Land bank rigged P80-M purchase of uniforms
By TOTO CAUSING
WHILE corruption in the
Philippines is the biggest
concern of US business-
men, Land Bank of the Phil-
ippines is perpetuating it,
this time procuring P80-mil-
lion uniforms without pub-
lic bidding.
VOL. I NO. 19
RELIEF
GOODS
ON HOARD
TYPHOON Ondoy victims
are still victims. Supplies of
relief goods have been
scarce. The helping spirit of
private volunteers seemed
not enough. At the same
time, typhoon Pepeng vic-
tims are still as worse. Food
aid came slower than hun-
ger attacking the victims.
Children are crying while
hungry mothers try to give
some comfort.
There were many civil-
Because lights went out at his fighting-cock farm,
P’sinan mayor banged electric coop’s man head on the wall
‘HELL MAYOR’ IS
HEAD-BANGER
By REPORTORIAL TEAM
THE mayor reported by
Dyaryo Magdalo as hav-
ing abandoned his town in
Pangasinan while it was be-
ing battered by typhoon
Pepeng just to play for two
days—and losing P10 mil-
lion—at the casino
smashed on the wall the
head of an electric coopera-
tive employee in a contemp-
tuous display of power.
The reason: the lights
went out at the mayor’s
The uniforms are in- ment Reform Act, requires
tended for 8,000 employees
of the state-owned bank
for 2011 and 2012 on the
budget of P5,000 per em-
ployee.
As a general rule, Re-
public Act 9184, known as
the Government Procure-
OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2009
ians, youths and middle
aged, who came in droves
to help. But the goods were
not enough. They can only
do so much of their talent
but not the goods for they
do not have enough.
To contrary, relief goods
are overflowing over there
at the warehouse of the De-
partment of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD).
These relief materials were
sent in by the United Na-
fighting-cock farm.
Why did Pangasinan
Electric Cooperative
switched off lights at some
areas in Pangasinan?
The brutally mauled elec-
tric coop employee said
they switched off electric
connections to prevent elec-
trocution in flooded areas.
But his fighting cocks
were more important than
human lives that it showed
he was bent on inflicting in-
juries on the poor coop em-
ployee and not mindful of
to undertake all its procure-
public bidding to ensure
transparency, competitive-
ness and economy for the
procuring agency.
The said law requires
that Bids and Awards Com-
mittee must be established
in every government office
By
TOTO
CAUSING
tions, various countries and
non-governmental groups.
But these have not been
moving. No activity is go-
ing on.
An editor of Philippine
News inquired why the
goods were not moving de-
spite the urgency of these
to be brought to the vari-
ous evacuation centers.
The reply, according to the
journalist, was that the
DSWD lack volunteers.
the danger of electrocution
on any of his constituents.
A source relayed to
Dyaryo Magdalo that this
mayor raided an electric co-
operative district office with
bodyguards in tow.
Upon arriving there, he
ordered all to lie down on
the floor.
As he was poking his
gun on the hapless employ-
ees, he demanded from them
to tell him who switched off
the lights in one area of the
town.
learned that the one that headed by Gilda Pico,
ments. performed the duties of the president and chief execu-
On exceptional circum- BAC is the Employee Uni- tive officer therein.
stances as when technical form Committee Secretariat, Another irregularity that
knowledge is required, a headed by Voltaire Pablo P. was discovered is that the
special BAC can be created Pablo III. procurement was done
for that particular procure- Pablo is also an assis- through negotiation with
ment only. tant vice president of Land selected suppliers.
Dyaryo Magdalo bank, which, in turn, is
Privileged Spits: Ana Julaton
It’s
Root, Queen
cure on Ana
Sunshine
rebellions The
in Nadine’s in RP Mailmen’s
career Dreams
“Nakatambak
ang
donations ng
UNICEF
sa
warehouse,
local and
international”
Later, DSWD Secretary
Esperanza Cabral issued a
statement stating she did
not talk to any reporter, al-
Blogger Ella Ganda, reported in her website that
two shipments of relief goods from Unicef arrived
though she admitted there last week but only find their way to different DSWD
was no volunteer. warehouses and not to where they are badly needed.
To give the readers a bet-
ter idea, no one can relate
the story better than the
person who personally ex-
perienced the incident.
Thus, Dyaryo Magdalo
quotes here a journalist
The honest lowly
worker admitted. After
hearing this, the mayor
pulled the hapless man up
and banged his head on
the wall.
Blood oozed out pro-
fusely and he was rushed
to a hospital.
Luckily, this poor man Some of the overflowing relief goods coming from
survived and he was dis-
local and international humanitarian groups
charged from the hospital
intended for typhoon victims were found inside a
after two weeks. DSWD warehouse waiting to be distributed to
This mayor thought no-
different evacuation centers. Despite the urgency,
body can touch him and
these goods are not moving.
 2 OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 1, 2009

THE MAILMEN’S DREAMS

By OMAY RENTA side his air-conditioned of- Their P4,000 clothing al- cited the claim of the office

INSENSITIVITY wrapped in
immorality is the rule of the
game at the Philippine Postal
Corporation.
The rank-and-file em-
ployees of Philpost are hun-
gry. They are not paid on
time of their legitimate and
long-overdue benefits and
claims.
And there are still post-
men who only receive a little
over P6,000 a month, the
lowest salaried employees
among government work-
ers.
Their boss, Mr. Hector
RR Villanueva, in contrast
receives more than two mil-
lion pesos in a year, includ-
ing what he gets from the
Philippine Postal Bank Corp.
in defiance of the constitu-
tional ban against double
compensation.
The salary he receives
from Philpost is much higher
than the President of the
Philippines.
Rain or shine, windy or
stormy, without new rain-
coat or umbrella, the lowly
letter carriers walk five miles
a day to deliver mail matters.
This they do everyday
while the boss just sits in-
fice most of the time, simply
issuing memos left and right
and aided by dozens of
staffers for work that could
have been done by him
alone.
But Villanueva, the post-
master general, receives
double compensation: one
from the Philpost and an-
other from the Postal Bank,
a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Philpost.
On top, he enjoys the
comfort and luxury of the 5-
door Mitsubishi Pajero,
whose plate number is XGW
980. It is assigned to him by
the bank. Then he has ser-
vice vehicles provided to
him by the Philpost.
That is even as he can-
not ride on two vehicles at
the same time.
Despite this blatant dis-
play of inequity, the state
courier’s employees re-
mained not paid of P4,500
of their P10,000 performance
bonus for December 2008.
They are also still dreaming
for their overtime work pay
for 2008.
These lowly workers are
also dreaming of their four
years’ productivity incen-
tive bonus.
lowance this year also re-
mained a dream.
The letter carriers’ gaso-
line allowances, walking al-
lowance, and the latest sal-
ary increases approved by
the national government in
July 2009 are also dreams.
Their Government Ser-
vice Insurance System re-
mittances are another
dream.
They are also dreaming
of the contributions to be
paid to Philhealth and Pag-
IBIG.
It seems that these lowly
workers are bound to dream
forever.
As to when these dreams
would be realized, only their
boss can answer.
This continued even af-
ter partylist representatives
Joel B. Maglunsod and
Rafael V. Mariano filed
House Resolution No. 1423.
These partylist represen-
tatives cited in their resolu-
tion that although Philpost
has been regularly deduct-
ing from the salaries of its
employees, these have
never been remitted despite
remittances therefore are
mandatory.
The House resolution
of the postmaster general
that Philpost is earning only
P215 million every month but
it is disbursing P235 million
for salaries, remittances and
operational expenses.
The resolution high-
lighted that majority of lo-
cal post employees are oc-
cupying salary grade 1 po-
sition and receiving a mini-
mum pay of only P6,149 a
month excluding deduc-
tions.
Despite the claim of
lesser earnings against ex-
penses, the House resolu-
tion chided the Villanueva-
led government corporation
increased its officials’ sala-
ries by P30,000 in March of
2008, resorted to excessive
travels abroad, hired con-
sultants at P40,000 each,
and implemented projects
that are anomalous.
Where did they get
money to pay for the defi-
cits?
The two congressmen
also called for an investiga-
tion into the information
provided to COURAGE by
the Save the Post Office
Movement, where it is
claimed that Philpost man-
Land bank
rigged P80M...
From page 1
Under the same law, ne-
gotiated bid can only be
had as an exemption if two
previous public bidding re-
sulted in a failure, where
only one or none of the bid-
ders passed. Another ex-
emption is extreme urgency.
In the present case,
there is no evidence that a
public bidding was done.
In addition, it is very clear
that there was no urgency
because the materials were
yet to be needed for the
year 2011.
The law also requires
publication in a newspaper
of general circulation in ad-
dition to posting of notices
of procurement or accep-
tance of bidders in bulletin
boards of conspicuous
places and publication in
the agency’s website.
There is no evidence of
publication in a newspaper
as the only evidence avail-
able is a declaration that it
was posted on bulletin
Why Land bank’s presi-
dent Gilda E. Pico did not
ensure that the procure-
ment law was followed?
The more that she
should be prompted to
check Pablo’s work consid-
ering the complaints of em-
ployees that the uniforms
procured for 2009 to 2010
are mostly defective.
Also, she must have
known that the procure-
ment of uniforms has been
monopolized by one sup-
plier.
So how can Land bank
avail of economy or the
lowest price at best pack-
age if these minimum re-
quirements of the law were
not complied with?
It is unconscionable that
this clearly anomalous pro-
curement has to occur at
about the time typhoons
“Pepping” and “Monody”
battered the people.
This is also ironical that
Pablo even issued a memo-

RELIEF GOODS ON HOARD boards.

From page 1
blogger who carries the
name Ella Ganda, while her
website is http://
www.ellaganda.com.
She posted her stories on
her website, to wit:
On October 21, 2009, she
posted the following:
“I’m asking your help to
spread the word. Tulungan
po ninyo akong ikalat ito.
Beyond this, we should also
demand action. I disabled a
plugin so you can copy the
photos of relief goods rot-
ting in DSWD warehouses.
You can link this post to
your blogs, facebook,
websites etc. You can also
email the photos.
“Philippine News (US
based Philippine newspa-
per) will use this as its front
page story this week. Every
Filipino has the right to
know where the tons of do-
nations from the UN and
other counties go. Kahit po
nakakahiya sa mga nag-do-
nate. Kung sa ganitong
paraan, matutulungan natin
ang mga nasalanta, then by
all means, let’s do it.
“For those who have the
time, please try to volun-
teer sa DSWD warehouses.
Getting in was not easy. A
friend had to put in a word
for us. Let’s see kung
madali nang makapasok sa
DSWD warehouse ang mga
volunteers.
“Please read on and
good luck to us.”
The next day, Miss Ella
Ganda posted the following:
“(This post was last ed-
ited Oct 22, 12:30 pm)
“Kahapon, tinanong ng
Philippine News si DSWD
Secretary Esperanza Cabral:
“Editor of Philippine
News: Why are the relief
goods in DSWD ware-
houses not moving?
“DSWD Secretary
Esperanza Cabral: Wala
kasing volunteers.
“This short interview
was done over the phone.
Philippine News wanted to
hear her side pero ayaw
niyang makipag-usap sa
press. After four tries,
Some of the repacked
undistributed relief goods
inside a DSWD warehouse.
pinasabi na lang niya ang
maikling sagot na ito sa sec-
retary niya - “Walang vol-
unteers”.
“I don’t want to accuse
her of corruption but at the
very least she is showing
signs of being totally incom-
petent. We are in a state of
calamity where every sec-
ond counts. May nama–
matay araw-araw dahil sa
sakit.
“In my opinion, these
deaths could have been pre-
vented if Secretary Cabral
had tried a little harder to do
her job.”
Thinking about the an-
swer “walang volunteers,”
Ella wondered whether pic-
tures of volunteers helping
in repacking the goods for
the victims may have been
pictures of comics.
Also playing in the mind
of Ella is the recent order of
President Gloria Arroyo
warning the donors to
course their donations
through the DSWD.
With this order and the
fact that the goods are not
moving at the government
warehouse, Ella entertained
suspicion in her mind, prob-
ably the goods would be
used for election purposes.
So that she invited her
friends to come to the
DSWD warehouse to volun-
teer for the repacking of the
goods.
And she related on her
website her experiences, to
wit:
“This PGMA directive
sounded suspicious to me
then. Now I know why.
Here’s the story.
“A group of eight people,
your ate Ella included, went
to one of DSWD ware-
houses to help in repacking
relief goods. We know they
need volunteers pero hindi
namin akalaing WALANG
TAO TALAGA SA LOOB
NG WAREHOUSE!
“As in sa isang
humongous warehouse
(1000++ sq.m) NA
PUNONG-PUNO NG RE-
LIEF GOODS HANGGANG
BUBONG, ISANG DSWD
employee lang at ISANG
SECURITY GUARD ang
tao!!
“Kailangang magpa-reg-
ister at i-schedule ang vol-
unteering
“1) UNICEF Registration
(as a volunteer)
“The warehouse can
only take as much as 50 vol-
unteers at a time or per shift.
Here you will find that there
is a 4-hour shift, and an op-
tion for a 6-hour shift for the
volunteers to indicate their
availability.
“What ‘volunteers’?
Nasaan?
“Aside from the 8 of us?
Nope, there was nobody
According to the writ-
ten instruction of Pablo
randum dated July 30, 2009
to the bank’s vice president
of Corporate Affairs De-
posted in the bank’s lobby partment to post in its vi-
and canteen, interested cinity printed copies of Re-
suppliers were to submit public Act 3019 (Anti-Graft
their requirements not later and Corrupt Practices Act),
than 5:00 pm of September Republic Act 6713 (An Act
22, 2009. Establishing a Code of
Under the electronic Conduct and Ethical Stan-
procurement law, all gov- dards for Public Officials
ernment agencies are re- and Employees).
quired to have their own The posting of the said
websites and they are man- laws is in compliance with
dated to post all procure- the requirement of Presi-
ment notices on their dential Anti-Graft Commis-
cyberspace home. In this sion.
case, it was not shown Despite this, Pico and
whether the procurement of Pablo did not bother to
uniforms was posted on know the law.
Land bank’s website. What is your answer?
G/F Volets Commercial Building, Gen. E. Aguinaldo Highway,
Dasmariñas, Cavite 4115
(046) 416.6521 • dyaryomagdalo@yahoo.com
Rm. 305-A, National Press Club Bldg., Magallanes Drive
Intramuros, Manila • (02) 309.7671
MAGDIWANG
PUBLICATIONS
Publisher:
RONALDO E. RENTA
Editorial:
TOTO CAUSING
Editor-In-Chief
RONALD B. HERICO
Associate Editor
Disclaimer:
All news articles and opinions expressed by the writers are en-
tirely their own and do not reflect the opinion of the publisher, the
management or the editor of this publication.
All Rights Reserved:
No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced nor trans-
lated in any language or form for commercial purposes without prior
written permission from the publisher and its writers or columnists.
 OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 1, 2009
54% MSU alumni to vote for Noynoy
IF ALL graduates of the
Mindanao State University
were to decide the next Presi-
dent of the country, Senator
Noynoy Aquino is the hands
down favorite.
At the conclusion of the
mock poll on October 25, more
than half or 54% of the 10,067-
strong alumni group of MSU
is out to vote for Aquino.
Senator Manny Villar, who
was said to have already spent
one billion pesos for advertise-
ments and other activities
aimed at bolstering his candi-
dacy, finished in a tie for sec-
ond with Senator Chiz
Escudero.
Running in a far third is
Defense Secretary Gilberto
Teodoro with 10%.
Former President Joseph
Estrada, who has already de-
clared to run for the presidency
despite the enormous legal wall,
ended up in a far fourth with
3%.
The survey started on Sep-
tember 26, 2009, running
through one month.
The voice of the graduates
of this largest university in
Mindanao is for Noynoy,
speaking out a clear and dis-
tinct criterion of honesty as the
only issue.
More than half of these
alumni earned as scholars their
degrees from this institution
founded atop a hill overlook-
ing the majestic view of the
Lake Lanao.
Being free of tuition, lodg-
ing, books and transportation
is the only reason why they
earned diplomas that enabled
them to earn high places around
the world.
Most of these alumni come
from poor families of Chris-
tians and Muslims but who
have the intellect to survive the
high academic standards.
This school regularly earns
a place in the top ten of almost
all board exams and sometimes
in the toughest bar examination.
In the 2008 bar exam, its
cum laude in the College of
Law, made history as the first
Muslim woman to be in the top
ten and the highest placer at
No. 2.
Ironically, Gloria Arroyo
owned up during her 2009 State
of the Nation Address (SONA)
that the No. 2 placement in the
bar as a success of her adminis-
tration in terms of education.
The first persons who
staged hijacking in the Philip-
welcomes your comments
and suggestions.
dyaryomagdalo@yahoo.com
pines are scholars of this uni-
versity who spent all their time
in the library studying aviation
for one semester before taking
a Philippine Airline plane from
Zamboanga City and directed
the pilot to land in China. The
pilots tried but failed to fool
the hijackers who turned out
to be knowledgeable about the
systems of flying.
This author, who graduated
from this institution with the
degree of BS Civil Engineering
as a consistent full scholar, re-
calls a tale that these hijackers
wanted to prove to the world
that MSUans are better than
University of the Philippines
students during the eve of the
first quarter storm.
Most of these alumni earned
their keeps in honest manners.
A substantially big number of
them found haven in the differ-
ent parts of the world, leading
their respective fields of en-
deavors.
They are active fundraisers
for the benefit of MSU and
poor students to complement
the insufficient budget to bet-
ter the academic standards.
Being generally honest
people, they naturally go with
honest beliefs, honest gover-
nance and honest dealing with
the people and the alumni never
found any candidate approach-
ing this standard, except for
Noynoy.
In explaining his
vote, Virgilio C. Amba, said:
“I never had a doubt that
Noynoy and Mar team will be
the only team with high morals
as far as I know. It surely is a
choice of good versus evil this
coming 2010 presidential elec-
tions. My heart and my vote
are for the LIBERAL PARTY.
MAY GOD BLESS WHAT-
EVER GOOD THEY HAVE
TO OFEER TO OUR BE-
LOVED PHILIPPINES.”
Alumnus Freddie C. Mero
said of his vote: “Noynoy is
honest. We have tested a lot of
presidents and we had our ex-
perience. It is leadership that
makes the nation great. We can
only do it with the right choice.”
Alumnus Jesus Amores
said: “My vote is for Noynoy
and Mar Roxas. If this pair will
be eaten by our traditional
brand of politics, that remains
to be seen. But I’ll give them
my votes. Huwag na yang mga
recycled na mga politicians..
Erap? Give me a break! Com-
mon guys, we want change,
Send us your feedback at:
By TOTO CAUSING
right?”
Alumnae Maria Glenna D.
Digol said of her choice:
“Yes, Villar is known to be
the ‘rags-to-riches’ man. But he
is more ‘oportunista’ than
Noynoy... at least, Nonoy is
only riding on the emotions...
“But Villar is taking advan-
tage of his position as senator,
being the senate president...
mas nakakatakot siya... marami
siyang ‘questionable transac-
tions...’
“I still go for an HONEST,
DEDICATED, and SINCERE
person to run this country... a
person that shows no greed of
power... Vote Nonoy-Mar for
2010...”
An MSUan who identified
himself or herself as Pin, said:
“Yes, Villar is a self-con-
fessed rags-to-riches man . But,
did it ever cross your mind why
he became billionaire? Perhaps
you are aware that some busi-
nessmen are crooks and I be-
lieve Villar is one of them. Si
Chiz naman magaling magsalita
pero wala sa gawa even most
of his ‘Kabs’ will not vote for
him kasi alam nila kung sino si
Chiz.. Si Gibo? Yes, he is bril-
liant. Just like Marcos. But
what happened to our country
during his regime? Therefore, I
go for Noynoy because he has
the moral ascendancy. The
Aquinos are not tainted with
corruption in history.”
An alumnus named Nono
Tingzon said:
“I voted for Noynoy… but
I think I understand the appre-
hensions of those who are bent
not to vote for him. There seem
to be too many other politi-
‘Hell Mayor’ is a head-banger
From page 1
he does not fear getting
charged because he could
always get his way out.
The source told Dyaryo
Magdalo that the victim did
not file any charges, saying
that fear and money over-
came the search for justice.
The mayor was said to
be very close to
Malacañang and he is said
to be the richest mayor in
Pangasinan.
A day before typhoon
Pepeng landed on Northern
Luzon on a Friday, the said
mayor was already at the
casino in front of Ninoy
Aquino International Air-
port (NAIA). That is, despite
having been apprised that
the storm was coming to
town.
He played the whole
night through.
While he was playing, he
was apprised of the calls
swamping his cellular phone
cians who have shown excel-
lence in terms of political show-
manship. But if that should be
the case in considering our
choices for the 2010 political
contest, we don’t need to dis-
agree with GMA seeking all the
means to keep herself in power
(either through ConAss which
seems to be getting hopeless,
or through a Congressional seat
holding the Speakership). No
politician right now could
outdo the political excellence
of GMA. This in fact has kept
her in her seat despite the nu-
merous attempts to dislodge
her from Malacañang to rid us
of her stinky corrupt adminis-
tration.
ZOMBIES IN CALOOCAN. Motorists and passersby were treated to a display of scary
mannequins in a house along Samson Road, Caloocan City. A boy was so amazed by
these characters that he could not help but touch the display. The nation observes All
Soul’s Day this weekend. Photo by NICK GALINO
whereby his constituents
were seeking help from
floods.
He never minded those
calls. He continued playing.
When all the P9-million
money he brought in was
gone, he never stopped. He
summoned his bodyguard
to give him another P1 mil-
lion. It was only after this
was lost when he left the
table. He reasoned out to
his constituents he cannot
go back immediately be-
cause the roads were
flooded.
This news about his ca-
sino losses bewildered
Dyaryo Magdalo.
Where in the hell did he
get that big amount of
money—P10 million—while
his salary as mayor is only
about P30,000 a month?
The closest answer may
be: it came from the protec-
tion money given by allow-
“But I think the snowball-
ing support for Noynoy is not
just about Noynoy as a politi-
cian joining the presidential
contest. I think it is more about
the Filipino people getting fed
up of being preyed victims to
sweet promises of traditional
politicians, vigorously selling
themselves in extravagance as
the most competent leaders to
solve the complex problems of
the country but, when in
power, will only prove to serve
their own selves.
“The turnover of presidents
after the period in office of
Noynoy’s mother Cory
showed the skillful circumven-
tion by traditional politicians
of the democratic ideals that
Filipinos fought for two de-
ing daily jueteng operations
in his town.
While the people may
have no right to kick his ass
for it might be his personal
money, this mayor should be
there in his town when ty-
phoon “Pepeng” was bat-
tering his town in
Pangasinan for two days.
Instead of giving away
P10 million to the casino
where nobody can win, he
could have used the money
to buy votes legally, al-
though prematurely: to buy
boats and food to be dis-
tributed to his own constitu-
ents.
This casino date of the
mayor was fed by a player
who requested that his
name be kept to avoid re-
taliation.
This mayor was said to
be a close friend of Bobby
Reyes, the chief of the
Pagcor casino in Parañaque
3
cades ago.
“In Noynoy, the Filipino
people at least see a revival of
hope that he will uphold the
democratic principles that his
father Ninoy has died for. They
also trust that he will never
betray the clean transparent
governance that his mother has
exemplified during her admin-
istration.
“In Noynoy’s seemingly
low-profile politics, they also
see no sense of hunger for
power for which other con-
tenders are lavishly spending
for. Strong reasons for his
60% rating among MSUans, I
guess.
“In Noynoy, I think we see
better chances for democracy
and good governance to work.”
City.
Reyes accommodated
him and gave him a VIP
room to play baccarat.
The source said the
mayor did not know his
town was already under
neck-deep water by the time
he was losing heavily.
With this act, the mayor
can be held liable for violat-
ing Republic Act 6713, the
Code of Ethics of govern-
ment officials.
He can also be liable for
malversation if it turned out
that the money he used in
losing P10 million came from
the funds of his town, con-
sidering that he is too close
to Malacañang.
He could also be sub-
jected to forfeiture proceed-
ings because he surely can-
not explain where he got his
wealth considering he only
receives a salary of about
P30, 000 a month.
 4 OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 1, 2009

TRAILBLAZER Collating your Documents

By RONALDO E. RENTA
IN consulting a lawyer of
your choice on your deci-
sion to seek a declaration
of nullity or annulment of
your marital knot, you
must bring your marriage
certificate. If you dont
have it with you, secure
from the nearest National
Statistic Office (NSO)
branch a copy in a “Secu-
rity Paper” or what is
known as “SecPa.”
This is important be-
cause the document alone
may have solved your
problem.
There are many cases
of feigned age. It is pos-
sible that it would turn out
that your marriage is null
and void by reason of age:
tying the knot below 18
years old is void.
There are also cases
that the one who solem-
nized the marriage cer-
emonies was not autho-
rized and was only a
lowly-paid staffer of city
counselor.
These two things may
be discovered right away
from the marriage certificate
and interview with you.
But remember that even
if it would turn out that the
marriage is actually void or
having no validity from the
start, you cannot marry
again without a court decla-
ration of its nullity or annul-
ment.
Our Family Code, par-
ticularly Article 2, states that
“No marriage shall be valid,
unless these essential req-
uisites are present: (1) legal
capacity of the contracting
parties who must be a male
and a female; and (2) Con-
sent freely given in the pres-
ence of the solemnizing of-
ficer..”
Thus, it declares explic-
itly what a valid marriage is.
Three things must be
present: First, parties must
be of legal age, meaning he
and she must be eighteen
years of age at the time of
the celebration of the union;
Second, parties must be
male and female, no same-
sex marriage is allowed un-
der our laws and jurispru-
dence; and Third, parties
must give their assent or
approval in the presence of
the solemnizing officer.
Aside from these so-
called “essential requi-
sites,” a valid marriage
must comply with the “for-
mal requisites” spelled out
by Art. 3 of the Family
Code which are: (1) author-
ity of the solemnizing of-
ficer; (2) a valid marriage li-
cense except in the cases
provided for in Chapter 2
of this Title; and (3) a mar-
riage ceremony which takes
place with the appearance
of the contracting parties
before the solemnizing of-
ficer and their personal dec-
laration that they take each
other as husband and wife
in the presence of not less
than two witnesses of legal
age.
Since, this is not a law
book designed for law pro-
fessors and students, it is
sufficient for our consump-
tion to summarize or para-
phrase the preceding provi-
sion of law into three points
in laymans parlance.
First, the one who solem-
nizes your marriage must
have a valid license to sol-
emnize marriage.
Second, a marriage li-
cense must have been is-
sued and has not expired at
the time of celebration of
marriage.
Under the law, a marriage
license is effective or valid
for only 120 days from the
time of its issuance.
Third, the parties must
physically attend the mar-
riage ceremony and the cer-
emony must be witnessed
by at least two persons
whose age must be eighteen
years or more.
Bear in mind. If any of the
essential or formal requi-
sites is not present, the mar-
riage is void or null or not
valid from the beginning.
However, it is not for you
or your lawyer to declare
that. Article 40 of the Family
Code requires judicial pro-
nouncement as null before
you can enter a new mar-
riage.
You must also bring cer-
tificates of live births of your
children when going to your
lawyer.
This is important to de-
termine if provisional or tem-
porary relief would be
needed, such as support for
or custody of the children
while the case is ongoing.
This document is also
necessary for your lawyer
to initially determine the pre-
sumed shares of each child
from the presumed inherit-
ance assuming the parents
are all dead.
Usually, shares from in-
heritance go to the heirs at
the time of death of the per-
son from whom the children
should inherit.
But Article 50 of the Fam-
ily Code provides a freak
rule of succession, the pur-
pose of which is to ensure
that the childrens right to
property from their parents
are secured even after their
parents separate by virtue
of the declaration of annul-
ment of nullity.
As to custody issue,
birth certificates are im-
portant because children
aged seven or less auto-
matically go to the cus-
tody of the mother, unless
the court finds it would be
worse for the kids to be
placed under her care as
she could be a drug ad-
dict, a prostitute or a per-
son of ill repute that
would affect the growth
and welfare of the young
ones.
Those aged above
seven have the liberty to
choose to where they
would go, to the father or
the mother.
If you follow this ad-
vice, you are helping your-
self by having your law-
yer understand well your
case so that he or she can
correctly handle your
case.
A journey to the path
of self liberation is ardu-
ous and strenuous but al-
ways fulfilling and reward-
ing when achieved.

Jerry’s Blogs PRESIDENTIAL TEXT WAR BEGINS

By JERRY S. YAP
THE battle of text messages has come full circle that sub-
scribers of Globe and Smart have been bombarded with mes-
sages left and right by text brigades.
The inbox memories of many cellular phones have over-
flowed with messages from numbers not known to the unit
owners.
There are those that hit Senator NOYNOY. There are those
that smash Senator VILLAR. There are those that bring defa-
matory messages against ERAP. There are those that belittle
GIBO.
This is yet the start yet the bombardment of text messages
occur even until midnight—and even while the unit owners are
asleep.
Ay sus!
Please, do not send cellphone users with messages that the
owners do not want.
Because of this, the messages that are important to the unit
owners cannot come in because the memory rooms have be-
come full.
And yet, the unit owners do not benefit from these mes-
sages.
We were not born yesterday. We know how to detect which
are propaganda and which are not.
It is up to you to follow my advice. Instead of winning
votes, these may boomerang.
Well, you “texters” hope they could hook media men who
can easily be made to jump.
Hik hik hik …
WILL SOMEBODY FOLLOW EBDANE?
(Cabinet men should resign)
I appreciate ex-DPWH Secretary JUN “24/7” EBDANE
for he has resigned from his post.
This is a commendable act because he has announced he will
run for president.
Prudence and gentleman’s honor dictated Ebdane to resign
because it is improper to cling to your post if you have an
intention to run for any political position. This is because it
gives an impression that you are using the power of your office
to win votes.
This means that Ebdane has DELICADEZA.
Upon the other hand, Defense Secretary GILBERT
TEODORO is like a lizard: he does not like to fall off the
ceiling.
The reasons given by GIBO are flimsy.
He reasoned he still had plenty of work to do, more particu-
larly with those matters associated with his “WORK” of visit-
ing calamity victims’ areas.
(Ows? Talaga lang ha!)
Then, there are these Finance Secretary GARY TEVES,
Executive Secretary ED ERMITA, Press Secretary SERGE
REMONDE, MMDA Chair BAYANI FERNANDO and other
cabinet men of PGMA. They, too, had declared intention to run
but they still cling to their respective chairs?
Will they not resign, too?
Well, I admire DILG Sec. Ronnie Puno. He has declared an
“ABOUT-FACE.” He said he is no longer running for vice-
president. Well, he must have loved his office till the end!
Sus ginoo!
Or Puno has other thing or tactic in mind?
He may have wanted to let his rivals’ resources to go down
the drain first before he strikes back.
Jun Ebdane: ‘24/7’ gov’t official?
Resigned DPWH Secretary HERMOGENES ‘JUN’
EBDANE has something he is proud about in his INFO ADS in
the broadshits ‘este’ broadsheets.
He is saying that of all government officials, he is the only one
who is “24/7” or awake for 24 hours a day.
If it is so, he is just like a CALL CENTER that operates 24
hours a day.
Is Secretary EBDANE no longer sleeping?
Has he defeated KUYA GERMS? “WALANG TULUGAN?”
Hik hik hik…
If Secretary EBDANE is not sleeping, it is most likely he
could get many votes.
But the votes would come from those who are also awake
through the night and who are kept awake by “BATO.” So that
makes it, “boto ng bato.” Har har har…
Is it possible, Sec. Ebdane?
Puno umatras na sa VP Race
Was Secretary Ronnie Puno caught up with cowardice that he
gave way to Makati Mayor JEJOMAR BINAY in the contest
for the vice-presidency?
This is the question of our countrymen.
This is because it is not too long ago that Secretary Puno
appeared too confident when he announced his intention to run
for the vice-presidency. He made it appear he is qualified and
winnable.
But right after BINAY declared his run for vice-presidency
under the party of ex-President ERAP ESTRADA, Secretary
Puno quickly announced he was turning back.
I think, he would want to focus on his work as the “political
operator” while keeping a very important portfolio, the Depart-
ment of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Is it not, Secretary PUNO?
Self-hike of fare by bus companies: Paging, LTFRB!
We give way to our readers’ messages sent through text mes-
sages, which could have not come to my cellular phone if I did not
erase the unwanted text messages sent by warring brigade.
These are:
GOOD pm Boss! paki HAMBALOS lng ito 3 Company Bus
Baliwag Transit, ES Bus at Five Star Bus wala pang taripa ang
LTFRB. Dag2x pasahe agad cla. Salamat po… +639274799 - - -
- Bayaua. Sn mwala n cla jan sa PNP naka2sira sila s hanay ng
Globe network also stealing loads?
GOOD pm Sir Jerry! Bkit po hanggang ngayon magna2kaw
pa rn ang Globe yun po 2366, konti pera nina2kaw pa. Hayop n
Globe kayo tamaan sna kayo ng kidlat. Magpalit nalang kaya aq
ng Smart? Tama po ba? +639052621 - - - -
LTO Cainta, difficulty in issuance of stickers?
GOOD am! Sir Jerry reaksyon q lng po lahat po ba ng
sangay ng LTO may palakasan? Pano kaming mga nagtityaga
pumila gutom inaabot s paghihintay ng release ng aming sticker.
Dami pa hinahanap khit kompleto n paper lalo na po d2 s LTO-
Cainta… +639196889 - - - -
Lifestyle check kay Amores
Paki lifestyle check po AMORES Budget Officer ng Makati
my 3 Car Innova, Ford Everest, Fortuner my rent n pa bahay
10k per month. Magkano po ba sweldo nya pa check dn pass-
port… +63935944 - - - -
Mga linta sa BIR
Buwaya mga BIR Examiner n sobra kung maningil s mga
negosyante n wala resibo. Nais q lng iparating s tanggapan ng
BIR Commissioner Manila. D2 sa BIR Regional District 78
Binalbagan City Neg. Occidental na sina Mr. Tomas Ramboyon
at SIMR Alfred Tolentino all rest of Bacolod City na sobra sila
dalawa kung maningil ng pera sa mga negosyante malaki halaga
katumbas para pirmahan ang kanilang mga libro s isang taon.
Ang masakit d2 ang malaki halaga hnd pumapasok s kaban ng
gobyerno kundi s knilang mga bulsa ky buaya. Salamat pos n
matulungan nyo kami… +63915740 - - - -
Mayweather Sr., i-ban sa boksing
Pinasama ni Mayweather Sr. si Pacquiao sa Mundo. Si
Floyd Mayweather ang dpt i-ban sa larong boxing kc daya ang
style nila pareho ni Ali. Sila lng halos sumusuntok tuwing my
laban cla. Kapag gus2 ng kalaban nila sumuntok sinasakal nila
s kamay. Wala man lng violation ang mga rules kasi s boxing d
marunong bumasa ng laro ng mga boxers … +63918488
Sidecar boys sa Intramuros gatasan ng 2 barangay?
Sir paki Bulabog nmn ang 2 Brgy. nmin sa #657 ng
Intramuros sobra kc pani2ngil nila s mga sidecar boy araw2x
P10 Lunes-Huwebes pag Friday nmn P20 hingi nila s amin
para dw sa Pulis yun ky Sarhento bumbita taga 5 xa un lng
salamat… +63909657
‘Tatlong Itlog’ allowed to go back to Baclaran
Mahal na Mayor June Bernabe, nagta2nong lng po. Bakit
po nbalik sa PCP1 ang tatlong itlog n Pulis n my alagang holdaper
at mandurukot jan s Baclaran? Nwala sila wala dng holdapan,
balik uli sila talamak n nmn ang holdapan mapa-araw o gabi.
Heto po pangalan nila SPO1 Sumaway, PO1 Alcantara at PO1
kapulisan. Protector ng mga criminal. Salamat po… +63927895
***
For reactions, suggestions and complaints, send me your
text messages to 09278989991 or your emails to
JERRYAP888@YAHOO.COM. This e-mail address is being
protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view
it. For other issues of my opinion columns, please visit http://
www.hatawtabloid.com.
OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 1, 2009 5

Root, cure on rebellions in RP
WHEN the Filipinos started
to learn to fight back for the
first time against the Span-
ish King’s ministers and
guardia civils during the
time of Father Gomez, Fa-
ther Burgos and Father
Zamora, what triggered
them?
For sure, the Filipinos
did not complain when their
skin was far darker than the
Spaniards’ or their faces
looked like monkeys while
the Europeans looked far
more handsome.
The Filipinos did not
complain when they were
governed by the men of
King Philip for it was the
natives’ nature to be hospi-
table even until they discov-
ered that the visitors were
already hostile.
The Filipinos did not
complain when they were
taxed by the colonial gov-
ernment.
The Filipinos did not
complain whenever some of
them were abused by way-
ward Spaniards.
But what made them har-
bor the rebellious feeling to-
ward the powers that be
during those times?
Our political leaders and
think tanks should know
pieces of our past to be
guided what to do to make
the trend progressing for
our country instead of ret-
rogressing as it has been.
What made the Filipinos
explode against the señores
and señoras is the same
thing that led the Moro
people to explode against
the Philippine government
and harbor hatred against
the Christian Filipinos.
When the Spaniards
were gone, the Filipino
Christians wittingly or un-
wittingly took the place of
Spanish oppressors.
Pardon this writer, fellow
Christians. This author was
baptized a Catholic and has
not changed his religion.
But he is sorry to be brutal
about this inconvenient
truth.
And this inconvenient
truth is this: the racial dis-
crimination by Christians
against the Moro people
spawned the latter to sepa-
rate from the Philippines.
This racial divide gave
birth to the impassioned fight
for the Moro people to sepa-
rate from the Philippines. The
Filipino Muslims firmed up
their resolve that it is better
to establish their own coun-
try because their Filipino
Christian brothers do not love
them anyway—and discrimi-
nate them in any way.
Indeed, the Philippine
government must get the
blame for perpetuating, or not
stopping or not undoing, poli-
cies that have turned out to
be racial, knowingly or not.
The Christian populace also
shares the blame for exhibit-
ing racial stereotypes, aware
or not, triggered by the bias
against the Muslim tribes-
men.
The Muslim Filipinos led
by Sultan Kudarat of the main-
land Mindanao and Sultan
Kiram of the archipelagic Sul-
tanate of Sulu should have
been given the highest mili-
tary medals of honor, the med-
als of valor, for thwarting
Spain’s dream of total con-
quest of the Philippines.
Instead of being given
honors, discrimination
blinded the Christian popu-
lace and the Christian leaders
who have ruled the Philip-
pines.
This discrimination has
been emboldened by greed
for money or power; discrimi-
nation unabated by being un-
willing to sacrifice.
There was no knowing of
the simple foundation of a
contract: I give that you may
give; I give that you may do;
I do that you may give; or I
do that you may do. Compli-
ance with a contract prevents
dispute among parties. By the
law of greed it is different:
You give or you do and I will
not give or will not do. The
rule of thumb is: never con-
cede even an inch of a ground
or an inch of a trust.
The Christian individuals
may not be aware of the acts
of discriminations they com-
mit each day, pronounced or
not, big or small. This is be-
cause their subliminal bias
dictates them to commit un-
guarded acts or unrefined
words.
What made this feeling of
bias linger is the general feel-
ing of Christian Filipinos that
they are the better kind of Fili-
pinos compared to the minor-
ity Muslims. For this, democ-
racy has been given a bad
meaning: that it is a tyranny
of the majority to the preju-
dice of the minority Muslims.
This has been inside the
mind of any Christian despite
the lack of factual or scien-
tific basis.
To the contrary, many
Muslims graduating from
Mindanao State University
have topped the Bar or board
examinations. In the 2008 Bar
exams, the No. 2 is Atty.
Mylene Amerol-Macumbal of
Lanao—and a woman at that!
The piling up of discrimi-
natory acts was bound to ex-
plode and was waiting only
for an event that will light up
the fuse. This came after the
popular “Jabidah” massacre
in Corregidor, Bataan.
On March 18, 1968, Moro
men recruited to train for
Army’s special force were
massacred, batch by batch.
It was reported that about 200
of them died.
The reason for the mass
murders was the complaints
about the food and other pro-
visions—and their refusal to
continue the training because
they discovered that they
were to be deployed to a mis-
sion in Sabah to grab it from
Malaysia, which was at that
time very young for it was
founded only in 1963 as the
Federated States of Malaise,
including Singapore as one
of the states. Its founding
prime minister is Datu Tunko
Abdurahmann.
This sparked massive pro-
tests from the Filipino Mus-
lims that Professor Nur
Misuari founded Moro Na-
tional Liberation Front
(MNLF). This was the mo-
ment they were waiting for to
start the official war to sepa-
rate from the Republic.
This racial mind in the
Christians was fortified fur-
ther during the war by the fact
of killings or massacres of
Christian individuals and
families in Mindanao, forget-
ting that they, too, are to be
blamed because Christian
vigilantes called “Ilagas,” an
Ilonggo literal translation of
rats, also massacred several
Muslim families and mur-
dered Moro individuals. In
fact, the most barbaric acts
were committed by the Ilaga
fighters if it were true that they
even sliced off and ate the
ears of their Muslim victims
as “crowns.”
During those times of the
Misuari-led rebellion, the sol-
diers of Marcos were offi-
cially ordered to shoot Ilaga
fighters as well as Moro fight-
ers. But the real scenarios
showed the military even giv-
ing arms and bullets to the
Christian mujahideens. This
in itself is a manifestation of
discrimination on the part of
official war representatives of
the government.
This author believes that
Marcos was honest in his or-
der to treat equally Muslim
rebels and civilians as Ilaga
vigilantes and Christian civil-
ians. But he did not do
enough that these things oc-
curred. He did not prosecute
the Ilonggo murderers. Par-
don again, this writer is an
Ilonggo but he had to speak
the inconvenient truth.
While it is not the official
policy of the government to
discriminate against Filipino
Muslims, it simply does not
do anything to influence in-
dividual Christians who ex-
hibit racial stereotypes or
cringe at the sight of a
Maguindanaoan, a Maranao,
a Tausug, a Yakan, a Samal, a
Badjao, or a person coming
from any tribe embracing Is-
lam for religion.
Honestly, this writer once
had that negative ideas or
concepts about Muslims. As
an elementary school kid in
Koronadal, South Cotabato,
his own definition of Muslims
was “people who are barbar-
ians.”
This author begs under-
standing for this bad thought
from his Muslim countrymen
and former classmates at the
Mindanao State University –
Marawi Campus.
This bad idea sank into
this author’s mind at that very
young age because he expe-
rienced the difficulty of
evacuating from one place to
Privileged
Spits
By TOTO CAUSING
another in fear of attacks from
what they then called as the
“Black Shirts” and
“Baracudas.” This was at the
height of the Nur Misuari-led
rebellion during the early
1970s. All this writer knew
then was the atrocities done
by the “Black Shirts” and
“Baracudas.” He did not
know the reason why there
was war—and why the Mus-
lims of Maguindanao fought
against the soldiers and
“Ilagas.”
At that very young age,
this author cringed at the
sight of any Muslim. So you
could just imagine how a
Muslim would revolt deep
inside his heart if he noticed
this stereotype reaction.
Had the government in-
cluded in the elementary
school curriculum subjects
about the good cultures of all
other tribes, this author could
have not been so ignorant
about other Filipinos, or could
have developed a good ba-
sic attitudinal reaction at the
sight of other kinds of people.
Or perhaps, that war could
have never occurred. Or per-
haps, the kris swords could
have been plows to mas-
sively plant crops in the vast
plains of Mindanao.
In fact, this author
thought at that time that there
were no such things as
Batangueños, Pangalatoks or
Bicolanos and all other tribes.
This writer thought that the
people in the world were only
his self and his neighbors in
their local community and a
few others scattered out there.
He never knew there were
such peoples as Russians or
Arabs. He only knew of
people whose eyes looks like
chink and they were the own-
ers of trading stores.
That racial stereotype
does not hurt physically. But
that is no doubt a very pow-
erful tool to hurt the feelings.
This is true as a natural be-
havior for people who have
been situated in a position of
those being discriminated
against. You physically
punch a person and he can
forgive you much more than
showing to him the discrimi-
nation stereotypes.
This stereotype is no dif-
ferent and as painful for a
new kid from the Visayas
being told: “E Bisaya kasi
e.”
This author recalls how
painful it was to be told of
this while he was lining up
at an SM counter, when the
cashier obviously irritated
by her companion giving
her a long wait uttered in a
normal voice: “E Bisaya
kasi e.” Just imagine how
revolting to conscience it is
to blame the whole Visayan
race, Cebuanos, Ilonggos,
Warays and Boholanos, for
being slow in coming.
This provoked the au-
thor and he berated the
woman in front of those
who queued to pay. It
pained the author so much
to hear that the little incon-
venience was being blamed
to the whole race of
Visayans, including this au-
thor who is an Ilonggo.
The author was new in
Manila then and that was
his first painful experience
of a racial slur.
Now, compare it to a situ-
ation when a cashier irri-
tated by another person
saying, “E Muslim kasi e.”
Of course, a Muslim who is
not even concerned in the
cashier’s ranting would be
hurt.
Now, what do you think
Muslim Filipinos would do
if they heard this kind of slur
for centuries? Wouldn’t
they revolt inside their heart,
feeling this kind of rejection
as second- or third-class citi-
zens in their own homeland?
There is also this hap-
pening where a Muslim ap-
plicant for work is rejected
in favor of a Christian. The
Christian employers’ rea-
son may be varied, but it
began to the subliminal bias
embedded for hundreds of
years.
In Manila, a newcomer
Visayan or a Maranao or a

The Last A FLY WITH A PECULIAR ACCENT

Mohican
By TOTO FETALINO
WHO is this cabinet secre- tent and much respected offi-
tary reported to be throwing cial than him. But he went on
his weight around ever since with his memo and made an
he got the post in order, not a request.
Malacañang? The memo was so im-
A strong ally of GMA, proper that the receiving sec-
the secretary is said to be retary decided not to give it to
giving orders to those who her boss anymore. The next in
occupy higher positions in line took care of the job.
the Palace and other depart- Many are baffled by the
ments. attitude of this official. They
At one instance, I was say the “arrive is very strong.”
told that this ego-tripping Some even liken his char-
official wanted to make acter to that of a fly backriding
“papogi” among his on a carabao. Of course, that
kababayans asking for his help carabao is GMA.
over property problems. But like many grandstand-
So this guy wrote a memo ing Palace officials, these guys
to the head of the department turn into meek herd of sheep
concerned, “ordering” him to the moment they take the hot
address the dilemma. seat before the commission on
I’m sure that this guy appointments.
knew that he was dealing with In the Senate, Mr. Fly in-
a much higher, much compe- troduced himself to a re-
spected and veteran senator
before a hearing.
The senator had difficulty
recognizing Mr. Fly who seems
to be familiar about the senator
in a certain way.
It was when Mr. fly started
talking in his usual manner that
the senator sarcastically
quipped: “Oh, so you’re the
guy with the peculiar accent!”
That accent made a mock-
ery of the post he was taking.
ENCHANTING MT.
MAKILING
If I were asked to choose
between any place in the North
and Laguna, I will pick Laguna.
Unlike most areas in the
North where mountains are al-
ready denuded with trees, La-
guna remains lush and green.
This is why families who
are going to be relocated in
Calauan, Laguna are very lucky.
The resettlement area is just at
the foot of Mt. Banahaw.
Development works are at
a full speed to accommodate
3,000 families currently stay-
ing at the ULTRA in Pasig af-
ter being rendered homeless by
typhoon Ondoy.
Actually, the NHA plans to
construct 8,000 housing units
in the area.
The balance of 5,000 units
goes to the 4,000 beneficiaries
of the Kapit-Bisig Para sa Ilog
Pasig program of the ABS-
CBN Foundation and the 1,000
homeless families earlier accom-
modated by the NHA.
One might be accustomed
to a city life and might find
Calauan very far from the
malls.
But if you are a genuine gov-
ernment housing program ben-
eficiary, there is no way you
are going to reject the place.
Those who have seen the
area regarded the site as a para-
dise and expressed desire to
acquire a house there.
But they are not qualified.
Only the homeless endorsed by
the LGUs and the DSWD are
entitled for relocation.
REAL COPS,
REAL HEROES
They deserved to be com-
mended.
The two security cops of
Taguig Mayor Fred Tinga who
engaged the Rolex store rob-
bers in Greenbelt, Makati ex-
emplified the genuine qualities
of policemen dedicated to pro-
tect the public from its en-
emies.
They are real heroes willing
to risk their lives to save oth-
ers.
While their feat can be
viewed as a saving grace to the
battered image of the PNP, it
also inspires many to trust the
law enforcement in the coun-
try once more.
While Tinga’s security
men enjoy the praises, men
supposed to guard the shop-
ping establishment and their
tenants suffered a major blow.
The security guards are
supposed to be the first line
of defense in cases like what
happened in Greenbelt. But
their presence was hardly felt
during the gun battle.
I can understand how the
robbers were able to get in-
side the mall.
What is not clear to me is
how they were able to get out
after exchanging fire with the
hero cops.
What were the security
personnel doing when shots
were fired?
Did they just allow the
armed goons to slip away to
avoid further bloodshed?
Maybe. One thing for
sure, the security agency in-
volved will lose clients or get
none anymore.
 6 OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 1, 2009

Nadine Samonte The Sunshine

in Nadine’s
T HERE are questions left from
the viewers of GMA-Kapuso
Networks’ Darna why Nadine
Samonte has suddenly lost as
Impaktita and only her twin-
monster portrayed by Mura
was left. At first, there were
gossips that loath on
Nadine’s self to accept the
said character.
career
By OMAY E.
RENTA

Further, it was decided that Ms. Dizon’s condi-

tion would make it impossible for her to per-
form as an actress and advised Ms. Dizon
such
“Kilig…Pintig…Yanig”,
“Forever My Love” and
as

It was witnessed that
during the grand press
launch of Darna starred by
Marian Rivera, the main
casts were competing wear-
ing scary costumes such as
Ehra Madrigal, Francine
Prieto, Krissa Mae Arrieta,
Maggie Wilson and Nadine
Samonte.
Based on reports, Nadine
immediately left to avoid
press reporters. After a few
days, it was reported that
Nadine has a grievance
against network officials be-
cause she felt that she
should be in the main cast.
Where in fact that she had
already starred in afternoon
series of Kapuso and also
starred as a lead superhero
as Super Twins with her co-
starstruck Jennelyn
Mercado.
And after the
disappearance in
the said
primetime fan-
tasy series,
Nadine
Samonte
went to
h e r
relatives in Germany. to rest to full recovery. “Enteng Kabisote” in 2004;
Now, another big break for Thereafter, it was confirmed that “Happily Ever After”, “Say
Nadine Samonte has come when Nadine Samonte was chosen by GMA That You Love Me” and
Sunshine Dizon pulled-out as officials to replace the role left by the “Hari ng Sablay” in 2005;
Lorna in the highly-rated ailing Dizon in the afternoon soap “Isusumbong Kita sa Kuya
sinenovela “Tinik sa Dibdib” cur- “Tinik sa Dibdib.” Nadine was then in Ko” and “Pitong Dalagita”
rently being aired in the after- Amsterdam when she received the in 2006; and the latest, “The
noon shows of GMA-Kapuso good news from her mother. Other Man” this year.
Network. Nadine narrated in Showbiz Central She had 19 shows in
Prior to this, a statement was on how she got the information about GMA-7 and the 20th is the
released by GMA Network that her new projects in the network. Her controversial replacement
Kapuso top actress Sunshine mother revealed that she will be replac- to Sunshine Dizon.
Dizon won’t be appearing ing Ms. Dizon in the said soap and that Nadine was originally
any longer in the daily her first taping day will be Oct. 19. Her from Star Circle Batch 10 be-
afternoon teleserye mother also told her the reason why Ms. fore she became an artist of
“Tinik sa Dibdib Dizon left the said afternoon drama series. GMA-7. According to her
due to health The said drama series was the biggest Wikipedia, her batchmate in
reasons. sunshine in Nadine’s dimming career. It has the ABS-CBN’s reality-
a big difference because she will be the con- based talent search were
tinuation of the character Lorna. A big chal- Dennis Trillo, Alfred Vargas,
lenge for her because she needs to give justice not Bea Alonzo and Reggie
on Sunshine’s portrayal of the said character, but to the Curley.
original actress who starred in the big screen way back Salon or a beauty parlor
then. is a memorable place for
Nadine is not a freshman in showbiz industry be- Nadine Samonte. This is be-
fore she received the national recognition in joining cause according to re-
the Starstruck in 2003. She has started at the Talent search, it was in the beauty
Center of ABS-CBN when she was 14 years old. parlor where her parents first
And it was thru the insistency of her talent man- met and fell in love. Her
ager to join in the reality-based show of GMA Filipina mother Edjenta
Network. Burgos who then used to
Nadine Samonte was voted to be the next operate a beauty parlor in
big star during the said reality show. She main- Sta. Rosa, Laguna. And dur-
tained her appearance until she was included ing that time, her father
in the final 6, including Jennelyn Mercado, Frank Eidloth was sent to
Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, Rainer Castillo work in the Philippines at the
and Dion Ignacio. She was removed due to Bavarian Foods Corpora-
low votes from texters but awarded as tion on Cavite.
most promising avenger together with Nadine Samonte is half-
Katrina Halili. Filipina and half-German.
She has appeared in eight movies She is Nadine Burgos
Eidloth in real life and was
born on March 2, 1988 in
Rosenheim, Bavaria, Ger-
many. Her talent manager,
Jeffrey Gamil was the one
who gave her the screen
name Samonte. Nadine is
the eldest among two sib-
lings namely Nicole and the
youngest Edmund.
Even born in Germany,
her father Frank does not
want them to adopt the Ger-
man attitude of being an ar-
rogant. That is why he
raised her in the Philippines
since she was four years
old.
Nadz is the name known
by her relatives and closes
friend, she was a Pisces and
is 5’6" tall. The last school
she had attended was in the
Angelicum Academy.
Nadine Samonte is
among the artists who have
not posed for FHM Maga-
zine as cover girl. However,
she has a cute teen picture
in FHM 2007 issue together
with her co-avenger Cristine
Reyes.
 OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 1, 2009
DEATH SQUADS AND DEMOCRACY
WHY would Philippine
judges hamper a human
rights investigation into
a killing field where many
human remains are found
in Davao, victims alleg-
edly of the infamous
death squad? Why
would the members of the
Commission on Human
Rights be charged them-
selves? Human Rights
Watch says local authori-
ties are obstructing the
course of justice and in-
vestigation into almost a
thousand assassinations
in the past decade. How
can this be in an Asian
democracy?
Most people in north-
ern democracies presume
that there is a democrati-
cally elected government
in the Philippines and that
human rights will be gen-
erality respected and up-
held. It also presumes that
the rule of law prevails
most of the time and that
Root, cure on rebellions in RP
From page 5
Tausug or a Maguindanao
stand almost the same
chance as each other’s when
applying for a job. But if they
are pitted with a Tagalog or a
native Manilan, they lose out.
Most probably, these
newcomers fail in interview
portion. The English of
Visayans is as rare as the
Muslim tribesmen’s.
Unfortunately, the sub-
liminal discrimination in the
mind of an interviewer did not
like the accent of the Visayans
or that of Muslim folk’s as they
were immediately adjudged
by their tongue—and not by
the substance of their lips.
This author cannot forget
an incident when he applied
for a job at an engineering de-
signing firm in Makati nearly
20 years ago. He topped the
series of design examinations
only to fail in the last test: in-
terview.
Due to that unforgettable
tragedy, this author applied
for a job as a sportswriter of
the Journal group of news-
papers and he was immedi-
ately taken in. With the con-
tent of his mind shown only
by writing and not in speak-
ing, this author easily rose to
become a news editor of
People’s Journal Tonight.
Luckier are the Visayans
for they are also Christians
that they would eventually be
accepted to the mainstream
easier than the Muslim Filipi-
nos do. On the part of the
tribesmen embracing Islam,
the bias continues but would
do so this time against the
religion.
Now, how much more if ra-
cial acts occur in bigger scales
that it is not only the feelings
that are hurt but also the body,
the property, the life, the dig-
nity, the honor, the culture,
the tradition, and the reli-
gion?
If a Muslim is murdered by
a Christian, the prosecutorial
arm of the government is hesi-
the democratically elected
government will respect the
provision of treaties, con-
ventions and protocols it
has signed. In the Philip-
pines that is not so.
Corruption is widespread
and election fraud, cheat-
ing, vote-buying and intimi-
dation are common, so de-
mocracy is far from real. The
same powerful wealthy fam-
ily dynasties continue to
dominate the so-called elec-
tion process and it’s not so
much rule by the people or
for the people, but the rule
of the elite for their own in-
terests. In the Philippines,
traditionally, an oligarchy of
a few very powerful families
rules the country and con-
trol the economy. They place
their family members into
government positions to
advance their own economic
interests.
They thus control the
congress and other
branches of government.
tant. If it were otherwise,
shoot-to-kill order is immedi-
ately issued.
Talking about the commu-
nist rebellion is not far from
the painful experience of the
Muslims in the Philippines.
However, the context is in dif-
ferent setting: Rich versus
poor.
In the provinces, you can
see vast lands being held by
the rich families and the poor
tilling either as tenants or as
sacadas or mere plantation
workers. Because the earn-
ings were not enough, these
lowly Filipinos cannot break
loose. They are tied to the
everlasting debts to their land-
lords.
These landlords control
the economy and the politics
everywhere.
Whenever these small
people would voice out or
stage rallies they often get
killed by the goons of the rich
or politicians. The Escalante
massacre in Negros Occiden-
tal is not too far to forget
when rallying sacadas were
sprayed with a machine gun
at the town’s plaza.
In other cases, the people
who own small lands are
driven out by land grabbers.
The poor are called “pests”
when lining up the house of
their lords to loan a ganta of
rice and a few cans of sar-
dines.
We have had the land re-
form program. This somehow
alleviated the situation be-
cause it has been implemented
substantially although most
other farms remain in the
hands of the elite who suc-
ceeded in resisting the “long”
arm of the law. To think, the
land reform law expired in July
of 2009 with still so many ar-
eas still to be distributed.
The discrimination by the
rich often comes this way:
“Mga patay gutom kasi.”
This is further shown in a
subtle way, by giving dole
By Father Shay Cullen
Many are incompetent to
govern and they form a mili-
tary and police force that is
built around their own rela-
tives, friends and beneficia-
ries. Therefore the forces are
loyal to the patriarch or fam-
ily head, not to the people.
They are selected not on the
basis of their professional
merit and competence but
on their loyalty to the head
of the dynasty. Promotion
in the ranks military or po-
lice depends on the power
of their patron.
Thus, history of street
protest shows police and
military shooting dozens of
protesters that challenge the
ruling elite. The military will
stand against the farmers
and protect the interests of
the powerful land owner.
Human rights are cast aside
in favor of protecting the
politicians and the ruling
families.
outs during election cam-
paigns.
The worst of discrimina-
tion by the rich and influen-
tial is pronounced whenever
a scion drenched in illegal
drugs killed a poor family’s
son. Justice is not only de-
layed; it is denied.
Thus, so many went up
the hills to join the reds with-
out really giving meaning to
the ideologue but more to the
purpose of revenge against
the rich family’s many forms
of oppression.
Somehow, the sprouting
of several state colleges and
institutions helped because
it gave chances for the poor
sons and daughters to get
education.
In Mindanao, MSU was
born in 1961. Since then, it has
achieved its mission of bring-
ing high-quality education to
build a bridge of understand-
ing between the Muslims and
Christians. It succeeded in
bringing understanding to a
substantial part of Christian
communities to learn and re-
spect people who do not
worship like them; also pro-
moting knowledge among
Muslim tribes that Christian
Filipinos are also good
people.
If only the Philippine gov-
The mailmen’s dreams
From page 2
agement led by Villanueva
was involved in the
Philpost-USA deal involv-
ing $2 million.
The resolution also said
that the mismanagement
practices have already bled
the Philpost about P500
million for the past two
years.
The resolution also cited
the Philpost management’s
insensitivity toward its em-
The “Democratic” Phil-
ippines is a myth and the
enduring “death squad”
and cover up is proof of
that. The death squad exist-
ing in many cities is to cre-
ate a culture of fear and con-
trol and suppress the
people’s protest of injustice
and unendurable poverty.
Davao City and the sur-
rounding province is rife
with inequality and land ex-
ploitation, injustice and
widespread poverty and a
few vastly wealthy families
control the land and the ba-
nana industry. The military
and police protect their in-
terests against impover-
ished peasants or militant
social and human rights ac-
tivists demanding land re-
form, just wages and health
care.
Davao is the most promi-
nent example of murdering
death squads that kill even
ernment came up with poli-
cies attacking discrimination,
these rebellions could have
not been born.
For instance, the Chris-
tian-dominated legislature
could have come up with laws
punishing as crimes the act
of saying, “E Muslim kasi,”
or “E Bisaya kasi,” or act of
posting job announcements
that require only graduates of
elite schools to discriminate
the poor whose best is to
study in state schools. And
these laws must be strictly be
implemented to give a hard
lesson all can learn.
Thus, you can just imag-
ine that the discrimination
against Moro brothers is not
far compared to the discrimi-
nation endured for two cen-
turies by the Blacks in
America.
And to think, nowhere
else on earth than America can
it be the hardest to unify the
people of one nation. This is
because of the colors of their
skin are far different: Black
and White.
But America succeeded.
And it is not bad even if the
Philippines would be accused
once more of “colonial men-
tality” for copying from its ex-
perience.
For instance, America has
ployees who are complain-
ing about the plan to use or
expropriate the funds of the
employees’ Provident Fund
Office to pay some financial
obligations of the agency.
The resolution also
stated that the union lead-
ers exposing these anoma-
lies are experiencing harass-
ment and intimidation from
Villanueva and other
Philpost officials.
street children, although it
is a similar situation all other
Philippine provinces. It
arose they say in the 1970
and ‘80 and ground swell of
protest by organized impov-
erished farmers and their
supporters frightened the
ruling families and they set
up the assassination squad
to eliminate them. The insur-
gents counter with their own
assassination squads.
There was much killing
and violence. The govern-
ment-backed assassination
squads triumphed and a
permanent well paid “assas-
sination squad” was estab-
lished.
Men dressed in black
clothes, equipped with ra-
dios, guns and knives and
riding motor cycles calmly
ride up to suspects and
shoot them dead. Until the
present, the squad operates
with impunity. National and
International Human rights
organizations have continu-
made it a crime to post a job
announcement: “Wanted,
secretary, pleasing personal-
ity.” This is clearly under-
stood as racial attack because
it is rare for one to seek the
beauty of the Black. Any sug-
gestion of degradation or des-
ecration of the race is
thumbed down.
But what are these laws
when not implemented?
The Philippines has been
notorious for making money
out of prohibitive laws. Traf-
fic enforcers used the no-
seatbelt violation threat to
bilk from motorists. Police-
men use the harsher law on
gambling to compel jueteng
lords to give.
If the USA succeeded in
its policies against race dis-
crimination, it is because the
laws are implemented.
Relief goods on hoard
From page 2
there. Bakit kailangan ang
scheduling? Feeling hindi
ba magkamayaw at nag-
uunahan ang mga volun-
teers?
“I know somebody who
wanted to volunteer many
times. She was always
bumped off, laging nirere-
schedule kasi ‘there were
too many volunteers’ daw.
At tuwing Sunday lang daw
puwede. What the hell is
going on here?
“Nakatambak ang dona-
tions ng UNICEF sa ware-
house, local and interna-
tional
“Mga banig na dapat ay
nahihigaan ng mga
nasalanta. Mga imported
camp beds na hindi na yata
masisilayan ng mga biktima.
Mga kumot na hindi naman
nakabalot sa katawan nila.
At mga pagkaing hindi
7
ally called for an investi-
gation and for the killers
to be brought to justice.
When Human Rights Com-
mission Chair Leila De
Lima did so this year, she
was met with uncoopera-
tive justices, officials and
citizens. The politicians
and police commanders
say that rival gangs are kill-
ing each other.
Politicians deny its ex-
istence but the discovery
of many corpses makes
that untenable. The au-
thorities are desperate to
prevent the truth from be-
ing revealed. The chal-
lenge and International
pressure on the govern-
ment to end the killings and
disband the assassination
squad is growing. If they
do, the suffering poverty
and injustice may against
surface to challenge the
“democratically” elected
elite. Some strange democ-
racy this is.
And why their laws there
are assured of implementa-
tion when ours in RP cannot
be so done?
It is because of their jus-
tice system that does not look
at the color of the skin and
does not look at how much
money or power an accused
has.
The jury system was
prided by Sir Thomas
Jefferson as the anchor to
which the nation can hold on
together.
Jefferson is correct. No ar-
gument is needed to show
why.
Despite the inherent im-
probability to join together
Black and White people, the
jury systems of America has
slowly solidified camaraderie
and unity that led to the
sumasayad sa sikmura nila.
“The relief goods are not
going anywhere.
“We arrived at about 8
am and left by mid-after-
noon and yes, you guessed
it right. Kami pa rin ang tao
bukod sa isang DSWD em-
ployee sa loob ng ware-
house maghapon. Walang
ibang dumating.
“The relief goods are not
moving. By the way things
look, they are not going any-
where. Hindi maglalakad
mag-isa ang mga donations
na ito papunta sa mga
evacuation centers.”
In the end, Ella took sev-
eral photos of the goods
“rotting” inside the ware-
house, and Dyaryo
Magdalo is publishing
them all here.
In the words of Ella, let
the pictures do the talking.
 8 OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 1, 2009

IT’S By RONALD B. HERICO

QUEEN
ANA
THE Philippines follows the cadence of a man who is re-
garded as the King of Philippine boxing and who also serves
as the face of his entire country. All his exploits atop the
ring will always be remembered and will forever be etched
in the annals of boxing history.
Ana ‘The Hurricane’ Julaton made history after
becoming the first Fil-Am boxer to capture the
International Boxing Association (IBA) super
bantamweight crown, pulling off a stunning upset over
the multi-titled champ Kelsey Jeffries. Lower photo shows
‘The Queen’ in action.

Not one among his predeces- suggest.

sors had come close to all his When asked directly about
achievements that brought honor her moment in the sport, becom-
and prestige not only the Fili- ing a world champion with only
pino nation but to the Filipinos seven fights, the Filipina was still
around the world as well. in awe, saying: “It still hasn’t
With such an honorary back- quite sunk in.”
ground and a work ethic to sup- When you consider that she
port it, there’s no question as to had only faced two opponents
why or how the Philippines re- with more than 10 fights, yet
cently witnessed the emergence conquered a champ who had
of a few star in the sporting more than 40 victories and only
world for that matter. two losses in her last 30 outings,
In America, basketball has there’s no effort that could ever
Michael Jordan and Kobe stand out any more than such a
Bryant. Golf has Tiger Woods. performance.
But as great as those men are, Julaton credits her ability to
few can argue they are little more leap through the ranks and de-
than the face of their respective feat such a high level of competi-
sports. tion to her team, led by emerging
The Philippines, on the other boxing trainer, Nonito Donaire,
hand, King Manny is among the Sr.
revered name that boxing has ever Although it was Donaire Sr.
produced. And as we all know, who served as her official “guid-
for every true King, there must ing light,” it was another coun-
be a Queen to walk beside him. tryman, Manny Pacquiao, and
The woman most would his famed trainer Freddie Roach,
identify as the lead for this role who also played an active role
is none other than Ana ‘Hurri- leading up to this point in her
cane’ Julaton, the latest Filipino career. see how Manny carried himself cess of Julaton comes in the fact it, I learned what a science it truly Rarely in life do we ever see
to take the boxing world by Ana spoke of the encounter. in a personable way behind the that as a child, she had zero in- is. It was through martial-arts, a person make history on a plat-
storm. She said of this: “When I spent scenes, yet was always gracious terest in the sport. She admitted: which my Dad got me into when form which they once refused to
Contrary to those patented time around Pacquiao and Roach when dealing with those who “When (her) family got together I was younger, that I learned the watch, let alone participate in.
“Girl in the Life Magazine” in their camp, it taught me so supported him. From his work to watch the big fights, (she) was discipline; and it was boxing that But the story of Ana Julaton
looks, she’s far more than the much about the fight game. It also ethic to his playful side, I just in the other room playing with taught me hard work and how to goes a long way in showing each
beauty she possesses. She is even taught me how to balance the felt a need to just soak it all in.” toys, and totally disinterested.” pay close attention to details and of us that there are no dreams
more humble than her fans would whole lifestyle, as I was able to The irony in the recent suc- “As I got older and got into directions,” she added. impossible.

Root, cure on rebellions in RP

From page 7
Whites accepting Blacks and
Blacks accepting Whites.
This jury system gave
meaning to the call of Dr. Mar-
tin Luther King, saying:
“Judge a negro not by the
color of his skin but by the
content of his character.”
Thus, the excellence of
the Black people emerged
from the long centuries of
dark shadows of greed and
bias.
This led to the rise of
Michael Jackson, undoubt-
edly the best American musi-
cian of all time.
America has seen the rise
to fame of television person-
ality Oprah Winfrey, a Black
woman.
America has prided itself
having Michael Jordan, Tiger
Woods, Karem Abdul Jabbar,
Magic Johnson, the Williams
sisters and so many other
popular Black stars in sports
and entertainment.
More importantly, the level
of acceptance went to a his-
toric reach when America
elected a Black President in
Barack Hussein Obama de-
spite the Black’s voting popu-
lation of only 15%.
So that if our forefathers
only installed jury systems
long time ago, there could
have been no rebellion, no
corruption as big as NBN-
ZTE scandal or the infamous
Expo Pilipino white elephant
in Clark Air Base.
The jury system of
America is simple.
The decision of who wins
a civil case or who is guilty or
not is handed down by the
so-called “Trial Jury,” com-
posed of ordinary people
whose names are randomly
selected from the community
and who are kept in a secret
place to be shielded against
the influence of wealthy and
powerful accused. In other
countries, the members are
picked by raffle from the vot-
ers’ list.
In the matter of deciding
who should be brought to
court for trial, America has
“Grand Jury,” also composed
of randomly-picked individu-
als, usually from the voters’
list and their names and faces
are kept secret to secure the
safety of their persons and
their families.
Thus, even former Presi-
dent Bill Clinton did not es-
cape the might of the Grand
Jury when it investigated him
for the sex scandal done at
the Oval office.
Then President Richard
Nixon resigned before the
Grand Jury could officially act
on the scandal that broke out
of the Watergate hotel.
Lucky for Nixon, he was par-
doned by his successor,
Gerald Ford.
The Grand Jury is so pow-
erful to end the days of cor-
rupt, abusive, oppressive and
discriminate officials and
wealthy people. It can start
an investigation without any
complainant. It can subpoena
any witness who stand to be
charged with obstruction of
justice or jailed if he refuses
to testify and will stay in jail
until he agrees to testify.
This strong arm of the
Grand Jury ensures that all
laws are faithfully and strictly
executed. It can indict rank-
ing police officers who would
accept bribes in exchange for
freedom to illegal drug trad-
ers, illegal gambling operators
or murderers. It can bring to
court politicians found to
have dipped hands into in-
frastructure projects and
other forms of corruption. It
strictly enforces laws against
discrimination.
If there are grand juries in
all the provinces and cities,
and there are laws against all
forms of discrimination, there
is no fear that rebellion will
die a natural death.
Filipinos, stand up to de-
mand the establishment of
Grand Juries in every prov-
ince or city and Trial Jury in
courts.
This author launched on
October 18, 2009 the cam-
paign for the people’s signa-
ture to make Jury Systems as
a Constitutional law.
Support the Jury Move-
ment! Sign up at http://
philjury.ning.com and invite
all your friends and relatives
to support it.
After a year, the
movement’s volunteers will
knock on your doors to ask
for your signature to sign a
petition to make Grand Jury
and Trial Jury systems a con-
stitutional law.
This is the most beautiful
justice system in the world!
***
Next week, the author will
tackle more on the jury sys-
tem.
***
Kung may tanong, text
lamang sa 09299920024 o
mag-email sa
totocausing2004@yahoo.com.