Commentary: JDV insistence for Senate to invite FG on ZTE, a challenge to Ombudsman
The lawmakers said the planned resumption of hearing by the Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon assails the integrity of the Office of the Ombudsman’s decision giving Mr. Arroyo and some other top government officials a clean bill on the NBN mess.
“By urging Senator Gordon to push through with the hearing on Tuesday with Mr. Arroyo in attendance, De Venecia challenges and assails the Ombudsman’s ruling indirectly”, the sources said.
That would be grossly unfair not only to the First Gentleman, but with the other officials who were already cleared by the anti-graft body,” they added.
“The Ombudsman has spoken. Candidates for political office should start using other ways of getting public attention than hitting a family who will be out of Malacañang in 10 months,” Rep. Antonio Alvarez of the 1st District of Palawan said.
Politicians who have been exploiting the NBN-ZTE controversy to gain media mileage should start looking for other issues to push their political agenda, the Solon added.
Alvarez pointed out that if the Ombudsman had indicted Mr. Arroyo for alleged influence peddling, then the former Speaker, along with his son and namesake Joey and so-called whistle-blower Jun Lozada should likewise be indicted for the same offense, on the strength of their own statements that they also tried to sway the NBN transactions their way.
According to Alvarez, the De Venecia’s have admitted that they pulled some strings, cut corners, called up some people, wrote incriminating letters and offered enticements to influence the outcome of the transactions. “Such acts constitute actionable offenses and they could be held liable for their misdeeds,” he stressed.
“At this point in time, it may be prudent to leave the First Family alone since President Arroyo’s tenure would end in just about 10 months,” he said.
In its 51-page ruling, the Ombudsman said there was no sufficient evidence to file charges against the First Gentleman, Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Undersecretary Lorenzo Formozo, Assistant Secretary Elmer Soneja and the ZTE officials.
The Ombudsman recommended, however, the filing of graft suits against Social Security System president Romulo Neri and former Elections Commission chair Benjamin Abalos. (PIA)
Firm sees more OFW openings with PGMA visit to Libya
Bison president Belen M. Al-Humayed, whose company’s motto is “Bridging people for a better life”, has successfully deployed more than 100 highly-qualified Filipino professionals, skilled workers and non-skilled workforce in Libya in the past couple of months to further his scope of sending OFWs through out the world — in neighboring Asian countries, Middle East, Europe, Canada, USA, and its territories.
“I’m optimistically hoping that President Arroyo’s visit (to Libya) will sustain the excellent ties between the two countries and our OFWs need this endeavor for the benefits of their Filipino families at home,” said Al-Humayed, whose office located at BMH Centre in 3963 Yague Street, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Makati City.
“We congratulate Libya in their anniversary. They are OFW-friendly country and we believed their booming economy makes them attracted to foreigners like Filipinos to visit, work or live for good,” Al-Humayed added.
Citing a report from Philippine Labor Attache to Tripoli, Libya Nasser Mustafa, Secretary Marianito Roque of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said five Libyan companies hire the OFWs, mostly in contraction jobs, Bison had deployed in that country since early this year.
Roque proudly said the OFWs from Bison receive a monthly salary, particularly from United Engineering Co. and Amal Africa Catering Co. as much as $1,000 (roughly P48,900) for foreman and $400 (P19,600) to $600 (P29,400) for skilled worker.
The DOLE chief revealed most of the companies in Libya offer free housing accommodation and some companies like Al Taqaniya Al Handasia Al Hadeetha provide with free food and transportation for those workers sent by Bison.
Al-Humayed, a devoted Muslim, said there are also lots of job openings in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates for Filipinos. Recently, Bison looks for waiters, street sweeper operators, safety inspectors, housekeeper supervisor, analysts/programmers, carpenters, civil-supervisor, civil-foreman, electrical engineers, iron workers, land surveyors, masons, scaffolders, scaffolding supervisors, steel fixers, surveying engineers, CNC machine operators, medical technologists, microbiologists, respiratory therapists, painters and decoratives among others.
The Philippines and Libya have established excellent diplomatic ties since 1976. Libya played a major contribution in bringing peace and development in southern Philippines after doing its big part in the conclusion of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and in the 1996 final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Libya along with Brunei and Japan compose the multinational International Monitoring Team (IMT), which monitors the truce between the military and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as well as credited in reducing the clash between the government troops and the rebel group. (Bison/PIA)
Mabuhay rites for centennial day babies set
The event sponsors of this once in al life time humanitarian offering are the National Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB), the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) headed by Betty Fangasan, in partnership with United States retired navymen Angel Villalarvo and Joseph Catacutan in coordination with the Baguio Centennial Commission (CENTECOM).
Former City Councilor and NCCB President Nars Padilla, executive program coordinator of the special event, said the quest committee from the CSWDO, is set and very excited to welcome the bundles of joy. A baby boy and a baby girl will be the honorees.
The selection of the “Centennial Babies” will start midnight of August 31 and the following day, September 1. The two babies born closest to the designated time will be declared as the lucky ones. Padilla said a package of “welcome-mabuhay gift,” will be presented to the newly born infants and their respective parents on September 2 at 9:00 o’ clock in the morning at the hospital where the babies will see the first light of day.
The gift items include a cash amount to start the babies savings bank account, baby clothings and blankets, a cavan of rice for each family and assorted fruits of the babies’ mother respectively.
“Let us all welcome the “Centennial Babies” into our fold, Padilla said.” (NCCB)
PGMA inaugurates new CSU Andrews campus
Tuguegarao City (28 August) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has unveiled the new four-storey academic and administrative building of Cagayan State University (CSU) Andrews Campus in Caritan, this city.
The President, together with Sec. Silvestre Bello III, Gov. Alvaro Antonio, Cong. Manuel Mamba, Bishop Ramon Villena and CSU President Roger P. Perez, has unveiled the new marker of the University with 32 classrooms worth more than 58.7 million pesos.
CSU Andrews Campus which is formerly known as Caritan Campus houses students of the College of Education, College of Human Kinetics, College of Law, Graduate School and College of Medical Technology. It was named after Claude Edgar Andrews who donated the lot where the university stands.
The CSU administration building was funded and constructed by the students of the university with the design and supervision of the college of engineering.
The campus is now the seat of governance of the university, where the central administration holds office. It is one among “Circa 50″ buildings in different campuses which serve not only as institutional facilities but as aesthetic icons, representing the university motto: “Ad Optimum Educans”, meaning “Educating for the Best”, and are now in the final phase of their construction process.
The high rise academic building which started in 2006 is now taking full shape towards 2009 which is the target date for its completion, financed through internally-generated income.
The President appreciated the improvement of the university as the model university not only in academe but also in physical infrastructure as an evidence and is geared at developing and encouraging higher aspirations among its poor students. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
PGMA praises CSU as center of excellence for fisheries and marine science
Tuguegarao City (28 August) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has called on the students of Cagayan State University (CSU) to cherish the bounty of gifts that God has bestowed to Cagayan Valley Region while their university continues to shine as the center of excellence in education.
The President, who endured the heat of the sun in delivering her Ilocano message to more than 13,000 students, members of the academe, local and national government officials including the clergy said the government never abandoned the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) because the continuing government subsidy for the SUCs makes tuition fees low and affordable to the students.
“It is good to note that CSU is the center of excellence in fisheries, marine sciences and hopefully in agribusiness also”, PGMA said.
The President also added that the students and the people of Cagayan must develop their natural resources including human resources, talent and capital to spur development in the region.
While Cagayan, she said is the hottest province in the country because it is located between two high mountain ranges, it also blessed with rich natural resources and beautiful spots.
“Your province is the hottest in the country but blessed, beautiful and very fertile”, she stressed.
According to the President, Cagayanos should nurture their natural resources, particularly the Cagayan Valley river because it is the first and the mightiest river in the country compared to the river basin in Mindanao.
“I hope that the outstanding students as evidence by all have produce that the students will use all bounties, natural and financial for the good of the great Cagayan Valley and the great Republic of the Philippines,” she said. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
Comelec appeals anew to public: Go out and register
By Danny O Sagun
Dagupan City (28 August) — The Commission on Elections has reiterated its appeal to the public to register or validate their registration at Comelec offices.
Dagupan City election officer lawyer Remarque Ravanzo told the Engkwentro forum at the Lenox Hotel Wednesday that only few new registrants so far have been trooping to the Comelec office in the city. “Siguro dahil nasa school pa ang ating mga kabataan kaya kokonti pa sa kanila ang nagpaparehistro,” he noted.
Comelec offices, he said, are open Mondays to Saturdays and even on holidays to accommodate new voters and those who want their registrations validated. Deadline is on October 31 this year.
He also asked the support of the media especially broadcast to continue reminding the people about the need to register or validate. Those who failed to vote in the last two elections need to register anew as their names, he pointed out, have already been removed from the list of voters.
He clarified that those who failed to validate their registrations can still vote in the May elections next year.
Asked if the poll body would have enough time to prepare for the automated elections next year, Ravanzo said that Comelec is following a timetable for various activities to include training for teachers who will man the precincts as well as information and education activities for the public. “May mga public demos na gagawin,” he disclosed.
On teachers who will man the precincts, he said he prefers those who are still young and receptive to technology. “Kinausap ko na si superintendent tungkol dito,” he said.
“Please give chance to the automated elections,” he urged the mediamen present in reaction to queries and negative comments as well fears in connection with the first nationwide computerized polls in the country. He said that the first concern of local election officers is the security of the machines. “Let’s leave technical matters to TIM-Smartmatic and Comelec,” he said.
Told about the concern of many voters who have not received their identification cards yet, he noted that he himself has not received his, pointing out that the last delivery of voter IDs was about three years ago. “Nakatutok sa automation kasi ang Comelec ngayon,” he said. (PIA Pangasinan)
Hunger incidence up in second quarter of 2009, says SWS
Manila (27 August) — According to the second quarter 2009 Social Weather Stations Hunger Survey, fielded June 19 to 22, 2009, the proportion of families who experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months rose to 20%3% or an estimated 3.7million families, from 15.5% or an estimated 2.9 million families in the first three months of the year.
The increase was due to the increase in moderate hunger, from 11.1% to 16% while severe hunger remained stable.
Moderate hunger, refers to hunger experienced “Only Once” or ” A few times” in the last three months while severe hunger refers to hunger experienced “often” or “always” in the last three months.
The SWS survey showed that hunger soared 18 points in Mindanao, from 11.7 percent (estimated 1.3 million families) in June 2009.
Meanwhile Metro Manila, hunger increased by five points, from 17.3 percent (estimated 430,000 families) to 22.3 percent (estimated 550.000 families), and by 1 point in the Visayas, from 19.7 percent (estimated 730,000 families) to 21.0 percent (estimated 775,000 families).
Hunger incidence slightly dropped in balance Luzon, from 15.0 percent to 14.3 percent (estimated 1.2 million families). (PIA 12)
Significant reduction noted in anemia prevalence among Filipinos
Manila (27 August) — The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) released recently the initial results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey. The survey revealed significant improvement in the prevalence of Anemia Across all age groups, except among pregnant women, which could be considered a major achievement globally.
In 2008, the overall prevalence of Anemia from 6 months to the elderly is 19.5%. The highest prevalence was observed among infants 6 months to 1 year (55.7%) a significant reduction of 11.4% from 2003 levels, followed by pregnant women (42.5%).
At these levels, Anemia prevalence among Filipino Infants and Pregnant women remains a significant health problem.
While an in-depth analysis on the reasons for the decline in anemia prevalence still has to be done, possible reasons include the increasing availability of fortified food products in the market particularly iron-fortified flour and bread products. Iron-fortified rice is the food for school program of the accelerated hunger-mitigation program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Given the results of the 7th NNS nutrition, health and hunger-mitigation measures will be directed on the highly at-risk groups such as the pregnant women, infants and young children. (PIA 12)
Pangasinan pursues two hard infra projects
By Danny O Sagun
Dagupan City (27 August) — The provincial government is putting in place two hard infrastructures to include the planned seaport in Sual town, a board member said Wednesday in a media forum.
Board Member Von Mark Mendoza said that the province is securing a P900 million loan with the Land Bank to finance its various infra projects. Out of the amount, P200 million would serve as the province’s counterpart fund for the seaport project. The national government thru the Department of Transportation and Communication and the Philippine Ports Authority has pledged P200 million while Sual town is allocating P100 million to complete the needed P500 million.
The other hard infra is the planned airport which may be funded by the national government or thru a private investor under the build-operate-transfer scheme. It will be recalled that President Macapagal-Arroyo mentioned the airport project in her State of the Nation Address in 2007.
Mendoza said that Pangasinan badly needs a seaport considering that 40 percent of transactions at the nearby Poro Point in la Union are intended for Pangasinan. “Pasok sana ang revenues na yan sa “tin,” he said.
Defending the P900 million loan applied with the bank, Mendoza said that all projects to be funded by the loan are specific. “Sa tagal ko ryan sa provincial board, ngayon ko lang nakita na specific ang mga proyektong pag-gastusan,” he replied when asked during an interview why the province was securing such a big loan while it has yet to fully repay the P600 million loan earlier acquired by the previous provincial administration.
He said the projects to be funded by the new loan include rehabilitation of government hospitals, farm to market roads, agricultural facilities and purchase of new road equipment. He said that the trucks and equipment purchased during the Orbos administration were now mostly under state of disrepair due to long use.
Meanwhile, Mendoza denied being a defender of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. Guesting at the weekly Engkwentro forum at the Lenox Hotel Wednesday, he said he was only speaking for the facts being part of the official family. He also said that the governor is a party-mate at Kampi during the last elections along with three other board members.
He said that he and former Gov. Victor E. Agbayani, now second district congressman, were never party-mates. But he clarified that he had supported Agbayani in his endeavors although he (Mendoza) was with the minority during that time. “Di naman kami nag-away at ibinaon na namin ang anumang away ng pamilya namin,” he said referring to the reported feud between his father, Chris, who served as congressman, and Victor’s father, Aguedo, a former governor. Both are deceased.
He said that there was one thing clear that came out of the attacks and counterattacks coming from the camps of Espino and Agbayani, who reportedly confirmed already his plan to run for governor. “Ang nagawa ni Victor sa siyam na taon ay nagawa na ni governor sa loob lamang ng dalawang taon,” he pointed out. (PIA Pangasinan)
DOH launches ‘floating sanitary toliets’ in Pangasinan
By Venus H. Sarmiento
Dagupan City (27 August) — The Center for Health Development of the Department of Health in the region launched today an innovative approach to address the perennial problem of diarrheal outbreaks in the province.
The ‘floating sanitary toilets’ (FST), a’brainchild’ of CHD engineers and the first in the country, was put to test as far as to its practicability, strength and usefulness during the project launch and turn over ceremony in barangay Luciente I in Bolinao town.
DOH-CHD Regional Director Eduardo Janairo described the FST as a low cost pour-flush sanitation facility which floats on water.
Its structure and waste treatment materials are made of locally available indigenous materials such as bamboo, nipa, sawali, used plastic drums, sea corals or river gravel/stones, charcoal and garden soil, he explained.
Dr. Paulyn Ubial, assistant health secretary said FST was conceptualized in response to the challenge of preventing the contamination of the different bodies of water with e. coli, vibrio cholera and other micro-organisms causing severe diarrheal diseases and outbreaks. (PIA-Pangasinan)
