VOLUME 6NUMBER 102WED - THUFEBRUARY 13 - 14, 2013

P 8.P 8.P 8.P 8.P 8.0000000000

BY ASHLEY MANABAT

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — It wasstunning! The announcement yesterdayof the resignation of Pope Benedict

Kapampangans stunned by Pope’s resignation

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XVI effective Feb. 28 took many Catho-lics around the world by surprise.

Here at home, Kapampangan Catho-lics are reeling from the Pope’s announce-ment as members of the clergy urge peo-

ple to pray hard for the Pope and theChurch.

San Fernando Archbishop Paciano B.Aniceto, like many Catholics, wasshocked and saddened by the news.

Apu Ceto, as he is fondly called bythe Kapampangan faithful, said PopeBenedict XVI is “a great leader” and hasthe “courage and competence” to lead

BY DINO BALABO

MALOLOS CITY—Crossing par-ty lines, past and present Bula-can political leaders yesterdaycame together in support of the

Bulacan political leaders led by incumbent Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado in a show of support for the Senate bid of fellow Bulakenyo Bro. EddieVillanueva, the lone senatorial candidate of Bangon Pilipinas. A son of Olympian Joaquin Villanueva and Maria Cruz, Bro. Eddie came from Bocaue,Bulacan and founded the Jesus is Lord Mlovement. PHOTO BY DINO BALABO

BY PUNTO I-TEAM

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – An evacuation centerturned into a multi-purpose center in Minalinhas apparently become into Ground Zero in a

legal battle between the incumbent mayor and hiscomebacking predecessor.

BATTLEGROUND MINALIN

Mayor halesex-mayor toOmbudsman

Bulakenyos cross partylines, throw support to Bro. EddieSenate bid of televangelist Bro.Eddie Villanueva.

This came as Villanueva, thelone senatorial candidate ofBangon Pilipinas, kicked off hiscampaign here which was also

broadcast online.“Walang ibang higit na kakal-

inga sa ating lalawigan kundi angating kalalawigan din,” said Gov.Wilhelmino Alvarado in his open-ing speech endorsing the can-

didacy of Villanueva who camefrom Bocaue town.

He said that the Bulacan isapproaching the threshold of fastpace development and the prov-ince needs the help of national

leaders.“We need allies in the Sen-

ate and our best bet is Bro. Ed-die Villanueva,” said Alvarado.

The same was echoed by

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PROGRAMS FOR MOMS. Gov. Lilia Pineda talks about the healthprograms of the provincial government for pregnant mothers duringthe Buntis Program in Escolastica Romero District Hospital. Joining heris Third District BM Trina Dizon. PHOTO COURTESY OF JUN JASO, PIO PAMPANGA

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BBBBBYYYYY M M M M MALOUALOUALOUALOUALOU D D D D DUNGOGUNGOGUNGOGUNGOGUNGOG

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT –Kayaking enthusiasts from var-ious provinces in the countrytook to the water here recently,not to compete in a race, butto learn about how their favoriteactivity could help in promotingtourism in the Philippines.

The course, spearheaded bythe Subic-based InternationalSchool for Sustainable Tourism,consisted of a three-day train-ing on kayak paddling, kayakguiding, and kayak safety withan emphasis on eco-tourism.

The course took advantageof the waters of Subic Bay,which varied from placid tochoppy, and featured notablekayaking experts from hereand abroad, who gave practi-cal lessons on eco-kayaking.

According to Buzzy Bud-long, a noted kayaking enthu-siast who has led an 88-day

Tourism school holdseco-kayaking course

kayaking expedition around thecountry, kayaking can be botha recreational activity as well asa boost to local tourism in thecountry.

“It can create jobs, boostsustainable tourism, and at thesame time educate peopleabout our coastal and marineresources,” Budlong said.

Ogie Empeño, a registeredscuba diver from the local gov-ernment of Masinloc, Zambales,said they joined the course be-cause they would be expandingtheir eco-tourism program inMasinloc Bay, featuring severalresort islands and a unique man-grove island.

“This would be a big help inour efforts to conserve the bayarea, as well as promote it toboost the local tourism market,”he added.

The course was also attend-ed by Bill Temby, a seasonedkayaking instructor from Austra-

lia, who gave lessons on basickayaking skills.

Temby said that the Philip-pines has a very big potentialwhen it comes to kayaking, giv-en the lengthy coastline in thecountry.

But he noted the differenc-es between kayaking in Aus-tralia and the Philippines.

“Well, the conditions arecompletely different to startwith. I was teaching in Austra-lian waters where we have is-sues like hypothermia,” hesaid. “In Australia, it is compe-tency-based and we instructonly with proper certification.It’s much more regulatedthere.”

Temby said he hopes thatkayaking would be recognizedas a tourist activity in the Phil-ippines and that it would bestandardized to ensure safety.

“It all comes back to safe-ty,” he said.

Participants in the eco-kayaking course at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone pose withkayaking expert Bill Temby (sixth from left). PHOTO BY MALOU DUNGOG

BY ARMAND M. GALANG

GAPAN CITY – With mayoraltycandidates both young and ed-ucated, the local elections hereare expected to be a high levelpolitical exercise, the parishpriests and other officials in thiscity believe.

Church and government offi-cials, along with private individu-als, have expressed hope for thepeaceful and honest mid-termelections after all local candi-dates signed a peace covenantin an activity that was spearhead-ed by various offices recently.

Rev. Fr. Antonio Mangahas,parish priest of Three Kings Par-ish Church here which hostedthe covenant signing, under-scored the qualities of incumbentMayor Christian Tinio and hismayoralty rival Dr. Maricel Na-tividad, daughter of former May-or Ernesto Natividad.

“Unlike in other places whereyou cannot pick anyone, ourcandidates here both possessthe qualities we would all want,”Mangahas said in Filipino. “Theyare both young and with higheducation.”

Hard choicein Gapan

Rival candidates have best qualitiesClose to a thousand support-

ers from the camps of Tinio andNatividad witnessed the cove-nant signing.

The church was filled withlaughter when the priest de-scribed Tinio as “makisig naartistahin” and after a brief pauseadded that Natividad is “magan-dang artistahin din.”

Tinio and Natividad were giv-en ten minutes each to presenttheir platform of governmentwherein Natividad vowed to im-plement various programs onhealth, education, peace andorder, senior citizens and otherswhile Tinio said his team willcontinue to do what his admin-istration has started.

The crowd obediently heldtheir applause until the speak-ers have finished their pieces.

Adriana Tan, interior and lo-cal government officer here, saidthe candidates and voters haveone dream which is peaceful andorderly elections.

Virginia Togonon, a resident,expressed belief that the candi-dates will make true of their prom-ise. “This peace pact would showtheir sportsmanship,” she added.

NINA ROMMEL RAMOSAT DINO BALABO

PLARIDEL, Bulacan—Ipinagluk-sa ng mga kaanak at kaibiganang pagkamatay ng isang mag-aaral ng Holy Spirit Academy(HSA) na naatrasan at nagulun-gan ng bus na sinakyan sa isangfield trip sa Tanay, Rizal noongBiyernes, Pebrero 8.

Ang mag-aaral ay nakilalangsi Rio Bianca Ramirez, 14, nasaikalawang taon ng pag-aaral saHSA-Malolos.

Isa pang mag-aaral na nak-ilalang si Pamela Enrique angnasugatan ngunit nakaligtas sanasabing insidente, at kasaluku-yang inoobserbahan sa isangpagamutan sa Maynila.

Sa panayam ng mgamamamahayag kay RaymundoRamirez, ama ng biktima, kasa-ma sa isang Lakbay-Aral Ka-likasan ang kanyang anaknoong Biyernes sa Camp Cap-inpin, Tanay Rizal.

Ang nasabing Lakbay-Aral ainorganisa ng Outbound Tours,isa sa mga pangunahing touragency sa bansa, sa pakikipag-

Estudyante nasawi sa field tripugnayan sa pamunuan ngHSAM.

Ayon sa ama ng biktima,patapos na ang pagbisita ngmga mag-aaral sa Camp Capin-pin nang umatras ang naka-paradang bus na kanilang si-nakyan matapos bumaba angdriver nito.

Ito ay dahil sa pababa angkalsada, at nasa bandang iba-ba ang biktima na sa pagkakat-aong iyon ay kinukunan nglarawan ang kaklaseng si Pam-ela.

Ayon sa ama ng biktima,nakaiwas sa pabulusok na bussi Pamela, ngunit nasugatan dinito.

Sa kasamaang palad, hindinakaiwas agad si Rio Bianca atnagulungan at naipit pa sa pagi-tan ng umurong na bus at naka-paradang military truck.

Si Rio Bianca ay kasalukuy-ang nakaburol sa kanilang tah-anan sa Rocka Village sa baran-gay Tabang, Plaridel, Bulacan atnakatakdang ilibing sa ika-12 ngPebrero.

Siya ay pang lima sa animna magkakapatid. Bilang isang

mag-aaral, palagi siyang kasa-ma sa top 10 students sa ka-nilang eskwelahan at pangarapdaw nitong maging duktor

Samantala, sinabi niRaymundo na pinag-aaralan nilana sampahan ng kaso ang mgamay pananagutan sa insidente.

Isa sa nais linawin ay angsistema ng pagsasagawa ngfield trip.

Kaugnay nito, nagpahayagng pakikidalamhati ang pamunu-an ng HSAM sa pamilya ng bik-tima at sinabing ang driver ngbus ay kasalukuyang naka-ditene sa Tanay PNP.

Batay sa opisyal na pahay-ag ng HSAM na inilabasFacebook.com, “a crisis debrief-ing will conducted by the schoolin in coordination with the toursupplier, Lakbay Kalikasan, toaddress the untoward effect ofthis accident to the other stu-dents and faculty who witnessedthe accident.”

Sinabi pa ng HSAM sa ka-nilang pahayag na magbibigaysila ng kritikal na suporta sapamilya ng biktima sa abot ngkanilang makakaya.

BY ERNIE B. ESCONDE

BALANGA CITY- The provincialhead of the Department of Ed-ucation in Bataan on Mondayexplained the importance offield or educational trips for el-ementary pupils and highschool students as well al-though not part of the school’scurriculum.

“Field trip is not part of thecurriculum itself but beingused to enhance what is beingtaught in the classrooms,” saidDr. Tarcila P. Javier, schools di-vision superintendent. This,she said, is based on thepremise that “education cannothappen only within the fourwalls of the classrooms.”

She said that with educa-tional trips, students or pupilsare given the opportunity to seewhat are outside. “This is giv-ing children the chance to seeactual importance of what theyare having in classrooms out-side of the school rooms,” Jav-ier said.

The school official cited forexample that for history stu-dents to learn more about thesubject, they are brought to his-torical places. “Joining is volun-tary,” she said.

She cautioned, however, thatfield trips should be handledwith utmost care. Javier saidthat although field trips need theconsent and waiver of parents,it does not absolve the schoolor department from the respon-sibility over the children.

“In our case, we instructteachers to guard the childrenwell. Kung maaari, may isangteacher na laging nakabantaysa mga bata,” Javier said. Shesaid that no one can predict anaccident and no one likes mis-fortune to happen.

The superintendent said thatin giving permission for a fieldtrip, DepEd guidelines state thatthere should be no collection offees on items not directly relat-ed to the tour and that no pointsare added to the grades of chil-dren who participate.

Not part of curriculumbut important

FIELD TRIP

NI JOHNNY REBLANDO

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales –Bumagsak sa kamay ng mgatauhan ng Zambales CriminalInvestigation and DetectionTeam (ZCIDT) ang isang lalakisa isinagawang entrapment op-eration matapos umano nitongibugaw ang dalawang kaba-baihan sa bayang ito.

Kinilala ni ZCIDT provincialofficer, Chief Inspector Virgilio

Rubio ang suspek na si RowellMayo, 25, residente ng Purok 5-B, Barangay San Pablo,Castillejos.

Ang suspek ay huli sa ak-tong ibinubugaw ang dalawangkababaihan sa CIS agent sahalagang P4,000 kapalit ngpanandaliang kaligayahan.

Ang suspek ay nasa custo-dy ng ZCIDT at ipinagharap nasa kasong paglabag sa RA 9208o human trafficking.

Bugaw huli saentrapment

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BY DINO BALABO

MALOLOS CITY—Pope Benedict XVI resignation asSupreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church drewsadness and admiration from Bulakenyo leaders yes-terday.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva, the founder of the Jesus IsLord Movement described the pope’s decision as a “su-preme sacrifice” a sign of “selflessness” and said thatit must be emulated by all other leaders.

“I salute him for that. It is a sign of greatness,” Vil-lanueva said in an exclusive interview yesterday afterthe launch of his senatorial campaign at the BulacanProvincial Gymnasium here.

A religious leader before entering politics, Villanue-va said that the Pope’s decision is grounded on thePontiff’s clear understanding of the power of the crossand Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

“I read his two books, and he (Pope) has very clearunderstanding of the power of the cross and resurrec-tion. Sana lahat ng leader ay katulad niya na hindikapit tuko sa posisyon,” Villanueva said.

He added that leaders of any discipline must have asense of selflessness, greatness and destiny.

“He said he cannot do his job effectively anymore,that is selflessness and other leaders must emulatehim.” Villanueva said.

For his part, former Gov. Roberto Pagdanganan alsoexpressed sadness on the Pope’s decision.

“I am saddned, I thought he was doing well,” Pagdan-ganan said.

He also expressed admiration of the Pope’s deci-sion and said it was a noble act.

“It is not only an act fo sacrifice, it is a noble act,”Pagdanganan said.

Bulakenyossaddened butadmire Pope’s

decision

BY ARMAND M. GALANG

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija - As soon as the clockhit 12:00 noon Monday, former municipal employeeGerardo Sator knew his softdrinks business will be deadfor an indefinite period of time.

“This is the time for my small business to earn butwho drinks hot softdrinks,” Sator said as he expresseddismay over the “weak financial management” of thePantabangan Municipal Electric System (PAMES).

“It is very unfortunate that our town suffered in yetanother power outage that should have never happened,”he said of his town that hosts two big tax-paying com-panies such a Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation andPower Project and First Gen Hydro Power Corporation(FGHPC).

This after FGHPC cut off power supply to PAMESover its alleged failure “to keep its account current hav-ing incurred unpaid power bills from July 2012 to De-cember 2012 amounting to P8,762,405.58.

It was the second time power was cut off under thecharge of Mayor Romeo Borja Sr., amid a restructuringagreement between the town government and FGHPCthat was forged on March 16, 2012. The first was onJuly 23, 2012 that lasted to Aug. 2 of that same yearafter a series of negotiations between the power gener-ation firm, the provincial government of Nueva Ecija,the municipal government under the guidance of thenSec. Jesse Robredo of the interior and local govern-ment.

A resident expressed hope the problem will be re-solved soon. “It happened before, our officials can haveit solved soon,” the resident who admitted having owedPAMES said.

Borja who reportedly went to the provincial capitolin Palayan City for an undisclosed purpose yesterdaycould not be reached for comment as of presstime.

Earlier, he said that PAMES paid FGHPC P14 mil-lion last January for a total of P21 million . He said hisadministration never stopped looking for a solution tothe problem existing in the town government long be-fore he assumed the mayoralty post.

He said most of the people who would speak againsthim over the power mess are the ones who started it.PAMES. He anchors hope on the management of pri-vate firm Kaltimex Energy Philippines.

This privatization, he explained, was a brainchild ofthe late DILG secretary.

Some interest groups opposed the privatization,however.

Sator called on the national government to start Pres-ident Aquino’s “daang matuwid” in Pantabangan. “It’sonly then that our lives will improve,” he said.

Pantabangan‘powerless’ anew

Cebu Pacific Ad

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESREGIONAL TRIAL COURTTHIRD JUDICIAL REGION

OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFFTARLAC CITY

FILE NO. 2497

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALEUpon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135/1508, as amended,

filed by ST. MICHAEL RURAL BANK with principal office at G/F HerminiaBldg. Espinosa St., corner Rizal St., Tarlac City against ROCHELL O.RANARA of Brgy. Care, Tarlac City to satisfy the mortgage indebtednesswhich as of October 31, 2012 amount/s to TWO HUNDRED SEVENTHOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY ONE & 44/100 (P207,231.44),PESOS, Philippine Currency, excluding interests, attorney’s fees andother expenses such as expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned or hisduly authorized Deputy will SELL at public auction on March 5, 2013, at10:00 o’clock in the morning, or soon thereafter, at the main entrance ofthe Tarlac Court Building, Regional Trial Court, Tarlac City, to the highestbidder, for CASH, Philippine Currency, the following described property/ies, together with all its existing improvements, to wit:

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 428109A parcel of land (Lot 3840-M of the subd.plan, Psd-03-

030916 being a portion of lot 3840 Tarlac Cad.; LRC Rec.No.__), situated in the Bo. ofTibag, Mun. ofTarlac, Prov. ofTarlac. Bounded on the SW., along line 1-2 by Lot 3840-L; onthe NW., along line 2-3 by lot 3840-B; on the NE., along line 3-4 by lot 3840-O along line 4-1 by lot 3840-N, all of the subd.plan. Beginning at a point marked “1” on plan xxx containingan area of FIVE HUNDRED (500) Square Meters.

Prospective bidders/buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate forthemselves the title/s and its encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

In the event the public auction should not take place of the said dateit shall be held on March 8, 2013, without further notices.

Tarlac City, January 17, 2013

ATTY. SHALANE T. GO-PALOMAR Provincial Sheriff

JULIUS G. GUIANG, SR.COPY FURNISHED: SHERIFF IV

1. ATTY. ELISEO L. MARTINEZ2NDFlr. Cervantes Bldg.,F. Tañedo St., Tarlac City

2. MS. ROCHELL O. RANARABrgy. Care,Tarlac City

PUNTO! Central Luzon: February 6, 13 & 20, 2013

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESREGIONAL TRIAL COURTTHIRD JUDICIAL REGIONCity of San Fernando (P)

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT& EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF

PRODUCERS SAVINGS BANKCORPORATION,

Mortgagee,EJF No. 255-12

-versus-

GJISSELLE BAUTISTA ANDCRISPIN CARINO,

Mortgagors.x————————————————————x

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE(Real Estate Mortgage under Act 3135, as amended by Act 4118)

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended,filed by PRODUCERS SAVINGS BANK CORPORATION, mortgagee,with principal address at Producers Bank-Guimba Branch, MCLeandro Bldg., Afan Salvador St., Guimba, Nueva Ecija, againstGJISSELLE BAUTISTA (Atty.-in-Fact) AND CRISPIN CARINO, withresidence and postal address at #272 Brgy. Nagmisahan, Cuyapo,Nueva Ecija, mortgagors, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness whichas of October 29, 2012 amounts to ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDREDEIGHTEEN THOUSAND ELEVEN and 25/100 PESOS (P1,518,011.25)excluding interest and other charges, the undersigned Clerk of Court &Ex-Officio Sheriff and/or her duly authorized Sheriff IV will sell at publicauction on March 21, 2013 from 9:01 A.M. to 12:00 N.N. and from1:00 P.M. to 3:59 P.M. at the main entrance of the Regional Trial CourtBuilding, City of San Fernando (P), to the highest bidder for CASH orMANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following property/ies with all the improvements thereon, to wit:

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 698262-R“A parcel of land (Lot 4 Blk. 56 of the cons. subd. plan Pcs-

03-012372, being a portion of consolidated Lots 1 to 11, 12-A,12-B, 14 to 35, Blk. 5, Lots 1 to 12 Blk. 8, Lots 1 to 11, 12-A, 12-B & 14, Blk. 9, Lots 1 to 4, Blk. 10 Rds. C-19, b-31 c-21, c-20a& c-13b, all of Pcs-03-010864, LRC Rec No. ), situated inBrgy. Of Divisoria, Mun.of Mexico, Prov. of Pamp. Island ofLuzon.xxx cont. an area of THREE HUNDRED EIGHT (308)sq. m. x xx”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the saiddate, it shall be held on March 28, 2013, without further notice.

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the title hereinabove described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

City of San Fernando, Pampanga, February 4, 2013.

ATTY. JOSELEA Y. FLORIA-BALLETA ARNOLF F. OCAMPO Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff Sheriff IV

cc: PRODUCERS SAVINGS BANK CORPORATIONProducers Bank-Guimba Branch,MC Leandro Bldg., Afan Salvador St.,Guimba, Nueva Ecija,

GJISSELLE BAUTISTA & CRISPIN CARINO#272 Brgy.Nagmisahan, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija

PUNTO! Central Luzon: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

BY ASHLEY MANABAT

MAGALANG, Pampanga — Ascharges of corruption were lev-elled against Mayor Romulo F.Pecson, another top official hereis the subject of another corrup-tion charge before the Office ofthe Ombudsman.

This time, Vice MayorRenato Bartolome has beennamed in the complaint togeth-er with other members of thetown’s Bids and Awards Com-mittee, namely Winifred M. Fe-lix, Fausto B. Sengson Jr.,

Magalang VM also faces rapsJesus Nathaniel C. Pili, Mahar-lika D. Tanglao, and Rizalino G.Ocampo. They all allegedly con-spired with one another and rec-ommended shopping for goodslisted in the purchase requestwhich were neither requested nordelivered.

Councilor Elizabeth Gonza-les filed the complaint for viola-tion of RA 9184, RA 3019, andRA 6713 based on the allegedanomalous purchase of severaleducational materials on De-cember 2010.

According to Gonzales,

sometime in December 2010,she went to the Office of theTreasurer to follow-up on herrequest for funds for a feedingprogram that she had initiated.But, she said, when she got tothe treasurer’s office with fel-low Councilor Harry Zennel,she was presented with entire-ly new documents that need-ed her signature. She said thedocuments were alreadysigned by Sengson. Gonzalessaid she was surprised to readthat the new documents per-tained to the purchase and de-

livery of educational materialsand not funds for her feedingprogram.

She said Sengson made itappear that she had requestedfor funds for the purchase of ed-ucational materials to be givento various schools in the munic-ipality amounting to P47,500.

According to Gonzales, thepurchase order was alreadysigned by Sengson and ap-proved by Bartolome. To makematters worse, Gonzales said,a Certificate of Acceptance wasattached to the said documents

showing that she had acceptedthe delivery of the materials fromRDW Trading.

“The disbursement voucherwas also signed by Sengsoneven if not a single item was re-ceived by me or my office,” sheadded.

Gonzales said she kept theoriginal documents as proof inher complaint. She accused therespondents of trying to cover-up their tracks until they werecaught red-handed before theycould completely erase anytrace of irregularity

ANGELES CITY, Pam-panga – Councilor BryanNepomuceno, Carmelo“Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., Atty.Nino Enriquez, and MaxSangil, members of TeamLazatin, the official slateof Pampanga First Dis-trict Representative Car-melo “Tarzan” Lazatin, onFebruary 9 opened theInter-Tricycle Operatorsand Drivers Association(TODA) Basketball Cupthey sponsored in Baran-gay Santo Domingo here.

Six teams from vari-

Lazatin inter-TODA basketball cup opensous TODAs in BarangaySanto Domingo will beparticipating in the bas-ketball cup. The teamsare Villa Leoncia TODA,L&S TODA, San AngeloTODA, Vil la AngelaTODA, Vi l la DoloresTODA, and SDAC TODA.

Congressman Lazatingave P40,000 for the bas-ketbal l tournament,which will be used for theprizes of the winningteams.

In addition to a trophy,the winning teams will

also be awarded with acash prize; the champi-on team wil l receiveP5,000, the 1st runner upwill receive P3,000, the2nd runner up will receiveP2,000, and the 3rd run-ner up wil l receiveP1,000.

The two remainingteams who will not placein the tournament willalso receive a consola-tion prize of P500 each.

Two games will beheld every Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday.

The tournament willhave a total of 23 gamesin a single round-robinschedule and is expect-ed to conclude by thesecond week of March.

Barangay Santo Dom-ingo officials, KagawadAlvin Manalastas, Ka-gawad Oliver Chaneco,Kagawad Jose Liscano,Jr., and Romanito Yusi, Jr.are in charge of oversee-ing the basketball cup.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. Ricardo Pinpin on February 7 hostedPampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin duringhis birthday celebration in Barangay Pulung Maragul, Angeles City.Photo shows Lazatin exchanging a few words with Pinpin’s wife, ZenaidaCarbonel. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

RESIDENTS of Northville 14 in San Fernando are seento benefit from a newly opened Rural Health Center andBirthing Station in the resettlement community.

During a simple opening ceremony on February 11,Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez emphasized the need forsuch health units in each of the City of San Fernando’sbarangays, serving especially people in the marginal-ized sector.

“Local government units should not only focus oneducation and infrastructures. We in the City of SanFernando acknowledge that health care programs mustbe given full attention and these (health centers) areconcrete examples of our mission,” Mayor Oca said.

The new Rural Health Center will be providing fieldmedical services—including medical, dental, nursing,laboratory, and environmental sanitation. Physiciansand medical staff will be on hand at all times daily toservice the Northville residents’ health needs.

“Hindi na kailangang pumunta pa sa mga public orprivate hospitals ang mga residente dahil dito ay mabibi-gyan na natin sila ng mga gamot at paunang lunas,”said Dr. Romeo Gomez, rural health physician.

So far, five rural health units and two birthing sta-tions have been built during the administration of May-

New health centerfor NorthvilleCSF residents

THINKGREEN

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BY JOEL P. MAPILES/PIO PAMPANGA

LUBAO, Pampanga– The Department ofPublic Works and Highways (DPWH) hasannounced that the Department of Bud-get and Management (DBM) has releasedsome P63,200,000 fund for the closure ofthe breached section and repair of slipsections of the San Fernando-Sto. Tomastail dike and construction of the pilot reliefchannel from Gugu creek.

The announcement was made duringa meeting with Governor Lilia G. Pinedaheld in her house Friday in this town.

Present during the brief meeting wereDPWH engineers Rico Guilas, Pampan-ga First district engineer; Almer Miran-da, maintenance chief engineer; LucitoSibug, chief of construction division; Ar-nold Ocampo, project engineer; Isabeli-ta Manalo of the Mount Pinatubo Emer-gency (MPE) and Juanito V. Reguyal,

DISASTER READY. Officials of DPWH in Pampanga brief Gov. Pineda and her team on the closure of San Fernando-Sto. Tomas tail dike andrechanneling of Gugu creek as they also update the provincial government on disaster readines of the department.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUN JASO/PAMPANGA PIO

P63.2-M released for San Fdo-Sto. Tomastail dike, relief channel of Gugu creek

Pampanga Second district engineer.The main objective of the meeting is

to orient the provincial government, thisearly, on the disaster preparedness andreadiness of the DPWH in terms of lo-gistics, mitigation and rehabilitation worksthat should be done and for the Capitolto avoid duplication and overlapping ofprojects.

The governor said that the provincialgovernment wants close coordinationwith the concerned line agencies beforeand during disaster as she said that gonewere the days when the DPWH and thelocal government units were caught flat-footed in times of calamity.

To make sure that everything is inplace before the rainy days, she has initi-ated a meeting with the said DPWH ex-ecutives together with the Provincial Di-saster Risk Reduction Management Of-fice (PDRRMO) headed by Engr. Lulu Al-ingcastre, Engr. Rene Gutierrez, Engr.

Andy Austria , Engr. Olimpio “Noli” Pan-gan of the provincial engineering office(PEO) and Andy Henson of the provincialplanning and development office (PPDO).

The DPWH said that of the totalamount, P29.20 million is intended forthe closure of the breached section andrepair of slip sections while the remain-ing P34 million will be used for the con-struction of the 20-meter pilot relief chan-nel from Gugu Creek extending towardsLabuan Channel and outfall including theoutlet of San Francisco River.

The DPWH executives said they havean on-going rehabilitation efforts jointly un-dertaken by the department and the LGUs.

They said that the excavation of thepilot relief channel from Gugu Creek to-wards Labuan Channel is being under-taken to redirect the flow away from thebreached sections of the tail dike.

They hauled excavation spoils anddumped it to fill depressed section and

heighten the existing adjoining dikes.While waiting for the release of ca-

lamity funds, the DPWH has mobilizedfleet of equipment using meagre and avail-able resources, such as 3 units of bull-dozers; 3 units backhoe; 1 unit bargefrom DPWH; 1 unit backhoe on bargefrom the provincial government; 4 unitbackhoe on barge from the local govern-ment of Minalin.

They have also undertaken bamboocribbing with net along the bent sectionof the riverbank to prevent bank collapseand sand bagging of breached sectionsfor temporary closure.

They have also briefed the governoron the proposed widening of the pilotchannel to about 60 meters to be con-sidered for funding under the P5-billionpriority flood control projects drawn fromthe Flood Control Master Plan Roadmapapproved by the National Economic De-velopment Administration.

NNNNNIIIII D D D D DINOINOINOINOINO B B B B BALABOALABOALABOALABOALABO

MALOLOS CITY—Ikinagalak ngmga residente ng lungsod na itoang pagtatayo ng SM City Mal-olos, ngunit may mga nagpahay-ag din ng pangamba sa magig-ing kalagayan ng maliliit na nego-syante.

Ito ay matapos malathala saFacebook fan page ng isangpahayagang lokal ang impor-masyon batay sa mas naunangpahayag ni Mayor Christian Na-tividad.

Ayon kay Jeddahmae Vistan,malaking tulong sa mga Malo-lenyo at iba pang Bulakenyoang planong pagtatayo ng SMCity Malolos.

Ito ay dahil sa mga opor-tunidad sa trabaho na ihahatidng pagtatayo ng mall.

Inayunan din ito ni IsaganiGiron, ang dating tagapangulong Samahang Pangkasaysayanng Bulacan (Sampaka).

Ngunit nagpahayag din ngpangamba si Giron sa magigingkalagayan ng mga maliliit nanegosyante sa lungsod na ito.

Sinabi ni Giron na isa saposibleng epekto ng pagbubu-kas ng SM City Malolos ay ngpagsasara ng maliliit na nego-syante.

Inayunan din ito ni Ramil Or-

tiz Reyes na nagsabing masmaaapektuhan ang nagsi-sipagtinda ng mga damit naready to wear (RTW).

Sa kabila naman ng palitanng kuro-kuro ng mga residenteng Malolos, sinabi ni DariusCorrea na dapat nang masimu-lan ang pagtatayo ng nasabingmall dahil napag-iiwanan na rawng Marilao at Baliwag ang lung-sod na ito.

Ang dalawang nabanggit nabayan sa lalawigan ay kapwamayroon nang SM City mall.

Kaugnay nito, umgong din angpalitan ng pananaw kung saanitatayo ang SM City Malolos.

May mga nagsabing sa likodng Bulacan State University itoitatayo, at may mga nagsabi ringsa tapat ng relay station ng Ra-dio Veritas sa kahabaan ng Mac-Arthur Highway.

Ngunit para kay ChristopherCunanan, mas malaki angposibilidad na sa tabi ng relaystation ng Radio Veritas itayoang mall, sa bahagi ng Baran-gay Dakila.

Ang kabilang panig ng ngRadio Veritas sa panig ng Baran-gay Sumapang Matanda aykasalukuyang pinagtatayuan ngRobinson’s Mall.

Una rito, kinumpirma ni May-or Natividad na bukod sa Robin-

son’s Mall ay posibleng masim-ulan na rin ang SM City Malo-los.

Sa panayam, sinabi ng alka-lde na apat na may ari ng lupana lamang ang kinakausap ngpamunuan ng SM Mall.

Hindi pa tinukoy ni Natividadkung saan sa lungsod na itoitatayo ang mall, ngunitinilarawan niya ang pagtat-ayuan.

Ayon sa alkalde, itatayo angmall sa isang 28-ektaryang lu-pain sa lungsod ng Malolos. Ig-iniit pa niya na ang nasabing lu-pain ay dating palayan ngunithalos hindi na pinag-aanihan.

Nilinaw ni Natividad na bukodsa mall ay magtatayo din ng ibapang pasilidad ang SM sa nas-abing 28 walong ektarya, kabi-lang na ang mga high rise con-dominiums at mga call centers.

“Kung mall lang ang itatayonila (SM), okey na yung five hect-ares, pero ang sabi sa akin aytatayuan din ng SM Residenc-es na mga high rise condomini-um, at saka mga facilities parasa BPO (business process out-sourcing) para sa mga call cen-ters,” sabi ni Natividad.

Sinabi pa ng alkalde na sakonstruksyon pa lamang ng SMCity Malolos ay tiyak na lilikhana ito ng libo-libong trabaho.

BY ASHLEY MANABAT

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE — Multi-awarded film director Bril-liante Mendoza minced no words when he admitted that he was“hurt” by the lackadaisical performance of the movie “Thy Womb”in the box office during the Metro Manila Film Festival last De-cember. The movie is currently being shown at the SM Cine-mas here.

During the press conference of the movie at the SM CityClark last Friday, Mendoza explained that the movie-going pub-lic is not yet ready for such films preferring instead comedies,action-fantasy films and movie heartthrobs with box-office at-tractions. In this particular movie, Mendoza showcases the life-style of the Badjaos with their existing economic deprivationamidst the backdrop of the natural beauty and rich resources ofTawi-Tawi.

Mendoza said he was timid at first to do a movie in Tawi-Tawi sharing most Pinoys’ sentiments that Mindanao is a vio-lent and dangerous place especially Tawi-Tawi where extrem-ists are often known to rule. “Baka hindi na tayo makabalik (Wemight not be able to come back),” he remembered saying then.

However, Mendoza said he was flabbergasted when he land-ed in the island-province. He said his first reaction was: “Uy angganda pala dito (It’s so beautiful here).” He added that the Bad-jaos in Tawi-Tawi have a very beautiful culture and they are sonice. Christians, Catholics, Muslims they live together peace-fully, he said.

Mendoza said they went to Tawi-Tawi at least five times withhis cinematographer, writer and line producer until they discov-ered the story of “Shaleha” whom they felt would represent theBadjao culture and their simple lifestyle.

“Shalela (Nora Aunor) is a Badjao midwife in Tawi-Tawi. Ag-ing and still smarting from three miscarriages in the past, sheagonizes over her failure to bear a child. She feels that her hus-band Bangas-An (Bembol Roco) desires to be a father. Shestruggles to cope with the irony of her own infertility amidst thedeprivation of her community.

To fulfil her husband’s only wish and to be blessed by Al-lah—in her belief that having a child is a tangible proof of divinegrace—Shaleha resolves to find a new partner for her husband.And so, the story goes.

A look into the Badjaossimple lifestyle

Galak, pangamba sapagtatayo ng

SM City sa Malolos

THY WOMB

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Zona LibreBong Z. Lacson

E d i t o r i a l

acaesar.blogspot.com

Business & Editorial office at Unit B Essel Commercial Center,McArthur Highway, Telabastagan, City of San Fernando

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Atty. Gener C. EndonaCaesar “Bong” LacsonJoanna Niña V. CorderoKarl Jason S. ManalotoDondie B. VenturaJojo Manalo/Lacson Macapagal

Rimpy rippedHOW DARE you!

May as well be what San Simon MayorLeonora Capule-Wong spat at congressman-again-wannabe Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondocfor his putatively shameless grabbing of creditfor public works projects funded by thenational government.

“Under what capacity is he acting for? Heis a private citizen. Bakit nakalagay sa mgastreamers ‘Salamat Rimpy’ eh proyekto ito nggobyerno.” So seethed she – dubbed the“Woman Of a New Generation” – in mediareports.

One project that raised Wong’s bloodpressure was a covered court in her townwhich groundbreaking was “spearheaded” byBondoc and his local cohorts.

So what has Bondoc got to do with theproject?

“It was learned that the project came fromthe National Housing Authority (NHA) upon theinitiative of Vice President Jejomar Binay. Itwas channelled through the prioritydevelopment assistance fund (PDF) of (4th

District) Rep. Dr. Anna York Bondoc-Sagum,sister of Rimpy.” So media reported.

So was Bondoc there as his elder sister’srepresentative whose very Houserepresentation he bequeathed to her in 2004,and he now wants to reclaim?

It is not only in San Simon where “SalamatRimpy” posters are tacked on electric postsnear new and old government projects likeroads, bridges and school buildings. Thesehave mushroomed all over the fourth district.

So what and why is the still-private-citizenBondoc being thanked for? For theconstruction that came out of his sister’s PDF?

Granting that, thanking Bondoc is it stilluncalled for, unwarranted, unbeffiting, un-whatever.

It is plain, vulgar, grabbing of what is nothis due. E-pal at its the most obnoxious.

Given that the funds used in the project arethe people’s. Not the Bondocs’.

The Kapampangans have a word for this –mapanako damulag.

Cuatro por CuatroTHE NUMBER 4 is doomed as an unlucky number in Chineseculture. Not so much for the figure’s sharply pointed angles as forits homophony with the word “death” in Chinese. Mandarin orCantonese, I can’t distinguish.

Long infused with, aye, inured in most things Chinese, fromfirecrackers to pancit, from ampao to siopao, from Confucius toMao, we have incorporated even these beliefs – superstitionsincluded – into Filipino life.

See how we go overboard with the celebration of the lunar NewYear and our obsession with feng shui.

It comes then as a surprise that Number 4 has now becomethe magic number in the contest for seats in the Angeles Citycouncil.

It was by choice – rather than the absence of it – that Cong.Tarzan Lazatin, put up only four candidates in his council slate –incumbent Atty. Brian Matthew Nepomuceno, veteran journalist andonce city-mayor-by-succession Max Sangil, Atty. Nino Enriquez,and the Cong’s hijo Pogi Lazatin.

A storied gamer-of-chance, Cong Tarzan surelysees something there that our usual politico istotally blind to.

At the other end of the party line, there is thePAMI-tastic 4 of incumbents Pamintuan, Edu;Aguas, Jericho; Morales, Maricel; and Indiongco,Alex.

Since bonding themselves into a single blocright after triumphing in 2010, this quartet hasmaintained a high-profile presence all around thecity with their posters championing just about anyand all cause worthy of publicising – from drug-busting to waste management, women’s welfareto child protection and environmental conservation.

Team Lazatin versus PAMI-static 4.Quick to seize the opportunity when they

glimpse one, streetcorner bookies have startedcalling bets – an even P100 for P100 at this time,but expected to go ‘lo-dyes, even doblado as thecampaign progresses.

So whom to play your money on?Beauty? Go PAMI-static 4 with Mutya

crownholder Marang and Isabel Granada –ubiquitous with husband Jericho.

Experience? Team Lazatin with councilor, vicemayor, mayor, government board director Max,hands down.

Legislation? Dead even. The councilincumbency of PAMI-tastic 4 shared with Bryan,and Max’s own council tenure.

Know-how? Team Lazatin with AttorneysBryan and Nino, at least in matters of law, wepresume.

Energy? PAMI-tastic has the edge. They arecovering more grounds, at the moment. From whatwe have been hearing, and the facebook postswe are receiving. Think 100 pictures here uploadedper Partido Abe Kapampangan bingo or oath-taking event at the rate of four – there goes the

number again – per week.PR and approachability? Pogi, singly!Mass appeal? PAMI-tastic with their resident

artistas always a hit with the masa. Team Lazatinnot far behind though with all those birthday partiesthey attend in the sitios.

Not too easy, really to bet at this time. Theactual campaign period – for local candidates –to start in more than a month yet. And a lot ofthings can, and will, happen. Like partyintramurals, otherwise known as junking.

Here, Cong Tarzan’s wisdom of putting up onlyfour candidates comes to the fore. Only four forten slots. The chances of crab mentality seepingin are greatly minimized. The voters are left withmore of their own personal choices other thanthe four being presented to them: “Sampu namanpo ang iboboto ninyo, apat lang po angipinapakiusap ko.” In gambling culture, the fourslots could well be “balato.”

On the other hand, the PAMI-tastic 4’s high-profile run can cause cracks in the Partido ABEcouncil slate, with the remaining six othercandidates feeling reduced to second-stringers.

There, junking will most surely obtain.Anyways, cuatro por cuatro, how have they

fared in the surveys?PAMI-tastic 4 all in: Jericho at Numero Uno

with 86 percent; Edu and Alex sharing third-fourthwith 63 percent, and Marang, fifth at 60 percent.

Team Lazatin with Bryan at second with 76percent; Pogi sixth with 55 percent and Max in atie with former councilor Ares Yabut at tenth with47 percent.

That was in November yet, but I feel thecertainty that all of them are still there in the Magic10, with only their placements slightly, if even,altered.

Wanna bet?

ON THIS DAY in 1633, Italianphilosopher, astronomer andmathematician Galileo Galileiarrives in Rome to face chargesof heresy for advocating Coper-nican theory, which holds thatthe Earth revolves around theSun.

Galileo officially faced the Ro-man Inquisition in April of thatsame year and agreed to pleadguilty in exchange for a lightersentence. Put under house ar-rest indefinitely by Pope UrbanVIII, Galileo spent the rest of hisdays at his villa in Arcetri, nearFlorence, before dying on Janu-ary 8, 1642.

Galileo, the son of a musi-cian, was born February 15,1564, in Pisa, Italy. He enteredthe University of Pisa planningto study medicine, but shiftedhis focus to philosophy andmathematics.

In 1589, he became a pro-fessor at Pisa for several years,during which time he demon-strated that the speed of a fall-ing object is not proportional to

its weight, as Aristotle had be-lieved. According to some re-ports, Galileo conducted his re-search by dropping objects ofdifferent weights from the Lean-ing Tower of Pisa.

From 1592 to 1630, Galileowas a math professor at theUniversity of Padua, where hedeveloped a telescope that en-abled him to observe lunarmountains and craters, the fourlargest satellites of Jupiter andthe phases of Jupiter. He alsodiscovered that the Milky Waywas made up of stars. Follow-ing the publication of his re-search in 1610, Galileo gainedacclaim and was appointedcourt mathematician at Flo-rence.

Galileo's research led him tobecome an advocate of the workof the Polish astronomer Nico-laus Copernicus (1473-1573).However, the Copernican theoryof a sun-centered solar systemconflicted with the teachings ofthe powerful Roman CatholicChurch, which essentially ruled

Italy at the time. Church teach-ings contended that Earth, notthe sun, was at the center of theuniverse.

In 1633, Galileo was broughtbefore the Roman Inquisition, ajudicial system established bythe papacy in 1542 to regulatechurch doctrine. This includedthe banning of books that con-flicted with church teachings.The Roman Inquisition had itsroots in the Inquisition of theMiddle Ages, the purpose ofwhich was to seek out and pros-ecute heretics, considered ene-mies of the state.

Today, Galileo is recognizedfor making important contribu-tions to the study of motion andastronomy. His work influencedlater scientists such as the En-glish mathematician and physi-cist Sir Isaac Newton, who de-veloped the law of universal grav-itation.

In 1992, the Vatican formallyacknowledged its mistake incondemning Galileo.

Source: www.history.com

Galileo in Rome for InquisitionTODAY IN HISTORY

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Napag-uusapanlangNi Felix M. Garcia

‘No plate, notravel policy’

KUNG TAGA LTO itong nanghuhuliSa may pagitan ng private cemeteryNg Sto. Domingo at Balangkas, patiItong aywan lang kung mga military

O pulis, pero ya’y naka-uniporme(Ng camouflage at di ng LTFRBNa lubhang pamilyar at kung anong klase)Ang pumara sa’min at hiningan kami

Ng ‘permit to travel’ ay di ko maliripKung taga LTO nga o mga pulis,Na ‘deputized’ ng ating Comelec opisPara sa ‘gun ban’ na ngayon ay mahigpit

Ang pagpapatupad, kung kaya hinarangKami at sisiyatin hinggil sa naturan,Yan sa ganang akin ay wala sa lugarKung ‘permit to travel’ ang pag-uusapan.

Pagkat di marahil hurisdiksyon nitoAng kwestyonin kami hinggil sa rehistro,Plaka ng sasakyan at kung anu-ano,Dahilan na rin sa ito’y bagung-bago

Nakadikit pa ang conduction stickerSa gawing likuran at kita ang namberPati na trade name ng sikat na car dealer,Na nakalagay sa dapat ay Plate No.

Kasi nga, ‘usual’ na ang kalakarang yanSa kahit alin mang ‘car dealer,’ kabayan;Kung kaya para mag-usisa ng ganyanAng sinuman yan ay kawalan ng muwang

Sa mga ‘existing rules and regulations’Ng LTO at ng tauhan ng CommissionOn Elections hinggil sa kung anu-anongDapat isagawa sa kanilang Checkpoints.

Alalaon baga, kung para sa ‘gun ban’Ay huwag na lang sana nilang pakialamanKung rehistrado o hindi ang sasakyanPagkat may angkop na ahensya para r’yan.

Kaya di man dapat… para lang tumigilItong opisyal na lumapit sa amin.Ang ‘permit to travel’ na bigay sa akinNg Carworld at yan ay officially galing

Sa LTO mismo, pinakita ko naSa isang tanda ko ay ‘certain’ MadumaAng ‘surname’ niyang malinaw na nakaburdaSa kanang dibdib ng uniporme niya.

At sinundan ko ng pag-abot ng dyarioSabay sa pagwikang “Peryodista akoKaya alam ko ang tamang reglamentoHinggil sa bagay na inuurirat mo”

Kasi nga kung siya’y LTO OfficerO ika nga’y LTFRB personnel,Marapat lamang na kabisado ni SirAng SOP tungkol sa’ting subject matter;

Na karaniwan ng kalakaran ngayon,Puera lang marahil sa “segunda manong”Sasakyan na dapat ay ‘up-to-date’ itongMga ‘stickers’ niyan at ang ‘registration’.

Kaya marapat lang sa puntong naturan,Ang lumagay tayo sa dapat kalagyanUpang ang anumang pag-aalinlanganNg bawa’t-isa ay mapawing lubusan.

Di ba’t tama lang na kung ang hinaharangAt sinisita ay patungkol sa ‘gun ban’Ay siyang nararapat na tutukan lamangUpang ang tamang protocol ang umiral?

O sadyang ang ‘no plate, no travel policy’Ay kasama yan sa kinukwestyon patiNitong aywan lang kung yan ay military,Pulis, LTO at/o LTFRB?

Halo-haloBy Ding Cervantes

Prophecieson next pope

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga- The resignation of Pope BenedictXVI has not only been a shock to many worldwide. In the Christianworld, it has also revived interest in two prophecies that revolvearound who the next pope will be in the context of "the last times."

One prophecy revolves around St. Malachy who, in the 12thcentury, prophesied a succession of the popes—from Pope InnocentII who became pontiff in 1140 to the next pope expected to beelected after the recent resignation of Pope Benedict XVI effectivethis Feb. 28, by ascribing to them uncannily precise descriptionsin Latin.

The other is linked to the alleged apparitions of the BlessedVirgin Mary to four girls in the remote town of Garabandal, Spainfrom 1962 to 1965. One of the visionaries, Conchita Gonzalez,was reported to prophesied that after Pope Paul VI, there wouldonly three more popes before the "end of times."

ST. MALACHYSt. Malachy was an Irish priest born in 1094.

He accurately predicted his death in 1148. OnJuly 6, 1199, he was declared saint by PopeClemente III.

Prophetical interest in him is based on hisvision when he went to Rome in 1139 to meetwith Pope Innocent II. He saw a list of the next112 popes until the end of time. He was reportedto have listed down the Latin description of eachpope and gave this to the Innocent II. The listremained in the Roman archives until it was foundits discovery in 1590.

While some have said the list was notauthentic, its prophetic precision has remainedundoubted. For example, he described Pope PiuxX (1903-1914) as Ignis Ardens or Burning Fire. Itwas during his reign that war ignited in Europeand spread to other nations.

He his description of Pope John XXIII [1958-1963) was "Pastor et nauta" or Pastor andMariner. The appropriateness of the appellationis made clear by the fact that John XXII wasarchbishop of Palestine around the birth of Israelin 1948 and his being later appointed as cardinalof Venice.

St. Malachy's descriptions of more recentpopes were as clear. Pope Paul VI [1953-1968)was "Flos Florum" or Flower of Flowers). Paul VIbelongs to the Montini family who coat of armsdepicts fleurs-de-lis.

On the other hand, Pope john Paul I, whoreigned only 34 days after Paul VI, was "DeMedietate Lunae or Of half Moon as he died duringa half moon.

Blessed Pope John Paul II came next, with St.Malachy decribing him as De Loboare Solis or Ofthe Eclipse of the Sun. During his pontificate, therewere no less than 16 solar eclipses on one side ofthe earth. There was also a solar eclipse in hisnative Poland when he was born there on May 18,1920 and during his funeral on April 8, 2005, theworld experienced an unusual solar eclipse.

The saint also had a description of outgoingPope Benedict XVI. He was Gloria Olivae or theGlory of the Olives. The current pope's namerecalls the Benedictine Order, also known asOlivetans, whose coat of arms depicts the olivebranch.

And now for St. Malachy's last pope, somesay before the "end of times." The saint wasquoted to have said: "In the final persecution ofthe Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter theRoman, who will feed his flock amid manytribulations, after which the seven- hilled city willbe destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judgethe people."

The saint afterward concluded his list with thestatement: "The End."

For many years, some followers of Garabandaltheorized that Pope John Paul II’s reign wouldsee “the end of the times”. Although plausible onthe surface, this scenario did not come to passas some expected. While the pope’s passing isin many ways the end of an era or epoch –especially if considered from a moral perspective

– there is nothing to indicate that his demise marksthe fulfilment of any particular Garabandal prophecytied to the warning or miracle.

GARABANDAL PROPHECIESThe Catholic Church has yet to pronounce

verdict on it, but the alleged apparitions of theBlessed Virgin Mary to four young girls in SanSebastian de Garabandal, Spain from 1961 to 1965continue to gain following, even among the clergy.There, the Blessed Virgin issued calls forimmediate conversion of mankind amid threat ofchastisement.

Despite lack of Vatican's approval, one ofGarabandal's visionaries named ConchitaGonzalez (now an adult with her own family in theUS) was said to have been given the blessing ofthen Pope Paul VI in January of 1966.

Conchita was at that time in Rome forquestioning by Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani, thePrefect of the Holy Office (now the SacredCongregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). Later,she was given a private audience with Paul VI whowas noted to have told her: "I bless you and withme the whole Church blesses you."

And that gave credence to the Garabandalapparitions, if not to the prophecies there,especially now amid the shock on Benedict XVI'sresignation.

The story is that on June 3, 1963, visionaryConchita expressed some alarm over the death ofJohn XXIII on that day, as church bells in her villagetolled. She remarked to her mother Aniceta: “Forsure…now there remain no more than three[popes]!”

Conchita then clarified to her mother that theBlessed Virgin referred to "the end of times" andnot "the end of the world" after the three popes,although she admitted not knowing the difference.

There has been conflict on when to startcounting the first of the three popes, although mostresearchers seemed agreed that the count shouldcommence after the reign of Paul VI whosucceeded John XXIII.

If this were to be the case, the present pope,Benedict XVI, would be the third after John Paul Iwho succeeded Paul VI, and John Paul II.

Interpretations on the "end of times" vary aswell, with some saying that it refers to a period oftribulation, and not a single Apocalyptic stroke,that already started in the reign of Benedict XVIand will culminate in more forboding propheciesduring the reign of his successor.

Indeed, the Garabandal prophecies has beenunderscored by its three prophesied events: thewarning, the miracle and the chastisement whosegravity could be alleviated by conversion of mankindtowards God.

The Garabandal visionaries said, however, thatthe chastisement could no longer be averted.

Details on the chastisement seemed to havebeen revealed in yet another apparition of theBlessed Virgin Mary to Sister Agnes Sasagawa inAkita, Japan in 1972, in an event approved as worthof belief by the local ordinary.

But that's another, albeit related, story.

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Republic of the PhilippinesOFFICE OF THE NOTARY PUBLIC

Angeles City

SAN BARTOLOME RURAL BANK, INC.,Mortgagee,

EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE AND-versus- SALE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE

UNDER ACT 3135, AS AMENDEDNFC CASE NO. 2013-905

SPS. MARIO GARCIA andSUSANA D. GARCIA,

Mortgagors.x———————————————————x

NOTICE OF SALE UNDER ACT 3135,AS AMENDED UNDER ACT 4118

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Real Estate Mortgageexecuted on 10 January 2011, supported by a Promissory Note dated 3February 2012, by the Mortgagors, SPS. MARIO and SUSANA GARCIAboth of legal ages, Filipinos and are residents of Brgy. San Miguel,Magalang, Pampanga, in favor of the Mortgagee, SAN BARTOLOMERURAL BANK, INC., a rural banking corporation duly organized andexisting under and by virtue of the laws of the Philippines with principalbusiness at San Pedro I, Magalang, Pampanga, in order to satisfy themortgage debt therein which as of 7 December 2012, amounts to ONEHUNDRED SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVEPESOS (PHP165,585.00), Philippine Currency, excluding interests andpenalties and additional daily interests and penalties up to the date of saleand expenses in the sale thereof, in addition, reasonable attorney’s feesand other legal expenses all secured by this Mortgage, ATTY. JACKSONVISDA YABUT, Notary Public for Angeles City and in the Municipality ofPorac, Mabalacat and Magalang, Province of Pampanga, after havingbeen authorized by the Mortgagee, hereby gives notice and announcesthat on the 14th day of March 2013 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning atthe Main Entrance, Magalang Municipal Hall Bldg., Magalang,Pampanga will sell at public to the highest bidder for cash and inPhilippine Currency, the following parcels of land with all the improvementsexisting thereon, to wit:

TCT NO. 195532-Angeles CityA parcel of land (lot 2 of the cons-subd., plan, Pcs-03-

017439, being a portion of cons. Lots 2 and 4, Pcs-03-013337LRC Rec No.), situated in the Bo. of San Miguel, Mun.ofMagalang, Prov. of Pamp., Bounded on NE., along line 1-2by lot 1; along line 2-3 by lot 8 both of the cons-subd., plan; onthe SE., along line 3-4 by Bo. Road; on the SW., along line 4-5 by lot 9 (road); on the NW., along line 5-1 by lot 3 both of thecons-subd. plan xxx containing an area of EIGHT HUNDREDNINETY FIVE (895) SQUARE METERS more or less xxx

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves theabove-described parcel of land for their information and protection.

Angeles City, 10 December 2012.

JACKSON VISDA YABUT Notary Public Until December 31, 2014Commission Serial No. 2012-390/A.C.IBP No. Lifetime member 04794/06-04-03PTR No. 0458740/1-02-13/A.C.Roll No. 44607MCLE No. III-0018422/8-13-10/Pasig City30 Plaza Romana Bldg. Dau,Mabt., Pampanga

PUNTO! Central Luzon: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of ENER C. LUMANLAN who

died intestate on November 2, 2012 in Angeles City executed an ExtrajudicialSettlement of his estate more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot4, Block 2 of the subdivision plan (LRC) Psd-66251, being a portion of Lot848-B-2-A described on plan Psd-47590, LRC (GLRO) Cad. Record No.124) situated in the Barrio of Balibago, City of Angeles, Island of Luzon andcovered by TCT No. 181031 of the Registry of Deeds of Angeles City.

Punto! Central Luzon: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

Mayor Arturo “Katoy”Naguit has filed criminalcharges before the Officeof the Ombudsmanagainst former MayorEdgardo G. Flores for al-leged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Prac-tices Act and other arti-cles of Philippines lawsover the allegedly anom-alous construction of agovernment evacuationcenter worth P7,975,521in 2010.

In an interview, Naguitsaid that as local chief ex-ecutive he is duty boundand has the obligation toprotect the interest andproperties of the municipalgovernment, so he had nooption but to file corre-sponding charges againstthe former mayor.

He declined to furthercomment on the issuesaying he “felt pity” forFlores.

Copies of the complaintaffidavit however were dis-tributed to the nationalmedia after Naguit’s law-yers filed the case before

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Mayor hales ex-mayor to Ombudsmanthe Ombudsman.

Based on the com-plaint affidavit filed lastweek, Naguit accused hispredecessor of allegedlyviolating Article 213, Para-graph 1 and Article 217 ofthe Revised Penal Code;Section 3, Paragraphs (e)and (g) of Republic Act3019 (Anti-Graft and Cor-rupt Practices Act); andSection 4, Paragraph (a)of Republic Act 6713(Code of Conduct and Eth-ical Standards for PublicOfficials and Employees).

The complaint statedthat Flores, when he wasstill mayor of Minalin,made a “fraudulent andprejudicial transaction” rel-ative to the construction ofthe Francisco P. FloresMulti-Purpose Center inSanto Rosario, Minalin,which was completed onMay 14, 2010.

“The facility wasnamed after and dedicat-ed to the memory of thelate Francisco P. FloresSr., the respondent’s fa-ther and former municipalmayor of Minalin. The cen-ter was constructed using

public or government fundsfrom the National HousingAuthority which were in-tended for the purpose ofconstructing an evacua-tion center for the constit-uents of Minalin,” Naguitstated in his complaint.

Citing documents asevidence, the mayor saidthe construction of theevacuation center, withmovable partition andboys’ and girls’ toilets,was awarded to N22 Con-struction and Trading,owned and managed byNestor O. Tolentino, for atotal of P7,975,521.

However, the complaintstated that the evacuationcenter was constructed onprivate lots allegedly“owned by Francisco P.Flores (deceased), mar-ried to Anita Galopo, withan area of 1,396 squaremeters covered by Origi-nal Certificate of Title No.5680; Francisco Nicolas,with an area of 562 squaremeters covered by TaxDeclaration No. 14015-284; and Anita G. Flores,with an area of 560 squaremeters, covered by Tax

Declaration No. 14015-259.”

The mayor also statedin his complaint that: “OnApril 20, 2008, FranciscoNicolas and Anita Floresexecuted a Deed of Dona-tion in favor of the munici-pality of Minalin, represent-ed by then-Mayor Edgar-do G. Flores, for the pur-pose of donating their lotsto the said local govern-ment unit and for the con-struction of the evacuationcenter….No resolutionwas passed by the Sang-guniang Bayan authorizingthen-Mayor Edgardo G.Flores to enter, sign andaccept the aforementioneddonations nor was theDeed of Donation ratifiedby the said body.

“No contract or agree-ment, whether by way ofa Deed of Donation, Con-veyance or Waiver ofRights, was executed bythe heirs of Francisco P.Flores in favor of the mu-nicipality of Minalin, cov-ering the area occupied bythe evacuation center nowmulti-purpose center andcovered by Original Certif-

icate of Title No. 5680,” headded.

It also stated that as ofMay 15, 2012, the lotswhere the evacuation cen-ter now multipurpose cen-ter stands are still declaredunder the namesof Francisco Flores, Fran-cisco Nicolas and AnitaFlores.

Naguit said, “The con-struction of the evacuationcenter, now named Fran-cisco P. Flores Sr. Multi-purpose Center at Sto.Rosario, Minalin,Pampanga…has causeddamage and undue injuryto the government, specif-ically since the center isconstructed/erected onprivate properties, and wasnot properly turned over tothe municipality of Mina-lin”.

He clarified that thefunds released to the mu-nicipality by the NationalHousing Authority was forthe purpose of construct-ing an evacuation centerand not for the purpose of

constructing a multi-pur-pose center in memory ofthe late Mayor Flores.

“There was evidentfraud, bad faith and deceiton the part of respondentwhen he caused the con-struction of the evacuationcenter on the private lotsowned by his parents andappropriated the same infavor of his family by nam-ing the evacuation centeras The Francisco P.Flores Sr. Multi-PurposeCenter,” the complaintstated.

“As of October 15,2012, the biggest portionof the lot where the evacu-ation center was con-structed, consisting of1,396 square meters cov-ered by Original Certificateof Title No. 5680, is stillregistered under the nameof the respondent’s par-ents,” the mayor added.

Punto tried but failed tocontact former MayorFlores for his side. Thispaper remains open to hisreaction.

former governors RobertoPadanganan and JoselitoMendoza, now congress-man of the third district,and Josefina dela Cruz,now postmaster generalof the Philippines PostalCorporation (Philphost).

All the above men-tioned political leadersalong with 92-year-oldformer governor TomasMartin earlier signed amanifesto of support toVillanueva.

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Bulakenyos cross partylines...The same manifesto

was signed by past andcurrent congressmen,board members, mayorsand vice mayors and coun-cilors from different townsin the province.

For his part, Villanue-va expressed gratitude forthe support thrown in byhis fellow Bulakenyos.

He said that it is thefirst time in the history ofthe province that politicalleaders cross party linesto support a single sena-torial candidate.

“I am so grateful fortheir support despite thefact that they came fromdifferent political persua-sions. They stand ten feettall in solidarity to supportmy attempt to capture aSenate seat. The future ofBulacan is beyond poli-tics,” Villanueva said.

During the launch of hisSenate bid, Villanueva alsounveiled his 3-E platform –”Ekonomiyang agresibo’twalang napagiiwanan;Edukasyon na napapana-hon; Entrepinoy na

masang Pilipino ang nan-gunguna at nakikinabang.”

He said the “3-Es” areneeded in the growingeconomy in the countrywhich he described as aresult of President Aquino’s“tuwid na daan” program.

As founder of theJesus Is Lord Movement(JILM), Villanueva notedthe importance of moralleadership.

He said, “we need mor-al leadership. The bedrockof good economics isgood politics.”

the Catholic Church espe-cially at this time when theworld is in turmoil.

He is adept in talkingto non-Christians espe-cially our Muslim brothers,the archbishop said of thePope.

However, Apu Ceto saidthe Pope’s resignationcould be “for the greatergood of the Church” as heurge Catholics to prayhard. He said he is confi-dent that the Catholic hier-archy, will not be affectedby the sudden resignationof the Pope. There is aninstitution that will contin-ue with the machinery ofthe Church, he explained.The College of cardinals willelect a new Pope.

He said he is confident

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Kapampangans stunned by Pope’s...that the Catholic Churchwill survive whatever crisisthe Pope’s resignation hasbrought as he quoted fromthe Bible: “You are Peter,and on this rock I will buildmy church, and the gatesof Hades will not overcomeit.”

Fr. Ignacio Carlos, par-ish priest of the Our Ladyof Divine Grace Parish inMabalacat City, was alsoshocked and saddened bythe Pope’s sudden resig-nation.

Fr. Carlos said he waswatching television whenbreaking news came inthat the Pope has just an-nounced his resignationeffective at month’s end.

“He is doing a good job.I was really taken by sur-prise,” he said.

Fr. Carlos however saw

a lesson that could belearned by our civil lead-ers from the Pope’s resig-nation.

“The Pope realized hecould no longer fulfil hisministry because of dete-riorating health and hisadvancing years, so heopted to quit. Others try tocling to their positions nomatter what (kapit tuku lakeng posisyun),” he said.

Sister Ruby from theDominican order who re-ceives guests at the Arch-bishop’s residence at theMother of Good CounselSeminary here, alsoshared the same senti-ments. “I was shocked,she said.

Some Catholics are say-ing that the Pope’s resig-nation was prophesized byan Irish seer in March, 2011

with the words: “My poorHoly Vicar, Pope BenedictXVI, will be ousted from theHoly See in Rome. Lastyear, My daughter, I told youof the plot within the corri-dors of the Vatican. A planto destroy My Holy Vicarwas devised in secret on17th March, 2011, and thiswill come to fruition for it hasbeen foretold.”

But Rev. Federico Lom-bardi, Vatican spokes-man, has said that thePope’s decision wasreached after deep andprofound prayer. He saidthe Pope resigned not be-cause of “difficulties in thepapacy” and the move hadbeen a surprise, indicatingthat even his inner circlewas unaware that he wasabout to quit. It was notimpulsive, he added.

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TheGossip-millerby Cesar Pambid

Kris Aquino findingout a new lover?

MAY BAGONG rebelasyon sa The Buzz. Aniya ay pumayag na raw ang bunsonganak na si Bimby na makipag-date siya.

“I said kasi ‘Bimb can I go out on a date?’ He said, ‘Okay but no holdinghands ha?’ Sabi ko hindi naman ako makiki-holding hands so pumayag nasiya pero sabi niya ‘Just one ha!’ So parang handa na siya. Mayroon na siyanglevel of maturity,” say ni Kris.

Aminado rin naman ang Queen of All Media na in the future ay gusto rinnaman niyang makahanap ng lalaking makakasama for the rest of her life.

“Gusto ko naman to have a companion. Pero alam ko rin na at this pointwith a schedule like this, alam ko na a relationship means devotion. At thispoint, hindi ko pa kaya ibigay ang devotion na ’yun kasi Bimb is only 5, I haveso much to do. But if he’ll understand, why not?” say ni Kris.

When asked kung ano ba ang hinahanap niya sa isang lalaki, she said,“more than anything, I want peace. I want someone na hindi iko-complicateang buhay ko, masusuportahan ang mga gusto ko, susuportahan ko rin siyaand above anything else, we can have long, exciting and intellectualconversations.”

Kris is celebrating her birthday on Feb. 14 at plano niyang pumunta silangmag-iina kasama ang mga kaibigan at kapatid na si Pinky sa isang island.

A Good Day to Die Hard (PG13)1120FS • 1140MF • 200 • 420 • 640830LFS • 900LMF • 1050END

Flight (R13)1200FS • 1230MF • 320 • 610830LFS • 900LMF • 1120END

A Moment in Time (GP)1150FS • 1200MF • 215 • 430 • 645830LFS • 900LMF • 1045END

www.smcinema.com

A Good day to Die Hard (PG13)1050FS • 1100MF • 100 • 300 • 500700 • 840LFS • 900LMF • 1040END

Upside Down (G)1200MF • 215 • 430630LFS • 645LMF • 845END

Back to Back Movie (R16)1050MF • 100 • 500900LMF • 1030END

A Moment in Time (GP)1050FS • 1100MF • 100 • 300 • 500700 • 845LFS • 900LMF • 1045END

Flight (R13)1230FS • 1245MF • 330 • 615835LFS • 900LMF • 1120END

Safe Haven (PG13)1200MF • 215 • 430 • 645840LFS • 900LMF • 1055END

Flight (R13)1110FS • 1120MF • 140 • 400 • 615833LFS • 900LMF • 1118END

A Good Day to Die Hard (PG13)1020FS • 1035MF • 1240 • 245 • 450655 • 833LFS • 900LMF • 1103END

Chinese Zodiac (PG13)1050FS • 1100MF • 130 • 400 • 630833LFS • 900LMF • 1103END

Safe Haven (PG13)1110FS • 1120MF • 145 • 410 • 635829LFS • 900LMF • 1054END

Back to back Movie (R16)1020FS • 1030MF • 205 • 540840LFS • 915LMF • 1235END

A Moment in Time (GP3)1025FS • 1035MF • 1240 • 245 • 450655 • 840LFS • 900LMF • 1045END

"Aalis kami. We're going to an island that I've never been to. Ipapasilip ko sa inyo sa ‘Just Us’ portion ng ‘KrisTV.’ I'll be with my sons, some friends, Zsa Zsa (Padilla), my sister Pinky, her husband. Grupo kami. Excitedlang ako kasi parang bagong bago yung place,” say pa niya.

Lalabas na sa ospital...Mother Lily naka-recover na

NAG-UPDATE si Mother Lily sa ilang friends tungkol sa kanyang karamdaman. Kasalukuyan pang nasa ospitalang Regal matriarch after a delicate operation.

“All the tubes connected in my body are already removed and thank God I don’t even feel any tinge of painnow. Thank you to all my dear friends, my apos, my husband, my children, my daughters-in-law, my sons-in-lawand the entertainment press, all my doctors and nurses for praying for my successful operation and speedyrecovery.

“Most of all to my ever dearest GOD who never fails to love me and give me comfort and strength andguidance. With all your love and support, I was able to surpass this ordeal readily. Thank you very much. I LOVEYOU ALL! Maraming salamat!”

Wala pang detalye kung kailan lalabas ng hospital siMother.

Jackie Ricedi pa handang pakasal

DINADAAN ni Jackie Rice sa biro ang sagot niya kungkelan sila pakakasal ng non-showbiz boyfriend niya.Matagal na kasi ang kanilang relasyon na dumaan narin sa mga pagsubok lalo na last year.

“Wala pa. Ayaw pa niya akong pakasalan! Joke!Ha! Ha! Ha! Wala pa. Ayaw pa niyang magkamali! Ha!Ha! Ha!” sabi ni Jackie nang makausap namin sapresscon ng bago niyang show na Bukod KangPinagpala sa GMA afternoon block.

Wala pa raw silang ipon. Marami pa raw silanggustong gawin sa buhay. Pero aniya, “Kung sure

na kami na, kami na nga, puwede na. Ayokonaman ’yung maghihiwalay gaya ng parents

ko! Ha! Ha! Ha!”Rason pa ni Jackie, batang-isip pasiya at natutuwa naman siya dahil

naiintindihan siya ng boyfriendniya.

Mabuti naman at hindisiya nagreklamo sa GMA

dahil natagalan bagonasundan ang last

soap niyangKasalanan BangIbigin Ka?

“Hindi namankailangan ng ganoon.

Happy naman ako. MayBubble Gang ako until

now, tapos, heto. Bakit kopa hahangarin ang more?

Baka ’pag naghangad ako ngmore, mawala pa."

PWU Pampangacelebrates Chinese

New Year 2013PARANG lucky charm na rin yung we wereinvited to attend the unveiling of the Siopao

Mosaic in celebration of the Year Of the smnakesa SM Clark nooong Sabado, February 9. through

our very good friend, Avel Antonio, who's one ofthe marketing staff of the said mall, we graced the

Siopao Mosaic unveling na ginawa ng mgaestudyante ng PWU Pampanga, through the

cooperation of SM Pampanga.The unveiling, aside from celebrating the Water

Snake Year, also aims to promote the school para sakanilang enrolment. Sa ngayon kasi, open na raw ang

enrolment sa maraming cooking courses sa said school.Present during the unveling to welcome their guests is

Ms. Ana Datu, mall manager of SM Clark who even delivereda short but meaningful inspirational talk to all those present.Another personality who grace the affair is Ms. Pinita Galang-Ocampo who oversees the operation of PWU Pampanga. Pararaw po sa mga detalye about the school, nasa Facebooksila, log in sa PWU Pampanga.

Jackie Rice

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BY MALOU DUNGOG

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT— The Court of Appeals15th Division has dis-missed the Writ of Ka-likasan case against Re-dondo Peninsula Energy’s(RP Energy) 600-MW coal-fired power plant projectwithin the Subic Bay Free-port Zone.

In a 101-page decisionpenned by Associate Jus-tice Celia Librea-Leagogo,the Court denied the peti-tion on the grounds thatthe petitioners failed toprove that their right to abalanced and healthfulecology was violated orthreatened with violationand that any damagewould affect the lives oflocals in two or more cit-ies or provinces.

The case was filed be-fore the Supreme Court onJuly 20, 2012 by party-listrepresentatives led by Ka-bataan party-list Rep. Ray-mond Palatino and Olonga-po City-based environmen-tal group No-To-Coal.

Respondents includedRP Energy, the Depart-ment of Environment andNatural Resources, andthe Subic Bay Metropoli-tan Authority (SBMA). Thecase was later remandedto the Court of Appealswhich held hearings fromNovember 5 to December14 of last year.

CA dismisses Writ ofKalikasan vs. RP Energy

The Court of Appealsalso junked the Petition-ers’ application for an en-vironmental protection or-der for failing to show thatthe matter is of extremeurgency and petitionerswill suffer grave injusticeand irreparable injury.

In its decision, thecourt emphasized that theburden of proof in the caselies with the petitionersand they were unable todischarge this burden. Itadded that RP Energy’spower plant project has notyet been constructed andthere is no proof its CFB(circulating fluidized bed)technology will cause en-vironmental damage.

According to JusticeLeagogo, the petitionersonly presented three wit-nesses led by Rep. Palat-ino and none of whomwere experts on environ-mental matters.

Respondent RP Ener-gy, on the other hand, pre-sented several witnessesto back up the powerplant’s CFB technology.

This is the first Writ ofKalikasan case against apower project and willmost likely be a precedentfor similar cases in the fu-ture. A power industry in-sider said the decision isa relief for proponents ofother planned powerprojects that were beingthreatened with similar

cases. He added that italso helps ensure that thegovernment and privatesector will be able to ad-dress the growing need fora stable, reliable and com-petitively-priced supply ofpower.

The decision likewiseupheld the Department ofEnvironment and NaturalResources’ (DENR) pow-er to amend Environmen-tal Compliance Certifi-cates (ECC) based onDENR Administrative Or-der No. 2003-30.

The court explainedthat this power is inherentsince the DENR is giventhe authority and duty togrant or deny ECCs as theprimary government agen-cy responsible for themanagement of the envi-ronment.

The Court of Appealshowever deemed defectivethe project’s old DENR-is-sued ECC and the SB-MA’s lease and develop-ment agreement with RPEnergy for not having com-plied with certain require-ments.

“We presented over-whelming evidence thatthe power plant project willnot cause any adverseenvironmental impact. Itwill utilize state-of the-arttechnology and RP Ener-gy took great care in com-plying with all the require-ments.