TACLOBAN CITY- The elevation of blessed Mother Teresa into sainthood elated her devotees here in the region.
On Sunday (Sept.4), Pope Francis led in the canonization of Mother Teresa at the Vatican to sainthood.
Saint Teresa, born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Albania, died on September 5, 1997 and was beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II on October 19, 2003.
“She is an embodiment of true Christianity, sacrificing one’s comforts for the good of another who is in dire need. Her humility and simplicity are virtues worth emulating in this world of materialism and self-preservation,” said Eileen Ballesteros, a mother and government worker in Tacloban City, on how life and works of Mother Teresa inspire her to become a good public servant.
Land rights worker Rina Reyes also said: “Although I am not well-versed about Mother Teresa’s life and journey, all I know is that her works and devotion to the poor deserve the sainthood.”
Teresa, now known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, visited Calbayog City for four days started on December 31, 1986 on the invitation of Julio Cardinal Rosales.
For his part, Father Virgilio Cañete of the Palo archdiocese said that while she did not personally saw the newly-named saint from Calcutta, India, he felt her presence when she visited Manila at the time that he was also there as a young seminarian.
“Unfortunately no. She was in Manila once, but I wasn’t able to attend her talk to the priests, and seminarians,” he said.
“I already knew a little what she was doing even as a seminarian since she was already at that time much talked about and publicized,” Cañete said.
For his part, Cebu-based priest Roy Cimagala said that even then, Mother Teresa exuded with an “aura of holiness.”
“I did not have direct dealing with her. But what I can say is that even from afar, she exuded an aura of holiness and goodness,” Cimagala recalled.
In Tacloban, followers of Mother Teresa operated its Missionaries of Charity for the needy people in the city and region.
(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY- In spite of insufficient facilities and court rooms, and lack of hazard pay, lower courts across the Philippines endeavors to keep up with the new performance standards being introduced by the Civil Service Commission(CSC). Called the Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS), this mechanism of rating each employee’s performance vis-à-vis an individual target in the organization and the organization’s in its own target will be the basis of one’s availment of performance-based incentives of or his retention in the workplace.

The Supreme Court has lately implemented SPMS, the delay being blamed as reason for late approval of promotions or of lateral transfer of lower court employees. In Tacloban City, through the Office of Deputy Court Administrator (for the Visayas) Thelma Bahia, presiding judges and court staff were briefed as to how this performance review and evaluation scheme will be done and how the SPMS forms will be accomplished within particular period of time. Simultaneous with the very recent launching of the Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW) Mediation Conference in Tacloban City graced by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, SPMS information fora were spearheaded by Bahia and his staff led lawyer Aristeo Franklin Garcia. “This new performance review system is practically based on the team’s cooperation and each employee’s commitment to achieve the team’s target,” Garcia added. The rating will be based on the accomplishment of target with efficiency over certain period of time.
“A 100 percent accomplishment can only entitle you to a performance bonus of only about 80 percent of your monthly basic pay,” Garcia disclosed in one of the lectures he gave out.

Garcia warned that a single “poor” rating will automatically drop an employee from the roll. The courts in Eastern Visayas were expected to have submitted to the OCA their respective employees’ individual performance commitment and review (IPCR) forms and this coming Friday the respective branch’s or office’s organization performance and review (OPCR) forms. Although a welcome development for the lower courts in order to ensure better delivery of service to the public, some court employees are batting for more rational compensation based on skills and task involved. Among these are the process servers, interpreters and stenographers associations.
The lack of sufficient courtrooms and facilities in lower courts are among the concerns in the judiciary which are gradually being addressed by the Supreme Court. The president of the Philippine Association of Court Employees, lawyer Maria Fe Maloloy-on, does not see these as set back in meeting improved targets. Admitting the need for more courtrooms is imperative, she remarked, “Lacing of it does not mean that we cannot be efficient with what we have at present.” She said that lack of budget is the problem in addressing the need for more courtrooms. The Supreme Court is opening additional court salas across the country, including two in Tacloban Regional Trial Court.  (EILEEN NAZARENO-BALLESTEROS)

With anti-drug campaign in full swing

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has asked the regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to brace for higher budget next year in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s thrust on war against drugs. DBM-8 Director Imelda Laceras, at the same time, asked the PDEA regional office to prepare all plans as the national government steps up funding support for its anti-drug programs starting next year.

PDEA’s proposed budget nationwide rose to P1.21 billion for next year from P1 billion in 2016. “There is a positive development as far as the Duterte administration priorities are concerned. There is an increased in budget of agencies involved in crusade against drugs and criminality. The President has the leeway to expand agencies to support his priorities,” Laceras said. The DBM official expressed concerned that PDEA might not be prepared for higher outlay since this was not discussed during their 2017 budget deliberations at the regional level early this year.

“Try to plan for the higher budget like finding properties for offices. We don’t want under spending anymore. We have to fast track the implementation of infrastructure projects by completing the design and program of work this year, bid out in the last quarter of 2016 and award the project early next year,” Laceras said. PDEA Regional Director Edgar Jubay said their office currently rents an apartment at the city’s Marasbaras district at P35,000 monthly. The agency has no provincial offices outside the regional capital.

“Manpower resources are not enough to cover six provinces in the region,” Jubay said. The agency is now finalizing their proposal for a P26 million new building in this city. This will be presented to the Regional Development Council for endorsement. (SARWELL Q.MENIANO)

ALBUERA, Leyte- Alleged hit men of Kerwin Espinosa have surrendered to the local police as they vowed to cooperate in the investigation against the region’s top drug lord.
Ruel Manidlangan,45, and Buan Anthony, who was also known as Tonypet Zaldivar, voluntarily surrendered to Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, town police chief.
The two claimed to be hit men of Espinosa who remain at-large and faces a shoot on sight order issued by no less than Police Director General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa.
The two vowed to cooperate in the police investigation on the illegal drug trade of Espinosa and his father, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa by executing affidavits.
Manidlangan and Zaldivar decided to surrender out of fear and tired of being on the run.
“Sometimes you’re just relieved that it’s over. I don’t want now to endanger the lives of my family especially my children,” Manidlangan, father to seven children, said.
According to him, it was Kerwin who facilitated for his release at the Ormoc City Jail and offered him to work as his security guard.
Meantime, Espenido said that they are still waiting for the court to issue a warrant of arrest against the embattled mayor and his son.
Cases for illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs have been filed against the Espinosas.
Espenido said the court is still reviewing all affidavits and documents submitted by the police.
Warrants are expected to be issued against the two if the court finds the complaints strong enough and with basis.
According to Espenido, filing cases against the Espinosas will be the start in making the town of Albuera free from illegal drugs and make it a peaceful town again.
(JAZMIN BONIFACIO)