April 9 - 15, 2013

VOL. 10, NO. 36

APRIL 9 - 15, 2013

CATBALOGAN CITY

8 PAGES

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS Chronicling Events in Samar Island Since 2002

The Exponent of Samar’s Progress

ILLEGAL RECLAMATION? Residents of Barangay Mercedes, Catbalogan City have forwarded a letter of complaints to the office of the Environment and Natural Resources and Philippine Reclamation Authority, along with this photo, detailing some reclamation activities being allegedly conducted by some rich individuals in the city.

The complainants, later on supported by the netizens, questioned its legality and the possible hazards it may bring to the local residents and to the city as well. (rjb)

Heroic act of a policewoman cited THE regional police here shares the pride and honor of the men and women of the whole organization in giving due recognition for the exemplary display of bravery of their comrade – a policewoman.

See HEROIC page 2...

Congress proposes higher penalties for election offenses THE House of Representatives is proposing increased penalties for election-related offenses as provided under House Bill 4145.

Under the bill, any person found guilty of an election offense or of a prohibited act under Sections 261 and 262 in relation to Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, as amended, and Section 45 of RA 8189 shall be imprisoned for not less than 12 years and one day but not more than 20 years.

It mandates that if the crimes defined in the Revised Penal Code are committed in

connection with an election or political exercise, such election-related element shall be appreciated as an aggravating circumstance in imposing the appropriate penalty.

Likewise, if the subject offense is punishable both under the Omnibus Election Code and the Revised Penal Code, the bill provides that the same shall be prosecuted separately and concurrently under the two laws.

See CONGRESS p2...

Alleged hazing of police rookies in Leyte probed

C AT BA L O GAN City -- The reported hazing of new police recruits at the 8th Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB8) headquar ters in Capoocan in the province of Leyte is now being investigated.

PNP regional director Chief Supt.

Elmer R. Soria on Saturday directed the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Divi-

Samar not ready yet for development?

8ID colonel reported to RDC meeting that Samar, Northern Samar will be development-ready in 2016

By RICKY J. BAUTISTA, SWE News & Features

Supporters welcome JV in Catbalogan

CATBALO GAN City – This is what the military revealed during a recent Regional Development Council meeting attended by top executives and high-ranking government officials in Eastern Visayas region.

The meeting was held April 10 at the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-8) in Palo, Leyte. The workshop was also represented by various government agencies which later came up with updated Regional Development Plan 8(RDP8) strategies on how to attain peaceful and just environment, conducive to local economic development; and LGUs, NGAs, GOCCs practicing transparency and good governance.

Among such key personalities include Director Imelda C. Laceras, Regional Director,

See SAMAR page 3...

JV IN THE CITY. Congressman JV Estrada arrives to a rousing welcome from supporters during a recent visit in Catbalogan City.

BEECARTINE SWAT members during a police training. sion to conduct an in-depth investigation on the alleged hazing of new policemen.

“We are exercising zero tolerance on hazing and excessive punishment in any police camp. Any form of hazing has no place in the organization where respect for human rights and the rule of law is

See HAZING page 2...

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Samar Weekly Express

THE REGION

2

APRIL 9 - 15, 2013

Website: www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress

Information chief wows campus journalists TACLOBAN City – Undersecretary Jose Marie Oquiñena of the Presidential Communications Operations Office set the tone of the National Schools Press Conference now ongoing in Ormoc City, Leyte by exhorting the future journalists to aspire not only to become good writers, good broadcasters but to become great ones who love their country and its people.

USec Oquiñena, with his wit and contagious humor, kept the audience alive, continuously clapping their hands and bursting in laughter from the time he started to the moment he ended his keynote message on the theme “ Campus Journalists: Championing Ethics in Social Media.”

The Undersecretary who is also the Director General of the Philippine Information Agency, encouraged the campus journalists to use their talents on a higher scale.

“Our country needs to hear good news all the time. Our country needs to be inspired. We need you to write all the good things about the Filipino and the Philippines. We will have to do this because there is a lot of good news about this country,” the youthful Undersecretary said.

Underscoring his salient points through stories or anecdotes, Secretary Mari as he wanted to be called, captivated the young audience numbering about 5,000 in the jump packed Ormoc Super Dome in the early evening of April 8.

The good Undersecretary cautioned the Journalism Advisers and teachers in the use of the social media as a communication tool. The students must have the right preparation, the right values before they are trained on the social media, he said, because the social media has so much power within one’s reach that it can build or destroy people.

“If the Inang Bayan will ask how you will show your love for it, how will you answer,” the USec asked.

“One who is in love is always all praises of his love one, so you write, write with passion and excitement. Never stop writing good things about the Filipino. Do not get tired of writing good about your country,” USec Oquiñena said as he encouraged the future journalists of the country.

The Undersecretary exhorted the participants to have the freedom to express themselves, not to be afraid to write what is in their minds because fear will “only limit us, will not allow us to reach our destiny.”

By the reaction of the young participants in the Facebook saying he was the best speaker ever, by the way they took time to have their pictures taken with the Guest of Honor, and requested for his autograph, the Honorable Undersecretary was able to light up the fire of enthusiasm. The 71st National Schools Press Conference is up to a good start. (PIA 8)

PDEA, DND vow to keep a drug-free and safe country

MANILA, Philippines -- Two of the nation’s bastions of law enforcement and peace, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) have vowed to combine their forces and resources in order to keep the citizenry safe and free from drug-related harms.

This was stressed by Honorable Voltaire Gazmin, Secretary of the DND in his speech during the regular PDEA Monday flagraising ceremony on April 8, 2013. He was graciously introduced

by Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., PDEA Director General as the Guest of Honor and Speaker, as part of the Distinguished Visitors Program of the agency.

“The national threats posed by dangerous drugs and insurgency problem may be the same or unequal in scope and magnitude, but they have somewhat learned to co-exist and mutually benefit from one another,” said Secretary Gazmin in his speech.

Based on reliable information, communist rebels are reportedly turning to the illegal drug trade as a major source of funds for arms smuggling, to sustain their uprising against the government. In return, leaders of the drug syndicates have been forging alliances with rebel groups for protection and self-preservation.

Gazmin added that the illicit production, trafficking, sale, distribution and use of illegal drugs are potential dangers enough to unsettle our domestic stability and tranquility. Several heinous crimes were committed by perpetrators who take drugs.

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CAMPUS JOURNS. Young campus photojournalists scramble for positions to get better shots of the guests during the opening ceremony of the 2013 National Schools Press Conference at Ormoc Superdome, Ormoc City, April 8. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

RSOG nabs Most Wanted Persons in Leyte towns TWO most wanted persons in Leyte and Biliran provinces were arrested by the Regional Special Operations Group 8 (RSOG8) of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) in separate manhunt operations in Samar and Metro Manila recently.

“These manhunt operations are part of our continuing effort in the implementation of LOI Manhunt: Charlie and solve cold cases in the region,” Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) said.

Soria has made the campaign against wanted persons one of PRO8’s priority programs as he reiterated his directive to all unit commanders to account for all wanted criminals in their respective jurisdictions.

The top police official informed that on early Sunday morning, RSOG led by PInsp.

Constantino Jabonete, Jr. conducted manhunt operations in Sitio Ipil, Brgy San Miguel

in Daram, an island town in Samar, after receiving positive information on the presence of a wanted fugitive in the area.

The operations resulted in the arrest of one Bonifacio Custodio y Bernaldo alias Boni, 38, with live-in partner and tagged as the number 4 most wanted person of Culaba, Biliran.

RSOG was armed with an Alias Warrant of Arrest for the crime of Murder issued on October 5, 2001 issued

by Judge Plenio Dela Peña of 3rd Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Caibiran-Culaba, Biliran docketed under criminal case number 875.

See RSOG page 3...

HEROIC from page 1 ...

PO2 Edlyn Arbo, even on off-duty, risked her life and fought it off against a robber to defend other female passengers from the heist.

In the early morning of April 2, robbery suspect Christopher Berame boarded the Quiapo-bound jeepney along Magsaysay Street, Sampaloc, Manila. When it reached Nagtahan Bridge, Berame suddenly drew his knife to rob PO2 Arbo and four other female passengers. PO2 Arbo, who was seated beside the suspect, managed to grab his hand and disarm him. PO2 Arbo was wounded in the process but the suspect was arrested by the angry citizenry while being chased by the former.

“The heroic act of PO2 Edlyn Arbo is indeed exceptional as she showed that gender is not a hindrance to becoming the organization’s pride. This is a classic example of a police’s heroism, ready to risk life and limb to uphold the law and defend others from danger and harm,” says PCSupt. Elmer Soria, PRO8 Regional Director.

He also encourages all police personnel to emulate the heroic deed which PO2 Arbo exemplified.

Indeed, the PNP will never run out of heroes, as there will always be someone who will rise to the occasion to perform the mission. Her selfless courage deserves the utmost praise and recognition on her heroic feat.

CONGRESS from page 1 ...

For other election offenses under the Omnibus Election Code not attended by violence, coercion, intimidation, force or threats, the measure provides the penalty of imprisonment of not less than six years and one day but not more than 12 years.

It further states that political party, political coalition, party-list or aggrupation organized for political purpose to which guilty party member is a member shall pay a fine of not less than P500,000 as part of the civil liability in connection with the election offense.

The bill also mandates that if the person found guilty is a foreigner, he shall be deported after his service of the imposed prison term.

If the offender is an illegally released prisoner, the penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed.

Another provision of the measure is that the maximum penalties shall also be imposed upon officer or employee of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Police Force, Special Force, Home Defense Forces, Barangay Self-Defense Units and all other para-military units, for both election offense committed with violence and for other election offenses.

The bill, which has been approved on third and final reading, is currently pending in the Senate

HAZING from page 1 ... a command policy that every PNP member is duty bound to uphold,” Soria said.

Earlier reports disclosed that at least 11 new policemen who reported to the RPSB camp for their first official assignment were allegedly subjected to hazing and maltreated for no particular reason.

As this developed, nine (9) police officials allegedly involved in the hazing incident were relieved from RPSB and were restricted at the PRO8 Regional Personnel Holding Accounting Unit (RPHAU). They were placed under investigation for possible culpability and may face administrative and criminal charges.

Director Soria also directed all police units to refrain from conducting “reception” and other initiation rites to new police recruits as a form of tradition during the turn-over and downloading of police personnel to field units as he also reminded unit commanders on the provisions of Republic Act No. 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 1995.

“All downloaded personnel are full-pledge members of the organization and therefore should not be treated as trainees.

Violations of our directive will be dealt with severely in accordance with existing laws,” Soria added. (Ricky J. Bautista)

Samar Weekly Express

APRIL 9 - 15, 2013

CALBAYOG CITY

For alerts and feedback, e-mail at mysolotrek@gmail.com Website: www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress

What’s new in Calbayog?

Metro Mall to rise in Calbayog City CALBAYOG City -- With the spreading talk-of-the- town construction of several malls and high-end establishments in this city, at least one has been finally confirmed to rise.

On Tuesday, April 16, at around 10 a.m., the Metro Hypermarket, one of the leading supermalls in the country today will have its groundbreaking ceremony in Magsaysay Boulevard, Barangay East Awang, this city.

Also, the Centro Department Store (Centro Mall) has already finished constructing their 3-storey commercial building last March 16, 2013.

Meanwhile, based on the tarpaulins and internet ‘chits-chats’, it is also reported that the Gaisano Group of Companies will also schedule their groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of Gaisano Capital and Gaisano Grand, also in this city this coming May 2013.

At this hour, however, no one from the city hall has issued yet any details regarding this malls to be consturcted.

According to some sources, these are some of the new developments to be expected to be seen in Calbayog within this year and next year aside from the Gaisanos and Robinsons.

1. A four storey hotel in Capoocan along the Maharlika Highway (in front of Margan Construction Supplies); 2. Dunkin Donuts has confirmed its location at Gaisano Metro; 3. Rose Pharmacy Branch 2 at Gaisano Metro; 4. Picture City at Gaisano Metro; 5. Unitop Inc. (still looking for their location); 6. Security Bank (waiting for their license at BSP) 7. Chinabank (waiting for their license at BSP) 8. DBP (waiting for their license at BSP) 9. Runway extension at Calbayog Airportdue to start early next year.

10. Andoks, Calda Pizza, Centro Department Stores and several spas and major establishments. (rjb)

3

DPWH constructs access road to Bangon Falls, Calbayog’s prime tourist site CALBAYOG City -- The highways department based in Calbayog City will construct an access road from the highway leading to Bangon Falls, Calbayog City’s prime tourist destination.

In a statement, the department said that the project stems from a Convergence Program Coordination Meeting of three government agencies – Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and local government units of Samar province on March 21.

The event was organized to identify the different tourist destinations in Samar province and to encourage local officials to develop potential tourist spots.

Officials from DPWH Samar first and second districts, tourism officers of Calbayog, Sta. Margarita, Tarangnan, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Gandara, Basey, Catbalogan, Marabut and Daram, Samar met Regional Director Karen Tiopes of DOT. Tiopes announced the list of tourist destinations which qualified for DOT national funding based on the Revised Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria of the department.

“Some cities and municipalities did not qualify for DOT funding because they did not comply the required documents and did not submit their reports to us,” said Tiopes.

“We hope that in 2014, they will submit the reports required by our office so that more tourist destinations will be developed,” she added.

Bangon Falls located at Brgy. Tinaplacan, Calbayog City qualified for DOT funding.

The majestic falls can be reached through an hour and 15 minute ride to Barangay Tinaplacan plus a 45–minute walk to the falls.

“Bangon Falls last year, attracted about 5,000 local and foreign tourists,” said Ronald Ricafort,

Bangon-bugtong Falls, Calbayog City Calbayog City tourism officer.

Ricafort speaks highly of Bangon, “ I

If you are 18 years old and above, with passion on still have to see a picture of Bangon that writing, and willing to be trained in various aspects of NEWS does justice to its maREPORTING. You might just be the person we’re looking jestic beauty.” for to fill-in our continuing expansion.

While Calbayog

Please submit your RESUME at SWE Editorial Tourism is bent on givOffice at Rizal Avenue, Catbalogan City or call 251-9342 ing it all to Bangon, or 251-2341 for details.

Ricafort also offers

Or email your intention to trexpelunker@ Tarangban Falls and yahoo.com (Look for Ricky or Cathy) Larik Falls to tourists in the area. (PIA with reports from Levi Barnizo)

Need a Job?

Samar entreps attend business caravan CATBALOGAN City -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with partners from the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) conducted a oneday Micro Small and Medium Enterprises forum and caravan in Villa Josefa, Ubanon, Catbalogan City, Wednesday.

Acting Deputy Executive Director DTI-PTTC Elizabeth Manuel shared her own success story in the business and other success stories of famous businessmen in the country today.

The director said the entrepreneurial mindset seeks opportunities, screens opportunities, and seizes opportunities. Instead of seeing the danger in a crisis, an entrepreneur sees opportunities, she added.

Manuel said that the entrepreneur’s only need to have is to be a master of himself, the happiness to do things, has the interest and experience (education, previous job, and training), and the knowledge and passion of the product or service he wants to promote.

“Business is hard work, do not trust your luck. Small ideas can bring you big results. This is not about getting rich but rather trying to make a better life for yourselves.”

PINO Resto and Bar Marketing and Operation Manager John Paul Lanot also shared his secret of success and the 10 factors that make entrepreneurs really successful.

He said that the first important factor is the location, next is time, the physical self (energy, age, youth), one needs to maximize the time he has.

He said that continuous learning is important; the fourth factor, “Kapag tapos na kayo matuto tapos na ang buhay nyo (Once you cease learning, you cease to exist),” he said in Filipino.

Other key factors are experience, technology, network (friends, relatives, etc); the most important is passion and last is money.

One of the participants from Calbiga Women’s Producers Association, sesame seeds seller Victoria Sablan, said she learned a lot from the forum. “Now I know what to do to improve my business,” Sablan said in vernacular. (Avha H. Ebalde)

RSOG from p2 ...

Judge Dela Peña did not recommend any bail for the suspect’s temporary liberty.

The police regional director further informed that while on the process of negotiation for his surrender, Custodio resisted and opened fire to the apprehending team that forced the police team to retaliate, hitting the accused on his legs.

Subsequently, the team recovered from Custodio’s possession one

unit snub-nose caliber .38 paltik revolver with serial number 61178 loaded with 2 spent shells and 2 live ammunitions for caliber .38 and a holster tucked in his waist.

The arrested suspect was immediately brought to Samar Provincial Hospital for medication while the recovered firearm was turned-over to Western Samar Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for laboratory examination.

RSOG is already preparing a separate case for illegal possession of firearms and violation of

Comelec gunban against Custodio.

Meanwhile, RSOG also arrested the number one most wanted person of Lapaz, Leyte who was also ranked as the number 4 most wanted man in Leyte province in a manhunt operation in East Greenhills, Mandaluyong City.

Ruel Refugia, who is facing 3 counts of murder charges in the sala of Judge Buenaventura A. Pajaron of the Regional Trial Court Branch 10 in Abuyog, Leyte was ar-

See RSOG page 5...

SAMAR from page 1 ...

NEDA 8; Atty. Bonifacio G.Uy, Asst.Regional Director, NEDA 8 and Emy Bonifacio, Area Manager, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), among others.

To further elucidate this statement, the province of Samar as well as Northern Samar isn’t ready yet for any plans for progress and development because of the presence of insurgency in these areas.

During the time of President Arroyo, the president herself along with generals of the 8th Infantry Division has vowed to end the insurgency by year 2010. But this was not fulfilled, even after the horrible deployment of General Jovito Palparan as 8ID chief which was later accused of massive human rights violations and caused the increase of insurgents in the region.

During the latest RDC meeting, however, the military reported their “holistic approach” in ending the insurgency problem in the region. They said the government is now doing“people-centered” programs such as “Bayanihan” to win the people’s heart and minds.

Madroňal reported that the military in the region have already handed-over to the LGUs of the provinces of Leyte, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and Southern Leyte the responsibility for Internal Peace and Security of their respective provinces.

According to the military officials, these provinces have already been considered as “Insurgency-Free” or “Manageable Conflict–Affected and Ready for Development.” “(But), in the next 2 years, we surmise to declare the provinces of Samar and Northern Samar “insurgency-free”.

We will be handing over to the LGUs of Samar and Northern Samar the responsibility for Internal Peace and Security of their respective provinces. Meaning, all the provinces of Region8 by 2016 will become Manageable Conflict-Affected and Ready for Development Provinces,” Madroňal concluded.

As of today, reports of encounters between the government forces and the New People’s Army in various remote villages and communities of Samar and Northern Samar provinces took place almost every other week. The military reported seizures and discoveries of various abandoned NPA camps and bunkers proving the real existence of the NPA rebels in the communities untouched.

Meantime, in contrary to the military’s claim, the New People’s Army said they were enjoying the full support of the masses the reason why the military failed to get rid of them just yet. As of the moment, the NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF) continue to threaten the process of the election 2013 by issuing warnings to candidates which will violate their own policy in campaigning. (Ricky Bautista)

OPINION Samar Weekly Express

DALMACIO C. GRAFIL Publisher

APRIL 9 - 15, 2013

For alerts and feedback, e-mail at trexpelunker@yahoo.com

RICKY J. BAUTISTA Editor-in-Chief ALMA GRAFIL Bus. Manager CATHERINE GERADILA Office-in-Charge

Columnists, Writers and Account Executives: Rommel L. Rutor Chito Dela Torre Atty. Batas Maricio Fr. Roy Cimagala Ismael Amigo Juan Mercado Roger Soria Myra Tambor Jenna Tizon Igdalino Gina Dean Ragudo Lilith Sabuco - Teña Malou Bermejo.

OFFICE: The Samar Weekly Express is published weekly in multi-lingual format with editorial and business office located at Rizal Avenue, Catbalogan, Samar (Infront of Fire Department near City Hall) CONTACT: Telephone (055) 251-2341 Fax: (053) 321-5591 Main Office: (053) 321-4833 Mobile: 09207675444 E-MAIL: trexpelunker@yahoo.com, mysolotrek@ gmail.com WEBSITE: www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress All rights reserved. Except as permitted by law, no part of Samar Weekly Express may be produced or distributed in any form or by any means stored in a database or retrieval system without its prior written permission from the publisher.

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SAMAR ISLAND PRESS CLUB, Inc. The only SEC registered media organization operating in the three provinces of Samar A sister publication of the

Leyte - Samar Daily Express (Tacloban City) and Eastern Samar Bulletin (Borongan City)

EDITORIAL Way up high Mounted way up high on walls, on huge steel frames, on billboards and even trees, the tarpaulins of candidates both in local and national elections are seen anywhere in spite of being unlawful. They may not sound like any gargantuan voice boxes yet these tarpaulins of political aspirants are more than yelling at the people, “Hey, I am here! Vote for me!” These tarpaulins may not be directly obstructing traffic, yet they distract the public’s conscience: Are these candidates the kind of officials who deserve to be voted, candidates who could boldly defy the law against illegal posting of campaign ad even though their huge promotional tarpaulins do not explicitly state their candidacy?

Tanauan Election Officer Roche Cerro made clear the Comelec stand on not immediately pulling out or tearing down illegally mounted tarpaulins of candidates invoking the procedural requirement of law that is “due notice” to candidate involved as part of the principle in law called “due process”. In an interaction with local newsmen at Express It At The Park, he emphatically raised the necessity of notifying first the candidate concerned on the illegally posted campaign ad due to the possibility that an opponent could actually be the one responsible in illegally posting the ad in order to disqualify the candidate. So far, the local Comelec office is yet to give threedays notice to candidates allegedly violating the rule on posting of campaign ads only in common poster areas.

Cerro and Ormoc City Election Officer Rosemarie Ann Reas-Polistico admitted that although the Comelec office has the power to order the tear down of illegally posted election campaign ads and initiate complaints motu proprio against erring candidates and party-list hopefuls, the agency could not just do so soon. Besides being undermanned with too much workload on their hands, the Comelec is bound to respect the notification rule, a requirement of law in a democratic government.

Cerro, however, stressed that should there be complaints lodged in their office, they will act on it.

At this juncture, Polistico appealed to the public for understanding on the constraints that Comelec offices are facing. Because of this situation, the Comelec could not strictly look after each violation. She expressed optimism on the public’s help and cooperation, especially in the effective enforcement of Election laws. She however clarified that although complaints could lead to further court proceedings should there be probable cause the result of the case will still depend on the determination of the civil courts after trial.

In the meantime, the Comelec offices continually warn candidates against taking undue advantage of their leverage in media exposure. Although candidates could be freely exposed through issue-based news interviews, without the same being counted against their aggregate media exposure, this should not be abused as to take an edge over opponents. Election officials also warned the public against wearing of clothing, such as shirts, that bear the name of candidates or party-list hopefuls on May 13 Election Day, unless the person wearing is actively part of the entourage of the candidate.

The Omnibus Election Code, nevertheless, persistently disallows campaign on the day before and the very day of the elections.

Hints and Traces

By Fr. Roy Cimagala Democracy hacked

WE need to be wary of a certain observable drift in world developments, especially in the area of politics, which show signs that things are taken out of their proper foundation.

This refers to the general understanding, with its related way of living it, of the very concept of democracy. There are indications, each time getting clearer, that democracy is practically hacked and then defaced in the sense that it is detached from its proper life source.

Democracy, as articulated by many of our political leaders today here and abroad, is openly being removed from God as its source and is slowly but steadily being propped up by mere human maneuverings with the more powerful and gifted in terms of talents, money, popularity if not in terms of guns and goons getting undue advantage of the others.

Democracy has become a purely human game with hardly any relation to a law that ultimately comes from God. It has exaggerated and absolutized its principle, coined by the American President Lincoln of being a “government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

It seems the general and common understanding of democracy now has practically forgotten that all authority comes from God and should be used in accordance to God’s laws that actually allow a certain autonomy given our human condition.

This autonomy is supposed to accommodate the many different and legitimate options we can have in pursuing our temporal affairs, like our politics, but options that do not go against God’s laws. Otherwise, that autonomy is abused and would already be a distortion if not a negation of such freedom and autonomy.

But these days, it would seem that any appeal to God in working out our politics and all other temporal affairs like our business, culture, education, etc., is taboo, is a no-no, is a contradiction to our very humanity, our rights and freedom, etc.

And so, from this weak conception of democracy, graver errors start getting committed not only individually but also collectively. Now RH is ok with its open approval of contraception. Divorce is being mulled.

In other countries, abortion is already legal, euthanasia is

See HINTS page 5...

Samar Weekly Express APRIL 9 - 15, 2013

COMMENTARY: Price of an elective office

by Al Allema

JUST how much is the price for elective office? This query is raised amid the bewilderment over rampant spending that aspiring candidates make even long before elections. If high spending would be taken as yardstick, we may validly infer that elective office is really expensive. There is sheer foolishness in staking so much for an office that does not offer good remuneration.

An aspiring candidate is very much aware of the salary that goes with the office he spends so much for to win. It is not unknown that the salary is too meager for gain as against the high expenses to get elected.

The probability of getting back the huge expenses is nil if salary is the only source of income. It is therefore unconscionable for one to save so much hard-earned money from the fruits of his labor just to spend on an undertaking that does not appear to have a good return.

There really is more than meets the eye in elective office, otherwise, no one will stake so much of his fortune without any certainty of return. If salary is just the source of income one may get from winning elective office, politicians would not be spending too much just to win an office that is not rewarding.

There is basis therefore for people to surmise that there is much to gain from elective office. The perks and privileges that go with the office and the many opportunities for a return on what had been spent to win the office are just awesome. This is why we find legislators who do not know and would never care to learn, much more perform legislation.

These set of officials who are supposed to and have sworn to enact laws are too busy implementing projects where money is aplenty.

Commercialized elections where voting is considered as an object of monetary transaction is ingrained in our political system. The corrupt voting mentality had become widespread

WANTED from page 1 ... approved, and same-sex unions are promoted. All these coming as a result of a so-called democratic mentality where if there is a majority or a significant number of the people asking for anything regardless of its morality, then it should be given.

In the States today, the push to legalize same-sex marriages by presenting it as a way to have a kind of marriage equality is a clear example of how democracy is defaced and has gone amok. It is not anymore inspired by God’s law, but rather by human preferences.

We need to overcome this prejudice that, I imagine, comes from a certain mentality that at least sidelines God if not deny his existence and his providence altogether.

We need to realize that especially in this crucial aspect of our life—our politics that affects all of us—a clear and strong reference to God is made as one of democracy’s fundamental principles.

Otherwise, we would be left on our own, and with that, we can never have some universal, absolute basis for what is good and bad, what is fair and not fair.

We should not be afraid that this attitude of putting God in our politics and democratic exercises might compromise the freedom of the non-believers, since if we truly believe in God then we would know how to treat those who don’t believe in God in charity.

Christ himself said that we should love our enemies and he even died on the cross for the love of all, including those who did not and continue not to love him.

Thus, in electing our public officials, we need to see how each one of them is regarding his understanding of democracy.

Is God in it or not? Does he know how to put God in his political agenda? Does he realize that democracy is one important venue where our duty to give glory to God is expressed?

This, of course, is not going to be an easy task. It’s a very sensitive and volatile issue that can easily provoke unnecessary conflicts and troubles, but it has to be done. We just have to pray and hope for the best, humble enough to learn from whatever mistake we may commit along the way.

But, yes, we need to restore the true nature and character of democracy. Let’s keep it from being hacked.

Views on News

By Ricky J. Bautista trexpelunker@yahoo.com

(This column will resume next issue. Ed.)

OPINION

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among the people. Conscience no longer matters in the exercise of the sacred right to vote. The politician and the voter seem to have a meeting of minds as regards the practice of the voting transaction. For the uncaring and unprincipled voter, it is all money that matter for which he can take advantage and benefit from the politicians for the moment.

No other way and opportunity will ever come his way to get something from the politician who will be raking much from the public funds for the duration of the term he was elected for.

The politician on the other hand does not care much spending for every voter as there is great promise of gainful opportunities once elected.

If only we can strengthen the safeguards against corruption and grafters and plunderers of the public coffers, maybe we have a good chance of changing the face of our electoral system. The certainty of gaining back what is being spent during elections is the cause why politicians are bold enough to go on a spending spree to win elective office.

If there is no way to pilfer and tinker public funds for personal gain, candidates may think many times over about spending much to get elected. The problem is there are a lot of opportunities for corruption that politicians are able to take more than what they spent during elections.

Getting off the hook for taking public funds is a great motivation for politicians to be even wiser and finer in their ways of recovering what they paid the voters for. What we see as too high a spending to win public office is an indication about how high is the price for elective office.

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RSOG from page 3 ... rested on April 4 by an RSOG tracker team led by SPO4 Ananias Monteroso together with elements of Police Regional Office 4-A (PRO 4-A) based on Canlubang, Laguna.

Refugia is the primary suspect in the killing of Apolonio Pelinyo, Dennis Guiron and Edgfar Escalante during a dance party at Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Lapaz, Leyte on July 27, 2000. He went into hiding immediately after the incident.

Suspect was brought to PRO 4-A regional headquarters for temporary safekeeping, Soria further informed.

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STATEMENT OF LEADING SENATORIAL BET JV EJERCITO ESTRADA ON PCIJ REPORT: To the best of my knowledge, I have truthfully and accurately declared all my assets, liabilities, and net worth in my SALN. The timing of this so-called expose is highly suspicious considering I am one of the UNA candidates consistently in the winning list of monthly surveys by different polling organizations and recently barged in to the top 3 in SWS Survey.

I have heretofore held high respect to the PCIJ. I hope that they are not falling to the manipulation of desperate people in dirty politics.

(Sgd.) JV Ejercito Estrada

5

Heat wave: can we do something about it?

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…God is not man that he should lie, nor a human being that he should change his mind…” (Numbers 23:19, the Holy Bible).

-oooHEAT WAVE: CAN WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? The warning by PAGASA, or the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, that a heat wave is coming to our country in the next few days foretells of death and destruction, what with temperatures ranging from a deadly 38 degrees centigrade or even higher enveloping many parts of the archipelago for not less than three days.

Is there anything Filipinos can do about this heat wave if and when it finally strikes? Or, better yet, is there anything that Filipinos can do to prevent any heat wave from victimizing them and the entire country? Impossible as it may sound, the answer is yes, there is something concrete that we can all do to minimize, if not altogether avoid, the occurrence of the dreaded heat wave.

-oooSTRONG SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF HEAT WAVES: What is this that we can concretely do about the coming heat wave? It is listening to God and obeying His commands. For Christians, it means reading the Bible and following the commands written in its pages. For Muslims or any other believer from other sect or religions, it means reading the Koran or any other Holy Book, and obeying everything written in them. In other words, to fight a heat wave, we must all go back to God. For, whether we like to admit it or not, a heat wave has very strong spiritual and Biblical dimensions, at least among Christians. In at least two passages or verses of the Bible, a heat wave is prophesied to happen, as a consequence of people no longer listening to God---which means, no longer reading the Bible, and of people no longer obeying His commands.

The first of these two passages is found in Deuteronomy 28:15 and 22. These parts of the Bible read: “However, if you no longer listen to God and no longer obey Him, all of these curses will come upon you… The Lord will send you… scorching heat and severe drought…”

-oooLINK BETWEEN HEAT WAVES AND THE BIBLE: The second passage is found in Deuteronomy 28:15 and 23, which reads: The sky over your head will be fiery and the soil you step on will be as hard as iron due to lack of water… Dust, instead of water, will come down from the heavens… They will all come to you until you are destroyed…”

A careful reading of these Biblical verses will show us that a heat wave---scorching heat and severe drought---is attributed by the Prophet Moses to just two things---people no longer listening to God, which means they no longer read the Bible, they no longer attend mass or any other praise and worship activities, and they no longer obey His commands.

But, what really does failure to read the Bible and obey God’s commands have got to do with a heat wave, or scorching heat and severe drought, or even with global warming and climate change? A lot, if you ask me, and it will take several columns to explain the relationship between these natural phenomenon and the failure to lead a spiritual life anchored on the Bible and God’s commands.

ACCEPTING GOD’S WORD RE: HEAT WAVE: Suffice it to say for now, however, that, it is not for us to question if there is any relationship between a heat wave and not reading the Bible and not following God’s commands. If that is what God is saying, through His prophet, Moses, and which has come down to us through the Bible, who are we to question, much less doubt, what He said? As Numbers 23:19 is saying, “God is not man that he should lie, nor a human being that he should change his mind…”

REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.

DISCLAIMER: Views expressed in the opinion and commentary sections do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Samar Weekly Express. The SWE does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression.

The publication, however, reserves the right to edit contributions for clarity, as it sees fit.

--- Ed.

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Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 32 Calbayog City IN RE: PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF NEW OWNER’S DUPLICATE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 1621 IN LIEU OF THE LOST ONE, CORAZON SALAS TIMAN, Applicant/Petitioner LRC No. 316 x- - - - - - - - - - - - x ORDER

This is a verified petition for Issuance of New Owner ’s Duplicate Original Certificate of Title No. 1621 in lieu of the lost one, filed on October 09, 2012, by petitioner, thru counsel, praying among others, that after due notice and hearing an order be entered directing the Register of Deeds of Calbayog City, Province of Samar to issue a new owner’s duplicate Original Certificate of Title No. 1621 in lieu of the lost one, the same be regarded as the owner’s duplicate Original Certificate of Title No. 1621 for all purposes of the law.

The petition reads: That petitioner is of legal age, Filipino, married, and with residence and post office address at Barangay Trinidad, Calbayog City, Samar; that she is the vendee of a certain parcel of land more particularly described as follows: A parcel of land covered by Original Certificate of Title No. 1621 situated in Barangay Trinidad, Calbayog City, Samar, designated as Lot No. 5392, Case 4, Cadm. 422 bounded on the North along line 1-2 by Lot 5394, Case 4, Cadm. 422; On the East along line 2-3 by Lot 5608, Case 4, Cadm. 422; on the South along line 3-4, by Road and on the West along line 4-1 by Lot 5391, Case 4, Cadm. 422, containing an area of Seven Hundred Forty (740) square metesr, more or less and registered in the name of Marcelino Giray”

That said parcel of land was sold by the registered owner Marcelino Giray to Porferio Gara sometime in July 24, 1991; that upon execution of the deed of sale, Marcelino Giray delivered and handed to Porferio Gara the owne’rs duplicate original copy of the Original Certificate of Title (OCT) No. 1621; that on June 6, 2001, Porferio Gara sold portion of said parcel of land to herein petitioner; that the remaining portion of the parcel of land was again sold by Porferio to herein petitioner sometime in July 9, 2008; that after the sale of the remaining portion was effected on July 9, 2008; Porferio Gara delivered and handed said owner’s duplicate original copy of OCT No. 1621 to petitioner which she kept inside a cabinet in her bedroom in her house in Brgy. Trinidad, Calbayog City, Samar; that in year 2008, while the petitioner was in the United States, she had a renovation of her house which included the refurbishing of the cabinet where she kept the owner’s duplicate original copy of OCT No. 1621. After the renovation, she was informed that the owner’s duplicate original copy of OCT No. 1621 can no longer be found and was lost during the house renovation; that when petitioner finally came home to the Philippines, she was able to confirm that indeed owner’s duplicate original copy of OCT No. 1621 is lost and can no longer be found despite diligent efforts to retrieve and recover it; that she reported to loss of said owner’s duplicate copy of OCT No. 1621 to the Register of Deeds of Calbayog City through execution of Affidavit of Loss on September 21, 2012; that despite having been issued Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR), petitioner cannot cause the transfer to her name of OCT No. 1621 unless the owner’s duplicate original copy of said title be re-issued and reconstituted; that said owner’s duplicate original has not been pledged or delivered to any person or entity to secure payment or performance of any

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LEGAL NOTICES obligation but was lost solely.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that this case is set for initial hearing on July 22, 2013 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon before this Court, at which date, time and place, all persons who have objection thereto may file any opposition and show cause why the petition should not be allowed.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior the above-setting in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Samar and in the City of Calbayog.

Furnish copy of this Order together with a copy of the petition and all its annexes to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, the Registry of Deeds of Calbayog City, the Office of the City Prosecutor of Calbayog, the parties and their counsels, for their information and comment.

SO ORDERED. IN CHAMBERS, February 20, 2013, Calbayog City.

(Sgd.) FELICIANO P. AGUILAR Acting Presiding Judge SWE April 9 -15; 16 - 22 & 23 29, 2013 issues

LEGAL NOTICES

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 32 Calbayog City IN RE: GRAPHICAL TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION TO NUMERICAL TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IN THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 14704.

SPS. ARTURO & CECILIA OLASIMAN, Petitioners -versusTHE REGISTRY OF DEEDS, CATBALOGAN CITY, Respondent LRC No. 317 x--------------x ORDER

This is a verified petition for Graphical Technical Description to Numerical Technical Description in the Original Certificate of Title No. 14704, filed on October 17, 2012, by petitioner spouses Arturo & Cecilia Olasiman, thru counsel, praying among others, that after due notice and hearing, an order be issued directing the Office of the Registry of Deeds for the Province of Samar,

Catbalogan City, to inscribe in the Original Certificate of Title No. 14704 the numerical technical description of the subject property as appearing in the records of Bureau of Lands, DENR, Regional Office No. VIII, Tacloban City, in lieu of graphical description appearing therein.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that this case is set for initial hearing on July 22, 2013 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon before this Court, at which date, time and place, all persons who have objection thereto may file any opposition and show cause why the petition should not be allowed.

Let copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner, once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks prior the above-setting in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Samar and in the City of Calbayog, and likewise let a copy of this order be posted, for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing, at the Bulletin Board of the Following: 1.

R e g i o n a l Tr i a l Court, Branch 32, Calbayog City 2.

Office of the Clerk of Court, RTC, Calbayog City

3.

Municipal Hall of Tagapul-an, Samar; and 4.

Barangay Hall of Brgy. Luna, Tagapul-an, Samar Furnish copy of this Order together with a copy of the Petition and its annexes, to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) at 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City; the Office of the City Prosecutor, Calbayog City; the Administrator of the Land Registration Authority; the Director of Bureau of Lands, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Regional Office, Tacloban City; the Register of Deeds of Catbalogan City, the adjacent property owner’s of OCT No. 14704 found in Brgy. Luna, Tagapul-an, Samar, the parties and their counsels, for their information and comments.

SO ORDERED.

IN CHAMBERS, February 20, 2013, Calbayog City.

(Sgd.) FELICIANO P. AGUILAR Acting Presiding Judge SWE April 9 -15; 16 - 22 & 23 - 29, 2013 issues

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Samar Weekly Express APRIL 9 - 15, 2013

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LEGAL NOTICES Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 32 Calbayog City IN RE: ISSUANCE OF A NEW OWNER’S DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE EDUARDO B. GOMEZ, Petitioner -versusTHE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF CALBAYOG CITY, Respondent LRC No. 319 x- - - - - - - - - -x ORDER

This is a verified petition for issuance of a new owner’s duplicate Certificate of Title, filed on March 07, 2013, by petitioner thru counsel, praying among others, that after due notice and hearing, the Court will issue an Order directing the registers of Deeds of the City of Calbayog for the issuance of a new owner’s duplicate of Transfer Certificate of Title No. 1943.

The petition sets forth the following material allegations: That petitioner is of legal age, Filipino, married, with residence at Clearwater, Crystal Cove Garden, Baguio City, and at Brgy. Capoocan, Calbayog City; that petitioner is one of the legitimate children and heirs of the late Tomas Gomez, Jr. who was the registered owner of a parcel of land covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 1943, duly registered with the Registry of Deeds of the City of Calbayog; that

petitioner was the one who kept the said TCT No. 1943, but a few years ago, he entrusted its safekeeping to his late brother Jose Gandhi B. Gomez. Upon the latter’s death early last year, petitioner discovered that the said TCT No. 1943 is missing and inspite exerting effort to find it, same can no longer be found; and that as a result of the said loss, petitioner executed an Affidavit of Loss, a copy of which was furnished the Office of the Registry of Deeds, Calbayog City.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, let the petition be set for initial hearing on August 05, 2013 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, during which, all those interested are directed to show cause why the application shall not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior the above-setting in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Samar and in the City of Calbayog.

Furnish copy of this Order together with a copy of the petition and all its annexes to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, the Registry of Deeds of Calbayog City, the Office of the Prosecutor of Calbayog, the parties and their counsels, for their information and comment.

SO ORDERED. IN CHAMBERS, April 2, 2013, Calbayog City, Philippines.

BARANGAY VISIT. To ensure peace and order situation and to bring government closer to the people, policemen led by Police Senior Inspector Aquilino G. Pongcol III conducted Barangay visitation, April 09, 2013 at Brgy. Rawis, Calbayog City. (Lilith S. Tena/PNP)

Samar policemen nabbed suspects with standing warrant of arrests

CATBALOGAN City -- Several suspects with standing warrant of arrests were neutralized by policemen in Samar over the weekend.

In a report obtained by the Samar Weekly Express dated April 4, 2013, a joint operation was conducted by Calbayog City-based SOTG-Samar led by PSI Brigido M. Tingzon Jr. together with the Calbayog City Police Station led by PSupt Elmer Beringuel Cinco, which resulted to the arrest of some wanted persons.

Arrested about 7:00PM on April 3, 2013 was Julio BantasanMendaña alias ‘Nonoy’ and Julio Portilles Cahungcoy.

The report said both suspects have standing Warrant of Arrest for qualified theft with a fixed bail bond of Php 24,000.00 each for their temporary liberty. Mendaña, a 46 years old farmer, and a resident of Purok 3 Brgy.PilarOquendo District Calbayog City has standing WOA under CC No. 6178 issued by Hon. Reynaldo Clemens, Presiding Judge at RTC 8 Branch 31, dated February 28, 2011.

On the other hand, Cahungcoy, a 44 years old farmer that resides at Purok 2 of the same Barangay has standing WOA under CC No. 3621 issued by Hon. Francisco Mazo, Acting Presiding Judge, dated April 19, 1999.

Mendaña and Cahungcoy was subjected for medical, physical exam and booking procedures. The suspects are now temporarily detained at the PNP Lock-up Cell, awaiting court trials. (Lilith S. Tena)

(Sgd.) FELICIANO P. AGUILAR Acting Presiding Judge

SWE April 9 -15; 16 - 22 & 23 29, 2013 issues

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JOINT PROV’L SECURITY CONTROL MEETING. To ensure a peaceful and orderly midterm elections, the security forces in Samar together with the Commission on Elections conducted a security meeting held at SPPO, Brgy. Maulong, this city. (LST/PNP)

Contact: 09071079333

“Kun may ungod ngan tangkod nga serbisyo, Sigurado an asenso!”

“We can beat the price in town”

Secretary Armin Luistro (center) of DepEd answers questions during the press conference held at the Ormoc City Hall attended by school journalists and the local media.

Also in photo are DepEd 8 regional director Luisa Bautista-Yu and PIA director-general Jose Marie Oquiñena.

(Vino R. Cuayzon)

7 Calbayog cops conduct dialogue to local folks CALBAYOG City -- The Calbayog City Police Station, through the leadership of PSupt. Elmer Cinco, Officer-In-Charge, conducted a barangay visitation to the barangays of Cogon, Naga, Carayman, Bagacay, Rawis, Cagboborac, and Brgy. Rizal 1, all in Calbayog City, for the implementation of “Oplan Katok” and to encouraged community support in maintaining peace and order in the community.

The police said “Oplan Katok” aims to account all loose firearms including those subject for the renewal or expired individual firearms licenses.

According to the police, the owners of those firearms with expired licenses are instructed to temporarily turnover their firearm to the nearest police station for safekeeping while they were on the process of renewing their licences.

Last April 8, PNP personnel led by PSInsp. Aquilino Pongcol III conducted barangay dialogue which is a way of strengthening close relationship between the barangay and the PNP personnel of Calbayog City.

Pongcol said part of the police duty is to inculcate into the minds of the community that police officers should not be feared, and let them feel that PNP are friendly uniformed public servants who are approachable, dependable, presentable, God-fearing and humane. (Lilith S. Tena)

SPPO initiates prov’l security control meeting

CATBALOGAN City -- The Samar Police Provincial Office under the supervision of PSSupt. Eusebio Adamero Mejos in close coordination with the Commission on Elections Samar field office initiated the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) meeting held at the SPPO Admin building, Camp Lukban, Barangay Maulong on March 27, 2103.

The said meeting was attended by Atty. Juan Bautista A. Beato, Provincial Election Supervisor/ PJSCC Chairman; PSSupt. Mejos himself, Colonel Ramon P. Baldemor, Deputy Brigade Commander, 801st Brigade; Deputy Provincial Director for Administration PSupt.

Carlito Duque Abriz, Deputy Provincial Director for Operations PSupt. Joseph N. Pensotes, HPG-Samar PSI Emmanuel Arteche and SPPO Quad Staff; Chiefs of Police of all municipalities and cities together with twenty five (25) Election Officers of cities and municipalities of Samar, among media practitioners.

During the meeting, security preparation for the forthcoming National and Local Elections were discussed.

An open forum followed wherein exchanged of ideas, opinions, suggestions and questions from different offices were raised. All questions and suggestions were properly answered and given appropriate actions.

It was then agreed at the end of the meeting that close coordination between security forces and the Election officers should be strictly observed.

Police officials assured the Comelec and the public for a Secured and Fair Elections 2013. (Lilith S. Tena)

Director-General Jose Marie Oquiñena of the PIA (3rd from left) pose with DepEd 8 regional director Luisa Bautista-Yu, Ormoc mayor Eric Codilla and DepEd Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro for photo-ops with campus photojournalists during the opening ceremony of the 2013 NSPC at Ormoc Superdome, Ormoc City. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Donaire drops unanimous decision to Rigondeaux

FILIPINO LOSSES FIGHT. Nonito Donaire punches Guillermo Rigondeaux during their WBO/WBA junior featherweight title unification bout at Radio City Music Hall on April 13, 2013.

Villar leads Manila Bay Clean-Up

Misis Hanepbuhay Cynthia Villar leads the clean-up drive at Las Pinas-Parañaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA), which was recently included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, an intergovernmental treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

IN consonance with the forthcoming Earth Day celebration, Team PNoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar yesterday led the clean-up drive at Manila Bay in the Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism (LPPCHEA), which was recently included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, an intergovernmental treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

“We have to care and protect our environment. We have to repay Mother Earth for providing us all the necessary materials we need to survive,” stressed Villar.

Villar said, the clean-up activity at Manila Bay which started at 7 am, is their simple way of saying “thank you,” and demonstrating their love to Mother Earth.

However, she stressed that “caring and loving” our environment should not only be done during the Earth Day celebration.

“Everyday of our lives, we should all strive to protect Mother Earth,” said Villar who has earned the moniker “Misis HanepBuhay” for giving jobs to Filipinos.

Villar was joined by students and volunteers from various sectors in last Friday’s clean-up activity, which was followed by a tour along the stretch of LPPCHEA aboard a banca around 7:30 am.

The activity ended with a boodle fight, also led by Villar.

The three-term Las Pinas congresswoman said she feels happy with the improvement at the LPPCHEA since there are lesser garbage being collected.

“We can attribute this to our consistent clean-up efforts,” said Villar.

The Villar Foundation, where she sits as Managing Director, together with students and other volunteers, also conduct weekly cleanups.

“The more partners we work with, the better it will be for the environment,” she said.

The Villar Foundation had earlier inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) represented by radio station DZRH in its Manila Bay Cleanup drive.

“The Villar Foundation and DZRH agree that this is not only a joint cooperative undertaking, but more importantly, it is a major public service activity that would help contribute to the promotion of a livable, healthier and ecological sustainable Manila Bay,” read the MoA. Villar noted there is more reason to protect the 175-hectare LPPCHEA area after it was listed in Ramsar along with the world-renowned Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Underground River), both found in the Philippines.

“Ramsar has recognized LPPCHEA’s global importance to biodiversity and the need to give it special protection from various threats,” said Villar, adding that LPPCHEA is the so-called ‘last bastion’ in Metro Manila.

Based on Proclamation No. 1412, LPPCHEA is a critical habitat because of its global importance to biodiversity. It is a habitat for the survival of threatened, restricted-range and congregatory species.

But despite being a critical habitat, Villar lamented it faces threats of being reclaimed.

In opposing the planned reclamation, Villar, a strong environmental advocate, noted that taking care of our environment will save us from disasters and calamities.

She maintains calamities would further burden the already poor Filipinos who are facing various problems due to difficult times.

Disasters like flooding, Villar said, can make one poorer if his properties are destroyed.

To avoid worst scenarios, Villar, who has earned the moniker “Misis Hanep Buhay” for giving jobs to Filipinos, underscored the need to clean our rivers, our creeks and other bodies of water especially Manila Bay. “We can simply help protect the environment by not throwing our garbage into the sea, rivers, and creeks. If we resort to indiscriminate throwing of garbage, these wastes will return to us during floods,” warned Villar. (PR)

IT was another sad day for Philippine boxing as Nonito Donaire lost his superbantamweight championship to Cuba’s Guillermo Rigondeaux via a unanimous decision.

All three judges scored it for the former Olympic gold medalist and World Boxing Association titlist, with the scores reading 114-113, 115112 and 116-111.

Donaire scored the bout’s only knockdown in the 10th when he landed a crunching left that dropped Rigondeaux for the first time in his professional career, but the Cuban came back storng int eh last two round to put the outcome beyond doubt.

Rigondeaux proved to be an elusive target for the hardhitting Donaire, frustrating the Filipino with his speed and body movement. The Cuban, who was fighting in just his 12th professional bout, took control early and never gave Donaire a chance to get into rhythm.

The Filipino Flash appeared to have turned things around with that 10th-round knockdown, but instead of capitalizing on his newfound momentum, slowed down in the 11th and allowed Rigondeaux to steal the round. In the 12th, Donaire injured his right eye after both fighters fell to the canvas, and whatever chance he had to steal a win evaporated as he spent the rest of the round covering his right eye and unable to go on the attack.

The punch statistics showed that Rigondeaux was the more active and accurate boxer: he threw 396 punches and connected on 129 of them for a 33% rate, while Donaire threw 352 and landed only 82 for 23%.

It was the first loss in 30 fights for the Filipino Flash, and comes just eight days after Brian Viloria lost his flyweight belts via split decision to Juan Francisco Estrada and four months after Manny Pacquiao lost via knockout to Juan Manuel Marquez.

(From the wires)

APRIL 9 - 15, 2013

8 Pages

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