Leyte SP to hear anew proposed Leyte-Mindanao power grid sharing project

By Provincial Media Relations Center
June 17, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Another public consultation on the proposed Leyte-Mindanao Interconnection Project (LMIP) is yet again set a month from now, as lawmakers of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte and the public in attendance did not seem content with the explanation given by representatives of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

Another public consultation is set in July where other NGCP representatives are requested to attend to provide in-depth information on the interconnection project, particularly on how this would affect the power rates now imposed among local consumers.

Leyte 2nd district Board member Anlie Apostol, chairperson of committee on energy, said there is still the need for the people to know how the project will go about, the advantages the interconnect can give to local consumers and where the power increase, should it be imposed, would go.

It was learned that NGCP has petitioned the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to approved their conduct of a feasibility study to determine whether it will be in the best interest of the grid and consumers to construct the LMIP, which may entail additional costs for consumers.

“As it is, an increase in the rate could not be avoided, but the consumers should know where the increase would go. In the long run, dapat malaman natin kung saan napupunta ang binabayaran natin,” Board Member Apostol said.

However, she added, the province’s opposition stands on the cost of the feasibility study to be conducted by NGCP on the proposed Leyte-Mindanao Interconnection Project to be passed on to the consumers.

“Mahirap naman yun on our part of consumers. Why should we be the one to shoulder the cost.  Sila ang kapitalista and they say they are a stable company, bakit tayo pa ang gagastos sa feasibility just for them to know kung kikita ba o hindi ang project nila. They are the capitalists, sila na rin gumastos sa study nila,” Apostol said.

Meanwhile, National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms (NASECORE) Inc. through its President Pete Ilagan, who was also in attendance, maintains their opposition and has petitioned the ERC to “dismiss outright the instant application” by the NGCP, citing among others, that local consumers cannot very well shoulder the cost of the feasibility study.

Morever, in the petition filed by NASECORE, it was pointed out that the provisional authority asked for by the NGCP with the ERC already means immediate implementation of Phase 1 of the LMIP which involves the preparation of an updated project feasibility study, transmission route survey and hiring of its consultancy services.

“Or putting it in another way, the preparation of an updated project feasibility study, transmission route survey and hiring of consultancy services is not the same as implementing a plan for expansion or improvement of its (NGCP) transmission facilities,” the NASECORE petition reads.

Local chief executives in attendance also expressed opposition to the project saying they already see additional costs that would be passed on to the consumers, even years from now.

On the other hand, Atty. Cynthia Alabanza, spokesperson of the NGCP Head Office, maintains that the project could prove advantageous to Leyte and the Visayas Grid in terms of energy sharing.

The Department of Energy (DoE) believed that the interconnection project could secure the country’s power supply as a long-term solution to alleviate the power shortages in the country.

The proposed Leyte-Mindanao Interconnection Project involves a 250-kilovolt high-voltage density cable bipolar link with a total transfer capacity of 500 megawatts (MW), and a 455-kilometer long overhead line and 23 km submarine cable.

The said project would start at the Ormoc Converter Station in Leyte and would end at the Kirahon Converter station in North Central Mindanao via Southern Leyte and North Eastern Mindanao.

Distribution of Pantawid Pasada for Tricycles now ongoing

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
June 16, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Many towns and cities in Eastern Visayas are now in the midst of distributing the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP) or Pantawid Pasada fund of the national government intended for operators and drivers of motorcabs-for-hire (MCH).

This was revealed today by Regional Director Francisco C. Jose of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which was mandated under Executive Order 32 of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to facilitate the distribution of the one-time assistance of 150 pesos per tricycle unit in light of the prevailing high fuel prices.

Dir. Jose said DILG has released through its provincial and city offices, checks to 62 LGUs starting May 26, while waiting for the complete documents from 16 other LGUs which also signified the presence of MCHs in their localities.

Among the LGUs which have started releasing the PTAP are: Naval, Biliran; Abuyog, Alang-alang, Carigara, Hindang, Jaro, Matalom, Tanauan, Tolosa, Tunga, and Ormoc City, all in Leyte; Catbalogan City, Gandara and San Jorge in Samar.

Meanwhile Dir. Jose bared that the region has received from DILG Central Office the second tranche of 301,800 pesos for an additional 2,012 MCH units, in light of requests / corrected information from LGUs.  Most of this is intended for MCHs in Tacloban City which has 1,615 MCH units, up from its earlier submitted number of 950 certified tricycles in the city.

The release of the second tranche brings the regional total received by DILG, to 2.092 Million pesos for 13,947 MCH units. The breakdown of MCH units per province (cities included): Biliran - 310; Eastern Samar - 2,928; Leyte - 5,353; Northern Samar - 700; Southern Leyte - 2,010; and Samar - 2,289.  Nationwide, government has allotted 150 million pesos on the Pantawid Pasada for about 900,000 tricycles.

Under the DILG implementing guidelines, regional offices shall forge a MOA with concerned local chief executives who shall prepare and certify the list of tricycle franchisees in their localities, including their addresses and the number of operating tricycles.

The list shall be the basis of DILG regional and field offices in the computation of the subsidy by the DILG regional and field offices. Likewise, under the guidelines, mayors are directed to set-up a PTAP Assistance and Complaint Desk to receive feedback and address the complaints of the beneficiaries.

Palace formally charges, suspends prosecutor in Garcia plea bargain deal

Press Release
June 15, 2011

MALACAÑANG  –  Malacañang has formally charged and placed under a 90-day preventive suspension Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras Sulit for graft and betrayal of public trust in connection with the questionable plea bargain deal she had entered into with retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia.

In a two-page formal charge signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. and issued on Tuesday, Sulit was suspended for three months to ensure that there will be no tampering with evidence and interference in her investigation.

“Pending investigation of said charges, respondent (Sulit) is hereby placed under preventive suspension for a period of 90 days, effective upon receipt hereof, considering the seriousness of the charges, the existence of prima facie case against respondent that she is probably guilty thereof which warrants her removal from the service and respondent’s continuance in the office may pose threat to the safety and integrity of the record and other evidence,” the Palace stated in the order.

According to Malacañang, Sulit violated existing rules and jurisprudence when she “knowingly and willfully” entered into a plea bargain deal with Garcia in the latter’s P303-million plunder case pending before the Sandiganbayan.

The Palace alleged that Sulit, together with her deputies, “impaired deliberately the case for the prosecution by ignoring and abandoning evidence favorable to the interest of the government and presenting evidence adverse to its cause.”

It also alleged that Sulit failed to discharge her mandated duty of prosecuting erring public officials with utmost responsibility, integrity and professional competence.

Sulit was also accused of causing undue injury to the government and gave unwarranted benefits to Garcia through “manifest partiality, evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence.”

Malacañang gave Sulit a period of 10 days within which to submit her answer to the formal charge before the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (ODESLA).

The administrative case against Sulit was an offshoot of an investigation conducted by the House Committee on Justice into the plea bargain agreement between the Office of the Ombudsman and Garcia.

The House panel recommended that Sulit be dismissed from service for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

Chiz condemns killing of Camarines Sur mediaman

By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
June 15, 2011

PASAY CITY  –  Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero condemned the latest killing of another mediaman in Camarines Sur and enjoined the local police to get the suspects of this recent crime against journalists.

Romeo Olea, 49, a commentator of DWEB-FM a local radio station in Nabua, Camarines Sur was shot twice in the back by two gunmen on a motorcycle while on his way to the station last June 13.

Escudero said the government should exhaust all means to put a stop to this crime against journalists who have been reporting anomalies to the public. Undeniably, he added, journalists help the Aquino government’s fight against corruption.

“Journalists, like Romeo, helped in our fight against corruption not only in government as well as in our community. The government should exhaust all means to find the perpetrators and have them prosecuted,” he added.

He also asked the local police to investigate every possible motive in the killing of Olea and not just stop on recent reports that members of the New People’s Army were the ones behind the murder.

The latest crime against a journalist, likewise, Escudero said doesn’t help the image of the country as one of the world’s most dangerous place for mediamen.

“This latest killing goes to show that even under the current administration the country remains to be a dangerous place for journalists to live. Now that we have a new government with new people at the helm, I urge our concerned authorities to maximize the use of our existing institutions to work against these crimes.’

As of March, 98 journalists had been killed in the Philippines since 2000 because of their work including at least 33 in the Ampatuan massacre of November 2009, according to the International Press Institute.

Women to P-Noy: There is time, make RH law your Christmas gift to women

By DSWP
June 14, 2011

A group of women advocates working in grassroots communities nationwide is confident that there is enough time to pass the highly debated but widely supported Reproductive Health (RH) bill before the budget session, in time for Christmas.

The bill moved fast during the 1st Regular Session of the 15th Congress and now on its way to second reading in Senate and the House of Representatives, said Elizabeth Angsioco, National Chairperson of Democratic Socialist women of the Philippines (DSWP.)

Angsioco opined that there is no reason why the bill will not pass before the budget session.  “The support for the RH bill is overwhelming,” she said.  “Not only do all surveys show the huge public support, the Executive branch, led by the President is for it, the House leadership is for the Bill, and the big number of Senators who signed Senator Pia Cayetano's Committee Report is proof that more than the majority in the Senate are supportive of RH,” she added.

The Senate and House of Representatives versions of the RH bill are very similar. Thus, even if the Bicameral Committee is convened to harmonize the two bills, it will not take long for the Committee to achieve this, Angsioco explained.

Meanwhile, to further ensure the passage of the RH bill, DSWP members are calling on the President to clearly say in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the bill is among his priorities.

The more than forty thousand members of the DSWP are confident that a SONA pronouncement will propel the even swifter movement of the RH bill in Congress.

“If President Aquino wants, the RH law can be his Christmas gift to the Filipino people, particularly to poor women. After all, we do not see the President turning back on his earlier statements pushing for the RH bill,” said Angsioco.

“With the passage of the RH Bill, the eleven mothers dying daily due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications will be reduced drastically  What could be a better Christmas gift than the gift of life to poor women?” she ended.

Morong 43, kin and supporters attend first hearing on their civil case vs GMA etal

By END Impunity Alliance
June 10, 2011

QUEZON CITY  –  Today, former political prisoners and members of the Morong 43 health workers, who were illegally arrested, tortured and detained last year, attended the first hearing on the writ of preliminary attachment of the civil case that they filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) and security officials under her regime, seeking damages for the human rights violations they suffered as part of their efforts to seek justice and to end impunity. The civil case was raffled to Branch 226 of the QC Regional Trial Court with Judge Padilla as the presiding judge.

The plaintiffs in the civil case are Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, Gary Liberal, RN, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Makabenta and Mercy Castro. Along with GMA, sued for damages under Article 27, 32 and 33 of the Civil Code are former National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales, former Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, Gen. Delfin Bangit, former commander of the 2nd Infantry Division (ID) Gen. Jorge Segovia, commander of the intelligence unit of the 2nd ID Philippine Army Lt. Col. Victorino Zaragoza, 2nd IDPA Maj. Manuel Tabion, commander of the 202nd Infantry Batallion (IB) Col. Aurelio Baladad, 16th IBPA commander Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag, Commanding Officer of the Rizal Provincial Public Safety Management Company P/Supt. Marion Balolong, and Chief of the Intelligence Branch of the Rizal Provincial Police Office P/Supt. Allan Nubleza.

Cristina Palabay, Convenor of the End Impunity Alliance, expressed the support of the newly formed network of civil libertarians, human rights defenders, and personalities, for the members of the Morong 43 in their continuing efforts and courage to pursue justice and accountability on the rights violations inflicted on them.

“It has been nearly a year since Pres. Benigno Aquino III assumed office, and not a single perpetrator of human rights violations under the Arroyo regime has been prosecuted and put behind bars. As of May 2011, there have been 50 victims of extrajudicial killings, while there are 336 political prisoners, including remaining two among the Morong 43, who are still languishing in jails. It is no wonder that the culture of impunity persists because the rights violations are still being perpetrated, perhaps more brazenly, up to the present,” Palabay said.

At least five causes of action are being sought by the health workers against the former president and her officials involved in the case.  These include damages for torture, damages for the violation of their constitutional and statutory rights, including their right against arbitrary and illegal detention, right against self-incrimination and right to counsel, divestment of personal belongings, Arroyo’s neglect of duty, and moral damages.

GMA’s neglect of duty to stop the suffering of the plaintiffs at the hands of her subordinates has caused unwarranted injuries and losses to the plaintiffs and Mrs. Arroyo is held liable under Article 27 of the Civil Code of the Philippines. At least P2.5 million worth of damages is sought for each victim.

Leyte guv supports ordinance to oversee conduct of countryside outreach programs, research missions, other activities

By Provincial Media Relations Center
June 10, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla expressed full support to the recently passed ordinance by Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte that provides guidelines in the conduct of outreach activities in the countryside of the province, especially those in remote barangays.

Gov. Petilla said this is to ensure the safety of individuals, groups or organizations who may wish to conduct any kind of community outreach activities and so that proper authorities may be informed of their presence and personalities to avoid mistaken identification.

Incident such as the alleged encounter between the members of the Philippine Army and famous botanist Dr. Leonardo Co and his team last year in the mountains of Kananga, Leyte placed a dent in the province’s efforts in packaging Leyte as an economic hub and prime tourism destination.

This was among the reason cited in the discussion by the board members in passing and approving Ordinance No. 2011-02 to avoid a similar incident in the future.

The ordinance provides that “any individual, agency or organization or sponsor planning to conduct outreach activities through community services, research, economic development program, leisure activities and fact-finding missions within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Leyte, shall inform in writing the Office of the Mayor of the forthcoming activity at least 15 days before the effectivity thereof.”

The ordinance likewise provides for the submission of mandatory information that include among others, the sponsoring agency or organization, the names and number of participants with their addresses and contact numbers, the specific location or venue of the activity, the rationale of the activity, and the duration of the mission or outreach activity.

Not only should the local government unit where the party is to hold the activity should be provided information but as well as the Office of the Governor, the Barangay Chairman and the Station Commander where the activity will be conducted.

Desaparecidos to Baliaga, Esperon et. al: Face your charges and tell the truth

By DESAPARECIDOS
June 9, 2011

"After seven series of filing of complaints, petitions and appeals to different courts, government institutions and international bodies in a span of four years, the Burgos family is now on their 8th filing in search for Jonas," Lorena P. Santos, deputy Secretary General of Families of Desaparecidos for Justice (Desaparecidos) said. "How many more complaints do we have to file to surface the disappeared?" Santos decried.

The Burgos family led by Mrs. Edita T. Burgos, mother of Jonas and chairperson of Desaparecidos together with their lawyer Atty. Boyet Fernandez filed criminal charges against Major Harry A. Baliaga, Jr., Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano, Col. Eduardo Ano and several John and Jane Does for Arbitrary Detention while Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Gen. Romeo Tolentino, Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano and Gen. Avelino Razon were charged with Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders.

Joining them as the family filed before the Department of Justice, were Desaparecidos, Karapatan and other progressive peoples’ organizations who staged a picket in support for the call for justice for Jonas and other victims of enforced disappearance.

During the picket, Desaparecidos exhorted for the truth to be revealed "We urge all respondents to face the charges and tell the truth," Santos said, "Tell the public and the court who ordered and approved Jonas' abduction and what has happened to him,"

On March 15, 2011 the Commission on Human Rights, led by Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag, submitted a report on the abduction and disappearance of Jonas Burgos. The report revealed the names of Baliaga, Feliciano and Ano among others, as those involved in the abduction of Jonas.  Then 2nd Lt. Harry Baliaga was recognized by a witness and was heard saying, "Wag kayong makialam kasi ang taong ito ay matagal na naming sinusubaybayan dahil sa droga." ("Do not interfere because this man has long been under surveillance due to drugs.”)

In April, 2011 DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima ordered the filing of criminal charges against Baliaga, et.al. Today, armed with strong evidence against the alleged perpetrators, Mrs. Edita T. Burgos, a law abiding citizen of this country once again exhausted this legal means in her unending effort to look for her son.

Desaparecidos which has supported the Burgos family and other families of the disappeared have reiterated their commitment to continue with any legal or extra-legal action against perpetrators of abduction and enforced disappearances, especially against former President Gloria Arroyo and her military cohorts until justice is served the victims and their families. “We will not forget that notorious decade of GMA’s rule, nor will we allow her and her butcher generals to be absolved of their human rights violations against the Filipino people.” Santos said.

Lack of legal remedies

Meanwhile, while the Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data have been introduced to arrest the increasing cases of disappearances and other human rights violations, the group Desaparecidos find these legal remedies lacking. “Not one of our missing love ones has been surfaced and not a single perpetrator prosecuted in court,” Santos lamented.