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==Mayor owns up to aiding scammer==
*Source:http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/12/20/mayor-owns-up-to-aiding-scammer/
*Thursday, December 20, 2012 12:02 am
* By Rey E. Requejo 
Scam suspect Samuel Co, mayor of Pagadian City,  has disclosed that he had tried to legitimize the operations of Aman Futures Group, the trading firm allegedly responsible for the P12-billion investment fraud that victimized 15,000 people in Visayas and Mindanao.
In an affidavit Co submitted to the Department of Justice, he said that he met with Aman Board member Fernando Luna and asked for several documents “to legalize Aman’s operation.”
The city mayor said Aman head Manuel Amalilio even visited him in his office at the City Hall in July and briefed him about the investment firm.
His case was one of 51 sets of complaints being investigated by a special panel of prosecutors under the Department of Justice.
In fact, Co said Amalilio submitted a certificate of incorporation from the Securities and Exchange Commission to show that Aman was a duly registered firm.
“If only to protect the investing public of their considerable investments, during the interim of the submission of the required secondary permit, the Permits and Licensing Division recommended for the issuance of a temporary permit valid only for 60 days,” Co admitted.
Co, who himself filed a complaint against Aman, said he started investing with Aman after that meeting with Amalilio.
He said he had invested P3,266,700 in Aman Futures under the account name Bo’s Coffee on September 11 with interest of 58 percent after 17 days. He made another investment the following day under the account name Max’s Chicken with an amount of P3,205,500 with a 60-percent interest after 17 days.
His affidavit showed his investments with returns—including personal and pool investments from relatives and friends —totaled to P42 million.
It was until last October when Aman collapsed. Co said he was issued two checks in the amount of P5 million each. He tried to encash the checks in Makati City on October 5 but the checks were “dishonored and returned” for insufficient funds.
==DOE conducts energy forum in Zamboanga del Sur, Zambo Sibugay==
*Source:http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2012/12/doe-conducts-energy-forum-in-zamboanga.html
*Wednesday, December 19, 2012
* By Alma L. Tingcang (ALT/PIA9-Zambo Sur)
PAGADIAN CITY, December 19 (PIA) –- To raise the level of awareness on government rules and regulations and its top priority programs of ensuring welfare and protection of consumers, the Department of Energy (DOE) in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  recently conducted an energy forum with stakeholders at Hotel Guillermo here.
The forum is part of the scheduled activities in observance of the 2012 National Energy Consciousness Month anchored on the theme “Achieving Energy Sustainability.”
Speaking before the group of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) dealers, local government unit officials, academe, consumers, non-government organizations, media practitioners and concerned citizens, DOE Mindanao Field Office head  Engr. Nilo Geroche said participants were informed on topics such as LPP and LPG products safety and consumer tips, energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy technologies and other related issues.
Geroche thanked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the invaluable assistance extended to the DOE  by inviting stakeholders from the 26 municipalities of the province including Pagadian City and for making the forum a resounding success.
He said DOE tapped the services of DTI, their regular program partner saying that they have no office in Pagadian. They only have one Mindanao Field Office in the region located in Davao which covers the Mindanao area including the provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The DOE team conducted a similar forum  on December 6 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay at  the Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel.
==DENR conducts 5-day Geo-Tagging Training Workshop==
*Source:http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/news/57989-DENR-conducts-5-day-Geo-Tagging-Training-Workshop.html
*Tuesday, December 18, 2012
*By R. Tan (DENR-RPAO News Release)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) region IX is conducting a five (5)-day Training and Workshop Design on Applied Geo-Tagging Technology for National Greening Program (NGP) Coordinators and Implementers at Chandler Suites Hotel from December 17-21, 2012 in Pagadian City.
This training is in line with the department’s focus of providing importance to transparency and accountability in the implementation of its banner program particularly the National Greening Program.
FMS Regional Technical Director Ali M. Bari in his message said that Geo-Tagging is now being employed as a management tool in the NGP and has made a difference compared to monitoring and validating accomplishments from past reforestation efforts.
“ Geo-Tagging technology shall aid project validators in monitoring greening activities under the NGP even in far-flung areas. It shall utilize and associate a digital resource such as photos, website, and short message system with a physical location given in terms of longitude and latitude coordinates which can pinpoint any reforestation site with a high degree of precision, provide accurate data and make the information available to everyone, “ RTD Bari said.
RTD Bari added that this new technology utilizes equipment such as Desktop or laptop computers, tablets, Global Positioning System (GPS) units with cameras and cellular phones to gather, input and upload spatial, textual and photo data and process them for a more simple and comprehensive presentation on-line or off-line.
The training workshop is being conducted by selected personnel from the Management Information System Division-DENR Central Office in coordination with the Forest Management Services and Planning and Management Division – Management Information System in the region.
==OCD, DepEd to conduct simultaneous school-based tsunami and earthquake drill==
*Source: http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2012/12/ocd-deped-to-conduct-simultaneous.html
*Monday, December 17, 2012
*By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA,Pagadian City)
PAGADIAN CITY, December 17 (PIA) –- The Office of Civil Defense, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) IX in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), Pagadian City will conduct the CY 2012 4th Quarter Simultaneous School-Based Tsunami and Earthquake Drill on Wednesday, December 19.
OCD-9 Regional Director Adriano D. Fuego said the activity endeavors to promote disaster preparedness, mitigation and awareness of the community especially among students and teachers. “It also aims to assess the capacity level of the schools during the event of earthquakes and other disasters,” Fuego added.
During the activity, the OCD-RDRRMC and evaluators from different agencies will observe and evaluate the conduct of the said drill at Santiago Elementary School, this city.
Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 1012, preparedness and mitigation are key strategies in reducing disaster risk.
Fuego said challenging activities such as tsunami evacuation, fire after the earthquake, blockage of identified evacuation route which will be specific to the school situation will be performed by the students.
As contained in DepEd Order No. 84, series of 2012 issued by Secretary Armin Luistro,  all bureau and regional directors,  schools division and city superintendents, heads of public and private elementary and secondary schools were directed to actively participate in the drill and to submit a consolidated report to the DRRMC, central office.
It can be recalled that 36 years ago, people in Pagadian City were horrified by the destruction of a tsunami wrought by a 7.5 intensity earthquake on August 17, 1976 causing hundreds of death and millions of properties  damaged.
==Gunmen kill policeman in Zambo City; probers considering Aman Futures link==
*Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50494/gunmen-kill-policeman-in-zambo-city-probers-considering-aman-futures-link
*Saturday, December 15, 2012 1:03 pm
*By: Jung-Jung Cabato (InterAksyon.com )
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) personnel was shot and killed by three unidentified gunmen Friday evening in Barangay Lunzuran, Zamboanga City. Investigators said it was possible the attack may be linked to the Aman Futures pyramiding collapse that is known to have victimized thousands, including many policemen.
Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, Zamboanga City police officer-in-charge, identified the victim as SPO1 Raymond Dalida, who died from 12 gunshot wounds.
De Ocampo said Dalida was driving his Toyota Revo when the suspects, riding tandem on a motorcycle, chased and confronted him at around 10 p.m. Friday.
De Ocampo said that the suspects were heard to have shouted "ibalik mo ang pera namin" (Give us back our money) before they opened fire. "One of the possible motives we are looking into is that the incident has something to do with investments in the Aman Futures Group," De Ocampo said referring to a wide-reaching pyramiding scam in Pagadian City that collapsed in November.
The Philippine National Police continues to crack down on officers who either failed to stop or were allegedly involved in the investment scam that duped thousands of people of some P12 billion.
Among those sacked was Senior Superintendent William Marzan, Zamboanga del Sur provincial police director.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said Marzan's relief was for his failure to stop the scam from spreading.
Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc., and its founder, Filipino-Malaysian Manuel Amalilio, has been at the center of a firestorm since November after its apparent pyramid scam collapsed, leaving thousands of duped citizens reeling from lost investments. The company had been enticing people to investment in a double-your-money scheme since February, somehow escaping government and police scrutiny for months.
Earlier reports said Amalilio’s victims included policemen. This was confirmed by Cerbo, who said at least 53 police personnel had been duped.
==Phil. Army supports “Paskuhan 2012”==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1371355273511
*Thursday, December 13, 2012
*By Gideon C. Corgue (JPA/GCC/PIA,Pagadian City)
PAGADIAN CITY, Dec 13 (PIA) -- The First Infantry (Tabak) Division of the Philippine Army has participated in the successful opening of the Yuletide celebration “Paskuhan 2012” on December 8 at Plaza Luz.
Tabak Division Commander MajGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, in his message read by Col. Michael Lowell Chiong, the commanding officer of the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battalion (HHSB), said “I am in high spirit as we participate and witness the lighting of giant Christmas tree and colorful dancing fountain signaling the month long celebration of the Yuletide season,”
The ‘Paskuhan’, is an annual undertaking of city government celebrating the Christmas season.
Paskuhan provides entertainment to the public thru the fabulous dancing fountain show, fireworks display, lighting of the giant Christmas tree, , lighted Christmas lanterns and décors, nightly carol bonanza and variety shows, etc. at the Christmas village of Plaza Luz.
“Truly, Christmas is in everybody’s hearts and minds. The enjoyment that we have now is in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ who was sent to us on earth by the Heavenly Father to be our savior and our exemplar,” Cruz added.
The Tabak commander said that in the celebration of Christmas, the 1st Infantry division continues to perform their duties and tasks in protecting the country’s sovereignty in the pursuit of peace, progress and prosperity.
Mayor Samuel Co in is message said “let us learn to forget our mistakes and misfortunes and hope that this Christmas and New Year 2013, we will receive abundant blessings from the Almighty Father.”
Co said “Pagadianons should be thankful to God that we only lost time, and not lives, money, and property unlike the victims of super typhoons ‘Sendong’ and ‘Pablo’ who suffered much from the wrath and devastations of natural disasters.
The chief executive also said that this year’s 9th Paskuhan celebration is the grandest Christmas festival ever under his administration.
==Court freezes 108 bank accounts of Pagadian mayor, wife==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/323225/court-freezes-108-bank-accounts-of-pagadian-mayor-wife
*Thursday, December 13, 2012 1:41 am
*By Christian V. Esguerra, Christine O. Avendaño (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The Court of Appeals (CA) has frozen an additional 141 bank accounts in connection with the P12-billion Aman Futures Group Phil. investment scam, which duped around 15,000 investors earlier this year.
Among those ordered frozen were 79 bank accounts belonging to Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co and 29 to his wife, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) deputy director Julia Bacay-Abad told the House committee on banks and financial intermediaries.
Abad said the AMLC has yet to determine how much was covered by the frozen bank accounts, which were included in the supplemental petition filed by the agency before the CA last Dec. 7.
Co, who is facing at least three syndicated estafa cases, skipped the committee hearing for the second time.
As authorities dig deeper into the extent of the investment scam, Deputy Director Virgilio Mendez of the National Bureau of Investigation told congressmen that at least three cooperatives and some parents-teachers’ associations had invested money in Aman Futures.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez assailed the Department of Justice (DOJ) for failing to file cases against Aman officials. He noted that it had been two months since the DOJ created a special panel of prosecutors to handle the complaints against Aman.
“It’s been two months,” he said. “Don’t tell me the DOJ is also sleeping on the job.”
This was, however, denied yesterday by the DOJ which said it expected to file a case in court against the Aman officials behind the scam before Christmas.
Prosecutor General Claro Arellano told reporters that some of the syndicated estafa complaints against Aman executives that are currently under preliminary investigation by a DOJ special panel of prosecutors would be submitted for resolution by Dec.17.
Another preliminary investigation hearing has been set on the Aman case on Dec.17 in Pagadian City, he said.
“We hope that before Christmas, we have a resolution and hopefully arrest warrants if we can file it in court,’’ Arellano said.
He said the panel had been working on these complaints that had been filed just three weeks ago.
Arellano also said they were evaluating whether they will refer the syndicated estafa complaint against the Pagadian City mayor to the Office of the Ombudsman for preliminary investigation.
“This is still being evaluated,’’ he said, acknowledging that this was because Co is a government official.
A syndicated estafa complaint has been filed against Co for his alleged involvement in the investment scam that had duped about 15,000 people.
Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr. has raised the possibility of tightening existing laws to penalize “conspirators” in investment scams who were presenting themselves also as “victims.”
“How about the matter that the victims here are not really victims but conspirators?” he asked. “That in itself should be made an offense, if it is not yet covered by the Revised Penal Code.”
Special Prosecutor Edna Valenzuela, head of the special DOJ panel, replied: “Basically, the term ‘knowingly participating in a scheme,’ there’s already a law on that, that’s why there is a term ‘coconspirators.’”
==10,000 join “Paskuhan 2012” celebration==
*Source: http://piazampen.blogspot.com/2012/12/10000-join-paskuhan-2012-celebration.html
*Wednesday, December 12, 2012  9:10 am
*By Jocelyn P. Alvarez (JPA/PIA 9)
PAGADIAN CITY, December 12 (PIA) –- An estimated crowd of 10,000 people trooped to Plaza Luz-the Christmas village of the city, to witness the much awaited opening of the “Paskuhan 2012” held December 8.
The throng of people started to literally “fill” the Plaza as early as six in the evening to get a nice spot and view for the much awaited ceremonial switch-on of the 100ft giant Christmas tree and other Christmas decorative lights.
While waiting for the ceremonial switch-on, some dance and song numbers performed by the ABS-CBN talents from Cagayan de Oro City cheered the crowd away.
It was about nine in the evening when the gigantic Christmas tree, lanterns and other Christmas décors were finally lighted as thousands of people including children watched with amazement.
The opening salvo of the “Paskuhan 2012” was made even more exciting with the feet stamping, hip swaying musically gyrating “dancing fountain” show that “swirled” its water into ranged of more than 20 feet high with colorful spot lights.
The spectacular dancing fountain show consisted of carefully selected and diverse songs with different beats that synchronize with the rhythmic dancing of the water with lights, sound and enhanced special effects.
The Paskuhan activity was highlighted with euphoric fireworks display that illuminated the night sky.
Paskuhan is an annual Christmas activity initiated and launched by the city government in 2004.
The festivity has provided total entertainment not only to Pagadianons but to local visitors as well.
==Aman officers, investors to face off in Pagadian==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/12/11/884556/aman-officers-investors-face-pagadian
*Tuesday, December 11, 2012  12:00 am
*By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - The officers of Aman Futures Group and victims of a P12-billion investment scam will meet for the first time next week.
Prosecutor General Claro Arellano confirmed yesterday that a special panel of the Department of Justice (DOJ) handling the syndicated estafa complaints against Aman Futures set the preliminary investigation in Pagadian City on Dec. 17.
Aman board member Fernando Luna is expected to appear and submit his counter-affidavit along with agents of the firm who were named respondents in the case.
The investors who filed the complaints were notified about the hearing and are expected to observe the proceedings.
It will be the second hearing of the case. The first was held at the DOJ office in Manila last Nov. 27. Five board members – Leila Lim Gan, Eduard Lim, Willanie Fuentes, Naezelle Rodriguez and Lurix Lopez – appeared and submitted their affidavits detailing their respective roles in the Ponzi-type scheme employed by the firm owned by Manuel Amalilio, who is hiding in Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.
The second hearing was initially set last Dec. 5, but postponed due to bad  weather brought about by super typhoon “Pablo.”
Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
The DOJ has received at least 15 sets of complaints against Aman Futures.
==Abducted 6-year-old son of a businessman rescued==
==Abducted 6-year-old son of a businessman rescued==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/12/10/884435/abducted-6-year-old-son-businessman-rescued
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/12/10/884435/abducted-6-year-old-son-businessman-rescued
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