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New Ayala mall in Pasig allocates 20 floors to BPO offices

The P2.5bn Ayala Malls The 30th, the newest mall of the Ayala Malls Group, will feature 20 floors of office space to cater to business process outsourcing (BPO) firms and other local companies. The new development, located on a 2-hectare property on 30 Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, will feature a four-level shopping center with a total of 184 tenants. Above the shopping mall will be 20 floors of office space. It also features three activity areas, two of which are indoors and one located outdoors, and three levels of basement parking. Ayala Malls The 30th is the company’s first commercial development near the Ortigas business district in Pasig City and is also its first mall to open this year.

Sir Daray, ania gihapon ta nanikaysikay. Padayon sa atong pag-ugmad sa Bohol pinaagi sa paghatod ug kasayoran.

New Life

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

You do not become a Christian by asking Jesus into your heart. You become a Christian when you are born again. Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Saying a prayer or making a public commitment or signing a decision card will not save you. Only being born again will do that. The apostle Paul said that when you are “in Christ,” the old things pass away. In the moment of your salvation, every sin you ever committed is forgiven. Healing for every hurt you have ever suffered is available. Love and acceptance are yours despite every failure you have ever experienced. Your past, no matter how difficult or painful, is completely and thoroughly provided for. Some will seek to diminish the awesome reality of your spiritual rebirth. You will hear them say, “Even though you’re now a Christian, you must still undergo years of counseling to overcome the hurts you’ve experienced” or “You may be born again, but you’ll continue to struggle with your sin, and hopefully you will eventually gain victory in areas of your weakness.” The problem is that we seek changes by our own will rather than by turning our lives over in faith to the One who has given us new life. The profound testimony of Scripture is that the blood of Jesus Christ and the death of the Son of God is sufficient to completely free you from your sin. Satan will seek to convince you that it is not. Whom will you believe?HENRY and RICHARD BLACKABY

Cayetano: Robredo’s opposition a wasted opportunity

When asked about the recent controversy tagged LeniLeaks which involves emails in a Yahoo! Group (Global Filipino Diaspora Council) among the Vice President Leni Robredo’s supporters detailing social media strategies for responding to attacks directed at Robredo, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano acknowledged groups doubting the said email thread’s nature as an ouster plot.

“Well, unang-una, merong mga nagdududa kung may conspiracy ba talaga or planong tanggalin ang Pangulo,” explained Cayetano in an interview on January 15, Sunday. “Ang question lang, how organized [is the opposition], sinong magkakasama?”

“I’ve always said that the Vice President doesn’t have to be part of [the plan],” the senator added. “Kasi by merely being Vice President, ikaw ang papalit ‘pag natanggal.”

Cayetano also said that Robredo’s resignation from the Cabinet was a “wasted opportunity” to become one of the President’s advisers.

He stressed, however, that Robredo could have been more productive as Vice President by “criticizing inside” rather than joining rallies and speaking to the media about her opposition to some of the President’s policies.

“Nakikinig naman sa kanya. Ang problema, mas gusto niya, maging oposisyon. Nirerespeto natin ‘yun. Pero ako, sa tingin ko, personally, sayang ‘yung opportunity,” he ended.

From the Office of Senator Bongbong Marcos
COMELEC FAILURE TO DECRYPT SD CARD HIGHLY SUSPECT â€" BBM CAMP

“If COMELEC was really in command of the May 2016 elections, why can’t it open the supposedly ‘unused’ or ‘stand by’ SD Cards from the past election? This is highly suspect.”

Thus raised Lawyer Victor Rodriguez, spokesperson of Sen. Bongbong Marcos, when COMELEC failed to open the contents of 26 “unused” or “standby” Vote Counting Machine (VCM) SD Cards during a scheduled “decryption” activity in their main office on Monday afternoon.

Decryption is a term used in the IT circle to open data that was previously “encrypted” to conceal its contents and to prevent it from being tampered with.  Only a person, or a machine with a matching “digital key”, can decrypt data.

“For us, this is quite disheartening and highly irregular. The process of decrypting SD cards have been done so many times in the past and so now we’re wondering why COMELEC can’t seem to do it now,” said Atty. Rodriguez.

Rodriguez furthered that their camp’s IT Team offered several explanations why the COMELEC failed to decrypt the SD cards.

“One explanation could be that Smartmatic and COMELEC did a sloppy job in the tool that was supposed to decrypt the data. Second, the SD cards could contain software that is different than the authorized one; and third: that the SD card was tampered with.  Any of the reasons raised are a clear violation of our election laws.  COMELEC should answer these questions because they cast doubt on the credibility of the elections,” Rodriguez stressed.

Tampered SD Cards?

Another possibility why the SD cards cannot be decrypted is that the SD Cards were tampered with.

“During Monday’s decryption activity, our IT representatives asked the representative from Smartmatic what operating system they used in formatting the SD cards and he said that they used ‘Linux’ all throughout.  However in one of the cards, they found a program that could only appear when using the ‘Windows Operating System’ and not ‘Linux’ as maintained by Smartmatic.  This could mean that the SD card that was supposedly “unused” or “on standby” could have been tampered with,” Rodriguez asserted.

It will be recalled that the COMELEC was supposed to conduct the decryption of 13 SD cards found to have data.  The 13 were part of the original 127 SD cards set aside during the stripping of 1,356 unused VCMs last October 2016 after data were found in them.  The other SD cards were not included in the decryption because they were excluded by the Senate Electoral Tribunal on motion by former MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino due to his election protest before the Tribunal.

Because of these discrepancies, the representative from the Presidential Electoral Tribunal decided it would prudent to postpone the decryption activity to enable all the parties to come up with a solution on how to remedy the situation with the approval from the Tribunal itself.

"Everyone knows that SD cards from an unused VCM should be empty.  The fact that the SD cards were proven to contain data in them bolsters our position that there’s something fishy going on.”  Rodriguez also said the data in the SD Cards also supported their contention that the VCMs should not have been opened or stripped until after the conclusion of Marcos' election protest at the Presidential Electoral Protest (PET).

Earlier, Rodriguez explained that because data was found in many of the SD cards that were retrieved from supposedly unused VCMs, this was proof that fraud had been committed in the May elections.

“How can more than 120 SD cards have data in them when they came from VCMs kits that were not used?  This is highly questionable.  This also supports our contention that the VCMs should be preserved until the election protest is concluded in the PET because they represent an important aspect in the protest,” he stressed.

What could probably be the reason but love
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Yes Tirol Dumagan

God always gives us a reason to smile and be happy each and every day no matter how busy or relaxed we are, no matter how exhausting we become. This is what I have proven to be genuine after series of ups and downs that I’ve been through this summer.

While most of us may have spent there summer in resorts and other past time places, hang out with friends and relatives and even tried out a new “recipe” to make oneself entertained for the whole stretch of the season, I have done the contrary of it. I must admit that even I, myself, am not used to in this kind of set-up we now have as a family. But, sincere as I am, I can always see hundreds of reasons for me to be grateful for the great things that come our way, actually, my way.

In my nineteen years of existence, I can always say that He has set plans for me to become a better person. Like all of us, my experience has been so rich that in every contour that I meet along it, I always find a diversion so I can continue my journey. Yes, it may be difficult and struggling at times but a brighter phase always awaits us just on the other side of it, all we have to do is to work out on it and continue to hope for the best to come. Because when it rains, it pours.

Contrary to what you have in mind, my summer nevertheless has never turned boring and dull. I am grateful that by this time, while my father is actually rehabilitating from an ailment and is soon to get well, I experienced a greater sense of love and loyalty towards my family and friends. In these hard times, blood is, without contest, thicker than water. My family had experienced adversities in life, conflicts with and among each other primarily due to clashes of their varying principles and beliefs and contradicting views on things. For long years, they have been so cold with and among each other that such a feeling has transcended even to the roots of the family members. Even down to us, their offspring. The relationship was stationary over a period of time. But that was before. Now, everything has changed. And such change is ignited by one sacrificial lamb in the person of my father. The broken bond has been restored and now is on its way to revitalization for a new life for a new, stronger tie between and among its members.

This is always my aspiration for my family and I know that I share this very same desire to every one else in this world. After all, we all live to be happy, to love and to be loved. This is one ultimate plan of His Almighty for us. Let us live for it, let us live it.

Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Atty Cristifil "Check" Baluma

As 2006 ends today, we could not help but look back at it and look forward to 2007. New Year’s Eve, as customarily practiced by many Filipinos, is more of a time for family reunions. The year 2006 in general, had been a good year for us Filipinos, as our nation had overcome the many challenges that beset her, including the loss of thousands of lives caused by calamities and disasters, most of the latter sadly caused by human neglect.

Our peso had risen to such level considered an all time high for the past six years, indicative of a robust economy. While many critics of the government points to the high dollar remittances as a major factor of the surge of our very own peso, it cannot be denied that the peso has began to surge even before December 2006. While it can be argued that the improvement of the economy is still yet to be felt by the poorest of the poor, the “masa”, the gains made this year is enough reason to celebrate and enough ladder to hope for better things to come in 2007.

New Year’s Day for many begins tomorrow, January 1, 2007. But did many know that during the Middle Ages in most European countries, New Year’s Day was not January 1 but March 25? Such date was called the Day of the Annunciation and it was the time when it was revealed to Mary that she would be giving birth to the Son of Man. Ever since the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar in 1852, Roman Catholic countries began to celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1. Our Chinese brothers and sisters celebrate New Year sometime between January 21 and February 19 of the Gregorian Calendar while the Jewish Community celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, generally in September on the first and second day of Tishri.

During New Year’s Day in old Europe it was a day of questions being the Day of Annunciation. Imagine one is told that she is conceiving even without nobody touching? The Chinese made it curt: “I no come. She does not come. But baby comes. How come?”

Just to add spice to the New Year, do you know why the first month of the year is called January? January is taken from the name Janus, who in Roman mythology was the god of doors, gateways and of beginnings. Janus principal temple in the Forum has doors facing east and west for the beginning and ending of the day, and between them stood his statue with two faces, gazing in opposite directions. Morning prayers in every home were addressed to him and in every undertaking his assistance was sought. Being the god of beginnings, Janus was publicly invoked on the first day of January, the month that was named after him because it began the New Year. Janus was also invoked at the beginning of wars.

New Year’s Day is a great opportunity for a new beginning. New Year’s Day is once described as an occasion for noisy celebration and the making of personal resolutions. Personal resolutions, “new year’s resolutions” surely is in everyone’s mind. Certain bad habits and practices are usually being considered to be avoided and eliminated at this point of time.

For the chain smokers and habitual alcoholics, usually their determination to get rid of the vice is high at the start of the year, but without really the strong determination to get rid of the vice perhaps a job to get busy with, they would succumb to the temptations so the taste of nicotine and alcohol. Perhaps crimes during January will not be many, as habitual criminals, those still carrying with them even the slightest pound of conscience will attempt to not commit crime anymore. If only the prayers of all people would find their answers, I see the end of crimes being committed by criminals only committing crimes for the sake of getting money to buy food.

May the answers to the questions to the New Year are happy, bright, pretty and beautiful. Here’s to that what we all want to get in 2007 we will get it all. Welcome 2007 for a prosperous and graceful year!

Resolution for New Year’s Resolution
By Atty. Aleck Francis Lim
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Let’s face it. We all like to have New Year’s resolutions, whatever they are.

New Year’s Resolution is not only a common expression that it has somehow lost its meaning and effect to a person’s life.

But for those who are really serious on embarking on a life of change, whatever is it that is in need of change, improvement, or removal, there are few suggestions that, if followed, may help in making the change a reality.

When we are already used to doing something, it is not easy to abandon an old way or habit. So the following guidelines can illuminate our path to 2007.

First, we need to be realistic. Our goal to change something should be achievable, within our reach, and within our capability.

It would be frustrating if we won’t get what we want because, in the first place, our expectations are too high, and we don’t have the resources to make things happen.

Second, let us identify and be clear on what we want to change and achieve. The goal should be specific. Is it about our eating habit, work habit, or a particular lifestyle? Or is it about a certain attitude that needs to be polished? Avoid generalizing goals. Go for the details.

Third, when we have started implementing the change process, we have to concentrate on our goal and stick to it.

There are glitches and bumps along the way. The road to glory is not all roses. There are thorns. There are obstacles.

One key to reaching our goal is to keep on doing what we have initiated. Like the Energizer advertisement, let us just keep going, going, and going.

Fourth, we must be willing to make sacrifices. There is always cost in the change process. Let us remember that if our goal is noble, the benefit will always exceed the cost.

Fifth, be prepared for surprises. Life does not go in straight line. Sometimes we just have to expect the unexpected. Imagine all the possibilities that may take place when the change is already achieved. Those things that you can no longer figure out in your imagination will always come as bundle of surprises.

Lastly, we need to develop personal integrity and personal accountability. It may be a good idea if we tell somebody about our goal and ask this person to help us remind about our goal if we sway from our path.

Integrity is about being honest to ourselves and to others. It is about making our yes as yes and no as no.

Now, there are a lot of areas in life that can be the target for change.

For those who are now holding public offices, an appropriate goal for this New Year can be completing a project or program that has been neglected for some time.

For us lawyers, a New Year resolution can be that of helping the less fortunate get justice and fair trial.

The road less traveled is that road in which we stop thinking on what we get but on what we give.

May we all have a blessed New Year!

Something Better
By Atty. Alexander "Aleckoy" Lim
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Every year, people take time to think about the year that ended and with it wonder what the coming year will bring. This happens when the old year is about to end and the new year is about to begin.

To many people, it is a time to make new year’s resolutions supposedly because it is a good way to start the year. The practice however is like the attitude towards a good luck charm because people do not really give their heart to it.

As they grow older, people stop making resolutions because they are the same ones that were on the list the previous year. It makes them realize that they have not improved as far as the things that are on the list shows them.

One of the things that people should consider is their relationship with other people. More people give priority to other things and neglect people in the process. This is the reason why we hear of many cases of inhumanity unheard of in the past.

When people give more emphasis to things, they start losing respect and concern for people. More emphasis is given to acquiring more properties and more power. What they fail to realize is that the more that they have of these things, the more they crave for them. It is actually a curse because people do not experience the satisfaction and fulfillment that they thought these things will bring them.

There are many people who have so much in life but who cannot be together with their family for even a day without quarreling with each other. What you sow is what you reap and so if you invest in other pursuits but neglect your family, you will reap the consequences of your neglect and misguided priorities.

On the other hand, there are also people who give so much emphasis on their family that they neglect the needs of other people. They pamper their children with luxuries but could not even pay the stipulated wages of the people working for them. In fact, aside from depriving workers their year-end bonus and cash gifts, there are employers who do not even release the salaries of their workers in time.

The essence of Christianity and every religion is service for others. This is born out of the realization that there is no real happiness unless one practices the virtue of service for others. Most prophets and holy men do not own properties and material possessions but they are among the happiest people on earth.

This is a challenge for us who have more than what most people will ever have in their life. We can choose to live for ourselves and continue to live empty lives or we can choose to live for others even if we have to sacrifice some of our privileges.

If we want something better for our lives, the secret is to give something better for others. But we cannot do that unless we know how to give to those who are near to us.

Thelma Unite: From Hong Kong with Love
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The Care@Unite Foundation, founded by Thelma G. Unite on July 2003, is a non-profit, non-religious, volunteer-based charitable foundation which provides financial and educational assistance through scholarship to under-privileged children in Ballesteros, Cagayan. The Foundation further delivers requested educational resources and equipment directly to public-based Day Care centers, schools, colleges and libraries in the Philippines.

Mission
The Foundation exists to promote and provide excellence in education to the under-privileged children of Ballesteros. The Foundation believes that the educated child has the brightest future.

Thelma Sings at Chater Garden, 051023 - AFreight Forwarders invited Thelma to sing at their 20th Anniversary at Chater Garden in Hong Kong. "Bumangon Ka Pilipino" and "Problema Mo Ay

Kalimutan" were well received by over 500 people at the open air concert. 50 demo CD's of the upcoming album "From Hong Kong With Love" were given out to the crowd.

HOW U CAN HELP?
The current cost to ship a Surex Mega Box is HK$450. Surex have been generous by lowering their cost by 22% and shipping some boxes on credit.

As of July 1, 2005, the Foundation is 10 boxes or HK$4,500 behind in payment to Surex. 10 boxes filled with donated books, materials and equipment are currently in Surex's warehouse. In addition, 22 more boxes containing 44 computers recently donated by HKIS will need funding as well.

If you would like to pay for the boxes directly, please contact Jenny, Surex (HK), (852) 2417-7021/7002, to arrange the payment. Please mention that the payment is for the "Care@Unite Foundation Box."

Certainly, if you have a better and less expensive way to ship the boxes back to Ballesteros, please let me know at helpinghand@unite.ph . Do you know that it costs less than HK$500 to send a child to Day Care for the entire year? This amount of money will pay for all tuition, nutrition, and all other fees.

The Foundation currently sponsors 18 children to Day Care. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact us at donate@unite.ph This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Do you know that the current salary of a Day Care Teachers is HK$300 per month? Just thought you might like to know.

Educational Scholarship
The purpose of the Educational Scholarship Committee is to determine and recommend students requiring financial need for approval of the Board of Trustees. The disbursement of the scholarship shall be direct disbursement of tuition and fees to the applicant's school.

The Foundation is currently in its third year of providing scholarship to 19 students.

Special Needs Assistance
The purpose of the Special Needs Assistance Program Committee is to provide assistance to children with disabilities by loaning materials and applicable equipment and to provide training and information to parents of children with disabilities.

While the intent is to provide assistance to children with disabilities, the Foundation is currently thin on funds and volunteers so this project is on hiatus.

Technology
The purpose of the Technology Committee is to determine the technology needs and allocate the necessary resources to establish and administer a technology program.

By far, this project is the most active with generous donations primarily from Hong Kong International School and Chinese International School. The number of computers donated have far exceeded the Foundations initial vision of providing one computer per school. Most schools now have at least two computers.

As of July 2006, the Foundation have received and distributed over 220 computers.

Library
The purpose of the Library Committee is to determine the school library needs and allocate the necessary resources to establish and administer the libraries.

Within the last three years, CUF collected over 15,000 books and established one library.

FUND RAISING
The purpose of the Fund Raising Committee is to solicit and raise funds, equipment, materials and other resources from individuals, groups, and corporations.

“Inside job” seen on the Uni-Top hold-up
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Early intelligence reports coming from the city police point to a possible inside job resulting to the hold-up robbery of the cash deposit of the retail store Uni-Top, located at CPG avenue this city.

The store lost an estimated P500,000 cash Thursday as three motorcycle-riding hold-uppers accosted the cashier walking towards the First Consolidated Bank branch at the ground floor of the Metro Center building also at CPG avenue, about 200 meters from Uni-Top.

Security guard Dalmacio Casimsiman, 22 years old, of the Cordial Security Agency was fatally shot on the spot and died later at the hospital.

Cashier Rufa Balingit was also slightly wounded as the suspects fired shots before fleeing on board a waiting motorcycle.

The heist was made on broad daylight, at about 11 o’clock in the morning of December 28, Innocents Day and along a busy main street in the city.

Investigations are now focused on the circumstances why the cashier decided to bring the cash for deposit on foot, diverting from the usual practice of using an armored vehicle that is provided by the security agency.

Records from the Uni-Top cashier’s entry revealed that deposits from Dec. 23, 24 and 25 were deposited to the same bank using an armored vehicle. On the day of the hold-up robbery, a huge cash amounting to close to half a million pesos was brought to the bank by foot with one security guard providing escort.

Police investigators are close on the tracks of local boys that were believed acting as contacts of the robbery hold-up group.

A witness told the police he was able to identify one of the three suspects riding on the motorbike fleeing after the heist.

The police vowed to crack on the identities of the suspects earlier.

This month, two big stores were ransacked while another gasoline station was held-up also on broad daylight.

The police have failed to come up with a single suspect on these series of robberies hitting the city the past weeks.

LEOPOLDO SUMAYLO TUMULAK: LIVING IN CHRIST
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Loreto "Loy" Palapos

Seldom does a single human being create an immeasurable void in his absence, the way Bishop Leo has upon his assumption as the new Military Ordinariate of the entire nation. Now based in the National Capital Region, he has left his flock he has tended with utmost devotion for 14 long and fruitful years. Those whose lives he touched, including this writer, feel the most intense impact, although with a solace for he has no intention of abandoning Bohol. Before he left, he told many that he will be back occasionally, if his schedule permits, for it is here where he sowed affection and never expected he would be loved deeply in return, especially from the multitude who have keenly appreciated his brand of spiritual leadership.

Bishop Leopoldo Sumaylo Tumulak, D.D. is a Boholano. He was born in Santander, Cebu on November 29, 1944 to parents Lamberto Buscato Tumulak, Sr., a Cebuano, and Consolidad Granada Sumaylo, a Boholana from Dauis. He has two brothers and three sisters: Lamberto, Jr., Delia, Gloria, June, and Romanito. He has his early education at the Mainit Primary School, Oslob, Cebu (1950-1954) and Santander Elementary School, Santander, Cebu (1954-1956). He enrolled at Saint Mary’s Academy, Oslob, Cebu for his secondary education (1956-1959) and finished it in the Seminario Menor de San Carlos, Mabolo, Cebu City (1959-1963). He stayed in the same institution until 1972, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained priest on March 30, 1972. He finished Master of Arts in Educational Administration at Colegio de San Jose Recoletos on March 3, 1983.

His first assignment was as Assistant Parish Priest at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral (1972-1973). From 1973 to 1978 he served as Dean of Students and Treasurer at Pope John XXIII Minor Seminary in Mabolo, Cebu City, and was Rector Principal of Pope Pius XXIII Seminary until 1986. Simultaneously, he was Jesu-Caritas Philippine Responsive (1980-1984), Chairman of the Cebu Justice and Peace Commission (1983-1984), and Spiritual Director, Spiritual Pastoral Formation Year (1983-1985). From 1982 to 1993 Monsignor Tumulak was the Cebu Diocesan Consultor, Chairman, Commission on Formation-IV Diocesan Synod of Cebu (1985-1993); Member, Crisis Assistance Team (1986-1993); Chairman, Commission on Seminaries; Parish Priest of San Nicolas Parish; Vice President, Seminario Mayor de San Carlos Alumni Association; Team Priest, World Wide Marriage Encounter (1981-1986); Coordinator, Directors of Vocations in the Philippines; and Member, Cebu Archdiocesan Priests Senate (1980-1986).

On November 7, 1981 he was designated Honorary Prelate, and on January 12, 1987 he was appointed Bishop. His Episcopal Ordination took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu on March 16, 1987.

He was the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu from 1987 to 1993, becoming a Member of the Permanent Council of CBCP (Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines) from 1995 up to the present. Monsignor Leo was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran in 1993, holding various positions aside from his main responsibilities: Chairman, Bohol Local Peace Forum; Chairman, Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee; Honorary Co-Chairman, Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council; and Apostolic Administrator of Tagbilaran.

To Bishop Leo is accredited the First Diocesan Synod of Tagbilaran. Preparations for the Synod began as early as 1993, it was celebrated in September 1997. A Diocesan Synod is a Consultative Assembly of the clergy, religious, and the laity tasked to advise the Bishop on matters that affect the pastoral governance of the Diocese.

Bishop Tumulak streamlined the Diocesan Curia. This is the central and chief organ by and with which the Bishop exercises his Episcopal ministry in the Diocese. The institutes in the Diocesan Curia, which are the Diocesan commissioners, committees, and other offices, conducted strategic planning in 1998. From this developed the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.

He implemented the New Financial System (NFS) of the Diocese, calling for the identification and centralization of all funds. The undergirding principle of the NFS is the communion of resources of the territorial pastorates (parishes, quasi-parishes, chaplaincies) of the Diocese. To guarantee that territorial pastorates do not overshoot their budget, they are classified according to remittances to the Office of the Diocesan Oeconomous based on their regular expenses and income.

An offshoot of the NFS is the Standard Living Allowance (SLA) of the Tagbilaran Clergy that was fixed beginning November 1997 at more or less P8,000 a month for every priest. Msgr. Leo opted to abide with this arrangement, receiving the same amount as with his priests. The spirit behind the SLA is simplicity in lifestyle, clergy fraternity, and solidarity through resources-sharing.

He also restructured the parish finances. The Bishop put in plan a system of proper parish administration of its temporal ecclesiastical goods, by instituting the positions of parish cashiers and bookkeepers in every territorial pastorate. The principles behind the restructuring an account and transparency.

The implementation of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) structuring in all territorial pastorates is an on-going concern of the Diocese, commenced by Bishop Leo. The basic unit of ecclesiastical society is the Catholic family which, in the words of the Holy Father is the “ecclesia domestica” (the domestic church). Neighboring families are grouped into clusters. Those clusters are the BECs which are organically attached to a chapel. The chapel is an integral part of the parish, and the parish is a part of a vicariate forane.

Bishop Leo operationalized the Diocesan Presbyterial Council and the diocesan Finance Council. These were non-existent before the Synod. These were two of the Diocesan consultative bodies that the Bishop makes full use in gathering advice. The Presbyterial Council consists of priests, some elected and some appointed, with others becoming members by virtue of the office. The Diocesan Finance Council is composed of laypersons, usually bankers and lawyers, to advise the Bishop on proper management of the temporal goods of the Diocese.

He pioneered ecclesiastical cultural heritage consecration in the Philippine Church by creating the Diocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church in July 1995. The CBCP became aware of the work of the Commission, that in July 1996 Bishop Leo was elected Chairman of the CBCP Permanent Committee for Cultural Heritage of the Church. He convoked 3 national conventions of church cultural heritage workers in Tagbilaran (February 1999), Butuan (September 2001), and San Fernando, Pampanga (October 2003). He will convoke the 4th national convention with the Archbishop of Jaro, Iloilo as host in April 2005. All these, were made possible without any expense. These activities were brought to the attention of Archbishop (non Cardinal) +Francesco Marchisano, President of the Holy See’s Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church in the Vatican City-State, In May 2000 Bishop Leo was appointed Consultor to the said Pontifical Commission by Pope John Paul II.

He drew up many policies for the clergy and created a good number of territorial pastorates. To date the Diocese has 48 parishes, 2 quasi-parishes, 2 chaplaincies, and 3 territories which are candidates for the chaplaining status. He also canonically declared one parish church, that of the Assumption of Our Lady, Dauis, a diocesan shrine. Holy Cross, Maribojoc will be also be declared as diocesan shrine on May 5, 2005.

He made possible the consecration of peace-making and peace-building amongst the entire People of God of this Diocese, going to NPA camps, sitting with government policy makers and governance leaders, and meeting with ordinary fisherfolks and farmers.

Christ does live in him; he lives in Christ. This is his greatest achievement.

Old habits on New Year’s Day
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Today is the last day of the year. Tomorrow, it is not just a brand new day but a brand new year at that. This notwithstanding, we cannot stop ourselves from asking whether the old is really going to disappear forever and whether the new is not more of the old.

The first thing that comes to mind to many people are the fireworks that not only excite and entertain but also injure or even kill. Every year, government officials particularly health workers warn about the dangers of fireworks and explosives. Every year, the problem rears its ugly head just the same.

It is true that the numbers have gone down. The earnest effort of government and media to play up the horrors of fireworks and guns has made a mark on many parents and their children. The sight of the wounded and their cries of anguish and pain works effectively to discourage many who were entertaining thoughts about it.

Of course, one reason for the drop is the economic crisis. People would rather spend for food and other necessities than to buy fireworks and pyrotechnics. When people are hard up, they are forced to make the right choices.

More than the dangers of fireworks and explosives however is the more subtle but more prevalent practice of indulgence. Due to the mistaken belief that the events of the first day of the year will determine how the rest will take form, people go to great lengths to splurge on themselves.

To the delight of traders and businessmen, people buy fruits, food and other good luck charms in excess. With people in the mood to celebrate, wine and alcohol are also drink in excess by those who confuse drunkenness for enjoyment.

After the smoke of the new year celebration disappears, you can hear people complaining about how much they spent for the occasion and worrying about how they will be able to pay for all the debts they resorted to for the celebration.

Old habits die hard. While people know these things by heart, they continue to go through the same ritual every year. Every year they also go through the same headaches and anxieties.

Instead of trying to start the year right, it is starting the year wrong. Instead of making the right moves at the start, the old habits refuse to die. Instead of improving, people actually do not grow except the numbers on their years.

People do not need to wait for the new year to do away with bad habits and improve their lives. It is not really a question of timing but of sincerity in improving lives by trading the bad and the negative for the good and the positive.

Happy New Year!

Filipinos feeling hopeful about 2007 â€" Survey
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Nine in 10 adult Filipinos (or 90 percent) said they were entering the New Year with hope despite having experienced hunger at least once or a few times during the last three months, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations.

Meanwhile, 92 percent of Filipinos who did not go hungry in the last three months were hopeful entering the New Year, while 78 percent of those who suffered "severe hunger" (experiencing hunger often or always) said they were entering 2007 with hope.

The final 2006 Social Weather Survey also found that 91 percent of adult Filipinos nationwide were hopeful rather than fearful about the coming year.

Hope for the New Year increased from 85 percent in the last quarter of 2005. High hopes for 2007 are shared across all areas and socio-economic classes.

Hopefulness is up in all socio-economic classes compared to 2005, as New Year hope increased by 19 percentage points among members of class ABC -- from 73 percent in 2005 to 92 percent this year. Among class D, it also went up from 87 percent to 91 percent, while among class E, it increased from 83 percent to 91 percent.

New Year hope also increased in all areas compared to the previous year, except in Metro Manila, where it stayed at 87 percent. Elsewhere, it increased from 83 percent to 92 percent in the rest of Luzon, from 88 percent to 93 percent in Visayas and from 84 percent to 90 percent in Mindanao.

SWS has been doing its "New Year hope" survey during the fourth quarter of the year since 2000. In the seven annual surveys, hope ranged between 81 percent (2004) and 95 percent (2002).

This year's survey was implemented from November 24 to 29 using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. (PIA/Bohol)

Capitol building tops list of illegal tapping to drainage
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A joint ocular inspection team found the Capitol building as among the establishments whose waste water sewerage pipes are illegally tapped into the on-going city drainage project.

The report was strongly denied by Capitol officials but a copy furnished to the Bohol Standard revealed that the ocular inspection report indeed listed Capitol as those whose waste water pipelines are connected into the drainage project intended only for surface or rainwater outflow.

The report was signed by Engr. Moises Millanar of the City Engineers Office and Engr. Rebucato Uayan, of the DPWH First District Engineering Office.

Earlier, reports of foul odor coming from the canals of the new city drainage constructed alongside the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project undertaken by Hanjin construction alarmed city residents.

The same concern raised the apprehension that the new drainage system will create a more monstrous problem as the designed outfall is to pour down into the Tagbilaran Bay.

The waste water from sewerage lines will then mix with the surface or rainwater that needed a water treatment facility which until now is still not certain if funds are available for the purpose.

Hanjin project manager Chong Do Lee said, with or without the completion of the water treatment facility, they are to finish the drainage canals; for them to complete the road improvement BCRIP-2 project that extend up to Calape town.

“The construction of the city drainage canals is not part of our BCRIP-2 contract. We only agreed to it to accommodate the request of the city government and Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado,” Lee said in an earlier interview.

The inspection team, acting upon the order of Gov. Aumentado, recommended that those illegally tapped waster water pipelines from buildings, residential houses and commercial establishments shall be cut-off so it won’t find its way to the new drainage system.

The list included the house of Raul Flores, Occidental Enterprise downspout, Jojie’s Bakeshop beside McDo, Krislyn Pharmacy, LTS Lodge, PMI, UCPB, Metro Center, JJ’s Dimsun and Restaurant, Lica Trading, YY Home Builders, City Savings Bank, CAP Bldg., Lumayag Bldg., Ramasola Original, Ramasola SuperStudio, Holy Name Funeral Homes, Atty. Cecilio Dangoy, Vicente Manalo, Fortune II Bldg., Nemesio Lunghas, Siglo Tubig, Ananias Pasok, George Lim, Mario Llyod Guttierrez, Dr. Morgia Bldg., Fortunatio Lim-infront of Wisdom School, Apolinario Apat, Pasajero Motors, City Machine Shop, Nutri-Mart, Samson Cia, Butalid Marketing, Quibir Trade Center, Lucky Rose Eatery and BQ Bread Basket.

Most of these establishments are located along CPG Avenue from the corner of V. Inting, Visarra, J. Borja street and Mansion Road.

Filipino youths urged to back unity, healing moves
By: Angelica J. Sanchez/League of Provinces of the Philippines
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Pasay City â€" Gov. Erico B. Aumentado, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and League of Provinces of the Philippines national president, rallied the Filipino youths to support the movement for national unity and reconciliation to avert the shadows of a nation divided.

Aumentado was the guest speaker during the grand awards night of the 1st Rizal National Festival of Excellence Friday Night at the GSIS Auditorium in this city.

Speaking extemporaneously, Aumentado said the Filipino youth should follow the ideals and teachings of Rizal, and whose love of country even led to his martyrdom.

As the fair hopes of the fatherland, he said, they must now join hands to help bind the wounds of the nation as a result of partisan politics, vested interests and greed for power.

He added, “after all the future of the country belongs to them and the future generations to come.”

The ULAP and LPP president said that it is time for the leaders of the nation to heed the counsel of Rizal to unite and work together to free the country from the bondage of poverty, ignorance and insecurity from within and without.

Thus, the governor said that the patriotism of every Filipino, including the youths of the land, is being summoned for the nation to attain national unity and reconciliation to sustain the momentum of the country’s economic growth and development fueled by the surging peso against the US dollar and skyrocketing stocks in the market registered during the Philippines Stock Exchange final trading day for 2006.

Aumentado lauded the winners and participants of the 1st Rizal National Festival of Excellence as their response to the call of Rizal, “where are the youths, the fair hopes of the fatherland who will dedicate their dreams and rosiest hours for our beloved country.”

Undoubtedly, he said, the festival has refocused the attention of the Filipino youth, in particular, and the country, in general, back to the life, ideals, labor and sacrifices of the foremost Filipino hero and pride of the Malayan race.

The Teatro Gingoog won the grand prize of P100,000 in the musical theater competition, while Arthur James M. Fernandez of Southwestern University won the champion’s prize of P25,000 in the oratorical contest.

Mr. Junry B. Organiza of Region 9 won the P25,000 grand prize in the quiz competition on Rizal’s life and labors.

The other principal speakers were former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Supreme Commander, Order of the Knights of Rizal, and former Senator Joey Lina Jr., Immediate Past OKOR Supreme Commander.

Davide, Lina and Aumentado co-chaired the National organizing committee of the 1st Rizal National Festival of Excellence with a theme of “Kagalingan, Kabayanihan at Kaya Namin.”

Dr. Pablo S. Trillana III, immediate past deputy supreme commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, and Atty. Monina Camacho, ULAP executive director, co-chaired also the national technical working committee.

Alert security guards stop Capitol fire
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The old provincial Capitol would have burned to the ground first, earlier than the Cebu capitol fire, two days after Christmas, if not of the alert guards posted in the area.

Re[ports from the General Services Office revealed that one of the lanterns displayed for the Pista ng mga Parol Contest caught fire on the night of after the contest.

Guards Estillore and a certain Elvin Jotojot patrolling the front portion of the stone building noticed smoke coming from the array of lanterns made out of indigenous materials.

One of the lanterns was already burning and the flames reaching the ceiling of the Capitol, underneath the office of the Governor.

The guards were able to put out the fire before it can spread to the other wooden portion of the old Capitol building.

No serious damage was reported.

DepED allocates P5M more to build schools in Bohol
By JUNE S. BLANCO
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

BOHOL will be building at least 33 more classrooms next year.

This after the Department of Education (DepED) will release P5 million to the provincial government as counterpart for the project, on top of its regular allocation..

“Aside from the P5 million counterpart, Sec. Jesli Lapuz also agreed that the provincial government will implement the projects due to cost considerations,” said Gov. Erico Aumentado.

The governor leveraged the P5 million from the province’s 20% Development Fund allocated for the purpose to get the DepED counterpart, hence the P10-million fund available for the project.

He also proposed that the province implement the projects to save on cost.

“The province can build a classroom already for only P300,000 compared to the minimum P533,724.06 per classroom costing of the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] and DepED,” he said.

In his letter to Aumentado, Lapuz said the P5-million counterpart will come from DepED’s 10% Unallocated Portion of the School Building Program.

Aumentado and Lapuz will sign shortly a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the project.

For record purposes, Lapuz also sought from Aumentado a listing of the priority schools to benefit from the project, as well as the actual works to be done â€" for reference.

The governor provided Lapuz with the list during his latest trip to Manila . He arrived yesterday afternoon.

The shortage

Meanwhile, the Bohol Provincial Development Council (PDC) that Aumentado chairs approved as early as last July 28 a resolution urgently requesting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Lapuz to allocate more funding for the construction of public school classrooms for Bohol to meet the acute shortage pegged at 454 for the elementary and secondary levels to be housed in 197 school buildings.

At the time, Bohol Schools Division Superintendent Cerina Bolos reported that DepED has an allocation of P16 million for the purpose â€" which is grossly inadequate for the construction of 454 classrooms in 197 buildings, hence the resolution to President Arroyo and Lapuz.

True to his convergence strategy, Aumentado has been constructing school buildings throughout the province at the lower cost of P300,000 per classroom â€" in tandem with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI).

DepED allocation

In his response to the resolution and Aumentado’s cover letter, Lapuz said he appreciated the governor’s concern for the construction of more school buildings.

“However, the appropriation for the CY {calendar year] 2006 School Building Program has been set at P2 billion. Of this amount, P1 billion shall be allocated by legislative districts in accordance with the allocation criteria under Republic Act 7880,” the secretary wrote.

Under RA 7880, 50% of the total capital outlay is to be allocated pro-rata according to each legislative district’s student population in relation to the toral student population of the country.

The other 40% goes to legislative districts with classroom shortages following DepED guidelines while the remaining 10% will be allocated in accordance with the policy of this Act as determined by the department.

The other P1 billion is utilized to address the classroom requirements of schools according to the red and black color codes of the Basic Education Information System (BEIS). Code red represents a pupil-to-room ratio of more than 56. Black means no classroom available/no existing instructional rooms.

Lapuz said under this allocation, Bohol ’s 1st District has P3.495 million of which P844,000 is for Tagbilaran and P2.651 million for the rest of the District. The 2nd and the 3rd Districts have P4.942 million and P5.716 million, respectively. This means Bohol has a total of P12.153 million to be implemented by DPWH.

The other P1 billion, to be implemented by DepED, allocates P2,486,830; P8,206,910 and P1,058,000 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Districts, respectively, or a total of P11,751,740 under Batch 1.

“For Batch 2, three projects in the 3rd District will be undertaken in the total amount of P1 million,” he said.

“While the amount is considered inadequate to meet the classroom requirements of the province, it will alleviate the condition of the students thereat,” he added.

Court convicts Boholano in Baguio “chop-chop” case
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The case of a chop-chop lady finally came to an end as the court convicted the suspect, a Boholano married to a scion of a prominent family in the city.

Judge Ruben C. Ayson, of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 6, based in Baguio City found the accused Mark Kim Sevilla y Maniwang, also known as “Brian Osmeña” guilty of the offense of Homicide resulting from the death of Sarah Jane Felisilda Salga, whose mutilated body was found inside Unit 7, 2nd Floor of the Baguio Diamond Mansion, Legarda Road, Baguio City in August 24, 2003.

The information for the crime of murder stated that Sevilla, armed with a kitchen knife repeatedly stabbed Salga, 27 years old, female from Duero, Bohol inflicting multiple stab wounds directly causing her death.

In the commission of the crime, the accused inhumanly stabbed the victim eleven (11) times and sliced and saw the victims corpse, attempting to cut off her head from the rest of the body.

The accused also use the craft of turning on full volume the television set inside the apartment to drown the outcries of the victim and to prevent other persons in adjacent units from taking notice of the crime committed.

The accused later pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of Homicide which is included in the offense of murder, as charged.

Public Prosecutor Alfredo Centeno gave his consent and conformity after he conferred to heirs of the deceased, a certain Jesse Salga, the deceased being single.

In a 6-page decision, given last September 11, 2006 in Baguio City, the court sentenced accused Sevilla the indeterminate sentence law, to imprisonment ranging from 6 years and 1 day of prison mayor as minimum to 14 years and 8 months and 1 day Reclusion Temporal as maximum.

The accused is also ordered to indemnify the heirs of the deceased the sum of P75,000 as civil indemnity, P50,000 as moral damages and P1,000,000 as actual damages and unearned income.

Bohol’s 2006 TOBOY awardees “exemplary”
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By: Anthony R. Damalerio

Winning barangay officials in the annual search for the Ten Outstanding Barangay Officials of the Year (TOBOY) were lauded by Bohol first district Cong. Edgar M. Chatto for their exemplary performance in the conduct of their functions and as the country’s unsung heroes for their important role in bridging the line much closer between the government and its people.

Chatto, one of the prime movers of the search, hailed the officials for continuing their tasks in bringing quality government service to their respective constituents during fitting awarding ceremonies held at the Executive Hall of the Ecotech Center in Cebu City. The solon, ably represented in the event by Mr. Alfonso “Ae” Damalerio II, his political affairs officer.

“Your strong and solid connection in the grassroots level makes it easier for the people to accept highly-beneficial government programs”, said the lawmaker’s statement. In addition, Chatto extolled that the TOBOY awards can serve as inspiration not only for local leaders but also the country’s national officials to buckle down for more pressing work in the light of divisive issues that can only stagnate the country.

This year’s finalists and awardees included barangay captains Elvira V. Macalandag of Dampas, Tagbilaran City as finalist for Punong Barangay-City Level and Teodulo Yecyec of Babag, Dagohoy as Outstanding Punong Barangay-Provincial Level; Poblacion III barangay kagawad Felixberto Remolador, finalist for Barangay Kagawad City Level; SK chairmen Kenny June Requeron of Poblacion II, Tagbilaran City as finalist for SK Chairman-City Level and Franco Tatad of Poblacion, Cortes as Outstanding SK Chairman Provincial Level; barangay secretary Almira Migrino of Mansasa as finalist for Barangay Secretary-City Level and barangay treasurer Ligaya Tadle of Poblacion West, Catigbian as Outstanding Barangay Treasurer-Provincial Level.

The TOBOY, now on its tenth year, is a joint undertaking of the Local Administration and Development Program Alumni Association of the Philippines (LADPAAP) of which Cong. Chatto sits as chairman, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 7 and the Liga Ng Mga Barangay. Nominated and qualified barangay officials are subjected to a final review and evaluation by a set of panelists while selection is judged on a given criteria based on past accomplishments of the said barangay officials.

Others on hand to witness the awarding rites were officials of the DILG headed by Usec. Joselito Ruiz, Regional Director Atty. Rene K. Burdeos and Hon. Jovita Tuela Ouano, executive officer of the Liga Ng Mga Barangay.

Year of the Fire Pig
IT’S A YEAR FOR GLORIA?
By: FRED C. AMORA
Published: December 31, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Better start believing in Astrology and the Chinese Horoscope.

It says, the New Year 2007, Year of the Fire Pig will witness the rising of dominant figures born under this sign that are vivid, and cannot be deterred from a goal once they have set it.

While some may call the Pig lazy, more accurately the pig is a predator, simply biding its time for the opportunity. Once in motion, the Pig is unstoppable.

And to prepare for the shock of our lives, one should take note that Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is among those born in one of the cyclical Years of the Pig.

She was born July 13, 1947 in Manila and is the daughter of another Philippine President, the late Diosdado Macapagal (1910-1997).

Certified pig years have been 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 and this year 2007.

Although Arroyo’s administration continues to reel from the question of legitimacy shrouded by alleged massive cheating in the May 2004 elections, this woman-president sees an end to the political instability in the country, by persistent pushing for constitutional revision.

Danger
Critics, however, see the charter change as a move to perpetuate Arroyo’s rule after her 2010 term limit.

Yet, feng shui experts warn not to cross the path of a Fire Pig.

These individuals have the ability to be quite abrasive when things don’t turn out as they planned.

Under the Arroyo administration (since 2001 when she succeeded the deposed president Joseph Estrada) the Amnesty International listed 362 political killings in the country. The Philippines had also become the most dangerous place for journalists with 71 murdered; most of them remaining unsolved. The First Gentleman Mike Arroyo had also slapped libel cases against 42 journalists critical to his wife’s administration.

Crafty
Former Bohol OIC Governor Atty. Victor de la Serna said Arroyo will again attempt in this Year of the Fire Pig to let the people bite a sugar-coated bait as she would craftily insert in the May 2007 mid-term election a referendum that will revive the people’s initiative to change the constitution.

The bar topnotcher lawyer and staunch Arroyo critic, said in a radio interview with commentator Batchoy Alba over DyRD, that the referendum will just be the first phase of a grandiose plan to install Arroyo as a perpetual ruler of this country.

As noted in the October 25, 2006 Supreme Court 8-7 decision junking the first attempt of pushing a people’s initiative to amend the constitution, the High Court merely saw, based on an assessment, that the more than 6,000,000 signatures were deceptively gathered and was unlikely a gigantic fraud.

In the referendum, the question would likely be just YES or NO for a change of government system, from bicameral to a unicameral form that will abolish the Senate and establish just one House of Parliament.

With the YES vote, the people’s initiative will acquire a legitimate image and the charter change will then push through using the same proposals earlier prepared by an Arroyo-appointed technical working group.

Arroyo will be installed as the Prime Minister and with a parliament under her control, they will be masters of the nation, setting aside the term limits to their satisfaction.

Elections will only be called if they want to, De la Serna said.

Destiny
What connects Arroyo to Joseph Estrada (1935- ), Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975), and Lee Kwan-Yew (1923- ) is that they were all born in one of the cyclical Years of the Pig. Another prominent woman is Hillary Rodham Clinton, (born in Chicago on October 26, 1947), United States lawyer and politician, First Lady of US president Bill Clinton, and now Senator for New York (2001- ). She became a powerful symbol of the potent role and status of women in society.

To find out previous Pig Years just keep subtracting 12 from 1995. China: 1911 saw the overthrow of the Qing dynasty (Xinhai Revolution), and in the same year, on the other side of the globe, Italy declared war against Turkey leading to World War 1, three years later. Fidel Castro grabbed power in 1959 after the Cuban Revolution; while in 1971, Lin Biao, comrade-in-arms and heir apparent of Mao Zedong, chairman of the Communist Party of China died in mysterious circumstances.

Those years, all in the cyclical Years of the Pig, brought the world’s most shocking political upheavals recorded in history.

Let’s see to it that History is not altered
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Atty. Gertrude Biliran

We learn of and from our past by studying history.

In the same way, future generations will learn of and from our past and present, which by then, will be become history, by what we write in history books. They will, therefore, be enlightened of our past and present only as much as we let them.

History is always written by the winners, quoting a bit of author Dan Brown. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated and the winner writes the history books - books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe.

Napoleon was quoted to have said, “What is history but a fable agreed upon? By its very nature, history is always a one-sided account.”

One dark era of our country’s history was the declaration of martial law 33 years ago by dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Our children’s knowledge of the realities of martial law is as much as we let them. Hence, if we leave the writing of our history to people who would rather that we remember (and our children learn of) Marcos as a hero rather than a dictator, we become the losers whose cultures are clashed and obliterated by the winner.

This is not too remote a fear. Even while the martial law babies and oldies are still alive, history has already been altered.

In Aralin 19 of “Pagbabago”, the history (Araling Panlipunan) textbook required for first year high school students in public schools, Marcos was quoted as saying that he used his power as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces “upang mailigtas sa pananakop, rebelyon, at insureksyon ang bansa”.

Nowhere is it written in the history textbook that a kidnapping was staged to justify the declaration of martial law, as already admitted by its “architect”. Even while it was written in the textbook that there was salvaging, suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, arrests of the opposition, prohibitions from the conduct of rallies, demonstrations and strikes, closure of radio and television and suspension of the Constitution, these were depicted as necessary “para sa ikauunlad nga bayan”.

According to the textbook, “nabawasan ang mga krimen” during martial law. Clearly, the human rights abuses and crimes committed by the military were not considered as “krimen” by the authors.

To quote “Isaisip at Tandaan”, the last portion of the chapter:

“Maraming dahilan kung bakit idineklara ang batas-militar. Ilan dito ay ang laganap na katiwalian sa mga pinuno ng pamahalaan at malawakang kaguluhan sa iba’t ibang parte ng Pilipinas.

Sa pagdeklara ng batas-militar nawala ang karapatan laban sa illegal na pagpipigil o pagpipiit ng walang dahilan. Nabago ang pamahalaan. Ang ilan sa mga ito ay ang pag-aalis ng datihang tanggapan at kawanihan at paglikha ng bago, pagpapalit ng patakaran ng lipunan, paglalagay ng katahimikan at kaayusan sa kamay ng sandatahang lakas ng bansa, pagkakaroon ng programa sa pagpapaganda ng kapaligiran, paglulunsad ng mga proyekto sa pabahay, pagpapagawa ng imprastraktura, plantang geothermal, pagpapatupad ng repormang pansakahan, gayundin ang pagbabago sa sistema ng edukasyon, at marami pa.

Ang pagkakaroon nga Batas-Militar sa bansa ay nag-iwan ng maraming aral na dapat nating alalahanin at pahalagahan.”

One is led to wonder why the Department of Education (DepEd) turned a blind eye to this grave misrepresentation. Surely, our DepEd officials were already born during martial law to have seen for themselves if martial law, indeed, did us any good. Don’t they anymore feel the outrage as they did then?

The effort of one mother, Daisy Valerio, to counteract these blatant lies is highly commendable. In her noble effort to enlighten the next generation of the real horrors of martial law, she wrote the book, “The Story I Will Tell My Children”. Alas, however, this is not the textbook our high school students are required to read in class. While the “Araling Panlipunan” textbook is taken as the gospel truth which our students should memorize, the book “The Story I Will Tell My Children” might only be relegated to the category of “fiction”.

This historically inaccurate history textbook (“Pagbabago”) should, therefore, be withdrawn from the schools and corrected. Instead, we should read “The Story I Will Tell My Children” and pass it on to our children.

Otherwise, our children will not know any better. No wonder there were some who texted our radio stations last September 21 to ask if there were classes or work that day, perhaps thinking that the country was celebrating. Perhaps, in high school, they studied the same Araling Panlipunan textbook.

We have always pointed out the grim reality that Filipinos are such a forgetful people. One perfect example is the present president who recently announced the enforcement of the “rule of calibrated preemptive response in lieu of maximum tolerance” to suppress rallies and movements, as if it was not the people’s movement which propelled her to the presidency not too long ago. Another perfect example is the National Security Adviser who, totally forgetting his ideals as an activist during martial law, forged a contract with an American firm to lobby with US Congress for funds to finance our Charter change, thus compromising our sovereignty. And, the turnout of last Wednesday’s martial law rally in Makati was dismal.

Apparently banking on this amnesia, Bongbong Marcos, son of the late dictator, lately claimed that the Marcoses are the human rights victims. Duh???!!!

What’s worse than the Filipinos’ being a forgetful people is when history is altered due to our negligence or premeditation. This is not a remote possibility. We already have the “Pagbabago” textbook to prove this point. God knows how many more history books will be written acclaiming Marcos as a hero and touting martial law as an effective vehicle “para sa ikauunlad ng bayan”.

Let us continue to remember. Let us continue to be angry. Let us emerge as winners and write our history - as it truly was.

(For those who wish to read “The Story I Will Tell My Children”, you may contact Daisy Valerio at telephone no. 02-4261126; we mourn the death of Haydee Yorac, a woman who has proven herself worthy to be buried at the Libingan nga mga Bayani; for comments, pls. email us at gee@bohol-online.com.ph).

Whether for compliance or commitment, it’s all for love!
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Atty. Cristifil Baluma

A story shared in the dining table was about the eagle, the chicken and the pig. The eye of the eagle was so sharp that even if miles above, she can spot the chicks, dives, swoops and made the chicks her prey. The piglets were of no exception. The piercing of the eagle’s claws made the piglets helpless as she chooses the piglets for her prey. When the chicks and the piglets were scarce, the chicken and the mother pig proposed to fight back. The two mother victims planted decoy chicks and decoy piglets that once the eagle dives and swoops at them, the decoy chicks and the decoy piglets explode and kills the eagle. When the eagle’s population dwindled, the eagle proposed a truce with a condition. The eagle demanded from the chicken plenty of eggs for gifts and from the pig a dozen of lechon. In order to save their offsprings, the chicken laid more eggs. With heavy heart the pig obliged and announced to the eagle: Great eagle, while the chicken obliged with mere compliance, mine is extra-ordinary, mine is commitment for my dear piglets. After years of peace, again the eagle was on her game, diving for her prey the chicks and the piglets, unmindful of the great sacrifice the chicken and the pig had made.

There are personalities who do not mind what one delivers, whether a mere compliance or a solid commitment. They are blinded by their own bias, prejudices and oftentimes personal agenda, Usually people forget that a warmth touch and a sincere pat with a word or two spell the great difference, which reminds us another story appropriate for the season:

In a remote barrio many boondocks away where the chieftain was proud and a braggart, there lived a small familyâ€" the father, the mother and their little baby girl. At the onset of summer, when the night was warm and hot, in her innocence, their little daughter asked her parents why at her age she has no small brother, whom she had been longing to play with and share company all the day long. Though, happy together with their modest standard of living, the message their only daughter had conveyed pricked their conscience and soon enough the couple, desirous to add a new member of the family, started again to gather their romantic energy, played on their citadel of passion and in rhythmic obedience to their human sexuality and like a mustard seed a new life had started sprouting in the maternal womb. The coming of one she had been longing to care, to share moments, and be together day and night had made sparkles of delights every forthcoming day for the waiting sister. Everytime the fetus, the young life in the womb make the moves and the turns, before the elder sibling sleeps and right after she wakes up, she places her head on her mother’s womb, speaks innocent banters to the little creature.

“Come on small brother, do not overstay in mother’s womb. Get out there soon; the world is exciting, the air is fresh and the landscape is green. You will surely enjoy our daily games. I will prepare for you the toys the small boys love to play”. True enough, the big moment of birth arrived. It was one of the cold dawns of December. Alone in their nipa hut, the little girl braved her fear. She was left home when her father had to bring her mother in a sleigh to the health center in the Poblacion where a doctor, a nurse and a midwife can bring relief to the pains of birth her mother was battling for almost the whole night. In time when the roosters crow, a little boy, like what his big sister had wished saw the light of a new dawn. But it was not so rosy as expected. The baby boy was blue. He had to be incubated in a make do incubator of two wrapped big bottles of local gin with hot water placed both in the little boy’s side. The health center of the town had been neglected. It was bare, medicines were hardly available, facilities were left much to be desired. The traditional dipping of apparatus in boiling water was all that the staff can do as primitive as their looks. Every passing day, little brother condition was bad, had worsen and nearing impossible. Everytime her father was home, she had been asking when her small brother is coming home. The truth which was kept secret to their daughter was the reality that her small brother was fighting between his life and death. When the appointed time was imminent, her father gave her the chance to see alone her small brother still gasping for the breath of life. When she arrived in a little room at the center, she saw her little brother helpless, motionless, placid and as if stiffening. Nonetheless, without delay, she was doing what she had been doing everyday for the last nine months of waiting; she was whispering direct to little cute baby boy’s heart all the words of encouragement: “Doy, sige na gising na, stand-up let’s start playing.” Everytime she speaks to him, she blew her warmth to him straight to his heart. Few seconds thereafter, pandemonium broke loose in the little room. The doctor, the nurse, the midwife, the attendant, his mother and father could not believe what they saw. Little by little, the little fingers of the baby boy started moving; his head started turning; for the first time after his birth, a cry of a baby filled the small little room. And everybody was jumping and clapping with joy and happiness in their hearts. By midday, the doctor cleared the parents that they can bring their little boy safely home. It was the 25th of December. Indeed, a miracle on Christmas Day.

With faith in her heart, big sister’s warmth and simple presence was all that spelled the difference that it was not just a leap from the impossible; it was a leap out of darkness and into the light. With child’s innocence, that little difference by big sister made a big difference. The little difference is what is known as attitude. The big difference is knowing whether it is positive or negative. It is the taking of a step beyond that made the impossible being realized â€" that going one step beyond the level of perception and experience. For big sister who believed her little brother no proof of impossibility was necessary; to those who did not have the belief, a hundred proof still spells impossible.

On Christmas Day, are you the warmth breath willing to stand there and shine? When most people loses hope and breaks down, are you the balloon that keep people stay afloat? May every day of the year a Christmas Day. Merry Christmas!

The Christmas We Never Knew
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Atty. Aleck Francis T. Lim

Many things about Christmas we do not know yet. But most of us assume that we are so familiar with it. The truth is: we are not.

For instance, do we know that December 25 was a very important date for many ancient cultures? The Babylonians believed that the son of the queen of heaven, their cultic god, was born on December 25. The Egyptians believed that the son of their fertility god, Isis, was also born on the same date. And the Arabs would like to argue that their symbolic moon was born on December 24.

In ancient Rome, there was a celebration called Saturnalia which fell on December 21, the winter solstice in the western hemisphere. This is believed to be the shortest day of the year, which the Romans thought as the birth of the sun. Before converting to Christianity in 312, the Roman emperor Constantine was known to be a member of a cult that worshipped the sun.

According to Bible scholars, the early church chose December 25 as the supposed birth of the Lord Jesus Christ because choosing that date would make the pagans familiar with their own brand of traditional celebration, which fell on the same date. It won’t be hard to convert the pagans, it was believed then, if the church would just adopt an already familiar date.

Jesus Christ has been portrayed in the Bible as the “light of the world.” It was in this context that the pagans who worshipped sun, or moon, or other heavenly bodies would incline to associate the symbolism of Christ to their cultic practices, particularly the worship of the sun.

As centuries went by, Christmas celebrations started to become noisy, joyous, and boisterous to fit in the jovial holidays of the pagan culture.

But some early Christians opposed a happy-type celebration of Christmas. They wanted it to be silent and solemn. In fact, right after the Reformation, certain Protestant churches frowned on Christmas celebration.

Early Christians were divided about Christmas celebration. The Baptists and Puritans, for instance, strongly opposed it, while the Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans accepted it.

By mid-1800s, opposition to Christmas celebration began to wane down. Many schools and churches, particularly in America, started to incorporate Christmas revelries into their activities.

Today Christmas is observed in almost all parts of the world. Though many people, especially in those countries in which Christianity is not the major religion, do not really know the meaning and significance of Christmas, yet they try to associate themselves with those who celebrate Christmas.

In certain countries, malls and department stores who are owned by non-Christians would not mind at all if they display Christmas decorations in their stores and even embrace the bandwagon of Christmas sale.

If a person does not celebrate Christmas, for whatever reason he has â€" it may be a disapproval to the original concept of Christmas celebration, it does not really make him eccentric or heretic for that matter.

And if a person celebrates Christmas, again for whatever spiritual or material reason he has, it does not make him more spiritual and more admirable than those who don’t.

The message of Christmas is not so much on the birth. The message is on what happened after the birth of Jesus.

Jesus Christ did not remain a baby in a manger, did not remain a boy in a carpenter’s house, and certainly did not remain buried underground covered by a behemoth stone.

The question now is: what is the impact of the risen Christ on our personal lives?

Special people
By Atty. Alexander H. Lim
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Tradition teaches us that Christmas is a time of celebration. It is time for joy and good tidings. The birth of the Savior brought hope into a suffering world and this is the reason why people celebrate.

With the passing of time, the Christmas celebration was reduced into a commercial activity. Businessmen and traders introduce so many ideas to make it easier for people to celebrate. Of course, the purpose is to give them more reasons to spend.

As a result, Christmas has become a very expensive celebration. People want to have something of all the things that we have learn to expect on Christmas. If there was something missing, people would no longer be satisfied with their celebration.

Christmas however can never be complete without giving. It started with God giving the world His Only Son. Unfortunately, many people want to receive instead of give and this is what complicates the situation.

Giving is for everybody because God did not distinguish between the rich and the poor. It does not mean that the poor cannot give gifts and the rich cannot receive them. For as long as people want to give, they will realize that they have something to give.

The rich however are in a better position to give. They have material possessions that are far more than what they need. There are even those who have more than they will ever need even if they live forever.

Those who are being served by workers should be more conscious of giving than receiving. Their workers are not people that they meet only on Christmas. These are people who work hard so that their businesses would make more money. If the business is good, the owners become richer.

Unfortunately, there are many rich people who give to others but do not give their workers even their due. In spite of the available and existing laws intended to ensure that workers will get what is due them on Christmas, many owners do not comply with it.

What people fail to realize is that while they may be able to cheat their workers, they will never be able to cheat God. Those who do not give what the law provides for whatever reason will not receive the blessings that God gives to those who do.

There are those who are generous to people who are far from them but are selfish to those who are close to them. They give to their fellow rich because they want something in return. But they do not give what their workers deserve.

The poor are God’s special people. He became poor because He wanted to serve like them. This Christmas, let us take time for God’s special people. We can do that by giving our workers not only what is due to them but to give generously.

Christmas can never be complete without giving.

Don’t bring packages for pay offered by strangers
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

BEWARE of strangers who offer to pay you for delivering their boxes or bags. The package may contain bombs.

The warning came following reported incidents of terror attacks from lawless groups. This could happen during the yuletide season wherein gifts and presents are wrapped in packages.

Parents are urged to warn their children against talking to strangers who may request them to deliver items.

A case of a minor who was asked to deliver a bag that contained bombs, was raced by the police to have cause the explosion in a commercial center in Mindanao.

Police also encouraged the creation of a neighborhood watch.

Residents must immediately report the presence of any suspicious looking person or activities in their communities.

Among the terrorist groups operating in the Philippines are the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Rajah Sulaiman Group, which are affiliated with the Al-Qaeda network and financed by Osama Bin Laden.

The authorities have pointed to the Abu Sayyaf Group as behind the series of bombings in Mindanao and Metro Manila.

Aside from the Muslim extremists groups, the United States and European Union have tagged the communist New People’s Army as a terrorist organization.

Man stabs own brod over cha-cha debate
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A HEATED debate on the issue on whether now is the right time for constitutional change resulted to a stabbing incident involving brothers.

Police reports from the town of Pilar revealed the death of one Victor Orate, 54 years old, farmer and resident of barangay San Isidro, Pilar, who was allegedly stabbed to death by his own brother Benjie Orate, 45 years old, also a farmer of the same place.

Initial investigation said that the brothers were drinking in the house of the victim and was loudly discussing about charter change. The discussion turned into a heated exchange of words and then the stabbing incident happened. The victim died of mortal wounds in his body while the suspect surrendered to the local police after the incident.

Bolt-cutter gang hits city shops
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

THE dreaded Bolt Cutter Gang believed coming from neighboring cities hit at least two business establishments in the city this week.

The Du Ek Sam store at Grupo street and the B & J Computers in Gallares were both burglarized in the same manner, cutting the main door locks and destroying booths inside the store.

City police criminal investigator SPO3 Alberto Puagang said the modus operandi of the suspects is similar and it could be the same group that hit the two stores days apart.

Three improvised iron crowbars were discovered in the scene of the crime at Du Ek Sam while the B & J store had the same markings of the bolt cutter gang.

The suspects are believed to be coming from the nearby cities and after operating in Tagbilaran, they bring out their loot and sell them outside Bohol.

The police are following up positive leads that will identify the gang’s local contacts.

FLORENCIO EXCLAMADOR GULLE: THE SUGAR TECHNOLOGIST AND HIS ODYSSEY
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Loreto "Loy" Palapos

The Boholano perceives life in a kaleidoscope of perspectives and defines success in his own terms. With a keen sense of family and an unbridled determination, he has the propensity to crave for upliftment and venture even into some unchartered oceans in his quest for a better life. Uncowed by the negative prospects, he plunges headlong into an untrodden path, equipped with religiosity and armed with an unlimited supply of talents and ability to conquer the unknown. This is one of the reasons that Boholanos prosper all over the Philippines and all over the world.

In turning over a new leaf, the Boholano utilizes varied means, all of them proven effective. There are those who leave their jobs back home and commence their adventure in solitary flight. Florencio Exclamador Gulle is of this mold. He resigned from his lucrative job in the Philippines, packed his bags, and landed in New York alone in 1969. It was an Odyssey that would forever be a part of his life, for it made him realize that in a quest a man must rely on himself and his capabilities in order to realize his dreams. His bachelorhood was both a boon and a bane. For one, there was not much pressure for him to strike gold at once, compared to those who have mouths to feed in a strange land. His movement was also unlimited, which is not true to a married man. But the loneliness was intense, and his sense of isolation was desolate.

Flory was born in Cogtong, Candijay, Bohol on November 7, 1937. His father was Paterno Gulle, who supported his family mainly through a logging business in the island municipality of Dinagat, Surigao del Norte. His mother was Rufina Exclamador, who helped the family’s upkeep by tending a store in Candijay. His early childhood days were spent in the war years. After the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese forces, he enrolled at the Cogtong Elementary School. He finished his secondary education at the Bohol High School.

At a time when everybody wanted to be an engineer, a lawyer, a teacher, an accountant, a priest, a banker, a doctor, or a nurse, he opted to take a course unheard of by many. He passed the entrance exam given by the University of the Philippines, where he took up Bachelor of Science in Sugar Technology, a rare course worldwide. Only a few have graduated from the course, with him earning the distinction of being the only Boholano who finished it.

Right after graduation, he worked as a Bench Chemist at the Insular Sugar Refinery in Mandaluyong, Rizal. He was in-charge with quality control, aside from performing an administrative function. He was already contented with his job; but then another opportunity beckoned. He was offered the position of Acting General Supervisor for the Visayas by the Sugar Quota Administration. It was an opportunity for him to climb up the bureaucratic structure.

This new assignment made Flory a busy man, as he had to fly to the different sugar producing provinces of the three Visayan Regions. He rubbed elbows with the sugar barons, made deals with government technocrats from sugar importing nations, occasionally cavorted with the elite ladies in sugarland, and lived life to the hilt. Yet, something was missing. He could have picked one of the ladies making obvious their availability, settle down in marital bliss, and raise kids. But he knew it was not what he wanted. To confound the problem, he had no idea what it was he yearned for.

Until he learned of a few of his friends and officemates deciding to seek their future in some foreign lands. It signaled a fresh interest in him. The wanderlust that laid dormant in his subconscious took an upper stead. After several weeks of indecision, he applied for an immigrant visa which, because of his clout then, was not much of a problem.

New York was his target, and New York is where he has gained roots. His first job was as Quality Technician and Control Supervisor at Amster Corporation in Brooklyn. It was during this time when he learned the big difference between employment in his own country and a foreign land. But he readily adjusted to new situation. Eager to make use of his time away from work he took up a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the Pratt Institute, also in Brooklyn. Then he was hired by an export forwarding company (Strassi) in Manhattan. The new job entailed other forms of adjustments, which he complied with without negative thoughts. His propensity to adapt to any novelty was once more to put to a test when the National Nydegger Transportation Corporation took him as Export Documentation and Traffic Manager. Until he ventured into another phase of his professional life when he made a partnership with John Johnson for Export Processing, of hardware and war materials to the Middle East, most particularly Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, and United Arab Emirates. The adventure from Candijay had gone international.

For Flor Gulle, everything that transpired in his adopted land was never an easy climb. But now the struggle is over. He had an early retirement in 1997, and is taking life easy. But if there is one part of his life he would like to keep on reminiscing, it is meeting and marrying the girl who helped him fulfill his dreams. He was on his third year in New York when he met Gloria Malimas from Gingoog City. She was then working as a nurse at the Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Jersey City, when he saw her for the first time. It was not love at first sight, but an affection that started from admiration, and was nurtured to full bloom, until they tied the knot in 1972.

Flory and Gloria are blessed with two children...The eldest is Joseph, a Doctor of Dental Surgery in Florida. Greta is a BSN graduate from White Plains General Hospital and is an Operating Room Nurse.

Flory Gulle has five other brothers and a sister. Miguel graduated from the Philippine Nautical School in Manila and is now based in Long Island, New York. Agustin finished Bachelor of Science in Commerce at the University of San Carlos, and is now an Examiner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Manila. Crispulo is a Geodetic Engineer from Rafael Palma College, was once a Survey Team Leader before the Vietnam War, and is now enjoying his retirement years in Cogtong, Candijay. Mariano finished Bachelor of Science in Forestry. and was once a Regional Director of the Bureau of Forestry. Apolonio has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo, and now works as a Legal Officer, the third ranking lawyer in the Bureau of Immigration, Manila. The youngest is the only girl, Veronica, finished Bachelor of Medical Technology from the University of the Philippines. She is presently a Medical Technologist at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.

Even as a student Flory Gulle had been involved in various organizations and service groups. To single out one, which until today has an indelible imprint in his mind, he was an active member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity of the University of the Philippines, which had for its members Ferdinand Marcos, Benigno Aquino, Roberto Benedicto, Richard Gordon, and Joker Arroyo. He was a Secretary of the Kings Bridge Heights Homeowners Association; and was the Treasurer of the Science Parents Association of the Bronx High School. As cog-in-the-wheel of the CONBUSAC (Confederation of Boholanos in the USA and Canada) he has been a pillar of patience and formidability in all of its projects. His participation in the two TBTK (Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan) were manifestations of his concern for Boholano solidarity. He was once President of the Bohol Circle of Eastern USA. In his retirement years, he may have found it convenient to close all doors, and concentrate on his own welfare. But this is not the way he and his brothers and sister have been trained by his parents. Serving others is a dictum he will uphold, as this gives more significance to his life.

Bautista, Gorres train in US
By: Ronnie Nathanielsz
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

WORLD Boxing Organization No. 1-ranked Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and WBO super flyweight mandatory challenger Z “The Dream” Gorres are scheduled to leave for the United States by mid-January to step up training for their scheduled world title fights on Feb. 25 in a planned Philippines-Mexico World Cup.

Respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer said another promising youngster from his famed ALA Gym, AJ Banal, will also join the two top fighters in training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.

Golden Boy Promotions is exploring the possibility of staging the RP-Mexico World Cup, which would also include former world super flyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa in a bantamweight title fight. If it pushes through in the Philippines, Aldeguer indicated the newly built International Convention Center in Mandaue is being considered as a possible site, along with the Araneta Coliseum, regarded as the Mecca of Philippine sports and entertainment.

In the scheduled Feb. 25 card, Bautista will battle WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, Gorres will clash with WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel and Peñalosa will take on bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzales, who all belong, just like the three Filipinos, to the growing stable of Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

Celebrating Christmas
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

It will be Christmas day tomorrow, the day when the world celebrates the birthday of Jesus Christ. To some, the celebration is real, to others it is not.

Those who do not feel the Christmas spirit give many reasons for it. They say it is because the economy is bad and people don’t have money to buy presents. They say nature has brought so much destruction and suffering so people are unhappy.

There are those who blame the national leadership for the many excesses and abuses that it has committed. There are many families who cannot be together during the holidays because of work restrictions.

If we look at it however, people have always been divided at Christmas between those who feel the Christmas spirit and those who don’t. There is no distinction between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless, the healthy and the sick.

Jesus was born into a world that had its share of problems, sufferings and troubles. Israel was under Roman rule and there was little regard for Jewish feelings. This was the reason why Mary had to travel to Bethlehem with Joseph even though she was pregnant because the Roman rulers won’t accept excuses when they called for the census.

Conditions then were harsh as it is now. The shepherds out in the field were exposed to the cold Israeli winter with no shelter and only the sheep to keep them company. They had few rights to protect and no benefits to enjoy.

Mary and Joseph did not complain about their fate. The shepherds did the same. They were more concerned about the birth of the Holy Child and the hope that He brings into the world.

Today, many people complain about so many things that they do not have and neglect to be grateful for enjoying a lot that would be considered a luxury in the standards of that time.

It is not for people to decide that this Christmas is gloomy or not. Christmas is an individual experience and those who do not feel like celebrating have no reason to speak for the many who do.

Every Christmas celebration is unique. It has its own purpose and timing in the lives of people. It would not be right to compare one with the other because the basis for comparison would not do justice to the event.

The bottom line is that it is up to each one of us to decide whether we want to celebrate Christmas or not. God sees every heart and blesses those who sincerely desire to celebrate Christmas no matter what.

Business can’t afford P125 daily wage hike
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

With a shade of gray, the government agency supposedly tasked to look at the welfare of laborers, was the first to howl on the recently approved legislated P125 across-the- board pay increase.

Department of Labor and Employment (Dole 7) Regional Director Elias Cayanong said, as reported by Sunstar-Cebu Thursday, “the legislated wage increase will put to waste the regional wage boards’ efforts in maintaining industrial peace.”

Cayanong chairs the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Central Visayas.

About 90 percent of businesses in the country are small scale and are vulnerable to economic shocks brought about by such wage increase. Any mandatory wage increase will only end up getting passed on to consumers, through higher prices of basic commodities, he added.

“The employers’ last resort is termination. Thousands of workers could end up losing their jobs,” Cayanong pointed out.

RTWPB, however, does not enjoy the trust of laborers as its dominant members come from the business sector.

In July this year, the regional wage board granted a P18 increase for workers in Cebu, P15 for workers in the provinces of Bohol, Negros Oriental and P10 Siquijor and the islands of Camotes and Bantayan.

“Mitiyabaw man gani ang business sector sa P18 nga atong gihatag, unsa na kaha kanang P125? (The business sector howled when we approved an increase of P18 this year, how much more with P125),” Cayanong was quoted saying.

The legislated increase is staggered over three years; P45 during the first year, and P40 for the second and third year.

The Bohol Standard was able to contact Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) president Norris Oculam who is presently in China through his mobile phone. He said he will discuss this recent development with the chamber as soon as he comes back.

Meanwhile, Central Visayas labor representative to the RTWPB Mariano Ventura said “the timing and motive of congressmen in adopting the bill is no doubt part of the usual drama of the politicians to get the support of the labor sector in the 2007 elections.”

For two years, the house bill lay in the House of Representatives archived but after the failed constituents’ assembly (con-ass), in a sudden turn of events, the bill was passed on its third and final reading with a unanimous vote of 150-0.

Warning out on holding Yuletide fireworks display
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

In what was suppose to be a beautiful night attraction in the celebration mood of Christmas last week at a residence in Poblacion, one Alejandro Canino, 60 years old of barangay Villarcayo had his head almost blown-out by a missile firework that had miss fired into the crowd.

The missile was part of a firework display that was supposed to go straight up into the sky where it should burst into a colorful display of lights.

The freak accident left a bad burn on the victim’s forehead.

Authorities have warned to observe utmost safety in handling fireworks displays.

All pyrotechnics products are required by law to have caution labels attached to its box or package with instruction how to handle properly these products.

Firework vendors are also required to secure the necessary permits from local government in places where they sell these products. Those purchased illegally usually are dangerous since they did not pass government regulations.

Firework displays should also be supervised by a professional pyro technician who are trained and qualified to handle dangerous explosives. Shells/missiles made from firework manufacturers that give out a colorful and spectacular display for all to enjoy when lighting up the skies at night are equally dangerous if mishandled.

Study say that these fireworks are highly dangerous as millions of people each year are hospitalized for serious and different degrees of burns that could have been avoided if the warning labels on the package were being followed.

Improper handling or standing way too close from where the missiles are being fired from is an accident waiting to happen.

Safety requirements require that fireworks should not be let off with out warning in crowds such as in downtown city areas.

The Bureau of Fire Protection also warns that such firework display could start a fire that may cause the loss of lives, homes and properties.

Rep. Edgar M. Chatto guest at 11th National Press Congress
By Anthony R. Damalerio
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Acknowledging the very crucial role played by both national and local media practitioners in the country’s pursuit of economic development specifically for the tourism sector, Bohol first district Cong. Edgar M. Chatto last week graced as one of the speakers in the highly successful 11th National Press Congress held at Hotel La Roca.

The Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI), lead convenor of the event invited the lawmaker to give insights on the government’s programs and projects for the tourism industry, the solon being the chairman of the Committee on Tourism in the Lower House.

Chatto for his part reported that Philippine tourism, now identified as a potent force and a must-see indicator for the country’s economic statistics, has accounted for $2 billion in domestic tourism receipts. With a projection of 3 million arrivals by yearend, the country may now compete for its share of the 10% tourism economic production worldwide along with its Asean neighbors.

“Our friends in the media industry have the means to improve and promote the Philippines by making known to the world our country’s geographical beauty and unique culture” said Chatto to the delegates of the three day affair composed of news writers, editors, broadcasters, columnists,

publishers and campus journalists. The solon went further by saying that the partnership for progress between the private and public sector must continue by keeping healthy and open collaborations through consultations, meetings and dialogues.

Cong. Chatto also called on the media sector to highlight more positive images of the country with regards to its culture, natural beauty, the economy and its people.

The staging of the 11th National Press Congress in Bohol was in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the host provincial government. Other visiting speakers included DOT Usec. Floriah Alburo, Mrs. Sonia Malasarte-Roco, Women in Business president and Hon. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, presidential adviser on Culture and the Arts. Its theme for this year was “Media and Tourism: Partners for Congress”.

Palace assures holding May 2007 polls
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

SEEKING to douse speculations that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is back on the campaign trail for Charter change, a senior Palace official assured the public that the May 2007 elections would push through; said Gabriel Claudio, President Arroyo’s political adviser.

President Arroyo’s speech at the 40th anniversary of the Asian Development Bank, renewed her call for Charter change, saying it was a "platform commitment" her administration would pursue with “urgency and fervor” and a reality that Filipinos must face.

But Claudio reiterated that Charter change has been a "major component" of the President's reform program.

"But she is neither dictating the means nor timing to achieve it. This is precisely what has to be the subject of a consensus. There will be elections in May. The administration is behind that.”

"What the President simply wanted to stress was the need for a national consensus on Charter change because it has a reformist purpose of vision towards greater political stability and sustained economic growth through a more responsive form of governance," Claudio said.

Guv sends a message of hope and thanksgiving
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Speaking to the thousands of provincial government employees during their Christmas get-together party held at the Bohol Cultural Center Friday night, Gov. Erico B. Aumentado sent a message of hope and the virtue of giving thanks to all the blessings received in a year.

“This year, I have much to be thankful for. Let me take this opportunity then to thank the Almighty God for his guidance and strength, my family for their unwavering support, and you, my beloved Boholano brethren, for the gift of appointing me as your humble public servant. I thank each one of you who has rallied assiduously beside me for the progress of our province and helped breath life to our programs of economics opportunity and prosperity to all,” the governor said.

Sharing the feelings of all Christians, he said Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

“Christmas is the time for hope and renewed promise, of joyful expectation for young and old alike. It’s the season where loved ones come home to listen to same old yuletide carols and partake in the quintessential exchange of gifts. It has been said that no Christmas is ever complete without gift giving. Verily, every Christmas, Our Savior Jesus Christ is reborn. And in every tiny gift, of different shapes and of various forms, as long as these wrapped in love, we give to one another the greatest gift of all, Jesus,“ the governor said, speaking with candor like a good father to his children.

“While we also presently stand on the shifting sands of a passing year and on the threshold of a brand new one, I pledge the same to you that I will continue to provide you my undiminished loyalty, commitment and dedication as I have done over the past six years,” he reiterated his commitment to his people.

The Christmas and get together party was marked with the spirit of sharing as each department brought their own food and shared it with everybody. Many also went home with gifts and prizes in the raffles conducted for provincial government employees.

Bohol mayors get cash gift from Pres. Arroyo
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The meeting called by Malacañang Wednesday with mayors from Bohol and some provinces from the Eastern Visayas region turned out to be a Santa Claus gift-giving with the President herself playing the legendary Christmas icon.

Forty-three town mayors led by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado shared light moments with the President in a luncheon meeting that was capped with the envelope distribution containing an estimated crispy bills amounting to P30,000 each.

A town mayor talking with the Bohol Standard refused to reveal the exact amount but he confirmed the receipt of cash gift from the President.

The invitation was also extended to Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera and members of the provincial board. Tagbilaran City mayor Dan Neri Lim was also with the group but he said it has nothing to do with his reported political affiliation with the coalition of Lakas and Kampi.

“It was a social gathering and I have to respond to the invitation to say thank you to the President for her support for the development projects of the city,” Mayor said in a radio interview.

The Christmas spirit of sharing extended by Malacañang was, however, marred with the dirty political divisiveness when four town mayors were reportedly excluded in the meeting with the President.

The mayors “not invited” were Loon mayor Cesar Tomas “Yul” Lopez, Trinidad mayor Osias Flor, Guindulman mayor Oriculo “Ondoy” Granada and Panglao mayor Doloreich Dumaluan. These mayors are identified as “outside the camp” of Gov. Aumentado.

The President reportedly wanted to see the Bohol mayors to have a re-assurance that they will support her administration candidates in the coming May 2007 elections. Arroyo won in Bohol over her closest rival, the late Fernando Poe, Jr., with a whooping margin of 300,000 votes in the 2004 presidential elections. The figure was listed as the third largest winning margin of Arroyo against Poe in that election led by Cebu province posting over a million votes.

With Aumentado leading the group, speculation also ran high that the Wednesday meeting was a prelude for another push of the charter change to be definitely held right after the May 2007 elections.

To do this, Arroyo wants a sweep of her administration slate in the coming May polls.

Bohol gets P174-M worth of new projects for 2007
By: JUNE S. BLANCO
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

GOV. Erico Aumentado was in Manila most of the time last week, but it was a stay that proved to be productive for Bohol : he brought home PP174-million worth of projects for implementation in 2007.

Aumentado reported the good tidings to the Capitol family during Friday’s general Christmas party at the Bohol Cultural Center that marked a big difference over last year’s gathering â€" the venue is now fully airconditioned and the acoustics improved although there is still room for improvement.

“We swept six of six proposals; Northern Samar scored one of three while we bade Mindanao better luck next time,” the governor said of the outcome of the meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP).

The PACAP projects
The new PACAP-funded projects for Bohol are the Poverty Reduction thru Culture and the Arts Development for P5,773,000 proposed by the Loboc Youth Education Corp.; Training Entrepreneurs for Tourism Advancement and Coastal Habitat Protection (TEACH) for P4,429,399 in Clarin town; Loom Weaving Industry Upscaling for Economic Development for P4,702,300 in Tubigon; Poverty Reduction thru Organic Farming for P4,915,000 in Dagohoy; Catigbian Agro-Tourism and Technology for Livestock Enhancement (CATTLE) for P3,335,808 in Catigbian and the Bohol Food Safety Packaging Center for P15,000,000 in Tagbilaran City.

Road projects
“We also got P10 million for farm-to-market roads from the Department of Agriculture and P24 million for the road network in Panglao from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),” he added.

Comprising the former are the Union-Sinandigan-Benliw-Biabas road in Ubay and the San Jose all the way down to San Isidro-San Roque-Aguipo and Poblacion in Mabini town.

Comprising the latter are the Poblacion to Doljo Road in Panglao town; and the Poblacion to Mayacabac stretch of the Panglao Circumferential Road and the Tinago to Dao Road , both in Dauis town.

Aumentado got President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s green light for the Panglao Roads during their ride to Lila town to partially inaugurate the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project Phase 2 (BCRIP 2) last June 5. He and the former Peregrina “Grenie” Cabagnot renewed marriage vows on their 40th anniversary that day with the President standing as sponsor.

When in Bohol , the governor does not always stay in the office either. He crisscrosses the province and its islets to honor invitations to inaugurations or groundbreakings and at the same time, inspect on-going projects the funding for which he accessed from the different departments of the national government or through counterparting with the private sector.

As such, he knows which roads still need improvement. If he had his way, he prefers to have them concreted rather than just asphalt-paved. This is more cost-effective in the long run because concrete roads need less maintenance, he said, citing the BCRIP 2 wherein he insisted that all stretches for asphalt repaving be concreted.

Concreting costs only a little more than asphalting said the governor who took time out to squeeze information from project managers, consultants, the provincial and district engineers and experts.

As such he and Rep. Eladio Jala of the 3rd District together wangled another P82 million for the province’s Interior Roads Development Program also from DPWH.

This includes the Sagbayan-Carmen-Sierra Bullones-Pilar-Alicia and the Sierra Bullones-Jagna roads.

School projects
On top of these, Aumentado said he is now readying the list of school buildings for construction under a P20-million program for which President Arroyo and Education Secretary Jesli Lapus have committed P10 million each.

Again, if he had his way, the governor said he prefers that the provincial government and not the DPWH or DepEd will construct the building. He said with the amount, the province can already build 33 two-classroom buildings or 66 classrooms with complete facilities at only P300,000 each â€" reasonably-priced than those constructed by DPWH or other agencies.

MINIMUM DAILY WAGE: Workers get P125 more!
Published: December 24, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Is it a timely Christmas gift for daily wage earners or another political chip of rattled congressmen for propaganda with the elections coming in?

HUNDRED-fifty members of the House of Representatives present during last Wednesday’s session unanimously voted (150-0) to approve on third and final reading, the P125 across-the-board wage increase bill before Congress adjourned its session for the holiday break.

But the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) said the adoption of HB 345 providing for a legislated wage hike could not be considered as a positive development because the reason it was passed on the third reading was not to give the workers the long delayed economic relief but a mere “political act”.

"HB 345 was passed by the House leadership not because they believe it is an overdue and much deserved relief for workers everywhere but as part of its intramurals with the Senate and its efforts to prop up its image for propaganda after the failed Con-Ass (Constitutional Assembly) fiasco," said APL secretary general Joshua Mata.

Mata said P125 as salary increase "will not suffice, much less alleviate workers from the level of poverty but it is a welcome change in policy direction."

"It is after all a step, small as it is, towards ensuring a 'living wage' for the working class," the labor leader said.

He, however, warned both chambers from diluting the spirit of the bill by turning it into another “political chip for propaganda points especially with the elections coming in.”

“We do not want the P125 wage hike bill to suffer the same fate as the public sector pay hike bill which was tossed around in an ego game between the Senate on the one hand and the House and the Executive on the other,” he stressed.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) estimated that as of October this year, a family of six in the National Capital Region (NCR) would require a living wage amounting to P764 a day

Meanwhile, Party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran, the principal author of the proposed wage increase or House Bill 345, yesterday said other party-list lawmakers who were advocating the measure, have expressed elation over the its passage last Wednesday, branding it the “most welcome, greatest work and historic, major breakthrough” in the House.

The increase would not be “too hard” for employers since this will be given over a period of three years â€" P45 during the first year, and P40 for the second and third year. Beltran also appealed to the Senate to pass the same proposal the soonest time possible.

He added, while it may be too late for the Senate to act on the matter, such move would still be very much welcome for the workers who have been demanding salary increases for several years now.

According to Rep. Teodoro Casiño, the last time that government increased the salary of the workers was in 1989.

“This is historical and a major breakthrough, the last legislated wage hike being in 1989 just before the regionalization of wage via wage boards. We hope the Senate immediately passes its counterpart bill by January so our workers can enjoy the increase at the start of the year,” Casiño said.

Both Beltran and Casino said they found it hard to pass the bill, and last Wednesday’s passage of the proposed measure was a work of a miracle, and that they are again hoping for another miracle in the Senate.

“We can always hope for a miracle that the good senators fill find it in their heart to approve the bill and stand up against Malacañang and the employers groups,” he said.

The lawmakers also challenged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to restrain itself from issuing statements against the bill’s passage, and instead laud the measure and put its support behind it.

As usual, the business sector received the news with apprehension. They howled saying business can’t afford it. (SEE separate story: “Business can’t afford...”)

“It will have a serious effect on the economy resulting to massive lay-offs of workers,” they said. (With reports from Tribune, DBP/MSN/Sunnex)

TO CROSS ACROSS REEL LIFE ONETIME
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Yes Tirol Dumagan

In this week’s issue, I want to write something that relates and affects me and so with the rest of the world. I want to say that I think I have screwed up my life for the past several months. I want to blame it to the new trends the society has now been practicing or charge it to the people responsible in the setting of what is right and what is not. One thing is sure to me though: I want to live my life as happy as I can be. But as much as I want to, I realized that there are some things that no matter how much I want to have it, because I think that having it would make me happy, I just can’t make it. I want to blame it to bad luck because I don’t want to accept defeat in every battle I fought but it just allowed me to be a selfish being. The better understanding to this would be the realization that God has plans for me and for everyone else and He makes His plans come true in His time. But I have a dilemma to this. How do we know when things are right? How do we determine the right time, the right moment? How do we know if we are on the right track?

I said earlier that my life is screwed up for the past few months. I said this because I think I have become less focus to my priorities. From time to time, my priorities have been altered and hazed â€" obscured by novel ideas and experiences and different obstructions that have come my way. As much as I want to blame it to the dictates of the society, and as much as I want to put the blame to just anything or anyone else, I think that the more responsible for this is me. If anyone should be blamed on what is happening to me right now, the problems that I have been encountering all throughout, then I think I deserve to be blamed.

“I should have been particular to my priorities. I should have set my priorities straight and have it still and focused in spite of everything. I should have been more careful to my decisions and should have taken into consideration that I am always the prey and the world around me is the predator. I should have listened to my inner soul and should have demanded my heart and my brain to act in unison and not to go otherwise. I should have controlled my self. I should have managed my character. I should have done everything as I planned it before…” I exclaimed to myself.

Despite all these, one thing is clear to me now. I have no regrets on the things that have happened to me. I chose to let it happen because I wanted to be happy and doing all those things I did made me happy, at the very least. I have no regrets. It had happened already. The best thing to do right now is to keep going on, thus moving on to the right track, treating every obstacle as a mere trial and keeping it to myself that everything happens for a reason. God has perfect plans for me and all these plans He has for me will all come true in His time.

Extreme Realities
By Atty. Aleck Francis Lim
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

An American investment banker, who was not named in a report, has discovered that the late President Ferdinand Marcos has assets in Switzerland worth $950 billion.

It was Camilo Sabio, chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government who revealed to the media that he had met with this American lawyer in New York, who is privy to Marcos’ hidden wealth in Switzerland.

By looking at the figure, any ordinary Filipino citizen cannot imagine how big a US$950 billion is. Most of us are familiar only with four- or five-figure peso sign, an amount we receive as income in a given month.

Let’s go back to simple mathematics.

One billion is 1,000 million. Wait, this is not a peso â€" this is a U.S. dollar money, thus a one million dollar, at current exchange rate, is more or less fifty million pesos. And wait, this is not a million figure â€" this is billion.

What a breathtaking calculation!

Even if you spend P50,000 pesos a day, you won’t run out of money until you die. And you can even buy a pure gold coffin replete with diamonds, and yet you still have billions in your bank accounts.

But what struck us most is the question as to how the Marcoses were able to accumulate such mammoth assets? Did they work hard for it? Were they involved in some international business investments? Well, your guess is as good as mine.

Another disturbing fact is the power of greed that is really at work here. If these assets were indeed existing and owned by the Marcoses, we may ask as to why they had to pile up such unimaginable wealth? For what? For whom? Did they expect to live forever on earth that they need to keep this wealth for personal consumption?

We are only asking questions here, and we don’t expect to get answers because no one perhaps would be daring enough to disclose the truth.

And we are not accusing the Marcoses. Our inquiries are normal reaction to Sabio’s revelation. Whether this report is true or not, we can only shake our heads in disbelief and disgust though we’ve heard in the past of many tales of Marcos’ wealth being kept in foreign banks.

According to the World Institute for Development Economics Research, an arm of the United Nations University based in Helsinki, the richest one percent of the world’s populations owns 40 percent of the total household wealth in the world.

Most of the wealthiest are living in North America, Europe, and Japan. Bill Gates of Microsoft is of course one of them.

Now, if we place the Marcoses in the list of the world’s wealthiest, Bill Gates would appear so small, with his $32 billion assets.

The research firm’s report should have included the Philippines as home to those who belong to the one percent of the world’s population who owns 40 percent of the world’s wealth.

On the other hand, it is significant to mention that the UN had said that 40 to 50 percent of the Philippine population are living in extreme poverty. Poverty is measured, by UN standards, according to income of $2 a day, or a little over a hundred pesos.

Here we see a gaping disparity between the poor and the rich in our country, a disparity that has stirred a nationwide climate of discontent and gloom.

We don’t know how to recover the wealth of the Marcoses. If these belong to the Republic of the Philippines, then these should be returned to us.

Kiss of Death?
By Atty. Aleckoy T. Lim
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

It looks as though the equation has changed in Philippine politics. Overnight, a Lakas endorsement changed from a mark of a winner to something else. And it is all because of two nights that awakened the nation.

While most Filipino were preparing to go to sleep, burdened by the many reversals in life including the natural calamities that hit the Philippines one after the other and the economic difficulties that make Christmas bleak for many homes, majority congressmen mangled the proceedings just to make sure they get away with the con-ass.

The result however was the least that they expected.

Irate Filipinos led by religious leaders vowed to hold protest actions not only against the con-ass but all the other issues confronting the Arroyo administration. The controversies on the impeachment proceedings, the Garci tapes and the election irregularities were revived and resurrected.

The reaction was swift. Faced with a potential crisis, delegates to the Asean summit in Cebu City cancelled their participation. They had convenient excuse in typhoon “Seniang” while citing the disastrous effects of typhoon “Reming” days earlier.

Of course, only Malacañang and the members of Congress would believe that.

Why should heads of state, many of them from countries far advanced in technology than the Philippines, be unable to know that Cebu was not in the typhoon’s direct path?

Malacañang had no other recourse but to call off the con-ass. It is not only because of the Asean postponement. It is the very real possibility that the demonstrations would go on until the new date of the Asean summit.

There is no assurance that the demonstrations will not go on just because the con-ass has been shelved. It is even more possible that the anti-government forces particularly the moderates will step up the pressure to prevent extremists from gaining grounds.

In a few weeks, particularly the months after Christmas, we will know if this administration will be able to survive. If the people go back to the streets in protest of one of the most unpopular administration ever, the equation will shift.

There is a possibility that the opposition fever will infect the nation. Like the days before the fall of the Marcos regime, administration candidates had to spend more if they intend to win. Even that is no assurance because the people are no longer as naïve.

Unlike previous years, people will no longer vote simply on the basis of the sample ballots that accompany the cash. Many vote according to their conscience.

If the Arroyo administration fails to stem the tide of popular discontent, many will be abandoning the administration bandwagon and the so-called Cha-Cha train. Instead of being the blessing of the winner, it will look like a kiss of death to candidates.

ROGELIO IROY CALUNSAG: IN WAR AND PEACE A HERO
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Loreto "Loy" Palapos

Boholanos prosper admirably in all professions, be it derived from decade-long courses or instinctive inclinations and talents. By land or in the air, they excel even without caring for celebrity status. At sea they are at their best. It does not come as a surprise that the first recognized school for seamen was founded by a Boholano.

In the military hierarchy, most particularly in the Navy, a Boholano stood out in brilliance of performance that was spanned for 33 years. His devotion to his tasks earned him several recognitions and awards, but as far as Rear Admiral Rogelio I. Calunsag is concerned, they are only icing in the cake. He never asked for them, but were freely given as accolades for his exemplary performance which brought him all over the country and in some foreign shores. Being awarded one of the Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW) last July was another feather to his cap. Last Friday, December 8, he was promoted the new flag-officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy.

Rogelio Calunsag was born in Loay, Bohol on August 2, 1952. His father, Exequiel Calunsag, was involved in trading tobacco, which he sourced from Mindanao and retailed in Bohol. His mother, Emiliana Iroy, from Alburquerque, tended a store to help in the family upkeep. He is married to Imelda Benavides, a Nurse by profession, who was a Chief Nurse in the Perpetual Soccur Hospital, at the same time Head of the School of Nursing, until she resigned in 1987 to put up a placement agency for nurses and caregivers, most particularly in USA, Canada, Malaysia, and the Middle East.

The Calunsags are blessed with three children. The eldest, Rommel, finished BS Biology, and is now employed in a call center based in the Mall of Asia. Michelle took up Journalism, and now works in a Makati publishing house, involved in the production of books and magazines. The youngest, Joy, studied Foreign Service and, while preparing to take a consular examination, teaches nursery pupils in Fort Bonifacio.

Commodore Calunsag is a distinguished product of the Philippine public school system. He enrolled at the Alegria Elementary School in Loay, and was a government scholar at the Philippine Science High School at Dilliman where he derived his secondary education. In 1970 he passed the examination for admittance to the Philippine Military Academy where he finished Bachelor of Science in Military Sciences in 1974. He ranked ninth among 114 graduates.

He holds two masters degrees: Master of Science in Business Administration from the Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business in 1980, and Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines in 2000.

Right after his graduation from PMA, he experienced his “baptism of fire” as a young Philippine Marine Officer in the battlefields of Sulu during the campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 1974. Shortly thereafter he joined the Philippine Navy, rising through the ranks while at the same time honing his administrative and command skills at the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard (which was then attached to the Philippine Navy) headquarters as well as in various types of Philippine vessels.

He became the first commanding officer of BRP “Apolinario Mabini” (PS-36), one of three Peacock Class offshore patrol vessels that the Philippine Navy acquired from the British Royal Navy. Commodore Calunsag’s achievements in his Command at Sea were highlighted exemplary achievements when he became the Naval Task Force 41 Commander from 1998 to 1999. As Naval Task Force Commander, he was instrumental in safeguarding Philippine territorial waters and marine resources in Kalayaan Islands and Scarborough Shoal against maritime intruders, smugglers and marine poachers.

He had various special trainings abroad. In 1983 he was in Fort Bragg, New Connecticut, USA. He attended the General Staff Course “SESKOAL CL 33” in Jakarta, Indonesia. In 2002 he went schooling in Monterey, California, USA.

Battle-tested and a prominent figure in time of peace, Commodore Calunsag is a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, among them are: 4 Military Merit Medals, 7 Military Commendation Medals, 3 Campaign Medals for his distinguished service in the Visayas, Luzon and Mindanao, 2 Distinguished Service Stars, Presidential Unit Citation Badge and 6 other Badges, and other commendations from the Department of National Defense.

His services are not limited to his officially assigned tasks. He participated in numerous search and rescue operations of vessels and persons lost at sea, and several disaster relief and rehabilitation missions in many parts of the country. From 1989 to 1992 he arranged the repatriation of Filipino fishing crew-members in Indonesia. He also participated in several civic action programs such as environmental clean-up activities and projects, which brought him to the Manila Bay, Sangley Point in Cavite, Coregidor Island, and many other places in the nation. He initiated, as Commander of Navy Forces in Eastern Mindanao, the “cleaning and greening” of the naval headquarters in Sasa District, Davao City, and spearheaded the construction of “backyard fishpond” for tilapia breeding to augment the food supply and diet of camp personnel and members of their families.

Commodore Rogelio Iroy Calunsag was Assistant Chief of naval Staff of the Philippine Navy in 2002. In 2004 he was promoted Commander of the Assault Craft Force of the Philippine Fleet. On April 14, 2004 he was assigned Commander of the Naval Forces of Eastern Mindanao, and later, Naval Inspector General of the Philippine Navy with the rank of Rear Admiral.

It has been a long and tough grind for this living hero, both in war and in peace, from the moment he left the portals of PMA. His varied assignments brought him all over the country. His special mission to Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and some other nations, helped shape his determination to be of service to the nation he loves. His commitment to his responsibilities can only be equaled by his dedication to the oath he upholds all throughout the years. In the high position he now perches himself on, he can view a panorama that includes his struggles as a neophyte in a life-and-death drama that fiction cannot encompass. His reality is more intense than the ordinary man. More breath-taking, and more hazardous.

Nonetheless, on his lofty peak he has remained a God-loving naval top brass, aware that he is only an individual the Almighty has bestowed blessings on. This Rear Admiral of the Philippine Navy never forgets that he is a Boholano.

Unlicensed pug fighting in Japan?
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

IN WHAT may well turn out to be a monumental scandal, a former drug addict and ex-convict William Magahin, who spent two years in a Quezon City jail, is scheduled to battle undefeated American Charles Bellamy on Jan. 13 in Tokyo, according to Games and Amusements Board commissioner Alex Paglumotan.

Paglumotan, in an article on the Philboxing.com Web site, said he had a lengthy talk with Magahin and claimed he was in good shape and was now ready at any given time.

But Magahin’s listed manager Sammy Gello-ani, took exception to the claim and made it clear he had nothing to do with the planned fight in Japan, reportedly under the Masuo Matsuoka Promotions.

Gello-ani said Magahin’s foster father Roland spoke to him two weeks ago and requested him to activate his adopted son, who is 36 years old. But Gello-ani told him he had to first start training after getting the required medical clearance from the GAB before anything else.

The chief of the GAB boxing division Dr. Nasser Cruz, who was in Cagayan de Oro for a fight card, told Viva Sports that there was “no request for a medical exam for Magahin and no application for a license.”

Cruz said he would take up the issue with Paglumotan upon his return by Monday.

Gello-ani also expressed surprise about the report because under the rules imposed by the Japan Boxing Commission, only Filipino boxers rated in the top 10 are allowed to fight in Japan. And since Magahin has been inactive for 10 years and hasn’t even been given a license by the GAB, there was no way he could fight.

“I am really surprised,” said the well-known promoter.

Magahin’s last fight was on Jan. 20, 1996 when he lost the World Boxing Federation welterweight title by a 10th-round TKO to Jaime Lerma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in a fight, where he turned his back on Lerma and gave up, much to the frustration of fight fans, who included President Fidel Ramos.

Magahin later admitted he was a drug user.

Paglumotan claimed that he and GAB Chairman Eric Buhain will have a role to play in the case, stating that they had done “everything to ensure not only the safety and protection of our Filipino boxers to be sent to Japan, through this agency.”

Last May, Paglumotan was also instrumental in having the GAB set aside P10,000 in assistance to the penniless fighter who, like him, is also from Iloilo.

Paglumotan’s statement about protection of Filipino boxers was scoffed at by boxing people, who claimed his actions with regard to Magahin, was a clear violation of existing rules and regulations and showed that the commissioner knew nothing about boxing.

Tennis star Lindsay Davenport pregnant
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. - Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is pregnant and will miss at least the start of the 2007 tennis season.

Davenport and her husband, Jonathan Leach, are expecting their first child in early summer, according to a news release issued Wednesday by her agent, Tony Godsick.

There was no indication in the release whether or not the 30-year-old Davenport plans to play professionally again.

She won the

U.S. Open singles title in 1998, Wimbledon in 1999 and the

Australian Open in 2000, along with an Olympic gold medal in 1996. The American has won a total of 51 titles in singles, 36 in doubles, and finished four seasons ranked No. 1: 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2005.

Marco Antonio Barrera's Time is Running Out
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Over three years and counting. The amount of time that has passed since Marco Antonio Barrera was unexpectedly dominated by Manny Pacquiao on route to being knocked out in eleven rounds.

Barrera was on the receiving end of a beating bad enough to make most writers call for an immediate retirement. They said he turned old overnight. No longer was he thought of as the once great warrior that beat such fighters as Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales and Johnny Tapia.

After the loss to Pacquiao, it appeared as if Barrera was going to call it a career. His pos-fight interview seemed to indicate that he was unsure if he was going to continue to fight. To the surprise of many, he did continue to fight and reclaimed his spot among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.

It wasn't as easy as it sounds.

He came back against Paulie Ayala, stopping him for the first time in his career within ten rounds. An impressive return, but the boxing public was still not fully convinced that Barrera was back in full swing. Ayala was a good fighter, nobody can dispute that fact. But, he was also on the downside of his career and had very little punching power.

Barrera sensed that he would need to do something big in order to prove to the public that he was actually still the same fighter. No better way to make a statement than signing a contract for a trilogy bout with Mexican rival Erik Morales.

At the time, Morales was at the very least considered the third best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Morales moved up to the super featherweight division and was coming off spectacular performances over Jesus Chavez and Carlos Hernandez, picking up two super featherweight titles in the process.

Barrera had to move up to 130-pounds in order to fight his foe for the third time, a weight class that he admitted prior to the bout was "too heavy for him." As most can imagine, 95% of the boxing writers picked Morales to take Barrera apart and knock him out inside the distance.

Just when you know all the answers about Barrera, he changes the questions. He stepped in the ring with Morales for the third time in November of 2004, and the two Mexican greats waged a war that some said was their best meeting yet. The slugfest was good enough to capture 'fight of the year' honors and shot Barrera back into the pound-for-pound rankings. He walked away with a majority decision, but more importantly he regained the respect he lost in the ring with Pacquiao.

The win over Morales was one the best performances of Barrera's career. It was now apparent that his loss to Pacquiao was the result of one of three things. Either Pacquiao was that much of a better fighter that night, Barrera had a very off night, or maybe a combination of the two.

Barrera beat a few more good fighters since 2004, but none of them were on the level of a Morales or a Pacquiao.

The win over dominating win over Barrera turned Pacquiao into an overnight sensation in the sport and the most popular Filipino on the planet. Pacquiao left in his own direction following the win over Barrera by taking on the best fighters in his weight division and beyond.

He came within a hair of beating Juan Manuel Marquez, decisioned Oscar Larios and won two of his three meetings with Erik Morales. The wins over Morales were just as big as the wins over Barrera because he brutally knocked Morales out in final two encounters. The third was a three-round domination that saw Morales get knocked down three times, and choosing to take a full count instead of continuing to receive punishment.

Barrera was less than impressive in his first meeting with Rocky Juarez, but he did show that still had the ability to dig deep in the late rounds to pull out a decision win. He came back in the rematch to dominate Juarez for twelve rounds. The same could be said for Pacquiao in his initial loss to Erik Morales. The fight was a war, and Pacquiao came back in dominating fashion in the proceeding bouts.

The year is almost over and so is the cat and mouse game between Barrera and Pacquiao. The WBC has called for an agreement to be reached between both fighter by January 12, or they will hold a purse bid in Mexico City to make the fight.

Barrera is much closer to retirement than Pacquiao. He vowed to once again face his Filipino nemesis before the final sendoff. Now is the time to back it up or pack it in. For the sake of his career, the Pacquiao bout must be made now - and not later.

There are legal hurdles to overcome. Pacquiao is stuck in the middle of a legal war between Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions and Bob Arum of Top Rank. He signed a contract with both companies and a vicious legal war has begun to determine which promotional outfit has the legal right to promote him.

For the moment he is siding with Arum, and Barrera recently told BoxingScene writer Brent Matteo Alderson that he made a promise to himself that he would step in the ring with Pacquiao and get his revenge.

In the past Barrera said he was facing other fighters to allow Pacquiao to build himself up to where the rematch would be one of the biggest bouts in the sport. After an unbelievable 2006, Pacquiao can't possibly get any bigger at the moment.

If Barrera ends 2007 without a Pacquiao bout, he is robbing himself more than anyone else. If he really wants to prove to himself that the first meeting was a fluke, he must take the plunge and sign the contract. A win over Pacquiao would certainly catapult his career to receive higher recognition than rival Erik Morales.

If he loses, at least he tried and went out on his shield - like Morales. After Morales was stopped by Pacquiao in their second meeting, there no tuneups, no time to waste and no excuses. Morales exercised his option for an immediate rematch within weeks, he did not wait for over three years.

For Barrera, the time is now.

Kobe’s 53 pts. help Lakers beat Rockets
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The Suns extended one of the best stretches in franchise history. The 76ers remained stuck in a dismal one, on the trade front and the basketball court. And by the end of the night, Kobe Bryant had yanked the headlines away from both of them with another sensational performance.

Bryant scored a season-high 53 points, and the

Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat the

Houston Rockets 112-101 in double overtime Friday night.

With his 13th career game of 50 or more points, Bryant topped Yao Ming, who led the Rockets with 35 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high eight blocked shots.

“It felt great for me,” Bryant said. “It confirmed for me that my legs are back because that’s in the second overtime. Playing long minutes, I’m still able to get to the basket and explode.”

Before that, the big news in the NBA involved Phoenix and Philadelphia, a pair of teams who couldn’t be farther apart right now.

The Suns won their 13th straight game, one shy of the franchise record, with a 105-101 victory over the

Golden State Warriors. Things are going so well for Phoenix that it won without its best effort.

“We didn’t play well tonight,” Steve Nash said. “We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well against the zone and we weren’t really smooth.”

The 76ers wish they had those problems. They played about as well as they could, but with Allen Iverson nowhere to be found and Chris Webber not available either, Philadelphia dropped its 10th straight, 93-79 in Dallas.

In other games, it was: Washington 106, Miami 95; Indiana 112, New York 96; Toronto 90, New Jersey 78; Boston 119, Denver 114; Cleveland 106, Seattle 84; Atlanta 97, Memphis 88; Chicago 117, Milwaukee 111; Sacramento 98, Utah 97; and Portland 109, the

Los Angeles Clippers 99.

Friday night marked one week since the 76ers announced they would look to accommodate Iverson’s desire for a trade. But they haven’t received an acceptable offer yet, so they are paying their leading scorer to sit home while they lose games without him.

With Webber also out Friday because of a sprained ankle, the Sixers didn’t have nearly enough to compete with a deep team like the Mavs. The Sixers have their longest losing streak since dropping 13 in a row from Dec. 28, 1996, through Jan. 20, 1997, Iverson’s rookie season.

“I don’t know how many games we’ve lost. ... I’m not even thinking about that,” coach Maurice Cheeks insisted. “I like our effort. I thought our effort was great. If we keep getting that type of effort we’ve been getting, we’ll be OK.”

Philadelphia will try to end its skid Saturday night at San Antonio. Phoenix can match its franchise-record win streak when it visits Sacramento.

Bryant gets a well-deserved day off after playing 54 minutes Friday night and carrying the Lakers, just as he did so many times last season.

“We had a couple baskets here and there from other guys as we went along, but I had to go to Kobe to get accomplished what we had to do in a win,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

Wizards 106, Heat 95

At Washington, the Wizards took advantage of a depleted lineup to blow the game open in the first quarter and end 3 1/2 years of frustration against Miami.

Caron Butler scored a season-high 30 points and had nine rebounds as Washington ended a 16-game losing streak against its Southeast Division rival, which didn’t have Dwyane Wade or Shaquille O’Neal.

Hawks 97, Grizzlies 88

Zaza Pachulia scored 22 points, Speedy Claxton added 19 points and 11 assists, and Atlanta ruined Pau Gasol’s season debut by winning at Memphis.

Gasol missed the season’s first 22 games with a broken left foot. He started and played 17 minutes, scoring four points and grabbing three rebounds, but the Grizzlies lost their fifth straight.

Bulls 117, Bucks 111

At Chicago, Ben Wallace grabbed a season-high 27 rebounds, one shy of his career high, and added 10 points to lead the Bulls to their 10th win in 11 games.

Kirk Hinrich scored 21 points and Chris Duhon had 19 for Chicago, which finished its longest homestand in team history with a 7-1 record.

Celtics 119, Nuggets 114

At Boston, Paul Pierce scored 38 points and Tony Allen added a career-high 30 to help the Celtics extend their winning streak to four.

Carmelo Anthony scored a season-high 42 points for the Nuggets, who lost their second straight and fell to 1-3 on their five-game trip.

Pacers 112, Knicks 96

Danny Granger scored a career-high 25 points and the Pacers hit a season-high 12 3-pointers in Knicks coach Isiah Thomas’ first game back at Indiana since he was fired as Pacers coach.

Cavaliers 106, SuperSonics 84

At Cleveland, Larry Hughes scored 25 points and LeBron James flirted with his first triple-double this season for the Cavaliers, who now have the best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference.

Raptors 90, Nets 78

At Toronto, T.J. Ford had 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the Raptors’ second straight victory without Chris Bosh.

Former Raptor Vince Carter was booed every time he touched the ball. He went 4-for-17 from the field and 4-for-8 from the line for just 12 points.

Kings 98, Jazz 97

Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 21 points, including a 3-pointer in the final minute, and Sacramento rallied from a 16-point deficit to hand Utah just its second home loss of the season.

Trail Blazers 109, Clippers 99

At Portland, Ore., Zach Randolph had 26 points and seven rebounds, and the Trail Blazers won their season-high fourth straight game.

The price of democracy
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

In just a fortnight, the House of Representatives shuttled between what it had always believed was the right thing to do and what majority of the Filipinos want. As though a bad dream that vanished into thin air with the coming of the light, Congress convening itself into a constituent assembly (con-ass) seemed like a distant memory.

And yet, no one can dispute the fact that the move was prompted more by self-preservation than a realization of the correct path to take. It was simply the prudent thing in the face of huge demonstrations all over the country.

Only the naive and the idiot will doubt the danger of giving this Congress the responsibility to chart the destiny of the country. This batch of solons has distinguished itselt as a head above the rest in portraying opportunism and shameless disregard for principles.

While the rest of the nation groveled and felt embarrassed by a President who was forced to apologize for calling an election official while the votes were being tabulated, congressmen saw nothing wrong with it.

To hammer down their point, they killed an impeachment move by critics twice over. For them, there was no need to subject her to investigation for that. As to how much they stood to reason for that, the public was only left to speculate.

This same congress had the gall to routinely mock the Senate and project itself as the real power in Philippine legislature. Many people of course did not think much of that, treating it like the rantings of ignoramuses.

It was a different thing of course when they legislated their brazen disregard for the law by turning apart the very ramparts of decency and legality, running through mindlessly as it announced to all and sundry that the Senate was a non-factor as far as amending the constitution was concerned.

This was too much.

In a flash, it was over. The very prosperous looks of Prospero Nograles and Prospero Pichay disappeared. For the first time, Luis Villafuerte and Edcel Lagman seemed like they had actually been hit by the calamity that befell their region.

Celestino Jaraula and Douglas Cagas realized they had bitten far more than they could chew. And the rest of the plotters including the three Boholano solons conveniently disappeared without a trace from that “august” body.

It was a dangerous game alright. Fortunately for the Filipino people, the religious stepped in at just the right time. There is no more room for complacence though.

As the saying goes, vigilance is the price of democracy.

‘Submerged’ village comes to life again
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

BOHOLANO farmers who were displaced by the flooding of certain portions for the government’s irrigation project showcase in the Bayongan Dam finally got decent homes, via the Gawad Kalinga Project.

At least 35 new houses built on at least 280-300 sq. m lots funded by the local government of Bohol at P1.5M, P.5M President’s Social Fund (PSF) and labor counterparts from Boholano volunteers erected another testament of the trademark convergence in government and civil society to build decent shelters and model community here.

The new community in Bayongan San Miguel, Bohol is then named President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo-Governor Erico Aumentado Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village were built with the help of GK volunteers here and coordinated by Couples For Christ (CFC), a religious organization.

Bohol, in its dream of nurturing a dependable agro-economy to boost its eco-cultural tourism destination dream has dug for the mega-dams to sustain local rice production and prop-up its claim of the emerging food basket in the Visayas.

The plan unluckily involves submerging certain portions of the province to convert them into waters collectors, and some submerged areas have been tilled and inhabited farmlands, effectively displacing the farmers and their families.

The government through the Department of Agrarian Reform has earlier donated some portions of public lands for the resettlement site and National Irrigation Administration Bohol Irrigation Project leveled the site and put in the waterworks for the community.

Power utility Bohol Electric Cooperative provided power lines while the local Department of Environment and Natural Resources pooled poles and beams for units’ trusses.

In collaboration with the Gawad Kalinga (GK), local governments have also been tying up with President Arroyo’s social funds to build decent shelter for the poorest families since 2002.

With the local government and religious sector participation, the concept of building not just houses but communities as well was come up after CFC puts in its family life apostolate to further strengthen the community.

The President has allocated P30 million from the PSF to the Gawad Kalinga for the construction of housing units for poor families nationwide -- 12 areas in the National Capital Region, 16 areas in the rest of Luzon, nine areas in the Visayas, and 18 areas in Mindanao in 2002.

The construction of houses is by "bayanihan" among the beneficiaries, GK members, professional volunteers and other groups who find fulfillment in sharing their time and resources to help the poor.

A total of 1,000 housing units, costing P300T per unit, have already been completed and awarded to the beneficiaries nationwide. (rachiu/PIA)

PNP warns civilians in military uniforms
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon ordered all police units to arrest civilians wearing military uniforms as part of the campaign against street criminals that wear uniforms of government agents when they commit crimes.

“The police uniform is a symbol of authority that must be used properly, and kept clean and presentable at all times,” Calderon, who earlier launched Task Group Motorcycle

Anti-Street Crimes Operatives (TG-MASCO).

Calderon issued this directive in the wake of recent reports of crime incidents, mostly in robbery cases, involving suspects clad in military and police uniforms.

The PNP chief reminded all police personnel to strictly observe PNP regulations on the proper wearing of police uniform. The police uniform per se should be respected.

Under the law, Calderon said offenders will be prosecuted for violation of Articles 177 (Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions and 179 (Illegal Use of Uniforms or Insignia) of the Revised Penal Code that imposes imprisonment terms to violators.

“The law also prohibits the illegal use of police and military insignia, logos, headgear and badges by unauthorized persons,” Calderon added.

The order includes prohibition on the use of manufactured shirts, jackets and other garments with “POLICE” or “PNP” markings by unauthorized civilians.

Capitol to release P2.5M for cooperatives and POs
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A total of P 2.5 million worth of checks is slated to be given by the Provincial Government of Bohol under the leadership of Gov. Erico Aumentado through the Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO) as financial assistance to 25 cooperatives and People’s Organizations (PO) on December 18, 2006 at Acacia Garden, Capitol grounds.

The checks with amounts of P 100,000 each will be distributed by Gov. Aumentado and BPRMO head Boy Pernia to the presidents or representatives of beneficiary groups right after the flag ceremony of the provincial government’s employees.

The beneficiaries are Rural Economic Development Venture Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), Subayon Upland Farmers MPC, Rizal MPC and Yanaya CARP Beneficiaries Irrigators MPC of Bilar; Maria Rosario Small Farmers Association and Riverside Small Farmers Association of Inabanga; Malitbog Agrarian Farmer Beneficiaries MPC, Candelaria MPC and San Vicente Livelihood MPC of Dagohoy.

San Roque Wavers MPC, Sagbayan Sur MPC, San Vicente Sur MPC and San Antonio MPC of Sagbayan; Abucay Sur MPC, New Life MPC, Can-agong MPC and Abucay Norte MPC of Sikatuna; United Agustinian MPC of Albur; Saint Vincent Farmers MPC and United Farmers of Tabok MPC of Danao; Camapatod MPC of Loon; Malinao East MPC and Jambawan MPC of Lila; San Isidro United Farmers MPC of Trinidad as well as the Farmers and Women’s MPC of Alicia are also slated to receive the said checks.

This financial assistance which is set to support the livelihood programs of the respective cooperatives and POs is part of the poverty reduction initiatives of the provincial government. (Jhaz/PGMA)

FALSIFICATION OF PAYROLLS
Ombudsman finds basis to probe mayor, 3 others
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The Ombudsman-Visayas has found enough basis to proceed with the criminal, administrative investigation of the cases filed against Loon Mayor Cesar Tomas “Yul” Lopez and three others who allegedly defrauded the municipal government by falsifying fourteen (14) monthly payrolls and daily time records of high school teachers from August 2004 to September 2005.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Primo C. Miro, through Director Edgardo G. Canton, in an order dated October 30, 2006, required the mayor and the three co-respondents to file their counter-affidavit within ten (10) days from receipt of the order.

Failure to answer as directed within the period prescribed by the rules shall be deemed a waiver of the right to present party’s counter-affidavit or reply-affidavit and the investigation shall proceed according to existing rules.

Respondents are also required to indicate their complete name, official designation-position, salary grade and residential address

Miro warned that a motion to dismiss, motion for bill of particulars and similar dilatory tactics are prohibited and shall be stricken off the records of the case.

Mayor Lopez who is about to end his three-term rule in Loon, was cited by seven taxpayers, for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (R.A 3019).

Charged with the mayor are three other persons: acting treasurer Teofista Marilla in her role as disbursing officer, Hannah Lee Mejorada, a municipal paid high school teacher who prepared the payrolls and Aida Panis, a teacher from the Department of Education, Division of Bohol assigned as school principal in the Loon South High School located in barangay Cuasi of the same town.

In an earlier phone interview, Mayor Lopez said he was betrayed by his trusted aide Mejorada and it took him a long time to notice the insertion in the payroll.

But complainants alleged that Mayor Lopez and his three co-accused conspired in falsifying payrolls that included a name of a teacher, a certain Merlyn P. Rebucas, that went on indefinite leave starting August 23, 2004 and had not returned to her teaching job; - but was still included in the payroll up to September 2005, or a total of fourteen months.

Teachers of the Loon South High School are all appointed by Lopez, paid by municipal Special Education Funds (SEF), with the exception of the DepEd-assigned school principal.

Mejorada, an appointee of the municipal mayor was the one assigned to prepare the payrolls of the teachers while Panis, the Dep Ed-assigned school principal of the same school signed all the fourteen payrolls certifying to the effect that absentee-teacher Rebucas actually rendered services as teacher in said school during all those months.

“Being the school principal, Panis should know that in truth and in fact she (Rebucas) already had stopped working,” the complainants said.

Acting treasurer Marilla allowed Mejorada to collect and receive the salaries of all teachers of said school, including the salaries of the absentee Rebucas, without personally witnessing the teachers-payee affix their signatures on the fourteen monthly payrolls.

The monthly daily time records of all the teachers that are found attached to the payrolls and used as basis for computing their salaries also showed that they worked on Saturdays during those fourteen months but they allegedly “did not hold classes” on said Saturdays.

Affidavits of Rebucas and other co-teachers, the questionable payrolls and daily time records were attached to the letter complaint now docketed by the Ombudsman Visayas as “Cesar Tomas M. Lopez, et. al.”; OMB-V Criminal Case No. 06-0492-J and OMB-V Administrative Case No. 06-0535-J.

Citing a strong evidence of guilt, complainants asked that the four respondents be ordered suspended and a “Hold Departure Order” be issued for all of them.

Signing as the complainants are Loon residents Alexander Remoreras, Cristino Sablas, Jacinto La Fuente, Eutropio Pizarras, Josefina Gumop-as, Allan Monredondo and Andresa Paloso.

Old-age pensioners told to use GSIS e-Card
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

All Government Service Insurance System old age pensioners must use their e-CARD as their monthly pensions will be credited into it starting January 1, 2007.

This was the advisory released by the GSIS Field Office under FO Manager Atty. Douglas Arturo Marigomen.

This means that they must use their GSIS e-CARD in order to withdraw their monthly pension in any ATM nationwide.

GSIS will no longer use checks to deliver their pensions but will electronically credit them to their GSIS e-CARD account.

Thereafter, monthly pensions will be credited in GSIS e-CARD account every 1st day of the month.

For GSIS Old age Pensioners of Bohol who have not yet enrolled, they are now enjoined to enroll at the GSIS Bohol Field Office located at the DBP Building, CPG North Avenue, Tagbilaran City, starting Monday, December 18, 2006 (resumption of e-CARD enrollment) to avoid suspension of their monthly pension payments.

Disability Pensioners have a separate program for e-CARD, however, Survivorship Pensioners are not covered by the program.

Arroyo Administrative Order No. 164
P6T performance bonus list casuals, contractuals
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A HAPPY Christmas to all government workers’ families must not be spoiled by other reasons.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed Administrative Order (AO) No. 164 authorizing the grant of performance bonuses not earlier than December 15.

The order explicitly grants performance bonus not only to permanent workers but also for temporary, casual or contractual state employees who have rendered the state at least four (4) months of service as of November 30.

Those who have rendered services and were hired less than four months are also entitled to a bonus though at a pro rated scheme, the AO declares.

State workers who have rendered three months but less than four months of service as of Nov. 30 this year get 40% of the cashfall; while those who have 2 moths under their service records get 30% of the bonus amount.

Those who have rendered a month but less than 2 could get 20% and for those serving less than a month, they get 10%.

Under the A.O., all personnel of the national government, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs), whether hired on permanent, temporary, casual or contractual basis and who have rendered at least four (4) months of service as of Nov. 30, 2006, are entitled to receive a performance bonus.

The bonus is in recognition of the state workers’ commendable work and effort towards sustaining sound fiscal performance.

The Department of Budget and Management revealed that the fiscal performance for 2006 is better than expected figures insofar as the macro-economic performance is concerned.

Ermita pointed out that the government was able to accomplish the targets it set in terms of delivery of services to the public despite operating on a reenacted budget.

The Chief Executive inked the EO Monday, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said during his weekly press conference in Malacanang.

Ermita said the performance bonus was from "pooled savings" generated by different government agencies.

Last year, the government granted P5,000 performance bonus to all government workers pursuant to A.O. 131 dated Dec. 15, 2005. (rachiu/PIA)

WATER, LIGHT UTILITIES
Expropriation, option for buy-back move
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

HOPING to retake total ownership of the water and power utilities, Capitol leaders are eyeing for a possible tie-up with city authorities in the buy-back attempt.

Provincial Legal officer Atty. Handel Lagunay said Friday that if the parties (SALCON and the provincial government) in the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) won’t come to terms for the buy-back plan, expropriation proceedings can be an alternative option.

The provincial government still owns 30% minority shares in the new joint venture initiative and was promised dividends in the profits of operating the Bohol Water Utilities Incorporated (BWUI) and Bohol Light Company Incorporated (BLCI), twin utilities under the SALCON Group of Companies.

But before Capitol could get its shares and after the JV consumers have enjoyed flat rates for the past decade, a recent proposal to raise the water rate to 40.79% has stirred public concern over the inappropriateness of the move.

Earlier, BWUI has petitioned for the raise from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), which the government agency approved for implementation December 5.

Seeking temporary relief on the implementation, Tagbilaran City, represented by Mayor Dan Lim succeeded in getting a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) for the water rate hike’s effectivity.

The Provincial legislators, owing to a conflict in schedule was also supposed to simultaneously petition for a TRO, but failed when it could not constitute a quorum in a session timed for a Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for lawyer members, said lawyer Handel Lagunay.

With the TRO, Capitol legal Officer Lagunay said they are planning for their next move, an intra-corporate complaint questioning the NWRB nod on the BWUI rate increase at the Regional Trial Courts here.

Lagunay, speaking at the weekly Governor’s Report said the BWUI petition was not decided by the Board, which should have included Capitol representatives.

NWRB dismissed in a decision September 20 the water rate hike increase opposition even as the city residents represented by lawyer councilors were denied the chances of reclaiming a forfeited right to cross-examine BWUI witnesses.

Without the TRO, the water rake hike pushes in P8.12 per cu. Meter for a minimum consumer of less than 10 cu. M. and some P31.50 per cu.m on consumers using more than 30 cu m.

In granting the BWUI request, NWRB noted that the Tagbilaran water utility server has charged way below the allowable 12% profitability limits for public utilities to start getting operational profits.

In separate information leaked to the media, sources privy to the JV said it is losing an average of 4.24% annually, as the company focused on improving operations and lessening generation losses. (rachiu/PIA)

Tolerating Badjaos begging in the city has dealt a sore eye for Bohol’
TOURISM EYE-SORE
Published: December 17, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

IF Bohol takes tourism seriously, then it should immediately address first the issue of begging and intrusive peddling to tourists, says a European who also operates a travel agency in Germany and France.

The European (who requested his name withheld) came here for a familiarization trip expressed total delight with the stops and the hospitality he got from local players. However, pointing to his unnerving experience with Badjaos and the pearl peddlers at the stops, he said the government should make ways to control, if not totally ban them from the streets.

“Incidents, especially when tourists are chased into the vans and buses by beggars and intrusive peddlers, easily scare them away,” he shared.

Even the locals and industry stakeholders here have also raised concern over the Badjao begging issue.

Considered tourism eyesores, horde of beggars, some carrying infants and minors or peddling pearls and fashion accessories in designated tourist stops, have pestered tourists and industry players’ tolerance limits.

“You can not find them anywhere in Spain, Europe’s emerging top tourist destination,” confesses a Norwegian who was recently been mobbed by these begging sea-gypsies at the entrance in one of the malls in Tagbilaran.

Badjaos come from Mindanao who migrated here and have settled in the shores of barangay Totolan, Dauis, right in the tourism island of Panglao. Mostly uneducated, and not familiar in the rigors of life in urban centers, these deeply tanned seafarers have gone begging, the easiest way for them to live.

Years ago, the government relocated these minority groups away from the sea, but incapable of surviving on land, the Badjaos have again taken the streets as their own.

City Mayor Dan Lim has taken the issue with tolerance, saying that their only sin is being borne Badjaos. Unschooled, these people have been condemned into begging and eternally mired in poverty. In contrast, however, the city administration implemented a clearing drive of unwanted shanties that do not augur to the envisioned Satellite City development in the Dao-Dampas area.

Fifty-two makeshift houses at the back of the integrated bus terminal were torn down despite pleas of hundreds of displaced families who were driven out, but were not provided relocation sites or temporary refuge.

On the Badjao concern, a move will attempt to pool resources to relocate these people and so that profitable assistance could supposedly be poured upon them. The pooling will allow the government to effectively direct all necessary social services to the group and hopefully gather their young into more productive life through education and poverty alleviation programs.

As this developed, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo highlighted the role for the country of this multi-million dollar earning tourism industry. The President shared her plan for replicating the Spanish success in the filed of tourism.

The President revealed this last week at the Tribuna España-Filipinas Forum, which was held to strengthen bilateral relations between Spain and the Philippines in business, tourism, culture and the arts. (With reports: rachiu)

THE SEASON OF POLITICAL STORMS
By Atty. Cristifil Baluma
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The reiteration of the stand of the Supreme Court rejecting the bid for People’s Initiative “with finality”, the bid to amend the 1987 Constitution, maintaining its earlier 8-7 vote junking the petition, denying the proponent’s Motion for Reconsideration, the final say by the Supreme Court on this point, was not the final say on the issue after all, as far as the House of Representatives is concerned.

The bait in the motion for reconsideration by a 10-vote of Supreme Court justices upholding in the four-page resolution that Republic Act No. 6735, The Initiative and Referendum Act “ is sufficient and adequate” to amend the Constitution thru a people’s initiative which in effect abandoned the earlier ruling in Santiago vs. Comelec that there is no law which provided for carrying out the constitutional amendments by way of people’s initiative, did not provide a cooling dose in the country’s political restiveness.

After the Supreme Court provided the last nail to the People’s Initiative, a political storm has hit the Philippines when the House of Representatives pro “Con-Ass” proponents pressed for the holding of a Constitutional Assembly even without the participation of the Senate, by approving House Resolution No. 1450. Said resolution called on members of Congress to propose amendments to, or revision of, the Constitution….. and for other purposes. Under Resolution No. 1450, Congress can begin the process of amending the Constitution with only the Lower House participating in the process. It also allows joint voting by the two legislative chambers, rather than voting separately.

But just yesterday ( Saturday, December 09, 2006), another saga on the move to amend our Charter has unfolded when Speaker Jose de Venecia and the House Majority Coalition declared that there will be elections in May next year and challenged the Senate to a Constitutional Convention to amend the 1987 Constitution. De Venecia said that the House was hurling the challenge to the Senate on behalf of the Filipino people “ who clamor for constitutional reforms to provide the lasting structures” to enhance the country’s political stability and economic growth. The House of Representatives, dominated by the Pro Cha-Cha movers, in effect has given the Senate a period of 72 hours to act on the challenge to convene a constitutional convention. Speaker De Venecia has openly declared that if the Senators “ignore this challenge, then we say they are morally bound to join us in the Constituent Assembly.”

The Majority Coalition of the House of Representatives has denounced a Senate Resolution boycotting the Constituent Assembly and for abandoning their constitutional duty.

As expected by this piece last week, the House of Representatives and the Senate are on a heads- on collision and when the fight continues, the aid of the Supreme Court may be called upon to decide, if and when the issue is deemed justiciable.

While this maybe a political gambit to ward-off a possible scenario that after the May 2007 election President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo may face again an impeachment complaint and if and when more opposition congressmen will be elected to meet the number required in an impeachment vote, the declaration that the House of Representative making itself a constituent assembly will stall any impeachment move when Congress opens its Session in July 2007. The House of Representatives may adjourn sine die and remained as it is as constituent assembly until after the May 2007 election or it may shelve and lay on the table its Constituent Assembly task. But everything here depends on one answer: Which side of the political fence controls the House of Representatives after the May 2007 election, granting that the May 2007 election is called. It is a development worth watching with the House of Representatives clashing with the position of the Senate and possibly the Provincial Governors. Over this scenario is the interest of the Roman Catholic bloc and other religious blocs and other religious sectors who are also interested to insert a provision or two in the Constitution. The Union of Local Authorities want a Constitutional Convention. The Roman Catholic Church likewise do. It is only the House of Representatives, probably with Palace blessings who are for Constituent Assembly. What a political storm!

******
Congratulations and again it has been proven. The Boholano can! Rear Admiral Rogelio Iroy Calunsag of Sta. Felomina, Alburquerque, Bohol took over Friday this week as Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy. He is the highest military officer from Bohol at this point of time being the No. 1 point man in the Philippine Navy. With the President’s life and term always challenged with threats of coup d’etat, the making of a Boholano as one of the men whom our President has reposed her trust, that is an important point where is the place of the Boholanos in the heart of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

DO NOT PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET
By Yes Tirol Dumagan
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Yesterday morning, I was able to encounter a quote which I find it very captivating so I approached my father and asked him what his view on this quote is all about: “Do not put all your eggs in one basket.”

According to him, the quotation is sort of mixed or somewhat revised. He said, as far as his knowledge is concern, the quotation should either be: “Do not put all your mangoes in one basket,” or “Do not count your eggs upon hatch.” Either quotation, it has a moral in it.

All eggs should not be placed in one basket or else if one egg gets damaged, the process from eggs-hatching-to-chicks- may be altered. One, if the basket full of eggs is accidentally dropped down the floor or if this will be bumped to any harder surface than the basket with eggs, then for sure, many of the eggs will crack. If these will crack, eggs cannot be chicks anymore. Two, if one of the eggs in the basket is cracked and if the fluid (or the egg white and the egg yolk) of this egg spills over the rest of the eggs, then all the eggs that have been spilled by this fluid of this cracked egg will no longer be chicks anymore. Therefore limiting the option of the eggs to being “eggs” only and that these eggs can no longer be chicks.

I began thinking what this quote is all about or which among these three quotes could be best applicable to me. Then I realized that these three quotes are actually related to one another. On the first two sayings, “Do not put all your eggs in one basket,” versus “Do not put all your mangoes in one basket.” Well, aside from the fact that eggs and mangoes are both palatable, mangoes react very exactly like eggs. If a mango in a basket is rotten, the rest of the mangoes in the basket will also be rotten. Thus, I thought, eggs and mangoes are actually interchangeable that are both fit for the quotation. And on the saying, “Do not count your eggs upon hatch” with respect to the original saying “Do not put all your eggs in one basket,” well they’re two sayings with eggs as their subject. More than that, however, I realized, how can you in fact determine the good eggs, meaning the eggs in good condition and that shall turn into chicks soon, when there’s always a danger attached to these eggs every time you put all your eggs in just one basket? (Sigh). Actually, I’m just justifying everything to make these three quotations come out as one.

Nevertheless, whatever the confusion of these quotes, my father is right. It means one because its moral may all be related to life. Eggs or mangoes, whichever among the two, can be compared to us human beings. Humans are very influential to and with one another. If we live a life of hatred, anger, corruption or temptation, come to think of it, if you want to make your life miserable then let it alone be yours. Don’t blend and stain these people who want to live a simple and decent life. Let it alone be yours. Do not rot others just because you are already one. If you want to crack and break your life, let it alone be yours. Anyway, it’s your life, it’s your egg, don’t spoil the rest of us, don’t spoil me, no way.

FILIPINOS, BEWARE OF THE CHARTER AMENDMENTS!
Learning from Malaysia
By Atty Gertrude Biliran
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Three (3) years back, Malaysia welcomed us with its impressive infrastructure â€" the Petronas towers - the tallest in the world, a modern airport, and a “train” from the airport to all parts of the city which leaves and arrives at a specified time.

The Petronas towers were built during the tenure of Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad who, having been two decades in power, is credited for bringing about Malaysia's rapid economic development. He was the only bold leader in Southeast Asia who said NO to globalization, with the argument that Asian countries should first strengthen themselves before joining the bandwagon of trade liberalization.

If you are a leader of a country with the world’s tallest building, your voice is something to be reckoned with. Even in his retirement, Mahathir’s voice of authority continues as last Friday, he exhorted East Asian nations “to pull together to boost their global stature.” Very well showing that he is not a wimp even among strong nations, Mahathir made this bold statement in the inaugural East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur where 10 Southeast Asian countries, plus China, South Korea and Japan attended.

Interestingly, leaders from Australia and India and New Zealand also attended the summit, but this did not deter Mahathir from adding that “Australia and New Zealand should be excluded due to their Western ideology.”

Mahathir added that since Australia and New Zealand’s “attitude and way of thinking represent really the thinking of the Europeans and the Americans,” they “would not be able to understand the needs of Asian countries.”

According to Mahathir, Asians only want to trade while the West wants to conquer. Mahathir exhorted Southeast Asian countries “to come together so that we would be able to voice our opinions in international negotiations, particularly with regard to trade and financial regimes.”

History teaches us that Mahathir was right in saying NO to globalization. Yet, our country didn’t listen to him. Isn’t it about time that we finally listen to the wisdom of this bold leader who built the tallest building in the world?

Vague and Badly Drafted Constitution

We reach the conclusion of this series (finally!) with the bold assessment of the Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL) that the provisions in the House Proposal are vague, badly drafted and deceptive, wittingly or unwittingly leading to a constitutional crisis.

CODAL echoes the observation of not a few, that the House Proposal is not a mere amendment but a REVISION of the constitution. As such, the so-called “initiatives” cannot initiate charter change. The exhaustive critique quoted retired Justice Isagani Cruz’ differentiation in his book on Constitutional Law where he stated that amendment means “isolated or piecemeal change only,” while revision is a “revamp or rewriting of the whole instrument.”

The CODAL further pointed out that contrary to the claims of some apparently deceived Federalists, the House Proposal does not provide for Federalism. While Sec. 25 of Art. II of the House Proposal states that the “State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments or clusters thereof towards the establishment of a Federal System of Government,” this was found as a vague general statement that actually amounts to no demandable right for a Federal system.

Moreover, Sec. 15 of Art. II of the House Proposal conflicts with Sec. 12 of Art. VII-A on the grounds for suspension and privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus. While under Sec. 5 of Art. II, the basis for the suspension of the writ is limited to invasion and rebellion, Sec. 12 of Art. VII-A provides that the writ may be suspended “in cases of invasion or rebellion or imminent danger thereof.”

There is likewise a less stringent qualification for a Prime Minister (only that he or she must be at least 25 years old and must have resided in the Philippines for at least one year) than that of a President (must be at least fifty years old and a Philippine resident for 10 years).

Queerly, while the Prime Minister has the power to appoint and remove a member of the Cabinet, the President is the one empowered to accept their resignation.

The House Proposal likewise provides that “law” may revise the jurisdiction of all courts, even while the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court can be provided for only by the Constitution, not by just a law.

Finally, there is no express provision in the House Proposal on when the proposed revision of the Constitution takes effect.

As we conclude this series, we fervently hope that you, dear readers, were grasped this rare opportunity to know, understand and critique the real contents of the House Proposal. I have done my damnest best to do my part, and it is now up to you to decide. It is hoped, however, that your decision would be based on your love for your country, not for yourself.

Advice For Bohol Mayors
By Atty. Koykoy T. Lim
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A previous edition of Newsweek magazine had highlighted former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s principles on leading and managing a city. Guiliani’s words are gem of wisdom that can help mayors in cities and in towns navigate the present and the future.

Guiliani is worthy to be listened to because his capacity as mayor of the city that never sleeps came under ultimate test during the 9/11 tragedy.

Read on, especially mayors, future mayors, and ex-mayors. And voters.

The former New York City Mayor opened his article with these lines: “No set of general rules can substitute for the specific, detailed knowledge of a city that a mayor must bring to the job. Nevertheless, there are certain principles of leadership that apply to the challenges any mayor will face.”

He is saying that every city (or town) is unique in its own that a general rule may not be applicable to a specific, current situation of a particular place. For instance, a helmet policy may sound good but it’s not necessary to be imposed on small localities.

“Smart small with success,” Guiliani said.

“When taking a leadership role, try to achieve a clear, decisive victory as early as possible.”

“Aim to solve a problem small enough that it’s easily understood and yields an unambiguous solution.”

Guiliani advised that a mayor should fix a problem, no matter how small it is, and that the solution applied has to be clear to all parties. And the result?

“This gives people hope, and let’s one’s constituents, employees and critics know that action and positive change are more than just rhetoric,” he said.

All the blah, blah of a mayor is useless if it is not converted into action â€" an action that delivers clear results.

Another principle Guiliani had shared with us is this: “Develop and communicate strong beliefs.”

He explained that “great leaders lead by ideas.”

“Ideology is enormously important when running any large organization.”

“Developing strong beliefs is more than a simple suggestion â€" it’s an obligation. The people who work for you, those who look to you for answers, the media, even your rivals have a right to know how you see the world.”

This simply tells us that if you are a public official, you have to communicate to all sectors, so everybody would know what you’re really trying to accomplish.

Guiliani, however, gives a word of caution on this parameter. He pointed out:

“Strong beliefs can be risky in politics. That’s because a politician who makes his beliefs known takes two major gambles: that the goals stemming from his beliefs cannot be achieved â€" in which case he’ll be called a failure â€" and that many voters will disagree.

“But leadership isnÂ't about succeeding on every single initiative, nor about building consensus behind every action.”

If you know exactly that what you’re doing is for the best interest of the public, soliciting popular opinion is not a necessary ingredient to the success of your initiated course of action.

“Prepare relentlessly.” This is Mayor Guiliani’s last gem of wisdom.

“The great advantage of relentless preparation is that it prepares you not only for those disasters you anticipate, but for those you don’t,” he said.

“In New York City, we did not imagine that airliners would be commandeered and turned into guided missiles. But the fact that we practiced for other disasters prepared us to handle a catastrophe that nobody envisioned,” Guiliani recounted his 9/11 experience.

Every public official has to be forward-looking, and should not be afraid to imagine the unimaginable.

Before the 2005 Mabini pesticide poisoning that claimed 29 children, the first tragedy of its kind in Philippine history, nobody had ever thought about it that it could happen in Bohol. But it did happen.

It is always best to expect the unexpected.

Changing of the guards
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The sudden turn-around of the House leadership from the constituent assembly into the constitutional convention as the mode for Charter change can be interpreted as a victory for Kampi in the jockeying for position in the present administration. No amount of semantics can save Speaker Jose de Venecia from the humiliation of swallowing his pride when he made the announcement for an about face from con-ass to con-con. Nobody will believe him that this was not an act of surrender and panic.

The Lakas leadership had no one else to blame. It had become too arrogant, refusing to listen to the warnings from various sectors that it will anger the people if it insists in forcing the con-ass. As expected, the cross-section of Filipinos reacted sharply to the moves of the Lakas-led majority to force the con-ass.

People were scandalized at the manner the congressmen disregarded all forms of civility just to be able to accomplish their mission. In the past, the poor people sold their votes on election day because they no longer entertained hopes that this country will still get better. After winning elections just by buying the votes of the poor people in their districts, the congressmen perhaps became so sure of their victory in their respective districts. But there is a limit to what people can take. In this case, the people particularly the religious decided that enough is enough. They must do something to stop the congressmen from getting away with the con-ass. Even before the Dec. 15 rally could get off the ground, the congressmen panicked.

Just a day after feeling so sure that there is nothing on earth that can make them change their minds, no less than Speaker de Venecia announced that the House was now in favor of the con-con. It appears that the blunder was the handiwork of the Lakas majority. Judging by the reaction of Pres. Arroyo to the Supreme Court decision dismissing the petition for the people’s initiative, she was no longer interested in the con-ass.

The Lakas leadership however insisted and even threatened GMA that her Cha-Cha would be in trouble. She had no recourse but to allow the congressmen to go ahead. In the face of this humiliating defeat, it seems that Kampi, the President’s own party, will have to assert itself. Since Kampi has the President’s interest in mind, it should now take the lead instead of simply following the orders of Lakas.

If this happens, there will be far-reaching implications especially in the field. If Kampi starts to assert itself, many Lakas pretenders will find themselves holding the empty bag. It is time for the changing of the guards.

Session hall
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Another storm entered the Philippine territory yesterday, sending shivers down the people who have just witnessed the ravages of super-typhoon “Reming” that caused untold destruction in the Bicol region.

Even as concerned citizens and kind-hearted individuals were merely starting to raise funds for the victims in the worst tragedy to hit Bicol in recent years, “Seniang” threatened to sow destruction on a lesser scale to the Leyte and Samar area and other provinces including Bohol. Given the scale of destruction inflicted on the country by these natural calamities, it would seem that there would be nothing else on the minds of the country’s leaders than the immediate help that can be extended to the victims.

Nothing is farther from the truth. While the Bicolanos and other victims of calamities were grieving and wondering whether there is still life waiting for them, leaders of Congress led by Speaker Jose de Venecia were more preoccupied the business of raising another storm named constituent assembly, con-ass for short.

Indeed, Congress could have very well been Nero fiddling while Rome was burning. Only that this time it is worse. Nero was a despotic tyrant who didn’t care about people’s feelings. Here, we have congressmen acting like choir boys while escorting innocent lambs to the slaughter. At least with Nero, people had no other options but to simply obey. In the case of the con-ass, the congressmen are even trying to impress people about their noble intentions such that the people should even be thanking them for performing their patriotic duties.

We don’t know which is worse: the horrors inflicted by Reming and Seniang and all other calamities put together, or the wholesale robbery of the Filipino’s dignity by no less than those who swore on their bibles that they will do their best. Apparently frightened by the storms of dissent threatened by nearly every decent sector in Philippine society, de Venecia suddenly does a 180-degree turn-around and now calls for a constitutional convention. Just like that. No remorse, no apologies. Just plain turn-around.

The typhoon victims may be too preoccupied with their ordeal that they have little time to reflect on the shameless actions of the members of Congress.

And yet, for all their pathetic state, these victims are far more dignified than those who do not shiver when see the word “honorable” attached to their names. It is a good thing there is such a thing as hell. It will make a good session hall.

The Allen Iverson era is all but over
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

PHILADELPHIA - Allen Iverson is no longer Philadelphia’s headache. Then again, maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, this much is sure: One of the great players in franchise history has likely played his last game for the 76ers. Iverson wants out and Philadelphia will grant his wish.

“It’s just time for him to go his way and for us to go our way,” Sixers chairman Ed Snider said Friday night.

During a bizarre day, Iverson was first banished by the club for two games and then Snider said the Sixers would trade their disgruntled franchise player after he asked to be dealt. It would end Iverson’s 11-year stint with the team that made him the No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft.

The A.I. era is all but over.

“As hard as it is to admit, a change may be the best thing for everyone,” Iverson said. “I hate admitting that because I love the guys on the team and the city of Philadelphia. I truly wanted to retire a 76er.”

Team president Billy King and coach Maurice Cheeks said Iverson was sent home before Friday night’s 113-98 loss to the Washington Wizards because he didn’t practice a day earlier and left Wednesday’s blowout loss at Chicago with back spasms. King said the move was not a suspension and Iverson’s future would be re-evaluated after Saturday night’s game at Orlando.

“Allen was not able to practice (Thursday) because of the back and today Mo made a decision not to play him tonight or tomorrow,” King said. “We told him to just take the night off and tomorrow.”

Snider confirmed that Iverson did ask this week to be dealt.

“We’re going to trade him,” Snider said. “At a certain point, you have to come to grips with the fact that it’s not working. He wants out and we’re ready to accommodate him.”

Snider said Iverson has “probably” played his last game with the Sixers, ending a career that placed him with Julius Erving, Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain among the team’s greats.

“I really didn’t see it coming because Allen says all the right things, and I thought that he really was behind Mo and what we were trying to accomplish,” Snider said. “Obviously, he’s not.”

Williams sisters, dad accused of perjury
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Attorneys for a pair of promoters suing tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams and their father over a tennis match accused the three of perjury.

In a motion filed Tuesday in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, the attorneys accuse the sisters of “a repeated pattern of deception and falsehood.”

Promoters Carol Clarke and Keith Rhodes, owners of a company called CCKR, allege that the sisters’ father, Richard Williams, signed a contract on their behalf committing his daughters to play in a 2001 “Battle of the Sexes” match. The promoters claim they lost millions of dollars after the sisters reneged on the deal.

Despite tax returns that show payments to Richard Williams for management fees, Venus and Serena Williams have both testified that their father has never been their manager and had no authority to commit them to a deal. Attorneys for the sisters and their father claim the payments were mischaracterized for tax-deduction purposes and that Richard Williams was paid merely for coaching services.

A telephone call Tuesday to the plaintiffs’ attorneys was not immediately returned.

The sisters’ attorney, F. Malcolm Cunningham, said the sisters are the only ones who can commit to any contract where money is exchanged for their services.

“Since Venus and Serena have been 18, they sign their own contracts without exception,” Cunningham said outside court. “Nobody signs for them.”

After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Jeffrey Winikoff ordered Venus and Serena Williams’ attorneys to turn over to him more than two dozen sponsorship and endorsement agreements by Friday.

Richard Williams has acknowledged drawing up terms of a potential contract for the 2001 event, but he insists he told promoters they would have to go through the IMG sports agency, which represents Venus and Serena, to complete any agreement. The promoters say he made no such disclaimer.

One more fight, Erik Morales isn’t hanging up his gloves
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Despite absorbing a severe thrashing from Manny Pacquiao in his third straight loss two weeks ago, Erik Morales isn’t hanging up his gloves.

Morales, 30, said before facing Pacquiao in the climax of their trilogy that he would decide whether or not to retire depending on the outcome of the rubber match. The Mexican was floored thrice by Pacquiao in suffering his second career knockout defeat and has now lost four of his last five outings. The expectation was he would announce his retirement after the devastating loss.

But a few days ago, Morales said he has unfinished business as a fighter and wants one more bout to end his career on a high note in his Tijuana hometown.

Morales and Julio Cesar Chavez are the only Mexicans to win world titles in three different divisions and “El Terrible” is determined to etch his name in history as the first Aztec warrior to capture championships in four weight classes. He’s now gunning for the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight crown held by Cuban veteran Joel Casamayor.

It’s no secret that Morales has outgrown the 130-pound division and forced himself to go down to the superfeatherweight limit for three big paydays against Pacquiao. Morales tried not only to fight Mother Nature but also Father Time. He managed to eke out a win over Pacquiao in their first encounter but was badly trounced in the next two.

Morales has fought only once as a lightweight, bowing to Zahir Raheem on points last year. He tipped the scales at 134 pounds for the bout in Los Angeles and seemed unable to carry the extra weight, looking slow and sluggish.

Whether Morales can muster the energy and strength for one final stab at glory is a question mark, considering Casamayor is no pushover.

“I will not make a goodbye tour,” said Morales, quoted in the website fightnews.com. “I will only fight for the world lightweight title. Then, win or lose, I will go away from boxing.”

There was initial speculation that Morales would choose an inferior opponent to blow away in his farewell bout but he quickly put on record his intention to fight Casamayor or whoever is the WBC lightweight champion in June or July next year.

Casamayor, 35, won the WBC 135-pound crown on a split 12-round decision over Diego Corrales last October to raise his record to 34-3-1, with 21 KOs. His only losses were decisions to Jose Luis Castillo (split), Corrales (split) and Acelino Freitas (unanimous).

One thing’s for sure, Morales won’t fight Pacquiao a fourth time.

“I won’t fight Pacquiao again,” said Morales. “If I ever put on a fight like (Marco Antonio) Barrera and (Floyd) Mayweather and my fans boo me, then that is a sign for me to walk away. You can’t tell me that you are not entertained after seeing my fights. It’s very motivating for me to get back to the level I’m accustomed to. I have two motivations â€" the people who want me to win and the people who don’t want me to win.”

Morales hasn’t won since scoring a close decision over Pacquiao in March last year. His record is 48-5, with 34 KOs. He has lost only to Pacquiao (twice), Raheem and Barrera (twice).

In the ring immediately after he was knocked out by Pacquiao two weeks ago, Morales told HBO announcer Larry Merchant “maybe, it’s time to retire.” It was an impulse reaction to the devastating loss.

“Maybe, it’s time to think about not doing this anymore,” said Morales. “I’m going to take some time off and think. I’ve had a great career and all these people were out here cheering for me. Maybe, it’s time for me to go home.”

Morales said if he couldn’t take the punches of a 130-pounder, it would be suicidal for him to move up to lightweight where the fighters are stronger and heavier.

But like most fighters who refuse to accept the inevitability of retirement, Morales has changed his mind and is now talking about challenging Casamayor for the WBC lightweight title.

Nevada: We have no copy of Arum’s pact
By: Ronnie Nathanielsz
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

NEVADA State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer said the Commission does not have a bout contract signed by Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao for the Erik Morales fight last Nov. 18, which included a prohibition against the Filipino signing a contract with any other promoter until after the bout.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum maintained that Pacquiao signed a fight contract that included such a prohibition, which was effectively violated when he signed a seven-fight deal with Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions in mid-September. This triggered a lawsuit by Golden Boy for tortuous interference after Arum announced he had signed the Pacquiao to a four-year deal at the Pacquiao-Morales post-fight news conference.

Kizer also said the commission did not have a copy of the four-year promotional contract Arum announced in the post-fight news conference. In his response, the executive director of NSAC said: “Promoters must file bout agreements with us, but not promotional agreements. We do not have the promotional agreement you seek.”

In a follow-up request, Viva Sports/Standard Today inquired whether there was a stipulation in the fight contract signed by Pacquiao, which, as Arum claimed, prevented him from signing with another promoter until after the Nov. 18 Morales fight.

Kizer replied: “I do not know. We would not have that information. You should check with Top Rank.”

Photographer faces suit over Valencia sex scandal
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A PHOTOGRAPHER is facing a complaint of child prostitution and other acts of sexual abuse after five high school students from the town of Valencia executed an affidavit of complaint narrating their ordeal.

The complaints filed at the Provincial Prosecution Office tag one Michael Taganahan as the one who took the almost nude pictures of young high school students and acting as pimp in the sex scandal exposed two months ago.

Parents and concerned child welfare groups denounced the posting of nude pictures of these young students found in the Internet.

Local officials of Valencia town brought the matter to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who organized a probe team to verify the report.

Prosecutors said they will conduct a preliminary hearing on the complaint which will determine if there is probable cause that will warrant the filing of a case in court.

Militant group collector shot dead; salvaging eyed
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A MAN was found dead with one bullet wound piercing his head in barangay San Isidro, Dauis. He was reportedly dumped into the sea after the assailant shot him.

The scene of the crime is the tourism island of Panglao and barely ten kilometers away from the capital city of Tagbilaran.

The victim was identified as Amadeo Rollon, a native of Oslob, Cebu but residing in Batuan town in the place of his wife.

Solicitation letters for local business establishments were found in his possession.

Bayan secretary general John Ruiz, however, said the victim is not a member of their group.

Police investigators are still looking at many angles to determine the motive of the killing.

Study finds military, police susceptible to HIV infection
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A REVELATION from the newly created provincial AIDS (Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome) Monitoring Council said that most susceptible to infection of the deadly HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) are members of the military and the police. This is obviously caused by the constant transfer of assignment related to their jobs and the prospect of being promiscuous being away from their families.

The observation however is not sweeping and depends on the person concerned, Dr. Purisima Mary Uy, Medical Specialist IV of the Provincial Health Office and a member of the monitoring council said.

Human infection with the deadly HIV virus results in a complex clinical disease known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

City health officer Dr. Antonio Porticos also revealed during the Kapihan sa PIA that there are two confirmed HIV positive overseas Boholano workers but their names are being withheld to protect their rights. The danger of infection lies in having sex with women GROs (guest relations officers) who are not registered with the city health office and have no regular hygiene and health records.

Milagros Israel, PHO HIV Watch Coordinator and member of the AIDS Monitoring Council, had also tapped the help of the media in the renewed drive to disseminate the dangers of the HIV virus.

CAYETANO PAGLINAWAN JAMERO
A RARA AVIS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Written By Loy Palapos
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard


The people have long been aware of graft and corruption in public service, that at no time in Philippine history has there been real and sustained acclaim bestowed on personnel in government offices. This negative perception, unfounded or not, is a sword of Damocles on every nape of every government worker. To escape from this sinister categorization is an Herculean task; thus, most just play dumb and indifferent to the cajoling insults in order to survive in the concrete jungle aptly named modern civilization.

The scenario is bleak, but not totally dismal and perditious. There are sporadic glints of lighted candles in some obscure tunnels, although the flickers are dimmed. Yet, the solitariness inspires. Like the kind of public service a Boholano did in his 33 years before retirement, long years of continuous persuasion to keep right despite the countless wrong turns his colleagues in the Bureau of Post, wittingly or unwittingly, did to earn a fast buck. That he was a poor man doing the right thing, inspite of the temptations along the way, is the stuff the life of Cayetano Jamero has been substantially formed. If the world is a stage, where everyone plays a part (according to William Shakespeare), Mr. Jamero played his part bravely well.

His father, Angel Jamero, was a farmer and tuba-gatherer in West-Ubujan, Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol where he was born on August 7, 1931. His mother, Clara Paglinawan, was a saguran-sinamay weaver who helped raise a brood of eight children. The sixth in the family, he dreamed of educating himself at all costs, for he knew, even as a child, that it was through education that he could improve his lot.

Cayetano enrolled at the Canayaon Elementary School, where he was a consistent honor pupil. It was not a mammoth problem studying in the vicinity of his barrio, but it was a different story aspiring for his secondary education. His parents cannot afford to send him to high school. He had only one recourse: to feign for himself and be a working student. He boarded a dilapidated bus and went to Tagbilaran, then still a sleepy town, and applied as a houseboy to the late Col. Generoso Lamdagan. Enrolled in night classes at Rafael Palma College, he was an honor student. Things could have turned better, but his parents beckoned for him to go back home. He proceeded with his studies at the Central Visayas College. To support himself, he mastered his father’s livelihood as a tuba-gatherer, until he graduated in 1951, with honors, and President of the graduating class.

He knew that his passport to a better life was through a college education. He decided to see some of his relatives personally to tell them of his plight. This brought him to Ozamis, Cotabato City, and Kidapawan, a bus and jeepney trip over dilapidated roads, including a six-kilometer travel by foot. There was a short stint in Kidapawan riding a carabao drawing a balsa to transport abaca fibers. In Mintal, Davao City he worked in the NAFCO (National Fiber Corporation). In Matina, he plowed corn and rice plantations. During some free hours he tried his luck in Harvardian Colleges, Ateneo de Davao and other schools for an opportunity to be a working student. It was futile.

Malaria was rampant then. After working as an interpreter in Visayan, English, and Tagalog for an Ilocano plantation owner, he decided to go to Manila in December 1952; but when informed about the HUK movement, he went back to the hinterlands of Kidapawan selling and bartering for low-priced medicines. In February 1953 he came back to Bohol. A teacher at Rafael Palma College introduced him to the Mayor of Sierra Bullones, who employed him in his ricemill. Until an opportunity for him to be a working student opened up.

For two years he was in the Office of the Registrar of RPC. He took an examination to be the Editor-In-Chief of the Jr. Republic, while still working as a clerk. He finished Associate in Arts in 1955, Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude) in 1957, and Bachelor of Laws in 1959. He was President of the Student Catholic Action and Vice President of RPC Strivers.

In the 1957 and 1959 elections he campaigned for a politician who promised him employment in a government agency. Great was his frustration when, instead of hiring a civil service eligible like him (1956), the non-eligibles were given priority. He went directly to the Postmaster General. He was first hired as a laborer. When his superiors learned he knew stenography, typewriting, and Law he was promoted to clerk doing investigation work. This was the turning point of his life.

A month later, he was offered to study and train for a Postmaster’s Course, which he finished in six months, and brought him to his first assignment as a Postmaster back home in Garcia-Hernandez. In 1971 another unexpected promotion came, which he refused: Postal Audit Examiner of Region VII, then comprising Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Samar and Leyte. But Postal Inspector Rufino Casanova, who personally offered him the job twice, did not accept no for an answer. Casanova gave him many so he could start traveling over the entire region to examine and audit accounts.

Satisfied by his performance, the Postal Inspector promoted him Postal Service Officer in Region XI in Davao City in 1974, aside from being the Chief in Legal Affairs. He inherited 56 cases from his predecessor, since 1960, but in two months he disposed them, filing criminal and administrative cases.

He led nine other Filipino scholars under the United National Development Program (UNDP) for a 10-month study in Postal Management in the Asian Oceanic Postal Training School in Bangkok, Thailand. He made quite an impression in Bangkok: He was elected Editor of the school paper; he was selected leader of a team on Time Test Project in Postal Operations, which included members from Thailand, Korea, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji.

While in Thailand he was promoted Administrative Officer, Postal Region XI, Davao City. In 1977 he became Assistant Postal Inspector, and a year later Postal Inspector nationwide. As District Postal Inspector in 1980 he discovered fake Money Orders in General Santos, Polomolok, and Koronadal Post Offices. In 1980 he led a team that busted a long-time anomalous stamp detaching in Lapu-Lapu City. During his assignment in Region X, he uncovered an anomalous transaction in Misamis Oriental. He discovered misappropriation of public funds in Sierra-Bullones Post Office in 1987. As Post Master General in Metro Manila he busted a technical smuggling syndicate operating at the University of the Philippines Post Office, Dilliman, Quezon City.

Because of the foregoing accomplishments he was selected Outstanding Postal Inspector in Central Visayas, and Outstanding Postal Inspector of the Philippines in 1988.

Mr. Cayetano Jamero is a rara avis in government service, which is riddled with malpractices mostly aimed at personal gains. He rose from the ranks and, throughout his career in the Post Office, he was a rare bird in upholding integrity. Now retired, he still finds time to serve through Couples for Christ and other civic and religious organizations. His principle in life - Pray always, work and you will not starve.

Loan sharks rake millions on delayed bonus, salaries
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Capitol loan sharks are feasting on the estimated P16-million bonus and extra cash gifts intended for the provincial government employees this Christmas season.

“Bonus, cash gift. Hagbay rang nahurot bisan ug wa pa namo madawat (it has been long gone even before we received it),” Capitol employees said.

Usurers operating inside the Capitol premises are “buying” these bonuses and cash gifts, including salaries of casuals at a discounted amount of up to 10%.

A cash gift of P5,000 is paid in advance by these loan shark with only P4,000. Another 10% is deducted if the period exceeds the one month limit.

Gov. Erico Aumentado had earlier ordered a stop of operation of these loan sharks within the premises of the Capitol complex. The order has been disregarded as the illegal lending business continue unabated.

Reports say these practice is being tolerated by the provincial treasurer’s office and some cashiers are allegedly, acting as collectors by automatically deducting the loan amount from employees’ pay slip.

Shouting incidents inside the treasurer’s office has been reported resulting from complaints of employees on the unauthorized deductions made on their salaries.

These usurers are conspicuously seen on paydays and are identifiable with their bulging shoulder bags and a notebook on hand with list of borrowers.

These women have made as their office the cashier’s window and allegedly get cue from the teller, who gives information of payrolls ready for payment.

Financiers of these illegal lending operations are allegedly high Capitol officials, a source said.

Kids in armed conflicts get little gov’t attention
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

ACCORDING to a recent research conducted by the diocesan church-based Social Action Center (SAC), Bohol still needs particular help solely directed to monitoring children in armed conflict (CIAC) to be able to address the issues and concerns on this field.

To date, there is no civil society group or a non-government organization focusing its support to children actively involved in armed conflicts following their recruitment, says Dennis Calunia during a presentation held at the Capitol recently.

Following reports of minors actively recruited to serve either as active armed combatants or running a variety of errands to keeping communication lines, SAC, with technical and little government financial assistance ran a research to assess cases in Bohol.

Said to be considered an international war crime, recruitment and children’s involvement in armed conflict in the country has so far not been focused in the absence of a particular law, shares Marco Puzon.

Puzon is the project coordinator of the program that implements in the country’s 8 provinces including Bohol its monitoring activities of children recruited in the armed struggle.

In Bohol, Puzon’s group partnered with SAC for the research that started in February this year.

Cognizant of its limitations in area of operation only within the Diocese of Tagbilaran and with the undocumented and unreported cases, SAC Tagbilaran still went to al least 6 towns here.

Despite the largely secretive operations, SAC was able to document at least three cases of demobilized minors in armed conflict and recruited by the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The minors, whose ages range from 14-17 have recently rejoined the mainstream, leaving the war and have mostly been sent out to live with relatives outside Bohol for fear of being hunted down by comrades.

Pressing for possible help in terms of psychological sessions and rehabilitations to effectively allow these children to rejoin society, SAC calls for funding institutions to help them in their project to address the concern.

“There has been no specific and unique program [to help the children in armed conflict] here in Bohol,” Calunia told the gathering mostly attended by members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council.

In reaction to the research findings, Canadian Embassy Secretary Frances Tanner, who was present during the presentation raised Bohol’s hopes of tying up with Canadian International Development Agency for a specific project focused on children in similar situations to facilitate their rejoining the mainstream while at the same time come up with definitive date on the extent of recruitment of children in conflicts here.

If CIDA plans do not miscarry, Bohol again could be in the forefronts of peace advocacy when it could implement similar program to help build nation. (rachiu/PIA)

Population mngt integrated to poverty alleviation modules
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

GOVERNOR Aumentado’s poverty alleviation initiatives have been showing signs of success so far with all the crafted strategies and the coalition of efforts with various agencies. But there is one factor that might undermine the sustainability of all this noble efforts. And that is the threat of an unmanaged population. For any resource for that matter, if the consumers are more, will end up less for and even not enough for each.

And to address this, as well as to assist the 6th UNFPA Country Program in their RH (Reproductive Health) Advocacy Programs and initiatives even outside the key program areas, Mr. Antonieto I. Pernia, Chief of the PGMA (Provincial Government Media Affairs), BPRMO (Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office), who also holds the Vice Chairmanship post of the PCDC (Provincial Cooperative Development Council) aired during the regular weekly radio program “The Governor’s Report that he is proposing for the integration of RH into the poverty alleviation training modules and also to include an RH seminar or training of members/officers, as one of the prerequisites in the formation of cooperatives.

This initiative was presented by Mr. Pernia during the PNGOC (Phil. NGO Council on Population Health and Welfare. Inc.) RH Advocacy Network (RHAN) Annual Project Review and Media Planning Workshop held at the Lotus Garden Hotel from December 4-7, 2006. Mr. Pernia has committed that as part of the RH advocacy efforts for the year 2007 of the Bohol Media Advocacy aside from the regular documentation and advocacy in print and broadcast.

He targets to be able to at least have 40% of the barangays in the province to be RH-educated, as well as RH practitioners and ideally, advocates as well.

Mr. Pernia proposes to first, have his BPRMO staff trained on the principles and elements of RH, and then formulate methods or systems to integrate these into the BPRMO training modules which hopefully if successful, will later on be the ones to impart and integrate into the training modules in the formation of the next batch of cooperatives or community organizations.

Furthermore, as a requirement for groups who want to organize a cooperative must have to undergo an RH class to be conducted by qualified personnel and be certified.

It is futile to have to wait for law makers to approve House Bill 3773 (The RH Bill), by the time they decide to approve the bill a surge in the population growth rate of poverty stricken barangays will undermine Governor Aumentado’s efforts alleviate his constituents from the bondage of poverty.

TERROR ATTACK IN CEBU
British travel advisory not affecting ASEAN summit
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

ORGANIZERS of the ASEAN Summit and security officials are unfazed by the British travel advisory warning of an imminent terror attack in Cebu province where the summit will be held and assured the public that security preparations were “more than enough.”

“We advise against all travel to Cebu Province, as we believe that terrorists are in the final stages of planning attacks,” the advisory issued Thursday said.

"As far as security forces are concerned, we have not received any validated threat to show that there is an attempt [of attack] on the ASEAN summit," Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

In Cebu , Chief Superintendent Silverio Alarcio, the regional police chief, said he did not know the basis for the advisory but added that security forces were prepared to deal with any plot.

In Camp Crame , Philippine National Police spokesman Senior Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao shrugged off the British advisory as “not really a cause for concern” and said there were no plans to upgrade the alert level or intensify current security preparations.

Pagdilao cited the findings of the Joint Intelligence Coordinating Committee, composed of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Security Council, which showed no specific terror threat.

"The Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) came up with their threat assessment and we have the same [findings].. .there is really no specific intelligence report [on terror threats]," he added.

Ambassador Victoriano Lecaros, spokesman for the summit, said: “They have to say what they have to say. We have to respect their assessment, but I won't [lose] sleep over it. Their assessment is based on what they see or don't see, but they don't know our own security undertaking. We don't announce our security arrangements because we have an unintended audience.”

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she hoped that the British travel advisory won't stop the delegates from attending the summit. She however, conceded that terrorism was a constant threat, but one that affects not only Cebu but the whole world. (PIA)

FOR GREATER DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
DENR to release map on potential danger areas
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) to work double time in coming up with a national hazard mapping program that could warn communities and local governments against potential danger.

“I AM directing the DENR to step up the national hazard mapping program to forewarn vulnerable communities and help increase the capability of local governments for early warning and action,” the President said.

“We should not underscore the need for greater preparedness, operational effectiveness and predictive capacity; death and destruction in the wake of calamities can be minimized by organized and systematic human intervention. We must not leave things to fatal luck when we can develop the tools to prevent harm,” she added.

President Arroyo also appealed anew for unity and cooperation in helping in the relief and recovery efforts and rebuilding the lives of the families ravaged by super typhoon “Reming” (international codename: Durian).

Meanwhile, Forest Management Sector Head of PENRO-Bohol Jovencio Taer said that they have already submitted the hazard map of Bohol to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC).

5 more rebels surrender, pledge allegiance to gov’t
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The ranks of the armed underground movement here are fast losing its members, including top ranking officials.

The military revealed Wednesday the identities of five more Boholano rebels who returned to the fold of the law.

In a press conference held by the military’s Central Command (CentCom) in Cebu, Lt. Col. Oscar Lasangue, chief of the civil relations group, presented former New People’s Army members Ranulfo Doydora, 40, of barangay Inag-uban, Pilar, Bohol; Francisco “ Ka Amador” Payot of barangay Sta. Cruz, Batuan, Bohol; Antonio “ Ka Junrex” Moring, 29, of Alicia, Bohol and Sofronio “Ka Dimaudlaw” Labadan, 54, of barangay Cagong-Cagong, Alicia, Bohol.

The fifth was not present in the media presentation but was identified as Barnard Banal, 29, a native of barangay Ermita, Cebu City but had relocated to Alicia, Bohol.

The identities of these returnees had been kept secret for sometimes due to possible danger of their lives, CentCom said.

One returnee confirmed suspicions of the military that certain militant groups were legal fronts of the NPA.

Moring said he was the spokesman for Anak Pawis in Alicia, Bohol and helped campaign for party-list seat in Congress in 2004. He admitted recruiting young students and was with Marvin Marquez, a rebel student-leader, killed in an encounter in Bohol sometime in 2000.

He showed an identification card identifying him as Anak Pawis member.

Doydora also said he joined the rebel movement when he was promised education for his children and livelihood for his family. He said he had two elder brothers who were rebels and who were killed in a military encounter.

Payot, on the other hand, said he joined the NPA in 1999 but quit in 2004 after he realized that the rebels’ promise were empty.

Earlier this month, two other rebels surrendered to Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, renouncing their involvement with the underground movement.

Pres. Arroyo has called on other insurgency affected provinces to emulate the “Bohol experience” wherein through various programs, the government succeeded in convincing these rebels to return to mainstream society.

The Bohol governor has been nominated and vested numerous awards for his poverty alleviation program and his establishment of peace and order councils that actively participate in civic actions in far-flung areas.

While the country struggled for over 35 years battling insurgency, Gov. Aumentado did it in just a couple of years after he assumed office in 2001.

CONCON is the way to Chacha
“Constitutional Convention, a win-win solution” - ULAP
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

This is the happy compromise that the 1.7-million strong Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) both headed by Gov. Erico Aumentado are advancing to once and for all resolve the conflict on Charter change.

After the Supreme Court nixed Chacha by people’s initiative and after the Catholic Church is organizing a nationwide massive prayer rally on Dec. 15 to oppose the House of Representatives’ version of amending the Constitution by convening itself into a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass), Aumentado is rallying them instead to support a win-win solution â€" via a Constitutional convention (Con-con).

“We need to understand that it is only now â€" under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo;s leadership that the nation is progressing. The peso is now P49.50 to the US dollar, our international reserve is now US$22 billion â€" the country’s highest since we became a nation,” Aumentado said. With this backdrop, infrastructure projects will continue especially for Bohol with President Arroyo’s goal of plucking the country out of poverty.

“A Constitutional convention is the key to a unified House of Representatives, Senate and Executive Department hence it would be the better alternative towards pushing the change from the presidential to the parliamentary form of government,” he said. As things are, government leaders, the society and the Church are at loggerheads with each other. “So, ULAP and LPP are asking Senate President Manny Villar and House Speaker Jose de Venecia to pass concurring resolutions that would be the happy compromise in finding change,” he said. Aumentado also intimated that in his one-on-one conversation with Villar, he sensed that the latter is amenable to Con-con.

Also, before leaving the Capitol yesterday where he convened the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), the governor got a call from Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin. He asked the House spokesman to invoke Speaker de Venecia’s statesmanship to go Con-con instead of Con-ass to Cha-cha, adding that this is also the President’s intention.

“I suggest that we elect the Con-con delegates together with the 12 senators and local officials during the May 2007 elections,” he said. He called on the militant and labor groups, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines , the El Shaddai, Jesus is Lord, the United Church of Christ of the Philippines and other movements to scuttle the planned demonstrations to start on Dec. 15 and support Con-con instead.

“The future of our nation and the next generation is at stake here. Let us refrain from anarchy otherwise the momentum of progress and development we are experiencing now will grind to a standstill.”

“Besides, it is Christmas. It is time to reconcile and harmonize conflicting positions. ULAP and LPP support a happy compromise; I hope that the House of Representatives, the Senate, civil society and other groups will support such a compromise, too,” he said.

HEART OF GOLD
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A TOTAL of 1,012 individuals from 578 families benefited from the recent civic action (CIVAC) of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) chaired by Gov. Erico Aumentado in barangay Bayongan in San Miguel town.

The CIVAC targeted the 101 families whose houses and lands tilled will be submerged when the Bayongan dam of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP 2) will be operational.

However, residents of surrounding barangays Camanaga and Sto. Niño of San Miguel; Los Angeles, Bulilis and Buenavista of Ubay and La Suerte of Pilar were also invited to avail of free medical and dental services, Operation Tuli (circumcision) and consultation with Aumentado, representatives of national government agencies including the Philippine Army and the police, provincial government departments and satellite offices, San Miguel Mayor Silvino Evangelista, the municipal and the barangay local government units.

For the medical and dental services, the Provincial General Services Office under Engr. Rosalinda Yu procured P40,000 worth of medicines while Aumentado brought additional medicines given by Senate President Manuel Villar Jr.

The governor also brought iodized salt donated by the Artemis Salt Corp. to provide the micronutrient needs especially of children. While the human body needs only micro amounts of iodine, its lack can already cause dwarfism, cretinism and goiter, among others.

The Tagbilaran City Host Lions Club under Dr. Eufemia Cabagnot distributed 90 pairs of calibrated eyeglasses.

The Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWD) under Constancia Tuñacao also distributed three kilos of rice, two cans of sardines and three packs of instant noodles to each family.

Aumentado also turned over Monday to provincial coordinator Mario Ramir Yu, program managers Engr. Calixto Seroje for livelihood, Engr. Dionisio Neil Balite for mobilization all of Gawad Kalinga (GK) a check for P500,000 for the livelihood of the affected families.

Bringing volunteers in, and with contributions from both government and private sectors and sweat equity of the beneficiaries themselves, GK built an initial 35 houses for the displaced families.

Aumentado, Yu and Couples for Christ head for Bohol and GK resource generation head Jose Ong distributed the titles prepared by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to the beneficiaries. DAR had provided the relocation site under its Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Convergence
The PGMA and EBA GK Village is the epitome of convergence. President Arroyo allocated P1 million for the project as counterpart to the provincial government’s P1.5 million.

The CFC and GK gathered volunteers to help build the houses and inculcate Christian values into the families. They will also conduct skills training and enhancement seminars to ensure that the money allotted for such will be used accordingly and not diverted to other needs otherwise it will defeat the purpose.

While conducting civil works on the Bayongan Dam, National Irrigation Administration-Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (NIA-BHIP 2) also developed the land for the GK project site and provided water for its waterworks system.

The Bohol Electric Cooperative (Boheco) under Engr. Carlos Itable provided the power and the electrical lines and poles that attend to it. The local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) then under PENRO Arius Ilano provided the lumber and fletches for the trusses and beams from those in their custody confiscated for being transported without the necessary documents.

The Department of Agrarian Reform under Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Johnson Sinco provided the land with clean titles to the beneficiaries.

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. under Yung Qu Park provided the sand and gravel for the house construction and improved the road leading to the housing site.

The OPSWD provided food for the families as they built the houses under its Food for Work Program. This took away the worries of the beneficiaries as to food for their families as they suspended all other livelihood while constructing their houses.

The houses are constructed on 280-square-meter lots so that the farmers still have areas to develop as gardens. NIA BHIP 2 also absorbed most heads of the beneficiary families as workers, depending on their skills.

BHIP 2 will irrigate 5,300 hectares more of rice lands in San Miguel, Ubay and Trinidad towns.

Barangay Captains Demetrio Carnice Jr. of Los Angeles , Ubay who is a beneficiary himself, Rogelio Cutillas of Bayongan and Fausto Bustillos of Camanaga both of San Miguel witnessed the distribution of the certificates of occupancy.

Young girls warned on having foreigners as textmates
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Young girls, mostly high school students, are warned against prowling foreigners who approach and later befriend them through texting.

THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bohol Field Unit here confirmed receiving a letter from a parent asking for assistance to investigate the activity of an American guy (name withheld) who allegedly frequents shopping malls and victimizing unsuspecting young girls.

Investigators refused to show their findings as of now, classifying such information as confidential.

CIDG-Bohol chief P/SInsp. Germano Mallari, who assumed office about three weeks ago, said he would appreciate parents to come to his office and file a formal complaint against these foreigners, if indeed their children are victims of this new mode of sexual exploitation.

Innocent young girls have become easy prey as these foreigners allegedly entice victims by sending pasa load, a way of transmitting an amount of load through the cellphone.

They introduce themselves as rich foreigners but actually are pensioners receiving small pay and are just taking advantage of the high dollar-peso exchange rate in third world countries like the Philippines.

Through texting, these foreigners make irresistible promises to their prospective victims; like buying a new cellphone, providing school allowance and even tuition. After getting the trust of the victim, they send indecent proposals and later bring them (young girls) to lodging houses or cheap hotels in the city and sexually abuse them.

Most of these young victims don’t tell their experience to their parents out of fear.

An unconfirmed report tell about a high school student, complaining to her mother of abdominal pains but later was diagnosed by doctors as having acquired a sexually transmitted disease.

Classmates said she was always seen texting to her foreigner textmate.

The young girl was reportedly a student in one of the city’s big private school.

Most of these foreigners are also reported to have criminal records in their country of origin and have entered into the country under dubious circumstances using tourist visa.

CIVIL WAR LOOMS?
Published: December 10, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

President Arroyo may have bitten more than she could chew this time.

Massive rallies will be held beginning tomorrow by various sectors and other religious groups in protest of the insistence of the House of Representatives to do it alone, without the Senate, in amending the 1987 Constitution. The determined push of the Arroyo administration using the ally-dominated Lower House has been branded by almost all cross section of society as a “shameful act of constitutional rape” allegedly meant to extend indefinitely the terms of incumbent officials. To join the rallies are the millions of members of the Catholic church, an estimated 7-million members of the influential charismatic movement El Shaddai headed by Bro. Mike Velarde, the Jesus is Lord Movement of Bro. Eddie Villanueva and the Bangon Pilipino compromising non-government groups. Militants also vowed that if they can’t be heard in congress, they will take their fight against cha-cha into the streets.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said it’s “people power” time again.The militant group is preparing for nationwide mass actions to protest the convening Tuesday of a “bogus” constituent assembly.“I thanked GMA and De Venecia allies in the lower house for helping revive people power. The coming people power season preludes the ouster of a fake leader,” Casiño said.In January 2001, a spontaneous gathering of people on EDSA ousted former president Joseph Estrada after his allies derailed an impeachment trial against him in the Senate.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel, author of the local government code, spoke to Boholanos on Wednesday saying they are not joining the con-ass initiated by the congressmen.Interviewed by Ted Ayeng over radio DyTR-Am, Pimentel said the house invitation sent to senators is a “trap”.“Ang imbitasyon usa ka laang. Daghan man ang mga congresista kay kanamo- busa sa pagboto ila ming lumsan. Dili kami mosulod sa maong laang,” the former senate president said.

EASY JOB
Majority congressmen allied with Pres. Arroyo confidently said they can amend the constitution by getting at least 195 votes (3/4 of members of Congress) even without the bicameral (Senate) participation. The constituent assembly pushed by the house of Representatives will convene on Tuesday (not Monday as reported) at 10 a.m. and the first order of the day would be its organizational set-up.

“We will elect a presiding officer, designate a secretary general, majority leader and other officers and it will only take three to four days for the assembly to approve the proposed amendments in the 1987 Constitution,” Rep. Constantino Jaraula, chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments said.

The 9-man technical working group (TWG) created by Pres. Arroyo had proposed in a 60-page draft the six-month transition period setting the election for the interim parliament on Nov. 2007 and cancellation of the mid-term May 2007 elections.

The proposal was reduced into a three-page simplified draft focusing on the shift from presidential to the parliamentary-unicameral form of government.The new system will abolish the Senate including the office of vice president Noli De Castro.

DEFECTION?
Senators, among them allies of President Macapagal-Arroyo, yesterday further closed ranks and declared they would boycott the “illegal and unconstitutional” constituent assembly (Con-ass) convened by the House of Representatives.Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. and his colleagues rejected the invitation sent out by House Secretary General Roberto Nazareno on Thursday afternoon requesting their presence in the Con-ass set to begin on Tuesday morning.

“This [process] is not legal; we’re not going to honor this invitation,” Villar told the Inquirer.Sen. Franklin Drilon said the chamber was solidly behind this position. “We don’t want to participate in an illegal and unconstitutional assembly because our attendance will give it some color of legitimacy. Nobody will attend,” he said. In a surprise move, administration Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. announced at a press briefing that he would not join the Con-ass.Revilla was the 22nd senator to sign a new Senate resolution expressing the sense of the chamber that the House’s attempt to amend the Charter without the Senate voting separately was unconstitutional. The resolution, which only Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has not signed, is expected to be adopted on the floor on Monday.Said Revilla, a close ally of Ms Arroyo:

“I am not against Charter change per se. I must only disagree with the process being spirited by the House to amend the Constitution unilaterally, and I cannot take part in what I believe is a fatally flawed procedure.“Let it be said, I will take no part in the supposed constituent assembly being orchestrated by the House alone.”

‘BOGUS’ INVITATION
Hours after the House majority voted early Thursday morning to approve Resolution No. 197, which substituted for Resolution No. 1450, Nazareno transmitted a communication to each of the senators informing them of the Con-ass and requesting their attendance.But Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan said the invitation was “bogus” because Resolution No. 197 convening Congress into a Con-ass was in itself a fake resolution with “no legal effect whatsoever.”

“By their own illegal act, this ‘final push’ by the House of Representatives is turning out to be the final nail in the coffin for Cha-cha at this time,” Pangilinan said.On Thursday, Senate Pro Tempore Juan Flavier and Sen. Lito Lapid, close allies of the President, and Senators Richard Gordon, Ralph Recto and Juan Ponce Enrile categorically said they would not honor the invitation. The rest of the senators were expected to adopt the same position.

“That’s an indication of what they feel about the Con-ass,” Villar said when asked if the 22 senators who had signed the Senate resolution would snub the assembly. Santiago had indicated that she would join the Con-ass only if “a substantial number” of senators would do so.

On Monday, a day before the Con-ass, the Senate committee on constitutional amendments will tackle pending proposals to amend the Charter through a Con-ass and a constitutional convention, including House Resolution No. 26 convening Congress to propose amendments or revisions.Those invited to speak are Fr. Joaquin Bernas SJ, retired Justice Vicente Mendoza, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde.

SALONGA JOINS
Adding his voice to the chorus of condemnation, former Senate President Jovito Salonga said the House-only Con-ass would fall by the wayside. “What happened in the House is fraudulent and unthinkable, except that you’re dealing with people in the lower House,” he said in a phone interview.

“[But] with all the decent elements in civil society fighting it, I don’t see how the Con-ass will succeed,” he added. Salonga said the two-day marathon sessions that led to the approval of Resolution No. 197 were void from the start because the House majority had “changed the rules to suit their selfish interest.”

“The rules of the House contemplate the participation of the Senate. They amended the rules in utter disregard of the Senate,” he said, adding: “You can’t have a Con-ass without the participation of the Senate. Simple common sense shows that even changing the name of a town requires bicameral approval. And now we’re talking of amending the whole Constitution.”

Salonga, who was Senate President from 1987 to 1991 during the turbulent Aquino administration, said the invitation sent out by Nazareno was “a confirmation of their fraudulent act.”

“It’s like inviting someone to participate in an obscene act,” he said, even as he pointed out that the participation of any number of senators in Con-ass would not lend legitimacy to the proceedings. “You can’t legitimize an act that is wrong ab initio.” (With reports from Peoples Journal, PDI)

AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
(RE-PRINT)
By Atty. Gee Biliran
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Last week, I attended the 4-day Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Seminar that sufficiently earned me the required 36 units good for 3 years.

It was an ordeal having to sit down for hours before and after lunch for 4 days. What kept me going was the thought of not having to undergo another grueling seminar within the 3-year MCLE period. There were times, though, when I could not help but wish that the speakers would just give us their handouts so we could read them at our own sweet time or only when necessary.

Indeed, studying (for us lawyers) does not end with the Bar review. Due to the nature of the profession, we need update ourselves with the latest laws and jurisprudence. It would be mortal sin to advertently or inadvertently cite an old doctrine or a stale law in our pleadings, as it might court contempt by the courts or make us lose our cases.

The new law that was discussed in the MCLE seminar I attended last week was the controversial Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice Act of 2006.

Some say that it is easier to pass a law for children than that for women because everybody loves children, while giving rights to women often threatens the male-dominated Congress.

For the first time, a children’s law is stirring the hornet’s nest. This is because while the law gives rights to children in conflict with the law (CICL), or children who are accused of having committed an offense, the law may have a negative impact on the prosecution of crimes and the rights of victims.

The most controversial provision of the law is the increase of the age of criminal responsibility from 9 years old to above 15 years old. This means that any child 15 years old or below who commits a crime can never be prosecuted since children 15 years old or below are exempt from any criminal responsibility.

The presumption is that the child is 15 years old or below. This means that unless the age of the child is contested, the child need not present his or her birth certificate to prove his or her minority.

It is the burden of the person contesting the minority to prove that the child is no longer 15 years old or below. The person contesting the age may file a case before the Family Court for the sole purpose of determining the age of the child. The court shall decide the case within 24 hours from receipt of the pleading of the interested party.

The age of the child may be determined through his or her birth certificate, and in its absence, through a baptismal certificate or other pertinent documents like school records, or through the information from the child or the testimonies of other persons as to his or her age, or through the physical appearance of the child.

If it has been determined that a child taken into custody is 15 years old or below, the police authority will have to immediately release the child to the custody of his or her parents or guardian, or in their absence, to the child’s nearest relative.

Because of the increase of the age of criminal responsibility upon the effectivity of RA 9344 last May 20, 2006, old pending cases against children 15 years old or below, including those involving heinous crimes, would have to be dismissed because of the basic principle of retroactivity of criminal laws if the laws favor the accused.

There will be about 1,500 to 2,000 detained CICL who would benefit from this law.

A CICL 16 to 17 years old is criminally liable only if he or she acts with discernment, meaning, only if the child understands the difference between right and wrong. The presumption is that the child acted without discernment.

A child who is proven to have acted with discernment will be subjected to a diversion program, which refers to the program that the CICL is required to undergo after he or she is found responsible for an offense, without resorting to formal court proceedings. Diversion programs depend on the severity of the crime and the frequency of the commission, among others. It may include the return of stolen or destroyed property to the victim, written or oral apology, counseling, attendance of anger management skills, or institutional care and custody, among others.

Many child advocates believe that the age of criminal responsibility should have been 12 years old, which is also the age of sexual consent, not above 15 years old.

The spirit of the law is restorative justice intended to remove the child from the justice system with the belief that the CICL is more of a victim than a perpetrator and is better reformed through diversion than through imprisonment. Yet, I cannot help but agree with the child advocates that the age of criminal responsibility at more than 15 years old is too high. This is true especially that children now mature earlier than they did generations ago, with the emergence of the computer, internet and cable TV.

Only time will tell if this law would do more good than harm for children and the society as a whole. My fear is that victims/families of victims of heinous crimes committed by 15-year-old children or below would turn vigilante, knowing that the perpetrators would get away with their crimes simply because of their age.

For the meantime, we have no choice but to implement the law. Dura lex, sed lex.

(Congrats to Reg Estorba and Ryan Macalandag who tied the knot yesterday.)

CHRISTMAS SHOCK
by Yes Tirol Dumagan
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Christmas is in the air. Of course, it should be. It’s December. And we all know what happens every December. We all share the same notion about what this month is all about â€" a time to celebrate, to be happy and a time for families to be together. But as much as we want to adopt this line of thinking, we can never hide the fact that while some of us are already celebrating the season right now in terms of how we decorate our homes with Christmas lights and all these paraphernalia, many of our brothers and sisters in our country, in Luzon to be particular, are actually facing dilemmas right now on where they should stay and where they should spend their holiday. Whether they will celebrate their Christmas or not has turned out not a question anymore for them. Their attention has been focused on their survival per se.

Just this week, another super typhoon hit some crucial areas in Luzon. Super typhoon Durian, locally known as Bagyong Reming, had entered the Philippine area early Wednesday this week. The situation had become worse because of the intensity of the typhoon. When PAGASA called for a press conference to announce to the public the possible outcome of this typhoon, everyone already knew what was this all about. After hearing the forecast of PAGASA that Reming may be twice stronger than Milenyo, everyone knew that this had to be taken a lot more seriously than the previous typhoons. Everyone knew what happened after the shock of Milenyo â€" total black out to many of the places here in the metro, a number of casualties and it was just terribly awful. I understand that many people really cooperated in the preparation for the coming of this typhoon, but sometimes, there are just certain things that are made uncontrollable for mankind. Maybe, it would be better if I will describe this appalling calamity as nature’s way of refreshing itself, to maintain its balance and to keep it sustaining all throughout these years and the years to come.

Everyone wants a happy life, and of course, when Christmas comes, everyone wants a momentous and remarkable experience with families and friends. We realize that all of us share this very exact sentiment that when it’s Christmas, it’s always good and beautiful things happen during Christmas. But how about to our brothers and sisters who are now caught homeless because of the outrage of Reming, our folks who are fighing for their survival right now?

We always want the best for ourselves, no problem with that. But as human as we are, it’s our nature that we feel something for others. In this time that our fellow Filipinos need help in whatever way we can, let’s make them feel that we acknowledge our capacity to reach out to them even in our little ways. We can always make everyone’s Christmas as happy as we all desire. As the cliché goes, let’s give and share love this Christmas, not just on Christmas though, but for always, for good.

WHAT’S REALLY THE TUNE?
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
By Atty. Check Baluma

A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court, voting 8-7, turned down the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the proponents of People's Initiative. The decision of the High Court was not surprising, since, as expected, no Justice made a 360° turn. While Speaker Jose de Venecia revealed the plans of Sigaw ng Bayan and the strong Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines ( ULAP) to file a second motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court, surprisingly now, the move to amend the Constitution has changed battle field.

It was reported that the proponents of people’s initiative were banking on the appointment of a new Chief Justice who would give them the swing vote, as our present Chief Justice, who is set to retire on December 7, 2006 voted against the initiative. But from the looks of things, the appointment of a new Chief Justice might take some time, as there appears a clash between the Judicial and Bar Council and the nominees to the exalted position of Chief Justice, which might have caused the proponents of Charter Change to change plans and shift their sights on a different battle field.

The appointment of a new Chief Justice might not be coming soon, if the Judicial and Bar Council insists on their newly formulated rules requiring nominees for Chief Justice to be subjected to a public interview for the sake of transparency. Last Wednesday, November 29, 2006, the five senior associate justices of the Supreme Court who were all candidates for the soon to be vacant position of Chief Justice did not attend the first ever public interview set by the Judicial and Bar Council. One candidate for Chief Justice went even to the extent of giving his view that the public interview is a mere circus. The sixth and last candidate, Senator Miriam Defensor â€" Santiago came for the public interview but in a great display of delicadeza and sense of fairness, did not allow herself to be interviewed since she does not want her rivals to be at a disadvantaged. In the light of these development, Senator Francis Pangilinan, a member of the Judicial and Bar Council, has mulled the idea of disqualifying all the earlier determined nominees for their failure to appear for public interview. Clearly, there is no express provision under our Constitution requiring nominees for the position of Chief Justice to undergo a public interview, but Senator Pangilinan insists that since there are rules promulgated by the JBC, the same must be followed. This writer shares this view that in the appointment of the new Chief Justice, it would be more wise to closely consider more a nominee’s track record and performance rather than on what a nominee would answer in a public interview, more so that the duration of the interview is limited only to thirty minutes.

Speaker Jose de Venecia told reporters last Wednesday, November 29, 2006 that our country will have a new Constitution “ in 15 days”. “ We will have a Charter that shifts the nation to the parliamentary system and replaces Congress with a unicameral parliament by December 15,” he added. This open declaration of the Speaker of the House of Representatives certainly has created an impression to the public that perhaps the second motion for reconsideration of the denial of the People’s Initiative by our Supreme Court might not be forthcoming as another mode of amending the charter is being mobilized.

Since the option of amending our present Constitution in Sec. 2 of Article XVII appears no longer possible, as the Supreme Court has remained firm with its decision to deny the Petition for a People’s Initiative, the other modes of amendment or revision of the Constitution may be the next options available.

Section 1 of our Constitution states that: “ Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by:

(1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members;

(2) A constitutional convention.”

“Sec. 3 The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a constitutional constitution, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.”

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Isagani A. Cruz, a highly respected and admired author, bar reviewer and Constitutional Law expert, in his book “ Philippine Political Law” opined that-

“ Where what is intended is a mere amendment or change of particular provisions only, the proposal is better made by direct legislative action. In this case the vote of at least three-fourths of all the members of the Congress shall be needed. This method will avoid the unnecessary expenditure of public funds and time that the calling of a constitutional convention will entail.

But if what is envisioned is the overhaul of the entire Constitution, it is advisable to entrust the task to a constitutional convention, which will have more time, opportunity and presumably also the needed expertise to discharge it.”

This early, a clash between the two great houses of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives appears imminent. Both houses seem to disagree as to what is the interpretation of the provisions of Section 1 and 3 of Article XVII of the Constitution when it states “ The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members”xxx.

While the proponents of Cha-Cha thru Con-Ass are arguing that it should be Congress as a whole which will be the basis of the required number, a three-fourths vote of all Members of Congress, some Senators are arguing that it should not be the case, since in the Senate they only number twenty- four (24), thus they in no way can outnumber the other House dominated by administration party members.

If this issue will continue to be unsettled and the proponents of Charter Change would press hard their last ditch effort to effectuate Charter amendments, I expect the parties to call on the court of last resort, our last bulwark of democracy, our Supreme Court to settle this legal issue.

While a survey shows that most Filipinos still do not favor Cha - Cha, the move to amend our Constitution still is rolling and now has even changed battlefield, Congress. From the tune of People’s Initiative, things are heading towards an attempt by the Cha-cha proponents towards Constitutional Assembly.

May the citizenry not wait long enough to find the logical answers and resolutions to these controversial issues.

Vietnam Is Swelling. What About Us?
By Atty. Koykoy T. Lim
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Won’t it be amazing enough that a country that was once ravaged by a ruthless war is now Asia’s second-fastest-growing economy next to China?

The Philippines should watch out on this and learn a lesson from its own neighbor.

What was Vietnam like in the 1960s and 70s? Almost nothing. Hollywood movies depicted Vietnam where Vietcongs staged treacherous, brutal ambush on defenseless American soldiers, and on the next scene what were being portrayed were vast expanse of rice fields and farmers and villages burned to ashes as American soldiers, in their quest to avenge their loss, inflicted collateral damage on the poor, scampering Vietnamese.

That is forgotten now. A painful war experience that had left millions homeless, fatherless, motherless has been buried deep in the annals of history.

Vietnam is now soaring high, and has overtaken the rest of Asian countries in terms of GDP growth, at 8.4 % in 2005, according to Fortune Magazine.

Foreign companies and billions of dollars of investments keep a steady stream to this former colony of France in the 1800s.

Intel, which holds 80 % percent of computer chips market in the world, is investing a $-billion chip assembly and testing plant in Ho Chi Minh City. Disney produces its Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other stuffed animal toys in this country of 84 million inhabitants, one million less than the Philippine’s population.

Car companies are rushing to build manufacturing plants in Vietnam as manufacturing cost is 34 % lower than in China.

As the country opens its arms to the World Trade Organization, flow of exports and imports have made Vietnam a future winner in the global marketplace rather than a loser, a perennial consequence to smaller economies like the Philippines.

Exports, particularly in textiles, furniture, and seafood, were valued at $32 billion last year, and millions of jobs have been created as Vietnam’s economy continues to expand.

What is amazing to ponder on Vietnam’s speed of growth is that it was only in 2001 that its government started to embrace the concept of liberalization and international trade.

Vietnam, which used to receive large support from the communist Soviet bloc until Russia’s collapse in 1991, had frowned on the modern approach of industrialization, but in 2001 it walked away from traditions and entered a bilateral trade agreement with the United States, a former nemesis.

The United States’ Central Intelligence Agency’s Factbook has reported on Vietnam’s successful fight against poverty when it said that “Deep poverty, defined as a percent of the population living under $1 per day, has declined significantly and is now smaller than that of China, India, and the Philippines.”

What does it have to say to us? It means that there are now more destitute people in our land than in Vietnam. Isn’t that a wake-up call to us?

Amid all these sweet things about Vietnam, the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy in Hong Kong tags Vietnam as the second most corrupt country in Asia next to Indonesia.

Vietnam, according to the same consultancy firm, doesn’t have a world-class university. And English has just emerged as a popular second language.

It only takes six years for Vietnam to revolutionize its economy, and the country is now on its way to an unprecedented prosperity.

We used to scoff at this country, a victim of unfavorable portrayals in American movies.

Look, our country is now importing rice from Vietnam. Filipino teachers, who receive handsome amount of salary, are now educating Vietnamese children.

Vietnam’s leap of progress, carried out in a short span of time, should compel national leaders, including provincial officials, to reflect on how poor our performance has been in the economic race.

Vietnam’s story reminds us that when we work silently rather than talk much we can expect results.

We don’t need to wait for the next election to see results.

No monopoly
By Atty. Aleckoy Lim
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

While incumbent congressmen are doing everything they can to prevent the holding of the next election, there is no doubt that politicians on the local level and their supporters are already setting their sights on next year’s elections.

It is easy to understand why the congressmen, especially those whose terms are expiring next year, want the postponement if not the cancellation of the election. They want to hold on to power and they are willing to do so at all cost.

This does not mean that they can do so just because they are holding power. Any disruption in the schedule of the election will not be good for the country. This will mean that the situation is not normal because the schedule for the election cannot be followed.

It will also be a cause for unrest especially in areas where the people are asking for change. If the election is delayed, these people will be easy targets for recruitment by those who want to effect change through extra-constitutional methods.

Even within the administration, there has been a jockeying for position by pro-GMA parties on the right to be anointed as official candidate in next year’s election. This is not felt so much in Bohol because Lakas has been acknowledged as the undisputed administration party in the province.

And yet, this does not mean the other parties in the administration coalition will not be fielding their own candidates in Bohol. For one, Kampi led by Camarines Rep. Luis Villafuerte is aggressively recruiting members in the province as part of its expansion activities.

In case people do not know, the President’s original party is Kampi but she was merely adopted by Lakas when she run for vice-president under Speaker Joe de Venecia. Lakas members who feel they should be the administration bets are in for a big surprise.

We will not be surprised too if the Liberal Party under Manila Mayor Lito Atienza will also make its move especially since it wants to prove that it has the numbers in its rivalry with the faction led by Sen. Franklin Drilon.

The recruitment activities of these two parties may be viewed as a divisive activity to those who are outside the administration coalition. In reality however, it shows that the administration is getting stronger because it can no longer accommodate the interested candidates for the local positions in next year’s election.

This will be good for Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo because it will boost the chances of the administration ticket in the senatorial elections. Although there is the fear of junking some of the candidates who belong to other parties, this will also be an opportunity for the administration to weed out misfits who cannot toe the line.

Lakas does not have a monopoly in the administration ticket.

ADDIE VALERIE TORRES AMPER
ALL-AMERICAN PRE-TEEN 2006
By Loy Palapos
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard



At thirteen she has accomplished more than girls twice her age, as proven by more than fifty awards, certificates of recognition, and exposures spotlighting her talents in ramp modeling, beauty contests, oral articulation, and mathematics. At 12, when she was in seventh grade, she took the entrance exams for college at Duke University, and came out the youngest passer, and the highest in her school. She has tacked several titles in her belt, including that of Miss Pre-Teen Rio Grande Valley, Declamation and Oral Reading Champion, and Highest Math SAT Scorer.

At 10:00 AM last Monday, November 26, a long distance call from Texas jolted me. The big news? Addie Valerie was crowned All American Pre-Teen winner, a beauty and talent competition held in California, besting 158 other representatives from all over America.

Aptly nicknamed Darling, Addie Valerie Amper is the granddaughter of Dr. Addie Torres, Ph. D. and the only daughter of Valerio Amper, of Anda, and Endievie Torres of Alicia. Both parents graduated from Divine Word College (Holy Name University), he in BSC-Accounting, and she in BSN. Jethro, their second child and only son is a sixth grader at Sheryland Elementary School, Mission, Texas where he excels as a Champion in Chess.

She was born in Davao City on April 16, 1993, where her father was the Manager of Davao Union Cement. Even at two years old her enthusiasm and zest for life were her avatar. In kindergarten she already manifested her inclination to the arts. She loved to dance, sing, and act even if words at times left her mouth ambiguously. Her parents, aware of their daughter’s potentials, supported her passion for acting and modeling. In 2000 she won the most coveted title of Little Miss Davao City.

When the family moved to the USA in 2001, it could have spelled an end to her dream in the celebrity world; but even in a totally new environment, her innate grace and charm triumphed over mediocrity, and she was asked to join the search for Miss Pre-Teen Rio Grande Valley in 2004. She was nine then, when she bagged the beauty title, which made her a celebrity in the campus. That stint led her to ramp modeling and engagements which brought her to several places. Some of them were: Sunrise Mall Children’s Place Spring Fashion Show, Edinburgh Auditorium, Pharr Fashion, Bag Fashion, Donna Summer Concert, Sunrise Mall Elite, Miss Mission Pageant, Rio Grande Humanity Fashion Show, Pharr International Graduation Fashion Show, and scores more. To enhance her skills in the ramp, she enrolled at the Missy’s Modeling Studio, McAllen, Texas. Her training at Valley Keyboards, also in Texas, enhanced her skills in playing the piano, singing and dancing.

She joined several beauty and modeling pageants where she either emerged the title holder or a runner-up: Miss National American in Houston, Texas, State Actress Winner, States Spokes Model, National All American Miss in Anaheim, California, National Pageant Winner in All American Miss Spirit (all in 2004). From 2005 to 2006 she again garnered several awards, including the 2006 Spirit of America Award. In the year 2001, she was the School District Declamation Champion, and from 2004 to 2005 she was the consistent School District Oral Reading Champion, aside from being the recipient of the 2006 Duke University Award.

Her participation in beauty contests and fashion shows have brought her to several places in USA. Participating in various quests is, for her, one way to express her mental, emotional, psychological, and physical attributes. “Win or lose…the experience makes me a better person.” Even in losing, she has learned to evaluate her weak points, and come out more knowledgeable. She and a small select group are scheduled to visit Washington DC, in March 2007. She is representing her school, and they will meet the Congressional Representatives and State Senator, among others, as part of her itinerary in a Leadership Training Program.

Late last year, there was this popular American Celebrity, Tommy Hilfiger, in the world of modeling. He was searching for female teen-age mannequins for ramp modeling in the Big Apple, New York City. Among almost two-hundred aspirants who were interviewed and tested for acumen in carrying designer clothes, Addie Valerie was one of the ten being picked. She alluded her making it to the magic ten her ability to relate to the audience, especially with her perfect smile, emanating from her joyous heart, that never fails to touch anybody who experiences it.

Now, on her eighth grade, she will soon be in Junior High. Nevertheless, all throughout the years, she never forgets her dream: to be a pediatrician someday. She loves children, that’s why. What happens if the celebrity spotlight will focus on her, which is not remote, considering her varied talents? She has already gone places and is high in the totem pole in the world of entertainment and pageantry. To this, which other gifted children always see as a dilemma, she has already a definite answer. She will choose her studies and become a doctor. All her experiences and accomplishments could be geared to this focal dream to serve others.

Asked about her first impression during her first few days in Bohol, she sounded incredulous. “No seatbelts, no speed limits…it’s heaven here. People seem free to do anything they want.” Compared to Uncle Sam country where there are a thousand-and-one restrictions, and anybody has to obey several rules and regulations, non-compliance of which results to monetary fines and other sanctions, including imprisonment or community service, where nobody is exempted, including the rich and influential…

She has been categorized as brilliant even as a kid, excelling in subjects which are the others’ Waterloo, like mathematics and the sciences. Always finishing at the topmost five percent of her classes at school-year-ends, she did not have any problem relating to her peers, and even those older than she. She did not experience being an outside or left-out even during the first time she attended classes. She at once felt at home in school, as if she was born in the US. She cannot even remember any language barrier. She was the proverbial duck to her pond.

It did not come as a surprise that her teachers and those who matched her performance in school readily saw in her a phenomenal child, making her acceptance at the Business Education and Technology Academy in Edinburg, Texas. She is enrolled in a special class for gifted and talented children.

Call it fate, but Darling’s parents are also convinced of her determination, hand work, obedience, love, family support, and above all…God’s grace. When she was offered the educational acceleration from elementary to college by Duke University in September, her parents decided to make her experience the regular secondary school curriculum, to be with students her age, although a grade higher than her classmates last school year.

A perfect combination of brain-and-beauty. Nothing frivolous, nothing ostentatious, just inborn charm that emanates from within her in-depth core. Not pre-fabricated nor cultivated or rehearsed…that intrinsic glow of the joy of living. She comes to Bohol to experience for herself the pristine white beaches, the blue-green sea, the marvelous chocolate hills, and the hospitable people she has been hearing so much about. If she has her way, she would love to reside her forever. But school in the USA beckons. She knows the applause for wining titles and the sophistication on the ramp are fleeting fancy. She would be a doctor someday, and now she knows Bohol is her home.

TESDA to focus on 3 in-demand courses

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants the curriculum being offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under its Training for Work Scholarship Project (TWSP) to focus more on training skilled welders, call center agents and butchers.

The President said she wanted the shift to these three courses because of the growing demand for employees skilled in these crafts.

As of now, the TWSP has courses in Hotel and Restaurant Management (housekeeping, commercial cooking, food and beverage services, front office and bartending), Nursing (caregiving, healthcare services and midwifery), Communication and Information Technology (PC operation, computer hardware servicing and programming).

Aside from this, the Academy also offers carpentry, re-bar fixer, plumbing, building wiring technician, electronics and industrial electrician.

The President said that the above-mentioned courses are "mainstream" curricula where the probability of landing a job is quite low due to the number of graduates these courses produce.

She said TESDA should focus more on training welders, call center agents and butchers because of the large demand for these workers.

She noted that there are 20,000 job openings for welders, 30,000 for butchers while the call center industry is in constant need of agents to fill their growing roster of employees.

Meanwhile, TESDA-Bohol Supervising Technical Education Skills Development Specialist Francisca Opog announced that TESDA, in coordination with the City of Tagbilaran, will be accepting scholars under TWSP for butchers on December 4.

20 scholars will be accepted for the 280-hour course at the City Slaughterhouse.

Applicants must be at least high school graduate, 18 yrs. old and knowledgeable in English. Butchers are in-demand in Australia, she reported.

Also, Pro-Stick Screening is on going for call center agent applicants at Informatics. Those who pass will be submitted to TESDA and DOLE region VII for placement.

TESDA will give P5, 000 to the school for each scholars, Opog added.

Welding courses, however, are not included under the TWSP. Right now welding courses offered at Inabanga Training Center are currently upgraded to fit international standard, the TESDA official added further. (PIA/aeescobia)

K OF C Lindaville celebrates 20th anniversary
By: Juvenal Beniga
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The Knights of Columbus Sir Knight Pedro Caunan Council #9329 of Virgen Sang Barangay Parish at Lindaville Subdivision will be holding the culmination of the 20th Anniversary activities on December 9, 2006 at the Virgen Sang Barangay Parish Church Compound Lindaville Subdivision. This was disclosed by Dr. Vitaliano A. Luga â€" Dep.Ed Supervisor and Incumbent Grand Knight, and a Businessman Augusto B. Pascual â€" Deputy Grand Knight and Program Director and Retired Radiologist, Luis L. Ayos Chairman of the Award Committee.

Among the highlights of the festivities which started last October during the Columbus and Rosary Month is Eucharist Celebration and giving of testimonial AWARDS OF RECOGNITION for the Charter Members and Past Grand Knights as well as the outstanding members of the Council for the past two (2) decades or twenty (20 years and the Coronation Rites for the 20th anniversary couple, MOTORCADE AND CHRISTMAS PARTY of Fraternal Dinner.

The Council #9329 was established last October 2006 is the first KC Council #3290 based in the Our Lady of Lourdes Church Parish then followed the Cathedral Council #5698, Virgen Sang Barangay Council #8362 then the Council #9329 based in the Virgen Sang Barangay Parish Lindaville Subdivision. The Council #9329 is named after farmer Bohol Council Grand Knights the Late Professor Pedro Caunan who is one of the pioneering members of the Knights of Columbus of Bohol. Other pioneering members where the late Pedro Camacho the late Magdalino Camacho, the late Juan Pernia, Retired Judge Dionisio Calibo Sr. among others.

Before the creation of Bohol Council #3290 Boholano Knights of Columbus members has to attend or participate K of C activities in Cebu City.

The Council # 9329 was establish in Lindaville through the efforts for Nemi Monton former Faithful Navigator of the Msgr. Gelacio Ramirez forth degree assembly and past Grand Knight of Virgen Sang Barangay Council # 8362 and District Warden and now Provincial Director for membership. Together with Msgr. Margarito Gonzaga and the late District Deputy Cecilio Miñosa Sr.

The charter Grand Knights of Council #9329 is City Prosecutor Conrado Supremo â€" 1986-87. Then followed by the following Grand Knights: Aproniano A. Alfarero â€" CY 87-90 Inocentes G. Azarcon Jr. â€" CY 1990 â€" 1991; Maurito R. Lim â€" CY 1991 â€" 1992; Tomas P. Mongcupa (+) â€" CY 1992 â€" 1993; Bartolomie A. Auza â€" CY 1993 â€" 1994; Aurelio S. Gambuta â€" CY 1994 â€" 1995; Andres Dano (+) â€" CY 1995 â€" 1996; Faustino B. Arias â€" CY- 1997 â€" 1999; Greg M. Loayon â€" CY 1999 â€" 2001; Ranulfo L. Suarez â€" CY 2001 â€" 2002; Glicerio B. Jubac â€" CY 2004 â€" 2005; Vitaliano A. Luga Incumbent â€" CY 2007 â€" 2008.

The following clergy who served as Chaplains and Assistant Chaplaints are: Msgr. Margarito R. Gonzaga (Charter Chaplain); Msgr. Feleciano Nalzaro; Msgr. Avelino “Billy” Onyot ; Rev. Fr. Manuel “Mao” Mendez ; Rev. Fr. Ruben Angla; Rev. Fr. Orlando “Andoi” Mendez.

The Lindaville K of C council #9329 has been receiving multiple awards of recognition from the New Haven Connecticut USA for the past twenty years especially the Father Barnabas Awards for the Outstanding Performance of the Columbians Squire Circle, the Youth Organization of the Knights of Columbus.

The Knights of Columbus International with 1.6 Million members is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community, families and young people. The Knights of Columbus at all levels of the organization raised and distributed million to charity and rendered million.

The Charter and Pioneering Members of Knights of Columbus Council #9329 are the Following: *Alfarero, Aproniano *Alumbro, Constancio *Apalisok, Ursino *Arias, Faustino *Ayos, Noel *Azarcon, Innocentes Jr. *Baguio, Aniceto *Caminos, Jovencio *Dagodog, Rodulfo *Fernando, Kennedy *Guirgio, Carmino, *Jala Eladio *Madera, Deomedes *Mongcupa, Thomas *Mongcupa, Romulo *Monton Luis *Morala, Edrick *Pahang, Servando *Supremo, Conrado *Tejano, Pedro *Tuñacao, Alonso *Vertulfo, Gil and *Ylaya, Quirico.

Irate son sets fire their own house
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Again, it is beyond comprehension why children revolts against their parents.

The P4-million fire in barangay Villalimpia, Loay was believed caused by intentional fire by an irate son of one of the razed house.

Police investigators are eyeing the angle of arson as witnesses pointed to one Llyod Lagura as having threatened to set fire to their own house minutes before flames were noticed by neighbors.

The son reportedly shouted: “gihagit ko ninyo, sunogon ko ning balaya” (you are challenging me, I will set fire to this house), witnesses recalled.

The outburst was followed by screams from a woman, a live-in partner of the suspect.

Fire investigator however declined to say that the incident indeed caused the fire until they gather enough evidence to warrant the filing of a case.

The fire burned to the ground three house owned by the Babatuan, Lagura and Quinio families. The nearby house of Loay mayor Leonides Tiongco was spared by a firewall.

Son shoots to death own father
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A SON shot to death his own father and even tried to escape after the incident.

The suspect, Felix Augis, 40 , single allegedly shot his father, 66-year old Crisostomo Thursday night.

The incident happened in barangay Villa Milagrosa, in the island municipality of Carlos P. Garcia (formerly Pitogo).

The suspect-son escape but police caught up with him still in the island, holed in a house in barangay Aguining the following morning.

Police investigators are still determining the real motive in the killing.

The Story of Gisela May “Jiji” Apalisok
Love of My Life

Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

“Happiness is like a butterfly, you run after it, it keeps flying away, but if you stand still, it comes and sits on your lap.”

Jiji Apalisok is known by almost everybody, people both from the elite and the commoners.

She was the Special Project Editor of the weekly English paper Sunday Post and worked with the Social Security System, Members Assistance Center in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines.

Lady luck brought her to the land of milk and honey and she is now based in Houston, Texas happily married to American Charles Leggington, who works at The University of Texas - MD Anderson Cancer Center (the biggest cancer center in the whole United States of America) as Pharmacy Technologist.

Here is the story:

Charles and I started talking each other in the month of June kana gyud talking through the phone intimately na nagkauyab mi. He proposed through the phone marriage but I just didnt give so much attention kay basin binuang ra. Charles never missed a single day calling me 4 to 5 times a day. During the day we talked 2 hours (4 to 5 times na ha) then at night... from 11:30Pm to 8:00AM the following day. Grabe no binuntagay! Then I began to miss him, and so with him.

Mingawon nako niya if he failed to call 4 times. Then he invited me to come down to Houston, Texas and offered me a round trip ticket to Houston.(New York to Houston). Imagine ha ingon ako friend one in a million gyud si Charles kay diri wala gyud mo offer nimo ug round trip ticket especially kon makig meet ang lalaki nimo. But Charles took the chance coz he really wanted to see and meet me. My ticket was booked on July 21, 2006 aboard Continental Airlines. I arrive in Houston July 21, 2006 at 10:45PM.

I was met at the airport by Charles and Diane Ramirez and Ram-Ram Amper. We proceeded to Diane's house in Houston. We arrived at her house at around 12:00 midnite. Then at 1:30AM of July 22, 2006, I was shocked because Charles knelt down and offered me the wedding rings as he proposed marriage. Sus nakahilak gyud ko kay tininood gyud diay iya.

He put on the ring in my finger as he uttered... JIJI WEAR THIS RING AS A SIGN OF MY TRUE LOVE, CARE, AFFECTION.... Then I also put on a ring to his finger and said the same to him. Sus nihilak jud kog samot. Then, He scheduled right away our wedding on Monday, July 24. We secured the marriage license and nangusog gyud si Charles makasal mi dayon on that day.

It was raining very hard nabasa kaayo siya. He waived the 72 hours requirement sa kasal kay if you get a marriage license naa may 72 hours period before mo makasal, meaning kaslon mo after 72 days pa. But Charles was persistent na kaslon mi dayon.

So he executed a waiver na e-waive niya tong 72 hours. We could not find a judge na mokasal namo kay puro busy. Ana na gyud July 26, 2006 at 1:00PM mi nakasal. Our marriage was administered by JUDGE ZINETTA A. BURNEY, Harris County Justice of the Peace at Riggs Road, Houston, Texas. Sus grabe gyud uy, kasal dayon.

Our love story is different.

Kana bitaw uban magkadayon is through the internet or suwat-suwat, but ang sa amo through the telephone. We were really burning the lines. Mas nindot ang magkauyab mo thru thephone kay you will feel the feelings. Sus si Charles always express his feelings as... "Jiji you give me life, you give me inspiration and the motivation to go on. Jiji you are my reason to live.... Jiji you give me strength. Thank you for coming into my life."

Swerte gyud tingale mi and God maoy nag tagbo namo. I asked God for his intercession and ask for sign bitaw... asking: "God if Charles is the man for me na hinatag nimo na ma akong bana please give me sign and the sign is manawag sya karon karon dayon... then nanawag jud siya!

Charles has bought a house for me... his gift to me. We moved in last Oct. 15, 2006. We are very happy and we feel our love growing stronger every day.

LIFE PROFILE. Charles Leggington is 50 years old, he works at The University of Texas - MD Anderson Cancer Center (this is the biggest cancer center in the whole United States of America) as Pharmacy Technologist. He is the 4th child (he has 2 brothers and two sisters) of Mr. Anthony and Mrs. Beulah Leggington. His parents are both deceased. Before joining MD Anderson, Charles was in the US Navy (SEAL) elite group sa US military. He is also an Architect.

Housing units given for dam-affected families
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Thirty-five (35) housing units at the Couples for Christ (CFC) Gawad-Kalinga (GK) Housing Project in Barangay Bayongan, San Miguel town were inaugurated last Friday.

Dubbed as the PGMA & Gov. Erico B. Aumentado GK Village, the project is the epitome of the governor’s convergence strategy. It solved what could be a potential social problem that Engr. Modesto Membreve of the Project Management Office (PMO) in Barangay Bulilis in Ubay town of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) admits he encountered in the implementation of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP 2).

Rev. Fr. Eutemio Espina officiated at the blessing rites.

“President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may not be here but I talked with her over the phone earlier this afternoon and she conveys her congratulations to the new homeowners, saying that attending to the needs of the poor and the depressed is always top priority in her agenda,” Aumentado told the homeowners headed by Demetrio Carnice Sr.

Aumentado assisted by Membreve, Provincial GK Head Mario Ramir Yu and his wife, Resource Generation Head of GK-Bohol and of CFC Jose Ong and San Miguel Mayor Silvino Evangelista distributed the certificates of occupancy to the homeowners as GK Site Coordinator Rod Gonzalez read off their names.

Convergence

To note, President Arroyo allocated P500,000 for the project as counterpart to the Provincial Government’s P1.5 million. It is also keeping in a trust account at least P500,000 for the livelihood projects of the beneficiaries.

“I have ordered my executive assistant for financial management to prepare the check so that I can turn it over to CFC and GK on Monday after the flag ceremony,” Aumentado said.

The CFC and GK gathered volunteers to help build the houses and inculcate Christian values into the families. They will also conduct skills training and enhancement seminars to ensure that the money allotted for such will be used accordingly and not diverted to other needs otherwise it will defeat the purpose.

While conducting civil works on the Bayongan Dam, NIA-BHIP 2 also effected the land preparation for the GK project site and provided water for its waterworks system.

The Bohol Electric Cooperative (Boheco) under Engr. Carlos Itable provided the power and the electrical lines and poles that attend to it. The local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) then under PENRO Arius Ilano provided the lumber and fletches for the trusses and beams from those in their custody confiscated for being transported without the necessary documents.

The Department of Agrarian Reform under Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Johnson Sinco provided the land with clean titles to the beneficiaries.

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. under Yung Qu Park provided the sand and gravel for the house construction and improved the road leading to the housing site.

The Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development under Constancia Tuñacao provided food for the families as they built the houses under its Food for Work Program. This took away the worries of the beneficiaries as to food for their families as they suspended all other livelihood while constructing their houses.

The houses are constructed on 280-square-meter lots so that the farmers still have areas to develop as gardens. NIA BHIP 2 also absorbed most heads of the beneficiary families as workers, depending on their skills.

The 35 are part of the 101 families whose houses and lands they used to till will be submerged with the completion of the Bayongan Dam that will irrigate 5,300 hectares more of rice lands in San Miguel, Ubay and Trinidad towns.

Witnessing the turnover were Barangay Captains Demetrio Carnice Jr. of Los Angeles , Ubay who is also a beneficiary, Rogelio Cutillas of Bayongan and Fausto Bustillos of Camanaga both of San Miguel.

Governor Gets Leadership Award
By JUNE S. BLANCO
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

GOV. Erico Aumentado made it â€" he won the 2006 Local Government Leadership Award (LGLA) for Outstanding Provincial Governor.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel and top brass of the institutions supporting the awards handed the plaque, a medal and a certification that announced that he was already in the final list. All finalists received the certification but only the winners received plaques and medals.

The honor came with P500,000 from Pimentel’s pork barrel. Aumentado said he intends to use the amount for the beautification of the national highway. For starters, he plans to plant flame trees along the Bohol Circumferential Road and the Loay Interior Road to Trinidad .

Informed earlier by 2006 LGLA Secretariat Head Simeon Ilago, director of the Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG) of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance in Diliman, Quezon City that he has been selected as a finalist in the Outstanding Provincial Governor Category, Aumentado did not put high hopes in clinching the award.

“Senator Pimentel heads the LGLA National Selection Committee. I may be already short-listed but he might drop me from the final list because we are worst enemies politically because of my advocacy for Charter change,” the governor said.

The awarding rites were held Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 29 at the Pecson Room of the Senate of the Philippines Building in Pasay City . Also honored were outstanding city and municipal mayors. Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim also made it to the short list.

Still reeling from the experience, Aumentado needs to go back receive yet another award for Bohol from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung of Germany and the Local Government Development Foundation (Logodef) for being the highly-performing province out of 80 nationwide.

The province will get a special certificate of recognition while for steering the province to such heights Aumentado will get the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence and a separate special certificate on Dec. 6 at the Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel.

Aumentado attributes his selection as outstanding governor in the LGLA to his flagship program of poverty reduction for peace and development.

Poverty and insurgency are both causes and effects. The governor said unless something is done to reduce poverty, insurgency will breed and thrive.

When he first took over as governor in 2001, Bohol belonged to Club 20 â€" the 20 poorest provinces out of 79 in the country.

But inculcating in the local government units, the municipalities and the barangays the convergence strategy and the bayanihan spirit in the implementation of projects especially those geared for poverty reduction, and ensuring community or people empowerment in planning and implementation, his formula worked.

The end result is that according to the United Nations Development Programme Philippines 2005 Human Development Report, Bohol graduated from Club 20 and moved to the No. 41 position.

Only last May, the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) reported that Bohol is now in the 52nd spot, with the corresponding reduction of the insurgency problem for which Bohol is no longer the headquarters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in Central and Eastern Visayas .

Aumentado said all his poverty reduction projects are tied with peace and development efforts. Poverty breeds unrest, and to address insurgency, one must first address poverty and deprivation. The Poverty Reduction Program for Peace and Development won the Trailblazing Program Award and a Special Citation on Local Peace Initiatives â€" the first ever â€" from the Galing Pook Foundation in 2004.

The number of CPP-NPA-NDF influenced barangays was reduced from 305 out of 1,109 to 46 by 2005. Armed NPA members were reduced from 283 in 2001 to 42 in 2005. The Central Visayas headquarters of the CPP-NPA has also been moved to Leyte .

Such improvements apparently convinced the top local communist leader to surrender.

“Today, I am happy to report that the CPP-NDF-NPA political officer of Bohol â€" Domingo Samuya alias Ka Aryong â€" surrendered to me on Nov. 10 ultimo after 25 years of leading the insurgency movement in the province. This is a major breakthrough for Peace and Development in Bohol ,” he said.

Loren Legarda to grace media awards
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

The Bohol Tri-Media Association (BTMA) will hold its first Excellence Awards Ceremonies on December 4, Monday night at the posh Bohol Tropics Resort, this city.

Invited as keynote speaker is former Senator Loren Legarda, who is herself, a respected print and broadcast journalist.

Legarda will be assisted by Gov. Erico B. Aumentado in handing the excellence recognition plaques to 12 awardees, all association members and are known personalities in their respective field of media work.

BTMA members include radio stations DyRD AM-FM, DyZD-Ubay, DyTR AM-FM, DyDL-FM Carmen, Bohol Community Cable TV, prestigious print outfits like the Bohol Standard, Bohol Chronicle and the Bohol Times.

This year’s awardees are: Inyong Alagad, Best Public Service Program hosted by Fred Araneta- DyRD-AM; PULSO as Best Public Affairs Program hosted by Kagawad Roberto “Batchoy” Alba and Chito Visarra â€" DyRD-AM; Best Newscaster Fred Araneta- CBB Breakfast News-DyRD-AM; Best Anchorman Fortunato “Atoy” Cosap-DyRD AM; Best Columnist Atty. Salvador Diputado - Bohol Times; Best Editorial â€" The Bohol Chronicle; Best News Writer Fred C. Amora -The Bohol Standard; Best Feature Writer Loreto “Loy” Palapos; Best Photo Journalist Danny Reyes -The Bohol Chronicle; Best Field Reporter Dodong Libatona- DyTR-AM; Best Radio Commentator Pedro “Pedy” Bolanio-DyRD-AM and Best Editorial Cartoonist Ariel Fullido.

BTMA Vice President for Broadcast and also Comnet-DyTR’s general manager Carlito Responte will give the welcome address while DyRD station manager and BTMA President Peter Dejaresco will render the recap of the organization’s year-long activities and its future thrusts dubbed as “The Year That Was, The Year To Be.”

The head of the Provincial Government Media Affairs (PGMA) Antonieto “Boy” Pernia will also grace the affair, bringing with him Capitol’s warmth and rapport for the ever-supportive but sometimes “critical” media.

House Representatives Atty. Edgar M. Chatto (1st District-Bohol), Atty. Roberto Cajes (2nd District-Bohol) and Atty. Eladio M. Jala (3rd District-Bohol) will each give their solidarity messages.

The awarding ceremonies will be led by Loreto “Loy” Palapos, Chairman, Excellence Awards Committee and Past BTMA President.

Introduction of the guest speaker will be done by BTMA Vice President for Print, Atty. Salvador Diputado.

Capping the night will be the association’s Christmas Party, celebrated with a dinner-fellowship, talent show, distribution of gifts, raffle draws, disco and pictorials that will preserve precious memories of BTMA’s first excellence and recognition rites.

NO TRO TO STOP IT
Water rate hike takes effect Tues
By: FRED C. AMORA
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

... will the assailed action become a fait accompli, leaving nothing to restrain anymore?

The water rate increase sought by the Bohol Water Utilities Inc., will finally take effect on Tuesday, December 5 as no petition to stop it was filed in court as of this writing.

Water consumers will have to pay a minimum charge of P80 for those consuming less than 10 cubic meters. This is about 40.79 % increase from the previous minimum charge of only P68.80.

Those consuming 31 cubic meters and above will have to pay a much higher amount of P30.50 per cubic meter.

The new rates, however, were noticed already reflected in the billing for the month of November 2006, contrary to what BWUI publicly announced that it will still have to take effect this Tuesday in the month of December.

Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Handel Lagunay lamented on the inability of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pass a much-needed resolution that would authorize Gov. Erico Aumentado to file a petition for a temporary restraining order at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) that could stop the impending Tuesday implementation.

The National Water Resource Board (NWRB) Rules and Pleadings, Practice and Procedure require that any appeal against the decision of the board shall be filed at the RTC of the province where the subject matter of the controversy is situated.

The SP did not hold session last Friday being the fifth in the month and also Andres Bonifacio Day, a non-working holiday

Lost Cause?
“However, it is not a lost cause. The provincial government can go ahead file a case and the court can stop the new increased rates upon its discretion,” Lagunay said.

The SP could have approved the other Friday a twin resolution proposed by board member Felix Uy, chairman of the public utilities committee; - the first one interposing objection to the water rate increase and the other authorizing the provincial governor to file a case against the water utility firm.

Board member Godofreda Tirol, however, called upon members of the provincial board for propriety, citing the fact that the provincial government is co-owner of the water utility firm (as well as the light company), with a 30% percent share pursuant to a year 2000 joint venture pact.

SP presiding officer Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera suggested that the matter be referred back and tackled at the committee level, which chairman Uy agreed.

The next SP session will be on December 8, Friday, on which the Uy committee is expected to render its report and recommendations to the provincial board.

Fraud
Lagunay said, a panel of provincial legal officers is readying an intra-corporate complaint against BWUI but it cannot file this action in court without the provincial board’s authority given to the governor.

The legal action against BWUI will be anchored on fraud after the board resolution authorizing the petition for a water rate increase to NWRB was passed “without the participation” of Engr. Francisco Ceniza, the appointed representative of the provincial government to the water utility firm board of directors.

Lagunay said there is an agreement among BWUI board of directors that there should be unanimity on the rates increase petition before it will be filed.

“Without the participation of the provincial government representative, the BWUI board resolution therefore is invalid and the petition for rates increase was unauthorized. Therefore, there could have been no valid petition to speak of in the first place,” lawyer Lagunay,” said.

NWRB Approval
The NWRB approved the BWUI application on September 20, 2006 despite the opposition posed by the provincial and city government.

The opposition of both the city and the provincial government were dismissed by the NWRB for lack of merit.

BWUI said it has submitted its petition for water rate increase to the NWRB as early as June 6, 2005. This is the first water rates adjustment made since taking over the management and operation of the then Provincial Waterworks System (PWS-PPUD) on December 2000, or about five years ago.

Although the JVA agreement allows water rate adjustment after two (2) years from the joint venture signing, BWUI said it did not do so but instead concentrated on rehabilitating the system.

An audited financial report by SGV showed a net loss of P13.7 million for BWUI ending year 2005 and it continued to operate at a loss aggravated by spiraling cost of materials and fuel brought about by the implementation of the Revised Value Added Tax (RVAT) last July 2006.

Privatization
BWUI is a sister company of the Bohol Light Company Inc., twin utility firms created by the multi-national group Salcon under a Joint Venture Agreement entered into with the provincial government in year 2000, during the incumbency of former governor Rene Relampagos.

Salcon paid P150-million, posting 70% majority share in both water and electric utilities with the provincial government retaining only 30 % ownership.

The sale or privatization issue cost the political career of Relampagos. He was defeated in the May 2001 elections and again suffered the same fate in 2004.

The new governor Erico Aumentado announced to the public his administration’s determination to buy-back these twin utilities.

P7.6-B allocated for El Niño effects
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

THE GOVERNMENT has allocated funds to deal with the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon on agriculture, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said.

But Andaya said the passage of the 2007 budget was crucial, saying this contained a proposal for the P7.6-billion outlay to bring water to 17,150 hectares of farmland all over the country.

Of this amount, P7.31 billion has been allocated to the Department of Agriculture while P330 million has been included in the budget of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The proposed P1.136 trillion budget for next year is being deliberated on at the Senate.

"If the national budget will be signed into law before the end of the year, then we can have a headstart in readying our irrigation systems for the coming dry spell," Andaya said in a statement.

Weather officials had said that in a worst-case scenario, the El Niño phenomenon could last until the first quarter of 2007.

Meanwhile, The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC0 has yet to meet to mitigate the ill-effects of El Niño. Ret. Col. Jacinto Piquero, (PDCC) Executive Officer, said that PAGASA and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist will be called to attend the said meeting to report on El Niño, its effects to agriculture and preparations. (PIA/Bohol-aeescobia)

Local executives, planners gather in dev’t workshop
By: Bruce EGT Zabala
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

A workshop on Strategy Mapping and Priority Setting for LGU-BIAD (Local Government Unit-Bohol Integrated Area Development) was conducted November 28-29, 2006 at the Bohol Plaza Resort and Restaurant located at Dayo Hill, Mayacabac, Dauis, Bohol.

Local chief executives, municipal planning development coordinators of the 47 towns including that of the capital city of Tagbilaran, attended the workshop. The activity was conducted by Philippines-Australia LGDP (Local Government Development Program) Phase-1 ably led by Mrs. Linda G. Paredes from.

The workshop was aimed for formulation of the LAPDs (Local Area Development Partnerships) having the specific goals of ‘establish the importance and contribution of the province to the nation’s socio-cultural and political growth and economic edge as well as the province’s sustainable eco-cultural tourism and agro-industrial sites to encourage investments and employment opportunities and to enable them to be much more productive, enterprising and participative in attaining the vision and goals of Bohol.

The LGUs were clustered by the Poverty Profile in four levels of deprivation based on population, the number of households, percentages of unemployment, dropouts, malnourished as well as of the type of major crops and industries.

LGU Composition of each BIAD is as follows. BIAD-1 had the most number, it covers Panglao, Dauis, Tagbilaran City , Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay, Lila, Loboc, Sikatuna, Sevilla, Corella, Balilihan, Cortes, Maribojoc and Antequera. BIAD-2 with 9 LGUs covering Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Getafe , San Isidro and Catigbian. For the remaining clusters, each covered 8 LGUs, BIAD-3 covers Talibon, Bien Unido, Pres. CP Garcia, Ubay, Mabini, Alicia, San Miguel and Trinidad . BIAD-4 covers Candijay, Anda, Duero , Jagna, Garcia-Hernandez , Valencia , and Dimiao while BIAD-5 covers Bilar, Batuan, Carmen, Sagbayan, Sierra Bulones, Pilar, Dagohoy and Danao.

The affair was capped with the review of the events, congratulations to the participants and testimonies from the delegates.

There will be a follow-up on December 5-7, 2006 wherein the designated representatives of each BIAD will again converge at the same venue to inculcate in them the significance of the workshop and to secure their commitment for the implementation of its noble objectives.

The formation and strengthening of the LAPDs is instrumental for securing assistance from overseas (Official Donor Agencies) since there is a move to deliver these assistances directly to them provided minimum necessary requirements are met.

May 2007 elections will be cancelled! Interim Parliament to sit Nov. 2007?
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Confusion has risen to a feverish level as the technical working group created by Malacañang finalized the other day the draft for constitutional amendments, agreeing to a formal motion to cancel the May 2007 elections to pave the way for the formation of an interim parliament in November 2007.

A plebiscite on Charter change will be conducted early next year; - before the deadline of the filing of the certificate of candidacy for senatorial candidates by Feb. 12, 2007.

This was revealed by Surigao del Sur Representative Prospero Pichay and Camarines Sur Representative Luis Villafuerte, who are members of the TWG.

Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado is also a member of the TWG representing the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) together with Sigaw ng Bayan convenor Atty. Raul Lambino.

Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said the caucus, attended by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and more than 70 pro-administration House members, was the second of a series of meetings among Charter change proponents to fast track the amendment of the Constitution.

Congress has about four more weeks of sessions before going on a Christmas break.

During the meeting, Arroyo reiterated the need for Charter change as part of her administration’s political reforms to enable the country to catch up with its neighbors and achieve first-world status, Claudio added. But he said the President was leaving the details up to the congressmen.

The simplified proposal was drawn up by the technical working group (TWG), created after the President gave the go-signal last week to the administration's “final push” on Charter-Change.

She also said it would be "ideal" to have a plebiscite first to determine the people's verdict on Charter change.

The adopted set of amendments will then be presented to Congress once it is convened to deliberate on the proposed amendments or revisions to the Constitution, they said.

The House leadership has expressed confidence that the resolution would be approved by a three-fourths vote of Congress before the congressional break on December 22.

Villafuerte and Pichay said they would immediately transmit the resolution to the Commission on Elections so that it could immediately set a date for a plebiscite probably in February 2007.

“There will be three entries in the November elections -- there might be 32 seats for regional representatives, 212 for district representatives, and probably 55 members from the party-list groups,” Pichay said.

The term of all incumbent senators and congressmen, whose term will expire on June 30 2007, will be extended until November 2007, Pichay said.

But senators, whose terms will expire in 2010, will become automatic members of the interim parliament until 2010, he said.

In 2010, Pichay said the elections of new members of the first regular parliament would be held.

Those who will be elected in 2010 will serve a five-year term or until 2015.

In one of their meetings also, Pichay disclosed that a proposal to allow the President to nominate a prime minister had also cropped up, as included in the draft of people’s initiative.

“We should elect a prime minister from among ourselves,” Pichay said. (With reports: Totsie E. Escobia)

A NEAR-REPEAT OF TRAGEDY IN SCHOOLS
Polboron poisons 28 elementary pupils
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

School officials never learn from lessons in the past.

Twenty-eight young grade schoolers of the Nueva Estrella Elementary School in Bien Unido town were rushed to the hospital Thursday morning when they started vomiting and complained of stomach pains after eating home-made pulboron.

Three of the victims are still under observation at the Talibon district hospital while the rest were sent home after they appeared feeling well.

Dr. Harold Gallego, the hospital chief, said they are still determining the real cause of the poisoning. The laboratory test will be known this week.

Victims said the pulboron which is made from a combination of starch, margarine,milk and sugar, smelled of soap.

The Bien Unido police is now detaining the pulboron vendor for investigation.

The provincial government had already sent its Quick Reaction Team to assist the victims and provide the necessary medical needs.

A Department of Education memorandum circular had banned the vending of home-made food items in schools after the tragic San Jose, Mabini food poisoning reported as caused by a home â€"made cassava cake. More than a hundred elementary grade school pupils died in that accident.

DepEd ordered the establishment of canteens inside the school premises and prohibits children to go out and buy foods during recess from outside the school sources.

The order had since been disregarded as vendors continue to sell foods around school premises.

Editorial: Sobriety
Published: December 03, 2006 by The Bohol Standard

Tomorrow, one of the day’s big events will be the promulgation of the Subic rape case involving a Filipina and four United States servicemen. Like any other case, the ruling of the judge can go either way so the excitement is building up among all the interested parties.

There is no doubt that the stakes are high for all parties in the case. If the judge rules for a conviction, it will be the end of the line for the soldiers who face up to 40 years in prison. If they serve the maximum sentence, they will be well past their prime by the time they walk out of prison.

On the other hand, if the judge acquits the accused, it will be a big blow for the complainant. All the while she had maintained that she was raped and that she had been abused by one of the soldiers.

If the judge upholds the soldiers’ version, it will literally be like rubbing salt to an injury. Considering the psychological and emotional trauma that the incident has left her with, no one really can tell how she can take a reversal.

The sad part about this whole episode is that there have been rider issues that complicate the case. For one, militants and women’s groups actually look beyond the rape case to boost their call to sever any ties with America.

They have also been accusing not only the US government but also the Philippine government of trying to influence the case since the start. If the judge dismisses the case, the natural reaction would be that the case had been rigged all along and that the dismissal was due to external pressures.

This is a sad commentary of our country at this time. In their haste to bring down not only the Macapagal administration but also the democratic government itself, militants ascribe all sorts of evil motives on the government. There is no more respect left for the country and all it stands for.

One thing that keeps bringing this country down is its own people. Nobody seems right for leadership and every change in leadership goes the way of the one before it. The new administration is met by its share of critics and bitter foes.

People should realize that this has got to stop. Filipinos should learn to give leaders a chance instead of writing them off even before they could start. For all we know, the critics themselves don’t even know what they are actually looking for.

The first step should be sobriety. People cannot think right when they are under duress and when they are emotionally unstable. They need to allow their minds to work more and their emotions to cool off.

The angry can never hope to think right. What we need is sobriety.