Legarda: Prioritize Safety of Filipinos, Seek Peaceful Resolution to Sabah Crisis

Following reports of a clash between supporters of the Sultan of Sulu and Malaysian police, Senator Loren Legarda today said that there is an urgent need to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Sabah, stressing that the government should seek for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, also called on the Malaysian government to allow Philippine officials to help Filipinos affected in the situation.

“We call on the government of Malaysia to ensure the safe passage back to the Philippines of Filipinos who want to return following the stand-off in Sabah. The Philippine Embassy should be given access to Filipinos involved in the stand-off and those requiring medical attention should be provided one without fear of retribution or arrest,” she said.

Legarda made the statement in reaction to the reported clash between a group of Malaysian police and the supporters of the Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram III, following a three-week stand-off in Lahad Datu town in Sabah.

The Senator said that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should ensure that collateral damage among Filipinos in Sabah is minimized.

“The incident is symptomatic of an issue that has remained unresolved.  It is important that the Philippines and Malaysia discuss the issues and work towards a durable and lasting solution to the problem. The Department of Foreign Affairs needs to bring this issue from the back burner into the negotiating table,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Conducts Dialogue with OFWs

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, conducted a dialogue with members of the Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC), an overseas Filipinos group, and explained some of the legislation that will benefit them and address their concerns.

Among the concerns raised by GFDC members present during the dialogue conducted at the Senate are the trafficking of Filipinos, protection of domestic workers, and vulnerability to climate change of indigenous peoples.

“Two weeks ago President Aquino already signed into law the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which is a stronger version as it covers attempted trafficking and accomplice liability. We are hopeful that this will effectively address the problem of human trafficking,” said Legarda, principal author and sponsor of the law.

“We also have an existing law which covers the protection of indigenous peoples especially in this era of climate change—the 2009 Climate Change Act, which created the Climate Change Commission. This commission is supposed to map out an action plan on climate change, which is important for our IPs who are among those vulnerable to extreme weather events because they usually live either in our forested areas, coastal areas, slopes or foothills,” she added.

The Senator also explained that the Senate has concurred in the ratification of at least 16 treaties that will be beneficial to Filipinos overseas, such as the ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers; the Maritime Labour Convention for the protection of the rights of seafarers; the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and with China, which establish a legal framework that obligates the Contracting Parties to assist in the investigation, prosecution and suppression of criminal offenses and proceedings related to criminal matters; and the Convention on Social Security between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Spain, which ensures that Filipinos in Spain are secured upon retirement.

“The Philippine Senate’s concurrence in the ratification of ILO Convention 189 is historic as it paved the way for the treaty’s entry into force. My next campaign will be with the parliaments of the world and their foreign ministries so that all other nations, especially where there is a concentration of Filipino domestic workers, will also concur in the ratification of this Convention,” Legarda said.

“We have the laws in place and we are monitoring the implementation of these laws, but we cannot do it alone. We cannot solve this problem of climate change, indigenous peoples’ vulnerability, trafficked victims, etc. We need you, the very vigilant overseas Filipinos, who have the resources, the time, and the passion to help address the concerns of our citizens and confront the challenges that our nation is faced with,” Legarda concluded.

Magdalo to promote welfare of retired AFP soldiers, personnel

MANILA, March 2, 2013-Magdalo Para sa Pilipino (Magdalo) vowed to craft measures the will provide more protection to the welfare and benefits being received by retired soldiers and personnel of the armed forces and their families, once they win a congressional seat in the May midterm elections.

“Magdalo’s long-standing relationship with retired soldiers and their families has given it the comprehensive view of the often neglected and underrepresented sector of retired soldiers. We feel their pain and suffering, and it’s about time that we help them hear their voices,” said Gary Alejano, the party-list group’s first nominee.

He added: “We will waste no time once elected to office. We have identified priority measures, most of which seeks to ensure aid and guarantee benefits to retired soldiers and their families even after their term of service. We must let them feel that their government and its people appreciate all the blood and sweat they sacrificed for their country.”

Among the measures Magdalo plans to focus on if it clinches a seat in the House of Representatives are the upgrading of veteran’s pensions and benefits, the institutionalization of scholarship grants to dependents of soldiers, and the creation of the national military appreciation week.

Alejano heads the civilian volunteer organization Samahang Magdalo, which works hand-in-hand with the party-list group. Even before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved its application as a party-list organization, it has been engaged in various socio-civic activities through the efforts and initiatives of its members, comprised mostly of retired soldiers and personnel of the military.

Part of the group’s advocacy to reform the government is fight corruption and maintain peace and order in the country. 

“A representative for retired soldiers and their families is a necessary step toward a meaningful move to provide them with the necessary attention and resources from the government they rightfully deserve,” Alejano said.

Other Magdalo nominees are its national spokesman and secretary general Francisco Ashley Acedillo and former Navy Lieutenant Manuel Cabochan.

Magdalo is one of the 79 party-list groups which the Comelec has accredited to run in the national and local elections in May.

Two-time widower, 72, takes widow, 71 as bride in Aurora mass wedding

DIPACULAO, Aurora – A septuagenarian businessman, who was a widower twice over, took a septuagenarian businesswoman – herself a widow - as his wife, highlighting the mass wedding of 28 couples in this town Thursday afternoon.

          Marcelo Sebulboro Niegos, 72, and Estrella Palit-ang Gomez, 71, got lawfully wedded after 11 years in ceremonies officiated by Mayor Reynante Tolentino here.

          Niegos and Gomez, both of Barangay North Poblacion here, vowed that while the deaths of their previous partners led to their marital union, it is also only death that could make them part.

          “We want our union to be pure so we got married,” said Niegos, after sealing his union with Gomez with a kiss.

          Niegos, who was born on February 19,1941 – coincidentally the day the province celebrates Aurora Day-  has two children from as many previous marriages. His first wife Amparo Pimentel died in Lipa City in 1992. His second wife Juanita also died in 1999.

          Gomez has six kids from a previous marriage to her late husband  Felixberto Calderon who died in 1999.

          Niegos and Gomez met in North Poblacion where they happened to be neighbors.

          Gomez said it was love at first sight. But she clarified it was Niegos who feel for her on sight, not the other way around.

          Niegos said what is important is that they will now live together for better or for worse, in sickness or in health and yes, “till death do us part.”

          Asked jokingly if she had no misgivings that she would suffer the same fate as Niegos’ previous partners, Gomez said she has no such fear and that her love for Niegos overcomes all fears.

          Tolentino, in his speech during the mass wedding, emphasized respect among the couples as the foundation of their love for each other. “It’s important that you respect each other because if you have respect, it means you love each other,” he said before the 28 couples.

          Tolentino said since he became mayor in 2007, he already officiated in the mass wedding of at least 5,000 couples in the town. He said these couples were married without paying any single centavo to the municipal government, saving them expenses of at least P1,500 per couple.

Last year, Tolentino also officiated the wedding of 29 couples, including Ireneo Balangue Jr., 58, and Emelinda Bellong, 49, both of Barangay Dimabuno, who finally got married after living together like husband and wife for 27 long years and having two children sans marriage.

Candido Velasco, municipal civil registrar, said that aside from Niegos and Gomez, the others who got married were Juan Paolo Dolores and Mary Joy Rojo, Loderico Gamilla and Jocelyn Gonzales, Joel Bernardo and Virginia Evangelista, Leonard Agua and Jennalyn Tumala, Marcelino Mico and Teresita Terre, Judy Carbonel and Girlie Barte, Melchor Villamar and Mary Ann Hetosis, Dominador Garcia and Crisanta Ruiz, Eliseo Pascua and Desiree Arcega, Frederick de Guzman and Ronalyn Ramos, Allan Viernes and Geraldine Jose, Oscar Asuncion Jr. and Miriam Penaranda, Nestor Montero and Jessica Ogian;

Elmar dela Cruz and Maureen dela Cruz, Jovan Pacis and Melody Amin, Arnelio Marquez and Jenny Posidio, Eduardo Blanco and Jocelyn Posidio, Martian Cuaresma and Genelyn Alavar, Darwin Buenconsejo and Ma. Fatima Baroro, Edgardo Agustin and Emilyn Peralta, Melvin Orpiano and Charibel Pelantagaan, Aristotle Sarenas and Mary Jane Ocmer, Jesus Marzan Jr. and Yolanda Moreno, Virgilio Sevilla and Julieta Lagmay, Kristopher Fernandez and Rodelyn Calaunan, Jayson Drapeza and Dolores Canonigo and Orville Von Forbes and Ana Rose Acosta. – Manny Galvez

Jinggoy calls for probe into misuse of pork barrel funds allotted for farmers

MANILA, February 28, 2013-Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is calling for a Senate inquiry to investigate reports that he and other lawmakers including Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile channeled their pork barrel to a bogus non government organization.

 

“I am calling for this thorough investigation to determine how our Priority Development Assistance Fund was able to benefit a non existing organization. We need to unmask those who benefited from this scheme,” Sen. Estrada said.

 

Meanwhile, Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Ma. Gracia M. Pulido Tan clarified that they are not investigating the lawmakers named in newspaper reports but the non-government organization involved in this mess.

 

Nevertheless, Estrada instructed his staff to work closely with the COA to clear his name.

 

“We’ll work with COA and we’ll open our books to get to the bottom of this,” Sen. Estrada said. “I won’t allow my office to be used as a conduit for debauchery, decadence, dishonesty and depravity.”

 

He also urged agriculture department to shed light on the operations of ZNAC Rubber Estate Corp. (ZREC)—a state-owned company that received a total of P206 million in pork barrel in several batches in 2009 and 2010.

 

“From news reports, ZREC – through the Department of Budget and Management as well as the Department of Agriculture – received about P106.7 million from my PDAF during the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” Sen. Estrada said.

 

ZREC then channeled the sum to the Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc. (PFI), an NGO which was strongly endorsed by the agriculture department.

 

“At that time, lawmakers were informed by the agriculture department that this NGO is a legitimate organization and that our pork barrel will be used to benefit thousands of farmers,” Estrada said.

 

“Now that COA revealed in its report that this NGO is nonexistent, we need to ask the former agriculture secretary as well as the ZREC board on why they channeled the taxpayers’ money to this bogus organization,” Estrada said.

 

“If these personalities do not appear in our investigation, I would ask for their arrest.”

 

COA noted several irregularities on the ZREC deal.

 

In the COA executive summary, it reported that “Petronila A. Balmaceda, PFI’s President, had not coordinated with them (ZREC) to be able to settle the issues raised in audit. Likewise, the confirmation letter sent by the audit team through a registered mail on February 9, 2012 was returned to us for reason that PFI had already moved out on the address indicated.”

 

“Considering that PFI failed to comply with the audit recommendations and had not coordinated for almost two years now, it is high time that the Management pursue the filing of appropriate legal action against PFI.”

Legarda: Well-being of Filipinos in Sabah Must Be Protected

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, today stressed that as the government seeks to resolve the current situation in Sabah, it must ensure the protection of Filipinos there.

"We have Filipinos in Sabah in massive numbers. Their well-being should be one of our considerations in resolving this issue. We cannot be reckless to the point of endangering their well-being. At the end of the day, nobody wins," she said.

In resolving the issue, Legarda explained that "our foreign policy on disputed areas is clear -- what is ours is ours. For us to actively pursue this position, it is vital that we clearly define the scope and breadth of what is ours and the basis for such claims. Ownership is not defined by administrations but by legal and historical entitlements."

"The Philippines and Malaysia have strong ties. We need to leverage on these so that we may find a lasting solution to the ongoing situation in Sabah," Legarda concluded.

KIKO: KIRAM FORCES THE HAND OF THE GOVERNMENT

MANILA, February 26, 2013-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan joins President Benigno Aquino in appealing to Jamalul Kiram III to put an end to the standoff in Sabah.

"This standoff has reached a critical point where the Philippine government must now act decisively and do what is necessary to protect the general interest of the Filipino people," says Pangilinan, a peace advocate. "Kiram is essentially declaring war on Malaysia. He must understand that it has never been a policy of the Philippines to take on other countries by force. Regardless of Sulu's rightful claim to Sabah, an armed invasion will unlikely lead to an amicable resolution."

Pangilinan says that the Philippines' ties with Malaysia take precedence over contested claims. 

"This has come at a time when we are so close to achieving lasting peace with our brothers from the South. Malaysia has played a crucial role in brokering talks between the Philippine government and our Muslim brothers in Mindanao. We cannot afford to have a wedge between our country and Malaysia because of one person's whim."

KIKO: LATEST SWS SURVEY UNDERSCORES PINOYS' CLAMOR FOR CHANGE

MANILA, February 26, 2013-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan today states that the latest results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey of the leading candidates for the 2013 midterm elections is highly indicative of the people's support for President Benigno Aquino III's continued push for good governance and economic stability. 

"Needless to say, we are very pleased with the results of the SWS survey," says Pangilinan, who was the campaign manager of the Liberal Party's senatorial slate in 2010. "It shows that the Aquino administration has been very credible in pushing for reforms, thanks to the very tangible changes happening today."

"We are particularly pleased with Bam Aquino's big jump in this survey," Pangilinan adds.

Pangilinan has been vocal for his "all-out support" for Bam Aquino, who with him co-founded the highly prestigious annual search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards, the premier recognition program for Filipino youth organizations. The young Aquino was also a Commissioner, then Chairman of the National Youth Commission when Pangilinan was then one of the youngest newly elected senators in 2001.

"Bam personifies the next generation of leaders. He is full of passion and is totally committed to bringing prosperity from the grassroots. He is a true agent of change. We need to have somebody like him to be in a position where he may be able to contribute greatly to the 'Daang Matuwid' of the Aquino administration."

Legarda Highlights Priorities for Next Term in CDO Sortie

MANILA, February 26, 2013-In her visit to Cagayan de Oro, Senator Loren Legarda, senatorial candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), discussed her priorities should she win another term in the Senate.

“Healthcare is number one. I will finish the Universal Healthcare Bill. I will make sure it is enacted into law and that it will be implemented for the 25 million poorest Filipinos,” said Legarda, principal author of the bill.

“Our aim is to ensure that no mother has to lose a child from sickness because she could not afford to bring her son or daughter to the hospital; no husband has to lose his wife from giving birth because she was not able to access healthcare services; no child has to lose an ailing parent due to lack of resources for hospitalization. Once we have the Universal Healthcare Law, all families can avail of Philhealth benefits even after many presidents and congresses have passed. This will be an important legacy to the Filipinos,” she stressed.

Another priority of the Senator is the expansion of scholarship programs for indigent but deserving college students.

“I will review the scholarship programs of our state universities and colleges (SUCs) and I want to expand the scholarship base to give focus on agriculture, science and technology, environment, and possibly disaster science, because those are the courses that our people would need,” Legarda said.

“We will make sure that the more than three million families that are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will have at least one college graduate educated through a scholarship program,” she added.

The Senator also said she will continue to look after the welfare of senior citizens.

“We have worked hard for the passage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act to ensure that our elderly Filipinos will be able to access the full twenty percent discount on medicines, food, services and other purchases. We have to look after the welfare of our senior citizens who have already shared their skills, talent and energy for meaningful work, programs and advocacies for the nation,” Legarda explained.

“Healthcare, education, and the general welfare of our citizens—these are my priorities. I am hopeful for a new term, which I will use for all the work that still needs to be done for our citizens and for our country,” Legarda concluded.

Cory magic seen in Team PNoy’s survey lead

MANILA, February 26, 2013-A day after the nation commemorated the 27^th year of the EDSA People Power revolution, the so-called Cory Magic must be working all over again.

Thus declared Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon Tuesday/Feb. 26 in reaction to the latest Social Weather Stations-Business World survey showing an overwhelming 9 to 3 advantage for the administration coalition in the race for 12 Senate seats.

“It’s 1986 all over again. The SWS-Business World survey is an affirmation of the people’s support for the Liberal Party-led coalition and its platform of government anchored on clean government, inclusive growth, and peace and security all over the country,” Drilon said.

Cory Magic was the term attributed to former President Corazon Aquino, who was catapulted into power after the 1986 EDSA revolt and whose endorsement of the administration slate led to a near sweep of the 1987 senatorial elections.

Her son, Benigno Simeon Aquino III was believed to have been lifted to the presidency in 2010 by the same Cory Magic. The incumbent President is now endorsing the candidacies of the administration coalition candidates.

The Feb. 15-17 nationwide poll taken after campaigning officially began showed Team PNoy candidates occupying the first six places.

Reelectionist Sen. Loren Legarda is on top with 64 percent followed by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero 62 percent, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano 58 percent, Cynthia Villar 53 percent, and Grace Poe and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel tied for fifth and sixth with 48 percent each.

The opposition’s Nancy Binay was on seventh with 47 percent followed by Team PNoy’s Sen. Antonio Trillanes at eighth with 46 percent.

It’s a toss up between the administration’s Benigno Bam Aquino and United Nationalist Alliance’s JV Ejercito for ninth and 10^th positions, both with 42 percent. Team PNoy’s Sonny Angara and UNA’s Juan Miguel Zubiri occupy the 11^th and 12^th places with 39 percent.  

Drilon pointed out that the respondents’ preference of the Team PNoy candidates manifests the political maturity of the Filipino people “that they are able to see the deep margin of difference between the Team PNoy coalition and the other political candidates.”

“This latest vote of confidence on the candidates personally handpicked by President Aquino himself also focuses attention on the great political tasks awaiting them once they are formally elected into office. The Team PNoy candidates will continue to vigorously uphold the clean government advocacy of the President, his desire to use his last remaining three years in office to decisively reduce poverty, to considerably improve social services such as equitable access to education and health, among others,” Drilon said.

Team PNoy spokesman Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo meanwhile expressed elation over the survey results, saying it’s a clear trend towards a Team PNoy victory in theMay 13 elections.

“What’s significant is that the Team PNoy candidates who are not in the Magic 12 are closely within striking distance.” Quimbo pointed out.

“The results are not at all surprising. It shows that PNoy's program of Tuwid na Daan continues to be relevant in the minds of the electorate and that the latter associates the program with the individuals selected by the President to be part of his team. It also validates that a campaign based on a clear message supported by track-record is preferred by the people,” he said. 

The poll results, he added, also shows the people's clear rejection of the opposition's campaign strategy to use personality attacks and smear campaign tactics against the administration.

“This should be a wake-up call for them to start talking about their alternative programs instead of just rehashing rumor mill fodder,” Quimbo said. 

Trillanes: Focus more on the character of the candidates

Reelectionist Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV is urging voters to be aware and discerning of the character and mettle of the candidates for the 2013 midterm polls to ensure that only deserving elective officials who can forward the country to national development are in the government.

“The power to choose our own leaders is given only once every three years – this is the essence of democracy. Kung kaya’t ito pong darating na halalan marami pong mambobola, maraming magaling magsalita, marami may black propaganda. Kaya kailangan magsusuri tayo ng maayos,” said Trillanes, who is running under the administration ticket Team PNoy.

“Para masuri nating husto ang kanilang pagkatao, itanong natin: unang-una, sila ba ay may malasakit sa kapwa at bayan? Pangalawa, sila ba ay mapagkakatiwalaan na hindi mang-aabuso at mangungurakot? Pangatlo, sila ba ay kumakatawan sa inyong mga hinahangad para sa ating bayan? At higit sa lahat, sa panahon ng pang-aapi at pang-aabuso, maaasahan ba sila na tumayo at makipaglaban para sa inyong  karapatan? The advent of information technology and social media have given us voters the capacity to verify any claim made by any candidate. Thus, we must use this potential to our advantage and empowerment. We wield the information and we must translate this into our votes,” he said.

“Kung iyan po ang inyong mga batayan, makakasigurado po ako na wala na po kayong kandidatong pipiliin pa kung hindi ang mga kandidatong mula sa Team PNoy!” Trillanes added emphatically.

Trillanes has been one of the most productive senators with a total of 734 bills and resolutions filed during the 14th and 15th Congress, of which 30 have been passed into law. He also ranked second both in terms of the number of national bills sponsored in the plenary and number of committee hearings conducted.

Trillanes is currently the chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, the Senate Committee on Amateur Sports Competitiveness, and the Senate Select Oversight Committee on Government Procurement.

Trillanes added: “I urge voters to be vigilant and make sure that they only elect leaders who have the ascendancy to promote good governance. Tapat dapat sa mga mahihirap at sa paglaban sa kurap.”

OPPOSITION BARKING UP WRONG TREE, SAYS DRILON

MANILA, February 25, 2013-Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin M. Drilon on Monday/Feb. 25 dismissed allegations by the opposition that he was eyeing the Senate presidency in the 16^th Congress.

 “I will not dignify those statements because I am not a candidate” Drilon said. “They are barking up the wrong tree,” referring to the pronouncements made by the United Nationalist Alliance campaign manager Rep. Toby Tiangco that Team PNoy’s dream of a 12-0 sweep was anchored on Drilon’s bid for the Senate presidency.

“We are more focused on presenting Team PNoy as a team which fully supports President Aquino’s platform of good governance which in turn has resulted in an improved economy and better social and health services,” he said.

The Team PNoy campaign manager said the issue in this election “is not Drilon.”

“The issue is whether we are for good governance. If they say otherwise, it’s up to them as long as they spell my name correctly,” he added.

In Iloilo Thursday Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel introduced Drilon as “the next Senate President,” triggering a conspiracy theory speculation from the opposition.

“For all intents and purposes, it is the members of the 16^th Congress who will choose the next Senate President.” Drilon said.

“These are the issues in the campaign and the senate presidency in the 16^th Congress is a question that the senators will decide upon as an independent body, since the Senate has been known for its independence by law and by tradition,” Drilon said.

“By law, the 16^th Congress will have a new set of officers, both the Senate and the House will elect its officers with the new Congress council, who believers of the House and the Senate will be is a matter for each House in chair,” he added.

“Let’s just move on and instruct what the people are looking for and what this campaign is all about. And this campaign for the Team PNOY is a campaign on good governance. It’s a platform that we should carry on, until the end of the elections,” he said. 

Legarda Denounces Killing of Ati Leader, Harassment of Environmentalist

MANILA, February 25, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today denounced the killing of a tribal community leader and the harassment of an environmental group as she urged police authorities to be more proactive and aggressive in identifying and arresting the culprits.

Legarda likewise called for visible police protection for indigenous and environmental groups, particularly their leaders, that are presently fighting for their rights and those of their communities.

“These incidents are causing apprehension to marginalized and advocacy groups and may have bearing on their struggle and aspirations for a better life,” she said.

She added that police investigators should not only look for the perpetrators of the crimes but should dig deeper and determine their motives. The authorities would be able to prevent similar incidents in the future by being proactive, she said.

Legarda added: “Halatang pananakot ito sa mga indigenous communities at sa mga lumalaban sa paglapastangan ng ating kapaligiran.”

The Senator is especially concerned over the killing of the tribal community leader, being at the forefront in promoting and preserving the culture of  indigenous communities as Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities.

Legarda is likewise a leading environmental advocate, shepherding the passage of environmental laws and policies and pushing for initiatives to protect the environment.

News reports said Dexter Condez, community organizer of the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (BATO), was on his way home when he was shot with a 9-mm pistol in Sitio Lugutan, Barangay Manoc-Manoc in Boracay.

Before the killing, at least 20 armed men stormed the tribal group’s community and harassed the villagers, apparently in connection with the award to 40 families belonging to the BATO of a Certificate of Ancestral Domain by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Several businessmen have reportedly questioned the legality of the granting of the certificate to these families.

In another incident, several armed men barged into the home of Dr. Isidro Olan in Carmen, Surigao del Sur, tied him and other family members up and ransacked the place.

Olan, Founding President and Executive Director of the Lovers of Nature Foundation, has been vocal against mining and logging activities in the towns of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, and Lanuza.

Legarda on People Power Anniversary: We Must Always Fight for Our Rights

Twenty-seven years after the historic People Power Revolution that brought back democracy in the Philippines, Senator Loren Legarda engaged Filipinos to continue to fight for human rights as they always have. 
“In 1986, millions of Filipinos joined a nonviolent revolution that awed even the world. We were able to regain our democracy through peaceful means. Today, we must continue to fight for our rights without trampling on the rights of others. We must support ways by which we can protect and uphold our democracy,” she said.
“We should promote the proliferation of a free market of ideas, thus we must protect our freedom of expression. We should encourage constructive criticism especially in public service so that leaders can effectively carry out their mandate, thus we must protect freedom of speech. We should ensure honesty, transparency and accountability of government officials, thus we must have the freedom of information,” Legarda stressed. 
Legarda, co-sponsor of the proposed People’s Ownership of Government Information (POGI) Act of 2012, explained that it is important for all government agencies to disclose information on public interest transactions, documents or records to erase doubts on the capability of the government to do its mandate of serving the best interests of the people.

“We must supply our people with information about the leaders they elected into office and of the businesses of government offices. This will certainly elevate the citizens’ trust and confidence in the government,” she said.
The Senator also stressed the value of freedom of speech and expression, which is why she proposed measures that would decriminalize libel and repeal the libel provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“The reasonableness of adopting a policy to prevent cyberspace pollutants from spoiling the minds of our people must not be done at the expense of our valued right to free speech. We must eliminate a chilling effect that may impose undue boundaries on our people’s exercise of freedom of expression,” said Legarda.

ANGARA CALLS FOR CHED MORATORIUM ON FIELD TRIPS

MANILA, February 24, 2013-Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to impose a moratorium on field trips in light of a bus accident in Tuba, Benguet which has since claimed the lives of several students and faculty members from Marinduque State College (MSC).

The 31 tourism students and two teachers from MSC, including two tour guides, were on the Baguio leg of a three-day Manila-Ilocos-Baguio educational tour, when their bus driver lost control and collided with two other vehicles.  

Seven fatalities have since been reported, with the remaining currently hospitalized at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for critical injuries.

“Our prayers are with the families of those who figured in this tragic accident.” said Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Educations, Arts and Culture. “But this kind of field trip, though it may help domestic tourism, does not necessarily help the study of tourism.”

The veteran lawmaker said that such educational tours are often very expensive, costing an average of P5,000 to P10,000 per student.

He added that trips to hotels, restaurants and other hospitality institutions within the province or region of the school can still provide educational value to tourism students.  

“Field trips must be conducted without endangering the lives of students and imposing high financial burden on their families. I urge CHED to issue a moratorium until there is devised a more reasonable set of criteria for allowing such trips,” emphasized the former UP President. (Rikka Sotto)

ANGARA: GOV’T SHOULD SUPPORT SMALL-SCALE RE PROJECTS IN RURAL AREAS

MANILA, February 23, 2013-Senator Edgardo J. Angara underscored the need to bring Renewable Energy (RE) directly to consumers who need alternative sources of electricity: the fisherfolk, farmers and those living in distant areas still not connected to the national power grid.

During his keynote speech at the German-Philippine Policy Dialogue on Renewable Energy held last week, Angara explained that the government’s continuous support of RE is vital in helping these communities become self-sufficient.

Since the Renewable Energy Act was passed in 2008, which Angara authored and sponsored, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has received scores of project proposals for utilizing sustainable energy sources with very little carbon footprint. These proposals range from small and micro enterprises to big ventures that will produce significant amounts of electricity.

The emphasis now, said Angara, is on bringing production of these initiatives to the small scale developers by providing funding through loans and grants.

According to Angara, one way to support small farming and fishing communities is by providing them with electricity through RE projects that will help them with processing and preserving their crops. Lack of electricity in remote communities increase post-harvest loss and decrease profits, he explained.

“Rapid developments have lowered the costs of RE technology, which boosts the viability of widespread RE initiatives across the country. Continuous research and development from both the government and private institutions can lower these costs further so that small-scale projects can be undertaken by those in rural areas,” said Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

Moreover, firsthand use of this technology would make RE into a viable alternative to traditional power sources. “More people would learn to appreciate the value of RE in their day-to-day lives,” he said. (Rikka Sotto)