Estrada’s political whips

The Filipino movie addicts considered former Pres. Estrada as the typical hero of the Philippine movie industry. His popularity whipped him to take his journey to political race until he took the seat for presidency in 1997; majority won over the other political tycoons. His supporters drove ‘Jeep Ni Erap’ with great jubilation showing his greatness as ‘Erap para sa Mahirap.’ No one ever knew that he has taken over by his mediocrity which on Sept. 12, 2007, the Sandiganbayan convicted him of plunder. This was the cause of his remorse.

While 2010 election is taking on its fire; Pres. Estrada, the impeached, ousted, and convicted 13th Philippine president, announced recently his willingness to take another shot at the presidency. Yet, a round of debate on the legitimacy of his plan has broken out among constitutional and legal experts.

Sophia M. Dedace, GMA News.TV, mentioned in her article entitled, Estrada's 2010 presidential bid revives legal debate that a portion of Mrs. Arroyo’s order granting Estrada pardon reads: "Whereas, Joseph Ejercito Estrada has publicly committed to no longer seek any elective position or office." The Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution clearly stated that the President shall not be eligible for any re-election. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.

Dean Amado D. Valdez of the University of the East College of Law interprets this constitutional provision as a restriction against the following from seeking re-election: incumbent presidents, and those who have finished the six-year term as prescribed in the 1987. He added that the incumbent is not allowed to seek re-election, to avoid his misuse of government resources as the concern of the Constitution’s drafters. His opinion was echoed by Estrada’s lawyer, Jose Flaminiano, a former regional trial court judge. Flaminiano said that the constitutional ban on re-election, ‘The President shall not be eligible for any re-election,’ only applied to incumbent presidents.

However, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal and former Commission on Elections chair Christian Monsod did not agree with Valdez and Flaminiano. Macalintal, Pres. Arroyo’s lawyer, said that the constitutional restriction applies to anyone who was elected president regardless of either they are incumbent or have been elected in the past. Monsod explained that a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission (ConCom) that drafted the 1987 Constitution, an elected president gets only ‘one shot at the presidency.’

Estrada’s camp argued that the ousted leader can run again because his term was cut short to less than three years following the January 2001 when “Edsa II" was uprising. ‘Hindi natapos yung term ni Erap. He did not serve for more than four years so he is not disqualified to run,’ Flaminiano argued. Monsod said that this particular constitutional ban applies to those who succeeded the presidency who have not served for more than four years. He mentioned that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who succeeded Estrada in January 2001, was qualified to run for president in 2004 because the remainder of Estrada’s term that she served was less than four years. Monsod said that the prohibition does not apply to Estrada, who was an elected president, not a successor.

According to the Supreme Court ruling, Estrada left his office and this constituted his resignation. When retired justice Jose Vitug read the concurring opinion; it is understood that Abandonment of office is a species of resignation, and it connotes the giving up of the office although not attended by the formalities normally observed in resignation. So, it is a prerogative that when he abandoned his office; he had already relinquished his power to his successor Vice President Arroyo.

Moreover, the Supreme Court clarified that Estrada’s announcement last Wednesday does not make him an official candidate yet. His presidential attempt be honored only when he will file his certificate of candidacy between November 20 and 30.

Some are still insisting their intent to support the candidacy of Pres. Estrada. Some are doubtful whether he can still take the throne for presidency despite his abuse of power, incompetence, and moral ascendancy. Some say, he is the movie hero that once rose to power, fell to impeachment, rose to his political and civil rights. Some say, he remains the ousted president that will never rise from his political flaw. Some say, he is just a human who is expected to commit mistakes. Some say, he deserves to be forgiven. Some say, he is forgiven but his weaknesses remain as scars in the heart of the Filipinos.

Pres. Estrada was once a hero of the masses. Everyone looked up to him as the best driver and the best man in the world. However, his mediocrity seized him and led him to the four corners of the cell. Filipinos, in this epoch, witnessed that the hero of the masses has been grandly suffered from his tragic flaw which caused of his downfall. In his time, we realized his imperfections and vulnerability. Yet, today reminds us that letting this happen again is a reflection of stupidity.

What makes Legazpi proud today

Wow! This was the initial amazing expression of the commuters upon looking at the futuristic world class terminal, which made the city of Legazpi proud today portraying the real replica of the golden years of the City.

It was a good news for the commuters from all over the Albay province when the Metro Integrated Transport Terminal (MITT) started the operation of the Legazpi City Grand Central Terminal, which was formally opened the state of the art terminal 1 at the corner of Tahao and alternate roads by Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal and attended by the top executives of the province. Mayor Rosal said that this terminal will raise the confidence of investors in Legazpi as the prime city of Bicol. He described the P300-million facility put up by private company LKY Group on a 25-year build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) arrangement as a ‘futuristic terminal’ that will drive economic development in the Bicol region.

He added that the commercial area is now being completed to accommodate restaurants, bars, and retail stores; fast food giants Jollibee and sister company Chowking are now preparing to construct stores in the terminal; and, Jollibee is expected to put up its biggest store in Legazpi which will be its fourth in the city. As expected, the new Legazpi terminal will centralize all forms of land transportation that pass through Legazpi, including buses from Manila going to the Visayas, jeepneys, and filcabs (FX taxis) taking commuters to various cities and towns of Bicol provinces. The Group’s Save More also signified its engagement to become the operator of the new terminal’s supermarket.

He explained that the project to modernize Legazpi’s outmoded terminal was primarily offered to local business groups; but, it was the LKY Group, a company from Sorsogon City, which positively responded to the challenge. He further stressed, because of the vision of the LKY Group, what used to be a flood-prone area populated by squatters will now become the new central business district. He simply informed the public that because of the new terminal, many business owners from other parts of the country are now eager to invest in Legazpi City. He further stressed that the new terminal will exactly show the people what kind of governance we have in Legazpi.

Many bloggers express their commendations to the city of Legazpi. Some say, this is a great development for the city. Some are hoping that this will bring lots of opportunities for Bicolanos. Some dare the City to keep going on to be the premiere city of the Bicol region and conquer whole Southern Luzon and the rest of the Philippines. Some are wishing that flood slide may never put Legazpi in danger anymore; if this happens again, they hope that the City is capable to provide a plan as a resort of the unexpected consequence. It is also a challenge to the city government what measures they can do to maintain the beautiful landscape and attractive facilities which we can always make the city proud to have a world class terminal.

Many constituents affirm that this terminal simply illustrates good governance of the City. Some say, it is a reflection of productive leaders and honest tax payers. They put across their outlook that this is really the tax being paid by the people and made it a wonderful accomplishment. However, the splendid panoramic view of the terminal has not become a marvelous achievement of the city without the wonder hands of the great carpenters and expert workers. It is true that this has not been materialized without them; so, let us congratulate them for producing the city a world class terminal. They are the priceless living portrait of service.

As the genuine replica of its golden years, one must know how to appreciate the value of service. Service without appreciation is worthless. Appreciation without good value of attitude is lifeless. Attitude without proper discipline results in crisis. As a result, commitment to discipline is the highest value of service that makes Legazpi City proud today.

Payback time for Bicolanos

Generosity, as the Filipino display of reciprocity, highly regards Bicolanos in the milestone of World History. This becomes a socio-linguistic and cultural identity as the most prestigious remark for today’s Bicolanos after they offered a helping hand to the residents of Metro Manila when miserably hit by typhoon Ondoy.

Behind Bicolanos’ generosity, Ako Bicol, Sunwest Care Foundation, Rotary Club of Central Legazpi, Legazpi Jaycees, Tektone Foundation, the local government of Legazpi, dzGB, Bombo Radio Legazpi, among other government, and non-government organizations blended into one in response to the call of assistance among the typhoon victims in Central Luzon. Through their concerted relief effort, they made up a caravan, which consisted fifty volunteers, more than 30 cars, 10 dump trucks, three trucks filled with donations, and two dredgers, moved to evacuation centers in Metro Manila, Taytay in Rizal, Novaliches in Quezon City, Marikina City, and some part of Los Baños, Laguna and brought with them various food and supplies for typhoon victims. It was indeed an amazing kindness when ordinary Bicolano people along their way would throw plastic bags with sardines or noodles or used clothes into the trucks; while, there are also some Bicolanos who donated a small spared amount of peso just to extend their sincerest kindness to the victims. It is said that the group gave out more than P1 million worth of relief goods, including blankets, canned food, instant noodles, bottled water, and local products like brooms, coco lumber, and mats.

In doing so, it was a payback for the Bicolanos when the Bicol region then suffered from the burden brought about by the typhoon Reming. This has stricken the Bicol region with winds of 190 kilometers per hour. It brought down trees and electric posts, which set the city in the shadows of fear. The heavy rains caused mud and rock stumbling down and burying houses up to their rooftops until some houses were dragged by the strong current of water. This caused death of thousands Albayano people when mudslides and boulders from the slopes of Mayon Volcano crushed Albay villages, which left agony and misery to the Bicolanos. During the catastrophe, the palace sent off a caravan of some 250 trucks laden with P200 M worth of relief goods voluntarily gave out by doctors, clearing crews, carpenters, linemen, masons and other non-government organizations in the countryside.

This simple generosity awakens not only the Bicolanos but the peoples across the globe. This simply shows how kind and charitable are the Filipino people in the midst of difficulty. This simply shows that in better or worse; Filipinos cannot really hold their arms to stretch out to those people who are in need because the fulfillment they shared with the victims cannot be truly sold in the market and cannot surely be bought by millions of money. Money, for them, is just a temporary source of happiness; but, generosity is the eternal source of blissfulness. It is true that when a person is blessed with a good heart; a person will always be remembered.

Today’s reality unfolds; it is an affirmation that typhoon Ondoy makes Filipino people miserable; but, for Bicolanos, it helps them become more generous to others. This is the real manifestation that the Filipino tradition of reciprocity is still burning in our mind and heart despite the global crises we encounter because we, Bicolanos, believe that kindness is not just showing sympathy; but, an act of mercy. Yet, politics was never a question when needy calls for assistance.

Generosity, also known as utang na loob, highly regards Bicolanos not only a fossil in the milestone of Contemporary World History; but, a living legacy of the legendary heroes of Ibalong with remarkable character of a real hero renowned in the heart of the peoples across the globe.

The Land of Fire

On the second day of October, the typhoon pepeng got across the Bicol peninsula and humbly heaved its provinces; while, a fabulous cocktail party simply gathered the twenty six Bicolano painters, three sculptors and patronage witnessing the Albay Contemporary Arts; an art exhibit exemplifying the beauty of Ibalon as the Land of Fire.

Diana Lyn Lopez mentioned in her article entiled, Bicolano that the Bicol region was known as Ibalon, variously interpreted to derive form ibalio, "to bring to the other side"; ibalon, "people from the other side" or "people who are hospitable and give visitors gifts to bring home"; or as a corruption of Gibal-ong, a sitio of Magallanes, Sorsogon where the Spaniards first landed in 1567. The Bico River was first mentioned in Spanish Documents in 1572. The region was also called "Los Camarines" after the huts found by the Spaniards in Camalig, Albay. No prehistoric animal fossils have been discovered in Bicol and the peopling of the region remains obscure. The Aeta from Camarines Sur to Sorsogon strongly suggest that aborigines lived there long ago, but earliest evidence is of middle to late Neolithic life. The Bicol were described by some Spanish chroniclers as fierce warriors. Thus their history comprises many battles against foreign incursions. Sorsogon participated in Samar's Sumuroy Revolt in 1649. Over 400 suspected rebel sympathizers were massacred in Pilar, and some local friars exiled. In Camarines, minor rebellions occurred contemporaneously with the Sumuroy rebellion and during the British occupation of Manila between 1762 and 1764. These remain written records that always remind us that we are Bicolanos with victorious origin.

Unveiling the Bicolano artists’ pride for Ibalon, the artistic central idea of the paintings and sculptures primarily display the political, economical, cultural, and artistic way of Bicolanos’ life with their profound relationship with nature and God despite the age of reason. These notable painters and sculptors are the replica of God’s creation. They are the living arts and crafts of humanity. They exemplify beauty amid the incapacity of man towards nature. They exemplify wisdom amid the ignorance of man towards God. Their artistic creations simply exhibit their affection to their people and land; to their people that nurture and appreciate them and to their land that protects and fights for them. They are the living elements of Ibalon; they are the line that shapes man’s directions; they are the color that describes beauty of man and nature; they are the texture that touches one’s heart; they are the shape that molds one’s ignorance; and they are the form that builds awareness to mankind.

On the second day of October, the typhoon pepeng toppled down the Cagayan valley. Yet, the Bicolano painters and sculptors put on display their masterpieces reminding us that Bicol religiosity is extremely rooted. This exemplifies the beauty of Ibalon as the Land of Fire.

When one can read and write

When one can read; he can understand. When one can understand; he can write. When one can read and write; he can compute simple arithmetic. When one can compute; he can be a functional literate. When one is literate; he becomes a better citizen. So, read with understanding and write with purpose.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has drafted a definition of literacy as the ‘ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.’ While, the Department of Education, City of Legazpi, and West Rotary Club supported the Legazpi City Literacy Fun Run. This is an international literacy celebration with a theme, Literacy: school and communities working together. The fun run started at St. Agnes Academy and ended at Albay Astrodome held on September 29, 2009 at exactly seven thirty in the morning.

The Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU) Social Science Research Center unfolds that Simple literacy rate (SLR) in the Bicol region increased from 87.3 percent in 1989 to 94.9 percent in 1994. In 1994, among the six provinces in the Bicol region, Functional literacy rate (FLR) was highest in Camarines Norte with 90.0 percent, followed by Catanduanes with 87.4 percent. Masbate, on the other hand, registered the lowest functional literacy rate, following Sorsogon at 75.2 percent and 79.4 percent, respectively. The index mundi, an online publication, disclosed that Bicol region manifests a mixture of dynamic culture, resilient and religious people, and literate workforce. It has a literacy rate of 96% with schools and universities at par with those in Manila. Aside from being highly literate, the Bicolano workforce is skilled and hardworking; however, workers in Bicol are paid lower than P182 per day. Hence, most families cannot provide for their basic needs resulting in a great number of malnourished or undernourished children.

Summer Institute of Linguistics in association with the Philippines Department of Education revealed that although the Philippines has a basic literacy rate of more than 88.5%, pockets of illiteracy remain. Dr. Norma L. Salcedo, head of the Literacy Coordinating Council, Abiva Publishing House, Inc., defines literacy as the ability of a person to read and write with understanding a simple message in any language or dialect. However, Summer of Institute of Linguistics added that according to the Department of Education, there are more than 1 million pre-literates in the country and more than 6 million people are deemed to be functionally illiterate. SIL found out that many of these are belonged to the indigenous cultural communities because the languages spoken by a number of these communities have had no written tradition. So, a concerted effort among educators, learners, communities, and the government is still needed to raise the level of literacy in the country. It is said that low levels of literacy and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world because we believe that high level of literacy is a crucial measure of a region's human capital.

When one becomes a better citizen; he must know how to appreciate his people and environment. When one can appreciate his society; he can be an epitome of character. When one has dignified character; he can make a productive society because reading without understanding is meaningless and writing without purpose is useless.

Climate is an act of change

Climate is in the state of flux, but people are now in the state of dilemma.

Peoples undoubtedly suffer from the result of climate change all over the world. Both church and state become reactive about the alarming changes of the weather. This blazes the heart and mind of the congress enacting this effect to a law. Just this recent year, the congress finally passed the Philippine climate change act of 2009. This accordingly focuses on integrating action on adaptation and mitigation of calamities.

The Philippine Information Agency disclosed that Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Standing and Oversight Committees on Climate Change and the United Nations' Regional Champion on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation said that the Climate Change Act of 2009, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, is only a few steps from passage. In accordance of the law, the Climate Change Act of 2009 covers policy formulation, development planning, and poverty reduction programs. The Climate Change Commission shall be headed by no less than the President of the Philippines. The Commission shall be composed of three Commissioners, one of whom shall be the Vice-Chairperson. The Commission shall be advised by an Advisory Board of ex officio members and representatives of various sectors. It shall likewise constitute a panel of technical advisers tasked to provide support to the Commission in climate science, technologies, and best practices for risk assessment and enhancement of adaptive capacity of vulnerable human settlements. The Commission is mandated to formulate Framework Strategy on Climate Change to serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities to protect vulnerable communities. The local government units shall be the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas. It shall be the responsibility of the national government to extend technical and financial assistance to LGUs for the accomplishment of their Local Climate Change Action Plans.

The Bicol Consortium for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (BCARRD) unveils that climate change is one of the serious threats to sustainable development. It poses adverse impacts on human health, food security, the environment itself, economic activities, and physical infrastructure. Some of the possible consequences include lower agricultural yields, growing water stress, flooding of low-lying areas, and spread of infectious disease to new warmer areas.
Dr. Maria Victoria Espaldon, dean, School of Environmental Science at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños and the consultant of the Center on Initiative and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) during the 2nd National Livestock and Poultry Summit in Albay profoundly warned that the Planet Earth is warming and the increase in temperature could melt the Arctic ice and threaten archipelagic regions like the Philippines and the province of Albay is pilot-testing the mainstreaming of Climate Change in the Philippine educational system. This will be integrated in the curriculum both elementary grades and high school starting next school year.

Both church and state admit that climate change or global warming is indeed an act of change. Our reluctance simply denies our attitude of being reactive; waiting for and giving impression after something happened. On the other hand, our commitment simply speaks our dignified character of being proactive; doing something for today and for tomorrow’s generation. This is not just a law of change, but an attitude towards our responsibility as the greatest rational creation of man and God.

Climate will never change when people never allow themselves to change.

Bikol Uragon; we wish to sing of

The Mayon volcano perfectly illustrates our identity as Bicolanos with defined culture all over the world. Bikol language translates our identity as uragon. In Bikol language, Bikol Uragon simply reflects the identity of Bicol University as the premier state university in the Bicol Region. Bobbie Garcia wrote a hymn for Bicol University exuding its beauty and wisdom.

‘This is the school we wish to sing of
A school to honor and revere’

The history unfolds that the Bicol University was created on June 21, 1969 through Republic Act 5521 and was institutionally formalized on September 21, 1970 by virtue of Resolution No. 1 of its Board of Regents. Dr. Ricardo Arcilla, the first university’s president, charted the developmental path of the university; unity and harmony was considerably attained among its initial constituents and policy making was systematized. Judge Aquilino Bonto, second president, realized the decentralization of the administrative and financial management of the university endowing the colleges with autonomy. Dr. Patria Lorenzo, the third president, carried out infrastructure development and focused on cultural and values transformations. Dr. Lylia Sena, the fourth president, expanded the university’s academic, research, and extension service. Dr. Ameliano Aberin, fifth president, made the university decentralized; fortified administrative fiscal system; and, achieved information and technology programs. Dr. Susana Cabredo, encouraged academic excellence through productive scholarship.

‘A temple built by men of firmness
A mould for youth who walk with pride’

September 21, 2009, the Bicol University is proud to celebrate its forty amazing years; a ruby founding anniversary. Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, the current president aspires to make her administration gaining international recognition through Excellence and Innovation creating a new image for the university. She optimistically aims in the next five years to elevate the University among the top 10 Universities in the country by establishing eight Centers of Excellence that engage in innovative researches and extension services in promoting Bicol economic development.

‘For thee we’ll always be united
Although we tread on distant lands’

It is to be noted that Bicol University has fourteen campuses with seventy-one courses offered. BU main campus located in Legazpi and Daraga is composed of ten campuses like, College of Education (CE), Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (IPESR), Graduate School (GS), College of Arts and Letters (CN), College of Nursing (CN), College of Science (CS), College of Engineering (CEng), College of Industrial and Technology (CIT), College of Social Science and Philosophy (CSSP), and College of Business and Economics (CBEM). There are four campuses outside like, Tabaco Campus (TC), College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), Polangui Campus (PC), and Gubat Campus (GC) in Sorsogon.

‘We all shall cherish what you’ve taught us
That you wholeheartedly gave forth’

Dynamic college deans and directors among the fourteen campuses and other administrative officials strongly uphold and walk with pride their commitment; ‘moving as one to be the number one.’ On its forty years of existence, they are one in developing and promoting scholarship, character, leadership, and service as the four pillars of the university. Their commitment and integrity led the university personnel as well as the faculty members in molding the minds of the Bicolanos spreading educational endeavors of excellence among the six provinces of the Bicol region with due respect to their cultural identity and social status quo.

‘Bicol University, burning Torch of Wisdom
Fount of Courage, Hope, and Love
Seat of Truth and Light.’

If Mayon volcano illustrates our identity; Bikol language translates our character; Bicol University labels as Bikol Uragon; and, Bobbie Garcia sings his praises for the University. What stories shall the Bicolanos tell about Bicol University? We will see how they wish to sing for Bicol University.

Casino in Legazpi City; push or pull

The resolution on Casino is still in its decision making either the Local Government Unit of Legazpi City approves it or the Catholic Church totally rejects it. Will it be pushed through or pull it back?

The Legazpi City Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a Resolution No. 15 stating no objection to the operation of Casino facility at the Embarcadero Land Ventures, Incorporation; a new opened mall located at the pier site of the city. There were nine votes in favor of the resolution; two were abstained; and one was absent. The resolution submitted to the office of the City Mayor for his decision.

It is to be noted that before the City Council endorsed the resolution to the City mayor, the committee on laws conducted a multi-sectoral public hearing; majority of the business community were pleased to the implementation of a casino in the city. The businessmen believe that this will encourage tourists and investors to visit our city. They assure that this project will pay big amount for its income tax which augments the revenue for the city to provide employment for local workers. However, a group of Catholic priests and lay leaders expressed their views against the proposed casino operation in the said locale because they believe that it is immoral. They are aware that this casino is a gamble that will result in crisis instead of improving one’s life; social climbers will arise until they will engage in different immoral acts just to have an income in order to venture in this kind of chance.

Both the local government unit and the church put across their views along the positive result and the negative effect of this casino to the Bicolanos as a whole, respectively. So, we can not hold back the local government unit to push through the operation of the casino because their desire is for the common good. We can not also deter the belief of the church leaders because their aspiration is to uphold the morality of the church as well as Bicolano culture. Both have common vision that is to protect the dignity of the people despite the social stratification in the society.

At the expense of the political will, we think of the interest of the constituents. At the expense of the free will, we believe in the welfare of the masses. Honesty is at stake. Righteousness is at risk. The businessmen eagerly look forward to gamble their wealth while the unemployed local workers wait for work and income. Money for the rich is a gamble, but money for the poor is an economic survival.

The political leaders think of the present situation for their constituents, but the church leaders think of the future for the new generation. The political leaders seem to push it through, but the church leaders seem to pull it back. With all due respect, we think and tend to ask; to whom should we depend on? Well, may the best win and the winner takes it all.