PNP crime lab chief briefs journalists on forensic probe by Samar Weekly Express

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS

NEWS! Call 251-2341

THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS JAN. 31 - FEB. 6, 2012

VOL. IX NO. 26

CATBALOGAN CITY

Search us on Facebook and like us. Archive our previous issues at: www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress

P10.00

8 PAGES

PNP crime lab chief briefs journalists on forensic probe

Discuss duties of the crime ‘ﬁrst responders’

8ID advises CS applicants to register on March 5

B� RICKY J. BAUTISTA CEBU CITY -- “There is no such thing as perfect crime, only imperfect investigation.” So says internationally-recognized forensic expert Police Superintendent Ruby Grace Sabino-Diangson, the current chief of the medico-legal division of the Philippine National Police, who briefed the Visayan journalists in a training held in Cebu City last January 31 – February 3, 2012. The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the training organizer picked Supt. Diangson as the resource person for the topic “Duty of the First Responder and Forensic terminologies” being one of the country’s most respected in the ﬁeld of forensic medicine and recognized expert witness in different Regional Trial Courts in the Philippines, in South Bangkok Criminal Court in Bangkok, Thailand and in the Special Administrative Region of Hongkong. A medical doctor and lawyer, Supt. Diangson’s service SEE PNP P6 FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS. PNP Crime Laboratory chief and forensic expert Supt. Ruby Grace Sabino-Diangson discussed thoroughly to the Visayas journalists proper crime scene and evidence preserva�on it’s do’s and don’ts including the du�es of the crime ﬁrst responders.(Ricky Bau�sta)

BEECARTINE CONSTRUCTION & SUPPLY

ARCHITECTS

ENGINEERS

DESIGNERS BUILDERS DEVELOPERS 148 MERCEDES CATBALOGAN CITY, SAMAR 318-4 TRES DE ABRIL LABANFGON CEBU CITY

BEETHOVEN M. BERMEJO Manager/Proprietor

SERVICES OFFERED: • CONSTRUCTION • COMPLETE PLANS AND DESIGN • PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION

CP Nos. 09209604331/09053315161/09228947890

E-mail: beecar�ne_com@yahoo.com

HPG-8 augment team, deploys PARDSS in highways ANYTIME now, the Regional Highway Patrol Unit in Eastern Visayas (RHPU-8) is expected to deploy pre-screened civilian volunteers as force multipliers to police limited personnel manning the region’s primary highways against lawless elements. This after a memorandum of agreement (MOA) has been agreed and signed last January 27 between the RHPU and ofﬁcials of the Peace, Action and Rescue with the Dedication to Serve the Society (PARDSS) binding themselves with mandates to ensure the

Welcome to PUPUA BEACH RESORT

Catbalogan City Home Away from Home! For reservation, contact: 0918.9265.791 (Ben)

SOHOTONGROUP NATURAL BRIDGE NATIONAL PARK DAY-TOUR PACKAGE with drinks & food

ONLY P700/PERSON (Group of 7 persons) Inclusions: Sohoton Cave Tour, Golden River Cruising (and optional river trekking), Helmets, Lights, Guides, Permit, Vest, Entrances, SSA, Drinks and Lunch. Call us for reservation: 0920.7675.444

safety of the motorists and maintain visibility of law enforcers in the highways. “The visibility of law enforcers thereby lessens the commission of street crimes,” said Police Senior Superintendent Romeo Campomanes, chief of the RHPU-8 during the signing of the agreement. Campomanes affixed his signature in behalf of the police while NPCE Solita Adelante represents the other party. PSI Emmanuel Arteche, PO1 Jun Abuyen, PPD Victor Caillo and PPC Gerardo Fabi witnessed the signing. SEE HPG P2

GRTY

Gravel & Sand Silanga, Catbalogan, Samar

CATBAOGAN CITY -- The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army will be conducting a Registration of Candidate Soldiers on March 5, 2012, Monday at Camp Lukban, Barangay Maulong, Catbalogan City (Samar). Applicants are enjoined to bring documents like a whole body picture (colored), bio-data with 2 x 2 ID picture, original copy of birth certificate with receipt, original copy of marriage contract of parents with official receipt, certificate of legal beneﬁciaries, original transcript of records (college/ vocational) or Form 137 & 138 with visible school dry seal, diploma with school dry seal. Other requirements include: PAATB result (ofﬁcial result authenticated by the Examiner), PME result (authenticated and signed by the CO, CLHS), Physical Fitness Result (authenticated and signed SEE 8IDV P2

AFM., Industrial Watchman & Protective Agency Branch Office: Camia St., San Pablo, Catbalogan City

Branch Manager: ARIEL C. TY Mobile No. 0947.9711.031

“ADVERTISE WITH US WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR SEAT ...”

Just Text your ADS @

- 0920.7675.444

FOR YOUR ADVERTISING NEEDS: Call or Text us @ 09207675444 ADS HOTLINE: 321-4833; 251-2341; E-MAIL: trexpelunker@yahoo.com

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

Samar Weekly Express

REGIONAL NEWS

RDC OKs Samar Island master tourism plan

he Samar Island tourism master plan will be presented to the Regional Development Council (RDC) next week after showing the ﬁnal draft to local tourism stakeholders in the three Samar provinces.

Trina Dacuycuy, regional tourism operation ofﬁcer, said that the presentation in RDC’s Economic Development Committee is tentatively set on February 13 in the bid to seek the endorsement of the region’s highest policymaking body. “We have been presenting the draft ﬁnal report in the three provinces during their regular provincial development council meetings. All tourism stakeholders from the private and government sector were present and they favorably endorsed the plan,” Dacuycuy said in an interview during a PDC meeting in this town. The plan for 2012 to 2016 was presented in the provinces Samar and Eastern Samar during the second week of January and in Northern Samar last February 1. She added that the report presentation was supposed to be done late

last year but it was delayed considering the availability of local chief executives who are expected to lead the implementation of the plan. “There were new recommendations from local officials but the tourism department won’t make significant plan adjustments since it went through consultations with all concerned stakeholders in the three provinces,” Dacuycuy said. Earlier, tourism stakeholders in three Samar provinces initially identified 18 destinations that will be prioritized in the master plan aiming to make the country’s third largest island as tourist haven by 2016. In Eastern Samar, sites identiﬁed by local ofﬁcials for development are the Calicoan Island in Guiuan town, closed canopy forest in the mountain range of the province, Amandaraga Falls in Lawaan town, Divi-

nubo-Ando Twin islands in Borongan City, and Guinhahawagkan in San Julian town. Included in the list for Northern Samar are the rock formations and mangrove forest in Biri and Lavezares; beaches, board walks, waterfalls, and rivers in Catarman, Bobon, San Jose and Rosarrio; lighthouse and century gateway in Allen and Capul; pink sand beaches and waterfalls in San Isidro and San Vicente; resort island and river rapid in San Antonio and Victoria; 16th century church and Pinipisakan Falls in Catubig and Las Navas towns. The Samar group has picked Catbalogan City, Calbayog City; municipalities of Paranas, Calbiga, Daram, Basey, Marabut, and San Jorge as priority sites for development considering that these areas are home of rivers, caves, falls, diving sites, hot spring, and forests. (SQM)

IN SAMAR ISLAND

Congressional inquiry on mining starts All congressmen in Samar Island signed the inquiry except Rep. Mila Tan TACLOBAN CITY - Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said that a resolution calling for a congressional inquiry on the existence of mining activities in Samar Island is to start on Tuesday. The resolution was signed by all congressmen from the three Samar provinces except Milagrosa “Mila” Tan. Aside from Evardone, those who signed the resolution seeking a congressional probe were Reps. Mel Senen Sarmiento(Samar), Emil Ong and Raul Daza, both of Northern Samar. “I am happy that finally, Congress will look into the existence of mining operations across the Samar Island,” Evardone said. The congressional inquiry, to be conducted by the committee on ecology, is to commence this Tuesday. According to Evardone, originally a resolution signed by them was ﬁled last year

before the committee on environment and natural resources which is chaired by Surigao de Norte Rep.Francisco Matugas. But for some reason, the said resolution was not acted favorably the committee of Matugas. The similar resolution, numbered as House Resolution 2059, was refiled by Evardone early this month before the committee on ecology chaired by Laguna Rep. Danilo “Dan” Fernandez. Evardone said that the resolution calling for a congressional probe on the operations of various small scale mining operations across Samar Island was a testament of their commitment to protect and preserve the island’s environment. “We know what happened in Compostela Valley. We don’t want that kind of incident to happen in Samar. That is why, we are seeking for a congressional

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

Only P500/Year CALL US NOW... 055-251-2341 or txt @ 09207675444 (Ricky)

inquiry on this issue to see if these mining operations are beneﬁcial or not and if the people really support these operations,” the Eastern Samar solon said. Early this year, a landslide incident took place in Pantukan, Compostela Valley which killed more than 20 persons. The incident was blamed to the existence of mining operations in the said area. Among those invited to the congressional inquiry are officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), various non-government organizations and representatives from the Church. Evardone particularly said that he would zero in on the various small scale mining operations in Eastern Samar. He said that he has received reports that there were mining companies now existing across the province which are mining areas that are even outside the permits granted to them by the provincial government. “I was even informed by a private land owner that a mining company is doing their operations inside his property. I told him to report this to the police authority and ﬁle a case of mineral theft,” Evardone said. Permits on small scale mining, whose mining areas are less than 20 hectares, are issued by the provincial government. (JAG)

Public urged to register childs CATBALOGAN CITY –In line with the nationwide celebration of Civil Registration Month, the National Statistics Ofﬁce (NSO) with the Local Civil Registrars (LCR) urged the public to register life’s milestones correctly and honestly. “It is not enough to just register, we should do it correctly and honestly,” said Ofelia Royandoyan, Catbalogan City Local Civil Registrar. The Local Civil Registrar Association of Samar (LOCRAS) gathered together to usher the event this month of February. In a message, NSO Letecia Chu also extolled the relevance of the LCRs saying, public money is saved because the LCRs are there. For one, the through Republic Act 9048 correction of clerical or typographical error can be done in the civil registry without need of judicial order and that the LCR can do that. Still another is Republic Act 9858 allowing the children born to minor parents to be legitimized. Local Civil Registrars in all cities and municipalities are tasked to secure registration of births, marriages, deaths, and other legal instruments. Meanwhile it is the NSO that is responsible in carrying out the provisions of the Civil Registry Law according to Republic Act Number 3753. The civil registry month is in accordance with Presidential Proclamation Number 682 signed by the late President Corazon Aquino. (Ninfa Quirante)

JAN. 31 - FEB. 6, 2012

HPG from page 1...

“Both parties came up with the MOA for the purpose of supporting the police with its anti-crime activities particularly in the highways of Samar and Leyte,” Campomanes added. The RHPU is a branch of the PNP primarily tasked in anti-carnapping, anti-hijacking, anti-highway robbery, anti-fencing, Presidential Decree No. 96 and enforcement of other traffic laws for the promotion of traffic safety in the highway within the region. On the other hand, PARDSS is a national non-government organization accredited by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Police Community Relation Group (PCRG), Association of Chiefs of Police of the Philippines Incorporated (ACPPI) and Alliance of Concerned PNP Accredited NGOs (ACPAN) whose mission is to assist the PNP and other LGUs in promoting peace, unity, public safety and development in the country. “I have only one reminder for you all to keep. Just do your job and keep it well,” Campomanes said. Based on the signed MOA, the RHPU may deploy operatives from PARDSS to handle traffic management, road safety, checkpoints or any other activities necessary to promote safety and convenience of the motoring public under their strict supervision and control. Last October, the RHPU conducted training on HPG Traffic Management Course to around 60 members of the PARDSS from all over the region. RHPU-8 chief investigator Andrew Ponay and PO1 Jun Abuyen delivered the topics such as HPG history and evolution, defensive driving, traffic management, traffic direction and control (TDC), anti-carnapping, basic motorcycle escorting techniques and RA 4136 LTO and Traffic Code of the Philippines. (Ricky Bautista)

8ID from page 1...

by the PFT officer), drug test result and Hepa test result. Required too are local clearances from the barangay, police, mayor and RTC (Regional trial Court), NBI Clearance, original copy of CENOMAR with official receipt and affidavit of being single/ unmarried without child to be filled up during the registration. Registrants are sternly warned that those with incomplete supporting documents will not be accommodated. Priority applicants will be qualified professionals, graduate of MS 43 and Advance ROTC, college graduate, high school graduate must have technical or vocational skills needed by the AFP and at least one year experience not including on the job-training. The Basic Criteria /qualification for acceptance include being a natural born Filipino, at least 18 years old and must nor reach 27 years old on or before July 1, 2012 (age waiver shall not be granted anymore), at least 5”0 in height or 60 inches (height waiver shall not be granted), unmarried and without child and of good moral character. As for women registrants, they must be computer literate with additional qualifications like graduate of medical technology and psychology, writer or any Journalism related course, HRM or any culinary arts related course, musician/instrument player. (PIA/8ID)

POSE WITH THE EXPERTS. Par�cipants of the “Maguindanao and Beyond: Media Murders and the Quest for Jus�ce” advocacy and training-workshop for the Visayas Journalists conducted by the Philippine Center for Inves�ga�ve Journalism (PCIJ) with support from Na�onal Endowment for Democracy (NED) posed with forensic expert P/Supt. Ruby Grace Sabino-Diangson, the chief of the Medico-Legal Division of the PNP Crime Laboratory. Also in photo were Ms. Malou Mangahas, execu�ve director of the PCIJ, Ariel Sebellino, execu�ve director of the Philippine Press Ins�tute (PPI), Ms. Che delos Reyes, training-director of the PCIJ, SWE editor Ricky Bau�sta and other media prac��oners from the Visayas.

Samar Weekly Express

JAN. 31 - FEB. 6, 2012

ES police plant 300 mahogany trees BORONGAN CITY -- Supportive of the government’s program to slow down the effect of climate change, the Police Provincial Health Office (PPO) here initially planted some 300 mahogany trees. Headed by SSupt. Manuel E. Cubillo, the PNP provincial force, trooped to sitio Catian, barangay Bato, this city, last week where they showed support to the National Greening Program (NGP) which aims to mitigate the greenhouse effect in humans and other living creatures in the planet. Apparently, Cubillo and his men, committed to realize the entire PNP’s target to plant 10 million trees for the whole 2012. This means that, a police should plant six trees a month or 72 trees for the whole year round to meet the entire agency’s target to plant 10 million trees. For the initial tree-planting activity, other municipal police offices also joined in with the Gen. McArthur station having planted 114, but the rest have yet to submit their report on how many have been accomplished. The NGP is spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which identifies the site for planting activities of departments and agencies of government. They also provide the participating agencies with planting materials and other logistics and manpower. From being peacekeepers and protectors of lives and properties, the PNP has likewise evolved to becoming tree planters for the protection and conservation of the entire humanity and his environment. (Alice Nicart)

“One Call can saves Lives” Call the Police: SAMAR POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE Tel. No. 055-251-2722 Mobile No. 0908-9603294 NORTHERN SAMAR POLICE OFFICE Mobile No. 0915-3557182

EASTERN SAMAR POLICE OFFICE Mobile No. 0927-2052942 LEYTE PROVINCIAL POLICE OFC. Mobile No. 0939-8953627

POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE 8: Mobile No. 0939-3287083

New flights for N. Samar to boost province’s tourism

he launching of Catarman-Cebu and Catarman-Tacloban ﬂight this month is a big boost to local government’s effort to make this province a tourist destination, said Governor Paul Daza. The airline engaged in air tour-Eagle Trans Asia Airways Corp. (ETA AIR) is set to launch its four times weekly ﬂight linking Catarman to the regional capital and to the most developed city in the Visayas on February 22, according to Daza.

“The 29-seater aircraft will both load passengers and cargo. There will be additional economic trade between Tacloban and direct link between Catarman and Cebu,” the governor said in chance interview Wednesday night. With the new air route, Catarman can be reached from Cebu for only 35 minutes. Currently, travelers from Catarman have to go to Tacloban or Manila to get to Cebu via air travel. Daza said that the 20minute air travel from Catarman to Tacloban is a very welcome development for tourism and business with the current land travel time of ﬁve hours. “I personally invited them as part of our thrust to make Northern Samar a business-friendly. They’re done with the feasibility and they like what they saw. We encourage them to start and we will extend all our support to make it easier for them to do business,” Daza claimed. Among this support is

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transporta�on and Communica�ons CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AREA CENTER NO. 7 Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, Tacloban City Tel. Nos. 321-2604/325-5891/323-6191

INVITATION TO BID

for BORONGAN AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (Improvement of Vehicle Parking Area/Access Road) Punta Maria, Borongan, Eastern Samar 1. T�� C�� A�� A�� P�� (CAAP), �� B�� A�� C�� (BAC) �� A�� 7, �� C�� A�� P�� CY2011 �� P�P 2,384,266.20 �� B�� C�� (ABC) �� I�� V�� P�� A��/A�� R�� B�� A��, P�� M��, B��, E�� S��. �� B�� ABC �� . 2. T�� C�� A�� A�� P�� (CAAP – A�� 7) �� I�� V�� P�� A��/A�� R�� B�� A��, P�� M��, B��, E�� S��.C�� T�� F�� (25) C�� D��. T�� (3) �� 50% �� ABC �� .T�� B�� D��, ��, �� S�� II, I�� B��. 3. B�� “��/��” �� I�� R�� R�� (IRR) �� R�� A�� 9184 (RA 9184), �� “G�� P�� R�� A��”. 4. B�� F�� , ��, �� (75%) �� P��. 5. I�� BAC S�� CAAP-A�� 7, D�� Z. R�� A��, T�� C�� (053)-321-2604, �� 325-5891, �� (053)-323-6191 �� . 6. A �� B�� D�� -�� P�P 3,000.00 �� B�� D�� F�� 6, 2012 �� F�� 22, 2012. D�� F�� 22, 2012 �� 11:00 AM, �� . O�� 2:00 PM �� . 7. T�� BAC �� P��-B�� C�� F�� 10, 2012 �� 10:00 AM �� . 8. A�� ITB C�� 18. 9. P�� PCAB ��, ��’� �� . 10. T�� C�� A�� A�� P�� (CAAP) �� , �� , �� , �� /�. 11. F�� , �� : THE CHAIRMAN B�� A�� C�� C�� A�� A�� P�� D�� Z. R�� A��, T�� C�� T��. N��. (053) 321-2942

Date of Pos�ng: SWE Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2012 issue

TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT

�� . �� , ��-�� 7

the improvement of Catarman airport to provide ofﬁce space for ETA AIR; and intensive promotion of icon destinations in the towns of Biri, San Antonio, Capul, Bobon, and Catarman.

Sarmiento: support green projects CATBALOGAN CITY –Samar Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento (1st district) has urged aqua culture farmers to include climactic change program in all government projects including the Green Program. He added that he himself promoted “green projects” through supporting the vast tracts of land in Gandara which was considered “unproductive” by providing some 50,000 coconut seedlings for farmers to plant. “Water is a major source in Samar, we can use water for power generation, irrigation, and simply return it to the seas still clean and sanitary,” Sarmiento said. “The government is the people, each one should do his role in the value chain,” he added. He alluded to the German private partner who said that the private sector cannot do it all alone without the government support. “Every sector and individual should therefore help [one another]. That’s why I’m asking all national government agencies (NGAs) present today, to provide me with a Score Card indicating what you need to ensure the funds we need,” Rep. Sarmiento said adding that he will do all his best and share being now a Vice Chairman for Appropriations at the House of Congress. Sarmiento said that “laws such as the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, the Climate Change Law, and the Solid Waste Management Act, should be translated into concrete actions that would build the resilience of our country to disaster and climate change impacts. We have had too many disasters in the past years and these catastrophes have stalled our progress as a nation. We have to ensure that the policies we have are implemented well, otherwise, the laws we have worked hard on would not truly serve their purpose.” Sarmiento was among the participants of the Legislative Workshop on Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in the Philippines held in Incheon, South Korea in July 2011. A resolution, which primarily urges members of the legislature to exercise their oversight function in the effective implementation of DRR and CCA laws, was also signed by the attendees. (Ninfa Quirante)

“In our Provincial Development Council meeting, we asked the travel agents in the airlines to do packages to make their operational more successful,” Daza added. For its maiden ﬂight, the airline is offering its service at a promotional rate

of P699 for the CatarmanTacloban route (one-way) and P1,699 for CatarmanCebu or vice versa, said Luis Jamili, president and CEO of ETA Air earlier in a press brieﬁng with Northern Samar-based reporters SEE NEW FLIGHTS P5

News Tidbits Waray poets honored

The Leyte Normal University (LNU) Sirang Theatre Ensemble honored some Waray poets during the Regional TaboanWaray writers meeting last February 4, 2012. Poetry written by the likes of Victor Sugbu, Voltaire Oyzon, Harold Mercurio, Dante Rosales, Neil Lopido, Imelda Ruiz, and Janis Salvacion among others came to life with the performances of theater actors and actresses trained by Joe Llanza of LNU. The performance, dubbed as “Ihinigot ha Dughan” that talks of the international theme love, capped the day’s activity that gathered the new generation of Waray poets in the whole region. Earlier, the Waray writers were also treated to lectures of renowned writers in the region like Prof. Merle Alunan, Prof. David Genotiva and Michael Carlo Villas, a young LNU faculty member in the thick of preparing Waray instructional materials. The meeting of Waray writers is also a celebration of the National Culture and Arts Month.

“No underwater volcano in Samar” - Philvolcs Director Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) belied the spreading text messages that an underwater volcano in E. Samar is set to explode following a strong earthquake that hit most of the Visayas. “Not true at all, there is no underwater volcano east of Samar Island and it is impossible to have a volcano there,” the chief said saying it was just a hoax. Earlier, a text message saying a “volcano is to explode at 5:00 p.m. February 5, 2012 along Matarinao bay, Salcedo, Eastern Samar with intensity 12”. This prompted some barangay residents, particularly barangay Bugas, to flee to a nearby mountain at early evening, as the text message continued to spread. This was confirmed by barangay chairman Donato Alamin in a phone call, who equally sounded confused because according to him he did not receive any information about a volcanic eruption, yet his people were still proceeding to the mountain. “(Again), there is no truth that a Phivolcs personnel issued such a warning and all official warning by Phivolcs are coursed through Disaster Risk Reduction Councils (DRRCs),” the Phivolcs chief disclosed.

Reg of Samar farmers winds up The registration of agricultural workers in Samar is winding up in the bigger towns while those in smaller ones are over said NSO officer Romeo Gabatbat. Hired interviewers in Catbalogan, Calbayog, Sta Rita, Daram and Basey are still concluding up their listing activity, these are the bigger town in Samar with bigger population. These interviewers do house-to-house listing of households and complete registration of farmers, farm laborers, and fishermen. This will be contained in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), a significant endeavor of the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster of the national government. The Philippines, according to NSO, being an agricultural country, needs a comprehensive information system that caters to the various data and information needs of economic development partners, policy makers, and implementers.

Samar Weekly Express

OPINION

JAN. 31 - FEB. 6, 2012

• EDITORIAL • False Claim IT is good development for the country that the impeachment trial is just conﬁned within the person of the chief justice and his family. The argument being pushed by the impeached chief justice that the impeachment is an affront to the independence of the judiciary does not appear to be true. It has been a trial of the impeachable offenses allegedly committed by the chief justice. The judiciary is not on trial as claimed by the defenders of the chief justice. Thus far, it is the senate acting as an impeachment court that is on the spot. People are closely watching how the senate would discharge its highest duty to render justice in this impeachment trial. It is that high court trying the impeachment of the chief justice that is on trial for its failure will certainly ruin the legislature’s upper chamber as an institution. People are well aware that the courts of justice are functioning well even amid the impeachment trial of its chief justice. Clearly, the judiciary is not under siege nor is it under attack by the action of the legislature’s lower house. The one impeached is the chief justice and not the judiciary as an institution. It was only the chief justice who insisted on his line of defense that he is ﬁghting for the judiciary as he claims that the impeachment is an attack on the entire judiciary. But the focus of the hearings had been the chief justice’s acts which the house of representatives had charged as betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution. The theory dragging the judiciary into the impeachment of the chief justice is nothing but a false claim.

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

The Samar Weekly Express is published weekly in multilingual format with editorial and business ofﬁce located at Rizal Avenue, Catbalogan, Samar (Infront of Fire Department near City Hall) with Tel. No. (055) 251-2341, E-mail: trexpelunker@yahoo.com Mobile Nos. 09207675444 Search us at Facebook and ‘like’ us.

HINTS & TRACES BY FR. ROY CIMAGALA

roycimagala@gmail.com

Malice and Mercy BECAUSE of our spiritual nature, because we are free and can choose and determine the course of our life, and a host of other becauses, we are able to turn our life north or south, to rise to the heights of glory or to plunge into the depths of ignominy. Our dignity is of utmost caliber, nothing less than persons created in the image and likeness of God and made, in fact, as God’s children through the gift of grace. But it’s also by the same token that we can fall far deeper than any creature can into utter meanness. “Corruptio optimi pessima,” the corruption of the best is the worst. That’s why there’s heaven and hell, eternal bliss and endless damnation. Both truths of faith reflect the best and the worst in us. Such is our condition. We should be constantly aware of this double-edged possibility that can befall us, so we can be properly prepared and skilled to handle it. Truth is there are moments in our life when we seem to walk on a tightrope between good and evil. We should not be surprised by this situation. Those who are more gifted in life—in intelligence, talents, looks, fame, wealth, health, power, etc.—usually find themselves with more temptations and trials both in terms of quantity and complexity. Yet, everyone is offered a choice where to turn to. We have to reassure ourselves that there’s always hope, and that the means for us to make the right choice are always there. As St. Paul once said, “where sin has abounded, the grace of God has abounded even more.” (Rom 5,20) Yes, our capacity to sin can be endless. If our first parents, Adam and Eve, still in their original condition of sinlessness and excellence, managed to sin, you can imagine how easy it would be for us to fall, since our present condition is much more vulnerable to sin. DALMACIO C. GRAFIL Publisher RICKY J. BAUTISTA Editor CATHERINE GERADILA Office-in-Charge

ALMA GRAFIL Bus. Manager

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

Besides, our armory to further this capability to sin to its extreme of malice can be richer. If our fallen first parents only resorted to hiding behind a fig leaf and making petty excuses, we now have far plentier ways of hiding and offering alibis. We can even dare to rebel openly against God, doing so with conviction and indifference. We should therefore acknowledge our sinfulness and our huge potential to sin. St. John once said, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 Jn 1,8) This is the first step—to acknowledge it—so we can take the necessary succeeding steps. We need to be constantly on guard against our weaknesses and the temptations both inside and outside us. We have to remember that our worst enemies can be our own selves, and the trickiest temptations can spring from our best endowments. So, let’s not be naïve. We have to learn how to do battle with them, always coming up with strategies that would clearly identify our specific enemies at the moment (laziness, lust, pride, envy, etc.) and the spiritual and moral weapons we need. We need to develop virtues and good practices, filling our mind and heart with good thoughts and desires, engaging our faculties with their proper objects. We have to avoid idleness and a selfish loneliness that cuts us from God and from others. Even in our solitary moments, we have to think always of God and others. Thus, it would be good if we can formulate an effective plan that includes the appropriate acts of piety—prayers, continuing formation, sacrifice, sacraments, etc.—so that we don’t face the day unprepared and ridiculously exposed to our spiritual enemies. We need also to bolster our faith in God’s everlasting mercy. Our Lord always forgives. He gives special and immediate attention to sinners. Remember the story of the woman caught in adultery and the repentant thief. He didn’t go through complicated investigations. He just forgave them! He himself taught us to forgive others not only seven times but seventy times seven, meaning always. In fact, God wants us to forgive others so we can be forgiven. Let us also remember the steps to attain forgiveness and to be able to forgive others—regularly doing examination of conscience, making many acts of contrition reparation, going to frequent confession. Blessed John Paul II once said it is God’s mercy that limits our capacity to sin. So, it’s very important not only to be familiar with, but also to savor this divine mercy given to us so abundantly.

Samar Weekly Express is a member of the

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

Samar Weekly Express

JAN. 31 - FEB. 6, 2012

VIEWS ON NEWS BY RICKY J. BAUTISTA

trexpelunker@yahoo.com

Samar, what ups? WHAT the hell with my title for this week’s issue? Well, expressing my views for the past week’s news, I was just wondering what our provincial leaders are doing nowadays. So silent and while other neighboring provinces are hitting the airwaves and newspaper’s headlines, our beloved province of Samar was nothing in it. Why? It is because our leaders are doing nothing? Nah, I don’t think so. Maybe, we are just “blind” enough to see what they are doing, really huh? The ﬁrst thing I noticed is the news on mining issue. All congressmen in Samar signed and approved the House inquiry of mining operations in Eastern Samar. What concerns me is, only our beloved Congresswoman Mila Tan didn’t sign the resolution. Where is she now? I don’t feel like she is the representative of Samar people. I don’t see any movements from her camp looking for the economic stability of the people in the second district. Here’s my second view on news. Talking about the stability and living condition of the Samareños, let’s talk about the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), which is being given by the national government to local government units with “outstanding” provincial and municipal leaders. An pakiana, mayda ba kita hito? In Samar, we really need the funding to rehabilitate our own backyard, bridges, farm-to-market roads, hospitals, health clinics and so on and so forth, so in short, we need funds. We can’t rely solely on our IRA. I don’t even know where it goes. Medicines in hospitals are empty, employees beneﬁts deprived, etcetera. But this LGSF can help, at least. To get the funds, our leaders should convince the DILG that they are “good boys

AN LAA-GAN BY ROMMEL L. RUTOR

zip_rommel@yahoo.com

What to Expect in 2012: Undying Recall Elections? (Part 2 of a series) But again, everyone should take note that a recall election is a political initiative that entails expenses by the government and most often than not is an initiative with a nod from the highest ofﬁce of the land; in fact, the An Laagan is quoting an opinion from one radio listener “why would the government spend millions of pesos for a recall election if it is unsure to unseat the person or persons being sought to be recalled?”, and that is very true to the real essence of a recall election. In the case of Samar’s recall election issue, noteworthy that the petitioners are fully-backed by the Liberal Party, the political party of the President itself; thus, the An Laagan is pretty sure (unofﬁcial perhaps) that the said

COMMENTARY BY ISMAEL AMIGO

1st-APLUMA

“Ooops... I did it again!” President Noy’s political adviser in Sec. Ronald Llamas, who happens to be a good friend of this corner, simply did it again. But good for him, it’s something of “lesser priority” as what the Chief Executive retorted when queried by the working media about his pol ad’s most recent “scandal.” Of course, it was something of a “passable” kind. It just so happened that Sec. Llamas is now a high-ranking

OPINION

and girls” in handling their respective administrations, as required. In the island of Samar, only Samar (as reports said) has not been given such a grant. The provinces of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar both availed of those funds worth millions of pesos. What’s the reason behind this exclusion of the grants? Did we failed to prove we are doing “good” or simply we don’t have to show anything? What do you think? Hmm, your answer is good as mine. I cannot help but to compare the accomplishments of the three provinces for this is our way of evaluating the efforts and “diskarte” being done by our provincial leaders and to reevaluate ourselves that we didn’t waste our votes, and that, we voted for the right ones. Right? Come on, let’s take this positively. Think, think and think. Diin ba kita nagkulang? Anyway, at least, two of our self-initiating municipalities made its own way to the grant. The towns of Calbiga and Marabut will receive the amount of P800, 000 and P600, 000 respectively. In Region 8, only four provinces, three cities and 28 municipalities have been stamped the “Seal of Good Housekeeping.” The national government through the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Budget gave them the total amount of P170.6 million funds. I must congratulate the following LGU’s for their “practice of good governance” in their respective areas. These are the provinces of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. They will receive at least P15 million each while Leyte will receive P25 million and Biliran P5 million. Seven municipalities in Eastern Samar will also receive the grant. Guiuan with P1 million, Balangiga with P600,000, Dolores with P1 million, Hernani with P400,000, Maydolong with P900,000, San Julian with P600,000 and Sulat with P700,000. From Northern Samar, the two recipients are Laoang with P1 million and San Isidro with P800, 000. The cities of Ormoc, Tacloban and Maasin will also receive P45 million, P25 million and P20 million respectively. The 28 municipalities include six from the province of Biliran namely, Almeria with P500,000, Biliran with P500,000, Naval with P900,000, Cabucgayan with P500,000, Kawayan with P500,000 and Maripipi which will receive P400,000. The eight recipient municipalities from the province recall initiative will deﬁnitely make its way to the decision faculties of the President, to go or not to go, of course this decision will be based on the previous occurrences related to the recall process. What are these occurrences which may become part in the assessment by the President? One for sure is the death of Mayor Reynaldo S. Uy, who is considered the mightiest bet for the Governor’s position; everyone who are supportive of the recall initiative and even those who are in the observer’s corner know that Mayor Uy is a formidable political opponent of the Tan siblings if the recall election pushes through; but with his unfortunate demise, whom as mightiest as Mayor Uy the opposition will pick up to show the President that they are capable of removing the persons they need to remove in the recall election? Perhaps, that could be a cogitated decision for the President, and only him, can give everyone the answer. In local developments after the demise of Mayor Uy showed that Ms. Aika Uy – Delgado, the eldest daughter of Mayor Uy, is being packaged to replace her father’s political ascendancy, and pragmatically, the fortitude and toughness of her spirit plus the undying efforts of those who are bent in removing the Tan siblings from power is realistically gaining grounds. However, a footnote that should be considered in this situation is that Ms. Delgado’s progressing popularity relative to the Recall Election issue which everyone know is brought by the death of Mayor Uy can be hampered by

5 of Leyte include Alangalang with P900,000, Burauen with P1million, Jaro with P900,000, Babatngon with P700,000, Calubian with P700,000, Dagami with P800,000, Palo with P1 million and Tanauan with P900,000. The three recipients from Southern Leyte are Hinunangan which will receive P800,000, Hinundayan with P500,00 and Macrohon with P700,000. DILG Region 8 Director Pedro Noval Jr. informed the media that the LGSF is intended to defray part of the decrease in the local government’s Internal Revenue Allotment for the year 2012. He clarified that ONLY those provinces, cities and municipalities which have PASSED the DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping will receive such grants that shall be used to augment the approved 2012 annual investment plan for implementation of any or combination of the following projects like rural electrification, local roads connection national roads, arterial farm-to-market roads and bridges, local economic enterprises, flood control and drainage and to support priority projects of the National Government such as Millennium Development Goals, Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Sad to note, our beloved Samar, did not passed the “seal of a good housekeeping.” Well, I must say, better luck next time. And please, to our government officials and leaders, please stop barking to each others. Implement transparent governance and hustle-free services to your constituents. That’s the most basic requirement to receive the “seal” of the good housekeeping, never mind whatever is at stake. Make our constituents feel they’re “the boss,” and not you! Have a safe day folks, till next issue!

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.

We value your Opinion!

Talk back with our issues of the week. Send us your feedback and your own commentary in our Letter To Editor Section. Be heard and let us know your say.

Be heard and be counted, send us what you think, now! NEW FLIGHTS from page 3...

SEE LAAGAN P7

last week. The airline added that they will operate in the route every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. ETA Air claimed that their British Aerospace Jetstream 41, which will ply the new routes, are brand new and has ample legroom for all types of passengers. The executive class accommodation will be converted into commercial planes to serve economy fares with its two-by-one arrangement. The aircraft will depart from Cebu for Catarman every 8:00 a.m. and estimated to arrive at 8:35 a.m., and then leave for Tacloban at 9:00a.m. From Tacloban, it will leave for Catarman at 9:40 a.m., and from Catarman ﬂy back to Cebu at 10:20 a.m. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)

official of the land. And yes, that’s downright lamentable. The good Secretary was allegedly buying pirated DVD discs at C Mall at the corner of EDSA and Congressional Avenue in Quezon City when he was spotted last Monday by an enterprising photo journ and the next thing he knew he was already hot copy of the tri-media (print-broadcast-TV). The thing is, this could have been a non-issue if Sec. Llamas remains the same simple man of the masa he was before and if not President Noy’s Administration is not on the hot trail pursuing DVD pirates. Just last week, Optical Board chair in Ronnie Ricketts, nabbed several high-speed DVD copying machines, testament to the government’s no-nonsense drive to eradicate DVD piracy. And now, here you are a top government official patronizing certified pirated DVD copies. Passable it may be to President Noy but not to some lawmakers who went too far to asking the President to ax Sec. Llamas pronto like what he did to former NBI chief Magtanggol Gatdula. That’s too fast, too furious gentlemen, there is a whale

of difference with the case on hand. We understand that it’s too hard a transition for us people from the masa to being that big now. But we have seen the qualities of Sec. Llamas before as somebody who could land it in the big league: hardworking, intelligent, strategist par excellance, and above all else; a certiﬁed political animal. An activist during his college years and at the same time features editor of University of Santo Tomas’ school organ, The Varsitarian, Sec. Llamas also worked before as a writer of several national papers and magazines. He also organized several cause-oriented NGO’s like LEARN (Labor Education & Advocacy Research Network), the Freedom from Debt Coalition and several other groups that even landed a seat in Congress. And top our observation, Sec. Llamas’ orientation with his long work with and for the masses, could be the reason why he ﬁnds hard “acclimatizing.” Just one caution: never ever also get caught too glitzy a place as this would also elicit a similar effect on the media. We could only wonder and ponder what could be the next slip-up our dear friend will commit next time.

Samar Weekly Express

NATIONAL NEWS

JAN. 31 - FEB. 6, 2012

CHIEF JUSTICE ON TRIAL Special Impeachment Coverage EXPRESS on Justice Renato Corona Samar Weekly

THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

Corona seeks SC TRO on impeachment

subpoena to give SC ample time to act on the urgent petition of Corona for the issuance of TRO. “The timing [is] very suspicious. Nasa yugto na tayo na ang ebidensya na magpapakita na ang SALN ni Corona ay di makatotohanan,” prosecution spokesperson Quezon Rep. Erin Tanada said. Quimbo added, “Kitang-kita ang pagpigil ng defense sa ebidensya, parang second envelope. Ano ba ang kinatatakutan nila?” The prosecution further appealed to the Corona camp to respect the Constitution and Senate’s right to conduct an impeachment trial. In a separate press conference, defense spokesperson Tranquil Salvador said that if everything goes well, their petition should be at the SC Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Justice Renato Corona is determined to stop his impeachment. The prosecution team on Wednesday said Corona has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking for a temporary restraining order to stop the impeachment trial. Corona is requesting the High Court to declare the impeachment complaint “null and void ab initio (from the beginning)” as it was allegedly transmitted without due notice and hearing to the chief justice, the prosecution said in a press conference. “Sinasabi nila hindi ito dumaan sa proseso. Pinagdebatihan na ito. Nadesisyunan na po yan,” prosecution spokesperson Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo said. The prosecution said the defense also seeks to annul the subpoena for Corona’s bank accounts, and prohibit further presentation of evidence on Article II of the impeachment complaint which deals with Corona’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth. The impeachment court granted on Monday the prosecution’s request to subpoena authorized representatives of Bank of the Philippine Islands, Ayala Avenue Branch and the Philippine Savings Bank, Katipunan Avenue Branch to testify and bring Corona’s bank records. The defense also filed a ‘QUAKE STRIKES QUICK! Cracks in a road caused by an earthquake are seen in Negros Oriental, motion before the impeachcentral Philippines February 6, 2012. The magnitude 6.7 earthquake off the central Philippine island ment court on Wednesday of Negros killed at least seven people on Monday, including two children, with government offices to defer the enforcement of and schools ordered to close a�er at least 40 a�ershocks. REUTERS

PNP from page 1...

began in 1999 when she was officially appointed as Medico-Legal Officer with the main task of handling medico-legal examinations involving women and children victims of abuse and domestic violence earning her numerous awards such as 29 Medalya ng Kasanayan, five (5) Medalya ng Kagalingan and four (4) Medalya ng Pagtulong sa Nasalanta. Back on her lectures, she oriented journalists from print, radio and television on the importance of forensic medicine which according to her “aimed to bring forth the power of medical knowledge to identify crimes, victims and the perpetrators.” The journalists were from various media outfits based in Catbalogan, Tacloban, Maasin, Ormoc, Cebu, Iloilo, Dumaguete and Bohol. They were endorsed by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) to PCIJ training executives. Meanwhile, according to Supt. Diangson, it is important that the media is aware of the terminologies and the duties of the crime first responders saying “the media, like any other crime responding government personnel, are the first person to arrive at the crime scene.” By having them aware of some medico-legal terms and the “must do” in the crime scenes, the forensic expert said, the media can write good stories effectively and be able to help preserve the crime scenes and will somehow lead to the prosecution the unknown suspects. The police official said “first responder” is the first link in the chain of custody for the evidence and also the only person to view the crime scene in its original state. “Though the first responder to a crime scene is usually a police officer or group of police officers, it may also be a member of the fire department or a paramedic, relatives of the alleged

victims, members of the media, or it could be the barangay officials,” Supt. Diangson said. She added that if first responders failed to preserve the crime scene and the evidence became contaminated, “it is hard for the investigators to identify the victim and the suspects and justice cannot be served.” A good example of the “contaminated crime scene and careless preservation of physical evidence” was the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan massacre sites. According to the PCIJ published report of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in their 5-day Humanitarian and Fact-Finding Mission to the massacre site, the team composed of senior journalists, lawyers and forensic experts observed the “poor handling and contamination of the massacre site and remains.” “The scene of the crime remained heavily littered with rubbish, and possibly the personal effects and the remains of the victims. There was even what appeared to be a tuft of long hair on the ground that could have been a piece of scalp. A yellow police line tape was placed only around the immediate perimeter of the massacre site, (and) not on the road leading to it. The site did not look like a protected scene at all,” the report of the team disclosed. The report added that there were also used SIM cards on the ground that belongs either from the suspects or from the first responders to the crime. The use of the backhoe in digging the buried victims also compromised the scene of the crime. It is for these facts, as what Supt. Diangson is saying, the media and its outfit followers should know the duties of the first responders preserve, protect and keeping the site in physical condition as it was left by the perpetrators. “As I was saying, there is no such thing as perfect crime,

COMMENTARY BY JUAN L. MERCADO

juanlmercado@gmail.com

Blistering summer ahead FLOODS from abnormal cloudbursts like Typhoon “Sendong” have ebbed Evacuation centers for flood victims are now drying out. Front pages and TV screens. Are now crammed with the technicalities-clogged impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona. “Dig the well before you get thirsty,” Chinese sages counsel. Summer 2012 could be long and blistering, given weather changes. ”Typhoon Ondoy, for example, dumped in one day rainfall equivalent to one month, In the first two weeks of August last, typhoons Kabayan and Lando, consecutively hit us, causing widespread flooding. Now, is the time to prepare for water shortages that will surely come. Future summers will be hotter — and permanent, as the equatorial “band of rain” shifts, altering weather, caution University of Washington scientists. As ocean surface temperature rise, the rate of evaporation of seawater is faster. This results in greater condensation of water vapor in the clouds and heavier rainfall, cautions the report: “State of the Oceans”. So, did anybody use cisterns, as required by the Rainwater Catchement Law (RA 6716)? Cebu City, for example, splurged P142 million for a legislative building. That ensured upholstered chairs and air-conditioning for city councilors. . But it didn’t put in the mandatory rainwater cistern. So, when the water agency falters, toilets won’t flush — until the fire department sends over tanker. Nationwide, the record is just as sloppy. National government here set up four demonstration rainwater collectors, of the 100,000 that RA 6716 mandated. That’s 0.004 percent of target. Not a single pork barrel centavo went for cisterns, although. 66 out of every 100 lack water Indeed, “the law hath not been dead, though it hath slept,” Shakespeare wrote. Yet, water could whittle infant mortality rates, hovering at 52 per 100,000. Compare that to Thailand’s 17. “These are preventable deaths,” this column noted four years back. (Dec 6, 2006).”The most fractured human right in this country is that of a child to celebrate his first birthday”. “There is flooding when excess waters have no receptacle,” Magsaysay Awardee Antonio Oposa has pointed. “Solution?Find or make a receptacle. This is a no-brainer. ‘Yet, if you ask Government people what is the solution to floods, they will give you a multi-billion response that needs elaborate pumps, massive construction works and maintenance —- which we Filipinos do not seem capable of. Look at the Manila International Airport. The problem persists year after year after year after year. We never learn.” Since then, there’s been an initial but still fragile reversal of near-blanket infraction of RA 6716, We have “a more responsive government this time”.Oposa says. Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo and Public Works secretary Rogelio Singson signed, on June 6, a little noticed but significant Memorandum of Agreement to implement the moribund rainwater collections systems law. The MOA sketches out joint action from stock taking, providing technical help to securing funds in the 2012 budget. Since then, there’s been an initial but still fragile reversal of near-blanket infraction of RA 6716, Oposa told “Viewpoint.” We have “a more responsive government this time”. Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo and Public Works secretary Rogelio Singson signed, on June 6, a little noticed but significant Memorandum of Agreement to implement the moribund rainwater collections systems SEE COMMENTARY P6

Samar Weekly Express

JAN. 31 - FEB. 6, 2012 COMMENTARY fm p6... law. The MOA sketches out joint action from stock taking, providing technical help to securing funds in the 2012 budget. Credit for the slogging work in crafting this MOA also “goes to Union of Local Authorities’ Monina Camacho Solicitor General Joel Cadiz”, Oposa wrote… “We may submit this to the Supreme Court. It may well become the first environmental case decided as a ‘consent decree’. Who knows? As the the late Senator Barry Goldwater once mused. “A man will fight over three things: water, women and gold —- usually in that order. Iloilo City council took the initiative in considering ways to implement the cistern law. Cebu has an ordinance and so has Davao City. As usual, ordinances are not implemented earnestly. Nobody is interested, until the taps turn dry. The biggest opposition comes from water district Faced with wells turning saline, Bulacan Water District turned to, harvesting rainwater — until the manager asked about income to pay off their loans … End of the planning. In Puerto Princesa City. Mayor Hagedorn wanted rainwater harvesting in his city — until the GM of the water district posed the same concern. Rainwater is a primary source of water supply. What keeps the river flowing is the rain and the stored water in the catchments or watersheds /forest soil/ground water. Stored water is finite. Weather changes and the State of the Oceans report “exemplifies the old adage about death by a thousand cuts,” the Guardian newspaper of London notes. . “There is no single place to concentrate blame except in the mirror.” ”Traditional economic and consumer values that formerly served society well, when coupled with current rates of population increase, are not sustainable,” it adds, “We need to Republic of the account for the impact Philippines we have on the planet REGIONAL TRIAL each time we flush a COURT toilet, drink a pop, hop 8th Judicial Region in a car, or eat a radish. BRANCH 30 There is no shortage of Basey, Samar solutions, just a shortIN THE MATTER age of political will. OF CORRECTION OF ENTRY OF THE DATE OF BIRTH OF ROMUALDO F. BARLOSO, JR. IN THE CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO), RELATIVE TO THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN ROMUALDO F. BARLOSO, JR. AND WILMA S. TABUNGAR ON JUNE 13, 1994 AT BASEY, SAMAR represented by his spouse, WILMA S. TABUNGAR BARLOSO, Petitioner, -versus-

Only P500/ Year CALL US NOW... 055-251-2341 or txt @ 09207675444 (Ricky)

WRITERS WANTED!!! If you are 18 years old and above, with passion on writing, and willing to be trained in various aspects of NEWS REPORTING. You might just be the person we’re looking for to ﬁll-in our continuing expansion. Please submit your RESUME at SWE Editorial Ofﬁce at Rizal Avenue, Catbalogan City or call 251-9342 or 2512341 for details. Or email your intention to trexpelunker@yahoo.com (Look for Ricky

LEGAL NOTICES Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 30 Basey, Samar IN THE MATTER OF CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF JHON MARK, MARY GRACE ADONA VIñAS (Mother), Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF STA. RITA, SAMAR and THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, Respondents, SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS No. 2011-12-744 For: CORRECTION OF ENTRY x------------x ORDER A verified petition having been filed with the Court by Mary Grace Adona Viñas through counsel Atty. Julio A. Sebandal, praying that after publication, due notice and hearing, the Local Civil Registry of Sta. Rita, Samar as well as the office of the National Statistics Office, Quezon City, to undertake

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF BASEY, SAMAR, Defendant. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS No. 2011-12-743 For: CORRECTION OF ENTRY x-----------x ORDER A verified petition having been filed with the Court by Romualdo F. Barloso, Jr. through counsel Atty. Wilfredo O. Estorninos, praying that after publication, due notice and hearing, the Local Civil Registry of Basey, Samar to undertake necessary Correction in the Certificate of Marriage to reflect the correct date of birth in the certificate of marriage of herein Petitioner from August 25, 1969 to August 25, 1973, and his age appearing therein should be corrected from 24 to 20. Other reliefs and remedies are likewise prayed for. The petition being sufficient

necessary Correction in the Certificate of Live Birth to reflect the correct surname of Jhon Mark to BIBAR, the age of the petitioner likewise be corrected to 24, the name of the father of Jhon Martk be corrected and changed to HERBERT TOLIBAS BIBAR, 30 YEARS OLD. Other reliefs and remedies are likewise prayed for. The petition being sufficient in form and substance, same is hereby considered. Hence, let the initial hearing of this case be set to March 22, 2012 at 8:30 in the morning in this Court, at which date, time and place, all interested persons may appear and show cause, if any, why this petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation selected by raffle under the supervision of the Clerk of Court and duly accredited by the Court and the petitioner. SO ORDERED. IN CHAMBERS, this 6th day of January 2012 at Basey, Samar, Philippines.

(Sgd.) AGERICO A. AVILA Presiding Judge SWE Issue January 17-23, 24-30 & 31 - February 6, 2012

in form and substance, same is hereby considered. Hence, let the initial hearing of this case be set on March 15, 2012 at 8:30 in the morning in this Court, at which date, time and place, all interested persons may appear and show cause, if any, why this petition should not be granted. Let the copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation selected by raffle under the supervision of the Clerk of Court and duly accredited by the Court and the petitioner. SO ORDERED. IN CHAMBERS, this 6th day of January 2012, at Basey, Samar, Philippines.

(Sgd.) AGERICO A. AVILA Presiding Judge SWE Issue January 17-23, 24-30 & 31 - February 6, 2012

ADVERTISE

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE Please contact us 251-2341 or 09207675444 for details.

ADVERTISE

BOOMBOOM ENTERPRISES

DEALER/SUPPLIER: Hollowblocks, Sand & Gravel, constructions materials, school and oﬃce supplies Contact: 0907.1079.333 (in Basey, Samar)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 29 City of Catbalogan Province of Samar JULIET G. CALE, Petitioner -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF PIO V. CORPUZ, MASBATE AND THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO) Respondents, CASE NO. 8142 CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH AND CANCELLATION OF LATE REGISTRATION OF BIRTH.

x------------x ORDER An amended petition for change of name is filed with this Court and it appears to be sufficient in form and substance. It being so, the same is hereby considered and the case is set for initial trial on 06 March 2012 at 8:30 in the morning here in the session hall of Branch 29 RTC, Catbalogan City, Samar at Bulwagan ng Katarungan. Anyone and all interested in the proceedings who have cause to oppose the petition may do so or are enjoined to be present, then and there to show cause why the petition should not be granted. So that at the expense of the petitioner, the Court directs her to publish this notice of hearing in a newspaper of general publication in this province or country preferably covering also the province of Mas-

bate, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, duly accredited with the Court and selected by raffle supervised by the Branch Clerk of Court not later than the scheduled hearing. Let copies of this Order be furnished the Solicitor General’s Office, the local civil registrar, the registrar general of National Statistics Office and the office of the provincial prosecutor, together with the counsel and petitioner. Petitioner and counsel are notified in open court. SO ORDERED. OPEN COURT, January 09, 2012, Catbalogan City, Samar

(Sgd.) AGERICO A. AVILA Judge SWE Issue January 17-23, 24-30 & 31 - February 6, 2012

LAAGAN from page 5...

the power of time which at present is favoring the Tan siblings as manifested by the long process of the recall initiative, and more so, Ms. Delgado cannot be Mayor Uy in her entirety, and as to how this will affect the decision of the President (if indeed he exerts his hand in Samar’s recall issue) of her “winnability” so as to make sure that the Tan siblings are removed after the recall election is definitely a burden to prove by the initiators. Another opinion from the public that the An Laagan would like to pickup is the presence of some people within the Uy’s ward that are allegedly connected with the leftist movement and are considered partly influential or would be influential in the decision making prowess of Ms. Delgado; as to the truth of this allegation, who would know, except that various progressive groups and even the New People’s Army issued their respective statement of condemnation over the death pf Mayor Uy, whom they considered as a person of humility and dedication in the name of Public Service? But direct connection per se, this is a mere allegation as others also claim that anybody and any group had their right to express their own support to whomever. But granting there is truth in it, will the government through its Military allow it? Everyone know that the military is supposedly neutral in any of the civilian affairs such as politics but everyone also know that said policy can be told to the marines. History would also tell as to how both the PNP and the AFP have been tailing these people, more so with the crackdown against Private Armed Groups which are being alleged to be working with politicians who are identified allies of the late Mayor Uy… thus, the question would be, will the intelligence community of the both the PNP and the AFP will not make its report and influence to the decision of the President? Again who would know? Or say, who would want to know?

FOR SALE! House & Lot We are selling our House and Lot, 64.46 sq. meters wide (or nearly 120 sq. m. including front area), 2 bedrooms, with kitchen, cr, store, balcon, front yard, concrete, near San Vicente homes in Basey, Samar. Ready for occupancy. Owner leaving. Rush. 09207675444 SAMAR WEEKLY EXPRESS is now open for your Personal Announcements and Greetings. Start placing your Advertisements on the following categories... ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION: -Birth Announcements -Reunions/Homecomings -Business Announcements -Weddings/Anniversaries -Obituaries

PERSONAL GREETINGS SECTION: -Birthday Greetings -Best Wishes/Anniversary Greetings -Congratulatory Messages -Religious Greetings -Other Personal Messages

JUST CALL US: 055-251-2341 look for CATHY

Bag-o nga police building gintukod ha Zumarraga

CATBALOGAN CITY – An isla han Zumarraga en mayda yana bag-o nga building nga gintukod komo bag-o nga opisina han kapulisan nga nagbabantay han isla. Sumala kan PNP provincial director Nolasco Bathan, ine nga bag-o nga building en ginpaparayaw yana han mga residente han isla kay adto ine namumutang mismo han entrada o pinaka “gate” san-o ka makasulod ngadto ha poblacion proper. Dugang pa han opisyal, natapos ine ngan gin-inagurasyunan dida han naglabay nga Pebrero 2, 2012 kun diin gin-atenderan han mga dumagko nga bisita tikang ha rehiyon. Segun kan PSSupt Pepito Pacada han PNP Regional Ofﬁce 08 durante han iya halipot nga mensahe, an Zumarraga

Municipal Police Station nga ginpapangunahan ni PSInsp. Julio Pagtabunan en may kantidad P5 milyon. “Usa ine nga proyektohan PNP pag integrar ngan pagbabag-o nga programa ngada han aton mga estasyon han kapulisan,” siring ni Supt. Bathan. Ha kadugangan pa nga impormasyon nga nahikay han SWE, mayda liwat nakatalaan ighatag an pamunuan han PNP nga duha nga patrol boats ha tiarabot nga mga adlaw. Samtang, duro naman an pasalamat han Zumarraga Mayor Myrna Tan hine nga bag-o nga panhitabo ha iya nasasakupan. Siring pa niya, dako daw an magiging bulig hine ha iya mga programa parte ha pasi ordin han bungto. (rjb)

AN mga par�sipante han guindumara nga training-workshop may kalabutan ha “Media Murders and the Quest for Jus�ce” ha Cebu City dida han nakalabay nga Enero 31 ngada Pebrero 3, 2012 nga gin atenderan ni Editor Ricky Bau�sta ngan Rommel Rutor han Samar Weekly Expresss.

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

JAN. 31 - FEB. 6, 2012

PAGE 8

DTI “online system” may positibo nga feedback MANILA -- Usa ka semana kahuman han manilampuson nga paglunsad nga ginpangunahan ni Presidente Benigno C. Aquino III hanin naglabay nga Enero 27, sige an pakakarawat han Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) online Philippine Business Registry system hin mga positibo nga feedback, asya ini an ginreport ha Malakanyang . Hi Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte nagsiring nga an mga tawo nga nakag benipisyo hini nga bag-o nga serbisyo nga ginpahamtang han DTI nagsumat partikular na han kalaksi kon diin hira nakag rehistro han ngaran han ira negosyo online ngan ha sestima nga diri na kinahanglan an personal nga pagkadto ha pagkumpleto han proseso. Tungod hini nga bag-o nga sestima, gin-aaghat ni Valte adton may mga plano pagtikang hin guti nga negosyo komo pagkukuhaan han pankabuhian ha nasud nga gamiton ini nga kanan DTI bag-o nga Philippine Business Registry system.

Are you ready for the Holidays?

Take at least two capsules of Drive Max Dietary Supplement and make your loveones happy. For orders and Inquiries:

Contact 09207675444

Army deepens knowledge on Int’l Humanitarian Law CATBALOGAN CITY -- The army learns more on humanitarian law through a series of lectures from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This is in view of the AFP’s drive to equip every soldier with the knowledge regarding the laws on Human Rights and have a deeper understanding and appreciation on the United Nations International Humanitarian Law (UN-IHL), the 34th Infantry (RELIABLE) Battalion (34th IB) headed by Lieutenant Colonel William P. Peñafiel Jr invited a team from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to give lecture on International Humanitarian Law. This was reported by Captain Ramil Palisoc, civilian military officer of the 34th IB on February 3, 2012. Head of ICRC – Tacloban, Marie Dubeau, an expatriate of French nationality and Maria Socorro T. Pancipanci, Field Officer conducted a lecture to the officers and enlisted personnel of the 34th IB on February 3, 2012. The lecture first touched on the overview of ICRC, its United Nations mandate, roles, facilities, and its relation with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC); then the lecture on the International Humanitarian Law. The troops actively participated and were very eager to learn more about IHL. Questions and clarifications were raised making the whole discussion lively. The difference in language was not a hindrance for the soldiers to absorb all important aspects that transpired during the lecture. Pancipanci would translate to Tagalog what Dubeau was saying. Some still managed to interact using the universal sign language. Lieutenant Colonel William Peñafiel, Jr commended the successful conduct of lecture on IHL, especially the active participation of the troops. He was very thankful for the time and effort exerted by Dubeau and party coming to this far-flung part of Northern Samar just to give a lecture on IHL. He encouraged the soldiers to put into their hearts and minds, and practice what they have learned from this lecture. He reminded his subordinates that all soldiers of the battalion must at all times adhere to the International Humanitarian Law and other laws governing human rights in discharging their duties. He also emphasized to all the stakeholders, to observe human rights as embodied in our campaign plan Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) ‘Bayanihan.’ He encourages the conduct of this lecture from time to time. (PIA 8-Samar with 34th CMO)

LINE ADS, RUNNING ADS, COMMERCIAL, ETC. AVAILABLE HERE! Call us Now 251-2341

Aquino kumarawat hin P19.283-B nga dibidindo tikang ha mga GOCC

MANILA -- Hi Pangulo Benigno S. Aquino III in nakakarawat hin P19.283 bilyon nga narepresentar han dibidendo nga kontribusyon tikang ha 21 nga mga Government-Owned and –Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ha seremonyas nga nagtitigaman han adlaw han kanan GOCC pan gobyernuhan, ha Malacañang han Lunes. An Pangulo in naghatag han kantidad ngadto kan National Treasurer Roberto Tan. An Land Bank of the Philippines in nanguna han listahan nga mayda P5 bilyon nga nahihatag samtang an Development Bank of the Philippines in naghatag hin P4.012-billion. An Philippine National Oil Company ug an iya subsidiary PNOC-Exploration Corporation in naghatag hin P3.5-billion samtang an Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines ug an Philippine Ports Authority in naghatag hin P1.362 bilyon ug P1.2 bilyon. An iba nga mga korporasyon han gobyerno nga naghatag han ira mga dibidendo in nag-uupod han Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (P1 bilyon); Manila International Airport Authority (P1.142 bilyon); Philippine Reclamation Authority (P700 milyon); Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (P470 milyon) National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (P18 milyon); Cebu Ports Authority (P50 milyon); Clark Development Corporation (P100 milyon); Philippine Leisure and Retirement Authority (P106.90 milyon); Trade Investment and Development Corporation (P65 milyon); Philippine Economic Zone Authority (P276 milyon); An Bases Conversion Development Authority (P504 milyon); Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (P150 milyon); National Livelihood Development Corporation (P70 milyon); Cebu Ports Authority (P48 milyon); Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (P26.88 milyon); ug National Housing Authority (P7.30 milyon). Ha ilarom han Dividends Law of 1994, an mga GOCC ngan GFIs (government ﬁnancial institutions) in kinahanglan maghatag ngadto ha gobyerno nasyunal hin katunga han iya kita ha kada tuig. An paghatag in pinaagi hin cash o mga propyedad nga mayda mga limpyo nga titulo.

Rizal Avenue, Catbalogan City, Samar (Infront of Fire Department, near City Hall)

Name _____________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ Signature ___________________________________________ Subscription Rate: P10.00 per copy (in Catbalogan City) Bill me: (Please check on the box of your billing preference) Monthly Annualy Attention: For payment, please use: • A check payable to Samar Weekly EXPRESS • A money order payable to Samar Weekly EXPRESS, or Text us and we will pick up your payment (Cell No. 0920.7675.444.) (cut this subscription form and send to the above address)

Or Call 251-2341