MULCTERS STALKS TRENTO (AGUSAN DEL SUR) - BUTUAN CITY HIGHWAY

I have heard stories about this before. Now its confirmed. Mulcters have become brazen to the point that bribery reached an unprecedented scale in Trento to Butuan City highway. Read the following article.

AGSUR TREE FARMERS POINT OUT OPEN CORRUPTION IN HIGHWAY

Edwin S. Fuentes

Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur- The Alliance of Non Government Organizations, Tree Farmers, Log Traders and the Crusade Against Corruption officials reported to the Office of Governor Maria Valentina G. Plaza the supposed blatant corruption at the checkpoint supposedly manned by a composite team of government employees

A report said, “open corruption on the highway from Trento to Butuan City done by some government personnl supposedly under the guise of controlling illegal logging is not only disgusting but also a shame to the province and smacks of economic sabotage.”

The Province of Agusan del Sur has already an exisiting Ordinance No. 12 limiting the checkpoints to three: One at Cuevas of Trento town, one in Cubo of Esperanza and one also in Tabontabon of Sibagat town. These checkpoints are to ensure that only collection of verification fees of P35.00 a cubic meter with the Ordinance.

But a Sectoral Coalition Report said that during nighttime, “checkpoints are mushrooming in several places allegedly asking for SOPs”

Moreover, the tree farmers, truckers and log traders revealed that all checkpoints in Alegia in San Francisco town, Sta. Irene in Prosperidad, DENR/PNP checkpoints of Bayugan City and the municipality of Sibagat are likewise allegedly collecting. They supposedly added that the worst are the mobile LTO, DOT and PNP in Tiniwisan and Ampayon in Butuan City and most likely the personnel manning the weighbridge are supposedly collecting P300.00 per truckload without issuing Official Receipt (OR).

A complaint allegedly passed on to the Land Transportation Office through the Regional Director in Butuan City, supposedly said tree farmers have spent a minimum of P2,500.00 for the “leeches” of the road alone, reports said.

Based on official records it was supposedly revealed that in Tabontabon checkpoint, some 30 trucks loaded with logs supposedly pass going to Butuan City or to Cagayan de Oro City everyday.

This would mean that at the weighbridge alone, a minimum of P9,000 daily or P270,000 monmthly or P3,285,000.00 yearly collected by these scalawags depriving the government of revenue.

Chair of the People’s Law Enforcement Coordination g Committee (PLECC) PS/Inspector Samson Arendain with Gov. Tina Plaza called for a speculative meeting earlier with the Tree Planters, Truckers and the Log Traders. The Governor appealed to the said complainants to comply with all the requirements as mandated by the law for she promised to protect them by providing with task force to escort their transported falcatta, gmelina and other planted tree species for them not to be abused by those what they called “leeches of the road.”

On the other hand, PLECC Chairman Col. Arendain dated the aforesaid complainants to name names and he would not hesitate to enforce the rule of law if he finds any violator and scalawag PNP Personnel performing illegal acts under his command.

Meanwhile, the PNP reported 23 trucks were apprehended just for the month of May 2008 alone due to overloading violations and two others for driving without license cases. (with reports from Avel Galorio)

The same news even reached in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Read “Traders slam LTO extortion in weigh bridge in Butuan.”

 

UPDATED: BUTUAN BISHOP PUEBLOS ADMITS BROKERING FOR SULPICIO LINES

“I went to Malacañang the other day because of the request of the owner of the Sulpicio Lines… it’s the only livelihood they have. Kasi wala naming ibang source of income ang Go family kundi sa shipping industry so yun ang purpose ng paghingi ng tulong nila sa akin,”

I am now confused at our bishops today. What they are always on the side of the evils? Take this one bishop from Butuan City, Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos. He is taking the cudgels for Sulpicio Lines by using his influence in Malacañang to persuade the Palace to allow “killer” Sulpicio Lines to sail again.

Bishop Pueblos said that he and Edgar Go, have close relationship as they are both involved in Oasis of Spirituality.  I doubt this.  How can they be close when the Go’s are Cebu based and Pueblos, Butuan City based. Unless of course if one or both of them are frequently acquainted with each other?

You see, if one wants to get a favor from Malacanang, Bishop Pueblos is one of those who can be relied to effectively convince Malacanang.  Bishop Pueblos influence in Malacanang should not be underestimated.  Early this year, Bishop Pueblos caused the removal of DENR Caraga Regional Director Benjamin Tumaliuan. That is a no mean feat. Removing a well entrenched top ranking official.

Sulpicio Lines also do their research because they correctly chose the personality who can really helped them.

I can’t blame Sulpicio. They are desperately trying to go back to business despite the thousands of deaths caused by their irresponsible shipping practices.  What I am surprise of is why Bishop Pueblos entertained the request of Sulpicio Lines? Did Bishop Pueblos think about the families of the dead passengers not only of the Princess of the Stars but other vessels of Sulpicio as well.  Bishop Pueblos said that Sulpicio Lines have made improvements to their vessels.  Tell that to the Marines! If they have improved their vessels and the way they conduct their business, the Princess of the Stars tragedy should not have happened.

I am disappointed again by Bishop Pueblos. When will the revered Bishop take the side of the people once again.

Ano ba talaga Bishop? Please for one time be consistent with your principles. You keep on sermoning about preservation of life and here you are assisting a certified mass murderer in Sulpicio Lines. Very Disappointing.

Here is the article:

Bishop admits brokering
for Princess owners

A CATHOLIC prelate close to Malacañang yesterday admitted he brokered on behalf of the owners of Sulpicio Lines Inc. for President Arroyo to allow the firm’s cargo operations to resume.

In a radio interview, Butuan (Agusan del Norte) Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos said he was approached by the Go family.

“I went to Malacañang the other day because of the request of the owner of the Sulpicio Lines… it’s the only livelihood they have. Kasi wala naming ibang source of income ang Go family kundi sa shipping industry so yun ang purpose ng paghingi ng tulong nila sa akin,” Pueblos told Church-run Radio Veritas.

The bishop, however, said he was not able to meet Arroyo personally although he was able to discuss the matter with “somebody.”

Pueblos said Sulpicio senior vice president Edgar Go is a personal friend.

“They (Go family) are also with the Oasis of Spirituality, so we have already a sort of relationship,” he related. – Gerard Naval

 

FOR NOGIE, “ITS FORM OVER SUBSTANCE.”

“Papogi” thrusts of the administration in implementing projects admitted.

Nograles urged solons to design “visible” projects.

Obet Samonte
Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Butuan City- House Speaker Prospero Nograles has urged collegues to design and implement projects that people could “see and feel” as he declared his support for continued fund allocations given to finance projects.

In a program launching the Mt. Mayapay Reforestation Project here on Wednesday, Nograles said that despite clamor from some quarters to discontinue “pork barrel” allocations to members of the House of Representatives, he stressed their importance especially in programs and projects with long term impact.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo did not make it to the project launching as she led the inauguration of the Caraga Regional Office at around 12:30 pm.

He cited the Mt. Mayapay Reforestation Project which “the people can see and feel and the benefits they themselves will be the beneficiaries,” as an example of an undertaken that “no one could question.” The rehabilitation and reforestation of Mt. Mayapay is one of Agusan del Norte 1st Dist. Rep. Jose Aquino II’s priority projects.

Some 2,000 people arrived at the program site at around 7 am and took part in the planting of tree seedlings from the mountain base up to its peak. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Caraga headed by OIC Regional Director Edilberto Buiser provided tree seedlings to the participants composed of DENR, regional line agencies, city hall employees, students, non government and religious organizations and civic minded private individuals.

City Mayor Democrito Plaza II led city hall employees in the affair.

 

“POPULARITY MOTIVATED”

A simple opening of a consular office in Butuan City has merited a banner story for local dailies which normally would be done without so much fanfare. Last Wednesday, Gloria Arroyo visited Butuan City to inaugurate the opening of the consular office. Like a queen, she was met by politicos in Caraga region namely, Rep. Joboy Aquino (1st Dist. Adn), Rep. Edelmiro Amante (2nd Dist. Adn), Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza II, Agusan del Sur Governor Ma. Tina Plaza and Surigao del Sur Gov. Vicente Pimentel.

Gloria Arroyo then boasted to the people of Caraga region that they will no longer go to Cagayan de Oro or Cebu just to process their travel papers outside the country because the DFA satellite office will be serving them right there in Butuan City. At the outset, the project seems to be laudable and deserve praise. But analyzing deeply, it took so long for this administration to put up a consular office in that part of Mindanao when the said clamor have been a long standing cry of Caraganons.

In contrast, GMA was so quick to grant the Cebuanos request for a substantial presence of the national government in their locality. Not long after she was proclaimed, she lost no time in establishing a useless Malacanang in the South which had done nothing except for aesthetic purposes. If this government can afford to spend a lot of money setting up a façade of government presence in Cebu why it took them 7 years before they finally have decided to put up a DFA office in Butuan City? People in Caraga have been clamoring this need for more than 7 years and only now they have acted on it. Something might have motivated the administration into finally acting on this overdue request.

Come to think of it, where in the world one can find that the mere opening of a department in its own country (take note) is attended with much hoopla, graced with the presence of no less than its President? It is because people in Malacanang only know too well that given the number of Filipinos going abroad, (with its misplaced view that sending an army of OFW would prop up the economy) a simple opening like this will generate much public attention and make it look good in the eyes of the people.

Lately, the government has been on to some publicity offensive just to win public support and sympathy. First, they use the issue of power rates to gain public approval and to divert the attention of the people from graft scandals at the expense of hapless Meralco, whose stocks kept falling after government officials took turns in subjecting the power firm to trial by publicity. Second, the suggestion of the DOTC to make SMS messaging free, at the expense of telecommunications firms smacks again of a publicity gimmick. Without hope of overhauling its double digit negative approval rating, the GMA administration is scraping the bottom of the barrel for opportunities of publicity stunts like these.

But whatever it is doing, people are discerning enough to determine if these moves are motivated by sincerity or for political survival. These moves are not new to them. In fact this has been the hallmark of GMA administration since day one of its political power. Provide people with promotions instead of addressing their real concerns with sincerity.

 

POLITICAL REALITIES IN CARAGA REGION

A bridge in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur

Columnist Bert Gorgonio Sr., of Periodico News made an assessment on the present political reality in Caraga Region after the recent visit of Gloria Arroyo in Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte last week. It’s a primer on the political alignment in the region.

“MAKA ADIK ANG GAHOM (POWER IS ADDICTIVE)

Originally written in Cebuano (my translation in English)

In my assessment, it looks like the opposition is non existent in Caraga Region. At present, if there are people or politicians who are opposed to the administration, they are the so called “Way G” and “Way N” which means Way Gahum (No power), and Way Nahot (No Wealth). All the veterans and the strong already kissed the hand of Madam, including the Church!

Let us begin with the political leaders of Surigao del Norte. If in the past there is someone who is against President Gloria Arroyo, now it is ZERO. Despite the numerous issues in the national capital, including the expose of the so called CORRUPTION OF THOSE IN POWER, not one political leader in Surigao del Norte can speak against it.

But former Governor, now Congressman, Francisco “Lalo” Matugas cannot be blamed if he is now under the banner of the President. Cong. Lalo’s candidacy under the KAMPI party is a logical decision so that the people of Siargao Island can readily avail government projects. Its just right for Cong. Matugas to bless the hand of Malacanang to assure that Siargao Island cannot be left behind. Look, projects are promised left and right by Presidet Gloria Arroyo for the upliftment of Siargao Island which is now called the surfing and fish gaming capital of the Philippines.

If Cong. Lalo did not choose to join the umbrella of the President, it’s a cinch that only the Barbers’ (led by Governor Robert Ace Barbers) will be known by Malacanang. Oh well, there is the “graduating” Mayor Pons Cassura (of Surigao City) who is also a favorite of the Palace being an official of the League of Cities.

Well, there was a time when former Congressman and now Governor Robert Ace Barbers attempted to challenge the power of the President when the Hello Garci (issue) was still the craze. But Ace realized that like the undercurrent in Nonoc during northerlies, it is very difficult to counter flow the power of Malacanang. That’s why Gov. Ace consolidated his position in the Lakas party, which enabled the Barbers to retain the reins of power in the Provincial Capitol.

Its also a good thing that Congressman Jun Romarate in District 2 sing allelujah to Malacanang otherwise he would have a difficult time challenging the Barbers camp.

In Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Butuan City, it seems that there is no well known opposition group that exists. What I mean of being well known is that which has a member occupying a present elective position. From the Amantes of Agusan del Norte to Joboy Aquino and Mayor Boy Daku Plaza in Butuan City and to the Plaza’s of Agusan del Sur, it seems no creature is working against the President nowadays. Well, Congressman Ompong Plaza tried to play as an oppositionist, who has no qualms about his pro impeachment stand against Mrs. Arroyo because of the numerous issues. But like Governor Ace Barbers, Cong. Ompong realized its very difficult to meet head on the current.

 

“MIRISI!”

“Everybody in Caraga knows

what Tumaliuan did to our forests. “

Caraga DENR exec allegedly linked to illegal logging sacked  

By Franklin A. Caliguid
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 14:18:00 04/03/2008

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — Environment Secretary Lito Atienza has sacked the director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Caraga Region for his alleged involvement in illegal logging activities.

The relief of Benjamin Tumaliuan came early this week, days after Atienza met behind closed door here with Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos and environmental advocates who aired their complaints against the official’s alleged role in illegal logging.

Atienza said he found “very reliable” the issues and concerns raised by Pueblos and his group on Tumaliuan’s alleged wrongdoings and his inaction in curbing widespread illegal logging operations.

“I consider the information of Bishop Pueblos very reliable. I agree with the good bishop that illegal logging must be stopped and [the] guilty parties punished,” Atienza told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

Militant tribal and environmental groups in Caraga have openly accused Tumaliuan of enriching himself by coddling big time illegal loggers and unscrupulous politicians, an accusation he has vehemently denied.

Named by the communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao as the alleged godfather of “a highly organized inter-agency protection ring,” Tumaliuan allegedly had pocketed at least P700 million in protection money during the past five years, the rebels said.

Atienza admitted illegal logging in Caraga remains unabated due to the laxity of his agency’s personnel and the supposed involvement of powerful politicians in the lucrative but illicit trade.

But Atienza said he would not hesitate to go after these politicians.

“Whoever they are, I’m not afraid of these politicians behind illegal logging in Caraga,” he said.

He also vowed that more heads would roll “to make the agency effective in our drive against illegal logging.”

“I will not hesitate to do what is necessary to make DENR effective on the ground and I’m not afraid of the politicians behind illegal logging in Caraga,” he said

Victoriano Vidal, chief executive officer of the Tribal Coalition in Mindanao (Tricom), welcomed the relief of Tumaliuan.

Vidal, who filed several cases against Tumaliuan before the Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao, said Atienza’s decision was a step toward environmental protection and sustainable ecology.

“Everybody in Caraga knows what Tumaliuan did to our forests. Atienza was serving justice to the lumad [indigenous people] and to the environment at large,” Vidal said.

AGREE! But the question is after Tumaliuan, can the government assure the public  that his replacement will not the same or worse than him?

Or else we will just be replacing a dog with a different collar.

  

 

LIKE TOM AND JERRY

Caraga LAKAS-KAMPI merger impossible, says former party leader

By Ben Serrano 

Butuan City- A former top local party leader of Lakas CMD who is semi retired in politics today claimed the proposal of President Arroyo and House Speaker now Lakas President, Davao Rep. Prospero Nograles is not only a kiss of death but its “like shooting the moon with a sling shot.”

The former politician turned entrepreneur speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid “sourgraping” tag said animosities between local Lakas and Kampi party leaders that is like a volcano waiting to erupt violently is one of the reason why party merger is impossible.

The semi retired politician who once occupied top position in Lakas Caraga regional hierarchy added that President Arroyo and Nograles knew all along that their proposal was impossible, “because most of KAMPI leaders in Caraga region today were once with Lakas holding key positions but quit when their rivals moved in and formed KAMPI,” the former politician said. “They are like Tom and Jerry fighting for a single bone,” the ex politician explained.

When asked what the single bone means, the ex politician added,

“although very hard to substantiate it is public knowledge that politicians get kickbacks or commissions from millions of government projects either loan, grant, official development assistance and other sources, that’s what politicians die for, plus the honor and power we get.” 

The ex politician claimed that what politicians get more than honor, power and kickback from projects is that it can influenced corridors of power who among regional directors or head of government offices will be removed or not according to their political interest.

But the former politician blamed the voters in Caraga region who it claimed are also corrupt and like parasites suck politicians’ blood dry claiming corrupt political system of the country impossible to cure.

 “Unlike in the U.S. where people support politicians here in the Philippines it is the other way around and at one time, I tried to test loyalty of my supporters by cutting temporarily my money support to them and then almost all of them deserted me and went to my rivals,”

the ex politician laughed and chuckling recalling political days. The ex politician also clamored drastic reforms at the bureaucracy complaining rampant alleged cheating done by some unenlightened teachers and COMELEC officials manning voting precincts totally paralyzed vital democratic processes in the Philippines.  “The mother of all corruptions in this country is in the corrupt electoral exercises where rampant vote buying seems to be accepted by society in general as regular moral norms as if an S.O.P. or standard operating procedures”, the ex-politician said.  

 

BISHOP PUEBLOS, DIOCESE OF MALACAÑANG

An ABS CBN report said that Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos is in the Vatican. Earlier, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said what other bishops can do if they disagree with the CBCP President, in this case Jaro Bishop Angel Lagdameo, is to bring their protest to Rome. Is Bishop Pueblos in Rome for that purpose?

“Nagsumbong kay Pope Benedict XVI?” Or is Bishop Pueblos sent by the government to convince the Pope to issue a statement of support to the GMA government and further dampen the calls for her resignation.

Lingayen Bishop Oscar Cruz said,

“Ouster of presidents of CBCP was never an option, They usually resign and that’s easy. I’ve been a CBCP president myself. We don’t get paid and we don’t have pork barrel. All we get is free food during meetings. If you really don’t like what you’re doing anymore and your colleagues also don’t like you anymore, then why force yourself. There is no need for ouster in that case.”

Meanwhile Bishop Pueblos calls Bishop Cruz “bad influence.” This is the only reaction of Bishop Cruz, “I heard I was called a bad influence. That is his opinion, but I cannot agree with that the same way he objected to my virtues. Patas lamang (That’s just fair).”

The PCPR had this response to the warnings issued by Bishop Pueblos to Bishop Lagdameo.

“Sounding just like (Mrs.) Arroyo’s press secretary and other avid defenders, Bishop Pueblos committed a grave act of conspiracy with evil when he carelessly warned that Archbishop Angel Lagdameo faces ouster as CBCP head.It appears that Malacañang’s press office has been extended to the offices of the most conservative Catholic bishops.

 

“DILI DAW BOGO ANG MGA SURIGAONON (SURIGAONONS ARE NOT DUMB)”

Ukay ukay in Surigao del Sur

Politics, even how some derided it as dirty has become a pastime of sorts by a significant number of our countrymen especially in the countrysides. They say there’s no business like show business. But I tell you, theres no interesting topic like politics. Heres a commentary from Surigao del Sur by Eddie Maduro published in Periodico Caraga about the current politics in that part of the country.

“DILI PO BAYA BOGO ANG SURIGAONON”
By: Eddie Mcdo Maduro

Karong bag-o, nagbaniog na kayo daw usa ka kusog ngalinog ang mga balita nga sa Surigao del Sur nagsugod na sa away ang mga dagkong politiko.

Gasinukliay na sa mga hait ug mga dahunog kayo nga init nga mga pulong batok sa usag usa sila si Governor BB Pimentel ug si kanhi Presidential Assistant Nonoy Falcon. Pareho nako nga mga higala sila si Governor Pimentel ug Falcon. Apan sa taas nga panahon sila baya ang nagkuyog diha sa pagdumala sa liderato sa mga Surigaonon.

Nahibalo gyud baya ang mga Surigaonon nga sa sulod sa taas nga panahon sa ilang pagdumala sa among lalawigan, halos wala na moisdog padulong sa matuod nga kalamboan ang Surigao del Sur. Karon may managlahi na sila sa ilang mga pulitikanhong interes nag away na sila u gang mga Surigaonon na pod ang gihimo nga mga tigpaminaw.

Unsa man diay ang gusto nila nga mahitabo? Nga sila lang gyud ang paminawon sa mga Surigaonon para maila kung si kinsa kanila ang matuod nga lider ug makahatag ug benipisyo sa kalamboan sa mga Surigaonon? Dili pod baya ana ka bugo ang mga Surigaonon. Mas maayo pa nga dili na lang dalhon nila ni Pimentel ug Falcon ang ilang bangi sa publiko. Pareho ra baya na sila’g interes. Pulitikanhong gahum para sa ilang pamilya. Maglumon ra pod baya na sila.

Kung susihon, daw usa ra na sila ka pamilya. Unya sila ra pod ang mag away away para mahibaloan sa katawhan nga pareho diay sila mga kusgan ug hawod?

Dili na kana maayo. Dili sab kana makaayo sa mga Surigaonon. Pareho ra kana sila sa nag away nga pamilya sa Agusan del Sur nga sa atong nadungog gikan mismo ni kanhi Surigao del Sur Congressman Butch Pichay nga possible magsoon ra ang mag away pagka gobernador sa 2010.

Sama ra pod sa mga nag away nga pamilya Floirendo ug Del Rosario sa Davao del Norte. Usa ra ka pamilya apan nabahin ang ilang mga interes sa negosyo ug gahum.

Hahay gyud kaninyo. “

***

Tidbits. The 30^th infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army has transferred its headquarters from Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte to Dulag, Butuan City. The Butuan City Council expressed appreciation of the transfer of the Battallion headquarters through Councilor Salvador Calo, Chairman of the Peace and Order Committee. According to SP Member Calo, there are 13 barangays in the city which has the presence of the New People’s Army… Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente “BB” Pimentel distributed sacks of rice and canned goods to the workers of PICOP thru a labor union, AWATO which is based in Tabon, Bislig City… Davao del Norte 2^nd district Board Member Gregorio Facula has bolted from Lakas NUCD. Though he cited personal reasons from bolting the party observers believed that the conflict between Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo and Gov. Dolfo del Rosario have something to do with Facula’s decision…

 

HALF MAST AT BUTUAN AND SURIGAO CITIES

Borromeo St. Surigao City

Joining the protest of the League of Cities of the Philippines against a bill lowering the standards for converting municipalities into cities, flags fly at half mast in Surigao and Butuan cities. Caraga region is one of the worst hit in the lowering of the standards for creation of new cities. In 2007, three cities are added to Caraga region such as Tandag City (Surigao del Sur), Bayugan City (Agusan del Sur) and Cabadbaran City (Agusan del Norte). According to a House Bill sponsored Rep. Ann Hofer of Zamboanga Sibugay, the income qualification for cities will be set at 50 million which is half lower than that prescribed under the Local Government Code of the Philippines which is at 100 million pesos. In the creation of new cities, the existing cities suffer a major cut in their share of the Internal Revenue Allotment; sparking concerns of deteriorating public services, lay-off of local workers and reduced financial support to peace and order agents. However, this will boost the new cities since its share in the IRA will jump significantly than during the time when it is still a municipality. The League of Municipality explained that it will welcome the creation of new cities but this must be done in accordance with law. Surigao City is led by Mayor Alfonso “Pons” Casurra while Butuan City is headed by Democrito “Boy Daku” Plaza II