TACLOBAN CITY-A former mayor in Leyte was convicted by the Supreme Court for graft after she allowed the members of the ‘Liga ng mga Barangay’ to hold cockfights.
The 12-page decision of the First Division of the High Court, promulgated last July 27,2022 but was released only last week, affirmed an earlier ruling of the Sandiganbayan convicting Charita Chan, who served as mayor of Babatngon town from 2007 to 2016.
Chan appealed the February 20,2018 decision of the Sandiganbayan to the Supreme Court.
The High Court also affirmed the anti-graft court’s sentencing of the former mayor to six years and one month to seven years imprisonment and perpetual disqualification to hold public office.
The Supreme Court said that the move of the former mayor was a clear violation of RA 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Law which prohibits local officials like the members of the Liga ng mga Barangay to conduct cockfight derbies.
The High Court also ruled that by issuing a mayor’s permit to the group on April 13,2012, Chan violated PD 449 and Municipal Ordinance No.281.
Both measures prohibit the holding of a cockfight every Saturday.
“Criminal intent was presumed in the act of issuing the mayor’s permit in violation of existing laws. Chan failed to overcome this presumption since she did not present any evidence to the contrary,” the Supreme Court said.
“All told, the Court upholds the finding of the Sandiganbayan that Chan is guilty beyond reasonable doubt for knowingly granting a permit to hold cockfights in favor of the Liga ng mga Barangay whose members are prohibited from having interest in any cockpit operations pursuant to RA 7160,” the court said.
RA 7160 refers to the Local Government Code of the Philippines.
The decision was penned by Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando and concurred by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Associate Justices Rodil Zalameda, Ricardo Rosario, and Jose Midas Marquez.
Chan, who was elected as a councilor during last elections, could not immediately be reached for her comment on this issue.
Aljon Cainto Operario with his students and winners, whom he coached on a Short Film Festival in his school
(This story is part of the journalism fellowship of the Philippine Press Institute under the auspices of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.)
Aljon Cainto Operario, is a smart and confident 28-year-old Public School Teacher at the San Julian National High School in Eastern Samar. Who could have thought that the son of a lowly Taho (Filipino Tofu in Sweet Tapioca Bits) Vendor and a plain housewife for a mother would become a respectable teacher in the community.
Aljon Cainto Operario with his students and winners, whom he coached on a Short Film Festival in his school
Operario, is the eldest of a family of four and he attributes this life changing chance to the assistance of the Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL) a Civil Society Organization.
Behind the rosy reality of the slow yet sure rise from the throngs of poverty in the Island of Samar are a few Civil Society Organizations that had painstakingly worked, assisted and aided-on children and livelihood of its people. The Civil Society Organizations includes Save the Children International –Philippines with local headquarters at Tacloban City, Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL) with headquarters at Borongan City Eastern Samar and the Center for Empowerment and Development also of Borongan City Eastern Samar.
Donabelle Lapesora-Abalo in one of the Gender Sensitivity and Child Protection Trainings in Borongan Eastern Samar.
Operario, is one of the 1,081 (One thousand eighty-one) scholars of Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL) from the Municipality of San Julian Eastern Samar. The scholars are given assistance comprehensively from Junior High School to College, Eastern Samar the erstwhile poorest Samar Island Provinces with an average poverty threshold of 43 % in 2018 it is now to 36 % in 2021.
Happening before the onset and inception of free tuition law when going to college was a big burden, these organizations steps in. The scholars were carefully selected, they must be coming from the poor and marginalized or indigents and that they are also academically good. He remembered as a Third Year High School Student when he became one of the scholars, the benefits that the organization gives includes, free school fees, book allowance, transportation allowance and food allowance. Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL) had chosen him to be one of its scholars due to good grades and by constantly doing its best, this happened up until he graduates with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English and Literature from Eastern Samar State University in 2016.
As a Senior High Teacher, his story is a good example of overcoming the shackles of poverty and Mr. Operario, had become a legend of sorts in San Julian National High School.
Donabelle Lapesora Abalo, former Project Manager of Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL), is presently Executive Director of Center for Empowerment and Development (COPE) in Eastern Visayas. She had been in the forefront of the people’s organization involvement in governance; she declared ” The story of Mr. Aljon Cainto Operario is one of the success stories of Terre des Hommes, he had shown tenacity and resolve to go beyond the limits of poverty and succeeded. The other recipients had also made good in their fields, the best thing about Mr. Operario he had also volunteered as one of our dependable development worker helping our organization.
Abalo who co –authored a book entitled 10 Years of Safeguarding Samar Children from 2008 – 2018 Story of Human Compassion of Children at Risk has been very active in the NGO/PO front and had contributed a lot in the Civil Societies Organization.
Nadine Nicart shown her with her proud family, graduates with a degree in Bachelor in Science in Business Administration from the Eastern Samar State University in 2015
Another breakthrough story is that of Nadine Nicart who was a college drop-out when Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL), met her in 2008. She was 19 years old at the time, despondent and uncertain about her future. Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL) considered her disadvantaged and at risk of exploitation. She was able to hurdle underlying odds to attain success. Nicart declared; If not for TdH-NL, I would have remained an Out of School Youth, with my future uncertain. I am very happy and very fortunate to have gained their support. I was inspired by TdH-NL staff to study hard. Because of TdH-NL I have achieved my dream and fulfilled my promise to help my family. Now I could use myself as a medium to help others.
Nadine’s and Aljon’s story is just one among thousands of inspiring stories TDH-NL and its staff have woven in its 10 years of championing child’s rights and child protection in Eastern Samar. She was among the 1,627 out of school youths identified by TDH-NL as at risk and more vulnerable to exploitation, and therefore must be given access to quality education.
Abalo added that “the CSOs had been criticized due to tokenism and other unsavory description but most of the people in the CSO’s had been motivated by principles of transparency and accountability they augment to the efforts of the government. And stories like that of Aljon Cainto Operario and Nadine Nicart creates a shouting testimony of their relevance.
Save the Children
Save the Children, is an organization who would do whatever it takes to help children. From the official website we can find these information “Save the Children believes that every child deserves a future. In the Philippines and around the world, we work hard every day to give them a good start in life, protect them from violence and any other damage, and help them learn crucial skills. When crises affecting children strike, we are among the first to respond. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.”
Save the Children, staff Philip Ariane Oledan assist Children in times of calamities, shown here in an evacuation center.
Philip Ariane Oledan, an Official at Save the Children states that “I think [local] governments should facilitate meaningful participation of CSOs in governance. Meaningful participation ensures relevance of government programs. “He further added that relevant programs will mean effective, efficient & impactful programs that are beneficial to the concerned sector. Oledan had been in the forefront of the efforts of Save the Children in helping them get health care and proper education.
One of its partners include the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar under the Provincial Social Welfare Officer, with Provincial Government Assistant Department Head Brenda Aurora Basada who declared “Our Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plans of the province became child friendly and gender sensitive because of the advocacies, capacity building that Save the Children has provided to us. We were able to update our GAD Code and Children’s Code and they have also helped in their education. Save the children has helped our province in increasing the awareness of people especially the vulnerable on their right to protection before, during and after emergency. The vulnerabilities of children, women and other sector has decreased through the policies that was enacted and approved with their assistance.”
Mayor Raymond Uy, City Mayor of Calbayog Western Samar, declared that his city is on the economic rise. In the banner story of Leyte Samar Daily Express dated September 13,2022 in a story written by Ma. Rise Calico and Riza Legitimas, Mayor Monmon, as he is fondly called by his constituents declared that Calbayog City sees economic development and stability these days. It can be recalled that the city is infamous for the many killings that it has on record earning the moniker “Kill-bayog” ´.
Mayor Uy, is just starting on his very first term and this early he is making a declaration of progress and economic stability. Incidentally, the City is also a major partner of Civil Society Organizations or Non-Governmental Organization. They also have Save the Children and Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL). And the organizations are vibrant in terms of engagements, in recent years.
There is an apparent silver lining that the three (3) provinces of Samar Island. It had shown steady rising trend in Anti-Poverty Metrics, giving a picture of growth, a picture of weathering of the poverty as the results of the comparative statistics available from the Philippine Statistics Authority; the decreasing trend of poverty threshold is herewith tallied, with Eastern Samar from 43 to 36 (7%), Northern Samar from 30% poverty in 2018 pegged at 23% in 2021 an improvement of 7% and Samar (Western) Province from 32% in 2018 to just 30 % in 2021. A total of 16 % improvement was shown and this is cutting across the Provinces of the Island. This means that 16 percent of the population had shown signs of their remarkable departure from poverty.
The engagements of several Civil Society Organizations and Non-Government Organization had made considerable impact in the lives of the people. The Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-NL) in the past 12 years had send to college 1,081 scholars and made a big difference in their lives, Save the Children are doing projects on fighting hunger among children, immunization, education, health and nutrition (first 1000 days), disaster risk reduction and climate change, parenting sessions, and child participation in governance in partnership with Local Government Units. All these had undeniably helped the people move off from poverty slowly but surely it all did created a major headway.
The possibility of the making of success stories in the provinces of Samar, infamous of its killings and lairs and secret camps of Communist Movement is making a comeback. It had slowly become a peaceful, livable place. It had also proven that Civil Society Organization had been potent instruments of helping people achieve their dreams.
The inspiring stories of Mr. Aljon Cainto Operario and Ms. Nadine Nicart two of the more than one thousand scholar beneficiaries of a Civil Society Organization, are living testimonies of the positive impact these organizations provide the people.
Pres. Marcos invited to grace the historical event
PALO, Leyte- The provincial government of Leyte had started its preparation for the 78th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration next month, October 20.
Frances Ann Petilla, a consultant of the provincial government consultant on tourism and wife of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, presided the executive meeting held last September 15.
In the said meeting, the committee agreed to hold full face-to-face activity for this year’s Leyte Gulf Landings celebration.
For the past two years of the commemorative program, the organizers adopted a hybrid system wherein there were parts of the celebration that were conducted in-person while other activities related to the event were done virtually.
The commemoration will be simple to be attended by dignitaries from Australia, Japan, United States of America, and United Kingdom.
The 78th Leyte Gulf Landings is also expected to be graced by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos who was invited by the executive committee as guest speaker for the annual event held at McArthur Park National Shrine, this town.
Unlike in previous years where national anthems of US, Australia, Japan, and UK are played when hoisting their respective flags, this year only the country’s national anthem, the ‘Lupang Hinirang’ will be played while drum roll will be use when hoisting the flags of the participating country.
Living World War II veterans in the region are not expected to be present at the commemoration because most of them are already bedridden, according to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).
PVAO also reported that there are only 33 living World War I veterans in Eastern Visayas 17 of them are from Leyte.
The PVAO and representative from the US Embassy will be conferring to the living World War II veterans on October 20 after the commemoration program the US Congressional Gold Medal award.
“This is the first time that we will be giving this award to our veterans. This is conferred to our veterans to honor their sacrifices and services to the country during World War 2,” Nenita Brazil of PVAO said. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
DENGUE cases in Tacloban City recorded a downward trend following the continued “search and destroy” activities led by the City Health Office (CHO), the city government said Monday, September 19, 2022.
Dr. Danilo Ecarma, city health officer, said that at least 13 cases were reported in last week’s monitoring compared to the 43 cases three weeks ago.
Ecarma also urged each household “to exert efforts to combat dengue, such as regular cleaning, covering of water containers, and disposal of stagnant water, especially now that the monsoon months have started.”
According to the City Information Office, the CHO conducted fogging in more than 60 public schools in Tacloban and launched “search and destroy” activities in areas with reported cases of dengue.
A total of 12 city barangays have reported cases of dengue, while clustering of cases was monitored in Apitong, Caibaan, and Barangay 109 V&G Subdivision, it said.
“A clustering of cases in a barangay is considered if it reports cases of the acute infectious disease weekly,” the city government said.
The most common symptom of dengue is fever, vomiting, rash, nausea, body aches, and pain behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone.
A lone dengue fatality was reported in the city last February 2022. RONALD O. REYES
INOPACAN, Leyte- A man was arrested in a buy-bust operation in this town last Sept.16 with the anti-drug operatives seizing from him suspected shabu with a street value of P357,000.
Inopacan chief of police, Lt. Daisy Hallasco identified the suspect as Jay-R Malaguis, 29, and working in a fast food chain specializing in fried chicken in a sting operation in Barangay poblacion at about 3:25 pm.
Recovered from his possession was one sachet containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu procured by an operative in the amount of P10,000.
During a body search, the searching cops recovered from the possession of the suspects 10 more sachets containing suspected shabu inside a folded white paper with all the recovered items estimated to weigh 55 grams with an estimated value of P 357,500.
Also recovered from the possession of the suspect was one piece P500 bill intended for the buy-bust operation and P9, 500 boodle money and cash money amounting to P1, 227 in different denominations and one disposable lighter, and one motorcycle key for Yamaha.
The suspect did not issue any statement to the media covering the operation.
The suspect was charged for possession and selling of illegal drugs and is now detained at the detention center at this town’s police office. (ROBERT DEJON)
TACLOBAN CITY – The city government of Ormoc has lined-up activities for its 75th Charter Day celebration slated on October 20.
The celebration will be the first time they will have a grand event after two years due to restrictions caused by the corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“This is very different celebration because this is a milestone, the 75th Charter Day of Ormoc City, especially coming from a pandemic for two years, we envision for a month-long celebration not just for a few select people but for the entire Ormoc,” City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez said.
She stressed that all activities lined up relative to the celebration will be free except for its Miss Ormoc beauty pageant.
Among the major events prepared include concerts of artists like Nina (October 1), Rey Valera (Oct 2), Joey Generoso (Oct 9), and Gloc-9 (Oct 10), then a dance concert of Regine Tolentino on Oct 14.
Tatak Ormoc Award will also be stage on Oct 13, giving recognition to local business enterprise and business personalities organized by the Ormoc City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ORCHAM) and the city government.
Miss Ormoc pageant will return after two years, with the coronation on Oct. 15 to be hosted by actress-turned beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez and James Deakin, with Ian Veneracion as one of the celebrity guests.
On Oct 16, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will also hold a free concert at the city’s superdome.
A basketball showdown between Kapuso stars against PBA player is slated on Oct 17 , while this October 18, the city mayor will deliver her first State of the City Address as the local chief executive of Ormoc.
On the 20th, the charter day of Ormoc, activities will start with the Charter Day mass at the St. Peter’s and Paul Church, followed by a parade, then the Jubilee celebration in the morning.
Afternoon activity will center at the Ormoc Bay with the ‘bangkarera’ and will culminate with a grand concert at the city plaza to be headline by Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid.
Aside from these major activities, the executive committee also prepared sports competitions like the ‘dayon dayon’ volleyball tournament. Dayon dayon is a type of volleyball wherein competitors may agree to the number of players who will enter the court to compete. It also have the rule it is illegal to pass the ball to their teammate, thus they must hit the ball directly to pass it to their opponents.
Other sports competition includes, airsoft tournament, e-sport, baseball, volleyball, billiard, softball, archery, bike race, arnis anyo and team demonstration competiton, sepak takraw, dance sport, chess, dart, taekwondo, triathlon and aquathlon, swimming, then the 4th and 5th leg of the Southeast Asian Games qualifying tournament.
Local products in Ormoc are also to be showcase thru trade fair events of the Department of Trade (Oct 10 – 16) and Industry and Agri-Aqua trade Fair (Oct 10-28).
A jobs fair will also be conducted on Oct. 22 and a lechon competition, dubbed as ‘lechon kumbira’ on Oct. 29.
Ormoc City is a 1st class independent city that became the 15th city of the country and the first in Eastern Visayas under the virtue of Republic Act No. 179 on October 20, 1947.
It has a population of 230, 998 residents based on 2020 census which makes it the second most populated city in the region, next to Tacloban City. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
