Nominations for search for Journalists of the Year extended

In a recently held orientation session for the nationwide Search for Journalists of the Year (JOY) attended by media practitioners, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and the Probe Media Foundation, Inc. (PMFI) announced the extension of the deadline for submission of nominations until February 28, 2013.

 "The search is a fitting tribute to our Filipino press people on or behind the camera.  It is about time that we recognize their vigilance translated into powerful storytelling that contributed to nation-building and an informed citizenry," said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña.

While PMFI founder Cecilia ‘Che Che’ Lazaro expressed that “As journalists, we value our reputation based on what we write and report. More than the fame, what is important to us, as journalists, is that the stories we tell have created positive impact among the people we serve.  I am happy that JOY winners have the opportunity to share their expertise through the conduct of the lectures.”

Qualified for this search are Filipino media practitioners currently residing in the Philippines. They must have been working in the media industry for at least ten (10) years covering the period from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2012 and must be practicing any medium (print, radio, television or online) of journalism in the Philippines on a regular basis and as a primary source of income.

  

Nominations are open to everyone of legal age. Self‐nominations are also allowed.  Nominees may be endorsed by their current supervisor, superior or editor, provided that the endorser is attached to a bona fide media organization or news agency.

The three winners will each receive PhP300,000 and a special trophy. They will also be conferred the Metrobank Foundation Fellow in Journalism where they will have the privilege to share their expertise and experience through the conduct of professorial lectures before an identified audience in select academic venues.The program will highlight the journalists’ contributions to both the industry and to society, and give the public a chance to learn from these noteworthy individuals.

The JOY celebrates and honors distinctive Filipino journalists from print, broadcast and online media for their body of work that has contributed to the development of the nation and inspired other media practitioners.  It also encourages responsibility, accountability and excellence in storytelling.  It intends to recognize outstanding mature journalist sometime during his or her prime as viewed in the context of the whole landscape of the journalism profession.  Journalism would be viewed as a life as well as a primary source of livelihood, not just a craft, vocation or career. 

For further inquiries, please visit www.mbfoundation.org.ph. or www.probefound.com. or call the Probe Media Foundation Secretariat at telephone number (02) 433-0456 or e-mail: metrobankfoundation.joy@gmail.com.

‘Poisonous provisions’ of Anti-Cybercrime Law hit

MALOLOS CITY—Malacanang ally and former Akbayan partylist Rep. Risa Hontiveros has called for a “strike down of three poisonous provisions” of the controversial Anti-Cybercrime Law.

The three provisions that must be removed, Hontiveros said, are the cyber libel clause, real time data monitoring, and the take down clause.

Speaking to journalists during the launch of the Risa Hontiveros for Senator Movement here on Monday afternoon, the former militant partylist representative described the three provisions as “unconstitutional.”

She explained that even the President is willing to decriminalize libel law as stated in Article 353 of the over-80-year-old Revised Penal Code, and yet, penalties for internet libel are increased in the Republic Act 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

Hontiveros said that real time monitoring and take down clauses of RA10175 are unconstitutional because they require no court order for implementation.

“It runs counter to thet freedom of expression and of the press as guaranteed in the 1987 Constitution,” she said in the vernacular.

As a former legislator, Hontiveros said that before RA 10175 was passed into law, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill should have been passed first.

She said that the FOI could have served as a magna carta or mother framework for all other laws with regards to the media.

“They should have passed the FOI Bill first and it could have repealed the antiquated libel laws,” she said.

Hontiveros also expressed optimism on the possibilities that the FOI Bill will still be passed before the end of the 15th Congress.

“It can still be passed, otherwise, it will be refiled in the 16th Congress,” she said.

Earlier, the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), the national association of newspapers in the country issued a pooled editorial demanding the passage of the long delayed FOI Bill.

“Quick and correct action. This is the best and justly deserved path for the House of Representatives to take on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill,” the PPI said in the pooled editorial issued on Monday.

They added that that “Slow and wrong. This is the worst and justly reasonable judgment that Filipino voters would have of the House members, most especially of those seeking re-election in May 2013, should the FOI fail to pass.”

The pooled editorial further said, “time, the dribble drivel in the House, and an Executive seemingly less than lame in his support for the bill – the odds seem stacked against the passage of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress. This is even as the Senate had passed its version of the bill on third and final reading before Christmas last.”

As the 15th Congress draws to a close, the PPI said, “Only nine session days remain from January 21, when lawmakers return to work after a month-long holiday break, to Feb. 6, 2013, after which lawmakers will have another extended break and plunge into election campaign mode.

They will have just three more session days in June intended mainly for closing ceremonies, before adjourning sine die to give way to the incoming 16th Congress on June 30, 2013.”

They warned that that failure by the incumbent House to pass the FOI up to third reading is certain death for the bill in the 15th Congress.

This means that legislative work on the bill will revert to step one yet again in the 16th Congress. (Dino Balabo)

Bulacan spruces Barasoain Church for 114th anniversary rites of First Philippine Republic

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan,  — Provincial and city officials are now sprucing up the compound of the historic Barasoain church in preparation for the commemoration of the 114th anniversary of the First Philippine Republic on Wednesday, January 23.

Former Senator Ramon Magsaysay will represent President Benigno S. Aquino as the guest of honor and speaker. The former senator will be joined by provincial officials headed by Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando in paying tribute to Gen. Emilio A. Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic

The governor said that this year’s celebration will be highlighted by a parade dubbed as “Parada ng Republika”, a parade that will be joined by the eight governors of the provinces representing  the eight rays of the sun in the Philippine flag.

Alvarado said that incumbent leaders of the eight rays -- Cavite Gov. Juanito Victor Remulla, Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon Ejercito III, Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Batangas Gov. Rosa Vilma Santos-Recto and Tarlac Gov. Victor Yap—will add more significance to the occasion.

“This will be the first time that leaders of the eight provinces that broke from Spanish colonial rule will be present in marking the anniversary of the First Philippine Republic. Their presence will add more significance and boost unity among us in preserving one of the most important events in Philippine history,” Alvarado said.

“Kung ang Baguio ay tanyag sa kanilang bulaklak at ang Pampanga naman ay sa kanilang makukulay na parol, nais nating itanghal ang dakilang lalawigan ng Bulacan bilang bayan ng mga bayani at sa makulay at mahalaga nitong bahagi sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas,” said Alvarado.

National Historical Commission of the Philippines Executive Director Ludovico Badoy said that the program will start at 8 o’clock in the morning through the arrival of military honors for the president followed by flag raising ceremony and wreathe laying activity in Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s monument.

“We want to uplift the awareness of our fellow Filipinos especially the young generation that this is a very significant part of the history. It is not only to promote Malolos, not only for Bulacan but for the entire country as well,” said Badoy.

He added that they will be putting flags and tarpaulins along Roxas Boulevard to inform Filipinos to join the celebration.

President Aquino has declared January 23 a special (non-working) day in Bulacan in commemoration of the First Philippine Republic (also known as the Malolos Republic).

The Chief Executive issued the declaration to give the people of Bulacan the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

On June 12, 1898, the Philippine independence was proclaimed and The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence was read at the Emilio Aguinaldo's ancestral home in Cavite.

After gaining the independence, the Malolos Congress convened on Sept 15, 1898 and produced the Malolos Constitution.

On Jan 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic (also known as the Malolos Republic) was inaugurated at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.

Gen.Emilio Aguinaldo was declared its first president.

The establishment of the Philippine Republic was the culmination of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule. On June 12, 1898, at Aguinaldo's ancestral home in Cavite, Philippine independence was proclaimed and The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence was read. The act had been prepared and written in Spanish by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, who also read its proclamation. The Malolos Congress convened on 15 September, and produced the Malolos Constitution. That constitution was proclaimed on 22 January 1899, transforming the government into what is known today as the First Philippine Republic, with Aguinaldo as its president. In the meantime, on December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris had been signed, ending the Spanish-American War. Article 3 of the treaty transferred the Philippines from Spain to the United States.—EMIL G. GAMOS

A perfect Xmas gift for Bulacan fishermen

HAGONOY, Bulacan—A perfect Christmas gift.

That was how fishermen here described the repair of the 80-old lighthouse saying it will benefit fellow fishermen living in communities along the coast of Manila Bay.

The lighthouse was repaired on Friday afternoon by member engineers of the Sigla Movement of the Philippines (SMP) less than a month after an ocular inspection on November 24.

Located at the coast of Barangay Pugad here, the lighthouse has lost its light more than seven years ago when its solar powered batteries expired.

Barangay Pugad is one of the two coastal villages of their town, and both are at least one hour ride from the Hagonoy town proper.

Edgardo Baltazar, the chair of the Samahang Mangigisda ng Pugad said no other gift could perfect for them saying, “ito ang pinakamagandang pamasko sa amin, ang tagal naming hinintay na magkailaw uli yang parola.”

He said that the re-lighting the lighthouse erase their anxiety in resuming their fishing activities at the Manila Bay at night.

“Hindi na kami nangangamba ngayon na sumadsad sa pilapil ng palaisdaan ang bangka namin at masira ang elisi at timon,” Baltazar said referring to submerged fishpond dikes that used to cause damage on their boat’s propeller and rudder when they make miscalculation at night.

The same was echoed by Rogelio Tamayo, the vice chair of the fisherfolk association.

He said that the lighthouse served as guide for generations of fisherfolk here and other coastal villages of Bulacan and Pampanga.

Both Baltazar and Tamayo started fishing in their teens and are still pursuing the same until now.

Village councilmen Alfredo Lunes, Bernard Dave Concepcion and Gilbert Tamayo said that they sought help for the repair of lighthouse for years.

“Marami na kaming opisyal na nilapitan pero hindi rin natupad ang pangako,” Lunes said referring to moves made by the Sangguniang Barangay of Pugad.

But things started to change after Concepcion posted a picture of the lighthouse on Facebook.com on January 2011, and caught the attention of this writer.

The story and picture of the unrepaired lighthouse was published by the STAR in February 2011 and local officials began to take notice of the situation.

Governor Wilhlemino Alvarado submitted a request to the Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC) on June 30, 2011 asking endorsement for the repair of the lighthouse.

It was unanimously approved months later in an RDC meeting in Malolos and a resolution was submitted in Malacanang.

SMP Chair Dax Uy (L), MCDC chairman elect Rezzy Tanjuan-Totlentino (R)

Last November 24, the Sigla Movement of the Philippines led by Grossman Dax Uy conducted an ocular inspection on the lighthouse and vowed to lead its repair.

In an earlier interview Uy cited the importance of the lighthouse to small fishermen.

As a businessman involved in trading solar panels and other electronic equipment, he said that repairing the lighthouse is a simple gift to fishermen. (Dino Balabo)

Tension rise in Norzagaray, suspended mayor cling to post

Mayor Feliciano Legazpi

NORZAGARAY, Bulacan—Tension continue to grip this town as the suspended mayor continue to hold on to his post preventing his vice mayor to assume the position in acting capacity.

However, the vice mayor made assurance not to take hostile action noting that he want a peaceful turn over.

“We will not undertake a hostile action, dahil sinusunod ko lang ang inuutos ng batas,” said Vice Mayor Rogelio Santos who was supposed to assume the mayoral position in acting capacity last week following a six months suspension meted by the Ombudsman against Mayor Feliciano Legazpi.

Legazpi was suspended by the Ombudsman based on the charges of oppression and abuse of authority filed by Yolanda Ervas, the municipal budget officer of Norzagaray.

Santos said that residents of Norgaray are getting confused on who is the mayor of the said town.

This is due to the fact that Legazpi continue to stay in his office and claims that he is not suspended yet because the Ombudsman has not acted on his motion for reconsideration.

Acting Mayor Rogelio Santos

According to  Santos , the resolution of the Ombudsman is clear and it was echoed in the order issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Signed by Florida Dija, the DILG regional director, the order states that Legazpi is ”hereby directed to cease and desist from exercising the powers and performing the duties and responsibilities as Mayor of the Norzagaray, Bulacan.”

As elected vice mayor of Norzagaray,  Santos  was directed in the same order to temporarily assume the function of acting mayor while the suspension is in effect.

Santos  said that he issued a memorandum to all municipal department heads last week, asking them to report to him, but none followed.

The department head still heeds Legazpi who claims that the Ombudsman’s decision and the DILG order is not final and executory.

Legazpi also said that he did not personally received the order of the DILG regional director, instead, it was received by the municipal human resources officer who later returned the order to the DILG regional office.

Legazpi while performing his duties as mayor

In an interview, Legazpi insisted that  Santos ’ moves were premature and politically motivated.

However,  Santos  said he not politics in involved in his assumption as acting mayor.

He even said that he is not running for reelection as vice mayor.

“Kung  talagang gusto ko ang posisyon ninyo, dapat  sana  ay kumandidato akong mayor, pero ang kandidatura ko sa 2013 ay para konsehal lang,”  Santos  said and reiterated that he is just following the DILG order.

Santos  was first elected as municipal councilor in the 2004 elections when he ran under the banner of the Aksyon Demokratiko.

In 2007, Legazpi asked him to become his running mate and they won.  They were both reelected in 2010 for the same position. (Dino Balabo)

6 mayoral candidates, 6 others withdrew candidacies in Bulacan

Paombong Mayor Donato Marcos

MALOLOS CITY—Paombong Mayor Donato Marcos, the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and 11 other including five other mayoral candidates in Bulacan withdrew their candidacies.

Of the 12 who formally withdrew, only three were substituted, according to the Lawyer Elmo Duques, the provincial election supervisor in Bulacan.

The candidates who withdrew their candidacies are Pancho Ordanes, an independent candidates for the second congressional district of Bulacan, Lawyer Rustico De Belen, an independent mayoral candidate in the mountain town of Donya Remedios Trinidad (DRT).

Rolando Flores and Pablo Milan, both independent candidates for the mayor in the town of Baliwag and the city of Meycauayan, respectively; Reynaldo Santos, the incumbent vice mayor of Hagonoy who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last October for mayor under the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) banner; and Carla Paula Galvez Tan, the incumbent mayor of San Ildefonso town who earlier filed here COC with endorsement from the National Unity Party (NUP).

Atty. Rustico De Belen

Other who withdrew their candidacies are candidates for the municipal councilor’s position in their towns, namely Romeo Rodriguez (Independent, Baliwag), Modesto Espinoza and Kris Blas Ople San Jose who filed files their COC in October in Hagonoy, Leandro Celedonio of Pandi and Erlinda Sigua of the City of San Jose Del Monte.

Duque said that based on their records, Marcos is substitute by his wife Maryanne; while Celedonio and Sigua who are both running under the Liberal Party banner were substituted by Vicente Gatuz and Ananias Dicdican, respectively.

Duque added that some of the candidates withdrew their candidacies as early as October, but there are those that waited until the last two days like Marcos and Santos.

Mayor Carla Paula Galvez-Tan

Marcos, the standard bearer of LP in Paombong town is on his second consecutive term and is only being challenged by Lawyer Isagani Castro, an independent candidate who lost in the mayoral race in the past.

But on December 19, he filed his withdrawal and is substituted by his wife.

Sources said that Marcos’ withdrawal from the race in due to the fact that he was offered a post in the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Marcos was elected as mayor of Paombong in 2007, after serving the remainder of the term of the late Mayor Dominador Gonzales who died in 2005.

He was elected as president of the LMP Bulacan in 2007 and 2010; and last year, he was elected as president of the LMP national directorate.

Vice Mayor Rey Santos

As this developed, De Belen said that his withdrawal from mayoral in DRT is due to loss of interest and concern to continue his private law practice.  He served as head of the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office from 2010 until his resignation last October.

In Hagonoy town, sources said that Vice Mayor Santos’ withdrawal from the mayoral race is due to financial constraints, but his close friends said that the vice mayor would like to focus his attention to his family. (Dino Balabo)

Bulacan State U keeps SCUAA-III dominance for 16th straight years

MALOLOS CITY—For the 16th straight year, the Bulacan State University (BulSU) emerged victorious in the annual State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association Region III (SCUAA-III) Olympics.

The BulSU Gold Gears bested athletes from 12 other state colleges and universities in Central Luzon by hauling a total of 121 gold medals after the five day competitions that ended on Friday and hosted by the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU).

Most of the sports events were competed at the new Zambales Sports Complex in Iba, Zambales

At distant second is Central Luzon State University (CLSU) with 46 golds; followed by the Bataan Peninsula State College (BPSU) with 27.

Dr. Danilo Hilario, BulSU vice president for external affairs research and extension said that Gold Gear’s dominance of the annual competitions is no secret.

He said that is due to the year round training of athletes under the program developed by Raquel Mendoza, the dean of the College of Physical Education and Recreation (COPERS) of the BulSU.

“We can’t deny the fact that our athlete’s performance is greatly enhanced by our year long training program led by Dean Raquel Mendoza,”Hilario said.

Like in the past, the Gold Gears depended on individual performances in their gold medal haul as they faltered in team sports like men’s basketball which placed third, women’s volleyball, second; and men and women’s softball, second.

The Gold Gear’s performance is also lower that their over-all championship finish in 2010 when they hauled 147 gold medals.

However, in the emerging sports of football, the Gold Gears went undefeated in six games, defeating Tarlac State University twice.

The Gold Gears’ football team defeated TSU 8-1 in the first round and 5-0 in the finals to take their fifth straight SCUAA-III trophy.

Other schools that participated in the 2012 SCUAA-III are Aurora State College of Technology (Ascot), Bulacan Agriculture State College (BASC), Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), Pampanga College of Agriculture (PAC), Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA), Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) in Pampanga, Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) in Zambales, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in Bataan,  and the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilsCA) in Pampanga.

Next year, the NEUST will host the 2013 SCUAA-III Olympics.  (Dino Balabo)