Cebu local news (daily update)

[marqi_20]

Rama mulls hiking taxes to raise P11.8-B budget 10/19/2011




Aside from intensifying tax collection and selling lots of the South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is considering to adjust taxes to raise the P11.8-billion budget he targets for next year.

“I hope that there will not be (a need to increase taxes), but if there will be, there is a responsibility of the LGU to also do extra delivery of basic services,” Rama said.

Former mayor and Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City's south district said the mayor's 2012 budget is a “joke” like one that would typically come from a “trapo” (traditional politician).

He said the city failed to hit P4.6 billion in revenue this year.

The former mayor also accused the Rama administration of lack of transparency.

The executive department has identified its economic enterprises as source of at least P4 billion in revenues while a credit line of P2 billion would have to be opened with a city hall depository bank to help fund next year's budget.

At least P1 billion in lot sales is also being eyed for the budget and about P4.7 billion to be raised from taxes and other sources.

When asked what are the city's economic enterprises, Rama said he would defend the budget when the council calls for a budget hearing.

“These are things which are also discussed in the executive body,” he said.

He said even discussions on the proposed sales of government properties “will be ventilated at the proper time.”

Rama said before he submitted his draft 2012 budget, he was confident that the revenue projects made by the City Treasurers Office “can happen”.

“He (Rama) just wanted to sell anything and everything (that he could sell),” said Osmeña.

Plans to open a credit line was also a means to “cheat” on the Cebuanos and make them believe that the city has funds to spend.

“It's cheating, you borrow money and you let the future mayor pay,” said Osmeña.

The congressman said he now wonders what happened to the proceeds from the sales of SRP lots, which he made to SM Prime Holdings and Filinvest.

He said his administration only received 30 percent of the actual cost while the rest of the money is now being received by the Rama administration.

The city does not also have economic enterprises to speak of, said Osmeña.

He said “he (Rama) just wanted to sell the SRP.”

Osmena said any wise manager would limit his expenditures on what he is capable of earning.

This was the reason why he adopted “a skin and bones budget” when he was still mayor.

“It's an innovative budget process which I invented. It is designed so you can't spend more than what you can earn. That (budget) is also easier for the council to scrutinize,” he said.

However, Osmeña said under the Rama administration, “everything is bloated,” an indication of lack of financial control.

Rama said he is proposing the P11.8-billion budget with hopes to fund all the city's needs next year.

But if the need arises, he would still propose for a supplemental budget to be passed.

“SB is always a thing that can happen along the way if there are circumstances that may occur,” said Rama.

He said there are also government assets like the SRP, which they could dispose to earn revenues. /By Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters with Correspondent Edison delos Angeles

[marqi_20]

Cop chief to tap private sector help for police 10/19/2011




CHINESE businessmen in Cebu will donate P100,000 for a police barracks in Sibonga town, the newly appointed chief of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) said yesterday.

“We will look for other alternatives to address the “lack of resources” problem in Cebu,” said Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, PRO-7 chief, in yesterday's 888 News Forum.

The Chinese businessmen were old friends of his, Garbo said.

Budget constraints have forced the PNP and other government agencies to look for funding from the private sector.

“All agencies of the government have limited resources. I admit that we have lacking personnel, logistics, and financial resources,” he said.

Garbo said the PNP is trying to recruit 10,000 trainees every year to beef up their personnel in the country.

He said the national government will provide 12 Isuzu pickup vehicles for the region next week.

The PRO-7 chief said he wants to standardize the training facilities for trainees and he will tap assistance from friends in the private sector along with the local government.

Garbo said while he may be asking assistance from businessmen, this will not affect the police's operations against the influential in Cebu who may be involved in drug-trafficking and other criminal activities.

“I believe in good governance. The police should follow the rules of PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency). My personal view is, I don't want the police to operate in illegal drugs. I choose whom to ask for assistance. I have good intentions.” Garbo said. /Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell

[marqi_20]

Capitol agrees to route, as Tomas hits Ciudad 10/19/2011




While the Capitol agreed to Cebu City Hall's request to open the Capitol compound for a temporary diversion route, Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City's south district sought to block the Capitol's Ciudad project.

Garcia yesterday met with City Traffic Office Management (Citom) head Rafael Yap, Citom chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem and Capitol consultant on Security Cesar Veloso to discuss the rerouting issue along the compound.

On the same day, Osmeña asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) to suspend processing of an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) to Fifth Avenue Development Corp., Ciudad project developer.

Osmeña told DENR-7 director Max Dichoso that there is a pending case on the project and approval of Fifth Avenue's application for ECC may preempt any court decision on the case.

The congressman also pointed out that there is a national law that limits the use of Friar Lands to “public service and use” only.

Osmeña also warned DENR that City Ordinance 2193, which prohibits developments along the Ban-Tal corridor, is still in effect.

He also questioned the validity of the documents including the title that Fifth Avenue attached to their application for ECC.

But Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla said the Capitol lot located along the Ban-Tal Road, a part of which will be used for the Cuidad development, has a “clean title.”

Martinquilla clarified that although a Friar land, the title of the said property does not annotate that it could only be used for public use.

“When Capitol acquired the property, there was no condition as to its use,” he said.

Meanwhile, Garcia agrees to open the Capitol compound on certain conditions that will be defined in an agreement to be signed between Citom and Capitol.

Among the conditions is the prohibition of loading and unloading of passengers within the compound.

Traffic enforcers must also be deployed to ensure that traffic rules are followed.

Only light vehicles like jeepneys and private cars will be allowed to pass.

The road will only be accessible from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to ensure security within the Capitol compound.

After the agreement is signed, private vehicles and passenger jeepneys from Escario Street heading to M. Velez Street and Banawa area will be allowed to make a right turn to the Capitol compound road exiting through the gate at the back of the Palace of Justice. /By Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters with Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus

[marqi_20]

Spare city funds, execs ask court 10/19/2011




CEBU City Hall asked the court to stop the seizure of its funds as payment to the heirs of Rev. Fr. Vicente Rallos because this would cause “irreparable injury” to the city.

In a pleading filed in court, City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez said the subject of the notice of garnishment are government funds that have long been appropriated for government operations and social services.

“The people of the City of Cebu would be deprived of access to their basic needs and government operations will be disrupted if execution and garnishment would be effected. Thus, this calls for judicial protection,” Bernaldez said.

The city requested the court to maintain the status quo.

Bernaldez cited a Supreme Court ruling that acknowledged “that the functions and public services rendered by the state cannot be allowed to be paralyzed or disrupted by the diversion of public funds from their legitimate and specific objects as appropriated by law.”

The court earlier ruled in favor of Rallos' heirs and ordered the city government to pay the family P33 million for their lot expropriated in 1963.

The city government filed an appeal but the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court both upheld the lower court's decision.

Last month, Regional Trial Court Judge James Stewart Ramon Himalaloan of Branch 9 ordered the ex-officio sheriff to issue a writ of execution against the city government. Judge Himalaloan has yet to resolve the city's request. /Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol

[marqi_20]

Army to reassign troops from Cebu to Negros 10/19/2011




THE Central Command (Centcom) will soon withdraw its troops from Cebu after the province is declared insurgency free.

Lt. Col. Christopher Tampus, Centcom public information officer, revealed this yesterday during a Philippine Information Agency (PIA) forum.

“We will consult the local government units and make a joint task force for Region 7,” Tampus said, adding that the Capitol and other government agencies will also be consulted on the plan.

The joint task force, composed of the army, the navy and the Philippine National Police, will take over the 78th Infantry Batallion during the “transitional pullout.” The soldiers from Cebu will be assigned to other provinces in the Visayas that have ongoing insurgency problems like Negros and Samar.

Even with an insurgency-free Cebu, Tampus said they would keep the presence of the task force in Cebu to maintain peace and order.

“Cebu is the center of tourism and investments in Central Visayas. It should be peaceful and secured,” he said. /Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya

[marqi_20]

NEWS BRIEFS 10/19/2011



Third grader injured in accident


A THIRD grade student of the Talisay City Central School was hurt after being hit by the backdrop used in the Halad Inasal Festival last Saturday night.

Christian Alfred Carulasan, of Poblacion, Talisay, was brought to the Talisay City District Hospital where he was treated for head and back injuries.

Jason de Jesus, a grade 3 pupil, said they were playing inside the classroom when the incident occurred.

The backdrop that was made of plywood and steel accidentally fell on Alfred, hitting him on his head and back.

School principal Erwin Caparida asked Talisay City officials to help the boy's family pay the hospital bills. /Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc



Radaza says SALN a ‘mistake’ an honest mistake


This is how Lapu-lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza explained the discrepancies in her Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SAL) which the Office of the Ombudsman pointed our earlier. “We will have it amended as it was an honest mistake,” she told reporters.

She explained that it was her accountant who filed it and she is not used to filing her SALN separately with her husband's, Rep. Arturo Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City.

“When he was mayor, we file a joint declaration of statements but now that we're both in government service, I realized that it should be separate,” the mayor said.

She said they are not hiding anything in relation to their properties and their constituents should know the truth.

Earlier, the Ombudsman Visayas pointed our some discrepancies in Mayor Radaza's SALN.

Among these are the erased entries under the real properties category that raised the questions on whether or not she owns any buildings or real properties.

Radaza's SALN showed that she has an annual income of P1,895,000 as mayor with a net worth of P3.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2010.

Her assets are from personal properties. She did not incur any liabilities. /Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza



City Hall to drop gym contract


THE Cebu City Government will not renew its contract with the Cebu Holiday Gym and Spa as most of the councilors are not using the fitness center regularly.

The resolution allowing the city to enter into a contract with the fitness center became controversial as it only benefits the councilors and not the general public.

"If the councilors want to go there, they can pay for their use in their personal account," Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said.

He said he hardly goes to the gym as he has his massage done at home.

In a radio report, Basak San Nicolas village chief George Rama questioned the approval of the resolution.

"Maybe they are getting weak now and they want to use government funds to stay in shape,” he said.

The City Council approved P360,000 in payment for a one-year membership for the mayor, vice mayor and all 18 councilors with the Cebu Holiday Spa.

At P18,000 a year or P1,500 per month, the city council is entitled to full use of the fitness center’s facilities such as the gym, boxing ring, swimming pool, jogging track, wall climbing facilities and group exercise sessions.

They are also entitled to a free body fat analysis and fitness testing, free nutritional counseling, free use of the sauna, shower and the lockers.

They also get a discount on massage services and they only have to pay P300 instead of P450 with a 10 percent discount on other major services. The contract is valid until May 2012.

George Rama said the officials should have bought gym equipment and placed them in the Cebu City Sports Center. /Correspondent Edison delos Angeles

[marqi_20]

Gikulata, gipakumkom og baga sa mama

CEBU, Philippines - Gidakop ug gipaslak sa karsel ang usa ka 37-anyos nga inahan nga mikulata sa iyang 11-anyos nga anak nga babaye ug mipakumkom niini og baga sa duha ka mga kamot tungod kay gipasanginlan ang bata sa silingan nga nangawat.

Ang maong inahan nga gikatakdang pasakaan og kasong kalapasan sa RA 7610 kon Child Abuse gipadakop sa iyang bayaw ug mga silingan inabagan sa mga polis ug social welfare officers sa lungsod sa Liloan niadtong Lunes sa hapon.

Sumala pa ni PO2 Rutchel Jugalbot sa Liloan Police Station ang bata nga tinun-an sa Grade 5 gikatahong nasakpan sa silingan diha sa barangay San Vicente nga nagkupot og yawe aron lugiton ang sudlanan sa mga sensilyo sa kompyuteran niini.

Tungod niini, ang tag-iya sa kompyuteran misikop sa bata ug midala ngadto sa inahan niini ug gipahibalo kabahin sa gibuhat sa anak.

Tungod sa kauwaw sa gibuhat sa anak gikulata niya kini ug gigaid og pisi diha sa haligi sa ilang balay ug pagkahuman mikuha og nagbagang uling ug pugsanong gipakumkom sa mga kamot sa bata.

Ang pagtiyabaw sa bata nakapukaw sa kasingkasing sa mga silingan ilabi na sa uyoan niini kinsa wala makaagwanta sa gidangatan sa pag-umangkon misumbong sa kapulisan.

Ang mga polis inubanan sa mga tinugyanan sa municipal social worker daling miadto sa panimalay sa bata ug giluwas kini gikan sa dugang pag-abuso sa inahan niini. Ang inahan ilang gidala sa presinto ug gibalhog kini.

Ang biktima kasamtangang gikustodiya sa DSWD samtang ang suspek nagtingkagol sa karsel ug gihikay na ang kasong ipasaka niini.(EIM)(BANAT NEWS)

[marqi_20]

Bendetadong rosaryohan maoy gitunol ni Garcia sa bata

CEBU, Philippines - Gibisita nilang Gob. Gwendolyn Garcia ug Bise-Gob. Agnes Magpale ang haya sa mga biktima sa masaker sa dakbayan sa Talisay sa St. Peter Funeral Homes sa New Imus Road, dakbayan sa Sugbo.

Ninglungtad lang og 10-minutos ang pagbisita sa duha ka tag-as nga opisyal sa Kapitolyo ug ilang nahinabi ang nahabiling 14-anyos nga sakop sa pamilya.

Gidid-an hinuon sa kabanay ang mga sakop sa media nga makapaduol sa dalagita aron dili kini mahinabi.

Usa ka daku ug gamay nga sobre ang gitunol ni Garcia ngadto sa nailong anak.

Apan si Garcia mibutyag nga iyang personal nga rosaryohan nga gibendisyonan sa Santo Papa ang iyang gihatag sa bata aron iya kining magamit sa pag-ampo.

Lakip sa gihatag ni Garcia ang personal niya nga numero sa cellphone aron may matawagan kini kung may gikinahanglan ilabi na nga wala nay ginikanan ug mga igsuon ang 14-anyos.

Matud pa niya nga pag-ampo ra gyud ang matabang ngadto sa kabanay sa mga biktima human sa maong makalilisang nga hitabo.

Ang kabanay mihangyo sa mga sakop sa media nga respetohan ang pribadong kahimtang sa pamilya ilabi na nga anaa pa sa pagbangutan.

Gitagsa-tagsa ni Garcia ug Magpale sa paglili ang unom nga lungon nga naglumbay sa usa ka lawak sa punerarya nga ila ni Emmanuel Ponce, 55, kinsa maoy nipusil sa iyang asawa nga si Melinda, 53, mga anak nga sila si Elaine Grace, 26, Heather Joy, 25, ug Emlin, 18 ug sa ilang katabang nga si Anastacion Deniega, 30. (BANAT NEWS)

[marqi_20]

Pagtukod og 2 flyover sa north district pugngan una

CEBU, Philippines - Temporaryo nga ipahunong ang giplanong paghimo sa duha ka mga flyover diha sa MJ Cuenco ug sa Gorordo Avenue human ang mismong opisyal sa Department of Public Works and Highways miingon nga makatarunganong paminawon ug sulbaron ang mga isyung gipadayag sa mga misupak niini.

Si Undersecretary for Regional Operations sa Department of Public Works and Highways nga si Romeo Momo misaysay nga angayan una sulbahon ang mga isyu kalabot sa maong proyekto ilabi na sa pagsupak sa pipila ka mga sektor sama sa mga environmentalists, mga relihiyosong grupo ug uban pa.

Kahinumduman nga ang siyudad sa Sugbo nga gipangulohan ni Mayor Michael Rama misupak usab sa maong proyekto kay matud pa makapasamot lang kini sa problema sa trapiko ug ang road widening lang mao ang solusyon niini.

Nabasa na ni Rama ang suwat kagahapon ni Momo ug gikalipay niya kini pag-ayo gumikan kay gidungog gyud sa DPWH ang panawagan sa katawhan nga dili angayang ipadayon ang maong proyekto.

Hinuon temporaryo pa lang ang maong kamandoan sanglit nagdepende kini sa daghan sa resulta sa pagtuon busa kinahanglan nga masulbad unya ang mga gipang-isa nga mga concern sa nagkadaiyang sektor. Samtang si Kongresista Tomas Osmeña kinsa uyon sa maong proyekto nagtuong duna gihapoy public hearing sa maong proyekto busa motambong gyud siya niini.

Matud pa ni Osmeña nga pareho ra nga resulta ang mahatag sa flyover ug road widening busa nakasaway siya sa baruganan ni Rama.

Gitataw sa kongresista nga dako kaayo og magasto ang road widening ug maabtan pa gyud og pila ka tuig ang paghimo niini.

Samtang mapasalamaton ang chairman sa CITOM Board nga si Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem gumikan kay naminaw gyud ang DPWH sa ilang habig.

Ang Banat News misuway og tawag kang north district Kong. Cutie del Mar kinsa maoy usa sa nangusog alang sa katukoran sa maong mga flyover diha sa iyang distrito apan walay motubag sa telepono niini. (BANAT NEWS)

[marqi_20]

Kabanay sa biktima sa masaker gipabantayan

CEBU, Philippines - Naghigpit na ang mga kabanay sa mga biktima sa masaker sa dakbayan sa Talisay diha sa punerarya sa Saint Peters Funeral Homes sa Lorega-San Miguel ning dakbayan ug gipabutangan og polis aron masigurong solemno ang ilang pagbangutan.

Si Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, pangulo sa kapulisan sa rehiyon nga nahinabi sa mga tigbalita human sa 888 News Forum sa Marco Polo Plaza Hotel kagahapon sa buntag nagkanayon nga nanawag kaniya ang mga kabanay ni Melinda Ponce sa kaulohan nga anaa usab magtrabaho sa gobiyerno ug mihangyo nga pabutangan og mga pulis ang maong punerarya.

Matud ni Garbo nga ilaha pang tan-awon og maayo kun unsay ilang mapasaka nga kaso kun ugaling naa man gani subay unya sa resulta sa imbestigasyon apan posibling wala nay kaso kay nagpusil man usab ang padre de pamilyang si Emmanuel Ponce sa iyang kaugalingon. Samtang si Garbo nagkanayon nga posibleng wala pay problema sa panghuna-huna si Emmanuel dihang nakakuha kini og lisensya sa iyang armas.

Sa nasayran si Emmanuel nadisgrasya sa barko nga iyang gisakyan kapin na sa napulo ka tuig ang nakalabay nga miresulta sa pag-opera sa ulo niini ug giingong sukad niadto saputon na kini, magselos sa iyang asawa ug gamay lang ligas sa iyang pamilya mosampot dayon sa away nilang magtiayon.

Matud ni Garbo nga kinahanglang estriktuhon ang pagkuha og lisensya sa armas ilabi na sa mga sibilyan ilabi na sa neuro psychiatric test kun wala ba kini deperensya sa pangisip.

Giangkon ni Garbo nga maglisud gyud sila og control sa mga domestic violence ilabina kun ang mga babayeng biktima dili mo-report sa kapulisan. Dunay higayon nga anha pa mosulod ang kapulisan kun duna nay gipatay tungod sa domestic violence.

Matud ni Garbo bugtong nilang mahimo sa kapulisan mao ang kanunay pagpahimangno ngadto sa mga kababayen-an nga dili magpakahilom kun sila abusohan.

Si Sr. Supt. Louie Oppus, Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO) sa Police Regional Office-7 nga nahinabi sa mga tigbalita nagkanayon nga ang lisensya sa armas ni Emmanuel karun pang 2013 mo-expire, iyaha kining nakuha niadtong 2009.

Matud ni Oppus posibleng nakuha ang lisensya sa armas ni Emmanuel niadtong 2009 atol sa duha ka amnesty program sa gobiyerno diin ang ubang mga rekisitos niini gi-wave.

Laing susihon nila ang report nga sakop sa usa ka gun club si Emmanuel maong nakakuha kini og lisensya sa iyang armas.

Si Oppus miingon usab nga ang kaso sa domestic violence anaa ra gyud sa cultural background sa usa ka pamilya nga kinahanglan unta nga hiloton ang problema tali sa magtiayon.

Gitukod sad sa PNP ang Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) aron makatabang sa mga kababayen-ang dunay problema sa domestic violence. (BANAT NEWS)