Joson, 3 town execs charged before Ombudsman for graft

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–The municipal mayor of Quezon, Nueva Ecija and three other town officials were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged non-remittance of Government Service Insurance System premiums of employees and unliquidated cash advances and disbursements worth at least P100 million.

          Charged in a seven-page complaint-affidavit filed before the Office of the Ombudsman for Luzon were Quezon Mayor Mariano Cristino Joson, municipal treasurer Anacleta Arucan, municipal accountant Rona Joson and municipal budget officer Leilani Domingo.

          Joson, a former vice governor, is the husband of first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson who is running for governor against reelectionist Gov. Aurelio Umali. He is running for congressman in the district to take his wife’s place.

          Joson declined to comment on the complaint but the Joson camp dismissed it as sheer political harassment.

          Congresswoman Joson said the claim of non-payment by the municipal government under her husband is a malicious allegation. “It is a sign of desperation on the part of the Umalis,” she said. 

She said the municipal government has already forged a memorandum of agreement with the GSIS wherein the municipality is already paying for the GSIS premiums.

          “In fact, the municipality of Quezon is in a much better position now than the provincial Capitol which has not forged a MOA with the GSIS. It is the Capitol which is guilty of non-remittance, certainly not Mayor Joson and not the municipality of Quezon,” she said.

          The charges, filed by former municipal assessor Ruperto Libunao, accuse Joson and the three others of dereliction of duty, violation of Republic Act 8291 or the GSIS Act of 1997 and violation of Republic Act 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

          A separate administrative complaint has been filed by Libunao before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos.

          Libunao is running as vice mayor in Quezon. He is the running mate of mayoralty candidate Fred Hermoso, an ally of Umali.

          The complaint cited that under Section 6 of RA 8291, the respondents are duty-bound to collect from the employees their contribution to the monthly GSIS premiums and to remit the same directly to the GSIS within 10 days of the month.

          Section 6.b of RA 8291, the complaint stated, stipulates that the remittance of the GSIS contributions by the municipal government “shall take priority over and above the payment of any and all obligations, except salaries and wages of employees.”        

          Libunao said the respondents collected from municipal employees, both permanent and casual, their contribution of GSIS premiums during the administration of Joson as municipal mayor from 2001 to 2004 and from 2010 up to present.

          Libunao said in his case, he gave P97,958.76 from January 2006 to June 2010 as his personal share in the GSIS premium.

          “However, contrary to the clear and mandatory provisions of the said law, we found out that respondents did not remit my contributions of premium to the GSIS as well as the government or the local government unit share as well as salary and policy loan payments within the required period specified in the said law to my damage and prejudice,” Libunao said.

          Citing a 2010 annual audit report of the municipality, the complaint said that in 2009, the unremitted employees’ contribution was recorded at P11.7 million. This ballooned to P15.38 million in 2010.

          The complaint further said that the town only had cash amounting to P4.2 million in 2010, which was not enough to cover its outstanding obligations worth P29.26 million for the same year.

           With these figures, the complaint stated, “it can be safely presumed that respondents only 

collected our employees’ contribution without remitting the same within the required period and worse, even misappropriated the same considering that the Municipality of Quezon has no cash to cover the unremitted outstanding dues to the GSIS.”

      

       The complaint cited other alleged anomalies and cash deficiencies in the municipal government among which are:

·        the town’s total liability is at P48.87 million;

·        it has no income in 2011 and in fact has incurred a liability worth P9.598 million;    

·        aside from having zero assets, the town has liabilities with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Pag-ibig and PhilHealth;

·        in the 2011 annual audit report, it was discovered that the municipality has unliquidated cash advances and disbursement receipts worth P100 million;

·        that the municipal government failed to remit P2 million in outstanding real property tax shares to the provincial government; and

·        it has a cash overdraft of P22.4 million.

      Libunao said in view of the above facts, the respondents are liable for dereliction of duty, violations of RA 8291 and 3019, violation of the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code and violation of existing auditing practices.

          The complainant also moved for the preventive suspension of the four respondents.

         In the separate eight-page administrative complaint filed before the SP, Libunao moved for the preventive suspension of the four, citing that the evidence of guilt against them is strong considering the audit findings. He said their continued stay in office could prejudice the just, fair and independent disposition of probable cause against them.

          
The issuance of a preventive suspension order, the SP complaint said, shall preclude the possibility of the respondents exerting undue influence on the complainants and witnesses and the possibility of tampering of evidence considering that they are the heads of their respective offices, having control and custody of the documents which may be used against them. (Manny Galvez)

Gunman in murder of Ecija school principal arrested

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–The lone gunman in the cold-blooded, broad daylight killing of a sexagenarian school principal shortly before Christmas last year was arrested by police in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, the Philippine National Police said yesterday. 

Senior Superintendent Walter Castillejos, PNP provincial director, identified the suspect as Henry Talplacido of Zaragoza.

Talplacido was arrested by operatives of the nearby Aliaga police along Del Pilar St., Barangay Sta. Lucia, Zaragoza.

 Castillejos said Talplacido was the one who shot Nila Mactal, school principal of the Zaragoza National High School inside her residential compound in Barangay Poblacion Centro, Aliaga at around 10:30 am last December 22.

Mactal, 62, was sweeping dried leaves inside the compound when  the gunman barged inside and fired at her from point-blank range, hitting her repeatedly.       The suspect, dressed in black shirt and pants and wearing smoked glass, fled aboard a black/orange motorcycle.

       

   Mactal sustained several gunshot wounds and was rushed to the Nueva Ecija Doctors Hospital in this city but died while on the operating table.

       

   Chief Inspector Roberto Sena, Aliaga police chief, said Talplacido matched the description of witnesses. Earlier, the gunman was described as between 5’7 to 5’9 in height, medium-built and fair-complexioned.  

Sena said Talplacido was a member of a gun-for-hire group hired by someone to kill Mactal. He said the motive for the killing was an old grudge.

       

   Sena said prior to the killing, Mactal reportedly told her family that she has been receiving death threats and that if something happened to her, this would be the handiwork of a certain Peter Palapal, chief security of the ZNHS with whom Mactal figured in a heated argument.  

Sena said they are still gathering evidence against Palapal preparatory to the filing of charges in relation to the murder of Mactal. (Manny Galvez) 

PNP orders accounting of inmates, jail guards to prevent their use by pols in poll-related crimes in CL

CABANATUAN CITY, January 11, 2013-The Philippine National Police has ordered all the seven provincial directors in Central Luzon to make a thorough physical accounting of all prisoners and jail guards in all jails in the region amid intelligence reports that they have been used by unscrupulous politicians to sow terror and commit crimes in past elections.

          Chief Superintendent Edgar Ladao, PNP Regional Office 3 (RPO3) director, in a memorandum to all provincial police chiefs, directed them to coordinate with their respective provincial jail wardens to account for the actual number of prisoners as well as jail guards in their respective jurisdictions.

          Citing intelligence reports, Ladao cited that some prisoners and jail guards were utilized in past elections as “living-out prisoners” who have been hired to perpetrate criminal activities such as murder and other crimes.

          Ladao said his directive is a pre-emptive action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the May elections. The order covers the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Zambales.

Nueva Ecija is one of 15 areas tagged as “areas of concern” in the coming polls. It was so categorized owing to the intense political rivalries involving influential political clans and previous election-related violence.

          This developed as 12 individuals, led by a barangay chairman and a policeman, surrendered various firearms to the Cabanatuan police, a day before the start of the election and gun ban period.

          Superintendent Eli Depra, Cabanatuan police chief, named those who surrendered Mayapyap Sur barangay chairman Federico Abad, Dalampang barangay secretary Rolando Corpuz, Alvin Cruz, John Paul Manalac, Edwin Pajarillo, Artemio Almazan, Marianita Tolentino, Lucito Talens, Vicente Tabat, Florencia Hora, Semion Bernabe and Police Inspector Ilang de Leon.

          The guns consist of shotguns and revolvers of various caliber. (Manny Galvez)  

10 Ecija poll execs reshuffled

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, January 11, 2012-Ten election officers of the Commission on Elections in Nueva Ecija were relieved in a sweeping reshuffle of the poll body in the run-up to the May elections.

          Lawyer Panfilo Doctor Jr., Comelec provincial election supervisor, said the revamp is part of the body’s preparations for the elections in the province, identified as one of 15 socalled areas of concern in the May polls.

       The latest to be replaced was lawyer Michael Camangeg, city elections officer of Cabanatuan. Camangeg was transferred to the National Capital Region.

   

       Camangeg would have presided over the conduct of the plebiscite to ratify Presidential Proclamation 480 signed by President Aquino converting this city into a Highly Urbanized City. The plebiscite, originally set last December 1, was postponed indefinitely.

          A Comelec source said Camangeg was set to be replaced even before the plebiscite was set.

          Also replaced were the election officers of the municipalities of Aliaga, Bongabon, Gen. Tinio, Jaen, Licab, Llanera, Rizal and Sto. Domingo.

          Daniel Tabios, elections officer of Licab went to Llanera, replacing acting Comelec chief Cecil Ferrer. Tabios was replaced by Lydia Bolisay, erstwhile poll chief of Gen. Tinio.

          Bolisay’s place was taken over by Magtanggol Abesamis, formerly poll chief in Rizal. Abesamis was replaced by Amiremmus Zerrudo, ex-Comelec chief in Jaen.

          Installed as Jaen poll chief was lawyer Arsenio Reyes, formerly assigned with the National Police Commission.

          Pacifico Gihapon of Bongabon was re-assigned to Sto. Domingo, replaced by Julius de Guzman of Aliaga. De Guzman’s place was taken over by Elvira San Juan, previously of Sto. Domingo.

          Doctor said the reshuffle covered poll officials who have been election officers in their respective assignments for the last four years.

          He said the move was in line with Section 44 of Republic Act 8189 entitled “An Act Prescribing for a General Registration of voters, adopting a system of continuing registration, prescribing the procedures thereof and authorizing the Appropriations of Funds thereof.”

          Under this particular provision sub-titled “reassignment of election officers,” no election officer shall hold office in a particular city or municipality for more than four years.

          “Any election officer who, either at the time of the approval of this Act, or subsequent thereto, has served for at least four years in a particular city or municipality be re-assigned by the Commission to a new station outside the original congressional district,” the provision read. (Manny Galvez)     

Legarda Elated Over Success of Best School Forest Park Program, Urges All Schools to Create Forest Parks

MANILA, January 11, 2012-A day after awarding the winners of the nationwide search for the Best School Forest Park, Senator Loren Legarda encouraged other schools and learning institutions to create their own forest parks as their contribution to environmental protection.

Legarda is happy with the success of the program, part of her vision in founding Luntiang Pilipinas in 1998 to make urban communities and the entire country greener and safer. 

“I laud all the schools that joined this program because their participation is proof of their desire to help young people better appreciate trees and the environment in general. I encourage all other schools, including private universities and learning institutions, to create forest parks within their schools and in their communities,” she said.

“I congratulate all the finalists led by the grand winner, the Cauayan City National High School, because not only did they plant trees but they also successfully complied with the criteria—sustainability, creativity and aesthetics, number of trees or seedlings planted based on size of site, and community involvement in planning and supervision of the park,” she added.

Legarda said that Luntiang Pilipinas, which she founded, has drawn partnerships with various government agencies, private businesses, schools and universities, and non-government organizations in its aim to create more forest parks in the country while educating the youth on environmental protection. She thanked the Department of Education, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture for joining hands with Luntiang Pilipinas to make the program a success.

“Luntiang Pilipinas firmly stands at the forefront of the crusade for environmental protection and preservation, especially with the devastating effects of climate change. I urge every Filipino to help mitigate the threats of global warming to our health, security and life by caring for the environment,” Legarda concluded

500 DELEGATES EXPECTED IN MANILA ANTI-CORRUPTION CONFERENCE

Manila is poised to welcome almost 500 delegates from 78 countries across the globe as it hosts one of the largest and most significant events in the worldwide movement against corruption.

The 5th Global Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) will be held in the Philippine International Convention Center from January 30 to February 2, 2013. The Philippine Senate and GOPAC’s regional arm, the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC), are co-hosting the event.

To date, a total of 492 members of parliament and non-governmental organizations have registered for the said conference, including members of Philippine Congress.

“The fact that GOPAC chose Manila as the venue for the upcoming Global Conference is a strong vote of confidence for the anti-corruption efforts of the country and the current administration,” said Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Chairperson of SEAPAC and of the Manila Steering Committee.

“This is an opportunity for us to showcase to the rest of the world that we are intent on cleaning up our government. It will also allow us to learn from each other’s best practices in the fight against corruption.”

           

Delegates will be coming from near and far to attend the much-anticipated event in Manila, 65 of whom are from other SEAPAC member-countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. The rest will be coming from as far as the United States, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Europe.

“The Philippine government is ready and able to match the commitment of these lawmakers who are travelling thousands of miles just to attend this important gathering. The Manila Conference is the product of the collective effort of several government agencies who share the GOPAC vision of a progressive, corruption-free world.” said Angara.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine National Police and the Metro Manila Development Authority are some of the agencies of government involved in GOPAC Manila 2013. President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the Keynote Speaker at the event. 

Legarda Lauds DBM’s P8.1 Allocation for Flood Control

MANILA, January 9, 2013Senator Loren Legarda today lauded the Department of Budget and Management’s allocation of P8.1 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), and the Department of Agriculture – National Irrigation Authority (DA-NIA) for flood-control and water resource management projects.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, urged the said institutions to immediately and effectively implement these disaster preparedness programs.

“Flooding has been the perennial problem in the Philippines, and with the growth of our cities, the problem is only becoming worse. There is a great need for continuous implementation of flood control projects such as drainage protection works along national roads and bridges, drainage improvement and watershed projects, as well as estero clean-up drives. We must make sure that projects especially for flood control are appropriately designed and efficiently carried out as soon as possible to avoid death and destruction in times of incessant rains” she explained.

“Efforts to improve our irrigation systems are important as well because we want the Philippines to become self-sufficient in rice production as soon as possible,” she remarked.

“Our call for an increased budget for disaster preparedness and agricultural improvement has been heard. Let us make sure that all the agencies involved carry out their mandates especially now that we are experiencing one typhoon after the next. There is no room for us to waste time and resources,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Distributes Geohazard Maps in ComVal

Senator Loren Legarda discusses the details of a geohazard map with Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy and 1^st District Rep. Ma. Carmen Zamora during the turnover of geohazard maps for municipalities of Compostela Valley at the Provincial Capitol in Nabunturan. Looking on are 2^nd District Rep. Rommel Amatong and other local officials of the province. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, visited the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, which were greatly affected by Typhoon Pablo, and distributed geohazard maps to LGUs in the two provinces.

KIKO: PNP MUST STEP UP TO ENSURE PEACE AND ORDER, SECURE PHL'S POSITIVE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

MANILA, January 8, 2013-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan says that the Philippine National Police will need to intensify its efforts in keeping the peace and maintaining order in the country so as not to spoil the economic gains that have defined most of 2012 and the start of 2013.

"Heto nang umaarangkada na ang bansa at talagang gumaganda na ang ekonomiya, at heto na naman tayo na sinasalubong ng mga nakakabahalang balita ukol sa kriminalidad," Pangilinan points out. "We are being eyed by foreign investors and tourists alike, and all the government's efforts will be for naught if we are unable to address these alarming cases of gun-toting elements gone wild."

Separate shooting incidents in Cavite and Quezon, and the death of a seven-year old from a stray bullet, have been reported at the start of the new year. The shooting in Quezon has revealed details that could incriminate police personnel and a possible violation of engagement protocols.

"The last thing we need right now is for the public to feel unsafe outside their homes, and for our police to be mired in yet another controversy. Our economic gains will mean nothing if we can't maintain peace and order in the country. We will all need to work together to make progress happen, and we will need a PNP that is resolute in its efforts to maintain peace and order in a country that is on the verge of making great breakthroughs in the Southeast Asian Region. Key to economic progress is a modernized criminal justice system, and critical in this modrnization is a professional police organization," the lawmaker reiterated.

Legarda, DepEd to Announce Winners of ‘Best School Forest Park’

MANILA, January 8, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today announced that the Department of Education (DepEd) and her Luntiang Pilipinas foundation have selected the winners of the “Best School Forest Park” Program and will award them in a formal ceremony at the DepEd’s  Bulwagan ng Karunungan on January 10.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and founder of Luntiang Pilipinas, said that they will announce the 16 regional winners, from which the five national finalists were chosen.

“The Luntiang Pilipinas is relentless in its efforts to encourage tree-growing activities in all parts of the country and promote awareness on the importance of trees in making our environment lively and safe. I thank the DepEd for partnering with Luntiang Pilipinas in the Best School Forest Park program, which is a very good opportunity to engage a younger audience in environmental protection,” she explained.

The Senator said that all 16 regional winners will be awarded 20 computer units to create a computer laboratory in their respective schools. The five national finalists will be given trophies and the national winner will receive a plaque and Php 1,200,000 for a new school building.

The winners were judged based on the sustainability of the forest park, creativity and aesthetics, the number of trees or seedlings planted based on size of site, and community involvement in planning and supervision of the forest park.

“I hope that even after we have awarded the winners, all schools in the country will continue to nurture their forest parks. May this program also inspire private learning institutions to create their own forest parks,” Legarda stressed.

“Trees are essential and crucial to our survival, especially during these times when inundation, flood, drought and pollution have alternately caused harm and danger to our communities. We must educate our children about the importance of trees, and in doing so inculcate in them the love for our environment,” Legarda concluded.

Observe Cleanliness During Feast of the Black Nazarene - Legarda

MANILA, January 28, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda reminded devotees of the Black Nazarene to maintain cleanliness during the parade expected to be attended by millions tomorrow in the Quiapo Church area.

“The Feast of the Black Nazarene is a very important day for many Filipinos, especially for the devotees. But every year as this religious occasion is held, tons of garbage are left behind. I would like to remind everyone to show their respect to the Black Nazarene by first and foremost keeping our streets clean before, during, and after the parade,” she said.

Legarda noted that according to the Metro Parkway Cleanup Group of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), at least 1,000 sacks of garbage were collected after the parade last year.

“I would also like to stress the importance of safety and security for all the devotees. Let us take great pains in order to ensure that no one is injured or killed, that crimes like pickpocketing are avoided, and that there will be no vehicular accidents. Proper precautions should be taken by the authorities as well as the devotees themselves,” she stressed.

“The Feast of the Black Nazarene is auspicious because it celebrates the enshrinement of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Church. As we reflect upon the sufferings of Christ and find clarity and meaning in our lives through Him, let us also show compassion towards our fellow Filipinos and the environment,” she concluded.

Legarda Starts Distribution of Geohazard Maps in ComVal, Davao Oriental

MANILA, January 7, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today kicked-off the distribution of geohazard maps to municipalities in the country during her visit to the Province of Compostela Valley.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, started the distribution of the maps with the formal turnover to the local officials of Compostela Valley, led by Governor Arturo Uy. She will also distribute geohazard maps to local government officials of Davao Oriental, led by Governor Cora Malanyaon, on January 8.

“Our local officials need to have the valuable, life-saving information regarding risks present in their communities, all of which can be found in the geohazard maps. Many of the disasters that occurred in the country could have been avoided if our LGUs and all our citizens had knowledge of the risks they face. These maps show where it is safe and unsafe to reside or to build infrastructure,” she explained.

Legarda said that she will also distribute geohazard maps in other provinces in the country, but stressed that local officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should thoroughly brief local government officials to ensure that the maps are understood and used properly.

“Our leaders and our citizens have the right to know if they are living in landslide or flood-prone areas, even before any typhoon signals are raised. With the knowledge of the risks present in our communities and with early warning signals at least seven days before any typhoon arrives, we should be able to radically minimize the casualties and damages when a natural hazard strikes,” she stressed.

“No local official—governor, mayor, or barangay captain, will put their constituents at risk by relocating them to danger zones. Disasters should not happen before we begin to take action. We should arm our local government officials with the right tools to ensure that our nation is always prepared for disasters,” Legarda concluded.

Only Those in Police Uniform Should Carry Firearms – Legarda

MANILA, January 6, 2012-In light of the tragic gun-related incidents at the start of 2013, Senator Loren Legarda said that as part of much-needed gun control reforms, only those in police or military uniform should be allowed to carry firearms.

“It is high time that we enact bold and encompassing gun control reforms in this country. Let us heighten monitoring, ensure that there are no loose firearms, and impose stricter punishment on those who violate our rules and regulations. Furthermore, we must  seriously look into revoking permits to carry firearms issued to civilians,” she stressed.

The Senator earlier expressed her deepest condolences to the family of Stephanie Nicole Ella, the very young girl who was a victim of irresponsible gun firing last New Year’s Eve.

“Based on initial reports by the Philippine National Police, Nicole was only one of 40 people hit by stray bullets during the first hours of 2013. It is disheartening because not even one person should have been injured or killed through such senseless acts,” she noted.

“Let us all take the time to reflect on the recent trends of violence that have plagued not only the Philippines, but other countries as well. Aspiring for a gunless society is a step towards achieving genuine peace, and we must all do our part in making this happen,” Legarda concluded.

Trillanes pushes for pay raise for gov’t doctors

MANILA, January 5, 2012-Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV is seeking to increase the salary scale and provide additional benefits to doctors employed by government in a bid to stem the steady exodus of Filipino physicians overseas to seek high-paying jobs.

“Senate Bill No. 319 seeks to address this alarming outflow of doctors and its repercussions by increasing the salary of government physicians and providing additional incentives,” said Trillanes, chairman of the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization.

His proposal, he added, “also aims to afford our government doctors the right to a decent pay and benefits long withheld from them.”

At present, the basic salary of public doctors in local government hospitals is pegged at grade 16 or about P26,878 a month, while doctors conferred by Department of Health (DOH) is pegged at grade 21 or P39,493.

“This does not do justice to our hardworking doctors who have spent years in their studies and whose duties go beyond the normal eight-hour workload.”

With this, Trillanes wanted to adjust the minimum base pay of physicians working in government to not lower than salary grade 27 or P62,670.

Trillanes said this situation has prompted doctors to flee to greener pastures, making the Philippine the second-largest exporter of physicians next to India as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Consequently, the exodus of doctors in the last five years is exacting a toll on the country’s already second-rate health service. The ratio of doctor vis-à-vis patients in the Philippines is one doctor per 28,493 patients, a far cry from the ideal 1:1000 ratio prescribed by the WHO,” Trillanes pointed out.

In his proposed measure, Trillanes is also pushing for an annual loyalty pay equivalent to P50,000 to public doctors who have rendered at least three consecutive years of service.

The legislation likewise provides for transportation allowance of P10,000 to P18,000 depending on the municipality, food allowance from P5,000 to P12,000 and medical allowance ranging from P5,000 to P10,000 per month.

In addition, Trillanes seeks to provide educational grant not exceeding P200,000 for government physicians who have rendered at least five years of continuous service.

Legarda Condemns Human Rights Violations Against Media, Environmental Advocates

MANILA, January 5, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda condemned the reported human rights violations against members of the media and environmental advocates that have plagued the country for years.

“Since 2001, according to a report of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), 56 environmental advocates have been killed. This number includes the murders of forest guard Elpidio “Jojo” Malinao, Italian missionary Fr. Fausto Tenorio, Dr. Gerry Ortega, Leonard Co, and Willem Geertman, and Gilbert Paborada. As we welcomed the New Year, Alfredo Almueda, Quirino province community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO), was killed when he responded to a tip that a truckload of illegal lumber will be transported out of his area,” Legarda noted.

“On the other hand, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that 73 journalists have been confirmed killed due to work-related causes in the Philippines since 1992. It is highly alarming that these human rights violations continue to befall such hardworking individuals who offer so much of their lives to society,” she said.

Legarda has been pushing for the passage of a bill to qualify the killing of members of broadcast and print media in the performance of their duties as a crime of murder. The bill is presently pending second reading at the Senate.

The Senator, a former journalist and staunch environmentalist, expressed her greatest sympathies towards the families of the murdered journalists, media practitioners, and environmental advocates, noting that they should be honored for their undeterred dedication to their work.

“The numerous cases of journalists and media practitioners killed in the line of duty have tarnished our country’s state of press freedom, supposedly one of the freest in the world. Meanwhile, forest protection and forest law enforcement in the country have almost become a 'mission impossible' considering the daunting limitations that impede the actions and undermine the morale of our forest law officers. They are our partners in aspiring for a better society, and they must be given due protection,” Legarda concluded.

Support my brother Mayor Arthur for Governor-Sen. Angara

BALER, Aurora, January 4, 2012-Senator Edgardo J. Angara yesterday said that he is confident in endorsing his younger brother Baler Mayor Arthur J. Angara to run for governatorial bid in the province due to his 18 years of service as an effective administrator as Mayor in this town.

In a brief interview, the veteran law maker said that Arthur was six (6) terms Mayor since 1992 up to this time; ensuring that he is convinced in the performance of his brother as his substitute and believing Arthur will win as governor.

“I love my province and I am sure that through my brother, Aurora will still be in good and safe hands for the best development, besides Arthur is the head of the Mayor’s League in this province, a model family and father, an achiever and outstanding Mayor,” the Senator said.

In explaining his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race in this province, the Senator said that his international commitments with the Centrist Democrat International (CDI) – an alliance of ruling parties in Europe and Latin America who promote Christian democracy; the Canadian Institute's Anti-Corruption Compliance Conference (ACCC) – an international group focused on anti-corruption measures; and the Angara Center for Law and Economics made him reached his decision for withdrawal.

The senator said he was elected as vice president for Asia Pacific of CDI, which will be holding its next executive meeting in Manila this year.

He also said that the ACCC has asked him to take over after it holds its Manila conference this January and is scheduled to sponsor the Anti-Corruption Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption.

“My international commitments were the reasons why I decided to withdraw in running as governor and it would be discriminating to the people of Aurora if I won and I will not be able to stay in our province due to my international commitments. Siguradong matatali ako ng husto pagkapanalo ko at kailangan ko ding matulungan ang anak kong si Sonny Angara,” Angara emphasized.

“I will be substituted by Mayor Angara, the head of the Mayor’s League in Aurora who has been, I think an outstanding mayor of Baler and he is an achiever and I am positive he will get elected as governor and I can support Aurora including, as well as the country through this international organization and my work here in Manila, I think I will do a better job of providing the back-up support to the people of Aurora,” he added.

Angara's second term as senator will end this year and he will no longer be qualified for re-election. His son, Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, will instead be running for a Senate seat this 2013 poll. (Jason de Asis)