Board members file falsification of public documents against acting Gov. Picardal, other officials
In Eastern Samar
TACLOBAN CITY- Eight members of the provincial board in Eastern Samar filed criminal and administrative charges against acting Governor Marcelo Ferdinand Picardal, acting Vice Gov. Jonas Abuda, among others, for reportedly falsifying documents relative to the 2018 provincial budget of P1.28 billion.
On their complaint-affidavit before the Office of Ombudsman- Visayas, board members Celestino Cabato, Byron Suyot, Karen Alvarez, Annabelle Capito, Jaime Ty, Ma. Caridad Sison-Goteesan, Maximo Zacate, and Aldwin Aklao, alleged that Gov. Picardal, Vice Gov. Abuda together with Franklin Robedizo, provincial board secretary, and Annabelle Echavez, regional director of the Department of Budget and Management(DBM), colluded with each other to approve 2018 provincial budget despite of lacking documents as required.
The respondents were accused to have committed falsification of official document, dishonesty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
On their nine-page complaint they filed before the anti-graft court on December 13,2018, with the Leyte Samar Daily Express obtaining a copy over the weekend, claimed that the provincial board did not approved the 2018 annual investment plan(AIP), which serves as the legal basis of the 2018 annual budget during their January 5 regular session.
However, considering that it was already the start of the fiscal year, they have agreed to pass the 2018 AIP in ‘principle’ pending the submission of lacking documents by Gov. Picardal.
With the approval of the AIP, the 2018 provincial budget was also approved in principle.
“(But) without our knowledge or information, acting Vice Gov. Abuda and Franklin Robedizo, and approved by acting Gov. Picardal, taking advantage of their positions, in collusion and in conspiracy with each other by means of fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation, unlawfully and feloniously prepared, issued, and falsified Appropriation Ordinance No.18-30 (involving)P1.28 billion)…by themselves alone and wilfully deviating from our established procedure for us to affix our signatures…,” the complainants said.
The same ‘falsified’ appropriation ordinance was submitted and approved by the regional DBM office as represented by Echavez.
Reached for his comment, Robedizo dismissed the allegation saying that it was nothing but politically grandstanding.
He said that the budget was duly approved by the provincial board members, one of the complainant, Cabato, served as its movant.
“Nobody interposed and objected when it was approved. It was already reviewed and approved by the DBM and declared as operative by the DBM,” Robedizo said.
Incidentally, the provincial government of Samar is operating under the 2018 budget as its proposed 2019 P1.4 billion budget has yet to be approved by the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
Former solon open for use of marijuana for medical purposes
Noel still insist it should be regulated
TACLOBAN CITY- He does not find it wrong if marijuana would be used for medical purposes.
Thus said former congressman Florencio ‘Bem’ Noel of the An Waray party-list group, when asked if he is in favor of using marijuana as a medical tool.
The use of marijuana for medical purposes came into fore with no less than former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo admitting to use marijuana patch to ease her pain due to her cervical spine problem.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted to have used marijuana to make him stay awake.
“My personal stand although it has to be discussed yet with the board of An Waray, I am not against it for even in other places the use of marijuana is already legal for it was scientifically proven that it can really cure,” Noel said.
Noel said that once he return to Congress and this controversial measure would be tackled, he would actively join its deliberation.
He insisted that any possible medical use of marijuana should still be supervised and regulated by the government, adding that it could be abused by some.
“It’s easy to ask for a prescription from some of our doctors,” he said.
During the recently-concluded Miss Universe 2018, the Philippines’ bet, Catriona Gray, who eventually won the country’s fourth crown of said beauty pageant, agreed that marijuana could be used for medical purposes.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
Surviving Storms or: How Sari-Sari Stores Helped Uplift Communities
This is a story permanently etched into our collective memories: a story that tells how Supertyphoon Yolanda — known to the rest of the world as Haiyan — brought communities down as it swept through the country on November 7, 2013, leaving behind 6,300 dead and over 4 billion dollars’ worth of damages in its wake.
But the survivors soon found an unlikely symbol of resilience and hope: sari-sari stores.
An iconic sight for Filipinos, the sari-sari store functions not just as a convenience store where residents restock their pantries, it also functions as a place where they can get together and share their stories.
It is because of this unique nature that Project Bagong Araw PREMIUM, a program made possible by the Government of Canada and the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada, in partnership with the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Inc., MicroVentures Foundation, Inc. (HAPINOY), and Microinsurance MBA Association of the Philippines, Inc. (RIMANSI), decided to bring the sari-sari store — and the women behind it — to the forefront in its campaign towards rebuilding Leyte and Samar’s economies.
To date, Project Bagong Araw PREMIUM has equipped over 2,400 beneficiaries with knowledge on business management skills, cashflow monitoring, product diversification, business continuity planning, and disaster preparedness, with its graduates — affectionately dubbed PREMIUM Graduates] — singing the program’s praises.
“Nahubog ako doon sa mga naituro sa amin. Mas natutunan ko kung paano ko patakbuhin ‘yong negosyo ko” Tita Alma, a beneficiary from Basey, Samar said.
“Akala ko kagaya lang siya ng iba na nangangakong tutulong…Pero seryoso sila na maging partner ng mga negosyante” Gilbert Godio, one of The Bagong Araw Philippines PREMIUM project graduates from Catbalogan, Samar, says.
As a way to conclude the program’s successful run in Samar and Leyte, the Bagong Araw Philippines PREMIUM project will hold a caravan on the 24th of January as its culminating activity, with the event — to be held at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo, Leyte — expected to initiate partnerships among key players towards a more resilient supply flow chain in their respective communities.
This is a story permanently etched into our memories: a story that tells how Supertyphoon Yolanda brought entire communities down after rampaging through the country on the 7th of November 2013.
But there’s another story as well: a story that tells how even the humblest ventures can uplift communities and help them get back on their feet. (PR)
Learning from the richest man
The recent passing away of the country’s richest man, Henry Sy, has left behind lessons to learn from, legacies to cherish, and life story to emulate. All this amid challenges and trials facing the country today.
First off, this man started from a humble beginning, a status which characterizes the majority of our people. Poor, that is, even far below the poverty line. That’s what the majority of Filipinos are. Nothing wrong with being born poor. Remaining as such is what makes it wrong, like what many of our people are doing—just contented with what they are and not doing much to alter it. Henry Sy did otherwise; he resolved to rise from that lowly state.
Mr. Sy coupled his visions with hard work, too. Visions are good and can provide some sort of guidance and direction, but rid of hard work, they are good as useless. Again, that’s what many of us are, we are only good at daydreaming. We envision many things, but we hardly do the required tasks to attain them. Not Mr. Sy, for after laying out his goals, he did everything necessary to reach those goals as evidenced by his projects completed.
While most of us think of spending any amount that comes our way and quickly runs out of it as a result, Mr. Sy thought of investing the same. He had that entrepreneurial bent, investing his money, time, and effort in business. He was a builder, moreover, who risked his multi-million investments amidst political, economic, and social crises. But despite being a risk-taker, he was a firm believer in the positive outcome of events, not allowing circumstances to dictate his fortune.
Today, we have lost such a great man whose wealth status is what the majority of people are craving for. We may not come close to his achievements, but we can somehow learn from his principles, imitate his worthwhile deeds, and follow his footsteps.
187 fishermen get assistance from DOLE
NAVAL,Biliran – Some 187 small-time fishermen from the different barangays of Kawayan, Biliran received livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) last January 15, 2019 held at its municipal ground.
With the approval of the project proposal entitled “Provision of Motorboat Engines and fishing paraphernalia in support to Small Fishermen and Provision of Sewing Machines to Women’s Livelihood” amounting to a total of P1,553,943.00, each fisherman received either a motorboat engine or fishing gears.
In his message during the simple turnover ceremony, DOLE RO8 OIC-Assistant Regional Director, Atty. Cecilio I. Baleña, congratulated all the beneficiaries and reminded them to become responsible in the use of the equipment and materials.
Also, he thanked the LGU of Kawayan thru the leadership of Mayor Rodolfo J. Espina, Jr. for being an active partner of DOLE in the implementation of its livelihood program in the province of Biliran.
“We at DOLE are grateful for our partners in the local government in bringing our programs and services closer to the clients. I’d like to thank Mayor Rodolfo Espina Jr. for being so active and passionate in helping the people of this municipality”, said Atty. Baleña.
Mayor Espina in response appreciated DOLE for its generosity in terms of providing assistance to his constituents in the municipality. He likewise recognized the DOLE Biliran Field Office (BFO) for being so facilitative on their project proposal which resulted to 187 delighted fishermen.
“My heartfelt thanks to DOLE for the usual support given to us. This really matters to all of us especially to our beneficiaries and I for myself commits to take part in monitoring them to ensure the success of the project. Let me extend also my profound appreciation to the staff of BFO for being responsive and facilitative to all our requests,” said Espina.
Also present during the turnover ceremony were Engr. Ma. Alita P. Chavez and Ms. Imelda M. Codilan of DOLE-BFO, Vice-Mayor Rizalinda Ampong, PESO Manager Edna M. del Rosario, municipal councilors and project beneficiaries including the women beneficiaries of the sewing machines.
(NORMA RAE S. COSTIMIANO/PR)