TREATING FOREIGNERS FAIRLY

Magsaysay Bridge, Butuan City

Joe Pallugna

Cagayan de Oro is a microcosm of the entire Philippine archipelago in terms of entry of foreigners for varied purposes.

As we walk around the city, from the malls t markets, to piers and the airport, the beaches and the bars, even in downtown Divisoria, we see a lot of foreigners. We see Caucasians, Koreans, Japanese, Indians and all sorts of races and nationalities walking around, driving by or just enjoying the amiable and peaceful environment of Cagayan de Oro.

In the past years, however, I have personally noticed that more and more foreigners are getting frustrated, angry and disappointed how our community as a whole has been treating some of them,.

I had a German client before who married a lady from Camiguin and set her up in an apartment in Nazareth with all the appliances and food supply and financial support. The lady convinced my client to hire a houseboy. He went back to Germany to liquidate his assets and when he returned he realized that his apartment was empty and all the appliances were sold. The houseboy turned out to be the high school sweetheart of the lady.

I had a couple of American clients who brought all their savings from the US and invested everything here. They were later arrested and jailed because their Filipina wives eloped with their Filipino boyfriends while the foreigner husbands were out of the country.

I also had some Korean businessmen who invested in mining and trading, and were duped into bankruptcy by their Filipino partners. Some foreign retirees and pensioners who planned to spend the rest of their lives in Cagayan de Oro and built huge houses here or invested in beach resorts, or ventured into restaurants or into seemingly profitable enterprise ofr business hich were later on discovered by them to be just fraudulent schemes of their Filipino wives and the wive’s relatives to fleece the foreigners of their hard earned money.

I also had a Japanese client who invested money to buy 10 jeepney at a cost of half a million per jeepney or a total of 5 mullion. Soon, he realized that jeepneys cost only 350 thousand each and the jeepneys were registered in the name of his fiancée who ran away with one of the drivers. He lost all his money.

 

HOW SEAWORTHY ARE THE CAMIGUIN-BALINGOAN FERRIES?

A year ago, MARINA had warned of the questionable seaworthiness of Camiguin-Balingoan ferrys. Among those mentioned are the poor and below par safety maintenance of the vessels and the unsanitary conditions within particularly the toilets. You can just imagine had this ferry not rescued it could have slammed into the rocky slopes of Sipaca point, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental. Worse, it could have drifted in open sea towards Surigao where the current is going.

Tsk. I dont want to sound alarmist here. But something has to be done. If Marina will sleep on its job, the owners of the concerned will not be pressured to correct the problem. In the end, Camiguin tourism will suffer. This incident is frightening as it is embarassing.

Marina should act now before something tragic happens.( God forbid!) 

Marina to probe ferry stranding off Camiguin
By Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 18:23:00 05/15/2008

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines –- The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said Thursday it will investigate the reported stranding of the Super Shuttle Ferry 9 Wednesday while ferrying 199 passengers from Camiguin Island to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.Marina Region 10 director Mar Mendoza said his office has issued a show-cause order to the owners of the Super Shuttle ferry asking them to explain the incident.

The ferry’s passengers had to be rescued from the stricken ship Wednesday morning after it malfunctioned shortly after leaving the port of Guinsiliban in Camiguin Island. The ferry drifted for five hours into dangerous waters off Sipaca Point before another vessel arrived to get the passengers, most of them tourists.

Mendoza said Marina has yet to issue a suspension order on Super Shuttle ferries as it is still investigating the incident.

“If we find probable cause after the investigation, then we will issue a cease and desist order,”

said Mendoza.

He said Marina inspects all vessels every year before granting a ship-safety certificate allowing them to sail.

 

MISOR VICE GOVERNOR BABIERA RETORTS CAMIGUIN GOVERNOR JJ ROMUALDO ON HANJIN ISSUE.

Saint Augustine Cathedral, Cagayan de Oro at early morning.

“Uncalled for”

Hon. Norris Babiera

Vice Governor, Misamis Oriental

At the outset, here’s my reaction to the comments of Regional Development Council chairman and Camiguin Governor Jurdin Romualdo who accused the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental of doin nothing in regard to the Hanjin Project fallout. My reaction is not intended to befuddle the issues and the problem hounding the project.

It is only intended to defend the dignity of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental. Its members and the people it represents, maligned by this baseless, misplaced accusation leveled on us by the highest official of the neighboring province.

In times of disasters and calamities, it is instinctive for neighbors and relatives to come together and offer assistance and comfort to the distressed and the victims. It is engrained in our culture and Christian values as Filipinos helping our neighbors in times of crisis. If the Hanjin shipyard will not push through, it will be a disaster of forfeited economic opportunities for our people. Unfortunately the act of the governor of Camiguin, whose people and inhabitants are closely related to the people of our province, in accusing the Misamis Oriental SP was un-christian and exactly the opposite of the values I just stated. And it is highly uncalled for in times like this.

As a three term Congressman, Gov. Romualdo is definitely aware that unlike Congress where it has vast powers in the exercise of its oversight functions and investigations in aid of legislations, there are specific limitations in the Local Government Code with regard to the power of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Considering the breadth and magnitude of the Hanjin investment and controversies hounding it vis-à-vis its implication in our economy and our trade and bilateral relationship with other countries is beyond the dominion of a local legislative bodies. (sic)

 

BULABOG!

Corrupt Officials Pestered Koreans

Lizanilla Amarga

They saw Hanjin as a milking cow. One local official wanted a contract to supply aggregates to Hanjin; another wanted to corner a multimillion peso steel deal.

The Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp. (Hanjin) complained and was even on the verge of filing graft charges against entreprising local officials who allegedly saw the Korean project as an opportunity for them to make money, lawyers disclosed to this paper.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the lawyers said they were asked to draft complaints against the officials. They said the Koreans nearly charged the officials with breaking the law against graft and corruption, and with violating the code of ethics of public servants. “There were even discussions on the possibility of a lawsuit because of the alleged violation of the Revised Penal Code.” one lawyer told the Gold Star Daily.

Hanjin opted not to go to court for fear of repercussions on their businesses elsewhere, the lawyers said. Instead the Koreans who were supposed to employ some 40 thousand people within the next three years abruptly decided to back off from the US$2-billion shipyard project and moved out from Villanueva and Tagoloan towns in Misamis Oriental.

Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo confirmed that he received information about how local officials allegedly demanded business deals with Hanjin.

“Correct nga labihan ka correct.”

said Romualdo when this paper sought his comment on allegations that one official sought a contract to supply sand and gravel, and another wanted to corner a contract for the supply of steel to hanjin. Romualdo earlier said he wanted a congressional investigation into the circumstances that factored in Hanjin’s decision to call it quits in Misamis Oriental.

 

TIME TO RENAME REGION 10 FROM NORTHERN MINDANAO TO THE “MISAMIS REGION.”

Wide screen monitor at Divisoria

Busy Don Apolinar Velez St. Cagayan de Oro City

RX FOR A REGIONAL IDENTITY: MISAMIS REGION

 

Mike Banos

April 12, 2008

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

 

Of the four administrative and one special regions in Mindanao, only Northern Mindanao enjoys the distinction of having a generic moniker.

 

We have the Zamboanga, Caraga, Davao and Socksargen regions, as well as the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).  Note that the people or our region variously known as Region 10, Region X, Northern Mindanao, Amihanang Mindanao or Normin, to mention a few.

 

By October 10, it will be nine years since the Region 10 Tourism Council passed a resolution asking the national government to rename Northern Mindanao as the “Misamis” Region.  The motion was passed following a presentation by then Commissioner Antonio Montalvan II of the Cagayan de Oro Historical and Cultural Commission during the Council’s 5^th General Assembly in October 2, 1999 in Gingoog City.

 

Montalvan’s presentation was based on his paper “Resurgence of Identity: The Heritage of Misamis 1818-1945” tracing the Misamis region’s rich cultural and historical heritage from the times of Himologan settlement at the Huluga caves site dating back to the Late Neolithic Age or 377 AD down to contemporary history in World War II when Cagayan de Misamis (as Cagayan de Oro was then known) and Bukidnon became the rallying points for the underground resistance against the Japanese invaders.

 

Montalvan traces the Misamis region’s beginnings during the early 1800s when the Spanish government decided to pacify Mindanao.  The island was made into one province with Zamboanga as its capital.  It was divided into three politico-military districts under the administration of a military governor: the Primero Distrito de Zamboanga, the Segundo Distrito de Misamis and the Tercio Distrito de Surigao.  The largest f these was the Segundo Distrito de Misamis which covered the present day Zamboanga del Norte, the Lanao and Misamis provinces, Camiguin, Bukidnon and the northern portions of Cotabato and Maguindanao.

 

The Misamis district was further divided into four: Partido de Misamis (Ozamiz), Partido de Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte), Partido de Cagayan (present day Cagayan and Partido de Catarman (Camiguin).  It was named Misamis after its capital town at the mouth of Pangil Bay, now Ozamiz City.  Here the Spanish Jesuit Jose Ducos built the Fuerza Real de la Virgen de Triunfo as a fortress against the Moro raiders who had to pass through the narrow bay in their raids against Spanish and Filipino towns along the coast. 

 

LESS IRA FORCING MINDANAO CITIES TO CUT DOWN ON SERVICES, WORKERS

Less IRA Forcing Mindanao Cities to Cut Down on Services, Workers

Budgets for education, health, peace and order to be reduced by as much as 40 percent

By Jesus Llanto

City governments in Mindanao are set to cut down on basic services and contractual employees to cope with the unexpected decrease in their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share this year.Cities nationwide were expecting huge increases in their IRA this year, and thus programmed their expenditures based on those amounts. However, the national government–upon Congress’s initiative and the President’s approval–created 16 cities in 2007 that didn’t meet the requirements set by law. This slashed the old cities’ expected IRA increase by tens of millions each.Earlier, existing cities launched a series of protest actions by threatening to halt operations or withholding tax remittances and government insurance payments. Six of the 16 municipalities that gained cityhood status in 2007 are from Mindanao, and most of them missed not just one but two of the requirements for conversion–locallly generated income (from fees and taxes collected) and population size. Under the Local Government Code, a municipality or cluster of barangays can be converted into a city if it has a minimum local income of P100 million, a population of 150,000 inhabitants, and a contiguous territory of 100 square kilometers. The League of Cities in the Philippines (LCP) has questioned the conversion of the 16 cities before the Supreme Court as soon as the laws creating them were passed last year. However, since the tribunal had not decided on the case, plebiscites were conducted and affirmed the conversion of those cities.Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra, executive vice president of the LCP, said they are planning to reduce spending for basic services like education, health, and peace and order by as much as 40 percent.“It’s our way of making up with the cut,” said Casurra, who added that they could not make adjustments with the budget for personnel services or employees salaries because it is already fixed.

In 2007, the IRA accounted for 84 percent of Surigao City’s total tax revenue. It’s expected IRA increase for 2008 has been reduced by P31 million.

In Caraga region, where Surigao City is located, three new cities have been created.

For its part, Panabo City plans to reorganize and lay off at least 100 contractual workers from various offices. Panabo, whose 2007 IRA share accounted for 87 percent of its total tax revenue, will see its original IRA increase of P48 million reduced to just P8 million.

“We cannot provide the budget for personnel services of all departments,” Panabo City Mayor Jose Silvosa said.

Silvosa added that if the city is not going to reduce its workforce, they would be forced to cut their spending for basic services. He said that their budget for this year was computed using income estimates and the expected IRA increases.

Other cities in Mindanao are also facing huge IRA share cuts. Highly urbanized cities, like Davao and Zamboanga, will have IRA cuts of P194.5 million and P114.97 million, respectively. Iligan City will be facing a P68.83-million cut, and Butuan, P68.1 million. The six Mindanao cities whose cityhood are being challenged by LCP are Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, Tandag in Surigao del Sur, Mati in Davao Oriental, Lamitan in Basilan, and El Salvador in Misamis Oriental.

Casurra said some of the towns converted last year become a city even if they did not achieve first-class income status as municipalities. Mati and El Salvador were third-class municipalities before the conversion, while Cabadbaran and Tandag were second-class municipalities.

The league is also opposing House Bill 24 filed by Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer (2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay). The bill seeks to automatically convert into cities 27 capital towns—14 in Luzon, 9 in Mindanao, and 5 in the Visayas—of provinces with no existing cities even if they do not meet the income requirement.

Among the Mindanao capital towns included in Hofer’s bill are Mambajao in Camiguin, Nabunturan in Compostela Valley, San Jose in Dinagat Islands, Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao, Alabel in Saranggani, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Shariff Kabunsuan, Jolo in Sulu, Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, and Hofer’s bailiwick—Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Most of these Mindanao capital towns earn less than the minimum P100 million required for cityhood. Mambajao, Jolo, and Bongao are third-class municipalities with annual incomes ranging from P30 million to P40 million. San Jose, the capital of the newly created province of Dinagat Islands, is a fourth-class city with an average annual income of P20 million to P30 million.

Casurra said that existing cities are not against the conversion of towns into cities as long as they meet the requirements. “We are only against creation of cities by exemption.”

Casurra added that if Hofer’s bill is passed, they are afraid that other lawmakers will file similar bills to accelerate conversion of cities. “What will prevent from making other exemptions?”

Editor’s Note: This story is part of the Mindanao Online Reporting Project funded by the Australian Embassy.

 

 

“PALAKASAN (PATRONAGE)” SYSTEM RAMPANT IN GOVERNMENT

San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Councilor Virgilio “Billy” Zoilo delivered a privilege speech expressing alarm over rising incidents of theft and robbery in the municipality. He is calling the PNP officials of the town to submit any progress report of investigation concerning the issue in order that the council can lay down measures to assist the law enforcers in arresting those responsible and eventually licked the crime spread.  San Francisco has been a booming town and has been the home of some businesses among them food giant Jollibee (oi, may Jollibee na pala sa San Franz!) and the town councilor feared that with the rising incidents of theft and robbery, investors might relocate their businesses in other areas where the peace and order situation is better. Mayor Carl Lademora immediately convened an emergency meeting of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MOPC). 

According to the PNP, a syndicate is behind the string of robberies which is based in Barobo, Surigao del Sur (hala ka).  These groups were part of big syndicate in Manila which formed their own local group to engage in the said activity (oi, that’s what you call “transfer of technology”). 

Im thinking, if investors would run away from San Franz, where would they go to? Almost everywhere, the problem of theft and robbery is widespread due to poverty and drug addiction. “You can run but you can’t hide.” 

***

Looks like the authorities have a difficult time licking the problem of petty crimes like theft and robbery. Aside that these criminals are slippery some are even bribing members of the police force.  I am not referring to a particular locality but in general. There are police scalawags out there who instead of protecting the interest of the citizenry are protecting the criminals.  Now as the crime rate rises and the inability of the police to curb it is evident, what comes next? You are right! Summary executions. People so fed up of criminality would turn to instant justice. That’s why its not uncommon in some parts of Mindanao, that dead bodies just turn up in the streets. The question is, would this violent trend here to stay? Only when the people’s faith in law enforcement will be restored, that “salvaging” will cease to become the preferred mode of dispensing justice.

***

Hanjin Heavy Industries got into the headlines last week not because that it is launching another multi million investment but in figuring in industrial accident in its shipyard in Subic. A week ago, Cagayan de Oro officials and media sing high praises to Hanjin for investing in another shipyard in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental which according to the sources would employ 45,000 workers. Now that’s a great figure which will solve the unemployment problem in Northern Mindanao.  Then came the Subic accident that cost the lives of two workers and the serious injury of scores of them. Now, safety concerns are raised against Hanjin Heavy Industries. There is this unsafe working conditions in its shipyard which make it an accident waiting to happen.  Then, there’s this allegation of inhuman treatment of workers according to the victims.  People are treated roughly by supervisors, subjecting to regular verbal abuse which caused their humiliation.  Is this the kind of company that MisOr officials would be proud to offer to its constituents?  It seems Misamisnon workers for Hanjin is in for a rough time. But since there is no other alternative, then they just have to bite the bullet.

 
*** 

An article in the PIA website mentioned the sub standard state of vessels plying the Balingoan-Camiguin route. The article mentioned about unsanitary vessel conditions, lack of safety devices and unprofessional crew. The Balingoan(Misamis Oriental) – Camiguin have experienced increased tourist traffic due to good publicity as a tourist destination, especially during summer vacation when many opted to visit Camiguin for leisure and to attend town fiestas. Indeed its now time to improve the service and at least professionalize the crew. Looks like this important thing about boat safety and able crew is being overlooked as the ferry service business is just being considered as routine. Iba na ang handa, mga boys.

 ***

The Department of Agrarian Reform is still on the business of launching ARC or Agrarian Reform Communities even if it’s on the verge of being disbanded. Speaking of ARC’s, these are group of communities whose inhabitants are mostly agrarian reform beneficiaries.  These communities are banded together and this is where the different agrarian support services are channeled to.  These ARC launching business, however, is one area of CARP which is prone to abuse.  Not a few of those ARCs were launched at the behest of local politicians to avail of the projects offered by DAR even though there is no significant number of agrarian reform beneficiaries in the area. This is another reason for the non extension of CARP. 

***

Speaking of CARP extension, I don’t understand why DAR seems to be hesitant in granting the demands of the Sumilao farmers. Ironically, these Sumilao farmers are batting for CARP’s extension. DAR officials should realize that the Sumilao case is a make or break for them. If they botch this, then it will have a negative impact on their quest for extension.  If they play this well, they could gain a good reason for their existence and eventually extension as they will be viewed as true to their mandate of helping the farmers. They should realize this.

 ***

The Civil Service Commission made a statement that “Palakasan” system is widespread in the government. According to CSC Chair Karina Constantino David, with the passage of the Career Executive Service Bill, it will limit the President’s to appoint officials especially those which are not qualified for the position.

“The present law allows the president to appoint officials to the bureaucracy, even if he or she is not career-service eligible. While it is not entirely the president’s fault, the situation allows people near him or her to whisper their recommendations. So the bata-bata system thrives. Kaya ang suspicion, may palakasan. Huwag mo apakan ang powerful na tao. Natatakot ang career officials gawin ang trabaho kung may nahuli kang malakas pala, patay ang career mo,” she added.

In a related statement Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, cited four government agencies which had the worst case of pakasanan system. These are the DILG, DAR, DENR and DND

“It is bad enough that national, regional and local officials are by and large elected not really by reason of competence but by popularity cum money. It becomes even worse when those thus elected into public offices as public trusts, exercise their authority to appoint individuals to administrative entities—definitely not by reason of integrity and competence—usually on account of transactional politics, beneficial arrangements, partisan affiliation if not due to blood and/or affinity relationships and similar factors of convenience.

“No wonder that as the farmers cry for justice and as the drivers cry for the high price of fuel, as the OFWs lament the poor exchange of their hard earned dollars and as the general public complain about the weak buying power of the peso, their reigning leader with family and friends and appointees and loyal followers are traveling in style, in comfort, in a chartered plane. Guess, who pay?” 

 

THE OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE (OMI)

Fr. Rey Roda

Notre Dame students in Tawi-Tawi cry as the remains of Fr. Reynaldo Roda is loaded into a helicopter bound for Cotabato City Friday. Chino Gaston III

Just this week, a missionary priest from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate has become the congregations 3^rd martyr in Sulu and Tawi Tawi. Father Jesus Reynaldo Roda, the parish priest of Tabawan, Tawi-tawi was killed by armed men out to kidnap him. Instead of allowing himself to be kidnapped, he resisted the attackers who dragged him, beat him, and finally stabbed him to death. Roda followed the martyrdom of Bishop Benjamin de Jesus in 1997 and Father Benjamin Inocencio in 2000.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate was founded in 1816 by Charles Joseph Eugène de Mazenod (b. at Aix, 1 August, 1782). The congregation was formed to repair the havoc caused by the French Revolution, and its very existence so soon afterwards was a sign of religious revival. Its primary end is to revive the spirit of faith among rural and industrial populations by means of missions and retreats, in which devotion to the Sacred Heart and to Mary Immaculate is recommended as a supernatural means of regeneration. “He hath sent me to preach the Gospel to the poor“, has been adopted as the device of the congregation.

Today in the Philippines, missionaries of OMI are present in predominantly Muslim areas in Mindanao such as Cotabato, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi. Ironically, the objective of the mission is not to convert Muslims to Christianity. There have been questions what a group of missionaries is doing in a place where converting and proselytizing are not one of their objectives. Several priest offered an explanation, but perhaps the best explanation came from Cotabato Bishop Orlando Quevedo who said,

“Theology is no longer Mission as understood at the time of St. Francis Xavier. In 1971, a Synod of Bishops from all over the world gathered in Rome and taught that ‘action for justice and participation in the transformation of the world is a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel.

Fr. Rey’s generation of seminarians and young priests had this in mind when going to the missions, as in Sulu. Helping create a world more peaceful and more just, more harmonious and more ‘fraternal’ in collaboration with peoples of other faiths — that is at the heart of the Oblate missions in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. And why? Because such a world is a fuller reflection of the universal Reigning of God. That is part of Catholic belief and is probably shared in one form or another by various religious traditions.”
religious traditions”

What a wonderful message.

Again, Roda’s death, far from weakening the resolve of Catholics to spread love and hope to all peoples, nourished the Church again with their blood. This is what is going for the past 2000 years and which made the Church resilient, as promised by Christ, in the face of hostility, physical, moral or theological.

***

Got this info from MyCebuPhoto blog. The final list of participants for Sinulog 2008.

Sinulog-Based Category:

1. College of Technological Sciences from Cebu
2. Hagwa Festival from Bohol
3. Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe from Tangub City
4. Santa Filomena National High School from Alegria town
5. Tribu Tisa-anon from Cebu City
6. Tribu de los Pastores from Naga City
7. The Cebu City Government
8. San Isidro Parish School from Cebu City
9. Pakol Festival from Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental
10. Apo sa Magbabaol sa mga Talisaynon from Talisay City
11. Silaw Culture and Arts from Carcar town
12. Barangay Suba from Cebu City
13. City Central School
14. Tribu Kabulakan of Maguikay in Mandaue City
15. Tribu Jimm’s Coffee
16. Coastal Bank
17. Barangay Punta Princesa
18. Sangguniang Kabataan of barangay Apas.
19. ? *
20. ? *
21. ? *
22. ? *

*Four more groups managed to register before the cut-off.

Free Interpretation Category

1.Alikaraw Organization from Hilongos, Leyte
2. Municipality of Carmen
3. Kaogma Festival of Camarines Sur
4. AMA Education System
5. Tribu Mannalon- Kalinudan Festival of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
6. Tribu Teduray of Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan
7. Tribu Pintaflores of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
8. Tribu Iliganon of Iligan City
9. Hambabalud Festival of Jimalalud, Negros Oriental
10. Cabadbaran City from Agusan del Norte
11. Tribu Kinaiyahan from barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City
12. Balangay Basak Pardo of Cebu City
13. Zapatera Night High School
14. Tribu Kamayo of Mari Hatag of Abellana National School
16. Cordova Home Owners of Cordova town
17. Lumad Basakanon of Barangay San Nicolas - Pride of Cebu! Woohoo!
18. Lumad Mandawehanon of the Mandaue City Government
19. SMART Communications Inc.
20. Kawayan Festival of Alegria town
21. Tribu Mabolokon of barangay Mabolo
22. Landonian Tribe of Globe Telecom
23. Mahugyawong Pasil
24. Pundok Sarokanon of Consolacion town
25. Tribu Kasaulogan of barangay Kasambagan in Cebu City
26. Tribu Oslobanon of Oslob town
27. San Diego Dance Company - Pride of Cebu! Woohoo!
28. ?
29. ?? Two more groups managed to register before the cut-off.

According to the blogger, red indicated that these are the contingents to watch out for.

For Sinulog 2008 live coverage, just tuned in to Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN) in your local cable operator. CCTN is the official channel of the Sinulog 2008. Tonight is the live coverage for the Cebu Pop Music Festival.

So far, absent in the abovementioned list are Camiguin and Surigao del Norte, two of the winningest Mindanao contingents over the years. However, its confusing because according to Ricky Poca, anchor of CCTN Maayong Buntag Cebu mentioned Camiguin as practicing right in the Cebu Sports Complex. Someone out there might be helpful enough to clarify on this. Also, there are two contingents which beat the cut off time for registration. It might be Camiguin and Surigao. Who knows.

 

GOV. CAGAS SOPA BOYCOTTED BY SP MEMBERS?

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.

“I cannot speak in behalf of the SP and the others but to me personally, I did not receive any invitation.”

SP Member Erwin Llanos for his part said her had prior commitments which he cannot cancel on that day.

***

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.

***

Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers and 2^nd 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.”

***

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.

***

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 (2^nd Dist. CDO, PMP) said Lloren deserved the CA position.

 

ARCHBISHOP LEDESMA ORDAINS 6 DEACONS TO THE PRESBYTERATE

By Mike Baños

The Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD ordained six deacons to the Order of Presbyterate last December.
Rev. Frs. Hawthorne Galas and Nicolas Basadre were ordained last December 3, 2007 at the San Nicolas Parish in Mambajao, Camiguin while Rev. Frs. Julian Guinit Jr, Domino Olango, and Jobel Gulisao were ordained at the Metropolitan Cathedral last December 10, 2007. Not the least, Rev. Fr. Ramon Francis Burlat was ordained in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental last December 13, 2007. After a year of deaconate service in the different ministries and parishes in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, the six newly ordained priests would now add to the 100 priests who are actively serving the Archdiocese. A series of thanksgiving masses was scheduled throughout the Archdiocese following the series of ordinations.

The Presbyterate is a term used to refer to the sacerdotal collegiality of priests with their bishop, commonly used in the Anglican Communion. It is often reflected in the concelebration of the Eucharist, in joining the bishop in the laying on of hands on an ordinand to the priesthood, and in collegial procession at inductions, ordinations, funerals, and other liturgical activities. It is also used to refer to the order of priesthood generally - one is said to be “ordained to the presbyterate” or to the “college of presbyters. A more modern term used in the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Catholic Churches after the Second Vatican Council is the Presbyterium. This refers to a college of priests, in active ministry, of an individual particular church such as a diocese or eparchy. The body, in union with their bishop as a collective, is a symbol of the collaborative and collegial nature of their sacerdotal ministry as inspired by the reforms made during the Second Vatican Council.

The presbyterium is most visible during the ordination of new priests and bishops and the Mass of the Chrism: the Holy Thursday Mass where the blessing of the oils used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders takes place. They are also visible during other special liturgical functions such as the wake and burial of their bishop.

According to the Conference of Catholic Bishops in the Philippines website, there are 46 diocesan priests manning the 46 parishes within the jurisdiction of the archdiocese, with the assistance of two Jesuit and five Columban priests. Six others are doing non-parochial work and three others have retired. The rest of the Jesuits are in Xavier University or in the major seminary, and the rest of the Columbans, apart from the five involved in parish work, are in their procure house doing various apostolates such as hospital work and other activities. There are 18 religious institutes of women, one of which is a contemplative institute, the Carmelite nuns.

The archdiocese has its own diocesan college seminary, the San Jose de Mindanao Seminary which opened in 1955. It was constructed by Archbishop James Hayes, S.J., and was first administered by the Jesuits, then by Columban priests, and now by the diocesan clergy.Also within the archdiocese is a theology seminary — the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, which is mainly for seminarians of the Ecclesiastical Province of Cagayan de Oro. This was started by Archbishop Cronin and finished by Archbishop Tuquib. It opened in 1985.