Legarda Opens Best School Forest Park Exhibit

MANILA, January 20, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda will open the “Tungo sa Isang Luntiang Pilipinas: Best School Forest Park Program” exhibit at the Philippine Senate tomorrow, January 21.

“With this exhibit, we wish to celebrate the success of the project, the regional winners, the grand winners, and all those who participated. We have taken a huge step in helping young people value tree-growing and the environment in general. I encourage all other schools, including private universities and learning institutions, to create forest parks within their communities,” she said.

The program's finalists, led by the grand winner Cauayan City National High School, were judged 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.

“We thank the partner agencies of Luntiang Pilipinas, namely the Department of Education, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture along with the Bureau of Plant Industry, for the success of the Best Forest School Park program,” Legarda said.

Legarda established Luntiang Pilipinas as an urban greening program in 1998, through which two million trees have been planted in more than 500 hectares across the country. She also co-authored the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.

“The Best School Forest Park program is a very good opportunity to engage a younger audience in environmental protection. Trees are essential and crucial to our survival, especially during these times when flood, drought and pollution often bring harm to our communities. We must take full advantage of this opportunity to educate schoolchildren nationwide about the importance of trees, and inculcate in them the love for our environment,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Deplores Troubling Pattern of Environmental Assault Resulting from US Ship Visits

MANILA, January 19, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda expressed concern over what she said was a “troubling pattern of environmental assault” that has resulted from the visits by United States naval ships in the country.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, noted the failure by the US authorities to coordinate the movements and route of the USS Guardian while in Philippine waters.

“Our Visiting Forces Agreement  (VFA) and other treaties with the United States government is not a free pass so US ships and military personnel can do as they wish in our country, including the destruction of the environment and protected sites in our country,” the Senator said.

On Thursday, the USS Guardian, a minesweeper, grazed parts of the Tubbataha Reef and eventually got stuck some 80 miles off Palawan.  Some reports indicate that at least 10 linear meters of the reef may have been damaged.

Legarda now wants the Presidential Commission on the VFA (VFACOM) and the Philippine Coast Guard to explain how the USS Guardian was allowed to venture into the Tubbataha Reef. 

“The VFACOM is tasked to monitor, in coordination with appropriate government agencies and NGOs, the activities of foreign military and civilian personnel,” Legarda said.  “What kind of coordination was carried out when officials on board the USS Guardian refused to respond to the radio calls made by Philippine authorities who were investigating their presence in our protected area?” the Senator asked.

Republic Act 10067 or the Tubbataha Reefs National Park Act of 2009 declares the area off limits to ships, the area being a protected site.  The Tubbataha management office said the US ship entered these areas without permission and failed to coordinate with environmental officials.

“This incident behooves me to ask if our so-called military allies are even aware of the laws that they have to respect and observe while they are in our country,” the Senator added.

Executive Order 199 mandates the VFACOM to “ensure respect for Philippine laws, state policies, public morals, customs and traditions and strict compliance with the provisions of the VFA and the rules and regulations promulgated by the concerned Departments and Agencies.”

It may be recalled that in October 2012, the US navy contractor, Glenn Marine Defense Asia Philippines, was found to have dumped into the seawaters under the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, hundreds of thousands of liters of sewage waste collected from visiting US ships, in contravention of Philippine and international laws and regulations.  Legarda conducted an investigation on the matter and is expected to release the report.

“While we obviously need to make the US accountable for the destruction they caused, more importantly, we need to look beyond the ‘pesos and cents’ and see how instruments such as the VFA can truly serve our national interest,” the Senator said. 

“An accounting needs to be done, not just of this recent incident, but of the totality of the activities done under the ambit of the VFA over the past decade” Legarda concluded.

Nueva Ecija has 12,830 loose guns--PNP

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, January 19, 2013–The province of Nueva Ecija – listed an election “hot spot” due to intense political rivalries among politicians and past incidents of political violence - is teeming with loose firearms with some 12,800 guns in the hands of various individuals, the Philippine National Police reported yesterday.

          Senior Superintendent Crisaldo Nieves, newly installed PNP provincial director, said the total number of loose firearms in the province has reached 12,830 based on figures released by the Firearms and Explosives Division.

          Nieves admitted that the figures are alarming considering that the province has been classified as an election “hot spot.” He said the PNP is exerting efforts to recover these firearms so that they will never be utilized in the coming May elections.

          Loose firearms refer to guns with expired licenses, or which licenses have not been renewed, have been revoked or been categorized as “wanted.” A firearm is considered expired and unrenewed when its license has not been touched for the last two years. It is categorized as revoked or wanted beyond two years.

          Of the 12,830, some 4,619 were considered expired and unrenewed were revoked or wanted.

          These guns are divided into high- and low-powered firearms. High-powered guns include shotgun, 357 revolver, Magnum 44 revolver, sub-machinegun, M-16, M-14 and Garand rifles, Carbine and Galil rifles. 

          Nieves made the revelation during a press conference at the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office where he and Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario, chief of the Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) presented to newsmen 456 loose guns recovered in a series of operations by the provincial police and the RSOTG.  

          Del Rosario said the recovery of these guns might help reduce crimes in the province. “Imagine, if we were not able to recover these guns, we might have a higher crime incidence,” he said.

          Of these firearms, 60 were confiscated in checkpoints and under “Oplan Bakal” and “Oplan Sita” while nine were seized during the implementation of the gun ban. Another nine were recovered in armed encounters and during the serving of search warrants.

          Nieves said a total of 387 firearms were surrendered by gun holders.

          Cabanatuan accounts for one-fourth of the number of loose firearms in the province with 3,507, according to police chief, Superintendent Eli Depra.

Police Superintendent Peter Madria, deputy provincial director for operations, said they have accounted for 10,806 firearms holders in the province of whom 1,604 renewed their licenses, 490 moved their addresses, 231 could not be located, 379 licensees were dead and 22 guns whose registered licensees have fictitious names. (Manny Galvez)  

15 of 27 Ecija towns, 4 of 5 cities tagged election “hot spots”

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, January 19, 2013–Fifteen of Nueva Ecija’s 27 municipalities and four of its five cities – or roughly 60 percent -  have been tagged by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as election “hot spots.”

          Senior Superintendent Crisaldo Nieves, PNP provincial police director, said the areas in their election watchlist are the cities are Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz and San Jose and the towns of Aliaga, Bongabon, Cuyapo, Gabaldon, Gen. Natividad, Guimba,  Jaen, Licab,Lupao, Quezon, Rizal, San Isidro, Talugtog, San Antonio and Sto. Domingo.

          Among cities, only Palayan was not included in the list, while among towns, those not included were Cabiao, Carranglan, Laur, Llanera, Nampicuan, Pantabangan, Peñaranda, San Isidro, San Leonardo, Sta. Rosa, Talavera and Zaragoza.

          Nieves said that an area is categorized as an election hot spot based on the following parameters : the presenc e of private armed groups, intense political rivalries, election-related incidents, shooting incidents victimizing elected government officials, the proliferation of losse firearms, barangay affectation, the presence of organized crime groups and other threat groups.

          Cabanatuan, the province’s commercial and trade center, leads the list due to the intense rivalry between reelectionist Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara and Board Member Emmanuel Antonio Umali, younger brother of reelectionist Gov. Aurelio Umali. Both camps traded barbs in the run-up to the aborted December 1 plebiscite to ratify Presidential Proclamation 480 converting the city into a highly urbanized city.

          The mayoral contest in Gapan is considered heated due to the rivalry between reelectionist Mayor Christian Tinio and Maricel Natividad, scion of ex-three term mayor Ernesto Natividad who has gone into hiding for his involvement in the 2006 raid of a cockpit arena of a political rival whose two sons were among those killed.

          In Muñoz, comebacking former three-term mayor Nestor Alvarez is facing Vice Mayor Esther Lazaro in a reprise of a brief power grab by the vice mayor who occupied city hall following the brief disappearance of Alvarez’s brother, Mayor Efren Alvarez over a criminal case.

          In the case of San Jose, it will be a rematch between reelectionist Mayor Marivic Belena and estranged brother-in-law, ex-vice mayor Mario Salvador who lost to her in the 2010 polls.

          In Palayan City, the contest between businesswoman Rianne Cuevas and comebacking former three-term mayor Pacifico Fajardo, also a former three-term congressman is considered not as heated  and politically charged to declare inclusion in the watch list. (Manny Galvez)         

KIKO: PNP, AFP, NBI URGENTLY NEED TO WEED OUT BAD SEEDS AMONG ITS RANKS

MANILA, January 19, 2013-Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan urges the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be relentless in weeding out 'rotten apples' from within their ranks and gain the confidence of the people they were sworn to protect.

"It is unfortunate that the PNP and the AFP are tagged in another controversy with the Antimonan shooting. But this is a battery test for these agencies in their capacity to police their ranks. The PNP and the AFP need to work on addressing these scalawags as a means to help improve its image."

Pangilinan lauds the Department of Interior and Local Government as well as the Department of Justice for their swift and decisive actions in taking to task those involved in the Antimonan shooting, wherein 13 victims were said to be summarily executed. Pangilinan also called on the National Bureau of Investigation to shape up, as it too found itself landing in the news for an embarassing shootout within its compound after an altercation among agents during a drinking spree.

"The PNP and the AFP were never quite able to improve their image as far as abuse of authority is concerned. Even the NBI would routinely find itself in the middle of controversies. These agencies are our protectors and keepers of the peace. As long as there are rotten apples in these agencies, the peace and order situation in the country cannot be properly addressed. Needless to say, whatever gains the Philippines may achieve in terms of economic prosperity would be for naught if investors feel they cannot safely conduct their businesses here."

Legarda Spends Big on Schools

MANILA, January 19, 2013-Believing that upgrading the quality of Philippine education is a good investment for the country,Senator Loren Legarda has allocated a significant amount of her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms and school buildings.

From 2010-2012, Legarda allocated a total of 146 million pesos for the construction and rehabilitation of 291 classrooms and school buildings in various parts of the country.

“Placing high priority on education will be one of the best investments we can make. Aside from legislation, allocating significant portion of my PDAF to building classrooms and schools is one way to help upgrade the country’s education system,” she stressed.

“I am fully supportive of the highly motivated attitude with which the administration is addressing the backlog in classrooms. The government aims to achieve zero backlog in classrooms by 2013. This, along with the other reforms in our education system, will help us ensure a better-educated Filipino youth,” she said.

Ensuring good quality education that is accessible especially to indigent Filipino youth has long been part of Legarda’s advocacies. She established the Libro ni Loren Foundation, which provides scholarship to poor but deserving children and helps improve the literacy level in the poorest provinces through its Book Donation Program where textbooks, dictionaries and other reading materials are donated to public libraries nationwide.

Legarda Visits Science City of Muñoz

MANILA, January 19, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda will address today participants and guests at the “Search for Mutya ng Lungsod Agham ng Muñoz 2013” at the Science City of Muñoz Pag-asa Multipurpose Gym. 

“Today marks the 100th Founding Anniversary and the 12th Charter Anniversary of the Science City of Muñoz. The city is envisioned to be at the forefront of research and innovation in agriculture, education, agro-tourism, and even culture, and they deserve our full encouragement and support. I wish to impart to them the available forms of assistance for the agricultural sector, our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and even our indigenous cultural communities,” she said.

Legarda, author of the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act, noted that the law requires banks to allocate 25% of their loanable funds to the agriculture sector to finance the acquisition of work animals, farm equipment or machinery, seeds, fertilizers, livestock, feeds and/or other similar items for farm production.

“The spirit of the law is to boost the agriculture sector and to promote livelihood among agrarian reform beneficiaries,” she added.

The Senator, also author of the MSME Law as well as the Barangay Kabuhayan Law, will speak about the utilization of available resources in the country, encouragement of the development of the exceptional creativity and artistry of Filipinos, and promotion of the growth of MSMEs as main drivers of our economy.

“Aside from being the lifeblood of the Philippine economy, MSMEs are powerful platforms for promotion of viable rural livelihoods, cultural preservation, socio-economic empowerment of indigenous peoples, and environmental protection,” she said.

“As we celebrate such an auspicious day for residents of the Science City of Muñoz, I aim to showcase our efforts to help the concerned sectors and inspire them to achieve many more milestones in research and development,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Lauds New AFP Chief for being a Green Warrior

MANILA, January 18, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today lauded Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, for being a green warrior by giving due importance to climate change adaptation and environmental protection.

“Our soldiers are now one with us in the great battle against climate change and environmental degradation. I am glad that the new AFP Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Bautista, has declared that the military will also give due focus on efforts to make our nation disaster-resilient,” said Legarda, a reserve officer in the AFP.

In his speech during the turnover of command, Bautista said that the effects of climate change have become greater and the military should pay serious attention to this “emerging concern”.

He vowed to strengthen the AFP’s capacity for disaster rescue and relief while also taking part in environmental protection to combat the adverse effects of climate change.

“Our times and climes have changed. This is the harsh reality that even our soldiers now realize. Our armed forces are no longer merely rescuers in times of calamities, they are now green warriors who will protect our people from the threats of natural hazards,” Legarda said.

“The AFP’s stronger involvement in our climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts, will make our communities better prepared against disasters,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Extremely Concerned Over Ship’s Damage to Tubbataha

MANILA, January 18, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda expressed extreme concern over reports that a foreign ship ran aground on theTubbataha Reef early Thursday.

“The Tubbataha Reef has been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1993. And in September, the World Future Council even lauded the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act for ensuring the effective management of this World Heritage Site. It is severely disheartening to hear that a United States ship ran aground on the Reef and has reportedly caused considerable damage to the corals in the area,” she explained.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, reiterated the study by the World Resources Institute entitled Reefs at Risk showing that 85% of the reefs in the Coral Triangle, which covers six countries including the Philippines, are in danger.

“With the available resources at hand, we cannot guard every inch of the entire coast and Philippine territorial waters, but it is alarming that this jewel in our crown on biodiversity conservation efforts can be so easily accessed and damaged this way. We will be monitoring these developments closely to make sure that those who must be held accountable will comply, with possible penalties. Guards patrolling the area should also be sources of vital information,” she said.

“Not all may be aware of the implications of coral reef degradation in our daily lives. Beyond aesthetics, corals serve a greater purpose in our marine ecosystems, because without them, marine species would practically be homeless. This incident should raise awareness about the status of our reefs and what else we can do to conserve them,” Legarda concluded.

KIKO URGES DFA TO ASK US GOVT TO EXPLAIN DUBIOUS INCURSIONS

MANILA, January 18, 2013-"First it was a U.S. drone. Now its a mine sweeper."

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan is puzzled by two incidents of questionable U.S. Military incursions within the Philippine territory. A U.S. Drone was found in Masbate early January, then a mine sweeper belonging to the U.S. Navy ran aground in the protected Tubbataha reefs of Mindanao a week later.

"What is a minesweeper doing in our reef? Why are they moving freely over our territorial waters and airspace? What are they doing in our backyard? These are disturbing incidents requiring answers. The Department of Foreign Affairs must ask the United States government to explain."

The U.S. Government is sketchy in providing answers in both incidents. The mine sweeper is said to have come off Subic Bay and is on its way to Japan before running aground in Sulu. U.S. Officials are mum on details of the accident.

"Friends and allies must exercise good faith by coming clean," says Pangilinan.

Legarda Expresses Support for Small Businesses, Farmers at Sikhayan Festival 2013

MANILA, January 18, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today expressed her support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the opening of Sikhayan Festival 2013 at the City Plaza of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

“Sikhayan Festival 2013, with its theme Pagsisikhay ng Mamamayan, Tungo sa Pag-unlad ng Pamayanan, celebrates the ingenuity and hard work of our citizens, as well as their contributions to the overall progress of the country. It is important to hold these gatherings because it gives them a chance not only to showcase their products, but also to learn new strategies and gather support for their ventures,” she said. 

Legarda, author of both the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Barangay Livelihood and Skills Training Act, detailed that the MSME Law passed in 2008 provides more assistance to entrepreneurs by requiring lending institutions to allocate at least eight percent (8%), an increase from the previous six percent (6%), of their total loan portfolio to micro and small businesses. It also provides access to new technologies and regular entrepreneurship training programs for workers to ensure the viability and growth of MSMEs in the country.

“We have to utilize the available resources in the country, encourage the development of the exceptional creativity and artistry of Filipinos, and vigorously implement our laws in order to promote the growth of MSMEs as a main driver of our economy,” she added.

“I am one with the local government and residents of Santa Rosa in recognizing that the efforts of every entrepreneur, every employee, is vital to our growth as a people. Together, we will make the excellence of the Filipino known to the world,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Encourages Use of Envi-Friendly Campaign Materials

MANILA, January 17, 2013-As the 2013 campaign season draws closer, reelectionist Senator Loren Legarda encouraged her fellow political candidates to use only environment-friendly campaign materials.

“There is no better manifestation of concern for our country and our people than the use of biodegradable, recycled, or post-consumer materials during the three month-long campaign. From posters to small tokens, we can eliminate unnecessary waste by avoiding plastics and Styrofoam. This 2013, I urge everyone to run a campaign that will not harm the environment,” she said.

Legarda, currently the Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and the UN Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, noted that campaign teams should avoid nailing paraphernalia to trees and take appropriate measures to ensure that waste materials are disposed of properly before leaving the area.

“It is up to every single one of us to work for a cleaner and greener Philippines. I appeal to my fellow candidates to take their place at the frontline of spreading awareness about environmental concerns and ensure that all campaign guidelines, whether legal or environmental, are duly met,” she concluded.

Ecija top cop sacked, replaced by Novo Ecijano police officer

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, January 16, 2013-A legitimate resident of Nueva Ecija is the new provincial director of the Philippine National Police, replacing Senior Superintendent Walter Castillejos who was fired barely four months ahead of the May mid-term elections.

          Senior Superintendent Crisaldo Nieves, a native of Barangay San Isidro, Zaragoza town, assumed the post in turn-over ceremonies Wednesday at the PNP provincial headquarters here.

          Castillejos served for only six months, way short of the routine two-year tour of duty of a provincial director. No reason was given for Castillejos’ sudden relief which order reportedly emanated from Camp Crame.

          “It’s beyond me, really,” said Castillejos’ immediate superior, PNP Regional Office 3 director Chief Superintendent Edgar Ladao by phone when asked why Castillejos was suddenly relieved. 

          There have been speculations that Castillejos was relieved for his failure to eradicate jueteng operations and for his dismal performance in containing crimes in the province. Reports said Umali was disappointed with his performance.

          Castillejos has not been returning calls.

          Nieves, 47, is a member of the 1989 batch of the PNP Academy. He is a former regional comptroller of the PNP in the Bicol Region and in the Caraga Region and held various positions as provincial public safety commander in Quezon province and station commander in the Bataan municipalities of Dinalupihan and Morong and the Quezon towns of Catanauan and Mauban.

          It will be Nieves’ first provincial posting, considered an acid test since Nueva Ecija is listed as an election “hot spot.” He is the second Novo Ecijano to be assigned as director in the province in six years, following Senior Superintendent Agripino Javier – of San Antonio town - who served briefly in 2007 following the assumption into office of Gov. Aurelio Umali.  

          Nieves said his marching order from PNP Chief, Director General Alan Purisima and Ladao is to continue the campaign against all forms of criminality through preventive police action.

          He said the Nueva Ecija police will also run after loose firearms and private armed groups which, he said, will pose serious threats to the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections in the province. (Manny Galvez)       

5.8M voters for May 2013 polls in Central Luzon-COMELEC

BALER, Aurora, January 15, 2013-According to the latest figures from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Region 3, the Central Luzon has 5,823,044 registrants for the midterm polls-months.

Central Luzon COMELEC Regional Director Zoilo Perlas said in a cellphone interview that Bulacan has the most number of voters in the region at 1,497,873 followed by Nueva Ecija with 1,363,646; Pampanga-1,239,372; Tarlac-692,948; Bataan-456,648; Zambales- 444,202; and Aurora-128,355.

He added that there will be 7,905 clustered precincts in 2,822 voting centers for its 14 cities and 116 towns.

Records showed that Southern Tagalog is still the nation’s most vote rich area with over eight (8) million followed by Metro Manila with 5.9 million.

Meanwhile, Some 1,429 local positions will be up for grabs in Region 3 consisting of 21 congressional seats, 7 gubernatorial, 7 vice gubernatorial, 68 provincial boards, 130 mayoral, 130 vice mayoral, and 1,066 councilors, the third biggest in the archipelago. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda Visits Pangasinan to Support Farmers, Strengthen Local Disaster-Resilience

MANILA, January 15, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today visited the province of Pangasinan for a whole-day engagement with local communities and farmers.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, will turn over geohazard maps to municipalities in Pangasinan and conduct a public briefing on the use and implementation of the maps. She will also hold a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Roadshow at the Pangasinan State University-Lingayen Campus.

Legarda, author of the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act, will also lead the turnover of knapsack sprayers and fertilizer for corn production programs in Mangaldan and will join farmers at the Pozorrubio Farmers’ Night.

“I want my visit in every province to be very productive, especially by way of educating our people in the countryside on disaster resilience and providing them with the necessary tools to ensure that they are ready to face the hazards ahead,” she stressed.

“Our local government units must be able to prepare our communities for disasters and the geohazard maps will help them make sound policies for local disaster resilience. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector is one of those most vulnerable to climate change. Thus, we want to equip them with the information and tools they would need for better yield and effectively adapt to the effects of global warming,” she added.

“Our times and climes have changed. This is a reality that even our soldiers realize. In fact, our armed forces are gearing up for a battle against disasters,” said Legarda, referring to reports that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will join a climate change summit this year.

“The AFP is strengthening capacity to respond to disasters, but they should also be better-equipped in preparing for natural hazards to reduce loss of lives and damage to properties. We must all join hands in shaping our country to become thoroughly prepared,” Legarda concluded.

No politics in graft raps vs Joson - Umali

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, January 14, 2012-Gov. Aurelio Umali denied allegations that the filing of graft charges against Quezon Mayor Mariano Cristino Joson was politically motivated as claimed by the Josons’ camp.

          Speaking to reporters at the provincial Capitol here, Umali said he could not be accused by the Josons of playing politics in the graft charges filed before the Ombudsman and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan against Mayor Joson.

          “In the first place, somebody filed the complaint against them, not me. So how can they accuse me now of playing politics?” he said.

          Earlier, the Josons claimed Mayor Joson was a victim of political harassment.

          Former four-term governor Tomas Joson III said charges have also been filed before the SP against San Leonardo Mayor Froilan Nagano, a close ally of the Josons, in what he termed as an apparent “pattern to harass” mayors belonging to the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija of the Josons.

          Aside from Mayor Joson, also charged before the Office of the Ombudsman were Quezon municipal treasurer Anacleta Arucan, municipal accountant Rona Joson and municipal budget officer Leilani Domingo.

          The charges, filed by former municipal accountant Ruperto Libunao, accuse the four of alleged non-remittance of Government Service Insurance System premiums of employees and unliquidated cash advances and disbursements worth at least P100 million.

          A preventive suspension of the four respondents is being sought by Libunao to prevent them from using the powers of their office to influence the outcome of the investigation.

          Mariano Cristino, a former vice governor, ran for governor against Umali in 2007 but lost by landslide, ending the clan’s 48-year rule in the Capitol. He is the husband of first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson who is running for governor against  Umali.

          Umali said he is inclined to issue a preventive suspension order against Mayor Joson if only to send the message across that the Umali administration is serious in running after anomalies in the local governments.

          “I am inclined to issue the suspension once the document is submitted to me by the SP. It’s a measure the law allows to protect the integrity of the investigation,” he said.

The issuance of a preventive suspension order, Libunao 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.   

          Umali said when he assumed as governor in 2007, he encountered  a variety of problems left behind by the previous administration, including the non-remittance of GSIS premiums for 10 years.

          He noted that his predecessor, Tomas III, entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the GSIS which is detrimental to the interests of Capitol employees.

          “In fact, I wrote a letter to then GSIS president Winston Garcia that the MOA they worked out with the provincial government was detrimental to the cause of Capitol employees and I asked that it be re-visited. After four years, the new Board of the GSIS looked into my plea and agreed with my findings. Now, they are trying to re-do the MOA,” he said.

          He also said that during his first term as governor, he asked the SP then led by vice governor Edward Thomas Joson to grant him authority to enter into loan agreements to pay for the loans of the previous administration but this was turned down.

          “In effect, I was asking then vice governor Joson to authorize me to enter into new loans to pay for the loans the Josons incurred but I was not given authority,” he said. 

          Earlier, Manuel- Joson branded the alleged non-payment by the municipal government of the GSIS premium contributions of employees as malicious. 

She said the municipal government has already forged a MOA  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. (Manny Galvez) 

Legarda Reiterates Need for Disaster Risk Reduction, as NDRRMC Chief Resigns

MANILA, January 14, 2013-In light of the resignation of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Benito Ramos, Senator Loren Legarda reiterated her call for the government's thrust to be on preparedness, not response, during these times of severe and successive disasters.

“The government cannot be fragmented in dealing with flood risks and natural hazards. We hope that Undersecretary Ramos will be succeeded by one with equal passion and sense of responsibility. And as provided in the law, by a universally acknowledged expert in the field of disaster risk reduction and management,” said Legarda, who is one of the authors of Republic Act 10121.

The Senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change, added that although meaningful strides have been made to increase the country's disaster resilience, there is still a need to fully implement the environmental laws as well as for heightened action from all stakeholders in disaster risk management.

“We need disaster-resilient development planning, which means the integration of disaster risks into local land use and development plans. We need to raise awareness among private citizens, the business community, even the youth sector,” she stressed.

“A sunset review of the law three years after its enactment may also be timely to see if an amendment is called for in order to equip the government with better DRR mechanisms,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda to Hold Geohazard Briefings, Distribute Maps in Pangasinan

MANILA, January 13, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda will conduct geohazard briefings and distribute geohazard maps to municipalities in Pangasinan on January 15.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, will also speak before students of the Pangasinan State University in order to reach out to the youth about climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

“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. These maps show where it is safe and unsafe to reside or to build infrastructure. And while I believe that LGU support is crucial, we must also involve the youth because they will be the ones to continue the practice of adhering to our standards of safety and disaster preparedness,” she explained.

Legarda started the distribution of maps last week with the formal turnover of geohazard maps to local officials of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. 

“Our citizens have the right to know if they are living in landslide or flood-prone areas. Everyone from public servants to members of the youth should be equipped with this knowledge. Through this, we should be able to radically minimize the casualties and damages when a natural hazard strikes,” she stressed.

“As Filipinos, we owe it to each other to be involved in efforts to reduce disaster risks and adapt to climate change. Now is the time to give nothing less than our wholehearted commitment to arm all sectors with the right tools to be disaster resilient,” Legarda concluded.

Trillanes thanks PNoy for signing law to modernize interior design industry

MANILA, January 13, 2013-Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV hailed the signing of Republic Act 10350 or the Philippine Interior Design Act of 2012 by PresidentBenigno Aquino III, saying this will help boost the sector to make it globally competitive.

“I thank the President for signing the amended interior design law. Surely this development will boost the interior design industry to make it more competitive globally and at par with international standards,” said Trillanes, principal author of the new law.

In his sponsorship speech as chairman of Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, Trillanes lamented that with the advances in technology and swift development in the industry, “it is necessary for us to introduce changes which would modernize the practice of interior design in the country to make it at par with the international standards and to enhance the competitive edge of the Filipino interior designers.”

The amended law protects the interest of local interior designers and enhances their competitive edge by providing the mandatory professional education and upgrading the knowledge and skills of professional interior designers.

The young senator said only legitimate professionals will be allowed to practice the profession in the country.

The new law, signed by President Aquino on 15 December 2012, amends Republic Act No. 8534 of 1998.