Cebu City News November 2012

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Cebu City Cathedral
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Magellan's Cross in Cebu City
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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Mormon Temple Lahug cebu city philippines

Cebu archbishop consecrates modern Calungsod chapel

By Ador Vincent Mayol


Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma poured sacred oil on a bare altar table, burned incense and added a piece of the bone of St. Therese of the Child Jesus as a treasure of the newest church dedicated to St. Pedro Calungsod. Palma led the consecration rites of the St. Pedro Calungsod Chapel at the SM Seaside City which was opened to the public yesterday. “This chapel is a sign of God’s love. It is a sign that God is present in our midst. This chapel will become a source of grace,” said Palma in his homily. “May this Church be a refuge to those who find life burdensome and for those who want to celebrate their joys and dreams. Here we find strength through the Eucharist.” The bone fragment of St. Therese which will remain in a reliquary of the chapel is considered a first class relic. Palma said he was happy that the retail conglomerate SM built a chapel first before other infrastructures in its portion of the South Road Properties. When the congregation sang the litany of saints, the name of St. Calungsod was included. His official image was placed near the altar. Also present during the consecration of the chapel were Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, around 20 bishops and 25 priests, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, and Rep. Tomas Osmena of Cebu City’s south district. The new chapel is being donated by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sy Sr. to the Archdiocese of Cebu. In an interview, New York-based architect Carlos Arnaiz said the chapel was built at a cost of at least P160 million. Most of the amount, he said, was spent in compacting the soil in the reclamation area. “I had to research. We were looking for a chapel that represents the diversity of Cebu. We wanted a church that has a sense of openness and connection,” Arnaiz told reporters. He said the modern design of the chapel, whose most striking feature is the construction of 100 walls of different heights, does not yet have distinctive visual themes of St. Calungsod yet since the project was orginally intended as a church for Mary, the mother of God. Fr. Brian Brigoli, in an earlier interview, said the Archdiocese of Cebu had suggested dedicating the chapel to Calungsod instead. The national thanksgiving celebration of the new saint is being held just across the street in a 27-hectare lot owned by the Cebu city government. SM handled the site development of the 27-hectare venue as its contribution for the historic event. The main altar has three sacred images. On the right is the life-size statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary dressed in white. On the opposite side is St. Joseph, her husband and the patron of the universal Church. At the center of the altar is the image of the crucified Jesus Christ. The air-conditioned chapel has a capacity of 800 individuals. Msgr. Vicente Tupas will be the chapel’s first rector.





Icon of Virgin Mary in Cebu loses jewels

By Rebelander S. Basilan


CEBU CITY -- An image of the Virgin of the Rule was stripped of jewelry by burglars in Lapu-Lapu City Wednesday dawn, a week after devotees observed the feast of the City’s patroness.

Fr. Agustin Pulong, who is in charge of the Nuestra Señora de Regla Parish National Shrine in Barangay Poblacion, said the burglars took away 69 necklaces, 70 rings and 16 bracelets.

The burglars also opened the donation box below the image and stole an unknown amount, leaving only coins and a few small bills.

A security guard and two utility workers discovered the burglary past 3 a.m.

The parish could not estimate the value of the stolen jewelry items because these were donated by private individuals, Pulong told reporters.

The police are looking into the possibility that an insider took the jewelry or helped the thieves as there were no signs of forced entry.

Inspector Christian Torres, chief of the Theft and Robbery Section of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said they may request the parish employees to undergo a polygraph test.

Torres said they are also looking at the workers who repainted the church a few weeks ago as possible suspects.

“Among gisubay ron kung kinsa to ang mga namintal (We’re now tracing the persons who worked on the repainting of the church),” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Based on their initial investigation, Torres said the burglary was done by two persons or more.

Torres said the laborers who repainted the church knew how to enter the church through the ceiling.

Hole

The burglars may have gained access to the shrine, which is located at the back of the main church, through a hole in the ceiling near the campanario (bell tower).

Torres said a parish official estimated the value of the stolen jewelry to be not less than P500,000.

It was the second burglary in the shrine, said Pulong, who has been in-charge of the shrine since August. The first burglary happened in the 1990s.

Pulong said he is not familiar with the stolen jewelry but some of the pieces were made of gold.

The burglars spared the silver crown of the image. Pulong said the image has a gold crown, but they only use this when the image is taken out for the procession, held a day before the feast.

Remains

The burglars also left three rings, four jade bracelets and a pair of earrings. But they took away donations collected from Sunday to Tuesday. To get the jewelry, they removed one of the glass panels encasing the original image of the Virgin of the Rule.

The glass was taken by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) yesterday to examine some fingerprints.

Soco is also getting fingerprints from the parish employees, including the four security guards and three utility workers.

The shrine has a security camera but it stopped working last October.

“We were supposed to have the CCTV (closed circuit television) fixed this week,” said Pulong in Cebuano, adding he would suggest that the CCTV be replaced with a new one.

Bad news

Even though parish officials said the CCTV is no longer working, Torres said they will still send IT experts to examine the CCTV.

Pulong and Fr. Fabian Cayetano, another parish official, were awakened yesterday dawn by the news that the shrine was burglarized.

Hiram Miranda, 29, the guard on duty at the time, reported the incident to the Police Station 3 around 3:20 a.m.

Miranda and utility workers Rogelio Cogal and Virgilio Camposo opened the shrine past 3 a.m. and noticed that the glass on the left side of the image had been forcibly removed.

The guard’s shift started at 10 p.m. and ended at 6 a.m.

Familiar

Pulong said the culprits seemed to be very familiar about the image and the shrine.

“Di ko makasulti kung naay inside job. Huwat na lang ta sa police (I could not say whether it was an inside job. Let’s just wait for the result of the police investigation),” he said.

Pulong said he would pray that the burglars will realize their mistake and return the jewelry.

Librando Aying, 42, one of the four parish security guards, said the burglars may have entered the shrine by crawling through the hole in the ceiling.

The wooden lock on the small door covering the hole was destroyed. Apart from that, he said, there were no signs of forced entry as the doors remained locked.

Donation

Aying, who has been working at the shrine for eight years, said they close the shrine around 7 p.m. every day.

Aying said the burglars removed the image’s crown to get the necklaces and put it back on afterward.

The donation box was pried open.

The police found marks made by shoes or slippers and fingerprints above the wooden door, but Insp. Torres said these could have been made by workers who repainted the church in preparation for the fiesta last week.

Fr. Jimmy Duero, the parish priest, is in Nueva Ecija attending the diamond jubilee celebration of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. He is expected to arrive in Lapu-Lapu today.

The parish is temporarily closing the shrine at the back of the main church. It will be opened to the public as soon as investigators finish collecting evidence.

“We condemn the act. We pray for the conversion of the one who perpetrated the crime,” Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma told reporters.

Mayor Paz Radaza, in her regular news conference, said she will leave the investigation to the police. (Sun.Star Cebu)





Cebu business leaders slam ecozone incentive’s removal

By Aileen Garcia-Yap


Business leaders in Cebu questioned the Philippine Economic Zones Authority’s (PEZA) amendment of their incentives policy, saying it is “two steps backward” for enterprises doing business in the province. Prudencio Gesta, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president, said removing the five percent tax on rental income might discourage developers from setting up or expanding their operations here. NO INCENTIVE PEZA withheld the incentive to businesses in economic zones in Cebu City and Metro Manila last September. Instead, it will grant the five percent rental tax income to those developers locating outside of these areas. Under this setup, IT facilities in Eastwood City Cyberpark in Quezon City, Northgate Cyber Zone in Muntinlupa City, Robinsons Cyberpark in Mandaluyong City, E-Square Information Technology Park in Taguig City and Cebu IT Park won’t enjoy the special five percent tax discount on rental income. HURT INVESTORS Gesta added that Cebu City has not reached its full potential yet for office spaces and taking out the incentive might discourage developers which could affect the general growth in the area. “While we support PEZA’s intention to develop more office properties in areas outside of Metro Manila and Cebu City, taking out the 5 percent tax incentives already enjoyed by developers in these areas is two steps backward!” he said. Developers of new special economic zones for manufacturing, agro-industries and tourism that covers an area of less than 25 hectares will no longer avail of the incentives. POSITION PAPER Gesta said Cebu City hadn’t reached its full potential yet for office spaces and removing the incentive wouldn’t motivate businesses experiencing a development boom to expand to other areas. The CCCI president said he would call a meeting with other board members of the chamber to review the PEZA resolution. The chamber plan to submit a position paper to the agency. “For CCCI, we will strongly manifest to retain existing tax incentives as these areas still has a huge potential for more development and growth,” said Gesta. Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph agreed. policy flip-flop “I think in principle it is good idea but unfortunately indicative of another policy flip flop. Investors need consistency and predictability,” Joseph said about the removal of the incentive. Joseph said developers should continue to enjoy these incentives even if they completed their projects to encourage them to locate elsewhere. “The current incentives can be maintained and just increased in other locations,” he said. Philip Tan, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said consistent incentives policies to businesses would make the country more attractive to foreign investors. “Investors don’t only consider taxes but more importantly the ease of doing business. Perhaps policies that are consistent should be applied,” said Tan. more incentives Joe Soberano, former president of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA), said the PEZA decision won’t be effective in encouraging increased investments outside of established growth areas. Soberano, who has a mixed-use building inside Cebu IT Park, said he wished the government could design better and more attractive incentives if they want to create significant growth in areas outside of Manila and Cebu.






Power firm, telcos to rid Cebu City sidewalks of obstructions in 3 years

By pna.gov.ph


CEBU CITY, Nov. 27 (PNA) -- Utility firms and telecommunication companies launched Monday a three-year project called “Sugbo, Matahum” (Cebu, Beautiful) that seeks to beautify Cebu City and remove redundant poles from the city’s sidewalks.

”This project aims to preserve the city’s natural beauty not through aesthetics but by cleaning the streets of redundant poles. The removal of the redundant poles allows pedestrians to safely maneuver the city’s streets and sidewalk,” said Visayan Electric Co.’s (Veco) vice president, for administration Sebastian Lacson.

Lacson said the removal of the redundant poles will have three phases.

The first phase, he said, will be implemented starting Dec. 10 and will involve redundant poles within the route being used during the annual Sinulog celebration which includes the Mango Ave., Imus St., Osmena Blvd. and P. del Rosario St. among others.

The second phase will be implemented in 2013 starting February until November.

The redundant poles to be removed include those along Gorordo Ave., Escario St., M Velez St., V. Rama Ave., B. Rodriguez St., N. Bacalso., Ramos St. and D. Jakosalem St.

The third phase will be implemented in 2014 and will remove redundant poles on Gov. Cuenco Ave. Salinas Drive, Juan Luna St., M.J. Cuenco Ave., Katipunan St., F. Llamas St., P. Duterte St., Katipunan St., and the road leading to the Guadalupe Church.

Lacson assured that there will be less inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists during the implementation of the project.

”The transferring of the electrical lines from one pole to another would be much easier now and faster because we have the commitment from the different telcos,” he said.

The telecommunication companies reportedly include Globe Telecom and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

Lacson said the removal of the redundant poles will also provide an opportunity for the utilities to bundle up spaghetti wires.

Aside from the removal of the redundant poles, Veco and the telecommunication companies will also undertake another project next year, which is to remove overhead wires and replace them with underground cables.

The project will be implemented from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to Fuente Osmena circle.

These projects of Veco and the telecommunication companies are in compliance with City Ordinance 1894 which was approved in 2001 and mandates the removal of the redundant poles, bundling of spaghetti wires and the implementation of underground cabling. (PNA) FFC/EB/RE

Mandaue, Cebu rule CCSC tilt

By CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON


MANDAUE CITY and Cebu City ruled their respective divisions to become the inaugural champions of the Cebu City Sports Center Football Friendship Games dubbed the Champion’s League yesterday at the CCSC football field. Mandaue City’s selection of players from the Mandaue Technical Institute and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) proved to be lethal as it clinched the secondary title over the Abellana National School (ANS) Pomeroy via a penalty shootout, 4-3, after the regulation match ended at 1-all. Mandaue’s Kiko Villamor scored the first goal with just 13 minutes into the ballgame. However, ANS Pomeroy forced a penalty shootout when it was able to score the equalizer in the 40th minute on Kevin Delantes’ goal. Scoring for Mandaue during the penalty shootout were Villamor, AJ Pelicano, Joseph Felicilda and Clint Ligan while finding the back of the net for ANS were Shane Sarmiento, Delantes and Kennedy Cuizon. In the elementary division, Cebu City manned by players from the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) shocked Team Warshockz, 6-1, to rule the division. Cebu City’s Gleere Espinosa found the back of the net first in the 10th minute of the ballgame. The team posted a 2-0 lead four minutes later on Christian Agot’s goal. Espinosa scored his second goal in the 24th minute. Vince Pacana pulled Cebu City out of reach with his goal in the 48th minute while Benedict Obispo added his contribution in the 62nd minute. The Warshockz goalkeeper made it six for Cebu City with an own goal./CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON

Cebu City, Mandaue take early lead in CCSC Football Friendship Games

By CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON


CEBU City and Mandaue City are currently leading their respective divisions in the 1st Cebu City Sports Center Football Friendship Games dubbed the Champions’ League whick kicked off yesterday at the CCSC football field. In the elementary division, Cebu City made up of players from the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) has accumulated four points equivalent to one win and a draw. Cebu City drew with the Warshockz, 2-all, in its first match but recovered to drub Danao FC, 6-0. Mandaue City has taken the second spot after handing Danao City its second loss, 6-0. The Warshockz is currently at third place with a point aftyer drawing with cellar-dwelling Danao City which has yet to post a win. In the secondary division, the Mandaue City Selection of Mandaue Technical Institute and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu grabbed the top spot after its 5-0 win over Cebu Province manned by players from Don Bosco Boys Home. The Abellana National School (ANS) which has withdrawn its football team in the recent Cebu City Olympics shocked the Cebu City Selection of DBTC players and University of Southern Philippines with a 1-0 edging. However, Cebu City recovered with a 2-1 win against Cebu Province. ANS has taken the second spot while Cebu City is at third. At fourth is Cebu Province. The top two teams in each division will advance to the finals which will be held this 6 p.m. while the eliminations will resume this morning.

2013 budget ‘unrealistic:’ Local Finance Board gets flak from City Council

By Doris C. Bongcac


Cebu City councilors yesterday chided the Local Finance Committee (LFC) for coming up with unrealistic revenue estimates as the City Council started scrutinizing Mayor Michael Rama’s proposed P6.7 billion budget for 2013. Cebu City Treasurer Emma Villarete got flak after she told the budget committee that the city is capable of funding the proposed budget by improving its real property tax (RPT) collections. “If you haven’t done that in the last four years, what assurance can you give that you’ll be able to do it next year?” asked Councilor Sisinio Andales during the budget hearing. Councilor Margot Osmeña, who chairs the budget committee, also questioned the LFC’s collection estimates as “dangerous”. “There is a danger in having high estimates. We are not being realistic. Isn’t it better that if we collect more (next year) we’ll just have supplemental budget?” she said. Villarete said the city government expects to earn over P55 billion. The amount is broken down as P1.8 billion in tax revenues; P0.9 million in non-tax revenues; P1.2 billion in external sources and P2.5 billion from other sources. She said they estimate to raise at least P1.2 billion from other local taxes and P560 million from real property taxes. The projected real property tax earnings is 45 per cent more than this year’s projected revenue of P386 million. As of October 31, the City Treasurers Office (CTO) has collected P280.4 million or 73 percent f its target of P386 million. Villarete said the treasurer’s office is expected to earn another P50 million to P60 million in real property taxes until December 31. Osmeña said that even if P60 million more is collected before the year ends, total collections will only amount to P340 million by year’s end, or P46 million short of the target. She said that it was far from possible for the city government to reach a P560 million real property collection target next year if it could not even collect its P386 million target for this year. The CTO also failed to reach its collection and business and other service income target. The office has so far collected P132 million of its P350 million collection target for the year. They also fell short in their collection of other income receipts and managed to only collect P135 million of their P300 million collection target as of October 31. Other income receipts consist of interest which the city earns from its bank deposits, tax payments from telecommunications companies and other revenues which cannot be classified under the other revenue categories. Villarete told the City Council that they failed to reach a 100 per cent RPT collection efficiency because of lack of manpower. She said they do not have the personnel to go to the barangays and serve notice of delinquencies to property owners. In order to remedy the problem, Villarete said they are embarking on a project next year to intensify their presence in the barangays. They will also be tapping the help of barangay officials especially in helping them locate real property owners for the delivery of notices of delinquencies. Villarete added that the P560 million collection target is only based on their projections of how much the city will collect in basic taxes. This still does not include payments from delinquencies and penalties. “But we are short of P46 million in this year’s RPT collection and still you are projecting a 45% increase next year. Goodluck,” said Osmena. Villarete admitted that the 45 per cent increase which they are targeting in the RPT collection is an uphill climb especially since the city is only averaging a 5% increase per annum in collection during the last four to five years. Councilor Jose Daluz III, Rama’s ally in the City Council, said setting high collection standards is a means to push tax collectors to even collect more. “The 45 per cent increase (we are aiming for) is a bit ambitious but it is just an estimate,” said Daluz who added that there is nothing wrong with “dreaming”. Poblete assured the council that the LFC and the executive department did their “homework” before they submitted the annual budget for the legislative body’s review. Councilor Noel Wenceslao disagreed with Daluz. “In budgeting we should be conservative. We should not put high estimates nga dili kaya nato but based on historical data,” he said. Osmena also told Poblete that while the council would want to move “in the same direction” with the executive department, it came as a surprise why they were not included in the series of consultations which mayor Rama called to solicit inputs from multi-sectoral groups on his “peoples budget.” City Assessor Eustaquio Cesa told the councilors that with the construction boom, many new structures and developments are rising in the city especially at the IT Park, the Cebu Business Park and at the South Road Properties (SRP) which will contribute to its RPT collections. Unlike the city’s RPT collection, the CTO faired in their collection of other local taxes and non tax revenues. Local tax collections amounted to P927 million as of October 31. Collection efficiency if 103% if compared to the city’s collection target of P900 million for the entire year. License fees collection also amounted to P140.9 million or 141% its collection target of P100 million.

Missing imported grain in Badian NFA warehouse worth P10.6 million

By Gerome M. Dalipe


THE Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas is investigating the shortage of imported rice stock in the warehouse of the National Food Authority (NFA) in the southwestern town of Badian, Cebu.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said the amount involved is P10.628 million.

The anti-graft office already docketed newspaper reports about the shortage to help graft investigators in their investigation, Apostol told reporters yesterday.

The investigation will focus on the unaccounted imported rice stock, which was handled by Badian NFA officer Benedicto Bernal.

Apart from Bernal, the ombudsman will also check other NFA personnel who might have conspired with him.

Criminal and administrative charges will be lodged against those found guilty of the crime, the ombudsman said.

‘On leave’

Bernal’s mobile phone remained unattended when Sun. Star Cebu tried calling him yesterday to get his reaction.

In a previous interview, Maria Lucia Rosales, NFA 7 public information officer, said Bernal went “on leave.”

Rosales said government auditors and their office had started a formal inquiry on the matter.

NFA provincial manager Nestor Rey Alcoseba had sent Bernal a letter, demanding payment for the shortage of rice stock in the past five years.

The letter, dated Oct. 15, 2012, noted that the shortage was discovered on March 16, 2007 yet.

The inventory NFA conducted covered rice stocks up to June 1, 2012.

NFA Cebu found that more than 17.5 million sacks of imported rice, valued at P6.8 million, were missing from Badian.

There was also a shortfall of 3,457.76 sacks of imported iron-fortified rice stocks worth P3.8 million and P371,928 in grains and empty sacks.

NFA rules

NFA rules related to stock shortfall require cash payment in full within 15 days from receipt of the demand letter from the provincial manager.

If the accountable officer fails to pay a shortage worth P500,000 and below, the NFA provincial manager is directed to file an administrative charge against him “without prejudice to filing of a criminal case.”

For a shortage worth between P500,000 and P1 million, the provincial manager should initiate the filing of an administrative case against the accountable officer “regardless of whether the shortage is restituted or not, without prejudice to the filing of a criminal case against him/her.”

For a shortage of more than P1 million, the provincial manager is directed to file criminal and administrative charges against the accountable officer in court, whether he reinstituted the shortage or not.

Council to probe “suspicious” delisting of elders

By Rene U. Borromeo/MIT


CEBU, Philippines - The members of the Cebu City Council will investigate the delisting of hundreds of names of senior citizens who are supposed to receive cash assistance from the city next month despite the pronouncement of Mayor Michael Rama that the matter was purely accidental and not politically motivated.

In yesterday’s regular session, the city legislators agreed to invite the heads of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and Management Information Computer Services (MICS) in their Nov. 28 session.

Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, head of the City Council’s committee on social services had received numerous complaints from the senior citizens in different barangays of the city whose names were not included in the newly-prepared lists of elderly persons that are supposed to receive P4,000 cash assistance each from the city next month.

Abellanosa claimed that some 1,600 names of senior citizens were delisted in Barangay Guadalupe, the barangay where Cebu City South district Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña is residing, while about 600 names of senior citizens went missing in Barangay Labangon.

It is the personnel of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, which is directly under the Office of the Mayor, who prepared the master lists of the supposed beneficiaries. At present, there are about 60,000 senior citizens registered in the city.

“This reported rampant and massive delisting and dropping of hundreds of qualified senior citizens, including the most recent beneficiaries is highly suspicious, irregular, immoral, demoralizing and an utter disrespect to our elderly in the city,” Abellanosa told his colleagues in the City Council.

According to Abella-nosa, this incident should be immediately investigated for possible culpable violations of the provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Abellanosa was able to convince his fellow city legislators that the City Council would invite City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and the other concerned officials to shed light on the matter and present the old master lists of the hundreds of senior citizens who received financial assistance last June.

In a separate interview, Rama said they are not afraid to face the city legislators because computer errors was the reason why the names of several senior citizens had been delisted from the list and it was not intentionally done by them. — (FREEMAN)






Thousands to join rally vs. high power rates

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP


CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of electricity consumers from 55 cities and municipalities from 15 provinces in 10 regions are expected to stage a multi-form protest on Nov. 22, 2012 dubbed as the “National Day of Action against EPIRA, high electricity rates and privatization of the power industry.”

Various groups, led by the Freedom from Debt Coalition, said that the whole-day protest will focus on issues that affect the ordinary electricity consumers.

FDC-Cebu secretary-general Aaron Pedrosa said that here in Cebu, power off will be from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22.

A people's assembly will be held in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City at 7 a.m. before a power caravan will take off at 8 a.m. on the same day from Talisay City to Lapu-Lapu City.

Pedrosa said that the Cebu City Council has already passed a resolution in support of this 30-minute power-off as the Association of Barangay Councils in Cebu City will likewise turn off power in their respective barangay halls, multi-purpose buildings and other barangay-owned buildings.

Pedrosa added that Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has already issued an executive order in support of the same.

All business chambers here were already given a formal letter by FDC asking them to support the event.

"We urge everyone to join the public outrage over exorbitant power rate, repeal of the EPIRA law which failed after more than a decade of its privatization and stop the government in selling the generation assets of the National Power Corporation," Pedrosa said, referring to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

“Sobra na ang pagtitiis ng mga konsyumer sa mataas na singil sa kuryente na dulot ng Epira. Sobra na ang kuryentiis ng mga mamamayan. Panahon na para ito labanan at hamunin ang mga kinauukulan na gumawa ng hakbang para tugunan ang isa sa pangunahing problema ng bawat simpleng Pilipino,” said FDC vice president Manjette Lopez in a press statement.

Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said that after 10 years of EPIRA, the country has higher electricity prices, worse power delivery and a real power crisis.

"EPIRA has shown itself to be a very deficient instrument from the point of view of achieving our national power and energy goals. It's time to repeal it," Bello said in the same press release.

Josua Mata, a convenor of NAGKAISA, a network of labor organizations, explained the impact of high cost of electricity on workers and business.

He said that locators in Mactan export processing zone are threatening to pull out if their concerns about the high cost of electricity are not properly addressed.

“This threatens the jobs of 250,000 workers. This makes it imperative for the government to show us a roadmap on how to achieve affordable electricity and energy security,” said Mata, also the secretary-general of Alliance of Progressive Labor. —(FREEMAN)







City looks for source to fund bonus

By Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MBG


CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will propose another supplemental budget to fund the bonus for City Hall employees.

The mayor is still undecided whether to grant P10,000 or P15,000 to each employee because the amount will depend on the available funds.

Rama already met with the Local Finance Committee and ordered to identify the source of funds for the bonus, which will likely be taken from this year’s savings.

Rama earlier planned to grant P10,000 bonus to all regular and casual employees on top of the mandatory 13th month pay.

The council last week passed a resolution urging the mayor to grant P15,000 bonus to each employee.

Rama is not against the proposed amount saying other local government units are even receiving higher bonuses.

Supplemental Budget No. 2 was just recently passed after four months of deliberation, but the mayor believes there is enough time to pass SB 3.

The city needs to appropriate P75 million to grant the P15,000 bonus to almost 5,000 employees.

Only regular and casual employees are entitled to the bonus, but the city government also provides gifts in kind to job order personnel. — (FREEMAN)






Cebu Council orders road warnings

By (PDF/JRB of Sun.Star Cebu)


CEBU CITY -- To make it safer for motorists, the Cebu City Council ordered the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to install traffic warning signs and markers along the whole stretch of the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR).

The council lamented that no traffic warnings have been installed since the CSCR was opened to the public, on the dangers of driving too fast.

“Several traffic accidents have already happened at the area, particularly in the vicinity of the Association of Barangay Council’s building, which involved death, physical injuries and damage to property,” said Councilors Michael Ralota and Richard Osmeña in a one-page resolution approved by the council.

Ralota and Osmeña said the signs should include warnings for motorist that the CSCR is an accident-prone area and a reminder for drivers to slow down.

The CSCR, which is a national road maintained by the Department of Public Works and Highways, has a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour.

The two councilors invoked City Ordinance (CO) 801, also known as the Revised Traffic Code of Cebu City, which mandates Citom to install early warning signs on roads and streets that are prone to vehicular accidents.

Sought for comment about the matter, Citom Executive Director Atty. Rafael Yap said his office will work on the matter and that the installation of traffic signs and markers can be funded by their estimated P180-million budget this year.

Accident-prone

Yap has already said that the CSCR is a “very accident-prone area,” and that vehicular accidents happen there at least once every week based on Citom’s records.

Earlier, Mayor Michael Rama had said he wanted to restrict the use of the CSCR and implement a truck ban at certain hours to lessen the vehicular accidents in the area.

Citom, though, has yet to conduct a 30-day trial on the planned truck ban.

Meanwhile, around 600 personnel from the Cebu City Police Office held a dry run at the South Road Properties on Sunday as part of their security preparations for a national thanksgiving mass on November 30.

All station commanders and operatives from special units of the city’s police force were distributed among the 19 blocks of the 27-hectare SRP site, for the thanksgiving celebration in honor of San Pedro Calungsod. An additional 700 police are expected to be added to the security force on the day itself.

Personnel from the Police Regional Office, Provincial Police Office, and Armed Forces are expected, along with “force multipliers” like the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT), criminology interns, security guards and barangay tanods.

Hot spot

A team from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and other paramedics will be on standby for any emergencies.

“It is important that a dry run like this should happen so that the policemen will get a feel for what will happen on the actual date of deployment, including the heat of the sun,” said Senior Superintendent Melvin Ramon Buenafe, chief of the Cebu City police.

Other police teams will also be on the streets to look after the foot procession, as well as the car park where hundreds of vehicles are also expected to arrive. Soldiers will help control the crowd. Participants may be frisked to prevent deadly weapons from being brought in among the crowd.

A resolution for a special gun ban, from November 28 to December 1, 2012, has been approved by the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC).

If it is approved, owners of licensed firearms will not be allowed to bring their firearms outside their houses on those dates.

“A rally might happen especially if President Aquino will be here,” said Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu, the operations chief. “We are also preparing for that possible scenario. Rest assured everyone will be safe, be they a VIP or an ordinary individual.”






Cebu City honors 8 more clans

By Jujemay G. Awit


THE Aboitizes, Barbas, Cuis, Fernans, Gaisanos, Jakosalems, Ludos and Luyms and the Vestils were honored by the Cebu City Government last Thursday.

They are part of the 75 “families of distinction,” representing clans that have shaped Cebu City’s trade and commerce in the last 75 years.

It was during the presentation that a new plan to rid the city’s streets of beggars and the homeless was hatched.

Inspiration

The City was inspired by siblings Doña Benigna and Don Pedro Cui, who established the Hospicio de San Jose de Barili 85 years ago. Both did not marry so they opened a home for people who do not have families to look after them.

In the presentation last Thursday, they were represented by siblings Dr. Victor and Atty. Mariano Cui. They said that in the 1960s, the Cuis and the Aboitizes teamed up to gather young people in the streets and house them in Talamban where they were fed and bathed.

The project was never sustained, but it gave Mayor Michael Rama the idea to get the 75 “families of distinction” to create a similar program.

With Cebu City’s night dwellers program, the homeless can go to the Citi Center building where they can sleep for the night and bathe in the morning.

Rama said if the 75 families help to provide food, education, livelihood and other bare essentials then the homeless won’t have to live in the streets.

The City also honored the Fernans, whose most prominent member was the late Senate president and chief justice Marcelo. But the family, while active in business circles, disappeared from the political scene with the death of former Cebu City councilor Danilo Fernan.

Friendly competition

During the presentation, it was also noted that the Aboitizes and the Gaisanos have never been in a public family bickering.

“There is no secret to it. It is just a lot of effort to keep things harmonious and we go to great lengths to keep the company transparent,” said Roberto Aboitiz.

There may be Gaisano stores and malls owned by different Gaisano families, but theirs is a friendly competition, said Alex Gaisano.

“There is cooperation, we stick together and we attend birthday parties together,” he said.

The City also honored the Barba clan for its printing press, the Jakosalems for politics and the Vestils for the arts. The Ludos and Luyms did not send a representative to the press conference.

Honoring the 75 families of distinction was part of the City’s 75th Charter Day celebration last February. Every month, a few families are presented to the public and the last batch will be presented in time for the 76th charter day celebration next year.

Last month, the families presented were the Brioneses, Chiongbians, Espinas, Hermosisimas, Tudtuds and Ylayas.

Cebu offers shelter for Calungsod devotees

By sunstar.com.ph


CEBU CITY -- The Cebu City Government decided to put up a pilgrim shelter for devotees who will attend the national thanksgiving mass for the sainthood of Pedro Calungsod on November 30.

Unlike what was earlier planned, Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias said the pilgrim shelter will not be like the Devotee City the City organizes each January for the devotees of Sto. Niño during the Sinulog.

Instead, the City will use tents, considering that they cannot borrow cargo containers from a shipping company.

“Tents are okay since this is not a week-long celebration. Di man sad na siguro na matug ang mga devotees kay one day ra man ni na activity (The devotees might not even need a place to sleep because this is only a one-day activity),” said Cabarrubias, whom Mayor Michael Rama tasked to oversee the preparation of the pilgrim center.

In an interview on Friday, Cabarrubias said they need 50 to 70 tents for the pilgrim center, which is expected to accommodate some 3,0000 Calungsod devotees.

At present, Cabarrubias said the City only has five available tents because the other tents will be used at the site of the national thanksgiving mass at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Cabarrubias said the City plans to borrow some tents from other local government units such as Mandaue City and Talisay City, among others.

Facilities

The pilgrim center will also have some 50 toilets and 50 shower rooms for the devotees. The City will start working on the pilgrim center next week.

City officials earlier decided to forgo the pilgrim center because of the unavailability of the cargo containers from 2GO for the November 30 event. The mayor doesn’t want to use public school classrooms to serve as temporary shelter.

In a related development, City Councilor Michael Ralota wants the access road in Barangay Mambaling at the SRP to be renamed as the San Pedro Calungsod Ave.

Ralota said Calungsod deserves to be given such an honor, saying that he has “shown the inspirational and transcendental value of faithful commitment to a religious mission.”

In the run-up to the national thanksgiving mass, the entire Archdiocese of Cebu is set to undergo a spiritual preparation six days before the celebration.

A Day of Penance is set on November 24, Saturday, when there will be confessions, recitation of the rosary and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in all parishes.

The program was prepared and announced by the Archdiocesan Commission on Worship led by Fr. Glen Guanzon through the official archdiocesan newsletter, Ang Bag-ong Lungsoranon.

The mass and spiritual preparation form part of the celebration for the canonization of the second Filipino saint.

Moving

Calungsod was a teenage catechist who was killed while doing missionary work in Guam with a Jesuit priest, Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, in the late 17th Century. [Read more about San Pedro Calungsod]

Calungsod was declared a saint by Pope Benedict XVI together with six other blessed persons, last month in Rome, Italy.

As part of the church’s effort to spread the devotion to the Visayan saint, the pilgrim image of San Pedro Calungsod was brought to various dioceses in Luzon after the canonization.

The delegation that accompanied the image was warmly welcomed by devotees in all the dioceses visited in the Luzon and Visayas leg.

Msgr. Marnell Mejia, Committee on procession chairman, joined the Visayas leg of “Duaw Nasud” and recounted the long line of devotees in Catbalogan City in Samar where the delegation toured the parishes.

He also recalled being moved by the sight of an old woman who was standing alone in a rice field carrying banners, as she waited for the delegation bringing the pilgrim image of the second Filipino saint.

Procession

The image was brought to dioceses in Luzon with Fr. Tony Navarrete, and among the parishes was the St. John the Baptist Cathedral at Lingayen, Dagupan, where Archbishop Socrates Villegas celebrated mass, after the visit at Manaoag.

For the Visayas leg, official image custodian Fr. Charles Jayme joined the group, which is starting the Mindanao leg today, Saturday, in Surigao.

Mejia also said during a press conference last Thursday that the committee is expecting between 300,000 and 500,000 devotees who will join the foot processions before the national thanksgiving mass on November 30, 2012.

“The people are encouraged to join the processions because this is where the celebration starts,” said Mejia.

The assembly points for the carrozas from northern Cebu will be on Osmeña Blvd., Legazpi St. and V. Gullas or Manalili St.

The 45 carrozas from the north will be arranged in the San Roque gym and at the Cebu Technological University campus.

For the southern parishes, assembly for 31 carrozas is at the Talisay Fish Port.

Teen saint

The images of patron saints of parishes will be brought to Cebu City from as far as Bantayan Island, Camotes Island to Samboan town.

Mejia said the San Gregorio Magno parish in Ginatilan, which claims to be the birthplace of Calungsod, will bring a carroza but the San Pedro Calungsod parish in Cantabaco, Toledo City will not bring an image with them.

“There should only be one image of San Pedro Calungsod during the celebration; we already have the pilgrim image that will be brought to the SRP (South Road Properties) through a fluvial procession,” he added.

The official image is expected in Cebu on November 27 after stops in Tagbilaran City and Talibon.

For the traffic re-routing and schedule of road closures, the Cebu City Traffic Operations management (Citom) has started installing road signs and advisories.

Fr. Mejia added that the participants should listen to media advisories, and prepare for food, water and any kind of weather for the day-long activities.

It was also announced that the “Teen Saint Pedro,” the musical play featuring TV actor Makisig Morales, will be stated at the Waterfront Hotel on November 28. (PDF/BAP/Sun.Star Cebu)

NBI files case against Aman

By Mylen P. Manto and Niña G. Sumacot

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed a complaint of syndicated estafa against the chairman, incorporators and agents of the Aman Futures Group Inc. before the Department of Justice. Named respondents are Aman Futures chairman Aman Amalilio and incorporators and agents Fernando Luna, Lelian Lim-Gan, Eduard Lim, William Fuentes, Naezelle Rodriguez and Lurix Lopez Amalilio has residence on B. Rodriguez St. in Cebu City. Regional Director Edward Villarta said only eight of the ten victims stood as complainants as the two failed to comply the necessary requirements. They are Allan Dianalan of Guadalupe, Norhabib Condin, Ann Monica Urbina, Faisal Salic, Ayubkhan Conding and Agakhan Dianalan of Capitol Site, Derrick Yap and Philip Yap. The complainants invested a total of 106.9 million with Aman Futures Group Inc., the trading firm currently being investigated for being behind a P12-billion pyramid scam. Oliva said the complainants must present proofs that they were among the victims of the scam like bank receipts and receipt issued by the company. Last Wednesday, DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima created a panel of prosecutors to attend to about 1,500 victims of the scam in the Visayas and Mindanao. She also ordered a manhunt operation against the officials of the investment firm. Police Regional Office 7 Deputy Regional Director for Operations Senior Supt. Louie Oppus said they submitted the information that they have gathered about the people behind Aman Futures to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas who was in Cebu City recently. President Aquino vowed yesterday that the suspects in the scam are being tracked down and will be brought before the bars of justice. He noted that Philippine authorities could invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty among Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) member- countries to extradite a Filipino-Malaysian who reportedly fled to Malaysia to evade responsibility. Amalilio is a Filipino-Malaysian who is the principal suspect in duping hundreds of Filipinos of their hard earned savings by enticing them to invest in a multi-level marketing company. Aquino added that the National Bureau of Investigation had been coordinating with its counterparts in Malaysia in searching for Amalilio. The President said the suspects in the pyramiding scam must be made responsible and “we are tracking down all those involved.” He said due process must take its course and that there must be preliminary investigation before information could be filed and a hold departure order plus warrant of arrest could be issued. The President said he was not ready to comment on specific cases like the one involving Pagadian City Mayor Sammy Co, who was said to have invested and even encouraged other citizens to put in their money in the company as well. He said investigation was underway and there were no direct evidence yet to link LGUs to the scam. But the President said it was clear who were those running the company. Based on the latest report to him on Wednesday, there were already 8,000 complainants and the bulk of them came on the second week of October. “If I’m not mistaken before that nobody wanted to cooperate as early as July,” Aquino said. The President said early opportunities to pin down the suspects were missed because the complainants refused to cooperate with authorities early on. He said it was too bad and a waste that as early as July, the suspects could have been caught but the case did not prosper because of the absence of witnesses, those who would provide the paper trial and testimonies to strengthen the case. The President also said the government should not get the blame because as early as June or July, the Department of Trade and Industry already warned against “this pyramiding scam,” then the Securities and Exchange Commission followed in August as the National Bureau of Investigation began its probe. When the NBI started investigating, Aquino said investors that were approached told them they were “kill joy” and why “stop” their chance to earn big really quick. “So, I just want to stress that government agencies, even before the problem escalated, warned our fellowmen,” Aquino said. The President said there were similar schemes even in Marawi and who transferred to Aman. “We will not stop, we need justice, but in the end we also need the cooperation of the people in fulfilling their duties to prevent this kind of scam,” Aquino said. Budget Secretary Butch Abad confirmed in an interview over dzMM there were some politicians who invested in Aman Futures. Abad did not name names but said it had been made certain that some local officials did invest in the beleaguered company. Abad said in the same radio interview that they would have to know if the funds were personal or that of the local government units. Abad explained LGUs could put in any portion of their internal revenue allotment (IRA) in any form of investment or money market. IRA pertains to a portion of national taxes that is given to LGUs. Under the 1991 Local Government Code of the Philippines, the funds should be used for a province or municipality’s development projects, general administrative costs and operating expenses. He said the LGUs should have reported the scam immediately and would be responsible as well if they did not, since it was part of their obligation to protect the people from getting victimized. Abad said IRA could be deposited in a bank before use but not invested in the stock market or money market. —MBG (FREEMAN)

Champs League: Cobras oust Lancers

By Cedelf P. Tupas


CEBU CITY—Southwestern University recovered just in time to hold off University of Visayas, 82-78, last night at the Cebu City Coliseum and clinch a Final Four berth in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League in Manila. Cameroonian center Ben Mbala pumped in 21 points as the Cobras, who edged the highly regarded Lancers in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) finals, continued their mastery of their local rival to join UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Beda in the semifinals. Cheered on by a lively group of students in the bleachers, the Cobras almost put to waste a solid first-half showing with a sputtering second-half effort, before Joseph Nalos and Mbala bailed them out with big shots late in the final period of the game serving as the finals of the Southern Islands phase. Southwestern U, mentored by the multititled Yayoy Alcoseba, also put the clamps on UV when it mattered, holding the Lancers scoreless in the final 1:25. A rare four-point play by Phil Mercader that put the Lancers ahead, 78-76, turned out to be UV’s last basket. It looked like the Lancers were on their way to a stunning come-from-behind win when a three-pointer from John Abad put them on top, 70-63, with four minutes remaining. Abad later topscored for UV with 22 points. But the Lancers saw their three big men foul out one after the other in the final period, hurting their chances of returning to the last four of the tournament that gathers only the finest teams in the country. Earlier, Jericho Cruz and Roider Cabrera delivered the telling blows as Adamson came from behind to bundle out fellow UAAP team La Salle, 63-56, and advance to the Metro Manila leg “Elite Eight” opposite San Sebastian. Cruz wound up with 17 points, including four points in the final two minutes to help the Falcons establish a 58-52 lead with 42 seconds remaining. Finding himself open after Cruz lured the defense, Cabrera buried a dagger of a triple with 16 ticks remaining after La Salle came within, 56-58. Jeron Teng and Jarelan Tampus had 13 points each to lead the Archers who missed key players like LA Revilla, Thomas Torres and Luigi Dela Paz.






Cebu City cop faces probe for pistol-grabbing incident

By CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON


A POLICEMAN will be investigated after his firearm was grabbed by a security guard who allegedly tried to commit suicide by shooting himself in the mouth inside the Sawang Calero precinct in Cebu City. PO2 Antonio Tejero’s conduct will be the subject of an inquiry to check whether there were lapses on his part, said Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, chief of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). Buenafe said the incident was a bizarre case. “Sometimes we cannot read the mind of a person,” said Buenafe. The security guard is still confined at the Cebu Doctor’s Hospital with a gunshot wound in the jaw and a bullet embedded in his nape. Chief Insp. Bonifacio Garciano, chief of the CCPO’s Criminal Investigation and Detective Management Branch (CIDMB), said they were still waiting for the security guard to fully recuperate to get his side of the incident. Lawyer Santiago Ortiz Jr. went to the CCPO yesterday to inquire about the incident. He introduced himself as a distant relative of the security guard, said SPO1 Ruth Violango, homicide investigator. According to police, Tejero arrived at the police station at 10:45 a.m. last Monday and entered the Intelligence Section room where the security guard was resting. Tejero was about to place his motorcycle helmet on a table when the security guard grabbed his gun. There was a scuffle for the gun and the guard got hold of the weapon, cocked it, pointed it at his mouth and fired, said Tejero. Police said the security guard was turned over to the station by a friend after he tried to jump off a bridge at the South Road Properties last Saturday. Police said they didn’t know what problem was bothering him.

UC, USC-BED bag titles in Cebu City Olympics

By Dale G. Rosal


University of Cebu (UC) and the University of San Carlos-Basic Education (USC-BED) will lead Cebu City’s campaign in Dumaguete City for the annual Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) after both schools dominated the 22nd Cebu City Olympics, which came to an end yesterday. The wins serve as the first for both schools as stand-alone teams under the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc (Cesafi). This year saw the first time that the City Olympics used a different type of grouping after the Department of Education and the Cebu City Sports Commission veered away from the usual unit-type clustering. UC, which was formerly of Unit 5, banked on its prowess in swimming, track and field, badminton, table tennis events to rule the secondary division with 252.5 points. The Abellana National School (ANS), part of last year’s secondary champion Unit 9, was dethroned and placed second with 235 followed by the University of San Carlos (USC) with 220.5 points. Early yesterday, ANS held momentarily held the lead in the standings with 235 points compared to UC’s 227.5. But the late finish of the badminton event determined UC’s fate as its smashers finished with 25 points. UC’s secondary girl’s badminton team managed 10 points while the Webmasters’ boy’s team grabbed 15 points for winning the event. UC’s made a living out of its strong performance in athletics as its tracksters donated 60 points while 50 came from its swimming teams. UC also for 15 in chess, 30 in table tennis, 19 in taekwondo, 15 in volleyball and 25 in arnis. USC-BED, meanwhile, staged a lopsided performance by posting 237 points to rule the elementary division Claiming second place is North District 1 with 110.75 points. ND1 is composed of Cebu City Central School, Cebu Bradford School, Matilda Bradford Christian School along with Lusaran and Kang-atis elementary schools. South District 2 rounded off the top three teams with 104.75 points. SD2 is composed of Pardo elementary school, Quiot Elementary school, Bonbon Elementary school, Pardo Extension Elementary School, Saint Paul College Foundation and Holy Rosary Pardo. Winners in this annual multi-sporting event will make up the core of the Cebu City team competing in the CVIRAA slated Dec. 2 in Dumaguete. An evaluation meeting together with DepEd, the Cebu City Sports Commission and coaches of the winning teams will be held this Tuesday afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center. In yesterday’s competitions, ANS topped the softball secondary competition while Saint Theresa’s College (STC) of North District VII won the elementary title. The University of the Visayas (UV) topped the boy’s secondary basketball event while ANS ruled the secondary girls. USC topped the elementary boys hoop. In football, The Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) swept the secondary and elementary crowns after defeating Paref Springdale and USC, respectively. In sipa, the Cebu City Central School got the top spot for North District while the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) dominated the elementary and secondary scrabble tournament. In boxing, Brix Piala of Cebu City Central School topped the 32kg division while Janiel Betanghol of Labangon Elementary School ruled the 34kg division. ANS’ Junielle Olivarez won in the secondary division. SWU’s volleybelles topped the secondary volleyball competition while the Pardo elementary school of South District II dominated the elementary competition.

Cebu to adopt tourism economy on mango, high value crops

By Amorganda A. Saludar


CEBU CITY, Nov 12 (PIA) -- The Philippine Mango Industry Foundation Inc. (PMIFI) proposes infrastructure innovation to help the mango growers in the province and to boost the mango industry and other crop production in Cebu.

The plan is to put up tramline in areas where mango and high value crops production are abundant, PMIFI President Virgie de la Fuente said during the Kapihan sa PIA.

De la Fuente said a tramline will cross areas where the plantation of mango and other crops are located and it is also intended for loading people and products.

This will boost the tourism economy in the mountain areas where tramlines are established. Through the tramlines, "We will bring buyers, specifically tourist buyers to the plantation areas of mango and other crops that are mostly seen in the market and malls,” de la Fuente added.

By this the tourist will experience the beauty of the farms and plantation here in Cebu, they will also have an opportunity to see how mangoes and other native crops are produced, maintained, and harvested, she said.

De la Fuente then said that the main goal of using this tramline in the farms and other crop plantation areas is to attract tourists because they are usually delighted to visit farms and ride in a tramline.

This will also serve as an adventure for the tourist-friends because they are given the chance to tour farms and plantations. We will let them experience harvesting crops on their own if they want, De la Fuente further added.

She pledged to implement this measure as soon as the PMFI acquires the budget and personnel to handle the facility since they already spotted the upland barangays of Cebu City where these tramlines are to be established.

These will include Barangay Busay and other neighboring barangays, De la Fuente said.

Department of Agriculture (DA-7), Regional High Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Nenita Seno also committed to support fully any measures to boost the status of mango and other high value crops not only in the province of Cebu but also in the entire region.

“As of now we are making roadmaps and program interventions target to benefit the small beneficiaries,” Seno concluded. (mbcn/AYS-PIA7 Cebu)

Bishop urges help for scam victims

By Carmel Loise Matus


CEBU CITY—A retired teacher has fallen ill because of anxiety about the fate of the money she had invested in a firm that operated a “double-your-money” scheme. The teacher is just one of what Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said was more than 10,000 victims from the Visayas and Mindanao lured by the pyramid scam ran allegedly by Pasay-based trading firm Aman Futures Group Philippines Inc. The teacher was a parishioner who had stopped going to church since she fell into depression after losing her retirement benefit to the trading firm, said Bishop Antonio Nercua Ablon, bishop of Pagadian City of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, in a phone interview. Ablon said the public school teacher in Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur, put her P500,000 retirement money to the trading firm after she was lured by the promise of doubling her money in 20 to 30 days. Many of his parishioners invested in the firm, hoping to get high returns, he added. “It had given people false hopes,” Ablon said. Ablon said he told their pastors to conduct counseling sessions for the victims. “Life must go on,” he said. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the police are looking for one Manuel Amalilio, chair of Aman Futures, with address at 99 Espina Village B. Rodriguez Extension in Cebu City. Roxas told a news conference on Friday night that he was coordinating with the local police and the NBI-7 to locate Amalilio. Other persons allegedly involved in the scam were identified as Cebuana Lelian Lim Gan, Fernando Luna of Pagadian City, Eduard Lim, Naezelle Rodriguez, William Fuentes and Lurix Lopez. Roxas said he was also coordinating with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for a hold-departure order to be issued against Amalilio and others involved in the scam. He described Amalilio as a Filipino of Malaysian descent. Roxas said there were many complainants, but at this stage, the case has not “matured” to the point of filing a case.






Cebu city olympics South teams start strong

By Caecent No-Ot Magsumbol


CEBU, Philippines - The Southern squads stole the show during Day One of the 22nd Cebu City Olympics 2012 mainly at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday.

South-8 sets the early pace in the secondary division with 32.5 points, thanks to Gothong’s archers and taekwondo jins.

Gothong’s Judith Llanto and Saralee Garcis swept the golds in the 30-meter distance, in the same way with Rosemarie Pacundo and Michael Solier in the 40m distance of archery competition.

In taekwondo, Gothong’s bets got two silvers and seven bronzes translated into 2.5 points.

North-1 is at temporary second place with 25 points, while University of Cebu (UC), which is competing as one team being a member of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc (CESAFI), is at third spot with 19 points.

UC got all its points from taekwondo where it hauled five golds, two silvers and a bronze. The golds were delivered by Eric and Veronica Garces, Maria Carmela Coran, Aila Marie Lepon and Marie Hanz Espina.

In the elementary level, South-6 is leading the pack with 27 points, just 2.5 points ahead of South-4. South-5 occupied the third spot with 18 points.

The Guadalupe-manned South-6 reigned supreme in taekwondo with four golds and silver behind the efforts of Charles Lawrence, Charles David Labiste, Janjay Brilliantes and Cha Yna Labiste.

South-4 got the 25 points from baseball after pulling away a nerve-wracking 11-10 win over Punta Princesa in the championship.

On the other hand, Unit-5 and 8 are already assured of a bronze medal each in boxing courtesy of Pit-os’ pinweight contender Ramil Casaners and Mabolo's John Lloyd Transporte. Casaners silenced Abellana National School’s Jold Ian Dopalco, while Transporte outsmarted his teammate Hermie Gemida, 2-1.

In athletics, the UC bets sparkled with five golds in the secondary division through the efforts of Shantel Tanucan in high jump, Rozel Ardiente in the 3,000m steeple chase, Doren Romeral in the 100m hurdles, and Camylle Psalm Mosota in the 400m hurdles.

In the elementary battle, the University of San Carlos collected the most number of golds with three courtesy of Angeli Ann Iway in high jump and Vince Menard Galan and Mary Joy Loberanis in the 1,500m run.

UC also sizzled in swimming with four golds in the elementary and nine gilts in the secondary level.

Karen Indaya fished out all of UC's golds in the elementary action, while the likes of Michael Ichiro Kong, Danielle Mae Ballesteros, Beth Mary Arellano and Trina Caneda delivered the goods in the secondary contest.


Foreign players to invade Cebu for international rugby tourney

The Cebu Men’s and Lady Dragons brace for a tough challenge against a strong field of opposition in the Pot Bellied Pigs Cebu 10's International Rugby Festival slated on November 17 at the Cebu International School (CIS) grounds. 

 The hosts are fielding in two teams in the men's division, the Cebu Dragons and the Low Flying Dragons. They will go up against eight other squads from Malaysia, China and Manila led by defending champion Nomads along with the Alabang Eagles, Manila Hapons, MAAP, and the Vipers.

“With our new coach, Dean Baker, we are more confident of winning. We now know better on team structure, foundation of the sport and better training. We have not participated in the last event in Manila since we are focusing on this one,” said Cebu Dragons skipper Jerry Branzuela in a press conference yesterday at Sandtrap.

Event director Rose Lanticse said the competing squads will be grouped into two pools that will play in a single round robin format. The top two will advance into the crossover semis, with the winners slugging it out for the championship.

The Lady Dragons, on the other hand, are as excited as their men's counterparts, even as they also want to prove that their victory in the latest Globe 7’s League in Manila was no fluke.

They also aim to make history as the first ever women’s champion in the flagship event of the Cebu Dragons Rugby Football Club.

The Aiumi Ono-led Lady Dragons will have their hands full against the Seoul Sister of South Korea and Manila’s Maverick Xena.

To accommodate younger players, the organizers are including a touch rugby competition featuring the elementary and secondary categories. A total of nine teams have already confirmed their entry.

The one-day joust presented by CCRFC in partnership with the Pot Bellied Pigs RFC of Hong Kong and the Vismin Rugby Football Union (VRFU) is open to the public for free. The organizers will provide a free bus ride for those who would like to watch the event. Assembly area is at St. Mark’s along Redemptorist Church starting at 8 am on game day. ---(FREEMAN)






Getting ready for P-Noy, VIPs coming for Nov. 30’s big event

By Chito O. Aragon and Doris C. Bongcac


CEBU City police are preparing for thousands of visitors, including President Benigno Aquino III and dignitaries, who will attend the Nov. 30 thanksgiving for the sainthood of Pedro Calungsod. More than 1,500 policemen will secure the venue at the South Road Properties. Cebu City Police Office chief Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe said they are treating the religious affair as an international event with VIPs to to secure. He said preparations are similar in scale to that of the 2007 Asean Summit hosted in Cebu. Buenafe said they are waiting for the official guest list of the Archdiocese of Cebu and instructions from the Presidential Security Group. ROTC cadets, police trainees and civilian agents will bet tapped. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who inspected the SRP site yesterday, said he wants vehicular traffic closed off around the venue. “I want to make it a general rule that only the people can come in. If there are vehicles that really need to get inside the venue, it should not cause gridlock,” he said. Rama said Calungsod devotees should be prepared to walk from the parking area to the templete site, similar to the way revelers of the Sinulog are mostly pedestrians who move around sealed streets. SRP manager Roberto “Bo” Varquez accompanied Rama who went around the area to check on earthworks and construction. Rama said the platform for the altar table should be made higher so that officiating priests are seen by those sitting in the front rows. Rama got a chair and demonstrated that VIPs are seated, they can only seethe priests from his waist up. “The best view is not in front,” he said. He said the city government is doing its share by making public roads leading to the SRP templete presentable. He ordered the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to prepare a traffic plan. “We are seeing to it that everything is in its proper place,” he said. Rama said City Hall has to look into security and traffic preparations and address the need for emergency health services and clean food and water supply. “Dili pwede na malipayon ta diri (sa SRP) pero sa gawas (nga kadalanan) nag bagolbol ang ubang taw kay dili na sila maka agi… My concern is not just the SRP but the whole city just like in the Sinulog,” he said. (We cannot be in a festive mood here while people outside the SRP are complaining of traffic congestion.)

2nd Cebu City Olympics kicks off today at CCSC

By Dale G. Rosal


The stand-alone Abellana National School (ANS) team, the formidable Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) and the newly formed north and south district schools will determine the fate of Region VII in next year’s Palarong Pambansa. But first they will wage war against each other for athletic supremacy as the much awaited 22nd Cebu City Olympics opens today at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC). The multi-sporting meet which will showcase the talents of more than a thousand Cebu City basic education athletes, will formally open today. Football already started at the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus. The official opening ceremonies will be headed by DepEd Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud along with Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco who will present the official authentication of the Guiness World record certificate for Cebu for staging the biggest chess tournament in the world. University of Cebu swimmer Michael Ichiro Kong will be lighting the urn while UC arnis coach Max Caballes will lead the Oath of Sportsmanship. The Oath of Amateurism will be led by Milo Little Olympics most outstanding player Dexter Opalla. Meanwhile, the search for the fairest team muse is expected to add color and pageantry to today’s opening ceremonies.

Bad news for Osmeña enemies

By Frank Malilong


THERE is no truth to the rumor that Cebu City South Rep. Tomas Osmeña went to the United States to campaign for the newly re-elected President Barack Obama.

I spoke with Tommy by phone yesterday. He had just arrived in Los Angeles with Margot and Miguel from Houston where he underwent a battery of tests at the MD Anderson Cancer Center to check if the surgical procedure to remove the cancer in his body some three years ago is holding firm. He has bad news for his enemies, he said. He will live long enough to torment them.

It will be remembered that shortly after he and his family left Cebu about three weeks ago, word began to circulate that Osmena was seriously ill, that he had to drop by at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Manila for chemotherapy before proceeding to the U.S.

“It doesn’t make sense,” Tommy said. “Why would I have such treatment at St. Luke’s when I was on my way to the best cancer hospital in the world?”

He noted that for the past four years, he had been reported to be in various stages of dying from the cancer that his doctors discovered in 2008. But as in all the medical check-ups that he had undergone since the surgery, this one showed that his body is cancer-free, Tommy said.

Margot, who was the one who called, confirmed what her husband said. The doctors told Tommy that he “just looked too good to be sick,” according to her. Nevertheless, they conducted a very thorough examination on him and were able to determine that his cancer has not recurred, she said. “They can say anything about Tommy’s health,” Margot declared. “It is what his doctors say that matters to us.”

Tommy did admit that about two or three months ago, he had a routine blood test at St. Luke’s which is only a couple of blocks away from where he lives in Manila. The results were okay, according to him.

Margot said that her husband, who is trying to reclaim his seat against his former protégé, Mayor Mike Rama, has had to visit the Anderson Center thrice a year after doctors removed his urinary bladder and prostate gland, along with 41 lymph nodes following a most aggressive chemotherapy treatment.

The medical check-up has since been reduced to twice a year. (Tommy’s last trip to Anderson this year was in June.) But each time he left, rumors about his supposedly impending demise inevitably followed.

Osmeña is sure that the loose talk came from his political enemies. Why? “Because they have nothing to offer to the Cebuanos except my death.” Tommy said he intended “to be around for a long, long time.”

The Osmeñas are arriving in Cebu next Tuesday.

It’s all over but the shouting in the US presidential elections. It was a very tightly contested race but it is a tribute to the political maturity of the Americans that supporters of Mitt Romney graciously accepted the people’s verdict. If it had happened in the Philippines, howls of “we’ve been cheated” would have reverberated from Aparri to Jolo even until the next presidential elections.

In fact, until now, there are many of our countrymen who still cannot accept that Noynoy Aquino won in 2010 notwithstanding the wide margin that he enjoyed over his closest rival. Never mind that the candidate that they supported had long conceded defeat. Or that the pre-election surveys showed that he was trailing way far behind.

The PCOS machines cheated for Noynoy, the wet blankets continue to wail.

Oh, well.






U.S. poll watch set in Cebu city

By Cebu Daily News

A mock election, live updates and other related activities concerning the Nov. 6 US elections will be held by the US Embassy at the Northwing Atrium of SM City Cebu at 10 a.m tomorrow. According to the US Embassy website, a “US Election Watch 2012” activity will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be open to the public. A similar program will be held by the US Embassy at SM North Edsa in Manila. A “US Election Watch” was held in SM City Cebu and the Marriot Hotel four years ago where invited Cebuanos held a mock poll to vote for either Barack Obama of the Democrats or Republican challenger John McCain. Obama won the 2008 election (and the Cebu straw poll), becoming the first black American president. U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Brian L. Goldbeck will travel to Cebu for the first time to open the event which he said will be “an exciting time” for Americans and Filipinos alike. “I look forward to meeting new Cebuano friends and sharing with them this proud democratic tradition of the United States,” said Goldbeck. Aside from live updates, election trivia, a free photo booth and election-related information will be issued through interaction points. Goldbeck said tomorrow’s event would give Cebuanos an opportunity to learn about the American election process from U.S. Embassy representatives. For their part the Aquino administration said it was prepared to continue working with President Obama or establish relations with Romney should the Republican challenger take the White House. “Whoever wins—whether it be Republican or Democrat—we will continue to work with the United States,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told Palace reporters yesterday. Secretary Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, said as much. “The Aquino administration has good relations with Republicans and Democrats and is ready to work closely with whoever is the choice of the American people,” Carandang said in a brief statement. “We would expect that the current thrust of US-Philippine defense cooperation would remain essentially unchanged regardless of whether Mr. Obama or Mr. Romney wins the election,” he said. With an Inquirer report.

Cebu tourism eyes higher ranking next year

By Aileen Garcia-Yap, Reporter


With Cebu’s ranking as Best Island Destination rising a notch higher to 7th this year, the tourism sector is already thinking of how to improve the province’s performance next year. The international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller, raised Cebu’s performance rating a notch higher from 8th place last year.. Tourism stakeholders and the Department of Tourism (DOT) gave their suggestions on how the province can raise its profile in the coming years. “This is a testimony that affluent travelers feel at home in Cebu,” said Hans Hauri, Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu president. “It’s our people, it’s the way we are, it’s our foundation of Christianity. Those are distinctive marks. The way to promote Cebu further is our attention to practice our deep-rooted cultural and traditional heritage as well as improvement of our surroundings and systems,” Hauri said. He also suggested Cebuanos could also institutionalize awards among hotels, resorts, restaurants, tour agencies, tour guides and seaside operators to recognize the best and motivate others. He said this would encourage them to do better and to practice above standard processes. “Through HRRAC, the Cebu City Tourism Council (CCTC), Tourism Congress, business and tourism-related associations, chambers of commerce embracing LGUs (local government units) and working together for a common purpose for a common brand that is Cebu. Such focus will drive any numbers,” Hauri said. Jay Aldeguer, Islands Group president, agreed. “We have all the tools and resources to make it to the top but this will not happen by chance. We need to get our act together. Strategic planning for Cebu is highly necessary and of course masterful execution. We should also make the most and ride on the country’s economic momentum,” Aldeguer said. Consul Robert Lim Joseph, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies in the Philippines chairman emeritus, suggested seven steps to do for the industry to become the top destination in the future. “One, is to develop the product destination such as attraction for children and family. Two, ecological tours. Three, adventure tourism. Four, improving roads and taking out of squatters along tourist destination areas. Five, cleanliness and orderliness especially fronting Waterfront (Cebu City Hotel and Casino) and near Marco Polo (Plaza) Hotel. Six, setting up of the first tax exempted jewelry industry. Seven, allocating nearly promotional budget from the local government to be matched by the Department of Tourism and PAGCOR (Philippine Gaming Corp.) for marketing and promotion,” said Joseph. Rowena Montecillo, DOT regional director, said there’s still room for Cebu to improve and the way to go would be through a public-private partnership. Montecillo credited Cebu’s proactive private sector for the improved tourism performance. This year’s Conde Nast Traveller also listed Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort and Spa and the Shangri-la Boracay Island Resort and Spa as among the top 15 resorts in Asia. Shangri-la Mactan was at 12th while Shangri-la Boracay at According to Conde Nast, 48,476 readers chose the best among 1,306 properties and places around the world. Bali is the magazine’s best island with an 80.4 rating, Luzon was third with a 78.9 rating and Cebu got seventh place with a 75.7 rating.

Claims of residency in Cebu City for her and showbiz children stir questions but Annabelle won’t quit

By Doris C. Bongcac


Annabelle Rama was annoyed yesterday. The feisty showbiz talent manager who is adding new heat in the Cebu City congressional election said her critics had no basis to question her family’s transfer as voters to Cebu City last Oct. 30 and 31, the end of a nationwide deadline. “Back off,” she said. “Ngano mag reklamo man sila? Dili ba way batasan ang akong mga anak ug dili sila mo supporta sa ilang inahan? (Why are they complaining about the transfer of my children’s voters registration here)? Wouldn’t my children be considered disrespectful if they didn’t support the election plans of their mother?)” she told Cebu Daily News. Annabelle said she was aware of residency requirements for voters, which is at least six months before the May 2013 election. She listed her late parents ancestral house on Rahman Street in barangay Zapatera when she trasnferred her own voter’s registration last May. She said she “cleared” the matter with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before transferring her voters status and that of her spouse and children, who are popular movie and TV actors in Manila. “Hindi ako tanga. Kahibaw ko sa balaud bisan wala ko naka tiwas ug eskwela. Ako na gi clear sa Comelec Manila ug sa Comelec Cebu bago sila nag transfer (I’m not stupid. I know the law even though I didn’t finish formal schooling. I cleared this with the Comelec Manila and Cebu office before they transferred.),” she said. Her husband Eddie and children Ruffa, Richard, Richie Paul and Elvis - including their girlfriends had their voter’s registration transferred from Manila to Cebu City at the close of a nationwide deadline. Their appearance on Oct. 30 and 31 took place as throngs of last-minute applicants formed long waiting lines outside the Cebu City Comelec office. Comments of outrage about the “special treatment” for celebrities erupted when the Gutierrez children and two girlfriends were escorted directly into the office to have their forms processed and photos taken ahead of those in queue. Annabelle said she had made a prior appointment for her family with Comelec north district election officer Marchel Sarno, who in turn said there was no election law broken by accommodating her request. Sarno said it would have been chaotic if he let the celebrities fall in line and excited fans would crowd them. WAKEE’S CASE The interest in Annabelle’s candidacy and residency requirements comes at a time when controversy also surrounds the campaign bid of Wakee Salud, a well-connected boxing promoter over a similar issue. His application to sign up as a voter of Cordova town in Mactan where he wants to run for mayor was rejected by the Municipal Trial Court and the Cebu Regional Trial Court because Salud couldn’t prove he actually lived in Cordova. A rented house that Salud seldom visited, and the lack of personal effects inside were noted by two judges. “Domicile requires not only such bodily presence in that place but also a declared and probable intent to make it one’s fixed and permanent place of abode, one’s home,” said RTC Judge Raphael Yrastorza Sr. in his October decision. Salud, however, went ahead and filed his ceritificate of candidacy as Cordova mayoralty candidate last Oct 4. The Comelec has not yet ruled on the disqualificaton case. Like Salud, Annabelle said critics won’t stop her from pursung her candidacy for Cebu City’s north district against former congresman Raul del Mar of Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK). CEMETERY VISIT Annabelle and Gutierrez family members visited the Cebu Memorial Park last Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day where her parents – Laurente and Feliciana – are buried. They later had dinner with other members of the Rama family who were visiting the mausoleum of the late Don Vicente Rama. (Daughter Ruffa left Cebu earlier on Oct. 31 because of prior commitments.) They stayed for almost two hours at Cempark to mingle with relatives and had their photos taken with fans, said Annabelle’s brother George Rama, barangay captain of Basak.The Gutierrez family was scheduled to leave for Manila tonight. “Since they are already registered in Cebu City, they can now be considered Cebu residents but their work is still in Manila,” said George. Annabelle has been making almost-weekly visits to Cebu since she announced plans to run this year. She would stay for a day or two then fly back to Manila. George said she would come back at anytime to start campaigning. Section 9 of Republic Act 8189 or an Act Providing for the General Registration of Voters says that “all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law and who are at least 18 years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election, may register as a voter.” It also says that with temporary residency in a city or municipality by reason of occupation of employment, education, confinement or detention in government institutions a voter “shall not be deemed to have lost his original residence.” Her opponents aren’t keen on raising formal objections in court or the Comelec. “It doesn’t really matter. We are not even threatened. Questioning it will only be a waste of time,” said Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, a BO-PK candidate. Young said it was obvious that entertainment celebrities in the family would be used to win votes but that Cebu City voters are intelligent and would vote only for the qualified candidates. George Rama said any one challenging his sister’s qualifications should go to court or the Comelec Cebu City office. He said the issue is already irritating his sister, whose temper and reputation of carrying out long-running feuds with those who cross her in the entertainment industry is well known. “Ni reklamo na siya (Annabelle) nga unsa na man ni. Wala na lang di ay tay privacy ani?” George told Cebu Daily News. Annabelle , in a separate interview, said the voter’s status of her family and her qualification as a candidate were non-issues. She said critics were only “insecure” because she and her cousin Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama were leading in at least three surveys athough she didn’t say who conducted the survey, and how it was made. George said it was natural for Annabelle’s family to transfer their voter’s registration to Cebu City to show their support for her. He pointed out that Imelda Marcos was from Ilocos Norte but ran and won as congresswoman in Tacloban City in Leyte province.

Police chief shoots rape suspect

By Davinci S. Maru


CEBU CITY -- A rape suspect was killed in a shootout with a police official in Barangay Poblacion, Compostela, Cebu late Thursday night.

Jeneño Udtohan, 22, was on his way to visit his mother’s grave in the town’s public cemetery when the police caught up with him in Sitio Aggies at 10:45 p.m.

Six policemen were tasked to serve an alias warrant of arrest against Udtohan. Sensing the presence of authorities, Udtohan allegedly pulled out his .38 caliber revolver from his waistband and opened fire at the policemen.

Gunshots rang out around the neighborhood and left several houses with bullet holes, as the police chased Udtohan.

Senior Inspector Jaime Tolentino, the town’s police chief, was shot in the chest in the process and could have died if not for a bulletproof vest that he wore.

Tolentino, who led the operation, said he was forced to retaliate against the armed suspect. He returned fire from 10 meters away and hit Udtohan in the body.

The suspect was brought to Danao Provincial Hospital but didn’t make it alive. An autopsy was requested.

In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, the police official said they were tipped by an informant who sighted Udtohan in the area.

He had allegedly been running away from police for the last two years after being accused of raping a girl inside his family’s comfort room in Sitio Aggies. He was not the only suspect.

Warrant

Armed with a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 56 Judge Teresita Abarquez-Galanida in Mandaue City last October 3, the police official, together with his men, went to the area.

Three empty shells and live ammunition for a .38 revolver, a pair of slippers and a cap that the suspect used were recovered in the crime scene.

“Nalipay ang mga tawo didto sa nahitabo kay badlungon ni siya (The people welcomed the news because he was a troublemaker),” Tolentino said.

Udtohan had allegedly slashed his victim’s private parts with a silver pendant when he and his friend raped her. She reportedly has a learning disability.

Udtohan’s friend Adonis Carasaquit was arrested and detained in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Tolentino further revealed that the suspect was linked to the murder of a fraternity member during the town’s fiesta celebration last 2009.

Udtohan had allegedly hidden in an uncle’s house in Argao while his siblings lived with their grandmother.

Tests

Aside from this, Udtohan was also allegedly involved in a spate of robbery incidents in the northern towns of Cebu Province.

“Wala gyud ni siya madakpi sauna kay idlas kayo (He always managed to evade arrest),” Tolentino said.

A ballistic examination and paraffin test will be conducted on Udtohan to determine if he had fired a gun within 72 hours before his death and whether his gun matched some of the bullets found on the crime scene.

However, the suspect’s family and neighbors told a different story.

Udtohan’s older brother Jason, 28, told Sun.Star Cebu that Udtohan was “brutally” killed.

“Salbahis kaayo sila. Ilang gibaboy akong igsuon. Pwede raman ‘ta nila dakpon (They were barbaric to him. They could have just arrested him),” he said.

Chest shot

Jason said that his brother was on his way to meet up with them on Thursday to celebrate Jason’s birthday and visit the grave of their mother, who died from a heart attack while they were still young.

He said he will seek the help of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Central Visayas over his brother’s death.

“Niingon pa ang usa sa mga pulis nga tiwasi kuno akong igsuon. Wala baya siya’y armas (One of the policemen prodded his colleagues to make sure my brother was dead. He was not even armed),” he alleged.

Jason said his brother was shot in the chest, which was not revealed by the police. When he tried to approach the crime scene, the police didn’t allow him.

“Ila rang giguroy akong igsuon ug giitsa. Wala man lang gyu’y respeto (They dragged my brother’s body and tossed him. They gave him no respect at all),” he added.

Smart purchase

Tolentino, for his part, said he needed to act quickly and return fire at Udtohan because it was a matter of life and death. It was the second time the police official had killed a wanted person.

Last December 24, 2011, a man accused of killing a public school teacher died during a shootout with Tolentino in Barangay Kandingan, Aloguinsan.

After receiving death threats in Aloguinsan, he said he had to buy a bulletproof vest that proved useful during last Thursday’s operation.

“Kung wala pa ‘to, patay na ‘ta ko karon. Unsaon na lang nako akong mga anak ug asawa (Without that vest, I would be a dead man now, and then what would my wife and children do?),” he said. (DSM/Sun.Star Cebu)

PhilamLife Builds New Cebu Building

By mb.com.ph


PhilamLife, the largest life insurance company in the country, continued its year-long celebration of its 65th anniversary with a grand thanksgiving dinner for its VIP clients in Cebu at the Cebu Grand Ballroom of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu.

“We are here today because you have empowered us. We wouldn’t be who we are today if not for our customers who have been confident of the service of our people, products and institution all throughout our 65 years,” said Rex A. Mendoza, PhilamLife President & CEO.

In keeping with its vision to continue its status as the country’s undisputed leader in the life insurance industry, PhilamLife recently revealed its expansion plans in Cebu with the construction of a new PhilamLife office building at the corner of Cardinal Rosales Ave. and Samar Loop (near the City Sports Club Cebu) at the heart of the Cebu Business Park.

“Our commitment to Cebu continues. Cebu is a vital part of our nationwide operations because it is the regional hub of our business in the entire Visayas,” said Mendoza. “The construction of a new office building in Cebu is a reflection of the new found dynamism and aggressive growth and expansion plans of PhilamLife, and shows our positive outlook of the business prospects here in Cebu.”

Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama, who was the keynote speaker of the gala dinner, lauded PhilamLife for its long-term commitment to the development of Cebu and the rest of the country.

“In terms of nation-building, PhilamLife can never be far behind. You have been a part of making what this country is now - 65 years of contributing to financial security, prosperity, and likewise promoting integrity,” said Mayor Rama.

The move to construct a new office building in Cebu is part of PhilamLife’s expansion plans for its various real estate properties nationwide. PhilamLife will be moving its corporate head offices in Metro Manila to the new central business district of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) next year. They also recently relocated its branch offices and service centers in Binondo, Cavite (Bacoor), La Union (San Fernando), and Cotabato, as well as renovated and upgraded its regional offices in Cebu. More plans for expansion are on the way in other major cities such as Baguio, Bacolod, and Iloilo, with the intent of relocating to the new, modern central business districts (CBD) in these key locations.

Throughout the years, PhilamLife has maintained its status as a market leader by delivering on its promises and going beyond just providing services for the financial needs of Filipinos.






Destroy fence blocking access to poor— Rama

By Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac


Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday ordered the owner of a privately-owned lot to destroy the fence, blocking more than half of the access road of an urban poor community in two sitios in barangay Lahug. Rama said he gave the order to Mario Espinoza, the owner of the lot, not only to appease the 50 families in sitios Sta. Catalina and San Vicente but also to prevent any incidents of fire outbreaks from happening. Rama said he visited the area at 11:30 p.m. last Tuesday and saw for himself that the access of sitio residents to the main road was barely passable for two persons passing the area at the same time because of the presence of the fence. “Maglisud kag agi ug mag sugat na ang duha ka taw,” he said. “Kuyaw kaayo ug ma sunogan ang lugar.” While in the area, he called for the deployment of a fire truck, ambulance and police truck there in anticipation of any untoward incidents. The Office of the Building Officials (OBO) issued on Aug. 1 a fencing permit for the 239 sq. meter lot owned by Espinoza. Rama called Espinoza who came to city hall with his lawyer for a meeting with Rama yesterday morning. Also in the meeting with Lahug barangay officials were city engineer and building official Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez and city planning and development officer Alipio Bacalso. “The fencing was made with the city’s approval only to find out that will bring imminent danger kay ug naay sunog walay lain maagi an ang mga tawo,” he said. Rama asked Enriquez who also agreed to get rid of his fence within the day even if this was permitted by the city. “This may be a private property but the owner has to yield because of the prejudice (that the fence) is causing to many,” he said. Rama said if Espinoza doesn’t demolish the fence as agreed, the city government will do it for him. “That has to be removed otherwise ang tag iya will have to take responsibility ug naay mahitabo sa lugar,” he said. After Enriquez demolishes his fence, Rama said, he will also be having a separate meeting with city legal officer Joseph Bernadez, Enriquez and Bacalso to plan a possible expansion of the community road in sitios Sta. Catalina and San Vicente. Rama said it was cheaper for the city to spend on lot expropriation for road right of way instead of allocating for relief and material assistance in case of the occurrence of fire. The area was already affected by a big fire in the early 2000./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

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