Viva Sr. San Miguel…Viva! Long Live Iligan City

By PJTremedal

Iligan City – Viva Sr. San Miguel…Viva is the common cry of every Iliganons who in one or another celebrates its annual fiesta with a bang since September 19-upto this news update.

With Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz, Congressman Vicente “Varf” Belmonte, other city officials, and its city tourism office promotes this years “Dyandi Festival 2009” Tukyahaw Iligan Go!opened by a simple but exciting media presentation with the candidates of the Miss Iligan 2009 quest.

With other activities such as concerts with national artists, tabo-an sa Iligan 2009, Parade de San Miguel, Patron Saint Sr, San Miguel procession on its fiesta day, and other activities to include with the visit of Senator Noy-noy Aquino and Senator Mar Roxas, (but Aquino never came due to the Manila Tragedy Saturday 25) and the Presidential Visit on the fiesta day the parochial fiesta was indeed peaceful, prosperous and beautiful compared to other years celebration.

“Yes, I thank every Iliganon who in one way or another made this celebrations peaceful, prosperous, and beautiful as it is” Mayor Cruz said.

In the Parada de San Miguel, a civic-military parade done in September 28, a day before the fiesta, Mayor Cruz together with his city officials and Congressman Varf Belmonte share momentousd events with Iliganons. At the City Plaza , the Mayor said that with this celebrations, the future of Iligan lies in the hands of every Iliganon.

“We, Iliganon is determine to excel in so many ways, slowly but surely, Iligan City and its people should be one to achieve peace and development.” Cruz added.

It may be recalled that few years back and months ago, Iligan was in fear, doubts, because of threats from groups who wanted Iligan to be a city of chaos, but Iligan City and its people together with its city officials, PNP, Military, Civil Societies and other NGO’s-PO’s was challenge to guard their own city and survive to gain peace and continue to grow into a city of peaceful citizenry to achieve its dream of prosperous community.

Meanwhile, Congressman Varf Belmonte who stood still in his commitment to help and support the city thru his congressional sorties, fund raising for infrastructures for Iligan and in his 1^st Congressional District also supported the campaign for peace, and in his message, the Congressman said that he is now waiting for the approval of his House Bill 4054, the making Iligan City as a lone district.

“Peace to you all , and peace for Iligan City…as your congressman, my and office is determine to pursue this dream becoming a lone district and will be well represented in the halls of congress, thru House Bill 4054, in2010 Iligan City will become one, Lone District of Lanao Del Norte”. Congressman Belmonte said.

During the Parada de San Miguel, Congressman Belmonte has delivered another batch of 20 multicabs for Varf Barangay Patrol, 12 for the city while, 8 were for the 1^st District municipalities, In 2008, his office has delivered the first 14 multicabs for the same project.

With his endeavors as the representative of the people of Iligan City and the 1^st District of Lanao del Norte province billions of pesos has been brought out for infrastructures project, and hope to have another one in 2010 and P375-M out of this budget will be used to build a 11 kilometer diversion road for Iligan City.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Food from heaven; ZDS on the move…

By PJTremedal

Pagadian City – Food from heaven as they say…, poured into the province and enjoyed by malnourished children of the 5 municipalities chosen by the DSWD and its sponsors thru the Kabisig ng Kalahi program was launch this week in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

With the National Family Week celebration from September 21-27 this year the province of Zamboanga del Sur is this year’s recipient of Unilever and Mead Johnson hot meals supplemental feeding for malnourished children to level off their status within 6 months supplemental feeding thru its Feeding Hope Program.

With financing from Unilever(Philippines)Inc. worth 60,000 thousand budget for every municipality and a lot of milk from Mead Johnson Nutritionals will be receive and distributed to the said five chosen municipalities of Tigbao, Dumalinao, San Pablo, Josefina, and Tabina.

Of each town, one or two barangay with at least 30 malnourished children benefactor will be the special project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development thru the Kabisig ng Kalahi program, an NGO that conceive such program for children who needs food from heaven, so to say.

Ages 0-6 years old children are the priority of the project that according to DSWD 9 Asst RD Zenie Arevalo in her message during the launching (September 25, 2009) are the one who needed it most for their nutritional needs.

“This project is to increase the nutritional level of each children, and for 6 months program of supplemental feeding, this children will have a chance to grow with healthy bodies and healthy minds.” She said.

Meanwhile Governor Aurora Enerio Cerilles as she accepted and signed the memorandum of agreement with the five municipal mayors, Mayor Greg Dayondon of Tabina, Mayor Ace William Cerilles of Dumalinao, Mayor Maria Fe Pitogo of Josefina, Mayor Edmundo Dalid of Tigbao, and Mayor Belman Mantos of San Pablo, said that with the five municipalities chosen by the DSWD rated the province as one of the community that has problem of malnutrition.

“Because of our poor condition, economically our children suffered more, but I don’t think it is a reason for neglecting our responsibility to them” she said.

But with the coming of this program, the nutritional level of every child benefactor will have the chance to grow and glow with the help and support of this institution, and I do accept and thank Unilever(Philippines) and Mead Johnson Nutritionals and the Kabisig ng Kalahi , DSWD, PSDWDO, and the five municipalities to become the benefactor of this program.” Gov. Cerilles added.

The province of Zamboanga del Sur had been campaigning for each children to become nutritionally healthy, years back; the Cerilles administration campaigned and promoted the use of iodized salt for every family to adopt it as one ingredients of good nutrition.

To solve malnourishment of every child in the province, programs both from the local governance and the national government, and other stakeholders for good nutrition has a place in the heart of every Zambosurians as they partake the food from heavens.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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10,000 loose FA’s, we will find them…ZDSPPO Says.

By PJTremedal

Camp Abelon , Pagadian City – More or less 10,000 loose firearms is now in the list of the PNP Provincial Command Office. However in a recent interview with Provincial Director P/SSupt Ramon M. Ochotorena said that they will find them.

“Yes, statistically, but we will find and look for them as we implement the last days of the Presidential Executive Order No 817 or the Gun Amnesty of 2009” He said.

The said gun amnesty order by the President herself will due on October 31^st this year. But in the province of Zamboanga del Sur this loose firearms will definitely be controlled.

“If this firearms will not be registered or captured during the time element given to us by the said order 817, the gun

ban will start on November 1^st, this is what we are waiting for individuals or groups to realized that the government is not joking in this campaign, we had given them that span of time according to the Presidential Executive Order 817. Our PNP offices had been open and waiting for any firearm holder to register their unregistered or unlicensed guns and ammunitions, be it low or high powered guns and with our police service to grant or not to grant licenses, it is another case.” PD Ochotorena said.

Late this year, because of rampant criminalities all over the nation, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued an ultimatum to the Chief PNP to capture, renew, or other amenities to all those who has loose firearms in their possession thru executive order no. 817 and its last day of the gun amnesty will be on October 31, 2009.

After the gun amnesty due on October 31, this year, the nationwide gun ban will be implemented on November 1 up to the election on May 2010.

Meanwhile, on the PNP campaign against criminality in the province, PD Ochotorena said that at this point of time, the province is peaceful but we are not resting, especially in the gun amnesty campaign.

“Zamboanga del sur is peaceful, even other province faces some problems, lately in Basilan and Jolo Task Force Comet of the AFP Western Command where there are reported skirmishes and deaths of both military, civilians, and terrorists (ASG’s) alike, our province is still peaceful because of our effort to maintain this with the support of the local government and its populace.” He adds.

Likewise in the city, even there are petty crimes reported in its police blotters, the City is still at peace with the support and initiatives of the police and local government under mayor Sammy S. Co.

Police Chief P/CI Michael Palermo confirms that after their effort in the campaigns against illegal drugs, other criminalities, and pursue police campaigns to uphold real democracy of a peaceful city to achieve its developmental and economic activities, Pagadian is still a nice place to live in.

“Yes, indeed we are peaceful amidst trials and events that police are monitoring to gain peace” we are peaceful” he said.

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50 years of life and community service; a celebration!

Pagadian City – As it had been said, life begins at forty, but this young achiever at his 50 years of god given life and achievement no one can surpass for his goodness and responsibility driven career as a military officer, a father of professionals, and a loving husband to lovely wife , Police Senior Superintendent Ramon Martinez Ochotorena celebrates his birthday (September 22, 2009)full of surprises, negative or positive it may, the celebrations calls for a salute for his achieved dreams and golden life to say.

With a sad news received from his wife, Mrs. Ma Carla Ochotorena who was sadden by the death of his father, P/Senior Superintendent Ochotorena was in a dilemma to celebrate his golden years or not to push through it after a preparation who was planned by his wife and his men and officers of the Zamboanga del Sur police Office which he is the provincial director, the show must go on.

“Actually I cannot think of anything, it is god given situation that I can never neglect” He said.

But the celebration must push through as it is planned commented his wife, Ma. Carla.

“I know it is sad for us, the whole family but still we will celebrate my husband’s 50 year of god given life, my father death is god’s decision even”. Yes it is painful for me as a daughter but I have to push it through because it’s my husband golden day, and I know he will understand as he always had been doing to our family.”

As a military officer, Ochotorena was indeed responsible to his career as a police lieutenant and becoming a Senior Police Officer is a hard way to find a good place to others people heart and understanding.

He had been in the intelligence work, operations, and at present commanded a force of living individuals for peace and development, and achieves much of his police work as the provincial director of the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

In the celebrations, a birth day bash was done at the Liga City which the governor Governor Aurora E Cerilles came together with some municipal mayors, Mayor Leonida Ancap of Midsalip, Mayor Edilberto Adlaon of Vencinzo Sagun, Mayor Daylinda Sulong of Lapuyan and some Provincial Board members, to name a few, Board Members Boy Fernandez and Dokie Blancia of the province 1^st District.

Mayor Samuel S. Co who came later, shared happy moments with P/SSupt. Ochotorena, some local officials like in the Fiscals office led by Fiscal Gonzaga, PAO Lawyers led by Atty. Ed Bongalos, Father Felix Tigoy and Father Mai-mai, and others who attended the birthday bash enjoyed the evening of sumptuous food, entertainment, and some dancing in tuned with the Midsalip Band.

Meanwhjile, Provincial Police Office personnels and the 27 Municipal COPS came also to shared their moments of joy with their police director together with their PNP Ladies Club who participated in comntest-presentation for their head of office.

In the said presentations, seven (7) participating units actually dance and swayed in their best for the police directors and visitors entertainment, they were the PIDMB (Police Investigation and Detection ), who placed second with a 3,000 prize , the PNP-ZDS Administration, the 905^th PMG (first place and carted away 5,000 pesos cash prize), Pagadian City police Office, ZDS-PNP Operations Department, FTP Trainees, and the ZDS-PCR Unit who placed third place and given 2,000 cash prize.

Farther, PD’s mother and brother with his wife came to join the party. Col. Manuel Ochotorena of the Philippine Army with his wife and Dra. Modusa Ochotorena (PD’s mother) who came from Dipolog City and other guests had came to witness the birthday bash.

In his message, P/SSupt Ochotorena thank his supporters and benefactors to include the local government under Governor Cerilles and Mayor Co, and to those who in way or another who supported his police achievements.

“ I have to say these before this people who came for this celebrations, First to the local government who supported me and my office who without them, your police will never achieve, the governor and mayor here supported me in upper hand in solving criminality within the area of responsibility of the Provincial Command. Of course with my Chief of Police all of the 26 municipalities and one city police office, my mobile groups, the 905^th, 906^th and other operational control units of the PNP who joined me in this police effort to gain respect from our community, and to achieve peaceful developments and never threaten by other groups (terrorist groups, CPP-NPA, MILF, ASG, and other criminals) in achieving peace and development and safeguard of its people in this part of our country.”He said.(PJTremedal)

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On Martial Law Years; Never Again!

By NUJP

Thirty-seven years ago, Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation 1081 placing the country under martial law and beginning a reign of darkness and terror that would last 14 years until the people took matters into their own hands and threw off the shackles of tyranny.

It was not by accident that among the first things the dictator ordered his armed minions to do was to shut down the, until then, fiercely vibrant and independent Philippine press. Publishers, editors, reporters, along with opposition politicians and dissenters, were arrested en masse. The "lucky" ones found themselves herded into dingy stockades. Others were murdered, or simply never heard of again.

Indeed, tyranny, by whatever name it chooses to go by, can only thrive in the vacuum of ignorance and darkness created by the absence of a free and vibrant press.

With no one to inform the people of the truth of events, with no one serving as the arena in which free discourse on matters of public interest takes place, despots are free to plunder and wreak havoc on those who would dare oppose them.

But, as events bore out, not even the terror the dictatorship unleashed on the land could long stem the desire for freedom and democracy.

As the discontent of the downtrodden grew, slowly transforming into action, so too did journalists dust off their silent pens and, starting with the “mosquito press” and the valiant Jose Burgos of Malaya, begin once more to document the people's determined march to freedom.

This was how the Filipino people came to know of the throng who flocked to bury Ninoy Aquino even as Marcos' mouthpieces vainly tried to mask the historic event with the screaming headline, “Lightning Kills 1.”

Alas, that the lessons of that glorious struggle were lost all too soon.

In the years since the dictatorship was ousted and democracy supposedly restored, we have seen increasing efforts to narrow the bounds of freedom of expression and of the press.

Most glaring, of course, is the list of journalists upon whom the ultimate censorship – death – has been visited in an atmosphere of impunity fostered by official inaction and, not just apathy but, many times, outright hostility.

And no other administration since the dictatorship has shown this hostility and contempt for freedom of the press and of expression than the current one. Under its watch, the most journalists have been killed, in numbers almost double those who died during the dictatorship or of all three preceding governments combined.

More than this, this is the only administration since the dictatorship to attempt the wholesale muzzling of the media when, under the pretext of a “Left-Right” conspiracy, it placed the nation under a state of national emergency. The real target, according to recent revelations, was an “intransigent media.”

Under this administration only have we seen a presidential spouse embark on a spree of libel cases against more than 40 journalists, media workers hauled off en masse by police for doing what they are supposed to do – cover the news – and lawmakers, in clear contempt of the provisions of the Constitution, preparing to pass a measure that would effectively mean their control of media content.

Indeed, under no administration since the unlamented dictatorship has there been more reason to vow, “Never Again.”

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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City Eagles celebrates 9th year

By PJTremedal

Pagadian City –The Fraternal Order of Eagles(Philippine Eagles) Pagadian City Chapter celebrates its 9^th year chartered anniversary with thirteen newly installed Eagles as its farther spread its wing of responsibility towards the community.

With the National Executive Vice President presence as its honored guest during the culmination the more the City Eagles pronounced its willingness to do more for the benefit of its members and the community it serve.

With it theme “service through a strong brotherhood” The Pagadian City Eagles Club who was born in the eagle year 2000 initiated then by the late Board member of Misamis occidental Nato Parojinog, for the past 9 years of service, the city Eagles club spread its wings and achieved as what it is today.

Led by Eagle Romeo Villafuerte, incumbent President the celebration started September 18 this year with a motorcade around the city streets and introduced sports activities participated by other visiting eagles club from Ozamis City, Salug Valley Eagles Club, Cagayan de oro City Eagles Club, Ipil Eagles Club, Aurora Eagles Club and Pagadian City Eagles Club who ultimately gather the championship over-all.

In its second day(September 19) the Philippine Eagles Institute of Leadership(PEIL) who is authorized to train accept new members approved the membership and inducted by the National Executive VP Earlquin C. Lim who came as guest in the culmination program of the chartered anniversary at Hikers’ Palace.

In his message, VP Lim said that eagleism is not him but us; eagleism is not there but our commitment to society.

“Eagles are friend of all peace loving people and a pillar of this nation, for brotherhood we work and serve to achieve peace, equality and unity.” He said.

Meantime, the City Eagles Club will do it share in molding the young and old alike as it grow more not only to a brotherhood but as well as a community service oriented organization of professionals, government workers, and businessmen.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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BFP to acquire 100 fire trucks this year

Pagadian City – To prevent fire incidence, loss of lives and properties, the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) is set to acquire 100 units of fire trucks in the entire country.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno who guest speaker in the 3rd regular meeting of the Regional Peace and Order (RPOC) held at Alindahaw Hotel, in an interview with the local media here said this is one of the priority programs during his stint as DILG chief.

“The procurement of fire trucks was one of my priority programs when I served as Secretary of DILG in the year 2000,” Puno said. Local government units (LGUs) have difficulty in the acquisition of fire trucks in their respective municipalities.

He said, when he resigned from his post in 2000, he made an agreement with the Japanese government but the BFP failed to procure said trucks.

In 2004, his program was made by the BFP as their basis in procuring fire trucks. In 2007, BFP has started procuring 37 fire trucks, 65 in 2008, and for this year, 100 units are being programmed to be procured, he added.

Puno gladly informed Governor Aurora E. Cerilles that he will be bringing one (1) fire truck to the province next month to be used in the municipality who urgently needs it most.

He stressed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been very supportive to the BFP, thus the department’s initiative of procuring was realized.

It was learned that there are still some municipalities of the province which need fire trucks. In Pagadian one (1) fire truck will be procured for the use of the city fire marshall. (PIA9-Pagadian City)

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ZDS celebrates 57th Year; 6th Megayon Festival

By PJTremedal

Pagadian City – September 17, 2009 marks the 57^th founding year of the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

With a week long activities (September 11-17, 2009) underlined with its theme: “Lig-ong Pangagamhanan: Tinubdan sa Kalambu-an, Legasiya sa Kasamtangang Pamunu-an”, the 6^th Megayon Festival is the grandest festival of the province that highlights its tri-people cultural traditions, arts and music.

With the three landmark terms of the Governor Aurora Enerio Cerilles who at the same celebrates her birthday on the 17^th is anchored on her legacy of strong governance which is the foundation of development of the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Megayon Festival traces its roots to an artist led cultural event that started in 1996 at the foot of Mount Timolan, in Tigbao, ZDS. In 2006 The Provincial Government thru an SP Ordinance adopted Megayon as institution of celebration of unity amidst cultural diversity. Megayon Festival is the official anniversary celebrations.

Megayon came from a Subanon word which means “unity”.

From September 11-17, different activities were lineup to make the festival worth of its celebration, with the support from the National Commission for Cultural and the Arts, San Miguel Corporation, League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter, Zamboanga del Sur Tourism Council, and other stakeholders, Megayon Festival will take your time away from the daily grind of urban life and quench your fun-and –adventure filled cravings with ZamboSur’s wealth of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

“Laag na ZamboSur”(Travel along with Zamboanga del Sur) is featuring this year “Suroy Megayon which is a cultural and historical tour of Zamboanga del Sur’s cultural village, which everyone can ably get a glimpse and a feel of the life of its tri-people, thru its artists, historical and cultural facets, and indigenous desserts served for the purpose. Suroy Megayon is nothing less than a living museum tour.

As what the governor and the two workaholic representatives of the people of Zamboanga del Sur had to say… (Governor Aurora Enerio Cerilles, Congressman Antonio Herrera Cerilles(2^nd District) and Congressman Victor J Yu (First District)

“It is with immense pride and honor that we welcome you to the Megayon festival 2009, an annual festovoty that brings to light the message of peace and unity among the tri-people of Zamboanga del Sur- the Subanens, the Muslims, and the Christians that form significant part in shaping the province’s continuing quest for advancement.

In this impressive occasion, we advocate the value of preserving our culture as we steadfastly head our way onward greater innovative pursuits for the promotion of our local tourism in the province.

Celebrating the 57^th Araw ng Zamboangadel Sur, we wish to journey this beautiful and enriching experience with you.”

Then once again, Laag na sa Zamboanga del Sur!

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Moreno Fights for more Classrooms

Cagayan de Oro City - Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar S. Moreno took the most obvious solution to the country’s perennial problem on the shortage of classrooms – build more classrooms in the province.

The lack of classrooms is one of the education woes in the Philippines and the province of Misamis Oriental is no exception.

That is why back in 2004, when Gov. Oscar S. Moreno was elected governor of the province, he immediately convened the Local School Board and asked a crucial question – when was the last time you constructed a classroom?

The members of the board were surprised because never in the past that this question was asked by the previous local chief executives in spite of the yawning need for classrooms in the province.

Being a product of good education, Gov. Moreno decided to invest big in improving education in Misamis Oriental by building better and more classrooms every year.

Since then, the proliferation of classrooms began in Misamis Oriental. In less than five years, the provincial government has amazingly completed more than 200 classrooms dispersed all over the province.

Most local government units would have shunned the idea of this ambitious undertaking due to limited funds but Gov. Moreno aggressively implemented the project by identifying the classrooms as a priority program of the provincial government.

The other day, Gov. Moreno turned over the latest set of 4 classrooms and one administration building in Naawan National High School (NNHS). NNHS is a recipient of a total of 18 classrooms from the provincial government in four years time.

Next month, Gov. Moreno is set to turn-over a three-story school building in Gingoog City composed of 18 classrooms. He also bared his plans in building another three-story school building at the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) which is located in Cagayan de Oro City catering to about 13,000 students. (MCR/MisOr Press Office)

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DILG Puno sworn in BPATS-ZDS

By PJTremedal

Pagadian City – DILG Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno who says that “Kung may puno, may bunga” (If there is a tree there it would surely bear fruits)arrived September 14 her in this part of Western Mindanao, to sworn in more or less 2,000 Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATS) to help and support the government peace initiatives.

Secretary Puno with PNP Regional Director Angelo Sunglao of PNP Region 9, P/DG Felizardo Serapio of DIPO (Eastern Command), and P/CS Umpa of PNP ARMM together with the local government officials of both the City of pagadian the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, Mayor Samuels Co and Governor Aurora Cerilles acted as witness in the said launching and induction ceremony held at the City Gymnasium.

In Pagadian City alone, more or less 500 BPATS are organized.

"In the 54 barangays (urban and rural) of the city our office has initiated to organized barangay folks to augment our police force in peacekeeping, however, with them, it is a great help not only for us(police) but to the entire barangay as they are the real peace keepers" City COP P/CI Michael Palermo said.

On the said occasion, the PNP Ladies Clubs of Zamboanga del Sur PNP Command also gathers to attend the 2nd PNP Ladies Club General Assembly with their PNP Ladies Club Provincial Adviser Mrs. Ma. Carla Ochotorena(PNP Ladies Club President) and Regional Adviser Mrs. Rose Sunglao who passed a resolution to the DILG secretary for support and help in augmenting the ladies clubs program and projects.

“ Sugpuin and Krimen, Palaganapin ang kapayapaan” (Stop crime and propagate peace) said the DILG Secretary as message to every member of the BPATS.,whose creation is to help the local government, the police, to become mentors of peace and lead their own barangay to achieve peace and development.

The occasion is timely as the national government has pave its way to talk on peace against groups like the MILF, the Communist Party, and other groups that peace can be achieved in Mindanao and the whole nation thru a common goal, the peace process.

In related development, Secretary Puno opens the Regional Peace and Order Council to assess the real situation of Western Mindanao. RPOC is under the chairmanship of Governor Aurora Cerilles who is serious enough in the peace initiatives, not only on her local governance but as well as in line with the Arroyo Government peace initiatives, Western Mindanao hopes to achieve it thru a real peace process.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Ka “Joe” talks on Media Ethics on Election Reporting

Oroquieta City – Former NUJP Chair Jose Torres Jr. now Editor in Chief of REMATE Tonite and Frontline.PH , ka “joe” to his friends and supporters came to talk about media ethics and elements of proper media reporting on election related issues to the participants of the Manggagawang Media Ng Mindanaw (3M) whose aim is to arm Mindanao media practitioners especially from Iligan, Oroquieta, Pagadian, Ozamis, and Dipolog practitioners in the upcoming 2010 national and local election.

Said seminar-workshop is conducted to refresh media practitioners of its responsibility on how to be a respected reporter especially to the upcoming 2010 election. Media ethics is usually question against a media practitioner who practises the profession as a job opportunity to earn a living and frequently charge as an envelopmental faggot to feed his stomach and for his family or personal needs.

However, Mr. Joe Torres who had been ousted by NUJP because of such alleged acts as he heartily denied, but colleague from NUJP did not give him a chance to clean his name. “Ok lang yon, I know I did not sinned NUJP, it is the right of the organization to oust me” He said.

Ethical standards of journalism is a guide for every journalist be it in print or broadcast or even e-journalist to behave and practise journalism as respectable as it is. But the ethical code is only a guide, Guides that are usually not followed, but it is not a law. It is the sole of every journalist responsibility to morally and spiritually functioned as a respected and credible journalist.

In the said seminar, participants also learned on R.A.9369 or the act that signals the pull automation of the 2010 election, a new craft for all electorate in this country, first in Asia Pacific region. However, poll automation is not the be-all and end-all of clean and credible election. It will not stop in an automated fashion vote-buying and election related violence.

Equipped with the correct attitude, Philippine Election of 2010 will be a breakthrough and with the support of all stakeholders, voters, and government, as reasons for hope and optimism to have a clean and credible election.

Meantime, Manggagawang Media Ng Mindanaw is now a DOLE registered working media group, first in Mindanao and the whole country.

“This will definitely change the attitude of every working media as it grows into a group of media practitioners, who start small but think big for the betterment of media profession, a media of respect, economically stable, and leaders of the future, and to become the real people of the fourth state.” President Tony Abejo said.

Planning, commitment, and good camaraderie, Mangagawang Media Ng Mindanaw (3M)will become media force to reckon with.(PJTremedal, Mindanao ON-LINE)

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3M Gathers for Election Reporting 2010 seminar

By PJTremedal

Oroquieta City – Officers and members of the newly organized 3M (Manggagawang Media Ng Mindanao) composed of media practitioners from the cities of Iligan, Pagadian, Ozamis, Cagayan de Oro, Oroquieta, Dipolog, gathers themselves and participated in a media seminar-training on Election 2010.

Tony Abejo of Malindang Tribune, incumbent president of 3M confirmed that the said seminar-training will focused on the media responsibilities on the upcoming national election slated on May 2010.

“As an organization of media practitioners newly organized to help in educating citizens about election-related issues, and hopes that 3M can reveal the ideas of the government in the full automation of the election process based on Republic Act 9369.” He said.

R.A. 9369 is an act authorizing the Commission on Election to use an Automated Election System in the May 11, 2010 National or Local Election and in subsequent National and Local electoral exercises.

It is the use of an appropriate technology which has been demonstrated in voting, counting, and consolidation, canvass, and transmission of election results.

As what COMELEC has planned, under the leadership of Chairman Jose Melo, the COMELEC is aware that there are different facets of electoral reforms and it is hopeful that with every Filipinos magnanimously contributes his/her share, the objective of clean and honest election, this will be achieve. After all, democracy rests on three pillars: upright governance, enlightened electorate, and a vigilant civil society.

The 3M seminar –training will be facilitated by Mr. Joe Torres, (former) NUJP Chairman and adviser of 3M. Said seminar-training is also design to facilitate media safety training on covering the 2010 election, knowledge on Legal Perspective Automation and election reporting.

P/SSuperintendent Leonilo Cabug, PNP Provincial Director of Misamis Occidental and Atty Paul Zaide will be the main speakers while, Mr. Torres will conduct the election reporting techniques, ethics and understanding.

More or less thirty (30) media practitioners are expected to participate in the said seminar-training at the Oroquieta Agricultural and Industrial School (OAIS) Villaflor, Oroquieta City on September 11-13,2009.

Political and Sectoral observers and the Local Government units led by Mayor Jorge Almonte will also grace the said seminar-training.

3M or Manggagawang Media Ng Mindanao is an organization of Mindanao media practitioners organized and registered with the Department of Labor and Employment with registry No. MO-RW-005-352-2009, dated August 14,2009.

3M is a legitimate worker association established for the mutual aid and protection of every media member that promotes the moral, social, and economic well-being of its members.



PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
CALL OR TEXT ME : 0929-589-6390
OR E-MAIL ME : pjtremedal@gmail.com
visit my website: www.pag-enews.tk

PGMA and the Press Freedom Monument

Media practitioners from the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (CPOC) and other media outlets and
the Provincial Press Bureau of Misamis Oriental pose for a souvenir photo
with Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her visit this week

By PJTremedal

Cagayan de Oro City – Her Excellency President of the Republic, Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be visiting the newly mounted and unveiled Press Freedom Monument erected to denounce media killings and pays tribute to the 104 slain Filipino journalists from 1986-2009.

As fallen heroes of the Filipino masses, the true voice of the people’s cry of freedom, the said monument was conceptualized by media people of Cagayan de Oro and was erected with the help and support of the local government of Misamis Oriental, specifically with the support from Governor Oscar Moreno who amidst media slaps and intrigues in its mounting at the Cagayan’s De Lara Park (formerly Macarthur’s Park), the monument as the governor’s so to speak is “a product of true leadership”.

President Arroyo who will be joined by media people from the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) and other visiting media ,the Cagayan de Oro Press Photographers Associations, the Provincial and City Government officials led by the governor himself, and other government and non-government stakeholders will arrived after her stint in Lugait and Initao municipalities to see for herself the Press Freedom Monument.

The monument was conceptualized artistically by the world renown Filipino Artists, Ed Castrillo who once said that the movement of his art peace symbolizes the integrity, unity, and heroism of every Filipino journalists.

“It is an art of freedom and for freedom” Castrillo said.

If journalists are persecuted, imprisoned or killed, society as a whole is the victim, say media and democracy advocates.

The serial killings of journalists, including those street demonstrators throughout the country nowadays posed a big threat to Philippine’s Freedom of Expression. The government, as I see it, appears to be inutile, if not disinterested at all, in solving these killings of the journalists, considered members of Fourth State.

Though this media killings, threats of violence and intimidation, nor any other form of illegal interference cannot stop us from our moral and social duty, this still remains the greatest threa to press freedom in the country.

Since our country gained independence in 1986, some 104 journalists were killed in the line of duty, including some 17 other journalists who were also killed for reasons not connected to their work.

The Philippine government's failure to protect witnesses has contributed to the impunity that characterizes the murders of Filipino journalists, a New York-based media rights watchdog said in a new report.

The Philippine special report of the Committee to Protect Journalists, titled "Under Oath, Under Threat", underscored the weaknesses of the government's Witness Protection Program that ultimately leaves witnesses to journalists’ murders vulnerable to retaliation or bribery.

The Philippines is sixth among 14 countries on CPJ's 2009 Impunity Index, in between Colombia and Afghanistan. The list ranks countries in which journalists are killed "regularly" and the governments fail to solve the murders.

With the 104 unsolved killings of Filipino journalists from 1986-2009, the media EJK’s (extra judicial killings) took place in a "stable, peacetime democracy".

Jose Torres Jr, (former) National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chairman, said it is lamentable that the government has yet to concretely show it is serious in stopping the attacks against journalists.

"We hope the government will really show it is serious in solving these cases by targeting the masterminds. We have a culture of impunity now because the killers and masterminds are not being made responsible for these attacks. Just one conviction of a mastermind will change that. Right now, they are just keeping their silence behind the scenes, probably hunting down the next victim”.

With the Press Freedom Monument today, media practitioner of Cagayan de Oro and other journalists all over the country hopes to stop this EJK’s of media people. With the presidents visit and some photo opportunities with the media here right in the monument of press freedom seeks her government to stop media killings.

As the Nationalist Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) had always campaign for, “STOP KILLING JOURNALISTS” and other media practitioners and advocates would like to say, no more killings please… in 2010 upwards.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
CALL OR TEXT ME : 0929-589-6390
OR E-MAIL ME : pjtremedal@gmail.com
visit my website: www.pag-enews.tk