BAUTISTA, CAGAS SMOKE PEACE PIPE

Eldie S. Aguirre

Digos City- Davao del Sur second district House Representative Franklin Bautista urged his followers and sympathizers to throw their support to the administration of Douglas Cagas in the name of reconciliation and to push the province towards development.

Rep. Bautista expressed his conciliatory gesture to the current provincial leadership when he attended the opening program of the 41st anniversary of Davao del Sur on Monday where he confirmed reports of the merging of the local Lakas and Kampi political parties before a big crowd at the capitol gym Monday.

Cagas is the provincial chairman of Lakas, while Bautista is also the provincial chairman of Kampi.

Bautista said he will convince his brothers to “bury their hatchets” against the Cagases and join the Lakas-Kampi political bandwagon.

In the May 14, 2007 national and local elections the then, 2nd District Rep. Claude Bautista, Nationalist People’s Coalition chairman and younger brother of Franklin threw his bid for the gubernatorial post but Cagas won the elections. Former Governor Benjamin Bautista, the current mayor of Malita, Davao del Sur is also the NPC leader in the province.

Prior to the declaration of the winning gubernatorial bet in 2007, Cagas led a prote4st action at the provincial capitol grounds in Barangay Matti, Digos City accusing the Bautistas of cheating and the Comelec delaying his proclamation. It sparked a bitter relationship between the Cagas and Bautista clans, until the previous visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Davao City that resulted ti the reconciliation of Cagas and Franklin Bautista following the Lakas and Kampi merger. “I have to convince them so thjat there would be no hitches in pushing this province toward development” Franklin said during his speech.

The Cagases are the current political big wigs in the First District of Davao del Sur holding top political posts, while the 2nd District is also considered the bailiwick of the Bautistas. The governor’s son Marc Cagas is the Congressman of the 1st District while his wife Mercedes Cagas is a member of the Provincial Board. Gary Cagas, the elder brother of the governor is the village chief of Zone 111, Digos City. Joseph Cagas, Gary’s son is the number one councilor in Digos City.

 

PEÑAS INVITED TO JOIN LAKAS

Digos City Vice Mayor Joseph Peñas admitted receiving invitation from Lakas Provincial Chairman Douglas Cagas to join the latter’s party.

“Yes, I received invitation from Governor Cagas but Im still doing assessment on that, I am still doing assessment on that, I am still with NPC until now.”

Meanwhile in a media interview, Latasa explained the blessing he gave to Peñas was not a party (NPC) decision but in his personal capacity.

The vice mayor also confirms his plans to run for city mayor in 2010

“I already conferred this with Mayor Arsenio Latasa where he gave me the go signal. I would be a hypocrite if I will deny ny interest in the mayoral post. I have been preparing this thing for the past 20 years of my government service as elected official of the province and the then, Digos town until it became a city.”

Peñas said there is a big probability of a head on collision between him and the mayor by 2010 since Latasa is still available to run for another term. Lataa has been in the local executive post since 1992 as his term was prolonged after Digos was converted into a city on September 8, 2000.

(with reports by Elddie Aguirre)

 

“FUNDING NA POD.”

Looks like Gloria Arroyo will cough up more taxpayers money again in the knee jerk reaction to the rice crisis by converting Mindanao into a “swift” food basket. Exactly what it meant, I had no idea.

The suggestion was made by Speaker Nograles which was duly seconded by other Mindanao legislators such as Davao del Norte Representative Anton Lagdameo, Agusan del Norte Representative Joboy Aquino, Agusan del Sur Representative Rodolfo Plaza, Davao del Sur Representative Marc Douglas Cagas, Davao del Norte Representative Arrel Olano, and Sulu Representative Munir Arbison.

We don’t know how they would turn Mindanao into a food basket. The last thing I know, a so called Senator from Bukidnon promoted the conversion of farmlands to planting jathropa to support his advocacy on Biofuels. The so called Senator turned silent about his jathropa when the rice crisis exploded. Where to Mr. Biofuels?

Back to the food basket, what is sure is that money will be released again. Havent we learned? The fertilizer scam, the swine scam and all? Funding were released but suddenly all went unaccounted for?

I can only shake my head in resignation and sigh, ‘funding na pod.”

 

DAVAO CITY TO SEPARATE FROM DAVAO DEL SUR

Ampayon Rotunda, Amapayon, Butuan City; going south to Davao; going East to Surigao City

The City Council of Davao has passed a resolution requesting the President to direct national government agencies to separate all data of Davao City from that of Davao del Sur saying the city is independent and not part of the latter.

Councilor Peter Laviña believes that the national government will act favorably on the request to correct this historical error. In March 1, 1937, Davao City was inaugurated as chartered city during Pres. Manuel L. Quezon’s time. It was subdivided later into 3 government units as Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental.

***

The Davao City Council passed on second reading an ordinance which will provide seats for women workers in malls and departments stores. Authored by Councilor Edgar Ibuyan aims to avoid detrimental effects on long periods of standing such as heart risks, stroke, foot, leg and back pains, circulatory problems, difficulties in pregnancy and birth defects. Health aside, prolong standing is inhuman. Its pity to see ladies subjected to that ordeal.

***

Looks like there will be more military and police checkpoints in Misamis Oriental highways to thwart terrorism and other criminal activities. The City Council of Cagayan de Oro has requested the setting up of checkpoints in the national highways in Iponan (coming from Lanao areas), Bugo (coming from East of Misamis Oriental), Upper Puerto (coming from Bukidnon) and Lumbia (coming from Lanao Sur, and Talakag areas).

***

The Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro will open a new museum in addition to the Museo de Oro located inside Xavier University. The second museum, which will be named as Museum of Three Cultures, will be more regional in scope which will showcase Maranao antiquities, gallery of Cagayan de Oro ethnohistory, Butuan archeological artifacts, lumad arts and crafts from the Higaonon and Manobo cultures, a treasure of Christian era artifacts and Spanish memorabilia.

***

Politics is the cause behind the long delayed Cagayan de Oro International Convention Center. Expected to have a seating capacity of 7,700, it would be the CDO’s first government owned convention center. Though CDO has the reputation as a convention city in the Philippines, most of the gatherings are held in hotels and malls function areas. The 64 million COICC is the brainchild of Senator Nene Pimentel but the funding of the project was stopped during the time when the Senator and the Gloria Arroyo had a falling out. Last elections, it was used as an issue by the administration allies against Koko Pimentel and his father. The project was supposed to be completed in 2004. Later it was due to be completed by November 2007 but according to the DPWH Region 10, the project was never completed because of the delay in the release of 100 million additional funding.

 

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.

***

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.

 

DEAD END

In the breaking news of the Philippine Daily Inquirer today, January 9,2008, the Jesus Dureza, Chief adviser of the Peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) disclosed that Gloria Arroyo pushes for Charter Change to shift from a centralized form of government to federal form of government to accommodate the demands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for wider power in southern Mindanao. The initiative will allow the setting up of the MILF’s “Bangsamoro Juridical Entity” (BJE) to exercise key power over the area excluding defense and international relations.

If this will push through, Gloria Arroyo succeeded what Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada have failed during their terms, this time using the Moro rebellion as the main reason. The introduction of amendments to the Constitution will be an open season for GMA and her allies who may have harbored plans to extend their stay in Malacanang beyond 2010. Who could stop Gloria Arroyo and her allies from inserting self serving provisions in the Constitution once the charter amendments go on full gear?

In my humble opinion, I rather grant the demands of the MILF for a separate homeland than risked tinkering the Constitution which might be used to for self serving purposes by power hungry politicians. In granting full independence to Muslims in the South, what would we lose?

Nothing!

One, Muslim Mindanao have been a national security headache since the 1960’s. Thousands of our brave soldiers have sacrificed their lives to maintain peace and order in the region. Yet despite huge expenses in sustaining military operations in the area, peace is elusive. The reason is simple. Most of the Muslims don’t want to be governed by secular government in Manila. Despite several Muslim personalities holding sensitive and major positions in government, the same does not seem to satisfy their desires. We have a Muslim Supreme Court Justices, Muslim COMELEC officials, Muslim Secretary of Justice. In key areas in Mindanao, majority of the Regional Directors are Muslims, yet this still did not comfort the separatists. Muslims are not discriminated either in property ownership, educational access, medical benefits, and religious practice. A lot of Muslims have become successful in society as professionals, businessmen, artists and government officials. Muslims are free to engage in their pursuits of life without the restrictions imposed by the secular government. But yet all of these seems not enough.

They don’t want to be integrated to the mainstream of Philippine society. They want to chart their own destiny under the Sharia or the Islamic law. Why would we forced them to remain with us when they don’t want it. To force our system into them will only mean more violence and more trouble. The aftermath could be messy. We don’t want this country to end up like Israel, Iraq, Pakistan or Afghanistan. In fact as of this writing, there is a heightened alert in Lanao del Norte as there are reports that MILF regulars are moving in in one or two towns. In Davao del Sur, authorities were alerted of the presence of members of the dreaded MILF-Special Operations Group who are explosives experts. One is a woman who disguised herself as a beauty product endorser while the other is a male who posed as a fish car operator. There are also terrorist operatives who are monitored to have passed themselves as foreign missionaries.

Two, despite development funds infused therein, the area remain undeveloped because the funds seems to be lost to corruption. While the political leaders in the area became super rich and super powerful, the ordinary Muslim remains impoverished. Investors are afraid to pour their money into the area because of poor peace and order situation. The area is always on the edge to lawlessness.

Three, the area has been the perennial source of election fraud. Remember in the 2007 elections, a single province, Maguindanao, spelled the doom of one candidate because of the statistically improbable results from the said province. Because of that incident, a winning candidate lost his seat. In Lanao del Norte, a Congressman almost lost when unidentified men opened the sealed ballot boxes and stuffed ready made returns to favor one candidate. In almost all elections, the voting in those areas will always be postponed due to harassment by armed men, a convenient excuse for someone who have sinister plans of cheating his or her way to victory. And who could forget the now infamous “Hello Garci” tapes. The setting is again in the said areas.

Giving independence to these areas will release us from the burdens of electoral mockery that has plagued our national elections for generations. It seems that these areas abhor democratic exercises like elections so why do we force them to embrace it. With these areas, separated from our country, we might be getting rid of a disease that seems to have no cure. Lets accept it, in those areas, might is right. Those who have guns, goons, gold and guts rule. How can you blame them, it’s their prevailing culture. To a Moro, a gun is a basic and constant companion, it’s a status symbol. Can democracy like ours thrive in that environment? It is therefore better for both us to go in separate ways if that is the only way that a peaceful co existence can be achieved.

Who will have a lot to lose? It’s the capitalists, the oligarchs and the businessmen who are eyeing the rich mineral resources in the area and the politicians who use that part of Mindanao as source of questionable votes. Although, I would like to suggest that a compensation scheme should be implemented for non Muslims who have substantial properties in the affected areas who will be displaced by the independence grant. These individuals should be paid by the government for the value of their land and make provisions for their relocation in other areas of Mindanao. They can consider populating Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, areas which still have adequate living space for newcomers.

Why should we be afraid to give them freedom. For all we know, their liberation is our liberation too. Our huge spending for military operations will be redirected to projects that would enhance the livelihood of ordinary Filipinos. We should not be afraid of this change for if we reflect upon, we will realize that we never have fully governed these areas since our independence in the first place.

 

GMA’S EUROPEAN JUNKET – A REMINDER OF WHAT THE TRILLANES REVOLT IS ALL ABOUT.

After licking a “political situation” in Makati last week, Gloria Arroyo happily embarked a three nation European trip tagging along 30 Congressmen (bootlickers if you will), 3 senators and some unnamed governors. It looks like a getaway vacation for Gloria Arroyo who successfully dodged another impeachment complaint, though a bogus one and neutralizing Senator Trillanes and General Danilo Lim. What a perfect way to relax. Europe is a classy place, the home of the royals and the makers of the finest wines in the world, perfect place to spend time at this time of the year. 

Gloria Arroyo’s entourage was billeted in Melia Castilla, a five star hotel in Madrid which charges 12,000 pesos a day. Text messages circulated that Congressmen were given $9,000 for the trip breakdown as follows: $5,000 for the round trip ticket, $1,000 for hotel accommodation and food allowances, and $3,000 for pocket money. Malacanang of course, denied that government money was spend for the trip. The congressmen, it said, paid the trip from their own pockets. But if Congressman Eduardo Nonito Joson (Ind., 1st Dist, Nueva Ecija) would have his say on the trip, public money was appropriated for it,

 “… kung mapapansin natin state visit naman ito, hindi ba? So, ibig sabihin talagang official function ng Presidente ito. Country to country. Diplomatic relations ito. So, talagang merong pondo available dapat ang Office of the President (… if you noticed the trip is a state visit, right? Meaning, this is an official function of the President. Country to country. This is a diplomatic relations. So, the Office of the President has available funds for this).”

That’s not quite farfetched. Not so long ago, paper bags each containing cash as low as P200,000 to as high as P500,000 were handed to Congressmen and Governors in Malacanang. These paper bag carrying individuals were even caught on video! Yet, Malacanang is denying that there while there was cash distributed, it did not come from public coffers. Who are they kidding?

Just over the weekend, GMA throw a lavish Christmas party to Cebu media. Every mediaman was given the option to bring along four members of their families. There were overflowing wines, welcome drinks, sumptuous buffet of classy foods and to top it all, a band playing classical music. The party was held at Malacanang sa Sugbu building. This is a hallmark of a rotten leadership, wine, women and song although I prefer to omit the women aspect. Just the same two out of three is not that bad at all.

This is the kind of culture of corruption and wastage that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV would want to eradicate, uproot, and purge. Too bad, instead of sympathy, all Trillanes got was scorn and brickbats for his failed patriotic stand both from those who cried foul over Arroyo’s abuses and those who approved it. For those who oppose Arroyo but who now castigate Trillanes bold act, your scorn will come back to you in the form of more abuses from the Arroyo administration. Either you would brace for more or just learn to stomach it. Its too late now for meaningful change. Well, they could stick to their illusion that Arroyo will step down peacefully come 2010.

To those who approve her abuses, good for them. I just cant comprehend that some well educated, well bred and devoutly religious people strongly and consistently supports a corrupt and morally bankrupt leadership, actively or passively.

***

Fresh from her latest electoral victory when on her electoral protest case, Mayor Julliette Uy of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental is now focused back to business. Sending a strong message to her perceived political enemies within the municipal hall, Uy sternly warned them that she means business.

“ If you want to become regulars, do your jobs well, stop gossiping, laziness and other bad practice while at work. If you think you have the qualifications or skills but are discontented with your salaries, why don’t you resign and seek employment in the private sector. I’ll wait for your resignations this afternoon. Many of you here were employed due to personal political affiliations. Don’t be arrogant and swell headed.”

Even without saying it, it seems there is still bitterness on the part of the Mayor brought from the sting of the political protest case questioning her victory. According to her, the Uy family has never depended on other politicians in the local polls and would not be intimidated. The feeling of Mayor Uy is understandable. The oppression she got from her political opponents are just too much.

***

Former Congressman and now Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas mauled a Barangay Chairman from Sinuron, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The incident happened during the mass oath taking newly elected barangay officials of the Municipality of Sta. Cruz. Henri Lim said he was punched on his face and choked by Governor Cagas.

“Gihanaan ko niya pirmiro sa iyang kamot unya gibalikan ko niya ug unya gidasmagan, gituok, gisumbag sa akong nawong (He tried to box me first, but he came back and harassed me while he punched my face and choked my throat).”

Danilo Uda Sr., a barangay kagawad of the same barangay thought an uneducated person is better than the governor. Kagawad Marcelo Cernan said,

“Cagas only stopped when his policemen bodyguard pacified him”

Benjamin Manejos, another official also commented,

“We are all educated, political issues must be settled inside an office and the attention of the concerned official will be called not in occasions like this.”

Cagas denied the allegations. “ I did not box him, but if he tells a lie, I will file a case against Lim. A reporter by the Gold Star Daily received an angry retort from Cagas thru a text message,

“ Wa ko managpa. Ikaw hinuon kun padayon kang magsige ug binastos nga pangutana. ( I did not slap anyone. I might on you if you continue your rude questioning.)

Cagas was further quoted as saying,

“ Ikaw Henri Lim, mag pa too ka nga bayani ka, pwerte nga mangwartahay. (You Henri Lim, you try to portray yourself as a hero, you big time corrupt one).

Lim however seems to be resigned of his fate,

“ I heard over the radio that there are many barangay officials who had experienced the same from the governor but still no action is taken.”

Things like this are nothing new in parts of Mindanao. Last May elections, the father son tandem of Pedro Romualdo and JJ Romualdo mauled an election lawyer in Camiguin province.

What happened to our local government officials? It seems that the Arroyo administration is breeding badly tempered and ill mannered politicians. Or it might be that the abusive demeanor of some Palace personalities rubbed on some local government leaders. Whatever it is, this scenario does not bode well to the younger generation. A leader should be an example of virtue and mild temperament.