09 November 2005
PHOTO: Judge's Killers?
JUDGE’S KILLERS? Elmer C. Cabiles, 34, of Natividad town (first from right) and Jornald A Vargas alias “Boyet” of Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya (middle) are presented by the police to the media as prime suspects in the killing of Regional trial Court judge Estrellita Paas . (Inset photo) The.38 cal. revolver with six live bullets and a fan knife confiscated from Vargas. (PStar Photo by Butch F. Uka)
Slight hike in prices of basic goods
PRICES of basic goods in Pangasinan have generally remained stable except for a P90 increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that now costs P510 per cylinder.
Significantly, other basic commodities like flour, which is used for bread and other pastries exhibited a decreased price even as vegetable prices remained generally steady.
As predicted by finance and power sector officials, gasoline pump prices went up almost immediately catching many motorists, who thought it would be jacked up only a day or two later, by surprise last November 1.
The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry said it has mobilized four teams to monitor prices of basic commodities to make sure that traders do not unduly increase the prices of their goods following the implementation of the Reformed Value Added tax Law. (See related story elsewhere in this issue of The Pangasinan Star)
DTI officer Marjorie Loresco said they are keeping a tight watch on various stores and supermarkets to ensure that traders do not take undue advantage of the consuming public.
Store owners should not raise the price of their goods beyond the limit of the suggested price given to them by the manufacturers, she said, adding that traders are not also allowed to impose more than the required 10 percent VAT for these commodities.
The DTI said that consumers are complaining because the prices of almost all kinds of commodities have increased and they are blaming this to the implementation of EVAT.
Loresco explained that the P90 increase in LPG price was due to the imposition of 10 percent VAT on petroleum products, which in the past were exempted.
She is however confident that the price of LPG might decrease next week due to an expected P10 rollback in the price of oil.
Significantly, other basic commodities like flour, which is used for bread and other pastries exhibited a decreased price even as vegetable prices remained generally steady.
As predicted by finance and power sector officials, gasoline pump prices went up almost immediately catching many motorists, who thought it would be jacked up only a day or two later, by surprise last November 1.
The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry said it has mobilized four teams to monitor prices of basic commodities to make sure that traders do not unduly increase the prices of their goods following the implementation of the Reformed Value Added tax Law. (See related story elsewhere in this issue of The Pangasinan Star)
DTI officer Marjorie Loresco said they are keeping a tight watch on various stores and supermarkets to ensure that traders do not take undue advantage of the consuming public.
Store owners should not raise the price of their goods beyond the limit of the suggested price given to them by the manufacturers, she said, adding that traders are not also allowed to impose more than the required 10 percent VAT for these commodities.
The DTI said that consumers are complaining because the prices of almost all kinds of commodities have increased and they are blaming this to the implementation of EVAT.
Loresco explained that the P90 increase in LPG price was due to the imposition of 10 percent VAT on petroleum products, which in the past were exempted.
She is however confident that the price of LPG might decrease next week due to an expected P10 rollback in the price of oil.
NBI to PNP: Check your suspects’ hair samples
THE National Bureau of Investigation urged its fellow investigators in the Philippine National Police to establish more definite proofs of guilt of the arrested suspects in the RTC Judge Estrellita Paas’ killing such as hair strand matching of the suspects with those found on the victim’s hands and at the crime scene.
The NBI, thru one of its agents, offered the suggestion even as many observers have noted that police investigators have yet to establish or mention any motive for the slaying despite the lapse of time between the arrest and grilling of the suspects – Elmer Cabiles , 34, a neighbor of the Paases in Natividad town and Jornald Vargas alias Boyet, 26, of Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya – and their presentation to the media last October 28.
Police Provincial Director Alan LM Purisima presented the suspects to PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao during the latter’s recent visit to the province to inaugurate the newly constructed grandstand at the PNP Provincial Headquarters in Lingayen.
The NBI office based in Dagupan however clarified that in offering the suggestion, it is merely guided by the best interest of the case and the wishes of the judge’s grieving family and relatives to have the real killer or killers brought to justice.
It will be recalled that the late judge’s family members had expressed their wish to PNP Chief Lomibao when he condoled with them a few days after the killing that the case be solved soonest or that the killer and the motive be established at least before the burial.
Sr. Inspector Federico Castro of the regional office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which unit joined the arresting team that brought in the suspects, said CIDG tagged Cabiles as a suspect because of his highly strange flight to barangay Sto. Domingo in Lupao, Nueva Ecija -- where he was eventually arrested – the day after the murder of the woman judge.
Saying Cabiles was the only one who knew the layout of the house as he lived just at the back of the Paas house and was a trusted man of retired Ombudsman Reinerio Paas and the late judge, Castro said Cabiles’ sudden departure and his going to Asingan to ask for P5,000 from his father purportedly for him to look for a job in Tarlac or Pampanga only to be found by authorities in a hideout in Lupao, rang alarm bells for investigators.
Preliminary investigation and tactical interrogation showed that Cabiles is a suspect in an earlier murder in the National Capital Region and had a standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Adoracion Angeles of RTC branch 121 in Caloocan City.
In a written statement in the presence of his counsel and his immediate relatives, Cabiles tagged Vargas as the killer of Judge Paas. Vargas was arrested in barangay Capulaan, Balungao while playing with a fan knife. Frisked by the police team, a cal. 38 revolver with six live bullets was found on him.
The NBI, thru one of its agents, offered the suggestion even as many observers have noted that police investigators have yet to establish or mention any motive for the slaying despite the lapse of time between the arrest and grilling of the suspects – Elmer Cabiles , 34, a neighbor of the Paases in Natividad town and Jornald Vargas alias Boyet, 26, of Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya – and their presentation to the media last October 28.
Police Provincial Director Alan LM Purisima presented the suspects to PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao during the latter’s recent visit to the province to inaugurate the newly constructed grandstand at the PNP Provincial Headquarters in Lingayen.
The NBI office based in Dagupan however clarified that in offering the suggestion, it is merely guided by the best interest of the case and the wishes of the judge’s grieving family and relatives to have the real killer or killers brought to justice.
It will be recalled that the late judge’s family members had expressed their wish to PNP Chief Lomibao when he condoled with them a few days after the killing that the case be solved soonest or that the killer and the motive be established at least before the burial.
Sr. Inspector Federico Castro of the regional office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which unit joined the arresting team that brought in the suspects, said CIDG tagged Cabiles as a suspect because of his highly strange flight to barangay Sto. Domingo in Lupao, Nueva Ecija -- where he was eventually arrested – the day after the murder of the woman judge.
Saying Cabiles was the only one who knew the layout of the house as he lived just at the back of the Paas house and was a trusted man of retired Ombudsman Reinerio Paas and the late judge, Castro said Cabiles’ sudden departure and his going to Asingan to ask for P5,000 from his father purportedly for him to look for a job in Tarlac or Pampanga only to be found by authorities in a hideout in Lupao, rang alarm bells for investigators.
Preliminary investigation and tactical interrogation showed that Cabiles is a suspect in an earlier murder in the National Capital Region and had a standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Adoracion Angeles of RTC branch 121 in Caloocan City.
In a written statement in the presence of his counsel and his immediate relatives, Cabiles tagged Vargas as the killer of Judge Paas. Vargas was arrested in barangay Capulaan, Balungao while playing with a fan knife. Frisked by the police team, a cal. 38 revolver with six live bullets was found on him.
Goodbye, Nap Donato!
LOCAL cable television show host and public relations consultant Napoleon Donato died of a massive heart attack at the Nazareth General Hospital in Dagupan City yesterday at around 3.00 p.m.. He was 55.
Rushed by his family to the hospital at around 8 a.m. after complaining of severe back pains and with an elevated blood pressure, Donato, according to one of his sons, had looked quite alright until he took a sudden turn for the worse after lunchtime in his hospital room.
A well known figure in private and government circles from where he got most of his clients for his pioneering company, Linis Pinoy, a janitorial service group, and for his Nap Donato Show over Home Cable television, “Nap” as he is fondly called was in the thick of preparations as organizer and chief coordinator for a grand high school reunion of the University of Pangasinan, this December before the Grim Reaper came.
He was also an active committee leader in Dagupan City’s Strategic Planning discussion sessions and conferences.
He is survived by wife Elizabeth and three sons, Nathaniel Mark, Nicko Paulo and Napoleon Donato, Jr.
A necrological service will be held at the Eternal Gardens chapel in Dagupan City tomorrow at 7 p.m. A mass will precede the cremation of his mortal remains at the Eternal Gardens crematorium on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Rushed by his family to the hospital at around 8 a.m. after complaining of severe back pains and with an elevated blood pressure, Donato, according to one of his sons, had looked quite alright until he took a sudden turn for the worse after lunchtime in his hospital room.
A well known figure in private and government circles from where he got most of his clients for his pioneering company, Linis Pinoy, a janitorial service group, and for his Nap Donato Show over Home Cable television, “Nap” as he is fondly called was in the thick of preparations as organizer and chief coordinator for a grand high school reunion of the University of Pangasinan, this December before the Grim Reaper came.
He was also an active committee leader in Dagupan City’s Strategic Planning discussion sessions and conferences.
He is survived by wife Elizabeth and three sons, Nathaniel Mark, Nicko Paulo and Napoleon Donato, Jr.
A necrological service will be held at the Eternal Gardens chapel in Dagupan City tomorrow at 7 p.m. A mass will precede the cremation of his mortal remains at the Eternal Gardens crematorium on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
JDV confident he’ll keep seat; ‘Spines’ agrees
HOUSE Speaker Jose C. de Venecia, Jr. assured that he can weather the storm in the House of Representatives and keep his speakership.
De Venecia, president of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrat party, is allegedly facing a strong challenge from Rep. Prospero Pichay, from within hi s own party.
De Venecia however told newsmen that he is not worried a bit because Lakas has a stable coalition with other political parties, such as the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Kampi, Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party and other political parties in the House.
He said all of the members of the NPC, the second largest political party in the House, have declared their support for him.
This goes also for members of the Liberal Party, including those who opposed President Arroyo during the impeachment battle, who have reunited and now express support for de Venecia.
“I think I have an overwhelming majority,” the Speaker said.
Rep. Amado Espino, Jr., congressman of the second district of Pangasinan, and a member of the Kampi party, said “nobody can yet beat our speaker.”
“He (Speaker de Venecia) has a very, very strong hold on everybody or all of us, except for a few,” Espino declared.
De Venecia, president of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrat party, is allegedly facing a strong challenge from Rep. Prospero Pichay, from within hi s own party.
De Venecia however told newsmen that he is not worried a bit because Lakas has a stable coalition with other political parties, such as the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Kampi, Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party and other political parties in the House.
He said all of the members of the NPC, the second largest political party in the House, have declared their support for him.
This goes also for members of the Liberal Party, including those who opposed President Arroyo during the impeachment battle, who have reunited and now express support for de Venecia.
“I think I have an overwhelming majority,” the Speaker said.
Rep. Amado Espino, Jr., congressman of the second district of Pangasinan, and a member of the Kampi party, said “nobody can yet beat our speaker.”
“He (Speaker de Venecia) has a very, very strong hold on everybody or all of us, except for a few,” Espino declared.
Ahmad Santos once set up terrorist camp in Anda
BINMALEY – The head of a terrorist group arrested by the military along with several others in Zamboanga City last Tuesday was the same man who set up a terrorist training camp in Anda, Pangasinan about four years ago which was raided and neutralized by the police.
Philippine National Police Chief Director Arturo Lomibao recalled that he was still the police regional director of the Ilocos when his men arrested Hilarion Santos, alias “Ahmad Santos” with several others in Anda town in 2001.
That was the first time the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM), an extremist group of the Balik Islam movement, surfaced, Lomibao told newsmen at a news conference here recently.
“In the Philippines, the places affected by terrorism are Metro Manila and Mindanao. And Pangasinan came to the fore before when we discovered the training camp of the Rajah Solaiman movement in Anda in 2001, Lomibao said.
Santos a native of Anda who returned home after long years of absence and settled in his parents’ large estate in Anda, was tagged by Lomibao as the leader and founder of the RSM responsible for bombing sprees in various parts of the country.
He was arrested in 2001 when police raided the training camp he set up in a secluded place in Anda. High-powered firearms with several rounds of ammunitions, including claymore mines were seized by the police and military.
Santos however claimed it was a Islamic school, or madrasah that was raided by government agents.
Santos was released after posting bail but he never attended the trial of his case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions as he soon jumped bail and was unheard of anymore.
True to the prediction of then Police Provincial Director, Senior Supt. Rodolfo “Boogie” Mendoza, who spearheaded the raid on the training camp, Santos went into hiding as soon as he was released.
Lomibao revealed that Santos went to Mindanao and initially trained with the Moro Islamic Liberation Movement and finally with the Abu Sayaff Group.
He said although the RSM has only a few members, what makes the group still dangerous is its alliance with the ASG.
Confirming that the terrorist camp in Anda has now been neutralized, Lomibao assured that Pangasinan is not high on their (terrorist) level of priority”
“I could guarantee that no terrorism will happen here in Pangasinan, perhaps in the next two years,” said Lomibao, a native of Mangaldan town in Pangasinan.
Still, Lomibao called on the people to be extra-vigilant because terrorism is a fact of life and can happen anywhere, even in the United States, Spain and in United Kingdom.
Philippine National Police Chief Director Arturo Lomibao recalled that he was still the police regional director of the Ilocos when his men arrested Hilarion Santos, alias “Ahmad Santos” with several others in Anda town in 2001.
That was the first time the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM), an extremist group of the Balik Islam movement, surfaced, Lomibao told newsmen at a news conference here recently.
“In the Philippines, the places affected by terrorism are Metro Manila and Mindanao. And Pangasinan came to the fore before when we discovered the training camp of the Rajah Solaiman movement in Anda in 2001, Lomibao said.
Santos a native of Anda who returned home after long years of absence and settled in his parents’ large estate in Anda, was tagged by Lomibao as the leader and founder of the RSM responsible for bombing sprees in various parts of the country.
He was arrested in 2001 when police raided the training camp he set up in a secluded place in Anda. High-powered firearms with several rounds of ammunitions, including claymore mines were seized by the police and military.
Santos however claimed it was a Islamic school, or madrasah that was raided by government agents.
Santos was released after posting bail but he never attended the trial of his case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions as he soon jumped bail and was unheard of anymore.
True to the prediction of then Police Provincial Director, Senior Supt. Rodolfo “Boogie” Mendoza, who spearheaded the raid on the training camp, Santos went into hiding as soon as he was released.
Lomibao revealed that Santos went to Mindanao and initially trained with the Moro Islamic Liberation Movement and finally with the Abu Sayaff Group.
He said although the RSM has only a few members, what makes the group still dangerous is its alliance with the ASG.
Confirming that the terrorist camp in Anda has now been neutralized, Lomibao assured that Pangasinan is not high on their (terrorist) level of priority”
“I could guarantee that no terrorism will happen here in Pangasinan, perhaps in the next two years,” said Lomibao, a native of Mangaldan town in Pangasinan.
Still, Lomibao called on the people to be extra-vigilant because terrorism is a fact of life and can happen anywhere, even in the United States, Spain and in United Kingdom.
Jacinto earns more critics: docs & SP men
MORE and more people are getting mad at the controversial food and drug regulation officer over his continued refusal to identify doctors he alleged to be involved in the sale of counterfeit drugs in Pangasinan.
Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region 1 Medical Center, dared Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto to get out of the health department first before accusing government health institutions like the R1MC for patronizing counterfeit drugs while still being a part of the same institution.
“Taga DOH din siya, ‘di ba, at ang tinitira nya, kapwa taga DOH?”( He’s with DOH, isn’t he, and he’s hitting at his fellow DOH men?) he noted in a radio interview.
Jacinto was quoted tagging unnamed doctors from government hospitals as patronizing illegally-procured drugs.
Canto vehemently denied the accusation saying he will never tolerate his physicians or personnel at the medical center to get involved in the sale of fake or counterfeit medicines.
He also noted that Jacinto’s claim was a sweeping statement and a “very bad accusation” that makes every government physician a suspect.
Canto also advised the regional food and drug enforcement officer to refrain from entertaining complaints thru text messages unless these are verified. “Alam mo naman diyan, may mga professional jealousy among doctors at gustong siraan ng isa ang kalaban niya,” ( You know how it is, there’s professional jealousy in the ranks and one (would) want to destroy the other) he observed.
Board Member Dionisio Villar, who heads the sangguniang panlalawigan health committee, criticized Jacinto for failing to attend the scheduled committee hearing last Friday. Villar invited the latter to attend the hearing hoping that he (Jacinto) will be forced to identify the doctors in order to clear the names of those not involved.
He said that as health committee chair, he was duly bound to unearth the truth no matter who gets hurt and at the same time protect the integrity of government doctors who were put in a bad light by Jacinto’s expose which has remained unverified.
Villar was so dismayed by Jacinto’s non-appearance at the hearing that he revealed to the public some negative remarks about the latter. “Nagkagulo-gulo mula noong dumating siya, pati mga gamot nagkawala-wala,” he told a radio interview quoting his sources at the DOH and the Bureau of Food and Drug. He did not elaborate on what medicines or medical supplies went missing or how such happened.
Jacinto earlier said he was willing to appear in formal investigations by appropriate agencies and would reveal the names of involved persons when necessary charges have been filed against them in court.
Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region 1 Medical Center, dared Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto to get out of the health department first before accusing government health institutions like the R1MC for patronizing counterfeit drugs while still being a part of the same institution.
“Taga DOH din siya, ‘di ba, at ang tinitira nya, kapwa taga DOH?”( He’s with DOH, isn’t he, and he’s hitting at his fellow DOH men?) he noted in a radio interview.
Jacinto was quoted tagging unnamed doctors from government hospitals as patronizing illegally-procured drugs.
Canto vehemently denied the accusation saying he will never tolerate his physicians or personnel at the medical center to get involved in the sale of fake or counterfeit medicines.
He also noted that Jacinto’s claim was a sweeping statement and a “very bad accusation” that makes every government physician a suspect.
Canto also advised the regional food and drug enforcement officer to refrain from entertaining complaints thru text messages unless these are verified. “Alam mo naman diyan, may mga professional jealousy among doctors at gustong siraan ng isa ang kalaban niya,” ( You know how it is, there’s professional jealousy in the ranks and one (would) want to destroy the other) he observed.
Board Member Dionisio Villar, who heads the sangguniang panlalawigan health committee, criticized Jacinto for failing to attend the scheduled committee hearing last Friday. Villar invited the latter to attend the hearing hoping that he (Jacinto) will be forced to identify the doctors in order to clear the names of those not involved.
He said that as health committee chair, he was duly bound to unearth the truth no matter who gets hurt and at the same time protect the integrity of government doctors who were put in a bad light by Jacinto’s expose which has remained unverified.
Villar was so dismayed by Jacinto’s non-appearance at the hearing that he revealed to the public some negative remarks about the latter. “Nagkagulo-gulo mula noong dumating siya, pati mga gamot nagkawala-wala,” he told a radio interview quoting his sources at the DOH and the Bureau of Food and Drug. He did not elaborate on what medicines or medical supplies went missing or how such happened.
Jacinto earlier said he was willing to appear in formal investigations by appropriate agencies and would reveal the names of involved persons when necessary charges have been filed against them in court.
Palace: Talk on cutting GMA term premature
MALACAÑANG branded as premature talks about the cutting short the term limit of President Arroyo, stressing that such would all depend on the transitory provisions of the amended Constitution to be drafted by Congress as well as the recommendations of the Consultative Commission (Con-Com).
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye emphasized in a radio interview that the proposal to shorten the term of the President will be covered by the amended Charter.
“The foremost consideration in changing the Charter is changing the form of government as well as economic reforms. Congress must amend the Constitution first before we proceed to other matters,” he said, in oblique reference to a term cut for President Arroyo.
Bunye was reacting to published reports that the President has agreed to hold elections for a new parliamentary government in 2007 once a new Constitution is ratified next year.
The report quoted an unnamed source as saying the President made the commitment to former President Fidel V. Ramos and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. during a private meeting Monday.
Bunye neither confirmed nor denied the story beyond saying it is hard to confirm a report quoting an unnamed source.
“Alam ninyo, mahirap mag-comment sa speculation. Ang sinasabi lang natin ay ano talaga ang realistic. Ano ang realistic? Ang importante ay magkaroon muna talaga ng desisyon na amyendahan (The important thing is there must be a decision to amend the Constitution),” he said.
The Press Secretary noted that while the Executive branch is amenable to Charter change and a strong move is afoot in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution, the same cannot be said of the Senate.
In a press briefing, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita reiterated the President’s support of Charter change, saying the Chief Executive believes that Charter change is the solution to the political crisis hounding the country.
Ermita said he shared the view of Bunye that it is premature to talk about term limits when Congress has yet to decide on what features should be amended in a Charter change.
“We cannot anticipate what the different committees of the Consultative Commission would recommend as to the form of government and the transitory provision,” he said, adding that the Commission is still consulting people in the provinces.
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye emphasized in a radio interview that the proposal to shorten the term of the President will be covered by the amended Charter.
“The foremost consideration in changing the Charter is changing the form of government as well as economic reforms. Congress must amend the Constitution first before we proceed to other matters,” he said, in oblique reference to a term cut for President Arroyo.
Bunye was reacting to published reports that the President has agreed to hold elections for a new parliamentary government in 2007 once a new Constitution is ratified next year.
The report quoted an unnamed source as saying the President made the commitment to former President Fidel V. Ramos and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. during a private meeting Monday.
Bunye neither confirmed nor denied the story beyond saying it is hard to confirm a report quoting an unnamed source.
“Alam ninyo, mahirap mag-comment sa speculation. Ang sinasabi lang natin ay ano talaga ang realistic. Ano ang realistic? Ang importante ay magkaroon muna talaga ng desisyon na amyendahan (The important thing is there must be a decision to amend the Constitution),” he said.
The Press Secretary noted that while the Executive branch is amenable to Charter change and a strong move is afoot in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution, the same cannot be said of the Senate.
In a press briefing, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita reiterated the President’s support of Charter change, saying the Chief Executive believes that Charter change is the solution to the political crisis hounding the country.
Ermita said he shared the view of Bunye that it is premature to talk about term limits when Congress has yet to decide on what features should be amended in a Charter change.
“We cannot anticipate what the different committees of the Consultative Commission would recommend as to the form of government and the transitory provision,” he said, adding that the Commission is still consulting people in the provinces.
Alaminos ‘AA’ abbatoir among country’s best
FOR the second consecutive year, the Alaminos City slaughterhouse made it to the circle of top producers of safe and quality meat in the country today.
Known as the Don Leopoldo O. Alcedo Abattoir, the city’s slaughterhouse was finalist in the “AA” Slaughterhouse Category in the Search for Best Meat Establishment after besting its counterparts in the provincial and regional level.
Mayor Hernani A. Braganza and City Veterinarian Ronald Abarra personally received the award from Agriculture Sec. Domingo F. Panganiban last October 21 at the Bureau of Soil and Water Management in Diliman Quezon City.
The simple awarding rites highlighted the 13th Meat Safety Consciousness Week and 33rd NMIS Anniversary celebration on the theme “Pambansang Kapakanan, Pandaigdigang Pamantayan sa Bagong Batas Makakamtan”.
St. Jude Abattoir of Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental bagged the highest award. Other finalists include Roblu Meat Products (Cainta, Rizal), Rombi XM Trade (Pulilan, Bulacan), Dumaguete City Abattoir and Santiago City Abattoir (Isabela).
Braganza commended Abarra as well as the NMIS accredited meat inspectors of the city for the accomplishment.
Through his administration’s “Ocho-ocho Dev’t. Program” for the livestock sector, Braganza is extending additional funding support and assistance to the veterinary division.
“This humble feat would definitely inspire more our meat inspectors and staff to extend their share for the realization of our vision of a “Hot Meat Free City” in the next five years” Abarra, a former city councilor, said
In 2003, the city veterinary office was also adjudged as the Best Implementor of Meat Inspection Service and Good Management Practices.
With the city’s proposed construction of a cold storage facility at the abattoir compound coming soon, the slaughterhouse could further improve its services in the coming year (MAM-CIO)
Known as the Don Leopoldo O. Alcedo Abattoir, the city’s slaughterhouse was finalist in the “AA” Slaughterhouse Category in the Search for Best Meat Establishment after besting its counterparts in the provincial and regional level.
Mayor Hernani A. Braganza and City Veterinarian Ronald Abarra personally received the award from Agriculture Sec. Domingo F. Panganiban last October 21 at the Bureau of Soil and Water Management in Diliman Quezon City.
The simple awarding rites highlighted the 13th Meat Safety Consciousness Week and 33rd NMIS Anniversary celebration on the theme “Pambansang Kapakanan, Pandaigdigang Pamantayan sa Bagong Batas Makakamtan”.
St. Jude Abattoir of Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental bagged the highest award. Other finalists include Roblu Meat Products (Cainta, Rizal), Rombi XM Trade (Pulilan, Bulacan), Dumaguete City Abattoir and Santiago City Abattoir (Isabela).
Braganza commended Abarra as well as the NMIS accredited meat inspectors of the city for the accomplishment.
Through his administration’s “Ocho-ocho Dev’t. Program” for the livestock sector, Braganza is extending additional funding support and assistance to the veterinary division.
“This humble feat would definitely inspire more our meat inspectors and staff to extend their share for the realization of our vision of a “Hot Meat Free City” in the next five years” Abarra, a former city councilor, said
In 2003, the city veterinary office was also adjudged as the Best Implementor of Meat Inspection Service and Good Management Practices.
With the city’s proposed construction of a cold storage facility at the abattoir compound coming soon, the slaughterhouse could further improve its services in the coming year (MAM-CIO)
Doc debunks terrorist link to bird flu virus
ENVIRONMENTAL changes, not a terrorist evil design, probably caused the evolution of the deadly avian flu virus that now stalks countries throughout the world.
This was the medical assessment of Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region 1 Medical Center here who dismissed insinuations that the avian flu might have been spread by terrorists.
Canto said he does not believe so and said the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus must have evolved naturally due to the now constantly changing environment, where viruses are constantly adapting and therefore mutating.
Canto explained that through mutation, a harmless virus can become a monster, just like the present N5N1 strain of avian flu virus that is currently threatening to cause a pandemic all over the world.
The Philippines is now among the very few Asian countries that has not registered cases of avian flu although nearby countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and China already have it.
Canto explained that migratory birds may be carrying the avian flu virus but the latter is not actually harmful to human beings unless it comes in contact with the local human influenza virus.
Migratory birds, among them herons and egrets, land in droves in shallow fishponds in various parts of Pangasinan this time of the year to forage for food. People have been warned to stay away from the birds.
Calling on the people to exert all efforts to stay healthy in the midst of the avian flu threat, Canto said symptoms of the disease are like those of the ordinary flu but in addition, the avian flu patient experiences difficulty of breathing.
He said in bacterial inspection caused by ordinary flu, one can hear the crackles in the patient’s chest through the stethoscope but not when he or she is afflicted with the avian flu.
Saying that cure for avian flu is now available but expensive, Canto said if the disease finally comes to our shores, the people must maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to increase bodily resistance.
He called on the people to avoid crowds, stay at home, take bed rest, drink lots of fruit juices and eat plenty of green leafy vegetables.
Canto claimed that the Department of Health is now more prepared to meet the threat of the disease than when the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hit the country three years ago.
This was the medical assessment of Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region 1 Medical Center here who dismissed insinuations that the avian flu might have been spread by terrorists.
Canto said he does not believe so and said the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus must have evolved naturally due to the now constantly changing environment, where viruses are constantly adapting and therefore mutating.
Canto explained that through mutation, a harmless virus can become a monster, just like the present N5N1 strain of avian flu virus that is currently threatening to cause a pandemic all over the world.
The Philippines is now among the very few Asian countries that has not registered cases of avian flu although nearby countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and China already have it.
Canto explained that migratory birds may be carrying the avian flu virus but the latter is not actually harmful to human beings unless it comes in contact with the local human influenza virus.
Migratory birds, among them herons and egrets, land in droves in shallow fishponds in various parts of Pangasinan this time of the year to forage for food. People have been warned to stay away from the birds.
Calling on the people to exert all efforts to stay healthy in the midst of the avian flu threat, Canto said symptoms of the disease are like those of the ordinary flu but in addition, the avian flu patient experiences difficulty of breathing.
He said in bacterial inspection caused by ordinary flu, one can hear the crackles in the patient’s chest through the stethoscope but not when he or she is afflicted with the avian flu.
Saying that cure for avian flu is now available but expensive, Canto said if the disease finally comes to our shores, the people must maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to increase bodily resistance.
He called on the people to avoid crowds, stay at home, take bed rest, drink lots of fruit juices and eat plenty of green leafy vegetables.
Canto claimed that the Department of Health is now more prepared to meet the threat of the disease than when the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hit the country three years ago.
Muslims mark end of Ramadan
THOUSANDS of Muslims flocked to the Muslim mosque in Tondaligan Park here Thursday to mark their last day of fast during the month of Ramadan that started Oct. 3 this year.
They were among thousands of Muslims who settled in Dagupan since the early 70s and were given by past city administrations a permanent place to stay in the city on a portion of the Tondaligan Park near the seashore.
Datu Michael Bagul, president of the Muslim Association of Dagupan, explained that Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar, a special month for Muslims all over the world.
Inside the mosque, they spent several hours praying and studying the Quran, the Muslim version of the Christian’s Holy Bible.
Bagul said during the Fast of Ramadan, they were not allowed to eat or even drink water during daylight hours. Smoking and sexual contacts were also prohibited.
“We were only allowed to eat meal and drink water at 6 p.m. We offered prayers and a meal called iftar,” said Bagul, adding that the fast is resumed the next morning after that.
Baguil said Allah would punish those who violate the Ramadan and those who may not believe in it.
They were among thousands of Muslims who settled in Dagupan since the early 70s and were given by past city administrations a permanent place to stay in the city on a portion of the Tondaligan Park near the seashore.
Datu Michael Bagul, president of the Muslim Association of Dagupan, explained that Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar, a special month for Muslims all over the world.
Inside the mosque, they spent several hours praying and studying the Quran, the Muslim version of the Christian’s Holy Bible.
Bagul said during the Fast of Ramadan, they were not allowed to eat or even drink water during daylight hours. Smoking and sexual contacts were also prohibited.
“We were only allowed to eat meal and drink water at 6 p.m. We offered prayers and a meal called iftar,” said Bagul, adding that the fast is resumed the next morning after that.
Baguil said Allah would punish those who violate the Ramadan and those who may not believe in it.
BFAD official avoids face-up with fellow docs
LINGAYEN – An official of the Department of Health who earlier exposed that some government doctors in Pangasinan are the top promoters of counterfeit and or fake medicines did not show up before the provincial board last Friday to substantiate his charges.
Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto, chief of the standard and regulatory office of the DOH and head of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) regional office, was invited by the board during its regular question hour so that he can name the doctors he says are involved in the sale and distribution of counterfeit and or fake medicines.
Provincial Board Member Dionisio Villar said that because of Jacinto’s “reckless statement,” all government doctors in Pangasinan have become suspects.
Villar, chair of the provincial committee on health and sanitation, invited Jacinto to attend the board’s question hour for him to clarify issues about his allegation that doctors in various government hospitals in Pangasinan are promoting or selling counterfeit and or fake medicines to their patients.
“This is a very serious accusation as far as we are concerned. We will do everything we can so that the government doctors in this kind of illegal activity would get sanction if not disciplinary action,” Villar said.
Among the hospitals mentioned by Jacinto whose doctors are into such activity are the Region I Medical Center, Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, Western Pangasinan District Hospital and Don Amadeo Perez Memorial District Hospital.
Jacinto said that under the Generic Act, doctors can only prescribe medicines to their patients but never to dispense these to them or dictate from what pharmacy they would buy the medicines.
A report said Jacinto sent text messages informing newsmen that he did not attend the question hour because he had no travel order from his superior, Dr. Eduardo Janairo, DOH regional director.
Observers said however Jacinto really avoided facing the doctors whom he accused of wrongdoing in their profession because he lacked hard evidence yet against them on the issue.
Dr. Jackson Soriano, chief of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital who was among those who waited for Jacinto to come, demanded a public apology from the latter for tarnishing the reputation of all government doctors in Pangasinan.
All government hospital chiefs in Pangasinan were at the SP Question Hour eager to confront Jacinto but were frustrated by his no-show act.
Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto, chief of the standard and regulatory office of the DOH and head of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) regional office, was invited by the board during its regular question hour so that he can name the doctors he says are involved in the sale and distribution of counterfeit and or fake medicines.
Provincial Board Member Dionisio Villar said that because of Jacinto’s “reckless statement,” all government doctors in Pangasinan have become suspects.
Villar, chair of the provincial committee on health and sanitation, invited Jacinto to attend the board’s question hour for him to clarify issues about his allegation that doctors in various government hospitals in Pangasinan are promoting or selling counterfeit and or fake medicines to their patients.
“This is a very serious accusation as far as we are concerned. We will do everything we can so that the government doctors in this kind of illegal activity would get sanction if not disciplinary action,” Villar said.
Among the hospitals mentioned by Jacinto whose doctors are into such activity are the Region I Medical Center, Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, Western Pangasinan District Hospital and Don Amadeo Perez Memorial District Hospital.
Jacinto said that under the Generic Act, doctors can only prescribe medicines to their patients but never to dispense these to them or dictate from what pharmacy they would buy the medicines.
A report said Jacinto sent text messages informing newsmen that he did not attend the question hour because he had no travel order from his superior, Dr. Eduardo Janairo, DOH regional director.
Observers said however Jacinto really avoided facing the doctors whom he accused of wrongdoing in their profession because he lacked hard evidence yet against them on the issue.
Dr. Jackson Soriano, chief of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital who was among those who waited for Jacinto to come, demanded a public apology from the latter for tarnishing the reputation of all government doctors in Pangasinan.
All government hospital chiefs in Pangasinan were at the SP Question Hour eager to confront Jacinto but were frustrated by his no-show act.
Prov’l board seeks probe of Sual ambush-slaying
MALASIQUI – The provincial board will request the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the ambush-slaying of two persons and the wounding of four others along the highway in barangay Seselangen, Sual last Oct. 22.
Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, presiding officer of the provincial board or sangguniang panlalawigan, was informed that the NBI is ready to help investigate the case but is waiting for any party to make the request so no one will say the agency is encroaching on police work.
Lambino said if no one makes the request, the provincial board will do it to give justice to the two persons killed, one of whom was a student and son of an incumbent councilor of Alaminos City.
Killed in that incident was Allan de Guzman, 30, driver of a passenger van who was ambushed by seven hooded men armed with high-caliber weapons, and Gheorge Ringo Rivera, 18, a student on his way home to Alaminos City from Dagupan City.
“I will request myself for the NBI to step in and investigate the killing of the driver and the innocent student who, reports said, was already running away from the van but he was nevertheless shot in cold blood by the armed men,” Lambino said.
He said the ambush-slaying must be given immediate solution because the people are fast losing their trust and confidence in the capability of authorities, including the Philippine National Police.
Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, presiding officer of the provincial board or sangguniang panlalawigan, was informed that the NBI is ready to help investigate the case but is waiting for any party to make the request so no one will say the agency is encroaching on police work.
Lambino said if no one makes the request, the provincial board will do it to give justice to the two persons killed, one of whom was a student and son of an incumbent councilor of Alaminos City.
Killed in that incident was Allan de Guzman, 30, driver of a passenger van who was ambushed by seven hooded men armed with high-caliber weapons, and Gheorge Ringo Rivera, 18, a student on his way home to Alaminos City from Dagupan City.
“I will request myself for the NBI to step in and investigate the killing of the driver and the innocent student who, reports said, was already running away from the van but he was nevertheless shot in cold blood by the armed men,” Lambino said.
He said the ambush-slaying must be given immediate solution because the people are fast losing their trust and confidence in the capability of authorities, including the Philippine National Police.
GMA names veem Alvin to Con-Com
THE vice mayor of Dagupan City was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last Monday as the newest member of the 50-man Consultative Commission that will propose revisions to the 1987 constitution.
Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez was nominated to be a member of the commission by the Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines (VMLP) of which he is the current national secretary-general and chapter president of the VMLP in Pangasinan. He is also the president of the Rotary Club of Dagupan.
Fernandez was informed of his appointment in a message faxed to city hall Wednesday by Presidential Management Staff chief Ribogerto Tiglao.
“I welcome my appointment and I thank President Arroyo for the trust and confidence,” said Fernandez, son of Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez, Jr., himself a former three-term mayor of Dagupan City.
Fernandez is the only vice mayor in the 50-member Commission, composed of prominent businessmen, constitutional experts, academicians, incumbent and former local officials and newspaper columnists.
The constitutional commission was created by Executive Order 453 on Aug. 19, 2005 and tasked to propose the revision of the 1987 Constitution to make it “more responsive, relevant and competitive to inward and global changes”.
The Commission, which was given a budget of P10 million, will have to submit a report to the President by the end of this year. The executive branch would then submit a report for the scrutiny and approval of Congress.
On his second term as vice mayor of Dagupan City, Fernandez also sits as member of the national executive council of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the umbrella organization of all local government leagues in the country.
Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez was nominated to be a member of the commission by the Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines (VMLP) of which he is the current national secretary-general and chapter president of the VMLP in Pangasinan. He is also the president of the Rotary Club of Dagupan.
Fernandez was informed of his appointment in a message faxed to city hall Wednesday by Presidential Management Staff chief Ribogerto Tiglao.
“I welcome my appointment and I thank President Arroyo for the trust and confidence,” said Fernandez, son of Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez, Jr., himself a former three-term mayor of Dagupan City.
Fernandez is the only vice mayor in the 50-member Commission, composed of prominent businessmen, constitutional experts, academicians, incumbent and former local officials and newspaper columnists.
The constitutional commission was created by Executive Order 453 on Aug. 19, 2005 and tasked to propose the revision of the 1987 Constitution to make it “more responsive, relevant and competitive to inward and global changes”.
The Commission, which was given a budget of P10 million, will have to submit a report to the President by the end of this year. The executive branch would then submit a report for the scrutiny and approval of Congress.
On his second term as vice mayor of Dagupan City, Fernandez also sits as member of the national executive council of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the umbrella organization of all local government leagues in the country.
Chavit brings 2 OFW’s families together, gives each financial assistance
VIGAN CITY – The family of the overseas Filipino worker who was murdered and her body dismembered in Singapore has reconciled here with the family of the accused, also an OFW, who is still being held in jail in that country.
The reconciliation between the two families happened last Sunday in a meeting arranged by Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson at his residence in Baluarte, Vigan where the latter also distributed financial assistance to both families.
Singson handed P100,000 financial assistance to Eddie La Puebla, 32, husband of the victim Jane La Puebla, a native of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, and another P200,000 to Edwin Aguilar, husband of the suspect, Guen Aguilar. News reports said both La Puebla and Aguilar were friends in that island-state and the crime committed was a bizarre twist.
Eddie La Puebla was accompanied to Vigan by his aunt-in-law Sally Parangan. Edwin Aguilar was accompanied by Tagudin town Mayor Roque Versoza.
According to Singson, the presence of the La Puebla and Aguilar families during the mass officiated by Bishop Ernesto Salgado showed the spirit of reconciliation has worked between them.
He expressed hope that this might soften the heart of judges of the Singaporean Court handling the case of Guen Aguilar to dispense fair justice to both the victim and the accused.
Edwin La Puebla said there is no problem between them and the family of Guen Aguilar.
La Puebla said he will use part of the amount he received from the governor to pay the balance for funeral services of his dead wife, and the rest saved as trust fund for the education of his nine-year old son, Clifford.
Edwin Aguilar thanked Singson for the financial assistance, saying that the amount will greatly contribute to efforts to save the life of Guen. (PNA)
The reconciliation between the two families happened last Sunday in a meeting arranged by Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson at his residence in Baluarte, Vigan where the latter also distributed financial assistance to both families.
Singson handed P100,000 financial assistance to Eddie La Puebla, 32, husband of the victim Jane La Puebla, a native of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, and another P200,000 to Edwin Aguilar, husband of the suspect, Guen Aguilar. News reports said both La Puebla and Aguilar were friends in that island-state and the crime committed was a bizarre twist.
Eddie La Puebla was accompanied to Vigan by his aunt-in-law Sally Parangan. Edwin Aguilar was accompanied by Tagudin town Mayor Roque Versoza.
According to Singson, the presence of the La Puebla and Aguilar families during the mass officiated by Bishop Ernesto Salgado showed the spirit of reconciliation has worked between them.
He expressed hope that this might soften the heart of judges of the Singaporean Court handling the case of Guen Aguilar to dispense fair justice to both the victim and the accused.
Edwin La Puebla said there is no problem between them and the family of Guen Aguilar.
La Puebla said he will use part of the amount he received from the governor to pay the balance for funeral services of his dead wife, and the rest saved as trust fund for the education of his nine-year old son, Clifford.
Edwin Aguilar thanked Singson for the financial assistance, saying that the amount will greatly contribute to efforts to save the life of Guen. (PNA)
OPINYON: Kulturan Pangasinan
SAYAN INDIO
Mario F. Karateka
SAYAY Senyor Sonny Villafania a kabaleyan tayon abayag metlan managbasa na Pangasinan Star, laotlad “online blogsite” tonia, et singa mangakantiyaw nid gobyerno probinsiyal, ingen ed si Gobernador Victor Agbayani , lapu konod singa biglan impakanonot labat nen Gob ya pabulaslasan so kulturan Pangasinan.
No nanonotan nen imbeneg ya isyu na Pangasinan Star walan imbalita so pangitalindeg kono na administrasyon Agbayani na sakey a grupon manaral ed Pangasinan Arts and Culture, a no iner pati say pansukisok no kapigan a talaga so bertdey o inkianak na luyag so ikday mallet ya atensiyon.
Sayan kurang nen Gob et akaani na pakawigin lima (left-handed) a panangidayew manlalapud si Mama Sonny (amtak, ogaw niyan too, onong ed si kaiba tayon Ging C) ya angikuan a abayag laya komon konon ginawa nen Gob. “Akin et natan labat?”, kuay Mister Belyapania.
Inyarom toni singa lorey (ed pakatalos ko) : “Say amtak ag makatalus na Panagsinan so Gobernador tayo.” Aysus kan ogaw, gobernador na Pangasinan, ag makatalus na Pangasinan, panon tolatan?
Andipamet, Mama Sonny. Makatalus na salita tayo si Gob. Para ke ya nagmaliw a anak nen matalisiw ed Pangasinan ya Masiken Aguedo iya no agto makatalus na Pangasinan. Anggaman binmaleg iya ed Manila, agmomet nailakod Pangasinan no akaarap si Victor Aguedo. Awey labat ed agagi toran Lowi tan Viktoria, agko amtay kawel na dila da.balet.
Nipawil kod say bersdi na luyag tayon inararo tan alenleneg, maminsani lamet ya ipurek kon samay tatawagen a “Pangasinan Day” tayodia et agto kabaliksan ya petsay impangiletneg ed Pangasinan sanen panaon nen Kastila iman. Saman a Pangasinan Day et diad tuay tua anibersaryoy bersdi labat nen datin Ispiker Eugenio Perez na San Carlos.
Kaukulan so aralem tan maseseg ya panag-aral, ya konsultaen ingen iray dagdaan iran rikords dimad Espanya, pian naamtaan no anton eksakton petsa, o anggan bulan labat, niletneg so luyag tayo nen panaoy Kastila.
Say Dagupan, singa inggapotolay onian pansukisok na “legacy” ton tatawagen. Walalan inmalagey so “ city museum” tan walalay tinolnop ya grupon man-aral tan mangitalindeg na kultura Dagupeno.
Singa kuanen Mama Sani Belyapania, “it’s about time” ya ongalaw metlad ontan a direksiyon so luyag na Pangasinan, aliwan singa natan a singa linmesa labatlan sengaw so aliling tonia ta agto amtay inkianak to.
Mario F. Karateka
SAYAY Senyor Sonny Villafania a kabaleyan tayon abayag metlan managbasa na Pangasinan Star, laotlad “online blogsite” tonia, et singa mangakantiyaw nid gobyerno probinsiyal, ingen ed si Gobernador Victor Agbayani , lapu konod singa biglan impakanonot labat nen Gob ya pabulaslasan so kulturan Pangasinan.
No nanonotan nen imbeneg ya isyu na Pangasinan Star walan imbalita so pangitalindeg kono na administrasyon Agbayani na sakey a grupon manaral ed Pangasinan Arts and Culture, a no iner pati say pansukisok no kapigan a talaga so bertdey o inkianak na luyag so ikday mallet ya atensiyon.
Sayan kurang nen Gob et akaani na pakawigin lima (left-handed) a panangidayew manlalapud si Mama Sonny (amtak, ogaw niyan too, onong ed si kaiba tayon Ging C) ya angikuan a abayag laya komon konon ginawa nen Gob. “Akin et natan labat?”, kuay Mister Belyapania.
Inyarom toni singa lorey (ed pakatalos ko) : “Say amtak ag makatalus na Panagsinan so Gobernador tayo.” Aysus kan ogaw, gobernador na Pangasinan, ag makatalus na Pangasinan, panon tolatan?
Andipamet, Mama Sonny. Makatalus na salita tayo si Gob. Para ke ya nagmaliw a anak nen matalisiw ed Pangasinan ya Masiken Aguedo iya no agto makatalus na Pangasinan. Anggaman binmaleg iya ed Manila, agmomet nailakod Pangasinan no akaarap si Victor Aguedo. Awey labat ed agagi toran Lowi tan Viktoria, agko amtay kawel na dila da.balet.
Nipawil kod say bersdi na luyag tayon inararo tan alenleneg, maminsani lamet ya ipurek kon samay tatawagen a “Pangasinan Day” tayodia et agto kabaliksan ya petsay impangiletneg ed Pangasinan sanen panaon nen Kastila iman. Saman a Pangasinan Day et diad tuay tua anibersaryoy bersdi labat nen datin Ispiker Eugenio Perez na San Carlos.
Kaukulan so aralem tan maseseg ya panag-aral, ya konsultaen ingen iray dagdaan iran rikords dimad Espanya, pian naamtaan no anton eksakton petsa, o anggan bulan labat, niletneg so luyag tayo nen panaoy Kastila.
Say Dagupan, singa inggapotolay onian pansukisok na “legacy” ton tatawagen. Walalan inmalagey so “ city museum” tan walalay tinolnop ya grupon man-aral tan mangitalindeg na kultura Dagupeno.
Singa kuanen Mama Sani Belyapania, “it’s about time” ya ongalaw metlad ontan a direksiyon so luyag na Pangasinan, aliwan singa natan a singa linmesa labatlan sengaw so aliling tonia ta agto amtay inkianak to.
EDITORIAL: Bloggers put on notice
THIS is definitely disturbing news for the now very popular online commentary medium more popularly called “blog”, short for Web Log, the current craze for those who want to say something but don’t have a newspaper or magazine to say it in. Or, if they had one, are restricted one way or the other by editorial policy or, yes, the ubiquitous legal parameters of fair comment.
A Quezon City regional trial court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on a blog post of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) about the background and credentials of Jonathan Tiongco, the alleged audio expert presented by Environment Secretary Mike Defensor back in August, this year to question the authenticity of the “Hello Garci” recording.
The court lent its judicial shield, albeit temporarily, to Tiongco’s wife who said the PCIJ blog post was an intrusion into her private and happy 12-year marriage with her husband, Jonathan and that it was a “grave violation of my rights and those of my minor children.” RTC Presiding Judge Ralph S. Lee was however careful enough to stress that it had not yet ruled on the merits of Mrs. Tiongco’s petition but that an order removing the particular blog post or item was “the safer and more prudent recourse in order to safeguard and balance conflicting rights and interests of the parties/litigants.”
The democratic space for free speech and expression once again comes under threat and test even as the PCIJ blogsite , and all other blogspots for that matter, may well be testing the limits of free expression in cyberspace and the extent of judicial coverage insofar as the internet is concerned.
Just how does one control the Internet? This PCIJ case should be an interesting piece for “bloggers” to watch, that is, if it ever reaches the appellate court or the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, not being a respondent to the case, those who post their comment on the TRO issue against PCIJ may not be cited for contempt as they do not fall under the jurisdiction of the court’s restraining order.
You be the judge on who’s the bigger loser in this kind of cyberspace “game”: the plaintiff or the respondent.
A Quezon City regional trial court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on a blog post of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) about the background and credentials of Jonathan Tiongco, the alleged audio expert presented by Environment Secretary Mike Defensor back in August, this year to question the authenticity of the “Hello Garci” recording.
The court lent its judicial shield, albeit temporarily, to Tiongco’s wife who said the PCIJ blog post was an intrusion into her private and happy 12-year marriage with her husband, Jonathan and that it was a “grave violation of my rights and those of my minor children.” RTC Presiding Judge Ralph S. Lee was however careful enough to stress that it had not yet ruled on the merits of Mrs. Tiongco’s petition but that an order removing the particular blog post or item was “the safer and more prudent recourse in order to safeguard and balance conflicting rights and interests of the parties/litigants.”
The democratic space for free speech and expression once again comes under threat and test even as the PCIJ blogsite , and all other blogspots for that matter, may well be testing the limits of free expression in cyberspace and the extent of judicial coverage insofar as the internet is concerned.
Just how does one control the Internet? This PCIJ case should be an interesting piece for “bloggers” to watch, that is, if it ever reaches the appellate court or the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, not being a respondent to the case, those who post their comment on the TRO issue against PCIJ may not be cited for contempt as they do not fall under the jurisdiction of the court’s restraining order.
You be the judge on who’s the bigger loser in this kind of cyberspace “game”: the plaintiff or the respondent.
OPINION: Falling leaves
AFTER ALL
Behn Fer. Hortaleza
LIKE leaves falling to the ground.
Two of our Pangasinan media colleagues died over the weekend-- oddly, they depart from this earth by twos lately – the voluble and energetic Napoleon Donato and the veteran and colorful Maximo T. Mendiguarin. Again, quite strangely, they died within hours of each other in the same hospital, the Nazareth General Hospital on Perez Blvd. this city.
Nap, actually a distant cousin of ours, fell victim to an apparent cardiac arrest yesterday and Cuya Max breathed his last as we go to press today, Sunday, after a long bout with prostate cancer, or so, according to some media friends. Their deaths, untimely and sudden as these were, somehow supports some observation that out here in Pangasinan, mediamen die of natural causes more than from any other causes to include “lead poisoning” or premeditated gunslaying like many of their counterparts in other provinces.
Their deaths surely diminishes humanity; Nap, because of his apparent zest for life, seemingly always on the go, mixing both his media work and business concerns with such flair nobody would have thought, lest of all us, that he (though quite like us) was in private pain from bouts with hypertension otherwise known as a “silent killer” , and Cuya Max, because of the permanent imprint he has left on vernacular broadcasting since he left his first job as a taxi driver to try his voice – and the unique style he brought to it – at radio newscasting and commentary.
Mediamen are mortals, that much is true. The younger set of newsmen and writers in the media scene today would do well to remember that always. Not to scare them about death or dying or anything but to have them ponder at least on the intangibles of the trade: a mark of true capability and skill, a dash of daring and gut feel and a name synonymous with the ideals of journalism for their children and their children’s children to take pride in long after they have gone from this world.
Nap and Cuya Max exemplified these traits in their own right and in their own ways. That their personal exploits will be remembered fondly by the media sector they served at one time is perhaps the greatest gift they may never get to feel or enjoy -- but which their relatives would probably be talking about in family chats to bring on a moist eye or two in them in the future.
Let’s all say a prayer for these two gallant men of Media.
* * * *
FOR those using the automated teller machines (ATM) of banks, this news downloaded from the internet during our browsing should be fair notice to the usually careless and trusting. We may not have heard of this organized criminal activity locally yet but in Brazil and some parts of Europe, organized crime has gotten around to virtually stealing the identification of ATM users – card number and PIN – using an equipment discreetly installed inside ATM booths.
From this gadget or equipment, the criminals, sitting in parked vehicles nearby, are able to receive wireless transmissions recording the sensitive information of an ATM user. Called by investigators as “skimmers”, the equipment is usually disguised to look like normal, harmless ATM gadget and mounted to the front of the ATM card slot. At the same time, or usually, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted from a vantage point where it can view ATM PIN entries.
The criminals later go to work and practically empty your account in a very short time using the bank ATM.
Like we said, there has been no local report yet of such modus operandi… but it always pays to be extra curious about any out-of-the-usual gadget you see in your favorite ATM booth. These days, you can lose your money in a variety of ways, believe you us!
OPINION: Parking fees in Dagupan: Plus & minus
THE PEN SPEAKS
Danny O. Sagun
DOES the city government have the personality or authority to impose parking fees along the major thoroughfares in the city to include the two national roads – A.B. Fernandez Avenue and Perez Boulevard?
We ask this question in the wake of a proposal to regulate parking in these thoroughfares and eventually impose fees. We thought al along that national roads are beyond the scope or authority of the city government so that the latter can derive financial benefits as parking fees.
If we recall correctly, there was a similar move during the late 1980s and early 90s but the proposed ordinance was archived and gathered dusts at the sanggunian secretariat.
Perhaps if the national government thru the public works and highways department grants such authority, then and only then can the city regulate the use of such roads to include imposition of parking charges.
But if that is possible, where will the money go -- to the city coffers only?
* * * *
Motorists like us are always worried where we can park our vehicles particularly along A.B. Fernandez Avenue during peak periods as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There seems to be no space available most of the time.
Where are all the vehicles coming from, anyway? Is it true that most of those parked vehicles belong to the owners of the establishments who have practically appropriated the road shoulder as their own permanent parking space? Look how they put chairs on the shoulder fronting a store, suggesting that the space is already reserved for the car of the store owner. One time, we had to call the attention of a traffic aide when the salesladies of a store refused to remove the chairs they put as barrier to others who wish to park there.
Will the charging of parking fees as proposed discourage such a practice? Maybe. But wait. The move might even encourage business establishment owners to practically “own” the spaces fronting them what with the proposal that they can bargain for a “wholesale price,” say, paying the fee monthly. Or, they could just “grease” the parking attendants who will look the other way and allow them perpetual use of such precious spaces without ay gain going to the city government.
A thorough study and deliberation by our concerned city officials is therefore a must.
In Baguio City, vehicle owners are charged parking fees along the roads surrounding the Burnham park. Dagupan may similarly charge fees for vehicles parked at the city plaza or in the sidestreets of Zamora, Galvan etc, which are city roads. With such designated parking spaces, the city can then ban parking on the shoulders of the national highways.
We will even have smoother traffic flow.
That will be the day.
OPINION: Living with E-VAT
WINDOWS
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
Until it took effect last Tuesday, I never realized that the impact of the Expanded Value Added Tax Law would be that immediate and sudden. That day, everything practically shifted to a higher plane, especially gas prices, which is now almost P40 a liter.
In the office the following day, everybody was cursing the E-VAT, as if it were a thief in the night that took away their most valuable possessions when they were fast asleep. But the E-VAT is here to stay, and my officemates all agreed they have no choice but to live with it.
According to a Bureau of Internal Revenue flyer, the E-VAT Law (RA 9337) simply removed the VAT exemptions of formerly exempt sectors of the economy, making “the burden of taxation now shared more equitably.”
Unfortunately, these formerly exempt transactions include medical and legal services, petroleum products, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, among others. This explains why pump prices of oil products are now higher; the 10 percent VAT was passed on to consumers. Expect your November electricity bill to be higher when you receive it next month.
Ibon Foundation, an independent research-education-information development institution, said in a feature article that based on a study conducted by the National Statistical Coordination Board, removing VAT exemptions and zero-rate privileges on petroleum products, power generation, transmission and distribution and medical and legal fees will increase household consumption expenditures by 1.9 percent.
Using data from the 2003 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) in its computation, the NSCB found that this would increase the average expenditures of the poorest 10 percent of Filipino families by some P40, the poorest 20 percent by P61 and the poorest 30 percent by P77.
“Since these families are already in debt, any additional increase in expenses as a result of the E-VAT will force them to borrow even more.
“The poorest 10 percent of families, for example, would see their monthly debt grow from P155.25 to P195. For a family who may be eking out an uncertain and irregular livelihood in the informal economy, this amount is substantial,” the article said.
The government, however, asserts that with the implementation of the E-VAT (They’re now calling it the R-VAT as the original “expanded” VAT was the one implemented over a decade back – Ed), the ordinary Filipino will have to sacrifice at the start but will reap the rewards in the long run in the form of more jobs and livelihood facilities, better social services, more infrastructure and less debts.
“The additional revenue will address the delivery of basic services, such as building and maintaining public schools, constructing farm-to-market roads, bridges and other infrastructure, maintaining peace and order, improving hospitals and public health services,” the BIR said.
What is disturbing though is the Department of Finance’s pronouncement that it has already earmarked 100 percent of E-VAT proceeds for 2005 towards debt servicing, 70 percent in 2006, 60 percent in 2008, and 50 percent by 2010. And this may be subject to further adjustment due to the delay in E-VAT's implementation.
And with this, what would be left for the delivery of basic services?
Juan dela Cruz had argued, quite logically, we say, that the government did not actually need the E-VAT Law to meet its annual revenue targets. It just needed to improve its tax collection efficiency and eliminate graft and corruption.
ENDNOTES: Local media networks have taken an active role in social services. Last Oct. 29 and 30, ABS-CBN Dagupan conducted a Kapamilya Day and medical-dental mission at CSI The City Mall. Early on, Kapuso’s RGMA, DZSD-Super Radyo did the same at the Dagupan City People’s Astrodome. Last Nov. 5, it was Bombo Radyo’s turn when it conducted Dugong Bombo, a blood-letting activity at the CSI The City Mall, in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross.
QUICKQUOTE: Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. – Abraham Lincoln
