P200 million-worth donations in Red Cross for displaced Saint Bernard folks - Sen. Gordon

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
March 21, 2007

NEW GUINSAUGON, Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte  –  Just how much did the Red Cross receive for humanitarian assistance out of the tragedy the world now remembers  --  and history later won’t forget  --  as the tragic Guinsaugon killer mudslide in this municipality?

It’s P200 Million, a straight and final answer, according to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), who also happens to be a Senator in the person of Richard Gordon.

Speaking with a handful of mediamen in a hastily-organized press conference here Sunday, March 18, Sen. Gordon said that the money will be used, as portions of it had already been used, for construction of more housing units including purchase of land for relocation sites, as well as continuing relief assistance, disaster-preparedness training, and basketball courts.

Told that other town in the province also had barangays located in zones declared by the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) as hazardous and susceptible to landslides, Gordon retorted that the allocation was only for Saint Bernard, for Guinsaugon and other similarly-placed, dangerous barangays of the town whose residents had to be moved to safer places elsewhere.

He said there were only about 200 families that survived in Guinsaugon, but they (the Red Cross) included building houses for residents of neighboring barangays who had to be transferred in safe relocation sites, in effect “moving a lot of people out of harm’s way.”

“In other countries they build tents, here we build houses,” Gordon stressed.

Gordon was referring to a resettlement project in an interior village, barangay Catmon, which will be the future site for residents of three barangays, namely, Hinabian, Magatas, and Kauswagan, in which the Red Cross undertook to foot the bill for a duplex housing facility including purchase of the land.

The said project, which was started and went on for several months but left unfinished, had long been abandoned, reportedly for lack of funds on the part of the Contractor from Tacloban City.

Gordon was obviously peeved by a Reporter’s insinuation that the bidding process was rigged for granting it to a cash-strapped builder.

“To say that it was rigged was unfair, I had to be frank with you.  We value integrity here,” the Senator stressed, adding that he had approached several high-profile contractors in Manila for the project but all declined because of the nature of the undertaking, which is low-cost housing.

He also expressed sympathy on the part of the builder, saying it’s hard to bring along heavy equipment in the area.  “We don’t ask for thanks, but we thought of that,” he said.

Right after the brief news conference Gordon visited the Catmon relocation site, seeing for himself the abandoned work, and it upset him more.

About a hundred unfinished housing units were lying idle, erected in arranged rows and columns, their concrete hollow block walls already standing, some with roofing structures in place, others with roofing completed and some divisions done inside the house.

Shrubs, wild vines, and grasses competed in space with their solid counterparts.

Gordon instructed the ones in-charge to speed up the re-bidding process and exert all efforts to finish the project, which is being funded by the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC).

The Senator and PNRC head was in Saint Bernard for the turn-over of house keys for the beneficiaries of the 130 completed housed in the New Guinsaugon funded by the Australian Aid for International Development (AusAid).  He was accompanied by Australian Ambassador Tony Hely.

ANAD slams deceptive survey results

Press Release
By Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy
March 21, 2007

QUEZON CITY, Philippines  –  DECEPTIVE and UNREAL. OPINION or polled surveys results don’t reflect the true sentiment or choice of the people. Nevertheless, these are made pursuant to the propaganda campaign of the sponsoring client.

This is the reaction of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) to the latest Pulse Asia survey showing that the Maoist communist front partylists - - Bayan Muna and Gabriela; and together with the European communist – Akbayan, are currently leading 12 other party-list groups in the run-up towards the May 14 elections.

“1,800 respondents and mostly in Metro Manila do not clearly reflect the Filipino people’s choice. Yet survey outfits insist on conducting these to keep afloat their respective businesses and interests. Publishing these surveys, which is not reflective of the people’s true sentiments, only serves the bandwagon strategy of their campaign,” said Jun Alcover, ANAD national chairman.

It can be recalled that since 2005 until today, results from SWS and Pulse Asia survey groups reported a bleak picture of the country’s economy and political life. “Yet foreign investors and the country’s business community relentlessly stood by the government’s fiscal policy and programs resulting in the country’s economic turn-around,” Alcover pointed out.

Reacting to the possibility that survey results are designed to sway public opinion and sentiment against the government, Alcover said, “This is expected and that is the real motive behind all these surveys. But the awakened citizenry of the country already has made known its choice as they stayed away from communist inspired and orchestrated mass actions in Metro Manila and other major cities, in the country,” Alcover explained.

“The dwindling support of the Filipino people on these mass actions is very indicative of the people’s awakening and displeasure against the Maoist communist Bayan, Bayan Muna, Anak Pawis, Gabriela, Migrante, Suara, Kabataan party-list; the Marxist-Leninist’s Sanlakas, and Partido Manggagawa; and the European communist in Akbayan,” he said.

However, there is one aspect in the latest Pulse Asia survey that must not go unnoticed. Alcover pointed to the reported 11.9% of the survey’s respondents manifesting preference for Bayan Muna. “This is way below the l6% plus rating that Bayan Muna got from the SWS survey in February 2007. This means that the people are already aware and has manifested their distaste on the true character of these communist party-list organizations,” Alcover said.

“I call on these poll survey enthusiasts not fall onto the trap expertly laid out by the communist-terrorists. Instead, we should come up with a realistic survey, not necessarily rosy for the government but it must have to show the real perception and sentiments of majority of the Filipinos, not just a miniscule of the entire 85 million Filipino population,” Alcover quipped.

1 killed in Samar ambush

By ELI C. DALUMPINES (PIA Samar)
March 17, 2007

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  A police officer was killed after a group of armed men believed to be members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed a police car in Brgy. San Isidro, Sta. Rita town, some 70 kilometers south from Samar’s capital, Thursday.

The car was carrying a team of policemen, led by Calbayog City Police Chief Supt. Isaias Tonog, who were on their way to Tacloban City early morning Thursday when the car they were riding was hit landmines in the vicinity of Brgy. San Isidro at around 9:30 a.m.

Supt. Tonog, in an interview, said the armed men, who were lying in an ambush position, sprayed them with bullets right after the car hit the ground following the blast. That caused him and his men to jump off the car to take cover, he added.

The police identified the fatality as PO1 Bernagier Ben-Wadja, a PNP personnel detailed at the Samar Provincial Police Office (SPPO), who sustained gunshot wounds from a 60 cal. Machinegun used by the rebels.

The six other police escorts, however, suffered only minor injuries resulting from the ambush but a civilian fish vendor, who parked his motorcycle just a few meters away from where the bombs were planted to answer the call of nature, was seriously injured.

The Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion based in Calbiga town immediately dispatched a platoon of army soldiers to provide reinforcements but the communist rebels have already withdrawn from the site when they arrived.

Col. Jonathan G. Ponce, Commanding Officer of the 62nd IB, who was in Basey for the "Baktas Kabubuwason" Project, immediately proceeded to the ambush site to led his men in clearing the area. The army recovered from the site two landmines that the rebels failed to detonate.

Military authorities here condemned the act as barbaric and is in direct violation of the Geneva Convention for using explosives which can indiscriminately harm civilian targets.

PGMA lauded by Borongan populace

By ALICE NICART (PIA Borongan)
March 17, 2007

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  Bold streamers abound Friday (March 16) in Borongan public plaza shouting expressions of gratefulness to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the conversion of the town into a city.

More or less eight lengthy streamers dominate the perimeters of the plaza with President Arroyo’s name in prominence as though indicating the people’s jubilation for the new status of their town. In varied languages, "thank you very much", "damo nga salamat" and "maraming salamat po, mahal na Presidente" wrap around the entire plaza fence.

In an interview, Mayor Fidel Anacta clarified that at 12 o’clock Thursday night, the 30-day period for the conversion into a city has lapsed despite earlier oppositions from existing city mayors. He said further that it is now a surer thing that Borongan is another city in Region 8, other than Catbalogan and Baybay which were likewise passed by Congress for their conversion.

Anacta who almost stayed in Congress with some local lawmakers, while the cityhood was in progress, said that there were 26 town-applicants in all, later however, it was trimmed down to 24 … 18 … 14 … 13 … then 12; and what was amusing he said was the fact that Borongan consistently maintained its topmost rank over the other applicants. He said that Borongan has indeed met the cityhood criteria in income, population and land area aside from the full backing of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel who argued and stood firmly in favor for Borongan’s conversion.

Meanwhile, Anacta appealed for the people from all the 61 barangays of his town to vote "YES" comes Plebiscite which is set after the May 14 election. He told the people that at present the local government unit receives P58M IRA whereas, when it shall win in the Plebiscite, P263M will be given not to mention the local income it can generate from real property taxes quarrying and amusement taxes.

The third timer Mayor mentioned for his priority projects among others the transfer of municipal employees to a bigger building, thus the need for a bigger municipal building which will be dubbed therefore: Borongan City Hall. But in line are the additional teachers, acquisition of vehicles for environmental projects, heavy equipment for more road openings. It was mentioned that some P5M budget is needed for the conduct of the Plebiscite.

Leyte province releases P100M aid to 934 infra projects

By ROY MORALETA
March 17, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla has again carved an indelible mark of feat in the towns and barangays in Leyte with its nearly 100M financial assistance given for various infrastructure projects.

This resulted the construction of over 900 assortment of infrastructure projects such as daycare centers, barangay halls/ multi-purpose, barangay roads, concrete pavements, canals and pathways, water systems, street lighting installations, school facility repairs, basketball courts and several more small scale  infrastructure and livelihood projects in around 927 barangays.

Around 253 projects were accounted in the towns and barangays in the first districts including in the city of Tacloban. The district got nearly P25M of financial help from the provincial government.

In the second district, 228 barangays availed of the over P25.5M financial assistance distributed by the governor resulting the creation of around 254 various small scale infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, over 80 barangays of the five towns in the third district got over P9.3M assistance resulting to the construction of 91 various barangay projects.

The fourth district comprising of six municipalities has benefited over P9.1 M. Around 97 projects of various kinds were constructed in over 80 barangays.

The 9 towns of the fifth district benefited the highest amount with over P26.5M help it obtained from the generosity of the provincial government. Around 2398 various infra projects were constructed and completed in 232 barangays.

Although a first-termer governor that he is, Governor Icot as he is fondly known in the villages with his frequent visits has apparently made a wide raging feat province-wide reaching down to barangays and remote villages of Leyte.

The record accounts almost 65% of the 1641 barangays in Leyte to have been afforded help and needed services.

Grey cries political maneuvering over issuance of WOA

By ROMMEL L. RUTOR
March 16, 2007

CALBAYOG City, Samar  –  San Jorge town mayor Joseph “Jojo” Grey, a known congressional aspirant pitted against incumbent Congressman Reynaldo Uy of Samar’s first district cried political persecution over the recent decision of the Regional Trial Court Branch 32 presided by Judge Norberto Navidad based in this city, that issue a warrant of arrest against him on a murder case which was raffled off to the said court just a day before the arrest warrant was resolved.

Mayor Grey’s lead counsel Atty. Ernesto Peñaflor told that the murder case filed by the wife of Rolando Diocton was raffled-off in February 19, 2007 after Judge Rosario Bandal, the presiding judge covering the San Jorge, Gandara and Matuguinao area inhibited from the case based on the motion filed by the prosecution.

“And that is after the honorable Judge Bandal ruled that their case has no probable cause, and advised them to adduce more evidence but they did not, and they instead asked for the inhibition of Judge Bandal” Atty. Peñaflor told.

He added that with Judge Bandal’s inhibition, the murder case was raffled-off and subsequently went to the sala of Judge Navidad, “but because of our apprehension that the case will not get a fair trial with Judge Navidad, I immediately filed a motion for inhibition on February 20, 2006 with a prayer that my client’s petition be heard first considering that the case is a heinous offense, before any resolution be made over the murder case docketed in his sala” he said.

But Peñaflor was surprised when Judge Navidad immediately issued a warrant of arrest against his client dated February 20, 2006, only a day after it was raffled-off to his sala, allegedly without extending a clarificatory hearing to his client over the case despite of it being a grave offense, “which is the normal procedure, but I am not saying that what they did is not legal, but our point is that there was already a no-probable cause findings by the first judge who handled but incidentally inhibited from the said case and that should somehow caused for the new Judge to voluntarily obligate himself anchored on “dilicadeza” to re-study the case before executing a resolution to avoid public speculation of bias treatment, dire kay ginhatag pala sa imo yana an kaso, kinabuwasan may warrant na, and that is even on top of the motion for inhibition we filed on February 20 as well, which should have been taken first, because we are already questioning his capacity to give my client a fair trial”, he stressed.

Meanwhile, Nancy Grey, wife of Mayor Joseph Grey told that the “very” quick resolution of Judge Navidad over the case of her husband and the court’s inability to give Mayor Grey the chance to clarify some matters relative to the accusation in spite that another Judge already ruled that there was no probable cause in the said case, allegedly is a clear manifestation that political maneuvering exist in local courts.

“Kun sugad hine iton pamaagi hiton usa nga huwes, makalu-luoy ura-ura iton mga tawo nga inosente nga aakusahan hin mga sugad hine nga kaso” she told.

“I am appealing to the people of San Jorge and all those who believe in the innocence of Mayor Grey, that their leader will not stop in seeking justice against this form of political persecution”, Atty. Peñaflor added.

On the other hand, Mayor Grey disclosed earlier that he is ready to face the murder charges against him, but for the purpose of securing his safety from the threats against his life, he requested his Manila-based lawyer to ask the Supreme Court to change the venue of his case the day before the said case was raffled-off in this city.

Grey lamented that this is what he got for being an honest public servant, “Sakripisyo ito alam ko, anytime I can accede to their demand not to run for congressman come May elections, para lang i-urong nila ang kaso na gawa-gawa rin nila against me, but this will not stop me from giving-in to their demands, sinimulan nila ito tatapusin ko, just to deliver the Samareños from the tyranny of these politicians”, he stressed.