Northern Samar

Joint session hears martial law report

2009-12-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

By BEN R. ROSARIO

Despite a bid by congressional leaders to evade debates, the joint session of Congress started off yesterday with arguments initiated by lawmakers who questioned the nonappearance of government officials, including that of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Senators Mar Roxas and Richard Gordon assailed no-shows on the part of Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and AFP chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, who were out of the country when the joint session started at exactly 4:10 p.m. yesterday.

Meanwhile, Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen, a relative of the Ampatuans, debated heatedly with Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin in connection with the former’s demand for Arroyo’s presence before the joint session that was convened to allow Congress to review the declaration of martial law over Maguindanao province.

A total of 18 senators and 192 congressmen responded to the roll call, thus, indicating a quorum.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Prospero Nograles called the resource persons shortly after the rules were adopted by the body, but Ibrado and Gonzales were conspicuously not in attendance.

Present during yesterday’s joint session were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, and PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

The rules state that the presence of Ibrado and Gonzales is mandatory.

Speaker Prospero Nograles said Ibrado was due to arrive from China by 4 p.m. yesterday.

On the other hand, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Gonzales had also requested to be excused because he was still in Singapore to confer with Ambassador Rafael Seguis in connection with the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Gordon and Roxas slammed the non-appearance as a demonstration of discourtesy towards Congress which is a co-equal branch of the government.

“I’m dismayed na parang binabalewala ang Kongreso at mahina ang rason kung bakit dapat ipagpatuloy ang martial law,” Gordon declared.

On the other hand, congressmen ignored efforts of Congress leaders to swiftly reach a decision on the martial law declaration when they engaged in a debate over the non-appearance of Arroyo.

The rules give each chamber a maximum of 10 hours to grill the resource persons invited and 10 minutes each for the proponent and the oppositor of a motion to revoke Proclamation 1959.

Dilangalen, who earlier filed a Supreme Court petition seeking revocation of Presidential Proclamation 1959 which proclaimed martial law in Maguindanao, chided Arroyo for having
“no courtesy at all of reporting to us in person.”

“Only Congressman (Simeon) Datumanong and I could really experience what it is to be representing an area in this country that is affected by martial law. The President may not consider this (joint session) as very important to her,” said Dilangalen.

Apparently irked over Dilangalen’s remarks, Locsin rose to criticize the Maguindanao lawmaker for “forum shopping” since he already had asked the High Court to revoke the martial law proclamation.

“He (Dilangalen) does not believe he has a chance to get it (revocation) from the Supreme Court. This is forum shopping, since this is Christmas, I suggest he should go shopping in SM,” Locsin said.

Angered by Locsin’s remarks, Dilangalen demanded that Locsin be declared out of order.

The exchange prompted both Enrile and Nograles to declare a recess that lasted over 30 minutes. Session resumed at 5:46 p.m. with Locsin apologizing to Dilangalen and the PNP presenting its report about the Maguindanao situation.

The joint session of Congress was still ongoing as of press time last night.

161 gunmen identified

2009-12-09T19:02:00.001-08:00

By AARON B. RECUENCO and ALI MACABALANG

The Philippine National Police (PNP) released Wednesday the names and photos of the more than 100 gunmen involved in the November 23 massacre of 57 journalists and civilians in Maguindanao, with a top police official saying they will offer rewards to expedite their arrest.

PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa said the identification of an additional 100 suspects, based on the testimonies of the policemen and Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) members who are now under custody, brought the number of suspects who took part in the carnage to 161.

“We have already recommended the filing of 51 counts of murder against 61 people; we will include this additional 100 to the referral that will be submitted to the Department of Justice through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group,” Verzosa said.

Of the 61 already included in the complaint sheet, most remain at large.

Of the 100 CVO suspects named Wednesday, Verzosa said 68 are assigned to Datu Unsay town where Andal Ampatuan, Jr. is the mayor, 17 from Shariff Aguak town where Anwar Ampatuan is the mayor, 11 from Mamasapano town where Bahnarin Ampatuan is mayor, three from Datu Saudi and one from the town of Sanki.

“Don't mistake them as all members of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP because they are in fatigue uniforms. They are using these uniforms while giving security and being used as private armed groups to the municipalities as mentioned there,” said Verzosa.

Verzosa said they will offer reward money for each of the 100 wanted CVOs in exchange for any information that could lead to their arrests.

“We will be meeting immediately since this is the first time we came to know of the 100 CVOs and total of 161 for all suspects. We will announce it (the reward amount) at least tomorrow (Thursday),” said Verzosa.

CIDG Director Raul Castañeda said they have two witnesses claiming that they actually saw Andal Jr. firing at all the victims, adding that he was the one leading the shooting spree.

When some of the victims spotted the shooting of some of their companions, investigators said some of the journalists jumped off the vehicle. It was then that they were shot by other CVOs.

Verzosa said there were indications that there was a conspiracy in the massacre, adding that the group of Andal Jr. had been waiting for the Mangudadatu convoy days before the brutal slays.

Meanwhile, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Vice Gov. Ansaruddin Adiong yesterday urged authorities to treat fairly the ARMM bureaucracy, especially its funding support from the national government, which some legislators suspected of being allegedly used by recipient officials for nefarious activities.

“We appeal for the kind consideration of higher authorities like our senators and congressmen to please spare the ARMM budget from undue freezing or delay in its release,” Adiong told the Manila Bulletin.
Adiong made the appeal after members of the two chambers of Congress and local executives batted on Tuesday for an audit and possible freeze of the ARMM budget amid suspicions that part of it was possibly used by the beleaguered Ampatuan family in building its private army.

Congress has allocated the ARMM bureaucracy with a little over P10 billion for this year and next year. More than 60 percent of the budget is allocated for salaries and benefits of the ARMM personnel, including thousands of public school mentors scattered across the component provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Marawi City, regional planning officials said.

Adiong, whom Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno has designated as successor of arrested ARMM Gov. Zaldy Uy Ampatuan, said any delay or cut in the allocation of the regional appropriation would not only disenfranchise workers but also aggravate the anxiety obtaining in the region.

Prior to his arrest last Saturday, ARMM Gov. Ampatuan was required by Puno to submit financial reports on the regional government’s expenditures in the last quarter of 2008 and first three quarters of this year.

Adiong, who is concurrent regional DILG secretary, said his office would comply with the required audit.

“We will see to it that every penny in the ARMM budget would be spent to its legal purpose in order top uplift the living condition of the regional populace,” he said.

Adiong is a scion of Lanao del Sur’s Adiong and Alonto political families that are known for untarnished track record in public service and for their peaceful governmental managements.

Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, whose province belongs to the ARMM, said they are contented with the way funds are being disbursed.

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, whose province is also under ARMM, admitted he had no idea about the annual budget of the autonomous region, but confirmed the province is receiving funds nonetheless from the ARMM.

“This (funds probe) would be a very good opportunity for Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronnie Puno to put into perspective the situation in Mindanao,” Tan said.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto-Adiong Jr., elder brother of the regional vice governor, also said his province has been receiving its “fair share” of the ARMM funds.

More arrests, more raids 62 held; another arms cache unearthed

2009-12-09T18:58:00.000-08:00

By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer Mindanao

DATU HOFFER AMPATUAN, Maguindanao—Using sniffer dogs and shovels, troops dug up another arms cache on Sunday in a crackdown on suspects in the massacre of 57 people after the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao that has led to 62 arrests.

The seizure of 39 high-powered firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition came a day after police and military units uncovered 340,000 bullets for M-16 assault rifles in a warehouse reportedly owned by the Ampatuan clan, the main suspects in the Nov. 23 bloodbath, in nearby Mamasapano town.

Army and police units also swooped down on three opulent mansions of the Ampatuan family in Davao City Sunday, Maj. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, vice chief of staff for operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said in a briefing in Manila.

There were no arrests made or contraband confiscated in the raids on the Ampatuan mansions.

“We’re not picking our targets at random,” Pangilinan said, adding that troops were moving swiftly to neutralize the 4,000-member civilian militia force of the Ampatuans.

“These forces are not only a threat to the public safety and security of the province, they are also capable of committing terrorism, such as bombings, arson and attacks on our convoys,” he said, adding authorities have disarmed only about 400 of the militia group.

Philippine National Police Director Andres Caro said at the Malacañang briefing that 62 suspects in the massacre had been arrested since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued her martial law proclamation on Friday.

Those detained on Saturday included Andal Ampatuan Sr., the family patriarch and three-time governor of the province, and four of his sons—the governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the acting governor of Maguindanao, its vice governor and the mayor of the capital town of Shariff Aguak.

The alleged mastermind, Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsay town, surrendered three days after the massacre and is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila.

Mango farm yields arms

Lt. Col. Michael Samson, spokesperson of the Maguindanao military unit, said at Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town that a tip by a resident led to the buried armaments at a mango farm in Barangay Limponga.

Samson told reporters that investigators were verifying information that the two-hectare farm is owned by the elder Ampatuan, one of Ms Arroyo’s closest political allies.

“Almost 80 percent of our province is owned by the Ampatuans. I’m sure even the policemen know that for a fact,” a middle-aged woman said.

Recovered from the area were a 50-cal. machine gun, 11 M-16 rifles, 15 M-14 rifles, three Garand rifles, two automatic rifles, two M203 grenade rifles, two M60 and M50 sub-machine guns, a 30-cal. rifle and two carbines.

The latest find was unearthed from a four-foot deep digging just 20 meters away from a nipa hut of the farm caretaker, who has disappeared.

Various types of ammo for different types of assault rifles were placed in three sacks and at least 10 boxes of wooden and metal boxes.

A nearby one-foot hole also yielded a wooden box containing at least 1,000 rounds for M-16 rifles.

Bullet boxes marked ‘DND’

The boxes of bullets were marked “Government Arsenal DND (Department of National Defense).”

The ammunition and some of the long firearms showed that they were manufactured by Arms Corp. of the Philippines, a private weapons company that exclusively manufactures bullets and guns for state security agencies.

Fenced by metal barb wires, the mango plantation lies beside a dirt road connecting the province capital, Shariff Aguak, to Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, a newly created town named after Ampatuan’s murdered son.

The farm is less than a kilometer away from the provincial police headquarters in Camp Akilan Ampatuan.

As in last Thursday’s recovery of firearms buried in a vacant lot near Ampatuan’s mansion, nobody was arrested in Sunday’s operations.

Col. Leo Ferrer, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Battalion, said the farm’s caretaker fled the area moments before government troopers arrived.

Ballistic tests

Colonel Ferrer said that ballistic tests would be conducted to determine if the bullets match the shells recovered at the site where an election convoy of gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu and his supporters were either gunned down or hacked to death.

The dead included the wife of Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town, his two sisters and 30 media people. It was the largest single loss of lives for journalists anywhere in the world. They were to cover the filing of Mangudadatu’s candidacy in the May elections.

Ferrer said the recovery of the firearms might also prompt the filing of additional criminal charges against the elder Ampatuan if it were established that he owned the farm.

Using metal detectors and a bomb-sniffing dog, members of the Army’s Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team scoured the plantation for other firearms.

“We will continue the search for other firearms,” said Samson.

Samson said troops would also look for a certain Kamilon, a policeman who purportedly owned the police uniform seized inside one of the ammo boxes.

‘High-value targets’

Authorities have taken into custody five “high-value targets” who allegedly had direct participation in the massacre, said a police intelligence official who asked not to be named because of the nature of his work.

“They were close-in security escorts of the family. We also received information that they were actually relatives of the Ampatuans,” the official said.

“Our information revealed that they directly participated in the crime,” he added.

Ferrer said police had “invited for questioning” more than 40 persons, some of them women.

“Some of them may have knowledge of the massacre. But if they are cleared by our police investigators, we will release them, immediately,” he said.

Ferrer belied reports that soldiers were randomly storming houses of residents in the province.

“If we accost some individuals or conduct search operations in residential areas, they were based on reliable information given to us. They are not done arbitrarily,” the Army commander said.

He dismissed as “misinformation” the text messages claiming that a number of residents in Shariff Aguak fled after soldiers swooped on their houses, arrested male members of the household and took their valuables.

Empty streets

Businesses and marketplaces were closed and streets were empty in Maguindanao Sunday, while civilians started to flee their homes and farms in fear violence may erupt soon.

“I advise you to stay put and be calm or go about your daily chores. Should our soldiers commit abuses, they will be relieved, investigated and punished,” said Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, Maguindanao military commander who has taken over as governor.

He said arrests and house searches would only be done on those suspected to be involved in the massacre. With reports from Jocelyn R. Uy, Christian V. Esguerra, Jeffrey M. Tupas and Dennis Jay Santos, Inquirer Mindanao, Reuters, Associated Press

Where is the President?’

2009-12-09T18:56:00.001-08:00

Why isn’t she here? It’s history By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Leila Salaverria, Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:15:00 12/10/2009

MANILA, Philippines—“Where is the President?”

Lawmakers Wednesday cited the glaring absence of the commander in chief, who declared martial law in Maguindanao province, during the first joint session of Congress.

The session was delayed by almost an hour due to debates on the absence of the President, her defense secretary and the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“Why is she not here? This is history. Does she not have the courtesy at all to report in person? We thought that with the President declaring martial law, the President herself should be here to explain to us,” asked Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen, his voice rising.

Together with fellow Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, Dilangalen said that they were the only lawmakers who were personally affected by Presidential Proclamation No. 1959.

Ms Arroyo issued the proclamation on Friday night to suppress a “rebellion in the offing” of disparate armed groups loyal to the Ampatuan clan, accused of masterminding the Nov. 23 killing of 57 people in Maguindanao.

Since Friday’s proclamation read by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Ms Arroyo has not spoken one word about exercising her extraordinary martial law powers. She also has yet to face the press.

Congress may revoke or support the martial law proclamation by a simple majority vote (set at 147) of the joint session.

The first joint session was suspended at 10:50 Wednesday night and would resume at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo was the sixth and last to ask questions on the first day. He said rebellion is hard to prove, and it takes long to do so as well. He knows, since he has been charged with it twice.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. concurred with Dilangalen’s stand that Ms Arroyo should have given Congress the “courtesy” to face lawmakers.

But Speaker Prospero Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the President was not compelled to attend the joint session.

Enrile and Nograles said the President had complied with the constitutional requirement with the submission of her report to Congress 48 hours after her declaration on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m.

Pimentel, however, pointed out that the issue was not the submission of the report but the President’s personal explanation of why she implemented it.

It was also pointed out that the report was not signed by Ms Arroyo but by Ermita.

Remedios Poblador

The President was not at the joint session but her most trusted girl Friday was there. Remedios Poblador, an undersecretary of the presidential legislative office, was seen on the main stage along with Trade Secretary Peter Favila.

Poblador entered and exited through the right access way across from the seats of Nograles and Enrile.

Things got heated initially when Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. rose to chastise Dilangalen for “forum shopping.”

“The gentleman who was so insistent on the physical and personal presence of the President has filed a petition I suppose for the revocation of martial law in the Supreme Court.”

Several petitions are pending before the Supreme Court insisting that Ms Arroyo violated the Constitution when she declared martial law because there was no actual rebellion or invasion, the only grounds allowed under the Constitution.

After a 30-minute break, Locsin withdrew his remarks.

An Arroyo ally, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, grilled administration officials as he pointed out that the martial law proclamation may be standing on essentially nonexistent ground.

“If you review the report given to us by (Police) Director (Andres) Caro, there is no mention whatsoever that prior to Dec. 4 there was public uprising and armed uprising against the government. So that could negate the factual basis of the declaration of martial law, the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus,” Lagman said.

Lagman noted that the presence of armed groups could indicate lawless violence, but this was not equal to a rebellion.

Responding to Lagman, Ermita was forced to acknowledge that there was no actual rebellion, but maintained that all signs point to it.

“You may be correct there is no actual rebellion going on. However, all the indications that rebellion is being committed or happening in the ground is [in] the presence of armed groups that prevent authorities from carrying out [their] duty and effecting the arrest despite the testimonies of witnesses,” Ermita said.

Sedition, not rebellion

Lagman also pressed Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera to cite her factual basis for saying there was an actual rebellion instead of a looming one.

Devanadera said she arrived at the conclusion based on information she received that heavily armed groups had taken strategic positions within Maguindanao and various camps controlled by the Ampatuans.

These actions, she added, prevented the implementation and enforcement of laws and threatened public safety.

But Lagman appeared unconvinced and pointed out that even the nonfunctioning of civil authorities in Maguindanao only indicated sedition and not rebellion.

Each chamber was given 10 hours for questioning of resource persons from the executive branch, and it is up to its members how to budget their time.

Besides Ermita and Devanadera, other ranking officials present were Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Undersecretary Antonio Santos and Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, armed forces vice chief of staff.

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and Gen. Victor Ibrado, armed forces chief of staff, were also invited but Gonzales was in Singapore. Ibrado arrived later in the evening.

At 6:31 p.m., the Senate and the House took turns asking questions.

Sen. Benigno Aquino III was the first one recognized to inquire. But his questioning was delayed for nearly 15 minutes because of various parliamentary inquiries.

Five reports

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Congress had received five reports about martial law in Maguindanao, and wanted to know which of these would be the basis for the lawmakers’ interpellation.

Administration officials insisted that there was an “ongoing rebellion” in Maguindanao.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago urged Ms Arroyo to lift her proclamation “as soon as possible” because it was likely the Palace would lose its case before the Supreme Court.

Santiago said the high court was likely to decide on the legality of Proclamation No. 1959 even before the joint session of Congress could come up with a decision to either revoke or support it.

Santiago, designated to be the third senator who can ask questions, made the call through the media.

The senator, who is for the revocation of the proclamation, said Malacañang was likely to lose in the high court because the declaration had no legal basis.

She reiterated that there was no actual rebellion in Maguindanao to justify the imposition of martial law.

Court orders Samar gov: Return P104M to province

2009-12-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

TACLOBAN CITY — SAMAR GOV. Milagrosa Tan and other provincial officials were cited in contempt and ordered to return to the impoverished province’s coffers at least P104 million paid to suppliers of medicines and various items in contracts that the court had ordered stopped.

The regional trial court based in Calbayog City ordered the bidding and award of the contracts stopped in two temporary restraining orders issued on July 7 and July 16.

Tan and the other officials, however, defied the July 16 TRO and not only proceeded with the bidding and award of the contracts but the payments for suppliers as well.

The court, in its Nov. 18 order, fined Tan and the other officials P30,000 each for the contempt case.

Executive Judge Reynaldo Clements, presiding judge of RTC Branch 31 in Calbayog City, issued his second TRO on July 16 to stop the bidding and award by the provincial government of P104 million worth of contracts to buy medicines, construction materials and other items from various suppliers.

Cited in contempt with Tan were Provincial Treasurer Bienvenido Sabenecio, Provincial Accountant Antonio Versoza Jr., lawyer Anastacio Yong and Ariel Yboa. They were all members of the pre-bids and awards committee (PBAC) of the provincial government.

Return the money

Tan and the rest were ordered to return to the provincial government of Samar, one of the country’s poorest provinces, the P104 million in payments that were made to suppliers.

Calls made to Tan and the other officials for their statements went unanswered.

The contracts were questioned by Vice Gov. Jesus Redaja and the Concerned Citizens Action Force Organization, an anticorruption watchdog in Samar. They said the purchase of new medicines and other supplies was not covered by any allotment in the current provincial budget.

The bidding for the contracts was won by these firms—GenPro Trading, based in Daraga, Albay; Tacloban Far East Marketing, based in Tacloban City; Zber Med Pharma, based in Pasig City; and Aikus Hollowmaker, BBCS Data System and Seaside Store, all based in Catbalogan City.

Disrespect

The amounts separately awarded to these establishments were not disclosed.

Judge Clements, in his order, said Tan and the other officials inspected the purchased goods on July 16, 17 and 18, well within the period covered by the second TRO that he issued on July 16.

“The respondents clearly committed acts which brought the authority of the court and the administration of law into disrespect or which belittled, degraded, obstructed and embarrassed this court,” Judge Clements said in his order.

Graft suspension

Quoting a Supreme Court decision, the court said that an injunction, or restraining order, remains in effect until it is overturned by the court.

Last year, Tan was suspended for 90 days by the Department of Interior and Local Government over a graft case involving the use of P16 million of Samar’s calamity funds for supplies meant for a typhoon that had long passed when the funds were released.

Tan is planning to run for congressman to take the place of her daughter, Sharee Ann.

Wife of Ampatuan rival had the most gunshots – NBI

2009-12-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

Autopsy shows no signs of rape By Norman Bordadora, Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:07:00 12/01/2009

Filed Under: Maguindanao Massacre, Election Violence, Crime and Law and Justice

MANILA, Philippines -- Bai Genalin Mangudadatu, the wife of Esmael Mangudadatu who is running for governor to wrest power away from the Ampatuans in Maguindanao, suffered 17 gunshot wounds and several “incised wounds,” according to a medico-legal report of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The NBI also found no sign of rape among the 15 female victims it had examined.

Bai Genalin, the wife of Esmael, the vice mayor of Buluan town, was to file her husband’s certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor when armed men blocked her convoy and killed her and at least 56 others on Nov. 23.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, who received the NBI’s autopsy reports, said Mangudadatu’s wife appeared to have received the biggest number of gunshot wounds among the victims.

The autopsy reports were among the pieces of evidence that state prosecutors submitted in filing 25 counts of murder against the main suspect, Datu Unsay Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., on Tuesday.

The report showed that the body of Bai Genalin was in the early state of decomposition and showed three incisions aside from the multiple gunshot wounds.

The gunshot wounds include one on her face and several near her genitals.

“The findings show that she was shot at close range,” Devanadera said.

Florencio Arizala, NBI medico-legal division chief, told reporters that there was no sign that the female victims had been sexually abused.

Among the 20 bodies processed by the NBI were those of Mangudadatu’s wife, two sisters and aunt as well as those of three media workers, including a woman.

No sperm was found on the slain women by female doctors of the NBI, Arizala said. “Sperm cells die after 72 hours but the bodies were found immediately the day after they were killed,” he said.

The chief NBI medico-legal officer, nevertheless, said a DNA test was needed for certainty.

“We can conduct DNA test as another step. You can ask the chemistry division about that. We already got smear from them (female victims) and processed it in a microscope,” he said.

He further theorized that the zippers of the women’s pants could have been opened when the bodies became bloated.

“That may explain why their clothes were ripped and their zippers opened. It could have also been caused by the manner the bodies were handled,” Arizala said.

He noted that one of the female victims, who had a 24-inch waistline while alive, ended up with a 40-inch waistline when her body was recovered.

‘Go easy on Ampatuans’

2009-12-01T15:05:00.001-08:00

Justice secretary also bares death threats
By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:34:00 12/02/2009

Filed Under: Maguindanao Massacre, Crime and Law and Justice, Election Violence, Judiciary (system of justice)

MANILA, Philippines—Government prosecutors and judges with jurisdiction over the Maguindanao massacre have received threats and been told to go easy on members of the Ampatuan clan, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said Tuesday.

Devanadera said she herself had received a message from someone “to go slow” on the Ampatuans so they wouldn’t be pinned down for the country’s worst election-related violence.

Lawyer Jose Midas Marquez, Supreme Court spokesperson and deputy court administrator, said the high tribunal had also received information on the threats against judges and court personnel in Cotabato City who were expected to handle the murder charges.

Devanadera said the judges in Cotabato City had gone on leave. The judges, she said, also had received threats.

Marquez said the Supreme Court had received similar information.

The Supreme Court spokesperson said Branch 15 of the Cotabato Regional Trial Court was vacant.

Marquez said the substitute judge of Branch 15 had to inhibit himself because he was a former father-in-law of Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He said Chief Justice Reynato Puno had designated Sultan Kudarat Judge Melanio Guerrero as presiding judge of Branch 15 to receive the information against Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Asked if the threats against the Cotabato City judges and court personnel were related to the Maguindanao massacre case, he said: “That seems to be the cause of the threats.”

Marquez said the Supreme Court had coordinated with the Philippine National Police to secure judges and the court itself.

Text messages to prosecutors

“The prosecutors received relayed messages in the same manner that I have received it. Some of our prosecutors received text messages. Some information were relayed by people they know,” Devanadera said.

She said she had received some messages to go slow in the case.

“It just said that they (the Ampatuans) shouldn’t be pinned down like when I said ‘that there would be no sacred cows and that there would be no letup,’” she said.

The Mangudadatus have accused the Ampatuans of masterminding the killing of Bai Genalin Mangudadatu, wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, and more than 50 others, including 30 journalists, on Nov. 23.

The vice mayor’s wife, relatives and lawyers were on their way to the Commission on Elections office in Shariff Aguak town to file the gubernatorial candidacy papers of Mangudadatu, who said he had received death threats from the Ampatuans.

The Ampatuan clan led by Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. is influential in the province as many of its members hold elective and appointive positions.

Three witnesses said Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. led 100 armed men who flagged down six vehicles carrying 57 people and killed them. The mayor is now detained at the National Bureau of Investigation jail in Manila.

Change venue of trial

The Department of Justice has formally asked the Supreme Court to change the venue of the murder trial against Ampatuan Jr. The trial is currently set at the Cotabato Regional Trial Court.

Devanadera appointed City Prosecutor Edilberto Jamora of General Santos City to oversee the case buildup against the perpetrators of the massacre as part of the response to the threats against prosecutors with jurisdiction over the scene of the crime in Maguindanao.

“(We have taken steps to ensure) the personal safety of the prosecutors, the personal safety of the judges ... Just like this morning we provided security for our prosecutors,” the justice secretary said.

Asked if she was afraid of the threats, the justice secretary said: “I believe this is my job and so this is nothing personal. I’m here in this position and there is no option but for me to do my job. Let’s just pray.”

Gordon, Fernando team up as 2010 ‘transformers’

2009-12-01T14:54:00.000-08:00

December 01, 2009 14:27:00

Anna Valmero Christine Avendaño

INQUIRER.net Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Call us the "transformers," Senator Richard Gordon and former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando said of their teamup in next year's polls.

Gordon announced Tuesday his intention to run for president under his party Bagumbayan-Volunteers for a New Philippines and introduced Fernando as his running mate.

They filed their certificates of candidacy on the same day at the Commission on Elections office in Manila.

"We can meet the challenges of the country," Gordon said in a news conference in the Senate before proceeding to the Comelec.

Gordon said both of them have been "natural executives" who have "transformed" their communities.

He was referring to their experience as local executives – Gordon was mayor of Olongapo, Zambales, and eventually head of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, whiile Fernando was mayor of Marikina and later chairman of the MMDA.

Fernando said he and Gordon's team-up was a "fusion of two performers'' with the intent of “transform(ing) the minds and hearts of our people to build character and community for a better Philippines.”

Gordon and Fernando were at the Senate along with their wives, Kate Gordon and Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando.

Fernando sought the support of his party, the Lakas-Lampi-CMD, for his presidential bid but lost to former defense chief Gilbert Teodoro.

Fernando was mum about his 2010 plans up until when he declared his vice presidential bid.

Gordon was the author of Republic Act 9369 or the poll automation law and was a staunch supporter of the 2010 computerized elections technology to limit if not prevent cheating and poll fraud, usually associated with manual balloting.

Gordon visited Comelec immediately after the poll body signed the P7.2 billion deal with Smartmatic-Total Information Management, which will provide 82,200 machines to automate the voting.

Arroyo now an official bet for Congress

2009-12-01T14:51:00.000-08:00

December 01, 2009 08:23:00

Tonette Orejas Charlene Cayabyab

Central Luzon Desk

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – (UPDATE 3) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became officially a candidate for representative of Pampanga’s second district in the 2010 elections at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The President, who came from a Mass organized by her supporters in her late father’s hometown of Lubao, personally filed her certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections office in this capital city.

Arroyo was mobbed by supporters as she arrived at the Comelec office. She was accompanied by her husband, lawyer Jose Miguel Arroyo, and mayors and other officials of Pampanga.

In Lubao, the mood was festive as Arroyo’s supporters hosted a Mass and a short program before she filed her CoC on Tuesday morning.

The event was like a campaign rally for Arroyo and a farewell party for her son, incumbent Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, who gave way and urged his mother to represent the district in the House of Representatives.

The eldest of Arroyo’s sons is serving his second term.

San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, a known adviser of the President, did not attend and officiate the Mass at the St. Augustine Church held prior to Ms Arroyo’s filing of her CoC. The bishop said he had prior engagements.

The priest who celebrated the Mass likened Ms Arroyo’s candidacy to the action of Jesus Christ, whom he said “went down to serve.”

The second district is composed of the towns of Lubao, Guagua, Floridablanca, Porac, Sta. Rita, and Sasmuan.

Ms Arroyo will face Feliciano Serrano, an electronics engineer, who filed his CoC on Monday.

Abigail Kwok, INQUIRER.net

Presidential candidates swell to 99 – Comelec

2009-12-01T14:48:00.001-08:00

By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 19:32:00 12/01/2009

Filed Under: Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Politics

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) On the eve of last day of filing for next year’s polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has received 99 certificates of candidacy for president in next year’s elections at the close of filing Tuesday midnight.

Records from the agency’s legal department showed it has accepted 99 candidacies for president, 20 for vice president and 158 for senator since November 20. Meanwhile, the Comelec Secretariat has accepted manifestations of intent from around 300 party-list groups to join next year’s polls.

Among those who filed the CoCs on Tuesday were Gilbert Teodoro and actor Edu Manzano who are running as president and vice president under the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats party; Senator Richard Gordon and former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando under Bagumbayan-Volunteers for a New Philippines; Senator Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal who is running an independent campaign for president, and former TV host Jay Sonza who filed his candidacy for vice president.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. also filed his reelection bid while singer Imelda Papin also made official her bid for senator in the 2010 national polls. Gay rights activist and Ang Ladlad founder Danton Remoto also filed an independent bid for senator and enlisted his party-list with the Comelec Secretariat as another contender in the 2010 elections, pending their motion for accreditation to be tackled by the en banc.

Administration bets Teodoro and Manzano held a program with their supporters in front of the Comelec building in Intramuros prior to filing their CoCs in the morning. The party standard bearer said his group offers “total reform and continuation of programs under the proven leadership of Lakas-Kampi-CMD.”

Gordon and Fernando, who filed their bids in the afternoon, proved earlier reports that the two have teamed-up for next year's elections. The tandem was formed only on Monday night, admitted Fernando, when he tried to persuade Gordon to get him as running mate.

Both are confident of launching a nationwide campaign and promise to usher “transformational politics” citing a strong track record of local leadership. Gordon was formerly in-charge of the Subic Bay Freeport while Fernando was a former mayor of Marikina City.

Running as an independent candidate, Madrigal said her bid exemplifies her principled leadership, a new type of politics that Filipinos should look for to rid the system of “trapos” or traditional politicians.

Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal noted this was the first time that the CoCs for president reached more than 70 with more established political parties unable to submit a full senatorial slate.

“It seems that almost everyone wants to be the country's next president given the number of presidential bids filed before the legal department. It’s safe to say that while we are mandated to accept as ministerial duty all the bids, the en banc has a mandate to include only qualified candidates in the official list (of 2010 candidates),” said Larrazabal.

Samar town finds light in caves

2009-11-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

Samar town finds light in caves

By Volt Contreras

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 02:28:00 05/18/2009

BASEY, SAMAR—When you lose your way in a dark cave, when the lamp finally goes out and panic sets in, you might as well skip all the saints in heaven and directly ask God to speak His famous words: “Let there be light.”

Not food or water, but light, is said to be the most important thing when exploring caves. Compared to other outdoor adventures, like mountaineering or scuba diving, caving seduces with its own set of dangers, mysteries and thrills.

And this town invites you, dares you, to discover them yourself.

For years, Basey’s Sohoton caves—part of an 840-hectare forest area that was declared a national park in the 1930s—have been drawing a modest stream of tourists, hobbyists, researchers and even treasure hunters. Back then, you hire local boatmen and guides, fend for your own lunch, and try to make it back to the city by nightfall—that’s basically it.

Last week, however, the trips to the caves ceased to be a simple come-and-go affair.

Residents offered a “tour package” with add-ons, such as river-cruise meals, trained and uniformed guides, a catering service and overnight lodgings.

Apart from donating equipment like kayaks, overalls, helmets and other safety gear, the Department of Tourism (DoT) last year started training some 60 villagers in this remote municipality on the basics of “visitor management,” eco-tour planning and marketing, food preparation and first aid, among others.

It turned mere guides into engaging storytellers, plain housewives into skilled cooks and project managers, and a laid-back barangay (village) into an energized community.

Alternative livelihood

Two community organizations have since been formed—one to manage the river cruise and the other, the cave tours.

Notably, more than half of the members are women, most of whom had previously known no other trades outside farming and mat weaving.

“We need alternative forms of livelihood since our town had been under commercial logging for over 30 years, when the only ones who got rich were the loggers,” Basey Mayor Wilfredo Estorinos said during the May 11 inauguration of a visitor center in Barangay Inuntan, the main takeoff point for the boats.

Apart from villagers who would be directly employed by the eco-tours, an initial 30 households were willing to provide overnight shelter to visitors, according to Estorinos.

Hours later, he would gamely do the Visayan folk dance curacha to entertain guests on board a wide, twin-hull river craft that serves as the tour’s “floating restaurant.”

Maiden cruise

The newly built boat or lagkaw can carry up to 30 tourists and a crew, including a singer and guitarist. It is said to be more spacious than the vessels similarly used for the Loboc River cruise in the nearby province of Bohol.

The DoT extended a P230,000 grant for the skills training and supplies, while the municipal government allotted a counterpart fund of P100,000 to construct the boat.

On its maiden cruise that day, the lagkaw glided leisurely down the Golden River, where the water wore the pristine tones of greens and browns, where petals—not plastic—dotted the currents.

A separate fleet of pump boats and kayaks took visitors to the Sohoton caves, where tour guides like Richard Alibado applied his training by putting on a good show.

Don’t touch surface

First, Alibado laid down some house rules.

“Don’t touch white surfaces once inside,” Alibado said in Filipino as he briefed visitors at the cave entrance that rainy Monday afternoon.

Oil smears from the human skin are like graffiti that could ruin the natural “growth” of the rocks and cause them to turn brown or black, he explained.

Still confusing your stalagmites with stalactites? Alibado offered a simple tip: The one spelled with the “g” crops up from the “ground,” while that with the “c” hangs from the “ceiling.”

As he led the group deeper into the shadows, Alibado turned from being a mere safety officer into a weaver of fantastic tales.

“What you discover inside caves depends on your imagination; you just have to give life to the rocks,” his prelude went.

Subterranean world

Alibado ticked off scientific terms to describe peculiar rock formations or surfaces.

But in Alibado’s guided tour, the Sohoton caves also became a subterranean world populated by “elephants,” “Ifugao farmers,” “the Holy Trinity,” “astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin” and even Michelangelo’s “The Pieta.”

“When my friends and I tapped this hollow wall and produced different sounds, we attracted a Philippine Eagle who has never left the cave since. You can actually still see the eagle’s talons to your left,” he said, stringing together one of his many myths.

But the biggest stars, Alibadon said, were the hanging formations just a few feet apart which he teasingly called “Mama” and “Papa.” The Philippine Daily Inquirer leaves it to future Sohoton visitors to find out why.

Continuous walk

Sohoton literally means “to pass through” in Waray. Indeed, one occasionally had to squeeze through narrow openings to get to the different chambers, some cramped and clicking with the noise of bats, others as big as churches.

But exploring Sohoton was quite easy since it required no risky climb or descent, just a continuous walk on mostly level ground.

“That’s why it’s a cave for all ages,” said Karina Tiopes, tourism director for Eastern Visayas.

“Don’t look at me!” said a smiling Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr.

A jolly promoter who has been with the DoT for the last 32 years, Jarque noted that of the country’s 10,000 caves, only around 300 had been explored.

Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, who like Jarque was here for the inaugural river cruise and cave trek, cited Basey as an example of a community about to perform the delicate balancing act of promoting and protecting its natural wonders.

Durano said the DoT supported the town’s eco-tourism ventures because “we saw that the enabling conditions are here” for that balance to hold, mainly the willingness of the residents and local officials to do their share.

Respecting the caves

Sohoton is just one of the 30 caves found in Basey. To this day, none of them has been vandalized “because the community respects them,” according to Tiopes.

“The belief that spirits dwell in caves also helps keep people out, and the caves are protected that way,” said Jason Garrido, president of the Philippine Cave Guides Association Inc.

Garrido and some 200 other enthusiasts were in Tacloban City in Leyte (30 kilometers from Basey or 45 minutes by car) for the 9th Congress of the Philippine Speleological Society.

The five-day congress, held at the University of the Philippines-Tacloban, assured Basey of tourism visitors for its newly launched projects that week.

Rewards

“Cave tourism in the Philippines is still quite young,” Garrido said.

“Through gatherings like this, we hope to learn the best practices. Most of our caves are still untouched so we can still contain whatever damage had been done.”

Caving, he said, could be more “technically demanding” than mountaineering, “[which involves] climbing, endurance tests and movement skills. But in caving, your primary source of security is light.”

Inside a cave, “you get to feel how small you are in the scheme of things. There would be times when you won’t even see the walls or the ceiling but only the small [illuminated] space around your body. The fear factor is higher.”

But the experience, Garrido said, could be rewarding: “It’s the chance to discover something—like a new species of fish or a secret burial chamber.”

Or maybe even lost treasures? But then, the folks of Basey, by fostering cooperation and turning to eco-tourism as a way out of poverty, may have already unearthed something just as valuable.

2010 Election Updates

2009-11-30T18:38:00.000-08:00

ADMINISTRATION BETS. Former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro and television host Eduardo Manzano filed their candidacies for president and vice president under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party at the Comelec office in Manila. ANNA VALMERO/INQUIRER.net

INDEPENDENT RUN. Senator Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal filed her candidacy for president at the Comelec office in Manila Tuesday. Her platform is for "principled politics." ANNA VALMERO/INQUIRER.net

SHE’S RUNNING President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends speculation about her political plans by declaring she would run for a congressional seat in Pampanga in the May elections. Photo taken on Nov. 16. EDWIN BACASMAS

Arroyo bid sparks outrage

Within hours of her declaration that she was running for Congress in May, a firestorm of criticism swirled around President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, with one critic accusing her of being drunk with power and others saying her aim was to shield herself from “a landslide of lawsuits.”

FULL STORY

IN ORANGE AND PRO-POOR Former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada (left) and Senator Manuel Villar Jr. separately formalized their presidential bids Monday. Both bets, who came in orange shirts, claim to be pro-poor. INQUIRER.net/ANNA VALMERO

Communists stage fresh attack, burn container van in Southern Philippines

2009-11-30T15:39:00.000-08:00

Posted on 30 November 2009

Suspected communist-New People’s Army (NPA) staged a fresh attack in Southern Philippines, military reported Monday.

Military report said at least 30 heavily armed communist terrorists swooped down on a banana plantation and burned a container van loaded with almost 2,000 crates of fresh banana.

The incident happened at Purok Riverside, Barangay Katipunan, Maragusan town, Compostela Valley (ComVal) province.

The estimated damaged is placed at P5 million, a sketchy report from the military and police stated.

The flash report reaching the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMincom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) based in Davao Gulf said the communist terrorists flagged down the container truck of Dole-Stanfilco Philippines and ordered the still unidentified driver to disembark and torched it at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

According to EastMincom, the attackers were alleged members of communist-Committee 27 of the CPP(Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

EastMincom and Police Regional Office Xl report also said the truck was on its way to the Panabo City wharf in Davao del Norte to deliver its cargo.

No one was hurt during the attack, military and police report said.

Troops of 1003rd Infantry Brigade along with police force in the area have been conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing suspected rebels, said EastMincom spokesman Maj. Randolph G. Cabangbang.

It maybe recalled that last August, NPA rebels also burned two trucks of the Dole-Stanfilco in the same town, causing several millions of pesos of damage.

Declassified military and police intelligence sources said the company’s refusal to pay the rebels the so-called revolutionary tax caused the attacks. (PNA)
FFC/MUC/utb

GMA 7 "Tatakbo Ako"

2009-11-30T15:32:00.000-08:00

The Election 2010 Presidentiables showed their support to GMA 7 advocacy campaign for next year election at the Fort in Taguig City Sunday morning(August 30). Jogging enthusiasts including fans trooped to the venue as early as 4am to run or mingle with the political stars.

Seen by www.election2010updates.com Editorial Team were prominent personalities like Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Sen. Chiz Escudero,Sen. Mar Roxas,Sen. Kiko Pangilinan,Sen. Dick Gordon,Sen. Jamby Madrigal,Sen. Loren Legarda,Bro. Eddie Villanueva and former Preseident Joseph Estrada.

Kapuso stars Dingdong Dantes, Marvin Agustin, Rhian Ramos, Ehra Madrigal and Darna star Marian Rivera were also caught by our lenses.

2010 Election Updates

2009-11-30T15:25:00.000-08:00

Pacquiao asks for public support to PBA partylist group

Posted on 30 November 2009

Boxing hero Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao supports the advocacy of party-list group, Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) as he led the filing of the manifestation to join the sectoral representative elections next year.

Pacquaio also urged the public to support the group since it (PBA)would help Filipino athletes to fulfill their dreams and aspirations in whatever sports they wanted to excel.

The boxing legend was accompanied by former Caloocan City mayor Rey Malonzo, who was once engaged in martial arts and former basketball player Cris Bolado, when he endorsed the intent to join the 2010 party-list polls at the Comelec main office in Manila Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino appealed to government officials and lawmakers not to use the party-list system to boost their intentions.

“We have been receiving information that many government officials are behind party-list organizations …. Don’t bastardize the party-list system. Leave it to the marginalized sectors,” he said, after their group’s “manifestation of intent to run” in the 2010 party-list polls at the Comelec.

With this, Palatino expressed support to the order of the Comelec for partylist to name their nominees.

“We support the Comelec’s move to require party-list groups to make public the names of their nominees during the campaign,” he said.

As of press time, 183 groups have already filed their manifestation with the Comelec to run. The deadline for the filing of manifestation is on Dec. 1. (PNA)
RMA/FGP/ubt

Perlas joins 2010 presidential race

Posted on 30 November 2009

Environmentalist Nicanor Perlas officially joined the May 2010 race for the highest position in the land by filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office in Intramuros, Manila Sunday afternoon.

Perlas said among his programs of government if he is elected are to focus in solving poverty, put an end to graft and corruption, introduce measures that would mitigate environmental disasters, solve the insurgency problems, and introduce changes in education and self-change on people.

“Ang mga ito ay kailangan nating ipatupad upang magkaroon ng pagbabago; ang pagbabago sa sarili, ito ang importante, kasi kahit na baguhin natin ang sistema, kung ang ating pagtingin sa kapwa ay hindi babaguhin, walang mangyayari sa lipunan natin,” he said.

Meanwhile, at least three senatorial candidates for the elections next year also filed their COCS with the Comelec Sunday.

They were Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo, Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Masa, and former Cebu Governor Emilio “Lito” Osmena, who is running under his party PROMDI.

The 71-year-old former provincial executive said that if he is elected as a lawmaker, he would continue what he has done in his province of Cebu by helping the economy to grow.

“If the public will give me a chance to serve them, I will continue what I have started 20 years ago,” Osmena said.

Both Ocampo and Masa are running as independents, but they said that negotiations are still underway for them to join a political party as guest candidates.

Since November 20, a total of 51 presidential aspirants, four vice presidential candidates and 66 senatorial bets have filed their COCS.

The filing of COCs for the May 2010 elections ends at midnight of Dec. 1, 2009. (PNA)
scs/FGP/utb

Maza, Ocampo file COCs for senator in next year’s polls

Posted on 30 November 2009

Lapian ng Manggagawa standard bearer Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has abandoned his plans of running for the presidency in 2010.

In an event at the UP Bahay ng Alumni Sunday morning, Ebdane said he arrived at the decision to no longer pursue the presidency, noting it is a family decision.

Ebdane said lack of funds hinder him from seeking for the highest post in the land.

Ebdane, a former public works secretary, has been chosen and endorsed by the Lapian ng Manggagawa, a labor party.

He was supposed to file his certificate of candidacy Sunday at the Commission on Elections in Manila.

He is the second presidential aspirant to have backed out of the race.

Senator Francis Escudero earlier announced he will no longer pursue his presidential bid but would rather stay on as senator for another three years. (PNA)
LDV/jmc

Ebdane abandons presidential bid

Posted on 30 November 2009

Lapian ng Manggagawa standard bearer Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has abandoned his plans of running for the presidency in 2010.

In an event at the UP Bahay ng Alumni Sunday morning, Ebdane said he arrived at the decision to no longer pursue the presidency, noting it is a family decision.

Ebdane said lack of funds hinder him from seeking for the highest post in the land.

Ebdane, a former public works secretary, has been chosen and endorsed by the Lapian ng Manggagawa, a labor party.

He was supposed to file his certificate of candidacy Sunday at the Commission on Elections in Manila.

He is the second presidential aspirant to have backed out of the race.

Senator Francis Escudero earlier announced he will no longer pursue his presidential bid but would rather stay on as senator for another three years. (PNA)
LDV/jmc

Bongbong Marcos files CoC for senator

Posted on 29 November 2009

It’s official. Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will run for the Senate in the May 2010 elections instead of seeking another term as congressman.

“I will run for senator. I strongly believe that I can contribute greatly as a senator especially on issues involving the economy,” said Marcos, as he filed Saturday his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for senator under the Nacionalista Party (NP).

The NP is pushing the presidential candidacy of Sen. Manuel Villar.

Marcos, son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, was accompanied by his sister Imee when he filed his CoC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office in Manila.

“We need a genuine change in government. A new government and a new leadership that would seriously uplift the lives of the Filipino people,” said Marcos.

He said this new government “must ensure the delivery of basic services to the people and encourage full development and employment of Filipino talent and skills.” (PNA)
V3/LGI

Mikey willing to give way to PGMA in Pampanga

Posted on 29 November 2009

Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal-Arroyo has announced that he is willing to take “the back seat in his political career” in favor of his mother, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for the second district of Pampanga.

Until last month, Arroyo said he had been preparing for his reelection bid, “going around, consulting our constituents, feeling their love while talking to them on how we can improve our district,” he told over 150 Pampanga mayors, vice mayors, barangay captains and Sangguniang Bayan members in an impromptu speech during a luncheon today at the Palace.

His plans, however, changed when groups expressed their desire for Mrs. Arroyo to represent the second district.

“Many have come forth: priests, farmers, fisherfolk, businessmen, big investors, medium scale entrepreneurs. They have come to express the desire that they be given the privilege of being represented by a stateswoman with the stature of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” he said.

The statement was greeted by boisterous applause.

“My dear mother, in your decision-making, my sentiments must be taken as inconsequential. My political future must take the back seat because, as public servants, we have sworn to give our all to our country,” Arroyo said.

“I believe you are the best service I can give to my constituents whom you have grown to love so much and who are now urging you not to deny them the privilege of being represented by your person.”

He continued: “Let it be known to everybody that this issue is germane solely to you and your provincemates, more specifically to the people of the second district of Pampanga, who, in the end, will be the ones to benefit from your experience, from your heart, as they are ones who know how you have wanted to serve each and every person, each and every family.”

“They are the ones who know that, deep inside your heart, you want food on every table, a roof for every home, a diploma in every household, peace and order so that our women and our children can walk freely at night and not worry. They know and I know that you will be the best asset to our constituents,” Arroyo declared.

He said the local officials who came to show their support and beg with her to listen to their plea “are the people who have been elected by their constituents and have been given the mandate of their people. I, too, have won in our district with 95 percent votes of our electorate, so it is safe to say that I carry the voice of our people.”

“The people want you to serve them,” he stated.

Arroyo said the President does not have to go to the Commission on Elections to file her certificate of candidacy herself. “They will go to the Comelec and file it for you,” he added.

Again, he pleaded as a son: “My dear Mother, that (accepting their clamor to run) is the best gift of gratitude you can give them for all the support to you, to me, and to our ancestors as well.” (PNA)
scs/OPS/rsm

Santiago, Lim file CoCs for senators

Posted on 28 November 2009

Senator Miriam Santiago filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for senator in the 2010 elections.

After filing her CoC at the Commission on elections (Comelec) central office in Intramuros, Manila, Santiago vowed to serve very humbly the new President that would be elected next year.

“I am going to tell the people, you decide who your president will be. I’m simply saying that whoever the president might be, I’m willing to serve very humbly,” she said.

Santiago is running under her party, People’s Reform Party (PRP) but she is a guest candidate of five political parties.

“In chronological order in which I was invited and accepted, the party of President Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), Senator Manny Villar (Nationalista Party), the admin party (LAKAS-Kampi), the Laban ng Demokratiko of Senator Edgardo Angara, and National People’s Coalition (NPC),” she said.

Santiago noted that she accepted the invitation to be part of the different political parties to send the message that she is willing to support and serve whoever will be elected as president.

“I have accepted the slot of guest candidate for all political candidates except for the Liberal Party because I was invited. So this is my way of sending my message that I’m willing to serve, that I no longer wish to be president myself, but whoever the people will choose to president will have my support and service,” she said.

Just like Santiago, detained Army Brig. General Danilo Lim of the Magdalo group also filed his COC for senator.

If elected, his priorities would be on democratic reforms, good governance and to stop graft and corruption.

Lim said the filing of his COC signals the end of his more than 36 years of service in the military. (PNA)
RMA/FGP/utb

‘Noynoy’ files COC for the 2010 presidential polls

Posted on 28 November 2009

A day after his late father’s 77th birth anniversary on Friday, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate in the 2010 polls, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Saturday at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office in Intramuros, Manila.

Accompanied by hundreds of supporters wearing yellow T-shirts, holding and raising placards and yellow lanterns, and shouting “Pagbabago! Pag-asa!” (Change! Hope!), Aquino and his running mate, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, filed their COCs, along with the LPs senatorial candidates.

Before the filing of such documents at the Comelec offices in Palacio del Gobernador (Governor’s Palace), the group of Aquino and Roxas and their supporters attended a 9 a.m. Mass at the nearby Manila Cathedral.

The LP also set up a stage near the Comelec building for a brief program before and after the filing of COCs of its candidates.

Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad, Aquino’s girlfriend, and the senators’ sisters, including actress and ABS-CBN television host Kris Aquino, also went to the Comelec to show support for the LP’s presidential aspirant.

“Good luck to Senator Noynoy, and of course to Senator Mar and the whole Liberal Party. I hope the support from the people will not waver,” Soledad said over ABS-CBN’s News Patrol.

Soledad said she is willing to accompany Aquino in sorties nationwide once the campaign period starts. She added that she is willing to do anything to help the senator win his presidential bid.

Aquino’s supporters launched a fund-raising drive for his campaign on Friday (November 27), the 77th birthday of the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

On Friday night, Noynoy answered head-on some tough questions from “Boto Mo Patrollers,” including his interest in the Hacienda Luisita and whether he is fit for the highest post of the land.

The young Aquino, the only son of the late former President Corazon Aquino, entered politics as representative of the 2nd District of Tarlac in 1998. He ran for senator and won in the 2007 elections.

In the Senate, he supported various bills, including Senate Bill 3121 or the Budget Control Act, which seeks to strengthen legislative oversight over executive spending.

Aquino held various positions in the Liberal Party such as secretary-general and vice chairman. He is now the LP’s executive vice president. He is an economics graduate at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

Aquino also dispelled speculations that he is autistic.

The autistic yarn is meaningless, Aquino said in an interview Friday night with broadcaster Ted Failon on ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol special election segment “Juan on 1.”

“With all due respect, if you (Ted Failon) weren’t the one asking, would I labor to answer such a meaningless question?,” said Aquino.

He added that the voters who elected him to the House of Representatives or the Senate would not have chosen him if he were mentally or socially challenged.

“I was elected three times as a representative of the 2nd District of Tarlac. Does that mean my fellow Tarlac residents do not know how to choose their leader? I was ranked 6th — with 14.3 million votes — when I was elected senator. Does that mean all those voters do not know how to choose their leader?,” he stressed.

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first two years of life. It usually affects a person’s motor, language, communication, and social skills.

According to Autism Pinoy, a website that aims to shed light on the disorder, autism is the “fastest-growing developmental disability.”

The disease reportedly affects one out of every 150 children. The website states that 67 children are diagnosed with autism per day. (PNA)
scs/JCA

Mangudadatu files COC for governor of Maguindanao

Posted on 27 November 2009

Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Ibrahim “Toto” Mangudadatu filed Friday morning his certificate for candidacy (COC) for the gubernatorial post of Maguindanao province, which is currently in the center of a controversy following the infamous Nov. 3 massacre of 57 people.

Mangudadatu was accompanied by ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party standard bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro to the provincial Commission on Election (Comelec) office in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, amid heavy guard of some 300 military and police personnel.

Mangudadatu is running under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD banner. He is the first local executive to file his COC for the gubernatorial position in the province for the forthcoming 2010 national and local elections.

Earlier, Teodoro expelled from the party Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan; his father, former Maguindanao Governor Ampatuan, Sr.; and brother Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan, Jr.

Ampatuan, Jr. is currently undergoing an inquest proceeding before the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila over his alleged participation in the ambush-slay, composed of two female lawyers, over 30 journalists and members of the Mangudadatu family.

All victims were dug up dead at a mass grave in nearby Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town of same province. On Nov. 3, the victims were on their way to file the COC for Mangudadatu before the Comelec office in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, when allegedly stopped by some 100 armed led by Ampatuan, Jr. along the national highway.

Both Ampatuan, Jr. and Mangudadatu have previously expressed interest on vying for the top post in the province. (PNA)
V3/PTR/NYP

‘It’s fiesta time for candidates’ says Comelec

Posted on 27 November 2009

“It’s fiesta time for candidates!”

Thus commented Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rene Sarmiento in connection with the Supreme Court decision on premature campaigning, particularly on the aspects involving infomercials on television, radio and print media.

“What is material in this case is the issue of premature campaigning is moot and academic. It’s fiesta time for candidates,” he noted.

Sarmiento said that the SC ruling on the case of Mayor Rosalinda Penera of Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte has cleared the issue on premature campaigning.

However, he added that even if the issue on premature campaigning has been settled, candidates running for national and local positions in the May 2010 elections are still not allowed to say or put “vote for him or her” in their advertisements.

Sarmiento said that these kinds of campaign strategies will be allowed only during the campaign period which will officially start on Feb. 9, 2010, or 90 days before the scheduled polls for the national positions. For local positions, the campaign period begins 45 days before the election date.

“Does it mean we have to set aside the regulations in Fair Election Acts? No, there are still limitations that would have to be followed,” he added.

He said candidates would still be subjected to the specific provisions of the Fair Elections Acts and the Omnibus Election Code, particularly on the posting of the streamers and posters in the common poster area; observing the size of the posters and streamers and the campaign funds where candidates could spend P5 per voter for those who have no political party and P3 for president and vice president with political party.

“It de-fangs and decriminalizes, but it does not totally remove the limitations. There is still percentage for the Comelec to assert its authority so that legal limitations will be observed,” he stressed.

The Comelec will issue guidelines regarding campaign expenses, Sarmiento said, adding that they still need to discuss the rules for issuance probably early next month.

Meanwhile, Sarmiento also observed that the High Court’s ruling is only advantageous to candidates with “deep war chest.”

“Personally, if you ask me, I think there is a disappointment in this decision. I think I share the sentiment of a justice of the Supreme Court that this is favorable to those with more war chest,” he said.

He noted that this would mean that those that could spend more will be at the advantageous side as compared to those who don’t have sufficient resources or funding.

“If you are less known and less moneyed, you will be at the disadvantaged because of this decision,” the Comelec official added. (PNA)
scs/FGP/utb

GMA-7's Biyaheng Totoo in Northern Samar

2009-11-29T22:52:00.000-08:00

GMA-7's Biyaheng Totoo news feature story focused on malnutrition in Northern Samar, particularly the towns of Laoang and Pambujan. Watch the video below for Biyaheng Totoo: Northern Samar. It was shown on GMA-7's 24 Oras and on QTV-11's Balitanghali.

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For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Samar Island newsmen condemn massacre of journalists in Maguindanao

2009-11-29T22:45:00.000-08:00

By RICKY J. BAUTISTA

November 26, 2009

CATBALOGAN CITY – This is the darkest day and infamy in the history of journalism in the Philippines.

The entire community of journalists in the three provinces of Samar Island has joined hundreds of media organizations here and abroad in expressing outrage and condemnation over the gruesome fate suffered by their murdered colleagues when a political convoy was ambushed and slaughtered by gunmen in the Maguindanao province of Southern Philippines, Monday, November 23, this year.

The Samar Island Press Club (SIPC), a legitimate media organization composed of members working for print, radio and televisions stations in North, West and East Samar has also demand speedy solution over this biggest single massacre of working journalists committed by beasts, bring to justice the guilty murderers with dispatch, without fear or favor.

Starting today, members of the SIPC will wear a black t-shirt with “stop killing journalist” print, condemn in each radio programs and newspaper columns and will put a wide tarpaulin with full condemnation of this kind of “barbaric acts” against innocent civilians.

The full text of the statement released by the SIPC yesterday runs as follows:

“We, the members of the Samar Island Press Club (SIPC) from East, North and Western Provinces of Samar Island, condemn in its strongest possible term the recent massacre in the Province of Maguindanao that claimed more than 40 innocent lives in which more or less 15 of the victims are members of the media who were merely covering the event as part of their duty and obligation to the people of Maguindanao.

This despicable and savage killings of the members of the Fourth Estate perpetrated in such a horrid and loathsome manner that can only be done by beasts and barbaric beings who have divested themselves of the tiniest semblance of humanity is not only a brazen affront to press freedom but shows lack of respect to human dignity and sanctity.

We can only imagine the evil lurks in the hearts of these most vicious criminals!

Clearly, their demonic masters who are behind this barbaric acts are sending us a message to spare them from exposing their evil and Godless acts against their so called "enemies" to shut up and zipped our mouth, close our eyes, and turned our ears deaf.

But, they are wrong because we fear no one, we will continue to exercise our sworn in duty because that is where we exist, we will continue to expose and oppose ills in government bureaucracy.

We will continue to fight those who would try to quell our God-given gift and our constitutionally enshrined democratic principles such as the Freedom of the Press, the rights of the people to information, and the right of every person to redress grievances against the State.

With one indignant, persistent voice, we the members of the Samar Island Press Club (SIPC) proclaim to all concerned government authorities, that we demand speedy solution over this heinous crime committed by beasts, bring to justice the guilty murderers with dispatch, without fear or favor.”

The SIPC call came after a political convoy of over 50 persons, composed of newsmen, lawyers, and other civilians was ambushed, beheaded and slaughtered by around 100 armed men in Maguindanao, Southern Philippines. Most of the victims were peppered with bullets and buried including their vehicles.

Buluan vice mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu told ANC News that his wife, Genalyn, his sister, and some relatives were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy on his behalf when they were abducted. Mangudadatu is running for governor of Maguindanao.

He said his wife called him at around 9:30 in the morning to say an armed group, supposedly of the Ampatuan clan, a political rival, flagged down their convoy on their way to Shariff Aguak town, where the election office of the province is located.

As of yesterday, the police and military has taken over the whole province apparently to “build confident control measures.” All concerned government agencies has also been deployed in the area to help in the investigations and control peace and order situation in the area.

ICOT-P opens new Aquaculture Training & Production Center in Leyte town

2009-11-28T05:17:00.001-08:00

By Provincial Media Relations CenterNovember 26, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY – At least 44 high school students benefits from the newly launched Aquaculture Training and Production training, started among three public secondary schools in Leyte, Leyte.
The training course, called Income Creating Opportunities Technology-Project (ICOT-P) on Aquaculture Technology Course, is bankrolled by the provincial government of Leyte to provide livelihood skills to students who are unable to proceed to tertiary level of education and earn a degree.
Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, who initiated the training program under his expanding ICOT-P training courses, led the opening of the ICOT Aquaculture Training and Production Center in Leyte town that covers more or less 10,000 square meters of fish pond apportioned for the aquaculture students.
Already 7,000 square meters of the area have been developed where the students can grow their fish variety.
During the recent inauguration at least 5,000 fish fry or fingerlings of different variety were spread into the constructed fish pond.
The ICOT-P is a pro-poor project initiated by Gov. Petilla and is being implemented by the Provincial Government of Leyte. It focuses on graduating secondary level students who cannot pursue college education, by providing technology and skills transfer initially on modern agriculture and entrepreneurship, thereby creating opportunities for gainful income with the use of technology even without college education.
With the success of the initial implementation in various public high schools in the province, the ICOT-P program has extented to the field of information technology when it offered the ICOT-P on IT program and providing them a venue for an IT training course throuh the ICOT-P on IT Data Center at the Leyte ICT Park in Palo.
However, with yet another success story and graduating hundreds of high school students from various recipent schools, the program expanded this year to include aquaculture training and production among selected public high schools.
The ICOT-P envisions to bridge societal divides in the province of Leyte by providing opportunities to young students of Leyte to acquire skills and technologies that will make them productive members of the society despite economic situation in life.
ICOT-P is has become a landmark program of the provincial government, a milestone in its efforts to provide quality life for its constituents through community development, values formation and development and poverty alleviation.

ABOUT SAMAR

2009-11-26T22:21:00.001-08:00

ABOUT SAMAR

Samar, formerly Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar island as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland. Catbalogan City and Calbayog City, two of the three cities of Samar Island, are located in the province of Samar. Bordering the province to the north is Northern Samar and to the east is Eastern Samar. Samar is connected to Leyte via the San Juanico Bridge, which spans the San Juanico Strait, the narrowest strait in the country. To the south of the province is the Leyte Gulf.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The native language of the majority in Samar province is Waray-Waray (also known as Waray, L(in)eyte-Samarnon, or Samar-Leyte Visayan). However, in the island municipalities of Almagro and Santo Niño, Cebuano is the native tongue.

HISTORY

The explorer Ruy López de Villalobos, first came to the island in 1543 and named it Las Islas Filipinas. HISTORICAL TIMELINE A. Brief History (SAMAR) 1596 Many names (Samal, Ibabao, Tandaya) were given to Samar Island prior to the coming of the Spaniards in 1596. The name Samar was derived from the local dialect “samad,” meaning wound or cut, which aptly describes the rough physical features of the island that is rugged and deeply dissected by streams. During the early days of Spanish occupation, Samar was under the jurisdiction of Cebu. In 1735, Samar and Leyte were united into one province with Carigara, Leyte as the capital town. 1768 Again Samar became a separate province in 1768. CATBALOGAN CITY, SAMAR 1596 The city of Catbalogan was founded or settled sometime in October 1596, by the Priests of the Jesuit’s Order. 1735 But, in 1735, Samar and Leyte were united into one province with Carigara, in Leyte, as the capital. The union however, did not prove satisfactory.

1768 Friar Francisco de Otazo, who arrived in the Philippines in 1596, was the first missionary to bring the Catholic faith to the people of Catbalogan in 1768, the Spanish Franciscans took over.The original name of the town was KATBALAUGAN or KABALAUGAN. The two syllables of the name are compounds of the prefix KAT or KA and the substantive noun BALAUG of the Samar Visayan dialect. “Katbalaugan or Kabalaugan” means “a place were seafarers, fishermen or sailors take shelter or cover and are detained.” The old fishing village of Katbalaugan or Kabalaugan was the refuge of people riding in small boats and sailboats when the Northwest and Southwest monsoons blew during the month of July, August, and September.

During the early days of Spanish occupation of the Philippines, Samar was under the jurisdiction of Cebu. Later, it was declared a separate province. So in 1768, Samar again became a separate province from Leyte. Since then, Samar has emerged as an independent political unit with Catbalogan City as the capital.

Samar Resorts

2009-11-26T22:00:00.000-08:00

Marabut Marine Park & Beach Resort

Location
Samar

Is a satellite resort of the Leyte Park Resort-Hotel
It has presently 5 duplex cottages made of indigenous materials that blend with the marine environment while retaining the comforts and amenities of a class A resort

5 Duplex Cottages

Scuba Diving

Snorkeling

Sea Kayaking

Sailing a local “Subiran” boat

www.wayph.com

Caluwayan Palm Island Resort

Location
Caluwayan, Marabut, Samar

Is an ideal eco-tourism oriented resort designed to fit as a perfect alternative place of relaxation in Marabut
Western Samar
being surrounded by a breathtaking view of towering rock islands and islets with secluded coves and coral gardens
truly a paradise for scuba diving, snorkeling
sea kayaking
sailing
swimming
sun-bathing or simply lazing on the beach enjoying the view of the beautiful seascape of the bay

www.asiatravel.com

2009-11-26T17:32:00.000-08:00

History

THE FOUNDING OF SAN ROQUE Like any other budding community, the town of San Roque has its own origin and history. Its original name while a barrio, was Lao-angan, named after the big giant lawaan trees which bound a plenty during the early days. When barrio Lao-angan was created into a Municipality, forty one years ago, the name was changed to San Roque after its Patron Saint.

As far back as 1762, Lao-angan, a barrio of Pambujan, Samar was founded by one Agustin Ciscar. Other settlers followed later on namely: Ruben Lobos who settled in Sitio Naperes, Isidro Surio who occupied Sitio Cabogawan, Albais Mora and Silvino Lobos who settle in Sitio Maroyondoyon, Martin Cagro, known for his loud voice, occupies Sitio Camponayon, Victorio Robleto and Simeon Lutao settled at Sitio Dulahog, Alejandro Jarito settled and occupied Sitio Lupao, and Serapen Cisneros stayed at Sitio Inilian. All these Sitios formed the nucleus of the present town of San Roque including the barrios of Balnasan, Balud, Bantayan, Coroconog, Dale, Genagdanan, Lawaan, Malobago and Pagsang-an.

The lightning-like progress of barrio Lao-angan in respect to business, education and population, agitated for the creation into a municipality dating as far back to the later part of the Spanish regime. Leading the agitators during those dark days were Jose Macaldo, Magno Naza, Pandoy Mora and Julian Macaldo. The movement about to be granted by the Spanish Officials failed because of the Spanish-Filipino-American War.

Later in 1907, Don Licerio Sosing, a native of Catbalogan, who by luck acquired a fortune in Pambujan, spearheaded the movement of independence of Lao-angan, The Provincial Governor, the late Hon. Clodualdo Lucero was close friend of Don Licerio. It was almost a success, but political intervention result in its rejection by the powers that be. Since then, the people of Lao-angan did not falter. Instead, they continued to progress by leaps and bounds. Business, Education and Population continued to leap forward. A new breed of civil minded, dynamic and aggressive agitators came in. In 1952, spearheaded by the fighting maestros of Lao-angan, and supported by the influencial leaders in the community, like Juan F. Avalon, Diego Merino, Pelagio Cagro, etc., a resolution and petition was submitted to Hon. Congressman Escareal asking for creation of Lao-angan into a new independent municipality. Ex-congressman Escareal introduced House Bill No. 3148 in the House of Representatives which fortunately was passed in the lower house but failed to reach the good graces of the Senate. The leaders of the independence movement did not lose hope. Thru thick and thin, they patiently waited for a more favorable atmosphere. With Congressman Eladio Balite and Senator Decorroso Rosales, 1st District representative and senator of Samar, respectively, the dynamic leaders of Lao-angan revived the independence movement. House Bill No. 1804 was introduced and passed by smooth sailing both in the House of Representative and the Senate.

Thus, the dreams of independence become a reality. On May 23, 1960, San Roque was born a municipality, amid the ringing of Golden Bells.

The municipality of San Roque is among the ten municipalities of 2nd District of Northern Samar, comprising of sixteen Barangays with the total population of 20,214 for 2001.

Economic Profile

A. INCOME

Amount of Annual Income - Php25, 781,836.23
Major Sources of Income:
IRA - Php24, 251,405.00
Grants/Aids - Php800, 000.00
Realty tax - Php29, 996.44
Fees/Licenses - Php700, 434.79

B. EMPLOYMENT

Labor Force population - 5,793 or 51%
Employment rate - 80%
Major fields of employment Farmers - 71%
Fisherfolks - 75%

C. AGRICULTURE

Major Crops Annual production (MT) Area Planted (Has.)

1. Rice 3,895 1,062
2. Coconut 4,767 2,509
3. Root crops 6,012 377
4. Abaca 164 177
5. Other crops/vegetables 5,264 1,316

Livestock Population Annual Meat Production (MT)

1. Carabao 599 81
2. Swine 2,320 38.80
3. Cattle 159 7.2
4. Goats 60 None

Fishing

Fishing ground - Bantayan Bay
Fish ponds - 50 hectares
Annual fish productions - 150 metric tons
Major species harvested - Tuna fish

D. FORESTRY

Forest area - 3,240 hectares
Major forest products - lumber

E. TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Major industry/Products - Copra, Abaca, Milling Rice

F. TOURISM

Major Tourist attractions - San Roque Beach Resort
Tourism Potentials - Cambilica Falls, Bangon Falls, San Roque Shrine

Social Sector

A. DEMOGRAPHY

Total population (2003) - 21,171
Population density - 1.1293
No. of household - 3,651
Average household - 5.6
Birth rate - 21.3/1,000 populations
Death rate - 3.5/1,000 populations

B. HEALTH

Malnutrition - 13%
Morbidity rate - 12.9/1,000 populations
Mortality rate - 3.5/1,000 populations Health facilities:
No. of Health Centers - 1
No of day care Centers - 11

Health Personnel:

No. of Doctors - 1
No. of Nurses - 5
No. Midwives - 9
No. of Sanitary Inspector 2
No. of BHW - 205

C. EDUCATION

Literacy rate - 75%
Educational Institutions:
No. of elementary schools 14
No. of high school - 1
Current enrollment - 4,276
Tertiary - 1,141
Teacher-student ratio - 1:42

D. HOUSING

No. of Housing Project - 1
No. of Beneficiaries - 331

E. RELIGION AND CULTURE

Major denominations
Roman Catholic - 19,931 or 98%
Iglesia ni Cristo - 186 or .91%
Others - 603 or 1.09%

Dialects:

Waray - 19,883 or 98
Tagalog - 37 or 18%
Ubo - 24 or .24%

TOPOGRAPHY

It is composed largely of low and extremely rugged hills and small lowland areas. It has also small and discontinuous areas along the coast and its rivers, which are usually accompanied by alluvial plains and valleys. The province is endowed with relatively rich and fertile that most crops can grow on it.

CLIMATE

The province has no distinct dry or wet season but it has pronounced rainfall from October to January. The heaviest precipitation occurs in November. May is relatively the driest month

2009-11-26T17:31:00.000-08:00

REGION VIII : EASTERN VISAYAS

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Eastern Visayas encompasses the two large islands of Leyte and Samar, the province of Biliran and several minor islands. This region is the eastern boundary of the Philippines.

The San Bernardino Strait separates Eastern Visayas from Luzon in the southeast while the Surigao Strait separates the province of Leyte from the northeastern part of Mindanao. The Visayan and Camotes Seas separate the region from the rest of the Visayas. On the east, the region faces the Pacific Ocean.

The San Juanico Strait separates the islands of Samar and Leyte. The terrain of the two large islands is entirely different. Leyte has a high peaked mountain mass in the interior while Samar has low rugged hills interspersed with valleys

POPULATION
As of 2000, the total population of the region was 3,589,000. This increased by 6.02% from its population of 3,366,917. In 1990, 52% or 1,558,826 of its total population was male. 69% lived in the rural areas.

CULTURAL GROUPS
Region VIII is inhabited by the Waray-Warays, the country’s fourth largest cultural linguistic group. But Cebuanos, from the nearby island of Cebu live in Ormoc City, Western Leyte and parts of the southwest of Leyte.

CLIMATE
The eastern portion of the region is frequently visited by storms from the Pacific Ocean. The region receives heavy rainfall throughout the year with no pronounced dry season.

LAND USE
Eastern Visayas is primarily an agricultural region with rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane and banana as major crops. Its total land area is 21,431.7 sq. kms. 52% of its total land area are classified as forestland and 48% as alienable and disposable land.

NATURAL RESOURCES
The region’s sea and inland waters are rich sources of salt and fresh water fish and other marine products. It is one of the fish exporting regions of the country.

There are substantial forest reserves in the interiors of the islands. Its mineral deposits include chromite, nickel, clay, coal, limestone, pyrite and sand and gravel.

It has abundant geothermal energy and water resources to support the needs of medium and heavy industries.

ECONOMY
Primary sources of revenue are manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and services. Mining, farming, fishing and tourism contribute significantly to the economy Manufacturing firms include mining companies, fertilizer plants, sugar central, rice and corn mills and other food processing plants. Cebu is the hub of investment, trade and development in the region.

Other industries include mining, rice, corn and sugar milling, coconut oil extraction, alcohol distilling, beverage manufacture and forest products. Home industries include hat and basket weaving, metal craft, needlecraft, pottery, ceramics, woodcraft, shell craft and bamboo craft.

The region receives the “spillover” from Cebu’s industrial and eco-tourism activities

Leyte is planned to become an industrial hub of the region with the development of the following industrial estates and centers:

• Leyte Industrial Development Estate
• Amihan Cebu Woodlands township
• Eastern Visayas Regional Agri-industrial Growth Center
• Barugo Economic Zone
• Leyte Provincial Industrial Center in Ormoc City
• Baybay Techno Science Par

URBAN CENTERS
The centers of education, trade and commerce in the region are the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc in Leyte and Catbalogan and Calbayog in Samar.

FACILITIES
The San Juanico Bridge connects the islands of Leyte and Samar, across the San Juanico Strait. It is also linked to the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway.

The region has several national, municipal and private ports and a number of airports. Postal, telegraph and telecommunications services are provided by both government and private sectors .

Sources:
-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
-National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO)
-(NAMRIA)
-Department of Tourism (DOT)

NORTHERN SAMAR - Attractions - Natural

2009-11-26T17:29:00.001-08:00

Bani Island Beaches
Location: Lavezares, Northern Samar, 248 kms. from Tacloban City; can be reached by half-hour motorboat ride from Lavezares.
Description: Ideal for scuba diving; best for swimming;

Catawgan Beach
Location: San Roque townproper; can be reached by land transport.
Description: White sandy beach ideal for swimming.

Talisay Beach
Location: Biri, Northern Samar; half-hour motorboat ride from Lavezares.
Description: Ideal swimming spot; magnificent corals and shells abound.

Pearl Farm & Panganuron Beach Resort
Location: San Vicente, Northern Samar; can be reached by a 2-hour motorboat ride from San Isidro.
Description: Established pearl farm; cool breeze along sandy beach; attracts pearl- lovers and picnickers.

Gemini Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Urdaneta, Lavezares, Northern Samar.

Marsans Beach Resort
Location: Lavezares, Northern Samar.

Panganoron Beach Resort
Location: San Vicente, Northern Samar.

Kinagatusan Cave (unexplored)
Location: Las Navas, Northern Samar.

Paninirongan Cave
Location: Pambujan, Northern Samar.

Sohoton Cave (unexplored)
Location: San Isidro, Northern Samar.

Langtaran Beach
Location: UEP, Catarman, Northern Samar.

Talalora Beach
Location: Palapag, Northern Samar

Spice of Lifeh
Location: Allen, Northern Samar

Gamma Beach
Location: Allen, Northern Samar

S & M Beach Resort
Location: Bobon, Northern Samar

German Village
Location: Bobon, Northern Samar

San Roque Beach
Location: San Roque, Northern Samar.
Description: A 5-kilometer long stretch of fine white, pink, brown and black sand beach gradually slopes into an ocean of clear, blue waters teeming with fish and other marine life.

Tamburusan Beach
Location: Catarman, Northern Samar; 2 kms from Catarman and accessible by road.
Description: Refreshing sandy beach with sea breeze wafting from San Bernardino Strait and coconut palms along the shoreline; ideal for swimming, surfing and boating.
Description: Cool and breezy; big waves.

Rosario Hotsprings
Location: Rosario, Northern Samar; can be reached by land transportation; 27 kms. from Catarman.
Description: Legend-full hotspring frequented by the sick and afflicted who believed it has miraculous effect; believed to be blessed by the Virgin Mary; sulfuric water.

Silvino Lobos
Location: Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar; can be reached by motorboat or banca via Pambujan River.
Description: Cool and soothing climate comparable to Baguio; deemed as the “summer capital” of Northern Samar.

Biri Island Rock ISLAND
Location: Biri, Northern Samar; jump-off point at Lavezares town.
Description: This island town is blessed with unique natural beauty. Biri, known for its awe-inspiring rock formations carved due to big waves of the San Bernardino Strait that lap up the eastern portion of its shore.

Bito Cave
Location: Capul Island, Northern Samar; accessible by a 2-hour motorboat ride from Allen town.
Description: Wonderful stalactites and stalagmites; guano on the floor.

Gomag Cave
Location: Mapanas, Northern Samar; 2 kms from Mapanas town proper; can be reached by motorboat.
Description: A natural underground chamber.

Cabacungan Cave
Location: Allen, Northern Samar.
Description: A natural lagoon.

Bangon Falls
Location: Victoria, Northern Samar; can be reached by any land transport; half-km from Allen.
Description: A potential source of hydro-electric power; pride of Allen and San Isidro.

Pinipisakan Falls
Location: Las Navas, Northern Samar; accessible by motorboat or banca via the Catubig River; 15 kms from Catubig townproper.
Description: Contains a series of star-like waterfalls; good picnic site cool climate.

Veriato Falls
Location: Catarman, Northern Samar; 2 kms from Catarman and accessible by road.
Location: Victoria, Northern Samar; 239 kms. from Tacloban City, located 60 meters from a lovely beach.
Description: Beautiful natural pools.

MOMBON FINGER CORALS
Location: 3 minutes travel time from Mondragon town proper to Mombon.
Attraction: Good for swimming.

2009-11-26T17:24:00.000-08:00

Sen. Chiz Escudero’s speech
November 24, 2009

Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat, magsi-upo po tayo. Maikli lamang ito.

Simula noong umalis ako sa NPC noong ika-28 ng Oktubre, ginawa ko yun upang Malaya akong Makita at matanaw ang dapat kong gawin kaugnay ng 2010 elections. Ginawa ko ‘yun upang hindi nakapiring at hindi nakatali ang aking mga mata’t mga kamay para malaman kung ano ang dapat kong magawa sa ating sambayanan sa darating na panahon. Mula sa aking Malaya na pagkakatayo, tunay namang mas nakita ko ang dapat nating gawin bilang isang bansa at bilang isang lahi. Kabilang na ang pag-amin at pag-ako ng aniuman kakayanan o kawalan nito kaugnay sa mga mithiin, pangarap at layunin natin para sa ating bansa.

Nitong mga nagdaang araw, nagnilay-nilay ako, kumausap sa maraming malalapit na kaibigan at gayundin pamilya, kinausap ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan at pinagpasyahan ang aking papel na gagampanan sa darating na halalan. Akala ko magiging madaling desisyon pero hindi pala. Akala ko napakadali ang magiging pasya pero hindi pala. I’ve always said that for me, it’s the presidency but not at all cost. Not at the cost of losing my soul, not at the cost of losing myself, not at the cost by being eaten up by the system and the process and certainly not at the cost of not being able to do the things that I was and set out to do. Para sa akin panguluhan lamang ang aking nasa isip subalit hindi ko ito hahanapin at kukunin kung sa proseso ng pagkuha nito mawawala po ang aking sarili’t kaluluwa. Hindi ko rin kayang gawin ang dapat at gusto kong gawin at kung makakain lamang ako ng sistema. Para sa akin, hamon itong dapat tingnan ng lahat na ng unang nagdeklara, sila ba’y nakain na ng sistema o hindi pa, sa daan tungo sa panguluhan. Sila ba ay kaya pa ring gawin ang lahat ng pinangako sa atin na magaganda at matatamis habang nangangampanya. Hindi ko makokonsensyang sabihin ‘yan kung hindi ko rin lang kayang gawin kung ako ay pagtitiwalaan niyo. Dahil po sa lahat ng nabanggit ko, akala ko’y madali pero hindi. Napagpasyahan ko, na hindi tumakbo bilang pangulo sa darating na halalan. Napagpasyahan ko na hindi man bilang kandidato, ako’y may papel na pwedeng gampanan bilang Pilipino at ordinaryong botante sa panahong ito. Napagpasyahan ko na hindi lang ngayon ang panahon para matupad ang pinanghahawakan kong pangarap at layunin kong panguluhan nang hindi nakatali. Patuloy kang panghahawakan ang pangarap at pangakong iyan. Hindi man ngayon kundi sa darating na panahon.

Nais kong gamitin ang pagkakataong ito para magpasalamat sa lahat nang mga naniwala at nagtiwala; sa lahat ng gumalaw at kumilos maski na walang salapi o pera; sa lahat ng nagsalita at naniwala, sumigaw at nakiisa sa aking pangarap ng walang katumbas at kapalit. Kaninang umaga, bago ako umalis binisita ko yung dalawang anak ko na kambal at yun lang ang nagbigay sa akin ng lakas humarap sa inyo ngayon dahil maraming nagsasabing kung hindi ka rin lang naman tatakbo Chiz bakit kapa magpepress-con? Mag press release ka na lamang. Buong tapang at buo ang loob kong nais sabihin ito sa harap ninyo. Dahil hindi ko kinakahiya anumang salitang binigkas ko ngayon.

Kasabay ng inyong kalungkutan, marahil ganun din ang aking kalungkutan. Pero kasabay ng kalungkutang yan, ang pagnanais at pangarap at pangakong nais kong hawakan pa rin natin matapos nating lumisan ng silid na ito. Ang pangako ng isang bagong Pilipinas; ang pangako ng isang bagong pagbabago; ang pangako ng isang Pilipinas na hindi tulad ngayon, na kung hindi man natin makakamtan ngayon at sa pamamagitan ko san a magampanan ito nang mga nagpapakilala sa ating reresolba sa lahat ng ating problema. Kaisa ninyo ako at kaisa ako nang sinumang pagtitiwalaan ng sambayanan sa mga darating na araw. At bilang botante, bilang Pilipino, bilang senador patuloy akong mananalig sa kakayanan ng Pilipino at ng ating bansa na malampasan ang mga hamon at pagsubok na ito. Salamat po sa inyong pagtitiwala nitong mga nagdaang araw. At salamat din po sa inyong pagtitiwala sa akin sa aming grupo at sa aming lahat, sa adhikaing aming pinanghawakan. Makakaasa kayo na patuloy namin itong gagawin at gagampanan sa mga susunod pong araw. Sa muli po, taos pusong pagbati, salamat sa pagbisita at isa pong maganda at pinagpalang umaga.

2009-11-26T17:17:00.000-08:00

18 EASTERN SAMAR MAYORS DECLARE SUPPORT TO GOVERNOR EVARDONE’S CONGRESSIONAL BID

Written by JOEY A. GABIETA - Leyte Samar Daily Express

Monday, 23 November 2009

TACLOBAN CITY — With more than half of the mayors of Eastern Samar signing a manifesto of support, the probability that Governor Ben Evardone will run for the province’s lone congressional district is becoming a foregone conclusion.

However, the governor, who is just serving his second term, remains noncommittal, saying that he has yet to decide whether he will leave the provincial hall in favor of the House of the Representatives.

The manifesto urging Evardone to take crack the congressional post was signed by 18 mayors of Eastern Samar.

“We, the undersigned public servants, hereby declare our full, unequivocal and unconditional support for Honorable Ben P. Evardone in his bid for the congressional seat of the lone district of Eastern Samar in the coming May 2010 national and local elections,’ the two-page manifesto of support signed by the mayors said.

Among those who signed the petition urging Evardone to run for Congress were Sulat Mayor Javier Zacate, provincial president of the Mayors League of the Philippines, Borongan Mayor Fidel Anacta and Mayor Neil Alvarez of Oras, the hometown of incumbent Representative Teodulo “Doloy” Coquilla.

If Evardone will plunge into the congressional race, he will be facing a former aide, lawyer Raymond Apita, and Rep. Coquilla.

Apita is affiliated with the Nationalist People’s Coalition while both Evardone and Coquilla belong to the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

“More than ever, we think that it is imperative to firmly and publicly declare our resolve to stand and rally behind the man, who for almost six years now as Governor of Eastern Samar, has put into realization a certain socio-political direction of the province,” the mayors said.

“Gov. Evardone has instituted reforms and started programs and policies, particularly in the area of education, health, agricultural productivity, poverty alleviation, infrastructure with focus at the countryside, welfare assistance and fiscal management,” the mayors added, citing the accomplishments made by the Evardone administration over the last six years.

They added all these reforms and accomplishments made by the incumbent governor could be pursued further even he will sit at the House of Representatives.

But despite this overwhelming endorsement, Evardone has yet to fully declare whether he will challenge the incumbent congressional representative of the province.

He, however, expressed his gratitude for the support by the mayors adding that other mayors of the province are to endorse him too. Members of the provincial board and barangay leaders have also endorsed him to run for Congress as well, Evardone added.

“I hope that the party leadership will listen to the sentiments of our local leaders,” Evardone, who is expected to be proclaimed as the official nominee of the ruling party, said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

Northern Samar

Joint session hears martial law report

By BEN R. ROSARIO

Despite a bid by congressional leaders to evade debates, the joint session of Congress started off yesterday with arguments initiated by lawmakers who questioned the nonappearance of government officials, including that of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

161 gunmen identified

By AARON B. RECUENCO and ALI MACABALANG

More arrests, more raids 62 held; another arms cache unearthed

Where is the President?’

Court orders Samar gov: Return P104M to province

Wife of Ampatuan rival had the most gunshots – NBI

‘Go easy on Ampatuans’

Gordon, Fernando team up as 2010 ‘transformers’

December 01, 2009 14:27:00

Arroyo now an official bet for Congress

December 01, 2009 08:23:00

Presidential candidates swell to 99 – Comelec

Samar town finds light in caves

2010 Election Updates

Communists stage fresh attack, burn container van in Southern Philippines

Posted on 30 November 2009

GMA 7 "Tatakbo Ako"

2010 Election Updates

Posted on 30 November 2009

Posted on 30 November 2009

Posted on 30 November 2009

Posted on 30 November 2009

Posted on 29 November 2009

Posted on 29 November 2009

Posted on 28 November 2009

Posted on 28 November 2009

Posted on 27 November 2009

Posted on 27 November 2009

GMA-7's Biyaheng Totoo in Northern Samar

Samar Island newsmen condemn massacre of journalists in Maguindanao

ICOT-P opens new Aquaculture Training & Production Center in Leyte town

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NORTHERN SAMAR - Attractions - Natural

Sen. Chiz Escudero’s speech November 24, 2009

Sen. Chiz Escudero’s speech
November 24, 2009