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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

What is happening to Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)?

Issue No. 1 – TRAVELS ABROAD which cost EVSU around 18 million.

November 2008 – Dr. Catalino Beltran, Mrs. Doris Espina, et al. spent 4 million to Malaysia.

November 2008 – Dr. Catalino Beltran, Mrs. Doris Espina, et al. spent another 4 million to Singapore.

January 2009 – Dr. Beltran, Dr. Dominador Aguirre, some members of the Board of Regents, including their wives spent 6 million to USA.

April – May 2010 – Dr. Belrtan, et al spent around 4 million to Malaysia, Singapore, & Taiwan.

There is money in going abroad but no funds available for faculty members and non – teaching employees attending a local or national siminar. They could have used this amount (18 million) to build class rooms. Lack of classrooms is the perennial problem of the university.

Issue No. 2 – Two (2) units of ROBOTICS (High Tech?) worth 43 million.

EVSU through Dr. Beltran purchase 1 unit of Robotics worth 21 million. Not contented? They purchased another unit of Robotics worth 22 million. A total of 43 million!

Nobody requisitioned this! For more than a year now these 2 units remain for display purposes only for nobody uses it even the students. What a waste of money? Where did you get this fund from the Engineering laboratory fee of Php. 500.00 per students per semester? Is this payable through an installment basis of 5 years?

Issue No. 3 – Metal Detector at the main gate (Over Priced) worth more than 100,000 pesos.

This is equipment is not a priority. This equipment is needed at the airport not in the campus. This is a waste of money! Why not used the money to purchase books?

Issue No. 4 – Renovation of the Executive House which is worth more than 5 million already. Still the project is half finished.

This is a renovation project and yet the cost is quite alarming as if they are constructing a new building. The cost as of this writing is more than 5 million pesos already. Why Executive House was given priority and not school building? We lack classrooms! You ask the faculty and the students.

Issue No. 5 – Donation of 7 units’ junk trucks from the Department of Agriculture for instruction purposes.

Where are they now? At the junk shop? Did you sell it at the junk shop? Where are the proceeds? How much? The Administrative Officer of the Regional Office No. 08 of the Department of Agriculture is the husband of Mrs. Doris Espina. Is there connivance and collusion in this transaction?

Issue No. 6 – Deduction of Php 100.00 from teaching & non – teaching staff is illegal.

Last December teaching and non – teaching employees were deducted an amount of Php 100.00 from their bonuses for landscaping purposes. No receipt was issued. There was no consultation about the deduction. Yet the administration can afford to deduct from the employees this amount of Php 100.00. The deduction is illegal. Where is the money now? Where is the project?

Issue No. 7 – Laboratory fee of Php 500.00 and Engineering laboratory fee of Php 500.00 collected every semester from the Engineering students.

Without proper consultation from the student, the administration was able to collect an amount of Php 500.00. A total of Php 1,000.00 laboratory fees being collected from the Engineering student per semester. What is the difference between the laboratory fee and the Engineering laboratory fee? This is a double charge for Engineering students. Is the Engineering laboratory fee collected is being used to pay the two (2) units of Robotics?

Issue No. 8 – Student Development Fund Fee of Php 500.00.

Aside from the laboratory fee of Php 500.00, and engineering laboratory fee of Php 500.00, all students are required to pay amount of Php 500.00 as students development Fund (SDF). This was first implemented in the Intermediate and Secondary students 6 years ago. Since there was no complaint from the parents, they experimented it in the College of education and College of Engineering three (3) years ago. Again, there was no complaint, so they implemented this across colleges for two (2) years now. The administration used their discretionary power in implementing this SDF without consulting the students. This is contrary to R.A. 8292.

Issue No. 9 – Multiple positions at EVSU

Dr. Catalino B. Belrtan aside from his position as University President of the main campus is also a Campus Director (OIC), at EVSU Tanauan campus for 4 years now. The distance is 18 kms. from the main campus. How can you manage/supervise your people? You are always out of the main campus for travel either in Manila or abroad. You also have teaching load at the Graduate School! Physically it is impossible right? But how do you manage it? This is very unique case study for students taking up Master in Management or Doctor Management. If we have distance learning perhaps we also have distance management.

Another very important person is Dr. Felixberto Avestrus, the Dean of the College of Business & Entrepreneurship (COBE) of the Main Campus and at the same time the Campus Director of EVSU, Burauen more or less 40 kilometers away from Tacloban City where the Main Campus is located. You have been in these two positions for three (3) years now. How do you manage your people? You have teaching load in the main campus and teaching load at the Burauen campus. Your students both at the Graduate School and in your college at the main campus are complaining that you seldom met them. Is this what we call quality education?

Another case is Dr. Dominador Aguirre. He is currently the Dean of the Graduate School and at the same time the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

We have a lot of this multiple positions; you ask the organizational chart of the University and you will find it for yourself.

Issue No. 10 – Monthly Allowance of the Members of the Board of Regents (BOR) retroactive – 13 years.

Aside from their honorarium of Five Thousand (Php 5,000.00) was it increased to Eight Thousand (Php 8,000.00) per board meeting? BOR will receive a monthly allowance retroactive 13 years. This is double compensation! Two members will receive more than 300,000.00 pesos. Who approves it? The BOR themselves? Is this not self – serving? Ang Kapal naman ng mukha ninyo! Huwag ng dagdagan ang mali! Tama na Sobra na!

These are the 10 deadly sins committed by Dr. Catalino B. Beltran and his cohorts!

Parents and taxpayers wake up! Visit our school and see for yourself. “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap”.

CONCERNED NON – TEACHING EMPLOYEES,
FACULTY, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI!

(June 15, 2010)

cc: Ombudsman – Visayas, CHED Commissioner, Regional Director of COA, CHED & NBI, newly elected President of the republic of the Philippines, Hon. Benigno Aquino III, Senate President, Hon. Juan Ponce Enrile, Speaker of the House, Hon. Prospero Nograles, Ramon Tulfo of PDI, Mike Enriquez, Imbestigador of GMA 7, Ted Failon, Patrol ng Bayan of ABS – CBN and the local media.

SOURCE: http://www.tourleyte.com/what-is-happening-to-easter-visayas-state-university-evsu.html

Monday, January 18, 2010

VG Bagulaya: SP institutionalizing system in the legislative house as legacy

TACLOBAN CITY – Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan are currently institutionalizing a system in the province’s legislative house which would be one of their landmark legacies when their terms end in 2012, said Vice Governor Mimiette Bagulaya.


Vice Governor Bagulaya was referring to the Legislative Tracking System (LTS)- a system of computerized process of archiving and safe- keeping of all ordinances which could also be easily drawn and accessed from the system when needed.


According to Bagulaya, this week, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) together with the members of the provincial legislative body, had conducted an initial presentation and orientation regarding the system as the first step, and on January 18 they will convene again for the next presentation of the next level and so on until the whole system has been introduced.


With today’s very advanced technology of computer systems, it would only take a keyword or two of the ordinance being searched -typed on search, and then the searched ordinance would come out from the database. This is a very fast way of locating any ordinance from the data base compared to the manual wherein “we have to go over bulky piles of pages,” Bagulaya said.


Unopposed in 2010


While other members of the provincial legislative body will be trying their luck in the coming May polls, Vice Governor Bagulaya is thankful that she is running unopposed (just like Gov. Jericho Petilla), saying this may be God’s reward for her dedication to work wherein she almost lost her life when she met a vehicular accident years back from an out-of-town session.


Bagulaya started leading the Leyte Provincial Board in 2004, who, through thick and thin, pushed for the legislative agenda of the province. For her last term she will continue what she has started to include a continued human resource management training among employees, team building for the betterment of service to the people, she said. (FRED PADERNOS)

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Comelec-8 now ready for voter’s education and info campaign

TACLOBAN CITY- The Commission on Elections in the region is now ready to conduct a voters’ education campaign as the May 10 general elections is drawing near.


Lawyer Jose Nick Mendros, acting regional director of the Comelec, said that their information campaign will kick off in Biliran starting this Monday.


From there, the information caravan will be held in the remaining provinces in the region, Mendros said during the weekly media forum “Express It At The Park” held at the Leyte Park Hotel.


Mendros underscored that the main purpose of the voters’ education that the Comelec will be undertaking is the “value of the vote” one cast and not really on the automation process.


“The purpose of the voters’ education is to inculcate on the value of the votes and not on the automation,” he said.


The forthcoming May 10 election will see the country staging its first ever fully automated elections.


And during the information caravan to be conducted by the commission, how the counting machine, dubbed as precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine, works will be demonstrated, the Comelec-8 director said.


Teachers who will be serving as members of the board of election inspectors will also be undergoing training, Mendros said.


Over 15,000 teachers are projected to serve as BEI during the May 10 elections.


It was learned from him that their office has already conducted an initial information drive before the members of the diocese of Borongan led by Monsignor Crispin Varquez last Jan.13.


For the region, there will be 5,323 PCOS machines that will be distributed to all polling precincts during the May 10 elections with each of the six provinces to be given a spare counting machine.


“And the number of ballot will be one is to one (voter). There will be no extra ballot,” Mendros said.


This early, Mendros assured the public that electoral fraud is far from happening considering that there will be less human intervention under the automated election system.


The Comelec regional director also said that to ensure that there will be a fair conduct of the elections, elections officers who have a relative up to fourth degree either by affinity or consanguinity will be reassigned to other areas.


An elections officer who also served for four years in the same locality will also be transferred to other area of assignment, Mendros said.


He, however, said that only “very few” will be affected by this impending movement of elections officers in the region. The region has about 143 elections officers.

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City gov’t allocates P8M for 2 road repairs

TACLOBAN CITY- The city government here has set aside P8 million for two road repair projects, one in V&G and one in San Jose District, set to be undertaken this coming March.


This was revealed by Executive Assistant Eduardo Manadong.


The city official disclosed that P4 million was earmarked for the repair of the road within the V&G Subdivision, while another P 4 million was set aside for the rehabilitation of the coastal road in Brgy. 89 (San Jose).


Manadong said that the city government decided to allocate a big amount for the two projects because of the extent of damage and disrepair of the two important city roads.


“The road within V&G is in bad condition because of many potholes, while the road in San Jose needs to be repaired because of the damage wrought on it by recent typhoons,” he pointed out.


According to him, the rehabilitation work on the V&G road would involve road reblocking and repair of damaged road sections.


“The aim is to repair the damage which has worsened through the years,” he stressed.


On the other hand, he disclosed that the rehab of the San Jose road would mainly involve the repair of typhoon-damaged portions.


“The purpose is to make the road safe for vehicle traffic,” he said.


According to Manadong, the two proposed road rehab projects, which are priorities of City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, will be implemented soon.


He said that they have calendared the two projects for bidding in the first week of February.


“Our target is to start implementing them in the first week of March,” he disclosed.


Meanwhile, Manadong revealed that the second phase implementation of the Women’s Shelter, an undertaking strongly pushed by City Councilor Cristina Gonzalez-Romualdez, is set to begin next month.


“The phase 1 implementation was already finished, and we are now on the second or completion phase,” he said.


According to him, the second phase, which has a budget allocation of P5 million, would involve finishing works, painting, and landscaping of the area around the building.


A priority of the city government, the Women’s Shelter is meant as a temporary shelter of abused and battered women from this city.


Based on the Project Plan, the to-be-completed Women’s Shelter would be a two-storey structure that would be big enough to accommodate 10 occupants. (CIO- JOSE RODRIGUEZ T. SEÑASE)

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21 arrested, 15 firearms confiscated in regionwide gun ban implementation

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte – Since the gun ban enforcement started last Jan. 10, the police authorities in the region has already arrested 21 persons with 15 firearms confiscated in random checkpoints.


Chief Supt. Drusillo Bolodo, police regional office 8 deputy regional director for administration, said three members of the military, one policeman and one who has already retired from the military service were among those who were caught violating the Comelec gun ban.


Bolodo said Samar province has the highest number with 8 persons arrested violating the gun ban including a military personnel with two firearms while in the province of Leyte three persons were arrested and one unlicensed firearm was confiscatd.


Four security guards were also arrested in random checkpoints in different areas in Eastern Samar, their firearms confiscated.


In Northern Samar, two persons including a PNP personnel were arrested and one bladed weapon was seized.


In Southern Leyte, one civilian including a retired AFP serviceman and two guns were confiscated by the PNP while in Biliran one person was arrested and one unlicensed firearm. In Tacloban City, two civilians were arrested to include an Army Corporal and two firearms.


Bolodo reiterated their sincere gun ban implementation all over the region simultaneous with checkpoints being installed in different areas.


“We are now on a full-swing gun ban enforcement in random checkpoints. We are happy with the public support in the gun ban, as we are looking toward achieving peaceful, credible 2010 elections and to control and stop the proliferation of unlicensed firearms, “ Bolodo explained.


The national government earlier announced that more than 10,000 policemen and soldiers were deployed across the country starting this Sunday in search of all types of firearms in municipalities and cities with the gun ban implementation in preparation for the May 2010 elections.


Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa said most of the security forces continued manning at least 3,500 checkpoints nationwide while others will conduct regular patrols, especially in the 558 towns and cities that have been identified as election hot spots.


“Most of the election-related violence in the previous elections were perpetrated through the use of firearms. We will try to make this year’s elections as peaceful and credible as possible through the strict implementation of the total gun ban that has been approved by the Commission on Elections,” Verzosa said .


Based on the guidelines approved by the Comelec, at least one checkpoint will be set up in each of the cities and municipalities across the country to be manned by policemen and soldiers under the supervision of poll officials.


Based on intelligence reports of the police and military, there are a total of 68 private armed groups (PAGs) all over the country, 25 of them in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Police officials in this region, however, has yet to reveal how many PAGs there are in Region 8 presently being monitored by the PNP.


Only members of law enforcement agencies and PNP-accredited private security agencies that will be tapped as escorts of candidates are allowed to carry guns but with a condition that they should be in uniform.


Bolodo also confirmed to this paper that PRO-8 regional headquarters continues to receive more request for security details of candidates but standard process and validation are still being done. (MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA)

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

SWS survey: 1 in 4 Filipino families claims to be hungry - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

SWS survey: 1 in 4 Filipino families claims to be hungry - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

Pacquiao Mayweather Megafight: YES? Or NO?

The much anticipated MEGAFIGHT between the pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacqiuao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. A YES? Or a NO?



The representatives of both teams agreed that they will appear today, at the office of the retired federal judge ,Daniel Weinstein, in Santa Monica, California to resolve the ongoing hot issues between the two camps.



“We’re going into mediation,” according to Top Rank boss Bob Arum when interviewed by ESPN.com


“This guy (Weinstein) was successful resolving our nutty problem before and hopefully he can be successful this time. He’s a guy who is a big fight fan and loves the sport, and I found him last time to be delight to deal with. Everybody did,” Arum added.


“After discussions with representatives of all parties I am satisfied that the parties are approaching the mediation in good faith,” he said. “Neither side is insisting on pre-

conditions to its participation in the mediation, and both sides will present their positions in an effort to resolve the dispute.”


The representative of Mayweather Jr. is the owner of GBP,Oscar De La Hoya, together with GBP CEO Richard Schaefer.


We just hope that everything will be fine and successful so that the March 13 Pacquiao Mayweather MEGAFIGHT will push through.


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  2. Pacquiao vs Mayweather Fight Canceled

  3. Pacquiao to Sue Mayweather

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Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2010 Winners


Pajo Elementary School & Tayud National High for Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2010.



Again the defending champion of the previous year, bagged the first (1st) place of yesterday’s (January 9, 2010) Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan Competition at Cebu City Sports Center.



For the Elementary Division:



  • 1st    Pajo Elementary School of Lapu-Lapu City

  • 2nd  Santa Filomena Elementary School from Alegria

  • 3rd   North City Central Elementary School from west Toledo City.

  • 4th   Cambanay Elementary School of Danao

  • 5th   Bogo City Elementary School of Bogo City


Under High School Division:






  • 1st   Tayud National High School  from Consolacion

  • 2nd  Carcar National High School from Carcar City

  • 3rd  Talisay City National High School & Lawaan National High School

  • 4th  Toledo National and Vocational High School from Toledo

  • 5th  Naga National High from Naga City


Pajo Elementary School Repeat Performance: video of byahilo.com



For best in Costume for both Division, it was grabbed by Tayud National School and Pajo Elementary School with the prize of Php20K.


First Prize Winner received Php 150k followed by php100k for the 2nd placer. 3rd placer = Php75K, 4th placer = Php50K and 5th placer = Php25K.


Today, (January 10, 2010) is the competition for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan participated by the different Schools in Cebu City.


For more of the Sinulog Activities visit here.


Congratulations! Pit Señor!


photo source: Enrico_Dee’s flicker


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Related posts:

  1. Sinulog 2010: Schedule of Activities

  2. Miss Cebu 2010 Candidates: Sinulog 2010

  3. Sinulog 2009 Schedule of Activities

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Monday, January 11, 2010

The Whalesharks of Southern Leyte

The first “expedition” is total chaos, with everybody moving to the front of the boat to take a better look at the moving creature on the water – so huge, fearsome and mysterious.

The distinctive fins silhouetted on the horizon make everybody jittery, but in a few minutes, we were treated to a rare marquee performance, caught on videotape, of the biggest fishes of the world – the whale sharks of Southern

Leyte!


We first saw them during the summer of 1993 while establishing the fish sanctuary in Tabugon, Liloan, Southern Leyte. The large dorsal fins jutting out the water’s surface make tingling sensations on our spine. We were novice divers then.


Long before the whalesharks in Donsol, Sorsogon made international headlines, the whalesharks of Southern Leyte had long been ordinary fare for small fishermen in Tabugon, Tagbak and Amaga in Liloan. People have gotten used to them that young boys ride on their backs as they scour for planktons along the village shores.


Now more than a thousand dives or so later, we are more than ready to dive and “shoot” Rhyncodon typus, popularly known locally as “Iho-tiki”. They are back as they normally do every year. But we have noticed that they are increasing in numbers and sizes – some as large as L300 Mitsubishi vans and may reach 40 feet or more.


On this particular dive, we are unsure if they will appear at all because it is raining. No sun, no whaleshark, it seems that way. We hold out our patience and repaired to nearby Puy-ao Islet in Tagbak for some brewed native coffee.


After a few cups to awaken our dampened spirits, the skies clear up. We immediately rev up the engine and cruise directly to the sanctuary. We commissioned two outrigger canoes manned by young schoolboys. They are as excited as we are upon seeing the black spotted dorsal fins of our quarry.


Almost immediately after reaching the vicinity, they start circling around us. We lost count how many are within our midst. Maybe five, eight or perhaps more. In quick successions, they make their presence felt, surfacing from our left or right side.


We got confused where to look first. The boys giggle with delight. We do not normally use scuba equipment to swim with these gentle giants. Touching them or splashing on the surface could disturb them and drive them away. But on this particular dive, we wanted to get as much footage as we can underwater, so we donned our scuba gears as we soon will experience the dive of a lifetime.


As we descended, one by one, these huge fishes make a pass right before us. We can clearly make out large school of remoras, paying lip service to their mobile master.


Our videoman has his hands full covering this first-rate wildlife show. My dive companions seem to be shouting with joy. We knelt on the sand and waited. But it did not take long, as we were treated to an “air show of B52’s”

As we looked up, they continue to swirl swiftly around us in amazing grace. So amazing that we forgot how long we had been underwater.


It is basically a very shallow dive, but what makes it so special is that Southern Leyte, besides Donsol, is the only other area in the Philippines where whalesharks congregate in big numbers. The whalesharks in Southern Leyte are simply at home in Sogod Bay.


Dag, our dive companion, signals that more is forthcoming. They showed no sign of letting up. We immediately spotted a thirty-footer on our left and decided to go near. What followed will remain one of the most memorable moments in that dive.

As we near the shark, a two-meter manta ray suddenly appears and steals the show. Right before our very eyes, it makes a continuous reverse somersault, feeding on the planktons that whalesharks also feed upon. Now, to see a living manta in its element is simply awesome, and pacified our fears of their ultimate

demise.


We very well know that mantas, locally known as “sanga” or “pantihan”, are currently being “massacred” along Surigao Strait for their meat, which are them exported. Currently, the slaughter of whalesharks and mantas are deemed illegal and punishable under a Fisheries Administrative Order.


We are nearing the end of our dive. As we start our ascent, the whalesharks made one last pass before us and swam towards the depths of Sogod Bay.


Whaleshark Watch Advisory:


There is no 100% guarantee to spot a whaleshark in Sogod Bay. It takes proper timing, good weather, and a huge amount of luck to see one. Patience is the name of the game. The best time to see whalesharks in Southern Leyte is April and May.

Beside Liloan, recent sightings confirm that whalesharks actually are all over Sogod Bay. They were spotted in Napantaw Fish Sanctuary in San Francisco, as well as in Limasawa, Malitbog, Libagon, Sogod, Pintuyan ( Son-ok Fish Sanctuary) and even as far as San Ricardo.

More recently, local laws were passed to regulate whaleshark watching activities.


About the Author:


Mr. Rio Cahambing recently resigned from the government to pursue a small private enterprise. He was the former OIC- Tourism Operation Officer for Southern Leyte. During his 12 years in government service, he has surveyed most of the province’s reef areas, and established more the 16 fish sanctuaries, most of them in Sogod Bay.

In his spare time, he writes about interesting places and diving in Southern Leyte to help promote the province as an ecotour destination.

For more information about whalesharks and diving in Southern Leyte, email the author diverio_2000@yahoo.com





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Tacloban water system project to be started this week

TACLOBAN CITY- The implementation of the planned water system project for the City of Tacloban will start beginning this week.


Executive Assistant Eduardo Manadong in an interview Wednesday said that major parts of the project have already been bidded out and are set for implementation in the next few days.


“Private contractors that have won bids to implement the project’s major components are just waiting for the Notice to Proceed,” he said.


According to the city official, these major components are the improvement of water system in Basper with a budget of P 5.2 million; construction of water system in Sta. Elena worth P 3.5 million; putting up of water system in Upper Nula-tula; drilling of deep wells in three different sites in Cabalawan at a projected cost of P 6 million; construction of P 12 million water impounding dam in Palanog; and improvement of water system in Brgy. 60-A with a budget of P358,000.


“Those are the project’s major components. There remain a few minor project components that will be implemented later on,” Manadong disclosed.


Manadong said that once the project will be completed Taclobanons can expect a workable water system.


“The target is to finish the entire project by the end of March,” he stressed.


Manadong explained that the city government decided to undertake the project because of the continuing “failure” of the provincial government-run Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD) to adequately supply water to the city, especially the northern barangays.


According to him, residents of the 14 villages in the north will be the number one beneficiaries of the proposed project once it is finished.


The 14 barangays in the north are Palanog, Paglaum, Camansihay, Bagacay, Picas, San Roque, Sta. Elena, Cabalawan, Sto. Niño, San Isidro, New Kawayan, Old Kawayan, Salvacion, and Tagpuro.


“The project is primarily intended for people in the northern barangays, but it doesn’t mean that other areas in the city will not benefit from it. People in the Downtown area and other villages outside the north will also get their own supply of water through water tankers,” Manadong said.


“Though not a long-term solution, we, in the city government, are optimistic that the water supply problem will be somehow eased once the water system project will be completed,” he added.


A priority of City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the water system project was given a budget allocation of P50 million, it was learned. (CIO- JOSE RODRIGUEZ T. SEÑASE)





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Communication studes engage in tree planting

TACLOBAN CITY – Some 40 AB Communication students of Leyte Normal University had rolled up their sleeves and initiated their “quickest and easiest” response to combat serious environmental threats like global warming for the year 2010 by planting more than 120 seedlings of mahogany trees at the Mt. Manobo yesterday morning.


Despite the rain downpour and prevalent mud, the students were able to plant all the mahogany seedlings with the hope that it would later help solve the present problems of the environment.


Denise Mendoza, one of the ABCom students who participated in the tree planting, stressed that this would help reduce the effects of global warming and other environmental threats.


“We know that trees are necessary to prevent, if not lessen the impacts of climate change. That is why we are doing this tree planting to help our environment and safeguard ourselves from environmental harm,” she said.


The students who participated in the tree planting activity walked barefooted in the muddy road to the planting site for about half an hour from the national road.


Although small in number, they are hoping that some students and youth would also initiate actions for environmental protections and participate in re-greening the environment through several tree planting activities in their respective schools and places.


Furthermore, the Manobo tribe promised to the students that they will care and look after the planted trees and occasionally guard them against some factors for it will be themselves who would benefit.


Earlier this year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources declared that more trees should be planted for 2010 to offset pollution and curb the effects of climate change in the country.


“This effort is already a response to the call of the department,” the students said.


Meanwhile, it was learned that the DENR has expressed its support to those who are willing to plant trees by giving free tree seedlings in sustaining the integrity of the environment and for a greener 2010. (ALVIN P. CARDINES)





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DTI-8 freezes tour plan due to coming elections

TACLOBAN CITY – The plan to send the regional winners of the Best One Town One Product (OTOP) performers and at least 26 municipal mayors in Eastern Visayas for a tour in Japan has been temporarily suspended, a DTI 8 official said.


This, according to Bimbo Tan, regional OTOP coordinator, is to avoid doubts relating to politics and criticisms of the media especially that the plan coincides with the election time.


“We had set aside the plan of sending the OTOP winners and mayors to Japan for an educational tour because it might create an issue on politics,” Tan informed.


The idea to send the regional OTOP winners and 26 municipal chief executives was conceived in September this year during the Eastern Visayas OTOP Congress and Financing Forum in this city.


Tan said that if the plan will be pursued, the project proposal will then be sent to the Congress under the Micro-Enterprises and Development Committee, which is chaired by Leyte First District Cong. FM Romualdez.


The DTI official pointed out that it was Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras who told him that the plan is not properly calendared.


“Ma’am Nierras told me na mali ang timing namin. Just imagine that we will be endorsing 26 municipal heads from different local government units, so we might be criticized kasi malapit na ang election,” Tan stressed.


However, Tan said that this does not mean that the plan will not be realized anymore.


“We will send them after the election period and we will see to it that everything is properly settled,” he declared.


The purpose of the tour is to let the regional winners and local government officials experience and understand how OTOP works in Japan where it originally started and what makes their program successful.


The regional winners during the OTOP Congress were the local government of Guiuan, Eastern Samar that was named as the Best LGU OTOP Implementer, Lola Concordia Agri Processing, Inc. of Bato, Leyte as the Best OTOP Small Medium Enterprise (SME), and the DOST Samar Provincial Office as the Best OTOP supportive agency.


The One Town One Product is primarily a Philippine adaptation of Japan’s successful One Village One Product (OVOP) project to maximize the total participation of the people in the regional development of their country. (ALVIN P. CARDINES)





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Thursday, January 7, 2010

20 die in EV last year due to weather disturbances

TACLOBAN CITY — About 20 people died while tens of millions of pesos worth of properties were destroyed due to weather disturbances that hit the region last year.


This was based on the report of the regional office of the Office of Civil Defense, which listed nine tropical depressions that hit the region in 2009.


These weather disturbances resulted in the death of 20 people and damaged properties and agriculture worth P40.5 million across the region, the OCD-8 report revealed.


And out of the nine tropical depressions that hit the region in 2009, it was “Auring” which caused so much damage in terms of lives lost.


“Auring,” which unleashed her fury last January 4, 2009 in the region, resulted to the death of 16 persons —10 in Northern Samar and six in Eastern Samar. It also resulted in the destruction of agricultural products worth P8.2 million and P2.5 million worth of various infrastructures, both in Eastern Samar province.


“Auring” had also resulted in the displacement of 29,770 families or 171,291 individuals in the two Samar provinces.


However, in terms of damages to properties, “Jolina” caused much destruction, the same OCD report revealed.


An estimated P18 million worth of infrastructures in Northern Samar were destroyed due to “Jolina” which hit said province last August 2, 2009, the OCD report added.


Aside from “Auring” and “Jolina,” Eastern Visayas was visited by “Bising” last February 13, “Crising” on April 30, “Dante” on May 3, “Feria on June 23, “Labuyo” on Sept.4, “Pepeng” on October 2 and “Urduja” which hit some parts of the region on Nov.24.


All these weather disturbances were not strong enough to cause much havoc in areas affected.


In sum, the nine weather disturbances that hit the region last year affected 43,523 families representing 241,032 individuals, the OCD-8 report added.


Eastern Visayas is considered a “typhoon belt” wherein tropical depressions or typhoons hit the region, said Anthony Sanchez of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather station based in Tacloban.


“That is why, it is normal for the region to be visited by several typhoons. Some are strong, some are weak,” Sanchez said.


He said that based on their forecast for the year, the country is projected to be hit by 19 weather disturbances and at least 12 of them are to hit Eastern Visayas.

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Leyte prov’l gov’t to continue providing financial aid to hospitals

TACLOBAN CITY – Even as full operation and control has already been given to the local government of Kananga of the Kananga Municipal Hospital, the said facility would still be receiving financial aid from its former possessor – the provincial government of Leyte.


With this, the hospital fully turned over to the Kananga LGU in September received anew financial assistance from the province amounting to P875, 000 for the third quarter of this year.


According to Kananga Mayor Elmer Codilla, though the province has relinquished its management and operation of the former community hospital, the provincial government through Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla has committed to provide assistance to the hospital for a period of five years, which at such point would be enough time for the LGU to be financially stable for its operations.


To recall, after many negotiations and convincing from the governor this year, Mayor Codilla finally gave his nod for the LGU to handle the management of the said community hospital against the alternative option of full closure since the said facility has not been earning much to support its own operations.


“We looked for means to continue the operation of the hospital so that we can still provide a decent health facility for people from the western part of the province,” Mayor Codilla said.


It was learned the KMH gets an average of 46 patients a day and on peak days such as Mondays, patients can number up to 98 a day.


In 1991, the government introduced a major devolution of national government services, which included the first wave of health sector reform through the introduction of the Local Government Code of 1991. The Code devolved basic services to include health services, among others, to local government units.


With the devolution of health services to LGUs, provincial governments oversee provincial and district hospitals, while the municipal governments manage rural health units (RHUs) and barangay (village) health stations.


During his first term, Gov. Petilla implemented a hospital improvement plan to make the district hospitals under the province’s wings independent and self-sustaining; however, some of these hospitals remain non-performing costing the province more by subsidizing its operations.


For some LGUs, the decentralization process have been favorable, especially those LGUs which are resource-rich.


Gov. Petilla said closing the hospitals, however, weighed heavily in the government’s thrust to provide health care especially with 70% of the community hospitals clientele belonging to the low-income level.


Aside from turning over the community hospital to the Kananga LGU, the provincial government has also provided it with a financial assistance of P3.5 million to rehabilitate some of its existing facilities and services. (AHLETTE C. REYES)

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Foreigners, tourists to report to BI within first 60 days of this year

TACLOBAN CITY- All permanent foreigner residents to include tourists who arrived in the country on or before Nov. 1 of last year must report to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) office within the first 60 days of 2010.


Milagros Repulda, alien control officer, told Leyte Samar Daily Express that pursuant to Sec. 20 of the Alien Registration Act of 1950, all aliens covered therein are directed to report in person to the BI office located at the City Engineer’s compound along Justice Romualdez Street here. A report fee for 2010 in the amount of P300 will be collected from them.


Repulda further said that aliens who are 14 years of age and below and those aged 65 and above may be represented by their parents, legal guardians or legal representatives in complying with the above mentioned act.


Concerned aliens who would opt to be represented by a travel agent, broker or liaison officer, an amount of P500 as Express Lane Fee shall be charged in addition to the annual report and legal research fee, adding further that travel agent broker or liaison officer must present the original ACR I Card of the subject alien and a duly notarized special power of attorney (SPA) executed for such purpose, Repulda said.


Repulda clarified further that this is the Bureau of Immigration’s process of accounting all aliens in the region for proper documentation and monitoring. (FRED PADERNOS)

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Leyte Province Candidates





























































































































































































































































































Name of Candidates


NicknamePolitical Party
FOR GOVERNOR

1. PETILLA, Carlos Jericho L.IcotLakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR VICE-GOVERNOR

1. BAGULAYA, Ma. Mimietta S.MimyetLiberal Party

FOR CONGRESSMAN (1st District)

1. CLEMENCIO, Feliciano B.FielIndependent
2. ROMUALDEZ, Ferdinand Martin G.FMLakas-Kampi-CMD
FOR CONGRESSMAN (2nd District)

1. ALVERO, Ashley A.-Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino
2. APOSTOL, Sergio Antonio F.SergingLakas-Kampi-CMD
3. BALDERIAN, Rustico B.TotiPDSP
4. HIDALGO, Alberto N.Abet HidalgoLiberal Party
5. LAWSIN, Bartolome C.TomeIndependent
6. SORO, Von Kaiser P.BongIndependent
7. TRIMOR, Pastor Jr. J.PatBangon Pilipinas Party
FOR CONGRESSMAN (3rd District)

1. PELIPEL, Paquito Jr. D.PPIndependent
2. PFLEIDER, Edwin A.BebotLiberal Party
3. SALVACION, Andres Jr. D.AndyLakas-Kampi-CMD
4. VELOSO, Eduardo K.Ed LiningNacionalista Party

FOR CONGRESSMAN (4th District)

1. CODILLA, Eufrocino Jr. C.WinnieLakas-Kampi-CMD
2. GOMEZ, Richard I.GomaLiberal Party
3. TAGOLINO, Silverio R.BerioIndependent

FOR CONGRESSMAN (5th District)

1. CARI, Jose Carlos L.BoyingLakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR BOARD MEMBER (1st District)

1. BAÑEZ, Venancio Jr. A.DodongLakas-Kampi-CMD
2. BRAZIL, Proto Jr. Q.TotyNPC
3. GO-SOCO, Ma. Lourdes A.MalouLakas-Kampi–CMD
4. JOMADIAO, Edwin B.EdwinIndependent
5. TIU, Roque A.OKLiberal Party
6. YU, Renato CRenatoIndependent

FOR BOARD MEMBER (2nd District)

1. APOSTOL, Anlie G.EbbieLakas-Kampi-CMD
2. DELA CRUZ, Joaquin Ashley A-Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino
3. ONGBIT, Simeon Jr. O.TamboyPDSP
4. VILLASIN, Niccolo J.NIcoLakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR BOARD MEMBER (3rd District)

1. LELIS, Arcadio B.CardingNacionalista Party
2. OCUBILLO, Merlou O.LotPwersa ng Masang Pilipino
3. OCUBILLO, Romulo R.G.M. MollyPwersa ng Masang Pilipino
4. PATES, Pedro Jr. A.SupremoPwersa ng Masang Pilipino
5. PIAMONTE, Rolando C.LandoLakas-Kampi-CMD
6. REMANDABAN, Bernard Jonathan M.BenjoLakas-Kampi-CMD
7. SALVACION, Andres Nautilus P.BoyenPDSP

FOR BOARD MEMBER (4th District)

1. BERTULFO, Deborah G.EbonLakas-Kampi-CMD
2. JABILLES, Antonio C.TonyLakas-Kampi-CMD
3. LARRAZABAL, Mario E.MarLiberal
4. LAURENTE, Reynaldo S.ReneNPC
5. REYES, Juanito V.DodongLiberal Party

FOR BOARD MEMBER (5th District)

1. CAYUNDA, Florante Jr. A.Jun JunLakas-Kampi-CMD
3. LORETO, Carlo P.OpanLakas-Kampi-CMD

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Palo, Leyte Candidates






























































































































































Name of Candidates


NicknamePolitical Party
FOR MAYOR

1. PETILLA, Remedios L.MatinLiberal Party
2. SEVILLA, Teodoro M.TeddyLakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1. DOLINA, Jose C.JoeLiberal Party
2. MILITANTE, Rolando V.RollyLakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR SANGGUNIANG BAYAN MEMBER

1. ACEDILLO, Francisco G.FrankLakas-Kampi-CMD
2. AGNER, Ciriaco Jr. D.JunieLiberal Party
3. AMOYLEN, Cesar M.CesarPwersa ng Masang Pilipino
4. BARBOSA, Deodorico S.DeodyPwersa ng Masang Pilipino
5. CAYACO, Raul F.BebotLakas-Kampi-CMD
6. DE VEYRA, Sara A.SaraLiberal Party
7. DEL PILAR, Noniluna K.NoniePwersa ng Masang Pilipino
8. DIAMANTE, Rodolfo B.AudieLakas-Kampi-CMD
9. ESTOYA, Sotero Jr. D.JunLakas-Kampi-CMD
10. ILAGAN, Raul M.RaulLakas-Kampi-CMD
11. LEJARDE, Rey Anthony YuReyLiberal Party
12. MONTEJO, Ramon M.MonchingLakas-Kampi-CMD
13. MONTEJO, Rogelio T.ElyotPwersa ng Masang Pilipino
14. NALDA, Myra V.MyLiberal Party
15. PARADO, Casimero D.CasmerLakas-Kampi-CMD
16. REPOSAR, Ronnan Christian M.BolinglingLiberal
17. ROCA, Aaron H.BoycieIndependent
18. ROCA, Carlos Jr. P.LitosLakas-Kampi-CMD
19. SABOREN, Epimaco M.EpiIndependent
20. SALES, Trinidad Jr. R.JunLiberal Party
21. UY, Wilson S.SonuyLiberal Party
22. YU, Jaime H.MikieLiberal Party
23. ZABALA, Paolo Y.PaokIndependent

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Cristina inducts MCH MODAT

Tacloban City – City Councilor Cristina Gonzalez – Romualdez led the oath-taking ceremony of a 45-member association of motor cab for hire (MCH), which branded themselves as Motor cab-for-hire Operators and Drivers Association of Tacloban (MODAT) at the function hall of Redemptorist church.


Stressing the necessity of organized and disciplined tricycle drivers, Councilor Romualdez assured of high regard from her office whichever the association felt helping them.


“I am proud of you drivers that you are exerting these efforts of organizing yourselves of which I’m sure is a great help to the transport development intervention of the city. As you all know the mayor (Alfred) is doing his best to regulate and decongest the city traffic, so thank you for in a way you already are helping him,” Romualdez elaborated.


During a personal interview with LSDE, the councilor stressed further that she is not merely representing her office but also representing in behalf of the city mayor. When asked if she always do things like inducting officers of an association in behalf of the city mayor, the councilor disproves. “As a city councilor I have activities not related to the office of the mayor. But being his wife, I have to take charge some of his functions.”


On the other hand, Romualdez vehemently reacted on the issue of political dynasty which is associated to her in-laws, the Romualdezes. “It is true that there is the “4 R” issue. It is Martin, Alfred, I and my father-in-law (Bejo). That is the perception of some segment of politics and we have no control about it. But I think the issue here is whether they are qualified or not. Can they deliver what is expected to by the constituents or not? The Romualdezes have tracked records that cannot be denied. Haven’t they contributed development in their respective area of concern,”? she asked.


Meanwhile, the associations’ president Judy Torres pointed out the help supposed to be extended by the Mayor’s office. One of the very vital certification comes from the Tricycle Regulatory Unit (TRU) which is under the Mayor’s Office. “We want to get this paper as soon as possible for it is one of the requirements of our loan application at the Postal Bank. That’s what we want to ask for help with Councilor Romualdez. I hope she soon will provide us the certification,” Torres reiterated.


Also present during the occasion were Councilor Pax Pacanan, who represented the committee on accreditation of the city council. The said accreditation is a pre-requisite for the certification of the mayor. The councilor lectured on the accreditation process at the city council. “It is not difficult acquiring such paper, for as long as you have registration from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), you can accredit your association,” Pacanan disclosed. (GERARDO V. ACABA)

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Leyte, China’s Hubei province forge MOA on bilateral exchange and friendly cooperation

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Leyte and China ’s Hubei province formally signed the Memorandum of Agreement recently that would bolster bilateral exchange and friendly cooperation between the two provinces.


The Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Leyte through Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla and the province of Hubei through Secretary Lou Qingquan, the Secretary of Hubei Party Committee at the Governor’s Hall of the Provincial Capitol.


The MOA contains the guidelines for the fulfillment of the sisterhood between Leyte and Hubei, which was entered into in February 2004 during the term of then Governor Remedios ‘Matin” Petilla.


Hubei Province and Leyte Province signed the Agreement on the Establishment of Friendly Relations on February 2004. Since the establishment of relations, one of the biggest projects the two provinces have undertaken then was a proposed hydro-power generation project that has been in the pipeline between Hubei and Leyte since 2004.


Hubei itself boasts a number of large and medium-sized hydropower stations – the Gezhouba, Danjiangkou, Geheyan, Hanjiang, Duhe, Huanglongtan, Bailianhe, Lushui and Fushui. In addition, some thermal power stations have been built in Wuhan , Jingmen, Huangshi and some other places in recent years.


Its important agricultural products include cotton, rice, wheat, and tea, while industries include automobiles, metallurgy, machinery, power generation, textiles, foodstuffs and high-tech commodities.


In the agreement signed recently with Leyte province, it is provided that there would be promotion of substantial exchanges in a variety of fields such as culture and business, turning the loose friendship relation closer to a sister bond as soon as possible.


The agreement also provides for a regular high level visit system between the two provinces where officials and representatives can be regularly sent to the areas for bilateral exchanges as well as formulate a fixed working mechanism to achieve the goals of the sisterhood agreement.


Leyte is among the 24 cities and provinces which the Chinese country has forged bilateral relations with.


It can be recalled that China and the Philippines established diplomatic relations and in over 34 years the China-Philippines relations in general have attained a smooth development, and also remarkable achievements in all areas of bilateral cooperation. (AHLETTE C. REYES)

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2009: A Year in Review

TACLOBAN CITY- It was a roller-coaster ride for Eastern Visayas for the year that is about to end.


The Manila office of the Commission on Human Rights took notice on the occurrence of extra-legal killings in Samar province, among the victims were a town mayor (Carlos de la Cruz of Matuguinao town) and a Catholic priest (Father Cecilio Lucero), and directed both the police and the Army to conduct immediate solution to these killings which has made Eastern Visayas one with the highest ELK incidents in the country.


Clashes between the military and the rebel group, the New People’s Army, continue this year with the military officials admitting that the insurgency in the region could only be reduced into an “inconsequential level” and not to totally quell them as directed by President Macapagal-Arroyo by 2010.


The influenza A (H1N1) cases in the region had become so alarming that classes, particularly schools based in Tacloban, were suspended for weeks with the city council of Baybay placing a village under a state of emergency. Close to 900 persons were confirmed either to have been afflicted or suspected to be carriers of the virus.


While the region’s palay production has dropped by four percent from the projected production of about 1.5 million metric tons due to infestations and calamities, the Department of Agriculture in the region insisted that Eastern Visayas remains to be a rice-sufficient region.


It was in this year that Eastern Visayas, Leyte in particular, officially joined the business processing outsourcing industry with the opening of the APAC Customer Services Inc. hiring in the process close to a thousand young people. The management was said to be planning for expansion operations which means additional employment.


The region had its first shopping mall in this year which also provided thousands of workers.


Two government-initiated projects, the CLEEP (Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program) and Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Service), have also resulted to employment of thousands of people, albeit even for only a limited time.


However, the global economic meltdown has also resulted for hundreds of overseas workers from the region to return without jobs. The government, through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, had provided them with a new lease on life by extending financial assistance.


Weather disturbances brought about by the fast changing weather condition has resulted to destruction of properties and infrastructures reaching to over billions of pesos and loss of several lives.


However, the issue on climate change has apparently sinked in to the consciousness among local leaders with some of them adopting measures to combat climate change. The provincial government of Eastern Samar, for one, involved about 300 young people as its “ambassadors on climate change”, teaching their respective communities the ill effects of wanton destruction of the environment and how to combat its degradation.


And where before the annual “Earth Hour,” staged every March just passes without public involvement, this year was a different case. Both the public and private sectors joined in staging the meaningful event by putting off their power even only for some minutes, cooling the environment even only for some time.


With less impact but nevertheless worth telling that happened in the region in 2009 include the holding of the Palarong Pambansa after 25 years since the region first hosted the annual sporting event; the inauguration of the P1.0 billion Agas-Agas Bridge in Southern Leyte at 85 meters in height is considered to be the highest concrete bridge in the entire country; the conversion-finally- of three towns into cities(Baybay in Leyte, Catbalogan in Samar and Borongan in Eastern Samar), increasing the number of cities into seven in the region and the discovery and recovery of prohibited drugs cocaine in the waters of Eastern Samar valued close to P700 million.


And as the Filipinos to troop to their polling precincts in 2010, over 3,700 candidates across the region- some new, some old and some “recycle”- filed their certificates of candidacy promising again that they are the right people to answer the problems of their constituents. ( JOEY A. GABIETA)

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500 supporters of Gen. Danilo Lim conduct vigil before Comelec

TACLOBAN CITY- Close to 500 supporters of Brigadier General Danny Lim conducted a vigil before the Commission on Elections regional office here to show their support and at the same ask the COMELEC to reverse the earlier disqualification of senatorial candidate Lim.


The groups coming from the transport group, Magdalo and Philippine Guardians Incorporated Eastern Visayas chapter bearing its banner “Let Danny Lim run for senator, “Give peace a chance” are among of the message they would like to give to Comelec officials.


Edwin Yao, president of Friends of Danny Lim in the region during the four hours vigil, appealed to the COMELEC, saying that if Lim has no money or logistics to finance his candidacy, they have people and supporters to back him up.


“If that’s the perception of COMELEC that Lim has no money to shoulder the expenses during the campaign, we are here to give the full support to Lim’s candidacy,” Yao said.


The COMELEC en banc is scheduled to release the final order of the appeal regarding the disqualification case against Lim.


Labor party-list group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) earlier declared its opposition to the Comelec’s disqualification of senatorial candidate Danny Lim.


The group revealed that it is considering launching mass actions to protest Lim’s disqualification. “Danny Lim is not a decoration in this election; he is instead a decorated officer. While Danny Lim is not a candidate of the elite, he is the leader of the elite group of the armed forces.


Supporters of Lim have simultaneously conducted vigil in the different parts of the country asking the Comelec to reverse the decision declaring Lim as nuisance candidate.


The Liberal Party is marshalling its forces to save the senatorial candidacy of renegade Gen. Danilo Lim who has been disqualified by the Commission on Elections.


The Liberal Party said the poll body’s decision to disqualify the former Army general was unfair and unjustified because he has been included in the party’s senatorial slate.


They disputed the Comelec’s argument that Lim, who is under military detention on rebellion charges, is incapable of waging a nationwide campaign.


“In 2007, the LP was recognized by no less than the Comelec itself as the dominant minority party. How then can Danny Lim be incapable of conducting a nationwide campaign if he has been included in the slate of the dominant opposition party? The Comelec must reverse its ruling and allow Danny Lim to run for the Senate,” said Senator Francis Pangilinan, campaign manager for the Liberal Party’s senatorial ticket.


The LP general campaign manager Florencio “Butch” Abad explained that Lim originally filed his candidacy only as a guest candidate of the LP.


But Lim officially joined the LP which should have the effect of curing doubts about the viability of his senatorial bid, Abad said.


Right after the Comelec issued its adverse ruling, Lim protested.


Describing the decision as “baseless and unconstitutional, he said the poll body should not disqualify candidates troublesome to the ruling authorities thus preventing the full range of choices that the electorate deserves.


Lim is being prosecuted before a military tribunal and a civilian court for leading an aborted coup attempt against the Arroyo administration in February 2006.


In 2007, another renegade military officer, Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes, was allowed to run for senator despite the fact that he was facing rebellion and coup charges. He won the election but had not been allowed by the courts to get out of prison to attend Senate hearings and sessions.


The Comelec has also been accused of inconsistency and unequal application of the law because it has permitted another renegade military officer, detained Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, to run for senator under the Nacionalista Party despite pending charges before a court martial.


Along with Lim, other senatorial candidates of the Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas ticket include: former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus “Neric” Acosta, physician Martin Bautista, Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, lawyer Alex Lacson, peace and women’s right advocate Yasmin Busran Lao, former Senator Serge Osmeña, former Senator and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto and educator Sonia Roco, wife of the late Senator Raul Roco. (MIRIAM G. DESACADA)

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