Showing posts with label Philippines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippines. Show all posts


COTABATO CITY, Philippines --- The executive department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will start its celebration of the ARMM’s 24th anniversary Thursday with activities highlighting the rich culture and traditions of the local communities.

The ARMM was created through a plebiscite in 1989, which resulted in the ratification of its first ever charter, the Republic Act 6734, which grouped together Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in Central Mindanao, and the island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, as its territory.

Laisa Alamia, regional executive secretary, said the anniversary festivities, dubbed as “Pakaradjaan sa ARMM,” will also showcase the development potentials of the autonomous region.

Pakadrajaan is a generic Moro term for “special gathering,” or convergence of communities to either celebrate something, or engage in religious activities such as thanksgiving banquets, or to commemorate historic events.

“We shall have cultural programs to show the unique cultures and traditions of ARMM’s local Moro communities,” Alamia said.

The ARMM's territory was expanded in another referendum in 2001, which resulted in the ratification of its first charter into R.A. 9054, which also led to the fusion of Basilan and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan into its enlarged political domain.

Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1


ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said their observance of the region’s 24th anniversary, to culminate on December 19, is also meant to show their readiness to facilitate a smooth transition from ARMM's present set-up into the new Bangsamoro political entity, which the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) aim to establish by 2015.

Southern Mindanao folks observe November 19 as the Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan Day, a yearly regional non-working holiday, to commemorate the setting foot in what is now Cotabato City in the 14th century of Kabunsuan, an Islamic theologian of mixed Arab-Malay descent, to preach Islam.

Hataman had even dubbed “PEACEtahan sa ARMM” this year’s founding anniversary of the region.

Hataman first got to the helm of ARMM on a “caretaker basis” in December 2011, following the termination of the elective tenure of regional officials led by the region’s chief executive then, Ansarudin “Hooky” Adiong.

Hataman was elected as ARMM's seventh regional governor during the May 13 elections.

Alamia and Hataman’s chief-of-staff, Amihilda Sangcopan, both told reporters they will continue to introduce reforms in the regional bureaucracy and implement various socio-economic projects to address underdevelopment in far-flung areas until ARMM gets phased out by 2016.

“The autonomous region faces imminent replacement with a Bangsamoro political entity if the government and MILF strike a final peace deal next year,” Sangcopan said.

The Hataman administration now boasts of having reformed two of the most corrupt entities in the region --- the public works and education departments --- through stringent handling of the agencies’ respective treasuries and a crackdown on "ghost teachers" and non-existent schools that past administrations had used as conduits for releases of periodic operation funds.

The ARMM’s public works secretary, Hadji Emil Sadain, reported last month that they had generated, during the past 18 months, close to P200-million worth grants from the national government as a result of their proper handling of the department’s fiscal resources.

Jamar Kulayan, who is the ARMM’s education secretary, also confirmed last August their having saved in recent months P800 million worth of operations money and unspent budget for wages and fringe benefits of the agency's rank-and-file personnel after removing "ghost teachers" from their payrolls.

Alamia said there were no major disruptions in the May 13 synchronized local and midterm elections, and during the October 28 barangay polls in the autonomous region.

“There were resetting and deferment of elections due to various reasons, but there were no failures of elections whatsoever in the autonomous region,” Alamia said.

ARMM set to celebrate 24th anniversary

Posted on by Unknown with 20 comments


COTABATO CITY, Philippines --- The executive department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will start its celebration of the ARMM’s 24th anniversary Thursday with activities highlighting the rich culture and traditions of the local communities.

The ARMM was created through a plebiscite in 1989, which resulted in the ratification of its first ever charter, the Republic Act 6734, which grouped together Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in Central Mindanao, and the island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, as its territory.

Laisa Alamia, regional executive secretary, said the anniversary festivities, dubbed as “Pakaradjaan sa ARMM,” will also showcase the development potentials of the autonomous region.

Pakadrajaan is a generic Moro term for “special gathering,” or convergence of communities to either celebrate something, or engage in religious activities such as thanksgiving banquets, or to commemorate historic events.

“We shall have cultural programs to show the unique cultures and traditions of ARMM’s local Moro communities,” Alamia said.

The ARMM's territory was expanded in another referendum in 2001, which resulted in the ratification of its first charter into R.A. 9054, which also led to the fusion of Basilan and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan into its enlarged political domain.

Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1


ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said their observance of the region’s 24th anniversary, to culminate on December 19, is also meant to show their readiness to facilitate a smooth transition from ARMM's present set-up into the new Bangsamoro political entity, which the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) aim to establish by 2015.

Southern Mindanao folks observe November 19 as the Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan Day, a yearly regional non-working holiday, to commemorate the setting foot in what is now Cotabato City in the 14th century of Kabunsuan, an Islamic theologian of mixed Arab-Malay descent, to preach Islam.

Hataman had even dubbed “PEACEtahan sa ARMM” this year’s founding anniversary of the region.

Hataman first got to the helm of ARMM on a “caretaker basis” in December 2011, following the termination of the elective tenure of regional officials led by the region’s chief executive then, Ansarudin “Hooky” Adiong.

Hataman was elected as ARMM's seventh regional governor during the May 13 elections.

Alamia and Hataman’s chief-of-staff, Amihilda Sangcopan, both told reporters they will continue to introduce reforms in the regional bureaucracy and implement various socio-economic projects to address underdevelopment in far-flung areas until ARMM gets phased out by 2016.

“The autonomous region faces imminent replacement with a Bangsamoro political entity if the government and MILF strike a final peace deal next year,” Sangcopan said.

The Hataman administration now boasts of having reformed two of the most corrupt entities in the region --- the public works and education departments --- through stringent handling of the agencies’ respective treasuries and a crackdown on "ghost teachers" and non-existent schools that past administrations had used as conduits for releases of periodic operation funds.

The ARMM’s public works secretary, Hadji Emil Sadain, reported last month that they had generated, during the past 18 months, close to P200-million worth grants from the national government as a result of their proper handling of the department’s fiscal resources.

Jamar Kulayan, who is the ARMM’s education secretary, also confirmed last August their having saved in recent months P800 million worth of operations money and unspent budget for wages and fringe benefits of the agency's rank-and-file personnel after removing "ghost teachers" from their payrolls.

Alamia said there were no major disruptions in the May 13 synchronized local and midterm elections, and during the October 28 barangay polls in the autonomous region.

“There were resetting and deferment of elections due to various reasons, but there were no failures of elections whatsoever in the autonomous region,” Alamia said.

 Greetings citizens of the Philippines. We are Anonymous.

We apologize for this inconvenience, but this is the only easiest way we could convey our message to you, 
our dear brothers and sisters who are tired of this cruelty and this false democracy, tired of this government
and the politicians who only think about themselves.

The government, in many ways, has failed its Filipino citizens.
We have been deprived of things which they have promised to give; what our late heroes have promised us to give. 
Let us remind the government that fairness, justice and freedom are more than words. They are perspectives. 

A march is happening, a revolution. A way to speak, a way to be heard.
On the fifth day of November, 2013, we will try to be a part of the history.

But of course there are those who do not want us to speak, and those who have doubts.
You can sleep, sit, go on with your everyday routine just like a herd of sheep and watch as the government laugh at you.
But if you see what we see, if you feel as we feel, and if you would seek as we seek... then we ask you to stand beside us,
this fifth of November outside Batasang Pambansa and let us march our way to freedom - a freedom from the shackles
of the Government.

You have been called; and by watching, you have been chosen.

To the "incorrupt" officials of the government, we are challenging you!
Join us!

The Corrupt - Fear us.
The Honest - Support us.
The Heroic - Join us.

We are Anonymous.
We are ONE.
The government, you are NONE.


We are legion. 
On the 5th of November, Government - Hear and understand us, or EXPECT US!

Message of the Anonymous Philippines, The Hackers

Posted on by Unknown with 20 comments

Greetings citizens of the Philippines. We are Anonymous.

We apologize for this inconvenience, but this is the only easiest way we could convey our message to you, 
our dear brothers and sisters who are tired of this cruelty and this false democracy, tired of this government
and the politicians who only think about themselves.

The government, in many ways, has failed its Filipino citizens.
We have been deprived of things which they have promised to give; what our late heroes have promised us to give. 
Let us remind the government that fairness, justice and freedom are more than words. They are perspectives. 

A march is happening, a revolution. A way to speak, a way to be heard.
On the fifth day of November, 2013, we will try to be a part of the history.

But of course there are those who do not want us to speak, and those who have doubts.
You can sleep, sit, go on with your everyday routine just like a herd of sheep and watch as the government laugh at you.
But if you see what we see, if you feel as we feel, and if you would seek as we seek... then we ask you to stand beside us,
this fifth of November outside Batasang Pambansa and let us march our way to freedom - a freedom from the shackles
of the Government.

You have been called; and by watching, you have been chosen.

To the "incorrupt" officials of the government, we are challenging you!
Join us!

The Corrupt - Fear us.
The Honest - Support us.
The Heroic - Join us.

We are Anonymous.
We are ONE.
The government, you are NONE.


We are legion. 
On the 5th of November, Government - Hear and understand us, or EXPECT US!




                               

While many Filipinos go abroad for greener pastures, a growing number of Filipino-American students abroad is now considering finding jobs in the Philippines.

The reverse trend has been noted by Philippine Ambassador to United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.,who said college and post-graduate students in the US are now interested to explore their opportunities in the Philippines given the country’s positive economic outlook.

Citing a recent visit to Yale University, Cuisia noted the positive feedback he received about the Philippines not only from Filipino-American but also other foreign students. He attended the Global Perspectives Symposia in the university sponsored by the Kasama-The Filipino Club of Yale and the Yale International Relations Association where he talked about the recent economic achievements in the Philippines.

“Most of the Filipino-American youths I have talked to see bright prospects for the Philippines and have expressed their desire to find work there,” he said in a statement. “You would not be hearing this from them two to three years ago.”

He added he was surprised over the enthusiasm of Filipino-American students who asked many questions about the Philippines in the open forum that followed.

“There seem to be this surge in their desire to learn more about the Philippines.”

In his remark, he cited projections made by Filipino economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas that the Philippine economy will grow at an average of 7 to 9 percent in the next 20 years.

“According to Dr. Villegas, this is a strong demonstration of the ‘tipping point’ phenomenon–the result of the transformational leadership changes and the policy reforms introduced in almost 30 years,” he told Yale students.

Junior student Ulysses Isidro, whose parents are from Bataan and Capiz, is among who wants to try his luck in the Philippines.

“I was reminded not to forget my heritage and now hope to visit and possibly work in the Philippines after graduation to learn more about my culture and country firsthand,” Isidro, also the president of Kasama-co, said.

This is the same thought of Hannah Gonzales, a sophomore majoring in History as she said: “Although I knew quite a bit about the Philippines beforehand, Ambassador Cuisia added a new dimension to the Philippines’ role on the world stage that I was not quite familiar with. Now, I can see the Philippines as both an emerging economy and a fun place to travel to.” (Ron B. Lopez)

US-educated Filipinos eyeing jobs in the Philippines

Posted on by Unknown with 20 comments



                               

While many Filipinos go abroad for greener pastures, a growing number of Filipino-American students abroad is now considering finding jobs in the Philippines.

The reverse trend has been noted by Philippine Ambassador to United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.,who said college and post-graduate students in the US are now interested to explore their opportunities in the Philippines given the country’s positive economic outlook.

Citing a recent visit to Yale University, Cuisia noted the positive feedback he received about the Philippines not only from Filipino-American but also other foreign students. He attended the Global Perspectives Symposia in the university sponsored by the Kasama-The Filipino Club of Yale and the Yale International Relations Association where he talked about the recent economic achievements in the Philippines.

“Most of the Filipino-American youths I have talked to see bright prospects for the Philippines and have expressed their desire to find work there,” he said in a statement. “You would not be hearing this from them two to three years ago.”

He added he was surprised over the enthusiasm of Filipino-American students who asked many questions about the Philippines in the open forum that followed.

“There seem to be this surge in their desire to learn more about the Philippines.”

In his remark, he cited projections made by Filipino economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas that the Philippine economy will grow at an average of 7 to 9 percent in the next 20 years.

“According to Dr. Villegas, this is a strong demonstration of the ‘tipping point’ phenomenon–the result of the transformational leadership changes and the policy reforms introduced in almost 30 years,” he told Yale students.

Junior student Ulysses Isidro, whose parents are from Bataan and Capiz, is among who wants to try his luck in the Philippines.

“I was reminded not to forget my heritage and now hope to visit and possibly work in the Philippines after graduation to learn more about my culture and country firsthand,” Isidro, also the president of Kasama-co, said.

This is the same thought of Hannah Gonzales, a sophomore majoring in History as she said: “Although I knew quite a bit about the Philippines beforehand, Ambassador Cuisia added a new dimension to the Philippines’ role on the world stage that I was not quite familiar with. Now, I can see the Philippines as both an emerging economy and a fun place to travel to.” (Ron B. Lopez)


COTABATO CITY: The number of casualties in the car bombing that ripped through this city on Monday afternoon rose to eight after three of the 30 injured victims died while undergoing treatment in hospital, police said.
Tension also ran high in this mixed Muslim-Christian community, especially among relatives and followers of City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr., whose family the police initially tagged as the prime “target” in the bomb attack that instantly killed two of his sister’s escorts.
Guiani said local governments “condemn to highest degree” the attack which aggravated the plight of over 30,000 residents currently displaced by floods.
“[A] big group was involved in this terroristic attack,” he said in a radio interview.
Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, city police chief, said investigators are pursuing a few angles, including lingering threats hounding the family of the city mayor.
The bomb, believed rigged inside a car parked across a funeral parlor on Sinsuat Avenue, went off at about 4:30 p.m. as the mayor’s Chevrolet Suburban sports utility vehicle, carrying City Administrator Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, passed by, Balquin said.
Sayadi said that they have been receiving death threats through text messages from unnamed quarters prior to the bomb attack. She and her escorts were on their way to one of the inundated villages in the city to supervise relief services for displaced flood victims at the time of the explosion.
The police official said that the blast shrapnel and splintered metal parts killed his sister’s escorts—Samsodin Hari and Usop Lajinapawan—but did not penetrate the mayor’s bulletproof vehicle.
The explosion also killed three bystanders—Sangkala Satol, Saiden Minat, and Harris Punto.
Balquin said that as of yesterday, 13 of the 30 wounded who were rushed to various hospitals, remained confined, including Jeddin Menak, 9, and Nasrudin Guialel, 14.
One of those still in hospital is SP04 Mama Manambuay, a member of the Maguindanao provincial police intelligence unit.
Manambuay was with his superior, Inspector Abubakar Mangelen Jr., aboard a police car at the busy street junction at the time of the blast.
The 30 wounded were identified as Adam Haron, Aidee Chan Olen, Alia Ulama, Allan Karuana, Alsaima Ulama, Andy Alimon, Ana Jane Ismael, Chuadi Salik, Diamna Ali, Edison Antolin, Emily Lu, Edwardo Medgar, Erlindan Dicain, Ibrahim Opam, Ivy Libradilla, Jeraisi Minat, John Anthony Pasrudin, Laisa Manguda, Mampen Macapages, Mikael Almiroda, Mokan Hamza, Nelsin Lasam, Norhaina Abbas, Normina Mama, Omar Ali, Richie Chan Visanes, Ruby Buhat, and Sarah Minat.
The explosion sparked a fire that gutted two buildings including Villa Funeral Home located in front of the blast site.
First car bombing
According to investigators, Monday’s explosion was the first car bomb case in the city and probably in Mindanao. Previous bomb attacks involved hand grenades, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mostly rigged from mortar shells, planted in basements.
Investigators were not discounting other motives in the latest blast, saying it could be another handiwork of “spoilers” of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) current peace process.
MILF officials said they would conduct separate investigation on the incident and asked the public not to make unnecessary speculations that may aggravate the confusion and tension.
Officials in adjacent provinces including Governors Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza of North Cotabato and Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao also condemned the attack and urged the police to prevent a spillover of the tension to their turfs.
Senior Superintendent Danny Peralta, North Cotabato police director, placed his command on “full alert” after the incident and ordered tight security along the highway linking this city to his province.
Not a terrorist attack
President Benigno Aquino 3rd also on Tuesday discounted a terror angle in the Cotabato City blast.
In an ambush interview in Subic, the President said that there was no indication that the explosion was related to the al-Qaeda threat that temporarily shut down key US diplomatic posts across the world.
The investigators, he said, are not ruling out all angles, saying that such activity could also be perpetrated by some political groups or even those “sectors” who want to derail the ongoing peace process between the government and the MILF.
”Wala tayong indicator na ganoon ang pangyayari. Hindi lang naman ‘yung terrorism angle ang tinitingnan; meron ding potential— may political angle diyan sa Cotabato, meron ding potential criminal naman sa Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
”Huwag nating kalimutan na meron talagang mga ilang sektor na ayaw magpatuloy ‘yung ating peace process. At siguro, talaga namang pinaghahandaan ito, pero talagang magiging imposible na nandoon tayo parati sa lahat ng lugar, sa lahat ng oras para ma-prevent lahat ito. Talagang terrorists, by their nature, iilan lang sila, tagong-tago, lihim,” Aquino added.
Difficulties
The President, on one hand, said that authorities are also encountering difficulties in going after the suspects because of the limitations of the military and the police
But he promised that the government will bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We are exhausting all of these leads with developing, parang cases or we’re investigating the same leads to determine exactly who perpetrated. Pero palagay ko mahahanap rin natin sila in the near— kung hindi very near future,” Aquino emphasized.
Meanwhile, Aquino met with the Cabinet Security cluster in Malacañang to discuss the recent bombings.
”I called the Security Cluster precisely to tackle this particular matter,” he said.
”At this point in time, the suspects have been the objects of our concern for a very long time and we’ve been pursuing the same suspects. Hindi pa sigurado that they are the parties responsible for this,” he added.
Senate probe
Meanwhile, at the Senate, the committee on public order and dangerous drugs will focus on the intelligence and evidence gathering capability of the PNP before and after the bombings.
According to Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the committee, she wanted to know if there were flaws in the gathering of evidence by police personnel after the bombing.
“I need to investigate among other things, if there were lapses or breach in security measures, “ she added.
Right after the explosion at the Limketkai shopping complex, Cagayan de Oro police allowed mall employees to clean the blast site.
The senator said that the gathering of evidence by the police personnel should be standardized.
Among those invited by the panel were Interior and Local Government Sec. Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd, Philippine National Police Chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima, and Alfonso Lim, President and CEO of Limketkai Center where the blast happened last July 26.
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno and Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares, the city’s police director, were also asked to attend the probe.
Poe also said that she will inquire if the PNP’s intelligence funds are properly utilized.
The congressional inquiry was prompted by the call of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, who hails from Mindanao and who delivered a privileged speech demanding the swift identification and prosecution of the “masterminds” of the blast in Cagayan de Oro.
But Poe said since PNP officials will be attending the probe, she will also include the recent bombing in Cotabato City, the second bombing to hit Mindanao in 10 days.
She likewise condemned the latest explosion describing it as an “act of lawlessness that not only distressed the victims’ families but also sowed fear among our countrymen who are going about their daily lives.”
“Those responsible should be held accountable for their actions. We also enjoin the citizens to be vigilant and help report leads to the case,” she added.

Toll from Cotabato explosion rises to 8

Posted on by Unknown with 20 comments


COTABATO CITY: The number of casualties in the car bombing that ripped through this city on Monday afternoon rose to eight after three of the 30 injured victims died while undergoing treatment in hospital, police said.
Tension also ran high in this mixed Muslim-Christian community, especially among relatives and followers of City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr., whose family the police initially tagged as the prime “target” in the bomb attack that instantly killed two of his sister’s escorts.
Guiani said local governments “condemn to highest degree” the attack which aggravated the plight of over 30,000 residents currently displaced by floods.
“[A] big group was involved in this terroristic attack,” he said in a radio interview.
Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, city police chief, said investigators are pursuing a few angles, including lingering threats hounding the family of the city mayor.
The bomb, believed rigged inside a car parked across a funeral parlor on Sinsuat Avenue, went off at about 4:30 p.m. as the mayor’s Chevrolet Suburban sports utility vehicle, carrying City Administrator Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, passed by, Balquin said.
Sayadi said that they have been receiving death threats through text messages from unnamed quarters prior to the bomb attack. She and her escorts were on their way to one of the inundated villages in the city to supervise relief services for displaced flood victims at the time of the explosion.
The police official said that the blast shrapnel and splintered metal parts killed his sister’s escorts—Samsodin Hari and Usop Lajinapawan—but did not penetrate the mayor’s bulletproof vehicle.
The explosion also killed three bystanders—Sangkala Satol, Saiden Minat, and Harris Punto.
Balquin said that as of yesterday, 13 of the 30 wounded who were rushed to various hospitals, remained confined, including Jeddin Menak, 9, and Nasrudin Guialel, 14.
One of those still in hospital is SP04 Mama Manambuay, a member of the Maguindanao provincial police intelligence unit.
Manambuay was with his superior, Inspector Abubakar Mangelen Jr., aboard a police car at the busy street junction at the time of the blast.
The 30 wounded were identified as Adam Haron, Aidee Chan Olen, Alia Ulama, Allan Karuana, Alsaima Ulama, Andy Alimon, Ana Jane Ismael, Chuadi Salik, Diamna Ali, Edison Antolin, Emily Lu, Edwardo Medgar, Erlindan Dicain, Ibrahim Opam, Ivy Libradilla, Jeraisi Minat, John Anthony Pasrudin, Laisa Manguda, Mampen Macapages, Mikael Almiroda, Mokan Hamza, Nelsin Lasam, Norhaina Abbas, Normina Mama, Omar Ali, Richie Chan Visanes, Ruby Buhat, and Sarah Minat.
The explosion sparked a fire that gutted two buildings including Villa Funeral Home located in front of the blast site.
First car bombing
According to investigators, Monday’s explosion was the first car bomb case in the city and probably in Mindanao. Previous bomb attacks involved hand grenades, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mostly rigged from mortar shells, planted in basements.
Investigators were not discounting other motives in the latest blast, saying it could be another handiwork of “spoilers” of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) current peace process.
MILF officials said they would conduct separate investigation on the incident and asked the public not to make unnecessary speculations that may aggravate the confusion and tension.
Officials in adjacent provinces including Governors Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza of North Cotabato and Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao also condemned the attack and urged the police to prevent a spillover of the tension to their turfs.
Senior Superintendent Danny Peralta, North Cotabato police director, placed his command on “full alert” after the incident and ordered tight security along the highway linking this city to his province.
Not a terrorist attack
President Benigno Aquino 3rd also on Tuesday discounted a terror angle in the Cotabato City blast.
In an ambush interview in Subic, the President said that there was no indication that the explosion was related to the al-Qaeda threat that temporarily shut down key US diplomatic posts across the world.
The investigators, he said, are not ruling out all angles, saying that such activity could also be perpetrated by some political groups or even those “sectors” who want to derail the ongoing peace process between the government and the MILF.
”Wala tayong indicator na ganoon ang pangyayari. Hindi lang naman ‘yung terrorism angle ang tinitingnan; meron ding potential— may political angle diyan sa Cotabato, meron ding potential criminal naman sa Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
”Huwag nating kalimutan na meron talagang mga ilang sektor na ayaw magpatuloy ‘yung ating peace process. At siguro, talaga namang pinaghahandaan ito, pero talagang magiging imposible na nandoon tayo parati sa lahat ng lugar, sa lahat ng oras para ma-prevent lahat ito. Talagang terrorists, by their nature, iilan lang sila, tagong-tago, lihim,” Aquino added.
Difficulties
The President, on one hand, said that authorities are also encountering difficulties in going after the suspects because of the limitations of the military and the police
But he promised that the government will bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We are exhausting all of these leads with developing, parang cases or we’re investigating the same leads to determine exactly who perpetrated. Pero palagay ko mahahanap rin natin sila in the near— kung hindi very near future,” Aquino emphasized.
Meanwhile, Aquino met with the Cabinet Security cluster in Malacañang to discuss the recent bombings.
”I called the Security Cluster precisely to tackle this particular matter,” he said.
”At this point in time, the suspects have been the objects of our concern for a very long time and we’ve been pursuing the same suspects. Hindi pa sigurado that they are the parties responsible for this,” he added.
Senate probe
Meanwhile, at the Senate, the committee on public order and dangerous drugs will focus on the intelligence and evidence gathering capability of the PNP before and after the bombings.
According to Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the committee, she wanted to know if there were flaws in the gathering of evidence by police personnel after the bombing.
“I need to investigate among other things, if there were lapses or breach in security measures, “ she added.
Right after the explosion at the Limketkai shopping complex, Cagayan de Oro police allowed mall employees to clean the blast site.
The senator said that the gathering of evidence by the police personnel should be standardized.
Among those invited by the panel were Interior and Local Government Sec. Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd, Philippine National Police Chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima, and Alfonso Lim, President and CEO of Limketkai Center where the blast happened last July 26.
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno and Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares, the city’s police director, were also asked to attend the probe.
Poe also said that she will inquire if the PNP’s intelligence funds are properly utilized.
The congressional inquiry was prompted by the call of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, who hails from Mindanao and who delivered a privileged speech demanding the swift identification and prosecution of the “masterminds” of the blast in Cagayan de Oro.
But Poe said since PNP officials will be attending the probe, she will also include the recent bombing in Cotabato City, the second bombing to hit Mindanao in 10 days.
She likewise condemned the latest explosion describing it as an “act of lawlessness that not only distressed the victims’ families but also sowed fear among our countrymen who are going about their daily lives.”
“Those responsible should be held accountable for their actions. We also enjoin the citizens to be vigilant and help report leads to the case,” she added.


Republic of thePhilippines
Department of Education 

Clarification: There are misleading articles that released by DepEd regarding DepEd Order No. 32 s.2013. The Order DOES NOT refer to the hijab, NOR does it imply prohibition of the veil. We are strengthening the protection of these rights. Please read the Order for correct information:

DepEd Order no. 32 s. 2013

Posted on by Unknown with 1 comment


Republic of thePhilippines
Department of Education 

Clarification: There are misleading articles that released by DepEd regarding DepEd Order No. 32 s.2013. The Order DOES NOT refer to the hijab, NOR does it imply prohibition of the veil. We are strengthening the protection of these rights. Please read the Order for correct information:


MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education (DepEd) has asked teachers of subjects in Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) in public schools not to wear face veils in the classroom as this would get in the way of effective teaching.

“Once the ustadja (teacher) is in the classroom, she is requested to remove the veil,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro in an order dated July 16.

Luistro said wearing a veil would keep students from seeing the teacher’s face in class.

“In support of effective language teaching, recognition and discrimination of letters and their sounds are enhanced. Lip formation significantly helps in the correct production of the letter sounds,” Luistro said.

Seeing the teacher’s face without the veil would be necessary “for proper identification of the teachers by the pupils, thus promoting better teacher-pupil relationship,” he added.

Luistro made the request even as he reiterated DepEd’s standing policy of protecting the religious rights of students in school.

“While the Department supports and promotes the right of Muslim Filipino women to wear hijab/veil (or headdress), it does not compel Muslim Filipino women to wear it,” he said.

During their Physical Education subject, Muslim school girls are allowed to wear “appropriate clothing in accordance with their religious beliefs.”

Muslim students are also not required to participate in non-Muslim religious rites.

DepEd has begun to professionalize asatidz (Muslim teachers) who teach in madaris (Muslim schools) by hiring them as permanent teachers to teach ALIVE subjects in public elementary schools in Muslim-dominated areas.

DepEd introduced a standard curriculum for private madaris and select public schools that incorporates ALIVE subjects with regular subjects in order to integrate madrasah education graduates into mainstream education.

Muslim teachers requested to not wear face veils during class hour

Posted on by Unknown with 20 comments


MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education (DepEd) has asked teachers of subjects in Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) in public schools not to wear face veils in the classroom as this would get in the way of effective teaching.

“Once the ustadja (teacher) is in the classroom, she is requested to remove the veil,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro in an order dated July 16.

Luistro said wearing a veil would keep students from seeing the teacher’s face in class.

“In support of effective language teaching, recognition and discrimination of letters and their sounds are enhanced. Lip formation significantly helps in the correct production of the letter sounds,” Luistro said.

Seeing the teacher’s face without the veil would be necessary “for proper identification of the teachers by the pupils, thus promoting better teacher-pupil relationship,” he added.

Luistro made the request even as he reiterated DepEd’s standing policy of protecting the religious rights of students in school.

“While the Department supports and promotes the right of Muslim Filipino women to wear hijab/veil (or headdress), it does not compel Muslim Filipino women to wear it,” he said.

During their Physical Education subject, Muslim school girls are allowed to wear “appropriate clothing in accordance with their religious beliefs.”

Muslim students are also not required to participate in non-Muslim religious rites.

DepEd has begun to professionalize asatidz (Muslim teachers) who teach in madaris (Muslim schools) by hiring them as permanent teachers to teach ALIVE subjects in public elementary schools in Muslim-dominated areas.

DepEd introduced a standard curriculum for private madaris and select public schools that incorporates ALIVE subjects with regular subjects in order to integrate madrasah education graduates into mainstream education.


LANAO DEL SUR - On last May 13, 2013 which is the Philippine National, Local, and ARMM automated election day. Some people says "I'm not registered voter but I only have one registration", other people says "I have been approved by the comelec even my registrations are 2". Thus, who does not listed on the 2013 registered voters in Lanao del Sur has now a chance to get a copy to be downloaded.

Below link is the PCVL (Post Computerized Voter's List) or the list of registered voters in Lanao del Sur.

 See more Lists of voters in Lanao del Sur

List of voters in Lanao del Sur

Posted on by Unknown with 20 comments


LANAO DEL SUR - On last May 13, 2013 which is the Philippine National, Local, and ARMM automated election day. Some people says "I'm not registered voter but I only have one registration", other people says "I have been approved by the comelec even my registrations are 2". Thus, who does not listed on the 2013 registered voters in Lanao del Sur has now a chance to get a copy to be downloaded.

Below link is the PCVL (Post Computerized Voter's List) or the list of registered voters in Lanao del Sur.

 See more Lists of voters in Lanao del Sur