Cebu local news (daily update)

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----------------------------------------------------OCTOBER 21,2011----------------------------------

Gym membership also 'overpriced'

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City tax payers are hit with a double whammy in the P360,000 contract entered into by the City Hall for the unlimited workout plan of officials at the Holiday Gym and Spa.

The city officials did not only use public funds for their personal fitness program, the amount has been found to be bloated as well.

Based on the purchase order dated May 19, 2011 which was signed by Mayor Michael Rama and Veronica Enriquez, Holiday Gym and Spa operations manager, the city is paying P360,000 or P18,000 each for the 20 officials.

The program started in May 19, but the covering resolution sponsored by Councilor Jose Daluz was passed only last October 12.

The amount appeared to be overpriced by at least P160,000 based on the computation and figures gathered by The FREEMAN. A staff named “Mabe” said the annual membership only costs P12,500 each.

They can also give as much as 20 percent discount for group enrollment of 11 to 20 persons. Doing a quick math, P12,500 less P2,500 or 20-percent gives you P10,000, which should have been the annual registration fee of each official and not P18,000.

According to the staff, this amount entitles a member to use all amenities of the gym.

The staff said their monthly registration is P2,000 for those who wish to avail of their fitness program only for a month while P5,000 for three months.

Daluz, who sponsored the resolution, was not available for comment.

Rama already signed the notice of award to Holiday Gym and Spa for the unlimited workout plan of the city officials following the passage of the resolution in the City Council.

The program however was criticized by the public for using government funds in the personal workout plan of the city officials.

Ombudsman probe

Meanwhile, even if Mayor Rama will not avail of his membership at Cebu Holiday Gym and Spa, this cannot stop the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to conduct a fact-finding investigation.

Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Santiago said they already docketed the newspaper report and it will be raffled to an investigator.

She said it was the duty of the investigator to get all the evidence and to evaluate if the resolution passed was appropriate or illegal.

Santiago said she cannot give any comment as of now as to the withdrawal of Rama, but said they will continue the fact-finding.

“Sometimes, it’s okay to be watchful,” she said.

A total of P360,000 or P18,000 each was allocated for the annual membership of the 18 councilors, the vice mayor and the mayor to the Cebu Holiday Gym and Spa.

Rama said he had signed the notice of award for a one-year membership of the 18 councilors as it was out of respect since this was wished by them.

However, he clarified that he never used it.

Santiago said they will investigate, if it is appropriate to use government funds for the physical fitness of the city officials. — with Mylen P. Manto/NLQ (FREEMAN)

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"Barge more important than poor?"

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña yesterday criticized Mayor Michael Rama for allocating P50 million to buy a barge but failing to provide the same amount for the “goodwill deposit” to the Capitol to ensure that the problem of urban poor families living in the province-owned lots would be solved.

It was Vice President Jejomar Binay who recommended to Rama that the City shall give the province a P50-million goodwill deposit to ensure that the Capitol officials will allow the 3,000 urban poor families to continue paying the lots they are occupying, which are spread in 11 barangays of the city.

“Rama finds a barge more important than 5,000 urban poor families. Rama’s proposed P11 billion budget includes a purchase of a P50 million barge. On the other hand, Rama ignores the recommendation of Vice President Binay for the city to set aside P50 million as goodwill deposit to assist the occupants of the provincial lots,” Osmeña said.

He recalled that it was Rama who also blocked a proposed land swap deal that was already agreed by the governor to allow the occupants of the province-owned lots to own the space they have occupied for the past decades.

Osmeña said Vice President Binay, the concurrent housing czar, had spent months negotiating and evaluating the case of the so-called “93-1 residents,” leading to the said recommendation.

“Obviously a barge and other priorities are more important to Rama. The proposed budget of Rama is not just a joke but a painful joke to the urban poor of Cebu City,” he added.

But Rama, in a separate interview, said he did not include the budget for the so-called “goodwill deposit” to Cebu Province because he believes that Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia does not need such money for the purpose of allowing the urban poor families to continue paying for their occupied lots.

Apas Barangay Councilman Allan Joseph Majait said he learned that some Capitol personnel are now tagging the houses that are constructed within the province-owned lots within their barangay.

Rama insists that the city needs the barge for cleaning up the coastlines and for firefighting operations in coastal areas which the fire trucks could not penetrate like what happened in sitio Bato, Ermita a few years ago.

Rama explained that it would be expensive for the city to rent a barge. He, however, leaves it up to the City Council to evaluate his plan. (FREEMAN)

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Comelec junks recall vs Nito

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc junked the recall petition filed by Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano Jr and his brother, former mayor and now City Administrator Jesus “Don” Durano, against their younger brother Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III and nine members of the city council.

The poll commissioners had found that the petition, filed on the basis of loss of confidence, was “insufficient” because it failed to comply with the requirements.

The four-page resolution of the Comelec en banc dated September 13, 2011was signed by Comelec Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes and Commissioners Rene V. Sarmiento, Armando Velasco, Christian Robert Lim, Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph and Augusto Lagman.

Aside from Vice Mayor Nito Durano, included in the petition were Councilors Carmen Remedios Meca, Miguel Antonio Magpale, Jorge John Cane, Jose Thaddeus Roble, Jr., Cynthia Duterte, Alejandro Lawas, Marilou Camaongay-Flores, Roland Reyes and Jovelina Enriquez.

Councilor Jesus Meca was not included in the recall petition due to his health condition.

The Comelec resolution was based on a memorandum dated September 1, and another dated Sept. 7, of Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bartolome J. Sinocruz, Jr.

The FREEMAN called and sent text messages to the lawyer of Mayor Durano but received no answer as of press time.

The camp of Vice Mayor Nito Durano was the first to file a recall petition against Mayor Durano for loss of confidence. The Comelec had found this sufficient.

It was on August 19, 2011 when Danao City Election Officer Domini Ian S. Marigomen submitted to the Comelec Central Office nine copies of the recall petition against the Danao City officials.

On August 26, 2011, Deputy Executive Director Sinocruz forwarded this to the Commission, with the recommendation that the petition be declared insufficient because it is directed against several elective officials and not just one. (FREEMAN)

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Capitol compound opens to traffic on Monday

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol compound will be opened as temporary access for vehicles coming from Escario St. going to M. Velez St. starting Monday until December 15, 2011 to ease traffic congestion at Don Gil Garcia St. where road improvement is ongoing.

A memorandum of agreement was already signed yesterday between the Province of Cebu represented by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Traffic Operations and Management represented by its Board Chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem and the Department of Public Works and Highways represented by District Engineer Nicomedes Leonor, Jr.

“The parties in the spirit of cooperation and in order to promote traffic safety and order have agreed to open, as temporary traffic access, the road passing through between the Palace of Justice and the Cebu Provincial Legislative Building,” the agreement said.

Leonor said that the two lanes of the road will be paved during the given period enough to restore the normal route while the other two lanes are being constructed.

The Capitol compound will be opened to a one-way traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for PUJs, taxis, private vehicles and all other light vehicles coming from N. Escario St.

PUJs from Ayala Center going to Labangon shall turn right to Capitol compound while PUJs from Osmeña Blvd. to Guadalupe shall turn right then turn left to Capitol compound and have their exit at M. Velez St. in going to their destination.

To assist Capitol guards, CITOM personnel were given the full authority to supervise the entry and exit of all vehicles for a smooth flow of traffic at the Capitol compound.

A traffic plan of one-way, no stopping, no loading and unloading of passengers shall be observed and no parking and blowing of horns shall be imposed along the access road so as not to distract the Palace of Justice and the Legislative Building proceedings.

Jakosalem agreed to provide traffic enforcers to implement traffic laws and allowed to install traffic and directional signs inside the premises of Capitol compound on the given period. (FREEMAN)

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Tejero leader asks Rama to spend for projects instead of honoraria

CEBU, Philippines - Tejero Barangay Captain Jessielou “Jingjing” Cadungog said the P2.5 million that will be spent by Mayor Michael Rama for the additional honoraria of all barangay officials in Cebu City can be used instead for various projects that would benefit the people.

“I think the barangay officials are well-compensated with the honorarium they receive monthly. When we run for office we do it because we want to serve and we serve without counting any returns that we can get,” Cadungog said in a letter to Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña.

He also took the time to lecture his colleagues in his letter by saying, “This will serve as a wake-up call to all barangay officials that the reason we run for public office is to serve our constituents and provide them with a good father of the family. This can only be done if we can have projects for their benefit.”

Rama had announced that he will give P5,000 to each barangay captain and P3,000 to each barangay councilman, every month, effective last January. Some barangay captains are now eager to receive their P60,000 while the councilmen, P36,000.

The mayor said he is not against the suggestion to include the barangay treasurers and secretaries in the granting of monthly honoraria.

“It will be hypocrisy if I say that I don’t want that idea of the city mayor. But as the barangay captain of Tejero, if ever there are funds available, my first priority is projects for the barangay that will benefit most of my constituents, if not all. They are the least fortunate and they need all the help we can give,” Cadungog said.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young had said that he is not against the granting of additional honoraria to the barangay officials but said Rama should wait first for the legal opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA).

“Give back to the people what is due to them before we think of what is best for us because this is not our thrust when we entered the world of politics. Let’s do it now to show our children good governance…,” Cadungog added.

The announcement of Rama that he will provide brand new vehicles to all barangay captains and additional honoraria to all barangay officials came after South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña announced that he will give Samsung Galaxy tabs for all barangay captains. (FREEMAN)

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City Hall team pushes creeks widening

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Water Crisis Management Team has recommended widening the existing creeks to solve the problem of floodings in the city.

City administrator Jose Marie Poblete said the team headed by Engr. Pedro Adonis Compendio has observed that several creeks in the city are becoming narrow because of siltation and encroachment of illegal settlers.

The team is composed mostly of technical people from the Cebu City Engineering, Public Works and private contractors, who are concerned of the flooding problem in the city and neighboring places.

The team members met yesterday at the Casino Español de Cebu to discuss possible solutions to the problems of creeks overflowing and drainage systems during heavy rains. One of the solutions agreed by the team members is to widen the creeks.

The recommendation was reached after the discussion of the actual situation and brainstorming.

Among the suggested solutions during the meeting is to clear the waterways from any obstruction, restore the three meter easement zone and change the culverts of the drainage system into bigger sizes.

It was also suggested to strictly implement the ordinance that prohibits indiscriminate dumping of garbage. However, the team members are unanimous in recommending for the dredging of the mouth of the creeks into the sea.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced earlier his plan to hire scuba divers to help inspect the entrances of the creeks. However, the divers refused to do the job because the rivers are very dirty.

“Reklamo sila kay lubog kaayo ang tubig nga bisan ang ilang kamot dili makita sa ilawom unya baho pa g’yud kaayo,” Rama said.

Rama had proposed P500 million budget for drainage projects next year that is why he tasked the Water Crisis Management Team to evaluate which project needs to be prioritized. (FREEMAN)

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Gwen: P1B available for MCDCB members to loan

CEBU, Philippines - The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) chairperson has reminded all members of local government unit of the P1 billion funds available for them to be loaned for drainage work and flood control projects.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued the reminder following the recommendation of experts who composed the IBM Executive Service Corps that local officials in Metro Cebu need to get their acts together and integrate plans to have effective and sustainable solutions to common challenges, including flooding and traffic congestion.

Garcia pointed out the need to earn the “culture of trust” among the LGUs which could possibly be established when they will be able to show through concrete action that the MCDCB is the answer to the common challenges all are facing and not acting as isolated LGU.

“We must have an integrated approach, a collaborative effort. We will come with the short term action, certain measures that shall be put immediately in place. Hopefully such short term measures will produce immediate results which would start this culture of trust,” Garcia said.

During the MCDCB full board meeting yesterday, Garcia, in the light of the recent unprecedented flooding in Metro Cebu, has mentioned report of the Department of Public Works and Highways which said that its P20 million allocation for flood control project this year still has not been released.

“How could that possibly address the concerns of the Metro Cebu area?” Garcia asked.

Garcia is hoping that the P1 billion available at MCDCB be seriously considered by the LGUs saying that it has definitely lower interest rate than the commercial rate. The Province of Cebu and the Development Bank of the Philippines shared together the amount of P500 million each in putting up the said funds.

Garcia said that Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes was the first to manifest his interest to avail the loan especially the city has been badly hit by floods.

The IBM ESC presented yesterday to the MCDCB the completed operational framework project towards an integrated development process, particularly in urban planning and transport and traffic management for Cebu.

On traffic management and transportation, IBM executive Sunimal Ediriweera noted the limited data available, which could guide planners on improving road networks and traffic plans.

Ediriweera said traffic planning and management can be improved with access to more detailed and current data.

He suggested using the existing cellular network as a source of real-time anonymous traffic movement data, or anonymous bulk location data, which can guide planners in managing traffic and informing the public of traffic situations in different areas.

As for an integrated and comprehensive land use plan, Robin Selber of the IBM ESC said this will help LGUs address growth and development concerns collectively.

She said that a lot of land use plans have been done very well, but in some cases, they only look at their own municipality or city line and yet some problems go across city lines.

“So when you deal with flooding in one place, for instance, it can affect the neighboring LGU. And so with these plans, we see as an important step to collaborate on those issues, like with traffic and transportation. That’s really the point of having coordinated and integrated plans,” Selber added.

MCDCB co-chairperson Roberto Aboitiz, the President of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. welcomed the result of IBM operational framework project for Cebu.

“They have somehow affirmed the platform we are embarking on, such as the process of collaboration among LGUs and various sectors of the community, highlighting the role of LGUs and contribution of the private sector, and the importance of data and expertise in order for plans to move forward,” Aboitiz said. (FREEMAN)

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Kin agree separate burial for Ponces

CEBU, Philippines - Despite her objection, the 14-year-old massacre survivor in Talisay City submitted to the wisdom of the elders to bury her father away from her mother and her siblings.

Emmanuel Ponce, who killed his wife, four children and family helper before turning the gun on him, will be left behind in Cebu while his wife Melinda and children will be buried in Sorsogon.

Paul Redola, Emmanuel’s nephew, said both families agreed to bury Emmanuel in the Queen City of the South. Melinda and the four children will be brought to Sorsogon on Saturday where they will be buried.

Redola said Ember would have wanted to bury her parents and siblings in one place but a certain Erwin Ponce, cousin of Emmanuel, reportedly insisted to bury him in Cebu.

“(Ember) is not in favor of the setup, as she would rather have her family buried in one place, but has succumbed to the decision of the elders,” Redola said.

Redola said Ember is “showing positive signs” and that she is “coping well,” except for some episodes of breakdown at St. Peter’s Memorial Funeral Homes. The child also visited their house yesterday for the first time since the massacre, and approached their two dogs, which were left in the care of the barangay tanods who were posted in their property since Sunday.

The house, which was reeked with blood, was cleaned yesterday by the police and the tanods.

SPO1 Mikie Espina of the Talisay City Police Station said it was the relatives of both families including Ember who requested to clean the house from blood which has dried up on the floor.

“After this, we’ll turn over the custody of the property to the survivor; and along with other things that will be recovered from this cleanup,” said Espina in an interview with the media during the cleaning yesterday.

Espina said they recovered important documents of the family’s properties, some valuables, and cash.

These were brought to the police station for record purposes and then turned over to the parties who were present during the cleanup.

Espina said they considered the case “closed,” hence, the Ponce house is now open for the survivor or any of her relatives who may wish to live there. (FREEMAN)

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SC affirms Alcover leadership

CEBU, Philippines - The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition of the group of David Odilao, Jr. against the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) Partylist.

SC Clerk of Court Enriqueta Vidal signed the notice stating the dismissal.

Vidal quoted SC En Banc Resolution dated October 4, 2011 which states, “The Court resolved to dismiss the petition for failure to sufficiently show that any grave abuse of discretion was committed by the Commission on Elections in rendering the challenged resolution which, on the contrary, appears to be in accord with the facts and applicable law and jurisprudence.”

The Comelec En Banc has recognized the set of nominations for (ANAD) Partylist led by Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. for the May 10 elections after it affirmed the earlier decision of the Comelec First Division to cancel or nullify the second Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Acceptance filed by Odilao’s group.

Alcover was formally accepted back in Congress last October 7, 2010 despite Odilao’s move of elevating the matter to the Supreme Court.

On November 26, 2009, ANAD through its national president Domingo Balang, filed the party’s manifestation to participate in the May 10, 2010.

On March 18, 2010, Balang filed ANAD’s Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Acceptance led by Alcover as first nominee.

However, on March 26, 2010, Paul Gabunales, signing as president of ANAD, filed a second set of certificate of nomination and certificate of acceptance naming Odilao, Leborio Jangao Jr., Alexander Canonigo, Bernardo Mabbagu and Herminigildo Gonzaga as the party list ANAD’s nominees.

This prompted Alcover to file a petition for the cancellation and nullification of the second set of nominees on April 30, 2010.

The Comelec En Banc ruled subsequently that Odilao’s group failed to show evidence that the one who signed the certificate of nomination and certificate of acceptance submitted by Alcover’s group had no authority to do so.

ANAD placed 26 from out of 184 party-list groups that participated in the May 2010 elections. It got almost 300,000 votes nationwide, which entitles it a seat in the 56 slots for party-list groups in Congress. (FREEMAN)

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Landbank, SM say Cebu City has no garnishable funds

CEBU, Philippines - The Landbank of the Philippines and SM Development Corporation told the court that the city government has no garnishable amount with them.

Lawyer Rosemarie Osopeo of Landbank manifested in court that based on records, the city government has no garnishable amount in its account with the bank.

Meanwhile, Jose Gabionza of SM Development Corporation manifested that the notice of garnishment issued to them by the court has no effect because the city government has no money and “real stocks” with the company.

The manifestation of Landbank and SM Development Corporation came following a notice of garnishment served by Sheriff Antonio Bellones of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9 in relation to the order of the court for the city to pay the heirs of the late Rev. Fr. Vicente Rallos.

This after the city used Rallos’ lot in Barangay Sambag as a public road without just compensation.

The court ordered the city to pay Rallos heirs up to P133,469,962.55.

Earlier, the Philippine Postal Bank and Philippine Veterans Bank told the court that the city has enough funds with them. They said they “cannot dishonor legitimate disbursements” against the city’s account beyond the judgment debt identified by the court.

The banks said they received a letter from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama informing them that the accounts of the city are exclusively restricted for specific purposes for which the same have been allocated.

“This are duly budgeted to cover the city’s current operating expenditures for personal services, maintenance and other operating cost, capital outlays and continuing appropriations for CY 2010 and below,” Rama said. (FREEMAN)