Tourism Up

Tourist arrivals rose by 14 %, says Durano

Inquirer News Service

NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur -- Despite the political turmoil hounding the country, the number of foreign tourists increased by 14 percent from January to July, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano.

Durano, who was here to open the weeklong Bicol version of "Wow Philippines" fiesta, ascertained that the political turmoil had not affected the tourism industry of the Philippines.

Without citing exact figures, he claimed that tourists from Japan, China and Korea knew that the rallies and other political squabbles affected only Metro Manila.

Southern Tagalog and Bicol were among the regions that benefited from the increasing influx of foreign tourists, he said.

Bicol was also becoming a major tourist destination with Lake Buhi and the islets of Caramoan, aside from the majestic Mayon Volcano, gaining popularity.

In a simple ceremony held at Plaza Rizal here, he declared the geothermal field occupied by the Bac-Man geothermal production as an eco-tourism site.

Among several areas recognized by the eco-tourism certification of Bac-Man are the Botong Twin Falls, Bat Sanctuary, Inang Maharang Mud Pool and Nag-aso Lake.

The 150-megawatt geothermal production field located in the boundary of Bacon, Sorsogon and Manito, Albay started its operation in 1993.

The location of the geothermal field in the mountains also provides a vantage view of Mayon Volcano, Albay Gulf, Bulusan Volcano and Sorsogon Bay.

Bohol Chronicle Update on Jagna

"Lake" threatens Jagna, Duero folks

At least seven Jagna and Duero barangays situated in low-lying areas have been categorized as under threat following the formation of an artificial lake, which at any given time could trigger flashfloods in Mayana, Jagna.

Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren yesterday told the Chronicle that under close monitoring are barangays Boctol, Lunoy, Cambugasan and Alihawan in Jagna while barangays Mambuol, Cansuhay and Alihawan in Duero are also vulnerable of flashfloods.

If the land movement continues, the seven barangays face the risk of being washed out by floodwaters, the mayor said.

The land erosion has affected 78 hectares in Mayana, Lloren noted, quoting a Sept. 1 report of the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB).

The erosion which started July 11 is moving at 5 to 23 meters a day during the past two months.

Earlier, Emil Berador of the regional MGB said the land area affected is even bigger than the landslide that hit the United States sometime in 1996.

The scenario of the feared flashflood may appear that water would find its way through two tributaries that could pull down water from the Mayana River and the Banwalog River in Duero. The water coming from these two rivers may flow into Alihawan River that sets the boundary between the two coastal towns.

Third district engineer Aramis Torrefranca said the artificial lake has developed below Mayana River. He said the lake measures about 7 by 50 meters in diameter, a situation enough to alarm residents nearby for impending flashfloods.

The district engineer said residents in the seven barangays are at risk if the water will overflow.

To prevent a possible flashflood, six holes have been made on the sides of the artificial lake.

The lake was five-meter deep. But after massive clean-up, the deep has reduced to two meters.

Torrefranca has posted engineering personnel right at the lake to find ways that water could not overflow into the low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, MGB authorities fear that landslide will continue for even a year.

Llloren said relocation has been carefully studied while the displaced residents, about 176 families, have temporarily sought refuge at the homes of their relatives and friends.

The mayor said that since he expects additional assistance, a quick response team (QRT) has been in place in Mayana.

RELIEF ASSISTANCE

Lloren hopes relief assistance will continue to arrive in Jagna since the disaster is still in progress.

He said that despite the calamity, displaced residents have not been plagued of any form of sickness.

The mayor praised an ABS-CBN medical mission and groups of Jagna-anons from Cebu and Manila who visited the area twice for help.

Transport Strike Monday

Nationwide transport strike on Monday planned

Clarissa Batino
Inquirer News Service

AT LEAST two transport groups are holding a nationwide transport strike on Monday to protest the continuous increase in the prices of oil products and to press for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Mar Garvida of the transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (United Association of Drivers and Operators Nationwide, Piston) said they would also protest the imposition of the expanded value-added tax on fuel.

The Philippine Confederation of Drivers and Operators-Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (PCDO-ACTO) transport group will also be joining the strike, he added.

Garvida said Piston has 250,000 members nationwide.

The group has a strong presence in northern Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and Pampanga.

Inquirer Headlines

Arroyo fate up to God now, says Catholic bishop
Estrada spokesman: 'I was dismissed'
Another anti-Arroyo movement launched
Estrada a victim of double standard -- lawyer
Hunt for Garcillano now global
2 widows to lead signature drive vs Arroyo
Senators adjourn, too
Court reprimands military spokesman
Last of 6 escaped inmates in Laguna surrenders
US overwrites $41M in RP debts for reforestation projects
P57B in ill-gotten wealth went to land reform -- PCGG
Employers to distribute condoms in workplace
DOT hopeful 2.5M will come this year
Ex-Iloilo congressman dies
Former TMG chief in car theft raps turns tables on accusers
SC junks Pasig bid to expropriate land of Bro. Eddie's JIL
Michael Jackson to record song for 'Katrina' victims
Sharapova leads way at US Open semis with win over Petrova

Impeachment Dates

TIMELINE

Here is a timeline of the events that led to the emergence of the "mother of all tapes," as described by self-styled whistle-blower Samuel Ong, former deputy director for intelligence of the National Bureau of Investigation. SEP AUG JUL JUN 2005 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

US Chief Justice Dies

US Chief Justice Rehnquist dies from cancer

Maxim Kniazkov
Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON--William Rehnquist, chief justice and a leading conservative voice on the US Supreme Court, died Saturday after losing a battle with thyroid cancer, setting up a new political battle for President George W. Bush over the makeup of the judiciary.

Rehnquist, the 16th chief justice of the United States, "died this evening at his home in Arlington, Virginia, surrounded by his three children," the court said in a statement.

He was first diagnosed with cancer in October but had kept working up to the final days of his life.

The news was delivered to Bush shortly late Saturday night, the White House said.

"The president and Mrs. Bush are deeply saddened at the passing of Chief Justice Rehnquist," spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo said. "His family is in their thoughts and prayers." The president was to make a formal comment on Sunday.

Coming on the heels of the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in July, Rehnquist's death broadens the political fight over the makeup of the Supreme Court, which plays a key role in shaping America's political and social landscape.

Conservative federal appeals court judge John Roberts has been named by Bush to replace O'Connor.

But although his initial reception on Capital Hill was positive, Roberts is expected to face a tough confirmation hearing, during which his positions on issues ranging from abortion to the role of government will be closely scrutinized.

The Congress hearings are scheduled to start this week.

Rehnquist's passing means the president will have wage a second major political battle over a successor, who is likely to be a social conservative like Rehnquist.

The most mentioned name to become chief justice is Antonin Scalia, a pillar of the Supreme Court's conservative faction.

Rehnquist had been in and out of hospital ever since his condition was diagnosed. But with rumors about his retirement swirling, Renhquist moved forcefully to quash them in July, insisting he would not retire and that he intended to "continue to perform my duties as chief justice as long as my health permits."

Rehnquist was first appointed to the Supreme Court in 1971 by President Richard Nixon and took his seat on January 7, 1972.

He was elevated to chief justice by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

Rehnquist was a strong opponent of abortion, gay rights, gun control, and affirmative action for minorities.

A fierce defender of the death penalty, Rehnquist often wrote a divergent opinion when in a minority of one, earning himself the title "Lone Ranger."

Rehnquist was one of two dissenters in the key Roe vs Wade case in 1973 which recognized abortion as a constitutional right.

In 1995, he wrote the majority opinion striking down a federal law ordering a "gun-free zone" around state schools, in a landmark decision preserving the rights of individual states.

In 1999, he presided over the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in the Senate over accusations that he lied about his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

A year later, Rehnquist and four other Republican-nominated justices, ordered the end of the presidential election ballot recount in Florida, giving the presidency to George W. Bush.

Born October 1, 1924, William Hubbs Rehnquist grew up in Shorewood, in the midwestern state of Wisconsin.

The son of an affluent wholesale paper salesman, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served in North Africa. Upon his return to the United States, he earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in political science from Stanford University in California.

Rehnquist attended Harvard University for a year and earned another master's degree before returning to Stanford to study law. He graduated in 1952 at the top of his class.

The former chief justice is survived by his three children: Janet Rehnquist, James Rehnquist and Nancy Spears as well as his sister, Jean Larin. His wife, Natalie Rehnquist, died in 1991.

Unity At Last?

Posted by Alecks Pabico 
PCIJ

OUT of tonight's inter-faith prayer gathering called by the De La Salle Brothers at the school's Greenhills campus, a broad coalition of mass movements, political parties, civil society organizations and religious groups invariably clamoring for Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's resignation, impeachment and ouster has been formalized, all uniting under the banner of truth.

Calling themselves Bukluran sa Katotohanan (Coalition for the Truth), a name unanimously adopted from the theme of the event, the new movement significantly unites disparate groups that have not come together until this evening, as well as brings the so-called "middle forces" (students, professionals, the business sector) into the fold of the Arroyo resign-impeach-ouster (RIO) campaign.

"Our unity is anchored on principles and our aspirations for change, a change that is in turn anchored on the clamor for the truth," said Rep. Etta Rosales of the Akbayan party list.

The occasion marked the first public appearance together of former Pres. Corazon Aquino and Susan Roces, widow of Fernando Poe Jr., the opposition's presidential candidate in the 2004 elections.

Addressing the crowd who came to listen to the Catholic mass and the Christian and Muslim (Duwa'a) service, Mrs. Aquino, now 72, vowed to give whatever she can to the campaign for the truth.

"Pasensya na po kayo dito sa matanda niyong kababayan. Akala ko ay maaari na akong magpahinga. Pero siguro ganyan talaga ang buhay. At ako naman, habang kaya ko pa ay iaalay ko ang lahat nang aking makakaya para sa inyo, " she said.

For the first time, too, the key personalities in the RIO campaign have come out in public together. Aside from the country's two most famous widows, also in attendance were 26 of the pro-impeachment congressmen who received the loudest and longest applause of the evening; Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas; three of the resigned Cabinet members who came to be known as the "Hyatt 10"; former senators Wigberto "Bobby" Tañada and Leticia Ramos-Shahani; Reporma's Renato de Villa and Frank Chavez; Mayors Jejomar Binay and JV Ejercito of the United Opposition; and leaders of recently launched mass formations like the Laban ng Masa, Black and White Movement, White Ribbon Movement, Unity for Truth and Justice, and the Gloria Step Down Movement.

Satur Ocampo, Bayan Muna party-list representative, however, said that the coalition's message is still muted.

"Tonight, prayer is the main expression. What remains to be seen is the unified call for protest actions in a more dramatic way," said Ocampo, though he disclosed that the different groups are now in talks.

But do expect the coalition's initial show of force next week in anticipation of Tuesday's plenary vote on the House justice committee's decision to throw out all the impeachment complaints against Arroyo last Friday.

"And if they will kill the impeachment," Rosales said, "we hope it will be the signal for the people to come out and join us in waving the banner of truth."  

Following are excerpts of Mrs. Aquino's brief remarks:

Unang-una, nais kong magpasalamat kay Bro. Armin (Luistro) for organizing this event.

Salamat din kay Bishop (Antonio) Tobias for the mass and all the priests.

Salamat sa inyong lahat. Salamat din kay Susan at narito siya ngayon upang makiisa sa atin.

Ito po ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na makunan kami ng litrato ni Susan. Nagkita na po kami noong ibang araw pero private lamang po iyon. Pero ngayon siguro ay nararapat na nga na magkaisa tayong lahat upang manalangin sa panginoong diyos na ibigay sa atin ang katotohanan.

Salamat din sa Hyatt 10…At salamat sa ating mga congressmen…Ang hanap natin ay 79 at balita ko ay nadagdagan na dahil si Congressman (Antonino) Roman ay narito na rin…

Ano ba ang kailangang gawin para dumami kayo at para makamit natin ang katotohanan na hinahanap natin?

Kanina naisip ko na kung minsan matagal ang pagsagot sa aking panalangin. Alam po ninyo noong 1972, panahon ng martial law, ang aking panalangin palagi sa Diyos, kung maaari po sana i-release na lang Niyo si Ninoy.

Naghintay po kami nang matagal. Nakita ko nga rito si Rita Rodrigo Sevilla, na kasama ng daddy niya si Ninoy. Nandito rin si Bobby Tañada na katulong namin at katulong natin ang kanyang magiting na ama.

Noong 1975, nag-hunger strike si Ninoy for 40 days. Tapos 1978 sumali ang laban at katakot-takot ang dayaan noon, at talo silang lahat. Inisip ko nga, wala na bang katapusan ito? Kailan kaya sasagutin ng Panginoong Diyos ang aking panalangin?

But God does work in mysterious ways. And in 1980, Ninoy suffered a heart attack. And it was that heart attack which gave us the passport to freedom.

Kaya kung minsan po hindi natin naiintindihan, bakit natatagalan ang paggsagot sa ating panalangin. Katulad po nang nangyari sa ating Batasan Tuesday. Nag-walk out. At inisip natin, ano ba ito? Wala na tayong pag-asa?

But because of that walkout, I think, Bro. Armin, you were  inspired to call all of us together to pray. So let us continue to pray for each other, to support each other. I am sure that if more and more of us pray and ask the Lord to bring us closer to the truth, He will do that and he will grant us not only 79, but more than 79, although  we will be happy with 79.

So maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Pasensya na po kayo dito sa matanda niyong kababayan. Akala ko ay maaari na akong magpahinga. Pero siguro ganyan talaga ang buhay. At ako naman, habang kaya ko pa ay iaalay ko ang lahat nang aking makakaya para sa inyo.

Maraming salamat.

Medical Board Topnotchers

20 top medical board examinees

Inquirer News Service

ONLY 1,471 out of the 2,864 or 51.46 percent passed the recent Physician Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medicine in the cities of Manila and Cebu in August this year, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Wednesday night.

The top 20 successful examinees are the following:

1. Jonah Lomibao Amora -- 85.17

2. Geraldine Tong Zamora -- 84.83

3. Patricia Dizon Salvador -- 84.75

4. Jeroselle Sta Cruz Ramos -- 84.67

5. Vincent George Lerma Cunanan -- 84.42; Shiela Sarmiento Macalindong -- 84.42; Noreen Reyno Manglicmot -- 84.42

6. Robert Ranet Arias -- 84.25

7. Angela Lim Yuchua -- 84.17

8. Michael Raymund Castañeda Gonzales -- 84.00

9. Victoria Dominique Chua Ang -- 83.92

10. Joseph Rey Cheng Dago-oc -- 83.83

11. Patrick Co Chua -- 83.75; Marvin Siy Sih -- 83.75

12. Kevin Elbert Mansilla Perez -- 83.67

13. Kenny Si Seng -- 83.50

14. Angelo Dave Crisostomo Javier -- 83.25

15. Maridel Udarbe Orata -- 83.08

16. Ronaldo Rodriguez Patiag -- 83.00; Ronald Go Yebes -- 83.00

17. Leandro Antonio De Leon Bernardo -- 82.83; Genevieve Tan Co -- 82.83; Mylene Nonog Navarro -- 82.83

18. Marlene Anne Cabrera Pamandanan -- 82.75; Maria Theresa Caguioa Rabena-Pineda -- 82.75; Frederick Edward Lo Ramos -- 82.75; Emil Anthony Ty Say -- 82.75

19. Dexter Masangkay De Castro -- 82.67; Mark Ancel Guerrero Edang -- 82.67

20. Cherish De Villa Lorica -- 82.58; John David Regner Seno -- 82.58

Physician Licensure

Pinoys Worse

Most Filipinos think life is getting worse -- survey

Agence France-Presse

ABOUT 67 percent of Filipinos believe life has become worse over the past 12 months amid a political crisis and rising oil prices, a survey released Wednesday said.

The poll of 1,200 adults nationwide, conducted by the independent Pulse Asia research group from July 2-14, also found that 49 percent expected their lives to worsen by July next year.

Only 12 percent said their quality of life had improved over the past 12 months, while 19 percent said they expected things to get better next year, the survey revealed.

It also found that 80 percent of respondents believed the country's conditions had worsened over the past 12 months, with 65 percent saying they expected it to get worse.

The survey, which has a margin of error of six percent, did not ask for the reasons behind the respondents' perceived deteriorating quality of life.

It was conducted at the height of a political crisis stemming from audiotapes allegedly showing that President Gloria Arroyo cheated to win the May 2004 elections. She is currently battling impeachment charges.

It also came amid skyrocketing oil prices and growing calls by the opposition for the ouster of Arroyo through street protests.

Despite the scandal, 45 percent of respondents said the country's biggest concern was controlling inflation while 37 percent said it was reducing poverty.

Sixty-seven percent said they disapproved of the government's poverty-reduction efforts.

At least 38 percent blamed the government for not doing enough to control rising oil prices while 45 percent said it was out of the government's hands.

The survey found that 11 percent agreed with the statement "this country is hopeless."

However only five percent said the poor should join anti-government groups seeking the ouster of Arroyo.

Inquirer Headlines

Most Filipinos think life is getting worse -- survey
Opposition to boycott Arroyo impeachment hearings
Fate of amended impeach rap known Wednesday
Opposition goes all out to get 79 signatures for impeach rap
INQ7 10 most-read stories from Aug 21-27
INQ7 10 most-read columns from Aug 21-27
Angara says he won't do an Enrile
Deposed president Estrada to take stand

Lawyer cited for contempt by Senate renews appeal to SC
Police gird for protests as impeachment talks heat up
13-year-old Lamitan blast victim dies
DoJ sets second extradition case vs Blanca's husband in US
Cop shot dead in Laguna
Suspected JI members set off bomb in North Cotabato town
Tapes of negotiations in Roldan kidnap case bared in court
Porsche crashes onto highway concrete barrier
Military verifying reports of terror attacks in Metro Manila
Madrasah now in Metro schools
RP closes tourism office in Paris, but opens one in Seoul
First 'Maids' summit set
Gov't to set up new body to combat illegal recruitment
Gov't eyes Japan aid to fund P1.2-B waste treatment plant
Quezon City teachers ask SC to nullify DBM orders on COLA
CA junks cop appeal vs illegal possession of firearms rap
 

Israel's Netanyahu launches bid to oust Sharon
Hundreds feared dead, waters still rising in Katrina's wake
 

RP's Chief Salesman

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano: Ace Salesman
By Tanya Lara
People Asia Magazine

Being- a "tour guide" to visiting heads of state is just one of the many roles Joseph Ace Durano assumes as Tourism secretary, the others being the official spokesperson, cheerleader and salesman of 7,107 islands.

"It's a privilege for me to be showcasing and talking about the great things about this country," Durano says.

That he says this in an interview the week after all hell broke loose in Metro Manila, when every single politician signed up for the circus, leads one - not even a cynic at that - to raise an eyebrow. What's so great about the Philippines? From where ordinary citizens are standing, the situation borders on lunacy, and if we can't see the beauty of living here, why would anybody bother to visit the country?

Durano believes you can have thousands of people rallying in the streets and the country will still be beautiful, the people still warm. "We just have to communicate to the foreign markets that this is just in Metro Manila and most of the tourists go to the beach destinations. The political situation has not affected the beauty or the hospitality of these areas. It's business as usual for us at the department. It would have been a different story if the industry was down but it's doing really well."

Statistics on tourist arrivals as of June 11 show an increase of 15.13 percent compared to the same period last year, and Durano doesn't see it slowing down in the future. "The strategy of the department and travel industry in the country has been paying off. We're more market-driven now and more focused, which has facilitated our allocation of energies and resources, and brought us a stronger linkage with the private sector."

Young Man in a Hurry

In fact, Durano's appointment last year was met with trepidation by tile travel industry, partly because he was a mystery. Not much was known about him except that he was a young lawyer, he was a third-generation politician from Cebu and he didn't fit people's notion" about Cabinet secretaries. He knew that "the red carpet would not be laid out" for him, but there weren't exactly placards either. He laughs and says, "If I had mishandled it, it would have turned out to he that way."

In the first two months, he reached out to the stakeholders in the private sector. He has restructured a department where before "the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing," he put in place teams that made it possible for the young rank-and-file to contribute ideas, he gave people a sense of ownership of the department's projects, he put money where it should be (markets where we have a fighting chance against equally beautiful, richer and more secure destinations), he forge a common agenda for the industry, he's opened his office to new ideas no matter where they're coming from, and he energized a department that always had lofty projections and an embarrassing bottom line compared with our neighbors'.

Not bad for a 35-year-old government head who was once mistaken for an elevator boy in Congress and at the Department of Tourism. Questions about his age have indeed become the icebreaker in media interviews abroad and he takes all this with a sense of humor, often playing along with people's confusion. When he's met by official welcoming delegations abroad, he's often mistaken for " the son of somebody - not even the Tourism minister's son.

"When I come down the tube where the official party meets us, you can see them scanning our faces, looking for somebody else even when I'd be standing in front of the crew. The guys would point to me and tell our counterparts, `That's the minister'."

Durano is used to this. He was 28 when he started his first term in Congress and he had to deal with barangay captains who were more than twice his age. "I take it as positive reinforcement. I'm keeping myself young and fit that I can still be mistaken for an elevator boy," he says. "The good thing about the tourism industry is that it's really run by young people. You go to airlines, travel agencies and hotels and they're all young."

Going the Distance

As for the vigor that department insiders like to say has influenced the office culture, Durano says modestly, "They think it's my energy, but it's not. It's their energy. In fact, I tell them now that they're the slave drivers. That's one of my principles of management - if you push your people, you have to allow them to push you as well. People feel an ownership over our programs now, otherwise you have to be dragging them all the time. Each team is taking on a life on its own, a life that's not dependent on me anymore."

In a smaller room in the secretary's office is a Precor treadmill that he uses every time there's a half-hour break in his schedule. "I've been running since I was 12; my body looks for it. If I don't run for three days I have restless nights," he says.

He says it took him a long time to decide if he would accept the post and that it was a family decision. He and his wife Carmi and their two lids - AJ, 11, and Cara, 10 - toyed with the idea of moving the family to Manila. It wouldn't have been the first time. The kids spent their first four years in Manila while he studied Law at Ateneo (or as his wife puts it, "the kids went to Law school with him") and returned to Cebu when he ran for Congress in 1998, slipping into the post vacated by his father, Ramonito Durano.

"They were wiling to give up their lives there to be with me. But I realized that even if they were in Manila, I still wouldn't see them because I'm at the office early and 1 leave late. I didn't want them to blame me for leaving their friends and the extended family in Cebu. In a way, it's worked out for the best, since I can focus on work."

Because he doesn't get to go home every weekend to Cebu, Durano makes sure he talks to or texts his kids before they go to sleep. Being away from his wife is a big sacrifice for him as well, but one that she already had an idea might be coming when they got married. "I told my wife that I have to be doing something bigger than myself. I'm a person who, to be a good father and husband, has to be fulfilled and I couldn't be a fulfilled person if I were a full-time father and husband. I always explain it with this analogy: Children with parents who are doctors most likely end up as doctors. My grandfather was a politician, my father is a politician, I grew up seeing them with their constituents talking about where this country is going, about national issues. It was brewing for me all this time."

The only time he was away from the political environment was during his adolescent years when he studied III the US at St. I.aurence Academy in Sta. Clara for high school, and at University of Redlands in Redlands, California, for his BA in Asian Studies. There, Durano experienced for the first time being independent when he lived in a coed dorm (even the bathroom was coal and to a Cebuano who remains "rural in his values and a conservative at heart," that was nothing short of a culture shock).

Durano met his wife Carmen Luzuriaga at the engagement party of his older brother Red to her twin sister Carmel. Six months later, they were engaged; a year from the time they met, they got married.

"She's the most apolitical person in the entire world, which is good for me because she gives me a more down-to-earth understanding of things," he shares.

In the Philippines, his favorite destination - and he's been from north to south and all the places the DOT is marketing abroad - is Carascal, where the ancestral home of his mother's side of the family, the Hotchkisses, is located.

"We have our family reunions there. The house is on a riverbank and the river is just so pristine. The river's width is probably that of a six-lane highway and across it is a forest, and in the morning, you hear the sounds of the forest. It's only there that you can sleep at eight in the evening and you wake up at noon the following day."

Sometimes, you can travel around the world and find that the best place for you is actually the one closest to your heart.

Impeachment Certain As Dawn?

'Tipping point' of impeach bid reached

Michael Lim Ubac
Inquirer News Service

A BATTLE royale among members of the ruling House coalition this week will determine the fate of the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, lawmakers said yesterday.

Two lawmakers told the Inquirer that the endorsement of the complaint on Tuesday by four Arroyo allies who called themselves "young guns" was the "tipping point."

It meant that the move to impeach Ms Arroyo for allegedly rigging last year's presidential election had transcended party lines, said the two lawmakers, who asked not to be named.

The two were referring to Representatives Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte), Edmund Reyes (Marinduque), Robert Jaworski Jr. (Pasig City) and Gilbert Remulla (Cavite).

In a phone interview, Reyes confirmed this, saying: "For us four, it's our own personal tipping points. When we saw that they were about to kill the complaint, we made our decision."

He said the country was "coming to a crossroad."

"For weeks, the minority failed to produce the magic 79 signatures to automatically transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial," said one lawmaker.

He lamented the seeming "disarray" within the opposition that continued to hamper efforts to get a third of the House membership of 236 needed to impeach Ms Arroyo.

So far, only 48 House members have signed the impeachment complaint.

Signal

Another administration lawmaker disclosed that the young guns' decision was the "signal" that 33 other congressmen, who had earlier pledged to support the complaint, would officially sign up this week.

"The majority is now making the rounds to gather signatures," said the lawmaker.

To get the nod of the 33 lawmakers, three conditions must be met: There must be a direction -- clear succession -- once Ms Arroyo is impeached; they don't need to join the opposition, and the proceedings should end soon so that the country can move forward.

San Juan Representative Ronaldo Zamora, lead impeachment prosecutor who earlier said Vice President Noli de Castro would be recognized as the rightful successor, said the opposition only needed "a few" signatures.

Asked to elaborate, impeachment spokesperson Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano said: "We're looking at a single digit. The numbers look encouraging." Cayetano said six to 10 lawmakers would sign the impeachment complaint today.

Reyes had a message to his colleagues who were having second thoughts about supporting the impeachment complaint because of the latest release of pork barrel allocations, including funds purportedly from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

"If ever you receive money for projects, take it and use it for your districts. It's not the President's money or her allies. It's the money of the Filipino people. But vote according to your conscience. Don't feel beholden to the administration," said Reyes.

Silent waters

But Lakas stalwart Surigao del Sur Representative Prospero Pichay downplayed this, saying: "Silent waters run deep. But the fact that the opposition lawmakers are noisy about numbers only means that they don't have the numbers."

Three of the 18 members of the so-called conscience bloc within the Lakas-CMD-led administration coalition had already signed the complaint -- Barbers, Reyes and Jaworski -- and four from the 18-member Nacionalista Party -- Remulla, Cayetano, Laguna Representative Justin Chipeco and Cibac party-list Representative Joel Villanueva.

The NP lawmakers will play a pivotal role in this crisis since Remulla and NP president Senator Manuel Villar head the lead committees in both chambers of Congress which conducted investigations of the wiretapped conversations alleging ballot fixing in 2004 and the "jueteng" scandal, respectively.

The rest of the signatures should come from the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino led by Representatives Juan Edgardo Angara (Aurora) and Jacinto Paras (Negros Oriental), and the Liberal Party, possibly led by Bataan Representative Antonino Roman.

Swing vote

The progressive bloc led by Anakpawis party-list Representative Rafael Mariano expects the tide to turn in the opposition's favor this week.

"The administration is out to kill the impeachment complaint this week before the President leaves for New York. But we are not moved. We expect a swing vote this week."

Malacañang was, in fact, seeking ways of speeding up proceedings in the House justice committee.

Romulo Macalintal, Ms Arroyo's impeachment spokesperson, said yesterday that instead of engaging in too much debate, the committee could require the congressmen to submit position papers.

"This will expedite proceedings and save precious time," Macalintal said.

Anti-Arroyo forces yesterday said they would mount protests at the Batasang Pambansa starting tomorrow.

Do-or-die effort

The Bagong Alyansang Makayan said it would muster 5,000 members of the leftwing Bayan and the centrist White Ribbon Movement.

"This could very well be do-or-die for the amended impeachment complaint. It is therefore imperative for the people to come out in their numbers and thwart attempts at suppressing the truth," Fr. Jose Dizon, convenor of the Gloria Step Down Movement, said in a statement yesterday.

"The administration has tied a noose around the impeachment complaint and it is getting tighter by the day. Ms Arroyo was emboldened to quash the impeachment when there was a lull in street protests. Now it's time to regain the initiative," Dizon said.

Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes said the President was "pulling all the stops to kill the impeachment."

He also scored Ms Arroyo's call for reconciliation and national unity amid the oil crisis while her allies were busy fighting the impeachment complaint in Congress.

"Killing the impeachment is a declaration of all-out war against the people. It again contradicts Ms Arroyo's call for reconciliation," he said.

House of Representatives of the Philippines

Lamitan Casualties

Partial list of those injured in ferry blast

Joel Francis Guinto
INQ7.net Inquirer News Service

THE MILITARY has identified 23 of the 30 people who were injured after an improvised bomb exploded inside a passenger ferry in the southern Philippine province of Basilan on Sunday morning.

They are as follows:

1. Ondrada Inlisan, 64 2. Alfredo Inlisan, 54 3. Leticia Magtalia, 45 4. Alvin Enriquez, 35 5. Aljim Enriquez, 3 6. Angelo Enriquez, 2 7. Angelie Enriquez, 35 8. Emmanuel Torres, 15 (48 according to Philippine Coast Guard) 9. Joseph Siban, 25 10. Nick Urciada, 61 11. Jaime Pueblo, 41 12. Roel Eloma, 18 13. Fe Calunsag, 37 14. Edwin Calunsag, 30 15. Sonny Boy Hamac, 12 16. Isnam Olmoc, 30 17. Renato Sestina, 43 18. Zenaida Sestina, 41 19. Joan Mae Sestina, 8 20. Clark Anthony Sestina, 9 21. Zulman Utin, 7 22. Abdulhamid Abdulajid, 17 23. Shain Sestina, 8

Torres, Hamac, and Olmoc are in serious condition according to a report from the Inquirer News Service's Mindanao bureau. Quoting the Philippine Coast Guard, the bureau also gave Torres's age as 48 rather than 15.

Church vs. Dengue

Prayers to ward off dengue in Cebu

Inquirer News Service

CEBU CITY--Catholic parishes in Cebu will storm the heaven with prayers to ask the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to hold off dengue, which has claimed the lives of 43 people in Cebu City and in the province from January to August this year.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has ordered the parish priests in Cebu to pray a novena--a nine day Catholic prayer service service, to the Virgin of Guadalupe, Cebu's patron saint, "specifically for the intention of warding off the evil of dengue, in all of our parish churches."

He asked the priests to begin the novena as soon as possible and that a small procession with the image of the Blessed Virgin be held within the Church compound after every novena.

"As we face the danger of this dreaded mosquito-borne disease, our thoughts go back to that salvific event in 1902 when the cholera epidemic that ravaged Cebu was halted through the powerful intercession of Mary, the Lady of Guadalupe," said Vidal in his circular dated Aug. 20 that appeared in the Sunday's issue of Ang Lungsuranon, the official newsletter of the Cebu Archdiocese.

KBP Ads Blues

A word from the sponsors

Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer News Service

WHY did the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) resign from the Advertising Board of the Philippines (AdBoard)?

Maria Belen Fernando, president of Pana (or the Philippine Association of National Advertisers, an AdBoard member) explained to Inquirer Entertainment that KBP bolted "to keep its organization unified."

Fernando said the main issue was "the 18-minute commercial load limit (per hour of TV shows) that KBP wants followed, based on the rules in the KBP Code."

According to reports, KBP voiced out the concern that because non-KBP members—like TV giant GMA 7—could go beyond the 18-minute regulation, an "uneven playing field" had been created.

Pana, however, pointed out that advertisers were "not in agreement" as to what constituted the maximum commercial load.

Fernando elaborated: "Some believe 18 minutes is sufficient. Others believe it should be lower or higher, depending on the program or the time slot."

She recalled that the 18-minute rule was set about 10 years ago, when the load limit was increased from 14 minutes. "Considering the developments in the industry and the various markets that companies compete in," she said, "it may be time to (reconsider) the rule."

Business decisions

As of now, she added, "There is no basis in saying 18 minutes is high, low or just right. Advertisers' placements are business decisions, not whims."

The Pana board of directors has consulted the CEOs and marketing heads of major advertisers, Fernando said.

Ongoing are the meetings of Pana, the KBP Board of Directors and the 4 As (Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies).

It was decided in one of those meetings, said Fernando, that the Pana would commission a thorough research to determine the commercial load that consumers could take across various program types. She said a task force had been organized by the advertisers for this purpose. The group is composed of "research experts and representatives from Pana-member companies, independent media and advertising agencies."

This, she insisted, would be a milestone. "It would also be costly, [but] the results and information will be valuable and helpful." She was optimistic that the disagreements would eventually be ironed out.

"We look forward to the return of the KBP," Fernando said. "After all, media [particularly the broadcasting sector] is one of the pillars of the industry."

Davide on EVAT

SC to issue 'very good decision' on e-VAT law--chief justice

Tetch Torres
INQ7.net

THE SUPREME Court will issue a "very good decision" on the Expanded Value Added Tax (e-VAT) Law, according to Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. on Wednesday.

But Davide, whom reporters interviewed at the Lyceum University College of Law, refused to give a hint on what the high tribunal's decision would be.

"It will lose the beauty of the issue," said Davide who attended the opening of the 8th Chief Justice Davide Lecture Series.

But Davide said they would try to resolve the constitutional issue on the e-VAT law "as soon as possible."

"We are coming with it as soon as possible (because) this is a matter of public interest," Davide said, adding that they are halfway in the deliberations.

A source told INQ7.net on Tuesday that the high court deferred its decision after justices for and against the e-VAT extended their discussions.

The Supreme Court was supposed to have issued a ruling Tuesday.

Last July, the high tribunal stopped the government from implementing the e-VAT law after several lawmakers questioned its constitutionality.

Among the issues raised include the "undue delegation of legislative powers to the President" and the alleged "insertions" and "deletions" of some provisions in the bicameral conference committee that had not been tackled by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

FBI Snub

FBI turns down request to authenticate wiretapped tapes

Margaux Ortiz
Inquirer News Service

THE FEDERAL Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has turned down the request of Congress to have the controversial wiretapped recordings examined and authenticated at its laboratory.

In a letter to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo Wycoco, US Embassy Legal Attaché Stephen Cutler said: "It is the policy of the FBI laboratory to decline examination of materials that have been the subject of previous examination by other laboratories and scientists."

"We understand that the tapes, on which an examination is requested, have already been examined by other laboratories," Cutler said in his August 19 letter.

The House committee on public order and safety had written the NBI last August 16, asking the bureau to assist it in requesting the FBI to authenticate the alleged wiretapped compact discs and audio cassettes.

The controversial recordings allegedly caught former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo discussing ways to ensure an Arroyo victory in the 2004 presidential polls.

Tax Drop

Finance dept wants probe on drop in cigarette tax take

Inquirer News Service

THE law raising taxes on tobacco and alcoholic products has failed to meet the government's revenue expectations in the first half, prompting the Department of Finance to call for an investigation into the weak collections from tobacco manufacturers.

Instead of rising with the increased tax rates imposed by the new law, excise tax collections dropped 7.39 percent in the January-June period to P10.5 billion from P11.3 billion in the same months last year, according to documents from the department.

The collection of excise tax from cigarette firms in the six months fell short of the government's forecast of P11.34 billion.

On alcoholic beverages, collection of the increased excise tax reached P9.06 billion, compared with the government-set target of P8.6 billion. But in June, the government collected only P1.3 billion, 8.12 percent lower than the P1.4-billion target for the month.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said he would order the Bureau of Internal Revenue to make an inquiry to explain the drop in collection despite the increase in the tax rates.

The bureau said it had started monitoring the production volumes of cigarette and alcohol companies to check the accuracy of their excise tax remittances.

It said it had come up with a new technology that would electronically record the volume of products being released from cigarette and alcohol factories. Michelle V. Remo, with INQ7.net

CAP Blues

CAP negotiating with two prospective foreign investors
Elizabeth L. Sanchez
Inquirer News Service

PRE-NEED firm College Assurance Plan Philippines Inc. (CAP) said it was in talks with two prospective investors that might infuse fresh capital that is deemed crucial in its financial recovery program.

CAP said it had also finalized a proposed capital build-up program involving P20.9 billion in trust fund assets over eight years.

The company said it was "now seriously negotiating" with St. Augustine Humanitarian Foundation on an infusion of $4 million a year over the next five years.

It added it was in "serious negotiations" with an unnamed investor that would infuse up to $100 million if CAP could get a dealer's license -- its permit to operate -- which the Securities and Exchange Commission suspended in August last year.

The information is contained in the CAP's reply to an SEC show-cause order threatening administrative sanctions and formation of a management committee to take the company over.

An Inquirer source familiar with the negotiations said St. Augustine Humanitarian Foundation was based in Rome and a part of an "old and rich group willing to support worthy causes."

Under its proposed recovery plan, CAP expects to build up its trust fund assets through infusion of P6.72 billion in equity, accumulation of discounts on its holdings of Metro Rail Transit bonds worth P2.52 billion, and use of proceeds of development and sale of real estate assets.

The real estate assets include the Canyon Woods residential resort in Tagaytay City and the Harbour Town development project in Nasugbu town in the province of Batangas, just south of Manila. Expansion of the Manila Southwoods subdivision is also expected to raise additional P2.64 billion.

In its 40-page reply to the SEC order, CAP is asking the commission to hold off imposition of administrative sanctions, abandon a plan to create a management committee for CAP and to restore its dealer's license.

It said that without its dealer's license it was impossible for it to complete negotiations with potential strategic investors.

It added that a management takeover could only lead to its liquidation, at the expense of its more than 700,000 plan holders.

CAP said the SEC had no authority to form a management committee since its quasi-judicial authority had been transferred to the regular courts.

CAP was incorporated in 1980 as a pre-need company designed to help Filipino families pay for the education of its children. With INQ7.net

Viva VoIP

NTC declares VoIP as value added service

Erwin Lemuel Oliva eoliva@inq7.net
INQ7.net

THE NATIONAL Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved on Tuesday the final guidelines deregulating commercial voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services in the Philippines.

"We already signed the memorandum circular this afternoon. So we now have the final guidelines ready. Basically, we just reiterated what we have said earlier that VoIP is a value-added service. But we've added some few points to support our position," NTC Deputy Commissioner Jorge Sarmiento told INQ7.net.

This was after months of deliberation and heated public debates both at the NTC and the Philippine Congress.

Sarmiento said the NTD guidelines will become effective 15 days after it is published in a generally-circulated newspaper.

NTC's decision to deregulate commercial VoIP services in the country follows after mounting pressure from government, as well as the industry, in particular the Internet service providers.

VoIP routes phone calls through the Internet instead of through traditional public switched telephone networks. Its lower cost has made it a popular alternative to traditional voice calls.

The rules would now identify parties that are allowed to offer VoIP services, as well as standard agreements between telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers (ISPs) regarding service performance standards, interconnection charges, access costs, as well as consumer security and privacy.

Sarmiento said that NTC has followed its earlier position that VoIP is a value-added service instead of a regular voice service, which under the law is covered by the Telecommunications Act.

This was the primary contention that fueled the debates between the carriers and local ISPs.

VoIP is turning out to be a cheaper communications alternative to the public, and it can provide additional communication services not commonly found in traditional voice services.

The National Economic Development Authority has pushed for the deregulation of VoIP services in the country, saying that this would decrease government spending on telecommunications.