in front of SM CDO going to Lumbia Airport
Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas delivered his State of the Province address with only his wife, SP Member Mercedes Cagas and his son, Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas IV as the officials attending. Vice Governor Simplicio Latasa and most of the opposition members were absent. Latasa however explained that he received no invitation and he never thought that there will be SOPA on that day.
SP Member Erwin Llanos for his part said her had prior commitments which he cannot cancel on that day.
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Cagayan de Oro councilors Alfonso Goking and Zaldy Ocon almost came into blows had not the cooler heads intervene. The incident came when Councilor Lao was tackling the issue of Lapasan reclamation project which was undertaken by Goking’s son in law, Conrad Lim, without showing a permit.
Goking, who acted as Presiding Officer, repeatedly told Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr. to sit down. “ Sit down, sit down, I said sit down.” This irked Councilor Zaldy Ocon who expressed dismay over the action of Goking.
“Mr. Chairman, if we want to have fruitful discussions and keep our good relations here, you have to change your attitude. Do not bring this kind of attitude into the city council. Leave it at home. You have done this many times already. We have been elected by the people. We are not your children!”
What happened next was an exchange of harsh words.
Goking: “ Who are you to command me? Do not teach me. I am not afraid of you!”
Ocon: “Neither am I afraid of you. Do not sit there to preside if you cannot change your attitude!”
Goking (banging the gavel): “Asa man ta kita? (Where shall we met?)”
Ocon: “Karon na! Nia tang duha dinhi. Nganong unya unyaon pa man. (Lets do it now that we are here. Why should we delay this (fight).”
It was then that other members of the council came to prevent the two from fighting. Ocon vs. Goking? Tsk, Goking doesn’t stand a chance.
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Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers and 2nd District Congressman Guillermo Romarate are at odds over the issue of unfinished covered courts projects in the province. Accordingly, Cong. Romarate is acceding to the request of teachers and parents to complete the unfinished covered courts projects of then Congressman and now Governor Robert Ace Barbers. Governor Barbers opposed the move since those projects were initiated by him and there are legal ramifications involved if these projects are continued by another Congressman. Instead, Governor Barbers suggested Cong. Romarate to ask for a list of the projects the Congressman wants to implement since there are plenty which are requested by their constituents but not the covered court projects which Governor vowed to finish.
“What I started I will finish. If they want projects to fund, they can ask me and I will give them a list because there are so many which are requested by our constituents. Lisud kaayo nang may mo papel sa mga proyekto.”
Romarate reacted that there’s no law that prohibits a Congressman from completing the unfinished projects initiated by his predecessor. However according to Rep. Romarate, if the completion of the projects will be opposed, it’s not his loss.
“Dili ako ang madaut ani kung dili ang katawhan nga mag antos maulanan ug mainitan.”
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A band of New People’s Army guerillas barged into a staff meeting of the Agusan del Norte Watershed Management Project in their office in Barangay Aclan, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. The rebels also took away documents and office equipments including computers, digital camera and a GPS device. The NPA Commander accordingly scolded the manager, Michael Acain Moreno.
“Wala mo’y respeto sa amo sa pagpadayon niini nga proyekto nga walay koordinasyon.”
The rebels then told them that they were just going to “borrow” the equipment and promised its return.
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Camiguin Provincial Director Isagani Genabe was chosen as the new acting police director in Cagayan de Oro City. He will replace Cocpo caretaker, Supt. Antonio Montalba. His permanent appointment will depend on CDO Mayor Tinnex Jaraula. Genabe according to sources is not a stranger in Region 10 having served as PD in Camiguin. He is a member of PMA Class 84 and is known to be strict in implementing the law. Last 2007 elections, the camp of former Camiguin Governor Antonio Gallardo accused Genabe of harassment.
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Judge Edgardo Lloren of Branch 17 Regional Trial Court in Cagayan de Oro becomes the latest associate justice of the Court of Appeals. He served as regional executive judge for two office terms and has been with the judiciary for 23 years. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd Dist. CDO, PMP) said Lloren deserved the CA position.
