Cebu local news (daily update)

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Proposal’s no joke, says Rama, but defers details

AMID questions on how the Cebu City Government can fund the proposal of an P11.8-billion budget for 2012, Mayor Michael Rama said he will answer questions at the appropriate time: the budget hearing.

“I will leave the matter to the Cebu City Council when the budget hearing will come because this matter did not come from just anywhere, it was being discussed in the executive budget,” said Rama.Rama also cautioned Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young against prejudging the budget and calling it a “joke.”

Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) has joined Young in calling the budget a “joke.”

The former mayor, though, expressed trust in the council, whose members, including Mayor Rama’s nephew Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr., are all members of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

“The council is capable of sorting it out,” said Osmeña, whose wife, Councilor Margarita Osmeña, chairs the committee on budget and finance.

Among the fund sources listed is income from various economic enterprises, which amount to P4 billion. However, the proposal did not enumerate these economic enterprises.

According to the City’s Statement of Monthly Revenue Collections, there are seven economic enterprises in the City: the Market Authority, Cebu City Abattoir, Fort San Pedro, Cebu City Zoo, City Condominium, Tubig Project and Cebu City Medical Center.

These seven enterprises have earned a total of close to P111 million from January to Oct. 15, 2011.

Revenues

Regulatory fees from the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), City Health Department, Office of the City Civil Registrar and the Cebu Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (Ceset) have earned for the City P71.3 million for the same months.

Receipts from the sale of the South Road Properties (SRP) have earned the City close to P700 million.

“We’ll just wait if it will be approved or disapproved,” said Rama.

The essence of the “balanced, adequate, responsive and effective” or bare budget is that it will have a big coverage, he said.

The mayor, though, hopes he will not have to raise taxes to support the 2012 budget.

Tax mapping

He will implement the projects of former city treasurer Ofelia Oliva, now his financial adviser, particularly on revalidation and tax mapping, which will re-assess real property and business taxes in Cebu City.

Rama also said he wants to involve councilors in the City’s fiscal management.

Osmeña also criticized Rama for preparing a budget without appropriations for possible obligations such as payment for the road lot owned by the heirs of Fr.
Vicente Rallos, the Roque Ting property at the South Road Properties (SRP) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue obligations from SRP.

Osmeña clarified he is not asking the City to pay, but that there should be ready appropriations.

Rama, for his part, said he still hopes President Benigno Aquino III would be able to help the entire Cebu Province on the issue of water.

When he first had a chance to air Cebu City’s problems to the President, Rama remembered that President Aquino was open to help not just the City but the entire Province on the problem of water.

Rama might revive the Carmen Water Bulk Project to meet the water demand of Cebu City, particularly those in the mountain barangays.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 19, 2011.

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Mayor, workers face graft plaint

SAN Fernando Mayor Antonio Canoy and six other municipal hall workers are facing criminal and administrative charges before the anti-graft office over the allegedly
illegal demolition of houses in Barangay North Poblacion last Sept. 20.

Lourdes Cadillero and Phoebe Rose Guzon asked Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol to investigate Mayor Canoy, his executive assistant Rey Canoy,
municipal engineer Simeon Lauronal and municipal employees Mariano Balduman, Pepito Panedo, Clivin Loquez and Gil Villariasa.Cadillero and Guzon filed complaints for robbery, malicious mischief, grave misconduct and abuse of authority against the town officials and employees before the Visayas Ombudsman last Oct. 11.

The Commission on Human Rights assisted the complainants in executing their affidavits with the anti-graft body.

In her affidavit, Cadillero said she was in Minglanilla town buying supplies for her sari-sari store on Sept. 20 when her niece called and told her that their house was being demolished.

Cadillero’s house was allegedly demolished after she ignored three notices of
demolition the local government sent her.

The complainant did not elaborate in her complaint the reason she was ordered to vacate the premises.

Stopped

When told of the demolition, Cadillero said she immediately returned home and saw some San Fernando town workers, a village watchman and police officer demolishing her house.

Cadillero said the demolition was only stopped when a councilor arrived and ordered the demolition team to stop as they allegedly failed to show any court order.

But her ordeal did not end that day. The following day, Cadillero said the municipal
employees returned and resumed the demolition.

The demolition team members allegedly confiscated some of her belongings, including items inside her sari-sari store and her store’s income amounting to P5,000.

Cadillero said the demolition team brought some of her belongings to the town’s sports complex but no list or inventory was given to her.

She said her house was demolished even though she did not get a copy of the demolition notice from the mayor. She added that she was also not offered a relocation site.

Cadillero’s niece, Guzon, also executed an affidavit supporting her allegations.

Guzon, who was tending her aunt’s store, said she took photos of the demolition team while they were destroying her aunt’s house.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 19, 2011.

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Guv visits, consoles lone survivor of shooting

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia visited the wake of the couple Emmanuel and Melinda Ponce and their three children yesterday and offered words of comfort for the family’s only surviving member.

Garcia gave Embrelaince, 13, her rosary beads that were blessed by Pope Benedict XVI. She also gave the youngest Ponce a mass card.“I think there’s nothing more I could give her …. I asked her to pray. What more can you tell someone who is undergoing such terrible sorrow?” the governor said.

Garcia and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale arrived at St. Peter Chapels in Imus, Cebu City, where the wake for Embrelaince’s parents and siblings is held.

Emmanuel shot and killed his wife Melinda and children Elaine Grace, 26; Heather Joy, 24; and Emlin Bridge, 18; and their househelp Anastacia Deriga, 34, before killing himself with the same gun last Sunday morning.

The governor also gave Embrelaince her private number.

“I gave her my number and told her if she needs anything, if she needs me, she can call me anytime,” the governor said in an ambush interview outside the St. Peter Chapels.

Social worker Loida Makiling said relatives of Embrelaince have yet to discuss who will act as the child’s guardian.

Makiling, who is helping Embrelaince, said the matter will be discussed after the burial of the family.

Makiling, in an interview over TV Patrol, said social workers continue observing the condition of Embrelaince. She said the girl was calm yesterday.

The social worker from Talisay City said Embrelaince showed fair treatment to the relatives of her parents.

“She is close to relatives both from her mother and father’s side,” Makiling said in Cebuano.

She said Embrelaince told her relatives that she does not want her father to be buried separately from her mother and siblings. The family will be buried in Sorsogon.

Smart

Makiling said the relatives respected the girl’s decision.

The social worker described Embrelaince as smart and capable of deciding on matters
related to her family.

“But she wanted time to decide,” Makiling said in Cebuano.

Makiling added they will assess the girl’s readiness to go back to school. She said they will also assess if Embrelaince needs psychosocial interventions.

Magpale, on the other hand, revealed that she had a meeting with Talisay City and regional social workers assigned to Embrelaince.

The vice governor declined to give details of the meeting, but said the social workers asked for legal advice.

“The social workers are overwhelmed by the possible role that they might play, so they consulted a lawyer,” said Magpale. “But so far, everything is manageable.”

Magpale said the Provincial Women’s Commission, which she co-chairs with the governor, has a technical group composed of lawyers, doctors and child psychologists, among others.

The vice governor described Embrelaince as “very strong and mature for her age.”
Still, she said, she hoped the girl would not be burdened with big decisions.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 19, 2011.

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Lawyer hits City’s workout plan

A LAWYER criticized the plan of the Cebu City Government to use taxpayers’ money for workout sessions in the gym of elected officials instead of extending this to provide essential services and helping displaced “environmental refugees.”

“Please consider the legality and morality of your action,” said Gloria Estenzo-Ramos in a letter addressed to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Joy Young and the Cebu City Council.“The workout in the gym might be a privilege that corporations do give to employees.

For a local government unit in a developing country like ours, however, every centavo is needed to deliver the essential services to our people and in helping our growing number of displaced environmental refugees,” she added.

Ramos, a Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc. co-founder and a University of Cebu law professor, was referring to the City Council resolution authorizing Rama to sign a contract with the Cebu Holiday Gym and Spa for the annual membership of the 20 city officials, amounting to P360,000.

Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III defended the proposal, saying the amount is reasonable.

Daluz said it is only right that the City Government invests P360,000 in the health of elected city officials, including the mayor, vice mayor and the councilors.

He said just as the City invests on the health of its employees and constituents, it should also ensure that “officials have sound mind and body.”

If it can spend P5 million a year for the City Hall Olympics and P30 to P50 million a year for the sports program of the barangays, the City can also spend P360,000 for
the health program of the officials, he said.

“I think it’s also necessary to invest in the health of the officials. This is a mentally draining job because we craft policies and plan the future of the City, kinahanglan sad tingali ni namo (maybe we also need this) to be fit. I hope the people will also understand that it’s not too much. I believe it’s a reasonable expense,” Daluz said.

But Ramos said the proposal might be misconstrued as “thoughtless extravagance” at a time of “acute public want.”

“Is it so difficult to shell out P18,000 from your own pocket?” said Ramos.

“As our public officials, you know and realize how poor your constituents are,” she said.

“The P360,000 that will be spent for your workout will go a long way in providing school supplies for the children, maintain shelters and even protective gears for the garbage collectors, among so many others,” she added.

Ramos challenged the city officials to set an example for the youth by biking and walking in the city streets as a form of exercise.

She said that by doing so they would have a chance to see the state of the streets and sidewalks in the city and to “hopefully act to ensure public safety and comfort.”

The workout package includes use of the fitness gym, boxing gym, swimming pool, jogging track, and sauna, among others.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 19, 2011.

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Casiño of Bayan Muna alarmed by ‘hate crimes’ against gay

BAYAN Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño has expressed alarm over the recent attacks on gays in Cebu.

In a statement, the congressman condemned the recent killing of a 50-year-old gay man in Minglanilla, Cebu and the pellet gun attacks on gays in Cebu City.He lamented that gays have become targets of hate crimes all over the country.

“It is indeed deplorable that some individuals or groups cannot get over their prejudices and hate and go to the extent of harming and even killing people for being gay,” he said.

“This is the type of mentality that we should condemn and act against,” added Casiño.

He called on the police in Cebu to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attacks.

“This is not an ordinary crime, as it is apparently motivated by sheer prejudice and hate,” said Casiño.

Casiño is the author of House Bill 1483 or An Act Defining Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

The bill seeks to define and penalize what are considered discriminatory acts against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs).

Casiño is also the author of House Resolution 1432, which directs the House Committee on Human Rights to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reported killings and hate crimes against LGBTs.

Casiño said hating and hurting people just because they have a different sexual orientation or gender identity is just the same as hating them based on religion, political belief, race or ***.

Last Oct. 13, gays in Cebu City complained in two police stations after men on board
a white car with no license plate shot them with a pellet gun.

The following day, the remains of 50-year-old Alberto Navarro was found buried underneath an abandoned house in Barangay Linao in the southern town of Minglanilla.

A tricycle driver named Richard Mandal, who was allegedly a boyfriend of Navarro, admitted to the crime.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 19, 2011.

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2 Cebu flyovers deferred

CEBU CITY -- The nuns prayed, the business owners made tarpaulins, the youth spread the word on social networking websites, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) listened.

Two Cebu flyovers were temporarily deferred as a result of a memorandum signed by Romeo Momo, undersecretary for regional operations of the DPWH Central Office.“This refers to the proposed construction of two flyover projects in Cebu City, where several groups and stakeholders, including the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) executive committee, have registered their concerns and opposition to these projects,” the memo addressed to DPWH Central Visayas Director Pedro Herrera Jr. read.“You are advised to hold in abeyance the implementation of these projects until such time that this issue will be resolved,” the letter read.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Citom Board Chairman Sylvan Jakosalem called this a temporary victory, while Representative Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) said the flyover projects can withstand scrutiny.

“There is so much noise being made about this and Manila wants to hear what this is all about. It’s good to hear feedback from both sides, so let’s go ahead with the public hearing,” said Osmeña. “We’re not trying to hide anything.”

Rama and Citom are against the flyovers while Osmeña, his north district counterpart Representative Rachel Marguerite del Mar and the Cebu City Council are for the implementation of the flyovers on Gorordo and M.J. Cuenco Aves.

Opportunity

Representatives from various organizations said the order gives everyone the time to hold consultation meetings, which were allegedly not conducted. It also gives the government a chance to come up with a proposal to address issues such as accessibility of motor vehicles, heritage conservation, and traffic congestion.

“The Movement for a Livable Cebu, formerly known as the Stop Cebu Flyovers Movement, is glad to learn about the hold order,” said group co-convenor Joel Lee in a press statement.

“For a time, we were starting to believe that our concerns regarding these projects were of no importance to the heads of government offices, and we surely feel a sense of relief that our voices have been considered,” he said.

Congresswoman del Mar, who arranged for the P600-million fund for both flyovers, declined to answer a text message and call from Sun.Star Cebu.

During a meeting of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) last Monday, del Mar also refused to talk about the flyovers, and only thanked Osmeña for defending the projects.

Arguments

In that meeting, Osmeña defended the flyovers and said that Mayor Rama only wants to get hold of the P600-million fund to pay for projects that will benefit him politically.

The memorandum was signed last October 7.

Jakosalem believes the DPWH listened to Citom because it is an official department on traffic management.

“It is not a civic group or religious group and in our resolution, our main point was simple and we did not mention environmental impact, master plan and historical (grounds),” said Jakosalem.

Opposition to the flyover on Gorordo Ave. has been more vocal, and includes nuns from the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Asilo dela Milagrosa Church and Perpetual Succor Hospital.

“I don’t have to highlight this temporary victory but we have to highlight the people that stood against (the flyovers) and that’s victory in a way,” said Mayor Rama. He said he was “very happy” about President Benigno Aquino III’s “listening ears.”

Rama previously wrote President Aquino about opposition to building the flyovers without having the roads widened first. The Citom board passed a resolution citing technicalities that would make the flyovers not feasible.

For the Gorordo Flyover, the main objection by Citom was that both ends of the flyovers would meet an intersection about 200 meters away, Escario-Gorordo on one end and Gen. Maxilom–Gorordo on the other.

This will still slow down traffic.

Hearing

For M.J. Cuenco, the main contention was that Imus Road is a six to eight–lane road that will be funneled by a two-lane flyover and will end in the narrow Hipodromo road, an access road to Ayala Center Cebu.

Rama also said that the technical working group (TWG) formed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) Central Visayas, which he chairs, is already revisiting the two flyover projects.

Jakosalem co-chairs the group and said they are expected to submit a report by November.

Osmeña, for his part, said he is willing to stand up for the projects during the public hearing.

Osmeña admitted it was not polite for him to say that the Asilo dela Milagrosa should just sell its property.

The congressman said he will ask the Asilo nuns “serious questions” during the public hearing, like why they seem to be concerned with the property that will be encroached on by the flyover, and not the fate of 17 orphans who should not be raised in uptown Cebu.

DPWH Central Visayas and del Mar already assured Asilo its property will not be affected by the flyover.

There were about 30 comments on the Facebook pages of Citom Board and the Stop Cebu Flyovers Movement when both posted a copy of the DPWH memorandum.

Suspension

One called it a first round win for Cebu City constituents, while many congratulated Citom for the temporary stoppage.

“Let’s just hope for the best and continue to be vigilant. For all you know, something may also be brewing on the other side of the fence,” one comment read.

Copies of Undersecretary Momo’s memo were sent to lawyer Rafael Christopher Yap, Citom acting department head; Mayor Rama; and Congressman Osmeña.

DPWH Central Visayas Assistant Regional Director Juby Cordon said the bidding has not yet been conducted for the M.J. Cuenco Ave. flyover. For the Gorordo project, however, a notice of award was already issued to WTG Construction.

The indefinite suspension will mean WTG cannot start constructing the Gorordo flyover, despite the notice of award, Cordon said.

Despite the suspension, the possibility of raising the issue in court still lingers, said an environmental lawyer.

Lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc. co-founder, considers the hold order as “no small victory for the Cebuanos who desire a sustainable Cebu.”

“However, we will push through with the case to stop the flyover projects because the hold order is uncertain and because the institutions and mechanisms for genuine public participation need to be in place,” she added.

Consultation

In an interview, Cebu Association of Tour Operators spokesperson Alice Queblatin said the group values the image of Cebu as a tourist destination and noted the international recognition of Cebu City as a “City of Culture.”

“I think it is best that all groups should be invited in a consultation meeting. We should sit down and go beyond the flyovers,” said Queblatin.

“This could be a wake-up call. Before, only the businessmen expressed concern; now there is the need for a heritage plan,” she added.

Interviewed separately, Church Heritage Commission member Louella Alix pointed out that the Asilo de Milagrosa is considered a heritage structure because it is more than 50 years old.

The church was built in 1934 and survived the war when the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the Sto. Niño Basilica were bombed.

Alix, who with husband Rudy owns a store along Gorordo Ave., told Sun.Star Cebu that in terms of architectural design, the Asilo church is the only one left in Cebu with an untouched Gothic design.

Plan

“Through the years, the integrity of design was not compromised, which makes it more precious,” she added. Renovation work was done on the church, but this was to install a temporary extended roof, just to keep the rain away.

Queblatin and Alix said they are not against the construction of flyovers.

But they believe these should be constructed in “proper places” and in accordance to a master plan, which the Cebu City Government should formulate.

“Let’s re-think: how would you like Cebu to look and how should traffic flow?” said Queblatin.

Lee, a businessman, said the master plan should include a technical design for the implementation of a mass transit system on road and on the Mactan Channel, “true sidewalks,” bike lanes and public green spaces.

“(The government should) take necessary steps to direct the fund allocation for the flyovers for urgent infrastructure issues in Cebu, possibly addressing drainage and flooding solutions,” he said. (With Bernadette A. Parco of Sun.Star Cebu)

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 19, 2011.

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FLYOVER PROJECTS SUSPENDED 10/19/2011


DPWH wants resolution of complaints; hearing on Oct. 28


Opponents of two flyover projects in Cebu City scored a minor victory after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ordered to suspend its implementation.

In a memorandum signed by DPWH undersecretary for regional operations Romeo Momo, the regional DPWH-7 office was told to suspend the two flyover projects until the concerns of opposition groups were resolved.

Anti-flyover opponents like the Movement for Liveable Cebu (MLC) and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama welcomed the DPWH decision, a sentiment shared by flyover proponents.

Former congressman Raul del Mar and Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district said the suspension will give them a chance to clear issues on the projects.

The DPWH letter dated Oct. 7 cited the opposition of stakeholders on the flyover project to be built near the Asilo dela Milagrosa Church at the intersection of Gorordo Avenue and Archbishop Street.

Another flyover project is planned near the Carreta cemetery on M.J. Cuenco Avenue and General Maxilom intersection.

“In view thereof, you are advised to hold in abeyance the implementation of these projects until such time that this issue will be resolved,” Momo told DPWH-7 director Pedro Herrera Jr.

The stakeholders asked the government to conduct a Metro Cebu traffic master plan to identify both short- term and long-term solutions to the traffic problems in the city.

Traffic impact

Last July, Rama wrote a letter addressed to the DPWH detailing his objections to the flyover projects.

He said other solutions like road widening and flared intersections should be pursued instead.

Rama also lobbied to update a 1970s Metro Cebu transport study.

The two new flyovers were proposed by the elder Del Mar and were now being lobbied by his successor and daughter Rep. Cutie del Mar of Cebu City’s north district.

Copies of the letter were sent to Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), Rama and Rep. Osmeña.

A copy of a resolution by Citom dated Sept. 8 reiterated its opposition to the flyover projects.

The Citom resolution said DPWH-7 officials admitted in a forum last Aug. 26 that they didn’t consider the traffic impact on the adjacent intersections.

“Citom’s concern was very specific in mentioning the proximity of each end of flyovers to the next busy intersection… We did not even mention master plan, environment (impact),” said Citom chairman Sylvan Jakosalem.

‘Listening ears’

Joel Lee, spokesman of the Movement for Liveable Cities, said they were relieved that their concerns were being considered by the government.

In a statement posted on the group’s Facebook page, Lee said they are willing to work with government to help find short-term solutions to Cebu City’s traffic congestion.

Lee also called for a “participatory visioning exercise” that will draft the traffic and transport master plan among all sectors of the community.

He said they envision a mass transit system of roads, ample pedestrian and bike lanes, wide green space and interconnected small parks in Cebu City.

Rama said the DPWH suspension of the flyover projects was proof that President Benigno Aquino III has “listening ears.”

Rama said he wants to meet with the Infrastructure Development Council (IDC) of the Regional Development Council to check on their study on the viability of two more flyover projects for Cebu City.

The elder Del Mar said he heard about the DPWH order from businessman Bunny Pages, who opposed the flyover projects.

Transparent

Raul said his daughter Cutie, who was in Manila on official business yesterday, also requested the DPWH to delay the flyover construction until after the Asilo dela Milagrosa fiesta celebration on Nov. 18 to 27.

He said DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson intends to visit Cebu to hold a public hearing on the projects on Oct. 28.

“I think DPWH wanted to get all the inputs, then they will have to decide because there can't be continuous dialogue,” Raul told Cebu Daily News.

Del Mar said he is confident that the DPWH would see the logic of having flyover projects in Cebu City.

Osmeña said the suspension will give more time for discussion and correct “misinformation” on the projects.

“Manila wants to be sure so it’s okay. We are not hiding anything and Manila wanted to be transparent so it’s okay,” he said.

While he supports calls for a master plan, Osmeña said it is always subject to change especially when funding is scarce.

Osmeña said Rama opposed the flyovers because he wanted to secure the funding for his own projects.

Dismay

He said flyover opponents like Pages and Lee are Rama’s alter egos who have their own interest to protect.

“Let them come out and speak their mind and we will answer that,” said Osmeña.

Osmeña said he also experienced opposition on the South Road Properties (SRP) from his cousin and former senator John Osmeña.

The congressman also expressed dismay on the Asilo dela Milagrosa nuns.

Osmeña said when he made the proposal to sell the 11,000-sq.-meter Asilo lot donated to them by the Aboitiz family that was valued at P200 million, he wanted to know how well the nuns care for the 200 orphans under their care.

Instead, Osmeña said he was disappointed to hear the nuns express concern on how the flyover project would affect their fence and rock garden.

“Maybe I should not have said it but I wanted the people to understand. I thought the nuns cared about the orphans but I was wrong,” he said.

The congressman said while the property is tax exempt, the eight nuns running the facility barely helped the orphans.

He said the Asilo lot may be put to better use if taxes are collected from it and the city spends collected taxes on community scouts for the 200 children.

Osmeña said he wanted to raise the matter during the Oct. 28 public hearing. /By Marian Z. Codilla Candeze R. Mongaya and Doris C. Bongcac

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Ember to stay in Ponce home family burial set in Sorsogon 10/19/2011




The family of lone massacre survivor Embrelaince Therjoy “Ember” Ponce will be buried in Sorsogon province, her relatives said yesterday.

In an interview, Mikael Billones, Ember’s 27-year-old cousin, said Ember also wanted to stay at the family home in Palm View Village in barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, after her family's burial

Aside from Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, visitors to the wake of the Ponce family were restricted to Ember’s relatives and classmates.

Two policemen were stationed outside the St. Peter’s Funeral Homes where Ember’s father Emmanuel, her mother Melinda and her three siblings and maid lie in wake.

Paul Redula, Ember’s 26-year-old uncle, said they were informed by the Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7) about the deployment of their personnel at the funeral homes in Imus Avenue, Cebu City.

A group of Ember's classmates also visited her family's wake.

Mikael said Ember's relatives met last night to decide what to do with her.

He said Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Julian Daan promised to provide legal assistance on the “properties” to be inherited by Ember.

Mikael said the tension between the relatives of both Emmanuel and Melinda is understandable owing to the circumstances behind the massacre.

Thelma Billones, Ember's aunt on her father’s side, said they and Ember agreed to have her family buried in Sorsogon province.

“They will be shipped in Sorsogon this Saturday. Perhaps they will have a wake for two days before they will be buried,” Thelma said.

She said Melinda's relatives apologized to them when they decided to hold Emmanuel's wake in a different chapel before.

“They said before that they wanted to place Emmanuel in a separate chapel because they just want to take care of Melinda. But we're okay now,” Thelma said.

Thelma said Ember didn’t go home and just slept in the chapel.

Anastacia Deniega, the 34-year-old maid who also died in the massacre, will be buried in Talisay City today.

“Her husband does not agree to have her buried in Negros Occidental. Our mother already knew about what happened and she will arrive today (Wedenesday),” Anastacia's elder brother Talino Segara said.

At 4 p.m, Governor Garcia visited the wake and condoled with Ember, giving the child her personal rosary beads and a large white envelope containing a “Mass card.”

“What more can we tell someone who is undergoing such terrible, terrible sorrow so my only consolation is just to pray. Ask her to pray,” she said.

The governor said the rosary beads she gave to Ember were blessed by the pope.

She also gave her own number so that Ember could contact her when she wants.

Magpale talked with Ember before Garcia’s arrival.

For their part, the Cebu Archdiocese said the Ponce family massacre was a result of strained family relations caused by years of working abroad by the father.

“For me, as a member of the Family and Life apostolate, this is a challenge for all of us. We should all help families, especially those whose members work far away,” said Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer.

Dakay said years of physical and emotional distance has affected the couple's relationship and by extension towards their family.

“The idea of OFWs has already become like an institution. It supposedly helps our unemployed couples work abroad. But we all know that it causes more harm than benefits to the family,” he told Cebu Daily News.

Dakay said while he's not totally against overseas work, he hopes that it would be minimized.

This way, family members can work on their relationships by spending more time with each other, he said.

Dakay said the government should strive to generate jobs so that citizens aren't forced to look for work abroad.

“The church can't do it alone. That's why we call out for help from other groups,” Dakay said.

For those who seek overseas employment, Dakay said private institutions and nongovernment organizations should help advocate the preservation of families and healthy marriages. /By Rhea Ruth V. Rosell and Patricia Andrea Pateña, Correspondents with Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus and Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya

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Amnesty allowed pa to get pistol 10/19/2011



A GUN amnesty program may have enabled former seaman Emmanuel Ponce to acquire his .45 pistol despite reports that he suffered from a mental illness.

Senior Supt. Louie Oppus, deputy regional director for operation of the Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7), said the 2009 amnesty program exempted applicants from passing a neuro examination to determine their mental fitness.

Oppus said the same requirement will also be waived for an applicant if he or she is a member of a gun club.

He said they have yet to verify when Ponce secured his gun license.

Oppus said they learned that Ponce’s license expires in year 2013.

The police official said civilians could only possess a .38 revolver or other handguns of similar or lower firepower.

In yesterday’s 888 forum Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7) chief, said they ordered their Firearms and Explosives Security Agencies Guards Supervision Section (FESAGS) to impose restrictions on acquiring gun licenses.

Garbo also said they deployed police personnel to secure the wake of the Ponce family in the St. Peter’s Funeral Homes at the request of Melinda Ponce’s relatives.

Garbo said domestic dispute cases can always be referred to their Children and Women's Protection Desk for resolution.

Elsewhere social workers said they didn't notice any signs of unusual behaviour on 13-year-old Embrelaince “Ember” Therjoy Ponce, lone survivor of last Sunday's family massacre in Palm View Village, barangay Tabunok in Talisay City.

Provincial social worker Clavel Saycon said Ember remains sociable and is coping well despite the loss of her family.

“She is still surrounded by a lot of people, so she's not feeling lonely. After her family will be buried she will feel sad and lonely because she won't see them anymore. That would be her most vulnerbale state,” said Saycon.

Ember was warned by her father Emmanuel Ponce to leave the house before he shot his wife Melinda, her siblings and their maid.

Saycon said they will talk with Ember's relatives after the burial.

She said they asked Ember's relatives to set aside their differences and support her instead.

Saycon said Social Weflare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman asked for updates on Ember's situation. /By Chito O. Aragon and Candeze R. Mongaya with Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc

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Prosecutors, lawyers plan for Ellah case 10/19/2011




THE Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office will convene today to map their presentation in the Ellah Joy Pique homicide case.

“We will arrange how the evidence will be presented. We also have to anticipate the filing of a petition for bail,” said Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba.

The prosecutors will be joined by lawyers of the Children's Legal Bureau (CLB) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) in the case.

The lawyers for homicide suspect Bella Ruby Santos plan to petition the court to allow her to post bail.

Under the 1987 Constitution, a suspect has the right to bail unless he or she is charged with a capital offense where evidence of guilt is strong.

Santos is facing charges of kidnapping with homicide in relation to the death of 6-year-old Ellah Joy Pique last Feb. 8.

Petralba advised Ellah Joy's father Renante to take courage as trial against Santos starts.

“He (Renante) has to be strong. He has to know that not all people will sympathize with him,” Petralba said.

The case conference of the prosecution is set at 2 p.m. either at the Regional State Prosecutors' Office or the Cebu Provincial Prosecutors' Office.

The Task Force Ellah Joy Pique yesterday asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to secure their witnesses under their witness protection program.

The task force said one of their witnesses claimed to have been offered P500,000 from someone to recant the statements against Santos and her British partner Ian Charles Griffiths.

Three other “vital witnesses” were also reportedly bribed to drop their testimonies against the accused. /Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol