MikeLigalig.com

By GENALYN KABILING
Manila Bulletin

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is seeking further refinements in the parameters of media coverage during crisis situations following the dramatic hostage crisis that ended in a bloody carnage last Monday.

President Noynoy Aquino said he plans to meet with media organizations to forward his agenda after he lamented that full media coverage of the hostage crisis apparently gave the hostage-taker a “bird's eye view” of the situation while hampered government actions to resolve the problem.

In a press conference early Tuesday morning at the Palace, President Noynoy Aquino explained that the government did not impose any news blackout during the 12-hour standoff since it violates the freedom of the press. But he later recognized the need for “a redefinition of the limitations” set for the media to allow the government to do its job during a crisis situation.

“If we ordered the news blackout, you’d tell us that we were guilty of censoring you which is frowned upon by the Constitution. We cannot censor you for things you have yet to do. We did vow transparency. But that actually points out to the possibility of further refining the rules after the Peninsula incident,”  President Aquino said.

“We will be talking to you. We’ll come up with terms and conditions that will help each of us achieve our objectives,” added the President, who has expressed condolences to the families of the eight tourists killed in the hostage crisis that unfolded live on television.

In 2007, dozens of journalists who covered the siege of the Manila Peninsula hotel by rebel soldiers were arrested for supposed obstruction of justice. Journalists reportedly ignored calls by law enforcers to leave the hotel premises and allow the police to handle the situation. To prevent a repeat of the incident, rules of engagement were eventually forged that defines media’s freedom and the duty of the police to protect the public during emergency situations.

By MADELYNNE DOMINGUEZ
Manila Bulletin

A 25-year old man ended his life by hanging himself using a cable wire after his girlfriend separated with him in Pasig City police reported Tuesday.

The suicide was identified as Jason Arnedo y Esperante, single, and resident of 62 Westbank Road Floodway Brgy. Maybunga Pasig City.

Senior Inspector Joselito Brioso, Chief Station Investigation Division and Management said the incident occurred at around 10:45 a.m.

Michel Abeleda Esperante, 25, cousin of Arnedo told police that he went to the room of the latter to ask him to have breakfast when he saw Arnedo already lifeless and hanging.

Police said the suicide’s break-up with his girlfriend could be the reason why Arnedo ended his life.

JOBS and work-trainings for youths remain one of the top priorities for the Chatto Administration.

At the recent Kita ug ang Gobernador weekly radio program aired over Bohol AM stations form the People’s Mansion, Governor Edgar Chatto bared a hurting statistic, only 40% of secondary students in Bohol can proceed to college.

As Chatto read the statistics, he also remarked on the dire necessity to look into the matter of basic work training to high school students.

Who takes care of the remaining 60% graduates who could not go to college and are not trained for jobs? Chatto asked.

Over this, to arrest the need to get the 60% secondary school graduates get jobs, both Chatto and Bohol Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through Dr. Francisca Opog bared their continued implementation of the programs that assure work for Boholano youth.

Dr. Opog said they are opening up P1M school for work training programs scholarship to employable youth aged 18 years old and older.

On the other hand, Chatto revealed that Capitol intends to continue with the Skills Training Advocating Reliance and Self employment (STARS) a program co funded by the Capitol.

The program identifies at least two skills training beneficiaries from every barangay in Bohol for 12 different skills from every barangay.

The project, as conceptualized by the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry aims to generate as much as 26,616 jobs in its first two years of inception also would hopefully start some P204M income opportunities for Bohol, then explained past president Norris Joseph Oculam.

Then funded by the President’s Social Fund, Capitol put in P6.5M and the three Bohol representatives polled a similar amount to get the local job generation program going.

According to Chatto, the country’s educational modules have not as much included work skills training for high school and it compounds to the problem.

Over this, he instructed his Administrator Alfonso Damalerio III and education consultant Cerina Bolos to work out with Bohol Island State University an agreement to make the school a center for excellence in education so they can expand their extension and education services to the farms where they are most needed. (rac/PIABohol)   

Agence France-Presse

Intel announced on Thursday it will acquire Internet security firm McAfee for $7.68 billion, as the computer chip giant seeks to expand its operations in the online market.

In a statement, Intel said it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase all of McAfee's common stock at $48 per share, in cash.

Boards of directors for both companies have unanimously approved the deal, which is still subject to approval from regulatory authorities.

The acquisition of McAfee, one of the most popular anti-virus software programs, underscores Intel's efforts to expand its reach to online and mobile devices such as mobile phone, televisions, cars and medical devices.

"Inside Intel, the company has elevated the priority of security to be on par with its strategic focus areas in energy-efficient performance and Internet connectivity," Intel said.

The two companies were seeking to "jointly explore future product concepts to further strengthen security in the cloud network and myriad of computers and devices people use in their everyday lives."

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer

If you want President Benigno Aquino III to see your Facebook message or your tweet, make sure it has more relevance than just a request for you to be added as his friend, or as a critic of his receding hairline.

The Internet-savvy President is opening the doors of government through cyberspace, promising unprecedented public access to help him fight entrenched corruption.

Filipinos are among the world’s most enthusiastic users of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and Mr. Aquino says he wants this huge online community to become a new force in stamping out graft.

But Mr. Aquino has also made it clear that his busy schedule is keeping him from going through the swarms of messages he receives every day through social networking sites.

“We’re rather busy. As a general rule, my staff brings to my attention the messages that have relevance,” Mr. Aquino told reporters on Wednesday.

“For instance, messages that ask that I add the sender as a friend are no longer brought to my attention,” he added.

Insoluble problem

Asked if he would engage critics through Facebook, Twitter or other means of feedback, Mr. Aquino said: “It depends. For instance, if they would tell me that I have thin hair, what can we do with that problem?”

“There are people who will always look at you (in) the worst way, who will just endeavor to tie your schedule up. So, I think we will have to utilize our judgment on who we can engage, who we cannot engage,” he added.

Mr. Aquino indicated that while he welcomed criticism and while dialogue in a democracy should be encouraged, there was a limit to what he could do.

“We will be the first to say we are not Superman, we are not God.”

16M Facebook users

Nick Gonzalez, a Web analyst who operates CheckFacebook.com, ranks the Philippines as the seventh-biggest market in the world for the social networking site with nearly 16 million users.

That means nearly a fifth of the population use Facebook.

Mr. Aquino’s campaign has made a promising startâ€"over 16,000 hits in the first two hours of his website’s launch on Monday alone.

“We cannot underestimate the potency or the power of digital media,” said Malacañang’s Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma.

“It is a very viral, contagious and infectious process that really creates and multiplies awareness all throughout,” Coloma said.

Days of the telegram

Coloma called on Filipino netizens to go to Mr. Aquino’s various Web pages and report anyone involved in corruption.

They can also give general comments about how to improve government operations as part of Mr. Aquino’s broader pledge to ensure his administration is more transparent than his graft-tainted predecessors’.

Mr. Aquino looked back to those days when the quickest way the President got messages from the public was through the telegram.

“During the time of President Magsaysay, the telegram was the trend. You were given adequate time to respond,” he said.

Plea for understanding

Such is not the case now with those who know his cell phone number and send him messages to get his attention on certain issues.

“With text, you can easily press the button but we cannot answer within five minutes,’’ Mr. Aquino said. “The request for investigation of a substandard road somewhere needs an investigator that we still have to send.”

“So we ask for understanding… that not everything can be answered within minutes.”

Those presenting legitimate issues are answered using “a template for each particular concern,” he said. “At the same time, when I do find time, I try to answer personally.”

Messages at bedtime

Mr. Aquino said it was difficult to answer all text messages on his cellular phone because of the sheer number of text messages sent to him every day.

“I think at any given time, when I open my cell phone in the morning there are 30. In the course of the day, every time I get hold of the phone, two to three times, four times a day, there are 15,” he said.

“Then before I sleep, there are another 28 or so messages. There are days that it seems too tiring to reply but I do my best to answer.”

Mr. Aquino said his communications group helped him tackle the issues brought to his attention through the social networking sites and through his cell phone.

Stake in government

The finance department is running a parallel website (www.perangbayan.com) where anyone can anonymously complain about corrupt government officials or provide details about tax cheats and smugglers.

It is also linked to Facebook and has already received 800 reports in recent weeks, some of which have become the basis for investigations, the government said.

Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares told Agence France-Presse her office received up to 20 tips a day against tax evaders through her Facebook page as well as through dedicated telephone hotlines she set up.

“You can see a lot of people coming out. In Facebook, people added me up as a friend and posted their complaints,” she said. “People feel they have a stake in this government.” With report from AFP

Happy Birthday Ate Wolfpack. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us here.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you more and more. Take care!

source: Philippine News Agency

An official report on the extent and cost of the damage to several square meters of coral formations at Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental last June 25 is expected to be released end of this month.

The report shall be submitted to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, said Pablina Cadiz, administrative assistant on mangrove research and a marine biologist of the Silliman University Institute of Environment and Marine Sciences in Dumaguete.

Cadiz was appointed as team leader of the multi-sectoral group that conducted last August 1 a coral damage assessment at Rock West Point after it was reported that the luxury dive yacht, S/Y Philippine Siren, had plowed through a stretch of some 150 square meters of corals during stormy weather last June.

She said there were indeed signs of destruction in the area such as some corals being uprooted while others were reduced to rubble.

She declined to elaborate but said the official report shall determine the extent and valuation of the damaged corals.

During a meeting of the Apo Island PAMB last month, at which top officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 7 and other members were present, they agreed to conduct a valuation and assessment of the destruction of corals at Apo Island.

The assessment covered mapping, valuation and identification of damaged corals and invertebrates in the area, said Cadiz.

Worldwide Dive and Sail, the company that operates the Philippine Siren, had subsidized the coral damage assessment as earlier promised by its officials and as a sign of good intent to help rehabilitate Apo Island.

Members of the multi-sectoral damage assessment team, majority of whom are scuba divers, including Mario Pascobello, chief sea warden of Apo Island; Clarita Reboton, coral specialist of SU-IEMS; Roy Olsen de Leon, valuation specialist of the Biology Department of Silliman University; Edmundo Arigadas, chief, CMMD-PAWCZMS of DENR-7; Anthony Lord Patrimonio, representative of the DENR’s Environment Management Board; PO3 Richard Elma of the Dauin police station and representing the local government; Marco Santos, operations officer of Worldwide Dive and Sail; Mario Marababol of the non-government organization, Reef Check; Joselito Alcaria, supervising science specialist of DENR-7; and Ian Pascobello, representative of the Apo Island village.

from Cebu Pacific's newsletter:

Save your Seats! With seat sales this low, there's no better time to fly! Snatch a ‘Go Lite’ seat for as low as P499 to select domestic and China destinations, starting now until August 19, 2010 or until seats last.

For travel from November 1-30, 2010, you can avail of P499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Coron (Busuanga) or Kalibo.

Seats from Manila to Puerto Princesa and Tagbilaran or from Cebu to Puerto Princesa are as low as P699 ‘Go Lite’, while our Manila to Boracay (Caticlan) and Dumaguete, or from Cebu to Boracay (Caticlan) and Siargao are selling for only P899 ‘Go Lite’!

The same travel period is applicable to P1,999 ‘Go Lite’ seats for Cebu-Singapore flights.

Meanwhile, P1,999 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing are also available, for travel from October 1 to November 30, 2010.

We've also lowered our year-round fares by as much as 20%. These are available for early bookings this August, for travel anytime within the year!

Ug naay mga contest sauna sa boy scout namo, premyohan mi ug usa ka putos nga hopia or usa ka putos nga mamon o supas (as what we called of cookie-like town-made biscuit). mao na to among kalipay kay nakadaog ug usa ka putos nga hopia (10 pieces ang sulod).

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is suspporting the Department of Education's (DepEd) proposal to add two years of schooling in the country.

Duterte-Carpio said enhancing the country's education system is a must, considering that we export professionals and even then, other countries have made advices that we improve our students before they graduate.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro proposed the K-12 Enhanced Basic Education Program that would add a Grade 7 in the elementary level and fifth year in the secondary level.

Luistro said this is to put the Philippines at par with the global average of 12 years of basic education to make Filipino graduates globally-competitive.

"Yes, I would approve this. We are aware that when our professionals go out of the country, it's almost immediate that they are required to get additional training there or they need to have more training here because our education system is considered not at par with those countries they are working in," Duterte said.

"We have been advised by different countries to do this," she said.

However, the mayor said she would support K-12's implementation if DepEd will provide data that the country is ready. (PNA)

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will conduct its Entrance Examination for PMA Cadetship in Silliman University, Dumaguete City on Aug. 29.

In Dumaguete City, the designated examination center is Silliman University. The examinations will be given in 35 examination centers nationwide.

Basic requirements for applicants are the following: natural born Filipino citizen of good moral character; single and never been married; 5’4” in height if male and 5’2” if female; 17 to 21 years old (not a day older than 22 years old and not a day younger than 17 years old on April 1, 2011 or born on or after April 1, 1989 and on or before April 1, 1994); at least a high school graduate with a general average of 85 percent or higher; for 4th year high school students, 3rd year general average of 85 percent or higher; and physically fit for cadet training.

Application forms are available in all AFP units nationwide.

Interested applicants may also download application forms or apply online on the PMA website (www.pma.ph). For more information, write: Office of Cadet Admission, Philippine Military Academy, Fort del Pilar, Baguio City or call (074) 446-8002 or 0918-587-2384 or 0927-381-0493 or email: oca@pma.ph. (PNA) RMA/jfp/PR

To the OP:

It appears that the repetition of letters and exclamation mark is excessive. TubagBohol sees this kind of irresponsible posting as vandalism which we never tolerate.

Quote from: cujo on August 09, 2010, 07:10:47 PM
Make sure there is no "under the table" dealings not to attend the Saturday drill and at the end of the semester still gets a grade ?.

Te, in Ateneo and La Salle, main source of income ni sa mga reserved army officials. The rich just give money to ROTC officials in exchange of not attending ROTC drills.

Another stupidity in our Philippine society. I wasted two years of my life in college with this foolish ROTC. Whole day of saturday, whole day of sunday, magmarcha-marcha, dakong binuang. What did we learn? left-right-left-right-left-right. 2 years pud sa high school nga puro ra left-right-left-right Monday to Sunday.

Sa Tagalog pa: sistemang bulok.

Unsay inyong ikasulti?

Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX APIs.

We've made major improvements, to put the Web at your service and make Internet Explorer 8 the best browser for everyday use. And now you can search smarter, work faster, and browse more safely â€" all within the familiar Internet Explorer environment. Install Windows Internet Explorer 8, Bing Bar, and Microsoft Silverlight.

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines' largest national flag carrier offers P88 'Go Lite' seats to all domestic flights and P888 'Go Lite' seats to all international flights from August 6 to 8, 2010 for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2011.

With this P88 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale to any domestic destination, guests can plan their trips ahead from Manila, Clark, Cebu and Davao. CEB’s network of 33 Philippine destinations includes Boracay (Caticlan), Cauayan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Cebu, Davao, Laoag, Naga, Ozamiz, among others.  Inter-island domestic routes are also up for grabs!

For the ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare of P888, explore exotic international destinations like Bangkok, Busan, Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau and Seoul, among others.  Our newest destinations, Brunei and Beijing (slated to start August 21 and September 5, respectively) are also on sale, as well as other China routes. 

Meanwhile, for those who want to travel from October 1-31, 2010, guests can avail of the P499 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare from Davao to Cagayan, P799 'Go Lite' from Davao to Cebu, Iloilo and Zamboanga. These are on sale from now until August 9, 2010. 

The same goes for Manila-Bangkok and Clark-Bangkok flights, which are on sale for P1,499 and P1,999, respectively.

Philippine Daily Inquirer - Cebu has been ranked the third best island in Asia by New York based travel magazine Travel + Leisure.

The Philippine island follows Bali, which ranked first, and Maldives, second.

Cebu got a rating of 87.5 points, eight points up from last year’s 79.68 point.

Cebu’s inclusion in the list was significant and rewarding because the provincial Government has been promoting the component towns and cities and Cebu was recognized as an island-province in the magazine.

Travel + Business magazine recently released the results of the survey, which covers hotels, airlines, cruises, islands and cities all over the world.

Phineas Alburo, Department of Tourism undersecretary, said the good news proves Cebu has a lot to be proud of.

He noted the magazine is a prestigious American publication in which respondents were asked to rate the islands based on their natural attractions, activities and sights, restaurant and food, people and value.

Agence France-Presse

The two finalists in Finland's annual World Sauna Championships were rushed to hospital before the competition ended Saturday evening and the Russian contestant died, organizers said.

The "Russian competitor has died in (the) Sauna World Championships," the head of the competition Ossi Arvela said in a statement.

He added that the Finnish finalist had been taken from the competition location in Heinola, 138 kilometers (86 miles) north of Helsinki, further south to a hospital in the larger city of Lahti for treatment.

He told AFP that the two finalists were Russian Vladimir Ladyzhensky and Timo Kaukonen of Finland.

Kaukonen won last year's championships and Ladyzhensky had also figured among the favorites ahead of Saturday's meet, in which participants were asked to withstand a sweltering 110 degrees Celsius (230 degrees Fahrenheit) for as long as possible.

Mark Hurd has resigned as boss of computer giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) following a sexual harassment probe, the company says.

Mr Hurd stepped down from his positions as president and CEO after an investigation into claims made against him by a former HP contractor.

The company said its sexual harassment policy had not been violated but its standards of business conduct were.

HP has named chief financial officer Cathie Lesjak as its interim CEO.

The US economy shed another 131,000 jobs in July, the second month in a row that jobs have been lost, the Labor Department has said.

The private sector created 71,000 jobs, the government said. However, both figures were worse than expected.

Despite the overall fall in job numbers, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.5%.

Many analysts are concerned that high unemployment is undermining the US economic recovery.

The job losses sent US stocks sharply lower, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 1% in early trading, though the market later recovered slightly to close down 0.2% at 10653.56 points. - BBC

Royal Bank of Scotland's pre-tax profit has risen to £1.14bn in the first half of the year from £15m a year earlier.

The bank reported an operating profit of £1.6bn compared with an operating loss of £3.4bn in 2009.

RBS, which is 84%-owned by the taxpayer, has announced 23,000 job losses worldwide since October 2008, including 17,100 in the UK.

It also announced it had sold an 80% stake in its payments business GMS, in a deal which valued the unit at £2bn.

RBS's results follow upbeat performances from Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds. - BBC news

Certainly this man is much better than Gloria Arroyo. In Haiti, there won't be any fertilizer scam, rice importation scam, broadband scam, hello garci scam, sugar cane scam, car smuggling scam, etc.

Te, nakalimot na ko ani unsay isumpay. heheheh. sign of aging mind.

Grace, I hope you will find solace with this person who is on the same boat of grief: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/susanorlean/2010/08/dog-memory.html

Please help spread this information. More than 700 people in Bohol are victims of dengue. Most people don't know what to do when dengue comes.

God has provided us with medicinal plants to cure dengue. All these commercial medicines are useless.

Hi Vince,

Welcome to Tubag Bohol. We are pleased to have your presence here.

Feel free to post questions/inquiries, if there are any, and we'd be glad
to answer them in the best way we know.

God bless,
mike

Published by Bohol Chronicle

Lawyer Val Antonio B. Suarez, eldest child of the late Boholano ambassador to the United States' Pablito "Blyke" Suarez, was elected by the Board last week as the new president and CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Prior to his appointment, the 51-year old bar member of the IBP and the New York Bar was senior vice president and COO of the PSE since January this year.

Val of this city who also owns and operates a thriving commercial building Ambassador Arcade along Inting Street, is an Ateneo de Manila Law School graduate (with first honors) and an Economics collegiate graduate of the University of the Philippines.

Before his engagement with the exchange, Suarez was Managing Partner of the Suarez and Reyes Law Office in Makati and the Philippine Representative of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Investment Bank Asia Ltd. as well as a senior associate of the Sycip Salazar Hernandez Gatmaitan Law office.

It was his role as investment banker-lawyer that Suarez participated in either the acquisition or public offering deals of large companies like PAL, the National Steel, Ayala Land, RFM, Megaworld, Shoemart Prime, and Aboitiz Equity, among others.

FIT FOR THE JOB

Val Suarez, was voted by a committee after a long search and came in at a time when the stock exchange is faced with a growing foreign interest in the 250 Philippine listed companies with the ascension of president Benigno Aquino III as the new president.

"The numbers show that investors are expecting positive changes in the new administration of Aquino," the personable and extroverted Suarez told the Chronicle.
        
The huge public offering of Cebu Pacific, for instance, which was postponed before the elections - due to market conditions - involving P20 billion in new equity will likely proceed, along with several other huge Initial Public Offerings or IPOs.

Under his wake, the new CEO had finished the migration into a new trading system patterned after that of the New York stock exchange which will enable the local bourse to deal with equities, derivatives and commodities. The modality also has a bigger capacity and faster speed than the previous one.

Suarez has actively pushed for the new REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) where even lowly tricycle drivers (if well informed) can become a stock market player and enables firms with rental cash flow to liquify their receivables and expand their business.

He has also moved to institutionalize through the DEPED, the formation of stock market investment subjects in high school and college to develop the future based of informed investors.

The lawyer-banker hopes to carry out three major reforms or accomplishments during his three year term: (1) deepening the capital market in terms of issuers and players (2) enroll as many listed companies in a Good Governance covenanted group to improve ethical standards and (3) unify the Makati and Manila stock exchanges into one bourse in a building they hope to erect in Fort Bonifacio.

SUAREZ FAMILY

Val's father "Blyke" was a well-loved DFA official who died in Washington in 1993 with his boots on - in Washington DC as RP Ambassador to the USA under the term of president F.V. Ramos. He was being groomed to run for governor of Bohol by FVR until death overtook him in the 90s.

Val's mother Ely Belmonte was a career Executive officer at the Central Bank of the Philippines until her retirement.

Val is married to Cecilia Dolendo, herself an accomplished securities person as head of J.P. Morgan Securities in the country. They have two children: Camille, 13 and Paolo, 10.

Val keeps fit with his daily work-out routine at a nearby gym from his office and is a tennis and golf enthusiast.

Printed by Bohol Chronicle

Borja Family Hospital: "a small hospital with a big heart", celebrated its 30th Foundation Day last Friday.

Within a period of three decades, this institution has been gradually making its expansion and developments in order to render service to the growing healthcare needs, not just for the Boholanos, but for all the people who needs utmost care and health services.

The gradual growth of the small institution was the result of the unfaltering efforts and passion of its procreators. Dr. Melinda Borja, native of Cebu City, an alumnus of St. Theresa's College and a graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas Batch 1964. She had her obstetric-gynecology training in Chung Hua Hospital & Cebu Maternity Hospital in Cebu City She then later became a Fellow in the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP). Dr. Jose Borja, true blooded Boholano from Loay, had his early schooling in Rafael Palma College and gained his medical degree in Southwestern University. He then became the Hospital Administrator of Borja Family Clinic whilst Dr. Melinda Borja took the role of the Medical Director. Both of them became the founders of Borja Family Hospital. They are blessed with three children who took passion different passions in the field of medicine. The eldest son, Jose Luis Borja is a medical technician in the US. The second son, Jose Gerard Borja is a registered nurse in the US. The youngest of the siblings, Ma. Melinda Borja-Chiong is a known OB/GYNE doctor in Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City.
         
From its humble beginnings way back August 1980, Borja Family Clinic, which was its founding name, started as a small primary hospice with a 23 authorized bed capacity with 19 employed personnel. In the present date, it is now a 40 authorized bed capacity secondary hospice of care. The hospital has also played host to a number medical-surgical missions since the year 2007 with the active participation of the Illinois-based physicians who were batch mates of the current medical director in UST year 1964. Not to mention, that this is the only private hospital organization who supports medical-surgical mission.

As part and parcel of the hospital's growth, it has established additional private and deluxe rooms that are analogous to hotels to provide comfort and solace to the patients during the times of need and sickness of the clients. The hospital also has a newly installed elevator to allow faster transit to every hospital floor. The hospital will also be launching its upgraded 3-bed intensive care unit equipped with a new patient centralized monitoring system intended for clients under critical care and continuous monitoring. Another anticipated project in lieu of the hospital's expansion is the hospital's car park situated in the lower ground floor the hospital and the Children's Playground on the fourth floor of the hospital complex.

On the 31st of July, Borja Family Hospital will be commemorating its Foundation Day. An anticipated mass will be heard in line with the celebration followed with the Holy Blessing of the hospital premises will follow right after the Holy Eucharist. The pinnacle of the celebration will be a cocktail party which will be attended by some invited guests, constituent physicians, valued patients and hospital employees as well.

Borja Family Hospital is committed to continue in providing prompt, quality & utmost service to the rising healthcare needs of all the masses. The hospital organization has mobilized and has empowered its new committees in order to further improve patient care, services and facilitate continuing education within the whole hospice.

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

A Boholano now living in the United States with his family will be honored today by fellow Filipino-Americans in recognition for his exemplary leadership achievements in the field of business.

Gerardo "Doydoy" Bas Madanguit, will receive one of the most prestigious awards given by the Filipino-American community in the US - the Gintong Pamana Pilak Award in Business Management - during the 16th Gintong Pamana Foundation Awards Dinner and Ball at the Westin, Chicago North Shore today (July 31 in the US).

For the past 15 years, the Gintong Pamana Award has been given to outstanding Filipino-Americans who have exemplified extraordinary performance in their chosen field of endeavor, proving their leadership while showing their commitment and dedication in serving the community.

The awarding will also highlight another Filipino-American achiever, Dr. Eleanor Concepcion "Connie" Mariano who is more known as "The White House Doctor", who will keynote the event. Mariano, who already served three US presidents (since Bill Clinton), was the first woman to become Director of the White House Medical Unit and the first Filipino-American to serve as a Navy rear admiral.

WHO IS "DOYDOY"?

Although he is often called "Gerry" in the US, Madanguit, a Tagbilaranon, still goes by the nickname "Doydoy" to family and friends here.

Doydoy is blissfully married for 15 years to Rhodora Canlas Tugonon, his former Grade School classmate in the College of the Holy Spirit (now Holy Spirit School). They were married in Boston, Massachusetts and they are blessed with four children, ages 6 - 14. They are Marion Claire and Mia Grace, students of Avoca West School, Regina Marie of Marie Murphy School and Geri Elise of New Tier High School.

He finished Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting from the Divine Word College of Tagbilaran (now Holy Name University) and later studied Law for a semester at the University of Santo Tomas.

Madanguit is acknowledged by business peers as a man of impeccable integrity and one with a big heart.
         
"He would not compromise any material gain for quality and committed service to his clients. He is a stickler for orderliness and has a very good aesthetic sense which one can feel and see in his work place. He is a very generous giver who finds joy in sharing his blessings to others," reveals a profile of Madanguit prepared for the awards.

"Madanguit is endowed with a certain keenness and depth of perception, discernment and quick wit among other things which made him stand out among his business constituents. These earned him the nomination for and consequently the nod of the Awards Committee of the Gintong Pamana Awards Foundation, Inc."

However, his business acumen does not deter him from being an ideal family man. Managing a business and managing a family pose a challenge which requires sensitivity to the needs of the people around him - his staff in the home health care industry and his wife and children at home. Both require commitment, focus and receptivity. Doydoy's management decisions and relationship with his staff from the clerks and clinicians to the members of the administrative team have been guided not only by his education and experience but by his strong belief in his Creator.

Madanguit founded Southwest Michigan Homecare Services, Inc. in 2003 and acquired Quality Plus Care, Inc. in 2009. Before then, he had a string of management jobs, sometimes in partnership with several businesses, most of which he had brought to a level of high profitability and stability before deciding on moving on to a new phase of business acquisition. Michigan Homecare Services, Inc., which started with two (2) employees in 2003 has now grown to thirty employees and Quality Plus Care, which started with six (6) people has grown into twenty-six employees in just a year.

Doydoy credits his companies' remarkable performance to teamwork, that is, the dedication, belief, values, vision and philosophy which he and his staff genuinely share. Educating his staff on all aspects of the business and harnessing their individual strengths are what this man believes in his heart to be the key to his successful business endeavors.

Asked about how competitive his employees' salaries and benefits are, he says that his companies must be among the top 20 agencies in the area in that respect. He doesn't necessarily believe though that salaries and benefits alone can attract people to work for a company. He is convinced that a nice and friendly atmosphere in the workplace has a more enduring effect on the quality of work and decision of employees to stay in their job.

Believing that a man's success is measured in the holistic blend of one's family with the society's demands and concern, Doydoy schedules and arranges the activities, appointments and celebrations for his family and the industry. He takes care that neither one is neglected. He attends most of his children's school activities, watches movies, and takes vacation and trips with the whole family.

Doydoy says that parents can only model to their children how to live life and meet challenges along the way but in the end, their children should decide for themselves what to do with their own lives.

In the same manner, in the industry, the manager can only show the staff the challenges and the rewards of the trade, but at the end of the day, he could only hope that they have actually imbibed the same vision, mission and goals with the company that they have joined.

It goes without saying that the health care industry, according to Doydoy, should be faithful to its mission of service. Doydoy advises that for anyone who wishes to be successful in the field, one has to be honest, to believe in oneself and have the perseverance and commitment to the true mission of the health care industry.

Asia’s third-largest low cost carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) Air puts Jakarta and select Visayas and Mindanao destinations on sale for as low as P499!

The seat sale starts now until August 5, 2010, for travel from September 1 to October 31, 2010.

Guests going from Manila and Cebu to Bacolod, and Cebu to Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Surigao and Tacloban and vice versa can avail of the ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare of P499.

Another low-fare offering is the P699 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare for Cebu to Butuan, Caticlan, Dipolog, General Santos, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Siargao and Zamboanga flights.

You can also avail of the P1,999 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare from Manila to Jakarta, which is 50% less than the lowest possible year-round fare for that route.

Those with check-in luggage will just add P100 upon booking.

RULES ON THE CONDUCT OF THE Philippine BAR EXAMINATIONS

   1. No refund of the examination fee will be allowed, whether or not your petition to take the Bar Examinations is approved.  In case you are unable to take the examinations, seventy-five percent (75%) of the said fee may be applied to a future Bar Examinations.
   2. Failure to take the test in any subject will bar you from taking the rest of the examinations. (Res., October 1, 1968)
   3. Always bring with you your Notice of Admission, which shall serve as your pass to the examination compound/room.
   4. Bringing of deadly weapons, cameras, tape recorders, cellphones, other radio or stereo equipment, communication gadgets or any other electronic device is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
   5. You are required to come early.  Gates open at 5:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. on examination days and close at 7:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M., afterwhich no one will be allowed to enter without permission from the Chairman.
   6. Upon arrival at the examination compound in the morning of each examination day, consult the bulletin boards along the ground corridors and on the floor to which you are assigned for your room assignment.
   7. For an easy and orderly location of your assigned building and room, you are required to wear your color-coded Identification Card at all times.  When you arrive at the examination area, you are required to proceed to your room assignment and not to wander around.
   8. Eating inside the classrooms and anywhere inside the examination buildings is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  Eating is however allowed in the following areas: a) gazebo area, b) pebble wash area, and c) Chess Plaza.  As mandated by the De la Salle University Administration SMOKING is STRICTLY PROHIBITED anywhere within the premises even in open spaces.
   9. You will be allowed to enter your room before the start of the examination upon submission of your Notice of Admission to the headwatcher, but you have to conduct yourself properly by avoiding loud discussions and conversations.  Attend to your personal needs before the FIRST BELL.
  10. At the sound of the FIRST BELL (7:45 A.M. and 1:45 P.M.), no examinee will be allowed to leave the room.  All books and notes should then be placed in front of the room.  An examinee will be considered cheating if caught with notes or “codigos” during the examination.
  11. A name card will be given to you by the headwatcher which should be STRICTLY ACCOMPLISHED in the following manner and order:
         1. PRINT your complete name as follows â€" family name, given name and middle name â€" on the first line;
         2. Affix your CUSTOMARY SIGNATURE on the second line;
         3. INDICATE THE SCHOOL where you finished your law course at the bottom of the card;
         4. Affix your RIGHT THUMBMARK on the space provided therefor;
         5. INSERT the name card into the envelope, which is attached to the examination notebook, after the headwatcher has signed at the back thereof ; and,
         6. Ask the headwatcher to SEAL THE ENVELOPE.
  12. Only fountain pens and sign pens in permanent blue, blue-black or black ink should be used during examinations.  Variation in the color of ink and the style of your handwriting should be avoided.
  13. Begin answering at the sound of the SECOND BELL (8:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.).  Anyone caught answering before the Second Bell will be dealt with accordingly.
  14. Per SC Resolution dated 3 February 2009 in Bar Matter No. 1161 (Re: Proposed Reforms in the Bar Examinations), each Bar subject is now divided into two (2) parts, namely: Part I and Part II.  There will still be one (1) set of questionnaire and notebook per Bar subject but the same shall be divided into said Part I and Part II.  Examinees may start writing their answers for each part beginning on the page of the notebook where the words “Begin Answering on this Page” appear.  He/she has the discretion on which part to answer first.
  15. In correcting a mistake in your answer, simply draw a line across the word or words you want to change.  DO NOT ERASE OR TEAR OFF ANY PAGE OF THE NOTEBOOK.  DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME IN THE NOTEBOOK OR MAKE ANY UNNECESSARY MARKING OR USE ANY IMPERTINENT EXPRESSION which may be construed as a means of identifying your notebook.  Names of persons should be represented by letters of the alphabet such as A, B, C, etc., unless particular names are called for.
  16. Write your answers on one side of the paper only â€" on the face and not on the back page.  In case all the front pages have been consumed, you may use the back pages commencing on the first leaf and so on.
  17. The THIRD BELL signifies that only five (5) minutes are left before the end of the examination.
  18. When you finish answering or at the sound of the FOURTH BELL (12:00 NOON and 5:00 P.M.), as the case may be, submit your notebook together with the questionnaire.
  19. After every examination and before leaving the room, ask for your Notice of Admission from the headwatcher who shall accomplish the certification at the back thereof.
  20. Your Notice of Admission will be retained by the headwatcher at the end of the last examination. i.e., Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises.
  21. ANY VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RULES WILL BE CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT CAUSE FOR THE NULLIFICATION OF YOUR EXAMINATION AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM FUTURE BAR EXAMINATIONS.

Philippine Airlines “will soon file appropriate charges” against some pilots who resigned and failed to report for work immediately after submitting their resignation letters, the flag carrier said in a statement Sunday.

“The indiscriminate resignation of PAL's A320 pilots for flying jobs abroad whose salaries PAL is unable to match is in violation of their contracts with PAL as well pertinent government regulations that require resigning pilots to give PAL six months prior notice to be able to train their replacements,” the statement said.

“Most of the pilots still owe PAL the cost of their aviation school training, which run into millions of pesos per pilot,” it added.

At the same time, PAL apologized to passengers inconvenienced by the disruption of several PAL flights due to lack of pilots licensed to fly its Airbus A320 airplanes.

“PAL is currently adjusting its schedules by merging some flights, upgrading aircraft to bigger types and fielding of management pilots to lessen the inconvenience to affected passengers,” the statement said.

Passengers are also asked to call the PAL hotline at 855-8888 for flight updates.

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Filipino-American Gloria D. Steele has assumed her post as director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Philippines.

This was announced yesterday by the US Embassy in Manila, which also said the USAID would focus on programs focusing on reducing poverty in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Under Steele, the USAID would also push for the promotion of good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education, according to the US diplomatic mission.

$6B since 1961

Since 1961, USAID has provided more than $6 billion in development aid to the Philippines.

“This assistance has helped to develop the country’s infrastructure, provide training and technical assistance, increase agricultural productivity and economic growth, promote sustainable environmental management, improve health and nutrition, and foster democracy and decentralization,” said the US embassy.

Prior to her Manila posting, Steele headed the Bureau for Global Health at the USAID headquarters in Washington, DC.

Earlier, she served as senior deputy assistant administrator for the agency’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia.

Steele holds a Masters degree in agricultural economics from Kansas University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Maryknoll College in Quezon City.

By Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The sudden exodus of pilots lured to higher-paying foreign carriers forced Philippines Airlines to cancel several domestic and international flights Saturday morning.

PAL said close to a dozen pilots assigned to 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft used on domestic and international routes had resigned in the last two weeks.

“PAL regrets the decision of some of its pilots to accept job offers abroad, causing the disruption of PAL's flight schedules due to inadequate flight deck crew to fly the Airbus A320 airplanes,” the company said in a press statement.

“The indiscriminate resignation of the A320 pilots for flying jobs whose salaries PAL is unable to match, is in violation of their contracts with PAL as well as with pertinent government regulations that require resigning pilots to give PAL six months to train their replacements,” it added.

Spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo said the resignations were not an organized move although they were of the same nature and were only days apart.

At least five flights from Manila to Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Hong Kong were cancelled on Saturday.

Gesmundo said the pilots who left PAL were mostly new hires. “The A320 is the first jet a pilot flies after graduating from aviation school,” he said.

As a result, he said, most of these pilots still owe the company for the flight training tuition that PAL subsidized. Each pilot owes as much as P2 million, Gesmundo said, adding that all of the pilots said they would be able to repay what they owe PAL, thanks to the high salaries they will be getting.

By Miko Morelos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Like other passengers affected by the cancellations of several Philippine Airlines flights Saturday morning, Mary Ann Solano could only sympathize with the pilots who left their jobs with the national carrier for better-paying jobs with foreign airlines.

“If you want to be practical and that kind of opportunity presents itself, you should grab it,” she told the Inquirer at the waiting area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2. “I understand their situation, but I cannot help but feel inconvenienced by the cancellation.

Solano, 31 and eight months into pregnancy, said she was going home to Silay City in Negros Occidental where she intended to give birth. Her husband works in Manila.

She arrived at the airport terminal past noon to check in but to her surprise, her 2:00 p.m. flight to Bacolod was to be delayed by a couple of hours.

The airline offered an option to Solano, which it also did to other passengers: If they agreed to have their flights rebooked to a later one, they would get free round-trip tickets to any local destination of their choice.

Solano said though she was hassled by the incident, “taking the bargain was a way to assuage my inconvenience.”

“If not for my relatives who are keeping me company, I would have been on the warpath,” she said.

By Christian V. Esguerra, Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

President Benigno Aquino III has stepped into the dispute between Philippine Airlines (PAL) and 25 pilots who have moved to higher-paying jobs abroad, causing PAL flights to be delayed or canceled and passengers stranded.

The President announced Sunday that the PAL management would sit in a meeting Monday with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and the secretaries of departments, such as transportation, labor and justice, to tackle the matter.

A separate meeting will be held with pilots who had left PAL to join bigger airlines, he said.

“The end point being to address the situation and to remind everybodyâ€"PAL, for instanceâ€"that they have obligations when they secured the franchise to operate this public conveyance,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President said “the pilots also have an obligation. This is being studied with pertinent laws.”

He scolded both the management and the pilots over what he called “disruption” caused by the mass exodus of the latter in the past two weeks.

“There has been disruption to our tourism efforts and to other aspects of the economy that would need their services,” Mr. Aquino said. “If this is not (resolved), they (will) lay themselves open (to) appropriate charges.”

PAL, Asia’s first airline, has rejected the resignation of 25 of its pilots.

Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez kept his World Boxing Association lightweight throne with a unanimous 12-round decision over Juan Diaz, then called out Filipino star Manny Pacquaio.

Marquez took a rematch of a slugfest from last year by judges' scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112, improving the 36-year-old fighter's record to 51-5 with one drawn. Diaz fell to 35-4.

Marquez twice lost to Pacquiao and while the Asian superstar has been unable to land a blockbuster fight with unbeaten US veteran Floyd Mayweather, Marquez is hoping he might have a chance at a third swing in the ring with "Pac-Man".

"The trilogy is what I want. It's what the people want," Marquez said. "I will be ready for another fight in December, hopefully Pacquiao." - AFP

By PIA Bohol

Posed with the need to increase farmer’s income to cope up with the times, a former top agriculture official asked, are we sticking to palay?

Now able to on to focus financial resource generation for his poverty stricken district, Bohol 3 Representative lawyer Arthur Yap has unwittingly shared a harsh reality he has seen while he was yet a macro manager for the country’s biggest food production machinery: agriculture. 

“A Boholano rice farmer only averages 60 cavans per hectare and earns P50K, unlike Nueva Ecija where farmers can harvest 160 cavans per hectare,” the adopted son of Bohol pointed out. 

For a similar patch of land, a farmer can earn P400 thousand from lettuce and P300 thousand from watermelon, Yap said during the opening program of the Provincial Agri-Technology Fair running from July 20-30 at the New Capitol Complex Grounds. 

“What’s very critical for Bohol and the coming years,”  Yap said, “is how people, especially farmers can support and also benefit from the tourism boom.” 

Homing in on the use of natural and appropriate technology as a guide to sustainable development, Yap stressed that he is still wondering why the province could not compete in average productivity with some other parts of the country. 

We have the soil, the government has already provided irrigation and we do not usually get the strongest typhoons, the former agriculture secretary added. 

“Are we sticking to palay?” Yap asked as he stressed that making up for the food support component of the 500 thousand tourists in Bohol annually can help the farmers get the right market. 

DA Regional director Ricardo Oblena earlier pointed out that in the booming tourism of the province, we need food to feed the tourists. 

Buth while insisting that Bohol should keep the more than a hundred percent rice sufficiency to help keep the country from importing in the next three years, Yap has a different idea. 

“Tourist do not eat much rice anyway,” Yap said as he reminded that Bohol has already attained 113% rice sufficiency.   

Speaking to especially air his commitment to agriculture in Bohol’s third district, Yap also dared the fair organizers to be able to share their research data to investors the representative is bringing to Bohol. 

We have started doing our part, we have brought the investors, but you must point to them which areas and which agricultural products are specifically best for them, he told the gathering of farmer technicians, farmers and exhibitors during the fair opening rites. (rachiu/PIABohol)

By PIA Bohol

Fire suppression assets are now realigned for Candijay town to put up fire fighting capability to nearby towns in the cluster.

According to Bohol Provincial Marshall Pepe Rebusa, he has already initiated the efforts to reduce fire assets in areas in Bohol that have low fire incidence.

Such a move is to realign these assets and accommodate Candijay and the clustered towns of Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Mabini and Alicia, which have no fire stations or conventional fire fighting agents or equipments.

At the weekly Kapihan sa PIA, FSupt Rebusa revealed that these towns are the only cluster of six towns left without a fire asset, as their nearest towns with fire-trucks and firefighters are Jagna and Ubay, all in the eastern part of the island province.

Rebusa also revealed that in Bohol’s 47 towns and a city, the Bureau of Fire Protection has only about 18 fire stations, four of them in Tagbilaran City.

Manning these stations are some 205 personnel, which only boasts of 26 fire-trucks, very few with booms for high-rise building evacuation and fire suppression capability.

To complement the dire need for more manpower, the BFP tied up with socio-civic groups to organize fire brigades and junior fire volunteers, while focusing on fire prevention, he told Kapihan listeners.

Aside from that, Rebusa said a provincial ordinance has set up the Provincial Integrated Fire Alarm and Other Related Emergency Responders Dispatching Systems as well as engaging communities to actively participate in sustain fire prevention.

On the eastern side of the island however, most residential houses and buildings are of light and semi concrete materials, all the more needing a fire suppression capability nearby to be able to efficiently critically salvage lives and even keep away from damage to properties. (rac/PIABohol)

It'd be nice to raise monkeys inside this room.

That ad was lifted from the bohol chronicle.
Please contact the phone number provided above.

A woman in northern France has admitted killing her eight newborn babies but said her husband knew nothing about it, the prosecutor in the case has said.

Dominique Cottrez has been placed under investigation over the deaths, which happened between 1989 and 2006. Her husband has been freed without charge.

Mr Cottrez had initially faced investigation for allegedly concealing the bodies and not reporting crimes.
Related stories

Mrs Cottrez, 47, faces charges of the voluntary homicide of the babies.

Being placed under investigation is the first stage of criminal proceedings that can lead to charges.

The prosecutor had requested the charges of failing to report the killings and hiding the bodies against Mr Cottrez, but the prosecutor said the investigating magistrate in the case had ruled against this. - bbc

Rescue teams in north-east China are working to retrieve 3,000 barrels of chemicals washed into a major river, state media say.

Severe floods washed the barrels, from two chemical storage facilities, into the Songhua river in Jilin city.

Around 400 barrels have been recovered so far by workers at eight stations on the river.

Water quality was being checked and no chemicals had yet been found in the water, state media said.

Several parts of China have been hit by flooding in recent weeks, amid the worst seasonal rains in a decade. -bbc

Electronics giant Sharp says a "substantial" number of jobs will be created following a £30m expansion of its Wrexham factory.

The firm plans to double production of solar cell modules at Llay, where 750 work, and it is hoped a new production line will be in place by December.

Andrew Lee, general manager of Sharp Solar, said a training academy would also be established. -bbc

Diego Maradona has accused the Argentine Football Association of "lies and betrayal" after his contract as national coach was not renewed.

Maradona claimed national team manager Carlos Bilardo "worked in the shadows" to oust him after Argentina's quarter-final exit at this summer's World Cup.

He also accused AFA president Julio Grondona of lying about his future.

"They called me to put out a fire and we put it out. I've given everything, everything," he stated.

Maradona's 20-month reign as Argentina manager ended on Tuesday after he rejected demands to change his backroom team, leading to the AFA voting not to renew his contract.

"Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me," he said 24 hours later. - BBC News

By Sarah Rainsford  BBC News, Barcelona 

The parliament of Catalonia is to vote on whether or not to become the first region of mainland Spain to ban bullfighting.

The vote is taking place as the result of a petition brought to parliament signed by 180,000 people who argue that the practice is barbaric and outdated.

Bullfight supporters insist that the corrida, as it is known, is an important tradition to preserve.

They also fear the vote could be the first of many in the country.

By Tom Geoghegan  BBC News Magazine 

Christina Hendricks, who plays sassy secretary Joan Harris in television drama Mad Men, has been identified as the woman with a body others should healthily aspire to. But how realistic is it for women to look like her ?

She's the unlikely star of Mad Men, the foxy secretary who sashays through the offices of advertising agency Sterling Cooper as if she runs it.

And if it was today, and not the 1960s, then maybe she would.

Her hips are probably the most hypnotic on television, and now Christina Hendricks, who plays Joan Harris (nee Holloway), and is reportedly a size 14, has had her body officially endorsed by the British government.

"Christina Hendricks is absolutely fabulous," says Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone, who held up Hendricks' outline as an ideal shape for women.

Highlighting the "overexposure" of skinny models and the impact they have on body image among young people, Ms Featherstone went on: "We need more of these role models. There is such a sensation when there is a curvy role model. It shouldn't be so unusual."

So what makes Hendricks' figure distinctive, and how attainable is it?

By BBC

Glass negatives bought for just $45 (£34) have been proven to be the work of iconic photographer Ansel Adams and are now worth $200m, it is claimed.

Painter and collector Rick Norsigian says he bought 65 negatives in 2000.

After years of trying to prove their origin, his lawyer now says experts have concluded "beyond reasonable doubt" that they were Adams' work.

The family of the landscape photographer, who died in 1984, have called the matter "unfortunate fraud".

Mr Norsigian said he spent years trying to verify the photos, which were believed to have been destroyed in a 1937 fire at Adams' studio in Yosemite National Park.

In the years after 1937 Ansel Adams became one of the world's best-known photographers, with original prints of his images of the American West, including Yosemite, selling for huge sums.

His images were produced with darkroom techniques that emphasised shadows and contrasts in his black-and-white images.

Published by Bohol Chronicle

More than one hundred Boholano runners joined the Holy Name University Alumni Association of Tagbilaran, Inc. Fun Run 2010 held last Saturday, July 17. The 5K run had for its theme "Run, Care…Have Fun." The run started at the HNU main campus at Lesage Street as the VP for Administration, Fr. Andres B. Guban, SVD officially pulled the trigger of the starting gun. Runners of both male and female categories gave their best strides in order to reach the finish line at the HNU Janssen Heights campus. Proceeds of the run will go to the HNU Alumni Scholarship Fund.         

A dance exercise dubbed as "Hataw" followed after the run. It was led by some Diwanag Dancers. Then, an inspirational message was given by Fr. Vicente L. Uy, SVD, the VP for Finance of HNU and former Commissioner/Executive Director of the Philippine Sports Commission. A raffle preceded the awarding of prizes for the winners in the fun run. Here are the following winners: (Male Category) First - Genesis Ebal, Second - Jessie Anino, and Third - Dejie Castanares. (Female Category) First - Arnibal Angeles, Second - Marycris Samocino, and Third - Merry Jean Berdos. Special awards were also given: Biggest group - Bohol Runners Club, Family Participation Award - Graciela Acedo and her son, Oldest Runner Award - Fr. Vic Uy, and Youngest Runner Award - Alexandra Jao Thacker. Trophies and cash prizes were awarded to the first three winners, medals and t-shirts for the consolation prizes and certificates for all the participants.

Engr.Tibbs Bullecer, President of HNUAA-TI, gave the closing remarks.

On the other hand, HNUAA-TI would like to thank the following donors who have contributed so much for the success of the fun run: Philippine Sports Commission thru Fr. Vicente L.Uy, SVD, BQ Mall, JJ's Seafood Village, JJ's Dimsum Restaurant, Judge Lendicita C. Arcamo, Engr. Charles Jubac, Saya's Restaurant, Engr. & Mrs. Mark Moon of C3A Marle Hardware & Industrial Corporation, Mr. Richard Uy, H.S. Class '67, SVD Community, John Titus Vistal, HNU Non-Academic Personnel, H.S. Class '83, Tagbilaran Community Hospital, Atty. Donie Piquero, Shang Ma Nou, Judge Irma Masamayor, Mrs. Leah Balani, Atty. Allan Coloma, Mayor Jimmy Jimenez, Mr. Dario Rosalejos, Mr. Ramon Boloron, Miss Babie Villanueva, Dr. Erwin Mondragon, Engr. Melvin Mondragon, Crystal J Waters, Aqua Pure, Aqua Verge and Grandma's.

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

Even as the Mathematics Club was organized last year, teachers had decided to merge math and science clubs.

Galicano T. Alqueza, the mathematics teacher of the school organized the Mathematics Club.

According to Alqueza and science teacher Cyra Emerald Iman, math is the language of science and agreed to merge the two.

The Arbasto Foundation, Incorporated (AFI), a private institution is located in barangay Lourdes, Panglao town.
         
It is owned by Captain Zosimo R. Arbasto, a retired seafarer.

Now in its seventh year, the school caters to preparatory, elementary departments and first and second year in the secondary level. Next year, the school is planning to open third and fourth year levels.

Officers of the Math and Science Club are Gelly Rose Villanueva, president; Rica Mitzi Guioguio, vice president-internal; Joshua Naval, vice president-external; Joanna Claire Loren, secretary; Bethany Bonite, treasurer; Roxanne Marie Guioguio, auditor; Angelica Dano, press relations officer; Hercules Hormachuelos, peace officer; Elisa Pengreach, muse; Donver Aron Arcay, prince charming.

Appointed committee heads, chairman and vice chairman respectively, Briane Mendez, Erwin John Mila, sports; Karen Grace Dumangcas, Christhel Mae Reyes, Publication; Arlene Arancon, Jinalyn Buntag, performing arts; Adrian Steve Arado, Dave Geneson Bongay, general service; Aaron Mark John Joseph Atiga, Rhea Cristyl Cadayday, education; Clarice Clarabal, Deannah Angela Aparici, peer facilitator. (Joanna Claire Loren)

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

The Rotary Club of Tagbilaran had its 39th Annual Induction Ceremonies at Bohol Tropics Resort - Dagohoy Grand Ballroom last Wednesday evening.

Rotarians were dressed in their best gowns and suits.

The venue was packed with guests, visiting Rotarians and family members of Rotarians who witnessed the occasion.

Guest speaker for the evening was Gov. Edgar M. Chatto. His spouse, Pureza Chatto was also present.
         
The District Governor of Rotary District 3860 Teodoro "Ted" Locson and his spouse Lady Virgie Locson also graced the occasion.

Other special guests were District Governor Elect Nonoy Villa Abrille, District Secretary Ed Chiongbian, Past District Governor Bading Angala, Past District Governor Pablito "Billy" Parilla of the Rotary Club of Matina, Davao, Past Senior Assistant Governor Rosauro "Jun" Borromeo, Past District Secretary Me'Ann Solomon, Past Assistant Governor and Congressman of the First District, Honorable Congressman Rene Relampagos and his spouse Mrs. Aimee Relampagos were also present. Attorney Danilo Bantugan was also there to represent Honorable Mayor Dan Lim.

There were numerous other guests from the Rotary Clubs of Upper Tagbilaran, Matina Davao, Sta. Ana Davao, Cebu Fuente, Cebu Port Center, Bacolod North, Ubay, Tubigon and Clarkfield Pampangga.

By Bohol Chronicle

The Sandugo Trade Expo, on its last day of display today at the Block of Island City Mall, has been lauded for its display of locally manufactured products with improved quality and design.

More than 80 exhibitors brought in products in the tourism, food, fashion, gifts, accessories, crafts, and house ware industries.

At said Expo, Visayan craft producers who joined a series of training and one-on-one consultations with expert designers presented their work prototypes, says DTI Provincial Director Maria Elena Arbon.
         
The trade expo has been held for 21 years.

A unique offering this year is the first output of the Materials Research and Development Project (Materials R & D) of the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas Office (DTI 7) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
in Cebu (ECCP-Cebu).

Locally made crafts using mixed media and new design patterns, results from experiments made by weavers with recycled materials, buri, abaca, old plastic twine mixed together with raffia and other indigenous materials will be the main attractions for the expo.

National and international buyers including exporters, buying agents, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers and subcontractors have visited the exhibit.

Emerging tourist destinations in the region such as the Ecological Adventure in the town of Danao and the Abatan River Community Life Tour which traverses five towns in Bohol - are likewise offering packaged tours that are readily made available at the booths.

Several booths shall display the wealth of local culture, heritage, natural wonders that are available for tourists and visitors who wish to explore the rising destinations.

"The Sandugo Trade Expo is a culmination of a series of product development initiatives geared towards improving the quality and design of the export-oriented crafts and ethnic food in the region," said Arbon, adding that the Expo not only highlights the region's unique products and services but also made use of local ingenuity.

Bohol Chronicle: The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) elected two city mayors in the Visayas to occupy positions in the association composed of city mayors.
         
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia was elected national executive vice president with City Mayor Dan Lim as vice president for the Visayas.

The league elected San Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez as president while Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri was chosen chairman during elections held in Pasay City last July 17.

Other officers elected were Calapan's Paulino Leachon, vice chairman; Candon's Allen Singson, vice president for Luzon, Pagadian's Samuel Co, vice president for Mindanao, and Valenzuela's Sherwin Gatchalian, vice president for National Capital Region.

The Philippine Councilor's League Bohol chapter president board member Ariel Lungay formally announces the schedule for the provincial congress and the election of new set of officers come August 13-14 at the Bohol Plaza Mountain Resort in Dauis town, this province.

This development came following the PCL chapter meeting last Wednesday at Jj's Seafoods Village this city, where board member Lungay formally announced the date of election, in consultation with the PCL Region VII and national board.         

The registration is pegged at P2,400.00 to cover the expenses incurred in the two-day activity. Current members must pay their respective term dues of P4,000.00 and new members must pay P1,000.00 as membership fee together with P200.00 fee for PCL ID and must submit 1x1in colored picture. The payment of term dues is required for members to qualify to participate in the election.

The election will be supervised by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Bohol and will be observed by incumbent PCL national president Ronald Calcillar and PCL national chairman Allan Zulueta.

BM Lungay encouraged members to attend and participate in the said event as this is essential in establishing a strong and sustained development for the organization.

"We hope to achieve maximum attendance and participation in congress and election. These are vital in the success of the activity," BM Lungay said.

Some 482 PCL members which included municipal councilors, Liga ng mga Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) presidents will determine the new face and name of the PCL president of Bohol.

By Bohol Chronicle

Acting on reports that a zip line manufacturer has been approaching municipal LGUs and presenting itself as a tourism consultant and investment partner, the Provincial Tourism Council convened a special meeting last Wednesday at the Chocolate Hills Complex.

With the unprecedented success of Danao's Extreme Adventure Tour and its main attraction known as the Suislide, zip lines have also been set up in the municipalities of Loboc and Pilar. In Loboc, the attraction complements the Loboc River Tour. A zip line is also being considered in Balilihan as a component of the recently launched Abatan River Community Life Tour, which also includes the municipalities of Cortes, Maribojoc, Antequera, and Catigbian.

Many more towns are reportedly planning to set up the same attraction, at the instigation of the reported zip line manufacturer. Among the towns supposed to have been approached are Carmen, Dimiao, and Guindulman.

On this issue, the PTC immediately resolved for a legislative inquiry on the matter by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol to investigate into the identity and motives of the supposed tourism consultant.

Urging care in the direction of tourism developments in the province, the PTC advised municipal LGUs to first consult the provincial government on the installation of such equipment and to avoid direct competition but instead to complement each other's tourism products.

By PNA and Bohol Chronicle

In filing House Bill No. 160 or "The National Food Authority Act of 2010," Bohol Third District Rep. Arthur Yap said the proposed measure is in support of the programs mentioned by President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III in his inaugural speech -- to provide food sufficiency and to increase farmer's incomes.

"This measure is in support of rice self-sufficiency. If NFA can be re-organized to concentrate on buffer stocking and selling rice at close to market determined prices, then NFA's losses will significantly decrease and prices of rice will stay firm to the benefit of farmers' incomes," he said.

HB 160 also endeavors to clarify the NFA operational mandates by redefining its main mandate as maintaining a buffer stock; allow realistic and market oriented pricing mechanism; redefine market areas wherein it can intervene; redefine and clarify its role in the development of the grains industry; and to enable it to act as a marketing service provider for purposes of farm and market stabilization.

"The bill will rationalize NFA's mandates and make its programs less market distortive. As such, this will reduce losses and allow farmers greater motivation as rice prices will now be truly reflective of correct costs and values," Yap noted.

"The NFA can ensure consumer's accessibility to, affordability and availability of food grains, especially during times of calamities," he assured.

Under Presidential Decree no. 4, the National Grains Authority was created to promote the integrated growth and development of the grains industry (rice and corn and other grains) so that it can adequately function as an institution conscious of its social responsibilities and capable of providing adequate and continuous food supply to the nation and of contributing to its proper share to the national economy.

With the passage of Presidential Decree no. 1770, the limitation to the grains industry was removed, thus the National Grains Authority was reconstituted as the National Food Authority (NFA).

By Bohol Chronicle

Provincial director Rodolfo A. Llorca of the Philippine National Police based in Camp Dagohoy wanted to get to the bottom of the numerous complaints against fixers prowling at the Land Transportation Office.

In his letter to LTO registrar Joel Maloloy-on, LLorca said his office needs to know whether LTO has authorized or deputized individuals in the smoke test centers or insurance firms in dealing with its clients.

PNP apparently wants to establish the identities who are unauthorized to "greatly help this office in determining the criminal liability of (these) persons or entities" as prescribed under Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act, Llorca said.

If ever there are authorized or LTO-deputized persons or employees assigned in the insurance companies and smoke testing centers, Llorca requested LTO to furnish list of these persons concerned "for our ready reference."

Llorca, earlier on, informed Maloloy-on of the various grievances lodged in his office by hapless victims asking for assistance.

By Bohol Chronicle

Renowned Boholano actor -director Cesar "Buboy" Montano, who lost his gubernatorial bid last May, may yet be heading the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) after one year. He belongs to the Liberal Party.

Losing elective candidates, under the law, can only be given appointive posts in government 365 days after election.

This possibility of another Boholano in the new administration came in the heels of the appointment of another Boholano Edwin Lacierda who was designated president Noynoy Aquino's spokesperson.

The "Montano-for-PCSO" revelation was accidentally brought to the public in the recent tiff between the LP Bohol candidate for governor-actor and his manager of 25 years Norma Japitana, who disclosed the alleged plan for Montano to head one of the leading charitable institutions in the country.

If he becomes PCSO head, Montano will be able to pursue various pro-poor programs for the indigents not only in Bohol but the entire country - given the deep liquidity of the PCSO coffers.

By Angeline Valencia
Bohol Chronicle

There is a need to shift strategies in the promotion of tourist destinations like Bohol, in order to catch up with the trend of other nations as far as tourist influx is concerned.

This was the point stressed by DOT Sec. Alberto Lim who blew into town for his first outside Manila visit as guest of last Thursday's 165th Bohol Foundation Day which came with the colorful declaration of the province as the cultural capital in the ASEAN region.

Lim said the country's 3 million tourists a year pales in comparison to Malaysia which gets 23 million tourists a year, Thailand with 14 million, Singapore with almost 9 million, and even Vietnam which gets about 4 million.

"But the good news is that we have a lot of rooms to go upwards. But we have to work at it. It just cannot happen because we have beautiful beaches. It's not automatic," Lim pointed out.

Lim addressed over 3,000 Boholano audiences during Thursday's commemorative program at the Bohol Cultural Center.

He came along with Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Operations Simeon Marfori II to grace the celebration.

They joined Vietnam Second Secretary Tran Trong Duan, UNESCO ASEAN Head Huber Gijzen, UNESCO Commissioner Cecille Guidote-Alvarez, and Department of Education Usec. and NCCA Chair Dr. Vilma Labrador.

The new tourism chief executive cited that Bohol has a lot to offer, not just the favorable weather, the beautiful beaches and the people's warm hearts which put the country at global standard.

By Bohol Chronicle

Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay will take time out to fly here today as guest of honor during the annual Sandugo street dancing.

The former Makati mayor who made it to the country's 2nd top post will likewise rekindle his sisterhood ties with six municipalities and this capital city. He willingly accepted the invitation extended by Deputy City Mayor Mario Uy, acting chair of the Sandugo Foundation.

Binay will deliver his message during the Sandugo street dancing competition this afternoon shortly before he will fly back to Manila to catch up the last flight of Philippine Airlines at 5 p.m. today. He will be introduced by Mayor Dan Lim.

Meanwhile, eight contingents will vie for awards in today's mardi gras. Five of the contingents will come from schools while only three will participate from the municipalities.

The recent election which resulted to the assumption of new municipal mayors gave the elected mayors very limited time to prepare their delegations.         

The towns which are sending contingents today are Catigbian, Dauis and Maribojoc while the campus contingents are Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City Science High School, Manga High School, Dr. Cecilio Putong National high School and Immaculada High School in Baclayon.

The contingents will converge at the City Port Area. By 12:30 p.m. today, the movement of the contingents will commence passing through Gallares Street, until they will reach Plaza Rizal where the contingents will start their actual dancing in the streets.

With spectators lined up along CPG Avenue, the participants will dance their way until they will converge at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex where the judging will be done.

Floats will add color to the mardi gras, to include the Miss Sandugo beauties while another float will highlight with TV stars from GMA-7 who performed before a huge crowd at the Port Area last night.

Prizes at stake: P200,000 for the champion while P150,000 and P100,000 will be won by the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Special awards are: Best in Street Dancing, P30,000 and winner in the competition proper P20,000.

A visiting band from Manila will provide entertainment after awarding of the winners.

Hi Ate Bambi, how's your brother right now? What is his full name so i could specifically pray for him?
How do you feel now?

Rest assured that God hears the prayers of His people as we submit to His sovereign will.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Boholanos who voted for the "graft buster" presidential candidate during the May 10 polls can expect support in the development agenda of this tourism/agricultural province.

Pres. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III articulated his concern for Bohol's development during a conversation with Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang last Tuesday.

The 50-year old President conveyed his commitment as he started asking updates from the governor on recent projects, both completed and unfinished, that could spell a difference in Bohol's development track during the next six years.
       
Pres. Aquino, popularly known as "PNoy" is looking forward for a more lengthy discussion of Bohol's pending projects after Gov. Chatto requested for an appointment with the President as soon as the hectic schedule of the President can already allow a meeting to discuss Bohol's development agenda.

During the induction of officers of the League of Governors of the Phils. (LMP) where Chatto was inducted as one of the directors, Pres. Aquino eagerly asked the Bohol governor on what happened to the pending Panglao Bohol International Airport.

The governor articulated to the President the existing risk posed by the short runway of the Tagbilaran City Airport which justifies the need for a new airport, outside the city.
         

Earlier, Gov. Chatto was also assured by Senator Kiko Pangilinan during his recent visit here that he will extend a "helping hand" in facilitating the airport project even as he said that perhaps, the proposed airport development will undergo a revisit in order for the new administration to be updated of its progress.

It may be recalled that the P6-billion airport project was about to be awarded to the rightful bidder few months before the term of Pres. Arroyo ended. However, due to some hitches encountered at the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the awarding did not push through until Arroyo's term ended last June 30.

What was supposed to be awarded was Phase I of the project amid reports that the bidding was rigged as exposed by columnist Neal Cruz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The pending airport project is expected to be a concern of the Chatto administration realizing the congestion at the existing Tagbilaran City Airport. The airport accommodates seven flights daily from Manila which congest passengers at the limited arrival and pre-departure areas.

Gov. Chatto is slated to convene a meeting shortly after getting updates from the MIAA on the status of the pending airport development project. It may be noted that the provincial government already acquired the lots in Panglao where the airport will be constructed.

The conversation of the President and the Bohol governor last Tuesday revived acquaintances between the two who worked together then as representatives of Tarlac and Bohol in Congress, respectively.

Aquino was to later become a senator while Chatto headed the tourism committee of the House of Representatives.

The President assured the governor that while it may be hard for the national funds to meet the country's needs this year, he will ensure that the situation will be a lot better next year.

Aquino vowed to fully support Bohol's priority programs outlined by Chatto, whose first 100 days focus on HEAT - Health, Education, Agriculture and Tourism - which is a sober advocacy approach to poverty reduction.

The governor has coined "HEAT Bohol" as one articulation of his more encompassing service mission slogan LIFE HELPS---Livelihood and tourism, Infrastructure, Food, Education and technology, Health, Environment, Leadership development, Peace and order, and Sports and youth development.

HEAT Bohol - LIFE HELPS is the governor's major guide post to the reinvigorated vision, mission and goals for Bohol.

Adoption Entrance Dance
Adopting a Dog with Welcome Dance

The Office of the President has affirmed rulings of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bohol Provincial Prosecutor's Office dismissing the rape with homicide complaint against a former Panglao mayor and three others in connection with the rape-slay of a 17-year old girl six years ago.

In a 6-page resolution dated June 18, 2010, former Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza reversed and set aside a previous order signed by then Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita last March 1, 2010 which directed the DOJ to file charges of rape with homicide against former mayor Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan, his brother Teofredo and Romeo Lapinig.

The resolution, stating that it found "no error" in the findings of the DOJ which cleared Dumaluan and three other respondents of the charges filed against them, directed the withdrawal of its previous order to file the corresponding information for rape with homicide against the accused.

The Office of the President noted that the allegations of spouses Eusebio and Antonia Dumaluan, petitioners of the case, against the respondents are basically grounded on statements made by witnesses who have questionable integrity.

Records revealed that the witnesses presented by petitioners have been convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.          
Aside from questioning the integrity of the witnesses, the resolution stated that "the story being painted to implicate the respondents is contrary to human conduct and experience" as it finds the "story-telling of the witnesses to be irregular".

The affidavits implicating the Dumaluan brothers and Lapinig were executed by witnesses more than three years after the crime was committed.

"This fact diminishes the credence of the statements made by said witnesses as they have already executed affidavits relating to the crime earlier but failed to point the alleged participation of said respondents," the resolution stated.

The resolution also cited a Supreme Court ruling that recognize the authority of the Secretary of Justice (SOJ) to review resolutions or decisions of provincial or city prosecutors or the chief state prosecutor. The SOJ also exercises the power of direct control and supervision over said prosecutors, under the Revised Administrative Code.

On the respondents' contention that the previous ruling of the Office of the President solely relied on the report and recommendation of the Regional State Prosecutor, the new directive stressed: "It would be highly irregular to allow the replacement of the findings of the SOJ with that of the Regional State Prosecutor; it is against the law and would create disharmony in the orderly dispensation of justice."

Moreover, the resolution added that the determination of probable cause properly lies within the discretion of the prosecuting officers, who deal with first-hand information in their conduct of the preliminary investigation.

Accordingly, what has been determined by the prosecuting officers may only be nullified if there are compelling reasons such as grave abuse of discretion amounting to excess or lack of jurisdiction, the resolution stated.

CASE BACKGROUND

Dr. Dumaluan was implicated as mastermind in the brutal killing of 17-year-old Vivian Dumaluan sometime in April 2004. His brother Teofredo and Lapinig were also charged in the complaint filed before the Bohol provincial prosecutor's office.

The evidence against the three included the affidavits executed by witnesses George Galo, his wife Elizabeth and Alex Dasco citing the three's participation in the rape and killing of Vivian.

However, the panel of prosecutors from the provincial prosecutor's office dismissed on July 2, 2008, the charges against Dumaluan, his brother Teofredo and Lapinig.

The complainants filed a petition for review before the DOJ although the prosecutor's office had yet to resolve the motion for reconsideration they filed following the dismissal of charges.

Although the filing of the petition for review was premature, the DOJ came up with a resolution dated December 12, 2008 signed by then Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, which found "no error to warrant the modification or reversal" of the resolution of the panel of prosecutors.

The DOJ, likewise, found inconsistencies in the testimonies of Galo "rendering his allegations unworthy of faith and credence."

Dasco's allegation that the former mayor got him involved in the planning and commission of the crime when the Dumaluan brothers knew him for only about two weeks "cannot also be accorded with credibility," the DOJ resolution had said.

Moreover, the DOJ said that in settled jurisprudence, conspiracy must be established as clearly as the commission of the crime itself. Dasco's allegation of conspiracy in the instant however cases fell short of the required degree of proof.

The resolution also noted that Dasco failed to present evidence showing that the former mayor employed him as a driver in April 2004.

The ruling also noted that both Galo and Dasco were convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, which affected their credibility as witnesses.

Dumaluan's defense lawyers, Atty. Roland Inting, Atty. Aleck Francis Lim and Atty. Esther Gertrude Biliran, said that the Office of the President resolution should put an end to the "made-up" charges against their client.

"We hope the persecution against former mayor Dumaluan and his family through machinations and sheer inventions using convicts as witnesses is over," the counsels said.

Another lawyer assisting in the defense said they are contemplating on filing charges against "those who orchestrated the sham accusations against the respondents, including the lawyers, if evidence warrants." - bohol chronicle

Unsa Kaha Ug Mosulat Ko Sa Presidente?
by Mike O. Ligalig
published by the Bohol Standard

      Sa ako nang gikaingon sa niaging semana, dili ko na unta nga bukikion ug bulikaton ang baho nga sugilanon sa politika sa Anda apan napugos ako sa pagwiwi ug pagkulitog sa masakit nga kagahapon sa akong kinabuhi nga diin kinse ka tuig na ang nakalabay human gipalagpot ang akong amahan sa pagka-police tungod lang kay kining inyong ubos nga higala sa Tumoy Sa Bangaw, sa nag-edad pa siya ug disesayes anyos, wala nibotar sa SK chairman nga manok sa mayor sa among lungsod.

      Ug nangapkap ko ug tubag sa batan-on kong pangutana kaniadto: “Sala ba diay ang paggamit sa imong katungod pinasikad sa gasa sa demokrasya ug subay sa gilatid sa batakang balaod?”

      Pero unsay imong mahimo nga daghang politiko sa atong nasod wala kasabot ug unsay demokrasya?

      Human ko mautingkay ang maong masakit nga kaagi sa among pamilya nga napatik ning lindog sa Bangaw niaging semana, nagpusot-pusot ang mga e-mail nga akong nadawat, mga paisano ug paisana nga nagpuyo sa lain-laing suok sa kalibotan nipadangat sa ilang pahasubo ug kahisagmuyo sa salbahis nga politikanhong kaugmaran sa atong yutang natawhan.

      Wala diay ko nag-inusara sa paghambin sa mapait nga apdo sa pagpanglupig sa mga namunoan sa atong dapit.

      Dihay ni-email nako. Nagpaila lang ug Eduardo. Tua na nanimuyo sa Amerika sumala sa ‘from’ sa iyang e-mail. Ang iyang pamilya nahiagom usab sa kabangis sa pagpang-abuso sa politiko sa ilang lungsod.

      Bata pa intawon si Eduardo, walay hikabangkaagan unsa nang politika, sanglit dili man siya botante ug dili pa pud pwede irehistro kay lagi bayong-bayong pa kung namanok pa.

      Usa ka higayon niana, nakakuyog siya sa iyang amigo panahon sa kampanya sa eleksyon. Naunsa bang pagkabutanga nga pagkahuman sa piniliay, ang mama ni Eduardo nga maestra gipalagpot man sa mayor ngadto sa bukid. Once-a-week nalang intawon makauli iyang mama sa ilaha. Usa kini ka sakit nga panghitabo sa kinabuhi ni Eduardo nga hangtod karon lisod langkaton gikan sa iyang handurawan.

      Ug dinhi naabli ang sumpay sa akong sugilanon niaging semana. Niining higayona, ang akong iyaan, igsuon sa akong Papa (nipanaw na intawon niadtong 2007), usa ka midwife sulod na sa trayntay-tres (33) ang na-tripingan sa politiko sa among lungsod, ang samang pamunoan nga nagsakit ning ubos ninyong higala. Akong iyaan tua nilagpot sa bukid diin walay mga bata ug mga inahan nga iyang maalagaran.

      Plete paingon sa bukid, 150 pesos. Pabalik tugbong sakay sa habal-habal laing 150 pesos. Tagaktak ang 300 pesos sa akong iyaan sa usa lang ka adlaw.

      Asa naman intawon siya ug kan-on? Unsa namay matigom gikan sa iyang sweldo nga tua man nahurot sa plete sa habal-habal?

      Kapin singkwenta anyos na akong iyaan. Dugay nang panirbesyo sa gobyerno wala pa niabot nang naghari sa among lungsod karon.

      Ang mga tawo sa among baryo ug sa lungsod mismo nakahibawo gajud sa kakugihan sa akong iyaan sa pagpamakuna sa mga nag-uha-uha, pagpanabang sa mga buros nga manganakay, ug uban pang kalihokan sa panglawas.

      Kinsa may iyang bakonahan didto sa bukid? Mga di ingon nato?

      Mao lagi, ang mga naa sa gahom nagpatuyang lang ug paggamit sa ilang katungdanan aron matagbaw ang ilang kahinam sa panimawos human sa bugnong lugaynon. Bisan sa ilang kadaogan, mao gihapoy nagpasulabi sa ilang galamhan ang kaikag sa pagdagmal sa mga dili masukol nila.

      Unsa kaha ug mohangyo ko sa tabang ni Atty. Aleckoy Lim ug isumbong sa Ombudsman ning nahitabo sa akong iyaan? Unsa kaha kung mosulat ko sa Department of Justice ug Department of Health? Unsa kaha ug mamasin ko ug pakitabang sa opisina sa Presidente kung walay action ang Ombudsman?

      Kung kini man ang paagi nga masumpo ang linuog nga pamolitika ug mahaw-as ang akong iyaan gikan sa kasakit sa plete sa habal-habal, pilay palad ning kabos ninyong higala â€" ug dunggon sa Ginoo ang atong mga panghupaw ug pangaliyupo.

Note: this is a continuation of a previously written column found here: http://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/anda-bohol-philippines/political-abuse-in-anda-bohol/

Hadlok pud ning Malapascua kay naay panahon nga dagko ang balod. Daghan nang pumpboat going there ang natikayhang.

Great pictures. Hope to see more of them here in Tubag Bohol.

from the news

Cebu Pacific Air holds Cebu and Clark hub seat sale as low as P499

Starting now until July 26, 2010, catch our Cebu hub seat sale for as low as P499 'Go Lite'.  Fly Cebu to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Legaspi, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban, Zamboanga or Pagadian.

Aside from these domestic destinations, international flights from Clark are also up for grabs!  Travel to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macau or Singapore for only P1,499 'Go Lite'.

Those planning to go to Jakarta should not fret!  We are offering a Manila to Jakarta 'Go Lite' fare of P1,999.  This is about 50% less than the lowest year round fare.

Travel period is from September 1 to October 31, 2010.

problema ani kay ang previous administration gakarag-karag ug pahimo ug airport knowing walay eroplano nga motugpa, pero wa gani maghikutar sa dakong kakuwangon sa hospital beds sa tibuok probinsya.

same sa nahitabo anang panglao island. hangtud karon walay potable water system. mao nay una sulbaron, dili nang useless airport or a useless reclamation.

unsaon ang priority mao man ang pagpaburot sa kaugalingong bursa.

7). Since Mikey Arroyo is not a security guard and does not belong to a marginalized, underrepresented group of poor security guards, he cannot by all means represent Pinoy security guards in the House of Representatives. Perhaps Mikey Arroyo could represent Hezbolla and Al Quaeda security guards.

This is just common sense. But the Arroyos have totally lost their delicadeza.

If they cannot respect the law, at least they should respect their very pagkatao.

Enough the insult to us Filipinos. Kining mga Arroyos nakaminos gyud sa mga Pinoy.
Kung pwede lang, their Filipino citizenship should be revoked.

source: Associated Press and Yahoo

A devoted Filipina maid inherited six million Singapore dollars (more than four million US) from her late employer after more than 20 years of service, a newspaper report said Wednesday.

"I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money," the 47-year-old single woman -- identified only by the pseudonym "Christine" -- told the Straits Times in an interview.

The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.

The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.

The maid had also taken care of the doctor's late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer's will when it was drawn up in 2008.

"There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get," the maid recalled.

"Christine" was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor's nephew for solace.

"It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself," she said.

"I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her."

The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.

"I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person," the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.

"I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same."

Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.

Racho's argument is defective.

The Ombudsman is authorized to initiate investigation, even in the absence of a complaint, on the conduct and performance of public officials and government employees. The Ombudsman can also order banks to release documents concerning the accounts and deposits of certain appointed and elected public officials.

Quote from: Aaron on July 20, 2010, 12:45:58 PM
anung ginagawa ng bagong governador hayaan na lang ba niya na ma siradoan ang provincial hospital bakit hindi nila ibigay ang saktong budget nga 5% for annual budget,alam nman niya na this is the only hospital for poor patients...

The new governor has just assumed office last June 30. Obviously the problem has been in existence long before Edgar Chatto was elected into office. Of course, the new governor will respond to the problem momentarily.  

The question that should be asked is: What did Erico do for the provincial hospital in his 9 years of reign?
Therefore the right question that should have been asked is: anong ginawa ng nakaraang governor?

When we learn to ask the right question we get the right answer.

Mocha's face is serene.

Rest in peace, Mocha.

I understand the feeling, Grace.

Lupig si Paul sa mga bag-ong minyo.

Mao pa ganiy pagtungab, magpa-ipis na pud.

Nakabasa ko ani nga line sa Book of Insults (copy naa sa Anda).

"If you had existed during the time of Moses there would have been an 11th Commandment."

"There never was a day I don't think of you."

Hapit malunhat ang piang sa akong dughan sa pagkadungog nako sa maong pulong nga gilibkas sa maanyag nga binuhat.

Pagpaila mo mga Bol-anon nga nagpuyo sa Camiguin Island. Mag-ila-ila ta diri.

Naay sister sa akong grandfather nagpuyo sa Camiguin, patay na daw, pero wala gyud nag-inform namo sa Anda. Namatay pud akong grandfather wala pud kabalo ang sister sa Camiguin.

Coguita ang apelyido sa akong lola (sister of my grandfather). Ligalig sa dalaga pa.

Si Bran Lorenzo. I think his mother's family name is Salise.

My father had a close friend na police sa Jagna, Salise ang apelyido.
Daghan ang mga Salise sa Jagna.

Gitagaan ko ug tennis balls ni Nong Salise (kadtong police) sa gamay pa kong bata.
Until now wala pa ko kalimot.

The whole story at: http://theboholstandard.com/opinion.php?issue=174&s1=2959&s2=2963&s3=2961&s4=905&s5=2974&s6=&s7=908&s8=906&s9=&s10=&s11=&s12=904&s13=&s14=&s15=2966

Inception.

Inception is mind-blowing. I postponed going to the CR or else I might miss a dialogue or scene and I won't understand the entire story.

Before that:Letters to Juliet  (highly recommended, tulo akong luha).

Kung dunay maghimo ug compilation sa mga gidunggaban sa videokehan tungod kay napungot sa yabag nga tingog, mahimo na kining usa ka libro of a particular crime. A crime nga diri ra gyud nahitabo sa Pilipinas kay daghang gusto mag-songer nga bisag mangluwa, jabag.

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

With a working monthly budget of P1 million against an expenditure of P4 million, the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) will be at the risk of closure if it will not substantially improve income from its patients.

With this predicament, even indigent patients who would be occupying private rooms in government hospitals will be obliged to either pay cash or mortgage something of value before they be allowed to leave the hospitals with unpaid bills.

This was the statement issued by Dr. Edgar D. Pizarras, spokesman of the GCGMH following complaints from patients that the government hospital will not release them if they could not settle their accounts, either cash or leave a guarantee note, promissory note or mortgage.

He cited Republic Act 9439 otherwise known as the Anti-detention law of which the hospital adopts as its guiding policy in handling cases related to the releasing of indigent patients after their hospitalization.

The law, according to Dr, Pizarras, mandates that patients under the charity ward who have pending bills are released as long as they can produce a promissory note or get a guarantee note from acceptable individuals. However, he clarified that private patients who have pending bills are not released unless there is no guarantee or mortgage.

Despite this policy, the GCGMH continues to be filled with patients especially those coming from the towns.
         
As of yesterday, the biggest government hospital in the province registered 398 admitted patients or an excess of 163 patients since the maximum the hospital can comfortably accommodate is supposedly 235 patients.

Pizarras explained that the hospital cannot sustain its operations if all indigent patients will be extended free hospitalization.

He told the Chronicle that GCGMH is working on an appropriated budget of P1.096 million for its monthly maintenance and operating expenses released through the Department of Health.

Pizarras revealed that this budget is miniscule to sustain the operation since the hospital is spending P4 million in monthly expenditures.

Because of this financial situation, patients who would apply under the program for indigent patients will undergo rigid evaluation and assessment from the hospital's social workers. This is done in order to maximize the number of beneficiaries despite limited budget for the hospital.

Dr. Pizzaras said there are three types of budgetary allocation from the national government.

These are the personnel services budget, the capital outlay and the maintenance and other operating expenses.

He explained the personnel services budget cannot be used for other purposes because it's for the salaries while the capital outlay budget is intended to purchase modern equipments and hard assets. The maintenance and other operating expenses budget is used to purchase medicines and supplies, hire casuals, and pay electricity and water bills.

He added that under the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO) the Department of Health should receive 5% of the country's total national budget. But the DOH receives only 3% out of the annual budget of the country that's why government owned hospitals are forced to generate income and funds for their continued services, Pizarras explained.

Set your own path or follow the crowd?

What is the most you've ever eaten in one sitting?

Me: butong - fresh young coconut

If you could have plastic surgery right now and change anything about yourself, what would you change?

Dumbest purchase you ever made?

Super powers you wish you had?

Mas maayo lagi mokanta sa banyo lang kay way mobugal-bugal bisag nagkayabag na.

Unsaon man gud pud ning uban nga gusto mang mag-songer nga bisag mangluwa yabag.

By ANJO PEREZ
Manila Bulletin

The Philippines is now the country of choice for airline companies requiring expertise in aircraft maintenance, repairs, and overhaul, as it provides quicker turnaround at much lower costs.

Lufthansa Techniks Philippines (LTP), a state-of-the-art aircraft “maintenance, repair and overhaul” (MRO) center has overtaken its much bigger competitors in Hong Kong and Singapore in terms of confidence and preference by international airline companies.

The world-class facility, which sits at the eastern end of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s main runway, is run by 2,700 locally trained Filipino aircraft mechanics. The maintenance center has five service bays that can accommodate various sizes of aircraft that need to undergo the required heavy maintenance or overhaul procedures at any given time.

The transfer of technology from its German partner to the Filipino mechanics has also armed LTP with the much-needed tooling and expertise in performing specialized maintenance procedures for the Airbus Industrie airplanes.

With their extensive tooling and expertise on Airbus airplanes, LTP has been rated as one of the best MROs in the region resulting in being the choice of more than 23 airline companies, including Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Air Asia, Qantas Airlines, and flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

The expertise of the Filipino aircraft mechanics on Airbus Industrie airplanes has resulted in quick turn-around times for heavy maintenance procedures.

,

Nahilo ako sa gugma mong gitingal ngari kanako.

.

source: Bohol Chronicle

Gov. Edgar Chatto called on town mayors to strengthen their respective Municipal Peace and Order Councils (MPOCs) to address the rising incidence of robberies in some municipalities.

He said that these MPOCs will serve as stable groundwork for the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

In the first PPOC meeting that Chatto presided Monday, the governor said he will see to it that every town will have the regular bodies that are required by the Local Government Code, "so that all towns in Bohol can move in the same fashion with the provincial government".

This is in response to the observation of DILG Provincial Director Rustica Mascariñas that "not all towns have active MPOCs".

According to Mascariñas, the MPOCs can help in prompt action on any concern of peace and order. Her suggestion to establish a coordination system in monitoring criminality was well taken.

Mascariñas also suggested that the PPOC members must be informed of any crime promptly without waiting for the next PPOC meeting to be convened.
         
On this, Gov. Chatto suggested the local government units to provide the municipal police stations in their respective jurisdiction with communication lines and may utilize the wireless phones in lieu of landlines.

He also took the suggestion of Provincial Board Member Brigido Imboy, chair of the Committee on Peace and Order, to call on the municipal police stations to have a permanent cellphone numbers to which the informants from the community can send their information about any crime.

The governor also requested the police to tackle specific crimes and determine how far their investigation has gone, instead of just summarizing them in terms of crime volume and number of operations.

Chatto finds the short messaging service (SMS) or text messages effective in reporting promptly any crime to authorities.

He also announced that the provincial government will be establishing a Quick Response Team that will receive and respond to calls for assistance, and not only for responding emergencies during disasters.

Macariñas, for her part, suggested that Globelines must also be asked to provide a three-digit hotline for the police, like the 166 provided by the PLDT and Cruztelco.

Chatto also highlights the necessity to strengthen the pillars of justice and the role of PPOC in sustaining the peace and order achieved in the past administrations.

The PPOC intends to implement the former President Arroyo's Administrative Order, patterned after the United States policy, which called for coordination between the police team and the prosecutors in examining a scene of the crime.
The representative of the prosecutors can brief the responding police teams on what pieces of evidence that would be needed for the case to prosper.

Chatto also wants to make sure that "nothing's left unattended as far as the benefit of the people is concerned".

"There is no development without peace. And, there is no engagement in business for growth of economy without ensuring good peace and order. PPOC is an important component of development in community," Chatto emphasized.

He intends to strengthen the peace and order in the province by providing a "listening ear…in participatory governance with all sectors in community".

"It is important that we share openly. No idea will be disregarded, because from these ideas we can come up with good policies," Chatto said.

He also announced that PPOC will finalize its list of new members, based on its national counterpart as provided by the executive order followed by the central authority.

Quote from: hubag bohol on July 16, 2010, 01:25:16 PM
Hmm. Depende unsay kataposang gibuhat sa wala pa mag-shower...

pasmo ang resulta ani. in a worst case scenario, beri-beri.

quel, ang iro ug iring kontra man gyud ni sila. pero niining higayona, sumala sa imong gisaysay dinhi, ang iro gikalimtan niya ang iyang pagkairo ug iyang gipatigbabaw ang pagtinabangay isip ang iring kauban man sab sa panimalay.

the story below happened in 2007. tulo akong luha sa pagkabasa ani sa story ni Chief. nagsuwat ko ug balak para ni Chief. wa pa mahuman hangtud karon. seguro mahuman na ni karong tuiga.


Sun Star (source): A pit bull terrier proved beyond doubt that a dog can become a man’s best friend when it saved and gave its life for its master’s wife and her grandmother in Barangay Lapasan here. The dog named “Chief,” saved 87-year-old Liberata la Victoria and her granddaughter Maria Victoria Fronteras from a cobra that snaked through an opening in the family’s kitchen shortly around 8 a.m. Monday. On two occasions, the snake was about to attack the women when the dog dashed from a corner and used itself as a shield. Marlone Fronteras, an employee of Nestle Philippines who owned the terrier, said Chief seized the venomous snake in the neck with its teeth and repeatedly slammed it on the floor until it died. The dog was bitten too by the cobra; it died a few minutes later after giving its master a farewell gaze, according to the dog owner’s friends Mare Sabelita and Derf Ian dela Rama.

An organization of pit bull terrier owners here, Royale Pit Bull Club-Ancient Fraternal Order of the Pit Bulls Inc., honored Chief and gave it the moniker “grandfather” of all pit bulls in the community. Marlone told the Cagayan de Oro journal, that he, his family and members of the pit bull owners’ group gave the dog a “hero’s burial” the same day. “We just waited for the children to arrive from school because they loved Chief so much,” said Marlone. Sabelita said Fronteras’s wife Maria Victoria was teary eyed when she narrated the dog’s “heroism” to friends. “The snake was in front of us., maneuvering a deadly attack,” Sabelita quoted Maria Victoria as saying. “I screamed out loud to ask for help.” Hearing this, the four-year old pit bull terrier dashed from its sleeping area to fight off the deadly snake, said Sabelita quoting Maria Victoria. The cobra fought back and bit Chief at the lower left portion of the jaw. The dog then repeatedly slammed the cobra after it succeeded in immobilizing the snake with its sharp teeth, she said. Dela Rama said la Victoria was watching television when she panicked and alerted her granddaughter. The old lady said the cobra was about to attack her and the dog came to her rescue. Maria Victoria said she saw the cobra expand its neck as soon as she turned the lights on. She said the cobra looked like it was spitting as its inched closer, about a meter away, toward her. De la Rama said the terrier, “out of nowhere,” jumped on the cobra , bit it the neck, and then shook it till it died. Moments later, the dog slouched flat and fainted, spreading its arms and feet on the floor, after killing the killer snake. De la Rama said the dog went wobbly and lost control of its organs some 30 minutes after being bitten by the cobra; it started to urinate and defecate uncontrollably as it grasped for air and panted heavily.

The Fronterases sought the help of veterinarian but they were reportedly told that it was too late because the snake bite was near the dog’s brain and the venom had already spread. Sabilita said Marlone rushed home when his wife called him up to tell him of what had happened and the dog’s master was stunned. The Fronteras children, who treated Chief like a member of the family and who called the dog “Kuya Chief,” were deeply affected, according to Sabelita.

The last thing Chief did was waggle its tail and gaze at Marlone who had just come from work, said Sabelita. “Chief gave his two deep breaths and died. (It) was fighting and saving (its) last ounces of breath to see a glimpse of (its) master for the last two seconds of (its) life,” added dela Rama. Sabelita said he hoped people would change how they look at pit bull terriers, a breed strongly discouraged in many countries and banned because of their “cruel looks.” We never get the chance to know them more,” said Sabelita.

by Stephanie V. Berganio)

BLANKO gihapon ang kapolisan sa pag-ila sa mga suspetsado nga miluthang sa duha ka mga lalaki diin usa ang nakabsan sa kinabuhi niadtong Biyernes sa gabii sa Lapasan ning siyudad sa Cagayan de Oro.

Diha-diha nga namatay si Benjamin Alforque Cadano, 30, ulitawo, taga Sta-Cruz II, Lapasan ning siyudad human naigo ang ulo ug nitiwasik ang utok. Nilapos ang bala sa ilong diin nahitabo ang insidente niadtong Biyernes mga alas 7:30 sa gabii samtang ang biktima anaa nagtan-aw sa dulang kompyuter sa maong dapit.

Ang kapolisan sa Police Station 3 (PS3) sa Agora nga nahinabi sa Sun.Star SuperBalita niingon nga kadudahang mibalik na usab kining grupo sa vigilantes nga gituohang responsible sa pagpamusil sa biktima human nasutang sakop sa usa ka notoryos nga grupong Batman 357 ang biktima. - Sun Star Superbalita

The undersea world isn't as quiet as we thought, according to a New Zealand researcher who found fish can "talk" to each other.

Fish communicate with noises including grunts, chirps, and pops, University of Auckland marine scientist Shahriman Ghazali has discovered according to newspaper reports Wednesday.

"All fish can hear, but not all can make soundâ€"pops and other sounds made by vibrating their swim bladder, a muscle they can contract," Ghazali told the New Zealand Herald.

Fish are believed to communicate with each other for different reasons, including attracting mates, scaring off predators, or orienting themselves.

The gurnard species has a wide vocal repertoire and keeps up a constant chatter, Ghazali found after studying different species of fish placed into tanks.

On the other hand, cod usually kept silent, except when they were spawning.

"The hypothesis is that they are using sound as a synchronization so that the male and female release their eggs at the same time for fertilization," he said. - Agence France Presse

continuation...

We affirm the conviction of the accused-appellant.

Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code provides that the crime of rape is committed by a man having carnal knowledge of a woman under any of the following circumstances: (1) through force, threat or intimidation; (2) when the offended party is deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious; (3) by means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority; and (4) when the offended party is under 12 years of age or is demented, even though none of the circumstances mentioned above be present. In People v. Andaya,25 it was held that "sexual intercourse with a woman who is a mental retardate with the mental age of a child below 12 years old constitutes statutory rape" with or without the attendance of force, threat, or intimidation.

In the case before us, the prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that the accused-appellant had carnal knowledge of AAA, a demented person, through force, threat or intimidation. AAA was psychiatrically evaluated as an adult woman with the mental age of a 7 to 8-year old child and that she gave birth to a child despite her mental inability to give her consent to a sexual relationship. These facts support the allegation of sexual abuse. AAA also identified without uncertainty the accused-appellant as her attacker and related distinctly that he forcibly laid her down, held her at knifepoint, and sexually abused her. She testified on direct examination as follows:

PROS. TADEO:

(direct-examination removed)

Moreover, we accord great weight and respect to the conclusion of the trial court that AAA is "candid, sincere, straightforward and simple" in her testimony as well as to the ruling of the appellate court that the alleged flaws in her statements do not affect her credibility and veracity of her testimony that the accused-appellant raped her, and that the defenses of denial and alibi of the accused-appellant cannot prevail over the positive testimony of AAA.

By well-entrenched jurisprudence, the issue of credibility of witnesses is "a question best addressed to the province of the trial court because of its unique position of having observed that elusive and incommunicable evidence of the witnesses' deportment on the stand while testifying which opportunity is denied to the appellate courts" and "[a]bsent any substantial reason which would justify the reversal of the trial court's assessments and conclusions, the reviewing court is generally bound by the former's findings, particularly when no significant facts and circumstances are shown to have been overlooked or disregarded which when considered would have affected the outcome of the case."26 In People v. Santos,27 this policy has been emphasized as follows:

We stress the well-settled doctrine that the lower court's assessment of the credibility of a witness is accorded great respect owing to its direct opportunity to observe the latter's demeanor during trial. In People v. Ayuda, we held:

"It is doctrinally settled that the factual findings of the trial court, especially on the credibility of the rape victim, are accorded great weight and respect and will not be disturbed on appeal. This is so because the trial court has the advantage of observing the victim through the different indicators of truthfulness or falsehood, such as the angry flush of an insisted assertion, the sudden pallor of a discovered lie, the tremulous mutter of a reluctant answer, the forthright tone of a ready reply, the furtive glance, the blush of conscious shame, the hesitation, the yawn, the sigh, the candor or lack of it, the scant or full realization of the solemnity of an oath, or the carriage and mien. ..." [Emphasis ours]

The foregoing doctrine is more stringently applied if the trial court is sustained by the appellate court.

It has been stressed, moreover, that the bare denials and uncorroborated alibis of an accused cannot overcome the positive identification of the accused and straightforward recounting of the accuseds commission of a crime. In People v. Nieto,28 this Court held:

It is an established jurisprudential rule that a mere denial, without any strong evidence to support it, can scarcely overcome the positive declaration by the victim of the identity and involvement of appellant in the crimes attributed to him. The defense of alibi is likewise unavailing. Firstly, alibi is the weakest of all defenses, because it is easy to concoct and difficult to disprove. Unless substantiated by clear and convincing proof, such defense is negative, self-serving, and undeserving of any weight in law. Secondly, alibi is unacceptable when there is a positive identification of the accused by a credible witness. Lastly, in order that alibi might prosper, it is not enough to prove that the accused has been somewhere else during the commission of the crime; it must also be shown that it would have been impossible for him to be anywhere within the vicinity of the crime scene.

In the present case, we do not perceive any cogent reason to justify the reversal of the trial and appellate courts high regard of the truthfulness of AAAs testimony and we find the bare denials and uncorroborated alibis of the accused-appellant devoid of any evidentiary value. We quote with approval the pertinent disquisitions of the trial court on the testimonies of the witnesses as follows:

By the very nature of the crime of rape, the same precludes any eyewitness to the incident, except the victim and the perpetrator. Hence, to prove the same will depend largely from the testimony of the victim, and the acquittal of the accused will not lie on the strength of his defense. Thus, the case for the prosecution will rise or fall on the basis of the victims testimony, which the court will consider with utmost caution.

In the instant case, victim AAA was a mental retardate, which the court finds, not only on the basis of the expert testimony of Dr. Escuadra but also on the basis of its observations. It noted that even if the victim had a mental age of a 7 to 8 year-old child, yet, she was candid, sincere, straightforward and simple in her testimony in court despite the grueling cross-examination conducted by Atty. Manlangit. The aforesaid demeanor of the complainant only showed that she was telling the truth. Complainant never wavered in her testimony, that it was Marlon who raped her, the circumstances or details under which she was raped; and in positively identifying Marlon in court. The court likewise noted the limited mental ability and poor aptitude of the complainant when she was extensively grilled and cross-examined, and even upon clarificatory questions from the court, thus giving the impression to the court that she was just being obedient and was coached by her parents in filing this instant case against Marlon. She likewise admitted that a certain Mang Ben also raped her, but, later corrected herself. Such was understandable. Even Atty. Manlangit noted that the victim was already tired and exhausted while testifying in court. (TSN, p. 43, Sept. 24, 2002) Besides, there was no testimony from the complainant that she was merely instructed by her parents to file the rape case against Marlon even if the same were not true. The court considered the inconsistencies in complainants testimony as minor inconsistencies which even strengthen her testimony. Xxx xxx xxx

The Court notes that the appellate courts own evaluation of the evidence concurred with the findings and conclusions of the trial court as follows:

We likewise find no merit in the insinuations made by the [accused]-appellant that the instant complaint was motivated by the malevolent design of the complainants family to put him down or the greedy scheme of the latter to extort money from his family. At best, these insinuations, trivial and inane, are merely conclusory and unfounded. It cannot tarnish AAAs account of how the [accused]-appellant had sexually assaulted her.

As aptly observed by the court a quo, it is hard to fathom that a parent would use her children as engines of malice, especially if the same would subject them to humiliation, nay stigma. No mother would expose her child to possible public ridicule if the only motive is to get back at the [accused]-appellant. Said the trial court:

"Marlon and his father, Danilo, attributed ill-will, personal animosities and bad blood between their family and that of the complainant as the reasons behind why a fabricated case was filed against Marlon. It is incomprehensible to the mind of the court that because at one time or another Marlon chased complainants father with a hoe, or the complainants brothers unlawfully entered the premises of the accused, or that they peeped or pried upon Marlons privacy, causing the latter to chase them with a bolo as the reasons why, out of revenge, a rape case was concocted and filed against him. Such are flimsy excuses, which do not deserve belief from any reasonable being. This Court could not, in the exercise of sound judgment, accept the flimsy reasons advanced by the accused that the victim, a mental retardate, was only coached by her parents in implicating the accused as the person responsible for the crime. A mother will never compromise the reputation of her daughter in order to implicate a person with a crime he did not commit. Besides, it was quite absurd and illogical that families in feud would make their mental retardate a tool to give a scripted and concocted testimony in court that she was raped just to send her familys enemy to jail. It is unnatural for a parent to use his offspring as an engine of malice especially if it will subject a daughter to embarrassment and even stigma. No parent in their right mind would possibly stoop so low as to subject their daughter to the hardship and shame concomitant to a rape just to assuage their own hurt feelings." [Citations omitted]

The criminal information failed to allege the qualifying circumstance that the accused-appellant knew of the mental disability of the private offended party, thus, his conviction of statutory or simple rape committed with the use of a deadly weapon, instead of qualified rape, is in order.

We also accord high respect to the ruling of the trial court, as well as to the appellate courts deference thereto, that the accused-appellant was the biological father of the two-year old daughter of AAA as a result of the rape incident and in view of their "striking facial similarities and features." The order to acknowledge and support accused-appellants offspring is in accordance with Article 345 of the Revised Penal Code.

This Court, however, modifies the award of civil indemnity and damages in favor of AAA. In line with recent case laws, the compensation to be awarded in favor of the private offended party in cases of statutory rape or simple rape committed with the use of a deadly weapon should be in the amounts of P75,000.00 as civil indemnity and another P75,000.00 as moral damages.29 Exemplary or corrective damages are imposed by way of example or correction for the public good and when the crime was committed with one or more aggravating circumstances.30 According to current jurisprudence, exemplary damages should be awarded in favor of the private offended party in the amount of P30,000.00 in statutory or simple rape cases.31 In the present case, the award of P75,000.00 as civil indemnity and another P75,000.00 as moral damages in favor of AAA is appropriate. The award of P30,000.00 as exemplary damages should also be imposed as a public example in order "to protect hapless individuals from [sexual] molestation"32 and because of the presence of the aggravating circumstance of the commission of the crime in the dwelling33 of AAA.

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, the Decision dated September 21, 2006 of the CA in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 02085, which affirmed with modification the Judgment promulgated on June 3, 2003 by Branch 25 of the RTC of Naga City, is hereby AFFIRMED with the MODIFICATION that accused-appellant is hereby ordered to pay the private offended party civil indemnity in the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00), moral damages also in the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00), and exemplary damages in the amount of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00), plus interest on all damages awarded at the legal rate of 6% from this date until fully paid. No costs.

SO ORDERED.

TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO
Associate Justice

WE CONCUR:

REYNATO S. PUNO
Chief Justice
Chairperson
CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES
Associate Justice    LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Associate Justice

MARTIN S. VILLARAMA, JR.
Associate Justice