Francisco Estepa, SVD Assumes HNU Presidency

      The third president of the Holy Name University (HNU) will assume post this Friday in a dramatic installation at the St. Joseph Cathedral, Tagbilaran City.

      The Society of the Divine Word and the academic community of HNU invite well-wishers to share the joy in the installation of Fr. Francisco Estepa, SVD, as the 3rd university president, in a ceremony at 5 p.m. of August 8.

      He had been serving as president of the Divine Word College of Legazpi, in Legazpi City, Albay since in 2002 until his election as HNU's third president on May 22.

      Born on October 4, 1955, Fr. Kito, as friends fondly call him, began his elementary education at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Mandaluyong City.

      He then enrolled at the Christ the King Seminary in Quezon City, finishing his secondary education there in 1972.

      He then took up AB Philosophy, attending the same seminary from 1972-1974.

      In 1975, he transferred to the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, receiving his degree in 1977.

      At the same seminary, Fr. Kito obtained his Theology degree in 1984.

      In between his AB Philosophy and Theology degrees, Fr. Estepa enrolled for a year at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, for a course in Japanese Language and Culture.

      Constantly aiming to further his knowledge, Fr. Estepa later earned his MA in Philosophy at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City in 1984.

      Fr. Estepa's first assignment was in Tagbilaran City, when he was appointed chaplain of HNU, then called Divine Word College of Tagbilaran (DWC-T), from 1984-1985.

      After a year in Bohol, he was sent to Divine Word University in Tacloban City where he served as the vice-president for administration from 1985 to 1987 and VP for Academic Affairs, as well as Director of Research, from 1987 to 1990, respectively.

      Always zealous to pursue further studies, Fr. Estepa studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. for his PhD in Educational Administration from 1991 to 1997.

      Upon his return to the Philippines, he was appointed as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City from 1997 to 1999.  In 1999, he was elected university president of the same institution.

Filipino Pensioners In Times Of Crisis

Availability and more cheap National Food Authority (NFA) rice, prompt Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) action on pension claims are the top concerns that regional and Bohol officials will address in the coming days.

Serious evaluation of local government spending, upgrading of police capability and execution of impact infrastructure works are also marked with preference.

Their need to be prioritized was made clear in a consultative conference in Balilihan on Tuesday jointly initiated by Reps. Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Adam Relson Jala, who all agreed on more collaboration in service areas that matter most to people.

NFA Regional Director Danilo Bonabon said his agency is prepared to flood cheap rice in Bohol by a volume that can go even higher by 50% of its present supply to accredited market dealers, parish outlets and other designated distributors.

This is hoped to neutralize the spiraling prices of commercial rice and even corn.

The NFA is currently assessing the situation to determine the heightening of the flow of affordable rice.

Bonabon encouraged the local government units (LGUs) to ink respective agreements with the agency on rice credit in anticipation of any possible emergency condition.

The towns can be represented by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), which Bohol members led by Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren directly interacted with Bonabon and other regional officials.

By virtue of a memorandum of agreement with NFA, an LGU can have ready access to the cheap staple food in case of a disaster or calamity that may result in a grave grains shortage.

Shabu Confiscated in Talibon, Bohol

By SPO4 Lucito Panong Redulla, MPA, PCR-OIC/BPPO

     The arrests of a big-time drug dealer who yielded a P100-thousand worth of shabu, and two hold-up suspects, one a CAFGU member, made the Talibon police station deserving of citation for exemplary performance from the provincial command of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

      For these two major accomplishments that manifested dedication to duty, perseverance and teamwork, PNP-Bohol provincial director, PSSupt. Edgardo Iingking will give a citation for exemplary performance to PNP-Talibon chief Domino Pelecio and his men in tomorrow's program after the traditional Monday flag-raising ceremony in Camp Dagohoy.

      Ingking will also recommend them to receive the award of Medalya ng Kasanayan from the PNP-7 regional director.

      PNP-Talibon's double accomplishment included the arrest of a big-time drug dealer, and the immediate apprehension of the two suspects, one a CAFGU member, in a broad daylight hold-up in the town.

      In coordination with the Naval Intelligence Security Force 7, the PNP-Talbon station led by its municipal chief of police, PSI Domino Pelecio, arrested a big-time shabu dealer on March 20 upon arriving at the Talibon port from Pasil, Cebu City aboard MBCA Rubelyn .

      The suspect, one Jovelito Curimo of barangay of Bilangbilangan, Bien Unido, had just arrived at the wharf at around 6 p.m. that day when the police team arrested him seized from his possession, three large sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride popularly known as shabu weighing 15 grams with street value of P100 thousand, 86  pieces of empty cellophane sachets used in repacking shabu, a cellular phone and P500 believed to be proceeds in the illegal drug operation.

      The items seized from the suspect were exhibited as evidence against him for violation of Republic Act 9165 before the Talibon-based Regional Trial Court.

      He is now locked up at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Jail (BJMP) in Talibon.

      On the other hand, the two robbery-hold up suspects were tagged in the recent series of robberies in the northern municipalities of Bohol by motorcycle-riding suspects victimizing a number of lending collectors, the latest of which was the daring robbery-hold up on June 5 at the San Agustin center of Taytay Sa Kauswagan Inc. in barangay  San Agustin, Talibon.

      Armed with a .38 caliber revolver and a hand grenade, the two suspects took away the day's collection money worth P23,000 from TSKI collector Roy Anghad in the presence of the horrified borrower-members and in broad daylight around 11 a.m.

      The Talibon chief of police immediately ordered manhunt operation against them.

      The Talibon police station's response was based on a report relayed by a concerned citizen at around 11:13 a.m. that day.

      Pelecio immediately sent off a team for an Oplan "Sumpo Krimen".

      In lateral coordination with friendly units in the area including the CAFGU, the police team blocked all possible exits from the crime scene which resulted to the arrest of one of the suspects identified as one Bobby Oroyan, 19, single of Magsaysay, Talibon.

      Hours later, his companion identified as Joseph Cuizon, 21, single and  a resident of Zamora, Talibon, was also arrested and surrendered his pistol used in the robbery hold up.

      Further investigation later resulted to the solution of another hold-up on May 29 in the nearby municipality of Trinidad, victimizing one Gemma Flor and the May 1 hold up, also in barangay San Agustin, Talibon, victimizing one Felix Buno and the identity of the third suspect, the accomplice- -Barangay Kagawad Diego Barquio of barangay Zamora, Talibon- -who owned the motorcycle used by the two suspects.

      Barquio has remained in hiding, reportedly, in an undisclosed place.

      The two robbery suspects are now detained at the BJMP Jail in Talibon, pending arraignment for three counts of robbery with violence and intimidation against person at the Regional Trial Court in Talibon.

Livelihood Projects for the Filipinos

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed all government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) to draw up a P500-million special, easily accessible loan program for the livelihood projects of the families and relatives of drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The P.5-billion micro-financing assistance will be sourced from the value added tax (VAT) collected by the national government, she said.

The President also tasked Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General and Secretary Cerge Remonde to encourage private market financing institutions to draw up a similar market financing program for the families and relatives of the transport workers.

The President told the transport groups that once the guidelines for the special loan package are drawn by the GOCCs and GFIs, the wives and immediate family members of the PUB drivers and conductors can start filing their request for their loan. 

September 12 is National Holiday in the Philippines

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared September 12, 2008 as a National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation of our nation.

In Proclamation No. 1555, the President said the promotion of peace and unity among the Filipino people remains to be one of the highest goals of the government.

Stressing the urgency for the "National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation, the President said, "Our country is facing several challenges, which require the steadfast devotion of every Filipino to work for the common good and for the betterment of our country, adding that such a special day may serve to promote the attainment of our national goals."

She then called on the nation to look inward "in order to make reaffirmation of our commitment to promote the attainment of this goal, through personal reflection, change in attitudes, and solidarity for the public welfare and the development of our country."

Illegal Quarry Miners in Bohol Island?

Bohol Capitol recently bares holders of active quarry permits in Bohol in a bid to inform local government units and barangay leaders about existing legitimate operations and urge them to report to authorities of any perceived mining operations.

Through Task Force Kabukiran, Governor Erico Aumentado has launched an in-house environmental watch group which binds hands with national agencies to extend muscle flexing power and effectively implement applicable environment laws, said Engr Renato Villaber during the recent League of Municipalities of the Philippines meeting at the Bohol Tropics.

Villaber, who head the Bohol Environment Management Office also named at least 45 active permittees in Bohol operating quarries in about 30 towns of Bohol's 47.

According to a list furnished by Bemo, Shirley Bungabong operates for sand and gravel (SAG) in West Poblacion Alburquerque, Rodrigo Labunog and Christopher Uy for limestone in Napo Alicia and Joel Bomediano for limestone in Cabatang Alicia.

In Antequera, S&Cu Construction mines for limestone in Danao, Rodrigo Labunog and Romeo Salon extracts the same quarry material from Cambanac and San Roque.

Calape has three valid permitees: Giovani Nazareno for limestone in Catmonan, Dennis Josol for limestone in Tultugan and Barangay Calunasa has river sand quarry permit in its barangay.

Candijay has only Hench/H Chua as permitee for manganese in barangay Panas.

In Corella, only Cesar Maluenda holds a limestone permit to quarry in Cancatac.

Duero has Teofanes Acenas and Bonifacio Cagape operating for SAG in Cansuhay, Herenita Peligro in Lobogon and the municipality of Duero for SAG and salt in San Antonio and Cansuhay.

Active permitees operating in Guindulman include Emmanuel Tubig, Asterio Casing and sinforiano Labastida for SAG at barangays Catungawan Sur and Norte.

Gatafe has Sinforiano Labastida mining for boulders at Corte-Baud, while in Inabanga, Anita Gudez, Jose Cellan and Segundo Anud mine for SAG in Saa, Napo and Lonoy respectively.

Maximo Roluna solely mines for limestone in Pondol Loon.

Loay has got Rodrigo Labunog for limestone in Tocdog Dacu while Isisdoro Cesar for SAG in Tambangan.

Rodrigo Labunog and Municipality of Lila mines for limestones in Poblacion and Lomany respectively in Lila, while only Tantrade Coproration extracts R-Phosphate in Marcelo Mabini.

Maribojoc has Ramir Yu mining limestone in Candavid, Colonia Hinay for limestone in Libjo Sikatuna and Gershon Dulang extracts silica in Santo Nino, Talibon along with Luzviminda Dulang for silica in Tanghaligue, Garry lou Dulang for diorite in Bagacay and Carlito hernias for boulders in Sto. Nino.

In Sierra Bullones, Uldarico Butron operates for SAG in Poblacion.

In Trinidad, silt is extracted by the MDCC, Claro Jabines gatheres boulders in Kina-oan, Paul Caberte for limestone in Kauswagan while Johver Minerals Inc gathers silica in San Vicente and Kinan-oan.

Finally, Ubay has Hanjin mining limestone in Ilihan, Deodato Butawan for limestone in Bood, Barangay San Vicente for SAG in their place, the PEO for limestone in Tipolo and Cesar Maluenda for limestone in Sinandigan.

Bohol Junkshop Owners Call For Justice

Junk shop owners joined the call of a lady mayor asking for a thorough study how to regulate the business of scrap metal buying instead of closing them for reasons beyond their control.

Loay Mayor Rosemarie Lim-Imboy had called on her fellow mayors, members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP-Bohol) to come up with an ordinance that will strictly govern the business of scrap metal buying to avoid the incidents of stolen items being sold to them, particularly by minors.

The call of Mayor May Imboy was heard in newsbreaks on all local radio station last week. Junk shop owners said they agree with the idea of the Loay mayor. Preventing minors to steal scrap irons or other junks can be done with the cooperation of municipal officials, the police and barangay tanods in their respective localities.

Mayor May Imboy said scrap metal and junk shop business help a lot the country's economy and had provided jobs. It is also part of the recycling program and the Solid Waste Management Act of the government.

"In my own personal experience, my family was also in the scrap metal and junk shop business. It provides livelihood to many people and also help supply the need of the metal industry through recycling," Mayor May Imboy said.

From the scrap metal and junkshop business, the Lim Family enterprise has tremendously grown and is now among the top corporations in the country involved in the shipping industry, resort-hotels, tourism, finance, Cable TV system and many others.

Buying stolen scrap metal is penalized by certain laws like Anti-Fencing and in the Penal Code of the Philippines. Local governments are vested with authority to regulate the business within their localities and formulate ordinances under the Local Government Code RA 7160.

The issue on junkshop operation was under fire when the City of Tagbilaran closed all junkshops in the city and revoked their permits due to alleged increase in thievery and stealing of metals and other materials utilizing minors to do the job.

The police found it hard to prosecute the minors found stealing scrap metals due to the new law "Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act" that protects minors from criminal prosecution.

Island City Mall Activities On Sandugo Festival

The Sandugo Festival reaches fever pitch today, July 27, and revelers can enjoy more the fun and excitement at the mall.

The 2008 Sandugo Regional Product & Raw Material Showcase is still going on at the lower and upper ground level of Island City Mall, featuring the best and the finest of OTOP (One Town, One Product) from more than a hundred exhibitors all over the Visayan region.

Boholano artists are also mounting an Art Exhibit, "Bohol: Hatag ni Bathala," now going until Thursday, July 31, at the 2nd Floor of Island City Mall, just near the World of Fun.

At 4:00 o' clock this afternoon, Smart and Wow Magic Sing present "Magic Sing Challenge" where 10 contenders will outwit each other in the videoke singing competition. The Champion will receive a Wow Magic Sing microphone and a P1,500 cash prize, while the First and Second Runner-Up will get the cash prizes of P1,000 and P500, respectively. Non-winning participants are given consolation prizes of P300 each. - Ariel Fullido

Bohol Sandugo Celebration Opening Salvo

     The month-long Sandugo festivities were off to a blazing start Tuesday with businessman Mario Uy, deputy city mayor, calling the shots.

      The center of the celebration is the City Hall grounds where stalls are being set up  for guests to rummage over its various display—from agricultural products like fruits and vegetables to ornamental plants.

      Uy sees to it that nightly entertainment is ever present to enliven the visit of guests and visitors to Sandugo booths.

      The Tagbilaran City Charter Day on July 1 set the ball rolling for the month-long celebration.

      For the whole month of July the new City Hall grounds will be the venue for Sandugo Trade, Agri and Food Fairs and the Bohol Garden Show sponsored by the Bohol Gardeners and Landscapers Association.

      Festival highlights include the Celebrities at the Hardcourt on July 11 at the Bohol Wisdom School, Sandugo Punchfest on July 20 at the new City Hall grounds, Bohol Day on July 22, Globe Night on July 27 at the CPG Sports Complex, and the Sandugo Streetdancing on July 27 also at the CPG Sports Complex.

      Participating in this year's streetdancing event are the local government units of Bien Unido, Balilihan, Catigbian, Maribojoc, Jagna, Tubigon, Carmen, Loboc, and Ubay; University of Bohol, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, Immaculata High School (Baclayon), Pamilacan Island Cooperative, and Immaculate Mary Academy (Catigbian).

      Nightly entertainment activities are also spread out throughout the whole month which include the Dos Compañeros Show presented on July 1 by the city government of Tagbilaran; Showdown of Bands on July 2 courtesy of BAHRR; Latin Ballroom Dancing Contest on July 3 sponsored by Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc.; Variety Show on July 4 by CVSCAFT; A Night of Fun and Surprises on July 5 sponsored by Dunkin Donuts; Loboc Band: The Performance on July 6 sponsored by the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc.; Dos Agakhak, Acrobat & Dog Show on July 7 to be sponsored by the First Consolidated Bank; A Night with GCS on July 9 by the Grace Christian School; Variety Show on July 10 by the PMI Colleges-Bohol; "The Singing Bee" on July 11 by the Holy Name University; Hudyaka sa Sandugo '08 on July 12 by DYTR; TM Night on July 13 by Globe Telecom; Dance Extravaganza on July 14 by Tagbilaran City SK Federation; Song & Dance Showdown on July 15 by the University of Bohol; Dos Comedyantes show on July 16 by YY Home Builders Depot; The Search for the Sandugo Singing Star on July 17 by the Alturas Group of Companies; "Lingaw Jud" on July 18 by DYRD; Sandugo Punchfest on July 20 by the city government of Tagbilaran; Banda Republic on July 21 by San Miguel Corporation; Variety Show on July 23 by Ginebra San Miguel; Hiphop Dance Competition on July 24 by Pepsi Cola Products Phils., Inc.; Variety Show on July 25 by Du Ek Sam; Miss Gay Sandugo '08 on July 26 by the Bohol Gay Association; Variety Shows on July 27 by the Tagbilaran City Association of Barangay Captains, on July 28 by Save 'N Earn, on July 29 by JJ's Seafoods Village and AMA-CLC; and another Variety Show on July 30 by the Bohol Tropics Resort Club; and a Disco courtesy of B&L Disco Mobile.

      Miss Bohol Sandugo pictorials and press conference was held yesterday afternoon at Miravilla Resort in Booy.

      The Miss Bohol Sandugo Swimwear and Talent Competition will be on July 12 at the Bohol Cultural Center, while the Miss Bohol Sandugo 2008 Pageant and Coronation Night will be on July 18, also at the Bohol Cultural Center.

      The Sandugo Festival is held annually to commemorate the blood compact between local chieftain, Datu Sikatuna and Spanish conqueror Miguel Lopez de Legazpi about 400 years ago.

      It has been dubbed as the very first unofficial international treaty of friendship.

      Aside for the commemoration of the historic blood compact, the celebration is also for the cityhood of Tagbilaran and the establishment of Bohol as a province. 

Bohol Media Investigation

The media body tasked to investigate an associate editor of a local paper was under fire for conducting an investigation  saying that it was arbitrary and malicious.

At the receiving end of extortion charges filed by Antonieto Pernia, head of the Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO), Alfredo Amora, the embattled associate editor, questioned the authority of the Bohol Tri-Media association (BTMA) investigating him.

Pernia accused Amora of extortion attempts after he demanded "cover up money" in exchange for a favorable press arising from alleged misuse of cooperatives funds managed by the BPRMO.
He zeroed in on BTMA's lack of authority emanating from any adopted and ratified BTMA constitution and by-laws.

In a grand display of defiance to a duly constituted authority, Amora dismissed in bold letters  the letter of  Dejaresco  as "rejected". This word was found at the tailend of Dejaresco's letter to Amora.

In his letter to Amora, Dejaresco twitted the mediaman for his uncalled text messages to members of the Bohol media a few hours after the initial meeting of the committee.
Apparently, in his haste to be cleared of the charges, Amora, even if the investigation is still going on,  was already texting friends in media that Pernia's accusation was a result of a "silly pride"

These remarks did not sit well with the BTMA president.
Dejaresco said that gave Amora the opportunity to reply to the alleged complaints of Mr. Pernia when he sent text messages to his colleagues. Amora also hyped to media friends through a text message that the probe was settled amicably and the whole thing was just silly pride.

According to Dejaresco, Amora's comments were an act of disrespect and a serious breach of "our agreed rules on the conduct of the investigation".

In discrediting BTMA, it appears that Amora put in a bad light the same media organization that elected him vice president for print. It also in effect put  questionable instance the award given by BTMA to Amora as "best writer of the year"

Not only was Amora castigated Dejaresco when the BTMA president echoed the investigative body's demand  for a written apology for this serious breach of the committee's rules on confidentiality.

Putting Dejaresco in a tight spot, Amora accused the BTMA president of ignorance of the law citing Republic Act 8792 otherwise known as the E-Commerce Act.

Quoting a provision of the law about texting, Amora said that electronic message is a private communication medium and all messages are intended for the recipient only. - Sunday Post