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Vol. 26 Issue 42 09-15 March 2009
Naga to Ask World Bank for More Funds
Alec Francis A. Santos
09.03.2009

NAGA CITY--City officials are mulling the possibility of getting grants from the World Bank to fund some of the city’s projects.

In a high-level meeting with World Bank country director Bert Hofman and other World Bank executives, Planning and Development Officer Willy Prilles and Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado bared plans for the rehabilitation of the Naga River.

The city officials informed the visiting executives about the city’s plans to revive and transform the Naga River into a viable resource for the city and its residents. The rehabilitation of the said river was part of the recommendations by the World Bank during the 2003 City Development Strategy report. According to Prilles, the city has accomplished most of the goals enumerated in the report, except the Naga river rehabilitation. He explained that the said project would require a substantial amount of capital which the city does not have.

15 PNP Trainers Relieved Due to Hazing Probe
PIA
09.03.2009

Legazpi City--The 15-member training staff of the Police Regional Mobile Group (PRMG) here was relieved by Bicol police regional director Chief Sup’t. Paterno P. Bangui to give way to an impartial investigation on the hazing allegedly committed by the training officers against newly recruited police scout trainees triggered by video expose sent to the Napolcom regional office.

Also relieved of his duties as PRMG group commander was Sr. Sup’t. Josel Q. Regondola who was temporarily replaced by Senior Sup’t. Eliciar Bron during the duration of the probe.

Brother Mike ‘dreams’ of presidency, seeks bishops’ endorsement
Melo M. Acuña
09.03.2009

MANILA--“If the bishops would tell me to run and if they endorse my candidacy, I would follow because I am a loyal soldier of the Catholic Church.”

Thus said businessman-turned-Catholicevangelist Mike Velarde in an interview with Radio Veritas yesterday.

He disclosed he had personal plans which he described as “a dream” of running for the presidency, though he admitted he is satisfied with his being a “servant leader” of El Shaddai, a large Catholic Charismatic group which he founded.

Unliquidated Cash Advances
Che Carpio
09.03.2009
On Robredo’s “Transparency at Work,” which is actually “Transparency at Worst,” I cited last week COA’s findings of unliquidated cash advances for year ended Dec. 31, 2007: “Cash advances amounting to P1,896,885.55 were granted without first settling or a proper accounting thereof was made of the previous cash advance, while cash advances totaling P8,168,269.61 were not liquidated within the prescribed period, contrary to Sections 4.1.2 and 5.1 of COA Circular No. 97-002, respectively. These defects created doubts on the validity and regularity of the grant and liquidation thereof.”
Unsurrendered 100 Voices and many more
Tito Genova Valiente
09.03.2009
“Unsurrendered 100 Voices” is the title of the documentary made by Lucky Guillermo and Peter Parsons. The two and their outfit were the same group behind another documentary “Manila, 1945: The Forgotten Atrocities.” The two documentaries share one thing in common: the remembering of events that have been forgotten.
Other Stories: 
City Auditor Responds to "transparency at worst" Issues
Jonas Cabiles Soltes
09.03.2009

NAGA CITY- Paciencia Tabinas, city auditor, spoke for Mayor Jesse Robredo on Friday (March 14), saying that the city government had not hidden the 2007 Commission on Audit Report from public.

Tabinas was reacting to the issues raised by Vox Bikol columnist Atty. Che Carpio, regarding the claims to transparency of the Naga City government through the posting of vital information in its website.

“COA reports are very accessible to anyone since it is posted on the website of [COA],” she said.

8 Hurt in Masbate Blast
PNA
09.03.2009

LEGAZPI CITY--At least six policemen and two civilians were injured by an explosion from an improvised landmine that hit the passenger jeep they were riding on Thursday in Balud, Masbate, a Philippine Army (PA) report said Friday.

Hurt in the blast were Police Officer (PO)2 Rogelio Bolante, PO1s Ian Mark Antiporda, Menard Danao, Darius Capili, Juvy Llunar Ronel Paac and civilians Editha Race and Gilbert Leonor, driver.

Masbate Bishop Pleads for End to Political Violence
PIA
09.03.2009

Masbate CITY--If the murder of Vice Mayor Antonino de Jesus of Milagros town here is any gauge, then there’s reason to fear that the 2010 elections in this province could become the hottest and bloodiest in the annals of the province.

The grim scenario was underscored by no less than Bishop Joel Z. Baylon in his “open letter” to all elected officials of the province, municipalities and barangays.

Church urges probe into anti-mining activist slaying
Roy Lagarde
09.03.2009

MANILA--Catholic Church leaders have condemned the killing of an anti-mining activist and called for an investigation into its circumstances.

Eliezer “Boy” Billanes, leader of the Anti-Development Aggression Coalition, was shot dead by unidentified men around 4:30 p.m. yesterday in Koranadal, South Cotabato.

Gentle Woman

Rawit-Dawit
Benjo Bichara
09.03.2009

My unsure eyes look for a light
My restless feet wandered the night
Longing for warmth, seeking care
In the midst of a storm, I feel scared
Alone am I, let to be
Darkness creeps, nothing to see
With eyes closed, a prayer I speak
For hands to hold, my heart so weak
A gentle voice of a woman I hear
Her calming tone, melting my fear
I look up to see the sweetest face
Her image towered, yet full of grace
My son, she says “by your side I will stay,
to guide you home, to lead the way
as in your prayers you call my name
to my son Jesus and to you I am the same”
With guidance I was brought to safety
Creating no fear, nothing to worry
My heart forever will be thankful
To a blessed being forever grateful.

Benjo Bichara
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Plea
Vox Bikol
09.03.2009

Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon has delivered an eloquent plea to public officials of his province and those aiming for an elected position to resist resorting to violence. It is a plea that should be heard and heeded, not only by the people of Masbate, but by all engaged in the imminent 2010 elections.

Lent
Karola Klier
09.03.2009

The western countries start Lent on Ash Wednesday and it lasts until Easter Sunday. Lent is a time of fasting and one might wonder what Germans are ready to abstain from. When asked they say that they could for a time do without chocolate, meat or particular products, alcohol or TV.

A Reality Check on the Naga City Experience (Part 6)
Fr. Wilmer Joseph Tria
09.03.2009

B. Empowerment is key to participatory governance.

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. The word “people” is not replaceable with the name Arroyo, Villafuerte or Robredo. Or even Tria. Therefore, we can never say that democracy is the government of Tria, by Tria and for Tria. In a democratic country like ours, there are three golden rules to follow to ensure that it is the government of the people, by the people and for the people, namely: honest elections, the separation of powers, and transparency. All these must be in place to ensure participatory governance.

Farewell to Nabua’s Gabaldon
Fr. Andrew G. Recepcion S.Th.D
09.03.2009

I RECEIVED AN EMAIL from Nabua Forum about the demolition of the Gabaldon in Nabua, Camarines Sur. I can attest to the truth of the matter since I saw during my last week’s visit to Nabua that a temporary fence—to give way to the construction of an LCC Mall—has surrounded the former site of the building. I am a Nabueño and I am concerned about what happened to this historical building.

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