Manila Bulletin-1

8/20/2019 Manila Bulletin-1

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Palace, Binays trade barbs

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‘I DECLARE…’ — Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. declares his bid for vice president in 2016 before a boisterous crowd and a quiet bust of Gen. Antonio Lunaplaced onstage at Puerto Real Garden, Gen. Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila, yesterday. In his speech, Marcos mentioned being inspired to greater patriotism by the flm‘Heneral Luna.’ (Ali Vicoy)

VOL. 514 No. 11

Sunrise:

Sunset:

5:46 a.m.

5:40 p.m.

Temperature Range:

24.5ºC-33.4ºCpartly cloudy to cloudy w/ isolatedrainshowers and/or thunderstorms

partly cloudy to cloudy w/ isolatedrainshowers and/or thunderstorms



Mindanao VisayasLuzon Manila WEATHER Tides: High: Low:

--

02:42 a.m. 0.35m

H-4

LIFESTYLE

Urban oasesWhether you have a spacious lot or a tiny

condo, you can have your own private garden

in the city.

ENTERTAINMENT

I-1

So successful,still suave

As the lone Filipino

inducted into the FAMASHall of Fame in three

categories – Best Actor,

Best Supporting Actor,

and Best Director

– Eddie Garcia need

not prove his mettle

further.

BUSINESS

Intercon to go as ALI redevelops Ayala Center

PH move to cleanerfuel cuts imports

Manufacturing recovers

in August B-5

B-3

B-1

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Your mobile phone shouldhaveaninternet access andaninstalledQR code reader.

WATCH STORY’S ONLINE VIDEO

INSTRUCTIONS: 1.Turn onyour dataor WI-FInetworkandconnect to the Internet.;2.Scan the QR code.

By ELLSON A. QUISMORIO

Malacañang yesterday main-tained that President Aqui-no had nothing to do withthe Ombudsman’s decision

ordering the dismissal of suspendedMakati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun-

jun” Binay Jr. from the service.“Independent po ang opisina ng

Ombudsman mula ho sa tanggapanng ating Pangulo (The Office of theOmbudsman is independent from theOffice of the President)... We do nothave a hand in the processes of theOmbudsman,” Deputy presidentialspokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Vice Preside nt Jejomar C. Binayhas long claimed that the Aquino ad-ministration is purposely tapping allgovernment resources and processesto persecute him and members of hisfamily. Proof of this is the “selective justice” being imposed against

Ombudsman’s decision defended; Junjun’s camp claims ‘selective justice’

By CHARISSA M. LUCI

After passing the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016, theHouse leadership has vowed to pri-oritize the approval of the proposedBangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the

amendments to the economic provi-sions of the 1987 Constitution and themuch delayed Freedom of Information(FOI) Act when Congress resumes itssession next month.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.said the 289-man Lower Chamber will

flex its muscles to pass significant bills which have been put in the back burnerbecause of the 2016 General Appropria-tions Bill (GAB).

Hobbled by quorum problems,Belmonte expressed confidence hiscolleagues will remain united in

One down, fve priority bills to go

9

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters)– China said on Friday it would not standfor violations of its territorial waters in thename of freedom of navigation in the wakeof reports that the United States

China won’tallow violationsof its waters

By CHARINA CLARISSE L. ECHALUCE

Breast cancer is a diseasethat is not fatal – if detected early. Awareness plays a big part in surviving breast cancer.

A chanceto save lives

BREAST CANCER

AWARENESS MONTH

By MARIO B. CASAYURAN

Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Mar-cos Jr. yesterday formally declared hisintention to run for

vice pres ident in the May, 201 6,elections.

In a ceremony held at the PuertoReal Garden in Intramuros, Manila,Marcos’ hands were raised by his86-year-old mother, Ilocos Norte Rep.Imelda R. Marcos; former Presidentand now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap”Estrada; and Senate Minority LeaderJuan Ponce Enrile.

Marcos, 58, said past administra-tions, including the current Aquinogovernment, have paid lip service tothe welfare of the Filipino people, whonow suffer from the effects of corruptionand neglect.

He said the key to the economicdevelopment of the Philippines is the

roadmap of his father, the late PresidentFerdinand E. Marcos, which is to

Bongbongrunning for VP;Marcos’ roadmapkey to progress

9

11

By MARIS MORTEL HIRUNTRAKUL

The Philippine fashion industrylost a veteran designer with thedeath of Guillermo “Gerry” Katig-bak yesterday.

Katigbak was found lifelessinside the bathroom of his condo-minium unit on Vito Cruz Street inManila. He was 63.

Shiro Gerry, his personal assis-tant, said Katigbak had no

FashiondesignerGerryKatigbak

passesaway 17

17

17

17

‘WEAR’ ABABY — More

than 200mothers

and fathersshow off

their babiesstrapped

onto theirbodies at a

gathering atRockwell,

Makati City, to celebrateInternationalBabywearing

Week, yesterday.

(Ali Vicoy)

By JAIMIE ROSE R. ABERIA

Despite being way past the retirement age,

Praxedes Santillan still tends to her cigarette andcandy stand in Intramuros, Manila daily – rain orshine.

Santillan, 77, says she has to do so to meet herdaily needs. She was not blessed with a family ofher own.

“Wala akong mapagkukuhaan ng pangkain ko.Mahirap. Dahil sa pagtitinda, nakak abili

NATIONAL ELDERLY WEEK

Working away their twilightyears for loved ones


2/86

Sunday, October 11, 20152 News

By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO

Candidates running forpresident in the May 2016elections have at least fourmonths to prepare for thedebates to be organized bythe Commission on Elections(Comelec).

Comelec Chairman An-

dres Bautista yesterday an-nounced that the first led ofthe three presidential debatesthat will be on February 21, ina location yet to be selected inMindanao.

He said the second pres-idential debate will be onMarch 20 in the Visayas whilethe last debate will be on April24 in Luzon.

"There will be draw lots asto what (media) organization will host each of the thre edebates," said Bautista butstressed that each de-bate will be open toall media includingthe social media.

The poll chief saidthe format of the de-

bate will be differenteach time.

Bautista said forMindanao, it willbe dual moderatorformat while in the Visa yas , it wil l bepanel discussionformat. For Luzon,it will be townhalldiscussion format.

"The actual de-tails are still being

By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

A

tropical cyclone could pos-sibly enter the country'sarea of responsibility next

week, according to thePhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysi-cal and Astronomical Services Ad-ministration (PAGASA).

PAGASA weather forecasterShaira Nonot said a potentiallylow pressure area (LPA) will likelydevelop outside the Philippine Areaof Responsibility (PAR) just east ofNorthern or Central Luzon within48 to 72 hours.

If it intensifies into a tropicaldepression and enters the PAR, thecyclone will be given locally knownas ‘Lando.’

It will be the second tropicalcyclone this month and 12th this

year.Nonot said if the potential cyclone

develops, it will likely enter the PARby Wednesday (October 14).

It is forecast to bring rainy weath-er in Luzon later in the week.

Likewise, an LPA located morethan 3,000 kilometers east of CentralLuzon and Visayas could enter PARby October 18 should it maintain a

westwar d movem ent, Nono t said .She added that there is a possi-

bility that it will also intensify intoa tropical depression.

Today, fair weather will prevailacross the country except for someisolated thunderstorms and rainshowers, particularly in the after-noon or evening.

PAGASA-Cyclone, LPAapproaching PH

Presidential debates

to kick off in Mindanaofinalized... it will depend on who will bethe lead organizer," he said.

"There is a preliminary list of issues,but we want it to also be relevant tothe place. Example in Mindanao, theimportant issues there are agriculture,federalism. In the Visayas, disasterpreparedness and in Luzon traffic,"added Bautista.

"We want to know from the public

what questions they want to hear thecandidates to answer. We will have aspecial facility in order to get the ques-tions," Bautista said.

As to the debate for the vice presi-dential bets, he said this will be held on April 10 in Metro Manila.

Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9006 orthe Fair Elections Act which states thatthe Comelec may require national tele- vision and radio networks to sponsorat least three national debates amongpresidential candidates and at least onenational debate among vice presidentialcandidates.


3/86

Sunday, October 11, 2015 3News

By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO

C

atholic Church leaders have dis-

couraged priests from entering

politics.Retired Manila Archbishop

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales even re-minded priests that this is not allowedunder Church laws.

"Church Law prohibits this," he saidin an interview in a recent gathering inQuiapo Church.

The cardinal went on to explain thata priest need not become a politician inorder to serve the people.

"Priests should serve the church.There is a way of serving the people asa priest," Rosales said.

"A real priest who wants to truly serve

need not look for another way of servingthe people because politics is another way

of helping and serving the community or

society," he added.

For his part, Jaro Archbishop AngelLagdameo discouraged priests from en-tering politics because this is not their vo-cation. "Priests only guide and enlightenpeople regarding politics," he said.

And with the filing of the certificatesof candidacy for the May 2016 pollsalready set from October 12 to 16, atleast four Catholic bishops expressedconfidence that their priests won't makethe mistake of entering politics.

"No one among my priests is foolish

enough to enter politics," Sorsogon Bishop

Arturo Bastes said in a separate interview."Not one is interested in running. They

know that it is not allowed. We are not

encouraging our lay leaders to run," saidMarbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez.

"No priest in my archdiocese desires

to self demote from priest to politician. Mypriests are happy to be the moral force to

support and guide Godly would-be leader

or condemn diabolical politicians," Lipa Archbishop Ramin Arguelles said.

"There is a clear mandate that they are

not to enter politics because the Church is

non-partisan in its mission. It is for all," saidCubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.

Catholic priests seeking governmentelective posts are not new in Philip-pine politics and a Catholic Bishops’Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)News post cited the different attemptsof priests to enter public office.

‘Church laws prohibit priestsfrom entering politics’

The Department of Health (DOH) yester day reporte d an increa se inreported cases of influenza-like ill-ness (ILI), commonly known as flu,and hand, foot and mouth disease(HFMD) nationwide.

The Disease Surveillance Re-port of DOH-Epidemiology Bureau(DOH-EB) disclosed that a total of73,100 ILI cases were reported fromJanuary 1 to September 19 this yea r,representing a 1.7 percent increaseover the same period last year,

which had 71, 896 recorded cases.ILI causes a set of common

symptoms, such as fever, cough orsore throat.

ILI can be prevented by, amongothers, getting influenza vaccina-tion annually, minimizing contact

with person who ha s in fluenza andavoiding crowded places.

Cases of HFMD registered a 387.5

percent increase with 1,867 recordedfrom January to September 19, com-pared with the 383 cases reportedover the same period last year.

HFMD, is a viral disease of in-fants and children characterizedby fever, painful mouth sores, anda rash with blisters on the hands,feet and buttocks.

HFMD occurs mainly those whoare under 10 years old, but mostcommonly in children younger thanfive years old. Younger childrentend to have worse symptoms.

Furthermore, children are morelikely to be susceptible to infectionand illness from these viruses,because they are less likely thanadults to have anti-bodies and beimmune from previous exposuresto them, World Health Organization(WHO) noted. (Charina Clarisse L.Echaluce)

Flu cases rising – DOH


4/86


By NATE C. BARRETTO

If in the past months Manila ViceMayor Francisco (Isko Moreno)Domagoso had been drumming upsupport for his bid for a Senate seat,

now he’s knocking on the door of mayor-ship of the Philippine capital.

Moreno was urged to run for mayor ina meeting of the candidates for congress-man and councilor of Asenso Manileño inthe city’s six districts at the Cafe Ilang-Ilang in Manila Hotel.

Asenso Manileño is the local politicalparty that launched the winning mayor-alty tandem of Mayor Joseph Estradaand Moreno in 2013 and the same partythat will supposedly fill Estrada’s entireslate of candidates in his reelection bidin Manila.

“Pag-iisipan ko po. I cannot give youa categorical answer yet, but I will bethinking deeply about it,” Moreno told the36 candidates for councilor and 6 congres-sional candidates allied with Estrada whoare now asking the vice mayor to run forthe top seat.

After the meeting, from 8 a.m. to 10:30

a.m., hundreds of placard-bearing citizens

and barangay officials greeted Moreno out-side the hotel, urging him to run for mayor.

Present at the meeting were AsensoManileño congressional candidates andincumbent officials, namely: District 1’sErnesto Dionisio, with six councilors;District 2’s Uno Lim, with six councilors;District 3’s Yul Servo with six councilors;District 4’s Cong. Ernest Maceda, with sixcouncilors; District 5’s former Rep. JoeyHizon, with six councilors; and District6’s former Rep. Benny Abante Jr. with sixcouncilors.

While they were clamoring for the vice mayor to r un against Estrada, tworeliable sources present at the meetingquoted Moreno as telling the group, “Inthe meantime, let us maintain peace withthe mayor (Erap).”

On Friday night, several meetingsamong incumbent councilors and con-

gressmen allied with Estrada took place,citing a survey that had Estrada trailingformer Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim andManila 5th District Rep. Amado Bagatsingin the surveys.

It will be recalled that in the 2013 elec-tions, Estrada – who ran and won against

Erap allies urge Isko to run for Manila mayor

ISKO GOING AGAINST ERAP? — Manila Vice Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso makes his way through a

crowd of supporters urging him to run for mayor in next year’s elections after emerging from a meeting with the

candidates of local party Asenso Manileño for congressman and councilor in all six districts of Manila at Manila

Hotel yesterday morning. (Courtesy of a Manila barangay leader)

Lim – had declared that after he finishesone term, he would support Moreno’saspirations to be the next mayor.

That all changed when Estrada de-clared categorically earlier this year thathe will seek a second term as mayor ofManila.

A highly-placed source told the ManilaBulletin late Friday that a number ofcouncilors and congressmen, who ran inthe last elections behind the Erap-Iskotandem, want to bail out from Estrada’sbid for a second term.

“A complete slate is shaping up behindthe vice mayor (Isko Moreno),” the sourcesaid.

Moreno, who is on his third and lastterm as vice mayor, could not be reachedfor comment on the matter.

However, one of his close aides told theManila Bulletin earlier Friday that Morenohas already set up his campaign headquar-ters at the 7th floor of the Malate BayviewMansion on Adriatico Street, Manila, and

will “definitely be filing his certificate ofcandidacy by October 16.”

Asked if the vice mayor will be runningfor mayor or senator, Moreno’s aide said“he is still undecided.”

By BETHEENA KAE UNITE

A Filipino seafarer, who was metedout a three-month jail sentence in Sin-gapore for a theft case, is expected to berepatriated within the week, the Laborchief said.

Department of Labor and Employment

(DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldozconfirmed receiving a report from thePhilippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)in Singapore the other day that seafarerJonathan Tacapan will be repatriated.

Citing the report of Labor AttachéRamon Tionloc, Baldoz said Tacapan

was arrested last July for alleged involve-

ment in the theft of diesel fuel from theship where he worked as an electrician.

After posting bail, Tacapan asked as-sistance from the POLO, she said.

In his statement, Tacapan denied hisparticipation in the incident but admit-ted that he did not take any action whilethe diesel fuel was being unloaded by

Pinoy jailed in Singapore set for repatriation – DOLEhis fellow crew members, who wereIndonesians.

Tionloc said Tacapan was afraid tostand up against the Indonesians be-cause he was the only Filipino workerin the ship.

He also claimed that he never touchedthe money handed over to him by theperpetrators as his “share of the loot.”

The Philippine Embassy providedTacapan a lawyer, who assisted in thepreparation of his pleadings, through the

Assistance to Nationals.The Singaporean court considered

Tacapan's plea and gave him a three-month jail term for his indirect participa-

tion in the incident, since he knew thatthe diesel fuel was unloaded withoutauthority.

The other ship crew members, who were directly involved in the oil pilfer-age, had earlier been sentenced to 14months in jail.

By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

The Department of Social Welfare

and Development (DSWD) said it re-spects the refusal of Lumads to a pro-posed temporary shelter, as it clarifiedthe government’s effort as not pullingthem out from their ancestral lands.

DSWD Secretary Dinky Solimanclarified that the construction of tem-

porary transitional shelters for Lumadsaffected by the ongoing armed conflictin Surigao del Sur was still a proposal

that needed the concurrence of the af-fected families themselves and the localgovernment.

“When I met with them, I told thecommunity leaders to present this pro-posal to their constituents and get theiropinion,” Soliman said.

“I have learned that they refused theproposal and we respect that. We willtake the lead from the local government

unit and from the community leaderson what else can be done to ensure thattheir daily needs are met and their safetyis not compromised,” she added.

The DSWD chief offered the proposalas an interim solution while peace is be-ing worked out in the area.

DSWD respects Lumad’s refusal of shelter


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Sunday, October 11, 2015 5National News

By CHRISTINA I. HERMOSO

T

he much anticipated annual grandprocession of the venerated imageof Nuestra Señora SantissimoRosario (Our Lady of the Holy

Rosary) La Naval de Manila along with theimages of the Holy Rosary saints, will beheld at 4 p.m. today around Santo DomingoChurch (National Shrine of Our Lady of theHoly Rosary) on Quezon Avenue in QuezonCity in celebration of the solemn Feast of LaNaval de Manila.

Inspired by the observance of the Year ofthe Poor, this year’s theme is “Inang Maria,Kalakbay sa Pagharap sa Hamon ng Kara-litaan at Kabanalan.”

Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco will celebratea high mass at the church at 8 a.m. Novenamasses were held from October 2 to 10, whileenthronement rites, which was attended byhundreds of Marian devotees were held lastOctober 1.

Hourly masses will be held today at the

shrine from 5 a.m. to 12 noon and at 3 p.m.,5 p.m. and at 7 p.m.

Feast rites in honor of La Naval will alsobe held at Fort San Felipe in Cavite City as well as in other towns and parishes placedunder her patronage.

The first celebration of the Feast of La Na- val de Manila was held on Oct. 8, 1646 in Intra-muros, Manila to mark the naval victory of theSpanish and Filipino Catholic forces againstthe invading Dutch fleet. Reminiscent of the victory of the greatly outnumbered Christiannaval forces against the Turks at the Battleof Lepanto in 1571, which was attributed tothe intercession of the Blessed Mother, the joint Spanish and Filipino forces, upon theadvice of the Dominican friars, prayed theHoly Rosary before each encounter with theinvading forces between March 15 and Oct.4. Finally, the Dutch fleet gave up and left

La Naval de Manilagrand procession today

the country.In thanksgiving to God and the Holy

Mother for the victory, Spanish churchleaders initiated the celebration of the

first feast of La Naval de Manila, whichhas since then been annually marked with a grand procession of the sacredimage.

In line with its efforts to reach out to asmany students under the Department ofEducation (DepEd) as possible, the Philip-pine Amusement and Gaming Corporation(PAGCOR) continues to build more school

buildings located in some of the country’sremote areas.Recently, PAGCOR announced that new

school buildings were constructed in remotepublic schools in Mindanao, Palawan andthe Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)through its “Matuwid na Daan sa Silid-Aralan”school building project.

In partnership with the DepEd and theDepartment of Public Works and Highways(DPWH), the said school building project – which was launched in June, 2011 – supportsthe administration’s goal of providing morelearning spaces for students in public schoolsnationwide.

One of the schools that benefitted from thesaid school building project is the El SalvadorCentral School (ESCS) in Misamis Oriental which received a four-story 20-classroombuilding from PAGCOR.

Maglalambay Elementary School (MES)

in Busuanga, Palawan also received a five-classroom, one-story building donated byPAGCOR.

Audit deficiencies

Last week, the Commission on Audit(COA) has called the attention of PAGCORafter government audit examiners founddeficiencies in the P3-billion school buildingproject financed by the state-owned gamingfirm.

COA cleared PAGCOR of any liability in theaudit findings as it directed gaming officials to“make strong representations with the properofficials” of the DepEd and the DPWH to pointout the audit deficiencies discovered.

In the 2014 annual audit report for PAG-COR, state auditors disclosed that the auditdeficiencies were found following ocularinspection in various school building projects

financed out of PAGCOR earnings.COA underscored the need for “intensifiedmonitoring” of the projects.

PAGCOR, as noted in the audit report,merely provided the funding for the P3 billion worth of school building projects. Implementa-tion was left to the DepED and the DPWH.

In the P2 billion school building project,auditors found deficiencies in the construc-tion of school buildings of the Candelaria Iand II Elementary School, Quezon NationalHigh School, Camarines Norte NationalHigh School and Alawihao National HighSchool in Camarines Norte and the TarlacNational High School in Tarlac City. (MerlinaHernando-Malipot and Ben R. Rosario)

PAGCOR builds moreschools, butCOA posesquestion ondefciencies


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Sunday, October 11, 20156 National News

The Good Pope

The Catholic Church marks today

the Feast of Saint John XXIII

(Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli), who

was canonized by Pope Francis

along with Saint John Paul II on

April 27, 2014. His feast day

commemorates the anniversary

of the opening of the historic

Second Vatican Council, which he

convened in 1962. Also known

as the Good Pope, Saint John

brought the Church closer to the

people as he instituted mass in

the vernacular instead of Latin.

He convened the Second Vatican

Council which overhauled rituals

and doctrines and reached out to

other faiths. Born on Nov. 25, 1881

in Italy, he served as pope from

October 28, 1958 up to the time of

his death in 1963. He was the rst

pontiff to take the pontical name

of “John.” Saint John XXIII madeseveral memorable quotes such as,

“We were all made in God’s image

and thus, we are all Godly alike.”

(Christina I. Hermoso)

P1-B budget to

combat HIV/AIDS

The Philippine government is

allotting P1 billion in 2016 to treat

HIV/AIDS cases, Senate President

Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto said

yesterday. “This is the price the

Philippines has to pay for reportedly

having one of fast- growing HIV

epidemics in the world,” Recto

said. The budget to combat HIV/

AIDS budget is P1.08 billion for

2016, almost double the amountallocated this year, he pointed

out. Recto said the appropriation

would nance the treatment and

testing of 35,000 conrmed and

suspected cases. In a Senate

briefer on next year’s public health

spending, Recto said half or P500

million of the HIV/AIDS fund would

be used to buy anti-retroviral

drugs. The rest would go to test

kits and reagents ( P250 million),

surveillance ( P50 million), and

local prevention programs ( P200

million), he added. (Mario B.

Casayuran)

P69-M pot won

A solo bettor in Lipa City, Batangas,won on Friday Mega Lotto 6/45’s

P69.2-million jackpot, the

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes

Ofce (PCSO) said yesterday.

PCSO General Manager Jose

Ferdinand M. Rojas II said the lucky

Batangeno hit the big prize after

guessing correctly 6/45’s winning

combination of 09-07-20-21-25-

12. The winning ticket was bought

at an outlet in Lipa City. Meanwhile,

with a jackpot amounting to

P236.89-million jackpot, Ultra

Lotto 6/58 again eluded thousands

of bettors in the same draw on

October 9 with 6/45. He said

Friday’s 6/58 numbers drawn

were 55-08-39-32-14-45. Rojas

said this raises the jackpot of Ultra

Lotto for the October 11 draw to an

estimated P242 million. (Edd K.Usman)

7 Pinoys rescued

in Japan return

The Philippine Embassy in Japan

has repatriated seven Filipino

shermen who were rescued by a

cargo vessel bound for Japan. The

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

said the seven shermen were

onboard shing boat Queen Mitch

Petal Dasol – Pangasinan when

their ship sank during the onslaught

of tropical storm “Kabayan.” The

shermen were rescued by cargo

vessel NYK Joanna, which was

bound for Japan. “The shermen

were in the water for morethan 24 hours before they were

rescued,” the Embassy said in a

statement. “The Embassy provided

consular assistance to the seven

shermen, which includes issuing

their travel documents, obtaining

landing permission from Japanese

authorities, meeting them at

Haneda port, as well as purchasing

their one-way tickets to Manila,”

it added. The seven shermen

were repatriated to the Philippines

on October 7, according to the

Embassy. (Madel Sabater-Namit)

Newsbits

By ELLSON A. QUISMORIO

and JENNY F. MANONGDO

Coincidence?

Vice Pre side nt Jej omarBinay has “embraced” thebacking of Marcos dictator-

ship fighters a few days after SenatorFerdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.rejected his offer to become his 2016running mate.

These individuals – collectivelydubbed as “Barangay Binay” – are com-posed of former revolutionary leaders

of Martial Law-era leftist groups suchas the Katipunan ng mga Samahan ngManggagawa (KASAMA), KabataangMakabayan (KM), Samahang Demokra-tiko ng Kabataan (SDK) and other pro-democracy associations under the um-brella of the Movement for Democratic

Binay allies self with anti-MarcosesPhilippines (MDP).

A statement from the Office of the Vice Pre side nt (OVP ) on Sat urd aydescribed Binay’s newfound support-ers as “political activists and veteransof protest actions against the Marcosdictatorship”.

“We strongly sense the country is onthe threshold of a great upheaval,” saidBarangay Binay Spokesman MauroGia Samonte. “There is no stopping theBinay surge to victory,” he added.

Binay will head the fledgling UnitedNationalist Alliance (UNA) party ticketin next year's presidential elections.

Binay wins PDP-LabanLeaders of political party Partido

Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan(PDP-Laban) in various regions alsopledged their support to the embattledBinay’s presidential bid.

At least 250 leaders of PDP-Labancame to the assembly at the GrandOpera hotel in Sta. Cruz, Manila andexpressed their solidarity to Binay,including Manila councilor Bernardito Ang, the party ’s nation al treas urer,former Quezon City mayor Jun Simon

and Chito Borromeo, former consultantof the Housing and Urban DevelopmentCoordinating Council (HUDCC).

In his impromptu speech, Binay as-sured his supporters that he remainsstrong despite the attacks hurled at himas the 2016 polls approaches.

“This is demolition by perception… when you hear things like these, you justhave to ask yourself why there is only talk,only allegations. They were only able tofile at the office of the ombudsman but itis still being examined…look at what hap-pened to JunJun. He is being dismissed.Now, they said a warrant is going to be re-leased against me..I am waiting for this,”Binay said as he uncomfortably held ahandkerchief to his mouth after his falseteeth was damaged the other day.

By CHARISSA M. LUCI

The House Committee on ClimateChange will look into the status of thepost-Yolanda housing and rehabilitation.

The panel, chaired by AKO BICOLparty-list Rep. Rodel M.Batocabe will hold the

hearing on the govern-ment’s Yolanda rehabili-tation efforts tomorrow.

The committee is ex-pected to tackle the “de-ficiency in housing unitsconstructed, affectingthe Yolanda survivor’sright to adequate hous-ing as enshrined in theUniversal Declarationof Human Rights andfurther elaborated in theInternational Covenanton Economic, Social andCultural Rights; andthe inability of NationalHousing Authority (NHA)to secure lands for hous-ing and rehabilitation due

to a laundry list of legalrequirements making itimpossible to purchaselots.”

Batocabe said they willalso investigate the sup-posed snail-paced con-struction of permanentshelters or disaster re-silient houses.”Out of the205,128 housing units al-located with P75.67 billionbudget from the YolandaComprehensive Rehabili-tation and Recovery Plan(Y-CRRP), 22 percentor 46,129 housing unitshad already been bid outand of these, only 2,265housing units had beencompleted,” he said.

Also inclu ded in thepanel agenda are thepurported snail-pacedrelease of financial aidto Yolanda survivors;c o n f u s i o n o v e r t h e“no-build zones”/“safezones”/“dwelling zones”and “hazard zones”, andactual identification ofzones, what rule wouldbe in effect, or how areasare reclassified; and theapparent lack of propercoordination for all post- Yolan da re co ve ry andrehabilitation efforts.

Among those invitedto attend the hearingare Secretary Marry

Ann Luc ille L. Ser ing ,Commissioner HehersonT. Alvarez, and Depu-ty Executive DirectorJoyceline A. Goco of theClimate Change Com-mission (CCC) and otherofficials.

Representatives andofficials of NHA, National Anti-Poverty Commission(NAPC), Department ofNational Defense (DND),Office of the Civil Defense(OCD), Department ofBudget and Management

Solons to probe post-Yolanda housing(DBM), Department of Health (DoH),Commission on Audit (COA), Depart-ment of Public Works and Highways(DPWH), National Economic Devel-opment Authority (NEDA), Housingand Urban Development Coordinating

Council (HUDCC) and the Housing andLand Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)and National Disaster Risk Reductionand Management Council (NDRRMC)are also expected to attend the hearingtomorrow.

HIGHER PRICE IN GENERICS SOON? – A pharmacist gives the medicines bought by a customer at a generics drug-

store in Shaw Boulevard on Mandaluyong City, yesterday. The Philippine government is currently in talks of joining

the Trans-Pacic Partnership (TPP), a free trade agreement led by the United States of America, which includes a

provision that could increase the price of generic medicines. (Federico Cruz)


7/86

Sunday, October 11, 2015 7News

By CHARISSA M. LUCI

A wom an law mak er is pus h-ing for the inclusion of drugrehabilitation services in thebenefit package available to

Philippine Health Insurance Corpo-ration or PhilHealth members anddependents.

Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revillafiled House Bill 6134 seeking to amendRepublic Act 7875, otherwise known as“An Act instituting a National HealthInsurance Program for all Filipinosand establishing the Philippine HealthInsurance Corporation (PhilHealth) asamended by Republic Act 9241.”

“While law enforcement againstdrug users and drug pushers must beimplemented, the rehabilitation of theusers is equally important,” she said.

Mercado-Revilla reminded that itis the State’s policy “to adopt an inte-grated and comprehensive approachto health development including therehabilitation treatment of drug depen-dents and individuals victimized by themenace of drug abuse.”

She expressed concern over thegrowing number of Filipinos usingdrugs. According to the latest statis-tics released by the Dangerous DrugsBoard (DDB), around 1.7 million Filipi-nos use illegal drugs and substances.

House Bill 6134 provides that drugdependency treatment shall be includ-ed in the benefit package of PhilHealthbut shall be reviewedannually in keeping withits protection objectivesand financial sustain-ability.

PhilHealth coverageof drug rehab pushed

The drug dependencytreatment package shall in-clude rehabilitation treatmentof the drug dependent, roomand board, and services ofhealth care professionals,prescription drugs and bio-logicals.

“The problem of drug ad-diction is aggravated by theincreasing new sets of de-signer drugs and the other variations of ecstasy given tounsuspecting high school andcollege students,” Mercado-Revilla said.

By MADEL SABATER–NAMIT

Malacañang on Saturdaydenied that the government isplanning to conceal homelessfamilies during the APEC Sum-mit in November.

Kabataan party-list Rep.Terry Ridon revealed that theDepartment of Social Welfareand Development (DSWD) willagain “hide” homeless familiesin posh resorts during the APECEconomic Leaders’ Meeting(AELM) in November, just like

during the visit of Pope Francislast January.

Deputy presidential spokes-person Abigail Valte, howev-er said the government hasno intention to hide homelessfamilies, and pointed out thatthe modified Conditional CashTransfer (CCT) program is anongoing program and will not just be implemented when thereare high-profile visitors.

Valte also challenged Ridonto check on the data of DSWD’songoing programs.

‘No plan to conceal urban poor during APEC meet’


8/86


By MARIO B. CASAYURAN

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escud-ero yesterday said the na-tional government mustpour more funds to the ag-

riculture sector to boost food pro-duction and reduce the country’sdependence on imported grain,particularly rice.

The R93.4 billion allocated forthe Department of Agriculture (DA)under the 2016 national budget“does not go far enough to supportthe critical needs of the sector thatis struggling to provide the foodrequirements of the population,”Escudero said.

As a former chairman of the Sen-ate Finance Committee that annu-

ally looked into the national budgetthrough budget committee hear-ings, Escudero said the agriculturesector must have a bigger share inthe proposed 2016 R3.002-trillionnational budget

The pro-administration Houseof Representatives approved onthird and final reading Friday nightMalacañang’s R3.002-trillion budget

withou t major changes .The Lower House was expected

to submit soon to the Senate theapproved national budget. Bothlegislative chambers are on athree-week recess and will resumeregular session on Nov. 3.

Escudero said the governmenthas to pour more funds into theagriculture sector so it can expand

programs that aim to boost do-mestic food production and lessenthe government’s dependence onimported agricultural commodities,especially rice, which is the primarystaple food of Filipinos.

He said insufficient funding forthe agriculture sector was largely toblame for the failure of the adminis-tration to achieve its goal of makingthe Philippines self-sufficient in riceby 2013.

“And it is unlikely that the coun-try will attain rice self-sufficiencyby next year because until now, westill depend on large volumes of riceimports in order to fill the demandof the country’s over 100 millionpopulation,” he added.

The Laguna-based International

Rice Research Institute (IRRI) hasnamed the Philippines as the larg-est importer of rice in the world.

In 2014, the country’s rice im-portation reached 1.7 million metrictons (MT), the biggest under the

Aquino administra tion, and closerto the record 1.8 million MT riceimports during the global food crisisin 2008.

The National Food Authority(NFA), the country’s grains procure-ment agency, said that as of Septem-ber this year the total volume of ricethat entered the country alreadyreached 937,000 MT. It is also set toimport 250,000 MT more before the

year ends to avert a potential spikein prices of the staple because of the“El Niño” phenomenon.

Escudero said the DA’s annualbudget needed to be increased bytwo- or three-fold to give the agencymore leeway in providing the much-needed support to farmers, whobelong to the marginalized sectorof society.

He said the agriculture depart-ment would need at least R200 billionto address the huge backlog in farm-to-market roads (FMRs), which arecrucial in boosting agriculture pro-duction and stimulating economicactivities in the countryside.

“Right now, the total backlog ofFMRs is 28,000 kilometers, whichis worth R200 billion. With that, theDA would need almost R70 billion a

year to address this backlog in three years,” he expla ined.

R93.4-B budget for agriculture not enough – Chiz

By CHARINA CLARISSE L. ECHALUCE

The public has been urged by the

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to donateblood and help ensure adequate sup-ply for dengue patients, now near the100,000 mark.

“Blood supply in all our blood servicefacilities continues to be adequate and we

want to assure the public that they can get whole blood and blood products in any ofour blood service facilities nationwide Weall know how important it is to make bloodalways available to those who need it,”said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.

According to recent nationwide datafrom the DOH's Epidemiology Bureau(DOH-EB), a total of 92,807 denguecases have been recorded from Janu-ary 1 to September 19 this year, a 23.5percent increase from last year’s figurerecorded in the same period.

“Ensuring that the blood supply issafe is of even greater importance inorder to save lives,” Gordon noted.

The 102 chapters and 82 bloodservice facilities of the Red Cross na-tionwide were told to be on alert for apossible increase in blood requests due

Donate blood to help dengue patients, Red Cross appeals By MADEL SABATER NAMIT

and CHARISSA M. LUCI

Malacañang assured yesterday

that the announcement of the Lib-eral Party’s (LP) complete senatorial

lineup will push through tomorrow

Monday, October 12.Deputy presidential spokesperson

Abigail Valte, however, was mum on

who will be part of the complete sena-torial lineup, as rumors had it that the

LP is convincing Bureau of Internal

Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim

Henares to run for senator underthe LP ticket.

“Tuloy na tuloy na po sa Lunes

‘yung pag-anunsyo ng Senate slate ngPangulo [The announcement of the

President’s senatorial slate will push

through on Monday],” Valte said.

“Hintayin na lang po natin sig-uro kung sino pa ‘yung nandoon sa

lineup na ‘yon [Let us just wait and

see who will be part of the lineup],”

she added. Valte said the announcement of

the LP was delayed because formerMetropolitan Manila Development

Authority (MMDA) Chairman Fran-

cis Tolentino withdrew himself from

the lineup following the controversial

performance of female dancers dur-

ing an LP event in Laguna.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, chairmanof the LP Membership and Organiz-

ing Committee, said they are readyto announce their senatorial slate onMonday, October 12 after the party

decided to shelve its Oct. 9 sched-

uled endorsement of its senatorial

candidates.“The lineup is almost complete but

I cannot say who they are,” Treñas

said in an interview.

Pacquiao out? A reliable s ource said the LP may

not be able to convince Sarangani

Rep. Manny Pacquiao to join the

slate.

“Rep. Pacquiao will unlikely jointhe LP slate. He may run as an inde-

pendent candidate,” the congress-

man-source said.Former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lac-

son, who served as Presidential

Assistant for Re habilitatio n and Re-covery (PARR) for Yolanda hit-areas,had confirmed his inclusion in the LP

slate, Treñas said.

He said LP standard bearer andformer Interior and Local Govern-

ment Secretary Mar Roxas "invited"

him to run under the administrationbanner.

He explained that he gave in to

the invitation since "we share many

anti-corruption advocacies."Sources said aside from Lacson,

the LP's senatorial bets include Sen-

ate President Franklin Drilon, Sen.Ralph Recto, former Sen. Francis

Pangilinan, Justice Sec. Leila de

Lima, resigned Technical Educationand Skills Development Authority

(TESDA) Director General Joel Vil-

lanueva, former Energy Secretary

Jericho Petilla, PhilHealth Directorand Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hon-

tiveros, Tourism Infrastructure and

Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)general manager and chief operat-

ing officer Mark Lapid, Sen. Teofisto

“TG” Guingona, Internal RevenueCommissioner Kim Henares, lawyer

Lorna Kapunan, and Muntinlupa

Rep. Rodolfo Biazon. Valte, meanwhile, urged voters to

be wiser in choosing their next publicofficials in the 2016 elections.

“What is important is we look at

their platforms, we look at what they

have to offer to the Filipino people

and not what we have to offer tothem,” Valte said.

LP to bare Senate slate on Oct. 12 – Palace

to rising dengue cases.From January to present, a total

of 961 blood units were dispensed fordengue patients, and a total of 333 den-gue patients received blood, the PRCNational Blood Services said.

There are 30 PRC chapters thatreported dengue cases in their areas– the latest of which is Bulacan whichrecorded 5,276 dengue cases fromJanuary to October 6 or a 245 percentincrease compared with 1,527 cases inthe same period in 2014.

GORDON


9/86

‘ZUMBATA’ AGAINST CHILD ABUSE – Schoolchildren take part in the ‘Zumbata on ChildProtection’ activi ty aimed at raising awareness on the ills of child abuse. The eventwas organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Council for

the Welfare of Children and the National Youth Commission at the SM Skydome inQuezon City, yesterday. (Mark Balmores)

1

News 9Sunday, October 11, 2015

passing House Bill 5811 (Basic Law forBangsamoro Autonomous Region), theEconomic Cha-cha (Resolution of BothHouses No. 1), the Public-Private Part-nership (PPP) bill, the FOI bill and theFiscal Incentives Rationalization Bill.

“We have exhibited that collectively, we are capable of setting aside our dif-ferences and look for points of unity.This is why I am confident that with thesame diligence and determination, we will be able to pass other priority billsthat have temporarily taken the backseat to give way to the national budget.These bills include the PPP bill andthe Bangsamoro Basic Law, and theamendments to the economic provi-sions of our Constitution,” Belmontesaid in his closing remarks before the

chamber adjourned for a three-weekHalloween break Friday night.

“Our landmark measures andlegislative accomplishments will bethe legacy we will leave as the 16thCongress,” he added.

House Bill 5811 (Basic Law forBangsamoro Autonomous Region)amends the Malacañang-sponsoredBangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) thatseeks to replace the AutonomousRegion in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with a Bangsa moro juridi cal entity.It is undergoing interpellation in theLower House. The Cha-cha resolu-tion, on the other hand is pending forapproval on second reading.

Belmonte earlier said he is certainPresident Aquino will be disappointed

if Congress fails to pass the BBL in the16th Congress. He and Senate Presi-

dent Franklin Drilon vowed to approvethe BBL by Dec. 16 before Congressgoes on Christmas break.

Anoth er prior ity bill waiti ng forCongress’ approval is the RBH No. 1 which seeks to remove the 60-40 p er-cent cap for Filipino-foreign investorequity on public utilities, media enti-ties, land and exploration of naturalresources.

Rough sailing Gabriela party-list Rep. Luz Ilagan

warned the House leadership againstreviving the Cha-cha proposal.

The Makabayan bloc, she said isready to block the passage of RBHNo. 1.

Belmonte admitted his pet measurefaces a rough sailing in Congress which

has to muster two-thirds vote to pass.The transparency FOI bill which

President Aquino vowed to pass in histerm has yet to be scheduled for ple-nary debates. But Misamis OccidentalRep. Jorge Almonte, chairman of theHouse Committee on Public Informa-tion said “there is still material time forFOI passage in the 16th Congress.”

Akbayan Youth, FOI Youth Initia-tive (FYI), National Youth Commis-sion (NYC), and Action for EconomicReforms (AER) reminded legislatorsthat “the people are waiting for themto finally pass the People’s FOI Act, which will strengthen transpar ency,accountability, and people’s participa-tion in government.”

House Bill 5801 gives the public theright to information on matters of pub-lic concern, the mandate of the Stateto implement a policy of full public dis-

closure of all its transactions involvingpublic interest and the protection of the

privacy of the individual.HB 5801 covers all government of-

fices in the executive, legislative and judicial branches as well as co nstitu-tional bodies. The bill makes availablefor public scrutiny, copying and repro-duction all information pertaining toofficial acts, transactions or decisions,as well as government research dataused as basis for policy development.It establishes the procedure for accessof information and provides remediesto the requesting party in case of denialand requires all government agencies todisclose all the steps, negotiations andkey government positions pertaining todefinite propositions of the government,as well as the contents of the contract,agreement or treaty in all transactionsinvolving public interest.

One down, ve priority...

1

hasten the construction and installa-tions of infrastructures such as roads,airports, fast and reliable communica-tions connections, and networks, anddrug-free society because they are thebackbone to progress.

The area was awash with red-shirted men and women supporters,particularly from the Ilocos region. Alsolending their support to Marcos’ bid forthe second highest position of the land were those belonging to known leadersand families in Muslim Mindanao.

Enrile backs Bongbong Enrile, 91, had said that young

Marcos has the edge over his rivals inthe vice presidential race because theclannish Ilocanos would hand him fivemillion votes.

Enrile’s expression of support wasironic as he was one of the key con-tributors to the fall of then PresidentFerdinand E. Marcos during the 1986EDSA People Power Revolution. Theceremony was also attended by Marcos’sisters – Imee and Irene – and members

of her mother’s Romualdez family fromTacloban City.

Marcos was non-committal on whoshould he team up with.

Aske d later wheth er Davao CityMayor Rodrigo Duterte should be hispresidential candidate, Marcos saidthe question should be addressed toDuterte.

Payback timeEstrada, clad in light green jacket,

said Manila has to pay back the care andlove for the city exhibited by former firstlady Imelda by supporting Bongbong’s vice presidential bid. Estrada’s notedthe former first lady’s mass-feedingprogram for school children and thedistribution of lot titles to residents ofTondo.

The young Marcos, according to Es-trada, represents the country’s youngbreed of statesmen.

Marcos said the revolution startedby Filipino heroes from Andres Bonifa-cio, Jose Rizal to General Antonio Luna,among others, who died for the country

to free Filipinos from poverty and unjustrulers are far from over.

“Corrupt Filipinos in and out of thegovernment are stifling the economyand making our lives difficult,” Marcossaid in Filipino.

Marcos said Filipinos are sufferingunder the dictation of developed coun-tries and giant business corporationsthat are in the forefront of corruptpractices which is causing Filipinosto suffer.

He said the forthcoming elections would be the litmus test to determinehow Filipinos will fare in the future. Be-cause of this, Marcos is offering himselfto be the vice president.

Aquino gov’t chidedHe chided the Aquino administra-

tion for the proliferation of drug syn-dicates, crime groups, gambling lordsand smugglers who hold governmentofficials by the throat; and police givingprotection to these illegal activities.

Some 5,000 Filipinos leave the coun-try everyday to find employment and work under difficult conditions just tohelp and feed their families and be ableto send their children to school.

Bongbong running for...


10/86

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Sunday, October 11, 201510 Editorial

THE eyes of the world’s 1.3 billion Catho-lics, including 85 million Filipinos, arenow on the Synod on the Family beingheld at the Vatican, attended by 270

bishops from around the world, including 74cardinals. Pope Francis opened the Synod lastSunday, with our own Manila Archbishop Luis

Antonio Cardinal Tagle with him on the dais withother Synod officials.

This Synod is a sequel to the Synod of Bishops

held in October, 2014, which discussed a numberof issues, among them homosexuality, same-sexrelationships, unmarried couples, and civil mar-riages of couples one or both of whom are divorced.

A year of reflection has followed that Synod and nowthe Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops iscontinuing the discussion on the same issues.

As in 2014, this gathering of Church leaders isseen by some as a confrontation between conserva-tives, who insist that it reassert Church doctrine onhomosexuality and the indissolubility of marriage,and progressives who seek a more merciful ap-proach to family problems such as those faced bydivorced and civilly remarried Catholics.

Pope Francis urged the bishops to set asideall personal prejudices and listen to one another,

without judgments, finger-pointing, or a sense ofsuperiority. “And may the Holy Spirit guide us, il-luminate us,” he said.

During his recent visit to the United States, PopeFrancis, speaking before bishops in Philadelphia,said, “A Christianity which does little in practice,

while incessantly explaining its teachings, is dan-gerously unbalanced.” Thus, in so many words, he

told the church leaders to adopt a more “pastoral ap-proach” and respond to the needs of Catholics in themodern world. He repeated this call to the bishopsat the opening of the Synod at the Vatican when heurged them to “seek out and care for hurting couples

with the balm of acceptance and mercy.” At the end of the Synod of Bishops last year, a

report was drawn up and it is now the working paperof the current Synod on the Family. Then at the endof this Synod, that working paper will be voted upon,but the final word will be the Pope’s. The UniversalChurch looks forward to this final word of the Synod

which may well affirm Pope Francis’ mission ofcompassion, acceptance, and mercy.

Synod on Family: Pope

calls for compassion,acceptance, mercy

OUR DAILY JOURNEY

Peace work READ: HABAKKUK 2:9-17

I will wait to see what the Lord says

and how He will answer my complaint (v.1).

A S we bumped slowly down the rain-ravaged,two-track “road,” we inched past weathereddwellings where skittish chickens dodged

barefoot children. Simple fences framedgardens that sprouted low-yield corn and tomatoes.Wiry farmers prodded lumbering buffaloes as theytilled larger fields. Suddenly a mansion, sprawlingand fortress-like, loomed in the distance. It was themayor’s house. But he seldom visited this ruralpalace or his impoverished people. He pursued hislavish life in a city far from his isolated domain. Hispeople needed electricity, water and basic healthcare. But he couldn’t be bothered. Even worse, in anearby area, we knew of another provincial leader who used mass murder to consolida te his hold onpolitical power.

The prophet Habakkuk asked hard questions ofGod about this kind of injustice. Violence and op-pression had overrun his land, so he lamented, “How

long, O Lord, must I call for help? But You do notlisten!” (Habakkuk 1:2). God replied, “What sorrowawaits you who build big houses with money gaineddishonestly!” God further warned, “You believe your wealth will b uy s ecurity, p utting your family’ s ne stbeyond the reach of danger. But by the murders you committ ed, you have shamed your name andforfeited your lives” (2:9-10).

We don’t have answers for all the injustice in the world. B ut we can be assured of this: God want s usto do our part to work for justice. It’s a theme thatresonates throughout the prophets’ writings (Isaiah58:3-7; Micah 6:8) and is a key theme of Jesus’ Ser-mon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7).

God will one day put all things right. Until then,His plan is to use us to work for peace and justice.

— Tim Gustafson

“©2015 ODB Ministries, 3000, Kraft Ave SE,Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555-0001, USA. Used by

permis sion. For this an d other mat erials con tactODB Ministries at 322 P. Guevarra, San Juan City(Phils.); Tel.: 722-2010.”

INFORMATION

2nd BarangayAssembly Day for 2015

PROCLAMATION No. 260 onSeptember 30, 2011, mandates theholding of a Barangay AssemblyDay twice a year — on the last

Saturday of March and the second Sundayof October. For 2015, the first simultaneousBarangay Assembly Day for 42,029 baran-gays throughout the country was held lastMarch 28, while the second assembly takesplace on October 11.

The Department of the Interior andLocal Government (DILG), through theNational Barangay Operations Office, hasissued a Memorandum Circular to guide theconduct of Barangay Assembly Day. Institu-tionalization of the Barangay Assembly is amajor component of “Biyaheng Pinoy: Tapatna Palakad, Bayang Maunlad” program,launched on October 10, 2010, by DILG.

Barangay officials inform their con-stituencies on accomplishments as well asupcoming programs and plans for the year.Republic Act 7160, the Local GovernmentCode of 1991, mandates every barangaychairman to deliver a State of Barangay Address (SBA) that should include a reporton revenues and expenses and updates onongoing programs on the people’s health,safety, and well-being.

Issues and concerns affecting the ba-rangay, such as disaster preparedness,solid waste management, cleanup activity,peace and order (particularly pertaining toillegal drug activities), monitoring and strictenforcement of laws against trafficking onbarangay level, and ordinances on stray ani-mals are presented and discussed during theassembly. The assembly may also update theregistry of barangay residents, especially inareas where there are transients and wherehousing developments have mushroomed.

Community residents are urged to ac-

tively participate in the assembly, as it is theappropriate setting for airing questions andcomplaints, as well as for advancing propos-als and recommendations to improve thequality of service of barangay officials andto foster harmonious relationship. Activi-ties to generate greater participation suchas medical or dental mission, “tiangge,”dialogue, sportsfest, and cultural shows areencouraged.

A national assembly was held last Sep-tember 28-30 by Liga ng mga Barangay(League of Barangays), the largest grass-roots organization created by R.A. 7160 andcomposed of all barangays, representedin the league by their Punong Barangay

Discussion (PBD) at the assembly centered on “ Ugnayanng Barangay at Simbahan,” disaster risk management,peacekeeping action team, and DILG programs. “TheLupong Tagapamayapa” Incentives Award was given byPresident Benigno S. Aquino III.

Every barangay, the smallest unit of government, isheaded by elected officials, led by a Punong Barangay (PB)

or Chairperson, usually addressed as kapitan, assistedby a seven-man Sangguniang Barangay or Council, whose members are called Barangay Kagawad orCouncilors, and by the chairperson of SangguniangKabataan (SK) or Youth Council. Starting in 2007, elec-tions for the posts of PB, Kagawad, and SK were heldevery three years.


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News 11Sunday, October 11, 2015

1

AVON BREASTCANCERAWARENESSRUN –Celebrities,runnersand healthadvocatescelebrate

the successof Avon’s ‘I

Share theFight AgainstBreast CancerAwareness,’ funrun yesterdaymorning at the

SM Mall of Asia

(MOA) groundsin Pasay City.More thana thousandrunners tookpart in theevent. (JunRyan Arañas)

October, Breast Cancer Aware-ness Month, presents a 31-day periodto anyone to help save a life by simplymaking one aware of the disease andthe treatment options.

The advocacy started in 1985 withthe first Breast Cancer AwarenessMonth observed in the United Statesto increase the early detection of thedisease by encouraging women to havemammograms.

1 of 13 PinaysOne out of 13 Filipino women will be

diagnosed with breast cancer. Globally,the incidence is higher – one of eight women. In Asia, the Philippines hadbeen identified as having the highestincidence rate of breast cancer. Thatprofile of the disease comes from theDepartment of Health (DOH) and thePhilippine Cancer Society.

Breast cancer is the leading killerof women ages 35 to 54 worldwide, thePhilippine Breast Cancer Networkrevealed.

The World Health Organization(WHO) disclosed that there are 1.38million new cases and 458,000 deathsfrom breast cancer each year.

The figures tell that the battle

against that disease is still to be wondespite the many medical advancesin treatment modalities and in earlydetection. The worldwide move thathas set October as the Breast Cancer Awareness month is also for raisingfunds for research to find cure andtreatment.

That advocacy is reflected in the websit e of Avon, a compa ny with a very active Breast Cancer Crusade. Avon, which started this advocacy in1992, is the biggest corporate sponsorof the cause globally. Yesterday, Oct.10, Avon Philippines marked the 10th yearof its “Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer ”campaign with a massive walk and runevent in Manila. Proceeds of the eventgo to the PGH Breast Care Clinic whichis open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

and Friday.Breast cancer is characterized by

the lump, thickening or swelling of thebreast; unusual change in the size orshape of the breast; one breast unusu-ally lower than the other; puckeringor dimpling of the skin of the breast;retraction of the nipple; and a sore inthe nipple.

“The majority of deaths 269,000occur in low- and middle-income coun-tries, where most women with breastcancer are diagnosed in late stagesdue mainly to lack of awareness onearly detection and barriers to healthservices,” WHO said.

Risk factors and treatment According to DOH, the risk factors

in breast cancer are the genetic factoror family history; unhealthy diet that ishigh in fat, salt, and sugar; obesity; andsmoking and drinking. In addition, the woman’s age, if she is above 30 yearsold, during the first pregnancy, or those who never had any children, is also arisk-factor.

To minimize the risk-factors, DOHsaid eating healthy diet is a gooda start. A diet of high-fiber foods –cruciferous vegetables, foods rich in

vitamins A and C – will help. Add tothat regular exercise and keeping theideal body weight.

In terms of surviving the disease,DOH said Breast Self-Examination(BSE) and mammography are impor-tant in the early detection of breastcancer.

Pink ribbon campaignThe awareness advocacy started

the Pink Ribbon campaign in 1993 andsoon pink was the official color symbol-izing the awareness campaign. Manycompanies hold days when employees wear something pink to show supportfor the awareness campaign.

In the Philippines, the pink cam-paign has been extended to a move“to remove the pink ribbon blindfold”

to seek governments to look into thecontribution of the environment tobreast cancer.

The PBCN – a non-profit volunteerservice network focused on identifyingthe environmental causes of breastcancer for the prevention – urged Fili-pinos to join the move to “remove thePink blindfold and ask why more andmore women getting breast cancer.

“Why has the incidence rate ofbreast cancer in the Philippines in-

creased from one out of 32 in 1980 toone out of 13 today? Why does ourcountry have the highest incidencerate in Asia and the 10th highest worldwide?” PBCN asked.

From Pink to PreventionLast October 1, 16 international

organizations and national groups – in-cluding PBCN – signed the statementprepared by the group “From Pink toPrevention.”

“Remove the Pink Ribbon Cam-paign is an international undertakingto expose the corporate hand behindthe breast cancer month which doesnot focus on prevention but on earlydetection. Numerous studies havealready validated the environmentallink to breast cancer but which is not

being given much attention, preciselybecause breast cancer is big business,”PBCN President Danny Meneses toldManila Bulletin in an online interview.

Aside from PBCN, the other signa-tories are from the following organiza-tions: From Pink to Prevention, Alli-ance for Cancer Prevention, BrightonBreast Cancer Action, Breast CancerConsortium, Breast Cancer ActionGermany, Breast Cancer Fund, Chal-lenge Breast Cancer Scotland, Euro-

pean Work Hazards Network, HazardsCampaign, Hazards Magazine, OncoGrrrls, Scottish Hazards Campaign,The Furious Amazons (Le AmazzoniFuriose), Tipping Point North South,and Women in Europe for a CommonFuture.

Awareness duringawareness month

Is the Breast Cancer AwarenessMonth creating awareness?

According to From Pink to Preven-tion, “Every October, internationalfunding in the hundreds of millions israised for breast cancer awareness. Yet, too many Breast Cancer Charitiesdo not acknowledge the environmentaland occupational risk factors for breastcancer.”

“Seeking better diagnostics andtreatment is not mutually exclusive with actin g upon the evide nce thatshows how our profoundly pollutedenvironment, homes and workplacesimpact on our bodies and health…. All women need and deserve a full under-standing of all potential risk factors forthe disease that threatens women’slives and health. Breast cancer chari-ties should be leading on this, not refus-ing to acknowledge the evidence that

connects it,” From Pink to Preventionspeaker Helen Lynn said.

The organization said that preven-tion is focused solely on “lifestyle” riskfactors including diet and exercise, while ignoring the potential 60 percentof breast cancer cases that remain un-explained by the commonly acceptedrisk factors.

“There is a deafening silence inbreast cancer awareness campaignsabout the role of chemical, environ-mental and occupational exposures forbreast cancer,” the group added.

Internationally, less than four per-cent of the global research spending onbreast cancer is spent on research intoprimary prevention of breast cancer; while only two percent on exogenousfactors like chemical exposure.

A chance to save lives


12/86

Sunday, October 11, 201512 World News

NORTH KOREA’S SHOW OF FORCE – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, along with Liu Yunshan, China’s Communist Party’s No. 5leader, (second from right) waves during ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of the country’s ruling party and the leadership of

third-generation dictator. Another highlight of the event was the march of goose-stepping North Korean soldiers through Kim Il Sungsquare. (AP)

P YONGYANG (AFP) – NorthKorea’s leader Kim Jong-Unsaid Saturday his countrycould fight in any war pro-

vok ed by the Unit ed Sta tes , as hepresided over a vast military parade tomark the 70th anniversary of the rulingWorkers’ Party.

‘’Today, our party dauntlessly de-clares that our revolutionary armedforces are capable of fighting any kindof war provoked by the US and we areready to protect our people and theblue sky of our motherland,’’ Kim saidduring a 30-minute speech.

North Korea often boasts of its ‘’nu-clear deterrence,” accusing the US ofseeking to start a war of aggression.

The country has conducted threenuclear tests and threatened a fourth

as part of a nuclear weapons andmissile program that it has pursuedthrough a barrage of internationalsanctions.

He used most of the speech tostress the unity between the North’s24-million strong population and theWorkers’ Party of Korea, which hasbeen under the control of the Kim dy-nasty since its formation in 1945.

He heaped praise on the people,calling them as ‘’the source of themiracle’’ which made it possible forthe country to turn itself from a back- water into what he called a ‘’powerfu lsocialist state which is independentand self-reliant in defense.’’

‘’The Workers’ Party of Korea is aninvincible party which forms a coher-ent whole with the people,” he said.

N.Korea leader says forces can ‘fight any war’ with US

BEIJING (AP) – China has startedoperating two lighthouses on a reef ona disputed island chain in the SouthChina Sea, a state news agency re-ported, amid rising concerns amongthe US and China's neighbors aboutBeijing's maritime ambitions.

The Ministry of Transport helda completion ceremony Friday forthe 50-meter-high (164-foot-high)Huayang and Chigua lighthouseson Huayang Reef in the SpratlyIslands, the official Xinhua News

Agency s aid.The Spratlys, mostly barren

islands, reefs and atolls that arebelieved to be atop oil and natural

gas deposits, straddle one of the world's busiest sea lanes. They arealso claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia, thePhilippines, Vietnam, and Brunei.

Tensions have been rising as Bei- jing has grown mo re asse rtive a boutits claim to virtually the entire SouthChina Sea.

The US and the Philippines haveexpressed concern that China's landreclamation projects around reefsand atolls could be used to base mili-tary planes and navy ships t o intimi-date other claimants and threatenfreedom of navigation, and havecalled for a freeze on such activity.

China has bristled at what it sees

China starts operating lighthouses

on disputed maritime territoriesas US interference in the region andsays it is within its sovereign rightsin developing islands made from sandpiled on top of reefs and atolls.

Xinhua said the lighthouses weremeant to address a severe shortage innavigational aids, as well as shortagesin maritime emergency and oil-spillresponse forces, that “has immenselyhindered the navigational safety andeconomic and social development'' inthe South China Sea.

It said China's transport ministry would continue to constr uct facilitiesto provide passing vessels and coun-tries in the region with navigationalservices.

BEIJING (AP) – Taiwan's China-friendly president warned his successorSaturday to continue to meet Beijing's

condition for dialogue that the two sidessee each other as parts of one country,despite growing discontent at hometoward the mainland's Communistleadership.

President Ma Ying-jeou said thatmaintaining the status quo was neces-sary to stop relations between Beijingand Taiwan from worsening.

The leading candidate in the 2016presidential race opposes the condi-tion for formal talks and advocates amore guarded approach to relations with Beijing.

China sees democratic, self-ruledTaiwan as part of its territory, an out-growth of the Chinese civil war of the1940s, and insists on eventual unifica-tion. Ma's government and Beijing

agreed after six decades of hostilitiesto regard each other as parts of a singlecountry so they could reach 23 deals

that have increased trade, tourism andinvestment.

“Seven years ago, our ties withChina were caught in a vicious cycle,but we've turned it into a virtuous cycle,''Ma, who must step down in May due topresidential term limits, said in his finalNational Day speech.

“The current status quo didn't justdrop out of the sky. It can't be taken forgranted,'' Ma told government officialsand foreign diplomats during the tele- vised speech.

He said that the next presidentmust follow Taipei's constitution, whichdeclares Taiwan and China as partof the Republic of China – Taiwan'sofficial name – to stop relations from worsening.

Taiwan leader wants tokeep status quo with China


13/86

Sunday, October 11, 2015 13World News

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) – Anovernight brawl betweentwo groups of students es-calated into gun violence

Friday when a freshman at Northern Arizona University opened fire on fourfraternity members, killing one and wounding three.

Meanwhile, a student was killedand another person was woundedduring a shooting outside a TexasSouthern University student-housingcomplex on Friday, and police havedetained two men for questioning,authorities said.

Steven Jones, an 18-year-old fra-ternity pledge, told Arizona police heshot the group of students only after

they hit him in the face and chasedhim, according to court documents.He also said he tried to administerfirst aid to one of the victims.

Prosecutors said the suspect'saccount amounted to a “self-serving''statement and alleged Jones was theaggressor.

“There is no indication of self-de-fense here,'' Deputy Coconino County Attorn ey Ammon Barker said.

“The defendant had retreated fromthe fight, he obtained a gun and thenhe went back into the fray.''

The shooting occurred in a parkinglot just outside Mountain View Halldormitory on the Flagstaff campus, which provide s housing for many of

the campus' sororities and fraterni-ties. Several frantic people called 911to report the shooting, some lookingdown onto a parking lot from theirdorm windows and seeing people withgunshot wounds.

“I first thought it was a joke butpeople started screaming, ' ' saidone man, breathing heavily on thephone.

Dispatchers instructed some call-ers to stay inside, lock their doors andturn off the lights while advising help was on t he way.

The victims were all members ofthe Delta Chi fraternity while Jones was a pledg e at Sigma Chi. It's notclear why the fight started.

2 students shot dead in Arizona,Texas campus violence

Actor Randy Quaid takeninto custody by Vermont cops

HIGHGATE, Vt. (AP) – American ac-tor Randy Quaid was taken into custodyFriday night while trying to cross into theUnited States from Canada, Vermont StatePolice said.

The “Independence Day’’ actor wasdetained by troopers at the HighgateSprings port of entry days after Canadianofficials said he would be deported. Quaidis wanted in Santa Barbara, California,to face felony vandalism charges filed in2010 after he and his wife, Evi, were foundsquatting in a guesthouse of a home theypreviously owned.

The pair skipped several court ap-pearances and went to Canada, whereEvi Quaid was granted citizenship. RandyQuaid’s bid to gain permanent residency

was denied.The 65-year-old actor said in inter-

view with The Associated Press from adetention center in Laval, Quebec, onWednesday that he would like to resolvehis legal issues in California and “moveon with my life.’’

US Customs and Border Protectionagents detained the Quaids at the Vermontport of entry at about 8 p.m. Friday afterdetermining they were fugitives from

justice and subject to extradition, StatePolice said. They were taken into custodyby troopers, and a judge set bail at $500,000each. Randy Quaid was being held at theNorth West State Correctional Center andEvi Quaid at the Chittenden Regional Cor-rectional Facility.

Attempts to reach a current attorneyfor the Quaids were unsuccessful earlySaturday.

Randy Quaid’s bid for permanent resi-dency in Canada was denied in 2012, and itcan take years for deportation to follow. He

was arrested in Montreal in May after be-coming the subject of a nationwide arrest

warrant when he stopped checking in withborder authorities. He later apologizedand was released, with the requirementto check in every two weeks.

The actor and his Canadian wife fledthe US in 2010, saying they were victimsof persecution. Quaid said he was beinghunted by “Hollywood star-whackers’’

who killed his friends David Carradineand Heath Ledger.

UNABATED CAMPUS VIOLENCE – Police ofcers investigate a shooting incident at theNorthern Arizona University campus in Flagstaff yesterday. An overnight confrontationbetween two rival groups escalated into gunre which led to the death of a student.Three others were wounded. (AP)

CONAKRY (AFP) – Guinea was ona knife-edge Saturday, on the eve of apresidential election, after clashes be-

tween supporters of incumbent leader Alpha Conde and his main rival leftseven people dead, according to secu-rity sources and local authorities.

''We have seen since yesterday adeterioration in the security situation,''UN special representative for West Africa Mohamed Ib n Chambas told apress conference Friday, issuing a callfor calm a day after deadly clashes inthe capital Conakry and in the east.

In Conakry, two people were killedin confrontations between Condosupporters and backers of oppositionleader Cellou Dalein Diallo after Conderejected opposition calls for Sunday's vote – the second since Guinea's firstdemocratic election in 2010 – to be de-layed over alleged irregularities in the

voter registration process. A furthe r five people were killed

Thursday evening in the southeastern

Banankoro district after their house was tor che d and doz ens of peo ple were injured by gunshots, Banankoro'smayor told AFP.

After a largely peaceful campaign,tensions rose sharply this week afterDiallo called for the poll to be delayed onthe grounds that the electoral roll hasbeen stacked in favour of Conde, who isfavoured to win a second term.

''We won't take part in an electoralsham,'' Diallo said at his last campaignrally.

Six of Conde's seven opponents – who include three former prime min-isters – have called for the vote to bepostponed, citing the unreliability ofthe electoral lists and problems withdistributing electoral cards.

Guinea on knife-edge after deadlyclashes ahead of presidential poll


14/86

Sunday, October 11, 201514 Views • Features

ON EMPOWERING THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

Time to showcase ourClark-Subic freeports

By FIDEL V. RAMOS

FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

(First of Two Parts)

“The critical consideration,of course, is for the Philippine

venues to showcase our countryoutstandingly, and to be easily

accessible not only to all21 APEC member-economies

but to the world at large.”— FVR, 16 September 2012

IN this column, last 16 Sep-tember 2012, FVR wrote aboutClark Freeport as “The Best2015 APEC Venue.” At that time

three years ago, when no plans forour hosting of APEC in November,2015, had yet been announced byMalacañang, FVR recommended:

THE CLARK FREEPORT –WITH ITS ADJACENT PROVIN-CIAL NEIGHBORS – WOULD

BE AN EXCELLENT CHOICEFOR THE 2015 APEC LEAD-ERS’ SUMMIT MEETING. AND,THEREFORE, PRESIDENT P,NOYSHOULD PROMPTLY PROCLAIMSUCH A NATIONAL DECISION

AS A “CALL-TO-ARMS ” TO MO-BILIZE AND ENERGIZE OURPEOPLE TO MAKE THE NECES-SARY PREPARATIONS TO SHOW-CASE THE PHILIPPINES AS AHOSPITABLE, EFFICIENT AND

ATT RACT IV E MODER NI ZI NGNATION WITH FRIENDLY ANDKNOWLEDGEABLE CITIZENS.

Concurrently, the President’sthink-tanks should have visualizedthe desired objectives for 2015, andconceptualized the proper utiliza-tion of all the planned facilitiesfor that landmark 2015 event, and

also for all other national purposes well beyond that time. This way,long-term goals would have come

with in easi er rea ch, inve stm entfunds budgeted more wisely, andinfrastructures and utilities ef-ficiently emplaced – with timelyservices delivered to all.

Such early strategic planningshould have generated sufficienttime for the training of field per-sonnel who, individually and asteams, would be able to project thebest face of the Philippines as aninternational host.

Today, at the time of writing, with just one month to go beforethe 2015 APEC Leaders’ Summitscheduled on 18-19 November, it

would see m lik e “w e’ re cr yin g

over spilt milk” because certain APE C ac tiv it ies had not ta kenplace in Clark as FVR had earliersuggested.

But, that’s the point – our lead-ers should not miss the boat of op-portunities next time around – asthey did miss it this time – thanksto the usual “Noy-Noying” of ad-ministration officials.

Continued FVR:Why Clark for 2015?

OUR APEC HOSTING IN 2015(FORTUITOUSLY STILL WITHINP.NOY’S TERM) IS A HEAVEN-SENTGRAND OPPORTUNITY THATSHOULD BE WELCOMED ANDEXPLOITED BY MALACAÑANG,PHILIPPINE OFFICIALDOM, OUR

CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE ENTIRECITIZENRY IN GENERAL.

In our honest belief, Clark is ourbest venue for the 2015 APEC Lead-ers Summit to serve our long-termpurposes because it would have:

•Provided an ideal location tohighlight our most potentially pro-gressive economic platform – thecombination of Clark Freeport/Air-port and Subic Freeport/Seaport.

Also, the surround ing compet itiveattractions of Bulacan, Bataan,Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pangasi-nan and Baguio – r ight in P.Noy’sown Tarlac-Pampanga backyard –can provide effective support.

•Accelerated the completion ofkey infrastructures, particularlythe NLEX-SLEX cross-corridors,the SCTEX-TPLEX expansion toNorthern Luzon, and the NorthRail system beyond Caloocan Citytowards La Union and CagayanProvince.

•Opened up new areas in Cen-tral Luzon for job-generation/liveli-hood, agriculture, industry, health,education, science/technology,irrigation/flood control, tourismand environmental conservationinitiatives.

•Insured easy access – sinceClark is close enough to MetroManila by land – to enable Govern-

ment and APEC Embassies to sup-port their respective delegationsat minimum expense and greaterefficiency (less traffic).

•Maximized development cost-effectiveness due to the status ofboth Clark and Subic as “mature,”competitive investment destina-tions which no other Philippinelocations can offer.

Good Governance in 2013

LAST 23 NOVEMBER 2014, FVRREPORTED ON “GOOD GOVER-NANCE AT CLARK FREEPORT” AFTER VIS ITING TH E AREA AN DINTERACTING WITH GOLFERS,TOURISTS, LOCATORS, WORKERS AND OFFI CERS AT THE CLARKDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION(CDC) LED BY ITS PRESIDENT/CEO ATTY. ARTHUR TUGADE.IT WAS A WELCOME REVELA-TION TO LEARN THAT CDC –WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED 20

YEA RS AGO – HA S BEC OME AMODEL GOVERNMENT-OWNED/CONTROLLED CORPORATION(GOCC) WITH OUTSTANDINGPERFORMANCE IN TERMS OF FI-NANCIAL VIABILITY, ECONOMICPRODUCTIVITY, JOB GENERA-TION, ENVIRONMENTAL SUS-TAINABILITY AND COMMUNITYINVOLVEMENT.

Judging from its 2013 Year-endReport, CDC churned out a sterlingperformance as it commemorated20 years of its existence as an in-stitution. This was capped by arecord of financial “firsts” in CDC’shistory: highest revenue of R1.21billion (against the 2012 figure of R1.12 billion); highest income of R332 million (compared to 2012’s

figure of R187 million); highestcash position of R1.68 billion fromself-generated funds (against the2012 figure of R1.30 billion); andhighest single-year remittance tothe National Government of R220million (or 66% of its R332 millionaudited profit).

Seventeen new contracts weresigned in 2013 with total commit-ted investment of US$58 millionand employment of 10,722 workers.The following were a

Documents

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