And as she defended her father, Kaye Dominique, 18, point to politics as the reason why even on what she called a “family problem” has become a media subject.

“Please spare our father, our family. And no matter what, I will always be with my (father),” the Nursing student in an emotional outburst said in a press conference Sunday afternoon.

The daughter of Antoni claimed that she herself called for a press conference to defend her father who was accused no less than by his wife to have poked a gun at her during a heated argument and carrying an affair with other women.

Antoni, who is seeking for a reelection in this year’s elections, “fetched” his daughter as the press conference was about end. He will soon call a press conference to air his side, the vice mayor said, adding that his lawyer advised him not to issue any statement on the issue at hand for now.

Antoni is being accused by his wife of poking a gun at her in one of their heated arguments, hurt her physically and psychologically for several times and carrying illicit affairs with other women during their marriage.

She sought for the temporary protection order as provided for under Republic Act 9662 which gives protection to women and children against commission of violence before the courts which could prohibit her husband go near with her and stop any further harassment against her.

The wife is also seeking for the custody of their two young children.

But the couple’s eldest sibling, said that she was surprised that the “family problem” has been played by the media as she vigorously defender her father.

“Papa is a good father to us all his children. He is always there for us. I will never leave him,” Kaye Dominique said.

“It pains me so much that we are facing this kind of problem. This is just a family problem; no family is perfect,” she added.

She admitted that her parents were no longer in good terms and in fact been separated since 2004.

The young Antoni, who is studying in a Nursing school in Cebu City, also admitted that she is not in speaking terms with her mother and her two siblings. And whenever she returns to Tacloban, she stays with her father.

Asked how she will describe her mother, the young Antoni did not comment.

She accuses the political rivals of her father why their problem has been exposed to media and why her mother filed a petition before the courts.

Last Friday night, the Leyte Samar Daily Express chanced upon Antoni’s wife at a concert venue for possible statements from her but she politely turned the request down.

But based on her nine page- petition she filed last Feb.16, she accused her husband of poking a gun at her, and for physical and emotional violence on her.

The vice mayor is also being accused of “intentionally” of not paying the amortization before the Pag-Ibig which resulted for the foreclosure of the house. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

This was revealed by Vice Governor Mimette Bagulaya who said that the purpose of the convention is to provide Barangay Captains and other participants the needed knowledge and inputs on current issues relative to the conduct of elections on May 2010.

COMELEC Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal will discuss how the 2010 automated elections will be done and he will likewise conduct demonstrations on how the PCOS machines work.

There will also be discussions on the truth behind the feared issues on Climate Change to be provided by Albert Magalang of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Margarita C. Cari, provincial LIGA president, takes center stage as the overall coordinator in the 3-day activity. She will deliver the Opening Address.

In order for the participants to be knowledgeable with the burning issues relative to the 2010 national elections, leading in surveys presidential and vice presidential candidates will be provided the opportunity to deliver their messages to LIGA participants.

On Day 1 administration candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and his running mate Eduardo Manzano will be given the chance to inform Liga participants their platforms of government. Day 2 Nacionalista Party Candidates Manny Villar and running mate Loren Legarda will be given the opportunity to address the participants in the convention hall.

Later in the afternoon the Liberal Party tandem Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Mar Roxas, Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates respectively will also deliver their talk.

Leyte Governor Jericho L. Petilla likewise will address the convention delegates on the same afternoon after Aquino and Roxas shall have delivered their messages. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia will deliver a Welcome Address on its opening ceremonies.

Other Speakers during the 3-day convention include Ricojudge M. Echiverri, National President of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas, Presidential Adviser For Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras, and Francisco C. Jose, DILG 8 Regional Director. (ALVIN GZ ARPON)

The municipality of Kananga was among the LGUs in the province that prioritized programs for abaca production, which is included in the expanded agricultural program of the municipality. Mayor Elmer C. Codilla said that since he assumed office, he assisted abaca farmers of this town through the distribution of abaca plantlets, tissue-cultured planting materials, and the establishment of 1-hectare abaca municipal nursery in Barangay Mahawan, this town. He encouraged farmers to plant their idle farms for abaca and other high value crops to augment their income. He said that abaca is better than sugarcane plantation, which farmers can earn more, considering that the abaca plantation in this town was not affected by the virus.

Dr. Alfredo Guevarra, chief, research division of the office of the provincial agriculturist, said that the once very abundant abaca plantation in the Bicol, Sorsogon and Eastern Visayas was wiped out in 1915 and 1927 because of bunchy top virus. This includes the towns of Baybay and Mahaplag where the thriving abaca industry is present. Dr. Guevara represented Governor Petilla during the occasion.

It was also learned that Equador in South America, which is now exporting abaca fibers, only shipped abaca plantlets from Davao and some provinces of Mindanao sometime in the 1950s. It was during the spread of the virus that affects the abaca plantation in the country. Today Equador has 30,000 hectares of abaca plantation.

At present, the Philippines has 161,000 hectares devoted for abaca in 52 provinces, with 108,000 farmers benefited. United Kingdom, Japan and China are main market of the Philippines for raw abaca fiber. In 2008, the country earned $103 Million in exporting abaca fiber, but in 2009, it reduced to only $60 Million. The provinces of Catanduanes, Leyte, Northern Samar, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental are major abaca producing provinces. For abaca pulp, Japan Germany, USA and France are major markets, while, for abaca rope, Philippines exported to USA, Singapore, Canada, Germany, UAE, France, Netherlands and Germany. It was also learned that 50 % of the Japanese Yen has abaca pulp while Philippine Peso bills has only 20-25%.

Jeffry G. Espeña, OIC-regional director of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), stressed the need of going back to natural fiber to prevent pollution and in addressing the climate change. He said that in the United States and Australia, paper bags are widely used compared to plastic. According to him, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched the Bayong Project using abaca, buri and other sources of quality fibers for bags and hand baggage. He added that in car industry, abaca fiber, locally known as lanot is used in car siding, dashboard and other parts of the automobile. Fibers are also widely used in oil drilling in Middle Eastern countries since they prefer abaca rope compared to nylon rope which is not recyclable, while the abaca ropes can be recycled into newsprint/ paper. Cosmetics and pharmaceutical products such as foundation, face powders, and medicines, use abaca fibers, while extract from abaca is also needed in producing quality paints.

Assistant Regional Director Olympio Macarayan presented a comprehensive situationer of the different natural fibers in the country. He said that fiber from buri called “Rafia” fiber which is a raw materials for native hats and ropes produced 9,000 metric tons of rafia fiber and with an export earning of $99 Million. The country’s main market are UK, Taiwan, US and China. The bark of the siapo tree, which is present in Cebu, is used in making paper, particularly bank notes, and even Japanese Yen. It produces 489 metric tons with an earning of $5.9 Million. Barong from piña fiber is manufactured in Iloilo and Aklan provinces. There are 3,137 hectares of pineapple plantation extracted with pineapple leaves fiber in different parts of the country particularly in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Aklan and Palawan with an export earning of $16,000 annually. Natural fiber from coconut is used in making coco coir which is used in making rags, carpet, and for drainage canal and as protection from landslide.

Also present during the occasion were Mayor Codilla, Vice Mayor Macario Lumangtad Jr., FIDA Regional Director Jeffry Espeña, Assistant Regional Director Dr. Olympio Macarayan, Engr. Willardo Sinahon, Provincial FIDA Officer, SB Member Ferdinand Borela, chairman of the committee on agriculture. Also present were the visitors from Mandaluyong City led by Barangay Chairman Vedasto Guisando of Brgy. Barangka Drive. (GERARD REYES)

In an interview with Leyte Samar Daily Express, JO2 Resti Teves, rehabilitation officer for Inmates Welfare and Development, said that this is the first time that the inmates have the opportunity to undergo training on t-shirt printing. For the first batch, they have 32 students for this course. In choosing who will join this training, they identified the inmates who already have background knowledge on this field. And there is another group, who has no knowledge at all but is interested to learn.

CLEP Trainor on t-shirt printing Regina Serevilla, shared her experience teaching the inmates. “Teaching the inmates make my work challenging. Compared to other group that I teach, their willingness to learn is commendable. They are even fast learners and really knowledgeable since most of them had already experience the craft of t-shirt printing. All they need is to explore more and enhance their talents because through this livelihood, this can really help them in their future endeavor,” she said.

Benito Dacara, an inmate of Tacloban City Jail, expressed his optimism in this livelihood training of the city. He said he is now looking forward to making the skills he learned from CLEP when he gets out of jail. He knows he can now earn a living for his family through t-shirt printing because of this program.

CLEP has different training courses now in different barangays of the city like cosmetology, haircutting, food-processing, tailoring, reflexology and the latest addition to this program, furniture making. (NYLL ACEDO-CIO)

The 2-day gathering, which was also participated in by the security force, dental division headed by Dr. Daisy Lomo, Nursing dep’t chief Rose Adal, X-Ray and Laboratory Department and among other hospital division is also joined by admin office chief Remelo Pajares spearheaded by OIC-Chief of Hospital Dr. Flora Tamparia and Asst. Chief Dr. Ma. Rizalina Ebdane, is aimed to equip the said employees on the campaign of the health department of breastfeeding, thus, benefiting mothers of a strong mother-child relationship, preventing children from early ailment as well as economic consciousness, among others.

On the first day of the seminar, among the topics that were discussed are the following; Global Strategy; Anatomy; Physiology; Communicating Skills and How Milk Gets from Breast to Baby with Dr. Tamparia and Dr. Ebdane are the main speakers and was being aided by Nurse Blesilda Manga.

They also discussed Preventing during Pregnancy; Protecting Breastfeeding; Best Practices and Breastfeeding and Practices that Assist Breastfeeding as well.

On the last day of the seminar, among the topics that were tackled are; Milk Supply; Special Infant Sanitation; Breast and Nipple Care; and how to make the hospital a baby friendly one and as well Overview of HIV.

According to an employee mother participant, she was impressed with the lectures tackled by their resource speakers, particularly on the counseling aspect in accepting mothers ideas and feelings, recognizing and acknowledging what is right and make suggestions as well rather than command.

The Allen district hospital, which is perceived as one of the cleanest and well-maintained among the nine district hospitals in this province, has a very accommodating and professional employees that caters to the health needs of poor individuals in the Balicuatro area.

Joining also as resource speakers was Ms. Shirley Ombrog; BSN, RN who discussed particularly on helping with breastfeeding. (PETER D. PAREDES)

In the recently held Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting, the region’s National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported that eight government agencies have implemented CLEEP.

Of the eight, the Departmet of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR hired some 3,054 Bantay Gubat and Upland Devlopment Program jobs.

Self Employment Asistance –Kaunlaran (SEA-K) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) followed next with some 1,488 job takers.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) came to a close third by employing some 1,310 Bantay Dagat operators.

Other agencies which provided CLEEP are DOH, DPWH, DOT, DTI and DOLE.

PGMA offered the program to enable the people especially the vulnerable sectors to sope-up with th economic crisis. (Ninfa B. Quirante with report from NEDA)

Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Senator Mannny Villar is tied with Liberal Party (LP) bet Senator Noynoy Aquino in the latest nationwide survey conducted by The Issues and Advocacy Center or The CENTER. Both presidential aspirants got 27 percent in the said survey.

“Ako naman ay natutuwa na sunod-sunod ang mga survey results na nagpapakita na talagang tumataas ang ating rankings. Ito ay nagpapatunay lamang na nagbubunga ang aming pagod sa pagpaparating sa ating mga kababayan ng aming plataporma at ito ay kanilang nagugustuhan naman,” said Villar.

NP senatorial candidates also posted high rankings in The CENTER’s survey, having secured 10 of the 12 senatorial slots including the top three rankings. Guest candidate Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla got the top ranking with 49 percent.

Top NP senatorial bets are Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, 49 percent; Miriam Defensor Santiago, 47 percent ; Pia Cayetano with 44 percent. The other NP candidates’ rankings are as follows: Rep. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos (36%), Ramon Mitra Jr. (21%), Gwendolyn Pimentel (19%), Susan ‘Toots’ Ople (17%), Rep. Satur Ocampo (15%), former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla (14%), and women rights activist Rep. Liza Maza (14%).

“I am so proud and happy that Nacionalista Party’s senatorial aspirants are doing well in survey rankings also. I really believe in their competence and qualifications. Hindi matatawaran ang kanilang galing sa iba’t ibang larangan at ang kanilang dedikasyon sa paglilingkod sa bansa,” said Villar.

The survey was conducted from February. 1 to 8, 2010 involving 1,800 respondents who are registered voters and eligible to vote in the May 10, 2010 election. The CENTER asked the respondent who among the 10 presidential candidates will they vote for in case the elections are held today.

According to The CENTER, “the 27 percent rating generated by Aquino is a very significant drop from his previous ratings that were in the high 30s” when he has just announced his decision to run for the presidency.

Meanwhile, the survey firm cited, “the 27% generated by Villar also shows that the respondents have already set aside whatever judgments they may have against Villar in connection with the Senate investigation of the C5 controversy given the fact that the period covered by the survey fell right into the maelstrom of public opinions that were related to the C5 issue.”

The CENTER noted that the public has acquired the “ability to dissect” whether the information they are given are “legitimate issues” or “black propaganda”. It said, “it also possible that the C5 issue may have positioned Villar who appeared to have been ganged up by the majority of Senators as the political underdog.”

This year’s election for the top two national positions will go down the wire and the candidate who has a well-organized political machinery will enjoy the advantage when the voters go to the polls on May 10.

Based from the survey results, Villar has very good support of 33 percetn from those in Class E, which the survey firm said is “significant since the base of the voting population is generally perceived to be controlled by this particular socio-economic class.” Villar is the “favored candidate” in the National Capital Region with 26% and in the Visayas region with 33%. (PR)

DPWH Regional Director Angelito M. Twaño said that they are helpless in stopping people from posting materials in road signs considering that most of the operations are being done at night.

“Let’s face it; nobody can prevent them from posting everywhere. After that, we will remove it. This problem is not preventable because they do their operation at midnight. If we will do on the spot inspection, it would trigger arguments,” Twaño said in a recent media interview.

Twaño, a known ally of the present administration, said that they will take actions fairly to all candidates, whose campaign ads covers vital traffic structures.

“I am sure that we will demolish materials not posted in a proper place they be administration or opposition candidate,” he added.

The directive to monitor placement of campaign materials in national roads was issued before the kick off of campaign for candidates running for national positions.

Meanwhile, the DPWH regional chief assured that all road potholes in national highways will be eliminated with the onset of dry season.

“I have my policy in Region 8 that immediately after the rains, I want them to operate under operation zero potholes,” Twaño claimed.

The prolonged rain in the region last year and delayed budget released were identified by the infrastructure agency as the major reasons that further delays road rehabilitation works especially in Eastern Samar. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO)

The conversion of the Naval Institute of Technology into a full-pledge university is one that should not only be celebrated by school personnel and students but also by the entire province, Doctor Edita Genson, the first university president, said.

“This is really a historical celebration as no amount of money can compensate the happiness that we are all feeling right now that we are a full-pledge university,” Genson said.

According to her, aside from the “prestige” brought by the conversion, the NSU will also help in boosting the province’s economy.

Genson, who will be inducted as the first university president in today’s occasion, also said that the conversion would result to a much better quality of education. In fact, the school has been an awardee for being one of the pioneers on the implementation of the Ladderized program.

“And no, there will be no tuition fee increase,” she stressed.

Genson said that as a way of giving importance of the conversion of the NIT into a full-pledge state university, a series of activities has been lined up to be attended by top officials of Ched and provincial officials, to include Rep. Glenn Chong, who sponsored a bill for the conversion.

The conversion of the NIT into a state university was made possible through the efforts of Chong whose House Bill 4414 was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The conversion of the NIT into a state university was contained under Republic Act 9718, which took effect last October 14.

The newly-converted state university, with its forerunner founded 37 years ago, has a student population of over 6,000 enrolled at their main campus with another 410 students enrolled at their satellite campus located in Biliran, Biliran. It has over 500 teachers and personnel.

The NSU offers 35 courses which include Law, education, nursing, hotel and restaurant management, among other major curricular offering.

The NSU also offers bio-medical technology, the only school in the entire region which offers such a course.

Genson said that leading today’s activities is the unveiling of the new emblem of the university and raising of its university banner. The school façade will also be changed from its previous name to now being a university.

The investiture of Genson as the first university president will be witnessed by top Ched officials led by Commissioner Nona Ricafort, who is also the presiding chairman of the NSU Board of Regents.

Aside from Rep. Chong, also to witness the ceremony are Governor Roger Espina, Naval Mayor Susan Parilla and other mayors of the province. Monsignor Filomeno Bactol will be the main celebrant during the Holy Mass.

By JOEY A. GABIETA

Staff writer

Under RA 9700 which extends the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), DAR Leyte has over 50,000 potential for acquisition and distribution to farmer beneficiaries.

Under the leadership of PARO Oscar B. Reloj, DAR Leyte is working to acquire and distribute 6,450 hectares covered under Phases 1 and 2A of the amended Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Law to include agricultural lands under the following categories:

a) Lands voluntarily offered to sale to the government

b) Private agricultural lands in excess of 50 hectares, with Notice of Coverage issued on or before December 10, 2008

c) Rice and corn lands under PD 27

d) Lands under Voluntary Land Transfer as June 30, 2009

e) Lands foreclosed by GFI

f) Lands acquired by the PCGG and other lands owned by the government

g) Lands 24-50 hectares with NOC as of December 20, 2008

In addition, DAR Leyte is part of the ARCP2 (Agrarian Reform Communities Project-Phase 2), financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), covering 15 municipalities in Leyte and 16 Agrarian Reform Communities.

Under the new agrarian reform law, land acquisition and distribution and delivery of support services are interphased in implementation, and support services delivery is given emphasis. (John Colasito, PIO)

Villar: Simula nang ako ay tanggalin na Senate president ay hindi pa kami nag-uusap ng ating Pangulo at ating First Gentleman. Wala kaming pinag-uusapan. Kaya ako ay nalulungkot na sobrang paninira iyan. In fairness to Gibo, up to now nakikita naman namin sa field pangatawan naman ng Pangulo. Nacionalista Party ang ating organisasyon, pinapalaki po natin iyan. Nakahanda po ang partido na pangatawanan ang kampanyang ito. ang ginagastos ko naman po ay largely pera ko naman at hindi naman ako umaasa kaninuman lalong-lalo na sa pangulo.

Q: Kahit anong pag-uusap ho walang nangyari?

Villar: Walang nangyari na pag-uusap. Nililiwanag ko iyan para makita ng ating mga kababayan na paninira na naman ito. Sunod-sunod na naman ang paninira sa akin pero ako naman ay tuloy-tuloy lang sa kampanya. Nililiwanag ko na hindi kami nag-uusap ng Pangulo at ng First Gentleman. The last time na nag-usap kami ay noong ako pa ay Senate president, napakatagal nang panahon at iyon ay mga formal functions lamang. Hindi ko malaman kung saan nanggagaling ang mga ganyan.

Q: Doon daw kayo sa bahay ni Mike Defensor nag-usap?

Villar: Alam mo, hindi pa ko nakakarating sa bahay ni Mike Defensor kaya nagtataka ako kung ano na namang rumor iyan. Pangalawa, si Mike Defensor pala nung panahong iyon ay nasa Middle East kaya natatawa din siya. Pero nililiwanag ko, ang nakakatawa diyan sa rumor na iyan ay ni hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa bahay ni Mike Defensor bagamat kaibigan ko si Mike. Hindi pa ako nakakarating sa bahay niya at certainly hindi ko nakakausap ang Pangulo at ang First Gentleman sa bahay ni Mike at sa ano mang bahay at sa ano mang lugar.

Q: Ano po ba ang posisyon ninyo kay Pangulong Arroyo kapag kayo ay nahalal bilang president?

Villar: Nandiyan ang hustisya natin kung may maghahabol sa Pangulo. Hindi naman ako makikialam diyan, let justice take its course. Kung may kasalanan naman ay syempre dapat namang magdusa. Meron tayong judiciary, hindi po tayo makikialam diyan. Maraming magdedemanda sa pangulo, hindi po natin ipagtatanggol ang pangulo bahala po siya sa kanyang sarili.

Q: Pati po asawa ninyo binabanatan ni Jamby Madrigal pati po ng dating Pangulong Estrada?

Villar: Alam mo masyado nang dumadami na iyan at pati asawa ko. Close naman po kaming mag-asawa, kami po ay magkaklase noong kolehiyo pa lang. Inaamin ko po na kami ay malapit, simple lamang po ang aming pamilya at malapit po kami sa isa’t isa. Pero lahat po naman ng kaibigan namin ay makakapagsabi na sa larangan ng pulitika ay hindi nakikialam sa akin ang aking asawa.

Q: Ano ang maipapayo ninyo kay Madrigal?

Villar: Ire-refer ko na lang sa kanya ang aking barber. Gusto raw niya ang aking buhok.

Q: Kino-consider nyo ba siya na isang totoong kalaban?

Villar: Hindi naman. Okay lang naman kung ano man ang kanyang papel. Hindi naman ako nakikialam. Ako naman ay hinahangad ko rin ang kanyang kaligayahan.

Q: Ano po ang inyong posisyon doon sa sinasabing dapat mag-leave of absence, kasi maraming nag-eendorse sa inyo like si Willie, Sarah?

Villar: Unang-una, ako naman ay nagtataka noong may mag-endorso sa akin ay parating nagiging issue. Noong maraming nag-eendorso sa ibang kandidato, hindi naman napapag-usapan iyan. Bakit naman mali sa akin mag-endorso, hindi mali mag-endorso sa iba. Iyon lang naman ay tampo lang kasi alam mo namang noong September-October, halos lahat ng artista ay may ineendorsong iba. Hindi naman napapag-usapan iyon. Noong may mag-endorso sa akin na mga tatlo o apat, biglang dumami na ang nagtatanong sa akin, bakit daw ganyan, pinakikialaman mga artista. Ito namang mga artistang kong ito ay pawang laki sa hirap. Talaga namang meron kaming pinagsamahan din, meron kaming pagkakapareho. Si Dolphy halimbawa ay laki sa Tondo, si Willie ay talagang laki din sa hirap at si Michael V laki din sa hirap at si Sarah Geronimo. Yung mga nage-endorse sa akin ay pawang mga laki sa hirap. Iyan siguro ang kadahilanan kung bakit nagkakaintindihan kaming lahat.

Q: Totoo ho ba na binayaran ninyo si Sarah Geronimo ng P20 million?

Villar: Wala kaming binabayarang ganyan. Yung sinasabi nga sa akin na paano ko babawiin, parang nakakainsulto na rin. Kasi parang hindi ka tutulungan kung hindi mo babayaran. In fairness to these people na tumutulong sa akin, hindi naman. May pinagsamahan naman kami at may kadahilanan kung bakit sila ay kasama ko. Ano man ang mangyari, manalo o matalo ako, mga kasama ko po iyan. Makikita nyo rin sa mga darating na panahon na ang mga iyan ay magiging kaibigan ko rin. Makikita ng mga kababayan natin na kasama ko pa rin sila maski tapos na ang eleksyon.

Q: Hindi po sila nabayaran?

Villar: Hindi.

Q: May nagsasabi na pukpukan kayong dalawa ni Noynoy dito sa Southern Tagalog, particularly sa Biñan, Laguna.

Villar: Okay naman sa akin iyon. Masaya na ako doon. Kasi kung natatandaan ninyo, napakalaki ng hinabol kong kalamangan at talagang sipag at tiyaga iyan. Ang laking hirap din naman ang ating nagawa para makaabot. Ako naman ay natutuwa na sa buong kapuluan ay mainit na ang labanan ngayon. At least ngayon ay maganda na at patas na ang labanan, magkakaroon na ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kababayan na talagang husgahan kung sino ang may kakayahan na mamuno ng ating bansa.

Q: How can you disabuse ng minds of the public na hindi ikaw ang secret candidate ni GMA?

Villar: Nasabi ko na ang lahat ng dapat sabihin, sinasabi ko na nga na hindi pa kami nagkikita. Ang palagay ko nga baka sila ang secret candidate kaya ibinabaling lang nila sa akin. May mga posibilidad kasi marami rin silang kamag-anak na kay GMA pa.

Q: On the Comelec resolution on endorsement

Villar: Hindi ko alam kung ano ang resolution ng Comelec pero nililiwanag ko na ang nag-eendorso na actors, konti lang ang sa akin. Alam mo na kung sino ang mas marami, may sulo pa nga.

Q: Hindi kayo masyadong maaapektuhan kung ipagbabawal iyon?

Villar: Sa akin kasi, karapatan ng mga artista iyon, Filipino rin kasi sila, tao din iyan. Kung sino ang gusto nila, bakit natin pakikialaman iyan? Sila naman ay may karapatan din kagaya ng bawat isa sa atin. Bakit naman natin sila aalisan ng karapatan na sabihin ang gusto nila?

Q: Tutol kayo?

Villar: Sa akin, Filipino iyan. Tao din iyan, botante din iyan, may karapatan silang mamili ng kandidato nila. Bakit naman natin isu-suppress ang kanilang karapatan na pumili ng kanilang magugustuhan?

Q: Without the endorsements, mas lamang kaya kayo kay Sen. Noynoy kasi kayo ang may pera?

Villar: Malaking kalamangan din kung anak ka ng Presidente. Malaking kalamangan kung may kapatid kang artista. Malaking kalamangan din kung ang running mate mo ay may asawang celebrity. Pantay-pantay lang naman iyan kapag sinama mong lahat. Kaya sa akin, hindi na issue iyan. An gating mga kababayan ay matatalino naman, nalalaman naman nila. Tinangka ko lang na pantayin nang sa ganoon ay kaming lahat ay naririnig. Pero hindi ko naman tine-take against them ang kanilang kapalaran, swerte naman sila. Ako naman ay walang ganyang swerte binabawi ko naman sa ibang paraan.

Q: Sa Fair Elections Act, pinapayagang mag-endorse ang mga taga-showbiz pero magre-resign sila o magli-leave of absence.

Villar: Dapat ang mga ganyang tanong ay matanong sa aming lahat.

Q: Hindi naman kayo maapektuhan kasi konti lang nag-eendorso sa inyo?

Villar: Oo, konti lang, yun lang mga laki sa hirap.

Q: Bakit tayo bumalik ng Laguna?

Villar: Naiwan ko ito, medyo nahuli ako ng dating at sa Calamba na ako nagsimula noong tanghali dahil marami akong meeting sa Maynila noong umaga. Nahihiya naman ako sa ating mga kaibigan dito kaya binalikan ko. Ang pupuntahan ko ngayon ay Biñan, Sta. Rosa at dadalaw din ako sa Cabuyao.

Q: May issue na nagkita daw kayo sa gabi ni PGMA?

Villar: Iyan na naman. Malaking kasinungalingan na naman iyan. Hindi ko nakikita talaga ang pangulo, hindi kami nag-uusap ng Pangulo. In fairness to her, sabi ko nga, kapag nakita mo sa field, talagang matibay ang kanyang pagkakampanya para kay Gibo. Sa akin naman, ako ay umaasa sa lakas ng Nacionalista Party hanggang sa ngayon at pera ko naman ang ginagastos ko.

Q: Kung sakaling kayo ang maging Pangulo, ano ang plano ninyo kay Sen. Lacson? Kasi may nagsasabi babalik daw siya kapag iba na ang president?

Villar: Ako naman ay hindi nakikialam kay Sen. Ping, alam niya ang ginagawa niya. Ako naman ay isang tao na hindi mahilig makialam sa ibang tao. Sa maniwala o hindi ang ating mga kababayan, hindi ako masyadong mahilig makialam. Ako ay naka-focus sa aking ginagawa ngayon sa pagkakampanya. Meron tayong justice system at iyon ang bahala na lang kung ano ang mangyayari doon. Ni hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari kay Sen. Ping, at sa iba nating kasamahan sa pulitika.

Q: Hindi madidikdik si Sen. Ping kapag kayo ang naging Presidente?

Villar: Hindi, walang pagbabago. Sabi ko nga, meron tayong sistema ng gobyerno at walang madadagdag diyan laban sa kanya.

Q: Wala ring special privilege?

Villar: Wala namang special privilege at wala ring special prosecution. Kung ano ang ngayon, iyon din. Walang pagbabago iyan. Tandaan natin na there is a rule of law, napakahalaga na ibalik natin ang integridad ng hudikatura.

Q: Kandidato sa pagka-Chief Justice ang judge sa Lacson case, kung kayo ang magiging pangulo…

Villar: Sa akin kasi, to be fair with anyone, mahirap namang husgahan iyon kung dapat o hindi. Unang-una hindi ko naman alam status niyan, hindi ko naman siya kilala. Iniiwan dapat ng pangulo iyan sa Judicial and Bar Council. Dapat kasi sila ang nakakaalam kung sino ang karapat-dapat talaga sa aking Judiciary. Hangga’t maari ang pangulo ay hindi dapat nakikialam sa Judiciary. Dapat ibalik ng magiging Pangulo ang integridad ng ating Judiciary.

Q: Yung wanted posters, kailangan ba iyon kay Lacson?

Villar: Bakit naman kailangan pa iyon, nasa diyaryo na, headline na. pero sa akin, muli, hindi ako makikialam sa gagawin ng Judiciary. Naniniwala ako sa ating sistema ng gobyerno na ang Judiciary ay separate branch ng ating gobyerno. Hindi iyan dapat pinakikialaman ng Pangulo o Senador.

That was the focal point of vice presidential candidate Bayani Fernando’s speech in a press conference held at the Leyte Park Hotel here yesterday.

In his speech, Fernando, who served as mayor of Marikina City and as chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, imparted plans on how to help the country progress, if and when he wins for Vice President in the upcoming national elections this May 10.

Political will is the answer to help resolve many of the major concerns of the country, according to the candidate. Having “political will” will then serve as the driving force for the socio-political institutions to function properly, and from there issues such as corruption, underdevelopment and illiteracy can be resolved.

But how exactly can political will be applied in these conditions? Fernando has cited his visions, including the following:

1. Increasing socio-economic productivity- motivating people to work by giving them the “reason” to work accordingly and not rely on rent-seeking, as the case of eliminating sidewalk vendors who rely their investments from loan sharks or “5-6”. By removing the essence of “utang” or debt investing, he believes that Filipinos will be able to earn more and do more, and not work for the sake of paying their back dues;

2. Organizing political rights, freedoms and privileges- Fernando aims to reestablish the rule of law over the rule of men, where Filipinos become more practically aware of their rights and limits so that they will avoid violating the law and commit crimes from their own conscience, and not because of fear or threat;

3. Finish the textbooks- one recurring problem in the country’s education system is that the school year ends without finishing the contents of the textbooks, and Fernando, as Vice President, would implement the need for schools to finish their textbooks per year level, so that Filipino students, after graduating from high school, will become as competent as college students in terms of work qualifications;

4. Fernando also adds that there is no need to change the current political system, but rather work on the institutions behind it, and that can only be made possible using political will.

But what if he doesn’t win the Vice Presidential bid? Fernando, without batting an eyelash, is positive about his position: “We will win!” (FAE CHESKA MARIE ESPERAS)

But unfortunately, he has no money to hire celebrities who will endorse his vice presidential bid, Bayani Fernando says in a press conference yesterday.

Fernando, who is the running mate of Senator Richard Gordon, was in the city and in Ormoc City as part of their barnstorming on their quest for the two highest positions in the land.

“There is no denying that celebrities are really a big help in the campaign. But I don’t have a budget for them to help me in my campaign,” Fernando said.

Fernando said that to compensate for it, he had joined a singing competition to acquire a semblance of being a celebrity.

His rivals, to include presidential candidates, have movie stars as their endorsers. The endorsements of the celebrities were widely credited why some candidates are rating high in various surveys as it add generate public awareness.

The Commission on Elections had earlier ruled that celebrities endorsing candidates are to take a leave of absence from the television works.

The former chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that instead that as he stump the various parts of the country, he would discuss his programs and things he intend to do once he become the country’s vice president.

Solving the country’s problem on poverty will be given his full attention once he becomes the vice president, Fernando said.

He said that the country is rich not only with natural resources but even human resources.

But what is lacking is the “productivity of our people.”

“The problem on poverty…is a question of being productive,” Fernando said.

Fernando is the first major candidate who campaigned in the region since the campaign period for those seeking national positions started last February 9.

His presidential candidate, Senator Richard Gordon, was not around.

Fernando visited Ormoc City and this city as part of his campaign sortie. The vice presidential wanna-be also went to Church in V and G subdivision which celebrated its fiesta yesterday. (JOEY A. GABIETA & MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA)

It was learned from the DOTC that the phase I of the site development of Tacloban airport involves the improvement of the airport’s apron and taxiway

The long delayed modernization of the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport has ballooned from P2.1 billion to P4.13 billion. The construction of the asphalt overlaying of the airport runway was supposed to be completed in August last year as promised by President Arroyo, but the second phase of this work is to be finished in few months from now. The airport runway and construction of shore protection cost P625.5 million.

Earlier, the government has granted the two construction firms, Yakal and Policarpio, to undertake the asphalt overlaying of the airport.

The project is part of the Selected Airports Development Project of the DOTC financed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

Representative Martin Romualdez said this is always a welcome development for us, not only in Leyte but also in nearby provinces as it would boost development efforts in the whole Eastern Visayas region. For this, we would like to thank President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has always been supportive of this project, he said.

Eastern Visayas is one of only two regions in the country which do not have a land border with another region comprising of the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.

The estimated total cost for the modernization of the said airport, officially dubbed as the DZR (Tacloban) Airport Redevelopment Project, is projected by the DOTC to reach P4.1 billion, which will be funded on a year-by-year basis by the national government under the General Appropriations Act.

Originally, the redevelopment of the said airport was supposed to be coupled with the construction of the Bacolod-Silay Airport under the Selected Airports Development Project of the JBIC. While the construction of the Bacolod-Silay Airport was completed, the DZR Airport was left behind.

To date, a total of P1.410 billion has been allotted for the project to cover some of the components such as the Airside Infrastructure of the Civil Works component, the construction of a new passenger terminal and the installation of air navigation equipment.

As of 2007, The DZR Airport was ranked as the seventh busiest airport in the country in terms of volume of passengers next to Mactan, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Caticlan. Its total passenger volume in 2006 was 400,000, which increased to 521,000 in 2007 and reached 627,000 last year.

“If the increase in the passenger volume is an indicator, then it means that the DZR Airport has a lot of potential and would be worth the expenditure. Its modernization would boost tourism and other industries not only in Leyte but in the whole region because we would now be more accessible,” Romualdez said.

It was learned that the national government has allocated P500 million for lot acquisition this year.

It can be recalled that the Chief Executive lowered the time capsule of the proposed P155 million airport terminal building on a 4,899.96 square meter portion of the airport complex.

The other components of the project to be implemented include the installation of air navigational facilities costing P230 million and the acquisition of lots for the expansion of the total land area of the airport terminal complex. A total of P130 million has been earmarked for land acquisition.

The balance of P 2.989 billion of the total allocation for the TADP will be released under a multi-year obligation allotment scheme until 2012.

Aside from the passenger terminal building, a new and larger cargo terminal building is being planned to be constructed to cope with the rising demand for air cargo services in the region.

The rehabilitation of the Tacloban Airport has been in the pipeline for over 10 years now but for some reason the project failed to materialize.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) local office here earlier proposed the increase of terminal fee of the Tacloban Airport from P30 to P200.

CAAP Regional Manager Sergio Sumergido said that this plan was temporarily held in abeyance for further study, aside from the fact that the public hearing previously initiated by CAAP has not yet materialized and was not properly represented by the different sectors.

He admitted that they could not totally implement such plan unless proper facilities of the airport will be in place. (MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA)

“They are hitting Noynoy very hard,” Pinky Aquino-Abellada told Leyte-Samar Daily Express during a forum organized by the Mabuting Pilipino Program in the city.

Abellada, a daughter of former president Cory Aquino and slain senator Benigno Aquino, defended that Sen. Noynoy Aquino has no involvement over the alleged SCTEx controversy claiming that “he is a good and honest man that the Aquino family has ever produced.”

“They cannot destroy the good image of my brother because he is a clean and honest man with integrity in the Aquino family,” Abellada disclosed.

“He is just living in an ordinary room in our house with simple lifestyle. And to those who are throwing these allegations show us your house so that we will see the richness that you’ve all been hiding to the Filipino people,” she added with a challenge to the presidential rivals of his brother.

The SCTEx controversy allegedly involves the Liberal Party’s presidential frontrunner that he had his share of blessings from the P33-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), having been gifted with a P170-million private road interchange built exclusively for Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI), on top of the P80 million paid to HLI as remuneration for the 83 hectares of HLI-owned land used for the road project.

Abellada has denied her brother’s role in the controversy, stressing that allegations linking him to the SCTEx controversy were “politically-motivated.

Moreover, Abellada stroked back on the personal attacks of some of Sen. Noynoy’s political opponents that his brother is an ‘abnormal candidate’ and should back off in the presidential race as the country needs not a President that is mentally incapacitated if ever he wins.

“I cannot deny that truth that my brother is abnormal in a sense that he is different from the other candidates in terms of good principles and views in the world of politics,” she stressed.

She said that these dirty tricks are unfair and claimed that the rivals of Sen. Aquino are too desperate resorting to means that are unacceptable and making ways to put down his brother in the presidential race on May 10. (ALVIN P. CARDINES)

But everything is still not all lost for their candidate, says Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri in a radio interview yesterday.

The senator, who was on the city to inaugurate various projects funded by his office, admitted that former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro has yet to catch the imagination of the Filipino people reason why he is trailing behind in various surveys.

Teodoro, the standard-bearer of the ruling party, has been consistently trailing behind leading presidential contenders like Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party), Senator Manny Villar (Nacionalista Party) and former President Joseph Estrada of Pwersa ng Masa.

“Naaawa talaga ako sa aking kandidato na napaka-galing, napaka-talino at napakabait,” Zubiri said in an interview aired over DyDW.

He conceded that there is a really a “big possibility” that the winner in this year’s presidential elections will come from the opposition.

“There is really a big possibility that the winner will come from the opposition. I just don’t know if it will come from the Liberal Party or from the Nacionalista Party,” he said.

Zubiri also said that the C5 controversy may be helping Villar on his presidential quest knowing the fondness of the Filipino people going to the underdogs.

“Our candidate has yet to take off,” he said, alluding to the campaign advertisement of Teodoro showing him piloting an airplane as he urged the Filipino voters to cast their lot on his favor.

Zubiri, who is the Senate majority floor leader, sa id that the probability that their candidate would lost the elections could be attributed to the clamor of the people for a change.

“Gusto ng tao ng pagbabago. That is the effect of nine years (in power). That is understandable,” the party’s vice president for Mindanao said.

Still, the senator said that all is not yet lost for their presidential candidate, saying that he can still win the presidency with the party machinery as his advantage against his rivals for the presidency.

“Pero sabi nga ng slogan niya, posible,” the senator said, giving emphasis on the last word by singing it.

Zubiri also offered an unsolicited advice to Teodoro and his advisers: ‘repackaging” of his campaign strategies.

For one, he said, his campaign television commercial showing him on a plane should not be named after him but for the Philippines.

“Sabi nga ng lumapit sa akin, ang ganda pala ng eroplano ni Gibo. Dapat Pilipinas ang nakalagay dun at di pangalan niya. Pilipinas dapat ang mag-take off,” Zubiri said.

The senator also said that he has no plan to change political party and will remain loyal to the Kampi-Lakas-CMD.

By JOEY A. GABIETA
Staff writer

Year 2010’s legal holidays as listed in the Presidential Proclamation 1841 are as follows:

January 1 – New Year’s Day
April 1 – Maundy Thursday
April 2 – Good Friday
April 9 -Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 – Labor Day
May 10- National elections
June 14 – Independence Day (June 14, Monday nearest June 12),
August 30 – National Heroes Day (August 30, last Monday of August), November 29 – Bonifacio Day (November 29, Monday nearest November 30)
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 27 – Rizal Day (December 27, Monday nearest December 30).

The Special Holidays are as follows:

February 22 – EDSA Day (Holiday for Schools)
August 23 – Ninoy Aquino Day (August 23, Monday nearest Aug August 23),
November 1 – All Saints Day
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 31- Last day of the year.

This is a test for caching…

Chief Supt. Drusillo Bolodo, police regional office 8 deputy regional director for administration, said three members of the military, one policeman and one who has already retired from the military service were among those who were caught violating the Comelec gun ban.

Bolodo said Samar province has the highest number with 8 persons arrested violating the gun ban including a military personnel with two firearms while in the province of Leyte three persons were arrested and one unlicensed firearm was confiscatd.

Four security guards were also arrested in random checkpoints in different areas in Eastern Samar, their firearms confiscated.

In Northern Samar, two persons including a PNP personnel were arrested and one bladed weapon was seized.

In Southern Leyte, one civilian including a retired AFP serviceman and two guns were confiscated by the PNP while in Biliran one person was arrested and one unlicensed firearm. In Tacloban City, two civilians were arrested to include an Army Corporal and two firearms.

Bolodo reiterated their sincere gun ban implementation all over the region simultaneous with checkpoints being installed in different areas.

“We are now on a full-swing gun ban enforcement in random checkpoints. We are happy with the public support in the gun ban, as we are looking toward achieving peaceful, credible 2010 elections and to control and stop the proliferation of unlicensed firearms, “ Bolodo explained.

The national government earlier announced that more than 10,000 policemen and soldiers were deployed across the country starting this Sunday in search of all types of firearms in municipalities and cities with the gun ban implementation in preparation for the May 2010 elections.

Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa said most of the security forces continued manning at least 3,500 checkpoints nationwide while others will conduct regular patrols, especially in the 558 towns and cities that have been identified as election hot spots.

“Most of the election-related violence in the previous elections were perpetrated through the use of firearms. We will try to make this year’s elections as peaceful and credible as possible through the strict implementation of the total gun ban that has been approved by the Commission on Elections,” Verzosa said .

Based on the guidelines approved by the Comelec, at least one checkpoint will be set up in each of the cities and municipalities across the country to be manned by policemen and soldiers under the supervision of poll officials.

Based on intelligence reports of the police and military, there are a total of 68 private armed groups (PAGs) all over the country, 25 of them in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Police officials in this region, however, has yet to reveal how many PAGs there are in Region 8 presently being monitored by the PNP.

Only members of law enforcement agencies and PNP-accredited private security agencies that will be tapped as escorts of candidates are allowed to carry guns but with a condition that they should be in uniform.

Bolodo also confirmed to this paper that PRO-8 regional headquarters continues to receive more request for security details of candidates but standard process and validation are still being done. (MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA)

This was revealed by Executive Assistant Eduardo Manadong.

The city official disclosed that P4 million was earmarked for the repair of the road within the V&G Subdivision, while another P 4 million was set aside for the rehabilitation of the coastal road in Brgy. 89 (San Jose).

Manadong said that the city government decided to allocate a big amount for the two projects because of the extent of damage and disrepair of the two important city roads.

“The road within V&G is in bad condition because of many potholes, while the road in San Jose needs to be repaired because of the damage wrought on it by recent typhoons,” he pointed out.

According to him, the rehabilitation work on the V&G road would involve road reblocking and repair of damaged road sections.

“The aim is to repair the damage which has worsened through the years,” he stressed.

On the other hand, he disclosed that the rehab of the San Jose road would mainly involve the repair of typhoon-damaged portions.

“The purpose is to make the road safe for vehicle traffic,” he said.

According to Manadong, the two proposed road rehab projects, which are priorities of City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, will be implemented soon.

He said that they have calendared the two projects for bidding in the first week of February.

“Our target is to start implementing them in the first week of March,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Manadong revealed that the second phase implementation of the Women’s Shelter, an undertaking strongly pushed by City Councilor Cristina Gonzalez-Romualdez, is set to begin next month.

“The phase 1 implementation was already finished, and we are now on the second or completion phase,” he said.

According to him, the second phase, which has a budget allocation of P5 million, would involve finishing works, painting, and landscaping of the area around the building.

A priority of the city government, the Women’s Shelter is meant as a temporary shelter of abused and battered women from this city.

Based on the Project Plan, the to-be-completed Women’s Shelter would be a two-storey structure that would be big enough to accommodate 10 occupants. (CIO- JOSE RODRIGUEZ T. SEÑASE)