Development in Bohol Island

  This is the development style Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado is pushing for the countryside – piloting the second district for better manageability.

  Referring to the plan as the present provincial administration's "graceful exit for a dramatic entrance", the governor said the Barangay Master Planning under the Integrated Area Development Strategy lays down the finishing touches on the needs of the common people.

  He presented the concept to barangay captains and municipal officials during the string of inaugurations of school buildings in San Miguel and Inabanga towns in his trip last week.

  For the simultaneous growth and development of the villages in the pilot district, Aumentado allocated P1 million for Barangay Master Planning to be conducted by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

  Under this plan, more school buildings will be built. He will distribute brand new computer units with internet connection for which he has asked the Bohol Division of the Department of Education (DepEd) to inventory the existing functional computers in the schools throughout the province.

  These will be used, he said, to implement the Gearing-up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (GILAS) project in partnership with Ayala Foundation, and the revival of the Sine'skwela in partnership with ABS-CBN. a 30-minute television show on science and technology shown in the mid 90's educate and entertain children.

  "This is to uplift the quality of education in public schools, so they can stand at par the private and leading institutions," Aumentado explained.

  He also proposed the Barangay Road Support Program, completion of the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project Phase 3 that includes concreting of the roads traversing the towns of Ubay to Mabini, Candijay, Cogtong, Anda and Guindulman or the Anda Peninsula Highway, with funding assistance of P1.4 billion from the Korean government.

  The only hitch remaining is the conversion of the road from provincial to national since the Official Development Assistance (ODA) concessional loan will be paid by the national government.        

  Waterworks systems and electrification are also top in the barangay development agenda, as well as the improvement of ports including the development of the Tapal Wharf in Ubay into a multi-industry cluster (MIC) seaport.

  As such, it will serve as the major port for the transportation of products from multi-million investments like the bio-ethanol, organic fertilizer and biomass electricity to be extracted from seaweeds, jatropha and other raw materials.

  The Ubay Airport will also be developed to cater to domestic aircraft and training aircraft of aeronautic schools.

  He also identified the Bohol-Cebu Multi-Access Friendship Bridge, anchoring in Getafe town on the Bohol side and Cordova, Mactan on the other side, as the leverage to cascade economic activities to the towns of Clarin, Inabanga and Ubay.

  The bridge will also complement the eyed special economic zone to rise in barangays Tanghaligue, Bagacay and Burgos in Talibon town with expansion eyed to reach barangays Tulang and San Jose on the Getafe side.

  To connect the interior town of San Miguel to the special economic zone and onwards to the proposed friendship bridge, the provincial government will allocate an additional P3 million to open a road leading to the coastal area.

  In a recent meeting at the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, Aumentado said the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) will soon start the feasibility study and drafting of the detailed engineering design for the 22-kilometer bridge after the proposed project site had been inspected by Man Hwan Park, country director of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Korea Export-Import Bank (Eximbank), and Korean Ambassador Choi Joong-Kyung, together with a technical team.

  Koica will spend US$3 million for the feasibility study. For the actual construction, Park estimates the cost at about P30-40 million.

  The interior part will be developed for agriculture and eco-tourism, the governor said, as he welcomes San Miguel Mayor Claudio Bonior's initiative to draft a tourism plan for his town.

  Aumentado also proposed to develop the raffia industry and other handicrafts or cottage industries in the second district to boost the micro, small and medium enterprises and to strengthen the cooperatives of farmers, fisherfolk and other cooperatives.

  He has facilitated the release of P60-million to implement small reservoir irrigation projects (SRIP) in Bonotbonot in Buenavista town, Hibale in Danao town, and Benliw-Cagting in Ubay town, each starting with P20-million from the Department of Agriculture's 2010 budget.

  Also in Inabanga, the Provincial Engineer's Office will implement the asphalting of the town's circumferential road from the highway in Poblacion to the church up to the Riverside tourism center where officials usually hold meetings to the tune of P4 million.

  Still in Inabanga, the governor had also requested Vice-Governor Julius Caesar Herrera and Provincial Board Members Josephine Socorro Jumamoy and Ma. Fe Camacho-Lejos to take charge of the legislative requirements to convert the road along Nabuad High School (NHS) in barangay Nabuad into a provincial road so that it can be allocated with a budget for maintenance.

  Moreover, Aumentado said, he had agreed with Herrera and Jumamoy to raise P40,000 as counterpart to the P20,000 allocation from the municipal government to complete the construction of a fence around NHS.

  The governor also announced the approval of his recommendation to allocate P36.5 million as counterpart for road construction connecting San Miguel-Danao, San Isidro-Catigbian, Sagbayan-Danao, Danao-Mahayag, Danao-Panghagban (Buenavista)-Lapacan (Inabanga), Cangmundo (Getafe)-Kauswagan (Trinidad)-Tomoc (San Miguel) and other areas that need road improvement to boost food production, tourism, education and efficient delivery of health and basic services to the people.

  He said the Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF) funded by the Australian Agency for International Development AusAID) is already up for bidding as discussed during the governor's meeting with the management team, taking as priority the Danao-Mahayag and San Isidro-Catigbian roads, these being the components of the project. It will be through an international competitive bidding to ensure that international standards will be followed.

  AusAID already has P48 million for the two roads while the provincial government will release P36.5 million as counterpart.

  He thanked Vice-Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, Jumamoy and her colleague Amalia Tirol for pushing the approval of a P28 million supplemental budget as additional funding since the 2010 budget carried only P6.9 million. AusAID had required a 12% equity from the province. 

Bohol’s close tie with the administration assures of more development projects

By Angeline Valencia 

Bohol's close tie with the administration assures of more development projects.
Sticking with a winnable presidential bet spells best political stunt geared towards sustaining infrastructure projects and even more of it, according to Gov. Erico Aumentado.

The governor, seeking a return to Congress, urged barangay officials in second district to support Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to keep their present development endeavors on the track.

The governor had a chance to interact with barangay officials during the distribution of checks worth P50,000 for each of the 18 barangays in San Miguel on Wednesday, 23 barangays in President Carlos P. Garcia on Thursday, and 24 barangays in Getafe on Friday.

As a precedent, Aumentado cited the continuity of the implementation of the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project (BCRIP) phase 1, the Bohol Irrigation Project (BHIP) phase 1 and the Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project from the time of former President Fidel Ramos up to the second stages of the projects and the inauguration of Ubay substation of the Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over.

Up for implementation are the third stages of BCRIP and BHIP.

"Labing maayo nga makasandig ta og kandidato nga mahimong presidente aron mapatuman ang mga proyekto (It's better that we can stick with a candidate who will become president so we can implement these projects)," Aumentado said.

He said that Teodoro was already leading in the survey conducted by Strat Poll- -a more recent one.

Just like the 1992 trend, FVR has been consistent as No. 4 in surveys, yet he made it to Malacañang after a late-blooming lead by March then, though as a minority President having garnered only 23 percent of the total votes cast.

"So, Gibo has big chances, especially that Lakas-Kampi-CMD is the only party with 98-percent complete slate down to municipal level, while Liberal Party only has 42 percent, and Nacionalista Party has 48 percent. [Former President Joseph Estrada's] PMP has only 22 percent and their candidates are even almost rarely visible," Aumentado said.

Prayer for El Nino

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will soon issue an "oratio emperata" or a special prayer to guide the faithful in coping with the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which is causing droughts and water shortage in some parts of Luzon and Mindanao. 

Vidal said the faithful need to be informed of the situation.

An "oratio imperata" is a special prayer for a special intention, besides the ones prescribed by rituals, that the Pope or the bishop of a diocese may require to be said during Mass in all parishes.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has predicted that the El Nino phenomenon hitting the country is expected to worsen in the coming months.

The government urged the public to conserve water, around 10 percent, to diminish El Nino's effect.

Vidal recently met with officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and discussed with them about the programs in the parishes on environmental issues.

Environmental advocacy on the part of the Catholic Church is in line with Pope Benedict XVI's message urging Catholics to "protect peace by protecting creation."

Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar, who visited Cebu over the weekend, said solutions to counter a possible destructive El Niño must depend on strong political will, by putting up quick irrigation for farmers whose crops were affected by the drought.- PNA

Philippine Politicians

By Satur P. Apoyon

In the Philippines, politicians are pestered with all kinds of moochings or solicitations especially during election season.

The money-making assault is carried out either by individuals or groups, associations or religious congregations.

Only a few dozen among politicians in this former Spanish colony of four hundred years, especially those with party support and tossed by advocacy groups, who can withstand the onslaughts of fund-raisers that some have adopted as an industry.

The media industry is not spared in the madness of such a culture that has barnacled in the psyche of a large segment of the Filipino population up to these days.

Some scoundrels out to misappropriate the clout it brings to the community adopt a myriad of schemes.

One of their modus operandi is to organize an instant press association involving popular journalists in the roster of membership for media plan quota.

Sad to say, the scandalous operation oftentimes prosper due to gullibility or plain tolerance of some politicians or staff of a party media bureau.

In 1992, for example, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and fellow senatorial bet former Health Secretary Juan Flavier were among those molested by pseudo media persons for broadcast propaganda money, knocking their hotel rooms in this city even at bed time.

Other scalawags, competing with so-called barangay ward leaders bringing lists of their controlled voters for funding, would whip out newspaper advertising rate card that does not even exist.

The professional moochers also hound candidates with a string of hospital billings or prescriptions of medicines needing immediate cash allocation, too.

There are also genuine poorest of the poor who would beg from politicians to take care of the transport of the cadaver of kin or give them transportation money to go back to their place of origin from the big city to the province.

The Davao or Mindanao experience can also be prevalent elsewhere in many towns, cities and provinces in the country's archipelago of 7,100 islands.

It is a never-ending charitable obligation for a Pinoy politician to get elected or reelected especially in this time of financial scarcity hitting the majority of the country's burgeoning population now in the vicinity of 93 million.

But not in the United States of Uncle Sam.

According to my fan on Bisayan fiction and now intimate friend, Briccio, a native of Loay, Bohol who now lives in Vallejo, California, USA, it is the other way around there.

Briccio, 80 plus, said in his latest overseas call it is the electorate who are being taxed by American candidates from either the Republicans or Democrats.

He said voters in USA are asked which political party he belongs upon registration in a state electoral office.

As the election campaign starts, solicitation from either the Republicans or Democrats, Briccio said, is mailed to their "members" to give some contribution for the party expenses.

Big contributors are given presentable certificates of appreciation and sometimes given special attention by the victorious party.

In the case of my fan and fellow provinciano, he would only give a little and sometimes made excuses to skip his voluntary obligation being a small-time retiree.

Thus, the system seems to echo the philosophy of John F. Kennedy, one of the great presidents of New England, which summarizes this way: "Think of what you can dole out for a candidate rather than squeezing him or his party of a few dollars".

Briccio did not yet mention the corporate or millionaire's party contribution to the two leading political parties, one of which is that of Barack Obama, the incumbent and first African-American president ever elected since l776.

With our culture as certified blue-blooded everlasting blessed receiver of gifts in cash or in kind such Americanism will ever or will never come to pass yet in our time.

Therefore, Pinoy politicians take cover from pests out to take away a part of your campaign fund or to say the least your pocket money in the sortie trail. (PNA)

One of Asia's freest press is the Philippine's rambunctious, noisy press

Bohol Chronicle Editorial: To be able to live and breathe democracy, after 14 years of Martial Law, is a luxury many have often taken for granted. But we should not.

A Congress to make laws and democratically-elected LGUs to govern communities, by and large, are there to see. One of Asia's freest press is the Philippine's rambunctious, noisy press. Largely, there is freedom of expression - let us cherish that.

Philippine elections showcase this type of democracy, though sometimes marred by guns and gold that alter the outcome of the popular will. But it can pass the test.

That is why the decision of progressive groups like those under the wings of Makabayan and Akbayan, among others, to come into the open to compete in the democratic debate of ideas through election to Congress, must be respected.

It is the COMELEC, a constitutional body, which is the only entity empowered by law to accredit candidates and their parties as qualified to run for the people's mandate - not the military nor the police. These groups should be allowed to freely campaign for the people's vote.

It would be unfair to dump all of them as communist fronts since they were precisely accredited by COMELEC since they represent a marginalized constituency that renounces violence as a method for reforms and change. That's why they run for office.

Besides, the military has been specifically mandated by law to remain non-partisan in elections but just maintain peace and order. If the Army runs after rebels asking for permit-to-campaign funds - that is their sound duty. But to discredit COMELEC approved Party List groups and other candidates as "communists" is not part of their job.

Among those parties under the Makabayan wing are: Bayan Muna, Anak Pawis, Gabriela, Kabataan and ACT Teacher. Akbayan has produced some of most avid nationalist-reformists in Etta Rosales, Risa Hontiveros and Walden Bello. Communists?

They should be allowed to say their piece in the same way that Retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan of the Bantay Party List was accredited and then elected as Party List Congressman for 2007.

Palparan was given the chance to debate with the "communists" in Congress which means that is the democratic route for reform in this country. No double standard, please.

Let us be on guard because if we sleep on our sacred duties, we could lose the cherish freedoms that our heroes and the EDSA freedom warriors had fought for.

Let us cite one other example.

The raid and detention of 43 health workers doing a seminar in a resort in Morong Rizal and detained for three days - incommunicado- is a throw back to the Dark Days of Martial Law, that we should never allow to happen again.

Reports of psychological torture and sexual harassment by their captors in Camp Capinpin, Tanay have been media subject for days.

The Military defied for days the order of the Supreme Court of the land to produce the 43 victims before the Court of Appeals. Even AFP Chief Victor Ibrado and former Defense Chief and Lakas presidential candidate Gibo Teodoro were aghast at the Military's violation of a constitutional mandates by not immediately producing the victims in court.

Talk about abuse with impunity.

The Military accused some of the 43 of manufacturing bombs (during the seminar?) and as being active members of the NPA.

If that is so, why the need for interrogation and detention when the Military could just throw the book at them and jail them if indeed the Army had the goods on them?

If only some of them were suspect, why then hold the entire 43 health workers in detention -blindfolded, forced fed and mentally tortured?

Martial Law had caused us so much loss - that of our freedom and bread.

We have not regained the bread - for many are still poor - and now our precious freedom is slowly being carted away with impunity.

In Bohol, seven reformist-leaders have disappeared or died from assassins' bullets.

Today, there are talks that armed men have landed on our shores for the May 2010 elections - which can therefore become bloody.

That is the reason the Sanguniang Panlalawigan had endorsed a Motion to place the entire Bohol under COMELEC control. Fine by us, actually.

That might be the only way we can maintain the respect for democratic space on our way to national reform and progress.

Defense boss presides over turnover of rowhouses worth P6-M to former Bohol rebels

Defense boss presides over turnover of rowhouses worth P6-M to former Bohol rebels
By JUNE S. BLANCO 

FORMER rebels, now Kauban sa Reporma (KRs) or comrades in reform in Bohol stand to get their own houses, homelots and farmlots with the launching Thursday of the Kalayaan Resettlement Center in Brgy. Remedios, Danao, Bohol.

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Undersecretary Danilo Encinas of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process, Major Cristobal J.P. Perez of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Gov. Erico Aumentado and top military and police officials led launching rites for the 25-unit rowhouse costing P6 million.

Fifteen members of the Bohol Composite Farmers Association led by former New People's Army (NPA) strategist circa '70s and '80s Epitacio Ramirez who went by the nom de guerre "Kumander Vargas", and 10 other farmers who already live in the area will occupy the units.

Convergence

The project is a product of Aumentado's signature convergence strategy. For the purpose, he leveraged P1.5 million from the provincial coffers to magnet P3 million from the Office of the President-President's Social Fund (OP-PSF) and another P1.5 million from Opapp.

The Engineer Support Battalion (ESBn) under Lt. Col. Ramon Evan Ruiz based in Brgy. Macaas in Tubigon town will build the rowhouses. The battalion is already a veteran of many school building projects of Aumentado and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, as well as the Department of Education (DepEd).

The homelots and farmlots are on a sprawling 50-hectare area made available by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO) and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) will provide technical assistance in growing oil palm or jatropha as well as seeds or planting materials for vegetables and other high value cash crops that can be planted between rows while the main crops are still young and unproductive.

On the other hand, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) has an ongoing livestock dispersal program that the new Remedios settlers can also avail of. That same day, Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, OPV head, had asked Aumentado to lead the passing-on-the gift ceremony for 11 heads of carabaos and more goats to their new owners during the civic action at the Remedios barangay hall. These are offspring of animals given to first round beneficiaries.

Remedios is only around three kilometers from Danao town proper.

SND's message

Gonzales said through all these years that he and Aumentado have joined forces to address the decades-old insurgency problem, Bohol has always pushed ahead earlier of the other provinces.

Being one of the most successful provinces in addressing insurgency, he said the Bohol experience should be replicated in the rest of the country.

He noted that in another first – Aumentado who also chairs the Bohol Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Chief Supt. Lani-o Nerez, Central Visayas regional police director and Maj. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, commander of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division based in Samar signed a joint resolution declaring Bohol insurgency-free.

Where the Government of the Philippines (GOP) and Communist Party of the Philippines leader Jose Ma. Sison have not been very successful, Aumentado has succeeded, Gonzales said, referring to the peace talks in Utrecht that have now stalled.

While Norway, the third party that has been giving support for the talks to continue is now apparently at a loss as to what to do next, Aumentado has found the key – talk to everyone interested and come up with a solution acceptable by all stakeholders: the Kalayaan Resettlement Center in Bohol's case.

Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Col. Alan Luga, commander of the 802nd Brigade, Sr. Supt. Anthony Obenza, Bohol police provincial director, Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva of the Central Command and Gonzales signed as witnesses.

With Bohol already insurgency-free and therefore "cleared", Aumentado, Tabaquero and Nerez also signed a memorandum of agreement transferring the active role in internal security operations (ISO) from the military to the police pursuant to the National Internal Security Plan (NISP) crafted by the National Security Council that President Arroyo has approved – for the "hold" phase.

The MOA also specified that the Bohol PPOC will take the lead in the "consolidation" and on to the "development" phases.

Tagbilaran Bohol Corruption

Sunday Post: The war of attrition between Mayor Lim and Vice Mayor Veloso arising from the P50 million DBP loan and the subsequent walkout of minority councilors has rubbed in to members of the city's majority bloc. 

Commenting on the walk-out, Councilor Oscar Glovasa said the city is the biggest loser in the controversial gesture of the minority members of the SP Monday.

"We have encountered another delay in the rehabilitation of our city roads because of our own making," he said of his peers.

Friday's session was marred by a walk-out by the minority members led by Vice Mayor Veloso and his allies, Councilors Edgar Kapirig, Zenaido Rama, Anne Mariq uit Oppus and Bebiano Inting.

The minority bloc claimed there was no walk-out.

Inting said they left the session after it was already adjourned.

Interviewed after the incident, Veloso said he adjourned the session after it became "unruly".

This version of the incident was denied by the majority bloc which continued the session after the walk-out.

Councilor Danilo Bantugan said Veloso could not adjourn the session since there was no motion.

"Even an ordinary councilman in the barrio knows that for the presiding officer to adjourn the proceedings, a motion is first required," he added.

Councilor Leonides Borja also disputed Veloso's claim that the session had become unruly saying the recordings of the proceedings will bear this out.

"Maybe they forgot that the session was covered live and that the people heard what actually transpired," he added.

Glovasa said that the walk-out again delayed the approval of the resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines with the city treasurer.

"It means that the people who have been clamoring for the rehabilitation of the city roads will have to wait a little longer," he added.

Glovasa, who is wrapping up his second term as councilor to run for Congress, said the walk-out is "an embarrassment" to the city because it shows what kind of councilors the city has.

Calling the walk-out gimmickry, Glovasa said it shows that the minority councilors are more concerned with stunts than with actual results.

Councilor Edgar Bompat, who presided over the session after Veloso and his group walked out, said the majority bloc is considering the possibility of censuring the minority councilors for their acts of disrespect to the council.

Bantugan said that if the minority bloc refuses to participate in the next session, they will resort to extreme measures.

"If they have no respect for us and for the city government, they should at least respect the people who pay our salaries for us to attend the sessions," he added.

Borja lamented that while they have moved the session day next week from Friday to Tuesday so that they will not miss a session day, the minority bloc instead defaulted on their responsibilities.

Glovasa denied there is any irregularity in the loan and in the implementation of the project saying the Commission on Audit is vigilant in ensuring that the public funds are well spent.

Political Trend in Bohol Province

From Bohol Sunday Post
There are widening cracks within the ruling Lakas-Kampi Party, and daily the cracks are widening and getting uglier. Unlike in previous elections, where the party stalwarts were united, .today there is an in-fighting among its ranks.

Take the case of Governor Erico Aumentado, who almost lost the position as the official candidate for Congressman of the second district for Lakas-Kampi when the certificate of nomination was awarded to Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes. Although, this was promptly revoked, Aumentado supporters suspect that Cong. Cajes and Congressman Edgar Chatto were behind it. They cannot forgive the two party stalwarts. So it is an open secret that mayors identified with Aumentado, although official Lakas-Kampi candidates will support

Vice-Governor Julius Herrera. Chatto has to watch his back carefully for those mayoral candidates disguising as Lakas-Kampi candidates but secretly supporting Herrera.

Definitely, Chatto cannot expect Aumentado's support. After the elections, I doubt if Lakas-Kampi will still be intact as the party of domination in Bohol. But well, these are political realities.

Although Chatto has still an advantage at this start of the campaign, there are still several months to go, before the elections. Chatto has to assess carefully his strengths and weaknesses and concentrate his campaigning to areas where his opponent is strong

He must fight like a Packman if he is to win convincingly in the elections. He has to watch his back and trust nobody. Sadly enough these are games of politics.

I am supporting Chatto because he is young and has a vision for Bohol. He listens to suggestions and will surely be guided by the composite opinion of Boholanos.

One big factor is, the money politics, and ironically sometimes, this is the deciding factor. Boholanos especially the old voters still go to the candidates who can buy their votes. What is the extent of vote-buying nobody knows but Chatto should get well prepared for it at this time

At this time, it is easy to predict that the first district will be won by ex-Governor Rene Relampagos. Our good friend, Oscar Glovasa has virtually no chances to win the elections despite the loud support of Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim. Outside of Tagbilaran, Glovasa has no known political bailiwick. He cannot be even sure of Tagbilaran.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has no opponent so he is as good as elected.

How to solve insurgency in the Philippines

By Ben Cal

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle T. Abaya said that peace initiatives emanating from the community level are those that work best in eradicating insurgency, citing the success of Bohol as an example.

Abaya made the remarks at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) on the implementation of the Sorsogon Initiative to bring about sanctuaries of peace and development in the province.

The province of Sorsogon is one of the few remaining areas in the country where communist insurgency is active but which the government is dealing with through peace talks initiated by the local people themselves.

The Spanish government has allocated P20 million to finance various peace projects to support the Sorsogon Initiative.

The MOA signatories were Secretary Abaya in behalf of OPAPP, DILG Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno, who was represented by DILG Undersecretary Melchor Rosales; Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias-Romero on behalf of the Spanish government; Sorsogon Governor Sally Lee; Bishop Arturo Bastes of the Archdiocese of Sorsogon; and Atty. Loida Nicolas-Lewis, co-convenor of the Sorsogon Alliance for Peace and Development.

The signing was held at the Oakwood Premier in Ortigas Center, Pasig City on Tuesday.

"I would like to express my great thanks to the Spanish Government for the assistance they are giving us, not just now in this big project but also the smaller projects that led to this," Abaya said.

She also cited the efforts by the local stakeholder group in Sorsogon for working together with the OPAPP and the government peace panel to support the peace initiative.

"I hope that Sorsogon will really be such a big model for the communities that want peace. The peace talks, as we all know, are not in limbo. The peace talks are going on in an informal way but there is certainly interest on both sides to continue talking," Abaya said.

"There have been statements made by (Defense) Secretary Bert Gonzales that perhaps the local talks should begin in the Philippines. My response has always been the initiatives that emanate from the community are those that work best," Abaya said, adding, "We have seen that in Bohol and now we're seeing that in Sorsogon."

Bohol is the first province in the whole Philippines to have declared that the communist insurgency waged by the New People's Army (NPA) has been eradicated mid last year through a program initiated by Bohol Governor Erico B. Aumentado, providing livelihood to former rebels.

"These are models that other communities can look to. So while the peace talks remain as a door through which the leadership and the other members of the CPP/NPA/NDF can come in so that they can mainstream with us, there are still such initiatives such as the Sorsogon and even the Bohol Initiative, where people who would like to participate and really be truly involved in peace can really come in," Abaya said.

Abaya revealed that Sorsogon is close to her heart as a peacemaker herself.

"I would like to give you a message about how I felt about this Sorsogon Initiative when I heard that it was finally going to take place. This is very personal to me. I got involved in the Sorsogon Initiative at its very roots, through Loida Nicholas-Lewis," Abaya said.

Four years ago, Abaya went to Sorsogon to train a small group on how to dialogue.

"It was a very intimate group that really wanted to learn how to dialogue and I thought it was a very eye-opening experience, not just for them but also for me," she added.

"But that event was something very special to me because something very personal happened to me in that place. A day before I went to Sorsogon, it was Mother's Day and it was a big event because all my sisters and I gathered to be with our mother.

"That very day I told her that I was going to be away to Sorsogon but that I'll be back and I'll see her again.

"When I came back, I found out that my mother had died," Abaya recalled with sadness.

"I guess my mother pursued her own peace. So was I in Sorsogon trying also to pursue peace. Sorsogon is a very meaningful place for me because it brings out many memories about peace and in many different ways," she said.

"After that particular training in Sorsogon, they told me that the group that I trained had actually gone up to the mountain and started to do their dialogue. And after a few months I was informed that despite all of their fears, their anxieties, their trepidation, they finally got to have some very, very good dialogues and finally the people have started to ask what they can expect from government. And that we brought to the panel and we at the panel were at a loss because we didn't know it would happen so soon. And this was because of the dialogue that was started then.

"From then on it snowballed and then it gave way into several project and finally it has come to this, the Sorsogon Initiative, which I understand is going to be a much bigger project from what we originally had planned for," Abaya said. (PNA Features)

Irrigation Project in Lanao del Sur Philippines

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered military engineers under Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Lt. General Delfin Dolorfino to complete the Malaig Irrigation Project in the adjacent town of Butig, which was suspended due to the activities of rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Commander Bravo. 

The project, which was among the major irrigation projects mentioned in the President's 2006 State of the Nation Address, is part of government's goal to increase farm productivity in Agribusiness Mindanao super region, one of five growth corridors aimed at maximizing the country's strengths in agriculture and agribusiness, information technology, and tourism.

The President also instructed Public Works Secretary Vic Domingo to start within two weeks construction work on the long-stalled Lake Lanao Circumferential Road, which was conceptualized during a visit here decades back by the President's father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal.

"Secretary Domingo said the equipment are ready and the project already awarded to the winning contractor," the President told the faculty and students of Unda Memorial National Agricultural School (UMNAS) here this afternoon.

Team From Malaysia Arrives in the Philippines

Government efforts to achieve peace in fast-developing Mindanao region have gained the needed support with the arrival in Manila of the Malaysian members of the International Monitoring Team. 

The IMT is a third party monitoring team composed of unarmed police and military personnel from Malaysia, Libya and Brunei Darussalam. 

It was first formed in 2004 and acted as monitoring team on the implementation of the 1997 general agreement on the cessation of hostilities of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panels. 

Expected to arrive here Wednesday is the IMT Reconnaisance Team to conduct an ocular inspection of the proposed IMT sites in preparation for the deployment of a new batch to Mindanao to be known as IMT-5. 

In November 2008, the mandate of the IMT lapsed and has never been reviewed until July last year when the GRP and MILF peace panels met in Malaysia to resume peace negotiations following the 2008 hostilities when the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain was nullified the Philippine Supreme Court. 

Josefina Lichauco passed away

FORMER Transportation and Communication secretary Josefina Lichauco passed away at 5:20 Sunday, a television report said.

Lichauco, 75, died of cardio-pulmonary arrest at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig without recovering from a coma following a stroke in Hong Kong last January 31. She was flown to Manila Wednesday.

Report also said the Lichauco was cremated and will be buried in a crypt inside the Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati on Thursday. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

Job Hiring in the Philippines in IT Company

We are Trend Micro, a global leader in anti-virus & content security solutions,and the award winning developer of PC-Cillin, ScanMail and ServerProtect. Our innovative centrally managed solutions protect networks at all levels,helping business and home users of all sizes manage today's internet security threats.

We are a team of passionate learners who possess a deep curiosity in acquiring greater knowledge. Ours is a culture of personal accountability, proactive execution and strong customer focus.

Global opportunities abound for realizing your full potential in Trend Micro. Our Chairman said it best: Be your self...Be the best part of yourself! Be part of our Global Anti-Virus Research and Support Center in Manila.

REQUIREMENTS

    * University degree in Computer Science, or related IT degree or Communications/Journalism desgree

    * Experience in IT/Call Center-related environment

    * Experience in cross-national work.

    * Knowledge of Trend Micro products is a plus

    * Prior work experience with KM and self-service initiatives

    * Strong interpersonal/relationship and communication skills

Translator Job English to Chinese

TRANSLATOR (CHINESE - ENGLISH)

(India)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Vocational Diploma / Short Course Certificate in any field.

    * At least 3 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.

    * Age: 25 - 38 years old

    * 10 Full-Time positions available.

    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

Job Opening in the Philippines Publication Expert

Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS) is expertise in action. We are a FORTUNE 500 company with 74,000 employees worldwide supporting client operations reaching more than 100 countries. We provide business process outsourcing and information technology solutions to world-class commercial and government clients. Our employees operate with integrity, and are flexible, reliable and responsive.

If you meet the requirements of this position and want to work for a world-class company with a great marketplace reputation, apply today.

Publications Specialist

(National Capital Reg)

Requirements:

    * A strong software-related technical writing background with a previous career path in software development, QA or Systems Administration

    * Visio skills are a plus.

    * Prefer at least one year technical writing experience in a technical field or end user/enterprise software environment.

    * Experience in government products/financial solutions

    * Functional Description:

    * A strong software-related technical writing background with a previous career path in software development, QA or Systems Administration

    * Visio skills are a plus.

    * Prefer at least one year technical writing experience in a technical field or end user/enterprise software environment.

    * Experience in government products/financial solutions

    * Educational and Typical Yrs of experience:

    * BS/BA in English, Journalism or Technical Communication, Computer Science or directly related field.

    * Some exposure to software/technical related field with writing experience in a previous job – Must be able to provide some type of user manual/guide writing samples, even if not directly related to a software or technical field

    * Proven, superior communication skills, particularly writing skills, essential;

    * Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and apply advanced concepts;

    * Ability to work on multiple simultaneous projects and react positively to change.

    * Superior proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word – primarily), PowerPoint, and Excel)

    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

Jobs Philippines Medical Indexer

A Leader in Knowledge Process Outsourcing

 

Knowledge Process Outsourcing is essentially an offshoot and a high end activity of the Business Process Outsourcing industry involving complex fields of work requiring advanced analysis and communication, so specific higher education and language skills are essential.

 

Abstractor/Medical Indexer

(Central Visayas - Mandaue City, Cebu)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Social Science/Sociology, Finance/Accountancy/Banking, Marketing, Journalism, Nursing, Pharmacy/Pharmacology or equivalent.

    * Required language(s): English, Filipino

    * Proficient in internet research

    * Highly proficient in the use of English language with emphasis on grammar

    * Applicants must be willing to work in Mandaue City,Cebu.

    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.

    * 10 Full-Time positions available.

Jobs Philippines Content Writer

SMART-TRAFFIC SEO INC., is a UK-managed fast-growing Search Engine Optimization company that provides high quality search engine marketing services to its international clients. We are now recruiting high quality professional writers to join our established content writing team.

Content Writer

(Central Visayas)

Requirements:

    * Job summary: Writing high quality articles on varying subject matters, some research around the article subject, using the internet, may be required prior to writing

    * Has excellent research and English writing skills with experience

    * Can cope with deadlines without need for further editing

    * Formal qualification not required, history of writing experience essential

    * Salary: 12k to 16k per month (inclusive of performance bonus), depending on experience, skill and output. 1st month Probationary rate

Copywriter Hiring Opening Jobs Philippines

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Advertising/Media, Humanities/Liberal Arts, Mass Communications, Music/Performing Arts Studies or equivalent.

    * Required skill(s): has the ability to write and deliver output under pressure, can meet tight deadlines, good team player, has own initiative, MS Office.

    * Required language(s): English, Filipino

    * At least 1 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.

    * Applicants must be willing to work in Ortigas,Pasig.

    * Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Journalist/Editor or equivalent.

    * Full-Time positions available.

Jobs in the Philippines for Hongkong-based Magazine

One World Telecom (OWTel), launched on December 1, 1999 in Hong Kong, is a rapidly expanding telecom service provider. OWTel owns and operates a 100% digital network. It is the largest long distance service provider to the expatriate home user in Hong Kong.

Managing Editor (Hong-Kong Based)

(National Capital Reg)

Responsibilities:

    * Responsible for exploring, reporting and writing features articles

    * Contribute on content development, conduct interviews, research and proof-reading the contents

    * Editing other team members' work

    * Manage the editorial team

    * Build a network of sources and contacts in Hong Kong and in the Philippines

    * Will be based in Hong Kong

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree or Post Graduate Diploma / Master's Degree in Journalism, Advertising/Media or equivalent.

    * At least 1 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.

    * Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Journalist/Editor or equivalent. Job role in Editor or Journalist/Writer.

    * 4 Full-Time positions available.

    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

Jobs in the philippines internet content Writer

We are a small but fast growing SEO company (search engine optimization) based in Singapore. With our growth there will be more and more opportunities available to you including team leadership roles. We are seeking writers for work in the Philippines. Later on we will have openings for SEO Consultants. You will be joining a six person Filipino team.

Our company site is www.seo-magic-webs.com

We are unique also in that we support children in need through Buy1GIVE1 (www.b1g1.com) - Every new client we attract we feed and educate a slum living child for a month.

Internet Content Writer

Web Content Writer - SEO

( Work from home or in East Manila / Quezon)

    * We are a Singapore based SEO company. We're seeking talented and experienced content writers who can create interesting internet articles for us that are of a consistent high quality and delivered on time.

    * You will need to create flat standard articles (330 words) as well as 'spun' articles.

    * We have full video training available for article spinning.

    * You must have a high degree of English writing skills PLUS have a creative flair. We need our articles to be interesting and colorful.

    * We have two positions right now with an opening for a third within 6 to 8 weeks. We prefer people who can work full-time but we will consider part-time as long as you can CONSISTENTLY be available for a min of 20 hours a week.

    * You can be based anywhere in the Philippines as long as you have a broadband fast internet connection and your own computer. We pay a monthly allowance for usage.

    * You will need to be available right now seeing we are introducing a new web service and need top writers fast.

    * We are looking for people who have internet article writing skills. Having SEO skills will be a MAJOR advantage or if you have self studied SEO and are able to write SEO copy.

    * You will be paid monthly in Singapore $'s. You will receive all local holidays plus 10 days annual paid leave as well.

    * We are wanting people looking for longer-term working opportunities.

    * You can work from home and will have the opportunity to work from an office in Quezon City should you wish from later on in the year.

jobs philippines editor in chief of a philippine magazine

Here's your chance to build an exciting career with the undisputed leading content company that carries the best local and international brands! It's all to your advantage to work with the leader. We value highly-passionate, energetic, creative, fun-loving, results-oriented individuals who crave excitement and the opportunity to tell the world how great our brands are. Does this sound like you? Then theres definitely a place for you here.

Join the people behind these leading magazines!

Editor-in-Chief

(National Capital Reg - Mandaluyong City)

Responsibilities:

    * Provides over-all direction in matters concerning the operations and content of the assigned magazine.

    * Establish goals for the editorial team, leads all planning efforts and analyze performance of the magazine's market reach.

    * Approve conceptualized feel of the magazine after thorough review with the editorial group.

    * Approve and monitor editorial schedules, deadlines and content of the magazine;

    * Decide on final articles for production and printing.

    * Final-editing of all accepted articles.

    * Maintain and establish contact with contributors and editors about the status of their articles;

    * Represent the Press at professional meetings and conventions as appropriate.

    * Contribute to team effort and act as the group advisor in reminding schedules for deadlines and making sure that quality will still be at its finest despite strict deadlines.

    * Delegate work assignments and review and evaluate all stories and articles to be included in the magazine.

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media or equivalent.

    * Applicants should have excellent management and people handling skills.

    * Must be well-versed in topics related to goodhousekeeping and parenting;

    * Very strong written communication and editing skills.

    * Must have extensive experience in handling a team of editorial people.

    * At least 4 year(s) of working experience in a managerial capacity.

    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

    * Preferably Assistant Manager / Managers specializing in Journalist/Editor or equivalent. Job role in Management or Editor.

    * Full-Time positions available.

We are looking for young, dynamic, committed and very talented individuals who have the passion for work, with excellent communication skills. 

Food magazine writer jobs philippines

Here's your chance to build an exciting career with the undisputed leading content company that carries the best local and international brands! It's all to your advantage to work with the leader. We value highly-passionate, energetic, creative, fun-loving, results-oriented individuals who crave excitement and the opportunity to tell the world how great our brands are. Does this sound like you? Then theres definitely a place for you here.

Join the people behind these leading magazines!

Managing Editor (Food Website)

(National Capital Reg - Mandaluyong City)

Responsibilities:

    * Act as the second-in-command in the magazine's online editorial group

    * Provide assistance and advise to the Digital Editorial Manager in matters concerning decisions regarding the content of the website

    * Contribute to team effort and act as the group advisor in reminding schedules for deadlines and making sure that quality will still be at its finest despite strict deadlines

    * Delegate work assignments and review and evaluate all online stories and articles

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media or equivalent.

    * Applicants should be highly-interested & familiar with topics related to food & cooking.

    * Experience in online / digital editorial management will be an advantage.

    * Should possess excellent communication and people management skills.

    * At least 4 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.

    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

    * Full-Time positions available.

We are looking for young, dynamic, committed and very talented individuals who have the passion for work, with excellent communication skills. 

jobs philippines content officer

Orion OMG Solutions Inc. (formerly Outblaze Asia Pacific Inc.) is a part of the Outblaze Ltd. group. Outblaze is a global, integrated digital media and collaboration entity that provides a broad variety of services to multinationals, SMEs, NGOs, educational institutions, and various others, serving over 40 million subscribers around the world.

We are inviting top-notch professionals to join our Philippine team located in the Ortigas Business District. For successful applicants, on-the-job overseas training will be provided as needed.

Content Moderation Controller Officer

(National Capital Reg - Pasig City)

Responsibilities:

    * Manage the content entered by users into our products.

    * Moderate mailing lists, forums, chat rooms and other products of the company.

    * Resolve issues and conflicts that arise among users diplomatically and reasonably.

    * Conceptualize ideas to promote and develop client websites and products.

    * Establish respect, trust and rapport with community users to maintain order in the chat rooms, forums, mailing lists and other products.

    * Research and write content for websites and products.

Requirements:

    * Graduate of Business, Journalism, Marketing, IT or relevant Bachelor's degree.

    * Excellent creative and professional writing, reading and speaking skills in English is required.

    * Fresh Graduates are welcome to apply.

    * Strong familiarity and interest with Internet messaging systems, terms, and trends is a must.

    * Must be responsible, patient, willing to teach and be diplomatic in resolving issues and conflict within chat rooms, forums and other products.

    * Must possess strong moral values and principles.

    * Experience in moderating forums, chat rooms, mailing lists and websites is a definite plus.

    * Must be able to work independently and with a team as needed.

    * Knowledge in blogging is an advantage. (ex. Blogger, Wordpress, Live Journal).

    * Knowledge in basic HTML is and advantage.

    * Interest in anime, music, manga, video games and other pop culture topics is a plus.

    * Fluency in other languages like Chinese, Japanese and Korean is a plus but not required.

    * Must be able to work shifts and on holidays when needed

    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

    * Manage the content entered by users into our products.

    * Moderate mailing lists, forums, chat rooms and other products of the company.

    * Resolve issues and conflicts that arise among users diplomatically and reasonably.

    * Conceptualize ideas to promote and develop client websites and products.

    * Establish respect, trust and rapport with community users to maintain order in the chat rooms, forums, mailing lists and other products.

    * Research and write content for websites and products.

Jobs Philippines Education Materials Writer

goFLUENT Philippines, Inc. is a Swiss international company that specializes in English distance learning. It was founded with a vision to provide superior English training using the latest in communications technology and the finest individuals in the training industry.

Recognizing the presence of a highly educated English-speaking workforce in the Philippines, goFLUENT was established in Manila and began its operations in 2004. goFLUENT Philippines is the headquarters for training and IT operations, managing worldwide operations such as those in the US and Canada.

goFLUENT's success lies in its people. Its workforce consists of top-notch individuals who are dedicated to ensuring that our learners receive the finest service possible. With skill and productivity as our main recruitment criteria, we make certain that only the exceptional are hired.

Education Materials Writer

(National Capital Reg)

Responsibilities:

    * The employee will create offline and online instructional materials to teach English to ESL/EFL learners. The employee will receive a basic review of educational methodology. The employee may also be guided to produce multimedia materials.

Requirements:

    * Excellent English grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation.

    * Strong research skills and an ability to find and use information from the Internet when needed.

    * Experience in teaching or educational writing. We prefer applicants with experience in English writing, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), or English for Specific Purposes (ESP).

    * A college degree in English, Communication, Education, or similar field. Graduates of Business and English-intensive fields are also welcome to apply.

    * Experience in professional writing or a substantial body of semi-professional writing work.

    * Good computer skills. Experience in using multimedia or graphics suites is a plus.

    * Applicants must be willing to work in Eastwood, Quezon City

    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

Internship Job in the Philippines

Gang I.T. Ventures is a I.T. Company that specializes on Online Marketing / Advertising, and on the side we do Enterprise Solutions for businesses and Web Developments. What makes Gang Ventures different is the emphasis of modern internet technology to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of a business. It's a young, innovative, creative company that envisions itself to be the leading Online Advertising company in the next few years thru radical and non traditional approaches to solve problems.

Internship for Media/Art Students

(National Capital Reg - GreenHills, San Juan)

During the internship period, you will be exposed to these areas:

Responsibilities:

    * Writing

    * Blogging

    * Researching

Requirements:

    * Candidate must be currently pursuing a Bachelor's/College Degree in Art/Design/Creative Multimedia, Mass Communications, Linguistics/Languages or equivalent.

    * Required skill(s): Writing, Researching.

    * Required language(s): English.

    * Applicants must be willing to work in GreenHills,San Juan.

    * 3 Internship position(s) for duration of 5 month(s).

Job in Makati City Manila Philippines

SEOPAsia is an award-winning international Internet Marketing company recognized as one of the fastest growing in the world. Our globally distributed offices work together to offer premier internet marketing services including SEO, PPC Management, Social Media Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, Online Reputation Management, and more.

 

Our company is composed of marketing experts and savvy technological professionals from multinational corporations and web service arenas, to ensure that you and your website receive only the highest quality services geared toward getting the best results. Our thought leadership, combined with our track record of stellar results, has propelled us to become the leading full-service search marketing firm in the world. Led by sought-out industry experts, we harness the power of the major search engines to build your brand, and ultimately, grow your business.

Online Magazine Editor

(National Capital Reg - Makati City)

Responsibilities:

    * Develop content and concepts for a website on any of the following areas: men's lifestyle, women's luxury fashion, business and entrepreneurship

    * Write articles, blog entries, and website content, among others, that meet or exceed daily quota and the company's high quality standards

    * Proofread and edit own (and potentially others') work to ensure near 100% accuracy

    * Work with a team of talented and dedicated professionals

    * Uphold company values of honesty, passion, speed, and high quality performance

    * Take on other role-specific responsibilities to be discussed in detail during the interview

Requirements:

    * Candidate must have online or print magazine experience

    * Must have a unique writing voice and personality

    * Required skills: extensive research, meticulous editing, quality American writing

    * Preferred skills: basic HTML knowledge, blogging experience

    * Required language: English

    * At least 5 years of working experience in the related field is required for this position

    * Full-Time positions available

    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status

    * Applicants should be willing to work in Makati City

IT Computer Job in the Philippines

From your very first day at HP, you'll notice it—we do things differently around here. You'll be challenged to lead from day one, and rewarded when you do. Because we're in over 170 countries around the world, your work will have a real impact on the lives of people everywhere. We're developing truly remarkable technologies like hardware that thinks for itself and nanotechnology applications that are years ahead of the competition. So bring your passion to HP; together there's no telling what we can achieve.

ITO Database Administration - Oracle/SQL Support Administrator

HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and business. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services, and imaging and printing. Our $4 billion annual R&D investment fuels the invention of products, solutions and new technologies so we can better serve customers and enter new markets. We invent, engineer and deliver technology solutions that drive business value, create social value and improve the lives of our customers.

ITO needs individuals who can leverage their Oracle skills in high-volume, high-complexity production environments to manage and support Oracle products. The Database Management team supports multiple instances and servers located in data centers around the world. We want people who are problem solvers and like working hands-on.

Tasks

In our Remote management Center you will be responsible for maintaining DB (server/instance) uptime and performance levels as per our SLA with customers. You will need to use your knowledge and previous experience to achieve these levels.

 

Skills

·    Oracle DB administration experience.

·    High level of initiative and ownership: can take a problem and follow it to resolution.

·     Effective verbal and written English communication skills.

·    Can work in global [virtual] teams.

·    Platform knowledge (UNIX and/or Windows 2000/2003/XP) is a big plus.

·    Experience in Escalation, Problem, Change and Incident Service Management disciplines is valuable, but not required.

·    Desirable, Experience in HP Open View.

-    Willing to work in the Fort Taguig or Makati

-    Can work shifting schedule including weekends and holidays

Company: Hewlett Packard / HP

Location: Other- Phillipines

Election in Bohol Philippines

 In an attempt to have a clean, honest and peaceful elections, the Diocese of Tagbilaran has conducted a training for the volunteers under the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary yesterday.

Participants are coming from some 58 parishes under the Tagbilaran diocese.

The same training of volunteers under the diocese of Talibon is expected to be conducted separately.

In his letter to election supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria, Msgr. Leonardo Y. Medroso pointed out PPCRV is equipping the volunteers "with necessary insights and skills so that they will become effective, responsible and competent volunteers for the May 10 elections."

Labaria tackled the topic "automated elections" in the afternoon session and city election registrar Atty. Ariel Selma for the "Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) Machine" during the training attended by some 150 volunteers.

In the morning of the training session, Atty. Antonio Amora, Jr. discussed the definition of politics and its impact to the Philippine political landscape; Philippine Politics Situation and Voter's Education by Rev. Fr. Val Pinlac.

Tips to Voters

Guidelines on electing good and responsible candidates in the forthcoming are out to guide electorate for a responsible candidates.

First and foremost is the competence of the candidates to be elected to office based on the Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics of 1977.

Leadership, PPCRV said, is not measured by being a good speaker or a bet is popular, if not he has a lot of educational background but he must be a good servant and sacrifice.

PPCRV called on the electorate to vote for a good candidate who has shown his "genuine concern for common good" and not for his own personal interest.

And the "integrity" of a candidate which PPCRV considers is the most important of all traits of a good and responsible leader. A leader, who has this qualification, stands firm for what he believes is right based on his principles. 

Longest Staying Resident in Malacañang Manila Philippines

In the current Philippine national election campaign, nine presidential candidates are fiercely jockeying to become Malacañang's official tenant for the next six years, but only one will get the lease to the stately place—a palace, in fact—that many an ambitious Filipino had fought for and died for and likely had even lied for over the years. But to Raul S. Gonzalez, author of the recently released memoir-cum-essay collection, My Malacañang: Essays on presidents, people, places and politics, being a Malacañang resident wasn't great shakes really. He had lived there as a permanent, non-elective resident for nearly 13 years, giving him a ringside seat to recent Philippine political and social history as well as a close familiarity with the virtues, foibles, and quirks of its long succession of elective tenants.

But if Gonzalez's only qualification was having been Malacañang's longest-staying resident except for one, My Malacañang wouldn't merit even a brief review in Jose Carillo's English Forum. It's indisputable, though, that his 65 English-language essays in the 320-page collection are not only highly evocative, compelling cautionary tales about Philippine life and politics but also superb, instructive reading for students of English style and rhetoric. Gonzalez is a highly astute observer and an English-language wordsmith with few equals in the country, so I took the opportunity of reviewing My Malacañang myself to introduce Forum members to his engaging narrative and expository prose. As a bonus, his deep insights into power and power players in the Philippines might just help us make an enlightened choice of the next Malacañang tenant.