01 Zamoanga News On Line  December 2017

DOLE urges early release

of 13^th month pay by 15th

The Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE  has encouraged employera to give the 13^th month pay to their employees as early as December  15, 2017 .

The usual payment of the 13^th month pay under the law is on December 24, 2017.

Labor Regional Director Ofelia  Domingo said that early payment of the 13thmonth pay will give time to employees to do their shopping earlier and avoid rush hours as well as to buy cheaper items or food stuffs.

“I encourage employers to give the 13tgh month pay on December 15, 2017  to give chance worker to buy cheap goods which by December 24, 2017 will already cost mor,”  Domingo said .

According to Domingo, based on records there are employers who usually give the 13^th month on the 24^th of December.

Thus, she encourages employer to take into consideration the possibilityof releasing the 13^th month pay as earlier as possible.

IN other related development, Domingo also said that the bonus or cash gift  either in cash or in kind is not mandatory on the part of the employer

Which means it depends on the employer as this bonus gift is  voluntary in nature.

As this developed, Domingo said that rank and file employees whether regular or  casual are entitled for the 13^th month pay.

The computation  is 1/12 of their monthly salary of the worker, Domingo said.

In other related development, Domingo also said that  there were some companies or employers who were being issued a “compliance order” to pay the 13^th month pay. This is based on the regular inspection  and findings with evidence from the workers who had not received their respective 13^th month pay from the respective employers.

Domingo said that for those who will not comply to pay the 13^th month pay to their employees, the office will issued an execution  but most of those  upon  the time of inspection  pay the necessary 13^th month pay.

“We have regular inspection as scheduled  unless there is a complain, “ Domingo said.

Furthermore , Domingo said that if they are afraid they can write as “unanimous” with details in as far as the non payment of the 13^th month pay.

 Domingo also said that it is  mandatory  for the employer to issue pay slip to their employees.

Domingo said that the minimum wage is at P 296 per day wherein employer who do not comply with minimum wage has to comply and pay in “retroactive” mode. (Letty M. Militante )

Sardine fishing

ban begins Dec

The Bureau of Food and Aquatic Resources or BFAR  has announced that the ban aganst the catching or sardines or the  so-called “tamban” fish began effective December  1, 2017.

This ban will last until February 2018 or for a period of three months.

It will be recalled that the ban in catching of tamban fish is not new anymore as this has been going on for the past several years.

As this developed, more or less some 20,000 canning and factory workers on canned sardines will be greatly affected .

The Department of Labor  and Employment has  prepared plans for those who will be greatly affected dring the period of the ban.

This plan include  an emergency employment  for some 500 workers as an initial move, thelabor officials said.

 This emergency employment is to help  workers who will be displaced during the peiod of the ban.

On the other hand, the fishing companies will be strictly prohibited in catching fish.

Exempted from the ban are small time fishermen using their bancas as their catch will not be big compared to commercial fishing boats.

 ( Letty M. Militante)

20K jobless due

 to fishing ban

Some 20,000 factory workers will be affected during the fishing ban period that started today and will last for three months.

The  Department of  Labor and Employment (Dole) has announced that initially about 500 workers will be employed  with pay in some other companies while the canning factories will stop production of sardines in the absence of raw fish products.

Regional  Director Ofelia Domingo of Dole said that this is only initial  because  the office will still look into the profile of those who will be affected by the ban.

Domingo said that these some 500 workers  will be working inside the Ecozone to plant agricultural products and other livelihood program.

The Zamboecozone has set aside ten hectares for these agricultural ventures for displaced cannry workers.

“Dole already allotted emergency employment  initially for 500  workers , “ Domingo said .

 Domingo said that there is no need to apply because  the office already coordinated  with the other line enforcement agency like the PESO and there is a technical working group to conduct the survey.

Domingo said that Dole will also accredited Sophil  as a conduit partner  to organized the workers in order to empower them.

A sustainable livelihood program will be introduced to the workers , Domingo ended . (Letty M. Militante

Angel is the theme for
Christmas decoration

The theme for this year’s Christmas decoration in Zamboanga City is “angel”

Chief Engineer Rene dela Cruz of the General Service Office (GSO) yesterday said that the  theme angel will be incorporated in the different modes for decorating the city during the yuletide season.

The city government has allocated has allotted P 2 million  for the Angles Christmas decoration located in several places in the city.

These sites for the decorations include City Hall, Plaza Pershing , Paseo del Mar, Plaza del Pilar and in the Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat in barangay Pasonanca and in rotary to include the islands on streets .

Engr. Dela Cruz said that the motive came from the directive of City  Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar.

It will be recalled that for the past years , the Christmas decorations are on oders of the mayor who decides on the  motive or theme for the decorations.

It will be further recalled that this was started way back  when the first decoration was changed  by the present administration that started with the theme or motive  the so-called “candyland” this was followed by other decorative Christmas decoration such as  “small world” , Christmas village.

Engr. Dela  Cruz said that the Jardin de Maria Clara L. Lobregat will be the last place  to be decorated this week.

According to Engr. Dela Cruz, the appropriated budget of P 2million  include not only the Christmas lights decorations but as well as other materials needed  to complete the decorations such as plywood, wires, paints, welding rod and others.

Engr. Dela Cruz added that the purchases of the materials passed the biding process .

Work on these  Christmas decorations started right after the celebrations of the Fiesta Pilar last October 12.

Part of the Christmas decorations also include the old Christmas decorations  of last year 2016 which were modified  and   installed along  the street light posts. (Letty m. Militante)

Zamcelco; Power hike due

Rise in price for world’s oil

The Zamboanga  City Electric Cooperative or Zamcelco  has clarified that the  increases on electric bill rates was caused by  the increases of  fuel prices   in the world market .

This as,  the kilowatt rate went as high as P 10.02 per kilowatt hour for the current month of November.

In an interview,  the Information Section of Zamcelco reveals that the causes of the increases of electric rate is due to the increases of  fuel in the world market.

Zamcelco’s power suppliers like TMI, Mapalad and  WMPC  are using  fuel- bunker oil  and or crude oil.

San Miguel also one of the supplier who supplies at a maximum of 300 megawatts per day  as of September  already  implement the commercial rate similar with other  power supplier in the country.

There is also the fuel price hike wherein 60 percent of the Zamcelco power supplies are generators.

Based on  records, the total demand already reaches at  110 megawatts per day.

Both TMI  and Mapalad are providing  some  18 megawatts per day while WMPC provides  40 to 48 megawatts per day.

PSALM whose power source is hydroelectric  provides  20 to 30 megawatts   while San Miguel provides a  maximum of  30 megawatts each day .

It will be noted  that Zamcelco continuously increases the kilowatt hour last September 2017 at P 9.0966 per kwhr; October at P 9.2773 and November at P 10.02.( Letty M. Militante)

Sports complex Completion

ready by first quarter 2018

Repair work on the sports complex  or the Grandstand will be completed by the first quarter of next year.

Engineers and workers of the RCDG construction started last Saturday November  25, 2017 the installation  of the rubberized oval.

This rubberized oval  material that came from Germany has  causes the delay in the reconstruction of the grandstand.

The repair has reached about  60 percent but about 40 percent of the work will include repair of the blachers an painting of the structure.

Aside from the rubberized oval , the artificial grasses  also from Germany  will also be installed  and this is for the soccer field centered  along the oval.

Mr. Paul Lagonera told newsmen that  the installation of the rubberized oval is being facilitated  by workers of the German company  to assure it follows  the international standard.

Lagonera hopes that it will not rain  as it will  affect on the installation of the rubberized oval since Pag-asa forecasted  two (2) possible typhoons before the  year ends. (Letty M. Militante )

Comelec says party on

Mariano’s replacement

The Commission on Elections said that the replacement of Councilor Charlie Mariano must have the party nomination and the  appointment coming from the President Rodrigo Duterte.

Canete of the Commission on Election of Comelec yesterday said that  replacement  of Charlie Mariano .

The Comelec relieved Mariano of his position effective  last Tuesday, November 28, 2017  because of a case involving the issuance of bouncing checks.

In his farewll speech at the city council last Tuesday, November 28, Mariano said he will seek th e position of a citycouncilor anew during the 2019 general elections.

In that case, Election Officer of  District I Atty. Stephen Roy Canete said that the Comelec will just receive   if and when Mariano will file his Certificate of Candidacy in 2019 though he  will still be questioned if somebody wants to.

As this developed, the Laban ng Demokratikong Filipino led by Councilor Mike Alavar said that they are preparing the necessary papers  for  San Roque Barangay Chairman Litlit Macrohon to replace the vacant position left by Mariano.

Macrohon ranked  number 9  during the national and local election under the LDP.

Alavar said that Macrohon  who is  a LDP member to include among other nominees in the LDP is  considered logic  and chosen by the party and will recommend to LDP to replace Mariano. (Letty M. Militante )

Voters registration

deadline is Friday

The Commission on Elctions has announced that today, Friday , November 30, 2017 is the last day for the voters registration for the barangay and Sangguniaang Kabataan elections set for next year.

There will be  no more extension  for those who failed to register.

Election Officer Atty. Stephen  Roy Canete of the Commission on Election or Comelec  of District I Canete said that the office will be opened from 8am to 5pm  to accept new voters registration today .

He called on those who wants to register to bring  valid Id’s – government ID for regular voter and for those ages 15 to 17 should bring their birth certificate .

Canete sees that there are still those who waited for the last day to register.

Thus, he encourages to come to the office as early as possible . ( Letty M. Militante) 

Drug den dismantled; 5 arrested in Zamboanga

·                         

Anti-drug operatives, backed by policemen, have dismantled a drug den and arrested five suspected drug personalities in separate buy-bust operations in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, an official reported Wednesday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio identified those arrested as Agnes Pondo, 37; Cherry Manalibang, 29; Jimboy Pondo, 18; Rolando Balugay, 53; and, Abdal Mabol, 42.

Aspacio said all suspects except Mabol were arrested at around 8:45 p.m. Monday in Purok Reservoir, Barangay Don Andres, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay that also resulted to the dismantling of a drug den.

Aspacio said seized from the susoects were 10 grams of suspected shabu packed in four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets worth PhP50,000, PhP500 marked money and several illegal-drug paraphernalia.

He said that cases for violations of Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs), Section 6 (Maintenance of Den, Dive or Resort), Section 7 (Employees and Visitors of Den, Dive or Resort), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Section 12 (Possession of Equipment and Drug Paraphernalia) and Section 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs) of Article II of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against them.

He said Mabol was arrested in a separate buy-bust operation at around 6:20 p.m. Monday in Purok Neptune, Barangay Bangkerohan, Ipil.

Confiscated from Mabol’s possession were a gram of suspected shabu packed in five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets worth PhP4,000, PhP300 marked money, and illegal drug paraphernalia.
Aspacio said Mabol would be charged for violations of Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Equipment and Drug Paraphernalia) of Article II of R.A. 9165.

He said all the five arrested suspects are now detained in Ipil. (PNA)

Comelec unseats

Councilor Mariano

Councilor Charlie Mariano of this city’s first district stepped down from office after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed in finality his disqualification.

This developed as the poll body has issued a Writ of Execution, which was deemed final and executory, dated November 16, 2017 signed by Atty. Christian Robert Lim, the Comelec Acting Chairperson.

Lawyer Stephen Roy Cañete, first district election officer, on Tuesday served the writ to Mariano during the City Council’s regular session.

It stated that the Comelec First Division has disqualified Mariano on November 23, 2016, after four of his colleagues and four other losing candidates in the 2016 elections filed a disqualification case against him.

The petitioners cited that Mariano is disqualified from seeking and holding an elective position as he was found guilty by the Supreme Court for violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 or the Bouncing Cheque Law prior to the 2016 elections.

Mariano has filed a motion for reconsideration on his disqualification case but “the Commission En Banc promulgated a Resolution on August 31, 2017 denying his Motion for Reconsideration dated December 13, 2016 and, accordingly, affirming the Resolution of the First Division.”

The Comelec En Banc issued a Certificate of Finality on September 26, 2017 “declaring the 31 August 2017 Resolution as final and executory.”

In his farewell speech, Mariano expressed his gratitude to his colleagues and staff of the City Council and the residents of this city who voted him into office.

He vowed to be of service to the public “for as long as there is the opportunity to serve the people and to make contact with the people.”

“I’m committed to coming back because my only lifelong quest is public service. I cannot work in a private capacity since my love is really in politics,” Mariano, who was so emotional, said.

Mariano added that he does not hold any grudges to the petitioners on his disqualification case. (PNA)

Zambo witness switch-on

of Christmas lights, decors

·                         

Thousands of people from all walks of life on Monday night gathered and witnessed the switch-on ceremony of the City Hall Christmas lights and decors that kick-off the “Pascua na Zamboanga” festival (Christmas Festival in Zamboanga).

The ceremony coincided with the 110th anniversary of the construction of City Hall, making it one of the most important landmarks, a symbol of Zamboanga and a legacy and treasure of this city’s colorful history.

The switch-on ceremony was preceded by Christmas chorale presentation by selected students and grand children of the City Hall employees.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar led the switching-on of the Christmas lights and decors held in front of City Hall.

Officials of the city government and from the security sector as well as from the private sector joined Salazar during the ceremony.

City Hall remains lit up for the entire month of December in celebration of the yuletide season, to the delight of residents and tourists alike.

This year’s yuletide theme for City Hall will be Anghel de Navidad (Christmas Angels) and will have designs and decorations prepared by the City General Services Office (GSO).

Aside from City Hall, angel-themed displays are also the fixture in this city’s parks and recreation centers including the Plaza Rizal, Plaza Pershing, Paseo del Mar, and in major thoroughfares.

The city government has allotted PhP2 million for this year’s Christmas decors.

Government workers, students and families were seen taking pictures and “selfie” when the Christmas lights and decors were lighted.

Salazar said the public is welcome to gather at the City Hall grounds that would be lighted nightly.

In marking the 110th anniversary, Salazar highlighted City Hall’s transformation from being Provincial Capitol building during the American military regime to the present day, which is the seat of governance of this city.

Historical records showed the construction of the City Hall building began during the American military regime (1903-1914) when Zamboanga City was the capital of the Moro Province.

Major Leonard Wood, the first American military governor initiated the construction of the then Provincial Capitol building. (PNA)

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81 Zambo barangays

declared drug-free

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced that 81 barangays in Western Mindanao have been declared as drug-free since August, this year.

Drug-free or -cleared barangays refer to areas with no drug personality, drug trafficking, drug den and marijuana plantation and with functional Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).

PDEA Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio said the declared drug-free barangays are in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, 60; Basilan, 15; Sulu, four; Zamboanga Sibugay, one; and Zamboanga City, one.

Western Mindanao covers the Zamboanga Peninsula provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur as well as Zamboanga City to include Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi that are part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“We congratulate them since they were able to maintain the drug-free status. I hope there will be no resurgence of drug pushers and users in these (cleared) places,” Aspacio told the Philippine News Agency.

He said the regional oversight committee is the body that declares a barangay as drug-free area. It is headed by PDEA with Department of Health and Department of Interior and Local Government as members.

He said it usually takes three to six months to declare a particular barangay as a drug-free area.

Meanwhile, Aspacio said the anti-drug campaign must be a national approach with the involvement of all sectors.

He said the campaign must also start with the family by teaching the children the ill-effects of illegal drugs. (PNA)

COMELEC: 496,816 voter registrants processed

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) received a total of 496,816 applications for registration from November 6 to 25, 2017, during the ongoing registration of voters nationwide. 

The weekly monitoring data on voter registration gathered by the Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD) showed the following numbers: 126,444 total applications received for the week of November 6 to 11, 2017; 152,380 for November 13 to 18; and 217,992 for November 20 to 25. 

“It can be clearly seen from the upward trend of the weekly registration turnout that people tend to register only during the last few days of registration,” Spokesperson James Jimenez said, “so the grand total of applications is still expected to increase substantially as November 30 draws nearer.” 

The National Capital Region (NCR) processed the most number of applicants with a total of 81,047 applications both from Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) registrants, who are 15 to 17 years old, and from regular registrants who are 18 years old and above. 

Meanwhile, there were already 269,030 applications received from female registrants, and 227,786 applications from male registrants from all over the Philippines. 

The system of continuing registration resumed on November 6, 2017 and will end on November 30, 2017. Applications are processed at the Offices of the Election Officer and in satellite registration events from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays. (COMELEC)

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Sci-tech week celebration

kicks off in Zamboanga

The three-day National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) regional celebration, along with the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE), kicked-off Wednesday in this city.

The NSTW highlights the significant contributions of Science and Technology (S&T) to national development, and has become a platform for heralding S&T advocacy in the country.

On the other hand, RICE is a nationwide activity conducted in different regions to recognize the importance of Filipino inventors in the society and in national economic development.

DOST Sec. Fortunato Dela Peña, the events’ keynote speaker, said the NSTW and RICE are two of the many DOST’s platforms for informed exchanges on important S&T issues, developments, and locally developed technologies.

“They are our way of bringing science, technology, and innovation (STI) closer to the people,” Dela Peña said in his message.

He said the two activities are envisioned to serve as a venue where the public is informed of the recent developments and achievements in local science communities, while demonstrating to the public what an enjoyable and interesting field STI is.

Various activities have been lined up including technical sessions, techno-clinis, and exhibits form part of the three-day NSTW and RICE, which end on Friday, November 24.

“This regional celebration of the 2017 NSTW and RICE is our way of not only promoting our services and the different DOST-developed technologies that are ripe for adoption but also our way of celebrating the brilliance of our local scientists and researchers,” former DOST regional director and now Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda Nazareth-Manzano said.

“As an agent of the government, we take it upon ourselves the obligation to bring science, technology, and innovation closer to the people - and this is exactly what we are aiming to do through this three-day event,” DOST OIC-Regional Director Martin Wee said. (PNA)

2 Abu Sayyaf suspects

nabbed in Zamboanga 

Joint police and military operatives have arrested two alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a coastal village here, an official announced Wednesday.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the arrested ASG members as Jalani Abirin alias “Master”, 50 and Said Omar alias “Tikboy”, 40. Both are natives of Buton, Mohammad Ajul, Basilan province.

Galvez said the lawmen served the two suspects their warrants of arrest around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Barangay Sangali in this city.

She said Abirin has three standing warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, murder, and robbery with homicide issued by a court in Isabela City, Basilan.

She added that Omar has standing warrant of arrest for murder.

The court did not recommend any bail for their temporary liberty, she added. (PNA)

Mayor orders DEPED: probe

on DPLMHS’s freak accident

Mayor Beng Climaco has asked the Department of Education to thoroughly investigate the freak accident that killed a Grade 7 student of the Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School inside the school gym Tuesday afternoon. 

At the same time, the mayor called on DEPED through City Schools Superintendent Dr. Romy Triambulo to address threats in campus and in the periphery to ensure safety of everyone. Reports of these threats should be submitted to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) for immediate preventive measures.

The City Government through City caretaker and Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde provided assistance to the fatality and the injured. The CDRRMO and the City Health Office responded to the incident as Police Station 7 personnel were also directed to conduct a thorough probe on the matter. 

Greyshen Kurt Balanto y Ibanez, 12 years old was killed after the basketball goal post collapsed on top of him inside the DPLMHS gym. His companion, 13 year old Jay Mark Gutierez y Mondijar sustained face injuries and was rushed to the Ciudad Medical for treatment. 

The two boys, along with their classmates went to the gym at lunch time to avail of free wifi and sat near the basketball goal post. Remitch Remigio, one of the classmates said, he saw the goal moving forward and immediately shouted at his two classmates to move away. However, his warnings were unheeded as the victims were using headsets. 

In his text message to Mayor Climaco, Triambulo described the incident as very unfortunate and expressed that preventive measures must be done in each school. He also thanked the mayor for the concern. (Sheila Covarrubias) (photos: Kathy Wee Sit/ CDRRMO-EMS/ Clint Senosa)

Gov. Camins-Ramos

road project underway

The concreting of the road that connects Gov. Camins to Gov. Ramos in Sta. Maria is ongoing in the amount of P45,634,607.90, according to Engr. Christopher Navarro, officer-in-charge of the City Engineer’s Office.

Engr. Navarro said the concreting of the four-lane road, measuring 734.65 linear meters in length and 16.20 meters in width, started July 11, 2017 with accomplishment status of 6.48% as of Oct. 15.

However, he said the construction, rehabilitation and improvement of the road project under Phase 1 amounting to P12,297,359.44, which started on Oct. 30, 2015, has been completed 100% as of April 20, 2016. It measures 195.07 linear meters long and 16.20 meters wide.

The total cost of the entire project is P57,931,967.34.

Meanwhile, Navarro said his office is also working on three more road opening projects designed to decongest vehicular traffic in the city of Zamboanga.

One of these projects is the ongoing demolition to pave the way for the Kasanyangan-Tetuan road worth P27 million.

He said the CEO is also negotiating with owners of the lots that will be affected by the opening of Vitaliano Agan (formerly Nuñez Extension) to Veterans Avenue.

Also under negotiation with land owners is the proposed road to connect Veterans Avenue (near Budgetwise) to Talon-Talon.-(Vic Larato) (photos: Kathy Wee Sit/ FILE)

Ombudsman dismisses

Musa case vs Climaco

*

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed a complaint for abuse of authority, oppression and violation of Republic Act 6713 filed by the former Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) against Mayor Beng Climaco for insufficiency of evidence.

In a 7-page joint resolution penned by Randolph Cadiogan Jr., Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III and approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on October 19, 2017, the investigating body ruled that the evidence submitted by Ismael Musa, former IPMR, for  Ombudsman Case M-C-16-0244 for violation of Section 3 (e) and (f) of RA 3019 (anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Ombudsman Case M-C- 16-0305 for abuse of authority, oppression and violation of RA 6713 (the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employee) has “failed” and is “sorely wanting”.

July 5, 2016 has submitted to the Ombudsman his affidavit of complaint alleging that he was removed as the IPMR to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) due to loss of confidence as stated in the Zamboanga City indigenous Peoples Council of Leaders resolution 8, series 2015 dated August 20, 2015. This resolution was affirmed with cancellation of his certificate of affirmation by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – Regional Office 9 on January 26, 2016. Musa filed a motion for reconsideration (MFR) of the NCIP decision on February 10, 2016.

Musa claimed that the mayor furnished the offices of the Vice Mayor and Secretary to the SP copies of the NCIP decision with the instruction “for your information and appropriate action” while he has a pending motion for reconsideration while his MFR was pending.

Musa in his complaint pointed out that the instruction means that the mayor instructed the SP to remove him as IPMR stressing that the latter does not have the authority to order his removal as the IPMR. To this, the Ombudsman said it found no confluence of the essential elements necessary to hold the respondent-mayor liable for violation of section 3 (e) of RA 3019 as the “complainant failed to prove that the respondent acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence or that she was impelled by corrupt motives in furnishing the offices of the Vice mayor and the Secretary to the SP copies of the NCIP-9 decision”.

The Ombudsman also ruled that the complainant erred when he interpreted the statement “for your information and appropriate action” written on the respondent’s letters as the order directing the SP to enforce the NCIP-9 decision and remove him emphasizing that the statement simply means that the offices of the vice mayor and the secretary to the SP may do whatever action they may deem proper upon receipt of the NCIP-9 decision.

Musa also averred that the mayor deprived him of the privileges accorded to an IPMR claiming that several travel requests were denied by the respondent for no valid reason adding that the latter neglected or refused to act on his request for immediate reinstatement.  To this, the Ombudsman disagreed stating that the complainant’s evidence does not show that his travel requests were arbitrarily denied. “It is basic in the rule of evidence that bare allegations, unsubstantiated by evidence, are not equivalent to proof. In short, mere allegations are not evidence.”

The ombudsman added “the complainant is reminded that he has the burden to prove his allegations by convincing evidence to warrant the indictment of respondent. In this case, complainant failed to discharge this burden.”

The Ombudsman likewise found nothing in the records that would give it any reasonable ground to believe that the respondent violated section 3 (f) of RA 3019. “Complainant failed to prove that respondent neglected or refused, without sufficient justification, to act on any matter pending before her for the purpose of favoring her own interest, or giving undue advantage in favor of any interested party, or discriminating against complainants.”

To prove its point, the Ombudsman cited the respondent’s reply to the complainant’s demand for reinstatement in her letter dated Feb. 23, 2016 whereby the respondent-mayor “sufficiently explained to the complainant that he should demand his reinstatement from the proper public official as she had nothing to do with his removal as IPMR.” “It bears stressing that the standard of culpability imposed by section 3 of RA 3019 is quite high, and in this case, is insufficiently quantified by the evidence presented by complainant,” the Ombudsman added.

In her counter-affidavit dated October 10, 2016, the mayor denied the charges claiming that she simply furnished a copy of the NCIP to the offices of the Vice mayor and the Secretary to the SP and that the statement “for your information and appropriate action” is merely a pro-forma statement written on almost all correspondence coming from her office. She averred that such acts do not make her liable of abuse of authority, oppression, violation of RA 6713 and violation of section 3 (e) of RA 3019 adding that there is no evidence that would show that she arbitrarily denied complainant’s travel requests.

The mayor also maintained in her counter-affidavit that she should not be held liable for violation of section 3 (f) of RA 3019 because she replied to complainant’s letter dated Feb. 22, 2016 via the letter dated Feb. 23, 2016 adding further that she is not authorized to grant complainant’s request for reinstatement as the IPMR for the SP of the city.  (City Hall press release)

 

Let us live with

integrity- Beng

*

Mayor Beng Climaco on Tuesday exhorted residents to live with integrity for love of Zamboanga just as what her late uncle, Mayor Cesar Cortez Climaco or CCC did in his lifetime.

Climaco said this as she led Zamboanguenos in commemorating Dia de Cesar marking the 33rd death anniversary of Cesar Climaco Tuesday in simple rites held at the Freedom Park in Abong-abong, Pasonanca.

“As mayor, it is our desire to live with integrity as what Mayor Cesar Climaco showed to us, until his death, he served the city with integrity,” the lady mayor said attended mostly by young people or the so-called millenials. “Ele ya dale su vida por amor del Ciudad and that is the greatest expression of love of any Zamboanueno and mayor.”

Meanwhile, the lady mayor thanked all sectors of the community that contributed and made the commemoration of the death anniversary of CCC possible.

The commemorative program themed “Cesar C. Climaco: The Relevance of his Pursuit and Mission to the Millenial Youth”, was preceded by a mass at the Lady of Purification Church in Sta. Maria. The night before, Mayor Climaco and relatives of the late mayor together with members of the JCI and other agencies spearheaded the wreath laying rite at CCC’s assassination site in Gov. Alvarez Street.

Highlight of the activity at the Freedom Park was the installation art where paper planes with people’s dreams and aspirations for Zamboanga City were written.

Youth city officials, who are part of the Rotary Club’s Leadership development program, also shared their views about the relevance and importance of the life and works of the late mayor to their generation.

The event was attended by the immediate family of CCC and representatives from all sectors of society.

The commemoration of Dia de Cesar continues until November 18. Today, Nov. 15 will be the groundbreaking ceremony for the Philippine Scouting Centennial Monument at the R.T. Lim Boulevard at 4pm and on Nov. 18 will be the Cesar Climaco Young Leaders Assembly at Centro Latino at 6pm. (Sheila Covarrubias)

 

City Agri continues relief

distribution to EC farmers

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From the west coast, the City Agriculturist Office last week proceeded to the east coast to distribute relief goods to flood-stricken farmers as part of the assistance provided residents calamity victims.

The relief goods form part of the total 1,500 food packs donated by the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the City Government. Additional food packs will be provided to cover all farmers affected by last week’s heavy rains and flash floods.

Other than the relief goods, other forms of assistance will also be provided based on the calamity program plan prepared by the City Agriculturist Office under Dr. Diosdado Palacat.

Areas covered in the distribituion in the east coast Thursday included Licomo, Tictapul, Vitali and Mangusu.

Two weeks ago, the distribution was done in the west coast specifically those affected in Labuan, Patalon, Sinubong, Talisayan, Pamucutan, La Paz, Tulungatung, Ayala, Maasin and Sinunuc.

Palacat also announced that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) had also turned over farm implements like seaweeds, squid jiggers, life vest, hook and line and gill net for 510 famers.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) also donated 700 sacks of corn seeds—650 sacks white corn seeds and 50 bags yellow corn seeds.

Palacat together with Councilor Jihan Edding who is the Chairperson of the Council committee on agriculture an personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) spearheaded the distribution in coordination with the field officers and barangays.  (Sheila Covarrubias)

 

RPOC-9 reiterates call for

profiling foreign speakers

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The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) for Western Mindanao or Zamboanga Peninsula yesterday passed a resolution, reiterating an earlier appeal to the Bureau of Immigration and other agencies concerned to come up with the profiling of international speakers cum-resource persons coming to the city and other parts of the region.

The resolution authored by the RPOC-9 chair herself, Mayor Beng Climaco, came on the heels of reports that some foreign speakers would tend to propagate the ideology of violent terrorism in their speaking engagements.

Climaco cited the need to profile foreign speakers, regardless of the group they represent, and advise the host local government units about their coming and background data.

This, as she admitted that the local government units do not have the control over the arrival or entry of foreign speakers/dignitaries to the country as such is the function of the Bureau of Immigration and other national line agencies.

Early on, Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command, filed another resolution, calling for moderation and supervision of all madaris (plural of madrasah) or Arabic schools in the region.

Gen. Galvez stressed that it’s high time to tap the Sultanate system, the Ulama, the Imam and other Islamic religious leaders in supervising and monitoring the madaris against the teaching of violent terrorism.

Basically, madrasah teaches its students how to read and write Arabic being the language of their religion Islam, but Galvez lamented that some madaris are being used by terrorist groups like ISIS to recruit members in the hinterlands.

“Our intention to moderate the teachings in madrasah is to protect the integrity of the madrasah. Hence, we need to involve the Sultans, Ulama and Imam,” the general said even as he recognized the observation that those who have studied abroad mostly in the Middle East are usually the ones using madrasah as recruitment grounds for terror groups.-(Vic Larato)

 

Cops, probers undergo

training on drug cases

Members of the local police, investigators and other law enforcement agencies undergo a two-day enhancement training on handling drug cases in a bid to ensure successful implementation of the war on illegal drugs in the city. 

Initiated by the Zamboanga City Drug Abuse Council headed by Mayor Beng Climaco in partnership with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the Seminar on Anti-Illegal DrugsOperations and Investigation held from Nov. 20-21 seeks to enhance participants’ knowledge on the latest jurisprudence on drug cases and further improve skills and abilities of participants on the preparation of documents, affidavits and reports on drug related cases. 

The participants include police station commanders and investigators, personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), City Legal office, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Liga ng mga Barangay. 

Mayor Climaco during the last meeting of the Anti-Drug Abuse Council expressed concern that a number of drug-related cases are dismissed due to technicalities on the part of the law enforcers. 

She said the enhancement training for law enforcers and all those involved in the anti-drug campaign is crucial in the implementation of the war on illegal drugs in the city. (Sheila Covarrubias) (photos: Clint Senosa/CDRRMO)

Humane Society Int’l

trains veterinarians

Officials from the Human Society International (HSI) are in the city to train City Government veterinarians and technical personnel on new trends in mass dog vaccination applications pilot testing the project in 20 selected barangays.

City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Ariola said the partnership between the HSI and the City Government through his office started in 2010 resulting in the training of city veterinarians with the quick spay and neuter procedures that paved way for the conduct of monthly spay and neuter program on dogs and cats.

This time, the HSI through Veterinarians Dr. Emmir Raymond Nono and Dr. Ephraim Bantug will train OCVET veterinarians and technical personnel on the use of two android mobile device applications, the dog population survey and mass dog vaccination applications.

The project will be pilot tested in 20 randomly selected barangays – 10 urban and 10 rural barangays, categorized according to human population density. The dog population survey is expected to wrap up November 21.

The selected barangays include Canelar, Camino Nuevo, Santo Niño, Baliwasan, SJ Cawa-Cawa, Zone 2, Tumaga, Putik, Tugbungan, Santa Catalina, Mampang, Salaan, Lanzones, Manicahan, Sangali, Sinunuc, Cawit, Baluno and Talisayan.

Dr. Arriola enjoins all barangay officials and the constituents to extend their cooperation and support to this endeavour. (O

Comelec expects increase of

6T new voters in Zamboanga

Election officials expect an increase of 6,000 new voters in this city once the registration of voters ends on November 30, this year.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) resumed the registration of voters on November 6 following the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to May 14, 2018.

The resumption of voter registration is pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 10214, promulgated last October 24.

Lawyers Stephen Roy Cañete and Lerdo Matildo Jr., election officers for the first and second legislative districts, respectively, said they expect additional 3,000 new voters to register in each of their area of jurisdictions.

Cañete said his office has already served 1,264 individuals since November 6. Of the total figure, 1,007 are new regular voter registrants, 30 SK registrants while the remaining 227 have reactivated and corrected their registration data.

Matildo said they have already served 1,103 individuals since November 6. Of the total, 787 are regular voter registrants, 55 SK voters and the remaining 261 are reactivation and data correction of registration.

Reactivation refers to voters whose registration the Comelec has deactivated after they failed to vote for two consecutive elections.

Both Cañete and Matildo urged the public to register early to avoid the rush.

The local election offices are opened on Sundays and holidays to accommodate registration of voters.

District 1 covers 37 of this city’s 98 barangays with current registered voters of 226,452. The district has 76,740 SK registered voters.

District 2 covers the remaining 61 barangays with current registered voters of 213,208. There are 69,893 SK registered voters in the district. (PNA/R. G. Antonet Go)

Troops arrest 2

ranking NPA rebs

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Joint military and police operatives have arrested two ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, military officials said Monday.

Brig. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, identified them as Leonardo Jacotin and Rosario Tabanao.

Murillo said they were arrested by virtue of serving warrants of arrest around 9:45 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Balangasan, Pagadian City.

The arrest of Jacotin and Tabanao came on the heels of the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte to include the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in the list of terrorists.

Murillo said Jacotin is the logistic chief and head of the Ordnance and Explosives of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) while Tabanao is an executive commission member of the WMRPC and a finance officer.

He said Jacotin and Tabanao have standing warrants of arrest for their involvement in large-scale extortion activities and dealing of firearms and explosives as well as series of murder cases.

He said the arresting team seized from the possession of the two a caliber .45 pistol with eight ammunition; 50 rounds of ammunition for AK-47 assault rifle; a grenade; 10 identification cards; and, 17 units of cellular phones.

He said they were turned over to the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for appropriate legal procedures.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said they will continue to collaborate with the police in the conduct of law enforcement operation to ensure defeat of the CPP-NFA-NDF here in Western Mindanao.

“The CPP/NPA terrorists have no place here in Western Mindanao. They extort money even from poor people and burn commercial establishments and construction equipment if their demands are not met,” Galvez said. (PNA)

DOST chief to grace science, technology week in Zambo

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Fortunato Dela Peña will keynote the 2017 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) regional celebration in this city.

The NSTW regional celebration will be held back-to-back with the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) from November 22 to 24. 

DOST OIC-Regional Director Martin Wee on Monday said the twin events is also targeted at bridging the gap between the world of scientists and research buffs to reach every "Juan" across the country while promoting DOST’s programs and services.

Among the activities lined-up for the NSTW and RICE events include technology bazaars and exhibit, Science and Technology (S&T) Film Festival, technology fora and technical sessions on Intellectual Property Rights Protection, Science Journalism, Food Packaging and Labelling, Green Engineering and Health and Wellness.

Inventions and research projects of the qualified RICE entries will also be showcased.

Wee said this year’s S&T Week regional celebration, which is anchored on the theme “Science for the People,” will feature the department-developed technologies and inventions in line with its goal of bridging the world of the sciences to the Filipino communities.

Wee said that also to be featured are the DOST assisted food and non-food products as well as the different programs and services and interactive exhibits.

Other top DOST officials, including former DOST regional director and now Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda, are expected to join Dela Peña in gracing the event.

Wee said the event is open to all interested individuals such as S&T enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, students, researchers, inventors, innovators, professionals and the general public. (PNA)

Shanties demolished to pave

way for P27-M road project

The city government on Monday demolished 31 shanties to pave the way for the construction of PhP27 million road project aimed to help decongest traffic and spur development.

Cesar Jimenez Jr., Housing and Land Management Division (HLMD) chief, said the road with 1.5 kilometer stretch will link Barangay Tetuan to Barangay Kasanyangan.

Jimenez said the occupants of the shanties will be relocated at the city government-owned resettlement site in Barangay Tulungatung in this city’s west coast.

Jimenez said that 20 families have earlier relocated to Barangay Tulungatung.

He said the shanties should have been demolished in 2011 but the occupants were given enough time to voluntarily vacate the site hence, delayed the implementation of the road project.

He said the project implementation was further delayed by the Zamboanga siege that happened in September 2013.

There was no resistance from the shanty owners during the demolition on Monday since they were already given sufficient time to relocate.

Jimenez said the completion of the road project will help ease traffic along Veterans Avenue that serve as the main thoroughfare for east coast bound vehicles.

He said it will also spur development since the barangays of Tetuan and Kasanyangan are home to several business establishments. (PNA)

Troops rescue 5

fishing boat crew

Government security forces rescued five Filipino fishing boat crew seized more than a month ago by Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Sulu, military officials announced Monday.

Rescued were Vergel Arquino, 25; Jushua Ybanez, 23; Emo Fausto, 63; Junald Minalang, 24; and, Spriano Sordido, 53, all crew of F/B Danvil 8 owned by Danvil Yanoc of Pagadian City.

All except Arquino, who is from Davao City, are residents of Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur.

They were rescued off Sugbay Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi around 1:30 p.m. Friday but the rescue was only made public on November 20.

Abu Sayyaf bandits seized the five crewmen on October 14 when they sought shelter in the coast of Barangay Simbahan, Pangutaran, Sulu due to bad weather.

Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon, Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi commander, said they took the opportunity to rescue the victims after learning the Abu Sayyaf captors were on the run brought about by the continuous military operations against them in the province.

The rescued fishing boat crew underwent medical examination upon arrival at the Naval Forces Western Mindanao headquarters in this city. (PNA)

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