Grace Poe and the call for change... p.5

Transcription

1 LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS--Naging positibo ang pagtanggap ng local at international business community sa Batangas City Investment Forum na itinaguyod ng United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at pamahalaang lungsod noong December 11 sa Intercontinental Manila, Makati City upang hikayatin ang mga ito na mag negosyo sa lungsod. Ayon kay Dr Elton See Tan, Chairman, President & COO ng E-Hotels Group and E International Group, very impressed sila sa naturang business forum at sa investment efficiency ng lungsod kayat nilalayon nilang magtayo ng negosyo dito. Binigyan sya ng symbolic key bilang simbolo ng pasasalamat ng Batangas City sa tulong ng USAID sa pagpapaunlad ng pamumuhay ng mga Batangueno. Lumagda din sa MOA ang Batangas City sa pamamagitan ni Mayor Eddie Dimacuha at ang Philippine Azkals owner na si Dan Palami kung saan mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na magamit ng koponan ang stadium at track oval ng lungsod sa kanilang mga training at practice kapalit ng pagsasagawa nila ng football clinic para sa mga Batangueno at ang pagdadaos dito ng mga local at international football competitions. Ang Batangas City ang isa sa tatlong secondary cities na tinutulungan ng USAID upang maging investment destination sa ilalim ng programa nitong Cities Development Initiative (CDI) Investment Enabling Environment (INVEST) Project. Ito ay dahilan sa malaking potensyal ng lungsod bilang growth center sa Region 1V. Sa pamamagitan ng isang power point presentation, Why Batangas City, binanggit ng chief of staff ng Office of the Mayor na si Atty. Victor Reginald Dimacuha ang mga dahilan kung bakit dapat mamuhunan sa lungsod. Isa dito ang natural endowments kagaya ng proximity sa Manila, coastal assets at fertile land. Nariyan din ang well-connected road network, pagkakaroon ng Batangas International Port at human capital na bunga ng mahuhusay na learning institutions sa lungsod. Malaking factors din anya ang business-friendly environment, pagiging green city at ang pakiramdam na it s fun in Batangas City kung saan isa sa nagpapasaya dito ang mga community cultural acitivities. Tinalakay din niya ang mga improvements na ginagawa ng pamahalaang lungsod sa imprastraktura, pag-aangat ng edukasyon at konstruksyon ng mga karagdagang school buildings, industry-academe linkage upang masolusyunan ang job-skills mismatch at pakikipag-ugnayan sa bagong tatag na Batangas City Business Club upang tumugon sa pangangailangan ng negosyo. Patuloy din ang reporma sa business registration upang higit itong maging efficient at ang pagbabanghay ng mas angkop at epektibong development plans at policies. Ang mga investment areas naman na pwedeng pasukin ng mga negosyante ay ang industriya, agrikultura, imprastraktura, turismo at human resources. Sinabi naman ni Dr Bernardo Villegas, direktor ng Research and Communication Center for Research and Communication, na ang Pilipinas ang new tiger of Asia. Dahilan sa bumubuting lagay ng ekonomiya ng bansa, sinabi ni Villegas na ayon sa Wider World in 2050 Report ng HSBC, ang Pilipinas ang ika-16 na bansa na maagkakaroon ng largest economy sa taong 2050 at isa ang Batangas City na makikinabang dito kung saan ito ay inihahanda bilang alternative Metropolitan area sa Luzon. Nagbigay ng keynote address ang USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Gregory Beck kung saan pinuri niya ang mahahalagang reporma na ipinatupad ng pamahalaang lungsod sa business registration sa pamamagitan ng enhanced Business One Stop Shop o BOSS na malaki ang maitutulong sa economic growth. Idinagdag pa niya na ang naturang forum ang syang magiging simula ng mas maraming investment at trade promotions sa Batangas City. Isang open forum din ang isinagawa kung saan nagpaliwanag ang ilang industry leaders sa mga opurtunidad para sa kaunlaran at kabuhaya ng lungsod. Ang mga ito ay sina AGAP Partylist Representative Rico Geron na sya ring general manager ng Soro-soro Ibaba Development Cooperative( SIDC); Francis Giles Puno, president and chief operating officer ng First Gen Corporation; Ms Cecile Batalla, Vice President ng Human Resources ng Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company Inc (AG&P); Mr Sean Perez, VP ng Commercial and Marketing ng Asian Terminals Inc; Ms Fely Ramos, Senior VP & COO ng Pontefino Hotel & Residences; Atty. Bernard Mayo, Regent ng University of Batangas at ng Executive Director ng American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines na si Mr David Hinchliffe. Nagbigay din ng mensahe si Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo na kinatawan ni Undersecretary Nora Terrado kung saan binati niya ang Batangas City sa layuin nitong maging world-class dahil sa natural na kasipagan ng mga Batangueno. Tampok din sa forum ang paglagda sa Memorandum of Agreement sa pagitan ng Batangas State University (BSU) na kinatawan ni Dr Nora Magnaye at AG&P na kinatawan ni Cecile Batalla para sa isang industry-academe consortium na naglalayong matugunan ang problema sa job-skills mismatch upang mapalago ang employment capability ng mga taga lunsod. Malaki naman ang magiging pakinabang ng paglagda sa MOA ng DTI at mga lungsod ng Batangas, Iloilo at Cagayan de Oro sa koneksyon sa Philippine Business Registry (PBR) sapagkat malaki ang maitutulong na mapatala dito lalo na yaong mga bagong bukas na negosyo. Ang Batangas City ang unang syudad sa Southern Luzon na napabilang sa PBR. (Ronna Contreras, PIO-Batangas City/PIA-Batangas) Grace Poe and the call for change... p.5 Government monitoring implementation of programs to mitigate effects of El Niño, says Palace official p.5 VOLUME XXXIX No. 13 Marso 16-22, 2016 P6.00 President Aquino attends Philippine Air Force change of command ceremony President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Grandstand, Fernando Air Base (FAB) in Lipa City, Batangas. Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina assumed as the 34th PAF Commanding General. Fallorina is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Matikas Class of (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) DepEd Calabarzon official reports schools preparations for K+12 curriculum CALABARZON - The Department of Education (DepEd) Calabarzon Regional Office reported Thursday that preparations for the K + 12 new curriculum are expected to be completed before the school opening in June this year. In a press conference capping the 1st Full Quarter 2016 Calabarzon Regional Development Council (RDC) Meeting at the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding Seminar Room here, DepEd Calabarzon Regional Director Diosdado San Antonio said the education department regional office has already discussed with State Universities positions in Teacher I and Master Teacher II. Of this figure, some 2,132 teachers are needed as of now to meet any exigency in the surge of enrollment from what DepEd has earlier projected. He disclosed there are 2,800 applicants especially for the Technology, Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) track teaching posts. The DepEd regional executive also said the educational department here has been collaborating with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and its accredited sundan sa pahina ward ng patients, benepisaryo ng 3rd annual gift-giving Batangas Press Club LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS-- May 125 pasyente sa ward unit ng Batangas Medical Center( BMC) ang naging benepisaryo sa isinagawang annual giftgiving activity ng Batangas Press Club noong Pebrero 19, Ang gift-ay activity na nasa ikatlong taon ng ginagawa ng naturang media organization na binubuo ng local print, radio at TV sa lalawigan ng Batangas ay layong makapagbigay ng kaunting tulong para sa mga mahihirap na pasyente ng BMC Batangueno man o hindi. and Colleges (SUCs) officials the senior high school enrollment. DepEd Calabarzon Director San Antonio said about percent of the 132,187 estimated enrollees from junior high or Grade 10 have already pre-registered for the senior high (Grade 11) for the public higher learning institutions. San Antonio said DepEd Calabarzon has already trained about 378 high school (HS) principals on the curriculum with 39 stand-alone HS principals trained by the DepEd. The DepEd regional director also reported that there are 4,900 allocated teaching Sinabi ni Dr. Ramoncito Magnaye, hepe ng BMC, na malaki ang pasasalamat nila sa mga organisasyong tulad ng BPC dahil nakakapagbigay ito ng tulong kahit sa maliit na paraan lalo na at karamihan sa mga pasyente ay may kakapusang pinansyal kung kaya t anumang tulong na ipinaaabot sa mga ito ay napakalaking bagay para sa kanila. Natutuwa ako at sa ikatlong taon ay patuloy ang walang sawang pagtulong ninyo sa ating mga pasyente. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na halos lahat ng pasyente lalo na sa ward unit ay walang kakayahang pinansyal kaya t malaking bagay sa kanila ang mga tulad ng BPC na nagkakaloob ng tulong na kusa at bukal sa kalooban, wika pa ni Magnaye Sa panayam sa isa sa mga bantay ng pasyente na si Aling Lanie, sinabi nito na nagagalak sila sapagkat hindi nawawala ang mga tao o samahang tulad ng BPC na sa maliit na paraan ay ipinakikita ang bukas loob na pagtulong sa mga katulad nilang kapuspalad. (Bhaby P. De Castro-PIA Batangas) LIPA CITY, Batangas - President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday recognized the exemplary leadership of outgoing Philippine Air Force (PAF) Chief, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, during the change of command ceremony at the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas. Delgado, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sandigan Class of 1982, stepped down from his position ahead of his mandatory retirement on March 20. Sa araw pong ito, kinikilala natin ang huwarang liderato ni Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado sa inyong hukbo. Panahon pa ng aking ina, nagpakitang-gilas na si Lt. Gen. Delgado bilang miyembro ng Presidential Security Group. Nang maitalaga naman natin siya noong 2014 bilang BPPO, nagdaos ng signing of contingency plan at pledge of commitment...p day care pupils, pinagkalooban ng essential health package... p.3 Kapirasong Kritika..p.4 Aquino administration committed to provide citizen-oriented service, says Palace official THE Aquino administration remains committed to act in the people s best interest, a Palace official has said. The Aquino administration s commitment to Daang Matuwid goes beyond mere rhetoric; rather, it translates to concrete action on the part of all government agencies and even the President. His schedule last week, which culminated with a two-day trip to Central Visayas, exemplifies the kind of citizenoriented service we aspire to provide under a government that is truly for the people, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement issued on Monday. President Benigno S. Aquino III went to Bohol on March 2 to inspect the building site for the new Panglao Airport, scheduled to be finished in 2017, and led a ceremonial switch-on ceremony for the electrification of 2,684 sitios in Region VII. The product of much planning and collaboration among different government agencies, the new airport is designed to boost tourist arrivals in Bohol, from the current figure of 500,000 to an estimated 1.7 million per year, Secretary Lacierda said. From Bohol, the President proceeded to Cebu the next day to inspect newly inyong Commanding General, at hanggang sa mga sandaling ito, bitbit niya ang talas ng isip, dimatatawarang kakayahan, at ang kanyang angking husay bilang kawal, at bilang inyong hepe, President Aquino said in his speech. Ang sabi nga sa akin ng kanyang mga kasamahan: Ito raw pong si Lt. Gen. Delgado, hindi lang isang mahusay na pinuno, kundi isa ring barkada ng bayan : maalaga sa tao, at kung may problema ka, tungkol man sa serbisyo o kahit pa personal na buhay, ay talagang napakadaling lapitan. Kaya naman kay Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado: Sa ngalan ng bawat kawal ng Hukbong Panghimpapawid, saludo, at nagpapasalamat ako sa halos dalawang taon mong matibay na sundan sa pahina 2 restored heritage sites, as well as to inaugurate the four-storey, 20-classroom school building at the Guadalupe Elementary School in Cebu City. The new school building was donated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). In Cebu as well, the President spoke about boosting tourism through the restoration of heritage sites that had been damaged during the 2013 earthquake. Among them are Fort San Pedro and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, which on Thursday the President turned over to Augustinian fathers. While there, the President also took the time to visit Guadalupe Elementary School, which was recently endowed a new building by PAGCOR, he said. All these efforts have served not only to improve the lives of Filipinos but also to boost the Philippines reputation as an attractive tourism and investment destination, the Palace official added. Lacierda also noted the country s robust tourism sector as reported by the Department of Tourism (DOT). Just last week, the DOT announced that our tourism sector has been experiencing robust, uninterrupted growth since sundan sa pahina 2

2 Inihatid ni 2nd District BM Amy Alvarez ang 31 LED TV, na handog ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas, sa pangunguna ni Gov. Vilma Santos Recto, para sa 17 day care centers, 10 elementary schools at 4 primary schools ng bayan ng Tingloy noong March 10, Ang proyektong ito ay pagpapatuloy ng mga serbisyo publikong naglalayong higit pang itaas ang antas ng edukasyon sa Batangas. Jun Magnaye/PIO President... liderato sa hanay na ito. Delgado was replaced by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, who belonged to PMA Matikas Class of President Aquino said Fallorina was chosen for his vast knowledge and experience in service. Tulad noon, malawak na kaalaman at karanasan din sa serbisyo ang naging batayan natin sa pagpili kay Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina. Sa serbisyo, kilala si Lt. Gen. Fallorina sa kanyang attention to detail... Ang kanyang prinsipyo: Maikintal sa puso t isip ng bawat kawani, kawal o opisyal, ang halaga ng paggawa ng tama sa bawat pagkakataon at sa bawat antas ng institusyon, he said. Sinasalamin ng disiplinang ito ang prinsipyo niyang laging maging one step ahead. Sa simpleng meeting man, o sa mismong operasyon, parati siyang handa at may tangan na datos, kaya t nagagawa niya ang anumang layunin o misyon nang mabilis, wasto, at maayos. Ang katangian namang ito, pihadong magiging kapakipakinabang sa layunin nating maihakbang pasulong ang ating (MNLF) led by its founding chairman, Prof. Nur Misuari; the Mamasapano fiasco in Jan. 2015, and the subsequent Allout Offensive operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). In the case of Al Barka, on Oct. 18, 2011, Phil. Army Special Forces were sent on an operation deep into MILF territory in Al Barka, Basilan, supposedly to get a wanted MILF official. The ensuing clashes left 19 soldiers and six MILF fighters. Aquino subsequently ordered All-out justice military operations in Basilan, and also in Zamboanga Sibugay, where four soldiers and three policemen were reportedly ambushed. The MCPA report also noted the US government s continued presence and intervention in the Moro areas, and suspicious involvement in Oplan Exodus, which targeted mula pahina 1 Hukbong Himpapawid. Ang tiwala namang kaloob natin sa inyong bagong pinuno, kailangan niyang matapatan ng karampatang paglilingkod. Kaya kay Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina: Kaharap mo ngayon ang magigiting na kawal ng Hukbong Panghimpapawid ng Pilipinas. Ang marching orders mo: Maging gabay ka sa mas matayog pang lipad ng ating Air Force, kasabay ng pagpapanatili ng PRESIDENT kultura ng malasakit, Aquino dangal, wants at the propesyunalismo Supreme Court to sa clarify buong the hukbo, parameters the of President Senator added. Juan Ponce Enrile s bail President issue because Aquino it also has mentioned been granted that on the new government grounds, a has Palace allocated official said P58.43 on Saturday. billion for the AFP I think Modernization for the President and Capability it has to be clarified Upgrade kung Program paano since ba yung July galaw ng bail na yan, Deputy presidential Malayo yan spokesperson sa P31.75 billion Abigail na Valte nailaan said in ng a tatlong radio nakaraang interview. administrasyon para sa unipormadong Valte told dzrb hanay. Radyo Sa ilalim ng Bayan din ng that parehong the programa, President umabot wanted na to sa clarify 68 proyekto everything ang ating about nakumpleto, the SC s decision na lampas to free na rin Enrile sa 45 on na bail. pinagsamang natapos ng tatlong Marami administrasyong bago hong sa kailangan atin, he pang said. klaruhin. At the very least, Ngayon, ang utos ang Pangulo dating nag-iisang diyan ay aralin C-130, ang tatlo desisyon na po; at meron tingnan na kung rin ano tayong ang susunod tatlong C-295 na hakbang, medium-lift she told aircraft, Radyo ng at labingwalong Bayan. SF-260TP aircraft. Valte said the decision of SC on Enrile s case becomes part of its doctrine that all lawyers can suspected use in terrorists their pleadings wanted in by the the future US. and this needs clarification. My understanding In their of it parents is that this footsteps doctrine should apply to everyone The unless group the lambasted Supreme both Aquino and Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos mula sa pahina 1 Group... mula sa pahina 8 Jr., for continuing the legacy of their parents Corazon Aquino and Ferdinand Marcos Sr., respectively who, in their own time as president, bungled the peace process with Moro rebels, the group said. Just as the late President Corazon Aquino circumvented the peace talks and signed into law the ARMM s creation, the younger Aquino tried to rush its replacement, the Bangsamoro political entity, with its governing law now decimated beyond recognition by those who drafted it. Just as how the Marcos Dictator constricted the 1976 Tripoli Agreement into the framework of the Philippine BALITA Marso 16-22, 2016 Dagdag pa rito ang walong Bell- 412 combat utility helicopters, at walong AW-109E attack helicopters. Bukod sa nabanggit kong dalawang bagong lead-in fighter jets, nakapila na rin ang pagdating ng dalawa pang C-130 ngayong taon; pati na ang pagarkila natin mula sa Japan ng limang TC-90 training aircraft, na tutulong naman sa ating Hukbong Dagat sa pagpapatrolya sa ating teritoryo, partikular na sa West Philippine Sea. The Chief Executive further noted that six Close Air Support Aircraft and two Long Range Patrol Aircraft are scheduled to arrive next year. Sa paparating namang sampu pang FA-50, dalawa ang lalapag sa atin sa Disyembre ng kasalukuyang taon, at ang walo pa, inaasahan nating susunod sa Lahat naman ng mga dagdag na kagamitang ito, bahagi lamang ng ating PAF Flight Plan 2028, na layong paunlarin ang kakayahan ng Air Force na bantayan ang ating teritoryo, he said. Sama-sama nating pangalagaan ito; gamitin ninyo ito sa tamang panahon at tumpak na layunin. Isabuhay ninyo ang pagiging responsable at propesyunal na kawal. Magtulungan tayo upang maparami pa ang ating mga Constitution, the younger Marcos, as if having the moral authority, rejected the proposed BBL and singlehandedly drafted and filed a contorted substitute bill, devoid of whatever provisions it had in favor of the Moro people, said the MCPA report. Continuing Moro resistance The MCPA said in spite of the decommissioning of firearms started by MILF, in its place remains the MNLF, as well as new Moro armed groups, which all reflect the Moro people s discontent and desire to resolve the worsening poverty and national oppression. Aside from the MILF, MNLF and the BIFF, other revolutionary armed groups carry on the struggle in the Moro lands, such as the Moro Revolutionary Liberation Organization (MRLO), an allied underground mass organization of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the report said. BPPO, nagdaos ng signing of contingency plan at pledge of commitment LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS- -Isinagawa ng Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) ang signing of contingency plan at pledge of commitment para sa lahat ng chief of police (COP) sa lalawigan ng Batangas noong Pebrero 19, 2016 sa Camp Miguel Malvar sa lungsod na ito. Pinangunahan ni officerin-charge provincial director PSSupt. Arcadio Ronquillo Jr. ang panunumpa ng lahat ng COP s na layong maisulong ang tahimik, payapa at malinis na halalan ngayong Mayo Ang mga kapulisan ang isa sa inaasahang elemento upang makaranas tayo ng tahimik makabagong kagamitan, at sa gayon ay lalong mapatatag ang ating Sandatahang Lakas, the President added. Aside from the equipment upgrade, President Aquino also mentioned government initiatives that have benefited the servicemen and their families. Pati ang iba pang pangangailangan ng ating unipormadong hanay, tinutugunan na rin natin. Para sa ating AFP/PNP Housing Program, mula Mayo ng 2011 hanggang Disyembre ng 2015, umabot na sa 61,378 housing units ang naipatayo natin. 25 percent po ng AFP allocation diyan ang nailaan para sa ating Hukbong Himpapawid, he said. The President further cited the increase in subsistence allowance and monthly hazard pay; provisional allowance for soldiers, policemen and other na halalan kung kaya t dapat ay sa atin magmula ang pangako at panawagan kaugnay nito wika ni Ronquillo. Lumagda din sa contingency plan ang mga ahensyang bahagi ng SAFE Election 2016 tulad ng Philippine National Police, Comelec, National Bureau of Investigation, Provincial Health Office, Department of Education at Philippine Air Force. Ayon pa kay Ronquillo, isa ito sa dapat maging prayoridad ng lahat ng kapulisan sapagkat ang tagumpay ng isang tahimik at payapang eleksyon ay kanilang pangunahing tungkulin. (Bhaby P. De Castro-PIA Batangas) uniformed service; monthly combat pay for soldiers in battlefield and livelihood programs for active and retired soldiers. Tunay po: Katuwang na ng ating Sandatahang Lakas ang isang administrasyong hindi lang nangangahas mangarap, kundi tunay nang tinutupad ang pinakamatatayog nating pangarap. Sa dulo naman ng lahat ng ito: Naging posible ang paghahatid natin ng positibong pagbabago sa inyong hanay, dahil sa inyong dedikasyon at propesyunalismo. Sa inyong wagas ang sakripisyo at pagmamalasakit sa ating bayan, walang ibang isusukli ang estado kundi malasakit din sa inyo at sa inyong mga pamilya, President Aquino added. Also present were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri. President Aquino: Supreme Court should clear up rules on citizenship PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday said the Supreme Court, which has allowed Senator Grace Poe to run in the presidential elections in May, should clarify the rules on citizenship. Sana iyong ating Korte Suprema, dito sa kanilang desisyon ay magbibigay talaga nang --- iyong todong kalinawan o paglilinaw sa sambayanan na, in their role as educator as far as the law is concerned, para maging klarong klaro sa lahat ng ating mamamayan kung ano ba talaga ang mga alituntunin sa pagiging citizen or non-citizen ng ating bansa, President Aquino said during a media interview held at the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas province where he led the Philippine Air Force ceremonial change-of-command. He declined to comment on the Supreme Court decision, which has yet to be released, but said he wants to see how the decision addressed a number of issues. For instance, yung tinanggap na niya (Senator Poe) yung MTRCB position at sa totoo lang, ewan ko kung nakalimutan ko, pero ang pagkatanda ko, first time ko narinig na pumunta pa siya doon sa isang consular official ng Amerika in 2011 para i-renounce yung citizenship kung saang panahon na MTRCB chair na siya. Ni walang nagkwento sa akin, walang nagbalita, walang formal report noong panahon na iyon. At palagay ko naitanong ko rin bakit kailangan pang gawin dahil ang assumption ko nga ay matagal-tagal nang na-reacquire supposed to be yung citizenship. So gusto kong makitang sana may tugon doon sa mga tanong tulad non doon sa desisyon na hinihintay nating ilabas ng Korte Suprema, he said. President Aquino also noted the independence of the justices he has appointed to the Supreme Court. Tapos doon sa mga appointees natin, siguro palagay ko di ba yung itinalaga natin sila para maging independent. Ginawa nila ang independence nila, he said. Voting 9-6, the Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed the ruling of the Commission on Elections to cancel Poe s certificate of candidacy. The nine justices who voted in favor of Poe were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco, Jr., Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Jose Portugal Perez, Jose Catral Mendoza, Marvic Leonen, Francis Jardeleza, and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa. Sereno, Leonen, Jardeleza, and Caguioa were appointed by President Aquino. The Supreme Court has yet to release the full text of its decision.

3 Marso 16-22, day care pupils, pinagkalooban ng essential health package MABINI, BATANGAS--May 500 day care pupils sa Mabini Central School ang pinagkalooban ng essential health package na naglalaman ng tootbrush, toothpaste, at sabon kaugnay ng pagdiriwang ng Dental Health Month. May temang Kalinisan ng Ngipin Laging Panatilihin, Ugaliin Kumain ng Masustansyang Pagkain, ang pagdiriwang ay naglalayong ipaalala sa mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ng patuloy na pangangalaga ng ngipin para sa isang malakas na pangangatawan. Ang pamimigay ng essential health package ay magkatuwang na itinaguyod ng Provincial Health Office (PHO), Philippine Dental Asssociation- Batangas Chapter at Colgate. Sinabi ni Dr. Dionisio Burog Jr., provincial dental supervisor, na taon-taon ay nagsasagawa ang kanilang DepEd... training providers for the educational enhancement and capacity training program. He divulged the TVL mentors are already teaching starting in the Junior HS and are ready to move to the Senior HS because they are already qualified under TESDA s national competency certification. San Antonio also assured that the TVL teachers who will be hired this March and those for the academic and other tracks will be trained this summer before the onset of the June classes. DepEd Calabarzon is in the midst of procuring the tools and lab equipment for the TVL tracks to be distributed to 192 public senior high schools. Early this year, some members of the Basic Sector raised concern over protection of students who will be undertaking tanggapan ng ganitong aktibidad sa iba t ibang mga eskuwelahan sa iba t-ibang bayan upang patuloy na maituro at ipaalala sa mga bata partikular sa mga day care pupils ang pangangalaga ng ngipin. Alam naman natin na sa programa ng pamahalaang panlalawigan, nangunguna ang kalusugan sa prayoridad na proyektong isinusulong, dagdag pa ni Burog. Bilang bahagi pa rin ng programa ng pagdiriwang ng Dental Health Month, may 10 bata ang nagtagisan sa slogan at postermaking contest na nakasentro sa tema ng pangangalaga ng ngipin. Samantala, nagagamit na ng PHO ang dental bus na ipinagkaloob ng Department of Health para sa lalawigan kung saan ang Batangas ang unang nabibiyayaan sa buong Calabarzon. (BHABY P. DE CASTRO-PIA BATANGAS) Aquino... mula pahina 1 In the last five years, from 2010 to 2015, international tourist arrivals posted a compounded annual growth rate of 8.77 percent, higher than the 7.76 percent achieved from 2001 to Last year, the industry in fact reached another milestone, as total inbound tourists hit the five-million mark for the first time, with 5,360,682 recorded visitors, he said. Of course, these encouraging figures have repercussions that go beyond tourism, with foreign visitors helping to create more jobs and stimulate our economy. According to the DOT, international tourist receipts rose significantly between 2010 and 2015, growing from P billion to P billion, he further said. Rest assured that, for the remaining months of President Aquino s term, the government will continue to act in the people s best interest. Beyond that, it will be up to the voters to decide whether our country will deviate from the Straight Path or continue on toward even greater progress, Lacierda said. mula pahina 1 immersion at a young age. San Antonio assured that immersion venues have already been identified especially for those offering the TVL track. Of the 1,957 classroom requirements in the public schools in Calabarzon Region, about 1,654 are under construction with 48 completed and about 250 more to begin construction. As constructions of classrooms in public schools are underway, DepEd schools division superintendents have been drawing contingency plans in the event some classrooms are not ready in time for the opening of classes. DepEd Regional Director San Antonio said the adjustments would be done in shifting hours in the junior HS to accomodate enrollees for the Grade II (Senior HS) in public schools. (By Saul E. Pa-a) Bible Qoutes Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. BALITA Campaign against Marcos Press... that the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos violated press freedom. Citing various academic sources, Arao said Marcos issued presidential decrees ordering direct forms of censorship. These include Letter of Instruction No. 1 issued on Sept. 22, 1972 ordering the Press Secretary and the Defense Secretary to take over and control or cause the taking over and control: of the mass media for the duration of the national emergency; Department of Public Information (DPI) Order No. 1 expressly prohibiting materials that are seditious or that tend toward disorder, lawlessness, and violence ; DPI Order No. 2 prohibiting printers from producing any form of publication for mass dissemination without permission from the DPI. Marcos also issued Presidential Decree No. 33 penalizing the printing, possession, distribution and circulation of printed materials which are immoral or indecent, or which defy the government or its officers, or which tend to undermine the integrity of the Government or the stability of the State. Presidential Decree (PD) 90 penalizes rumormongering, PD 1834 and PD 1845 escalate the penalties for rebellion, sedition and other crimes related mula sa pahina 8 to national security, including subversive journalism. PD 1737 empowers the president to detain persons to prevent them from acting against national security or public order while PD 1877 authorizes the incarceration for a period not exceeding one year of persons accused of national security crimes even without charges filed against them. Those who claim that the Marcos presidency was the country s golden age are either unaware of the censorship or oblivious to the repression, Arao said. Abila said student journalists were among the victims of the Marcos dictatorship. Marcos shut down student publications. Abraham Ditto Sarmiento Jr., then editor in chief of the Philippine Collegian, student publication of UP Diliman, was arrested and detained during martial law. Liliosa Hilao, editor in chief of Ang Hasik, student publication of Pamantasang ng Lungsod ng Maynila, was among the first to be tortured and killed by state security forces when martial law was declared. We cannot let the scion of a dictator win despite the fact that his family abused human rights, killed and tortured a multitude of people, violated people s democratic freedoms, amassed the public funds and brought the nation into bankruptcy, Abila said. Educate the youth The press freedom advocates who are also part of the Campaign against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacañang (Carmma) see the need to educate the public, especially the youth on the horrors of martial law. Palatino blamed the succeeding administrations after Marcos for not prosecuting the dictator and his minions. Abila said the family s ill-gotten wealth has not been fully recovered and is being used, in fact, by Bongbong to have a comeback in Malacañang. Arao partly blamed the dominant media for airing Bongbong s political ads, which, he said, convey patently false information. Kung may martial law ngayon, walang internet freedom. Kung may martial law ngayon, wala tayong nababasa kundi papuri sa administrasyon, Palatino said. Abila said the CEGP will continue to expose Bongbong s deception and help educate the youth. The World Day Against Cyber-Censorship was launched by Reporters Without Borders on March 12, 2008, which intended to rally everyone in support of a single Internet without restrictions and accessible to all. BIR tax campaign kick off, inilunsad; P.5B koleksiyon target ngayong taon LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS-- Isinagawa ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) RDO 058 ang kanilang tax campaign kick off na sinimulan sa pamamagitan ng isang motorcade na sinundan ng forum sa Provincial Auditurium sa lungsod na ito. Sinabi ni Joseph Catapia, hepe ng RDO 058 na ang buwis ang maituturing na lifeblood ng ating pamahalaan sapagkat dito nagmumula ang mga pondong ginagastos sa lahat ng mga proyektong pangkaunlaran ng pamahalaan. Aniya, noong nakaraang taon ay nakakalap ang kanilang tanggapan ng P4.04B na buwis mataas ng porsyento o P648.45M sa nakolektang P3.392B noong Sinabi naman ni BIR Assistant regional director Clavelina Nacar, ang RDO 058 ay isa sa may pinakamataas na koleksyon hindi lamang sa buong District 9 kundi sa buong bansa. Nanawagan din si Nacar sa lahat ng mga taxpayer na maging matapat sa pagbabayad ng buwis sapagkat napakaimportante nito. Upang makamit naman ang target tax collection masigasig na magsasagawa ang ahensya ng public awareness campaign na kinabibilangan ng digital ad,social media,print ad at ang website na know your taxes ph. Alinsabay din nito ang pagsasagawa ng regular na briefing para sa mga target na taxpayers, work study sa proseso ng business registration at pagsasagawa ng focus group discussion sa mga ilang taxpayers kaugnay ng implementasyon ng ilang mga proseso. Samantala, isinagawa naman ni Gng. Nilda Zamudio mula sa Assessment Division ang mga proseso bagong electronic filing sa kanilang tanggapan. Sumunod dito ang sabayang pagbigkas at paglagda ng pledge of support ng mga taxpayers at opisyal ng BIR. (BHABY P. DE CASTRO)

4 OPINYON Marso 16-22, 2016 Lingguhang Pahayagan ng Lalawigan ng Batangas na inilalathala tuwing Miyerkules / PRINTING PLANT: Sinag Publishing & Printing Services, National Highway, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City, Laguna. Tel nos. (049) & (049) / Subscription fee: One year P Six Months: P / Commercial Advertising rate: P120 per column cm / MEMBER: Publisher s Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) / Raia Jennifer E. Dela Peña Managing Editor / P.L. Villa, RC Asa Contributing Editors / Shara Jane Falceso, Rachelle Joy Aquino, Jacquilou Lirio, Maria Carlyn Ureta, staff writers / Ruel T. Landicho Lay-out Artist/ Ms. Corazon D.P. Marcial Legal Consultant. add: tambuli_press@ yahoo.com & sinagprinting@gmail.com Authoritarianism and social paranoia Part 1 by Arnold P. Alamon SOMETHING interesting is happening at the US Presidential elections. It usual for supporters of a particular candidate to go crazy over their candidates during sorties. But for a candidate to also attract equally enthusiastic protesters wherever he is, that is an unusual phenomenon. Republican front runner Donald Trump is now hounded by a mob who are not exactly fans of his incendiary rhetoric against blacks, women, Muslims, immigrants, gays, and the mentally challenged. There had been signs that a polarizing political situation was coming to a boiling point. As early as mid last year when the campaign season saw Trump consolidating a wide section of American conservatives to his side, there were already indications that those at the opposite end of his bigotry would not take things sitting down. Brave activists would attend his rallies and these individuals would disrupt his speeches in a show of personal courage, risking bodily harm from his rabid supporters. But things came to ahead this week when students and faculty from the University of Illinois Chicago, came out into the streets to stop a campaign rally inside school grounds forcing Trump to cancel his appearance. There were occasions of sporadic violence when the two camps met each other in these public venues. Tear gas has been used by the police, and not a few have been arrested. There are indications that the events in Chicago and Kansas were just the beginning of a looming series of violent confrontations between supporters of Trump and what is fast shaping to be an Anti-Trump movement composed of minorities alarmed over the brazen inflammatory remarks of the strong contender for the Oval Office. His harsh rhetoric of deportation against illegal migrants and extreme condescension with America s Black population have not just consolidated the opposition, but alarmingly also emboldened to come out of the woodwork the latent racism and bigotry of White America. The world watches in bated breath as the US of A careens towards chaos. Elections marred by violence is nothing new to the rest of the world. But for the supposed icon of democracy the world over, a nation that sees to it that dictatorships and megalomaniacs oppressing their citizens are toppled, to finally have a taste of its own medicine is more than an interesting situation. It is an alarming jolt of reality that should worry even the most jaded of political observers. Especially if seen from the global context of the rise of right-wing political parties in the UK, Germany, and the Philippines. Ni Teo S. Marasigan MISUNDERSTANDING DUTERTE AND THE PHILIPPINE LEFT Last Part THE more important issue, however, is whether the Philippine Left s weaknesses and defeats take precedence over its strengths and advances. Chanco himself admits that the CPP leads the longestrunning communist insurgency in Asia and remains the largest organized force on the Left in the Philippines. And this, it must be emphasized, remains despite various forms of neoliberal attacks inflicted on its organized force and successive counter-insurgency programs. To cite only examples pertinent to Chanco s topic, the Philippine Left has been assiduously courted by all political groups running in the 2016 elections, whether in the form of statements favoring peace talks with the CPP or in actual initiatives for meetings. Duterte himself made various pro-worker, profarmer and pro-people statements in an effort to court the Left s support. Chanco does not see the entire picture when he says that the electoral discussion in the Philippines has shifted so far to the right. Opinion poll after opinion poll has shown that the electorate s main concerns in the upcoming elections are a combination of higher wages, lower prices, more jobs, and less corruption issues that directly mirror campaigns of the Left, and not the Right. And presidentiables are taking notice; as of this writing, for example, three out five of them have vowed to fight contractualization if they become president. Even if we use Chanco s standard of a movement s weaknesses and defeats, therefore, there is no basis to his startling conclusion that the CPP is a barrier to a new socialist politics in the Philippines. Rather, it continues to be the only beacon of socialist politics in the Philippines. His tone then shifts to a starryeyed, wonderfully lofty ambition for a new vision for the Philippine left that includes a new set of narratives for a democratic, pluralist alternative, in the best tradition of internationalism, principled political engagement, and solidarity. The recommendation sounds palatable, but what is Chanco really talking about, in concrete terms? Is he talking about the significant revolutions in history the Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese and even the Cuban? Or is he merely mouthing vague generalizations with no clear historical referents? The phrases that Chanco uses have often been deployed precisely to attack the said revolutions waged in the name of Marx, Lenin and even Mao. The histories of these revolutions have also been histories of successes and defeats, advances and retreats, and twists and turns. But also, and very importantly, of continued adherence to, and not abandonment of the ideas and ideals of the great Communist revolutionaries. After making the statement that the CPP is a barrier to socialist politics in the Philippines, Chanco backtracks by saying that the way forward could only rest on the CPP and its supporters themselves. He calls for a critical assessment of the alleged impasse of the Philippine Left. In his Facebook posts explaining the essay, he claims that he only wants a debate on the topic. Is publishing an attack piece in Jacobinmag.com the best way to seek such a debate or to call for a critical assessment? In an online publication that has published a similar attack piece months ago and, despite its claim to openness and democracy, refused to publish a critical rejoinder? Whatever Chanco s intention, the objective effect is the same: contributing to the Philippine Left s continuing demonization by a small band of intellectuals who fancy themselves to be progressive but in reality advance the interests of US imperialism and the ruling classes in the Philippines. When Sison saw that the old CPP of 1930 has become a barrier to a new socialist politics in the Philippines, he didn t write a critique of the old party in an international publication only to ask the same party to make an assessment and rectify its errors. He bolted out of the old party and built a new party in 1968 with a people s army and a united front alliance of progressive organizations to boot. Sison was criticizing the old party because he knew what needed to be done and had the courage to do it; Chanco has only misplaced criticisms and lacks the commitment to progressive politics and courage to build a new socialist politics in the country, whatever Chanco means by that phrase. Where is Chanco coming from? Definitely not from Marxism. His approach is far from materialist in violating facts and the truth; he cannot speak truth from facts. His approach is undialectical in failing to identify and demonstrate relations as they develop in the historical process. And in confusing the Left with its enemies, he does not hold fast to class analysis, let alone to a class standpoint in viewing reality. His essay abounds with academic left jargon: he says the Philippines has an onerous liberal democratic system which has a rentier state and is ruled by bureaucrat-capitalism ; he does not problematize the overlaps and clashes in these concepts. He echoes Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek s plays with capitalism with Chinese characteristics in describing the alleged vision of Duterte for the Philippines. He situates his essay within progressive writings on the rise of Donald Trump and fascist parties. Chanco is too enamored with faddish theories and topics of pseudo-progressive intellectuals abroad to the detriment of dialectics and materialism. The result: he fails to clearly understand and analyze his topics Duterte, the Philippine Left, and, ultimately, Philippine politics. 28 February 2016

5 Marso 16-22, 2016 OPINYON Government monitoring implementation of programs to mitigate effects of El Niño, says Palace official COMMUNICATION Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. on Sunday assured that the government is closely monitoring the implementation of programs aimed at mitigating the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon. Masinsing tinututukan ng pamahalaan ang pagpapatupad ng mga programa upang maibsan ang epekto ng El Niño, at AS expected, her rivals for the Presidency of the Republic are downplaying its impact on their chances this May. But the Supreme Court en banc vote of nine to six reversing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) order disqualifying Grace Poe from running is likely to boost her already high voter-preference numbers and to hand her the presidency this year. Barring massive fraud in the counting, the Court decision makes the country s choice of a third woman president almost certain and it s not going to be Miriam Defensor-Santiago. The impact of the Court decision on Poe s ratings should be evident in the next surveys. But the camp of Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay, Sr. nevertheless claims that the decision will not have an impact on Binay s chances. The Supreme Court decision has no bearing on our campaign, said Binay Spokesperson Rico Paolo R. Quicho, who insisted that because This election is not about who the opponents are but who is the most prepared to address the problem of poverty, it is still Binay who is the country s best hope to do so. If that sounds more like wishful thinking rather than the result of rigorous analysis, it s because it is. The Court decision is the critical factor that will break the statistical tie among contenders Poe, Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, bigyan ng sapat na tulong ang mga manggagawa sa sektor ng agrikultura. Sa katunayan, binanggit ni Pangulong Aquino sa kaniyang panayam sa mga mamamahayag noong nakaraang Miyerkules na isa ang El Niño sa mahalagang usaping kaniyang binabantayan sa nalalabing panahon ng kaniyang termino, Secretary Coloma said during an interview By LUIS V. TEODORO and former Interior and Local Governments Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II. It s exactly what the Poe camp has been waiting for, the turning point that in past elections has made the difference between losing and winning, the 2016 equivalent of the death of Corazon C. Aquino in 2009 that made Benigno S. C. Aquino III president in 2010 and consigned Manuel Mar Roxas II to political limbo. Roxas Liberal Party similarly played down the court decision, claiming that Roxas had always been prepared to run against Senator Poe a statement that conveniently forgets that the LP spent months in 2015 trying to convince Grace Poe to run as Roxas vicepresidential partner, in implicit recognition of Poe s already vast popularity. Despite his upbeat statement, however, LP Spokesperson Ibarra Barry M. Gutierrez III practically admitted in the same breath that they ll now have to work harder if they want their candidate to win: with 62 days left till elections, it simply means we have to keep focused on the campaign and our message. Rodrigo Duterte tried to sound unconcerned as well, deciding to simply congratulate Poe, whose being an American was supposedly the reason why he decided to run for the presidency. But PDP-Laban President Aquilino D. L. Pimentel III nevertheless said the Court s decision had no effect at all on with Radyo ng Bayan. He said that during the El Niño Summit held in Pampanga last March 1, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala announced that cloud-seeding operations are being conducted in areas affected by severe drought. Noong ika-1 ng Marso ay nagdaos ng El Niño Summit sa Pampanga, at doon inihayag ni Secretary Alcala ng Department of Agriculture na higit pang pinaiigting ng pamahalaan ang iba t ibang hakbang tulad ng cloud-seeding operations sa iba t ibang panig ng bansa, tulad ng Mindanao, na nakaranas na ng pag-ulan sa ilang lugar, said Coloma. Bukod pa rito, ang mga programa ng Department of Agriculture ay ang sumusunod: Pagtatayo ng solar at wind pump irrigation system; maliit na imbakan ng tubig o small water impound; at iba pang alternative irrigation systems sa mga taniman sa mga lalawigan kung saan ang agrikultura ang pangunahing ikinabubuhay. Ang mga proyektong ito ay bahagi ng pangmatagalang solusyon na nakapaloob sa El Niño Action Plan ng Department of Agriculture na may dalawang mahalagang bahagi. Una, production support; at ikalawa, water management, he explained. The Palace official said test surveillance and monitoring of ricefields, as well as distribution of quality seeds to farmers are ongoing. Tuluy-tuloy din ang test surveillance at monitoring sa mga bukirin, at ang pagbibigay ng mataas na kalidad ng binhi sa mga nagtatanim ng palay at mais at alternatibong pananim tulad ng mungo o bean, peanut, soybean, sweet potato at cucurbit. Namamahagi din ng fingerlings, livestock buffer feed stockings at maging veterinary drugs upang punan ang posibleng epekto ng kabawasan sa produksiyon sa sektor ng pangingisda at paghahayupan, said Coloma. Grace Poe and the call for change Duterte s campaign. Like the Liberal Party, PDP-Laban, said Pimentel, never based our plans on the assumption that Poe would be disqualified. He added that the Duterte-Alan Peter Cayetano tandem s platform addresses the concern of most Filipinos over crime, corruption, and poverty. These statements mask a very real fear: that Grace Poe will win the presidency in May. The only exception to this orgy of bogus optimism was the response of Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr., who was all praise for the ruling, since, he said, with Poe running, the Philippine voter has a full range of choices of individuals and programs to choose from. Marcos, Jr. was only being true to form. He s after all running as the vice-presidential candidate of Miriam Defensor- Santiago, whose chances of winning the presidency are at best dim. Marcos, Jr. knows it, and even Santiago knows it. But Marcos, Jr. couldn t care less about the presidential contest, his main concern being elected to the vice-presidency as the launching pad for the presidency in 2022 on the strength of the same spurious claim Marcos, Sr. made 44 years ago when he declared martial law that he s the country s only hope for change. Change the growing and sustained call for it from practically all sectors, but especially among the poor and the middle class of professionals and small traders and entrepreneurs is what the 2016 national elections are shaping up to be about. That demand focused on such seemingly isolated issues as the Metro Manila traffic mess, the surging crime rate, the embarrassing state of public transportation, the scarcity of job opportunities, the corruption and inefficiency of the bureaucracy, and yes, the grinding poverty that s the lot of millions of Filipinos is in direct repudiation of the Aquino III administration s claims that it has significantly reduced corruption and poverty, and achieved inclusive growth. The desperate craving for change helps explain why too many Filipinos have fallen for the myth of the golden age of the Marcos dictatorship they simply can t stand the present, and have embraced folklore as the antidote to it. It helps explain as well why the Duterte candidacy has gained widespread support, despite the contradiction inherent in Duterte s claim that he will rid the country of crime and restore the rule of law by bending and even breaking the law. The near-universal demand for change at times cloaked in modest terms but often forthrightly arguing for social revolution also accounts for the sustained popularity of Grace Poe, for which her adoptive father s film fame is only partially responsible. But most of all does the same yearning explain the foundering candidacy of Roxas, whose decision to portray himself as the heir of Aquino s Daang Matuwid i.e., his promise to do more of the same is turning into a disaster both for him as well as for his otherwise viable vice-presidential partner, Maria Leonor Leni G. Robredo. With the game-changing Supreme Court decision under her belt, and with only two months before the elections, the possibility that Grace Poe will be president is likely to result not only in a surge in her voter-preference numbers; it will also generate a tidal wave of endorsements and support from those sectors in whose calculations a Poe victory is likely, and whose interests have always depended on government policy. The endorsements and support won t be without a price and the price can come in the form of exactly the opposite of the changes that more and more Filipinos are realizing are sorely and urgently needed for their sake as well as the entire country s. Such powerful sectors as the political dynasties, institutions such as the Church and the military, interests both domestic and foreign, have always been critical factors in the election of presidents, and they re not likely to give up that power. The interests of these sectors, institutions, and interests summed up in keeping and hardening the status quo of privilege and elite power have been historically at odds with those of the majority, but have always prevailed over those of the supposedly sovereign mass of the citizenry. The fundamental question is whether Grace Poe s presumptive government with a heart will be truly transformative: whether it will have the political will and the grassroots support that will enable it to deliver to the long suffering people of this troubled and troubling land the changes the economic and social revolution that have eluded them for centuries.

6 NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT Marso 16-22, 2016 Notice is hereby given that Lot 3724 described in O.C.T. No (18544) Lipa City Registry of Deeds, has been extrajudicially settled by the children and heirs of SPS. ELEODORO JAVEÑA AND MAURICIA CASTILLO as per Doc. No. 319; Page No. 64; Book No. 85; Series of 1996, and was sold, transferred and conveyed by said heirs in favor of LEAH M. MERCADO, single, and SPS. NICANOR SILVA AND ANTONINA SILVA as per Deed of Absolute Sale Bearing Doc. No. 332; Page No. 67; Book No. 85; Series of 1996 both acknowledged before a Notary Public Atty. Felino Magaling of Lipa City, and the ½ share belonging to Sps. Nicanor and Antonina Silva, has been extrajudicially settled by their children and heirs as per Deed of Extrajudical Settlement bearing Doc. No. 242; Page No. 49; Book No. LXX; Series of 2016, acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Erwin M. Layog of Lipa City Tambuling Batangas: March 16, 23 & 30, 2016 Distribute... from page 8 United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) six coconut oil mills, 14 holding companies, and SMC. In 2014, the Supreme Court affirmed its 2012 and 2001 decisions declaring the multi-billion coco levy funds as public funds that should ultimately benefit the coconut farmers from whom the funds originally came. In June 2015, the high court issued a temporary restraining order against the implementation of Aquino s Executive Order Numbers 179 and 180 aiming to privatize coconut levy assets. Flores also noted that none of the presidentiables vowed to run after the still contested 20 percent coco levy fund shares controlled by Cojuangco in SMC and hold him accountable for the continuing plunder of the coco levy funds. All of the presidentiables appear resigned and convinced that Cojuangco really owns the 20 percent in SMC that was acquired using the coco levy funds. This is an insult and betrayal to millions of small coconut farmers, the peasant leader said. Poe was quoted in a report as saying that the problem is that Danding Cojuangco doesn t control it anymore because all the shares (bought with the coco levy funds) are now with the government. The KMP and CLAIM are pushing for the creation of a Genuine Small Coconut Farmers Fund that shall not be part of the general funds of the national government and shall be used exclusively for the benefit of genuine small coconut farmers. Under a Genuine Small Coconut Farmers Fund, the entire coco levy fund and assets, including but not limited to the United Coconut Planters Bank and coco levy fund-acquired coconut oil mills, will be administered, utilized and used for the benefit of small coconut farmers and the genuine development of the coconut industry in support of national industrialization Under the farmers groups proposal socioeconomic projects initiated by small coconut farmers and their organizations and/or cooperatives financed by the Coconut Farmers Fund shall primarily focus on: livelihood programs and projects meant to provide additional incomes to small coconut farmers; small and medium-scale coconut enterprises, marketing and trading mechanisms, inventions and innovations of machineries and equipment for the development of high-quality coconut and improvement of local coconut production; and programs that would provide loan facilities for small coconut farmers. President Aquino names Secretary Jose Rene Almendras as new Foreign Affairs chief PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras as ad interim Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, replacing Secretary Albert del Rosario whose resignation took effect on Tuesday. Upon his assumption as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has ceased to be Cabinet Secretary, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on Wednesday. According to Secretary Coloma, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. will supervise the Office of the Cabinet Secretary. President Aquino accepted del Rosario s resignation last month. Del Rosario was appointed Department of Foreign Affairs head in Almendras was appointed as Cabinet Secretary in Prior to this, he served as secretary of the Department of Energy. He had also been tasked to head the Cabinet cluster on Port Congestion. Tambuling Batangas: March 16, 23 & 30, 2016 German rights group, daughter of slain tribal leader bring cases of Lumad killings to UN With 31 reported killings in 2015, the Philippines has one of the worst track records in the killing of human rights defenders (HRD) worldwide. By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO MANILA A church-based agency from Germany has brought the issue of Lumad killings before the 31st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva Switzerland, human rights group Karapatan said in a statement. With 31 reported killings in 2015, the Philippines has one of the worst track records in the killing of human rights defenders (HRD) worldwide, Bread for the World said in its statement during the interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders last March 4, Bread for the World is the social service agency of the Protestant churches in Germany. It has projects that deal with food security, promotion of health and education, respect for human rights, promoting peace and the integrity of creation, among others in over 90 countries. The group cited the infamous killing of two tribal leaders and one educator last Sept. 1, 2015 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. The attack has resulted to the forced evacuation of at least 2,000 residents. Although the perpetrators have been identified, no arrests have been made, the group added. Michelle Campos, daughter of slain tribal leader Dionel Campos, also attended the UN Human Rights Council session, along with Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay. I n a statement, Karapatan said they appreciated the report of United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Michel Forst in the 31st UN Human Rights Council on the cases of attacks against human rights defenders in the Philippines last March 3. In his report, Forst said the Lianga killings are part of the aggressions suffered by human rights defenders in rural areas and indigenous communities in response to violations committed in the course of environmentally dubious mining operations, widespread development of monoculture plantations, land grabs and territorial disputes. Forst also urged the Philippine government to take every possible measure to ensure that these extrajudicial killings do not remain in impunity, for fear of the potential encouragement a lack of justice would provide for any potential perpetrators of such acts in the future. Burning down of Haran Apart from the killings, Karapatan also submitted a letter complaint before UN Special Rapporteur on Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Dr. Chaloka Beyani on the burning down of the mission center of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Haran, Davao City, where at least 700 Lumad are seeking sanctuary. The incident, which took place last Feb. 24, left five Lumad injured, two of whom were children. The evacuees hailed from various communities in the region who were forced to leave their homes due to intense military operations in their areas. In 2015, Beyani visited the Philippines to look into the conditions of internally displaced persons who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan and communities that were affected by big mining corporations. In his exit statement, Beyani said he was alarmed that tribal leaders reported that their communities were consistently being manipulated and divided and that they had been harassed and received threats when they expressed their opposition. Indeed, some leaders and members of the indigenous communities have been killed over the past years, reportedly due to their anti-mining activities. Karapatan said that the military twisted Beyani s statement to further harass the Lumad in their vain attempt to divert the issue. The UN Special Rapporteur later refuted the military s statement and said that it was a gross misrepresentation. Palabay said the continuing harassment on the Lumad evacuees seeking refuge at the UCCP Haran, and the state agencies insistence to forcibly send them back to their communities, show a lack of understanding of their plight and a lack of concern for their safety and welfare. Impunity under Aquino Campos, for her part, assailed the continuing impunity under President Aquino. Six months after the incident, not one of the three named perpetrators has been arrested. This is the kind of impunity that is perpetrated by the Aquino regime and the Armed Forces of the Philippines they do not arrest criminals in their ranks and among paramilitary groups. They even have drinking sprees with them, she said. She also criticized the elusive justice in the killing of his father, Datu Juvello Sinzo and Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development executive director Emerito Samarca. Our community remains at peril because of the continuing military operations, and there has been no meaningful action by the Philippine government to address our issues, she added.

7 Marso 16-22, 2016 ENTERTAINMENT Word Search Puzzle St. Patrick s Day Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 34 letters spell a secret message. BEER BELFAST BISHOP CABBAGE CELEBRATION CELTIC CROSS CHRISTIAN CLOVER CORK CORNED BEEF DANCING DUBLIN EVENTS FEAST DAY FESTIVAL GREEN GUINNESS HERITAGE HISTORY HOLIDAY HOLY DAY IRELAND IRISH LEPRECHAUN LIMERICK MARCH MISSIONARY MUSIC PARADE PATRON SAINT POTATOES SEVENTEENTH SHAMROCK SNAKES SODA BREAD TRADITION YEARLY Sagot sa nakaraan Sudoku Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork. Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers pag if you really get stuck. Sudoku # Sudoku Hints Sudoku #

8 Authoritarianism and social paranoia...p.4 The Best Choice for Design & Quality VOLUME XXXIX No. 13 Marso 16-22, 2016 P6.00 For quotation requests, please contact us at (049) or us at gmail.com Press freedom advocates buck Bongbong s VP bid (Photo by Bulatlat) Group blames Aquino s divisive peace policy for continued conflict in Moro lands The Moro people in the past five years under President BS Aquino had only seen aggravating war, poverty, human rights violations and discrimination. By DEE AYROSO MANILA President Aquino failed to help bring peace to the Bangsamoro Homeland, as his regime shook hands with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but wielded a gun at Moro communities and other armed groups seeking change, the Moro-Christian Peoples Alliance (MCPA) said. It added that the Aquino administration merely followed the failed peace policy of previous administrations, which resulted into a worsening state of war. This had endangered and violated the rights, not only of Moro communities, but also of Aquino s very own government troops, said the group. The BS Aquino regime has been unmasked as a treacherous regime that has followed a divisive peace policy that aimed only to contain and pacify armed resistance in the Bangsamoro land, said Antonio Liongson, MCPA spokesperson, in a statement. Double-dealing The MCPA called the Aquino regime a double-dealer that has perpetuated the same laws, policies and social system that has oppressed and exploited the Moro people and violated their human rights and right to self-determination. It never intended to resolve the poverty of the Moro people rooted in the unequal distribution of wealth and control of resources, the paper said. Recently, government troops reported to have quelled the armed group that reportedly attacked a Phil. Army detachment in Butig, Lanao del Sur. The slain Maute brothers, Matti and Omar, were reportedly leading the younger generation of Moro revolutionaries who does not believe in political negotiations. A third brother, Abdullah, has reportedly survived the clashes. Early this year, Congress failed to enact the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which was supposed to be the charter of the new Bangsamoro political entity. The MILF and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) which drafted the BBL had protested the dilution of certain provisions in House Bill 5811, which made the BBL worse than the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Aquino cannot even unite Congress to pass its own Malacañang-diluted version of BBL, let alone one that is truly reflective of Moro right to selfdetermination and will resolve a century of injustice in the Moro lands, the MCPA report said. The MCPA report entitled The BS Aquino legacy: A worsening state of war and treachery in the Bangsamoro was released early this week. Troops put at risk in government-initiated offensives The report said the Mamasapano fiasco, which left 44 police commandoes dead, is but one of four major military offensives in Moro lands in Aquino s past five years, amid the government peace process with the MILF. Of these, three offensive operations violated the GPH-MILF ceasefire mechanisms and led to the deaths of government troops and MILF fighters. The paper cited the following incidents in which Aquino ordered a military resolution: All-out Justice military operations in Al Barka, Basilan and Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay in 2011; the Sabah standoff in Feb. 2013, the Zamboanga city siege, also that year later in September, which targeted the mainstream faction of the Moro National Liberation Front Media censorship, media repression existed during martial law, and in 2012, Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. authored the Cybercrime Law. By RONALYN V. OLEA MANILA Marking the World Day Against Cyber-Censorship, press freedom advocates reminded the public of media censorship during martial law. In a press conference, March 12, Raymond Palatino of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) National Capital Region, slammed Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. for branding his father s dictatorship as the Golden Age in Philippine history. Media censorship, media repression existed during martial law, Palatino said, adding that Bongbong who is running for the vice presidency, remains unapologetic of the horrors of martial law. Marc Lino Abila, national president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), refers to the 21-year tyrannical rule as the Dark Ages, when the dictatorship had the monopoly on its socalled truths, when freedom of expression and freedom of the press were non-existent. Abila pointed out that Bongbong authored the Cybercrime Law, which press freedom advocates labeled as the electronic martial law. The Republic Act or the Cybercrime Act of 2012 penalizes online libel, among others. Historical distortion Danilo Arao, journalism professor at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, called Bongbong a congenital liar not fit for public office. Arao criticized the senator for distorting history, saying empirical data prove Distribute coco levy, recover Danding s shares in SMC, presidentiables told All of the presidentiables appear resigned and convinced that Cojuangco really owns the 20 percent in SMC that was acquired using the coco levy funds. This is an insult and betrayal to millions of small coconut farmers. By RONALYN V. OLEA MANILA Farmers challenged presidential candidates to distribute the coco levy funds to small coconut farmers and recover the 20-percent shares of Eduardo Danding Cojuangco Jr. in San Miguel Corporation (SMC). The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and the claimants movement Coco Levy Fund Ibalik sa Amin (CLAIM) issued the statement following the statements of presidential aspirants Grace Poe and Rodrigo Duterte on the said issue. Poe and her running mate, Senator Chiz Escudero, said they would use the coconut levy fund on the basis of a law and not an executive order (EO). Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano vowed to distribute the multibillion-peso sundan sa pahina 3 coconut levy fund to farmers within a month should they be elected in the upcoming national elections. Antonio Flores, KMP secretary general, noted that none of the candidates has clearly declared how to directly return the money to small coconut farmers. What we want to hear is how small coconut farmers would directly benefit from the money trapped in Aquino s hands, Flores said, referring to the more than P70 billion recovered from SMC and remitted by the Presidential Commission on Good Government to the Bureau of Treasury in October Flores asked presidential aspirants to see if the coco levy funds remain intact. Baka ginagamit na ng LP ngayong eleksyon, (The LP might be using it for the elections) Flores said, referring to the ruling Liberal Party. The coco levy refers to taxes or exactions collected during the martial law years from coconut farmers, planters and millers. Danding Cojuangco, uncle of President Aquino used the coco levy to purchase the sundan sa pahina 2 sundan sa pahina 6