The Ranaw Tribune

The Mindanao Gazette - Special Edition

2013-12-28T13:25:00.004+08:00

EASTMINCOM sends Battalion for Leyte, calls for Bayanihan

2013-11-18T19:02:00.001+08:00

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – The AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command has sent a battalion to Leyte to support the national government’s effort to fast track the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation in the devastated areas in Leyte brought by the typhoon Yolanda named Joint Task Force Tambayayong (JTFT II) Saturday morning. It can be recalled that a year ago, when the typhoon Pablo hit Davao region, the same carpenter-soldiers from JTFT repaired more than 700 houses, facilities, schools, chapels in the communities in the rehabilitation phase. They are armed with hammers, craw bars, saws and other light construction equipments.

The Task Force is organized for reconstruction works and search & rescue; and relief operations from the Army’s 4^th & 10^th Infantry Divisions; Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao; and from Army Engineer units. Medical volunteers from the KIWANIS International Division 7 and 8 also joined the troops as component of the said humanitarian mission. The convoy has with them family food packs for distribution to the people in Leyte that came from donors in Davao. Some donors gave nails and large tarpaulins for temporary shelters.

EASTMINCOM Commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III said that sending the JTFT II to Leyte will help the people in the affected communities construct shelters or repair partially damaged houses and facilities, clear roads to speed up entry of vehicles transporting relief goods and even recover missing persons. “Sa bawat pako at yero o anumang klaseng construction materials na madadala ng sundalo, maraming pamilya ang matutulungan. Ito ang tunay na kahulugan ng TAMBAYAYONG mula sa taga Mindanao. We are calling all stakeholders to join us in this Bayanihan”. Lt. Gen. Cruz said

PAYLAGA PRIDES IN VOTE BUYING

2013-11-18T18:53:00.001+08:00

By Frank E. Dosdos, Jr.

PANAON, Misamis Occidental – The Mayor of this conservative, peace-loving municipality virtually takes pride in vote buying.

During the barangay elections last October 28, Mayor Francisco Paylaga, Jr. told a crew of a local TV network, “Tag 200 ray ilang gihatag, mas dako ang amoa (They gave only 200, ours was bigger).”

This incident was video recorded by the crew.

Former Mayor Miriam Paylaga, the Mayor’s wife, ran and won as Barangay Captain of Lutao, here.

Miriam’s opponent Nerolyn Cagaanan Galleros denied ever buying votes as she said that she wants the voluntarily will of the people to prevail.

The Mayor’s statement confirmed a teary-eyed housewife’s narration to this writer of an incident that happened in the morning of the day before the election.

She said that she had to leave her laundry when a Municipal Councilor close to the Mayor and the Municipal Treasurer fetched her at her residence together with other neighbors and brought to the residential compound of the Paylagas.

Inside, she was forced to accept two P500 bills by “Tata” the Vice Mayor Daughter of Paylaga with threats that if she will not vote for Miriam she would be (at this point “Tata” motioned with her forefinger cutting her neck.)

Still almost crying, the housewife showed the two P500 bills to a Video camera bearing team of reporters, later.

Reports of rampant threats, coercion, intimidation and harassment brought here a team of reporters from the Manggagawang Media ng Mindanao.

It was learned that goons allegedly brought in by the Mayor from Tangub City repeatedly passed on the road in front of Galleros in the evening before the last day of the barangay election campaign.

Leaders also said that at around 5:15 o’clock in the morning of October 26, the last day of the campaign, the white FORTUNER of Mayor Paylaga stopped for about 5 minutes in front of the gate of the house of Galleros and its occupants observed through a slightly opened window.

For fear of harm, Galleros was not able to come out of her residence and meet her followers the whole day.

Board Member Jim delos Santos of Misamis Occidental who visited Galleros at her residence in that afternoon was also harassed by a convoy of vans and motorcycles led by the white FORTUNER of Mayor Paylaga.

Attention of reporters in the vicinity was caught by the honking of the white FORTUNER and the following cars and motorcycles behind the vehicle of delos Santos at the junction of the municipal road from the house of Galleros and the National Highway.

The motorcycles tried to come abreast with delos Santos’ vehicle but missed it when he was able to move on to the National Highway toward the adjoining town of Jimenez where he lives.

Delos Santos told reporters later that the convoy kept on trying to overtake and block his way but were foiled by traffic from the opposite direction.

He said that the convoy left and turned back here when the chase was already 400 meters inside Jimenez jurisdiction.

He also claimed that one of the back-riders of the motorcycle trying to overtake him carried a long firearm.

The Newsmen also noted that one of the vehicles though old and worn following the white FORTUNER had “FOR REGISTRATION” plates.

Asked by this writer, Misamis Occidental LTO Chief Jonas Suizo said that old motor vehicles have license plates but “FOR REGISTRATION” plates are usually installed when these are used on illegal activities.

On Election Day, in the presence of a local TV crew, while roaming around on his motorcycle to observe the conduct of the elections, Fr. Rolly G. Decena of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) was accosted by Mayor Paylaga and his daughter, the Vice Mayor.

The Vice Mayor said that Decena, using the Church, received P7 thousand from “Jim” and was roaming around so that he could collect the balance of P18 thousand of the P25 thousand contract.

Decena denied ever receiving money as he said that he was just doing a Shepherd’s job watching his flock amidst reports of rampant irregularities.

Mayor Paylaga admonished Newsmen to render not only negative reports but also the positive developments here such as the all-weather farm to market roads to the farthest barangay and the Power Plant being built.

He said that the Power Plant is being built up here because other Mayors in the province would not accept it.

A source revealed that the said Power Plant was built here for geographical reasons to balance supply delivery to the two Districts of the Misamis Occidental Electric Cooperative during peak demand hours.

As of the this writing Board Member delos Santos is set to bring the situation in this municipality to the general public through a privilege speech that he will deliver in the Sangguniang Panglalawigan.

On the other hand, Fr. Rolly Decena together with his brother priests are readying charges against the Paylagas for what many consider to be an affront not only to the Parish Priest but to the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) as an institution.

Doctors, Nurses and Teachers of Dipolog Medical Center become Soldiers

2013-11-18T11:43:00.003+08:00

RIC CLET/MARIZ REVALES

Del Pilar, Piñan, Zamboanga Del Norte – 21 doctors, nurses and teachers of Dipolog Medical Center graduated from the Military Orientation Training Class 02-2013 of the 4^th Armed Forces of the Philippines (DMC-CFI) General Hospital that qualified them as members of the Arned Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command. The graduation was held in November 16, 2013 at DMC-CFI covered court, Dipolog City and was guested by COL APOLINARIO Y ALOBBA INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 101^st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade, 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army. The DMC-CFI was the fourth affiliated reserve unit of the AFP General Hospital in the entire country which training was started last July 2013,an army official said..

In a press release, Major Randy Veracion of the 101^st Brigade here said that COL ALOBBA emphasized in his message the importance of the reservist roles in times of war, calamities and disasters. “Selflessness and wholehearted service is expected on every reservist. I know that you all have sacrificed your time to undergo this military training which is a far cry from your respective professions, but still equally important. It is not easy to balance your time rendering service at the hospital and at the same time attending your military reservist training, more so when you also had to undergo two (2) physical fitness training. But I hope you had a great time and fun as well while learning about the AFP.

Today, you officially become reservists of the AFP. As such, it is expected that you have already instilled the value of discipline, service and security consciousness. In times of war, calamities and disasters, you are also expected to respond by rendering your wholehearted service. In Zamboanga City Crisis, Bohol earthquake and Central Visayas Typhoon Yolanda, reservist played vital role. Many untold stories, unsung heroes were not publicly recognized. What is happening in our midst today brought about by natural disasters and calamities maybe partly blamed by our inattention to preserving our environment? Hence, you will also be our partners in protecting our environment”.

MPC DELIVERS 98MW TO MINDANAO GRID

2013-11-18T10:36:00.002+08:00

By Frank E. Dosdos, Jr.

Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC) has been delivering 98 Megawatts of electricity since September 6.

MPC Plant Manager Engr. Rubin Ramilo told Newsmen that as of September 6, 2013 Plants No, 1 and 2 delivered 58 and 40 megawatts, respectively.

Ramilo was responding to queries about reports that one of the reasons cited by Mayor Celso Regencia of Iligan in his letter recalling the Certificate of Compliance signed by his Chief of Staff and issued by his Office was that MPC has not attained full capacity.

He said that 98 megawatts is the full capacity of the Plants.

He said that MPC received the Mayor’s letter on October 26 recalling the said Certificate of Compliance on the ground that the Plants were not delivering at full capacity and that Chief of Staff Melchor Alquisola was not authorized to sign that letter.

He added that he personally delivered MPC’s reply on October 29 where they stated that the Plants are now operating at full capacity and that they have no control of who in the Mayor’s Office signed the Certification.

“There was probably a misinterpretation of the digital printouts of the test results,” he opined.

Asked to comment on reports that Engr. Robert Ong said he thought he was just asked to sign an attendance sheet, Ramilo said that Engr. Ong and Atty. Tomas Cabili read the digital printouts of the test results and then affixed their initials on the Certificate of Compliance below the name of CELSO G. REGENCIA, City Mayor.

The Certificate of Compliance refers to the Terms of Reference of the Sale of the Power Plant by the City Government of Iligan to CONAL HOLDINGS, the owner of Mapalad Power Corporation.

Operation of MPC to full capacity has helped in ending the brownouts in the island of Mindanao.

Aboitiz Group targets 200 -million for Yolanda relief

2013-11-17T01:35:00.001+08:00

The Aboitiz Group in the Philippines is targeting to raise P200-million for the immediate relief and long -term rehabilitation of areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda.
In a statement, Abotiz group President and CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz said the group has so far raised P95-million from pledges coming from family members, external donors and compapnies under Aboitiz umbrella.
A special task force has been created within the Aboitiz Group to consolidate vital resources and donations.
"We expect more donations to come in from family, friends and the public due to the magnitude of the relief and rehabilitation reqired in the affected areas," Aboitiz said.
   In an internal memo to all employees of the group, Aboitiz called for volunteers who are willing to fly to Cebu-- the command center of the relief effort --and eventually to Leyte to help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the group. The company will shoulder transportation,board and lodging.
"Let us draw from our passion to serve and heed this call of action amid this time of crisis", he said.
   Out of the P95-million raised so far, P50 million comes from Aboitiz Foundation, P25-million from Union Bank, P15- million from SN Aboitiz Power and P5-million from mega star Sharon Cuneta.
   In Mindanao,Aboitiz subsidiaries include Davao Light and Cotabato Light, power barge operator Therma Marine, hydropower experts, Hedcor, Therma South, flour and feed miller Pilmico as well as banking subsidiaries Union Bank and City Savings Bank.
Aboitiz Foundation has been operating a command center in Cebu since Sunday and has targeted to distribute 14,500 relief packs to the hardest hit areas in Northern Cebu until the end of the week.
   The areas identified were Bogo, San Regimio, Medellin and Bantayan. A separate relief effort will also be organized in Leyte.
A contingent of 20 personnel from the Philippine Navy is accompanying the team for added security.
The 100 year old company traces its roots in the Visayas where many of its employees also come from.    The company has offered immediate assistance to employees who may have been affected, or may have family members who were affected by Yolanda.
   The group's power business unit, Visayan Electric Company, the second biggest power distributor in the country has also successfully restored 94% of electriccity in its franchise area by working round the clock to fix lines and poles damaged by Yolanda. Sister company Davao Light has sent additional manpower to further speed up power restortion.
       Individual can help through UnionBank's UShare portal or the Union Bank of the Philippine Account No.10026-1070944. For City Savings Bank, the account No.is 200-20031301.
   The public may also visit www.aboitizfoundation.org and click the "Donate" button.
        Representatives on the field are Sonny Carpio ( +639178011068) and Judd Salas (+639173013469)
    (Mindanao Daily News)

ARMM relief mission underway

2013-11-17T00:31:00.000+08:00

                                                MOH I. SAADUDDIN
KIDAPAWAN CITY: Humanitarian volunteers from the Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur were set to arrive on Friday in Tacloban City, Leyte, to deliver relief goods and provide medical assistance to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

The trepartite medical and relief mission,formed under the ARMM's Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (Heart), would hopefully offset instances of disorganized and slow dispensation of relief goods and services, Regional Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia said, referring to international media reports of alleged government inept attention to storm-flattened villages in the Visayas.
Gov. Mujiv Hataman of ARMM coordinated with Gov.Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao and Gov.Mamintal Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur in organizing the joint mission. The officials are known loyal allies of President Aquino3rd, whose administration has been criticized by foreign media personalities for alleged weak response to the meseries of typhoon victims.
Mangudadatu said he would accompany some 100 volunteers including nine doctors and 30 nurses from his province ,and supervise the operations of the four mobile hospitals; which were purchased earlier by his office for emergency treatment of ailing villagers and some remote areas.
   Mangudadatu was supposed to commenced its weeklong celebration of its 4th founding anniversary on Friday, but chose to organize the humanitarian mission to symphatized with the victims of the typhoon in Samar and Leyte.
   "This is more important....." he said referring to the humanitarian mission.
   Hataman also instructed provincial officials to tone down the celebration of the ARMM's 24th founding anniversary and cut commemorative cost to muster relief items for distribution to the typhoon victims.
   The tripartite relief mission has pooled medical supplies food stuff and other basic household needs worth "several millions of pesos,organizers said.
The Maguindanao provicial government alone contributed " tons of rice and fresh fish" besides packages of medicines, kitchen utensils, sleeping mats, blankets and mosquito nets, provincial budget officer Lynette Estandarte said.
   Meanwhile, Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza of North Cotabato said her province will also ship food stuffs and other relief items to typhoon victims in Region 8 on Sunday. Several public and private entities have responded to her call for donations now stored at the capitol complex. (MANILA TIMES)

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City in support to the National Greening Program

2013-11-12T06:45:00.002+08:00

DENR sets up P1-M seed production area in Kidapawan City

in support to the National Greening Program

MARIZ REVALES

In support to the National Greening Program (NGP), the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), based here, is in the process of setting up a four-hectare seed production area (SPA) worth P1 million.

The area is within the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-tourism Park in Barangay Amas, this city, which was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 881 series of 1996. The 645-hectare park was formerly the Amas Reforestation Project pursuant to Reforestation Administration Order No. 3, dated 12 April 1966.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Andrew B. Patricio, Jr. of the DENR in (North) Cotabato bared that the establishment of a seed production area (SPA) or seed stands is the most practical option for the immediate production of improved seeds of forest tree species whether from natural stands or plantations

“In establishing a SPA, the tree stands are upgraded and managed entirely to produce quality seeds,” explained PENRO Patricio who is a licensed Forester. “Trees intended for seed production must be tall, with straight bole, big in diameter, and have a balanced crown in addition to being free from disease and insect infestation,” Patricio clarified.

The DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau website (erdb.denr.gov.ph) defines a seed production area (SPA) as “basically a plantation with known origin or stand of natural forest that have been upgraded and managed as source of improved seeds and propagules.”

According to Engr. Eunice Sebastian-Calawen, DENR Provincial Information Officer, Cotabato province is the number one producer/supplier of forest tree seedlings in the region. A great volume of seeds were sourced out from forest trees inside the Cotabato Provincial Forest and Eco-Tourism Park. Thus, there is a need to improve and manage forest trees in the area in order to produce more forest tree seeds with good quality.

The establishment of Seed Production Area (SPA) in Cotabato Province is very vital to ensure sufficient supply of quality forest tree seeds not only for the province but also for the whole region. In this way, the DENR will be able to meet the huge volume of seed requirement under the NGP and other similar programs aimed to address the ill effects of environmental degradation and climate change.

The NGP is a six-year priority program of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which requires the planting of 1.5 billion trees in a 1.5 million hectares of forestlands, abandoned mining sites, urban areas as identified by the local officials and other open areas that need rehabilitation. ( With Eunice S. Calawen/ Manuela C. Locsin /DENR XII).

SSS eases loan terms, offers advance pensions in Yolanda-hit areas

2013-11-12T06:24:00.003+08:00

MARIZ REVALES

As part of national relief and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the Social Security System (SSS) has bared a Calamity Relief Package that offers preferential terms for members' salary and house repair loans, and up to three months of advanced pensions for pensioners in the affected areas.SSS Vice President and Officer-in-Charge for Lending and Asset Management Division May Catherine Ciriaco said the Social Security Commission (SSC) has approved the SSS relief package for members and pensioners affected by “Yolanda” in calamity areas officially declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

“Under the calamity relief package, members and pensioners have six months to apply for Salary Loans and three-month advance pensions, and one year for the House Repair and Improvement Loans,” she said. “With the long deadline, members and pensioners can focus on urgent matters first, such as recovering from injuries and caring for affected relatives, and file their SSS applications at a more convenient time.”

Ciriaco said new and existing Salary Loan borrowers are both covered by the Calamity Relief Package. Current borrowers, including those with sanctions on loan renewal as a result of their past availment of the SSS Loan Penalty Condonation Program, can apply for the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP).

“The SLERP allows current borrowers to renew their loan ahead of the prescribed schedule, and have their one-percent service fee waived by SSS. As for new borrowers, SSS will waive the loan service fee as part of the relief package,” she said. “These special loan applications must be filed on or before April 30, 2014.”

The SSS provides a maximum Salary Loan of P30,000. Borrowers with at least 36 monthly contributions are eligible for the one-month Salary Loan, while those with a minimum of 72 monthly contributions are eligible for the two-month salary loan that is equivalent to twice of their monthly salary credit or “MSC.”

Ciriaco said SSS also lowered to six percent the annual interest rate of its House Repair and Improvement Loan Program, and waived the loan application fee of up to P3,000, to help members rebuild their homes damaged by strong winds and rains brought by “Yolanda,” the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year. The application deadline is one year from the issuance date of the corresponding SSS circular.

“Pensioners for retirement, disability or survivorship can apply for three-month advance SSS pensions to help alleviate the financial burden caused by the recent calamity,” she added. “To apply, they must submit an accomplished application form, with a certification from their respective barangay as proof of residence in a declared calamity area, on or before April 30, 2014.”

On top of the Calamity Relief Package, the SSC also approved a P250,000 donation to the Philippine Red Cross to support relief efforts in the various areas devastated by “Yolanda,” Ciriaco said.

45IB TROOPERS CELEBRATE ITS 36TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY

2013-11-12T06:13:00.002+08:00

MARIZ REVALES

Datu Unsay, Maguindanao - The Army’s 45^th Infantry (GALLANT) Battalion, 5ID, PA under the leadership of LTC DONALD P HONGITAN INF (GSC) PA commemorated its Unit Anniversary of its 36^th years of gallant and steadfast service to the Filipino people and nation on November 5, 2013.

The anniversary celebration commemoration was highlighted by the following activities: Inter-unit Sports Fest; Blood Letting activity; Distribution of school supplies to the One Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Two (1,232) Indigenous pupils in the unit’s area of responsibility (AOR); Field Mass; Pinning of Ranks to newly promoted personnel; Awarding of Military Medals to personnel who performed exemplary service and Plaques of Appreciation to Selected Local Chief Executives (LCEs) and other stakeholders who supported the unit in the implementation of the IPSP-Bayanihan; get-together dinner and Gallant Night Socials, respectively.

No less than MGEN JOEL P IBAÑEZ AFP, Commander, 5ID, PA was the Keynote Speaker during the said occasion. He congratulated the Gallant troopers for their exemplary performance and a job well done for which he awarded the 5ID’s Command Plaque to the unit having been adjudged as the 6ID’s Best (OPCON) Battalion on TRIAD Operations for CY-2013 in Central Mindanao. He also extended his gratitude to the leadership of the 6ID, PA for taking good care of the 45IB as one of its OPCON units, and to the different LCEs and stakeholders for their continuous support in the implementation of AFP’s IPSP-Bayanihan towards achieving peace and development in the region.

The unit anniversary celebration was attended by the different stakeholders/ LCEs/LGUs within AOR and adjacent areas of Maguindanao; Military Officers and Enlisted Personnel from the different line units of 6ID; PNP Personnel; Civilian friends; religious sector and from the Media.

The proud 45IB “Gallant” unit is under the administrative control and supervision of the Army’s 5^th Infantry (STAR) Division. For its 36^th Years Anniversary Celebration, the unit adapted the theme, 45IB: Patuloy ang BAYANIHAN katuwang ang MAMAMAYAN, KAPAYAPAAN at KAUNLARAN ay MAKAKAMTAN.

Accused in IDPP Plunder Case Welcomes Ombudsman Order

2013-11-12T06:07:00.002+08:00

By Frank E. Dosdos, Jr.

Former and Incumbent Elected Officials of Iligan City welcomed the Order of Ombudsman Mindanao for them to submit their counter affidavit on the complaint for Plunder filed by a former Councilor of the City.

Speaking for himself and on behalf of his co-accused former Councilor Moises Dalisay, Jr. told this writer in the latter’s radio program “TIMBANGAN” over DXRJ AM, 1475 khrz, Iligan, last week that they welcome the issuance of the said order.

Dalisay said that they are happy about the order because it gives them due process of law.

He said that the complaint is full of fabrications, lies, speculations and baseless allegations.

It was gathered that the complaint filed by former Councilor Atty. Voltaire I. Rovira after the May 13, 2013 Elections where he lost is an off-shoot of the sale of the Iligan Diesel Power Plant to CONAL HOLDINGS, the owner of Mapalad Power Corporation early this year.

Accused in the said complaint are former Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz, former Vice Mayor Henry C. Dy, former Councilors Moises Dalisay, Jr., Jose Zalsos and Chonilo Ruiz, and reelected incumbent Vice Mayor Rudy Marzo and Councilors Providencio Abragan, Jr., Marlene Young, Frederic Siao, Ariel Anghay, Michelle Sweet, Roy Openiano and other officials of the City.

Dalisay said that the Complaint tried to mislead the Ombudsman by not mentioning that the sale began with the passage of an Ordinance sponsored by the Complainant while he was still a member of the Sangguniang Panglunsod in 2008 authorizing the Sangguniang Panglunsod to sell the said Plant at Public Auction.

He said that surprisingly, the Complainant changed his mind after losing in the Elections of 2010.

It can be recalled that the sale of the IDPP to CONAL HOLDINGS was an election issue last May 13, 2013 Elections but majority of the voters did not believe it because all but one of the candidates for reelection got a new clear mandate from the people.

Dalisay said that no plunder was committed because not a single centavo went to the pockets of the accused as payment made by the buyer was delivered to and duly receipted by the City Treasurer of Iligan.

He added that the proceeds of the sale were already appropriated by the Sangguniang Panglunsod for the different programs, projects and services of the City government.

According to Dalisay in the crime of Plunder the accused must have accumulated over P50 Million.

He said that the sale was above board as it came through a bidding process in accordance with law.

He added that after two failures of bidding when the City government decided to proceed to negotiated sale as another means provided by law, the Complainant initiated negotiations with CONAL HOLDINGS since there were no other bidders.

It was learned that the negotiations was not concluded as it was overtaken by the Elections of 2010.

Dalisay said that afterward, since the bid of CONAL HOLDINGS was only P300 Million, the Sangguniang Panglusod subjected it to Swiss Challenge where interested parties were invited to participate.

However, it was learned that nobody participated in the Swiss Challenge as well.

Instead of awarding the sale to the only bidder, the City Government submitted to the Commission on Audit the records of the process and asked for approval of the sale, it was gathered.

Eventually, the Commission on Audit approved the sale subject to certain conditions in the amount of around P386 Million, higher by P86 Million than the bid of CONAL HOLDINGS which the latter accepted, records indicate.

According to Dalisay, the accused are now preparing their Joint Counter-Affidavit which may take some time because of the volume of supporting documents that will be submitted.

He said that he is confident in the dismissal of the complaint for lack of evidence.

It was learned that the Complainant had a string of dismissed complaints before the Ombudsman in the past.

He was said to have also filed complaints before the Ombudsman in the past against former Mayors Alejo Yañez and Franklin Quijano but all were dismissed.

PAYLAGA PRIDES IN VOTE BUYING

2013-11-12T06:05:00.003+08:00