with a foundation or an organization. My sister Leah advised me to tie-up with the Rotary Club. I kind of like the idea since the President, Dr. Lechago, is a good friend. I took it upon myself as a challenge, that if a 50-year old woman can bike around Bohol for 254 kilometers, then they can look me up as a model. We did that last September 25. It took 20 hours including the stops. There were 5 of us; we started at 4:30 AM.  The next plan would be to bike across Bohol.

LMP: What is your philosophy in life?

MTM: Always be positive and to find joy in whatever situation I meet. I believe that there is really no problem, just a challenge. There’s always a solution. And on top of this, is my very strong faith in the Lord.

Having a father who was once the Governor of Bohol, a mother who is presently a Member of the Provincial Legislator, a grandfather who revolutionized education in the province, and clan members who are highly successful professionals, may have helped her in her brainchild project. Yet, her focus is the entire community, the entire province. And Boholanos all over the world. She finds more inspiration in touching the hearts of the many others for those who have less in life, for that would be more significant, more so if compassion is shared.

Helping others especially the poor is her most cherished goal. This religious Doctor has God at the center of her life and her family. She has full confidence that, with the Lord as her guide, she would be able to touch others to open their hearts in magnanimity for a cause that has to be addressed now. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1gCvIOuziI

Nestor Daarol provides this video for TubagBohol.com

By Bohol Sunday Post

Police are looking into the motive of why an entire household in barangay Magkaya, Buenavista town was the object of annihilation Thursday evening by an unknown assailant. A grenade was lobbed to the house owned by couple Cosme and Emilia Peryandi killing one while two others survived the assault. Magkaya is a mountain barangay in Buenavista.

The incident which the local media tagged as the Buenavista massacre claimed the life of a three-old boy identified as Joshua Swete. He was the grandson of the Peryandis.

The fatality’s grandparents also suffered wounds in the different parts of their bodies and they are now recuperating at the Gov. Gallares Memorial Hospital.

The mother of the victim who was cooking in the ground floor of the Peryandi household escaped unhurt.

Her husband was in another barangay working as a farm hand.

According to the victim’s mother,  she noticed the smell of gasoline after the grenade exploded.

She also saw her bloodied parents, Cosme and Emilia Peryandi.

The lone fatality was the son of Elenar and Judith Swete. The Swete couple visited their parents in barangay Magkaya when the incident happened.

In an interview with Senior Supt. Edgardo Ingking, provincial police director, he said they are looking into the motive of the aborted massacre. Police also are checking reports regarding the background of the Peryandis who are not natives of the place. Before they migrated to Buenavista, they lived in Asturias, Cebu.

In a check with Lt. Col. Alfredo Sanchez, commander of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, he brushed aside suspicions that the grenade attack was insurgency related.

Asianfairy dear,

Your decision to return and stay in TubagBohol for good will help provide medicine for our deep pain caused by Aya's untimely death.

I remember how our dear Orchids wanted you to come back. In previous threads, Aya had posted her feelings of sadness and emptiness over your absence.

I can't tell how much mixed pain and joy I feel now that you're back while Orchids had left us eternally.

God bless you, Alicia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPOLREv6b4g

As we mourn for the passing away of our beloved friend and sister, Aya (Orchids), may we continue to hold on to our faith and that through prayer and reading of the Bible we draw ourselves more intimately to our God, the Father and Creator of us all.

Our Father
by Don Moen

Hear our prayer
We are your children and we're gathered here today
We're gathered here to pray
Hear our cry
Lord we need your mercy and we need you grace today
Hear us as we pray

[CHORUS]
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Our Father hear us from heaven
Forgive our sins we pray
Hear our song, as it rises to heaven
May your glory fill the earth like waters in the seas
Clean our hearts and remove anything
That is standing in your way
Of loving us today!

[REPEAT CHORUS]

And though we are few
We're sorrounded by many who have crossed that river before
And this is the song we'll be singing forever
Holy is the Lord [x2]

[REPEAT FIRST VERSE AND CHORUS]

Beth, I am reposting the video. It's here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BPS_68-lVs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W1EdvUfaRY

For all of us who have been weeping over the death of Aya and trying to make sense of this pain that sweeps our souls, I wish you to sing this song over and over again that we may find strength from God our Creator who will never leave nor forsake His children.

I Will Sing
By Don Moen

Lord You seem so far away
A million miles or more it feels today
And though I haven't lost my faith
I must confess right now
That it's hard for me to pray
But I don't know what to say
And I don't know where to start
But as You give the grace
With all that's in my heart

Chorus:
I will sing I will praise
Even in my darkest hour
Through the sorrow and the pain
I will sing I will praise
Lift my hands to honor You
Because Your Word is true
I will sing

Lord it's hard for me to see
All the thoughts and plans You have for me
But I will put my trust in You
Knowing that You died to set me free
But I don't know what to say
And I don't know where to start
But as You give grace
With all that's in my heart

Chorus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu70-FlNc7I

Long before there was Tubag Bohol, Aya and I have been the best of friends. When Tubag Bohol was created, Aya (Orchids) became a true friend to many of us. And indeed many have been blessed by her gift of friendship.

Lyrics by Nelson Del Castillo

Many people say true friends
are hard to find
But I know I'm not that kind
They come and go and
sometimes leave us behind
Like a wind that passes by

Chorus
(Cause)When you need a friend
That you can depend
You can count on me because
you're my best friend
When you're feeling down
And your heart is hurt
You can call on me and
i'll be there for you friend

Good things may come and then
bad things may go
Like a birth a long time ago
You're like the ship that's sailing
across the sea
To the waves that's so unkind

(Repeat Chorus)
(Repeat Chorus) Hold
(Repeat Chorus)

Coda
Friend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4sop0NVMI8

As you reflect on the message of this song Tag-ulan, let's strengthen our friendship  Aya exemplifies a kind of friendship that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. She aptly described herself in friendster as "Friend to Many." And she truly lived up to this description until she breathed her last.

Our friends are gifts from God. Let us tell them how much we love them while they can still hear and see our words.

Phil, thank you for sharing your thoughts about Aya in your blog post. She always welcomes people into this forum. And she always comforts people who are grieving. Everything that you said in your blog perfectly captures the inner beauty of Aya's soul.

For those who wish to read Manong Jose's blog post on Orchids (Aya), just click the link below:
http://edulotion.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-havent-seen-her-now-shes-gone.html

Thank you, Grace, for moving the posts to Aya's lifetime board. May her kids find this board someday.

Lex, thanks for posting Aya's photo.

Dear Sister Aya,

Even as I type these words,
tears start to flood my eyes.
I wanted to pray this morning
and postponed my chat
with Grace and Ginger,
but during my moments of silence
all I can say is tears.
And I buried my face on my bed's face
and literal hot tears kept rolling down my face.

I wanted to say something to God.
I wanted to talk to you.
But my soul is too fragile,
my devastated heart cannot stand
on the thought of you.

I will face the day again today
and I hope I would be strong enough
to bear the immeasurable pain
of losing a great friend.

Tomorrow is my birthday,
and may God forgive me
that there is no joy in my heart.

My weary soul seeks rest
through prayer and poetry -
but all I can say is tears.


Your friend for life,
Mike

Photo from http://andabohol.ning.com

How we love you and miss you, Aya.

Hello Manong Oliver,

God bless you for this noble desire to build a shelter for the homeless. We will help you plan out this project.

For now, we are all lamenting for the sudden death of our dear friend, Aya (Orchids). She was 36. She was one of our pioneers, a darling friend to all of us here.

After our mourning days, we will discuss your plan.

Thank you Sir.

Dear Friends,

We create this board to pay tribute to our beloved friend, Orchids (Aya) (also known as Virgie Blanco), who returned to our Creator, the God in the Bible.

As we mourn for this great loss of a dear friend who is a darling to all of us, may we be able to ponder deeply on the sanctity and fleetingness of life.

Click Here to access the board dedicated for Orchids.

Thank you,
Mike

Bran, Orchids loves to live in Spain. A self-learner, she knows how to speak Spanish.

Aya lives in Japan for over a decade already. But she has a house in Anda, Bohol. She also has a house in Cebu.

She died of stroke, Kuya Lindy. She had a mild stroke last year. We thought everything was okay. But stroke is treacherous.

She was 36, bol-anon nga cebuano.