06 December 2005
PHOTO: Commissioners in Pangasinan
COMMISSIONERS IN PANGASINAN. Commissioner Rita Linda V. Jimeno of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines answers mediamen’s queries during the press conference coordinated by the Philippine Information Agency and Presidential Management Staff at the Regency Hotel before the commissioners proceeded to consult with various Pangasinan sectors on the Charter Change last Friday. Jimeno was with the team of commissioners assigned to meet with Pangasinan and La Union sectors that included San Fernando City (Pampanga) mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez, Dagupan City Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, lawyer Raul Lambino, Gary Teves, Sister Luz Emmanuel Soriano and businessman Liberato Laus. (PStar Photo by Butch F. Uka).
People’s wish will prevail in final report –Con-Com
By DANNY O. SAGUN
CALASIAO – While members of the Consultative Commission may have their personal views on Constitutional changes, it is the actual pulse and sentiments of the people that will be held paramount and respected in coming out with the commission’s final report for submission to President Macapagal-Arroyo.
The seven commissioners attending last Friday’s Charter change consultation-dialogue at the Regency Hotel here thus assured their Pangasinense audience as they belied beliefs and allegations that the consultation activities were just a “formality” and that a final draft of proposed changes in the 1987 Constitution has already been prepared ahead.
Led by lawyer Raul Lambino and Dagupan City Vice-Mayor Alvin Fernandez, the Con-com members said that results of the consultations from all parts of the country that kicked off in October will all be collated to come out with a final report to be submitted to the President and later to Congress for final action.
The group first met the local media in a press conference and then held the consultations and workshop with different sectors of society to include local officials, educators, businessmen and many others.
Proposed changes in the 1987 charter include the shift of government system and structure from the present unitary-bicameral to federal-parliamentary as well as economic reforms and national patrimony.
Lambino said that he and his colleagues will not waste their time and efforts and even their resources if there was already a final draft ready for submission. He also noted that discussions over proposed changes are very lively and extensive leading to revisions or adjustments in the drafts prepared personally by the commissioners themselves.
He and Fernandez said that the draft prepared by Con-com chair Jose Abueva was treated just as “talking points” and has undergone several amendments so far as proposed by the other members.
Fernandez also bared that the process involved now is very much different from what happened in the past when the 1935, 1973 and 1987 Constitutions were pre-drafted. Now, he pointed out, people are consulted and their sentiments given due consideration.
While the Charter change could not solve the country’s problems overnight, they said that in a way such changes would bring about reforms and economic progress. They also pointed out that election of national leaders in a parliamentary government does not entail so much expense and thus prevent corruption. Under the present presidential system, a presidential candidate has to spend P4 to P5 billion to win, an expensive exercise that breeds corruption, the commissioners said.
Joining the two Pangasinense commissioners were lawyer Rita Linda Jimeno, Rey Teves, former Congressman Oscar Rodriguez, Luz Soriano, and Liberato Laus. (PIA/DOS).
CALASIAO – While members of the Consultative Commission may have their personal views on Constitutional changes, it is the actual pulse and sentiments of the people that will be held paramount and respected in coming out with the commission’s final report for submission to President Macapagal-Arroyo.
The seven commissioners attending last Friday’s Charter change consultation-dialogue at the Regency Hotel here thus assured their Pangasinense audience as they belied beliefs and allegations that the consultation activities were just a “formality” and that a final draft of proposed changes in the 1987 Constitution has already been prepared ahead.
Led by lawyer Raul Lambino and Dagupan City Vice-Mayor Alvin Fernandez, the Con-com members said that results of the consultations from all parts of the country that kicked off in October will all be collated to come out with a final report to be submitted to the President and later to Congress for final action.
The group first met the local media in a press conference and then held the consultations and workshop with different sectors of society to include local officials, educators, businessmen and many others.
Proposed changes in the 1987 charter include the shift of government system and structure from the present unitary-bicameral to federal-parliamentary as well as economic reforms and national patrimony.
Lambino said that he and his colleagues will not waste their time and efforts and even their resources if there was already a final draft ready for submission. He also noted that discussions over proposed changes are very lively and extensive leading to revisions or adjustments in the drafts prepared personally by the commissioners themselves.
He and Fernandez said that the draft prepared by Con-com chair Jose Abueva was treated just as “talking points” and has undergone several amendments so far as proposed by the other members.
Fernandez also bared that the process involved now is very much different from what happened in the past when the 1935, 1973 and 1987 Constitutions were pre-drafted. Now, he pointed out, people are consulted and their sentiments given due consideration.
While the Charter change could not solve the country’s problems overnight, they said that in a way such changes would bring about reforms and economic progress. They also pointed out that election of national leaders in a parliamentary government does not entail so much expense and thus prevent corruption. Under the present presidential system, a presidential candidate has to spend P4 to P5 billion to win, an expensive exercise that breeds corruption, the commissioners said.
Joining the two Pangasinense commissioners were lawyer Rita Linda Jimeno, Rey Teves, former Congressman Oscar Rodriguez, Luz Soriano, and Liberato Laus. (PIA/DOS).
PHOTO: Hundred Islands
NOVELTY PAINTING. Alaminos City mayor Hernani Braganza shows to visitors a color painting of the Hundred Islands that liberally used bangus scales (kaliskis) to compose it. The city government has been on an intensified promotions program for Pangasinan’s tourist spot the past several months and the results in terms of tourist arrivals at the Islands, according to Braganza, has been very encouraging. (Pangasinan Star photo)Bleak Christmas for city’s EWs
MANY of the 300 emergency workers of the city government face a bleak Christmas after the city government trimmed down their number due to shortage of funds.
As a result, only a few of the EWs assigned in various offices have remained, grossly affecting the capacity of these offices to deliver the services expected of them by the public.
A report said only those carrying out vital functions, such as street and park cleaners, garbage collectors, traffic enforcers and a few others were retained. All the others were terminated effective Nov. 15.
The EWs were the first casualties of an apparent serious financial crisis besetting the city since October this year.
City Administrator Rafael Baraan earlier said that before the city government hired the EWs,l they were informed that their salaries were dependent on the availability of cash in the city coffer.
Baraan earlier said that they did not fill up vacant positions in the city government, anticipating that salaries for these positions can be reappropriated for wages of EWs.
To date, the city government is pressed for cash as shortfall in expected collection of revenues totaled P14 million as of October 31. This may go higher before the end of the year.
Baraan said the city government missed its revenue projections because of uncertain times, and on account of the fluctuating prices of oil.
The laid-off workers rued their termination only few more weeks before Christmas, foreseeing they will surely end up with no food on their dining table midnight of Dec. 24.
They said it is disheartening that they were the first to go when in fact there were consultants who are receiving fat monthly salaries in the hire of the city who were not touched. (PNA)
As a result, only a few of the EWs assigned in various offices have remained, grossly affecting the capacity of these offices to deliver the services expected of them by the public.
A report said only those carrying out vital functions, such as street and park cleaners, garbage collectors, traffic enforcers and a few others were retained. All the others were terminated effective Nov. 15.
The EWs were the first casualties of an apparent serious financial crisis besetting the city since October this year.
City Administrator Rafael Baraan earlier said that before the city government hired the EWs,l they were informed that their salaries were dependent on the availability of cash in the city coffer.
Baraan earlier said that they did not fill up vacant positions in the city government, anticipating that salaries for these positions can be reappropriated for wages of EWs.
To date, the city government is pressed for cash as shortfall in expected collection of revenues totaled P14 million as of October 31. This may go higher before the end of the year.
Baraan said the city government missed its revenue projections because of uncertain times, and on account of the fluctuating prices of oil.
The laid-off workers rued their termination only few more weeks before Christmas, foreseeing they will surely end up with no food on their dining table midnight of Dec. 24.
They said it is disheartening that they were the first to go when in fact there were consultants who are receiving fat monthly salaries in the hire of the city who were not touched. (PNA)
Alvin: No pay parking city ordinance yet
THERE is no pay parking ordinance passed by the city council yet. That’s according to Dagupan City Vice-Mayor Alvin Fernandez, presiding officer of the sangguniang panlungsod.
Fernandez, reacting to the banner story of Pangasinan Star last week, called up to clarify that what the sangguniang panlungsod passed last November 14 was “just an ordinance designating the parking areas.” He claimed that the body has yet to prescribe the fees and penalties in the use of such parking areas by motorists which, he inferred, could be subject of another ordinance.
This paper reported last week that the pay parking measure was deemed defective due to lack of quorum when it was passed which factor was also noted by the city legal officer in a radio interview. Another major factor that effectively deemed the measure void was the absence of thorough consultation thru public hearings before the measure was passed.
The vice-mayor maintained however that there was quorum during that session. Based on sanggunian records, seven members answered the roll call including the vice-mayor while six were absent including Alex de Venecia who was in the United States. There are 10 regular councilors and two ex-officio members.
De Venecia, being out of the country, was ruled out in the determination of quorum as per the rules, the vice-mayor explained.
Since the ordinance did not involve any appropriation or imposition of fees and penalties, a simple majority was required, he added.
A close scrutiny of Ordinance No. 1853-2005 authored by Councilor Luis Samson, Jr. showed otherwise. Prescribed in it was a parking fee of P20 for the first hour and P5 for every hour afterwards for light vehicles, and P30 for medium vehicles for the first hour and P5 afterwards. A prepaid monthly season parking fee or pass was also set as an option for vehicle owners – P1,000 for light vehicles, and P1,500 for medium vehicles. A fine of P500 was also prescribed as penalty for violators.
Apparently, the vice-mayor failed to notice such provisions in the ordinance.
Samson, it was learned, actually prepared a draft amendment to the ordinance a few days later which sought to raise the monthly season pass to P1,500 for light vehicles, and P3,500 for medium vehicles.
Fernandez, who admitted he was out when the measure was being discussed in the previous sessions being a member of the Consultative Commission for the proposed Charter Change, said that there was no pay parking ordinance to talk about yet. “Pag-uusapan pa yang mga fees and penalties,” he told the Pangasinan Star in a cell phone interview.
The sanggunian thru the concerned committees are expected to call public hearings for the purpose, he said.
The sanggunian was roundly criticized for not fully disclosing the matter to the public, considering that it carried fees and penalties.
Fernandez, reacting to the banner story of Pangasinan Star last week, called up to clarify that what the sangguniang panlungsod passed last November 14 was “just an ordinance designating the parking areas.” He claimed that the body has yet to prescribe the fees and penalties in the use of such parking areas by motorists which, he inferred, could be subject of another ordinance.
This paper reported last week that the pay parking measure was deemed defective due to lack of quorum when it was passed which factor was also noted by the city legal officer in a radio interview. Another major factor that effectively deemed the measure void was the absence of thorough consultation thru public hearings before the measure was passed.
The vice-mayor maintained however that there was quorum during that session. Based on sanggunian records, seven members answered the roll call including the vice-mayor while six were absent including Alex de Venecia who was in the United States. There are 10 regular councilors and two ex-officio members.
De Venecia, being out of the country, was ruled out in the determination of quorum as per the rules, the vice-mayor explained.
Since the ordinance did not involve any appropriation or imposition of fees and penalties, a simple majority was required, he added.
A close scrutiny of Ordinance No. 1853-2005 authored by Councilor Luis Samson, Jr. showed otherwise. Prescribed in it was a parking fee of P20 for the first hour and P5 for every hour afterwards for light vehicles, and P30 for medium vehicles for the first hour and P5 afterwards. A prepaid monthly season parking fee or pass was also set as an option for vehicle owners – P1,000 for light vehicles, and P1,500 for medium vehicles. A fine of P500 was also prescribed as penalty for violators.
Apparently, the vice-mayor failed to notice such provisions in the ordinance.
Samson, it was learned, actually prepared a draft amendment to the ordinance a few days later which sought to raise the monthly season pass to P1,500 for light vehicles, and P3,500 for medium vehicles.
Fernandez, who admitted he was out when the measure was being discussed in the previous sessions being a member of the Consultative Commission for the proposed Charter Change, said that there was no pay parking ordinance to talk about yet. “Pag-uusapan pa yang mga fees and penalties,” he told the Pangasinan Star in a cell phone interview.
The sanggunian thru the concerned committees are expected to call public hearings for the purpose, he said.
The sanggunian was roundly criticized for not fully disclosing the matter to the public, considering that it carried fees and penalties.
Murdered lady judge's son hits dismissal of case vs. suspects
TAYUG--The lawyer son of murdered Pasig City Judge Estrellita Paas has deplored the trial court judge’s action dismissing the cases filed against the two persons accused of killing his mother.
In a resolution issued last Nov. 30, Regional Trial Court Judge Ulysses Raciles Butuyan of Branch 51 dismissed the cases for murder and theft filed against accused Jornald Vargas and Elmer Cabilles.
Lawyer Ronald Paas, private prosecutor said the resolution of Butuyan is unfair to the prosecutors and the family because this was issued haphazardly, noting that "it took him (Butuyan) only nine days to throw away the case."
Judge Paas was brutally killed inside their home in Natividad sometime in the afternoon of September this year. At that time, her husband, Renerio, a retired Ombudsman, was attending a school activity.
Vargas and Cabiles were arrested by joint elements of the Natividad Police in Balungao town and Lupao, Nueva Ecija. Vargas is now out on bail for a separate case of illegal possession of firearm while Cabilles is detained at the Bureau of Management and Penology district jail in Urdaneta for another crime of murder.
Admitting he has not yet received the resolution of Judge Butuyan dismissing the cases against the accused, lawyer Paas said he might go up to the Supreme Court and file a case against Butuyan whom he accused of “biasness” and partiality during the preliminary investigation of these cases last Nov. 21 after the judge declined to issue warrants of arrest for the accused.
In that preliminary investigation, Paas filed an oral motion asking Butuyan to inhibit himself from hearing the cases but he only filed a formal motion to that effect on Dec. 2 or two days after Butuyan had already dismissed the same.
Butuyan said he waited in his sala till the afternoon of Nov. 30 for such motion but it never came, thus he had to dismiss the cases on the ground of lack of probable cause against the accused, or else he would be accused of being lazy and slow in his job.
When the motion did come at 9:30 a.m. of December 2, Butuyan issued an order stating that the Court finds no compelling reason to address the issues raised by Paas but nevertheless noted it.
In his resolution dismissing the cases against Vargas and Cabiles, Judge Butuyan stated the
inability of the prosecution to present their witnesses, including the accused themselves, and even the complainant, Reneiro Paas, husband of the victim and father of lawyer Paas.
Paas said although the accused through their counsel did not file a motion to dismiss Butuyan conducted the hearing and dismissed the cases despite being questioned on his partiality and biasness.
He maintained that the police as well as the office of the Provincial Prosecutor conducted a thorough investigation on the matter but that Butuyan ignored their findings.
"He should have deferred from doing anything on the case as there was an earlier motion to inhibit that was orally manifested," Paas fumed (PNA)
In a resolution issued last Nov. 30, Regional Trial Court Judge Ulysses Raciles Butuyan of Branch 51 dismissed the cases for murder and theft filed against accused Jornald Vargas and Elmer Cabilles.
Lawyer Ronald Paas, private prosecutor said the resolution of Butuyan is unfair to the prosecutors and the family because this was issued haphazardly, noting that "it took him (Butuyan) only nine days to throw away the case."
Judge Paas was brutally killed inside their home in Natividad sometime in the afternoon of September this year. At that time, her husband, Renerio, a retired Ombudsman, was attending a school activity.
Vargas and Cabiles were arrested by joint elements of the Natividad Police in Balungao town and Lupao, Nueva Ecija. Vargas is now out on bail for a separate case of illegal possession of firearm while Cabilles is detained at the Bureau of Management and Penology district jail in Urdaneta for another crime of murder.
Admitting he has not yet received the resolution of Judge Butuyan dismissing the cases against the accused, lawyer Paas said he might go up to the Supreme Court and file a case against Butuyan whom he accused of “biasness” and partiality during the preliminary investigation of these cases last Nov. 21 after the judge declined to issue warrants of arrest for the accused.
In that preliminary investigation, Paas filed an oral motion asking Butuyan to inhibit himself from hearing the cases but he only filed a formal motion to that effect on Dec. 2 or two days after Butuyan had already dismissed the same.
Butuyan said he waited in his sala till the afternoon of Nov. 30 for such motion but it never came, thus he had to dismiss the cases on the ground of lack of probable cause against the accused, or else he would be accused of being lazy and slow in his job.
When the motion did come at 9:30 a.m. of December 2, Butuyan issued an order stating that the Court finds no compelling reason to address the issues raised by Paas but nevertheless noted it.
In his resolution dismissing the cases against Vargas and Cabiles, Judge Butuyan stated the
inability of the prosecution to present their witnesses, including the accused themselves, and even the complainant, Reneiro Paas, husband of the victim and father of lawyer Paas.
Paas said although the accused through their counsel did not file a motion to dismiss Butuyan conducted the hearing and dismissed the cases despite being questioned on his partiality and biasness.
He maintained that the police as well as the office of the Provincial Prosecutor conducted a thorough investigation on the matter but that Butuyan ignored their findings.
"He should have deferred from doing anything on the case as there was an earlier motion to inhibit that was orally manifested," Paas fumed (PNA)
EVAT accepted by public, says BIR commissioner
By DANNY O. SAGUN
THE public has so far accepted the expanded value-added tax (EVAT) as a necessary measure for government to generate more revenues and stay away from the old practice of borrowing funds from international creditors, the commissioner of Bureau of Internal Revenue observed Tuesday.
Lawyer Jose Mario C. Bunag also noted that taxation is no longer viewed by the people as a burden. Instead, it is one way for them to contribute to the government for the latter to deliver basic goods and services, he pointed out.
After the initial protests by militant sectors against the tax measure, the public, he said, appeared to have accepted it. “Wala namang gulo o pag-aalsa na nangyayari, di ba?” he told mediamen later.
Bunag graced the Expanded VAT roadshow at the Leisure Coast Resort in Bonuan Binloc last Tuesday where he addressed some 2,000 participants that included lawyers, certified public accountants, mediamen, students and many others from various sectors who gathered to learn more about the tax measure.
In his brief message, the former bar topnotcher expressed hope that by the end of the year taxpayers would have filed and paid their respective taxes. “Sa dami ng taong naririto ngayon, inaasahan din natin na ganito rin karami ang magbabayad ng kanilang buwis,” he said.
Facing the local media after his speech, Bunag said the bureau expects to meet its targeted collections including some P82 billion from EVAT thru efficient collection efforts.
EVAT seeks to bring in more funds for government to deliver basic services in education, health insurance, environmental conservation and agricultural modernization by earmarking 20 percent of the incremental VAT collection.
In more concrete terms, 521 single-story buildings with five classrooms will be built in 2006, health insurance premiums will benefit 3.1 million indigents, 9,190 hectares will be reforested, and 1,012 kilometers of farm-to-market roads will be laid out.
The VAT law has been in effect since 1988 but the EVAT law (RA 9337) expanded the coverage to petroleum products, power and electric cooperatives, services of doctors and lawyers, non-food agricultural products, works of art, literary and musical compositions, and domestic carriage of passengers by air and sea.
The VAT rate of 10 percent is set to increase to 12 percent in 2006.
Representatives of the departments of finance, agriculture, trade and industry, energy, and BIR took turns explaining the law to the audience.
Meanwhile, the regional BIR office headed by officer-in-charge Romeo P. Buan reported to the BIR chief that it has exceeded by 102 million its collection target as of October 25. Revenue District Office no. 4 based in Calasiao under Joseph M. Catapia also surpassed its target by P11 million for the same period.
THE public has so far accepted the expanded value-added tax (EVAT) as a necessary measure for government to generate more revenues and stay away from the old practice of borrowing funds from international creditors, the commissioner of Bureau of Internal Revenue observed Tuesday.
Lawyer Jose Mario C. Bunag also noted that taxation is no longer viewed by the people as a burden. Instead, it is one way for them to contribute to the government for the latter to deliver basic goods and services, he pointed out.
After the initial protests by militant sectors against the tax measure, the public, he said, appeared to have accepted it. “Wala namang gulo o pag-aalsa na nangyayari, di ba?” he told mediamen later.
Bunag graced the Expanded VAT roadshow at the Leisure Coast Resort in Bonuan Binloc last Tuesday where he addressed some 2,000 participants that included lawyers, certified public accountants, mediamen, students and many others from various sectors who gathered to learn more about the tax measure.
In his brief message, the former bar topnotcher expressed hope that by the end of the year taxpayers would have filed and paid their respective taxes. “Sa dami ng taong naririto ngayon, inaasahan din natin na ganito rin karami ang magbabayad ng kanilang buwis,” he said.
Facing the local media after his speech, Bunag said the bureau expects to meet its targeted collections including some P82 billion from EVAT thru efficient collection efforts.
EVAT seeks to bring in more funds for government to deliver basic services in education, health insurance, environmental conservation and agricultural modernization by earmarking 20 percent of the incremental VAT collection.
In more concrete terms, 521 single-story buildings with five classrooms will be built in 2006, health insurance premiums will benefit 3.1 million indigents, 9,190 hectares will be reforested, and 1,012 kilometers of farm-to-market roads will be laid out.
The VAT law has been in effect since 1988 but the EVAT law (RA 9337) expanded the coverage to petroleum products, power and electric cooperatives, services of doctors and lawyers, non-food agricultural products, works of art, literary and musical compositions, and domestic carriage of passengers by air and sea.
The VAT rate of 10 percent is set to increase to 12 percent in 2006.
Representatives of the departments of finance, agriculture, trade and industry, energy, and BIR took turns explaining the law to the audience.
Meanwhile, the regional BIR office headed by officer-in-charge Romeo P. Buan reported to the BIR chief that it has exceeded by 102 million its collection target as of October 25. Revenue District Office no. 4 based in Calasiao under Joseph M. Catapia also surpassed its target by P11 million for the same period.
‘On sked,’ DPWH says of P315M Dawel-Lucao Diversion Road
THE P315 M plus Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Diversion Road here is now 75 percent complete. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office is optimistic it will be completed on time next year.Engr. Fidel Ginez, DPWH regional director said that everything is running on schedule in the construction of the 4.897-kilometer long highway. The road network including two small bridges spans 30.68 meters and 12.7 meters wide through barangays Pantal, Poblacion Oeste, Tapuac and Lucao here.
A budget of P254 million has been released for the project which started on Nov. 15,2002. The fund came from the Office of the President through the initiative of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. whose congressional district includes this city.
The remaining P61 million is yet to be released which includes payment of road right of way (RROW) solely shouldered by the DPWH.
Under the P254 million available fund, Ginez said they could furnish the work on or before the third quarter next year. This involves civil works like reinforced concrete box culvert, slope protection, river bank protection, earthworks, reinforced concrete pipe culvert cross drains, Portland cement concrete pavement and miscellaneous like traffic signs, curb and gutter guardrail, project market, construction of access roads as well as facilities for engineers.
Ginez clarified that allocations for road projects varies based on the condition of the project like this one. He added that in the Dawel-Lucao road project case, theconstruction traverses fishponds and project implementors had to first remove unsuitable materials before they could do backfilling.
Ginez added that they now have very minimal problem as far as acquisition of road right-of-way is concerned as only one lot owner who is staying abroad, remains to be settled.
Meanwhile, Ginez said de Venecia has instructed DPWH to look into the feasibility of the city government’s proposal that the road network be connected directly to de Venecia Highway.
Ginez quoted de Venecia as saying that if the alternate route suggested by Mayor Benjamin Lim is feasible, the speaker will look for funds to finance it but the present design must first be completed.
The DPWH director said he has sent to his Central Office two plans recommended by the city government. Representatives from the Bureau of Designs in Manila have inspected the proposed site together with representatives from the mayor’s office some weeks ago.
Ginez added they are now waiting for the recommendation of the inspectors .
China shows way to U.S. in facing up to bird flu
IF the United States wants to learn how to react quickly to a lethal outbreak of avian influenza among humans, it should look to China.
This was how a North Dakota newspaper editorial advised its home government on proper action to take to ward off avian flu outbreak or to contain one, if it happens.
“Last week, there was one person in China who died as a confirmed victim of the savage H5N1 virus, another who recovered and one more, a 12-year-old girl, who died and is suspected to have had the disease,: the Bismarck Tribune editorial started out.
“Since its first outbreaks, China has imposed quarantines in areas, is monitoring people’s travel in entire regions, has banned the sale of live poultry and – astoundingly – will vaccinate all poultry in China. China also has its own manufacturer of a human vaccine for avian flu.
“Well, Americans may say, it can happen over there,” the editorial read further, “because China has an authoritarian government. True in part, but is should be kept in mind that China is being forthright about telling the world what is being done there and the problems they have in containing this particular flu virus. China learned the necessity of openness when it tried to keep the outbreak of SARS quiet and almost caused an epidemic.
“The (U.S.)president and Congress are to be commended for getting a start on preparations to combat this viral foe. In this time of pressure to cut programs from the federal budget, President Bush is willing to put up $7.1 billion, and Congress a bit more, to prepare for an outbreak.
“The intent is good. The program developed so far is not as good on several levels, particularly in not providing for a rapid response.
“We thought the federal government and state bodies were prepared to respond quickly to critical events – but that was before Hurricane Katrina, when we learned how molasses-slow a response can be.
“According to the New York Times, “The (federal) plan sets lofty goals but largely passes the buck on practical problems. The real responsibilities wind up on the shoulders of state and local health agencies and individual hospitals, none of which were provided with adequate resources to do the job.”
“It’s good that there will be a meeting today of officials from several federal and North Dakota agencies in Bismarck. One federal official, explaining the need for the meeting, said, “We just want to establish roles and responsibilities, recognize that we all have different levels of expertise and coordination on any of these types of response plans.”
“That’s an encouraging attitude, that government recognizes that it’s time to get very serious about the threat of a pandemic,” the Bismarck Tribune concluded.
This was how a North Dakota newspaper editorial advised its home government on proper action to take to ward off avian flu outbreak or to contain one, if it happens.
“Last week, there was one person in China who died as a confirmed victim of the savage H5N1 virus, another who recovered and one more, a 12-year-old girl, who died and is suspected to have had the disease,: the Bismarck Tribune editorial started out.
“Since its first outbreaks, China has imposed quarantines in areas, is monitoring people’s travel in entire regions, has banned the sale of live poultry and – astoundingly – will vaccinate all poultry in China. China also has its own manufacturer of a human vaccine for avian flu.
“Well, Americans may say, it can happen over there,” the editorial read further, “because China has an authoritarian government. True in part, but is should be kept in mind that China is being forthright about telling the world what is being done there and the problems they have in containing this particular flu virus. China learned the necessity of openness when it tried to keep the outbreak of SARS quiet and almost caused an epidemic.
“The (U.S.)president and Congress are to be commended for getting a start on preparations to combat this viral foe. In this time of pressure to cut programs from the federal budget, President Bush is willing to put up $7.1 billion, and Congress a bit more, to prepare for an outbreak.
“The intent is good. The program developed so far is not as good on several levels, particularly in not providing for a rapid response.
“We thought the federal government and state bodies were prepared to respond quickly to critical events – but that was before Hurricane Katrina, when we learned how molasses-slow a response can be.
“According to the New York Times, “The (federal) plan sets lofty goals but largely passes the buck on practical problems. The real responsibilities wind up on the shoulders of state and local health agencies and individual hospitals, none of which were provided with adequate resources to do the job.”
“It’s good that there will be a meeting today of officials from several federal and North Dakota agencies in Bismarck. One federal official, explaining the need for the meeting, said, “We just want to establish roles and responsibilities, recognize that we all have different levels of expertise and coordination on any of these types of response plans.”
“That’s an encouraging attitude, that government recognizes that it’s time to get very serious about the threat of a pandemic,” the Bismarck Tribune concluded.
Muslim families who lost homes in Dagupan get ray of hope
THE Office of the Muslim Affairs (OMA) has appealed to the city government to consider the plight of 37 Muslim families whose houses, located near the seashore, were demolished by authorities three weeks ago.OMA Director Amoran Andoga was in Dagupan Wednesday to talk to city officials in behalf of Muslims whose homes were torn down by demolition teams from the city government.
Bringing along separate letters from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro, Andoga clarified that he came to Dagupan not to oppose the policies of the city government but to help bring its programs closer to the Muslim people.
Datu Michael Bagul, president of the Dagupan Muslim Association, hailed Andoga’s arrival, saying that this was an indication the national government, especially the OMA, has not abandoned them.
In an interview, Bagul said Mayor Benjamin Lim reneged on his promise to provide the affected Muslim families with a relocation site. Officials under Lim, however, said the mayor did not make such a promise but only gave them (Muslims) enough time of three years to relocate themselves.
The Muslims were among several who settled in Dagupan a few years ago in order to escape the ongoing war in Mindanao, Andoga explained, as he appealed for understanding on the plight of his Muslim brothers here.
City Administrator Rafael Baraan who led officials in the dialogue clarified there was no discrimination or injustice committed by the city government when it ordered the demolition of the Muslim houses after accommodating them for many years.
He explained that these had to be demolished after due notices as the Muslim houses were located inside the 72-hectare Tondaligan national park and also for being within a danger zone in the city along the beach area.
Finally softening on his stand over the issue however, Baraan said the city government will start looking for a place where the displaced families, either Muslims or Christians, could be accommodated.
There are at least 6,000 “informal settlers” in the city, according to City Legal Officer Geraldine Baniqued.
Text swindle victimizing one every week
AT least one person in Pangasinan is being victimized every week in so-called text scams, according to the Department of Trade and Industry provincial office.
As a result, the DTI has warned the public anew to ignore any text message they received informing them that they won millions of pesos in alleged sweepstakes draws.
DTI Provincial Director Daria Mingaracal said it is possible there is a syndicate based in Luzon using names of certain companies and networks to perpetrate the scam.
She revealed that a man from Manaoag town came to her office recently to admit having been deceived by people who sent him a text message informing him that he won P8 million in a lottery.
Instead of ignoring the text message, the man texted back and inquired how he could get his prize. The result was he was gypped of P6,000 which he used in buying 20 cell phone cards at P300 each as an alleged pre-requisite before the supposed lottery officials hand him the pot money.
After sending all the numbers of the cell cards, he was asked to deposit P20,000 to a certain bank account allegedly to cover a supposed processing fee. At this point, he decided to check with the DTI provincial office whether there was really such a lottery. He was told that he was victimized by persons involved in a text scam.
Mingaracal said her office had long alerted the people of Pangasinan, warning them that if they were offered money and that the offer is too good to be true, they should ignore it right away.
As a result, the DTI has warned the public anew to ignore any text message they received informing them that they won millions of pesos in alleged sweepstakes draws.
DTI Provincial Director Daria Mingaracal said it is possible there is a syndicate based in Luzon using names of certain companies and networks to perpetrate the scam.
She revealed that a man from Manaoag town came to her office recently to admit having been deceived by people who sent him a text message informing him that he won P8 million in a lottery.
Instead of ignoring the text message, the man texted back and inquired how he could get his prize. The result was he was gypped of P6,000 which he used in buying 20 cell phone cards at P300 each as an alleged pre-requisite before the supposed lottery officials hand him the pot money.
After sending all the numbers of the cell cards, he was asked to deposit P20,000 to a certain bank account allegedly to cover a supposed processing fee. At this point, he decided to check with the DTI provincial office whether there was really such a lottery. He was told that he was victimized by persons involved in a text scam.
Mingaracal said her office had long alerted the people of Pangasinan, warning them that if they were offered money and that the offer is too good to be true, they should ignore it right away.
Binmaley calls moratorium on fishpens
BINMALEY – The municipal government is seeking from its townsfolk a one-year moratorium in the operations of fish pens in order to restore the degraded ecosystems of various rivers and waterways and help maintain its reputation as aquaculture capital of Pangasinan.
Municipal Mayor Simplicio Rosario said the moratorium is expected to improve the quality of water which benefit all river stakeholders, including owners of over 3,200 hectares of fishponds.
“We are seeking our townmates cooperation to agree to this moratorium because this is the only way we can save our rivers from complete degradation,” Rosario said.
He said the poor quality of water in Binmaley, also regarded as the prawn capital of the province of Pangasinan, has spawned repeated fishkills every year, the most recent being in May this year when P16 million worth of fish were destroyed.
The river in Binmaley is connected to Dagupan City which gets its water through the river mouth separating the Dagupan City barangays of Pugaro and Bonuan Gueset.
“If we will remove our fish pens and the fishkill would still persist, we can only blame the pen owners in Dagupan City. Thus, we can file a class suit in order to stop their operations,” Rosario said.
He said that clean water must flow into fishponds which, he added, are no longer earning enough despite the fact that their owners are paying huge land taxes, compared to pen owners who are not paying any tax to the government.
Rosario acknowledged that there are today 2,431 fishpond operators in his town.
Municipal Mayor Simplicio Rosario said the moratorium is expected to improve the quality of water which benefit all river stakeholders, including owners of over 3,200 hectares of fishponds.
“We are seeking our townmates cooperation to agree to this moratorium because this is the only way we can save our rivers from complete degradation,” Rosario said.
He said the poor quality of water in Binmaley, also regarded as the prawn capital of the province of Pangasinan, has spawned repeated fishkills every year, the most recent being in May this year when P16 million worth of fish were destroyed.
The river in Binmaley is connected to Dagupan City which gets its water through the river mouth separating the Dagupan City barangays of Pugaro and Bonuan Gueset.
“If we will remove our fish pens and the fishkill would still persist, we can only blame the pen owners in Dagupan City. Thus, we can file a class suit in order to stop their operations,” Rosario said.
He said that clean water must flow into fishponds which, he added, are no longer earning enough despite the fact that their owners are paying huge land taxes, compared to pen owners who are not paying any tax to the government.
Rosario acknowledged that there are today 2,431 fishpond operators in his town.
Archbishop favors ban vs. homosexuals entering priesthood
ARCHBISHOP Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese favors the ban on homosexuals entering priesthood but clarified that gender orientation in no way diminishes the dignity of humans.
Cruz was reacting to the move of the Catholic Church to keep away homosexuals from the priesthood, which he believes “is not degrading nor a discriminating observance” but only a “simple reality”.
The former president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and also anti-jueteng crusader, maintained that it would be rather difficult for a homosexual to be pushed to a heterosexual mileu, as this is neither logical nor fair.
He maintained however that heterosexuals unduly inclined to women are also neither meant for the priesthood. He clarified that this too is not discrimination but admission of truth.
“It would be unrealistic to impose on them celibacy. Such would be something extraordinary which is also unfair and unreasonable,” Cruz said.
In the same way, he said, women are not meant to become priests. This, he added, “are dissonant composites—not discriminatory realities”.
Maintaining that every human person must be good for something though not for everything, Cruz said that while majority of the people get married, there are those who simply do not for one reason or another.
These people do not feel that marriage is for them so they remain single for life. This is something connatural for them that does not make them more or less of a person, he said.
Cruz said there are homosexuals who succeed and how fail in temporal matters and so are heterosexuals who shine and fade in earthly pursuits. What makes them rise and fall is not their sexual identity but rather their talents as persons and their opportunities as individuals, he rationalized.
Cruz was reacting to the move of the Catholic Church to keep away homosexuals from the priesthood, which he believes “is not degrading nor a discriminating observance” but only a “simple reality”.
The former president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and also anti-jueteng crusader, maintained that it would be rather difficult for a homosexual to be pushed to a heterosexual mileu, as this is neither logical nor fair.
He maintained however that heterosexuals unduly inclined to women are also neither meant for the priesthood. He clarified that this too is not discrimination but admission of truth.
“It would be unrealistic to impose on them celibacy. Such would be something extraordinary which is also unfair and unreasonable,” Cruz said.
In the same way, he said, women are not meant to become priests. This, he added, “are dissonant composites—not discriminatory realities”.
Maintaining that every human person must be good for something though not for everything, Cruz said that while majority of the people get married, there are those who simply do not for one reason or another.
These people do not feel that marriage is for them so they remain single for life. This is something connatural for them that does not make them more or less of a person, he said.
Cruz said there are homosexuals who succeed and how fail in temporal matters and so are heterosexuals who shine and fade in earthly pursuits. What makes them rise and fall is not their sexual identity but rather their talents as persons and their opportunities as individuals, he rationalized.
SC clears editor-publisher of ad-based libel complaint
CHAMPIONING freedom of speech, expression, and of the press, the Supreme Court acquitted the editor-publisher of the Sunday Post, a weekly publication circulated in the Visayas and Mindanao, of libel chargeas.
The Court said it was “clear that there was nothing untruthful” in the one-page paid advertisement in the October 13, 1991 issue of the Sunday Post enumerating the records of criminal cases and photographs of a Cebu-based broadcaster being arrested.
The Court’s Second Division, through Justice Dante O. Tinga, reversed and set aside the portion of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court’s May 17, 1994 decision convicting Sunday Post editor-publisher Ciriaco “Boy” Guingguing of libel.
The Court also reversed and set aside the July 29,1996 decision and October 3, 1996 resolution of the Court of Appeals upholding the RTC ruling.
Since only Guingguing filed the petition, the verdict against his co-accused Segundo Lim, who paid for the subject one-page ad, had become final and executory.
“The publication of the subject advertisement by petitioner and Lim cannot be deemed by this Court to have been done with actual malice. Aside from the fact that the information contained in said publication was true, the intention to let the public know the character of their radio commentator can at best be subsumed under the mantle of having been done with good motives and for justifiable ends.
The advertisement in question falls squarely within the bounds of constitutionally protected expression under Sec. 4, Art. III, and thus, acquittal is mandated,” the Court said. (Guingguing v. CA and People, GR No. 128959, September 30, 2005)
The Court said it was “clear that there was nothing untruthful” in the one-page paid advertisement in the October 13, 1991 issue of the Sunday Post enumerating the records of criminal cases and photographs of a Cebu-based broadcaster being arrested.
The Court’s Second Division, through Justice Dante O. Tinga, reversed and set aside the portion of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court’s May 17, 1994 decision convicting Sunday Post editor-publisher Ciriaco “Boy” Guingguing of libel.
The Court also reversed and set aside the July 29,1996 decision and October 3, 1996 resolution of the Court of Appeals upholding the RTC ruling.
Since only Guingguing filed the petition, the verdict against his co-accused Segundo Lim, who paid for the subject one-page ad, had become final and executory.
“The publication of the subject advertisement by petitioner and Lim cannot be deemed by this Court to have been done with actual malice. Aside from the fact that the information contained in said publication was true, the intention to let the public know the character of their radio commentator can at best be subsumed under the mantle of having been done with good motives and for justifiable ends.
The advertisement in question falls squarely within the bounds of constitutionally protected expression under Sec. 4, Art. III, and thus, acquittal is mandated,” the Court said. (Guingguing v. CA and People, GR No. 128959, September 30, 2005)
OPINYON: Amagamaga, ambetebetel
SAYAN INDIO
Mario F. Karateka
AMAGAMAGA. Ambetebetel.
Amin lawarin totoo so mangibabaga na onia no nabitlay Pasko o Krismas natan. Anggan antoy pilit kalamor na saray katoowan ya paliketen o pasayaksaken so pamilya, opisina tan ingen anggan kaliber-liber da, ag niborin kulang so pakayari da pian gaween iya.
Aliwan singa imbebeneg iran Kapaskuan a walan naliknam ed inkasaysika so ispirito na sayan sankaliketan a panaon ed taon, singa ag naabot na sanduan limam natan so medyos pian onligsa so liknaan.
Akin, oniatala kairap so bilay?
Lakad syaping mols dagdaiset so walay bitbit ya asaliw; karaklan mantotongtong, mamibista tan manmumulagat kalamor labat ed saray displey ed iskaparate na tindaan. Pigaran taga-media so onian nanengneng mo ya akatanyareg tan manus-usdong ed tagtagilakos. Maong yay abalayan nen editor min BFH a si Nana Buenafe ta singa manwawa amo so katiw to ta naynay konon nababanaan ditad Siti Mol tan Madyik, kuandaray kabalabag ed Medya. Agkometni abanaan balet – ta antoey, mataltalagak ditan ya ongatin. Angangaan ko lay Dagupan Metromart tan say Market Interior (loob na tindaan, antoni ey?)
Balet, agagi, anakora, biig so lorey, diad say sikatayo labat, walatay isisipen yo natan – on, natan a bekta – ya magrasya so lamisaan ya pananganan yo sano labiy Disyembre 24?
No say ebat yo et “Sigsigurado!”, sikayoy sakey ed saray mapapalar a pinalsad Pilipinas. No say ebat yo et andi, duaran dalan itan: onaan, kaiba kayod mayoryay Pilipinon obrero ya naopot dalay Krismas bonus da (ta asakbay ya inter iya na manedsmint) tan anggapolay isaliw da kalamor, odino komadua, sikayo et kabingay Iglesia Ni Cristo.
Et no akin kuanyod onor ya balikas ko, ta lapud lanti anggapod INC itay selebrasyon na Krismas a ituturing dan sakey a gaway pagano (pagans) nen inmoonaran siglo kanian ag nepeg tomboken, kuanda, na saray Kristiyanod sarayan panaon. E, agyoakpametla panbibitlaen na kapitulo tan bersikulo na Biblia ed saya ta anggapoy nonot kon midebate ed siopaman.
No tepetan yoak balet, satan a pananisia na Iglesia so sankapraktikalan ya gaween ed sarayan panaon no onsasabi so Krismas a tatawagen. Abotaw met lamlamang so bulsam tan nairapan kan ondungo ed litson, hamon, keso de bola tan ankablin alak, di lingwanan mo la itay Krismas tan say itiponan tan pantaryaan mola labat ed loob na sakey taon ya ginaway Dios et say -- antoniey, di say Inkianak mo! Menos gastos.
Tan sakey ni, iwasan yolay onladtan ed saray supermarkit tan mols pian ag onsakit so nakem yo.
Dis is e prenli adbays prom yor pilow sankaalmo tan sankaluto.
Mario F. Karateka
AMAGAMAGA. Ambetebetel.
Amin lawarin totoo so mangibabaga na onia no nabitlay Pasko o Krismas natan. Anggan antoy pilit kalamor na saray katoowan ya paliketen o pasayaksaken so pamilya, opisina tan ingen anggan kaliber-liber da, ag niborin kulang so pakayari da pian gaween iya.
Aliwan singa imbebeneg iran Kapaskuan a walan naliknam ed inkasaysika so ispirito na sayan sankaliketan a panaon ed taon, singa ag naabot na sanduan limam natan so medyos pian onligsa so liknaan.
Akin, oniatala kairap so bilay?
Lakad syaping mols dagdaiset so walay bitbit ya asaliw; karaklan mantotongtong, mamibista tan manmumulagat kalamor labat ed saray displey ed iskaparate na tindaan. Pigaran taga-media so onian nanengneng mo ya akatanyareg tan manus-usdong ed tagtagilakos. Maong yay abalayan nen editor min BFH a si Nana Buenafe ta singa manwawa amo so katiw to ta naynay konon nababanaan ditad Siti Mol tan Madyik, kuandaray kabalabag ed Medya. Agkometni abanaan balet – ta antoey, mataltalagak ditan ya ongatin. Angangaan ko lay Dagupan Metromart tan say Market Interior (loob na tindaan, antoni ey?)
Balet, agagi, anakora, biig so lorey, diad say sikatayo labat, walatay isisipen yo natan – on, natan a bekta – ya magrasya so lamisaan ya pananganan yo sano labiy Disyembre 24?
No say ebat yo et “Sigsigurado!”, sikayoy sakey ed saray mapapalar a pinalsad Pilipinas. No say ebat yo et andi, duaran dalan itan: onaan, kaiba kayod mayoryay Pilipinon obrero ya naopot dalay Krismas bonus da (ta asakbay ya inter iya na manedsmint) tan anggapolay isaliw da kalamor, odino komadua, sikayo et kabingay Iglesia Ni Cristo.
Et no akin kuanyod onor ya balikas ko, ta lapud lanti anggapod INC itay selebrasyon na Krismas a ituturing dan sakey a gaway pagano (pagans) nen inmoonaran siglo kanian ag nepeg tomboken, kuanda, na saray Kristiyanod sarayan panaon. E, agyoakpametla panbibitlaen na kapitulo tan bersikulo na Biblia ed saya ta anggapoy nonot kon midebate ed siopaman.
No tepetan yoak balet, satan a pananisia na Iglesia so sankapraktikalan ya gaween ed sarayan panaon no onsasabi so Krismas a tatawagen. Abotaw met lamlamang so bulsam tan nairapan kan ondungo ed litson, hamon, keso de bola tan ankablin alak, di lingwanan mo la itay Krismas tan say itiponan tan pantaryaan mola labat ed loob na sakey taon ya ginaway Dios et say -- antoniey, di say Inkianak mo! Menos gastos.
Tan sakey ni, iwasan yolay onladtan ed saray supermarkit tan mols pian ag onsakit so nakem yo.
Dis is e prenli adbays prom yor pilow sankaalmo tan sankaluto.
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Istorya toniay editor min BFH, akabanda kono ditan ed say Star of David Hotel ta walay nila tod Manaoag. Et agustoan to kono so inkialagey na sakey ya otel ed satan a dadayoen a baley ta singa mas lalon nalukasan iray potensiyal na Manaoag. Sakey so Manaoag ed saray baley ya paspasyaren nen BFH sanen ogaw niya ta ditay panaayaman na saray babai, lalaki tan kakapinsan tora.
Nen say onlanirad Binalonan o Urdaneta o Dagupan iray walan bisita o debotos na Birhen na Manaoag, nitanlan walad olsoran da so sakey a marakerakep ya panayaman tan panliliketan a pasen.
Kayarian nen oga-ogaw nin Janette Patacsil Yaari ya asaway sakey ya Israelita, say Star of David (ningaran ed bitewen a simbolo nasyonal na saman a bansan Israel) so walaan na function room ya makakargay 150 a totoo, videoke rooms, internet café tan komportable ran kuarton paabang tan “lounge area”.
Sali yopay onsamar ditan sakey agew no makabanda kayod Manaoag.
EDITORIAL: Hang together or hang separately
WHATEVER administration detractors, angry militants and other cynics may say, it cannot be denied that the economy has never been this vibrant since about four, five months back and especially as December now trots in.
Word is that dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers who have long been coming to the aid (albeit, coincidentally, according to critics) of their motherland’s financial distress is about to hit $12 billion and the Philippine peso has thus grown that much stronger.
The rosy signs are there: Higher demands for RP bonds, robust trading at the stock market and President Arroyo’s now buoyed up spirit seriously considering more non-wage benefits for workers to tide them over hard times even without the cash equivalent yet.
The figures of course are hard to dispute because these are official and the more sober-minded oppositionists, while acknowledging these grudgingly and making some dire warnings of these developments being at best temporary or artificial, seem to give things now the benefit of the doubt. This is as good a bargain as any for the once-beleaguered administration – to have a breathing spell from the myriad of stink bombs thrown at its direction every which way in the past months. Now, if it can only sustain the momentum, this country will be in business once again.
This section realizes there are national issues that have yet to see a firm and final closure. But it shares the belief of some in the center that it would be unfortunate if in the quest for political resolutions, the economy is summarily sacrificed or left to rise on its own. We are after all talking about national survival in these globally perilous times and without unity – even only temporarily – we have but two bitter choices on our fate as a nation: to hang separately or to hang together.
Your choice, fellow Pinoys, fellow Pangasinenses!
Word is that dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers who have long been coming to the aid (albeit, coincidentally, according to critics) of their motherland’s financial distress is about to hit $12 billion and the Philippine peso has thus grown that much stronger.
The rosy signs are there: Higher demands for RP bonds, robust trading at the stock market and President Arroyo’s now buoyed up spirit seriously considering more non-wage benefits for workers to tide them over hard times even without the cash equivalent yet.
The figures of course are hard to dispute because these are official and the more sober-minded oppositionists, while acknowledging these grudgingly and making some dire warnings of these developments being at best temporary or artificial, seem to give things now the benefit of the doubt. This is as good a bargain as any for the once-beleaguered administration – to have a breathing spell from the myriad of stink bombs thrown at its direction every which way in the past months. Now, if it can only sustain the momentum, this country will be in business once again.
This section realizes there are national issues that have yet to see a firm and final closure. But it shares the belief of some in the center that it would be unfortunate if in the quest for political resolutions, the economy is summarily sacrificed or left to rise on its own. We are after all talking about national survival in these globally perilous times and without unity – even only temporarily – we have but two bitter choices on our fate as a nation: to hang separately or to hang together.
Your choice, fellow Pinoys, fellow Pangasinenses!
OPINION: Pangalatoks & Ilocanos: D’f’rent views
AFTER ALLBehn Fer.Hortaleza, Jr.
WE do not know if there is a precedent case in jurisprudence of the courtroom drama that unfolded in the sala of Judge Ulysses Raciles Butuyan the past two weeks climaxing in the sensational dismissal of the cases against the suspects in the killing of Pasig City lady Judge Estrellita Paas last Nov. 30. We’re quite sure though that what happened further enriches the study of law in these parts.
The best way to describe the court “clash” between Butuyan (who was our jolly, articulate neighbor-tenant here at Vicar Hotel, and a star columnist of this paper too, before he left his law office to become Tayug regional trial court judge) and private prosecutor Ronald Paas, son of the slain lady judge, is that it was a scintillating collision between an irresistible force and an immovable object..Who’s what between them we leave that for the reader to discern.
Our layman’s perception of the whole thing is that the judge -- who may or may not have been piqued by the arguments and style of young lawyer Paas in insisting that he (Butuyan) issue a warrant of arrest for the two suspected killers of his mother – was not satisfied about the police solution of the celebrated case. Otherwise, he could have easily given in to the Paas request and be done with it.
In plain words, Butuyan must have thought the accused were “fall guys” or that at best, Elmer Cabilles’ having supposedly “confessed” to the crime to his wife, take note, not directly to the police, had serious flaws, legally speaking.
On the other hand, lawyer Paas must have had reasons to suspect Butuyan of “biasness” for having already noted earlier on that the prosecution’s witness(es) testimonies were based largely on hearsay. That, plus the judge’s refusal to issue a warrant of arrest until after he has questioned the witnesses to establish “probable cause” for the issuance of an arrest warrant, may have engendered the young Paas’ suspicion – correctly or wrongly – that the judge was playing partial.
Legal minds we’ve talked to on the case, based on the news reports, say what should be interesting is how the higher courts will rule on the matter of whether or not Butuyan was right in proceeding to hear and summarily decide on dismissing the case even while a motion – though formally filed rather late – was precisely seeking his inhibition from hearing the case.
* * * * *
Going by the announced results of the consultations done by the Consultative Commssion last Friday at the Regency Hotel, Pangasinenses seem to be more liberal when it comes to allowing foreign ownership of industries and exploitation of natural resources than their regional neighbors up in the two Ilocos provinces who are for maintaining the present ratio, more or less, of 60 percent Filipino ownership of businesses with foreigners only allowed up to 40 % share.
Culturally speaking, this preference is quite understandable or expected since compared to Pangalatoks who are generally gregarious and outgoing, Ilocanos are conservative when it comes to accepting changes, much less, initiating them.
You’ve all heard Vice Mayor and Commissioner Alvin Fernandez, Speaker JDV, the “other” Commissioner (Immigration) Al Fernandez and yes, even the maverick partyman, Mayor-Businessman Benjie Lim, singing hosannahs to the benefits of changing the constitutional provisions on national patrimony/ To a man, they say this is a means of encouraging more foreign investments in the Philippines.
True-blue Ilocanos who’ve heard them take the ultra liberal position must have gasped and made the sign of the cross at how the Pangalatoks in full vigor and unison, could mouth such a statement of heresy concerning their highly cherished national patrimony.
OPINION: Moral decay on parade
The Pen SpeaksDanny O. Sagun
A TOWN councilor, very much married, is accused of having an affair with a young lass and the accuser is the girl’s father himself. Another alderman is charged of raping a woman, while the family of a legislator from another town was surprised to see the supposed girlfriend suddenly showing up at their house. A doctor of education-pretender is stripped of her doctorate degree for falsifying her records but still clings to her position as principal of a high school in the fourth district. Two mediapersons engaged in a fistfight over manna from a board member after an interview because the group (more than 10?) have difficulty dividing the money among themselves. A mediaman (again, kuno) shows his plain ignorance by shooting the wrong question in a presscon with the BIR chief on Tuesday.
Such news reports landed in local broadcasts this week as local radio anchors delightfully feasted on the controversies. Indeed, what is happening to our society, or to rephrase it, what is happening to those people supposed to be our guiding lights and leaders? Take as example that educator who herself could not pass the honesty test since, as reliable reports went, she had falsified her records? If she still has the face to mingle with her colleagues and the students despite such serious charges, I really don’t know what’s happening in our midst.
Regarding the three municipal aldermen, well, politicos have long been there. We mean the electorate seems to look the other way as regards moral qualifications of a candidate during elections. We have mayors, and presidents even, who maintain mistresses, okay, girlfriends left and right and yet they are politically ensconced in their turf.
Lest we be misunderstood, we do not want immoral persons to rule us (serve may be the proper word). Public servants are supposed to be exemplars of good morals. We are only talking of the realities prevailing now in our society, however.
As to our colleagues in the profession, it pains us to note that some mediapersons are no longer looking for news during coverages, presscons, interviews, and the like but, to put it bluntly, for money or envelop. We cannot entirely fault them, because politicians, lobbyists, propagandists have turned them that way – in quest of dole-outs, not news. They have become accustomed to it so that without the padulas they could not write or broadcast news anymore. Some even go to the extent of attacking the news source. There are many mediamen committed to their profession though. With or without any ‘blessing’ they just do their job.
Mediapersons are looked up to as knowledgeable and skilled in the art of questioning. But what happened in that presscon with BIR Commissioner Bunag at the EVAT roadshow betrayed the ignorance of some self-styled newsmen about the nature and qualifications for the job, prompting a senior newsman to shake his head in disgust and anguish as he watched that fellow (we do not know who he was and which media outlet he was connected with, if at all) shoot his off-tangent question. “Agyo ipapaway so inkaignorante yo ... kababaing,” the senior member was overheard saying.
OPINION: December affairs
SmorgasbordLiway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre
(First and foremost, I would like to thank the publisher for giving me the privilege to write a column in this weekly paper that reaches and touches the world. I choose Smorgasbord as title because I intend to impart bits and pieces of information on what’s going on around us, leaving the reader the choice what to nibble at and what to munch on. )
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SOME say Christmas this year is bleak because of high prices of commodities and all. But in some places in Pangasinan, December is enlivened by fiesta celebrations and sports activities.
In Mapandan town, there is the ongoing Mayor’s Cup Challenge which started on November 12. The sporting events being played are boxing and junior basketball. The cheer-dance competition and marathon were held during the opening day.
Mayor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr. said the fiesta-like awarding ceremony is scheduled on December 18. All the winners will receive their cash prizes and trophies that evening.
The top five winners in the cheer-dance competition will showcase their winning performances. Oh, yes, the event was ruled by the cheer-dancers of Barangay Aserda who will receive a whooping P15,000 cash. Second to fifth runners-up were barangays Baloleng, Torres, Poblacion and Apaya. They will also receive corresponding cash prizes.
The marathon event was ruled by Cyril Prado of barangay Golden. First and second runners-up were Gary Mendoza of barangay Baloling and Hermogenes Dulay of barangay Sta. Maria.
Mayor Ferdie said the Mayor’s Cup is sort of a prelude to the Mapandan Town Fiesta and 4th Pandan Festival which will be held on April 3-9, 2006.
In Mapandan town, there is the ongoing Mayor’s Cup Challenge which started on November 12. The sporting events being played are boxing and junior basketball. The cheer-dance competition and marathon were held during the opening day.
Mayor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr. said the fiesta-like awarding ceremony is scheduled on December 18. All the winners will receive their cash prizes and trophies that evening.
The top five winners in the cheer-dance competition will showcase their winning performances. Oh, yes, the event was ruled by the cheer-dancers of Barangay Aserda who will receive a whooping P15,000 cash. Second to fifth runners-up were barangays Baloleng, Torres, Poblacion and Apaya. They will also receive corresponding cash prizes.
The marathon event was ruled by Cyril Prado of barangay Golden. First and second runners-up were Gary Mendoza of barangay Baloling and Hermogenes Dulay of barangay Sta. Maria.
Mayor Ferdie said the Mayor’s Cup is sort of a prelude to the Mapandan Town Fiesta and 4th Pandan Festival which will be held on April 3-9, 2006.
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OVERNIGHT AT 100 ISLANDS, TRY IT. Care to stay overnight in one of the three major islands at the Hundred Islands Park? Yopu can now do so.
City Mayor Hernani A. Braganza said it is safe to stay at the islands as environmental policemen and caretakers are deployed there. There are nipa huts where funlovers can sleep in, with basic amenities such as comfort rooms and tap water for bathing/washing. The banca which ferried the guests will also stay overnight
Moreover, the Quezon, Children’s and Governor’s Islands are now lighted.
Impossible to source power from the mainland, and with no solar apparatus to store solar energy, City Mayor Hernani A. Braganza said it is practically Filipino ingenuity at work in the islands.
“We are basically using car batteries. Its dependable, it can last for seven nights, and it’s rechargeable,” he remarked.
Braganza said staying in the island overnight is fun specially when there is moonlight as visitors can see different kinds of fishes that now thrive here. One can try stargazing, or simply relax and enjoy the serenity of the island.
When the Braganza was first elected as mayor, he mapped out the plan to claim authority to manage the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) from the Philippine Tourism Authority.
At the same time, the city government of Alaminos embarked on an all-out marketing campaign to lure foreign and domestic tourists back to the world famous Hundred Islands.
Last June 22, 2005, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order 436 transferring management, administration and maintenance of the park to the city government.
Formal turn-over was held last September.
Meantime, this writer gathered from the City Tourism Office they have recorded 4,000 guests, 10 percent of which are foreigners. They posted an earning of P170,000 for the month of October. These came from entrance ticket sales and rentals of tables at the islands.
The mayor said they are surprised with the continued arrival of visitors despite the lean season. Most of their foreign guests are Koreans, Americans, Britons, Japanese and other nationalities.
Miguel Sison, city tourism consultant said entrance fees at present is pegged at P20 per head for adult and P5 for children below five years old. Tables are being rented out for P100 (daytime only) and P150 (overnight). Motor boat rental (inclusive of island tour) is P600 for small boat (1-5 capacity), P800 for 6-10 capacity, and P900 for a motorboat that can accommodate 10-15 persons. Additional P200 will be charged if the tourists request island hopping.
For the more adventurous, there are also kayaks for rent. Sison said rental for a two-seater kayak is P250 per hour while a single seater kayak is being rented out for 150 per hour.
City Mayor Hernani A. Braganza said it is safe to stay at the islands as environmental policemen and caretakers are deployed there. There are nipa huts where funlovers can sleep in, with basic amenities such as comfort rooms and tap water for bathing/washing. The banca which ferried the guests will also stay overnight
Moreover, the Quezon, Children’s and Governor’s Islands are now lighted.
Impossible to source power from the mainland, and with no solar apparatus to store solar energy, City Mayor Hernani A. Braganza said it is practically Filipino ingenuity at work in the islands.
“We are basically using car batteries. Its dependable, it can last for seven nights, and it’s rechargeable,” he remarked.
Braganza said staying in the island overnight is fun specially when there is moonlight as visitors can see different kinds of fishes that now thrive here. One can try stargazing, or simply relax and enjoy the serenity of the island.
When the Braganza was first elected as mayor, he mapped out the plan to claim authority to manage the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) from the Philippine Tourism Authority.
At the same time, the city government of Alaminos embarked on an all-out marketing campaign to lure foreign and domestic tourists back to the world famous Hundred Islands.
Last June 22, 2005, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order 436 transferring management, administration and maintenance of the park to the city government.
Formal turn-over was held last September.
Meantime, this writer gathered from the City Tourism Office they have recorded 4,000 guests, 10 percent of which are foreigners. They posted an earning of P170,000 for the month of October. These came from entrance ticket sales and rentals of tables at the islands.
The mayor said they are surprised with the continued arrival of visitors despite the lean season. Most of their foreign guests are Koreans, Americans, Britons, Japanese and other nationalities.
Miguel Sison, city tourism consultant said entrance fees at present is pegged at P20 per head for adult and P5 for children below five years old. Tables are being rented out for P100 (daytime only) and P150 (overnight). Motor boat rental (inclusive of island tour) is P600 for small boat (1-5 capacity), P800 for 6-10 capacity, and P900 for a motorboat that can accommodate 10-15 persons. Additional P200 will be charged if the tourists request island hopping.
For the more adventurous, there are also kayaks for rent. Sison said rental for a two-seater kayak is P250 per hour while a single seater kayak is being rented out for 150 per hour.
At the Quezon island, a docking area was erected for the convenience of the guests (easy disembark) and to prevent boats from docking at the beach area. Braganza said they would like to avoid the situation in Boracay where boats are scattered everywhere destroying the view of the pristine beach.
OPINION: Pangasinenses go for parliamentary
WINDOWS
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
IT looks like Pangasinenses strongly favor a shift from the existing presidential form of government to parliamentary. Based on last Friday’s consultation conducted by the Consultative Commission at the Pangasinan Regency Hotel, Pangasinenses also want the present unitary structure of government changed to federal.
There were several issues and concerns raised during the separate workshops. For instance, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, who was there the whole day, was concerned about checks and balances in a parliamentary system. “How can we ensure checks and balances in a parliamentary system?” he asked.
Regional Development Council chair Dr. Ado Duque, who was in the same workshop group, asked if the abolition of the position of Speaker under a parliamentary system will be good for the country.
Dagupan City Councilor Vlad Mata, for his part, wondered if a parliamentary form of government will survive in an ethnically-divided country like ours. “A parliamentary system also requires a strong bureaucracy and a strong party system, which the Philippines does not have,” he added.
Good points. But as more and more issues were raised during the discussions, our very own Commissioner Raul Lambino, who, incidentally, was the ConCom Commissioners’ team leader, all the more convinced the participants on the need for a parliamentary shift through his answers.
To my mind, the participants were almost unanimous in voting for a parliamentary shift because they were able to get a clearer glimpse on how a parliamentary system works based on the commissioners’ explanations. With Raul in his workshop group were Commissioners Oscar Rodriguez, a former congressman and now San Fernando City mayor, and Sr. Luz Emmanuel Soriano, Commissioner, EDSA People Power Commission; UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines.
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Mayor Benjamin Lim, who was in the workshop, batted for an open-door policy that would allow foreign-owned companies to set up businesses in the country. The mayor sadly noted that the world’s top 1,000 corporations had instead set up in the People’s Republic of China because of, despite its being Communist, that country’s liberal foreign investment policy.
The participants also agreed to allow foreigners to own commercial and industrial lands where they will set up their businesses as well as ownership of residential lands. They, however, opposed foreign ownership of private agricultural lands.
Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, who presided over the workshop with businessman Levy Laus, explained after the voting that allowing foreigners to own residential lands in the country would attract them to retire here. In the process, he added, more opportunities for caregivers, nurses, physical therapists and other medical workers will be opened.
The workshop participants also agreed to allow foreign-owned corporations to go into large-scale development projects of the country’s natural resources, such as mining. And this makes sense, because doing so will make them accountable and responsible in everything that they do in the development projects.
QUICKQUOTE: How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese? -- Charles De Gaulle
