Col. Rodrigo Gregorio, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), disclosed the firefight broke out around 6:40 a.m. Saturday in Barangay Tugas, Patikul town.

He said the clash broke out when the troops stumbled upon the suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits while conducting an operation to rescue kidnap victim Casilda Villarasa.

Villarasa, 41, who is a medical technologist at the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), was seized last May 18 by gunmen suspected to be Abu Sayyaf bandits while she and her nine-year-old daughter were on the way to the IPHO in Barangay Asturia, Jolo, Sulu.

Villarasa’s daughter, Valeria, managed to run away and escaped.

Her husband, Sgt. Faustino Villarasa, is a Marine.

Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, WestMinCom chief, has ordered to relentlessly pursue the suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits, Gregorio said.

Four helicopter gunships, including two rocket-firing MG-520 choppers, were deployed to provide air support to the pursuing Marine troops, he added.

Meanwhile, he said the identities of the slain and wounded soldiers were not immediately available except that they belong to the 2nd Marine Brigade command.

Antonio Octavio, chair of Barangay Cannery Site in Polomolok, said the twister, which came following a heavy downpour, pummeled a portion of Purok People’s Village and the neighboring communities at around 1 p.m.

He said no casualties were reported during the incident but noted that 8 of the 38 affected houses and buildings in the area were totally damaged.

A report released by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) of Region 12 on Saturday morning cited that 33 families were affected by the tornado, which left an estimated damage of around P500,000.

But Octavio said their latest monitoring showed that the affected families already reached 140 while the estimated damaged has increased to around P600,000.

“Some of the affected families have evacuated from their areas and are currently taking temporary shelter at the barangay hall,” he said in a radio interview.

Octavio said the municipal social welfare and development office has released initial relief assistance to the evacuees and conducted an assessment for other immediate needs of the affected residents.

He said South Cotabato governor-elect and outgoing second district Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes and mayor-elect Honey Lumayag-Matti have sent additional relief goods to augment the needs of the evacuees.

Octavio said they have also dispatched their barangay action or response team, which was earlier the first group to respond to the affected areas, to assess other possible damages wrought by the tornado in other parts of the village.

The OCD-12 noted in its report that the Polomolok Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has launched a separate assessment and validation regarding the impact of the incident.

It said the agency is presently monitoring the situation in the area as well as other parts of Region 12 due to the onset of sporadic heavy rains in the past several days and the possible occurrence of some weather-related disturbances.

Engr. Rodolfo Ocat, South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II) general manager, said they are currently working on the lease contract for the installation and operationalization of the modular generators, which were projected to further ease, if not totally erase, the area’s current power deficit of 10 to 12 megawatts (MW).

He said the electric cooperative earlier negotiated with an undisclosed firm for the deployment of around 15 MW of modular generator sets starting July to address the continuing daily outages within its franchise area.

“We’re initially targeting to use the generator sets for five hours daily. But in terms of dispatch, they will be our last priority,” Ocat said in an interview over TV Patrol Socsksargen.

He said they will fully dispatch first the allocations from the Aboitiz-owned Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) and the Iligan City-based Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC) before utilizing the generator sets.

Ocat said the area’s power rates were projected to further increase by 83 centavos with the upcoming deployment of the modular generator sets.

“That will cover for the costs of operating the generator sets for five hours daily for 30 days,” he said.

Socoteco II currently charges P7.6570 per kilowatt-hour(kwh) for its residential customers, P7.6226 for lower voltage users and P5.9938 for higher voltage users.

The lower voltage category covers small and medium commercial and industrial power users, public buildings and street lights.

Those listed under the higher voltage category are heavy industrial and commercial users and major public buildings and complexes.

Socoteco II resumed the rotational outages earlier this week within its franchise area after over a week of uninterrupted power due to the conduct of the May 13 elections.

An advisory issued by Socoteco II’s technical services division said that it is presently implementing rotational brownouts lasting two hours and 30 minutes daily from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. for its five area groupings.

The electric cooperative, which placed the daily peak demand from 112 to 116 MW, serves this city, the entire Sarangani and the municipalities of Tupi and Polomolok in South Cotabato.

The distribution utility noted that the National Power Corporation’s (Napocor) power allocation for the area has dropped this week to 45.5 MW, or 2.5 MW short of its contracted supply of 48 MW for the month of May.

TMI presently augments the area’s power requirements by 48 MW based on an expanded power sale agreement it forged with Socoteco II.

MPC and the Alabel, Sarangani-based Southern Philippines Power Corporation, which are both subsidiaries of the Alcantara-owned Alsons Power Holdings, supplies an additional 5-10 MW of power to the cooperative.

In late February, Socoteco II was forced to implement rotational brownouts of seven hours in two settings daily for each of its two feeder groupings after its power deficit rose to around 40 MW.

The supply cuts, which were implemented by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, were caused by the reduced capacity of the Napocor’s hydroelectric plants in Bukidnon and the Lanao provinces.

To resolve the situation, Socoteco II increased its power sale deal with TMI to 48 MW and contracted additional supplies from MPC and other power providers. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

On the first day of the CHR-led public inquiry in the Tentorio killing on Wednesday, Dominador Damlayon named “Loloy” as the one who took him and relative Roberto Mabilao to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City in February 2012.

Damlayon, a lumad farmer from Arakan, was presented by the NBI on February last year as a witness to the killing of Tentorio in Arakan, North Cotabato on October 17, 2011.

But Damlayon recanted his testimony three months later, saying he had not witnessed the killing and that he was in his house in Barangay Malibatuan in Arakan the day Tentorio was killed.

Tentorio, a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, was parish priest of Arakan and killed at the parish compound.

Lawyer Angelito Magno, acting regional director of NBI in Region12, told the panel that he had no idea who “Loloy” is.

Magno said that “only NBI agents were present when they took the statement of Damlayon at the NBI office in CDO.”

On the second day of the inquiry on Thursday, Mabilao, Damlayon’s relative, confirmed before the panel that he knew “Loloy,” whom he met in Barangay Lumundao, Marilog District in Davao City.

CHR chair Loretta Rosales asked him how well he knows “Loloy.”

“Close friend kami (We’re close friends),” Mabilao answered.

But when Rosales pressed Mabilao if he knows the occupation of “Loloy,” he replied: “Wala ko kabalo, basta nag-ila kami sa Lumundao (I don’t know. We met each other in Lumundao).”

Mabilao admitted that it was “Loloy” who called him on his mobile phone and asked him to look for a member of the Tinananon Kulamanon Panaghiusa sa Arakan (Tikulpa) in Arakan.

Mabilao said he called Damlayon, his relative, but admitted that he never bothered to ask “Loloy” why he was looking for a member of Tikulpa.

Damlayon initially refused to go with Loloy to CDO if he (Mabilao) will not come, Mabilao recalled.

Mabilao said he decided to accompany his relative to CDO.

While the NBI was taking the statement of Damlayon, Mabilao said he just waited outside the room.

Mabilao also bared that “Loloy” gave them fare to go back to Marilog District plus another P500 for Damlayon and P300 for himself.

Damlayon earlier said that Loloy gave them P500 each, apart from another P500 for their fare going back to Arakan from Lumundao.

When Rosales asked why “Loloy” gave them money, Mabilao said “it will be used for buying rice and other needs for their family.”

On Friday, Jimmy Ato, the alleged gunman according to the NBI, also named “Loloy” as the one who accompanied the NBI agents when he was arrested.

Ato was arrested by NBI agents on December 29, 2011 in Sitio Mahiwakhiwak, Barangay Kulaman in Arakan. He was presented to the CDO media the following day.

The suspect recalled that on December 28, 2011, he noticed several men preparing to cook at the kiosk in their village. He said he offered them to cook in his house.

Ato told the panel the men told him their purpose in coming to the village was for gold mining.

Later on, he said the men offered to make him a security guard at the supposed mining project for a monthly salary of P5,000.

Ato, who claimed he had not attended school, said the men left the village later in the day but one of them, who identified himself as “Loloy,” promised they will return soon with engineers.

He recounted that “Loloy” and his group came back to their village at around 5 a.m. on December 29, and later on arrested him.

Ato said he later learned in CDO that the one who handcuffed him was lawyer Ferdinand Balduman, a senior NBI agent then assigned at the NBI- General Santos City.

Balduman was reassigned to NBI-Caraga in November 2012.

Ato told the panel that he had no participation in the killing of Tentorio.

Locate “Loloy”

Lawyer Karlos Zarate, one of the legal counsels for the Catholic Church, told MindaNews that authorities should locate “Loloy.”

Zarate believed that someone is handling “Loloy” to deliberately derail the investigation.

Ato and Damlayon had pointed to “Loloy” as the one who dictated to them what to say during the questioning of the NBI agents.

Ato, along with his co-accused and younger brother Robert, is now in the custody of North Cotabato 2nd District Representative Nancy Catamco. (Keith Bacongco / MindaNews)

The Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative, based in M’lang, North Cotabato, produced the premium colored rice shipped abroad with the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The first shipment to Dubai involving 15 metric tons took place last May 6 and the second batch of three MT was shipped out on May 15, a statement from the DA regional office here said.

DA Assistant Secretary Dante Delima led the send off of the Hong Kong shipment—involving organic black, red and brown rice— at the Tefasco Wharf in Panacan, Davao City.

Delima, concurrently the National Rice Program director, said the exportation of premium organic rice “is a milestone achievement for the country since after 40 long years, the country is now again competing with other exporting countries.”

“Since the country cannot compete with exportation of rice by volume, we can compete by exporting premium rice that only selected countries can produce because of certain agri-climatic condition that the crop requires,” Delima said.

In the statement, Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA-12 director, said the premium rice export “will encourage Filipino farmers to embark on planting organic colored rice varieties since they have huge export potentials.”

She said that the Agriculture department is willing to support individual and private rice exporters so that they can find foreign markets.

Datukan said the agency is giving special attention to its Rice Export Program, with Region 12 identified as playing “a very significant role.”

Romano Laurilla, Don Bosco general manager, lauded the Agriculture department for providing them with the necessary assistance.

“The assistance of the DA helped us in empowering the organic rice industry and in finding better export markets,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

Laurilla said the DA assistance was a huge help to the cooperative’s farmer-members.

To encourage farmers to plant organic rice, the co-op buys farmers’ produce at P20 per kilo, which is P3 higher compared with the prevailing prices by the private traders and the National Food Authority.

Currently, the cooperative has at least 500 hectares of organic rice production area in the towns of Tulunan and M’lang in North Ctabato and Surallah and Sto. Niño in South Cotabato. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Bai Zorahayda Taha, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 12 director, said Friday the water systems were among the projects that were implemented in the region this year under the national government’s anti-poverty program Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

She said the new “community-owned water systems” were installed in 10 barangays in Senator Ninoy Aquino and Isulan towns in Sultan Kudarat; three in Kiamba and one in Malungon in Sarangani; and one in Libungan, North Cotabato.

Taha said the completion of the water system projects has put an end to the “decades of suffering of thousands families” due to the lack of potable water sources.

“Most of these families had to endure long walks over rough terrains and slopes just to get water. Some tried to dig wells but the water quality was usually poor and they run dry during summer season,” she said in a statement.

In Sultan Kudarat province, she said some 3,901 households are currently benefiting from the 10 water system projects worth P10.17 million that were installed in the area.

The villages that availed of the project were Langgal, Tinalon, Kuden, Tacupis and Lagubang in Senator Ninoy Aquino town; and Eday, Libertad, Sinapulan, Kudanding and Bual in Isulan town.

Taha said the water systems installed in barangays Maligang, Kapate and Kayupo in Kiamba town in Sarangani now serve 1,509 families while a similar project implemented in Barangay Alkikan in Malungon town presently benefits 120 families.

She said the four water system projects implemented in Sarangani cost a total of P5.35 million.

In Barangay Grebona in Libungan, North Cotabato, 167 families have been also benefiting from a water system project that costs P782,000.

Taha said they’re hoping that these projects will help uplift the lives of residents and usher in fresh opportunities for them.

“They now have more time to engage in income-generating activities and livelihood ventures,” the official said.
Kalahi-CIDSS, which is supported by the World Bank, forms part of the three-pronged anti-poverty convergence programs of the national government that are implemented by the DSWD.

Dubbed “Tatsulok,” the initiative includes the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps and Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Under the Kalahi-CIDSS, poor communities are capacitated to analyze their own problems, manage, plan, and implement their identified project to answer their pressing needs.

In Region 12, the project was able to help build various community infrastructure projects such as school buildings, bridges, health stations, water systems, day care centers, roads, post-harvest facilities, and other common services.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Senior Supt. Mario Dapilloza, Basilan police director, said the victim, Jenelyn Entera, was freed at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Marang in Sumisip town.

Entera is in charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Ungkaya Pukan town.

She was freed following successful negotiations initiated by the Crisis Management Committee headed by Basilan Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul, Dapilloza said.

She was released to Sumisip Mayor Gulam Hataman and to Lt. Col. Leonardo Dacumos, commander of the Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion, who in turn took her to Isabela City, Dapilloza said.

Entera is now reunited with her family, he said.

The victim was inspecting some of the 4Ps beneficiaries when four gunmen suspected to be Abu Sayyaf bandits seized her at around 9 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Ulitan in Ungkaya Pukan.

The suspects, armed with caliber .45 pistols, forced Entera to board one of the two motorcycles without registration plates and sped towards the municipality of Sumisip. (MindaNews)

“We expect another round of brownouts a few days from now,” Danny Escalante, general manager of the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Surneco), told reporters on Wednesday.

As of noon Wednesday, he said that there has been no load curtailment advisory from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines for Surneco’s service area.

“There were already several cooperatives that have implemented rotational brownouts. We do not know why this has not been implemented here,” Escalante said.

Surigao del Norte has a supply deficiency of five megawatts (MW) during peak demand, which is pegged at 26 (MW).

Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) currently supplies Surneco with eight MW from last month’s six. The state-run National Power Corp. (NPC) also provides the distribution utility with 13 MW from last month’s 10.

Because of the power shortfall, Surneco could not serve mining companies Silangan Mining Corp. and Greenstone Resource Corp., which consume five MW each, Escalante said.

He said the interruptible load program pushed by the Department of Energy would have been an option but only two large companies have their own generator sets – Gaisano Capital and Pacific Cement Corporation (PACEMCO).

But PACEMCO is limited to only serving “its day-to-day office operations and not its plant operations,” he added.

Escalante said the proposal to tap excess power from the 48 MW coal-fired power plant of Taganito HPAL (THPAL) has been trashed by Japan’s Sumitomo, the former’s owner and developer of the nickel processing plant.

Sumitomo has acquired a stake at Nickel Asia Corp., the country’s largest nickel mining group.

“Their plant was basically built to serve them and it will be another expense if you try to get it out and connect to our transmission lines,” Escalante said.

THPHAL needs only 40 MW for its operation and it has an excess of eight MW, he added.

Escalante said they will employ modular generator sets as another option to fill the supply shortfall.

Energy Secretary Carlos Petilla had issued “a marching order for the modular generator sets to be in place by November,” he said.

It is expected to provide additional 10 MW to Surneco’s supply. (Vanessa Almeda/MindaNews)

“The 2013 election was a testing ground because officially, we did not participate in the elections. We were just gauging,” said Murad, who assumed the chairmanship of the organization ten years ago, in July 2003, after MILF chair Salamat Hashim passed away due to illness.

As part of the “testing,” the MILF last year encouraged its members to register during the general re-registration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It also urged the registered voters among its members to vote for candidates supportive of the peace process. And for the first time, campaign posters and tarpaulins lined the main road to its camp.

“We were just gauging. We saw that the people are still keen on the words of the organization (MILF). They’re listening to us,” he said.

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

The MILF will be faced with two electoral exercises towards the establishment of the “Bangsamoro,” the new autonomous political entity that would replace the ARMM by June 30, 2016:  the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the election of its first set of officials.

Murad  discussed the May 13 polls, the peace process, the political party they will set up and the 2016 elections during an interview by MindaNews’ Carolyn O. Arguillas four days after the May 13 polls.

Murad spoke in mixed English and Pilipino. The portions in Pilipino have been translated to English.

Excerpts

Q:  Some say the election was a preview of what’s gonna happen in the plebiscite or in the setting up of the Bangsamoro. Did that experience scare you?
A:  We’re quite happy that at least the result of the election in both local and national level, the administration candidates dominated. So I think there will be no reason for the government not to push through with the processes in the negotiation when they have .. majority (in) Congress.

Q:  So the victory of the Liberal Party, the Presidents’ party, is an advantage for the peace process?
A:  We hope there will be an advantage because we are relying much on the sincerity and the capability of the government to implement the process.

Q:  Another comment is that the election showed there is no MILF vote because rightly or wrongly, the MILF is perceived to have been supportive of Tucao Mastura but Mastura and his party did not win,
A: Not all the MILF supported Tucao Mastura. There are those who voted also for the other side. Actually we did not endorse a candidate so we gave members free will on who they want, who can help in the peace process. Not everyone in the MILF voted because there are those who are not registered voters.

Q: But many registered last year?
A: Yes.

Q:  In preparation for this years’ election?
A:   The preparation is actually for the plebiscite (on the Bangsamoro).  We encouraged them to register in preparation for the plebiscite.

Q:  So there was a mandate from the MILF leadership for members to register?
A:  Yes. We encouraged them.

Q:   Speaking of plebiscite, you still have three annexes to the Framework Agreement that need to be completed. In April the panels said they would resume talks after the elections but in the meantime they were going to exchange notes. Have they been exchanging notes?
A:  We are still awaiting updates because in the last meeting, I think as per information of the facilitator, the government panel promised to send their new position to the facilitator but we’re thinking because of the elections both in Malaysia and the Philippines, this could be the reason why until now there is no word..

Q: Did you send the President a congratulatory note?  Governor Mangudadatu?  Are you confident that Mangudadatu would support the Framework Agreement to its completion?
A:  Well, judging from his statements before the election, he expressed support to the Framework Agreement. Actually even during the campaign period, he said he’ll be very supportive of the Framework Agreement. In fact, he also thanked the MILF for the pronouncement of neutrality in the election.

Q:  The other governors in the ARMM — Tan, Adiong, Akbar and Sahali — you would have no problems there because they’re Liberal Party members?
A:  We are banking on the President. We are expecting that those in the Liberal Party will toe the line of the President.

Q:  But they will toe the line of the President if it’s still this year. Remember you said that in your talk with the President in Japan (on Aug. 4, 2011), he said that after the first half of his term he will be a lameduck President.  You are confident that because the Liberal party is going to get majority of the seats in Congress, that the  law that will be passed after the Transition Commission drafts the Bangsamoro Basic Law would be passed smoothly?
A:  Well that is our expectation but you know politics in the Philippines  … We are really banking on the statement of the elected officials expressing their support of  the Framework Agreement and also of the President.

Q:  In Maguindanao, the peace process was an election issue, It wasn’t an election issue before,
A:  What is good is that almost all the candidates were using their support for the  Framework Agreement as platform of  their campaign. I think because they saw the overwhelming public support  (for the Agreement) so they were hoping they could get the people’s votes.

Q:  By candidate you mean both administration and opposition?
A:   As far as the MILF is concerned, we appealed to the general public,  to the voters from MILF, that if you’re  going to vote, that they will select the candidates who will help and support  the Framework. I think they followed that.

Q:  We only have 37 months left to June 30, 2016 and that’s a very short period considering the delays. The possible best case scenario is that you have only one year for transition. Is that enough when you were earlier asking for one year pre-transition and six years transition?
A:  What is really bothering us is the timeframe. We’ve been saying that time is ticking away so hopefully within  2013 or 2014 when the Basic Law is drafted, we still hope the Transition Authority would be set up so that would give us at least more than one year. We know this is a very short time considering we had (earlier) been opting for six years.

Q:  And one year pre-transition.
A:  What the other side is saying is that beyond the President’s term, the next President may not be as supportive, so we are hoping that we can still have at least the minimum of one year transition.

Q:  Given a very short transition period, say one year, then the election by May 2016, considering the experience of past elections and the 2013 elections where money was a big factor, network was a big factor, the command vote was a factor, you will be wading into this political arena that you actually want changed,  this environment where compromises will have to be made
A:  We understand the difficulty.

Q:  and your candidates might not even win
A:   That can happen but then our focus now is how we are going to consolidate our people in order to prepare (so) we can be assured of success in the 2016 election. We are now starting to formulate strategies hoping that the peace process will move forward.

Q:  What are these strategies? Are these a result of what happened in this election?
A:  The experience in the last election can contribute.  But one thing we are (discussing) very (intently is)  whether MILF itself will be converted into a political party or we will establish our own political party

Q:  Shouldn’t you be starting now? It’s three years to the next election
A:  Actually we have already formed groups to draw out the strategies

Q:  What would be the party name? MILF party?
A:   None yet. Maybe not. It could be another name.

Q:  Offhand, what would be its possible name?
A:  It will contain the term “Bangsamoro”

Q:  And you will field only candidates for the regional or also the local?
A:  We will see. I think our focus would be regional because we view it as the continuation of the transition mechanism.

Q:  If the experience this year did not scare you, definitely whether you’ll form a political party or you align yourself with a bigger political party, you will have to be faced with the situation where politics not just in Maguindanao, not just in the ARMM but in the entire Philippines really basically involves the things that you would not ideally engage in
A: That is why we ask that in the Basic Law we can at least gradually change the system because unless you change the system,  we don’t see a future in the electoral process. We observed that the 3Gs (guns, goons, gold) still dominate.  So we understand that the struggle to change the system will not be an easy task. Change cannot be abrupt. That’s why if we are able to join the government in 2016, we will consider that an extension of the transition mechanism

Q:  So you’re saying that even if the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority)  is only one year,  you have to hopefully ensure that you will be entrenched in 2016?
A:  Yes.

Q: How will you do that? Are we going to see you as the next trapo of this generation? I mean the Bangsamoro political party?
A:  Like I said, we will be striving to be entrenched in 2016 so we can continue the transformation process.

Q:  By then President Aquino would be bowing out of office and as you said you are not certain if  the next President would be as supportive of the peace process. It is also likely that if you field candidates in 2016, there’s a possibility that your candidates will lose. And this is a new system, because this will be a parliamentary system, right?
A:  Parliamentary, ministerial. The struggle would be by district. The candidates fielded would be by district. That’s why we have to adopt effective strategies to ensure by 2016 , we will be entrenched, that we can get the majority.

Q: But if I am the Liberal Party or the UNA, I will tell you there is no MILF vote because the candidates perceived to be supported by you did not win. Isn’t that going to be a problem on the part of the MILF, that you have no command vote?
A:  The 2013 election was a testing ground because officially, we did not participate in the elections. We were just gauging. We saw that the people are still keen on the words of the organization (MILF). They’re listening to us.

Q:  But it’s still the machinery that voted
A:  Yes. That’s why we have to… you have to establish (the party) and adopt the strategies. The people will be supportive. We also need to ensure no cheating will happen. Of course (the influence of) money is still there but you have to minimize. We will show how to minimize.

Q: So n 2016,  you’ll be wading into this political environment where the 3Gs  still dominate. You only have one G.
A: (Laughs). We will struggle that (the 3Gs) will not be the basis in 2016.

Q:  Are we going to see within the Bangsamoro a transformation of the electoral process?
A:  We are hoping

Q:  Given the present situation, you sound so optimistic.
A:  At least we can start from the Transition Authority. We can already start reforming and then if we have a chance by 2016, we can continue the transformation process

Q:  What if you lose in 2016?
A:  We will cross the bridge when we reach there. We will do our best.

Q:   Let’s go back to the Annexes. Wealth-sharing, Power-sharing, Normalization. You have limited options in the sense that time is a constraint. Aren’t you scared that you’d end up with an agreement that you would rush into? Or you will not rush into signing an Annex even if you are conscious of the time constraint?
A:   In the negotiation you cannot compromise on principles … It’s useless to rush an agreement, to sign an agreement that will not address the problem.

Q:   They say the MILF has been mainstreamed, is now in the mainstream.
A:   Right. If you see the MILF, it’s the only organization that has overwhelming support from the Bangsamoro peole although we admit that in the island provinces like in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, not so although we have both military and political apparatus there but it is not as strong in Maguindanao and Central Mindanao. But then by now we are trying to strengthen the islands.

Q:  The President in his speech at the launching of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro in February mentioned Heartbreak Hill in the Boston Marathon, that if you go past Heartbreak Hill, there is no stopping, you will reach the finish line. But we know what happened on Apil 15. The runners had gone past Heartbreak Hill but didn’t reach the finish line because of the explosions.
A:  We have to be on guard against spoilers.

Q:  In the FASTRAC’s  (Facility for Advisory Support for Transition Capacities),  capability-building, would that include getting resource persons from former revolutionary organizations that have transformed into political parties?
A:  We will identify what are our needs are. After identifying our needs the UN provides the experts.

Q:   You consider transforming a revolutionary army into a political party as something that you will have to go through, right? But that means you have to seek experts for these
A:   Yes.

Q:   This is one of those you will recommend as needs?
A:  Yes.  It’s a big challenge on our part transforming into a… very challenging. Anyway, aside from FASTRAC we can also avail of assistance from countries supporting the peace process.

Q:   How soon will you start? It’s almost 2016. You’re not going to start building a political party only when you have the Transition Authority, right?
A:   Yes. Within this year we will start already. What is important is we have the framework. That’s the strategy.

Q: But definitely you will transform into a political party
A:  We are more inclined to form a political party because we want to maintain the status of the MILF as an Islamic organization. We are more inclined to form a political party that will be the arm of the MILF for the political process.

Q: Your hands are full between now and 2016.  The other reality is most of you are in your senior years,  Is the MILF bench deep enough for the second liners, third liners should this process drag on.
A: Actually, we are starting already to mold young people. We involve them even in the Transition Commission. Also, we will be involving many of the young people  in the negotiation itself.

Q:  Are we going to look forward to the election campaign in 2016 for the candidates of your political party?
A:  We hope that the peace process will go through smoothly because that is our target, that by 2016,  the MILF political party will be entrenched. We are hoping. We always have the fallback if it doesn’t happen.

Q:  And the fallback is
A:  We will continue our struggle. But then we will do everything so that the peace process will succeed because we invested so much time and resources for this peace process.

Q:  Are we going to see in 2016 candidates who will really campaign on the platform of issues and not just because they have the bloodline and the money?
A:   That’s why I’m saying that from the transition we will start to change the system . We have to inform the people that we need to change the system so hopefully by 2016 we can already implement some changes in the system. It doesn’t mean we will only field MILF candidates because for us, governance should be inclusive. What is more important is the system will be in place. As far as who will run that system, that is the second priority because the first priority is to entrench the system. That’s why before 2016, everything will be entrenched.

Q:  As of  now we have five ARMM provinces and two cities. Are you not afraid that in the plebiscite,  given that as you said you are not as strong  in the islands, that the core area might even been reduced by 2016?
A:  We don’t see that.

Q:  You don’t see that as a problem?
A:  As  far as Bangsamoro is concerned, we see an overwhelming support not only within the MILF but the public. I think as long as the Basic Law will really speak for their aspirations,  there will be an overwhelming support. We are hoping the other areas that will be part of the plebiscite  —  Cotabato City, Isabela City and the adjoining villages and municipalities —  we are hoping they will join the Bangsamoro.

Q: You are not afraid you will have a smaller area?
A:  As of this moment, no. We don’t see that.  We will work (to ensure that it will not be reduced). Because if we content ourselves on the present (composition),  it’s like status quo. No change.

Q:  You’re just changing the  name.
A:  That’s why in the negotiation, we are insisting that what is given already (to the ARMM) should not be discussed anymore. What should be discussed is what will be added because that is where we are concerned because the Bangsamoro people are not satisfied with the present status quo. So we need to show there is something new and it’s an addition,  not minus.

Q: But what happened in the election was status quo
A:  Because the present election is not part of the transition mechanism. We will see in 2016.

Q:  Do you see yourself as a candidate in 2016?
A:  My fate will be decided by the organization. We will see. But personally I am not decided.

Q:  You will field candidates who are highly qualified and
A:   Of course. And will toe the line of the struggle,  have a good grasp of the struggle and the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

Q:   In 2016, will we see candidates who will really be espousing and discussing issues and not just be relying on bloodline and money?
A:   Yes, that will be our target. If we’re fielding candidates it will really be a change of the system that we’re seeing now in politics.

Q:  So 2016 should be something to look forward to in the Bangsamoro areas that for decades have been referred to as the cheating capital during elections?
A:  It might not be a complete overturn but we are ensuring that there will be change in the system and in the process.

Q:  Your relatives voted?
A:  Some did.

Q:  Did their candidates win?
A:  Some won, some lost… What is important is at least there is a victory of the peace process.  Everyone who won have expressed their support for the peace process. Hopefully they will be true to their word.   (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

Movie actor Fernando Poe, Jr. is nearly nine years dead but he is still “King” or “Idol” for members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who voted for the first time in their lives on  May 13 and whose faces brightened up while saying their number one Senator was “Anak ni King” or “Anak ni Idol.”

“Anak ni King” or “Anak ni Idol” is Grace Poe, who topped the senatorial race nationwide.

“Da King” or “Idol” is a movie actor who starred in action movies as defender of the poor and the oppressed.  He ran for President in the 2004 polls against then incumbent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, filed an electoral protest alleging he was cheated by Arroyo but died on December 14 that same year,

A guerrilla of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front takes comfort from the summer heat under the shade of a santol tree in the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao province in this file photo taken last April 29, 2013. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

Fifty-four year old Achmad, a member of the security personnel of the Office of the Chairman of the MILF said he voted for the first time in his life  at the Simuay Junction Central Elementary School on Monday, May 13

Having spent most of his time as a revolutionary, Achmad didn’t bother about registering for the polls until last year’s general re-registration for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said they encouraged their members to register last year “in preparation for the plebiscite.” (see Q and A with Murad)

The MILF is faced with two electoral processes towards the establishment of the Bangsamoro, the new autonomous political entity that would replace the ARMM by June 30, 2016: the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the election of its first set of officials by June 30, 2016.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law that the 15-member GPH-MILF Transition Commission (TransCom) is drafting, will be certified urgent by the President when it is submitted to Congress. As soon  as Congress passes the law, it will be submitted to the people for ratification in the core areas of the proposed Bangsamoro.

Achmad ushered the MindaNews team into the fenced compound of the MILF Peace Panel Office within Camp Darapanan, venue of the interview appointment with the MILF chair, four days after the election.

While waiting, MindaNews asked Achmad if he voted and he said yes.  “Hataman” (Mujiv Hataman, OIC ARMM Governor) for ARMM Governor. “May talo, may panalo” (some lost, some won) he said of the local officials he voted. But when asked about the Senate, his face lit up. “Siempre, ang number one, anak ni King” (Of course, number one is the King’s child).

“King?” MindaNews asked.  “Anak ni Idol Fernando Poe” (child of idol Fernando Poe), a grinning Achmad replied.

But Achmad said he voted for Poe not just because she is “Anak ni King” but because “simple lang siya masyado” (she’s so simple).

Other  MILF members in the compound said they were not able to vote because they were on duty in camp. But those who voted among them were consistent in their answers on their number one choice for the Senate. “Anak ni Idol” or “Anak ni King.”  (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, coordinator of the City Integrated Health Services Office’s (CIHSO) Social Hygiene Clinic, said Thursday the activity will mainly highlight the rising HIV/AIDS cases in the city and the local government’s ongoing efforts to address the problem.

She said they have prepared exhibits and presentations on the area’s HIV/AIDS situation, the city’s initiatives in combating its spread and the experiences of persons afflicted by the disease.

During the event, which will be held at the Robinsons mall here, the official said they will offer free HIV screening for all local residents.

At 3 p.m., she said city officials and concerned groups will lead a candle lighting ceremony “to remember the fallen victims” and remind people about the risks as well as impact of the disease.

“The purpose of the candle lighting (ceremony) is mainly to remember the people who died of AIDS and for us to learn from their experiences,” Lastimoso said.

She said the presentations and discussions will include topics “on how to protect ourselves,” the importance of the HIV tests and the processes involved in availing the free treatment offered by the government.

“We’ll be talking of people who had the disease and especially look at how they died. We call that the “killed presentation,” she said.

Lastimoso encouraged residents, especially those who engaged in risky sexual behavior, to take part in their free HIV screening.

“The tests or screening are free of any charges and the results will be treated as confidential,” she assured.

The city government has been offering free HIV/AIDS screening through the Social Hygiene Clinic as part of its efforts to help curb the spread of the disease in the area.

The clinic conducts the initial HIV screening and later submits the collected samples to the Department of Health’s (DOH) STD (sexually-transmitted diseases)/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory in Manila for confirmatory tests.

The CIHSO reported earlier this week that the city’s confirmed HIV cases have so far reached 77, 22 of which were only found this year.

At the end of 2012, CIHSO records showed that the city’s confirmed cases of HIV — the disease that causes the deadly AIDS — have already reached 55.

Last year alone, a total of 27 HIV cases were confirmed by the CIHSO through its free screening or testing program.

CIHSO said most of the confirmed HIV/AIDS cases in the city were found among male professionals in the 22 to 25 age bracket who were engaged in “risky sexual behaviors.”

They include gays, bisexuals, men who have sex with men or MSMs and others who engage in unprotected sex and with multiple partners.

Of the confirmed cases, Lastimoso said 50 have already progressed to full-blown AIDS while “only less than 20” were in the HIV stage. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca, Police Regional Office-9 spokesman, said no one was killed or injured in the blast at the parking lot of Gaisano Shopping Mall in Barangay San Pedro.

Huesca said the explosion damaged a car with registration plate MNC-785, where the improvised bomb was placed.

Initial findings of bomb experts revealed the improvised bomb was fashioned from an 81-mm mortar ammunition, with a radio transceiver as the triggering device, the official said.

He said that investigation continues to establish the motive of the incident as well as the identities of the suspects. (MindaNews)

Police Officer 3 Adolfo Yucampo, investigator of the city police’s traffic management unit (TMU), said Thursday their records showed that the death cases caused by vehicular road accidents have been continually rising in the last several months.

He said most of these cases were mainly caused by traffic-related problems and the “lack of discipline” among the involved drivers.

“The situation is quite alarming since our record shows that there has been an upward trend in terms of the death cases due to these accidents in the last three years,” Yucampo said.

For this month, the latest death case involved media worker Salvador “Buddy” Peñafiel, who died after his motorcycle collided head-on with a tricycle along the Fil-Am Road in Barangay Fatima before noon last Monday.

Peñafiel, 48, is a reporter of radio station dxGS-Radyo Filipino and served as media coordinator of incumbent Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio in her failed reelection bid in the May 13 elections.

Yucampo said the incident is still under investigation and they have yet to determine the identity of the tricycle driver, who immediately fled on foot after the incident.

In 2011, Yucampo said they recorded a total of 16 death cases due to vehicular accidents and the figure increased to 34 last year.

TMU records showed that the number of vehicular accidents in the city last year reached a total of 2,153 cases, with 1,070 or about half involving single motorcycles.

The other half involved 786 cases for automobiles, 107 for tricycles, 103 for trucks, 78 for passenger jeepneys and nine for buses.

Yucampo said some of the drivers involved in the recorded accidents have expired or not carrying driver’s licenses and were driving unregistered vehicles.

“A significant number of these accidents involved drunk drivers,” he said.

Yucampo reminded vehicle owners and drivers in the city to abide by the city’s traffic regulations, including the wearing of helmets and other protective gears for those who are driving motorcycles.

“They should also follow the proper road safety driving measures and observe road courtesy while driving,” Yucampo said.

He added that the TMU will continue with its mandate to educate local vehicle owners and drivers regarding traffic regulations and safety measures as well as the apprehension of traffic violators as a strategy to ensure road safety within the city. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Zaldy Boloron, DA-12 corn program coordinator, said in the 130-page “Regional Corn Roadmap CY (Calendar Year) 2012 to 2017” presentation that corn production volume in the four-province, five-city region last year was 1.20 million metric tons (MT), up 2.63 percent from 2011’s 1.2 million MT.

“[The strong corn production performance] was due to the wide area suitable for corn production, availability of high quality seeds and access to technology,” Boloron said.

Land planted to corn last year in Region 12, also called the Soccsksargen region, was 429,319 hectares (ha), he noted.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

For 2011, the value of corn produced in Region, at P13 per kilo average price, would have amounted to P15.22 billion.

Region 12’s corn production in 2012 makes it the third biggest corn producer in the country, after Cagayan Valley’s 7.4 million MT and Northern Mindanao’s 1.23 million MT.

Four of Mindanao’s six regions—Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula—were among the top 10 corn producing regions in the country last year.

In Region 12, South Cotabato was the largest corn producer with 435,981 in 2012 followed by North Cotabato with 385,428, Sultan Kudarat with 234,393 and Sarangani with 145,479.

In 2011, they respectively produced 428,718, 379,947, 226,940 and 134,949.

The average yield per hectare in the region was pegged at 2.8 MT last year.

South Cotabato has at least 144,200 ha for corn production; North Cotabato, 129,908; Sultan Kudarat, 84,328; and Sarangani, 70,883.

Corn from Region 12 is traded to Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Manila, Boloron said.

For this year, the DA regional office targets corn production to reach 1.24 million MT and 1.29 million in 2014.

Among the challenges for the region’s corn farming in the last few years were the occurrence of pests and diseases, land and crop conversion, erratic weather condition, natural and man-made calamities and peace and order situation, Boloron said.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is known to maintain forces in Region 12, particularly in North Cotabato, which is contiguous to Maguindanao.

Maguindanao, an MILF bailiwick, is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

However, clashes between government and MILF forces had subsided in the last few years, with the last major war between government and MILF fighters erupting in 2008 due to the botched signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain.

Last year, the government and the MILF signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which would pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro that would replace the ARMM in 2016. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Dominador Damlayon, who the NBI said earlier signed a sworn statement attesting he saw the killing on Oct. 17, 2011, said during the three-day inquiry made by the Commission on Human Rights here starting today that he was afraid he could no longer go home if he didn’t sign the affidavit implicating Jimmy and Robert Ato, Jose Sultan Sampulna and Dima Maligudan Sampulna as primary suspects.

He also revealed that he was given P500 after signing the sworn statement at the NBI office in Cagayan de Oro City February last year, aside from another P500 for his and a relative’s fare going back to Arakan.

Lawyer Gregorio Andolana, one of the legal counsels of the Diocese of Kidapawan which has jurisdiction over the church in Arakan, told MindaNews that Damlayon, a Manobo from Barangay Malibatuan in Arakan, was apparently “manipulated” in signing the affidavit. He added that somebody already prepared the affidavit for Damlayon.

But lawyer Angelito Magno, acting director for the NBI in Region 12, said during the inquiry that Damlayon admitted in his presence and other NBI investigators in their Cagayan de Oro office that he personally saw the Atos and the Sampulnas inside the compound when the shooting happened.

The NBI lawyer denied that Damlayon was forced or under threat when he signed the sworn statement.

“He was a credible witness at that time. He told us that he saw the gunmen shoot Fr. Tentorio,” he told the panel headed by CHR Chair Loretta Ann Rosales.

Damlayon said during the inquiry that he eventually retracted his testimony three months later, saying he was not in the compound when the shooting happened.

“Wala ko didto pagkahitabo pero gitudluan lang ko didto sa NBI. Didto lang kami sa balay,” he said during the inquiry. (I wasn’t at the scene when it happened but they only told me what to say at the NBI. I was at the house when it happened.)

Damlayon’s presence at the CHR inquiry was his first public appearance.

Tentorio was gunned down while about to board his vehicle inside the Our Mother of Perpetual parish compound on October 17, 2011. He was supposed to drive to the bishop’s residence in Kidapawan City, 52 kilometers away, for the diocese’s monthly meeting.

Damlayon said at the CHR inquiry that sometime February last year, his relative Roberto Mabilao asked him that they will meet another relative in Marilog District in Davao City.

From Marilog, they then left for Cagayan de Oro around 7 p.m.

While at the NBI office in Cagayan de Oro, Damlayon said he was coached by a certain Loloy what to answer when NBI agents would start asking questions. He said it was the first time he met Loloy, who claimed to be from Davao City. Damlayon had no idea as to Loloy’s identity.

When the CHR panel asked him if he understood the content of the affidavit he signed, Damlayon replied: “Wala ko nakasabot kay English man.” (I understood nothing because it was written in English.)

He added that he signed the he affidavit because he was afraid that he could not go out of the room. “Nahadlok pud ko basi di ko kauli.” (I was also worried that I could not go home anymore.)

Damlayon recounted that the questioning started around 1 p.m. and finished five hours later.

Before leaving Cagayan de Oro City, he added that Loloy gave him and Mabilao P500 each. “Pampalit daw bugas ug uban pang kinahanglan sa among pamilya.” (We were told to use the money to buy rice and other needs of our families.)

They were given P500 more for their fare going back to Arakan, he said.

The CHR inquiry aims to dig deeper into the murder of the Italian missionary, Rosales said. She added that the inquiry hopes to gather more information that could help resolve the case.

Three businessmen spoiled the party’s bets for mayor in Kadingilan, Cabanglasan and Kalilangan towns.

Independent candidate Jerry Canoy Sr., a former vice mayor, defeated incumbent Kadingilan Mayor Julito Talaid of the BPP.

In Cabanglasan, farmer-businessman Renante Inocando defeated incumbent Mayor Rogelio Castillanes, also of the BPP.

In Kalilangan town, in Bukidnon’s boundary with Lanao del Sur, construction contractor Omaradji Pizarro, an independent candidate, also defeated Kalilangan Vice Mayor Raymond Charl Gamboa, BPP’s bet.

Only three incumbent mayors of the BPP were defeated in the polls. Aside from Talaid and Castillanes, Valencia City Mayor Leandro Jose Catarata lost to Jose M. Galario Jr.

Galario won the mayoralty race in 2001 and 2004, and Catarata in 2007 to 2010.

The BPP also fielded former mayors to regain their old post.

Kitaotao incumbent Vice Mayor Lorenzo Gawilan Jr., who swapped posts with incumbent Mayor Rodito Rafisura, won as mayor again. He served as municipal mayor from 2001 to 2010.

Incumbent San Fernando Vice Mayor Levi Edma Sr. has retained his former position as mayor against two other opponents. His wife, incumbent Mayor Laurencia Edma, has retired. But his son, a municipal councilor, secured the second highest spot in his reelection bid.

Former Malitbog mayor Osmundo dela Rosa prevailed over Wilson Guiahan and two other independent candidates. Dela Rosa served as administrator of his wife, who won as mayor in 2010.

The BPP also fielded candidates from lower positions.

Dangcagan Vice Mayor Fruto Dandasan won the mayoralty race over former mayor Roberto Cabunoc. Dandasan swapped position with incumbent Mayor Eldiberto Ayuban, who won as vice mayor.

The BPP’s incumbent bets for mayor won in Malaybalay City and 13 towns.

Reelectionist Malaybalay Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri, nephew of governor-elect Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr., won over businessman Estelito Marabe and incumbent Vice Mayor Victor Aldeguer.

In Baungon, incumbent Mayor Pedro Alvarez defeated three independent opponents.

In Damulog, in Bukidnon’s boundary with North Cotabato, incumbent Mayor Romeo Tiongco defeated Angelito Rivero of Aksyon Demokratiko and another independent candidate.

In Don Carlos, incumbent Mayor Felix Manzano defeated Fabian Gardonez and another independent candidate. Former mayor and independent candidate Ma. Victoria Pizarro, however, whom Manzano beat in 2010, was elected vice mayor.

In Impasug-ong, incumbent Mayor Mario Okinlay won over Oliver Aldovino, former member of the board of the Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative (Buseco).

Incumbent Kibawe Mayor Minerva Casinabe also won over councilor Rodulfo Jurado.

Incumbent Lantapan Mayor Godofredo Balansag defeated ex-priest Cito Labastilla

Incumbent Mayor Alicia Resus won over McNeil Acosta of Aksyon Demokratiko in Maramag, hometown of the Zubiris in Bukidnon.

In Quezon, an attempt of the Fortiches, in the person of businessman Juan Carlos Fortich, failed against incumbent Mayor Gregorio Gue. The Fortich family ruled Bukidnon for most of the 20th century.

In Sumilao, incumbent Mayor Rey Baula won over councilor Dante Cuevas.

In Talakag, incumbent Mayor Nestor Macapayag prevailed over Renato Sulatan of Aksyon Demokratiko.

Incumbents Libona Mayor Leonardo Genesis Calingasan, son of the incumbent governor; Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio Quiño; and Pangantucan Mayor Manolito Garces practically already won even before balloting was conducted on May 13; they ran unopposed.

South Cotabato governor-elect Daisy Avance-Fuentes said she received reports and some evidences that confirmed the participation of some local government officials and employees who were holding permanent appointments in the campaign activities of her defeated rival, incumbent Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr.

“Some of them openly campaigned (for Pingoy) and were directly involved (in his) political activities,” she said in a radio interview.

Fuentes (Liberal Party-Nationalist People’s Coalition), who is returning to the provincial capitol after a single term as representative of the province’s second congressional district, won over Pingoy (United Nationalist Alliance) by around 6,600 votes in last week’s polls.

She was governor of South Cotabato for three straight terms from 2001 to 2010.

Fuentes said the supposed erring officials and employees defied civil service regulations despite the warnings issued earlier by the Civil Service Commission.

Based on the implementing rules and regulations Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Election Act, partisan political campaigning refers to acts designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates to a public office.

The revised rules on administrative career in the civil service issued on November 18, 2011, provided that engaging “directly or indirectly in partisan political activities by one holding non-political office” is classified as less grave offense.

If found guilty, erring employees may be suspended from one month and one day to six months for the first offense and possible dismissal from service for the second offense.

Paragraph 4, Section 2 (B), and Section 6 of Article IX of the Philippine Constitution cited that “no officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign.”

Fuentes did not name the erring provincial government officials and employees but noted that some of them were “doctors.”

In one instance, she said her campaign personnel chanced upon one official allegedly campaigning for Pingoy in a mountain village in Tantangan town.

“My staff advised that official to just leave the area since he’s not allowed to do so under civil service rules but he just ignored them,” she said.

Fuentes said they are presently building up the cases against the concerned officials and employees through the evidences that they gathered and accounts from witnesses.

She said some of the initial evidences that came up included photographs and video footages taken by concerned residents.

City Councilor Margareth Rose Santos, chair of the city council’s education committee, said the fund assistance was earlier committed by South Cotabato (1st District) Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. to help prepare local public elementary and secondary schools for the scheduled formal opening of classes on June 3.

She said the funds were specifically intended for initiatives related with the conduct of the week-long Brigada Eskwela 2013 that opened on Monday.

Among the ongoing Brigada Eskwela activities in the area were the cleanup of classrooms and school compounds; repair of damaged classrooms, chairs, cabinets and tables; repainting of classrooms; and the construction of other necessary school facilities.

Spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week is now on its 10th year.

The initiative is a nationwide voluntary effort that started in 2003, bringing together teachers, parents, and the community to do cleanup and repairs in public schools to prepare the facilities for the June school opening.

Undertaken in all public schools every third week of May or two weeks before classes begin, it is participated in by private organizations, individuals, national and local government agencies, local businesses, and international organizations and foundations, among others.

In this city, Brigada Eskwela 2013 chair Leonorita Pineda said the activity is presently in full swing with hundreds of volunteers contributing their time, efforts and available spare resources.

She said massive cleanup activities were ongoing in schools that were used as polling centers in the May 13 elections.

Aside from parents and community stakeholders, volunteers from local groups and institutions like the Philippine National Police were also involved in the initiative, Pineda said.

At the New Society Elementary School in Barangay Apopong here, school principal EdnaVilches said their activities include the construction of two additional makeshift classrooms.

The school emerged last year as the city’s best implementer of the Brigada Eskwela program.

Vilches said the initiative was aimed at addressing the projected increase in the school’s population in the upcoming school year with the full implementation of DepEd’s K-to-12 program.

“Our preparations are focused on our upcoming Grade 1 and kindergarten classes,” she said.

Senior Supt. Mario Dapilloza, Basilan police director, identified the abducted social worker as Jenelyn Entera, who is in charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the municipality of Ungkaya Pukan.

Dapilloza said Entera was inspecting some of the 4Ps beneficiaries when four gunmen suspected to be Abu Sayyaf bandits seized her around 9 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Ulitan in Ungkaya Pukan.

The suspects, armed with caliber .45 pistols, forced Entera to board one of the two motorcycles without registration plates and sped towards the municipality of Sumisip, Dapiloza said.

Policemen, in coordination with the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade, were deployed to track down the whereabouts of the abducted DSWD staff, he disclosed.

Entera’s abduction came a day after a group of unidentified gunmen abducted Lucio Gonzales, the skipper of F/B Albert of the Zamboanga City-based SMR fishing firm.

Gonzales was abducted by 15 gunmen around 8 a.m. Tuesday in the vicinity of Mataha in the municipality of Lantawan, Dapilloza said.

F/B Albert was on fishing venture when 15 gunmen aboard two small boats locally known as “jungkung” arrived and at gunpoint took Gonzales, he said.

The gunmen fled towards the direction of Sulu province, leaving behind the rest of the fishing boat crew unharmed, Dapilloza added.

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, coordinator of the City Integrated Health Services Office’s (CIHSO) Social Hygiene Clinic, said on Tuesday that 22 more local residents have tested positive in the last four months for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with a number of cases already in the advanced stage or have developed into AIDS.

She said the newly-detected infections, three of which were confirmed in the last two weeks, have so far brought the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the city to 77.

“To date, we already have 77 (cases) and we are looking for more,” Lastimoso said.

At the end of 2012, CIHSO records showed that the city’s confirmed cases of HIV — the disease that causes the deadly AIDS — have already reached 55.

Last year alone, a total of 27 HIV cases were confirmed by the CIHSO through its free screening or testing program.

CIHSO said most of the confirmed HIV/AIDS cases in the city were found among male professionals in the 22 to 25 age bracket who were engaged in “risky sexual behaviors.”

They include gays, bisexuals, men who have sex with men or MSMs and others who engage in unprotected sex and with multiple partners.

Of the confirmed cases, Lastimoso said 50 have already progressed to full-blown AIDS while “only less than 20” were in the HIV stage.

She explained that patients under the HIV stage were already infected with the virus but have not yet exhibited any signs and symptoms.

Lastimoso said HIV patients may still be given maintenance or antiretroviral drug treatment, which mainly stops the multiplication of the infected person’s viral load and eventually prevents them from further spreading the disease.

In some countries, she said the use of antiretroviral drugs has helped effectively lower the incidence of HIV infection to about one percent and eventually stabilized the detected cases.

On the other hand, patients who already have AIDS usually exhibit severe disease complications involving cases of pneumonia, skin infections and allergies as well as tuberculosis, she said.

“Tuberculosis is the most common complication that affects persons or patients with AIDS,” Lastimoso said.

Lastimoso appealed anew to local residents, especially those who had engaged in risky sexual activities in the past, to undergo voluntary HIV testing.

The CIHSO earlier stepped up its campaign for voluntary HIV testing among residents as part of their efforts to help curb the spread of the disease.

The city government has been offering free HIV/AIDS screening, which are done free and confidential, through the social hygiene clinic.

The Social Hygiene Clinic conducts the initial HIV screening and later submits the collected samples to the Department of Health’s (DOH) STD (sexually-transmitted diseases)/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory in Manila for confirmatory tests.

Lastimoso said it’s vital for potential patients to determine their HIV status early so they could immediately access the free treatment offered by the government.

“Most of the patients who seek our help were those who already have AIDS and it’s usually too late for us to intervene with their situation,” she said.

Lastimoso said that with the city’s HIV cases already reaching 77, there could be about a thousand more cases that remain undetected in the area.

She said studies showed that a positive case of HIV could potentially infect or spread to 30 more in due time.

“Our estimate is that we have almost a thousand undetected cases out there and we’re continually looking for them,” she added. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

This appeal was made by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., Davao Filipino-Chinese Cultural Foundation, Filipino-Chinese Youth Inc.-Davao Chapter, Mindanao Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. and Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

These groups comprise about 3,000 companies and enterprises in Davao City.

In a petition sent to BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares on May 20, the groups said the extension would give them enough time to comply with the order to replace old receipts with new ones as well as minimize expenses on their part.

“As you perhaps may know already, many of our members, who are taxpayers order their receipts/invoices in volume, for a minimum of six months up to one year, because volume orders save on costs,” the joint appeal stated.

The groups added that their members have receipts and invoices that are programmed for use up to the end of the year.

“The deadline of June 30, 2013 will result only to additional costs and expenses to our members,” the appeal cited.

The BIR already set the deadline of June 30 through Revenue Regulation No. 18-2012 issued on Oct. 22 last year.

Lita Ma. Chin, chief of assessment division of BIR-XI, said the existing official receipts, sales invoices and other commercial invoices should be replaced with new receipts and invoices printed by BIR-accredited printers.

These existing receipts or invoices, she said, should be surrendered to BIR’s revenue district offices.

The new policy aims to regulate the printing of all invoices by setting a period.

BIR Revenue Regulation No. 18-2012 provides that the new official receipts, sales invoices and other commercial invoices will be valid for a period of five years. These should carry watermarks printed from the BIR-accredited printers.

The revenue regulation further states that the businesses and government entities that issue receipts shall apply and process the authority to print (ATP) before the BIR online as only BIR-accredited printers should have exclusive authority to print principal and supplementary receipts or invoices.

“The approved ATP shall be valid only upon full usage of the inclusive serial numbers of principal and supplementary receipts/ invoices reflected in such ATP or five years from issuance of the same,” the regulation adds.

Failure to follow BIR’s new order carries the penalty of “a fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P50,000 and…imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than four years” based on Section 264 of the National Internal Revenue Code. (MindaNews)

LENTE Zamboanga chair Jose Augustus Villano said his group found that of the 847 registered PWD voters in Zamboanga City, 505 or almost 60 percent are from Barangay Taluksangay.

Villano himself observed voting at the five clustered precincts of Taluksangay. He immediately noticed that almost all voters, whether they appeared to have a disability or not, were helped by a small group of people stationed inside the precinct.

When Villalon asked election officers about them, he was told they were “liners” there to assist PWDs. LENTE records show that 80 to 90 per cent of all who voted were assisted.

Villalon thought that the people assisted might have been illiterate rather than PWDs. “I asked them in both Tagalog and in the native dialect Tausug and they understood. I asked them who they want to vote for and they pointed at the names.”

When he asked the voters how they were related to the “liners,” they replied, “Sila ang magvo-vote para sa amin (They were the ones who voted for us).”

Villalon said that since the “liners” were the same for all the voters that he saw entering, they could not possibly qualify as PWD assistors as prescribed by Comelec.

Section 7 of Republic Act 10366 or an act authorizing the Commission on Elections to establish precincts assigned to accessible polling places exclusively for persons with disabilities and senior citizens states that a PWD may have as assistor a relative within the fourth degree of sanguinity or consanguinity, any person of confidence belonging to same household, or any member of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).

The law, which was approved Feb 15 this year also states that “except for the members of the BEIs, no assistor can assist for more than three times.”

When Villalon told the election officers that this was illegal, the BEI replied that she cannot assist the voters herself because she is busy.

Taluksangay is a coastal barangay about 17 kilometers east of downtown Zamboanga with a population of about 8,000 mostly Muslim residents.

It is the bailiwick of the Nuños, an old and respected Muslim family. To this family belongs Lilia

Lilia Nuño talks to the media after she was declared winner of the race for representative of the first district of Zamboanga City. Nuño is the city’s first Muslim representative.

Nuño was declared by Comelec in the evening of May 14 as winner in the race for second district representative, beating Jomar Lobregat, brother of incumbent mayor, Celso Lobregat.

In an interview with Nuño moments before she was declared winner, she said that it is not true that there are that many registered PWD voters in Taluksangay. “That’s definitely not true… that there are that much PWDs in Taluksangay.”

As to the “liners,” she explained that there are many Badjaos in Taluksangay who do not know how to either read or write. The liners, she said, were there for these people, as well as for PWDs.

“Those people who go with the Badjaos and with those who do not know how to read and write (are there) to assist voting,” Nuño said. “It does not mean whatsoever in any way that they manipulate their votes. How can you manipulate when there present are Task Force Zamboanga, the police, their watchers are there, NAMFREL is there?”

Badjaos are an indigenous ethnic group who usually live nomadic lives on boats or in houses on stilts in the seaside.

Despite its small voting population, Taluksangay was a point of contention during the campaign period. Jomar Lobregat’s party, Adelante Zamboanga, claimed that they were not allowed to post their materials in there.

In a news item in Zamboanga Times on April 14, Adelante Zamboanga team coordinator Rudy Lim said that when he asked Taluksangay barangay chairman Abdurahman Nuño if they can conduct a pulong-pulong (meeting) in Taluksangay, Nuño replied, “No deal.”

Abdurahman Nuño is the husband of Lilia and sits in the city council representing the second district and is president of the Association of Barangay Captains.

Nuño denied Lobregat’s allegations. “We are very, very careful you know. Because we know all eyes are on Taluksangay because Taluksangay is a bailiwick of the Nuños. They think we manipulate (but) we would never do that.”

He clarified that they discouraged other parties from going there because “the (Taluksangay) people know that they had been hitting me. If they were booed they will feel bad, so we are just trying to prevent it. That is the reason why, although it was said in jest that it was a ‘no deal, they cannot go,’ but they took it seriously.” . (Yen Blanco Delgado and Barry Barraca/VERA Files)

Fuentes said deferring the barangay elections for several months or to a full year will give the Comelec more time to prepare and eventually help ease the tension brought about by last week’s national midterm and local polls.

“Almost everyone are still affected by election fatigue and that could trigger some problems if we push through with the (barangay elections) this October,” she said.

Fuentes, who was elected governor of South Cotabato in the May 13 polls, said she is not well aware of the current sentiments of her other colleagues at the House of Representatives regarding the matter but cited that several congressmen had previously pushed for such move.

A total of 14 proposed bills seeking the holding of the 2013 barangay elections to earlier and later dates were filed in the 15th Congress but they remained pending before the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms.

On Monday, Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes said he wants the October barangay elections postponed to 2014 or early 2015 so they could already start with their preparations for the 2016 national and local elections.

He said such situation would allow the Comelec to make early recommendations with the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee in connection with the conduct of the 2016 polls.

Fuentes said that while the postponement of the barangay polls needs congressional action, specifically the revision of Republic Act (RA) 9340, any decision on the matter would still depend upon the preference of the Aquino administration.

RA 9340 mandates the conduct of synchronized elections for Barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan every three years, specifically on the last Monday of October.

“If Malacanang will back it (postponement) up and make it an urgent matter, I think Congress will support it,” Fuentes said.

Should a postponement is eventually decided, she said it would be ideal to hold the elections not later than October 2014 so the Comelec can concentrate on preparing for the 2016 polls by 2015.

Fuentes said deferring the barangays polls beyond 2014 will be difficult for some barangays, especially within the province, whose officials were noted to have committed alleged abuses and were into some corrupt practices.

She did not name any of the alleged erring barangay officials but said they have been documenting their cases for possible filing of charges before the Department of Interior and Local Government and other concerned agencies.

“There are some barangay officials who have reportedly pawned their MOOE (maintenance and other operating expense) funds. These people should be disciplined and removed from office,” she added. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Titled “tribal comics series,” the illustrated materials will be used in the Daraghuyan Tribal School of Living Traditions, Datu Dumapal Benecio Docenos told MindaNews.

The datu said the school has 13 balignaos or teachers.

“We have to put it out to help bridge what the elders and the young people know. Even some of our elders need to learn from one another and the youth,” he added.

Datu Dumapal said they have no more qualms putting part of their tradition in print to help their own people and outsiders understand their culture. But he pointed out that they consulted their elders on the move as it used to be discouraged.

“But we are now ready. We are glad of the opportunity that our life, culture, situation will be known,” he added.

All of the four stories were written in Binukid but have English translation.

The first volume in the series is on Batbatanun hu Limbagan (Bukidnon tale of creation) as told by Datu Dumapal and one of his brothers, Datu Pagalungan Ignacio Docenos. The story tells the creation of space and the universe up to the creation of the first man and woman and their children. It noted the good relationship between the humans and the creation around them.

Datu Dumapal, 69, is the eldest in the Docenos clan. He is a hunter, ritualist, judge or arbiter, blacksmith, artist and teacher. He is also the tribe’s engineer who was responsible for the design of the Mt. Kitanglad Cultural Heritage Center.

The 17-page volume used 21 images illustrated by Datu Dumapal, Jonel and Gerard Docenos, Ariel and Arlan Omarol, and volunteer-artist Bong dela Torre. The images used a mix of pencil, water color, and soil paintings.

The second volume in the series is on Kag-asawa ha Batasan Hu Tribu Ha Bukidnon Ta Kitanglad or “Traditional Marriage practices of the Bukidnon Tribe in Mt. Kitanglad.”

The volume was written in Binukid by Bae Inatlawan Adelina Tarino and Datu Dumapal. Bae Inatlawan, 51, is the head claimant of the tribe’s Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title. A baylan or shaman, she is known as a cultural expert for her knowledge on healing, indigenous spirituality, and mediation skills.

It was through Bae Inatlawan that they established the tribe’s Bukidnon Inhandig Tribal School, presently the Daraghuyan Tribal School. Ariel L.

Omarol, 18, provided the 12 images used across the 14 pages of the volume.

Omarol is a member of the Daraghuyan Tribal Youth who is known for his drawings, drums, and dancing skills.

The third and fourth volumes were told and drawn by Bae Precyl Gamay, Bae Malugdang, Careliza Omarol, Bae Lourdes Ruiz, Bae Mangunguyamo Julia Cacay, and Nanay Conching Homaynon, who are all members of the Daraghuyan Tribal Women Organization.

The third volume consists of 14 pages and focuses on Kapangalima hu Tagkabugat daw hu Bata Ta Gutuk or Maternal and Child Care.

Bae Mangunguyamo told MindaNews last week that they were inspired to agree to write down their practices on maternal and child care after attending a seminar on population and development.

The fourth volume is on Gapangalima daw kagpa-aragi hu Bata or Responsible Parenthood. It has 10 pages.

Ma. Easterluna Canoy, director of the Kitanglad Integrated NGOs, which works with the tribe, said the project was funded by the Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD). (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)

Danilo Centillas, DA-12 high value crops coordinator, said coffee production in the region reached 27,869 metric tons (MT).

“Sultan Kudarat remains as the coffee production center in Region 12,” he told MindaNews on Tuesday.
In 2011, DA-12 records showed that coffee production in the area was at 28,502 MT.

From 2011 to 2012, there was a decline in production by 633 MT.

After Region 12, Region 11 or the Davao region posted the second highest coffee production in 2012 at 18,950 MT, followed by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 10,629 MT, making Mindanao the major coffee producer among the three major islands in the country.

Centillas blamed the high cost of fertilizers and other farm inputs for the declining coffee production in the region in 2012.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Sultan Kudarat hosted the first regional coffee congress in November 2011 to further enhance the commodity’s production in the area.

Nescafe Philippines, Inc., the country’s major coffee buyer, graced the event to encourage more farmers to plant the commodity.

Current farm gate trading price of coffee in Sultan Kudarat ranges from P75 to P80 per kilo, Centillas said.

Nestle buys Class A coffee from traders at P92, P90 for Class B and P87 for Class C, he added.

Coffee beans produced in Sultan Kudarat are either transported to General Santos City or Tagum City in Davao del Norte where Nestle maintains buying stations, Centillas said.

In Mindanao, Nestle operates a processing plant in Cagayan de oro City, he added.

Region 12 has at least 23,000 hectares of coffee farms with about the same area still suitable for planting the commodity, said Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA-12 director.

Sultan Kudarat has the largest area planted to coffee with at least 17,000 hectares, data from DA-12 showed.

Coffee is considered a priority crop in the region by the Agriculture department, which provides the sector with production technology and technical and marketing assistance, Datukan said.

She urged farmers to plant more coffee due to the crop’s demand in both local and foreign markets.

Datukan said that promoting coffee propagation was also part of the agency’s efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change, improve forest cover and address soil erosion.

Nelly Nita Dillera, Department of Trade and Industry director in Sultan Kudarat, earlier said that domestic demand for coffee is currently pegged at 65,000 MT while the country could only produce 30,000 MT, posting a deficit of 35,000 MT.

The deficit is filled up by importation, she said. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)

“We’re quite happy that in the results of the election in both local and national level, the administration candidates dominated. So I think there will be no reason for the government not to push through with the processes in the negotiation when they have… majority (in) Congress,” Murad told MindaNews Friday afternoon at the reception hall of the Office of the MILF Peace Panel.

He said they hope the victory of the Liberal Party, the President’s party, “will be an advantage because we are relying much on the sincerity and the capability of the government to implement the (peace) process.”

Murad also said the MILF will start building a political party “within this year” in preparation for the 2016 elections when the first set of officials of the Bangsamoro is expected to be elected.

“Within this year, we will start already (setting up the political party).” Murad said in mixed English and Pilipino.

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim at the MILF Peace Panel’s office in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on May 17. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano

Murad said they will form a political party because “we want to maintain the status of the MILF as an Islamic organization and the political party will be the arm of the MILF for the political process.”

Murad said they have yet to name the party but it will definitely contain the word “Bangsamoro.”

The Philippine government (GPH) and MILF peace panels signed on October 15 last year the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). After the elections, they are supposed to complete the annexes on Wealth-sharing, Power-sharing and Normalization, to complete the comprehensive peace pact for the establishment of the Bangsamoro, the new autonomous political entity that would replace the 23-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The FAB also provides for the creation of a Transition Commission that would draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law. When the Basic Law is done, it will be submitted to Congress with the President certifying it as urgent and once passed by Congress will be submitted to a plebiscite in the core areas comprising the five-province, two-city Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the six towns in Lanao del Norte (Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal) and the barangays in the towns of Kabacan, Carmen, Aleosan, Pigcawayan, Pikit and Midsayap that voted for inclusion in the 2001 plebiscite; the cities of Cotabato and Isabela in Basilan and all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the local government unit or there is a petition of at least ten per cent of the qualified voters in their area.

The future “Bangsamoro” will, as agreed upon by the GPH-MILF, have a ministerial form of government.

Murad acknowledged that in last week’s election, “nag dominate pa rin ang 3Gs (guns, goons, gold). But he said he is confident that in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, “we can at least gradually change the system because unless you change the system, we do not see a future for the electoral process because we observed that the 3Gs still dominate.”

The MILF is going to face two electoral processes between now and 2016: the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the election of the first set of officials of the “Bangsamoro” political entity in the May 2016 elections.

This year’s polls served as a preview to the plebiscite and the May 2016 polls with many MILF members voting for the first time. The MILF was perceived as supporting the candidacy of Tucao Mastura for governor of Maguindanao. Mastura lost to reelectionist Esmael Mangudadatu. His defeat raised doubts about an “MILF vote.”

Murad explained that “not all the MILF supported Tucao Mastura. There are those who voted also for the other side. We did not endorse any candidate so members were free to choose who they would vote for, who can help in the peace process. Not all voted because there are those who are not registered voters.”

While not citing figures, Murad acknowledged “marami” (many) registered in the general re-registration in the ARMM last year.

“In preparation for this year’s election?” MindaNews asked.

“Actually it’s not for this election. The preparation is actually for the plebiscite. We encouraged them to register in preparation for the plebiscite,” Murad said.

Murad is pleased that the peace process was carried as an election issue by candidates from both the administration and the opposition.

He said judging from the statements of Mangudadatu before the election, “he has been expressing his support to the Framework Agreement.”

“Actually, even during the campaign period he was also very, very supportive … of the Framework Agreement. In fact, he also thanked the MILF pronounce(ment) of neutrality (in) the election.”

He expressed confidence that the Bangsamoro Basic Law that would be crafted by the Transition
Commission would pass smoothly in Congress.

“Well that is our expectation but you know the politics in the Philippines …But we are really banking on the statement of the elected officials expressing their support to the Framework Agreement and also the President’s.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

Among 17 regions nationwide, the five-province, two-city ARMM is the country’s poorest, posting 46.9% according to the National Statistical Coordination Board’s “First Semester Per Capita Threshold and Poverty incidence Among Families, by region and provinces, 2006, 2009 and 2012” released on April 23 this year.

ARMM comprises Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in the mainland, the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.

Nationwide, the NSCB said, “22 out of 100 families were estimated to be poor in the first semester of 2012 with the average poverty incidence at 22.3%. In the ARMM, the figure is more than twice at 46.9% or 47 out of 100 families.

In Lanao del Sur, the figure is thrice the national average at 68.9% and Maguindanao at 57.8%. Basilan’s poverty incidence is at 32.5%, Sulu’s is 30.4% while Tawi-tawi’s is 20.8%.

“Actually, we are the poorest because of the two provinces but not the entire region,” Hataman told MindaNews shortly after the flag retreat late Friday afternoon at the ARMM’s main office.

Proclaimed earlier that day as winner in the ARMM gubernatorial race along with his running mate Haround Alrashid Lucman, Hataman attended the flag retreat, a weekly activity he enforced in the ARMM. Friday’s retreat ended with a raffle of, among others, cooking pots, rice cookers, rice dispensers, sacks of rice and brown envelopes containing cash.

He said the three island provinces are no longer on the list of poorest provinces and only the two mainland provinces are their problem.

“Challenge ito sa amin” (This is a challenge to us), he said.

He said he tasked his economic staff to study the situation so they would know how best to address the problem. “Target namin ibababa ito to single-digit during our term.”

Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, he said, have huge agricultural potentials but the former is more into trading while economic activity in the latter is “nakasentro sa political leaders.”
In the island provinces like Hataman’s Basilan, food is easily accessible and cheap, he said.

7th elected Gov, 1st minority

Hataman is the first elected ARMM governor coming from a minor ethnic group, the Yakan of Basilan. His mother is from Pata, Sulu.

He is the seventh elected governor of the 23-year old ARMM which has had two Maguindanaon governors: Zacaria Candao (1990-1993) and Zaldy Ampatuan (2005-until his detention on December 5, 2009 for his alleged involvement in the November 23, 2009 massacre of 58 persons in Ampatuan, Maguindanao); one Maranao. Liningding Pangandaman (1993-1996) and two Taosugs: Nur Misuari (1996 -2001) and Dr. Parouk Hussin (2002 -2005).

In the seven elections held in the ARMM, the May 13 election was the first synchronized with national mid-term and local elections.

In his Proclamation statement, Hataman said, “the voice of the great majority in ARMM has been heard through a clean and credible election, which was uncertain if not entirely improbable in the past.”

“The seeds of reforms have started to take roots during our incumbency as caretakers. Help us nurture these seeds so that their vines and fruits reach even the farthest island and remotest village in the region,” he said.

The three-year term of office of the elected ARMM officials will be cut short when the Bangsamoro Basic Law is ratified. After the ratification, the ARMM is deemed abolished and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) takes over in preparation for the first election of leaders of the Bangsamoro, the new autonomous political entity that will relace the ARMM.

Hataman said they “remain firm in our pledge and would step aside to make way…for a new political set-up meant to take the Bangsamoro to greater heights.”

ARMM or Bangsamoro

Hataman is optimistic that despite the delays, the target date of 2015 for the BTA to take over from the ARMM would be met.

He also said he does not see a diminution in the area of governance of the Bangsamoro.

In mixed English and Pilipino, Hataman said he believes the core area of the ARMM would be retained and may even be expanded.

“It’s simple. It really depends on the law. Either new Bangsamoro entity or back to ARMM,” he said.

“In the plebiscite, you ratify. If the new law is defeated, you go back to the old law. But I am optimistic that the Bangsamoro (law) will win,” he explained.

Transition governance

President Aquino named Hataman, a former Anak Mindanaw party-list representative, as OIC Governor in late December 2011. Aquino referred to him as the “ghostbuster of the ARMM” but Hataman said he’s done with “ghost-busting” and will now focus on the economy.

He said he hopes the President would see him now as “generally reformist, not just ghostbusting, that ARMM is reformed, developed and poverty is addressed.”

He said good governance should not just be done at the regional level but down at the barangay level.

Hataman said he would also see to the “smooth transition” toward the Bangsamoro by focusing also on capacitation of the present bureaucracy, how to strengthen it to achieve a smooth transition so that even if ARMM is abolished, the human resources could be used by the new political entity, except the heads of offices.

Even if the Transition Commission is independent and separate entity, Hataman said he would coordinate with them to capacitate human resources for the future Bangsamoro.

Hataman says he will “open talks with MILF and other BDA (Bangsamoro Development Agency) agencies, even with OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) for those who have potentials to go on OJT (on the job training).

“Personally, I want the Bangsamoaro entity to be successful, whoever they will put there. At least they know the dynamics of governance because even if you are good, if you do not know the dynamics, the culture in government, it would be difficult.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

Slain was West Migpulao Barangay Chairman Julian Nacau, who died on the spot after he was repeatedly shot at his residence around 12 noon Sunday, according to Police Regional Office-9 spokesperson Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca.

Huesca said that Nacau was allegedly shot to death by Muamar Fermin.

Insp. Ricardo Lubaton, Dinas police chief, on Monday said over the phone that Fermin was arrested in a follow-up operation.

Criminal charges are set to be filed against the suspect, said Lubaton.

Investigation showed that Nacau was eating lunch together with his family when Fermin arrived and allegedly shot the victim with a caliber .45 pistol.

Nacau’s family members, who scampered for safety, were unharmed.

The slain barangay official was known to be a staunch supporter of former Zamboanga del Sur provincial board member Wilfredo Asoy, who ran for town mayor but lost in the May 13 mid-term polls. (Mindanews)

Rescued by the PCG’s BRP-Nueva Vizcaya-I was M/L April Joy, which plies the Zamboanga City-Palawan route.

Commander Allan Corpuz, BRP-Nueva Vizcaya skipper, said Monday over a local television station they rescued M/L April Joy in the vicinity of Mangsee Island, Balabac, Palawan.

Paterson Jainuddin, the owner of M/L April Joy, disclosed they departed on Wednesday in Balabac en route to this city when the vessel’s engine conked out beyond repair.

Corpuz said M/L April Joy, which is skippered by Ibno Hassan, had lost radio contact and was drifting at sea for three days already at the time it was rescued.

The rescued ferry was towed by the BRP-Nueva Vizcaya and arrived late Sunday at a private wharf in this city.

Meanwhile, Corpuz said they were taking custody of M/L April Joy after learning that it was transporting passengers and cargoes without the required permits. (MindaNews)

This after Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes (second district), who has been elected as the new governor, vowed to implement the ban on open-pit mining in the next three years, or until 2016.

It was Fuentes who signed the controversial Environment Code that bans open-pit mining before stepping down as governor in 2010 after completing three straight terms.

Fuentes (Nationalist People’s Coalition) defeated incumbent Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. (United Nationalist Alliance) on Monday’s elections on a vote of 117,855 and 111,214, respectively, or a margin of 6,641 votes.

“I will implement the provisions of the Environment Code that bans open-pit mining,” Fuentes said, noting she was the one who signed the controversial measure.

During Pingoy’s term, he implemented the open-pit ban signed by Fuentes, despite lobbying from the company and pro-mining groups for him to disregard the prohibition.

The pro-mining groups failed to have the open-pit ban lifted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board so far.

The new set of elected officials will take over on June 30, 2013.

During the campaign period, Fuentes and Pingoy also vowed to ensure that the ban on open-pit mining will stay.

Efforts of SMI to develop the Tampakan copper, touted as the largest known undeveloped copper reserve in Southeast Asia, has been hobbled by the open-pit mining ban imposed by South Cotabato.

In December last year, the company announced that it was moving the start of commercial operation from 2016 to 2019. Among the major challenges the company cited facing its operation was the open-pit ban in South Cotabato.

Last February, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources granted SMI an environmental compliance certificate (ECC), after rejecting it twice last year on the ground of the open-pit mining prohibition of South Cotabato.

As set by the ECC, an endorsement from the provincial government is among the other requirements needed by the firm before it can proceed to commercial production.

MindaNews contacted SMI spokesman John Arnaldo for comments on the company’s view on the matter, given the new set of officials, at 9:30 a.m. Monday but he asked for half an hour to issue a statement.

Arnaldo got back with an emailed statement at 1:19 p.m., “congratulating Fuentes on her successful election as the new South Cotabato Provincial Governor.”

“With the passage of the Aquino Administration’s National Mining Policy and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum directing that all local legislations be consistent with the national mining law, we hope that through continued dialogue with incoming Governor Fuentes and the rest of the South Cotabato provincial government officials, there will be a timely resolution to the open-pit ban in the South Cotabato Environment Code,” he said.

“We have worked with Congressman (sic) Fuentes in a number of development programs in South Cotabato, and we will continue to engage with her and the rest of the provincial government officials as their local stakeholder and development partner,” Arnaldo said.

As to the new set of composition of the provincial board, five party mates each of Fuentes and Pingoy won seats.

The winning bets were Gly Mariano Trabado (NPC), Romeo Tamayo (NPC) and Jobee Baitus (UNA) for the first district, and Vicente de Jesus (NPC), Ester Catorce (UNA), Grace Subere-Albios (NPC), Ervin Luntao (UNA), Agustin Demaala (NPC), Romulo Solivio (UNA) and Samuel Ladot (UNA) for the second district.

The vice governor-elect is Cecile Diel, an ally of Pingoy, who is the board’s presiding officer and could be the vote that could break any tie.

An incumbent board member, Diel, however vowed to protect the environment code as part of her platform of governance during the campaign period.

Fuentes said that while five of her party mates won seats to the provincial board, the ex-officio members for the leagues of councilors, barangay captains and the Sangguniang Kabataan are also her allies.

Basically, we have the numbers at the provincial board, she said.

In Tampakan town, reelectionist Mayor Leonardo Escobillo, a staunch supporter of the mining project of SMI, won as well as majority of his party mates in the Sangguniang Bayan. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Acharon said his office is now preparing the necessary requirements for the filing of the measure, which sets the reconfiguration of the first and second legislative districts of South Cotabato to pave the way for the creation of a new legislative district in the area.

“The city has long been qualified to have its own separate legislative district, so (the passage of) this measure is long overdue,” he said.

The official said the separation into a new district also augurs well with the city’s development goals and direction.

Acharon, who is a former mayor of this city, was reelected last May 13 for a second term to the House of Representatives under the administration-backed Liberal Party-Nationalist People’s Coalition-Achiever’s with Integrity Movement (LP-NPC-AIM) ticket.

He convincingly won over reelected Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao’s younger brother Rogelio of the People’s Champ Movement-United Nationalist Alliance.

Acharon initially filed House Bill (HB) 6038 or “an act reapportioning the composition of the first and second legislative districts in the province of South Cotabato and thereby creating a new legislative district from such reapportionment,” on March 19, 2012.

It was referred to the House committee on local government on May 7 but failed to get past the preliminary discussions until the 15th Congress went on recess last February for the May 13 elections.

South Cotabato (2nd District) Second District Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, who co-authored HB 6038, earlier admitted that they ran out of time to have the measure calendared for committee hearings as it was filed “quite late.”

Fuentes, who was elected governor of South Cotabato, expressed support for the re-filing and passage of the bill during her campaigns.

Her successor at the House, close ally Ferdinand Hernandez of the LP-NPC, had also endorsed the separation of this city into a new legislative district.

Under HB 6038, the present composition of South Cotabato’s first and second congressional will be reapportioned to carve out a separate or lone congressional district for this city.

The first district presently comprises this city and the municipalities of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok in South Cotabato.

The second district is composed of Koronadal City and the municipalities of Tantangan, Banga, T’boli, Surallah, Sto.Nino, Norala, and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

The proposed measure provided that South Cotabato’s first district will be reshaped, comprising the towns of Polomolok, Tupi, Tampakan and T’boli.

Koronadal City, which is a component city and capital of South Cotabato, and the six remaining towns will compose the province’s second district.

This city, which has a population of 538,086 based on the 2010 census, has long been classified as an independent and highly-urbanized locality but has remained a part of South Cotabato’s first congressional district.

It was originally a component of the undivided Cotabato empire province until Congress approved its charter in 1968. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Gemma Rivera, DSWD Region 12 assistant director, said Monday a water purifying station project was recently completed in Barangay D. Lotilla in Isulan town through the national government’s flagship anti-poverty program Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

She said it was so far the first water purifying station project that was implemented in any part of the country under the Kalahi-CIDSS since it started in 2003.

The official said the project, which was expected to begin full operations by the end of the month or early June, will mainly benefit 765 households within the project area.

Rivera said the agency and community stakeholders spent a total of P846,638 for the implementation of the project, which was seen to end the decades of suffering of villagers from insufficient potable water supply.

“The residents were left with no choice but spend a portion of their meager income to buy potable drinking water to avoid consuming contaminated water and eventually get sick because of them,” she said in a statement.

Such situation was among the factors that drove most members of the community to live in dire poverty these past years, she said.

Aside from answering the community health concerns due to unsafe drinking water, Rivera said the project was expected to generate additional income for local residents.

She said it will specifically generate opportunities in terms of employment and local entrepreneurship as well as increase the village government’s revenues.

Kalahi-CIDSS forms part of the three-pronged anti-poverty convergence programs of the national government that are implemented by the DSWD.

Dubbed “Tatsulok,” the initiative includes the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps and Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Under the Kalahi-CIDSS, poor communities are capacitated to analyze their own problems, manage, plan, and implement their identified project to answer their pressing needs.

In Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region, the project was able to help build various community infrastructure projects such as school buildings, bridges, health stations, water systems, day care centers, roads, post-harvest facilities, and other common services.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Based on records from the Provincial Board of Canvassers, seven governors-elect will be serving as governor for the first time but they have served previously in other posts or are sons of  governors “graduating” at the end of nine years on June 30. Of 18 who sought reelection, two are not returning to the Capitol. But two former governors are returning to their post after  spending three years in another elective post.

Six  others won even before the ballots were cast on May 13: they ran unopposed.

Among the family teams elected, the Dimaporos of Lanao del Norte and the Plazas of Agusan del Sur — the longest-surviving political clans in Mindanao in half a century — won again the gubernatorial post and their two congressional districts will again be represented by siblings in the case of the Plazas, and  in Lanao del Norte, by parents.

Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo was elected to a third term in Lanao del Norte while his parents Imelda and Abdullah, both former governors and representatives, will be representing Congress in the first and second districts. In 2010, the governor’s sister, Fatima Aliah, was elected to represent the second district, a post held by their father Abdullah from 1987 to 1992 and 2001 to 2010 and will be held again in 2013 to 2016. Imelda was governor from 1998 to 2007 and was elected to the 1^st district in 2010 to 2013.

In Agusan del Sur, it will still be a Plaza-Plaza-Plaza team with Governor Adolph Edward Plaza voted to a fourth term (after 2001-2007 and 2010-2013)  his sisters Ma. Valentina and Evelyn Plaza-Mellana representing the two districts. Valentina was governor from 2007 to 2010.

The ten other executive-legislative family teams were elected in Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Tawi-tawi and Zamboanga del Sur.

Two provinces also elected family teams for Governor and Vice Governor – Dinagat Islands and Sulu, while three provinces elected family teams for Vice Governor and Representative – Compostela Valley, Misamis Occidental and Sarangani.

Brothers and sisters, fathers and sons

In Agusan del Norte, Rep. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante swapped posts with brother-Governor, Erlpe John. Both are completing their third terms by June 30. By then, Ms Amante will have returned to the gubernatorial post she held from 1995 to 2004 while her brother Erlpe, governor from 2004 to 2013, will be serving as representative.The siblings ran unopposed.

Bukidnon, Camiguin and Davao del Norte elected father and son teams. Bukidnon’s  returning governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, incumbent Vice Governor, was voted to a fourth term (after 2001 to 2010) and  Jose Ma. Zubiri III, elected to a third term. Zubiri served as Representative of the 3^rd district from 1987 to 1998. His son Juan Miguel, served that district from 1998 to 2007. Juan Miguel was elected Senator in 2007 but hounded by charges of having cheated to win, resigned in August 2011, his seat taken over by Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel who won in this year’s Senate race. Juan Miguel ran but lost his bid to win a Senate seat.

By June 30, 2016, the Zubiris will have served the third district of Bukidnon for nine terms  or 29 years – the seat bequeathed from father to son to another son. The Zubiri patriarch swapped posts with incumbent Governor Alex Calingasan, now vice governor-elect.

Like the Zubiris, the Romualdos have also dominated Camiguin’s politics, the lone district seat in their hands also from 1987 to 2016 –  from the patriarch Pedro Romualdo to son Jurdin Jesus and back to Pedro who was seeking reelection when he died last month. A grandson, Xavier Jesus, son of the incumbent governor Jurdin Jesus, won the seat. Jurdin Jesus became governor in 2007 after his father’s three terms from 1998 to 2007.

Fifth term

In Davao del Norte, Rodofo del Rosario won a fifth term as governor (after 1998-2004; 2007-2013). The two congressional districts are presently held by Del Rosario’s son Anthony and nephew Antonio Floirendo Lagdameo, Jr., Antony del Rosario from 2010 and Lagdameo from 2007. Like the Zubiris and Romualdos, the Del Rosario-Floireno clan has been representing the third and later second district since 1987.

The Del Rosario patriarch was representative from 1987 to 1998. Antonio Floirendo, Jr., his nephew, served from 1998 to 2007.

Davao del Sur and Lanao del Sur have brothers  for Governor and Representative:  Governor-elect Claude Bautista and Franklin, representative of the second district  of Davao del Sur and Mamintal Adiong, Jr., elected to a third term as governor and his brother Ansaruddin Adiong, representative of the fist district. Governor Adiong’s cousin, Pangalian Balindong was also elected to a third term  as representative of the second district.

In Davao del Sur, Governor-elect Bautista, representative of the second district of Davao del Sur from 2001 to 2007,  will be serving  as governor for the first time, and his brother Franklin, who is serving a fourth term (previous terms: 1998-2001; 2007 to 2013) as representative.  Both brothers served as  mayor of their hometown, Malita,  Franklin from 1988 to 1998, Claude from 1998 to 2001. Another brother, Benjamin, Jr. was  Governor from 2002 to 2007 and is incumbent mayor of Malita.The Bautista’s father, Benjamin, Sr., was representative from 1987 to 1998.

Like the Zubiris, Romualdos and the Del Rosario-Floirendo clan, the Bautistas will have been representing the second district of Davao del Sur for 29 years by 2016.

Brothers, cousins, brother and sister, husband and wife

Joining the team of brothers in the executive and legislative posts is the team of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and his brother, Representative-elect Zahid Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu was reelected while this is the first congressional term of Zahid, mayor of Pandag.

In Sultan Kudarat, Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu, the Maguindanao governor’s cousin, was elected to a third term while his brother-in-law Raden Sakaluran was elected to a second term in Congress, representing the first district.  Sakaluran is married to Mangudadatu’s sister, Ruth, who ran unopposed for mayor of Lutayan town, the Mangudadatus’ hometown in Sultan Kudarat province.

In Tawi-tawi, the governor-elect is Nurbert Sahali, mayor of Panglima Sugala town and son of third-term governor Sadikul Sahali. His sister, Ruby Sahali was elected representative of the lone district.

In Zamboanga del Sur, Governor Antonio Cerilles was elected to a second term while wife Aurora was also elected to a second term as representative of the second district. The incumbent governor served as Representative from 1987 to 1998 and 2004 to 2010 while wife Aurora served as governor from 2001 to 2010 and representative from 1998 to 2001.

In Dinagat Islands and Sulu,  it’s a mother-son and father-son team,  respectively, for governor and vice governor.

In Dinagat Islands, Governor Glenda Ecleo was elected to a second term while son Benglen, incumbent provincial administrator, was elected vice governor.

In Sulu, Abdusakur Tan II is the incoming governor while his father, the incumbent governor Abdusakur Tan, is his vice governor. The elder Tan served as governor from 1996 to 2001 and from 2007 to 2013.

In Compostela Valley, Misamis Occidental and Sarangani, the vice governor s and representatives are also father and daughter and husband  and wife teams. In Compostela, the Vice Governor-elect is Manuel Zamora while his daughter Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay won a second term unopposed in the first district.

In Misamis Occidental, Vice Governor-elect is Virginia Almonte while her husband, Jorge was elected to a second term as representative of the first district.

In Sarangani, first-time politician Jinkee Pacquiao won as Vice Governor while husband Emmanuel Pacquiao, the boxer, was elected to a second term, unopposed.

Re-elected

The 16 reelected governors are: Davao del Norte’s Rodolfo del Rosario (fifth term), Agusan del Sur’s Adolph Edward Plaza (fourth term), the following who will serve a third term:  Basilan’s Jum Akbar, Camiguin’s Jurdin Jesus Romualdo , Compostela Valley’s Arturo Uy, Davao Oriental’s Corazon Malanyaon, Lanao del Norte’s Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo, Lanao del Sur’s Mamintal Adiong, Jr, Sultan Kudarat’s Suharto Mangudadatu; and those who were elected to a second term: Dinagat’s Glenda Ecleo, Maguindanao’s Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, Misamis Occidental’s Herminia Ramiro,  North Cotabato’s Emmylou Talino-Mendoza, Surigao del Norte’s Sol Matugas, Surigao del Sur’s Johnny Pimentel, and Zamboganga del Sur’ Antonio Cerilles.

Two incumbents who sought reelection but lost are South Cotabato’s Arthur Pingoy and Zamboanga Sibugay’s Rommel Jalosjos.  Former Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes was reelected South Cotabato governor while Wilter Palma was elected governor of Zamboanga Sibugay.

The seven first-term governors are Davao del Sur’s Claude Bautista, Misamis Oriental’s Yevgeny Emano, Sarangani’s Steven Chiongbian Solon, Sulu’s Abdusakur Tan II, Tawi-tawi’s Nurbert Sahali, Zamboanga del Norte’s Roberto Uy and Zamboanga Sibugay’s Palma.

Six won the gubernatorial post even before Monday’s polls, having run unopposed: Agusan del Norte’s Amane, Compostela Valley’s Uy, Davao del Norte’s del Rosario, Davao Oriental’s Malanyaon and Sarangani’s Solon. (Vanessa Almeda, Carolyn O. Arguillas, Keith Bacongco, Walter Balane, Ferdinandh Cabrera, Roel Catoto, Allen V. Estabillo, Froilan Gallardo, Violeta M. Gloria, Toto Lozano, Malu Manar, Erwin Mascarinas H. Ruby Thursday More, Marcos C. Mordeno, Bong Sarmiento and Bobby Timonera/MindaNews) 

Salazar, who is this city’s two-term first district representative to Congress, made the announcement, emphasizing that she will personally manage the affairs of the city government in the next three years.

Salazar’s statement was in reaction to an election issue that she will merely serve as “puppet” of her predecessor, Mayor Celso Lobregat.

“I would like to make it clear that having been given an overwhelming mandate to serve the people, I will manage the city according to my own conviction,” she declared.

The mayor-elect is a niece of  the feisty anti-Marcos dictatorship mayor,  Cesar Cortes Cimaco,  who was assassinated on November 14, 1984.

Her father, Jose,  was elected vice mayor in 1987.

Salazar, a Liberal Party (LP) stalwart, said she would use her “Malacañang connection” to push the Department of Energy (DoE) to find reliable solution to the worsening power situation hitting this city.

This city experienced eight to nine hours daily rotational brownouts months before Monday’s election and  enjoyed 24-hour electricity from May 11 or two days before the  May 13 polls, until Thursday, May 16.

However,  Sherwin Mañada, acting general manager of Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) , issued a notice on Friday that this city will again experience rotational brownout lasting three to four hours daily.

Salazar  also said she will sit down together with top police as well as military officials in finding a lasting solution to this city’s peace and order problem.

She is not also discounting the possibility of her seeking advice  from her husband, retired Army general Trifonio Salazar , current head of the National Intelligence Coordination Agency, on matters of solving problems on criminality.

Salazar will replace Mayor Celso Lobregat, who is completing his third term and has been elected first district representative, a post he is returning to after his nine-year mayoralty.

Lobregat was representative from 1998 to 2004, after his mother’s 1987 to 1998 stay in Congress. He was supposed to run for a third term in 2004 but substituted for her mother in the mayoralty race in 2004 when the latter died.

Salazar won the mayoralty race by huge margin over her former party mate, second district Rep. Erico Basilio Fabian, garnering 172,439 votes against Fabian’s 29,200 votes.

Both Salazar and Lobregat ran under the Liberal Party-Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Adelante Zamboanga Party (LP-LDP-AZaP) coalition while Fabian, a Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart and on his last term of office, ran under the Fuerza Zamboanga, a locally-organized political party he heads.

Lobregat’s brother Jomar  lost in the congressional race for the second district to independent bet Lillia Nuño. (MindaNews) 

Hers was a political fight maybe likened to the biblical battle between David and Goliath, where the “small unknown fighter” toppled down his giant enemy using a sling.

Bag-ao, concurrent caretaker representative of Dinagat Islands, won the congressional race against Gwendolyn Ecleo, the youngest daughter of Ruben Ecleo Sr., founder of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), with a margin of 3,246 votes.

She got 25,615 votes against Ecleo’s 22,369.

Bag-ao’s total number of votes was actually higher than PBMA’s “default leader” and matriarch, Gov. Glenda “Mommy Glen” Ecleo, who garnered 23,385 votes. The Ecleos ran under the Nacionalista Party.

Ecleo defeated her daughter Geraldine “Jade” Ecleo in the gubernatorial race. She is on to her second term for Dinagat province that was created in 2006.

Geraldine teamed up with Bag-ao under the Liberal Party in going against her own family who has ruled Dinagat Islands for four decades.

“I think it is also good that Jade is an insider. She has the integrity to talk about her family because she is part of the family,” Bag-ao earlier said in response to a query that Geraldine is still an Ecleo and she, Geraldine, would be conflicting her position against political dynasties.

Bag-ao has become the anathema in rallies involving the PBMA, a group largely considered a cult. The “Orange Team” of the Ecleos during the campaign period maligned her as a “thief, whore and bag-ang (molar teeth).”

In her speeches witnessed by MindaNews five days before Monday’s election, Bag-ao said she knew about the personal attacks and character assassination “but I cannot be angry, I really am not angry because in the first place, there is no truth to it.”

Dubbed as the “Team Yellow,” Bag-ao said she leaves it to Geraldine to respond to the mudslinging hurled by the Ecleo camp against her (Bag-ao) during the campaign period.

At the height of their miting de avance, a supporter of the Ecleo camp, identified as Ric Cabral, took the stage and fiercely attacked Bag-ao’s character for about an hour.

But the attacks apparently did not deter voters to choose Bag-ao.

A head teacher from Libjo, where Bag-ao slightly edged Ecleo (3,630 and 3,596 votes, respectively), said that Bag-ao won because she “did something in so short a time” contrary to the decades-old rule of the Ecleos where basic services were reportedly poor or at worst dismal.

Libjo is considered a bailiwick of the Ecleos.

The teacher, who only identified herself as “Mel,” said she voted for Bag-ao “like most teachers she knew” because the activist-lawmaker gave a clear platform to address the nagging poverty in the province.

In an earlier interview, Bag-ao said that through the P137.4 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel fund released last December, more than a month after she assumed as caretaker representative of Dinagat Islands in October 2012, P5 million was infused to the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City for the immediate medical assistance of Dinagat residents.

Three thousand scholars were enrolled at the Surigao del Norte State University (SDNSU) and other schools while road and bridge constructions connecting the towns of San Jose and Loreto are ongoing, she said.

The PDAF was also used to purchase six 4×4 utility vehicles worth P1.5 million each, which include a Mitsubishi Montero, Toyota Hilux and Fortuner sports utility vehicles.

She used the PDAF to also purchase 77 units of multi-cab patrol vehicles costing P275,00 each, which were distributed to various barangays in the district.

The PDAF release was criticized as a “political patronage” since Bag-ao, an Akbayan partylist representative whose party mates are also holding key positions in national government, could use this to her advantage.

The Ecleos saw that as her biggest advantage against them.

San Jose town Mayor Alan II Ecleo said in an interview on Tuesday, after the proclamation of her mother Glenda and brother Benglen as governor and vice governor, respectively, that Bag-ao’s edge was her “wide network.”

“Well she is the incumbent (caretaker of the legislative district) and she has a wide network at her disposal,” Allan II said.

Benglen also earlier voiced similar criticisms through Facebook, that Bag-ao is using the “money of his brother,“ the dismissed lawmaker and PBMA Supreme Master Ruben Ecleo Jr., who was convicted for murder and graft charges, for her political interest.

‘Bloc vote’

Dinagat, which is synonymous to the Ecleos and the PBMA, is considered the biggest source for “bloc voting” in past electoral exercises in Surigao del Norte.

Before its separation from the mother province in 2006, politicians raring to win the elections covet the PBMA vote.

The bloc vote of the PBMA, estimated at 63,000, could easily sway the results in favor of whoever gets the blessing of the Ecleos.

But the recent elections, however, showed a different scenario, “swaying away” from the so-called “one voice, one leader” bloc voting of the PBMA.

Alleged vote buying on the part of the Ecleos took place in some towns that ironically are identified as Ecleo bailiwicks: San Jose, Dinagat, Cagdianao and Libjo.

In Libjo, Bag-ao posted a slim margin of 34 votes over Gwendolyn Ecleo, at 3,630 and 3,506, respectively.

Geraldine Ecleo, who ran and lost against her mother Glenda in the gubernatorial position, alleged that her mother’s camp spent millions of pesos to buy votes, ranging from P500 to P2,000 per voter.

“I worry because how will they get the money back,” she said.

Fr. Almario Ramada, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chair in Surigao del Norte, said on Tuesday they received reports of vote buying in Dinagat town allegedly by the Ecleo camp.

On the other hand, the Ecleo camp, through Benglen, accused Bag-ao’s camp of resorting to harassment and violence against PBMA members in the town of Loreto to ensure a wide margin.

Loreto is Bag-ao’s hometown. She won there and also in the municipalities of Libjon and Tubajon.

In the four other towns considered strongholds of the Ecleos, Bag-ao mustered enough votes to win the congressional race. (Vanessa Almeda/MindaNews)

Vincent Baguio, Cotelco spokesman, blamed the tripping off of the 69-kilovolt transmission line, located at their substation in Barangay Paco, for the first long brownout.

The power interruption affected Kidapawan City and the towns of Makilala, Magpet, Antipas, Arakan, President Roxas, Matalam, Kabacan, Tulunan, and M’lang.

Power supply was restored at around 1 a.m. Friday, Baguio said.

But North Cotabato again experienced brownouts from 530 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Baguio said they immediately dispatched their linemen to check out the problem.

“I admit it took us too long to determine what caused the brownout in our service areas. We had to check every electric pole,” he said.

“Hours later, we found out that some of the insulators of some of the electric poles had malfunctioned and we have to replace them with new ones,” Baguio added.

To supply power to North Cotabato, Baguio said they tapped from the 69-kV transmission line of the Tacurong City substation.

The distribution utility, however, failed to supply its entire service area due to low voltage.

“Because we experienced low voltage, we had to cut off power in some of our service areas. We believe what happened last Friday hurt our consumers and the business community, but we humbly ask sorry for the inconveniences it brought to them,” Baguio said.

Indeed the long unexpected brownouts had the business community and many consumers fuming mad.

Vicky Guboc, owner of Touch That Cares Beauty Studio, said they had no income for the day due to the brownout.

The parlor has no standby generator set, said Guboc.

Ritchie Joy Mamburao-Gapasin, owner of ChinaGap Events and Concepts, said the long brownouts are “slowly killing” businesses in the city.

“Despite the brownouts, our electric bills have soared,” she complained. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)

In a radio interview Saturday, Piñol alleged that the 95 percent voters’ turnout from the two towns was “highly improbable.”

Based on Commission on Elections (Comelec) results, Mendoza garnered 53,870 votes in these towns, while Piñol only got 7,134.

The PBOC, however, dismissed the petition of Piñol.

“I already expected that the PBOC will dismiss my petition outright. That’s the reason why I am planning to submit the petition at the Comelec head office in Manila anytime today (Saturday),” he stressed.

Pikit and Carmen are considered Mendoza’s bailiwicks. Mendoza’s father, Roger Taliño, is mayor of Carmen.

In the 2010 gubernatorial race where Mendoza and Piñol were pitted against each other for the first time, Mendoza got 236,966 votes against Piñol’s 199,332

In Carmen town, Mendoza garnered 22,749 votes against Piñol’s 610 during Monday’s elections.

In Pikit, Mendoza got 31,121 votes while Pinol received 6,524 votes.

“The results in Pikit and Carmen, although overwhelming, were highly improbable. This is the result of my opponent’s use of rice and money, coupled with terrorism, just to win this election,” he said.

Mendoza earlier denied Pinol’s allegations, saying she won “fair and square.”

“That was the product of transparency in the government, better infrastructure projects for the people or good governance as a whole,” she said.

Mendoza got the endorsement of the “bloc voting” Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) as well as the support of the Solidarity Vote Movement of the Catholic Laity in North Cotabato.

The INC reportedly has 20,000 members across the province.

Mendoza said “she would abide with whatever decision the Comelec will render on the protest of Piñol.”

The PBOC has yet to proclaim the winners in the provincial level due to the delay in the transmission of election results in some towns and technical problems with the precinct count optical scan machines. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)

1Lt Joe Patrick Martinez, head of the civil military office of the 42nd Infantry Battalion (IB), said the soldier from the 30th IB, whom he did not identify, was killed Thursday.

Elements of the 30th IB encountered around 15 NPA members in Pamyunon, Barangay Sapa in Claver town, he said.

At around 1:30 p.m. Friday, Martinez said that troops from the 42nd Division Reconnaissance Company caught up with the fleeing rebels in Barangay Cabugo, resulting in a 30-minute exchange of gunfire.

He said that two NPA rebels were killed in the encounter, with several more believed wounded.

Martinez claimed that soldiers saw the retreating NPA rebels carry their wounded comrades, “leaving behind trails of blood.”

Troops recovered from the scene of the encounter an M-16 and AK-47 automatic rifles, he said.

The rebels supposedly belong to the NPA Guerilla Front 16 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee, according to Martinez.

Insp Renato Acelo, Claver municipal police chief, confirmed in a phone interview that soldiers killed two NPA rebels during the encounter.

“We’ve brought the body of the two slain NPAs to a funeral home in the neighboring town of Bacuag since we don’t have any funeral facility in Claver,” he said.

The fingerprints of the fatalities were taken to help in identifying them, Acelo said.

Acelo said they beefed up security by placing checkpoints in strategic locations of the town.

The municipal police chief said the encounter site “has been a regular staging area for NPA activity.”

He added the area is mountainous and about 10 kilometers away from the center of the town. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)

The 71-year old Zubiri, incumbent vice governor, obtained 347,338 votes against Lynard Allan Bigcas’ 47,314.

The 63-year old Calingasan, incumbent governor, won with 241,553 votes over board member Nemesio Beltran Jr., who got 73,891 votes.

The tandem repeated their feat in 2001 when both run for the same position—Zubiri as governor and Calingasan as vice governor— and served until 2010.

In 2010, they swapped positions, and swapped again in the 2013 elections.

Only Calingasan attended the proclamation. Zubiri was reported to have left for Manila Wednesday.

The proclamation took place even without the results from Malaybalay City, which was delayed due to defective PCOS machines and CF cards in a precinct each in three of the city’s 46 barangays.

Lawyer Carlito Ravelo, provincial election supervisor, said the results from Malaybalay City, even if counted, would not affect the standing in the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial races.

Ravelo said that lawyer Gina Luna Zayas-Sabio, Malaybalay election officer, informed him that they will complete the canvassing Friday night.

Of the province’s 20 towns and two cities, only Malaybalay has yet to transmit the results as of 6 p.m. Friday.

The PBOC also proclaimed Bukidnon third district representative-elect Jose Ma. F. Zubiri III, who was a no-show. He is a son of governor-elect Zubiri.

Also proclaimed Friday afternoon were the board members-elect for the third district: Gordon Torres with 87,071 votes; Alfeo Baguio with 65,528; and Marivic Montesclaros with 62,841.

Proclamations were stalled Wednesday due to defective CF cards, causing delays in the canvassing of votes from the towns of Damulog, Manolo Fortich, Talakag, Maramag, Cabanglasan, Malaybalay City and Valencia City.

Ravelo blamed the delay in the arrival of replacement CF cards to the stalled canvassing.

The winners in the first and fourth districts for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan were the first to be proclaimed late Thursday night.

The opposition party’s lawyers did not question the partial but official results used as basis in the proclamation of Zubiri and Calingasan, even if a protest by a group led by Bigcas and defeated Malaybalay mayoralty bet Estelito Marabe was held in the other side of the Capitol Grounds Friday morning.

Alleging irregularities, the group sought a manual count of votes because of questionable PCOS machines.

Zubiri’s election for another term makes him the longest serving governor in the post-EDSA revolution history of Bukidnon.

He has surpassed Carlos Fortich, who was elected governor in 1992, 1995 and 1998. Fortich’s last term, however, was cut short because he resigned to run for Valencia City mayor, only to be defeated by former police chief Jose Galario Jr.

Galario won the Valencia City mayoralty race on Monday’s elections.

Reelectionist Mayor Ignacio Zubiri, nephew of governor-elect Zubiri, won a fresh term in Malaybalay City. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)

Rep. Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi” Emano was proclaimed the winner of the gubernatorial race in Misamis Oriental.

The Commission on Elections said Emano got 190,986 votes compared to his rival, Vice Governor Norris Babiera, who garnered only 170,321 votes.

Bambi Emano is the son of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano.

His victory is the only redeeming factor in the political dynasty whose dominance in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental started three decades ago, when the Emano patriarch was then elected town mayor in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

The elder Emano, known for his political astuteness, was defeated by Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno during Monday’s hotly contested mayoral race in Cagayan de Oro.

The elder Emano has still his daughter Nadya Emano and her husband, President Elipe, in the Cagayan de Oro City council after winning last Monday’s elections.

“The seed that my father had planted in Misamis Oriental will continue to grow. I promised to continue his legacy,” Bambi told supporters who trooped to the Misamis Oriental provincial capitol where he was proclaimed last Thursday afternoon.

Bambi also promised to “clean” the bureaucracy at the provincial government.

For his part, the elder Emano said that despite his defeat, he was happy to see his son winning the gubernatorial post, which he held for three consecutive terms during the 90s.

“I am assured that Bambi will continue to serve the people of Misamis Oriental,” he told their supporters.

Bambi’s running mate, Joey Pelaez, was also proclaimed the winner in the vice gubernatorial race.

Incumbent Rep. Pedro Unabia was reelected for a third term in the first congressional district, beating Clyde Abbot with a margin of at least 80,000 votes.

Villanueva town mayor Juliet Uy won over former Rep. Jun Baculio in the second congressional district. Uy garnered 50,750 votes against Baculio’s 40,905 votes. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

“There will be no protest. I have to accept it because I know wala naman dayaan (there’s no cheating),”the younger Ecleo told MindaNews hours after the proclamation of her mother.

The mother beat the daughter by a slim margin of 625 votes.

“It’s the princess and the queen who competed, and the princess had lost. But that is okay, I am still a princess,” Ecleo said.

Ecleo, considered the more “charismatic” of the Ecleo siblings, would continue to support congresswomen-elect Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, who defeated Gwendolyn Ecleo, the youngest of the Ecleo children with Glenda or “Mommy Glen.”

Baga-o and Geraldine Ecleo ran under the ruling Liberal Party.

“I will not leave her during the rest of her term. I will be her project coordinator for Dinagat,” Ecleo said.

She said she will also continue her programs under the Jade Ecleo Foundation, which provides scholarships for poor but deserving students in Dinagat Islands.

“I still have a lot of things to do for the Dinagatnons and my vision for them and the province will continue (while leading a civilian life), ” Ecleo said.

Strained family relationship

The crack in family relations started when Geraldine ran for vice governor in 2010 without the support of her family.

Allan I, the mayor of Basilisa in his speech during the miting de avance of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), related that her sister also got hurt when the family decided not to support her bid for governor.

The PBMA, a sect founded by family patriarch Ruben Ecleo Sr. in 1965, was said to practice “bloc voting” during elections.

Allan I said he and Geraldine talked on the phone before the filing of candidacy to convince her to run for the congressional seat, which the latter refused.

Geraldine’s decision to run against her mother further caused the rift in the family.

She said her running against her mother was propelled by a “deep reason to spare her from the stress of work due to the latter’s health condition and age.

“Mommy Glen” underwent a triple heart by-pass operation a few years ago, Geraldine noted.

Geraldine insisted that she fought her mother in the gubernatorial race “to safeguard her.”

“How can a daughter allow her mother to go through this situation? I am only thinking of her condition,” she said.

“Now that she is still governor, she cannot go out and visit far flung areas because it will be difficult for her,” Geraldine noted.

But the daughter said she “was thankful that she did not win because I don’t think I can handle the thought that my mother will die if she will lose, which she will if I won. I don’t want to be the cause of my mother’s death.”

She said she will not be running again against her mother in future elections.

But if Gwendolyn will run, I will run against her, Geraldine, the incumbent vice governor, said.

No show

As early as Tuesday morning when canvassing resumed after being delayed for almost nine hours due to delayed transmission of results from the municipal level, talks of Geraldine conceding to her mother already spread at the halls of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where the provincial canvassing was taking place.

As the official results were read and the crowd cheered when the elder Ecleo was proclaimed winner later in the afternoon, talks of Geraldine coming to the canvassing area still persisted.

Inside her house later in the night, Geraldine admitted she would have gone to the proclamation with her party mate Bag-ao but the presence of supporters flocking to her residence expressing their disappointment stopped her from going.

“I really wanted to cry while taking a shower but I couldn’t,” she said.

Facing reporters after the proclamation, a teary-eyed Bag-ao expressed gratitude for her victory and sadness to her party mates who lost, especially Geraldine.

Geraldine’s loss, however, did not change the fact that the Ecleos still rule the province, which is touted as a mystical island for its beautiful and scenic spots that are still largely untouched, except for the bonsai forest that is now bulldozed because of mining operations.

“It’s still the same, it is still Ecleo. The situation will not be changed because they still rule the place,” lawyer Victor Bernal said in an earlier interview.

Bernal was one of the lawyers who filed a protest against the creation of Dinagat Islands as a separate province of Surigao del Norte.

Dinagat Islands is considered one of the poorest provinces in the country.

During the campaign period, Geraldine criticized the PBMA leadership for making false hopes on people, especially for equating political governance to “divine providence.”

She also said that for several years that her mother and siblings have controlled Dinagat Islands as local chief executives, the province is still poor. (Vanessa Almeda/MindaNews)

Sherwin Mañada, National Electrification Administration project supervisor, said Friday they have received a notice of power curtailment from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

Mañada is also the acting general manager of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco).

“The NGCP today advised Zamcelco that the Mindanao grid is on red alert from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. due to zero contingency reserve caused by generation deficiency,” Mañada said in an advisory.

Zamcelco will again impose three to four hours outage per feeder starting at 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Mañada said.

Zamcelco has 24 electric feeders servicing at least 150,000 consumers in this city.

All electric feeders will have twice a day frequency of power outage, according to the power interruption schedule prepared by Zamcelco.

“This schedule, however, is subject to change by the NGCP without prior notice depending on the supply and demand,” he said. (MindaNews)

Captain Antonio Bulao, spokesman for the Army’s 602nd Brigade based in Carmen, North Cotabato, said the wounded MILF rebels were immediately rushed for treatment to the Cotabato Provincial Hospital at Amas Complex in this city.

Soldiers helped the wounded get immediate medical attention after they sought the assistance of the Army, Bulao said.

The fresh encounters occurred three days after the warring Moro rebel groups agreed to a ceasefire also in line with Monday’s elections, following a dialogue last Sunday at Barangay Marbel in Matalam town.

It was spearheaded by members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of the GPH-MILF, said Senior Insp. Elias Dandan, Matalam police chief.

The MILF and MNLF members recently clashed in the village after the latter allegedly prevented the former to conduct an information drive there on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which the government and the MILF signed in October.

Dandan said during the meeting, commander Datu Dima Ambil of the MNLF Sebangan Kutawato State Revolutionary Committee assured both the IMT and the CCCH that they would actively take part in the elections.

“In fact, majority of the 200 displaced families were able to cast their votes on Monday,” said Brig. Gen. Ademar Tomaro, commander of the Army’s 602nd Brigade.

Three days later, the warring groups were locked again in armed fighting, which resulted to the wounding of two MILF members and renewed wave of displacement, Bulao said.

On Thursday, Tomaro ordered the deployment of additional forces in areas where vital installations, including power facilities, are located to secure them from any of the armed Moro group.

The Army official said that based on their monitoring, armed men were sighted near the main headquarters of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) in Barangay Manubuan in Matalam, just a few kilometers away from the encounter site. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)

Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu denied allegations his team resorted to election irregularities in last Monday’s elections and rallied his people behind “CHEAT Maguindanao.”

He said Maguindanao was viewed in past elections as “cheating capital,” apparently referring to the role Maguindanao, the vote-richest among the five provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, played in controversial elections such as the 2004 Presidential and 2007 national mid-term polls where the province served as vote bank for candidates needing additional votes to join the wining circle or to top the race.

He said this is no longer true. “Kailangan (We need) CHEAT Maguindanao. Clean Honest Election And Transparent. CHEAT Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu told reporters after his proclamation as winner in the gubernatorial race late Wednesday night.

CHEAT Maguindanao. Clean Honest Election And Transparent.” he repeated onstage at the Shriff Kabunsuan Cultural Center at the ARMM compound, venue of the provincial canvassing.

Mangudadatu, who won a second term against lone opponent, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Tucao Mastura, led by at least 100,000 votes in 34 of 36 towns canvassed by the Provincial Board of Canvassers, with 195,473 votes against Mastura’s 94,678.

Outgoing Vice Governor Ismael “Dustin” Mastura, Tucao’s nephew, on Wednesday noon said they were mulling the filing of an electoral protest, claiming there was “massive vote-buying,” “terrorism” and “manipulation” of the PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machines in Monday’s polling.

Dustin lost in his bid for a seat at the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Mangudadatu told MindaNews that allegations of vote-buying and cheating are “black propaganda.”

“Walang vote-buying” (there was no vote-buying), he said, adding, they won because the people know whom to choose.

Mangudadatu said he will send the Commission on Elections a position paper to adopt the biometrics technology in the 2016 polls “para magkaroon nga mas lalong matiwasay na eleksyon” (so we can have more peaceful elections).

Following his proclamation, he appealed to his political foes to help him.

“Kung ano man ang nasabi namin na medyo masakit nung kasagsagan ng kampanyan, sana wag nang dibdibin yun” (Whatever hurting things we may have said at the height of the campaign, I hope they will not take that to heart).

He said he hopes they will help him because “amin itong Maguindanao, atin itong lahat” (this is our Maguindanao, this is all ours).

“Tulungan nila ako dahil gusto ko lumago ang Maguindanao,” (I call on them to help because I want Maguindanao to progress), he said.

Maguindanao needs a lot of help, with 58 out of 100 families estimated to be poor in 2012, according to the “First Semester Per Capita Poverty Threshold poverty incidence among Families, by Region and Province: 2006, 2009 and 2012” of the National Statistical Coordinating Board.

Nationwide, “22 out of 100 families were estimated to be poor in the 1st semester of 2012,” the NSCB said.

Lanao del Sur, the poorest province in the country, according to the NSCB report has a poverty incidence of 68.9%. Maguindanao, second poorest in Mindanao and fourth poorest nationwide, has a poverty incidence of 57.8%.

In 2006, according to the NSCB report, Maguindanao’s poverty incidence was 47.7%. In 2009, it went down to 37.6% but went up to 57.8% in 2012.

Based on the NSCB report, 48 out of 100 families in Maguindanao were estimated to be poor in the first semester of 2006. In 2009, it went down to 38 families and in 2012 went up to 58. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

This was Maguindanao governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu’s response when asked Monday night at his proclamation as reelected governor, where he and Vice Governor-elect Lester Sinsuat would hold office.

It was the same question asked of Mangudadatu  and then Vice Governor-elect Ismael “Dustin” Mastura when he was proclaimed governor on May 14, 2010.

The P218-million provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak town, supposedly the seat of the provincial government, was built by his predecessor, Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and May 2010 was only six months from the November 23, 2009 massacre of 58 persons, including his wife, sisters, relatives and 32 media workers. The primary suspects in the massacre were the Ampatuans.

Citing security reasons, Ampatuan abandoned the capitol in Sultan Kudarat a few months after he won the election in 2001 against then reelectionist Zacaria Candao, and moved over to Shariff Aguak, his hometown, after an alleged ambush on his convoy.

Citing security concerns,  Governor-elect Mangudadatu and Vice Governor-elect Mastura, said they would hold office temporarily in their respective hometowns, pending the rehabilitation of the old Capitol in Simuay – Mangudadatu in a building supposedly intended for a training center, fronting the municipal hall compound in Buluan, and Mastura in the ABC (Association of Barangay Captains) building in his hometown in Sultan Kudarat town.

Pending rehabilitation of the Sultan Kudarat capitol, Mangudadatu converted a building intended for a training center in Buluan as his “satellite office”  but eventually constructed a new building along the highway which he called “Rajah Buayan Silongan Peace Center Satellite Office Province of Maguindnao.”  He told MindaNews Monday night that he donated that land on where the building stands.

Mastura, presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan  or Provincial Board,  sought refuge in the compound of  the town hall of Sultan Kudarat, where his uncle Tucao Mastura, Mangudadadtu’s lone opponent in the 2013 gubernatorial race, for temporary quarters.

The Board initially used the ABC building in the Sultan Kudarat municipal compound and later moved to the old capitol compound in Simuay, along the Cotabato-Davao national highway, after appropriating P2 million for the rehabilitation of the former General Services Office into what is now the Sangguniang Panlalawigan building.

Simuay is 120 kilometers or 140 kilometers from Buluan, depending on where one passes. The longer route passes through Shariff Aguak, the shorter via Tulunan-Mlang highway.

Except for the building now occupied by the Sanggunian,  no action was taken on the supposed rehabilitation of the old capitol site.

Mastura and Mangudadatu never held office in the same building in their three-year term. The two also had an early falling out and were last seen in a public gathering on their 100^th day in office on October 10, 2010, in Mangudadatu’s hometown in Buluan.

On Monday night, Mangudadatu, the target of a roadside bomb explosion on August 15, 2011 as his convoy was passing the Alunan highway in Tacurong City for his birthday celebration at the family resort,  said his office in Buluan is just a “satellite office” but said “pwede rin akong mag-opisina sa Shariff Aguak” (I can also hold office in Shariff Aguak).

“Actually nag-start na kami ng repair,” (we’ve started repairing it), he said.

Three years earlier, Mangudadatu said he was thinking of  converting the Shariff Aguak capitol into a museum or for use of government agencies “such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources,  Philippine National Police  headquarters, Department of Education.”

The huge Capitol compound in Shariff Aguak which has a main building, a gymnasium and several stand-alone one-floor buildings,  is  presently occupied by the Philippine Army’s 1^st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan building in Sultan Kudarat may be vacated on June 30 as the incoming eight-member Sanggunian, dominated by the Liberal Party members at 7 to 1,  may not likely want to hold office in the bailiwick of the Masturas.

Vice Governor-elect Datu Lester Sinsuat, who is based in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, told reporters he still has to meet with his board members and decide on where they would hold office. He said they would consult with the governor as well.

He told MindaNews they have up to June 30 to decide on where the Provincial Board would hold office.

The 2010-2013 Provincial Board passed on May 3, 2011 Resolution 078, establishing Simuay as the official site of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. On April 3, 2012, the Board passed Resolution 132 reiterating Sultan Kudarat town as the official seat of Maguindanao.

The old capitol site in Sultan Kudarat is 48 kilometers away from Datu Odin Sinsuat; Datu Odin Sinsuat is 25 kilometers away from the Shariff Aguak capitol and Shariff Aguak is 60 kilometers away from Mangudadatu’s hometown and “satellite office.”

Mangudadatu asserts the official seat of Maguindanao is in Shariff Aguak,  on the land behind the  Provincial Police Office, where the Capitol used to stand. He said this building was burned but when Ampatuan opted to build a new Capitol, he built it on land believed to be owned by him.

Mangudadatu told MindaNews he is considering setting up or renting “small buildings”  as “satellite offices.”

“Mas lalong gaganda ang Maguindanao. Pwede ka mag-upisina sa Parang, sa Upi, maliliit lang (na building)  kung may pa-rentahan sila sa amin, re-rentahan namin maliliit lang na buildings” (Maguindanao will be much better. You can hold office in Parang, in Upi, just small buildings. Or  if they can rent to us, we will rent).

He said it would be easier for them to attend to problems if they have  “satellite offices”  in key areas. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews) 

Dinagat town mayor Gwendolyn Ecleo (Nacionalista Party) lost the House race to Liberal Party’s Arlene Bag-ao.

Tubajon and Loreto towns delivered votes for Bag-ao and other Liberal Party candidates. But the five other towns went for the Ecleos or their allies.

In a rare intra-family matchup though, Gwendolyn’s mother, Glenda B. Ecleo, won by a slim margin of 625 votes against her daughter and Bag-ao ally Geraldine “Jade” Ecleo who had already conceded.

“I am happy of course. To my (fellow) Dinagatnons, I am thankful for your help that’s why I won. I hope and pray to God that He will bless us all and keep us healthy,” Glenda or “Mommy Glen” said after her proclamation at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

His son and running mate, Benglen, trounced Liberal Party candidate Merly Lagroma.

“I am sad and happy because my sister lost. But she fought an honorable fight,” Benglen, younger brother of fugitive former Dinagat congressman Ruben Ecleo Jr., said.

Ruben Jr., who evaded a prison term for the murder of his wife, became “supreme master” of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), which was founded by his father and namesake.

Allan Ecleo II, who was re-elected as San Jose town mayor, said the family is happy with the results but also expressed regrets over Gwendolyn’s loss.

Asked to react on Bag-ao’s win, he said the congresswoman had the advantage as an incumbent aside from enjoying the President’s support.

Allan Ecleo I, Allan II’s twin brother, won as mayor of Basilisa town.

Glenda made use of her role in making Dinagat Islands a province to ensure continued support from her constituents who are mostly PBMA members. Considered one of the poorest in the country, the province used to be part of Surigao del Norte.

Dinagat Islands’ creation as a province faced a legal challenge before the Supreme Court. But on Sept. 20, 2012, the High Tribunal upheld a 2011 decision declaring as constitutional the law creating the province.

PBMA, widely regarded as a cult for its mystical beliefs, is the Ecleo family’s main political base. According to a report by Rappler, the group has around 140,000 members in the country and abroad. (Vanessa Almeda/MindaNews)

Duque Kadatuan, Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial supervisor, proclaimed Fuentes winner at around 11:30 a.m. in a three-cornered gubernatorial derby involving incumbent Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. and former Koronadal City mayor Fernando Miguel.

Based on the final and official Comelec results, Fuentes garnered 117,855 votes followed by Pingoy with 111,214, and Miguel with 99,103.

Fuentes edged Pingoy with 6,641 votes.

It took the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) three days to declare the winning candidates at the provincial level after the polls closed on Monday.

Kadatuan blamed the delay on the defective compact flash memory cards of some of the precinct count optical scan machines.

Following her proclamation at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall here, Fuentes called for unity among rival politicians to further move the province forward.

The winning governor earlier in the day described the just concluded elections as the “worst ever experience for politicians” in the province’s 47-year history, having been allegedly marred by massive vote-buying and false promises.

“The challenge for our politicians now is how to change that culture of vote-buying so pervasive during the elections. Money and rice flowed during the election to buy support,” Fuentes said.

She did not name who were allegedly involved in vote-buying but is apparently referring to the camp of Pingoy.

Fuentes said that voters were also allegedly given P5,000 worth of grocery cards only to find out it has no funds.

But Pingoy, who ran under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), denied they engaged in vot- buying.

“That always happens during elections. Allegations of vote-buying done by the other camp always crops up,” he told MindaNews.

Pingoy noted that voters should come out to tell who has been involved in the buying of votes in the province.

He said he would not contest the results of the elections, adding, however, that there “are some who wants a recount of the votes in the first district.”

Fuentes noted that the May 2013 election in the province was also characterized by “broken ties among close associates whose alliances dated 20 years ago.”

Fuentes thanked Miguel for joining the gubernatorial race, stressing that had it just been between her and Pingoy, she would have lost the contest.

During the campaign, Miguel had endorsed Fuentes if people won’t vote for him.

Once she takes over as governor, Fuentes said she would sustain the programs of Pingoy that have worked for the people.

Fuentes claimed she won’t be “vindictive” against those who supported Pingoy’s bid.

However, she warned those who may have been involved in irregularities, particularly corruption, that she will go after them through the filing of cases.

Fuentes ran under the Liberal Party-Nationalist People’s Coalition slate.

Her party mates emerged victorious in the races for the first and second congressional districts.

Reelectionist Rep. Pedro Acharon retained the post by garnering 138,079 votes. He defeated Rogelio Pacquiao, brother of boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, who got 130,377 votes.

In the second congressional district, lawyer Ferdinand Hernandez finally clinched the post after three failed attempts. He got 121,933 votes while his opponent, incumbent Vice Gov. Elmo Tolosa, Pingoy’s party mate, mustered 89,776 votes.

Cecile Diel, Pingoy’s ally, won the vice gubernatorial race with 134,412 votes, beating Ernesto Catedral, Fuentes’ running mate.

For the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the winning bets were Gly Mariano Trabado (UNA), Romeo Tamayo (NPC) and Jobee Baitus (UNA) for the first district and Vicente de Jesus (NPC), Ester Catorce (UNA), Grace Subere-Albios (NPC), Ervin Luntao (UNA), Agustin Demaala (NPC), Romulo Solivio (UNA) and Samuel Ladot (UNA) for the second district. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Lawyer Aimee Ampoloquio, chair of CBOC, said they will resume the transmission of results once the compact flash cards arrive from Manila. These cards are expected to arrive either Friday or Saturday.

Clustered precincts 707 and 753 lacked compact flash cards while clustered precinct 808 had a defective one.

The results from the three clustered precincts could change the standing of the candidates particularly the eighth spot which may go to either re-electionist Jimmy Dureza or Arnolfo Apostol.

As of Thursday, Dureza ranked eighth with 83,761 votes while Apostol had 82,190.

Ampoloquio said the results from the remaining three clustered precincts should be transmitted as there is only a slight difference of 1,571 votes between the two candidates. Once the board finishes the transmission of results, it will proclaim the winners.

The second district has a total of 365 clustered precincts with 297,930 registered voters.

But on Wednesday night, re-electionist Diosdado Mahipus, who currently ranked fifth for the second district based on the partial unofficial results, complained that the proclamation for the other leading candidates should be done while waiting for the eighth placer to be known.

The results from the three clustered precincts, he said, will no longer affect the standing of the top seven candidates.

Ampoloquio, however, explained that they need to print the certificate of canvass and proclamation together with the complete list of the top eight candidates.

“We cannot control the program. We can only print a complete list,” she said.

The CBOC, meanwhile, proclaimed Wednesday night the winners for mayor, vice mayor, Congress along with the winners of the city council for the first and third districts.

The board proclaimed Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who got 473,375 votes as mayor-elect and his son, Paolo Duterte, who earned 437,266 votes as vice mayor-elect. The city has 967,944 registered voters but only 548,341 actually voted on Monday.

For the congressional race, the three incumbent House members managed to retain their posts.

First district Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles got 132, 275 votes, second district Rep. Mylene Garcia Albano 99,869, and third district Rep. Isidro Ungab 114,657.

For the city council, the winners for the first district are Maria Belen Acosta (142,440 votes), Edgar Ibuyan (124,855), Leonardo Avila III (124,045), Leah Librado (123,394), Melchor V. Quitain (114,500), Nilo Abellera Jr. (106,260), Joanne Bonguyan – Quilos (104,875) and Bonifacio Militar (100,514).

For the third district, the winners are Karlo Bello (95,894 votes), Bernard Al-Ag (92,992), Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz (86,255), Rachel Zozobrado (84,525), Mary Joselle Villafuerte (72,340), Antonette Principe (70,296), Victorio Advincula Jr. (68,217) and Rene Elias Lopez (60,182). [MindaNews]

Based on official results released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), former radio anchors Elizabeth Bagonoc and Erlinda Pabi-Araquil were reelected for another term at the city councils here and Koronadal City, respectively, while another broadcaster, Esther Marin-Catorce, made it to the provincial board of South Cotabato.

Bagonoc, who was a popular anchor at the Catholic Church-run radio station dxCP before joining the political arena several years ago, finished second in the race for the 12 city council seats here.

She was first elected in 1987 and was reelected in 1992, 1995 and in the 2010 elections.

Bagonoc, who ran under the Liberal Party-Achiever’s with Integrity Movement (LP-AIM), is presently majority floor leader of the city council, which is dominated by her party.

She earlier pushed for the passage of city council resolutions supporting the live media coverage for the Ampatuan massacre trial and the amendment of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

In Koronadal City, incumbent councilor Araquil took the ninth of the 10 city council seats for her fresh three-year term despite running as an independent.

She initially gained popularity as reporter and anchor of radio station Bombo Radyo and later of the defunct GMA Super Radyo Koronadal.

Earlier this year, Araquil resumed her radio career as anchor of the newly-opened radio station Brigada News FM in Korondal City but filed a leave of absence when the local campaign period started last March 29.

Catorce, who will complete her three straight terms as Koronadal City councilor in June, is presently at third place in the race for the seven provincial board seats in South Cotabato’s second district.

A stalwart of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), she anchored various programs at the Radio Mindanao Network’s station dxKR in Koronadal City and at the defunct GMA Super Radyo Koronadal before winning a seat at the Koronadal city council in 2004.

Catorce is currently on leave as anchor of radio station Brigada News FM in Korondal City.

On the other hand, five other former media practitioners, who were all males, lost in their election bids last May 13.

Former Bombo Radyo General Santos station manager Dante Vicente, who is popularly known as Vic Dante, failed to get a third term as city councilor after finishing 15th in the race for the council’s 12 seats.

Vicente, who ran under the LP-AIM ticket, is currently on leave as anchor of radio station Brigada News FM General Santos.

Two other former media workers — Love Ladrera of K101 FM station and Sannie Sombrio of ABS-CBN General Santos — landed 20th and 26, respectively, in the city council race here.

Ladrera was a member of the People’s Champ Movement-United Nationalist Alliance while Sombrio ran as an independent.

In South Cotabato, former Bombo Radyo Koronadal assistant station manager and three-term provincial board member Romar Olivarez (Nationalist People’s Coalition) came in 10th in the race for the board’s seven seats in the second district while former community newspaper writer and three-term board member Eduardo Siason (UNA) only finished 16th. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Galario garnered 30,012 votes against Catarata’s 27,752. But Catarata’s running mate Azucena Huervas won over two other rivals with 30,099 votes.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed Galario and Huervas Wednesday.

The proclamation of nine city councilors was scheduled Thursday morning, Chubasco Cenen Caiña, Valencia City acting election officer told MindaNews via text message.

The Comelec identified the winning councilors as Rolando P. Lavina, Oliver Garcia, Rodrigo Rosal, Galario, Camilo E. Pepito, Eduardo D. Chan, John Lee Quillo, Helen T. Bernal, Policarpio Murillo IV and Glenn Galario, an incumbent councilor and son of the mayor-elect.

Comelec Valencia announced that the councilors will be proclaimed without rank pending the canvassing of two more precincts in Barangay Concepcion with corrupted compact flash (CF) cards.

Valencia has the biggest number of precincts in Bukidnon with 150.

Caiña said the 10th councilor would be known Thursday morning after getting the results from Concepcion.

In the partial results Rolando Centillas Jr. and Almer Alfonso Jr. are in the 10th and 11th places.

The replacement CF cards from Comelec Manila did not arrive Tuesday night.

The City Board of Canvassers scheduled to reconvene Thursday morning to canvass the pending results in Concepcion.

The elder Galario was elected mayor of Valencia in 2001 and 2004. In 2007, Catarata won and was reelected in 2010.

Galario’s victory in 2001 was considered an upset win. He defeated Carlos O. Fortich, Bukidnon’s longest serving governor who had never lost in previous elections.

The Sandiganbayan convicted Galario to six years imprisonment after it found him guilty of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

But Galario had appealed the decision before the Sandiganbayan First Division.

Reports said the case against Galario stemmed from the complaint of Ruth P. Piano, who Galario replaced as city budget officer when he assumed as city mayor on July 2, 2001. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)