NPA Rebels Deny Arrest of Comrade

The New People's Army (NPA) in Negros Oriental claims a Boholano Red fighter picked by the military is missing.

In a statement emailed to journalists, the NPA Pulang Mt. Talinis Command identified the missing rebel as Calixto "Ka Manong" Alfante, 46.

The statement was signed by Dom Pantaleon who identified himself as the spokesman of the Pulang Mt. Talinis Command based in Southeastern Negros .

Alfante was allegedly abducted by elements of the 79th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Kabalanusan, Barangay Dobdob , Valencia town, Negros Oriental.

The NPA claimed Alfante was alone and unarmed at the time of his abduction and was merely helping peasants with farming-related problems.       

In spite of efforts by Alfante's family to locate him in various municipal jails, the NPA said the 302nd Infantry Brigage based in Tanjay City has continued to deny custody over the missing rebel.

"We dare the 79th IB's Lt. Col. Erwin Neri to re-read seriously the 1949 Geneva Conventions which forbid any and all forms of ill-treatment of captives consistent with humanitarian considerations," the statement said.

The NPA also demanded that Neri to immediately surface their captured comrade and grant visitation rights to his family.

According to the statement, the 46-year-old Alfante served as councilor of Barangay Libertad Sur, Sagbayan in the late 90s.

The NPA alleged that Alfante's disappearance is a violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention governing combatants and hors d' combat (combatants deemed already protected by international humanitarian law by virtue of arrest or surrender).

It claimed that Alfante's abduction and involuntary disappearance is connected to the aggressive drive of the Arroyo government to plant jathropa and other cash crops in Negros Oriental which the NPA said is to the detriment of food crops farmers in lowland and upland barangays in the province.

Conbusac Organization Helping People in Bohol Island

By June Blanco

  Inspired by the success of the livestock dispersal program in Bohol, the Confederation of Boholanos, USA and Canada, Inc. (Conbusac) vowed to continue partnering with the province in its artificial insemination (AI) project under the Let's Help Bohol and the Livelihood Integrated for Food and Family Enhancement (Liffe) programs.

  Gov. Erico Aumentado was the guest of honor and speaker at the midterm conference Monday of the Conbusac Council of Leaders headed by Carlos Cagaanan of Lila town, held at the Cathay House Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

  He thanked Conbusac for the continued support in the AI program implemented by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian under Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz.

  Aumentado said from the least livestock-producing province in the region, Bohol leaped to No. 1 after Conbusac's assistance through nitrogen tanks to keep carabao, cattle and swine semen for easier application to females, thereby giving reproduction a much-needed boost.

  If given monetary value, the offspring alone would now be worth over P28 million, the governor told Conbusac, stirring the council leaders into rubbing on the zeal on their respective members.

  The Conbusac and provincial government AI project partnership started during the presidency of Angelito Dano of Sevilla town, with the support of past presidents Marino Aguhar and Bernardo Mag-aso, former councilor of Tagbilaran City.

  At the same time, Aumentado campaigned among the members with business acumen especially those planning to retire back home to invest in the areas of tourism and agriculture – the province's two major economic drivers – and in the burgeoning information technology (IT) industry.

  He also briefed them on the P4.2-billion Panglao Bohol International Airport Development Project (PBIADP) for which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo officiated groundbreaking rites last May 20 in Purok 2 in Barangay Tawala where the terminal building is proposed to rise.

  The project will be financed with local funds – not Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan. Specifically, P3 billion of the amount will come from the corporate funds of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and P1.2 billion from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

  The governor also gave updates on the now complete Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project (BCRIP) Phases 1 and 2, Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project (LBIP) Phases 1 and 2, Bohol Irrigation Project (BHIP) Stages 1 and 2, and the soon-to-be-started BCRIP 3, BHIP 3 and the Bohol Tourism Roads Improvement Project (B-Trip).

  The latter includes the Tarsier Highway or the Corella-Sikatuna-Loboc Road and the Bohol stretch of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway that links the ports of Tubigon and Jagna towns passing through the interior municipalities of Sagbayan, Carmen and Sierra Bullones. The alternate route passing through Alicia town will also be improved, he assured.

  While the airport is targeted for completion in 2010 yet, Panglao's skyline will already change soon with the construction within the quarter of the P1.2-billion Bohol Regency Hotel and Convention Center by the owners of the Boracay Regency Hotel.

  The Bellevue and other hotel chains are already acquiring property in Panglao Island, he intimated.

  Aumentado's briefing was interrupted several times with applause coming from misty-eyed US-based Boholanos so obviously missing home.

  Equally misty-eyed were the Bohol Provincial Hospital School of Nursing (BPHSN) alumni and staff association who gathered at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino a day earlier for a two-day reunion.

  Aumentado praised Fe Hora-San Juan of Panglao town and Concordia Vistal, the association president and adviser, respectively, as well as the rest of the members, for regularly holding reunions.

  He said the activity "maintains unity and cooperation and upholds the tradition of excellence among the members."

  The BPHSN tradition, he recalls, was always giving a 100% passing average at the licensure examinations.

  The Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) or the global conference of Boholanos slated in Bohol next year is expected to have good attendance with Aumentado campaigning for balikbayans.

  He also found a sponsor in Bobby Guday to head the Official Support Committee (OSC) for the inclusion of the Chocolate Hills among the New Seven Wonders of Nature through internet voting.

Surigao Congressman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. in Bohol Philippines

      Last Sunday's street dancing revelry in Bohol was highlighted by the presence of former Surigao Congressman Prospero "Butch"Pichay, Jr.  as keynote speaker.

In gratitude to the Boholano votes in last year's senatorial race, the former solon  pledged to donate P200,000 for next year's Sandugo festival.  

      In introducing Pichay, who ranked second in Bohol counting in the 2007 senatorial derby Deputy Mayor Mariano Uy bared that the guest of honor will be seeking second chance in 2010 elections.

      Uy, Tagbilaran City's Father of Botika sa Katawhan, also cited the considerable amount that Pichay had contributed to Mayor Dan Lim's flagship social services program.

      Pichay paid tribute to Datu Sikatuna whom he called "the first Filipino ambassador".

      The outspoken Surigao leader, commonly described as an epitome of a rags-to-riches venture, opened his speech by expressing gratitude to the Boholano electorate for making him number 2 in Bohol in last year's senatorial race.

      "I like the traits of the Boholanos. What's the best tourist attraction in Bohol?- -The hospitality and the beauty of the people of Bohol," Pichay said.

      At the clinching part of his brief speech, Pichay described Boholanos as "buotan" (kind), industrious, honest and "utokan" (brilliant).

      "These are the traits that you should be proud of as Boholanos. Everywhere in the world, traits of the Boholanos excel," he concluded.

      City Mayor Dan Neri Lim delivered the welcome address.

      Bohol's first ladies in emceeing- -Ardie Aranet-Batoy and Gloria Araneta, sisters of respected radio commentator, Fred Araneta- -were the host of the ceremonies that followeed the street dancing.

      Former DILG provincial director, now Baclayon Municipal Councilor Carmen Gatal, chair of the Sandugo streetdancing committee introduced the members of the board of judges- -Dr. Rosalinda Palermo of the University of San Carlos-PE Department as chairperson; Rosalinda Dakosa,  Mila Hanson, Bonifacio Pargamento and Ricky Ferolino.      

      The minor awards went to Bien Unido- -Best in Over-all Impact; Catigbian National High School- -Most Creative; Carmen- -Most Lively Group; University of Bohol- -Best in Instrumentation; Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School- -Best in Costume; Ubay- -Best in Choreography.

        The now famous Loboc Youth and Children's Band under Boholano musician, Rene Balbin, provided the intermission number. (With reports from Sen Guingguing & Fred Fuertes) 

Boholano People in US and Canada Support International Airport

  The Confederation of Boholanos, USA and Canada, Inc. (Conbusac) has favorably endorsed the implementation of the Panglao Bohol International Airport Development Project (PBIADP).

  The endorsement came in the form of a resolution approved by the Conbusac Council of Leaders headed Carlos Cagaanan of Lila town by telephone conference.

  The council had gathered at the Cathay House Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada for its mid-term conference with Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado as guest of honor and speaker.

  Aumentado said of the recently completed, on-going and pipeline development projects he reported to his compatriots from across the United States and Canada, the Panglao airport was the most applauded.

  He said the Boholanos expressed thrill and excitement, already wanting to pay for seats on the maiden flight that will take them back direct to their place of birth.

  The resolution approved by 26 other members of the Council of Leaders stated that the Conbusac recognizes the importance of the Panglao Bohol International Airport Development Project (PBIADP) "as a unique opportunity to define the comprehensive transportation needs" in Bohol and the Philippines – for efficient 21st century mobility.

  It underscored the fact that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have considered Bohol as a stand-along tourism destination in the global roadmap "by reason of its eco-cultural heritage endowments and agri-tourism potentials."

  The council also stated that environmental and social preparations have been undertaken by the appropriate government agencies and the private sector by way of consultations and meetings that led to the establishment of protective measures for some perceived social problems that may arise as a consequence of development and progress.

  The members also said that the realization of the project will greatly benefit not only the tourism industry in Bohol but all the Boholanos around the world in terms of faster and safer travel when they visit their home province.

  As such, the Conbusac, through its Council of Leaders favorably endorsed and expressed strong support for the implementation of the project furnishing concerned government officials, public interest groups and the print and broadcast media for their information.

  The Council of Leaders who approved the resolution include Phil Gucor, senior vice president; Lino Chatto Jr., regional vice president (RVP) for Southern California; RVP for Southwest USA and President Marino Aguhar of the Bohol Association of Texas, Inc.; RVP for Midwest USA Nemie Odtohan; RVP for the Greater Washington Area Socorro Doverte; RVP for Southeast USA Esther Gianan; RVP for Eastern USA and president of the Tagbilaranons of Eastern USA Rev. Fr. Fernando Po; RVP for Western Canada Rupie Payot; RVP for Eastern Canada and president Arnold Maceren of the Bohol Association of Canada;

  Auditor Elpidio Baluca; President Lilia Magtoto of the Bohol Foundation, British Columbia, Canada; President Ted Apalisok of the Tagbilaranons of Northern California and former Conbusac president; President Malou Saito of the Tagbilaran Association of Southern California, Inc.; President Fidel Tutor of the Boholanos of Southern California, Inc.; President Anita Cal-Jackson of the Tagbilaran Association of California;

  President Evelyn Sayre of the Boholanos of Las Vegas, Nevada; President Jun Namoc of Sandugo, Texas; President Lilia Cumba of the Circulo Boholano of Illinois; President Roldan Sarmiento of the Bol-anon sa Michigan and former Conbusac president; President Nita Borja of the Bohol Circle, Eastern USA; President Denny Auza of Ang Kaliwat Bol-anon sa Florida; and

  Former Conbusac Presidents Loli Dano; Johnny Torralba, Nick Lopez, Randy Gallardo, Narding Mag-aso and Lito Dano.

Get World-class Bohol Native Bags

Written By Leo Udtohan

"We're ready for export," enthused Inabanga Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy who headed the Team Inabanga raffia fashion show last Friday, July 25.

People who witnessed the show appreciated the raffia products which are collections of bags, belt, hat, wallet, roman shade, window blind, door curtain, lampshade, wall art, cushions, seminar kits, buri berry stools, lei, wine holder, envelope, placemats, table runner, chair cover, and even the material cloth used in paintings, etc, perfectly shown in the show with different designs, shapes and colors. Aside from the raffia products, models showed how the raffia ideally suited for casual attire, gown, barong tagalong, etc.

The loomweaving industry in the Inabanga was introduced in the 1800s and dates back to the time of Francisco Dagohoy, the leader of the longest running Philippine revolt against the Spanish Colonizers in 1781 – 1883. The woven fabrics then were used as uniforms of the "indios" up against the Spaniards and as sleeping mats.

This industry utilizes raffia fibers taken from the unopened buri (corypha elata roxb.) leaf and made into woven fabrics using 2 – 6 harness wooden handlooms.

During the Second World War, due to the dearth of fabrics, woven raffia was used as military uniforms by the local resistance movement. In the 1950's it evolved as mats for drying rice and corn by the farmers. In the 70s it evolved as house wares and table tops.

This time, with the fusion of other indigenous materials and design innovations, woven raffia fabrics have been converted to lifestyle products.

The increasing demand for the use of biodegradable and environment compatible woven raffia fabrics in the international market necessitates the furtherance of awareness on the part of the weaving communities in the countryside for them to strengthen and expand their production base and improve product quality.

On the other hand, it is incumbent upon the industry stakeholders to inform and announce to the consumer sector to include institutional buyers, exporters and sub contractors that Inabanga has the production capacity, variety of product lines and the quality standard they can rely upon.

While every product is different, the Inabanga-based products have successfully created a look that make them identifiable and is done by those of tarsier and flowers designed that serves as a trademark. 

The products have gone around the world, bought by foreigners and balikbayans as souvenirs and other specialty shops in Cebu and Manila. Celebrities including Angelina Jolie were spotted in New York City wearing a bag from Inabanga.

The Controversial Letter of Mike Francis Acebedo Lopez: National Youth Commission (NYC) Is A Big Failure?

The Controversial Letter of Mike Francis Acebedo Lopez: Philippines' National Youth Commission (NYC) Is A Big Failure?

I am constrained to report to the Filipino people, particularly to my fellow youth, that the Officials of the National Youth Commission have not served the greater interest of our people, for the following reasons: 

1) This is a Youth Commission whose Leadership has cases at the Ombudsman, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC), along with a severely damaged reputation, being subject to numerous complaints from various youth circuits and circulating in e-groups across the country and abroad. This Youth Commission has ganged up on me for my opposition, insisting that we are a collegial body and should therefore be united and agree on everything. But I believe in unity in diversity (there is a reason why the NYC was created to have several commissioners) and upholding truth and justice over everything else. They do not understand that I oppose only those decisions that I know will tarnish our individual and collective reputations, ultimately affecting the credibility and integrity of our agency. They do not understand that we each represent the NYC and our government, and our actions can and will affect the credibility and integrity of the Office we represent. At a time when corruption and hopelessness pervade, our credibility, I believe, is the best gift we could give our country and our fellow young Filipinos.  

2) This is the same Youth Commission that has bullied the alumni association of the SSEAYP (Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program), an organization of passionate and dedicated alumni of the Japanese Government's SSEAYP program. (The NYC is mandated by law to implement the SSEAYP in the Philippines). The NYC Leadership supported the creation of a different alumni association to divide the current SSEAYP leadership in the Philippines, apparently to get back at them because the group pressed charges against the Officials of the Commission. These cases filed emanated from the Commission's decision to choose one of its own as National Leader of last year's SSEAYP delegation (the first time its ever happened) to a two-month all-expense paid cultural cruise across Japan and the ASEAN region. Worse, the Commission went through the motions of a search for applicants even if the NYC's Leadership had already promised the position to the interested Commissioner. So what initially was just an issue of delicadeza became an issue of deception, a betrayal of public trust.

Genuine leadership seeks to unite, not divide the efforts and convictions of young people. When it does, it's apparent that it is for no other reason but to perpetuate one's stay in power or to secure an otherwise insecure position in society or government.

3) Many youth leaders across the country perceive NYC as using every crisis in the Arroyo Presidency as yet another opportunity to "kiss ass". This has lead to the moro-moro and incompetent management of our international programs. Slots for foreign trips, scholarships, and exchange programs are given to friends of the officials, with an unwritten, internal arrangement that only those who are pro-administration will be chosen. Take the SSEAYP for instance: its guidelines, which have been in place for several years, were unilaterally changed last year to accommodate an alleged relative of the President. In fairness to the President, I do not think that she is aware of these happenings, nor has she given such order. The irony is that the alleged relative did not apply last year, but the damage has already been done against the integrity of the SSEAYP selection process. And all this after we require applicants of our programs to accomplish so many difficult requirements and submit long essays. These officials have no respect for the efforts of the young people whose interests we all swore to uphold and protect.  

4) We've all heard about issues concerning our national procurement law, discussed in length at the Senate's hearings on the NBN-ZTE issue. Unfortunately, corruption in the bidding process is nothing new—not even to the NYC. In the middle of 2006, during an Executive Session in our Regular Commissioners' Meeting, and in the presence of our previous legal officer, I was so shocked when two of our Commissioners started accusing each other of securing kickbacks from their management of the agency's BAC (Bids and Awards Committee). The NYC Leadership did not even conduct a formal investigation on the matter.  

5) The NYC Leadership ordered for the delivery of computer units despite the advice from our Admin and Finance Division (AFD) that the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) had already denied the release of funds for the project. The project was supposed to be funded by the Presidential Social Fund, but Malacañang denied the release of funds after discovering that there were violations in the bidding process that the NYC leadership approved. For over a year, the supplier of the computer units were not paid and they almost resorted to legal action had it not been for the steps taken by our AFD Division. (I hope the NYC Leadership did not use the computers for an election bid as president of an association of law students, the computers having been distributed to the law school beneficiaries before the association's election. It's too much, really, to sacrifice the agency's reputation for that.) 

6) There are fresh reports of a certain Commissioner who allegedly falsified a DILG Memo Circular, forging no less than Secretary Ronaldo Puno's signature to endorse his SK seminar cum business venture. The falsified DILG Memo Circular endorsed this Commissioner's training of SKs, an activity unknown to the NYC and its staff. Maybe he preyed on the SKs knowing that they have the funds to participate in his seminars and falsified/forged the signature of the Cabinet Secretary to make sure that they are obliged to join (according to reports, these cost at least Php 5, 000 per participant; with possibly over a thousand SKs in that province who can participate – well, you do the math).

Despite the humiliation and indignity caused by them, many of these Officials still have the nerve to seek reappointment; worse, one is even starting to lobby for the Chairmanship of the NYC. To reappoint or promote anyone from this crop of NYC officials is like sentencing young people in our country to a fate worse than death.  

Look who's talking

There is a long litany of issues (Yes, there are more) that I hope can be resolved in the proper forum. While there is an ongoing debate for the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan, what about looking at the activities of the National Youth Commission and the apparent failure of its officials to protect its credibility, having been embroiled in scandal after scandal? How can the SKs look up to the NYC as a guide when the Commission has lost the moral ascendancy to lead them or to even propose reforms in the SK? 

To whom much is given, much is also expected. But how can the NYC live up to the high standards young people expect of them when, adding insult to injury, some of its officials have been reported to engage in scandalous sexual and amoral behavior in some of the NYC's official programs? Complaints from some youth volunteers allege that, in a number of instances, a Commissioner asked them to look for prostitutes for him. Our young people are talking about these debauched activities of a highly decadent Youth Commission, an agency that could have been considered the final frontier, the bastion of integrity and righteousness in the government.  

The Officials of the National Youth Commission have failed our country's youth. Even the hardworking staffs of the agency appear to be demoralized. (The agency's staff's turnover rate in the past year is the highest in the NYC's history)

I would rather go down with my integrity intact and my head held up high, than keep up the pretense of integrity where there is none. And I call upon each young Filipino to help me wage this war. Mayday, mayday… I need back up. Let us seize this moment, fight the good fight, and define our generation - and we will soon discover that for our country, and ourselves - the best is yet to come.

Who's In Charge of Water Conservation?

By Juan Mercado
Columnist

That's the question citizens ask, as government services, often indifferent at best, are crippled further by the avian-flu like spread of election fever.

"So, who is minding the store?" Sure, the fire department is there. So, are the police, hospitals, the military. But its day-to-day services - like getting official licenses, permits etc -- that are slowing down.

And the deep-seated problems, that demand long term planning beyond election cycles, are relegated further down to lower drawers. "He who does not take thought of what is distant," the sage Confucius once warned, "will find sorrows well at hand."

Take watersheds. When water runs out and taps turn dry, food stocks will shrivel. It's a question of time before riots erupt, as dessicated communities wither away and die.

An estimated 70 percent of the country's total land area belong to watersheds of varying sizes. "Many are invariably degraded," notes the UN's Food and Agriculture Oganization in its September 2003 report: "Sustainable Forest Management, Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in Upland Communities."

Almost 10 million hectares of the country's forests were destroyed, at the rate of more than 150,000 hectares yearly, within a 53-year period. Even well-endowed forests, as the Philippines once had, cannot withstand such relentless plunder.

Unchecked pillaging has seen forest cover on the watershed level, drop to none, as in Cebu, to more than 50 percent in Pasonanca of Zamboanga.

The disastrous consequences have been widespread. In many instances, they have been irreversible.

Soil erosion afflicts most watersheds. Of the country's 77 provinces, 13 have over half their land blighted by moderate to severe erosion. Between 63 and 77 percent of land area has been ravaged, depending on the yardstick used.

And when soil goes, so do your farms --- and the food they yield for dinner tables. "To reverse soil erosion will make fighting insurgency seem like child's play," the late National Scientist Dioscoro Umali once pointed out.

Few people stop to reflect that it takes nature over a century to form just one inch of top soil. That comes from forest biomass and the year-after-year action of God's rain and sun.

Yet, between 74 and 81 million tons of this resource -- much more valuable than Marcos' Swiss bank holdings or Jose Velarde's jueteng cream off -- have been washed away by floods cascading from denuded forests.

The data is there. In a 15-year period, for example, a fifth of irrigated systems dried up during summer. The food losses occurred even as population grew at rates that double in numbers every three decades. But we fail to heed "signs of the times."

Cereal shortfalls were made up by shopping abroad. "Costly imports have become the legal tender by which countries close their water deficits," the Worldwatch Institute points out.

Little has been done to adopt integrated water management, vital to curb erratic stream flows and the alarming drop in waterlevels. Waste in increasing volumes are dumped into rivers and lakes --- eroding their capacity to provide high quality drinking and irrigation water.

People's participation in watershed management is the key to lasting protection. No one pretends this is easy. "Organizing peasants is like stitching loose sheets of sand," Sun Yat Sen once said.

But it has to be undertaken. The alternative is continued destruction. And all too few local governments make the effort.

Much of the profligate waste of today's water stems from official mindsets and policy blackholes pegged to "an antiquated illusion of abundance." But the era of limitless water is over. Emerging shortages are here to stay.

Who among today's candidates would propose a tax on groundwater pumping in areas where aquifers are being depleted? Or impose penalties for those who pollute water?

Instead, our candidates will promise -- along with the moon -- rebates on water that they know full well is running short. In many places, water demands are already brushing against the limit of available supply.

Where are the candidates who see beyond votes, and think in terms of policies needed to put water use on a sustainable basis.

Our officials rarely sit down to think through the water issue. Or any other concern, like chemical pollution contaminating food chains. That requires hard effort, an exercise few are used to.

Invariably, they propose scrounging around for additional supplies for water. New sources, submarine pipes or big dams. Others peddle energy-intensive "desalinazation" -- which is really swapping costly fossil fuel for scrubbing salt from sea water.

How many pair that with conservation policies?

Yet, water-short nations, like South Africa and Israel have learned to integrate conservation policies as part of planning future water supplies. That is why these countries have "made their deserts bloom".

The Philippines is rapidly emerging as a semi-desert. And we'll have to scrap the mindset that we conserve only, as an ad-hoc measure, to alleviate droughts and other immediate crises.

Crafting a water efficient economy is the only alternative for a future of shortages. Conservation and better management can free large volumes of water and capital for competing uses, the Worldwatch Institute notes. :" Thus far, we have only seen hints of their potential."

News Boys Meet Up After Half A Century

Selling newspapers in the 50s became a fad even among children of families who can afford to send their children to school. But, some also did it to earn their weekly baon for school.

But, what is exciting is that many of those used-to-be newsboys are now professionals working in different fields.

The former newsboys of The Bohol Chronicle will gather for their first grand reunion in time for the celebration of the golden anniversary of the paper on May 16, 2004.

The reunion will include former Chronicle staffers.

In order to be included in the masterlist of former BC newsboys, one has to register with the reunion committee chaired by veteran Chronicle staffer Manny Bautista.  2004 News Archive Bohol Chronicle

Argao Cebu High School Scandal

By Bong O. Wenceslao
Candid Thoughts, Sun Star

Contradictory claims of witnesses have made the truth about the recent incident involving students of the Argao National High School difficult to ascertain. Verifying reports that three pairs of students had sex and filmed it using camera phones has been hampered by the lack of proof. Cell phones seized did not contain videos of a sexual act.

While the concerned students denied the "sex scandal" angle, some witnesses said otherwise. So it is up to the Department of Education (DepEd) to objectively get to the bottom of the incident, although DepEd officials have not been known to be objective in their probes, loyalty and friendship often muddling their appraisal of school scandals.

But I noticed some interesting points while I followed up the issue, including the alleged use by the said students of alcohol and condom. Nobody contradicted the statement of witnesses that the students were drunk (as opposed to "high") at that time. As for the used condom, witnesses claimed this was thrown out of the building in haste. It was not found.

The video and the condom would have given away what actually happened on that day. But whether the students did have sex or not, this incident is an interesting case for those for or against the controversial reproductive bill. I can immediately see two good subjects of discussion there: sex education and "safe sex" (use of contraceptives).

Have the teenagers, all high school students, taken sex education classes in school? Sex education, in the context of the pro-choice line, would make students understand the pros and cons of sex, plus other related topics on sexuality, with the caveat that if the sexual urge can't be repressed, make sex safe by, say, using condom.

If the students did engage in sex and used condom---that should be a triumph for proponents of the contraceptive lifestyle.

There would be no unwanted pregnancy despite the teenagers engaging in premarital sex, except of course if the condom was defective or if it was not used properly. I mean, this could be Exhibit A for pro-choice groups.

But don't tell that to the Church and pro-lifers. Pre-marital sex is a sin and should not have been committed in the first place. Again, if the students did engage in sex, of which we don't have enough proof, and used condoms, that is an indictment of the contraceptive lifestyle, a loosening of morals resulting from the belief that since the sex is "safe," they can engage in it at will because they won't get pregnant.

Bohol Mayors Mad at Regional DILG's Arrogance?

If the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) won't respect the municipal mayors in their respective turfs then "we also won't respect it."

Quoting the collective sentiment of his colleagues, Catigbian Mayor Bert Salinas, vice-president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Bohol chapter, issued the statement when interviewed by the Chronicle yesterday.

Municipal mayors got irked the way the municipal local government operations officers (MLGOO) were pulled out and designated in their towns without due respect.

He explained that the local chief executives did not question on DILG's policy of reshuffling its personnel (MLGOOs), especially if it is for "harmonious relationship" between them and the DILG. But the way the reshuffling was done was inappropriate, he said.

One particular instance was the way a certain MLGOO assumed office in Mabini town hall last week. Mayor Stephen Rances blew his top when the newly assigned MLGOO did not even bother to pay courtesy call to the mayor who was present at that time.

Salinas described this act as "arrogance," he did not expect of a DILG officer.

He however said that the DILG 7 regional office headed by Dir. Rene Burdeos decided for a "status quo," which means that there will be no DILG personnel movement until December.

For its part, the DILG provincial office cannot do otherwise on the reshuffling of its MLGOOs since it's only following orders from higher ups.