SWE February 26 - March 4, 2013

VOL. 10, NO. 30

FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 4, 2013

CATBALOGAN CITY

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS Chronicling Events in Samar Island Since 2002

IT’S SUMMER TIME! As the summer starts this March, people from all walks of life, young and old, including visitors and plain backpacker heads to Catbalogan Sunshine Beach located in Barangay Guinsorongan, Catbalogan City.

This beach is the favorite destination of the middle class residents especially during weekends, holidays or “piyesta minatay” in the month of November.

This beach is located adjacent to the Catbalogan Public Cemetery.

(Ricky J. Bautista)

The Exponent of Samar’s Progress

Suspects in P1.2-M jewelry heist nabbed

By RICKY J. BAUTISTA & LILITH S. TENA

CATBALOGAN CITY -- At least three suspects were arrested and more than P1 million worth of jewelries were recovered in a follow-up operation by the elite Regional Police Special Operations Group (RSOG8) against suspected thieves in Catbalogan City, Wednesday.

Samar Police Provincial But after thorough intelligence Director Supt. Eusebio Megathering, the hideout of the jos identified the suspects as suspects was pinpointed by the Edwardo Pacayra y Fillas, 65, police which resulted to their married, a barber by occupa- immediate arrest.

Mejos said the raid also tion; his son Darwin Pacayra led to the recovery of 14 pieces y Ontoca alias Daroy, 27, assorted gold and diamond tricycle driver and Darwin’s jewelries amounting to more live-in partner Mariton Cinco or less 1.2 million pesos that y Borja, 20, jobless, all residwas part of the more than ing at Pier 2 site, Brgy. 4 in two million pesos worth of Catbalogan City.

Earlier, a couple en- loot that were stolen from the gaged in jewelry business victims.

Apart from the jewelries, were duped the thieves who immediately went at large.

See SUSPECT page 2...

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DAR to give farmers equipments

CATBALOGAN CITY -The Department of Agrarian Reform will soon turn over more than P19 million worth of farm implements to about 60 beneficiary-organizations in Eastern Visayas.

The multi-million peso worth of modern farm equipments include 37 hand tractors, 30 threshers, 10 cultivators, eight water pumps, six flat-bed driers, two reapers, two mechanical trans-planters, and two.2 combine harvesters.

The equipments are now ready at the DAR regional office ready for distribution,” Director Eliasem Castillo said.

With these equipments, the DAR official expects a higher harvest from their agricultural lands, increase in income and thereby contributing to poverty and unemployment reduction in the rural areas under President Benigno Aquino’s 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan.

The turn-over of the farm equipments will be done after the 97 assorted machineries are checked by an inspectorate team from DAR Central Office. (Ricky J. Bautista)

Former President Joseph Erap Ejercito Estrada and son (UNA leading senatorial candidate) JV Ejercito Estrada waves to crowds and supporters during a motorcade in Iligan City. (PR)

[EXCLUSIVE]

49 gun ban violators, so far, arrested AT LEAST 49 people have been arrested by the police for possession of firearms in Samar and Leyte since the gun ban was implemented with the start of the election period on January 13, the Police Re-

gional Office 8 (PRO8) said on Monday.

Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria said they have confiscated from the 48 suspects a total 40 firearms, thirteen high-powered and 20 lowpowered and 7 homemade

guns.

The police official said that “apart from the firearms, 4 hand grenades, an air gun and 3 gun replicas and 13 assorted bladed weapons were also confiscated” adding that

See GUN BAN page 3...

Much of the Development of Samar is found in leaders & people who care.

Samar Weekly Express

THE REGION

2

FEB. 26 - MAR. 4, 2013

Website: www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress

IN EASTERN VISAYAS

US grants P3.8-M to partner NGO in fight versus child trafficking PALO, Leyte – The United States government is granting P3.8 million to a partner non-government organization in curbing child trafficking in 15 municipalities of Samar and Eastern Samar covered by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)funded road project.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas and Millenium Challenge Account Philippine managing director and chief executive officer Marivic Anonuevo signed a memorandum of agreement with Manila-based Philippines Against Child Trafficking (PACT) that will be their partner anti-trafficking drive.

“We need to work together to stop trafficking. Think about the look of death on these boys and girls because of how they are being abused by fellow Filipinos, Americans, and global citizens,” Thomas said during the signing at the Oriental Leyte Hotel Saturday morning.

“Child trafficking happens because of poverty, corruption, and greed. We think that parents and relative are good but they’re not,” Thomas said noting that this problem thrives because of

tolerance of family members.

The initiative, according to Anonuevo, reinforces the MCC’s policy of zero tolerance to trafficking in persons where the USfunded project is being implemented.

The nine-month program will concentrate on developing communication strategy, information and education materials, training community educators tasked to conduct village level development sessions, and crisis management.

“Our first job is to assess the situation in those areas. We will also develop sustainability plans for the program to go on after the project,” said PACT national coordinator Salome Ujano.

The anti trafficking in persons program will cover 151 barangays in Paranas in Samar; Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan City, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Hernani, Gen. Macarthur, Quinapondan, Salcedo, Mercedes and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

These areas are located within the 222-kilometer road that is now being upgraded through a $214.44 million grant from US government. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)

Store helper held for gun

Anti-poverty projects in Leyte now in full swing

CATBALOGAN CITY -- A store helper was the latest addition to the list of those arrested by the police for violating the gun ban. Jimmy Laboc y Dacles alias Manok, 23, single, of Purok 3, Brgy. 13, Catbalogan City was arrested by a police team led by PO3 Louie Legatub on Saturday evening after receiving information that suspect was carrying firearm at the vicinity of Imelda Park, Brgy. 7, Catbalogan City.

Confiscated from Laboc was one caliber .380 pistol with defaced serial number loaded with one magazine.

Suspect is currently detained at Catbalogan City Police Station while cases for illegal possession of firearm and violation of Comelec Resolution No. 9561-A were already filed against him at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Catbalogan City docketed under NPS Numbers INQ-13C-0068 and INQ13C-0069, respectively. (rjb)

Ombudsman suspends Palompon mayor TACLOBAN CITY—The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has suspended the municipal mayor of Palompon, Leyte for administrative charges.

Mayor Ramon Oñate committed “simple misconduct” and was meted a penalty of one month suspension from the service.

Complainant Warblitz Martinez, a businesswoman, charged Oñate and three others for illegally closing down her business for three months for alleged violation of a local anti-noise ordinance.

According to the complainant, the closure order has no legal and factual basis considering that the grounds relied upon are untrue and inexistent.

The complainant added that her right to due process was violated since there was no investigation prior to its issuance and pointed out the respondent mayor has not even considered an ocular inspection to determine if indeed there was a violation.

In his counter-affidavit, Mayor Oñate said that he is empowered as the municipal mayor to issue licenses and permits as well as to suspend or revoke the same for any violation of the conditions upon which said licenses or permits had been issued, pursuant to laws and ordinances.

In the verified joint position paper of the respondents, they emphasized that the complainant was given due process when a letter was sent informing of the violation of the anti-noise ordinance.

In a 14-page decision dated February 23, 2013 and penned by graft investigation and prosecution officer Maria Corazon Bergara-Naraja, the Ombudsman found substantial evidence against Oñate for simple misconduct for closing down Martinez’ business, a penalty more severe than that prescribed by the applicable ordinance.

The Ombudsman also found the mayor’s failure to conduct or order an inspection prior to the issuance of the order manifests his excessive use of authority and lack of respect for the property rights of the complainant.

According to the Ombudsman, such conduct is contrary to public policy and public interest, a clear transgression of Sec. 4 of RA 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Eastern Visayas was directed to implement the suspension order against the mayor of Palompon. (Reyan Arinto)

ALANGALANG, Leyte – The P237.15 million United States government-funded anti poverty projects in the region are now in full swing, an official of the Millennium Challenge Account –Philippines (MCA-P) said.

MCA-P managing director and chief executive officer Ma. Victoria Anonuevo said 527 of the 1,497 US-funded Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) projects nationwide are being implemented in Region 8.

The United States Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) said that each project has an average of P450,000 funding support. Eastern Visayas is one of the six regions covered by the US-backed projects.

Of the 164 target municipalities of MCC nationwide, 40 are in Region 8. The Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office is currently implementing 846 projects with more than half are financed by MCC. “Eastern Visayas gets the biggest share of budget among all the region’s covered by MCC both for Kalahi-CIDDS and road projects,” Anonuevo told Samar Weekly Express referring to the US-funded Samar National Road Development Project (SNRDP) connecting Samar and Eastern Samar.

During Friday’s visit to Barangay Aslum of this town United States Ambassador Harry Thomas said that he is proud with the development of Kalahi-CIDDS in the country.

“Embodies the same development aspirations that we are trying to promote – helping people help themselves,” Thomas said in his speech.

Barangay Aslum is a recipient of a P750,000 day care center construction that will be completed mid-April. A big junk of the project cost is funded by the US government.

Kalahi-CIDSS is an expansion of the first phase implementation of the program from 2003 to 2010 that was funded from the World Bank loan.

Eubolo Co, Kalahi-CIDSS deputy regional project manager, said that 237 MCC-funded projects have already been completed and 290 are still ongoing. The project has been benefitting 1,232 villages.

“Among these projects are path walks, school buildings, health stations, road, water supply system, drainage canal, and shoreline protection,” Co said.

With the $120 million additional funding from MCC, the project will continue serving municipalities previously covered and expand its reach as additional municipalities in Luzon and Visayas are now covered.

Writers and PhotogsWanted!

If you a photo enthusiasts, a blogger and has passion in writing and willing to be trained in various fields of journalism, you might just be the person we’re looking for and this might be your opportunity to become a promising journalist.

Come and submit yourself to us, bring your credentials at SWE Office located at Rizal Avenue, this city or 251-2341 look for Cathy or email your intention to trexpelunker@yahoo.com..

SUSPECT from page 1 ... the lawmen also found a caliber .38 revolver loaded with one ammunition and one caliber 5.56 revolver with 6 live bullets and ammunition for 12-gauge shotgun.

The police disclosed that follow-up operations are also being conducted to recover the more than 800 thousand pesos worth of jewelries that were either sold or pawned by the suspects to still unverified pawnshops in the region.

The suspects are now in police custody awaiting trial.

DPWH Samar 1 conducts project monitoring CALBAYOG CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Samar I Inspectorate Team led by the Assistant District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio conducted their regular project monitoring to ensure quality infrastructure output.

The team inspected the ongoing construction of Flood Control Structure in Barangay Nijaga, this city.

Funded with an amount of P700, 000.00 under the 2012 Priority Development Assistance Fund of Cong. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento, the project aimed to remove or dispose flood obstructions, structure excavation, embankment, aggregate base course, reinforcing of steel, pipe culverts, and grouted riprap.

The DPWH officials are optimistic that this project will be completed within 45 working calendar days to avoid traffic build-up in the area.

Another project visited by the team is the ongoing construction of the Multi-Purpose Building located at Barangay Carayman.

The 2012 PDAF of Rep. Sarmiento also funded the project with the amount of P1.5 Million contracted by the P.S. Labasbas Construction.

Project Engineers Andres Lentejas and Raquel Sumayo reported that at least 70 to 80 percent of the project was finished.

The DPWH, which is the implementing agency of the projects conducted regular inspection and visitation to ensure proper implementation and to meet the deadline set for every project.

The inspection also expedites the project with an assurance that the outputs are quality projects. (By Leviresa G. Barnizo, DPWH PIO staff)

Flood Control Project in Barangay Nijaga

Flood Control Project in Barangay Nijaga

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Samar Weekly Express

FEB. 26 - MAR. 4, 2013

NEWS

Medical Team from the Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO), headed by PSSUpt. Eusebio Adamero Mejos, treated a patient in its recent Samar Peace and Development Caravan (Social Preparation and Mobilization) in Gandara, Samar. (Lilith S. Tena/PNP)

Top 6 fugitive killed in shootout with police

By LILITH S. TENA Correspondent CALBAYOG CITY – The top 6 most wanted person in Samar town was shot dead by policemen after he refused to surrender when cornered last Sunday at Barangay Cagmanipis Norte, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City.

Samar police director Supt. Eusebio Mejos said a composite team of po-

3 ACB/GIZ announces photo contest for journalists

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

licemen conducted manhunt operation to one Ambrocio dela Cruz, of legal age, married and a resident of Barangay San Isidro, Matuguinao, Samar last February 24.

Mejos said the suspect has standing Warrant of Arrest (WOA) for the crime of murder, docketed under Criminal Case No. 11-0519 issued by Hon. Feliciano Aguilar, presiding judge of RTC 8, Branch 41, Calbayog City dated July 24, 2012.

The suspect was said to be listed as No. 6 in the top ten (10) Most Wanted persons in Matuguinao town.

While in the course of the arrest, the suspect refused to give in by jumping to the window of his residence and fired his handgun towards the arresting officers prompting the police officers to return fire.

The police hit the suspect and subsequently neutralized.

He was brought to a District Hospital in Calbayog City

for medical treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician, the police official reported.

During the shootout, the police recovered from the accused possession and control one (1) cal .38 revolver marked Armscor 2015 with Serial Number 31426 loaded with four (4) live ammunition of cal.38 and one (1) pc fired cartridge of cal .38 which subsequently turned-over to SOCO team for ballistic examination.

Upfront: Globalization

By VIRNA LUNA N. DE LOYOLA Contributor WE can’t deny the fact that until this very moment of our existence, some citizens in our society are not yet updated about “globalization” especially for those who aren’t participating or should we say, “interested” about the world’s evolution of economy.

What is globalization? Globalization is the process where the economies of various countries of various countries in the world become more and more connected to one another. In a globalized economy, people from one country can buy goods.

Globalization refers to in which activities of large number of business enterprises is carried out in many different locations across national boundaries. It is much more than just importing or exporting from one country to another. True globalization involves one firm procuring form, manufacturing in and selling in many different countries.

There has been an increasing trend in the world towards globalization is characterized by trends such as follows: * Increased trade across national boundaries. * One company having subsidiary companies and plants in many countries. * One company procuring material required from multiple countries. * One company selling its products in many different countries. * Growth of joint ventures and technical collaborations between companies from different countries. * Lowering of trade barriers and simplified import and export procedures.

Globalization offers many advantages to the people and businesses as well. These includes: * Greater employment opportunities for people. * Availability of greater variety of goods and services to the consumers. * Ability of companies to achieve lower costs. * Faster and wider spread of new technologies across the world.

Globalization has some disadvantages also,these includes: * Smaller firms may lack the resources to compete internationally and therefore may be forced out of business. * Countries become increasingly dependent on other countries for m meeting their needs for goods and services. And this can become a major disadvantage in situations like war . * Globalization may also lead to faster spread of infectious disease for people, animals and plants. Such infections may be carried through people or goods.

In our country, the ordinary Juan aren’t experiencing the escalated performance of our economy, there was a time that yours truly went out for a grocery shopping and the person standing next to me along cashier’s lane blurted-out that she did not felt our economics’ meteoric rise performance. Why do you think that woman couldn’t feel it yet?

As well as the families of our beloved Overseas Filipino Workers or OFW’s as it is popularly known where the remittances of their loved ones suffered since peso is mightier than US dollars nowadays. Why do you think it turned out this way that in fact, our OFW’s remittances largely participated the boom of our economy?

So many questions that are yet to be answered clearly in the future, thus globalization was the performer of what was in store for us at the present.

Globalization has its pros and cons but that’s the reality, globalization has taken its time to roll. It’s already within our hands of how we take the challenge of globalization.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and GIZ invite professional and budding photographers to take a shot and make a difference by joining Zooming in on Biodiversity and Climate Change, an ASEAN-wide photography contest.

“Through the medium of photography, photographers can help draw attention to the twin issues of biodiversity and climate change, and the need for global action to address these issues,” Mr. Rolly A. Inciong, head of ACB’s communication and public affairs unit, said.

In a statement sent to MST, Dr. Berthold Seibert, project director of the ACB-GIZ Biodiversity and Climate Change Project said the crucial relationship between biodiversity and climate is among the least understood, yet one of the most important.

“This lack of knowledge often translates to the lack of concern and action. Thus, there is an urgent need to popularize biodiversity and climate change. One effective way is to use the power of photos. By translating these issues into powerful images, we can generate a greater awareness for this often-difficult-to-grasp concepts,” he explained.

The organizers said the photo contest is open to all residents of ASEAN Member States Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The contest also welcomes entries which are exclusive to the contest, unpublished and not submitted to previous contests.

Entries should capture various images related to biodiversity and climate change. These include photos depicting the tell-tale signs of climate change such as flooding, drought, and forest fires; photos that show the impact of climate change on biodiversity; and photos depicting ways by which people curb climate change.

The contest, which forms part of the activities under the ACB-GIZ Biodiversity and Climate Change Project, will run until 31 July 2013 and has three categories: professional, amateur, and student.

A total of US$3,800 in cash prizes awaits winners. Their photo entries will also be published in the ASEAN Biodiversity Magazine and other international publications, as well as featured in an exhibit. To download the official entry form and contest mechanics, log on to photocontest.aseanbiodiversity.org. (Ricky Bautista)

Wanted men arrested in Calbayog City THE police on Thursday arrested two fugitives Marcial Jalayajay and Zaldy Cagomoc in an operation in Barangay San Jose Calbayog City.

The two suspects are facing charges on complex crime of murder and frustrated murder docketed under Criminal Case No. 6487 filed in court.

During the arrest, Junlex Cagomoc intervened and later was arrested by the police team for obstruction of justice during the service of arrest warrant.

Apprehended suspects were brought to Samar Police Provincial Office for documentation, further investigation and disposition.

“The SOTG-Samar was activated to initiate focused police operations targeting wanted persons, accounting of loose firearms and dismantling ‘private armed groups’ in Samar,” said Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria, Eastern Visayas police regional director, said the arrested wanted persons could be tapped by unscrupulous politicians to advance their political interest in the coming polls while confiscated weapons could be used in terroristic and other criminal activities. (rjb)

FRUIT from page 1 ...

44 cases were filed in various courts in the region.

Since the start of the election period, PRO8 have aggressively implemented COMELEC Resolution Number 9561-A in relation to Section 32 of RA 7166 which states that during the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places even if licensed to possess or carry the same unless authorized in writing by the Commission on Elections except regular members or officers of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies of the Government who are duly deputized in writing by the Comelec.

The arrests were made through the implementation of checkpoints in strategic places, implementation of search warrants, police response and intelligence-driven operations set up by the police. (Ricky Bautista)

We accepts printing of Election Materials, Posters, Sample Ballots, etc. for affordable price.

Contact our office at 321-4483 or 2512341

OPINION Samar Weekly Express

DALMACIO C. GRAFIL Publisher

FEB. 26 - MAR. 4, 2013

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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 A summer to brace for Ancient weather forecasters who based their ideas on old beliefs and superstitions would predict an exceedingly hot summer after having had an extremely cold DecemberFebruary temperature experience.

True or not, one thing is for sure: we had already experienced a chilling temperature especially at nights in the past days and weeks. Another thing that’s for sure is that, we are nearing the summer and it is likely that temperature then may indeed be unusually hot. As such, we have to prepare and brace for certain occurrences that might affect our livelihood, health, and properties.

As we know during hot summer, rain is rare, resulting in low water supply that may affect not just our personal and household consumptions, but also agricultural crops such as rice, corn, and other plants that require sufficient water supply to survive.

Initiatives then such as making or fixing an impaired drainage system should be done early on to avoid future losses.

Precautions, too, should be taken to ensure that the forthcoming hot temperatures will not result in house fires particularly in congested communities where houses are made of light materials.

We know that in an extremely dry and hot environment, a slight electrical wiring fault, a small candle flame, and cigarette remains could generate wild fire that could devour lives and properties.

If one is not careful enough, one may also succumb to heat-related health problems such as heatstroke, UTI, skin diseases, etc. These and many more are things that people should prepare for as summer 2013 approaches.

Views on News

By Ricky J. Bautista trexpelunker@yahoo.com

Hackers vs Hackers WE, Pinoys, are known to be brave. Whenever we are being bullied in school, office, or simply by our neighbors, we always fight to death.

We broke in anger whenever our Pinay maids and Dometic Helpers abroad receives unpleasant comments over talks shows abroad.

When China bullied us, by claiming our territories and waters, we Pinoys didn’t sleep without making any moves depending our sovereignty. Some of our Anonymous hackers fought back by hacking the websites of giant China.

Lately, as the conflict between the Malaysian forces and the Royal Sultanate Army in Sabah Malaysia getting hotter, it had an spill-over to cyber. Philippine hackers and Malaysia hackers hacked each country’s government websites in the previous days.

As of March 3, several government and private websites in the Philippines and Malaysia has been hacked with defaced messages sympathetic to either side of the armed conflict.

Logos of the supposed responsible groups also appeared in the hacked websites.

On Monday night, however, Malaysian hackers offered “a truce” to Philippine-based hackers through their last attack on a government website in Laguna, Philippines.

“Well, it’s time for us to PEACE and stop attacking each other. To end up this war, this is our last defacement and from now on none of us will step or touch your country site and none of you are able to touch our country site,” they said in a message posted on the defaced website of the Calauan, Laguna government website.

“If you (are against) this agreement, we won’t accept any apology or excuses,” they added.

Meanwhile, a Malacañang official on Monday described as “unnecessary and counter-productive” the online spillover of the ongoing conflict between a group of Filipinos and Malaysian security forces in Sabah.

“Let us not resort to these avenues to make your opinions known on this particular issue,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing.

See VON page 5...

Samar Weekly Express

FEB. 26 - MAR. 4, 2013

OPINION

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Hints and Traces

By Fr. Roy Cimagala We are all hypocrites OK, let’s take it easy. What I mean is that in spite of our best efforts, we continue to be haunted by our tendency to say one thing yet do another. It’s a predicament we all are subject to. Hypocrisy and deception can become very attractive to us because they offer us some instant if false relief or convenience or advantage.

Sometimes there are good reasons for playing a game similar to hypocrisy. That’s when we need to be discreet, tactful and prudent. This would not be hypocrisy. In other cases, it is simply malice and pure deception that we are playing. The latter is what we should try to avoid.

Christ’s injunction to his disciples to do and observe all things the scribes and Pharisees were saying, but not to follow their example, because they preach but they do not practice what they preach (cfr Mt 23,1-2), continues to be effective up to now.

We need to exert continuing effort to avoid falling into this predicament. But, of course, given our weakened and wounded human condition, we cannot deny that sometimes, and even many times, we can fall into the ways of the scribes and Pharisees.

Just the same, we can still get God’s good graces by doing the first part of the injunction, that is, to continue teaching and preaching the good news even if our behavior is not yet at par to what we are preaching.

As long as we striving to close the gap between our words and our deeds, I suppose things would just be all right. After all, no matter how much we try, things can always be better. There’s no such state of perfection in this life, in our thoughts, words and deeds that cannot be improved further. So, let’s just be game.

Otherwise, we would all be saints here in this life, since there would be no more sin if we say things cannot be improved anymore. But the immediate, very obvious reality tells us otherwise. What is important is that we just try our best to conform our actions to our words and intentions, and our intentions conformed to God’s will.

This is what is called consistency or integrity or unity of life, a goal that we have pursue everyday, making the relevant plans that consider our usual problems and difficulties in this regard and the means we need to precisely reach that goal.

We need to remember that for us to be able to do this, we need to be with God, to have a certain intimacy with him where we can truly have a heart-to-heart conversation with him. That’s when we can manage to be sincere and authentic.

Let’s remember that truthfulness is always a matter of hav-

VON from page 5 ...

Valte reiterated the government’s call for calm as she responded to questions about potential protests that might be spawned by the issue.

“It is their rights (because) that is part of the democracy except that we ask that it be done in a peaceful manner. At this point, given the very sensitive and volatile situation there, (let us) avoid any further action or statement that may escalate (the conflict between the two countries),” Valte said.

The tit-for-tat hacking was triggered by last Friday’s violent shootout between the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian security forces. The battle left at least 12 Filipinos and two Malaysian commandos dead. On Saturday night, another clash left six Malaysian police officers and at least six Filipinos dead.

Malaysia has been tracking down the followers of Kiram, who rejected President Benigno Aquino III’s call for them to surrender without condition.

ing a relation with God, because God in the first place is the Truth himself, the creator of the universe and therefore of reality itself.

We can never be truthful just by ourselves, that is, without God, no matter how much we profess to be honest.

Especially in some difficult situations, when we are strongly tempted to twists facts and tell lies, it is important to be firmly convinced that it is better to abandon ourselves in the hands of God and tell the truth, no matter what it costs.

Obviously, this abandoning ourselves in the hands of God to tell the truth should also go hand in hand with the requirements of tact and discretion, integral parts of charity. But we also have to make sure that our sense of tact and discretion is not actually a cover for cowardice and infidelity.

It always pays to trust in God even as we do everything we can to be truthful. One anecdote that highlights this doctrine is about a father whose child was born with a heart condition.

The doctors told him his son would not survive within the year if the baby would not be operated on. And even the operation could only give a 50-50 chance of survival.

The father was in crisis. Poor and the bill would run to almost half a million pesos, he tried his best to look for the amount, but in the end, could not raise it. He just told the doctor he was abandoning the baby in the hands of God. He instead prayed and prayed.

I asked him what happened to the baby. The man said, “Father, my son is now 21 years old. He is not quite healthy, but he manages to study and do some work. He has never been a burden to us.”

Talk back with our issues of the week.

Send us your feedback and your own commentary in our

Letter To Editor Section.

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In Depth

By Juan L. Mercado juanlmercado@gmail.com

Papal conclave ballots “After how many ballots will we know who the cardinals elected as pope?” asked the anxious fan of Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. “Why? Did you bet on Cardinal “Chito”, we joshed our friend.

“No, no, no,” he replied. “He’s a good priest, a fine scholar.

So, we’d like to see him Pope.” Count us in.

“The sufferings of people and difficult questions they ask are an invitation to be in solidarity with them, not to pretend we have all the solutions,” Tagle told the last Synod. “They see the concrete face of God in a Church that can be silent with them, as confused as they are…

The Church should contribute in the public square. But we in Asia are very particular about the mode… So, you may be saying the right things. But people will not listen if the manner by which you communicate reminds them of a triumphalistic, know-it-all institution. (Like Bishop Leonardo Medroso?; we wondered. This Tagbilaran bishop threatened excommunication for anyone who backed the RH bill.)

After the cry Extra Omnes or “Everybody Out”, Sistine Chapel doors are locked. It took just four votes before then 78-year old Cardinal Josef Ratzinger said Accept and took the name of Benedict XVI. Media in days ahead will report report details of this centuries-old process. ”papabiles”, oaths of secrecy, ballots (Rectangular cards, they bear the text: Eligio summum pontificem: (“I vote as supreme pontiff…), burning of ballots, sealing in an envelope of the only written record of the voting, etc.

This vetting procedure does not occur a vacuum. Over the past century, the Catholic Church shifted southwards, notes the New York Times. In the 1900s, two thirds of Catholics lived in Europe.

“The Faith is Europe and Europe is the Faith”, author Hilarie Belloc proclaimed. This faith has been symbolized by spires of Notre Dame, Chartres to Mont St Michel thrusting skywards.

Since then, and especially since the 1960s, Catholicism has been moving south, Latin America’s Catholics will rise to 600 million within two decades but the number of Catholics in Africa have grown at a rate of 6,700 percent, says Vatican observer John Allen in his book “The Future Church”.

There were 130 million African Catholics at the turn of the

See IN-DEPTH page 8...

5

Anwar Ibrahim to mediate in Sabah row LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… `Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’…”

(Joshua 1:9, the Holy Bible).

-oooANWAR IBRAHIM OFFERS TO MEDIATE IN SABAH ROW: Anwar Ibrahim, the most likely next Primer Minister of Malaysia by July 2013, is offering to mediate to find a happy and peaceful resolution of the on-going violent dispute over Sabah between the followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and of Malaysian law enforcement authorities.

Anwar, Malaysia’s opposition leader who is seeking to replace incumbent Prime Minister Najib Razak, made his offer to mediate to President Aquino, through former Tarlac Gov. Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, a senatorial candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance, and former Tarlac Rep. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. Anwar, who is known to wield a considerable political clout in the whole of Sabah and in many other areas of Malaysia, is a long-time family friend of the Cojuangco and Aquino families, and is a known personal acquaintance of President Aquino.

Tingting and Peping immediately forwarded to President Aquino Anwar’s offer.

-oooSULTAN GETS VISITORS AMID STAND-OFF: Did you know that there are now many politicians and other prominent personalities who have been visiting the house of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III at the Maharlika Village, Taguig City? Almost all of these visitors are bringing food and other goodies, which are in turn being distributed to the Muslims and Christians who have literally camped out at the Sultan’s house. I understand even the media men who are staking out in the area are now being fed by the Sultan’s visitors.

-oooDOUBLE STANDARD AT COMELEC: With utmost due respect, the Commission on Elections should stop employing a double standard in its campaign against what it calls as illegal election propaganda. I mean, if it is threatening to sue the Diocese of Bacolod City over its “Team Patay” poster, which lists senatorial candidates it wanted to be rejected by Catholics because of the candidates’ support for the Reproductive Health Law, it should also sue candidates who are openly violating the campaign against illegal posters.

Right here in Metro Manila, where Comelec can have the opportunity to monitor these illegal posters, it is undeniable that it is closing its eyes to the thousands and thousands of posters and billboards and other campaign materials that are hanging in areas not designated as common poster areas.

If the Comelec is running after the Diocese of Bacolod City, why should it be silent about poster violations in other areas, especially in the National Capital Region? Could it be because the candidates who have the money to put up their campaign materials can have the ability to go around Comelec prohibitions and the officials who enforce those prohibitions?

-oooTRANSPORTING MINDANAO INSURGENCY TO MALAYSIA: As I was writing this column on March 05, 2013, I have been receiving reports that Malaysian authorities launched at 7 a.m. a fresh assault on Sultan Jamalul Kiram III’s followers in Sabah, in a bid to finally end the stand-off. I had no way of knowing the outcome of that assault on March 05, 2013, but then, its sole objective could have only been to wipe out Kiram’s followers who have stayed in that area.

But, this maybe a wrong thrust. My understanding is that, although there are only about 200 followers of Kiram who went to Sabah on February 09, 2013, the northern and eastern coastal cities of Sabah are filled with Filipino Tausugs, who should be totally sympathetic with Kiram, who is a fellow Tausug. This fresh assault could transport the Mindanao insurgency from Mindanao to Malaysia, and could create a real security problem for Malaysians.

-oooREACTIONS? 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 28 Catbalogan, Samar IN THE MATTER OF CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE LIVE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF CHRISTIAN MABINI GABEJAN WITH REGISTRY NO. 2002-502 AS APPEARING IN THE RECORDS OF BIRTHS OF THE LOCAL REGISTRY OF MOTIONG, SAMAR AND THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA ROSITA T. MABINI and ROWENA MABINI GABEJAN HUBER Petitioner, -versusTHE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, MOTIONG SAMAR, THE NATIONAL STATISTICS, QUEZON CITY, and JOEY SALOME. Respondents, SPEC. PROC. NO. 8089 x-------------x SECOND AMENDED ORDER

An amended verified petition was filed by ROSITA T. MABINI GABEJAN and ROWENA MABINI GABEJAN HUBER, through counsel Atty.

Medino L. Acuba, seeking the correction of the erreous entries in the birth certificate of child

Christian Mabini Gabejan.

Petitioners alleged that they are both of legal age, married, Filipinos and with residence at Brgy. Banago, Motiong, Samar. Petitioner Rowena Mabini Gabejan is the daughter of spouses Amado Gabejan and Rosita Mabini, as evidenced by photocopies of the certificate of livebirth of the former and certificate of marriage of the latter. Sometime in June 1996, petitioner Rowena, then twenty one years old, and Joey Salome, who presented himself to be from Tarlac Province, met in the City of Manila, and eventually had a common-law relationship with each other for a year.

Being seven month-pregnant, she and Joey returned to Brgy.

Banago, motiong, Samar.

However, amonth later, said common-law husband left for Manila supposedly to resume his employment thereat and raise money for Rowena’s impending child’s birth. On August 1998, Rowena gave birth outside of wedlock to a baby boy at home in Brgy.

Banago, Motiong, Samar, thru a traditional midwife, to the joy of the family. Such fact was understandably remained secret by co-petitioner Rosita and husband Amado L. Gabejan because of the condition of their daughter Rowena who tried to hide her pregnancy for being an unwed mother.

Unfortunately, Joey Salome never communicated with nor had provided support to Rowena and their love child, thereby abandoning the mother

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS

LEGAL NOTICES and son under the care and support of Rosita and her husband who were continously in quandary on whether or not the marriage between Rowena and Joey Salome will ensue as a matter of course, until the child, christened Christian M. Gabejan, was baptized at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Motiong, Samar, on 08 December 1998. As her marital relationship with Joey Salome was alreadyremote and distant, with marriage unrealized after a long wait, and with her child fast growing, Rowena went to respondent office of the Local Civiltrar, Motiong, Samar, sometime in the first week of October 2012, and tried to effect the delayed registration of birth of her child that proved futile as she failed to comply with the presentment of her marriage certificate, suppo sedly a requisite thereto, as she has none. Consequently, to address her daughter Rowena’s predicament and believing that it may promote the interest and welfare of her grandson, co-petitioner Rosita went to the office of the Local Civil Registrar, Motiong, Samar, on 22 October 2002 to work for the delayed birth registration of her grandson and outmost good faith claimed him to be her own son, thusly, the desired birth registration was accompanied as evidences by a photocopy of the Certificate of live Birth with Registry No. 2002-508.

Lately petitioners secured an authenticated copy of the child’s certificate of live birth with public respondent National Statistics Office in Catbalogan City and a perusal thereof indeed reveals certain entries, thus:

LEGAL NOTICES

ENTRY No. 5c BIRTH ORDER NINE 6. MOTHER ROSITA T. MABINI 9a. TOTAL NO. OF CHILDREN BORN ALIVE 9 9b. TOTAL NO. OF CHILDREN LIVING INCLUDING THIS BIRTH 9 11. AGE 48 13. FATHER AMADO L. GABEJAN 17. AGE 43 18.

23 JULY 1972 MOTIONG SAMAR Since the foregoing entries are not truly reflective of the child’s personal circumstances, to rectify therefore the entries in the subject birth certificate, supra and after consultation with a lawyer, petitioners deemed it apt to seasonably effetct legal curative relief with the Court. To avoid confusion and to put in order the birth records, especially the parentage, as well as the other personal representations of said Christian Mabini Gabejan, for his best interest and to enhance his dignity, it is imperative that the necessary corrections on the entries in his birth certificate as stated in the immediately preceding paragraph be had as follows: ENTRY NO. FROM TO 5c. BIRTH NINE FIRST ORDER 6. MOTHER ROSITA T. MABINI ROWENA GABEJAN 9a. TOTAL NO. 09 01 OF CHILDREN BORN ALIVE 9b. TOTAL NO. 09 01 OF CHILDREN LIVING INCLUDING THIS BIRTH 11. AGE 48 23 13. FATHER AMADO L. JOEY SALOME GABEJAN 17. AGE 43 25 18. DATE AND 23 JULY 1972 N/A PLACE OF MOTIONG, SAMAR MARRIAGE WHEREFORE, finding the having or claiming any interest petition to be sufficient in under the entry whose correcform and in substance, the tion is sought may, within a same is set for hearing on 25 period of thirty (3) days from September 2013 at 1:30 in the notice, file their opposition afternoon, at the Session Hall thereto. of this Court, Bulwagan Ng Let copy of this Order be pubKatarungan. The Local Civil lished once a week for three Registrar of Motiong, Samar, (3) consecutive weeks in any the National Statistics Office, newspaper of general circulaJoey Salome, and any person tion in the Philippines or in

THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

Rizal Avenue, Catbalogan City, Samar

the Province of Samar duly accredited by this Court.

Likewise, let copies of this Order be furnished the petitioner and counsel, Joey Salome, the Local Civil Registrar of Motiong, Samar, the National Statistics Office, the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Samar.

SO ORDERED. IN CHAMBER, Catbalogan, Samar, February 12, 2013.

(Sgd.) ESTEBAN V. DELA PENA Judge Designate

SWE Feb. 12 - 18; 19 - 25 & 26 - March 4, 2013 issues

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Samar Weekly Express

FEB. 26 - MAR. 4, 2013 LEGAL NOTICES

NEWS

Cops maul Photojournalist in Davao DAVAO CITY -- A photojournalist covering the protest made by Typhoon Pablo victims at the Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here was mauled by policemen Wednesday.

JB Devesa, coordinator of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines – Mindanao Media Safety Office said Karlos Manlupig, a correspondent of the Philippine Daily inquirer, was reportedly mauled by at least six policemen hitting him with truncheons in the head, arms and other parts of his body and shoved him using

anti-riot shields following a violent dispersal of protesters.

Manlupig told NUJP t h at p o l i c e m e n ap proached him inside the DSWD compound while he was interviewing one of the protesters arrested by policemen and accused him of being biased and taking photos only of the hurt protesters.

Manlupig said he identified himself as a member of the press and tried to pacify the six by explaining that he had also gotten the side of policemen hurt in the scuffle but was ignored by the six.

Devesa told SWE

that Manlupig is now fine and still talking to his editor if they will file a case against the police.

The NUJP and the Mindanao-based journalists condemned the incident saying the attack is a clear manifestation of threats to the safety of journalists, culture of impunity, freedom of expression and fundamental human rights.

“The policemen had no right to physically assualt a member of the press who is only doing his job,” Nico Alconaba, PDI Mindanao Bureau C hiefAlconab a s aid.

(Ricky J. Bautista)

THE Centre for Independent Journalism in Malaysia, Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance based in Bangkok denounced the “unnecessary detention and interrogation” of three journalists, one of them Filipina, covering the Sabah stand-off on Wednesday.

In a joint statement, it is said that the journalists arrived in Sabah on 19 February to report the “standoff ” between an armed group calling itself the “Royal Sulu Sultanate Army” and the Malaysian authorities which started on 14 February.

Masjaliza Hamzah,

executive officer of the CIJM said the Al Jazeera news crew comprising of senior Asia correspondent Steve Chao, producer Jamela Alindongan and cameraman Mark Giddens were intercepted at sea off Tanjung Labian village, escorted to a local police station, transferred to another police station 30 minutes’ drive away while under armed escort, and questioned by the Malaysian Special Branch.

“Malaysia authorities put the three under detention for at least six hour before being released,” Hamzah said.

According to a statement, dated February 22, issued by Al Jazeera the

three were questioned for 30 minutes to 2 1/2 hours each, sometimes together but also separately.

Alindongan, a Filipina attached to the Al Jazeera English Network office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was questioned the longest at 2 1/2 hours, and was accused several times of working for the “Royal Sulu Sultanate Army”, despite showing the authorities her employee ID. When asked during the detention, the Malaysian authorities said the security zone around the standoff area was off-limit to civilians and media to avoid “disrupt(ing) political negotiations” with the “Royal Sulu Sultanate

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Army” and that this was a “sensitive political situation”.

The Malaysian authorities also said they were not allowed to specify the boundaries of the “no-go security zone” but acknowledged that when intercepted, the boat with the journalists on board was far from the “nogo security zone” and that the journalists had not broken any laws.

T h e j ou rnalists were treated politely throughout the whole detention period. However, the interrogating officers were not in uniform and when asked, declined to provide their full names or rank.

Chao, Alindongan and Giddens, as journalists attached to

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 41 Gandara, Samar AIMEE F. CAPELEAN, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MATUGUINAO, SAMAR, Respondent, SPL. PROC. NO. 10-49 FOR: CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CIVIL REGISTRY (Under Rule 108 of the Rules of Court) x----------x ORDER

A verified Petition has been filed by the Petitioner through counsel, on February 13, 2013, praying that after due hearing, an order be issued by the Honorable Court directing the Local Civil Registry Office of Matuguinao, Samar to make the necessary correction in the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner, particularly in the Entries Nos. 1, 3, and 6 thereof, as follows: In Entry No. 1: To write AIMEE, as the first name to correct the erroneous AIMIE,

In Entry No. 3: To place 18 April 1984, as the correct date of birth instead of the wrong date of 16th April 1984.

In the Entry No. 6: To write ALICIA as the correct first name, Instead of ALECIA. Finding the Petition to be sufficient in form and in substance, notice is hereby given that this case be set for hearing on April 4, 2013 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon before this Court at which date, time and place, all persons who have an objection thereto may file any position and show cause why the same should not be granted.

Let copies of 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 Calbayog City.

Let copies of this Order be furnished the local civil Registration of National Census and Statistics Office, Quezon City, the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Provincial Prosecutor, the petitioner and his counsel.

SO ORDERED GIVEN this 14th day of February, 2013, Calbayog City for Gandara, Samar, philippines.

(Sgd.) Feliciano P. Aguilar Presiding/Executive Judge

SWE Feb. 12 - 18; 19 - 25 & 26 - March 4, 2013 issues

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BFP taps city tanods as fire volunteers

CATBALOGAN CITY -- To provide immediate response during fires, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will tap barangay tanods in the city proper.

These tanods, which will compose the Barangay Integrated Defense Action (BIDA) will be trained on fire fighting and rescue, says Catbalogan City Fire Inspector Agustin Ballo.

BIDA is composed of several barangay tanods devoted to help the local fire station in providing immediate response in case of fires, disaster and other calamities.

Republic Act RA 9514 provides that the BFP may enter into external party agreements for the conduct of training, education and evaluation of fire volunteers, practitioners and fire volunteer organizations, which shall be under the full control and supervision of the BFP. Ballo added that during firefighting operations, BIDA will be under the direct operational control of the fire ground commanders of the fire station.

The BIDA training is being conducted as the city marks Fire Prevention Month this March.

Meanwhile, other activities of BFP include continuous information dissemination, conduct of fire safety inspection, lectures and fire drills in different commercial, private and government establishments, schools, and dormitories.

There are 10 fire stations in Samar located in Catbalogan, Calbayog, Paranas, Gandara, Sta. Margarita, Basey, Pagsanghan, Pinabacdao, Marabut and Villareal of which the Catbalogan City Fire Station has the biggest cluster.

It covers the islands of Zumaraga, Daram, Talalora, and the municipality of Tarangnan and Jiabong.

Second is Calbayog with cluster area that covers Almagro, Sto. Nino, and Tagapul-an.

Ballo said that he can guarantee that Catbalogan City will be protected from fire through the enforcement of fire protection standards as in provision of fire exits, provision of fire extinguishers in dormitories, and even the holding of fire drills in the different establishments.

(Avha Ebalde) international media organizations, are equipped and trained to provide coverage during wars, standoffs, riots, uprisings and other hostile environments.

The media rights groups said they understand the national security concerns as a result of this armed “standoff ” but said the length of detention is “long and unnecessary” and the line of questioning on Alindongan seemed to be unwarranted.

“We find the secrecy surrounding the identity of the interrogating officers to be unnecessary given that the ones being questioned were not criminal suspects but journalists on duty and identifiable as such,” the statement added.

The statement added that given the impact on diplomatic relations between Philippines and Malaysia, it is even more important for the media to have adequate and safe access to be able to report on the situation accurately.

Because of the incident, the media groups urged the Malaysian authorities to take these measures in the shortterm: 1. Make public the boundaries of the “nogo security zone” in the affected area to ensure civilians and media do not endanger their lives by breaching the limits.

2. Hold periodic press conferences to update the media on the “political negotiations” which are taking place to ensure media (and therefore public) official access to information around this public interest issue. This move will also allay the fear and uncertainty among people in the area and address the rumours abound in Malaysia regarding the “political negotiations/standoff ” in Lahad Datu.

“We (also) urge the setting up a committee comprising of the authorities, journalists, editors, journalist union, media advocacy groups, human rights organizations and other civil society groups, to draw up a “standard operating procedure” on how security authorities should deal with the media during conflict situations, using UNESCO guidelines as the benchmark,” the statement said.

The media rights groups said the initiative must be led by the Home Minister to show there is political will to stop future infringements on journalists on duty during conflict/armed situations. “The Malaysian authorities must show that it respects and understands the important role media plays during these important events,” it disclosed. (Ricky J. Bautista)

FEB. 26 - MAR. 4, 2013

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DepEd, LGU ensure orderly Palarong Pambansa 2013 IN-DEPTH from page 8 ...

century. By 2025, there would be at least 220 million African Catholics. Africans would account for one-sixth of the Church’s worldwide membership.

(The African Church is likely under-counting its followers as it lack the institutional framework to track what’s happening on the ground. According to Gallup World Poll, the number of Africans claiming to be Catholic is pushing 200 million. That’s more than 20 percent larger than any official Church figure.)

“The Vatican is now in the wrong location”, writes Philip Jenkins in the New Republic: “its 2,000 miles too far north of its emerging homelands.”

European Catholicism eroded in the drift towards secularization and religious indifference France once prided itself as the oldest daughter of the church. Today, only half of the French identify themselves as Catholics. Attendance at mass varies from 18 percent for Spain to 10 percent in Germany, Benedict’s home country There’s been a massive decline in practice of the faith. “In Western Europe, millions of Catholics are church members having been baptized; “They never darken the door of a church, and don’t support official Church policies on issues of morality or sexuality.

The Catholic Church will likely remain the major player in the world’s spiritual economy, Jenkin thinks. And its transformation will be hastened by the current sexual abuse crisis to criticism of resistance by the curia of change.. Western Europe media “is increasingly antagonistic.”

Perhaps one in four of Germans are considering leaving the church, estimates Forsa Institute. That’d alienate already lukewarm Catholics It will also severely diminish finances, particularly in countries where citizens opt to devote a portion of their taxes to religious and charitable causes: In Africa and Latin America, religious loyalties are intimately connected with complex social and familial networks – much like the system that existed in Europe in bygone centuries.

The secular media also don’t enjoy the same pervasive presence, Indeed, as the crisis quickens the wane of Europe‘s Catholic influence, it will help solidify the Church’s new roots in the south.

Membership there will continue to burgeon, and Church’s hierarchy will increasingly be paved with southern clerics.

At the conclave, the cardinals will probably consider more innovative international candidates, untainted by European connections. Perhaps, a Latin American pope? John Allen imagines an African pope. It is possible that the abuse crisis will only push this scenario closer to the present day.

By 2050, according to projections, Africa will have far more Catholics than Europe. Indeed, projections show that, by the half-century mark, Europe will account for only 15 percent of Catholics—and many of them are immigrants from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

“By that point, perhaps, some keen theorist may be boasting, “Africa is the Faith”, Jenkins adds. “And who would dare question the statement?” (Email: juan_mercado77@yahoo.com)

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THE Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government of Negros Oriental agreed to ensure a wellmanaged and professionally-run Palarong Pambansa 2013.

This was after DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro and Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo signed a memorandum of agreement CATBALOGAN CITY -- Officials from the key players this midterm elections urged Samar(MOA) last Friday for the nons to refrain from selling their votes and intimidation from armed groups in favor of some country’s biggest sporting candidates. event that aims to develop The appeal was done by some officials on Sunday during the “Walk for Peace”, done after world-class athletes. a mass at the St. Bartholomew Parish Church in Catbalogan City.

The provincial governDILG provincial director Judy batulan urges Samarnons to work harder for peace to reign ment of Negros Oriental in the province as violence affects the local economy.

(Dumaguete) is this year’s Judy Batulan, spoke before some 500 members of men in uniform, students, volunteers host of the 2013 Palarong groups during the Samar Walk for Peace movement.

Pambansa after they won “Pipira nala kita nga natindog para han kamurayaw?” (How many are left to push for the bidding.

Peace?) asked Batulan.

Participated in by elOther speakers like Fr Cesar Aculan of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting ementary and secondary (PPCRV) asked the voters to refuse money from politicians. students from public and “The money comes to you in exchange for your sacred vote, what will happen once these private schools nationwide, ‘vote buyers’ are enthroned?” the clergy asked. “Let us exercise our freedom and right to vote the annual sporting event for a clean election,” Aculan added. One observer said that vote buying in Samar has levelled up will be held at the Don Marinot only to each voter but to families and even larger-the barangay vote for sale. ano Perdices Memorial ColiCivic volunteer and radio groups like ACCESS 5, Kabalikat, Alert coordinated with the army, seum in Dumaguete City police and NSTP students to hold the “Walk for Peace” for three kilometers around downtown from April 21 to 27, 2013.

Catbalogan City to raise the public awareness on the conduct of a secure, fair, honest, credible Based on DepEd Memo and free election. (PIA 8-Samar) No. 4 series of 2013, the events played in the 2012 Palarong Pambansa and the related technical guidance shall remain in effect unless amended.

However, three more events will be added as demonstration sports this year. These are wushu for secondary boys and girls, billiards for secondary boys and futsal for elementary girls. (From the wires)

Samarnon voters asked to shun vote buying, violence in May polls

The Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO) headed by PSSUpt. Eusebio Adamero Mejos join the Samar Peace and Development Caravan (Social Preparation and Mobilization) jointly conducted by government agencies such as PAMANA, OPAPP, DILG, Provincial Engineer Office, DPWH, DOH, DA, DENR, DAR, DSWD, PCA, DTI, TESDA, and the 43IB particularly the Medical and dental Missions, feeding & film showing for the 4 Barangays at Gandara, Samar on February 19, 2013. (Lilith S. Tena/PNP)