Cebu local news (daily update)

[trax]

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mura ang mo makig strya sa amahan kai ang youngest raman pud, mao cguro nga iya gi buhi kai para niya mao nalang cguro to ang naay respito sa iya..

[stealthghost]

Mas close ang amahan sa kina-manghuran kay nawad.an og work ang amahan when she was still 4 (10 years ago). So maybe, that's the closest theory why he spared his youngest daughter, IMHO.

Didto mi ganiha sa haya. Maybe in-denial pa si Embrelaince, she seems not that affected pa. She was serving food and drinks sa mga visitors. Wala mi naka kita niya nag hilak2x sa kilid.

RIP to our Irma in Capoeira, Elaine "Guerreira" Ponce. SALVE!
You will always be the female warrior of Sinha Bahia de Capoeira Cebu

[cobraKing]

nganong wala nmay update dri marqi_20?

[marqi_20]

-------------------------------------------------OCTOBER 18,2011-------------------------------------

Gunman still gave logical instruction

CEBU, Philippines - Emmanuel Ponce, 55, the man who shot his wife, three children and their house helper dead before turning the gun on himself, was possibly not suffering from nervous breakdown during the commission of the crime for he was able to give logical instruction when he spared his 14-year-old daughter, said Dr. Rene Obra.

Obra, head of the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for Behavioral Sciences, said that Emmanuel was not purely out of his mind because he still could decide something logical.

He suspected that what triggered the killing were depression and rejection as his three children and wife allegedly disrespected him when he stopped working as a seaman.

“Bati ba kay mura og sa dihang seaman pa siya maayo kaayo iyang pamilya unya karon labay-labayan na lang siya,” Obra said over radio station DyHP.

Emmanuel, the only child of his parents, used his .45 caliber pistol in shooting his wife Melinda, 53; his daughters Elaine Grace, 26, and Heather Joy, 25 and son Emlin, 18 inside their house in Palm View Village, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.

The youngest child, a 14-year-old daughter, was spared as she was told by her father to go out of the house.

Also killed was their helper Anastacia Deniega, 30, a resident of Barangay San Isidro of the same city.

All victims had gunshot wounds on their head except for Deniega, who was hit on the left side of her chest.

According to Supt. Rex Derilo, chief of the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory (FESSAGS), the pistol used by Emmanuel has a valid license.

Obra said that if Emmanuel was apparently under the influence of liquor during the commission of the crime, this would also trigger the killing because he would probably behave in delusional manner.

He added that if he was drunk it was possible that he would act suspiciously even if reasons are baseless.

“OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) siya wala siya pirmi sa balay if mag-delusion siya he would think nga dili iya ang tulo niya ka anak nga iyang gipatay,” Obra said.

Obra also said that owning a pistol had also contributed in pushing Emmanuel to commit the crime.

He said that Emmanuel was unable to control his anger and killed his family, but later when he realized his family members were dead he then shot himself which was an impulsive suicide on his part.

Wake

Melinda’s relatives from Bicol are already here and are taking care of the paperwork needed for her burial and that of her three children.

The remains of the victims as well as that of Emmanuel are now at the St. Peter Chapels along Imus Road, Cebu City.

There has been no announcement yet on the interment schedule and where they would be buried.

Elaine, a nurse by profession, but was working as a call center agent aside from being a volunteer of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, is wearing her nurse uniform.

Her younger sister, Heather Joy, who was also a nurse, is also wearing the same.

Emlin, their brother, is wearing his school uniform. He is taking up Radiologic Technology at the Cebu Doctors’ University.

Melinda is in a simple white dress while Emmanuel is in a Barong Tagalog.

Deniega’s remains are also in the same chapel. She is set to be taken to her hometown of San Carlos City, Negros Oriental today.

Deniega’s relatives, who arrived last night, said that they still could not believe what had happened.

“Kung siya lang (Emmanuel) iya ra untang kaugalingon nganong i-apil pa man ang uban,” said Deniega’s brother, Carlito Sigaray, 46.

Coping

The surviving child of the couple went to the funeral parlor yesterday and was inconsolable.

According to her aunt, Yayo Diok, the girl will pursue her studies this school year, however, she is still undecided whether to stay in Cebu or move to Sorsogon, her mother’s home province, at the end of the school year.

Melinda’s siblings are living in Leyte and Bicol and they are natives of Sorsogon.

Paul Redula, nephew of Emmanuel, said that they already asked consideration from his niece’s school.

Redula said that the child was even advised not to take the exam unless she will be fine.

“Bisan unsa nga school na man tingali would not say no in this kind of tragedy nga mura’g sakit pa jud,” he said.

He added that they are monitoring her from time to time for her safety.

The child is now undergoing a stress debriefing conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Investigation

SPO1 Mikie Espina, who is investigating the crime, said that it is quite hard to figure out the motive.

“Lisud i-explain ang motive kay ang witness mismo, she can’t explain… she has no knowledge nga naay lalis iyang parents or mga igsuon sa wa pa nahitabo ang incident. Nakurat na lang siya nga nakamata siya tungod sa mga buto,” he said.

Meanwhile, barangay tanods have been posted in the house to keep kibitzers away.

Nelson Echavez, one of the tanods, said they were deployed there since Sunday night to watch over the property and the things inside it. The house was however closed for anyone except for the investigators.

Capitol Help

Cebu Vice governor Agnes Magpale met with the Department of Social Welfare and Development officers yesterday afternoon and discussed the possible intervention the provincial government can do to help the girl.

“First and foremost what must be of utmost priority is the welfare and well-being of the lone surviving member,” Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also said.

Garcia, who got shocked upon learning the news from the papers yesterday morning, said that what happened is an incomprehensible tragedy.

“And the saddest person I believe is the lone surviving member of the family,” she said. — with Liv Campo and Niña G. Sumacot/NLQ - (THE FREEMAN)

[marqi_20]

Inspection of ASEAN lampposts kicks off

CEBU, Philippines - The City Traffic Operations Management, the Commission on Audit and the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas have started the three-day inspection and inventory of the decorative lampposts used during the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Summit in 2007, that Mayor Michael Rama wants removed from the streets.

The inspection was led by Engr. Allan Gajudo of the Technical Services Group of COA and Engr. Rol Plazo of the Office of the Ombudsman.

They started the inspection around 9 a.m. along Sergio Osmeña Blvd. and ended around 4 p.m. The group took pictures of the lampposts and noted the condition of each, including what components are left.

The group inspected only the lampposts along S. Osmeña Blvd. Tomorrow they will start from the Marco Polo Plaza down to Salinas Drive.

CITOM executive director Rafael Yap said there were 136 lampposts recorded along S. Osmeña Blvd., four are missing and believed to have been stolen.

Yap said that inspection will run for three days but they might finish early.

After the inspection, they will draft the report which will be ready within two weeks.

The joint report will be submitted to the Sandiganbayan from whom the city government asked permission to remove the lampposts despite its pending litigation.

“In our part, we will do what they required from us, then it is up to the Sandiganbayan to grant our request or not,” Yap said.

The court told them to conduct an inspection and inventory of the lampposts because each lamppost is evidence to the pending case against some Department of Public Works and Highways and some local government officials accused of graft.

Yap said they hope to remove the lampposts completely by the end of the year. — /BRP - (THE FREEMAN)

[marqi_20]

Operators, drivers seek City Hall's help

CEBU, Philippines - Operators and drivers of Mandaue jeepneys trooped to Cebu City Hall yesterday and asked the help of the city government after they were banned from using the terminal in Ayala.

Drivers lamented their income decreased drastically in just three days because passengers reportedly refused to pay their fare since they were not taken to their destination.

Public Utility Jeepneys with route numbers 21B and 22B were barred from using the Ayala terminal since Saturday. They can only enter up to the Samar Loop at the Cebu Business Park and can no longer proceed to the Mindanao Loop towards the terminal of Ayala Center Cebu.

From the Samar Loop, the PUJs have to turn right to Cardinal Rosales Avenue, turn right to San Jose dela Montaña, turn left to M.J. Cuenco Avenue then proceed back to Mandaue City.

On the part of the passengers, this means they would have to walk for several meters from Cor. Cardinal Rosales Ave. and Samar Loop to the Ayala Mall.

Because Mayor Michael Rama is out of the country, the 50 drivers and operators met with City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Executive Director Rafael Christopher Yap yesterday.

The drivers and operators asked city officials to help them convince the management of Ayala to allow them to use the terminal for the meantime until such time that CITOM acts on their proposal for another route for Mandaue PUJs.

Armamento has proposed to allow 21B and 22B PUJs to ply the city streets up to the One Citilink Terminal in the south district. They did not propose a specific route and said they will let CITOM determine the same.

Poblete told drivers that they cannot control the traffic in the Cebu Business Park because it is a privately-owned property. All they can do, he said, is channel the request to the Ayala management.

Aside from jeepneys plying the 21B and 22B routes, Mandaue PUJs plying the 20 and 20A routes also travel to Cebu City, but were not banned because they were the original PUJs allowed at the terminal. Yap said Ayala barred the 21B and 22B PUJs to address the problem of congestion.

Romeo Armamento, spokesperson of the Alyansa sa mga Nagkahiusang Drivers Alang sa Reporma (ANDAR) and Mandaue United Drivers Association (MUDA) said there are about 300 21B and 22B PUJs using the terminal.

Meanwhile, Yap warned that the city will experience heavy traffic once the City Council will allow public utility vehicles from outside Cebu City to ply the city’s streets.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young asked the public to be more patient and to sacrifice a little for the benefit of those who would have to shoulder additional expenses when they take more rides to reach their destination in the city.

CITOM is yet to decide which portions of City Ordinance 1837 need to be amended. City Ordinance 1837 regulates the operations of PUJs or buses coming outside the city.

CITOM has strictly implemented the provisions of City Ordinance 1837 by apprehending the Mandaue -bound PUJ’s that continue to ply the city roads especially near the vicinity of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

For his part, CITOM Chairman Sylvan Jakosalem said he is amenable to the proposal to amend some provisions of City Ordinance 1837, although the same has to be subjected to discussion by members of the CITOM Board.

Several parents of students complained to Young because their children were forced to take up to three rides just to reach their schools in the city. They said the situation is difficult for the children, especially during bad weather. - (THE FREEMAN)

[marqi_20]

Dakay: Strengthen the family to avoid violence

CEBU, Philippines - “Breakdown of Filipino’s moral values.”

This was how the family and life apostolate of the Archdiocese of Cebu described the recent family-related violent incidents in Cebu.

Disturbing as it seems, this phenomenon is not coincidental, and is actually rooted in the mere foundations of what simply is a family, Msgr. Achellis Dakay told The FREEMAN.

“We should cooperate and focus our efforts aron atimanon ang pamilya,” Dakay said.

He said that the family is a vital part of one’s personal development and with a strong family foundation, anyone can be successful.

He said the increasing number of Overseas Filipino Workers is also alarming because it reportedly brings forth a new culture where family support in weakened. An incomplete family has become widely accepted in the society, but it is reportedly hard to note that with less parental supervision, children tend to explore world in their own way and pace.

Dakay encouraged every parent to consider sticking with their family during the children’s growth years because this is reportedly the time wherein “temptations are imminent threats.”

“Angay nato nga i-empower sila (OFWs) dire sa ato aron di sila maglaing nasod (we need to empower our OFWs so that they will stay),” he said.

The attitude of parents or siblings taking matters into their own hands should be discouraged because this might lead to self isolation from the rest of the family, Dakay added.

He said the problem of one family member should be considered seriously and must be solved together by all members of the family.

“Magtinabanay aron ma sulbad ang problema sa sag sa kaminyo-on…di ta angay mag huwat sulbaron dayon ang problema,” Dakay said.

He also reminded Catholic families the importance of being together during Sunday masses and other celebrations to further forge family ties through faith.

Dakay also asked the public not to condemn the father who killed his family members and himself the other day in Talisay City. He said the father could also just been a victim of society’s challenges and unsuspecting deceits. (FREEMAN)

[marqi_20]

P11B 2012 city budget hit

CEBU, Philippines - The proposed P11.8-billion 2012 Annual Budget of Mayor Michael Rama might be a dream come true for Cebu City, but it is a “big joke” according to Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young.

Nevertheless, he said nothing is impossible.

“I think it’s a joke but I’m inclined to go along with it,” Young said.

He doubts if the city can earn as much next year when the city, he said, barely reached its P4.8-billion target this year.

“Short man gani ta this year, how much more kung P12 billion? Wala man gain kaabot og P8 billion ang halin sa city from SRP, where will he get the P8 billion?” Young said.

Young said that all income from the sale of South Road Properties combined, even if paid all at once, does not even reach P5 billion. The city sold lots at the SRP to Filinvest Land Inc. and SM Prime Holdings for P1.5 billion and P2.7 billion respectively totaling to P4.2 billion.

Though he cannot vote but can only influence the councilors, Young said he is into approving the budget just so the mayor cannot blame them when the promises Rama made will not be delivered.

“Because this is the mayor’s gameplan. He proposes an outrageous budget which he thinks the council will not approve, then musulti siya sa mga barangays na gibabagan namo,” Young said.

“But I still think it’s a joke. Jokes always end in laughter and people will be laughing at him. He promises many things pero wala diay siya’y kwarta. Now that becomes a cruel joke,” he added.

More than half of the proposed P11.8-billion Annual Budget will be sourced from Capital and Investment Receipts which they estimated at P7 billion. The P7 billion is further broken down to Sale of Government Assets estimated at P1 billion, proceeds from borrowing at P2 billion and income from various economic enterprise estimated at P4 billion.

The city also expects to earn P1.2 billion from real property taxes and other local taxes. Some P750 million is the city’s estimated income from non-tax revenues which include regulatory fees, business and service income and other income.

From external sources including the Internal Revenue Allotment and share from ecozone, the city already has P1.1 billion.

Of the P11.8 billion, the office that gets the bigger budget is the Department of Engineering and Public Works which has a proposed appropriation of P3 billion.

A bulk of the P3 billion goes to the construction services which is given P1.9 billion. The maintenance of streets and bridges which are still part of DEPW’s job gets P913 million while the rest goes to the maintenance services and sewerage.

DEPW’s budget next year compared to this year is 500 percent more. This is where the mayor included the P700-million budget for the drainage system.

The Office of the City Treasurer proposed P261 million budget next year while they proposed P178 million this year.

The Department of Public Services proposed a P254-million budget next year compared to P155 million this year. The aid to various organizations including the aid to barangays would cost P334 million, of which P175 million goes to the Aid to City Barangays.

Over P770 million also goes to Special Programs which include the P300 million for the Senior Citizen’s Program, P100 million for the Housing Project for Cebu City Government Employees, P100 million for the Tax Collection Program, P10 million for the street dwellers, P30 million for the Teacher’s Assistance Program, P12 million for the Anti-Drug Campaign Program and P15 million for Sports Development Projects.- (THE FREEMAN)

[marqi_20]

Garcia sets P3.6B budget for 2012

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has submitted to the Provincial Board the proposed annual budget for 2012 amounting to P3.6 billion.

The amount is 18 percent higher than last year’s P3.01 billion.

Almost half of the total amount is earmarked for social services amounting to P1.77 billion; P1.1 billion for general public services and P791.6 million for economic enterprises.

Garcia said that the more than P3 billion budget is a distinction shared by no other province nationwide. She said the province has consistently shown its independence from Internal Revenue Allotment share, contributing 44 percent only of the required funding sources.

“It affirms this administration’s philosophy in achieving total fiscal independence by continuing in engaging economic enterprises to widen income base,” Garcia said in her budget message.

Under the General Public Services, the office of the governor appropriated P447.2 million; P38.3 million for the vice governor, which is 111 percent higher than last year and P97.5 million for the Provincial Board, which is 140 percent higher than last year.

Another appropriation of P198.2 million for office of the governor under the social services and under the economic services, another P190.6 million for the office of the governor, P23 million for the vice governor and P75 million for the SP which is P5 million each of the 15 board members.

Budgets for major development projects next year include P160 million for the construction, rehabilitation, furnishing and maintenance of hospitals and birthing centers; P256 million for water supply development program; P170 million for airport, seaport, reclamation and other economic enterprise site development program; and P40 million for the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and highways.

Other major appropriations include the P65 million for the peace and order program; P25 million confidential and intelligence expenses program; P17 million college scholarship grants; P30 million for the expanded green and wholesome environment that nurtures program; the five percent lump sum in the amount of P98.6 million local disaster risk reduction and management fund (calamity fund); P98 million Provincial Development Assistance Fund; P111 million for hospital and health supplies and equipments; P68 million Philhealth program; and P28 million roads and bridges maintenance.

Garcia said the proposed budget espouses the judicious application of resources, bearing her principle in governance that a budget must be an approximation of the people’s hopes and aspirations, beyond theoretical presentation.

“This reflects the new age of politics, the new age of governance that we believe has dawned upon this great, indivisible and united ‘Province of Cebu’,” she added.

The Provincial Board is set to look into the proposed budget next week.- (THE FREEMAN)

[marqi_20]

Madridejos placed under state of calamity after Ramon

CEBU, Philippines - The town of Madridejos in Bantayan Island was declared under state of calamity due to the devastation caused by the recent typhoon Ramon on its properties and agricultural commodities.

During the municipal session yesterday, Councilor Emelita Gabito said they have approved the request of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council last week to place the town under a state of calamity.

With the approval, Alob Montano, the municipal human resource personnel and member of the Municipal DRRMC, said the municipal government will be releasing about P1.4 million or 70 percent of the P2 million budget for calamity.

Gabito said 1,850 households from all 14 barangays were affected by the flood at the height of typhoon Ramon last Tuesday.

She further said their agricultural commodities were also greatly affected, including their infrastructures, and livestock. The damage to livestocks alone reached to close to P100,000.

Montano said the calamity fund, which will be released by the Municipal Budget Office within 30 days, will be used to purchase basic needs such as food, medicines, and equipment like flashlights, and raincoats, among others.

The rest of the P2 million budget will be used to improve the town’s drainage system, which, Gabito said, has contributed greatly to the flooding.

In the meantime, water pumps were used to pump the water out water from the houses that were ravaged by flood. - (THE FREEMAN)