Pagasa gets support from private sector

Pagasa has acquired two brand-new Doppler radars to be installed in Subic and Taytay, Rizal.

By Aileen Carreon (The Philippine Star)

“To provide protection against natural calamities and utilize scientific knowledge as an effective instrument to insure the safety, well-being and economic security of all the people, and for promotion of national progress.”

This mandate reflects the important role of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“Pagasa is a key agency in terms of disaster preparedness, as illustrated during typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng,” says Butch Meily, executive director of the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF).

The PDRF is working in partnership with Pagasa to strengthen the country’s capacity for disaster risk reduction and management via an effective early warning system.

Co-location of rain gauges in cell sites

Set to roll out this April is a groundbreaking project on installing Pagasa rain gauges in strategically located cell sites of cellular companies nationwide.

“MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) met with us to ask about Pagasa’s needs, as well as limitations and deficiencies in terms of equipment. He wanted to know what things we could immediately undertake. Co-locating the rain gauges in the cell sites was one of them,” says Dr. Prisco Nilo, Pagasa director.

Pangilinan also heads the PDRF, the private sector arm of the Special National Public Reconstruction Commission created in the wake of the devastation brought about by Ondoy, Pepeng and Frank.

Smart Communications Inc., Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular have all agreed to participate in the co-location project that is part of the PDRF program to help upgrade the country’s weather and flood forecasting system.

“The PDRF adopts an industry-wide approach in its undertakings. Hence, it was important for us to include everybody,” says Meily.

Upon the instruction of Pangilinan, Smart public affairs head Ramon Isberto arranged a meeting between Nilo and the three telcos.

“I have to give credit to everybody involved - Ernest Cu of Globe Telecom, Bill Pamintuan of Sun Cellular, and Mon Isberto of Smart. They all came together and agreed that this is a worthwhile project for the country. It’s a positive thing for the Philippines. If competitors can get together then we can do things. The only way we can achieve difficult projects is if we all work together,” says Meily.

The installation of rain gauges in cell sites is expected to help Pagasa issue timely and more accurate flood forecasts and warnings.

“One of the problems of Pagasa in improving our observing network is to choose a site where our equipment will be safe. Another is communication. By co-locating in a telco site, we are assured of security and an effective system to transmit the data from the site to the broadcasting center,” says Nilo.

“And because of the many cell sites all over the country, it would not be difficult for us to find ideal site locations for our rain gauges,” he adds. These are in places in the country where Pagasa doesn’t have any rainfall data in flood-prone areas, and those pinpointed as sources of heavy rains or floodwaters.

Dr. Susan Espinueva, chief of Pagasa’s Hydro Metrological Division, notes that while it is necessary, it is also difficult to find and maintain a site in the mountain area. “This is where floodwaters come from. If we can monitor the amount of rainfall in higher places, we will have more lead time for warning residents in the low areas.”

“For the initial salvo, we have three rain gauges ready for installation within Metro Manila,” says Nilo. These are Tipping Bucket rain gauges that can automatically send rainfall data to Pagasa by telemetry at a desired frequency and the required parameters.

Pagasa got the rain gauges from a project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Last March, Pagasa met with Smart engineers and firmed up 15 possible sites. Separate surveys of Globe and Sun cell sites are scheduled this April. The target is to have the rain gauges installed before the onset of the rainy season.

“This is a dream we have been pursuing,” says Espinueva. She reveals that they had interference problem in their communication link when their frequency backbone of 800 to 900 megahertz was allotted to the cellular mobile telecom system band. An upgrade was needed but it was too expensive. Now that they are co-locating rain gauges in cell sites, they can ride on the expansive coverage of CMTS.

Doppler radars

The assistance being extended by the PDRF in upgrading the country’s flood forecasting system complements Pagasa’s monitoring system which is getting a boost with the addition of Doppler radars.

A Doppler radar provides real-time information on rainfall intensity, location of a typhoon and its wind strength. It can gauge the volume of water that may pour into specific localities for issuance of flood bulletins identifying flood-prone areas.

Pagasa has acquired two brand-new Doppler radars to be installed in Subic and Taytay, Rizal. The agency is given assurance of a total of 10 Doppler radars. Two of its five existing radars have been upgraded into Doppler.

Referred to by Pangilinan as “the eye of the Philippines when it comes to early warning for natural disasters,” Pagasa is certainly poised to better watch over the country in the coming days.

“We thank the PDRF for recognizing the importance of Pagasa’s services and for taking the initiative to extend a helping hand,” says Espinueva.

Palace bares new appointments

Appointed was radio broadcaster Mario Garcia as director of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr. insisted that the President’s latest government appointments were not “midnight appointments.”

By GENALYN D. KABILING and EDD K. USMAN - mb.com.ph

New Palace appointments were announced Thursday for the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) and the new National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza administered the oath of office of five of the nine officials of the new NCMF, led by Secretary Bai Omeira Dimakuta Dianalan Lucman as its head.

The NCMF, which replaces the functions of the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) has nine commissioners to be appointed from the 13 Moro tribes and its head bears a full Cabinet rank.

With less than two months in the term of the Arroyo administration, the President replaced Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Arturo C. Lomibao after one year in service and designated him as undersecretary of the DoTC.

Named to replace Lomibao, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), was Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Alberto H. Suansing.

Suansing returns to his old post as assistant secretary of the LTO, which he previously held in 2008, according to Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

A former representative to the Road Board and special assistant on land transport at the DoTC, Suansing served as LTFRB head for the past year.

Mendoza, former secretary of the DoTC, however did not say who will assume the vacant post at the LTFRB.

Meanwhile, Lucman told the Manila Bulletin their oath-taking was completed shortly before 4 p.m.

She thanked President Arroyo for making her the first Muslim woman to head a national government office for Muslims.

With her were Commissioners Alladin I. Ampatuan (Maguindanao), Solaiman C. Mutia (Lanao del Norte), Hatimil E. Hassan (Basilan), and Raida B. Maglangit (women sector), former mayor of Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur.

Four others appointed by the President as commissioners were Mufti Jaafar (Taw-Tawi), Prof. Moner M. Bajunaid (Maguindanao), Atty. Edilwasif T. Baddiri (Sulu, youth sector), and Aleem Sharief Julasiri Abirin (Sulu, ulama sector). They will take their oath on Monday.

Republic Act No. 9997 signed by President Arroyo last February 18 created the NCMF and abolished the 23-year-old OMA.

Datu Ali B. Sangki, OMA executive director, other officials and employees will be running the operations of the NCMF on hold-over capacity as provided for by R.A. No. 9997.

Earlier, the President also appointed retired Sandiganbayan Justice Raoul Victorino as her new chief legal counsel, replacing Natividad Dizon.

Dizon, who served less than three weeks as Presidential Chief Legal Counsel, was moved to head the Board of Pardon and Parole.

Dizon took her oath as the President’s legal counsel last March 8 after Raul Gonzalez resigned to run for mayor in Iloilo City.

Mrs. Arroyo also designated retired Justice Agustin Dizon as new Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, the post vacated by Natividad Dizon.

Also appointed was radio broadcaster Mario Garcia as director of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr. insisted that the President’s latest government appointments were not “midnight appointments.”

Icban, in a phone interview, said the President designated the new officials before the constitutional ban on government appointments takes place. The prohibition against appointment or hiring new government personnel in the executive branch starts on March 26, Friday, according to Icban.

He added the President believes the new officials are competent and trustworthy enough to assume the government positions.

Following his retirement from the police, Lomibao, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1972, was appointed head of the National Counter Terrorism Action group and then led the National Irrigation Administration.

A native of Pangasinan, Lomibao went to college at the University of the Philippines before he entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1968. He has a master's degree in public administration and a doctorate in development administration.

Zambales mining outposts demolished

MASINLOC, Zambales – At least two mining outposts here were demolished last week on the order of the municipal council, but the firm’s owner called the move political harassment.

Officials and personnel of Compania Minera Tubajon Inc. (formerly Coto Mining Corp.) said the demolition was carried out by the municipal engineering personnel and policemen without a court order.

CMTI security personnel said the demolition team and armed policemen, some of who were not in uniform, disarmed them as they destroyed the structures on Friday.

Arsenia Lim, CMTI chair, said her candidacy for mayor against Desiree Edora, wife of incumbent Mayor Jessu Edora, was the reason behind the harassment.

“They think that they can intimidate me by this show of force, even using illegal means to do so. But I will not back down. I will file charges against every last one of them instead,” she said.

She also questioned the approval of the demolition, as shown in the council’s February 17 resolution, which came even before the resolution was passed.

Lawyer Yodel Deloso, who represents CMTI, said the municipal government could not use a resolution to order the demolition. “That is usurpation of judicial functions by Masinloc’s legislative body,” he said.

In a telephone interview, Mayor Edora confirmed that no court order covered the demolition. “But a court order is not really needed because they are a nuisance there. They can be removed without involving the court in this,” he said.

He said the security personnel manning the outposts were preventing government agencies from entering that area.

“On your way to Coto mines, there are at least 100 families. How can we give them basic services if these people won’t let us in?” he said.

He dismissed Lim’s accusation that the move was politically motivated.

“It just so happened that there will be election soon. But we’re doing this to reach those people there so we can offer them basic services,” he said. By Robert Gonzaga, Cesar Villa - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk

Dick Gordon is, in fact, the most qualified among the candidates based on his track record

Dick Gordon is, in fact, the most qualified among the candidates based on his track record in Olongapo as mayor and as chairman of the Subic free zone and as secretary of tourism which launched the highly successful WOW campaign besides which he has been doing great service to the country as head of the Philippine Red Cross and he is a no-nonsense public official who will not brook incompetence and will not hesitate to fire crooks and idiots which is why people dislike him and he is not rating well in the surveys which he does not believe in anyway because they are commissioned by moneyed candidates and Dick’s supporters are just waiting to emerge from the shadows to cast their votes and make him win, unless Arroyo and Villar steal the elections or Erap pulls a surprise victory or Noynoy demonstrates the Power of People Power.

Ad Lib -- Greg B. Macabenta

Confusion

Depending on which radio commentator you listen to, which newspaper you read, and which columnist you believe, the sure winner in the May 10 presidential election is Erap Estrada unless the victory is wrested by Gibo Teodoro who is a sure winner because of his party machinery unless Noynoy Aquino retains his lead over Manny Villar or unless Villar buys out all the voters and overtakes Aquino or unless God finally listens to Bro. Eddie Villanueva or unless Dick Gordon’s Bagumbayan volunteers finally step out of the shadows.

It looks like the only sure losers are JC de los Reyes and Nick Perlas, unless the voices of the true blue reformists are finally heard, above the din of jingles and commercials. Don’t hold your breath.

Of course, one has to consider the fact that Villar is the person who appeals most to the masses because he rose from poverty and from bathing in garbage to bathing in billions that he earned honestly through sipag at tiyaga and by land grabbing and using his influence as congressman, House speaker and Senate president to pull off the billion-peso caper called "C-5 at Taga," according to Joker Arroyo who accused him of violating the Constitution and committing high crimes which makes him the ideal president of the Philippines, because he has set a great example for the poor in the country to emulate according to his loyal supporters Joker Arroyo and the Cayetano siblings.

But still maintaining a slim lead or a growing lead, depending on which survey you want to believe in, is Noynoy Aquino who is the Great Hope of the Country for an honest and committed government, in line with the spirit of EDSA and the martyrdom of his father, Ninoy, and the sainthood of his mother, Cory, except for the fact that he and his family took advantage of the poor tenants in Hacienda Luisita and they lobbied to have the SCTex highway pass through their lands which makes him no different from Villar who really did not make any money out of the C-5 project except a measly 5 or 6 billion, which makes Aquino a sure winner in the presidential elections.

But Erap Estrada should not be counted out because he could still win and the pollsters could all be wrong or could all be right, depending on how you want to read the survey results showing Erap Estrada trailing at third place but gaining 6 points to Villar’s loss of 6 points to Aquino’s drop from 40% to 36%, except that the people can no longer be fooled by the Erap Para Sa Mahirap pitch which, on the other hand, is more sincere than the bogus poverty story of Villar because Erap was raised loving the poor people of San Juan while Villar was raised by a middle-income family in Tondo and Erap never stole money from the government but made his money legitimately from jueteng, besides he was unjustly ejected by someone who turned out a worse thief than Marcos and is now the secret supporter of Villar.

Gibo Teodoro, according to the college population composed of intelligent, idealistic voters who are impressed with the candidates’ good looks and especially that of his vice-presidential candidate, Edu Manzano, could be the surprise winner in the election because he has a greater mastery of the issues in the election, unlike his cousin Noynoy who can only count on the advice of his sister Kris, besides Gibo has the full support of the political machinery of the Lakas-Kampi party which is secretly campaigning for Money Villarroyo who has committed to make Gloria Macapagal Arroyo speaker of the House, which is why Gibo is steadily increasing in popularity while all the rest are decreasing and he will emerge the winner on May 10 unless Villar wins or Noynoy wins or Erap wins.

Dick Gordon is, in fact, the most qualified among the candidates based on his track record in Olongapo as mayor and as chairman of the Subic free zone and as secretary of tourism which launched the highly successful WOW campaign besides which he has been doing great service to the country as head of the Philippine Red Cross and he is a no-nonsense public official who will not brook incompetence and will not hesitate to fire crooks and idiots which is why people dislike him and he is not rating well in the surveys which he does not believe in anyway because they are commissioned by moneyed candidates and Dick’s supporters are just waiting to emerge from the shadows to cast their votes and make him win, unless Arroyo and Villar steal the elections or Erap pulls a surprise victory or Noynoy demonstrates the Power of People Power.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva cannot accept the results of the surveys because he has millions of loyal supporters who are praying to the Good Lord every day and swearing by the platform of honesty and good government of Bro. Eddie who just made a trip to Hong Kong and was met enthusiastically by the domestics which does not show in the surveys which is why the surveys are wrong and he will win in the end because Right always triumphs over Wrong.

And as for JC de los Reyes and Nick Perlas, well, the trouble is that the columnists have not been writing enough about them and therefore there have been fewer occasions for them to be inconsistent in their opinions about the two noble candidates, one of whom is Don Quixote and the other is Sancho Panza. Take your pick.

But lurking in the shadows are the Machiavellian schemers and plotters of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, among them Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, who have guaranteed the citizenry a clean, honest, and peaceful election where the military will not allow itself to follow illegal orders which is something Arroyo never gave, anyway, because the orders to Garci to pad the votes to the tune of one million were not illegal, and Arroyo has promised a smooth transition from an administration of great achievements to another one of questionable qualifications, which is why the Comelec is not averse to the idea of a failure of elections that will allow Arroyo to continue in office in order to pursue her good works in the spirit of the would-be- president-for-life, Ferdinand Marcos whose son Bongbong wants to continue his noble tradition in the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Comelec has assured the people of an efficient and flawless automated electoral process because all of the necessary preparations have been made except for a few dozen kinks that may result in some areas having to vote manually but not to worry because the proper safeguards have been put into place so that whether it is manual or automated voting the results will still show the candidate of Arroyo winning, unless there is a failure of elections because there is no power in Mindanao and how can there be an election when the votes of the people in Mindanao, especially in Lanao and Maguindanao are not counted in which case Arroyo will be constrained to remain as a holdover president.

Of course, the Catholic Church, which faithfully respects the separation of church and state and will not do anything to interfere in partisan politics, has already warned the faithful against voting for candidates who are spending tons of money to buy votes and keep media practitioners, columnists, and commentators in their payroll, as well as bribe the military, the police, and the local politicians but all in the spirit of the separation of church and state while performing the duties of citizens of the Philippines, which is what every priest, bishop, and cardinal in the Philippines is.

All of these developments are being closely monitored by the United States and other freedom- loving countries of the world who would like to see a smooth transition from the Arroyo government to a new government in an election that members of the US Congress intend to closely watch so that no cheating is pulled off although in the spirit of respecting the sovereignty of the Philippines, they really should not be meddling in the democratic exercise of an independent nation that has been a dear friend of America through the glorious years of Ferdinand Marcos.

And so we have a citizenry anxiously waiting to vote in the May 10 elections but no longer knowing whom to believe, what to think or what to say because the media and the most prominent, most influential, most intelligent, most committed, most concerned opinion makers in the country are confusing them.

In fact, try asking them: "Who do you think will win?"

Their unanimous response: "Manny Pacquiao!"

The Killer Whale Who Kills

By TIM DESMOND I.H.T. OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR nytimes.com - The death of an animal trainer in an attack by a killer whale, or orca, named Tillicum (or Shamu) at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, has raised inevitable questions. Are these shows necessary? Did animal cruelty trigger the attack? Should trainers work with orcas in this way?

Animal-rights activists followed with pronouncements: “The attack proves that this animal led a tortured life in captivity!” “Free Tillicum!” “Close the zoos! They’re just in it for the money!” Animal exhibitors countered, “It was a freak accident.”

The questions are legitimate and SeaWorld Orlando must answer them. The pronouncements by activists and exhibitors, however, are self-serving and damage the cause of conservation.

Calls to free Tillicum infer that exhibiting killer whales is illegitimate because a trainer died. No. This tragedy had nothing to do with the ethics of putting orcas on public display for conservation education. It is an animal-handling issue.

I agreed to train Keiko, the orca, for the 1993 movie “Free Willy” because the emotional story of a whale’s journey to freedom motivated kids to care about whales, despite the fact that the film oversimplified the issue.

Ethically speaking, the use of Tillicum at SeaWorld is the same as the use of any wild animal, be it a chimp, a bat or a hippo, at any zoo.

In “Ethics on the Ark (Zoo & Aquarium Biology & Conservation),” some of the world’s foremost animal experts, including ethicists, field biologists, zoo professionals and animal rights philosophers, sought to find a consensus on the use of wild animals by man.

They reached consensus on three issues and failed on three others. One question on which they did reach consensus was that taking an animal from the wild for conservation education at zoos and aquariums is ethical.

Yet if you fail to properly care for an animal, you should not keep it.

Was Tillicum well cared for? The activists claim that the attack proved a tortured existence doesn’t hold up. Successful reproduction is a recognized measure of animal wellbeing. Tillicum sired some 13 calves, and has lived with females rearing healthy offspring for decades.

Activists also claim that animals can’t be “normal” unless they live in nature. But natural habitats constantly change. Even bees change their behavior to deal with short-term environmental change — or they die.

The craft of maintaining animals on display is based on creating “adaptive” rather than “natural” environments. Zoo professionals don’t mimic nature per se. Rather, they provide comparable opportunities for exercise, mental stimulation and social interaction.

To provide adequate care for sentient animals, like orcas, caretakers must interact with them. Studies show that training animals is enriching for them. They have to work for their food just as they do in the wild. The problem is keeping humans safe while meeting the animals’ needs.

The working assumption must be that the SeaWorld trainer’s death was no accident. Killer whales know their trainers’ tolerances. While Tillicum may not have intended to kill Dawn Brancheau, he knew he was hurting her. He did it for a reason. Why? I’ll leave that to the investigators.

But I can comment on some underlying factors. Orcas are trained using positive reinforcement (giving the animal something it wants for doing something you want). However, orcas will manipulate training in many ways. They will refuse to cooperate. They will keep other orcas from performing. They will deliberately misbehave, trying literally to train their trainers.

All this is actually healthy because it gives orcas control, something fundamental to animal well-being. It’s fun for skilled trainers, too. But sometimes, in particular with breeding male orcas, it can be dangerous.

I worked with a male orca, Orky, in the 1970s and 80s at Marineland of the Pacific in California. Orky became more dominant and aggressive as he matured sexually. While Orky never killed anyone, he came very close. We handled him safely for years afterwards in much the same way SeaWorld handled Tillicum prior to the tragedy.

The quandary is how do you let a male orca like Tillicum be a dominant, breeding bull and safely provide for his needs?

Activist groups reportedly raised $40 million to “save” Keiko, the star of “Free Willy.” In doing so, they housed him alone for years. Keiko finally died in an environment he could not adapt to. What happened to Keiko stands as a lesson of what not to do about Tillicum.

On the other hand, the continued use by zoos and circuses of elephant training methods involving physical punishment, when options for more humane handling are well established, are difficult to defend.

Zoo organizations still using these archaic techniques need to review their ethical obligations to their animals. Ethical animal display (or activism) hinges on the use of the animal and its care.

My heart goes out to a fallen comrade, Dawn Brancheau, and those who loved her. But nothing in this situation challenges the value of SeaWorld’s public exhibition of wild animals for conservation awareness. Tillicum should stay put, and SeaWorld should be given the time to adjust how they handle him.

Tim Desmond is chief executive of Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, Inc., which operates the marine park Ocean Adventure in the Philippines, and former president of the International Marine Animal Trainers Association.

Zambales Gov said to have paid campaign fee to NPA

GMA’s son paid campaign fee to NPA–military

Written by Rene Acosta / businessmirror.com.ph Reporter

AT least 89 local and national politicians, including President Arroyo’s son, Lakas-Kampi-CMD Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo of Camarines Sur, paid the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), “permit to win” fees that ensured their victories in the 2007 elections, a military intelligence report said.

The report, which named at least 10 congressmen, including Arroyo and left-leaning Party-list Reps. Satur Ocampo and Liza Masa of Bayan Muna and Gabriela, respectively, nine governors and 31 mayors from four regions around the country, said that the officials continue to support the rebels with money or various supplies.

The communist movement is not only supporting some members of the House of Representatives down to barangay officials, but even Sen. Manny Villar, who is seeking the presidency under the Nacionalista Party (NP), the report said.

Ocampo and Maza are on Villar’s senatorial slate.

According to the report, a copy of which was secured by some reporters covering the defense beat, Villar’s backing from the CPP was discussed during the CPP’s anniversary meeting at barangay Aguid, Sagada, Mountain Province, on December 28, 2009.

Aside from Arroyo, Maza and Ocampo, the other congressmen named in the report are NP Rep. Crispin Remulla and Lakas-Kampi-CMD Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, both of Cavite; NP Rep. Al Francis Bichara of Albay; Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) Rep. Reno Lim of Albay; NPC Rep. Antonio Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur; Lakas-Kampi-CMD Rep. Cecilia Jalosjos of Zamboanga del Norte; and Matoy Barinaga.

The intelligence report said that the young Arroyo paid a P5-million “permit to run” fee, which was collected for the rebels by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who was also named by the report as among the local officials supporting the rebels.

The report said that the money collected by Salceda from Arroyo was delivered to a certain Christopher Flores at the headquarters of Rene Quiapon in Ligao City, Albay.

“Flores delivered the money to Nep Morada…the amount of P4.8 million, which later learned, was delivered to Veronica Paje, wife of Glecernio Pernia, alias Choy,” it said.

Pernia is a ranking rebel leader in the Bicol region.

The same report said that Remulla and Barzaga were paying the underground movement P1,000 monthly.

Bichara allegedly paid the NPA P1 million for a campaign permit, which was given to a certain Mario de la Cruz by Ramir Navas, while Lim gave the rebels P15 million.

“The P5 million was paid for the withdrawal of his opponent, Jesap Salceda, while another P5 million was his contribution to the NPA, remitted to Mario de la Cruz and the other P5 million was for his party, through Nep Morada, which was also remitted to Mario de la Cruz,” the report said of Lim.

On the other hand, Cerilles reportedly gave the rebels “undetermined amount of money and office supplies such as laptop computers.”

Meanwhile, the governors who are supporting the rebels were identified as Amor Deloso of Zambales, Bellaflor Angara Castillo of Aurora, Aurelio Umali of Nueva Ecija, Victor Yap of Tarlac, Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga, Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur, Joel Reyes of Palawan, Joseph Cua of Catanduanes and Salceda.

Salceda reportedly paid the guerrillas a P35-million “permit to campaign” fee in 2007, which was remitted to Flores, who is a member of the National Democratic Front in Bicol.

The “P5 million [was] remitted to Rene Quiapon for safekeeping the 2007 elections,” the military report said.

The same report named the mayors as Cesar Barona, Lacub, Abra; Edwin Crisologo, Tineg, Abra; Garde Cardenas, Sallapadan, Abra; Mario Baawa, Malibcong, Abra; Benjie Serrano, Orani, Bataan; Rolando Tigas, Samal, Bataan;

Josie Cuento, Sta Maria, Laguna; Marlo Barrera, Magsaysay, Mindoro Occidental; Celsa Adier, Aborlan, Palawan; Roberto Rodriguez, Taytay, Palawan; Edgardo Tayam, Gigmoto, Catanduanes; Romeo Moreno, Paracale, Camarines Norte; Santos Zafe, Virac, Catanduanes;

Tito Sarion, Daet, Camarines Norte; Esteban Coscolluela, Murcia, Negros Occidental; Eric Saratan, Talisay City, Negros Occidental; Carlos de la Cruz, Matuguinao, Samar; Daylinda Sulong, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur;

Efren Loquias, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur; Edmundo Dalid, Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur; Allan Damas, Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur; Mary Ann Cartalla, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur; Nestor Corvera, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur;

Carl Lademora, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; Romeo Magadan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur; Enrico Corvera, Nasipit, Agusan del Sur; Ramie Rosit, Boston, Davao Oriental; Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City; and certain Mayors Chua, Calo, Elorde and Rodriguez of Agusan, Carmen, Bunawan and Rosario, Agusan del Sur, respectively.

The intelligence report added that some provincial board members, vice mayors, councilors and barangay chairmen, also in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Central Luzon; Southern Luzon; Bicol region and Regions 6, 8 and 11 are also supporting the rebels.

It said that the board members, mayors, vice mayors, councilors and barangay chairmen are paying the rebels from P2,000 to P300,000 monthly.

Some were also paying quarterly dues since 2007, while others had given the rebels firearms, including Minimi squad automatic rifles and M-203 grenade launchers, rice and other food stuff.

Transition Cabinet formed

The official who signed the broadband deal with ZTE Corp. is now the “Little President” while the undersecretary whose appointment to the maritime authority was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (SC) now heads the management staff at Malacañang as President Arroyo started forming a Cabinet transition team yesterday.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza replaced Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who is seeking to represent the first congressional district of Batangas.

Mendoza’s undersecretary, former Maritime Industry Authority administrator Elena Bautista, replaced Presidential Management Staff (PMS) director general Hermogenes Esperon Jr. The SC had earlier ruled that Bautista’s appointment to two positions was unconstitutional.

There was no word on who would replace Mendoza at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). It appeared that some Cabinet members would hold on to their posts in a concurrent capacity until after new officials or officers-in-charge are named.

The President announced the appointments shortly after the SC announced that its ruling, which deemed appointive officials resigned upon filing their certificates of candidacy, was final and executory.

Ermita, in his final news briefing yesterday with Press Secretary Crispulo Icban said Mrs. Arroyo is considering Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs and Presidential Anti-Graft Commissioner Natividad Dizon to replace Secretary Raul Gonzalez as chief presidential legal counsel. Gonzalez is running for mayor of Iloilo City.

Others appointed were Office of the Government Corporate Counsel head Alberto Agra as justice secretary to

replace Agnes Devanadera, who is running for representative of Quezon province.

Agriculture Undersecretary Bernardo Fondevilla was also appointed to replace Secretary Arthur Yap; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority deputy director general for field operations Rogelio Pijuan vice TESDA director general Secretary Augusto Syjuco; and Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Joaquin Lagonera to replace Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.

Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo has yet to name the replacement for Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council chairman and Presidential Adviser for External Affairs Edgardo Pamintuan, who is running for mayor of Angeles City.

Except for Gonzalez, all the Cabinet officials tendered their courtesy resignations last week.

Justice Assistant Secretary Arthel Caroñongan also tendered his resignation yesterday to run as representative of the second congressional district of Pangasinan.

Mrs. Arroyo earlier gave assurance of a smooth transition of power to the next president on the day when she steps down from office on June 30. The administration has fielded former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro as its presidential candidate.

“It is our duty as well as the duty of all to help the Comelec (Commission on Elections) to ensure peaceful, fair and transparent elections as well as the peaceful transition of power to the new administration,” the President said in a recent radio interview.

Ermita added the turnover ceremonies for the new Cabinet officials could happen anytime next week.

“I can imagine that the other officials involved also are doing their so-called winding down activities, official turnover, so that there’ll be smooth turnover,” he said.

He said Mrs. Arroyo was also ready to fill up posts lower than Cabinet rank that were left vacant for the same reasons as in the case of Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson, who is running for governor in Ilocos Sur.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, who is being invited as nominee in the party list 1-UTAK, has not tendered his resignation.

Reyes said he has yet to decide to accept the nomination of the party-list group.

There was no word on Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, who is also being invited as a party-list nominee.

Why Mendoza?

The appointments came a day after the Supreme Court ruled with finality its decision to consider all appointed officials resigned if they filed their certificates of candidacy for the May 10 elections.

Ermita, who served as executive secretary for five and a half years, said Mrs. Arroyo was already beginning thinking of their replacements since early this year but gave no indication of her preferences.

“That is the style of the President—she places her cards close enough to her chest about important designations on Cabinet,” he said.

Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo chose Mendoza as executive secretary for his “experience, competence, loyalty, and reliability.”

Ermita said the post of executive secretary is a “position of confidence” whose task is also “to rally together the Cabinet members.”

With the appointment, Mendoza will now act the “Little President” with the power and supervision of the so-called transition team to allow a smooth turnover for the new President on June 30.

Mendoza served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) before he was appointed DOTC secretary.

As DOTC chief, Mendoza represented the Philippine government in signing the scandal-ridden national broadband network (NBN) contract with China’s ZTE Corp. on April 21, 2007.

Mrs. Arroyo went to Boao, China to witness the signing of the contract but she was forced to scuttle the deal with ZTE following the controversy linking her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, to the irregularity.

Mendoza, for his part, vowed to be more transparent to the media as the new executive secretary.

“I will be accessible and all the questions, we will answer… I have been in the government service for more than 46 years already. I know how to do service and how to behave myself when in a particular situation,” said the former police general.

Mendoza said the primary function of the executive secretary is to integrate and coordinate the efforts of the Cabinet.

He said his function is to oversee the Cabinet during the four remaining months of Mrs. Arroyo’s term of office until June 30, when the new president is sworn in and takes over.

As “Little President,” Mendoza admitted it would be an “enormous job.”

“I am always a soldier. I always follow orders. Personally, it’s a big challenge. It’s a departure from what I came from. The enormity of the job really is there and I really have to face this challenge, of course I am always thinking of how I can best serve the interest of this country and the interest of the appointing authority,” he said.

Mendoza said he would remain the DOTC secretary in concurrent capacity until the President makes an appointment.

He said he would have to give up the DOTC post saying there are legal issues involved in holding two positions in the government.

When asked if he would recommend someone to the DOTC, Mendoza said he would leave it to the search committee to decide.

Mendoza added his successor in the DOTC should continue to improve the nautical highway, create more airports and “most importantly, which we failed to deliver, is the national broadband network. I think our country needs this very well.” –With Evelyn Macairan, By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star)

US firm in Afghanistan hired Pinay prostitute: suit

WASHINGTON D.C. – An unidentified Filipina is reportedly at the center of a new federal investigation against Blackwater, the controversial private military company.

Two former employees – husband and wife Brad and Melan Davis – are suing Blackwater under the False Claims Act, a federal law that allows civilians to file charges against federal contractors.

The couple alleged that Blackwater (now known as Xe Services LLC) kept an unidentified Filipina prostitute in the payroll for a State Department contract in Afghanistan.

The North Carolina-based company allegedly charged the government for her time working for Blackwater male employees in Kabul.

The alleged prostitute's salary was categorized as part of the company's “Morale Welfare Recreation” expenses.

Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers could get a cut (reportedly 15% to 25%) from any money recovered from a suit.

The government recovered nearly $22 billion using this law between 1987 and 2008.

The allegations were contained in papers filed before the Virginia Eastern District Court that were unsealed over a week ago.

“One of the first items I uncovered was Blackwater billing for payments to a prostitute. I came across the name of a female Phillipino (sic) on the expenses submitted for cost reimbursables in connection with Task Force 4,” Melan Davis charged.

“At that time, to my knowledge, the only third country nationals we had in country in Afghanistan were Columbians. I wanted to figure out whether we Phillipinio (sic) third country nationals as well because I had not seen any others beyond this name,” she added.

Mrs. Davis continued, “I contacted Susan Bergman who was the logistics operations manager in Kabul. She informed me that the woman was not a third country national hired to serve as a static guard, but rather was a prostitute, who had been ousted from the hotel where she was working for several Blackwater men. As a result they put her on the Blackwater payroll. To the best of my knowledge, Blackwater billed per plane tickets and monthly salary to the United States under the Task Orders.”

The papers did not identify the Filipina or where she is now. The Davis allegations indicated she was hired by Blackwater in December 2005.

Her testimony may prove crucial in pressing at least this part of the fraud complaint against Blackwater.

Blackwater recruitment in RP

Controversy erupted recently over reports Blackwater was secretly recruiting and training mercenaries in the Philippines.

The company had planned to open a jungle survival skills training facility at the Subic Freeport zone, but scrapped it following an uproar in Manila.

But other sectors accused them of secretly training Filipinos and other nationals for work in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Philippines forbids its nationals from working in Iraq out of security concerns, but this prohibition has been largely circumvented by other US contractors operating from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia.

A United Nations report expressed concern about recruitment methods used by Blackwater and similar companies in the Philippines.

Washington-based journalist Wayne Madsen alleged that Blackwater trained up to a thousand Filipinos, Indians, Nepalese, Fijians and Bangladeshis in Subic.

Madsen charged further that Blackwater was operating through a proxy because it was denied a lease in the former US naval base three years ago.

The Davis allegations revealed other incidents of alleged overpricing, substandard weapons and services, and employment of poorly trained personnel.

Blackwater also figured in a shooting incident in Iraq that killed innocent civilians, which led to federal indictments in the US. - by Rodney J. Jaleco, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

related articles

http://subicbaynews.blogspot.com/search?q=blackwater

Opposition bets refuse to sign election covenant

BY ERNIE B. ESCONDE - MANILA TIMES CORRESPONDENT

BALANGA City, Bataan: The covenant for the holding of an honest, orderly and peaceful elections in Bataan on Tuesday failed after opposition candidates refused to sign the agreement, demanding that various agencies involved in the elections be included as participants and not merely as witnesses to the signing.

Mayor Nelson David of Limay town, gubernatorial candidate under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, led the other candidates in defying the covenant signed by reelectionist Gov. Enrique Garcia and his group under the administration Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats.

The covenant was initiated by the provincial officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) with support from the Army’s Third Infantry Battalion, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the provincial office of the Department of Education.

Instead of joining Garcia in the signing of the covenant, David voiced his concerns to Monsignor Victor Ocampo and Comelec Provincial Supervisor Elmo Duque.

David said the Comelec, PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of Education should sign the covenant as well as they are the principal participants in keeping peace and order during the elections.

Reelectionist Rep. Herminia Roman of Bataan’s first district sided with David, having left the camp of Garcia.

Gila Garcia, daughter of the governor and director of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, is opposing Roman in the congressional race.

Senior Supt. Arnold Gunacao, newly installed Bataan police director, said they were to act as witnesses in the covenant but if required, they will sign as participants. He considered the occasion as successful although only one party signed. “The mere fact that the other party came was proof enough that they are willing to participate,” the police colonel said.

Lt. Col. Danilo Benavidez of the Army’s Third Infantry Battalion said they are under the Comelec and that they would abide with the orders of the poll body.

Lawyer Elmo Duque, provincial Comelec supervisor, said he will hear the side of David and Roman and if meritorious will incorporate in the covenant.

“There might be a part 2 signing,” Duque said.

Aquino leads rivals in Facebook face-off

By Michael Lim Ubac

Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE leading contenders for the presidency are not too old for Facebook.

In the digital race to get more “fans” and online “supporters,” Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party is ahead of the pack.

So far, on their official pages in the online social networking site, Aquino has 210,988 supporters; Sen. Manuel Villar (Nacionalista Party), 158,016 fans, plus 2,756 in two other Facebook public profiles; former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), 26,907 fans and 3,100 supporters; Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan), 2,894 supporters, and former President Joseph Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), 4,050 supporters.

Estrada has another Facebook account with 421 fans.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal (independent) has 201 fans, while the two youth group accounts of Olongapo Councilor JC de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) have 861 and 71 members.

The Inquirer made the count at 3 p.m. Saturday, but the figures continued to change at press time.

New Media Team

Aquino breached the 200,000 mark when, in the first hours of the New Year, one Abygail Salcedo clicked the “supporter” button in his site.

Salcedo was responding to the campaign being waged by the volunteer “Noynoy New Media Team,” which has launched an online drive in the run-up to the May 2010 elections.

The team welcomed this development in a statement saying: “201,000th fan marks beginning of 2010 for Noynoy’s online supporters.”

It also said the continuing surge showed the “unwavering momentum” of Aquino’s candidacy for the presidency.

Over the holidays, Aquino supporters from all over the world rallied friends and relatives by forming sign-up brigades, personally inviting friends, forwarding e-mails and painting their profile pictures yellow (the candidate’s campaign color).

Some supporters donated a few dollars a day to widen their reach and advertise their support on the social network.

What surveys say

“The breaching of our goal cements what the polls have been consistently saying for the last four months,” said New Media Bureau head Vicente Romano III.

It was a reference to Aquino’s consistent No. 1 position in the political surveys.

“The momentum is unbroken, Filipinos are steadfastly heeding our call for genuine change in this country,” Romano said, adding:

“This only proves that if we work together and put our hearts into it, we can accomplish great things.”

Aquino’s fan page amassed more than 80,000 new supporters in 20 days. And the 201,000 target was easily surpassed, widening the gap between Aquino and his rivals by more than 50,000 supporters.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the number of online fans and supporters would translate to votes come election day.

Profile pictures

Aquino, Villar, Teodoro, Gordon and Estrada uploaded their photoshop-edited profile pictures. But only Villar is smiling in his photo; the rest are shown in a pensive or serious mood.

With the tagline “Gordon, Bayani (Hero),” the senator who heads the Philippine National Red Cross is shown hugging a baby and holding a megaphone—a picture taken while he was mobilizing volunteers and rescuers during the eruption of Mount Pinatubo early in the 1990s.

Gordon’s campaign slogan: “Leadership must be earned, not bought nor inherited.”

Villar is shown wearing his orange campaign color against a green backdrop, a way of reminding voters that his running mate, Sen. Loren Legarda, has championed environmental causes for over two decades.

His campaign theme: “Galing sa mahirap, para sa mahirap (From the ranks of the poor, for the poor).”

Teodoro’s slogan, emblazoned below his picture, is: “Galing, Talino: para sa mabilis na pagbabago (Skill and intelligence: for quick change).”

Estrada wears the formal barong Tagalog in his profile picture. His slogan is: “Walang tutulong sa Pilipino kung hindi ang kapwa Pilipino (Filipinos cannot rely on anyone other than themselves).”

All five candidates intentionally put “currently running for president” or “presidential standard-bearer” in their profile information.

Obama-inspired

Facebook defines itself as a social utility that connects people with friends.

The political operators and strategists of the presidential candidates might have been inspired by US President Barack Obama, who managed to raise half a billion dollars online in his 21-month campaign for the presidency.

The digital campaign—the use of e-mail, text messages and social networking sites like Facebook and Multiply—was a big factor in Obama’s victory in 2008.

Relief web - Report

Situation report - 01 Dec 2009 (NCR, Regions I, III, and IV-A)

Source: Community and Family Services International (CFSI)

Date: 01 Dec 2009

Full_Report (pdf* format - 48.8 Kbytes)

Reporting Organization: Community and Family Services International (CFSI)

Report Date: 01 December 2009

Report Description: Update on CFSI field activities in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana (Ondoy), Typhoon Parma (Pepeng), and Typhoon Mirinae (Santi)

Report Period: 14 October—30 November 2009

Areas Covered: National Capital Region (NCR): Marikina City, Pasig City, and Quezon City

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR): Baguio City and Benguet Province

Region I: Pangasinan Province

Region III: Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales Provinces

Region IV-A: Cainta Municipality, Rizal Province

Highlights

- Beginning 03 October 2009, CFSI deployed its Luzon Emergency Response Team (CFSI-LERT) to assess and respond to the needs of people affected and displaced by Tropical Storm Ketsana (Ondoy) and Typhoon Parma (Pepeng) in NCR, Region IV-A, and Region III. These areas were selected on the basis of perceived humanitarian impact, need for psychosocial support, and reasonable access. CFSI field activity continued and expanded with the onset of Typhoon Mirinae (Santi).

- From 14 October through 30 November, CFSI served the following number of people:

Food: In partnership with WFP and DSWD, CFSI provided food assistance to 48,695 families (243,475 persons) in 34 municipalities in Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales Provinces. The WFP food aid package consists of the standard 25 kg of rice; a few areas received cooking oil and high-energy biscuits as supplemental items.

Health and Psychosocial: (A) 1,000 families (5,000 persons) received CFSI Family Hygiene Kits in the following locations: Cainta, Rizal; Botolan, Zambales; and Calumpit, Bulacan. (B) 35 persons with disabilities (PWDs) received psychosocial care through group sessions on stress management. (C) 58 disaster responders from at least 15 government, non-government, and international organizations participated in stress management training for humanitarian workers.

Child Protection: 470 children participated in safe play activities, storytelling, puppetry, and other structured group activities in Ultra and Kapitolyo evacuation centers (ECs) in Pasig City from 05 through 29 October.

Protection: With UNHCR, CFSI completed a Participatory Protection Assessment with IDPs and affected communities in the following areas: NCR (Marikina City, Pasig City, and Quezon City); Region IV-A (Cainta Municipality, Rizal Province); Region III (Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales Provinces); and Region I (Pangasinan Province). This assessment was also undertaken in cooperation with the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) and St. Louis University (SLU). Findings are being consolidated and will be circulated through the Protection Cluster.

- CFSI reached agreement with UNHCR to carry out a protection project that began on 25 November and will continue through at least May 2010. Under this initiative, CFSI will address the protection needs of affected populations in CAR and Regions I, III, IV-A by undertaking Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), serving especially vulnerable individuals (EVIs), distributing non-food items (NFIs), and providing technical assistance.

- CFSI launched an Emergency Appeal, with the goal of raising USD250,000 (PHP11,250,000) to produce 25,000 Family Hygiene Kits for 25,000 families in NCR, Region III, Region IV-A, and, possibly, Region I. As of report date, As of report date, CFSI has received cash donations and pledges from various organizations and individuals in the Philippines, Germany, Australia, Viet Nam, and the United States. This amount represents almost 14% of the Organization's appeal target.

- CFSI participates in meetings of the IASC Country Team and the meetings of the Food, Protection, Child Protection, Education, and Health Clusters. CFSI submitted proposals to the relevant Cluster Leads in support of the flash appeals process.

Reasons to be voted

Pulse Asia asked their respondents why they were voting for a particular candidate. The five top reasons cited were:

“Hindi kurakot/malinis” (Does not steal/is clean) (21.2 percent);

“May nagawa, may magagawa” (Has done a lot/can do a lot) (14 percent);

“Para sa mahirap, galing sa mahirap” (Pro-poor/comes from the poor) (12.2 percent);

“Tumutulong” (Helps a lot) (12 percent);

“Reputasyon ng pamilya” (Family reputation) (4.2 percent).

Why China Overtook Korea in Shipbuilding

Korean shipbuilders took up the top 10 spots in the global industry in 2006. Back then, No. 5 STX Shipbuilding sought facility expansion. To emerge as a world class shipyard, it needed more than 3.3 million square meters of land, or far more than the 16,500 square meters the company secured around its shipbuilding site in Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province, for the past five years. Due to uncooperative landowners and thick layers of regulation, the company instead turned toward Dalian, China, which offered better terms. At the same time, world No. 6 Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction decided to build a new shipbuilding site at Subic Bay in the Philippines in the same year. As a result, more than 100,000 new jobs were created overseas, including those generated by partners of Korean companies.

Korea has lost its title of world shipbuilding leader for the first time in 10 years to China. China controlled 34.7 percent of world ship orders excluding those delivered from the total number of orders, or one percentage point more than Korea. Furthermore, Chinese shipbuilders won 142 contracts, or more than half of global orders, this year. China’s success is largely thanks to its domination of the lower-end vessel market with its large foreign reserves and orders placed with Beijing’s support. Though Korea is ahead of China in high value-added areas such as LNG ships and offshore plants, there is no room for complacency. At this pace, China could soon overtake Korea in the two areas.

China took over the world No. 1 spot largely thanks to the passion and dedication of its leadership, which never forgot to visit plants of large conglomerates whenever they came to Korea. For example, then Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao in 1998 visited the plants of Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motors and Hyundai Heavy Industries when visiting Korea. He was followed by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People`s Congress, who visited the Pyeongtaek plant of LG Electronics in Gyeonggi Province, and the Ulsan factory of Hyundai Motors in South Gyeongsang Province in 2003. In 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made an unprecedented visit to SK Telecom, leading many experts to speculate that China, dubbed “the world’s factory,” was no longer interested in benchmarking Korea’s manufacturing industry.

While Chinese politicians focused on nurturing their manufacturing sector including electronics, cars and shipbuilding, their Korean counterparts simply indulged in corporate bashing. Regulations forced Korean companies to waste three to five years just to get approval for a plant that took a year to build, but what did Korean politicians do? They strengthened regulations to further stifle corporate activity, such as putting a ceiling on total equity investment and restrictions on investment in the Seoul metropolitan area. These deplorable acts simply reaffirm Korea’s reputation as an impractical country. Unfortunately, this means it could be only a matter of time before China surpasses Korea in cars and electronics, followed by shipbuilding.

Editorial Writer Park Yeong-kyun (parkyk@donga.com)

Thumbs Up For First Philippine Employer To Get DOD Patriot Award

GUAM - Former Guam National Guard Adjutant-General Benny Paulino was quoted in a recent story about the first employer in the Philippines to receive the Department of Defense's Patriot Award.

According to The Philippine Star, South East Asian Airlines Director Nikos Gitsis is 'the man of the hour' for the encouragement that he and his staff gave a U.S. Naval Reserve member now stationed in New York.

The Patriot Award is an honor bestowed on outstanding employers through a DOD agency called the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

Paulino, who now chairs the ESGR Guam-Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Committee, is quoted in the Star article as underscoring the significant role employers play in the defense of our nation and the security of the world:

"Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the US National Guard and Reserve units," said US Army retired Maj. Gen. Benny Paulino, field chairman of the ESGR Guam-Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) Com-mittee.

Maj. Gen. Paulino once served as the adjutant-general of the Guam National Guard, effectively serving as a top tier personnel director helping to ensure combat readiness among Guard Members.

Nowadays, Paulino puts his military experience to use in the private sector as the president and CEO of American Veterans International, LLC. Also known as AVI, the firm specializes in staff augmentation and offers secondary services in Unexploded Ordinance handling, construction and environmental services. Written by Jeff Marchesseault, Guam News Factor Staff Writer

'The Scourge of Climate Change' By Fr Shay Cullen (Olongapo City)

The waters of the great flood of Metro Manila and Laguna may have receded somewhat, yet they have left behind destroyed communities and thousands of impoverished families. The emotional scars remain, caused by the loss of loved ones, children and parents, drowned, and thousands of homes, lovingly built brick by brick collapsed and in ruins. That's the aftermath of the floods.

Lack of prevention has been underlined as the biggest cause of such human suffering. No foresight or emergency response teams were ready. Few trained disasters or emergency medical personnel were available. Billions of public funds that should have developed public safety emergency plans and resources have disappeared through corruption, waste and mismanagement.

Why is it that we have to see the bloated bodies of dead children, parents and heroes, swept away by flood waters and a torrent of national and international criticism before government officials and big business tycoons feel the sting of shame and are forced to act however sluggishly for the public good and not always for there own gain.

Every year there are floods and the engineers, bankers and politicians know why and they know what should have been done. The Manila Times has revealed in an exclusive report a few weeks ago that one major cause of the floods are the alleged corruption riddled delays of a vitally important multi-billion peso flood alleviation project.

The huge mega project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) worth US$14 million, known as the Pasig-Marikina River Improvement Project was supposed to start last 2007 and be complete in 2013 yet hardly a bulldozer has moved or a backhoe mobilized. It is the Marikina Valley that has been most devastated by the floods. We have to research the factors that are causing such disasters, is it incompetence, politicking, corruption? Hundreds have died because of the snail like pace of project implementation.

Likewise the Kamanava Area Flood Control and Drainage System improvement Project in the same area Northeast of Metro Manila worth US$15 million has also been delayed. It was due to be completed last 2007. It is 90.5% complete but until now that vital last section has remained uncompleted due to the haggling and bargaining going on over money and payments for the right of way compensation.

The necessity for such flood control projects is simple, the forests have been cut down, the soil is washing away so there is nothing left to absorb the rains. Corrupt politicians protecting logging companies and promoting the interests of foreign mining companies are behind the loss of 70% of the forest cover of the Philippines over the past 60 years. The archipelago was one massive rain forest at the turn of the century, now it is has just a few scraps left.

Even those remaining forests could be a starting point for regeneration and reforestation, but they too are being hacked to the ground, all laws forbidding it are ignored. Three weeks ago, I saw a huge truck hauling massive cut trees through the heart of Manila.

Reforestation is one of several important things that the G20 nations of global community need to do to slow global warming. The forests and the seas are the great absorbers of the deadly CO2 gas that we generate by burning coal and oil in our power stations and cars. Yet it is too late to reverse global warming by replanting trees alone. Climate change is coming on faster than predicted. We have to turn to renewable sources of energy on a massive scale and stop burning fossil fuel.

While the insatiable and criminal greed of Wall Street financial traders and the irresponsible bankers of the world brought the global economy to the brink of disaster, it is becoming clear they are too powerful to restrain, regulate and control.

Perhaps they could be directed to turn their propensity for profit to funding the next great industrial revolution of renewable energy and the electric car. Such massive investment is needed to save the planet from irreversible climate change and reduce the severity of the floods, droughts and famine that are on the way to the poorest of the poor everywhere. (Preda Center, Upper Kalaklan, Olongapo City, Philippines. E-mail:preda@info.com.ph)

4 senators inhibit selves from anti-dynasty measure

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Four senators, who are scions of political families, have strongly expressed their intent to inhibit themselves from the passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Act that would ban any spouse or relative of an incumbent elective official to run for any elected office.

The senators signed the committee report on the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, but admitted plans to hold it back.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the bill’s principal sponsor, re-filed the measure just before Congress went into recess last Oct. 14.

The measure is recommended for approval without amendment before the Senate plenary. If passed into law, the measure will be effective in the May 10, 2010 elections.

Sen. Francis Escudero, who bolted last Wednesday from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in his fight against so-called traditional and party politics, signed the report as chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws.

He vowed to “sponsor” the measure even if there was “potential conflict of interest” on his part.

Escudero’s father is Salvador Escudero III, a congressman from Sorsogon who was a member of the Marcos cabinet. The senator’s great grandfather, Salvador Sr., and grandfather, Salvador Jr., were also politicians of their time in Casiguran, Sorsogon.

Aside from Escudero, Senators Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Rodolfo Biazon, Loren Legarda, Manuel Roxas II, Jamby Madrigal, Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Joker Arroyo and Francis Pangilinan signed the report as committee members.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, also a member of the committee, did not sign the report, notably because her brother, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is also a member of the Senate.

Their father, the late Rene Cayetano, was a senator. Sen. Alan’s wife, Lani, is incumbent congresswoman of Taguig.

Ex-officio members Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. also signed the report.

Although they signed the measure, Lapid, Zubiri, and Estrada separately noted that they “may have to inhibit due to possible conflict of interest,” while Arroyo signed with “serious reservation.”

Aquino, who has been banking on the political influence of his parents, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and late President Corazon Aquino, in his presidential bid, said he would interpellate on the measure.

Lapid’s son, Mark, is also a former Pampanga governor. The senator is reportedly mulling to leave the Senate and return to Pampanga where he intends to run again for governor next year.

On the other hand, Jinggoy is a member of a political empire founded by his father, former President Joseph Estrada who has declared his bid to run anew for the presidency.

Ex-president Estrada’s wife, Dr. Loi Ejercito, recently retired from politics but without first being elected as senator while the former president was still in jail on plunder charges.

Apart from Jinggoy and Loi, one of the ex-president’s sons with another woman, Juan Victor (JV) Ejercito, is mayor of San Juan.

Zubiri is a scion of Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. His brother, Jose Ma, Zubiri II and the governor’s nephew Ignacio Zubiri are also involved in local politics in the province.

In Malacañang, President Arroyo is seen as the best example of what political dynasty is. Presidential sons Dato and Juan Miguel Arroyo are representatives of Camarines Sur and Pampanga, respectively. The president’s brother-in-law, Ignacio Arroyo, is a representative of Negros while Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, another sibling of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, has been accredited recently as a representative of Kasangga party-list group.

Voters’ right to choose leaders

However, the passage of the measure may again be derailed because Congress is in recess until Nov. 8 and will resume session from Nov. 9 to 20.

Congress will have a break again from Nov. 21 to Nov. 30, presumably to allow candidates to file their certificates of candidacy.

During the resumption of session between Dec. 1 to Dec. 18, the lawmakers hands will be full with the continuation of deliberations on the 2010 General Appropriations Act set to be passed before Christmas break on Dec. 19.

By January 2010, candidates for national and local posts are expected to be busy with their respective campaigns.

Before Lacson, the anti-dynasty bill was first advocated by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who has expressed disappointment over Congress’ dilly-dallying with the passage of the measure in past Congresses.

In his explanatory note for Senate Bill 1468, Lacson lamented that Congress failed to pass the law since its first filing during the 8th Congress because most lawmakers come from “well-entrenched political clans.”

Under the measure, political dynasty refers to the concentration, consolidation or perpetuation of political power by persons related to one another.

“Unfortunately, despite numerous attempts to introduce an anti-political dynasty law (as early as the 8th Congress) to effect electoral reforms and level the political landscape, Congress failed to pass such a law,” Lacson said.

He added that the inaction can be attributed to the fact that many members of Congress came from well-entrenched political clans.

“Over the years, they have successfully argued for the so-called electorate’s right to choose their elected leaders using the oft-repeated principle that sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them,” the senator said.