Catbalogan PNP nabs 3 suspects carrying, waving guns in public areas by Samar Weekly Express

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS

NEWS! Call 251-2341

THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

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

Catbalogan PNP nabs 3 suspects carrying, waving guns in public VOL. IX NO. 22

JANUARY 03 - 09, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY

8 PAGES

B� LILITH SABUCO TE�A �� RICKY BAUTISTA

CATBALOGAN CITY – For not having a valid reason of displaying, waving deadly weapons in public areas, policemen of this city separately picked up three armed suspects and put them behind bars last week. In a report sent to Sa- afternoon of December 29, the Catbalogan PNP station mar Police Provincial Ofﬁce received information from in Brgy. Maulong, PSupt. Avelino B. Doncillo Jr., the the Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) agent that city chief of police said that the trio violated the Presi- two persons armed with dential Decree (PD) 1866 as unknown caliber roaming amended by Republic Act around the public cemetery 8294 or for carrying “deadly of Brgy. Guinsorongan, this city. weapons” in public areas. Upon cognizance of The report said that on or about 1 o’clock in the SEE CATBALOGAN P2

Rep. Ben Evardone

Pres. Aquino forms FOI study group - Evardone

PCSO produces 3 new millionaires early of 2012 OFFICIALS of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofﬁce (PCSO) on Tuesday said the agency produced three new lotto millionaires this early in 2012 for having won in the draws last week of December of Mega Lotto 6/45, Lotto 6/42, and 6 Digit (6D), totaling over P31.8 million. “Ang mga bago nating milyonaryo sa lotto ay isang tricycle driver, isang jeepney driver, at isang magsasaka ng mga gulay. Nakatutuwa na sila ang nanalo na talagang kailangang-kailangan nila na makaahon sa hirap ng buhay,” said PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II. Rojas said they claimed their winnings Monday. He said the 31-year-old tricycle driver, married with three kids, of Caloocan City placed a bet for 6/42 in the December 29 draw, hitting the drawn combination of 28-02-24-17-05-06 and got the P11.6 jackpot. The winner had two bets worth P20 from numbers he chose randomly. He will deposit his money in a bank, try to invest and keep some for his children’s SEE PCSO P3

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

Rev. Fr. Gus Gelera, (rightmost, behind the Holy Family Icon and Image) priest in-charge of San Antonio de Padua Mission Center, leads the procession of the Holy Family and the Patron Saints of all barangays and si�os during the mission center celebra�on on December 30, 2011 at San Antonio, Basey, Samar.

San Antonio de Padua Mission Center in Basey celebrates its ﬁrst “mission center night” SAN ANTONIO, Basey, Samar – Over 500 Catholic faithful from the 10 barangays and 9 sitios under the San Antonio de Padua Mission Center converged to celebrate the

First Mission Center Night held on December 30, 2011, Friday, here. The event was organized through the dynamic and energetic leadership of Rev. Fr. Agustin “Gus”

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

Gelera, Jr., first priest incharge of San Antonio de Padua Mission Center. Accordingly, Barangay San Antonio was elevated into San Antonio de Padua

BORONGAN CITY - President Benigno S. Aquino has commissioned a study group that will fasten the approval of the most awaited Freedom of Information (FOI) bill. This was revealed recently by Eastern Samar Congressman Ben P. Evardone who also informed that the formation was also welcomed by most representatives in Congress. “I welcome this move of the President because this will deﬁnitely hasten the Congress’ approval of the bill,” Cong. Evardone said. He added that it would mean that they will possibly adopt and hook it (Malacañang proposal) in SEE FOI P3

SEE SAN ANTONIO P2

GRTY

Gravel & Sand Silanga, Catbalogan, Samar

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

PNP conducts 14th leg of “ Maharlika” unity run CATBALOGAN CITY – The Philippine National Police conducted its 14th leg “Takbong Maharlika tungo sa Pagkakaisa” in Tacloban City around 4:00 o’clock in the morning of January 4, 2012. Police Chief Superintendent Arnold R. Revilla, Police Region 8 Director informed that Retired PCSUPT Samson R. Tucay and party arrived at the DZR Airport on January 3 in order to spearhead the Takbong Maharlika in Tacloban. PDDG Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., the Deputy Chief for Operations, and PDir. George Q. Piano, the Directorate for Logistics also joined the activity. The activity kicked-off with a simple ceremony before the run which started along Maharlika Highway at Barangay Bagacay to Imelda Village, Tacloban City, Director Revilla said. Thereafter, a forum on PNP ITP-PGS (Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Governance System) was held at the Tacloban Convention Center at 7:30 in the morning of same date. The “Takbong Maharlika, Tungo sa Pagkakaisa” is a PNP project that aims to encourage and urge PNP personnel and citizens in the locality to take on the ﬁtness project and bring about national culture of ﬁtness leading to the vision of a healthier and happier Philippines. It also symbolically links the provinces and municipalities of the Philippines by running a marathon through the Maharlika Highway (AH26) and to showcase the Culture and Character of the Filipino as a Maharlika (Noble) and Malakas (Strong) positive traits to foster national unity (Pagkakaisa). The “Takbong Maharlika, Tungo sa Pagkakaisa” kickedoff last August 8, 2011 in Ilocos Norte participated in by both internal and external stakeholders, all PROs, PPOs, and CPOs, and will end in Zamboanga City covering more than 2,500 kilometers of the Maharlika Highway (AH26) in a daily run of the seven months challenge. (rjb)

Only 10 ‘cracker victims reported in EV during New Year’s revelry CATBALOGAN CITY -- Only ten firecracker-related injuries were recorded in the entire region, much lower than that of last year, an official of the Health department revealed. In Samar Provincial Hospital, two were reported to have suffered from minor burns caused by firecrackers’ explosion; six cases were registered at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City and another two at the Schistosomiasis Hospital at Palo, Leyte. The report, however, didn’t included other victims from hospitals, clinics and other victims who preferred the incidents to themselves in various municipalities, if there were any. Last year, the region recorded at least 22 firecrackerrelated cases but all these were minor burns and there was amputation and no “watusi” ingestion.

As of this writing, the Department of Health has reported more than 1000 people have been injured by powerful firecrackers and gunfire despite a government campaign against dangerous New Year revelries. Health Secretary Enrique Ona said, at one time, several flights were diverted or canceled after dark smog left by a night of firecracker explosions obscured visibility at the Manila airport. Injured revelers, many of them children writhing in pain, filled hospital emergency rooms shortly after midnight. Health experts considered this year’s revelry as the “bloodiest” compared in the past celebration because of the four casualties was recorded. Health officials now eye to pass a resolution banning the use of any kind of firecrackers or to secure permit before anyone can buy and sell said firecrackers. (Ricky Bautista)

SAMELCO II Consumer Hotlines

for BROWN-OUTS and Power Lines TROUBLES, CALL:

0916-660-3276 (Call Only)

for SAMELCO II Oﬃce Concerns: 0917-702-1211 (Text or Call) Monday to Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. CATBALOGAN SERVICE CENTER: CATBALOGAN MAINTENANCE CREW: BASEY SERVICE CENTER:

Telefax No. 055-251-5645 Tel. No. 055-251-5646 Tel. No. 055-276-2260

“One Call Does it All”

Photos by Ricky J. Bau�sta

B� RICKY J. BAUTISTA

RUN FOR UNITY. The Philippine Na�onal Police completed its 4th series of their “Takbong Maharlika Tungo sa Pagkakaisa” unity run graced by oﬃcials from the PNP central headquarters.

DepEd asks support from barangay officials CATBALOGAN CITY – Thinking that this is a good way of solidifying the affair between the school and the barangays, the Department of Education (DepED) Samar division asked the support of the latter. “We train our school heads, teachers and barangay officials together to make sure that they have a common understanding of what we envision to achieve,” said Claire Menda, the information officer of DepEd. Presently, the barangay officials are aware that DepEd is facing challenges especially on the holding power of the schools over the children. “This is one of the three big goals that DepEd needs to achieve, one is to see to it that all school-age children are in school, next is to make sure that those in school, stay until the last day in school and those who are in school get quality education,” the DepEd official said. She mentioned that barangay officials are not only involved during the ‘Brigada Eskwela’ when communities forge alliances to prepare schools during the opening but also to help the schools weld that ‘holding power’ for students. DepEd seeks to unite a grand alliance among government organizations, families and individuals in meeting the basic learning needs of all children. During education summits that are periodically held, the barangays especially those in remote areas appeal to teachers to minimize their absences so that school children become inspired always to report to school. “While we cannot always monitor them (students), the barangays help us do that. In return, we had our commitment to hold classes the whole five days,” Menda disclosed. (Ninfa Querante)

Want to travel and need a TOUR GUIDE IN SAMAR ISLAND? Call us, 0920.7675.444

JANUARY 03 - 09, 2012 SAN ANTONIO from page 1... Mission Center by Most Rev. Isabelo Abarquez, D.D., bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog, last July 23, 2011 and Fr.Gelera, Jr. was installed as its first priest in-charge. One of the highlights of the celebration was the procession of patron saints of the different barangays and sitios under the mission center with cash prizes for the best decorated “carro” using native and recycled materials. The procession, which was accompanied by a “live band”, was participated in by the delegations from the different barangays and sitios. Guests and visitors from Saint Michael the Archangel Parish of Basey and from Saint Vincent Ferrer Mission Center of Tinambacan District, Calbayog City attended the celebration. A Thanksgiving Mass in honor of the Holy Family was presided byFr. Gelera with visiting priest Rev. Fr. Ted Perez, diocesan youth director, as homilist. The family of Engr. Alberto Ellema, Jr. served as Hermano Mayor of the first celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family under the San Antonio de Padua Mission Center. In his homily, Fr. Ted Perez underscored the importance of unity and cooperation among the faithful from the barangays and sitios under the San Antonio de Padua Mission Center. He stressed that “more than material wealth is the strong faith in God that must reign in every family like our model, the Holy Family”. A program and dinner followed at the San Antonio covered court where delegates brought and shared foods and drinks for everyone to partake. A benefit dance and raffle draw highlighted the evenings. Winners of the “Paripa Pamasko, Donasyon Mo, May Premyo” raffle draw were disclosed before the culmination of the activities. Winners of the “carro” competition were: 1st prize of P3,000 — Barangay Dampigan; 2nd prize of P 2,000 — Barangay Tinaogan and the 3rd prize of P1,000 — Barangay Can-abay. Fr. Gelera expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the donors of the prizes in the Caro Competition and the raffle draw as well as the sponsors of the foods, drinks and the live band, for whose generosity the affair was made successful. He also thanked all the faithful from the barangays and sitios of the San Antonio de Padua Mission Center for their cooperation and support. “All funds that were raised from the raffle draw and the benefit dance will redound to the fund for the continuing construction of the convent and church,” explained Fr. Gelera. (Al Ellema)

CATBALOGAN from page 1...

said report, elements of this station led by PSupt. Doncillo Jr. together with SPO2 Nelson Lapiceros, PO3 Josezadly Rueda, PO2 Roy Pagunsan, PO2 Rey D Delos Reyes Jr, PO2 Diory Uy responded to the area and arrested the suspects. The police identified the suspects as certain Freddie Batola Y Ocenar, 19 years old, single, tricycle driver and Albert Batola Y Raquel, 22 years old, single, jobless, both resident of P-4, Brgy. Socorro, Catbalogan. Confiscated from the suspects’ possession were caliber .22 magnum revolver marked RG 35 with Serial Number CC227290 loaded with eight (8) live ammunition and a caliber .38 revolver marked Smith and Wesson with Serial Number 341830 loaded with five (5) live ammunition. Meanwhile, another suspect was also nabbed (on Dec. 28) by the police by also carrying a caliber .38 revolver marked Armscor 202 with serial numbers 86521 loaded with one (1) cartridge case. Later on, the suspect was identified as certain Rey Cinco y Abaigar, 35 years old, single and a resident of P-1 Brgy. San Pablo, this city. A concerned civilian tipped off the police of the presence of the suspect who is apparently under the influence of liquor and was waving his service firearm along Del Rosario St., Brgy. 6 in this city. Upon interrogation, the suspect claimed he was a security guard employed at Alas Security Agency but failed to explain why he was waving his gun in public. As of this writing, the three suspects were brought by the police at the Catbalogan PNP lock up cell while a case for violation of PD 1866 as amended by RA 8294 is now being prepared for filing in court against the trio.

“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

Samar Weekly Express

JANUARY 03 - 09, 2012 PCSO from page 1...

BUSINESS

Calbayog mayor sets tourism as priority project in 2012

education. Rojas said the jeepney driver, 45, from Teresa, Rizal, won P10.4 million from 6D, after betting on December 31 the numbers from his dream that hit the winning combination, 3-50-2-4-0 in correct order. From his winnings, the jeepney driver wants to buy a house and lot and keep the other amount for his six children for their studies, he said. On the other hand, the vegetable farmer of Cabuyao, Laguna, who is 46 years old, had six bets for 6/45 worth P60 and one of the combinations matched the drawn numbers, 21-1811-30-16-29, and won over P9.6 million.

FOI from

page 1...

the same manner they did consider the inputs of some stakeholders. The House Representative for the Lone District of Eastern Samar also said that Congress wants to make sure that all concerns and interests of the stakeholders are covered to prevent abuse without compromising the purpose and intent of the bill. The mediaman-turnedlawmaker Evardone concluded that PNOY’s recent directive to the Palace Study Group shows that he is still very much committed to the principles of transparency which is the main objective the FOI Bill. (Alice Nicart)

CATBALOGAN CITY -- Calbayog Mayor Ronald Aquino informed that tourism and disaster risk reduction are among his top two priorities this calendar year 2012. In a press conference attended by reporters from Calbayog and Catbalogan cities held at his office, the mayor put his focus on eco-tourism programs, disaster risk reduction and management and balance budgeting included cost-cutting measures and other infrastructure development to be his priority programs. For eco-tourism projects, Mayor Aquino said that the city has allotted Php9.5 M for road rehabilitation to Bangon Falls in Barangay Bugtong Tinambacan District. He also considered a budget of Php7.5 M for road asphalting in Amampacang, Dinagan, Mabini, Lungsob, Catbaunan Road development.

The LGU, it was learned, would also set up a zipline at Masetlajog Beach after negotiating with the private land owners for the purchase of lot for road network. As to disaster risk preparedness, the city will provide shelter for informal settlers and the victims of natural disaster and calamities, the city, he said has identiﬁed relocation sites for the building a housing project, upon the approval of Php200 M loan. Aquino also disclosed that a Php100 M will be used for the Aguit-iyan Development Project; Php 50 M for the 18-hectare relocation sites in Barangay Trinidad abd another for Barangay Talahib. The city will also purchase a speed boat and other equipments for disaster preparedness. Instead of a lying-in clinic, an evacuation center and quick response equip-

ments will be established very soon. His health projects will be a partnership with Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento of Samar’s ﬁrst

Low-cash families taught to grow no-soil gardens The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 for a project that will help beneﬁciaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program learn a gardening method called hydroponics. This requires minimal space, minimal or no use of soil, and emphasizes the productive reuse of urban wastes such as styropor and plastic containers. The

DSWD and DOST chose Barangay Sawang Calero in Cebu City as the pilot area for the project. “Sawang Calero was chosen as the pilot area because it is situated in one of the highly urbanized depressed areas of Cebu City and it was the beneﬁciaries themselves who expressed their need to learn alternative vegetable gardening as their response to the threat of malnutrition” said DSWD 7 Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre.

Sudden increase of diarrhea diseases feared CATBALOGAN CITY – The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas is now monitoring and set to intensify campaign against the possible increase of diarrhea cases in the region as it continue to brace for more rains brought by low pressure area (LPA). Boyd Cerro, nurse of the Department of Health Region 8 informed the Philippine Information Agency that with rains prevailing, the sources of water are prone to be contaminated and might result to an outbreak of diarrheal diseases. Cerro disclosed that on January 5, together with Dr. Edgardo Daya of the Leyte Provincial Health Ofﬁce, they will go to Calubian, Leyte, particularly at the Nortwestern Leyte District Hospital, where cases of diarrheal diseases have been observed. Dr. Daya who received the report from the District Hospital director Dr. Felicidad D. Sales, suggested to Mr. Cerro for a joint fact-ﬁnding and monitoring team to visit Calubian. Even before Christmas, about 67 diarrhea cases had

Mayor Aquino discussed his priority projects to members of the press in Samar.

been recorded at the Northwestern Leyte District Hospital based in the municipality of Calubian, Dr. Adelfa Jaboco, Calubian Municipal Health Officer told the Philippine Information Agency. Dr. Jaboco was quick to add that not all the 67 cases are from Calubian, but from the nearby municipalities of Leyte, Tabango, and San Isidro. In fact the first case was from the municipality of Leyte. Of the 67 cases, five patients, young ones, died because when they were brought to the hospital, they were already severely dehydrated, Dr. Jacobo said. Jaboco said that the local health office has already advised the people on the necessary precautionary measures on what they could do; it also had conducted water treatment. She said the situation is under control. In fact, as of press time, only three diarrhea patients are confined at the district hospital and they are on the way to recovery and will go home anytime, Jaboco said. Meanwhile, Daya and Cerro are encouraging residents on proper sanitation

like boiling drinking water, proper food handling as the best prevention against diarrheal diseases. Diarrhea disease is a major cause of mortality in the Philippines. Over the past 20years, it has ranked 1st to 4th leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Among children under the age of five, it is a major cause of illness and death. To date, the DOH is set to conduct a nationwide vaccination this year against rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea among young children, making the Philippines the leader of other Asian countries in lowering infant mortality from the preventable ailment. An estimated 3,500 Filipino children below five years of age die each year from severe diarrhea, half of which are directly caused by rotavirus, according to DOH statistics. The virus causes inflammation of the stomach and severe watery diarrhea often accompanied by vomiting and fever, leading to loss of body fluids and, in extreme cases, death among babies and young children.

“The thrust of DSWD is to alleviate poverty, which is in line with the mandate of DOST,” said DOST 7 Assistant Director for Technical Operations Ed Paradela. Paradela and Macapobre recently signed a memorandum of agreement. Under the agreement, DOST 7 will provide technical assistance to DSWD clients for sustainable livelihood projects, one of which is the hydroponics gardening. Through urban gardening, the DSWD and DOST hope to curb food shortage and enhance urban environmental management. “This move also supports the beneficiaries’ greening and cleaning program because it turns derelict open spaces into green zones,” the DSWD said in a press release. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the National Government’s flagship program on poverty reduction, gives cash grants to identified poor families. Under the program, a family receives P500 per month for their health expenses and P300 per month per child (maximum of three children) for their education. To receive the cash grants, beneficiaries should comply with certain conditions such as pre- and post-natal care for pregnant women, immunization and weighing of children, and 85 percent attendance of children in school. As of July 2011, the program served 136,608 households in the region. Of these, 28,004 households are from Bohol, 52,934 are from Cebu, 53,766 are from Negros Oriental and 1,899 households are from Siquijor. (Sunnex)

district. It was learned that the above-mentioned projects was also the main priority of the late Mayor Reynaldo Uy before he was assassi-

nated last year. Observers were happy to note that it was continued by the present administration of Aquino. (Ninfa Querante and Gina Dean Ragudo)

NGCP explains ‘blackouts’ due to repair CATBALOGAN CITY -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) through Atty. Cynthia Perez-Alabanza of the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Division has explained the reasons of the series of ‘blackouts’ experienced in the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Biliran last week. Last January 6, from 6:00 o’clock in the morning to 6:00 o’clock in the evening, power interruption occurred in the areas under the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (ESAMELCO) due to the replacement of poles along the Wright-Taft-Borongan 69-kV transmission line. On January 8, from 7:00 o’clock in the morning to 6:00 o’clock in the evening, power interruption was also experienced in areas under the coverage of the Biliran Electric Cooperative (BILECO). “The reason for the power shutdown is the replacement of poles along the Milagro-Tunga 69 kV Transmission Line,” Atty. Alabanza said. (And also on January 8, for about 20 minutes between 7:00 o’clock to 8:00o’clock in the morning, a power interruption also occurred in the areas under the Franchise Area of Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DORELCO), Leyte III Electric Cooperative Inc. (LEYECO III), Leyte IV Electric Cooperative Inc. (LEYECO IV). “This is due to the isolation of affected portion in line with the replacement of poles along the Milagro-Tunga 69-kV transmission line,” Atty. Alabanza explained. On the same date, for about 20 minutes between 5:00 o’clock to 6:00 o’clock in the afternoon, power interruption was also experienced at Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DORELCO), Leyte III Electric Cooperative Inc. (LEYECO III), Leyte IV Electric Cooperative Inc. (LEYECO IV), for the normalization of load, in line with the replacement of poles along the Milagro-Tunga 69-kV transmission line. Atty. Alabanza further explained that the power interruption that also occurred in areas under the coverage of Leyte V Electric Cooperative Inc. (LEYECO V) last January 8 was due to the ongoing replacement of poles along the Milagro-Tunga 69-kV transmission line. She, however, assured that normal operations immediately resumed after work completion. Earlier, the NGCP advised the customers and the general public to take the necessary preparations and precautions for this scheduled interruption. NGCP further said that speciﬁc cities and municipalities affected by the power interruption are determined by the abovementioned Distribution Utility (DU), unless the activity affects the entire franchise area. The DU allots the available power within its franchise area and implements the power interruption schedule among the end-users. (rjb)

Samar Weekly Express

OPINION

JANUARY 03 - 09, 2012

• EDITORIAL • The year 2012 We now have finally entered into the year rumored by many, as suggested by the Mayan calendar, to be the end of the world. The date, to be exact, is December 21, 2012, when the earth will accordingly experience massive calamities never before seen in the history of the world. A movie depicting such cataclysmic destructions has been produced to this effect. Given this widespread rumor, a so-called fear of the unknown has indeed been gripping people’s hearts. Some people think it’s going to be true more so that, in recent years, catastrophes of tremendous magnitude have been occurring worldwide, claiming thousands of lives, and destroying enormous worth of properties. Powerful earthquakes, massive tsunamis, devastating cyclones, and killer floods, to name a few, are just some of those samples. Whatever this year might bring us, let’s just give everything to God and pray for His divine protection and intervention. Our lives and everything we own should be placed in His hands so that our faith will increase and we would not have to live in constant fear. Of course such predictions of devastating global disasters are not just secular but also have biblical truism as they are signs of the so-called end-times. But we can always pray for safety amid these left-and-right calamities. And we should dismiss in our minds the rumor that the world is ending come December 21 this year. It is not true. What is ending then is the Mayan calendar, not the world we live in. That we can vouch for. It’s not in God’s book, the Bible, which is the most authoritative source on spiritual and prophetical matters. It does mention an end-of-the-world when the earth will be burned with fire, but it will yet occur in a very far distance, with major prophetical events still to occur between now and that harrowing day, and these events have not occurred yet. We have to be optimistic in our outlooks in life, doing what we have to, avoiding what we should not do. We should operate normally, live peaceably, and work for the betterment of our families, communities, and the country as a whole. Discard doomsday scenarios in our minds because life is about moving on and not surrendering to the onslaught of disasters.

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 Handling Temptations THOUGH we have to face big issues and bigger challenges this year, especially in the areas of economy and politics, we should never forget to develop and strengthen our personal skills in handling temptations. This concern never goes passé, and it touches a basic, indispensable aspect of our life in all levels. These days, temptations come to us in the subtlest and trickiest of ways. This can be due, at least in part, to the increased level of sophistication both in people’s thinking and in world development, especially in the area of technology and ideology. With these developments, temptations can easily come undetected, and sin can be committed in most a hidden way and even easily rationalized. How important therefore it is for us to always grow in humility and simplicity, ﬁnding aggressively practical ways to achieve them! If not, we would just be lost. The healthy fear of God is disappearing. In its place, a most heinous sense of self-importance is dominating. The criteria to determine what is good and bad have become blurred. They have gone almost completely relativistic and subjective, declaring total independence from any absolute and objective rule or law. Some psalms can give us helpful ideas on how to handle temptations. - “Surrender to God, and he will do everything for you.” (Ps 36) - “Turn away from evil and learn to do God’s will. The Lord will strengthen you if you obey him.” - “Wait for the Lord to lead, then follow in his way.” Truth is, we always need God in our battle against temptations. We should disabuse ourselves from the thought that with our good intentions and our best efforts, we can manage to tame the urges of temptations. 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.

We cannot! That’s the naked truth about it. We only can if we are with God. And we have to be with him in a strong, determined way, not in a passive or lukewarm way. Do flies flock on a hot soup? No. But they do on a cold or lukewarm soup. We need to do everything to be with God. Our mind and heart should be fully and constantly engaged with him. We always have reason to do so—at least, we can thank him for what we are having at the moment: health, food, air, work, etc. We should never take things for granted. Remember that our Lord asked the only leper who returned to him to thank him out of the ten who were cured, where the other nine were. Our Lord expects us to thank him for everything that he has given us. From there, let us try our best to figure out what his will for us is at any given moment. We have to have the sensitivity to ask him, even if we are already doing our duties and responsibilities which are part of his will for us, how what we are doing at the moment is part of his will, of his abiding providence over us. That kind of mentality helps us greatly in avoiding sin and in keeping our love for him. Just the same, we should not be surprised that in spite of this attitude, temptations still come. Jesus himself was not exempted from temptations. That’s because temptations also play an important role in our spiritual life. They point to us where we are weak. They encourage us to develop the virtues that correspond to them. They remind us to be humble always and to depend always on God rather than on our powers. Temptations can come because of one’s temperament, as in if one is passionate yet weak of will. He is not well-balanced and energetic. They also come because one has been reared in love of pleasure or in an atmosphere of pride and envy. They also come because of God’s providential designs. We have to be ready for them. Always with God’s grace which we have to continually ask, we have to develop the skills and other tricks of our warfare with them. We should learn to ignore them, reject them outright, never entertaining them, and even ridiculing them. We should learn to pray more intensely, immerse ourselves more in our work and duties and with greater love. We have to grapple with temptations in the little things, never allowing them get into our big things or close to the heart of our spiritual fortress. It might be a good idea too to go to confession once temptations come. Lastly, never to lose hope even when we fall.

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

COMMENTARY BY JUAN L. MERCADO

juanlmercado@gmail.com

Massacre Replays “He meant Bethlehem”, a friend mused. To mark “Massacre of the Innocents” feast today, he re-read Jeremiah. “But Cagayan de Oro and Iligan flood victims are just as dead as those Herod massacred”. “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,” the prophet wrote six centuries before the first Christmas “Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”’ Warned in a dream, the Magi didn’t tip off Herod on the Child’s whereabouts “Instead, they returned to their home country by another way” , So, Herod’s soldiers killed 200 male kids below two. In Mindanao , 1080 died from typhoon “Sendong”. The final tally may top 3,000, Inquirer reports On Christmas, 1,979 were still missing. Hope they’ve survived has withered. Individuals, local governments and civic groups responded swiftly. UN appealed for P1.2 billion aid.. Churches held second collections to help. Iligan “has no Christmas lights because there is still no power in most places”; emailed Sisters John Paul, Elizabeth and Anthony . They’ve worked non stop in the diocese’s efforts to help refugees. “No Christmas tree because trees were cut by illegal loggers and caused flash floods;

VIEWS ON NEWS BY RICKY J. BAUTISTA

trexpelunker@yahoo.com

Media murders and updates IN the coming weeks, I will be travelling again to the cities of Cebu and Metro Manila to attend more seminars and to get updates and participates in the roundtable discussion on topics about “Media Murders” and our long-time quest for Justice” in the Philippines. My invitations, schedules and programs of activities has already been arrived through electronic mails forwarded by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), the three biggest media organizations in the country in which I am a member. There, I will be able to meet once again not only my fellow “gatekeepers” in the industry but also those multiawarded and topnotch highly-respected journalists in the country such as Malou Mangahas, Ed Lingao, Tita Valderama, Rowena Paraan, among other famous speakers. Thanks for the efforts of PPI Executive Director Ariel Sebellino for these developments. The youngest and most handsome executive I ever met. The PCIJ training director, in her email to me, said that as part of PCIJ’s continuing efforts to provide professional development opportunities for journalists and enable sustained and focused coverage of media killings, the institution will be conducting three regional training seminar workshops on Media Murders and the Quest for Justice in the next few months. The Visayas leg of the series, which I will be attending, will be held this coming January 31 to February 3, 2012 in Cebu City. I am lucky that I am one of the only 15-18 media gatekeepers (editors, desk managers, producers, station managers, and media owners and senior reporters) from the community, mainstream, and online media based in the regions selected by the institution through recommendation from the Philippine Press Institute. In Region 8, only three participants were able to make it on the lists. The other one is from Ormoc City while the other one is from Southern Leyte, both of them are also “gatekeepers.” It was learned that the seminar series, which is being supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), will build on the results of the ﬁrst round of PCIJ training seminars on media killings conducted in the early part of 2011. “This second round of seminars aims to scale up and consolidate community consensus and joint action by

OPINION

JANUARY 03 - 09, 2012

“No belen for the Holy Family because most houses were destroyed. No caroling because children lost their voices crying for help; No ham and queso de bola because food is rationed for survivors who wait for hours to receive their share. No soft drinks because water is running out. “God dwells among our suffering sisters and brothers” the nuns add. People showed concern and shared with each other. “This will be the most meaningful Christmas ever”. “Wala’y pasko karon ( There is no Christmas now ),” Cagayan mayor Vicente Emano snapped in contrast. He’s ready to face probers for inept disaster response Consider the corpses in context. Relief systems are strained from previous disasters. An “Unseen Slaughter of the Innocents” persisted over the years. Out of every 1000 kids, 20 never make it to their first birthdays, just like infants in. Ecuador and Armenia . Sure, 20 improves the 56 infant mortality rate of the 1990s.. But it lags behind Malayia’s 8. Local “Herods” doubled infant deaths, in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, to 42. This clones Namibia ’s death toll. Medical staff attend only half of every 100 births here. In contrast, 99 of 100 Thai mothers have medics during delivery, There’s been little outcry. Why? Because shrouds, were in city slums or farm shacks. Shriveling from chronic hunger does not barge into headlines of TV newscast, as do deaths from typhoon fury. “Out of sight, out of mind. “. When “Sendong” hit, 870,000 persons in Central Mindanao , were already uprooted by earlier flooding. The southwest monsoon interlocked with side-effects from previous typhoons “Dodong” to “Egay”. Water hyacinths clogged major Mindanao waterways, aggravating floods in 10 provinces and 5 cities. Affected were the same communities uprooted by armed conflict in 2008,.Unicef notes “Inadequate water and sanitation and congestion are recipes for disease outbreak even as aid flows in.” Now, the refugee load has surged. Do these calamities interlock with another tragedy?, asks

former FAO forester Patrick Charles Dugan. “This is failure to identify principal on-site human activities” that trigged floods, mudslides and deaths “Already ( and as usual ) media reports, columnists and cartoons point to illegal logging and mining as the culprits. Very convenient. Very newsy. Very superficial. Very short-sighted. “Also, very wrong. “And ( again as usual ) most politicians, civic groups and others echo what media reports. But ask any competent person who inspected watersheds that drain into rivers that engulfed whole villages. They’ll tell you: Destructive land use practices, on a massive scale, created conditions that made this disaster inevitable. “Hundreds of thousands of hectares of steep slopes, within watersheds, were converted into pastures and corn farms. These vegetative cover cannot adequately stem soil erosion. Nor do they hold rapid runoff of rainfall. “If these land use practices continue, similar tragedies will recur …There are no quick fixes to problems decades in the making.” “The solution? Not simple. Not newsy. Lots of hard work in sustained implementation of practical soil and water conservation measures. Land use practices must allow corn farmers and ranchers to continue making a living without degrading further he environment. Examples? Use “Sloping Agricultural Land Technology.” . Mindanao Baptists Rural Life Center won the Ramon Magsaysay award for this innovation.. Another example? Forest restoration through Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR). Forest Management Bureau of the DENR received from FAO the internationally-recognized Edouard Souma award for ANR. The flood that devastated Matina Pangi in Davao City , this year, was basically caused by improper land use practices and degradation of watershed, writes former United Nations econometrician Edmundo Prantilla. “Pat. Dugan is right : Our planners know the solutions… But we seem to lack the discipline equal to the task. The common thread is families allowed to settle, willy-nilly, in hazardous areas, like sandbars. Then, there are five Filipinos today where there was one in 1940. Is carrying capacity being exceeded? And is generous disaster relief our only response?. If so, then we will hear again ““Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Email: juan_mercado77@yahoo.com)

media front liners and gatekeepers on common concerns that confront journalists who cover the killings, and on measures and best practices that media gatekeepers could implement to assure adequate protection for journalists at risk. It also aims to promote and upgrade editorial standards and practices in covering media killings as stories that deserve sustained and focused reportage. The seminars will feature breakthroughs and challenges on cases of media murders, and an assessment of Talk back with our issues of the week. Send us how the Maguindanao massacre in 2009 has changed the course of doing journalism in the country. The seminars your feedback and your own commentary in will offer practical safety tips, legal and journalism tool kits, our Letter To Editor Section. Be heard and hands-on exercises to help the participants reﬁne their and let us know your say. reporting skills and ethical obligations as professional journalists. As well, participants will be provided an opportunity to interact with pubtoral Quick Response lic and private prosecutors involved in casTeams; and reviewing es of media killings and with the relatives the Rules of Court to of victims. speed up court triSome of the sessions will build on als. None of these the content and public awareness values of proposals have so the documentaries on media killings in the far been acted upon country that the PCIJ has produced for the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, inexcept that on the cluding an instructional video for journalWitness Protec�on ists in vulnerable areas.” Program, the budget So there it is folks and avid readers of which the governof SWE, we’re set to gain more updates and THE PERSISTENCE OF IMPUNITY ment has increased. knowledge for me to share everything with A BAD START FOR THE NEW YEAR you all upon my return after every training The killing of Guaand seminars. Rest assured that you will Statement of the Freedom Fund for Filipino rin demonstrates know, through this corner, all the updates Journalists (FFFJ) on the killing of the urgency of the in media killings, in continuation of my Christopher “Cris” Guarin government’s ac�ng previous discussion in this VON pages. on these proposals. Ika nga ni Presidente Noynoy, kayo ang Boss ko. So, until next issue folks. Have THE KILLING of General Santos newspaper pub- FFFJ urges all media a blessed weekend everyone! God bless lisher and RMN block�mer Christopher Guarin advocacy and jourhardly a week since the new year began is one nalists’ groups to inyou all!!!

We value your Opinion!

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.

more indica�on of the persistence of the culture of impunity that encourages the killing of journalists and media workers in the Philippines. Unless the necessary steps are taken to speed up the ongoing trials of the accused in the killing of journalists as well as the masterminds , and to inves�gate, arrest, and try those involved in the killing of Guarin, as well as that of six other journalists in 2011, the killings are likely to con�nue in 2012 and the coming years. Among the steps journalists and media advocacy groups including the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ) proposed to the Aquino administra�on as early as August 2010 are strengthening the Witness Protec�on Program; rehabilita�ng the criminal inves�ga�on units of law enforcement agencies; organizing mul�-sec-

tensify the campaign for government to do so, and calls upon civil society to add its voice to the impera�ve of punishing the guilty so as to end the culture of impunity that has claimed the lives of 124 journalists and media workers since 1986 to the detriment of the right of the people to informa�on in a democra�c regime.

Samar Weekly Express

NATIONAL NEWS

JANUARY 03 - 09, 2012

Sinulog’s tab may hit P40 million Prosecution dares Chief CEBU CITY – Be hospitable, be vigilant. These are just some of Mayor Michael Rama’s appeals to the public as Cebu City prepares for the Sinulog 2012 festivities, which will celebrate Cebu as a City of Culture. In keeping with the festivities’ theme, furniture pieces, couture and other creations of Cebuano artists and designers will take center stage in this year’s Sinulog grand parade finale. The Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) expects to spend up to P40 million to offer spectators something new during the grand parade on January 15, particularly with the performance and concept of participating contingents. Peace and order will also be closely monitored in the days leading to the grand parade, with the mayor making a personal appeal to the public to cooperate in keeping the city peaceful throughout the festivities. In his news conference on Tuesday, Rama also announced that letters of invitation to attend the Sinulog 2012 are being prepared for President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay. He also urged Cebuanos to be extra hospitable to foreign and local tourists who will be in Cebu for the Sinulog. “I would like to bring to all the element of preparedness… we have visitors and we should not insult our visitors but rather, we should all be accommodating and give our utmost hospitality,” Rama said. The mayor also urged locals and tourists to cooperate in keeping the city safe by being vigilant and security-conscious, and not to bring valuables in the streets. Thousands of revelers are expected to arrive in Cebu starting next week to attend the fluvial procession and the foot procession of the image of the Sto. Nino on January 14 and the grand parade the following day. City Hall has donated P20.5 million to the SFI for the staging of the Sinulog. Of the amount, P18 million will go directly to the winning contingents’ cash prize, while the P2.5 million will cover the expenses for the grand finale. Twelve out-of-town contingents from Visayas and Mindanao registered to join the parade and compete for the P1-million grand prize for the Sinulog-based and free interpretation categories and the street dancing competi-

tion. Among the contenders are Tangub City and Placer in Masbate, the defending champions in the Sinulog-based and free interpretation categories, respectively. Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Liloy in Zamboanga del Norte, Kidapawan in Cotabato, Alang-Alang in Leyte, Dulag in Leyte, Tanauan in Leyte, Dumaguete City and Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental will also join the Sinulog. At the end of the parade, revelers at the Cebu City Sports Center grandstand can look forward to the grand finale that will cost organizers P2.5 million to stage, as well as the fireworks display. SFI Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said this year’s Sinulog will focus on the Asean theme and culture, following Cebu City’s designation as a City of Culture by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). And because Sinulog has always been about culture, he said they want to offer visitors something new, which is why the participating contingents will be judged according to the concept of their dance. “Our judges will look for something new, so the choreographers will have to inject fresh ideas into their performance,” he told Sun.Star Cebu. During the finale, the works of art of renowned Cebuano designers, musicians, artists, filmmakers and performers will be featured, Ballesteros said. Furniture pieces of designer Kenneth Cobonpue and the creations of Monique Lhuillier, Cary Santiago, Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez will be incorporated in the dance number during the finale. The masterpieces of painters Martino Abellana and Romulo Galicano, who are both from Carcar City, and short films by Remton Zuasola will also be featured. Cebuano performers Raki Vega, Ana Fegi and Jing Fegi will also come home from Hong Kong Disneyland to perform during the grand finale. “The creative industry of Cebu—from furniture to gowns—will be projected in the 30-minute production number. It will show how Cebu has evolved into a City of Culture,” Ballesteros said in an interview Tuesday. (Linette C. Ramos/Sunnex)

5 foreign terror suspects hide in Mindanao MANILA — At least five foreign extremists have been hiding in a remote southern Philippine island and could help link Filipino radicals to potential overseas financiers and combat trainers like the al-Qaeda terrorist network, a military commander said Tuesday. The five, who have been roaming the tropical jungles of Jolo island in Sulu province, are led by US-trained Malaysian engineer Zulkifli bin Hir, one of the remaining key terror suspects in Southeast Asia, regional military commander Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer said. “They seem to be actively moving around Sulu,” Ferrer said. US troops have been providing training, intelligence and other noncombat help to underfunded Filipino troops for years to help crush local Abu Sayyaf militants and the foreign extremists they shelter, including members of the Indonesia-based militant network Jemaah Islamiyah. US-backed Philippine offensives have been credited for the capture and killing of hundreds of Abu Sayyaf fighters and their foreign allies in Sulu, an impoverished Muslim region about 590 miles (950 kilometers) south of Manila, and in outlying island provinces. Washington has offered huge rewards for some of the

TERROR PLOT BARED. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, center, talks beside cabinet members, from le�, Na�onal Security Adviser Cesar Garcia, Execu�ve Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Jus�ce Secretary Leila de Lima, during a has�ly called press conference at the Malacanang palace in Manila, Philippines on Sunday Jan. 8, 2010. Aquino warned of a possible terrorist a�ack, including bombings, during an annual Roman Catholic procession of a centuries-old image of Jesus Christ known as the Black Nazarene in Manila which is expected to draw millions of devotees. The religious event will be held on Jan. 9, 2012. (AP Photo) terror suspects, including $5 million for Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan. The Malaysian has been accused of involvement in past bombings and of helping secure funds and weapons for the Abu Sayyaf from foreign donors. Ferrer said the other foreign militants are a Singaporean identiﬁed as Abdullah Ali who uses the guerrilla name Muawiyah, and an Indonesian identiﬁed only as Qayim. The two others are Amin Baco, probably a Malaysian who uses the alias Abu Jihad, and

another Indonesian identiﬁed as Sa’ad. Troops have obtained pictures of Marwan and Muawiyah, Ferrer said. Ferrer said he was unaware of other foreign militants outside his command. A government threat assessment report issued last year lists 12 identiﬁed foreign terror suspects, including those named by Ferrer. Aside from a years-long military manhunt, troops have been launching offensives to kill or capture Abu Sayyaf

militants and destroy their strongholds to deny foreign radicals sanctuaries, Ferrer said. Military ofﬁcials have accused hard-line commanders of a larger rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, of harboring Jemaah Islamiyah militants in southern Mindanao region’s marshy heartland. The 11,000-strong Moro group, which is engaged in peace talks with the government, has denied any links with foreign terrorist groups. (Sunnex)

Justice to disclose assets

Chief Jus�ce Corona Prosecutor Rep. Tupaz MANILA -- The House prosecution panel challenged Tuesday Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona to disclose his statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) after receiving documents indicating his purchase of a high-end condominium unit in Taguig City. Corona and his wife Cristina purchased a 303.5-squaremeter condominium unit from the Megaworld Corporation on December 16, 2009, said House justice committee chairman Niel Tupas Jr., also the prosecution panel head, citing documents the panel received. Also included in the condominium purchase were three parking slots measuring 12.5 square meters each. The unit purchased is situated in the 38th floor of Bellagio Tower 1 located at the Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. The Condominium Certificate of Title was then transferred just five weeks after the P14.5-million unit was purchased. Corona was an associate justice before he was appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Chief Justice in May 2010. “We are challenging the Chief Justice to disclose to the public his Statements of Assets and Liabilities. There are still many other documents in the possession of the panel showing Corona’s properties,” Tupas said. The prosecution team has accused Corona of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for his failure to disclose to the public his SALN. This is one of the eight articles contained in the impeachment complaint signed by 188 members of the House of Representatives. Court Administrator and SC spokesperson Midas Marquez earlier said an appropriate motion should be filed before the SC questioning a September 1992 en banc resolution. The en banc resolution issued during the term of Chief Justice Andres Narvasa disallows the disclosure of the SALN of the members of the judiciary. In Malacañang, President Benigno Aquino III instructed his Cabinet and Liberal partymates to distance themselves from the Senate, which will act as impeachment court as the trial against Chief Justice Renato Corona starts on January 16. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the President made the instruction to avoid accusations that the executive is trying to intervene in the impeachment process against Corona. “We respect the separation of branches here. The President has given us instruction to distance ourselves especially from the Senate because they are going to act as a trial court,” Abad said. Abad said there were no efforts coming from the executive or the partymates of Aquino in the Liberal Party to influence the senators, two weeks before the impeachment trial starts. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda echoed Abad’s statement, saying the President would want to allay accusations that the executive branch is “encroaching all the branches of government.” The Budget chief, meanwhile, assured that the Aquino administration will cooperate with the prosecutors of Corona’s case by providing information that will be needed in the trial. Malacañang will also leave it to the Senate whether it will agree to conduct preliminary hearings before the impeachment trial. Meantime, a fifth petition to stop the impeachment trial of Corona was filed before the Supreme Court Tuesday by Alan Paguia (lawyer of former President Joseph Estrada) and former lawmaker Homobono Adaza. The two accused the House of Representatives of grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction by accepting the articles of impeachment against Corona before it was verified. “Under the third Paragraph of Section 3, Rule 7 of the Rules, an unsigned pleading produces no legal effect,” the 23-page petition read. Similar petitions were earlier filed by lawyer Vladimir Cabigao, tax informer Danilo Lihaylihay, Oliver Lozano, and former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Vicente Millora. Lacierda said the Palace will leave it to the SC to decide on the petition but they also expect the High Court to let the impeachment process in the Senate prosper. “We will be more than happy if the SC issued a statement that this

See PROSECUTOR p7..

Samar Weekly Express

JANUARY 03 - 09, 2012 Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 33 Calbiga, Samar IN THE MATTER OF CORRECTION OF THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE OF PEPITO CAVEIRO OCENAR AND LEAH LOTOC JABONETE, LEAH LOTOC JABONETE, Petitioner -v.s.THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, MANILA and THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CALBIGA, SAMAR, Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 31 Calbayog City IN RE: CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF JAYREL LAUTINGCO CANO JAYREL L. CANO, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CALBAYOG CITY AND THE ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL

Respondent SPL. PROC. NO. C2011-1171 For: CORRECTION OF ENTRY ON THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE IN THE NSO AND MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR x- - - -- - - - - - - - - x ORDER This is a verified petition to change the entry of date of birth in the Certificate of Marriage of the petitioner, from December 13, 1972 to her correct date of birth which is November 13, 1971. The petition alleges that petitioner’s correct date of birth is November 13, 1971, however, at the time of her marriage with Pepito Ocenar,

REGISTRAR GENERAL, NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, QUEZON CITY Respondents SPEC. PROC. NO. 466 x- - - - - - - - - - -x ORDER A verified petition has been filed by the petitioner, through counsel, praying that after due notice and hearing, an order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar, Calbayog City and the Administrator and Civil Registrar General of the National Statistics Office, Quezon City to correct the sex or gender of petitioner JAYREL L. CANO as appearing in his Certificate

PROSECUTOR from p6... is already a political question and now subject to the discretion of the representatives of the people,” he said. Senators, acting as judges on the complaint, will resume their legislative duties after a month-long holiday break on January 16 but actual trial may begin later if Corona’s request for pre-trial will be granted. A pre-trial will help expedite the proceedings since the process will determine how many witnesses will be summoned and what documents will be presented by both the prosecution and defense panels. Justices will be on a full-court session on January 17, where they are expected to rule on the petitions seeking to stop the impeachment trial. (Sunnex)

Women devotees walks barefooted while carrying a replica of the Black Nazarene during a procession in Manila January 7, 2012. Millions of Filipinos devotees will take to the streets on Monday to par�cipate in the grand procession as part of celebra�ons of the black wooden statue of Jesus of Nazarene. It is believed by locals that a miracle can happen a�er touching it. REUTERS

BOOMBOOM ENTERPRISES

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

LEGAL NOTICES she honestly believed that she was born on December 13, 1972 hence, she entered the latter date as her date of birth in their Marriage Contract. And to correct such mistake, she filed the instant petition. The petitioner had sent copies of her petition to the Office of the Solicitor General, National Statistics Office, Manila, and the Local Civil Registrar of Calbiga, Samar, per registry receipt attached to the original copy of the petition. Finding the instant petition sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course. The petitioner is ordered to publish this Order in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Samar and accredited by this

Court, to be determined by raffle, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the petitioner’s expense. The initial hearing is scheduled on January 30, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Furnish copies of this Order to the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of the Samar Provincial Prosecutor in Catbalogan City, the Civil Registrar of Calbiga, Samar, Atty. Minerva V. Siosana, and the petitioner. IN CHAMBERS, Regional Trial Court, Brach 33, Calbiga, Samar. December 13, 2011.

of Live Birth, from “female” to “male”. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and in substance, notice is hereby given that this case is set for hearing on April 16, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning before this Court, at which date, time and place, all persons who have an objection thereto may file any opposition and show cause why the same should not be granted. Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior the above-setting in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Samar and in

Calbayog City, duly accredited with this Court. Let copies of this Order be furnished the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Civil Registrar General of National Census and Statistics Office, Quezon City, the Local Civil Registrar of Calbayog City, the City Prosecutor, the petitioner and his counsel, the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Calbayog City. SO ORDERED. Calbayog City, Philippines, December 21, 2011.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region Catbalogan, Samar Office of the Executive Judge RE: PETITION FOR RENEWAL OF COMMISSION AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR AND IN THE PROVINCE OF SAMAR AND THE CITIES OF CALBAYOG AND CATBALOGAN ATTY. AILEEN T. FORTEZA Petitioner, x---------------x NOTICE OF HEARING

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region Catbalogan, Samar Office of the Executive Judge RE: PETITION FOR RENEWAL OF COMMISSION AS NOTARY PUBLIC FOR AND IN THE PROVINCE OF SAMAR AND THE CITIES OF CALBAYOG AND CATBALOGAN ATTY. ALMA UYLAMPASA Petitioner, x---------------x NOTICE OF HEARING

Notice is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petition for notarial commission of Atty. AILEEN T. FORTEZA shall be held on January 25, 2012 at 11:00 in the morning. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto before the date of the summary hearing. January 3, 2012, Catbalogan, Samar.

Notice is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petition for notarial commission of Atty. ALMA UYLAMPASA shall be held on January 18, 2012 at 11:00 in the morning. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto before the date of the summary hearing. January 3, 2012, Catbalogan, Samar.

(Sgd.) AGERICO A. AVILA Executive Judge Date of Posting: Jan. 3-9, 2012

(Sgd.) JANET M. CABALONA Presiding Judge SWE Jan. 27 - 2; 3 - 9 & 10 - 16, 2011 issue

(Sgd.) REYNALDO B. CLEMENS Judge SWE Jan. 27 - 2; 3 - 9 & 10 - 16, 2011 issue

(Sgd.) AGERICO A. AVILA Executive Judge Date of Posting: Jan. 3-9, 2012

ADVERTISE

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

ADVERTISE

A message from the SAMAR WEEKLY EXPRESS Samar Weekly

EXPRESS THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

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

Writers & Executives Wanted! Join our forces, apply now, send resume and intention to Samar Weekly Express, Rizal Avenue, Catbalogan City or Call 055-2512341. NOW Na!

It pays to

advertise!

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

EVRAA 2012 all set to go in Maasin City

FOR a few days to go, the city of Maasin has been all set for action for the week-long Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) sports competition, scheduled to be held here January 29 to February 4. Everything has been laid out for the accommodations, from the billeting quarters of athletic delegates and ofﬁcials to sports venues and other physical facilities, said Dominador Rojas, City Sports Coordinator. On the part of the Department of Education (DepEd) City Division, all the teachers were already oriented on their speciﬁc roles to ensure a successful hosting of the annual sports tournament among elementary and secondary schools students all over Leyte and Samar, said Fernando Salapi, Division Sports Coordinator. Both Rojas and Salapi were the guests during this year’s maiden edition of the cable TV program “Action Center” this morning. Rojas said the only problem he foresaw was the weather, if it keeps on raining as the games went on, suggesting that playing venues must have alternate sites to counter the ever changing climate. Games such as volleyball and basketball that are set to be played in the open arena at the provincial sports complex, or at the Tomas Oppus Pilot School (TOPS) oval, will be transferred

Biggest hit local films shown in 2011 THE year’s biggest hit movies are said to be Star Cinema-Viva co-production’s “No Other Woman” (P130 million) and “Praybeyt Benjamin” (P300 million). Despite this, mainstream filmmaking remains slack. A great majority of local movies made in 2011 are indie digital films, most of them quickie gay flicks made with a shoestring budget, the flimsiest of stories and shown in very few theatres. We’re told this kind of movie has lost its luster and no longer attract even gay viewers who used to flock to them. We had four digital film festivals where some good films were shown. The biggest is the annual Cinemalaya held in July at the CCP where “Bisperas” and “Babae sa Septic Tank” were chosen as best films, followed by Cinema One Digitals of ABS-CBN wtih “Ka Oryang” as best film, Cinemanila Digital Lokal with “Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa” as best film and, the latest, the Metro Manila Filmfest New Wave Section where “Pintakasi” was chosen best picture. This 2011, a new digital film contest has been put up by the Film Development Board so expect more indie works to be produced. And here’s a list of films shown during 2011. JANUARY – Haliparot, Presa, Rindido, Subok. FEBRUARY – Bulong, My Valentine Girls, Untamed Virgins. MARCH – Who’s That Girl, Catch Me I’m in Love, Hostage Ko Multo, Untamed Hearts, Bata Pa si Rafael. APRIL – Tum-My Pledge of Love, Seksing Masahista, Pik Pak My Dr. Kwak. MAY – Tumbok, In the Name of Love, Lamog, Ombre, Taksikab, Tubero, M2M Eyeball. JUNE – Forever and a Day, Lawlaw Gang, Dose Trese Katorse, Tiyo Pablo, Kape Barako. JULY – Temptation Island, The Adventures of Pureza, Dulas, Cinemalaya Entries: Patikul, Bisperas, Isda, Busong, Babae sa Septic Tank, Nino, Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, Ligo na U Lapit na Me, Cuchera, Teoriya, Amok, Bahay Bata, I-Libings, Maskara, Zombadings, Sa Paglipad ng Anghel, Boundary. AUGUST – Way Back Home, Tween Academy, Wedding Tayo Wedding Hindi, X Deal. SEPTEMBER – Thelma, Rakenrol, My Neighbor’s Wife,

to covered gyms when it rains, and for this purpose all the barangay gyms in the city may be used, said Rojas. City Mayor Maloney Samaco had said he wanted this year’s EVRAA hosting as a memorable experience for the visiting delegates, estimated at over 6,000 from ten school divisions around Region 8, even as he also wanted athletes of the home division to be the champion. This will be the second time Maasin City played host to the regional, annual sports meet, the first time was in the year 2005 where the city emerged overall champion, a feat Mayor Samaco wants repeated. A total of seventeen sporting events will be competed, and in all these games, except for Archery, the City Division has been training hard its players in close coordination with the city local government unit, said Salapi. As guests of honor during the opening ceremony, DepEd invited Assistant Secretary Tony Umali, while the city government invited Chito Loyzaga, Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), but both have not yet confirmed their presence to date. This year’s EVRAA carries the theme, “School Sports: Foundation to a Healthy Lifestyle”, a message that jibes well with the city’s no-smoking policy, which will be strictly implemented as the games unfold, Salapi said. (Bong Pedalino) Ikaw ang Pag-ibig. OCTOBER – No Other Woman, Sulot, Kubli, Sexventures, Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin. NOVEMBER – Aswang, Babang Luksa, Batang Ifugao, Laro, The Road, Won’t Last a Day Without You; Cinemanila Digital Lokal: Sakay sa Hangin, Senyorito, Lawas Kan Pinabli; Cinema One Digitals: Ka Oryang, Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon, Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa (also entered in Digital Lokal), Di Ingon Nato, My Paranormal Romance, Sa Ilalim ng Tuloy, Big Boy, Mga Anino sa Tanghaling Tapat, Cartas de Soledad. DECEMBER – Metro Manila Filmfest New Wave Section: Pintakasi, HIV, Haruo, Ritwal, Dyagwar. Main filmfest: Panday 2, Enteng ng Ina Mo, My Househusband, Segunda Mano, Yesterday Today Tomorrow, Shake Rattle & Roll 13, Manila Kingpin: Asiong Salonga Story. That’s a total of 94 films. These are the mainstream films released. From Star Cinema (co-production or just distribution) – Bulong, Catch Me I’m in Love, Tum MyPledge of Love, Pik Pak My Dr. Kwak, In the Name of Love, Forever and a Day, Way Back Home , The Adventures of Pureza, Wedding Tayo Wedding Hindi, Ikaw ang Pag-ibig, Thelma, No Other Woman, Praybeyt Benjamin, Won’t Last a Day Without You, Enteng ng Ina Mo, Segunda Mano. That’s a total of 15 films, making Star Cinema the most productive outfit this year. GMA Films – My Valentine Girls, Temptation Island (co-prod with Regal), Tween Academy, The Road, Panday 2 (co-prod with Imus Productions) Regal – My Neighbor’s Wife, Aswang, Shake Rattle & Roll 13, Yesterday Today Tomorrow Viva – Who’s That Girl, Tumbok. OctoArts – Househusband. Scenema Concepts – Asiong Salonga Story All in all, there are only 28 mainstream films this year. The rest, are indie digital films.

Are you ready for the Holidays?

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

JANUARY 03 - 09, 2012

PAGE 8

GMA presents 4 more shows ASIDE from the three new shows GMA7 lined up for primetime like “Legacy,” “Biritera” and “My Beloved,” they have also lined up four new shows for their afternoon Telebabad: ‘The Good Daughter’ – (We prefer the old title “Prodigal Daughter”, mas may dating.) Stars Kylie Padilla, Rocco Nacino and introducing Max Collins, the former Isabel Abiera who used to be with ABSCBN Star Magic but is now managed by PPL of Perry Lansigan. “Hiram na Puso” – Stars Kris Bernal and Mark Herras, with Polo Ravales, Gina Alajar, Ayen Munji and Raymond Bagatsing. “Broken Vow” – Stars Bianca King with Gabby Eigenmann and Luis Alandy. “Alice Bungisngis and Her Wonder Walis” – The new teen fantasy comedy replacing “Daldalita” starring Bea Binene in the title role, with Jake Vargas, Lexi Fernandez and Derrick Monasterio. Promising new actors on GMA7 ‘SHOWBIZ Central’ had a fitting way of starting the new year by guesting in their first telecast for 2012 two GMA7 young actors predicted as most likely to succeed, Alden Richards and Derrick Monasterio. Both have won most promising actor awards from the Golden Screen and Star Awards. Alden just turned 19 on January 2 while Derrick is 16 years old. Alden was introduced last year in “Alakdana” and got to do three movies: “Tween Academy,” “The Road” and “Ang Panday 2.” He’ll next be seen in “My Beloved” with Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Derrick was introduced in “Tween Hearts” then did “Dwarfina” and “Sinner or Saint,” plus two movies, “TweenAcademy” and “My Househusband.” His new show is “Alice Bungisngis.” Let’s see if their stars will really shine brighter this 2012.

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

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

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

Contact 09207675444

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 251-2341 for details. Or email your intention to trexpelunker@yahoo.com (Look for Ricky or Cathy)

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

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)

Advertise ONLY with the No. 1 Weekly Newspaper in Samar!

Or Call 251-2341