The

Nation wednesDAY, september 27, 2017

EDITOR marifi s. jara

#nationataglance
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: CALOOCAN CITY
Former Caloocan representative Asistio charged for inexistent projects using pork funds
THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge former Caloocan representative
Luis Baby A. Asistio for inexistent projects he approved using his Priority Development Assistance
Fund (PDAF), or the pork barrel. In a statement, the Ombudsman said Mr. Asistio, who served as Calo-
ocan 2nd district congressman from 2004 to 2010, will face trial for four counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), two counts of malversation, and two counts of malversation through
falsification of public documents.
>> See full story on https://goo.gl/r6ESzG

MIGUEL DE GUZMAN/PHILIPPINE STAR

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: MANILA

Mission Slimpossible
Members of the Manila Police District (MPD) follow an instructor during an exercise routine at the MPD
headquarters yesterday as they try to shed a collective 7,000 pounds (lbs) as part of their 500,000-lb
commitment in six months under the weight loss challenge of police chief Ronald M. dela Rosa dubbed
Mission Slimpossible.

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: MANILA

Presidential security officer found dead in palace compound
AN OFFICER in President Rodrigo R. Dutertes elite military security force was
found shot dead on Tuesday inside the
sprawling presidential compound, an of-
ficial said.Major Harin Gonzaga, 37, was
found by his wife with a gunshot wound

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

to the heart inside his room in the Malacaang compound in Manila,
said Brigadier General Lope C. Dagoy, head of the Presidential Security
LOUINE HOPE U. CONSERVA Group.Mr. Dagoy said there were no initial signs of foul play or any in-
Moon Dae Jin, president of the Iloilo Korean United Community Association, dication of a struggle but police were still investigating. AFP
delivers a speech during last weeks premiere of the 2017 Korean Film Festival. >> See full story on https://goo.gl/h4awzA

WESTERN VISAYAS: ILOILO CITY

South Koreans still pushing for Iloilo-Incheon flights
SOUTH KOREANS residing in Iloilo, majority of them students, remain hopeful that Councilor Nilo Small
direct flights to and from Incheon will push through. Moon Dae Jin, president of the M. Abellera, Jr., in an
Iloilo Korean United Community Association, said they are waiting for an airline that interview at his office in the
would serve the route, which is seen to encourage more Koreans to visit Iloilo City and first week of September
Iloilo province. We are trying to make direct flight schedules from Iloilo, but we cant after his appearance at
assure right now. I hope Philippine Airlines or Air Asia could make possible the direct the Senate blue ribbon
flights, Mr. Moon said. Louine Hope U. Conserva committee for the hearing
>> See full story on https://goo.gl/VFvxFC on the smuggled P6.4
billion worth of illegal
drugs, said his health has
been affected by the Bureau
CENTRAL VISAYAS: CEBU CITY of Customs controversy.
Cebu city and provincial govts to discuss parking lot deal for BPO workers
FOR BUSINESS process outsourcing (BPO) workers at the Cebu IT Park, parking is a
CARMENCITA A. CARILLO
problem. Following complaints from BPO employees of high parking fees averag-
ing P50 per hour the Cebu City government has proposed to convert a lot owned DAVAO: DAVAO CITY
by the provincial government, located across the IT park, into a parking space. Cebu Davao councilor in Customs, drugs
Governor Hilario P. Davide III said the province is open to the proposal and he is set to controversy ousted from committees
meet with Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmea this week to discuss the plan. Mr. Da- COUNCILOR NILO Small M. Abellera, Jr., who
vide said they will discuss possible terms that would financially benefit the provincial has been linked by Customs broker Mark Taguba
government while providing service to the BPO workers. Mr. Osmea earlier said he to the so-called Davao Group that is allegedly
is eyeing a parking rate of P20 for 12 hours. The mayor is also considering the use of a involved in corruption at the Bureau of Customs
shuttle service to and from the IT park. The Freeman (BoC) and the shipment of illegal drugs, was
stripped of all his positions in various committees
in the city council during yesterdays regular ses-
sion. Vice-Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte, who serves as
the council presiding officer, said Mr. Abellera has
been constantly absent or on sick leave. He is
always not around, said Mr. Duterte, who has also
been tagged in the BoC controversy. Weve been
communicating with him to no avail, the vice-
mayor added, noting that they wanted to give the
councilor an opportunity to resign. Mr. Abelleras
secretary said the councilor has not been feeling
well. Councilor Jimmy G. Dureza, in an interview,
said there was nothing irregular in declaring Mr.
Abelleras committee positions as vacant since it
is within the prescribed rules. Councilor Ma. Belen
S. Acosta took over all of Mr. Abelleras positions,
including the chairmanship of the peace and or-
der council. Carmencita A. Carillo
CPVDC.COM

AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO: TAWI-TAWI

New security patrol boat

A twin 200-horsepower speedboat is turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) by the Tawi-Tawi
provincial government to beef up maritime surveillance activities. Security threats from bandit and terror
groups have long been a problem in the waters off the island province.

SARANGANI PIO
Blaan youth in traditional garb during the Pakaradyan Festival trade fair and exhibit on June 21.

SOCCSKSARGEN: SARANGANI, SOUTH COTABATO, GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Blaan literacy program gets P2.5-M additional grant
THE CONRADO & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. (Alcantara Foundation) has signed a Grant Agreement with the Gerry
Roxas Foundation for the extension of their partnership for the Flalok Project, a literacy program for primary school students
as well as adult learners from the Blaan indigenous community in Sarangani, South Cotabato, General Santos City and other
areas in Region 12. The project, implemented in partnership with the Department of Education, has received an additional
grant of P2.5 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In 2015, the Alcantara Founda-
tions Flalok Project was awarded a P10-M fund by USAID through the Phil-Am Fund, which is managed by the Gerry Roxas
Foundation. The project aims to address the low literacy rate among Blaan indigenous communities through the reinforce-
ment of the Blaan Mother Tongue-Based Multi-lingual Education. The Alcantara Foundation spearheaded the Flalok Project
to revive the art of storytelling and preserve the rich oral traditions among the Blaan through the development of instruc-
tional materials and the production of story books, teaching modules, learning materials, alphabet cards, number charts, and
a Blaan dictionary. BW Mindanao Bureau

PCG PHOTO
businessworld graphics: erka Capili Inciong