CATANDUANES TRIBUNE
“The Newspaper for Every Catandunganon”
Published Every Wednesday
www.catanduanestribune.com
VOL. XXIX, NO. 50 February 17, 2010 Virac, Catanduanes
Headline story:
It’s Erap by landslide
Cua, Sarmiento top
barangay mock polls
Governor Joseph C. Cua and DOTC Assistant Secretary Cesar V. Sarmiento led mock elections among Catanduanes barangay officials attending a seminar in Legaspi City last week, with the comebacking former President Joseph Estrada winning by landslide.
A similar mock poll among students at the Catanduanes State Colleges campus in Panganiban, the Catanduanes Agricultural and Industrial College (CAIC), also saw the incumbent governor and Sarmiento take the top spots.
More than 300 barangay officials, composed of barangay captains, secretaries, treasurers and kagawads, were attending a seminar on the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 being conducted by the Association of Local Budget Officers in Region V (ALBOREV) in Legaspi City. The participants were from the towns of Virac, Viga, Gigmoto, Pandan and Baras comprising one cluster, with the other cluster of remaining towns yet to undergo the training.
In the gubernatorial race, Cua had 215 votes against the 87 of Congressman Joseph A. Santiago while Assec. Sarmiento edged businesswoman Araceli Wong, 132-126, with former Rep. Leandro Verceles Jr. getting just 28 votes. Baras Mayor Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. led in the race for vice governorship with 155 votes, trouncing incumbent Alfred Aquino’s 75 and former Vice Gov. Vincent Villaluna’s 60. In the presidential race, Estrada won by landslide, attributed to the participants’
An ally of Congressman Santiago described the mock polls as skewed in favor of the incumbent governor, claiming that the barangay officials had been given free passes for their ferry trips to and from the Bicol mainland. One of the key officials of ALBOREV, he added, is a known political supporter of Cua. He disclosed that the solon was scheduled to arrive yesterday (Feb. 16) to embark on a weekly campaign to solidify his forces until the official campaign period begins on March 26.
At CAIC mock election where 311 college students participated, Cua got the nod of 248 voters against the 57 votes for Santiago. Congress bet Sarmiento had 197, four times the 49 votes earned by Wong. Northerners Villaluna (157) and Aquino (130) got the majority of students’ votes, with Baras’ Teves getting only 23.
In the presidential derby, the CAIC students apparently went for the Liberal Party bet, Noynoy Aquino, with182 votes, drubbing Manny Villar (91), Estrada (22) and Gilbert Teodoro (5). Mar Roxas led in the VP race with 140 votes, far ahead of Jojo Binay (121), Loren Legarda (38) and Edu Manzano (7).
News/frontpage:
DTI launches “OTOP
Cariton” at Virac airport
Airline passengers bound for Manila can now buy native food products right at the Virac airport with the opening of the “One-Town, One-Product” (OTOP) Cariton project of the Department of Trade and Industry.
The OTOP Cariton gives the primary beneficiary, the Virac Pili Processors Association Inc., and its 15 members, direct exposure to air commuters, with the project netting sales of more than P4,000 on its first day last Feb. 8. This marketing approach, said DTI provincial director Ireneo Panti, Jr., aims to better introduce the native food products of Catanduanes to visitors, tourists and the flying populace in general.
Among those who attended the launching were Vice Gov. Alfred Aquino representing Gov. Joseph Cua, Councilor Eulogio Talaran representing Virac Mayor Santos Zafe of LGU Virac, ATO Manager Cynthia Tumanut, and Dr. Vey Abella representing Rene Abella of PMSMEDC.
Also witnessing the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between DTI and Virac Pili Processors Association, Inc. (VPPAI) represented by Evelyn Bonifacio were Viga Mayor and Mrs. Abelardo Abundo Sr., Provincial Tourism Officer Carmel Garcia, CSC Director Ma. Guia Garcia and some officials of the Virac local government, the provincial agriculture office and members of the local media.
Food products initially displayed for sale were latik, choco pili (white and dark chocolate), mazapan de pili, crispy and coated pili, banana chips in two flavors, taro chips, rice coffee, coco jam, crispy rice puto, papaya pickles, special polvoron. Most of these products have undergone product development (labeling and packaging designs) which can be easily noticed on the pleasing and eye-catching arrangements.
The OTOP Cariton, to be manned by VPPAI members, will be open whenever there are flights scheduled.
News/frontpage:
HS instructor accused of
molesting male student
The Provincial Prosecution Office has recommended a P200,000 bail bond for the provisional liberty of a high school teacher accused of three counts of sexual assault on his minor male student last year.
In her resolution, 2nd Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Joan Mosatalla said she found credence in the straightforward declaration of the then 14-year old victim, who claimed that his mentor molested him three times in 2009. The resolution was approved by Provincial Prosecutor Eugenio Abion.
Accused of violation of Section 5(b), Article III, of Republic Act 7610, otherwise known as the Special Protection of Children Against Exploitation, Abuse and Discrimination Act,” is John Rey Manlangit, a teacher at the Gigmoto Rural Development High School.
According to the information filed before the Regional Trial Court, the first incident occurred sometime in July 2009 before the start of the induction ceremonies of the Parents-Teachers Association in the school when Manlangit called the victim and asked him to help in closing the windows of the classroom. The victim said that the teacher suddenly closed the door, embraced and kissed him several times on the lips, touched his genitals and told him, “I love you.”
The teener said the second incident happened on Oct. 30 that same year, when he was a contestant at a province-wide contest at the provincial capitol in Virac where his teacher was the chaperone. At 11 A.M., he claimed, Manlangit asked him to buy a burger and then took him to a lodging house in Sta. Elena where they entered a room. The teacher forced him to sit on the bed and kissed him on the lips and neck, before removing his pants and brief and engaging in sexual activity.
The victim said he was resisting the sexual molestation but was afraid of what the teacher might do. He added that he was trembling and was ashamed of himself, covering his eyes until the teacher finished. When the deed was done, the teacher asked him if it was his first time, and when he said “yes,” Manlangit told him, “I love you.” The victim said he told his co-contestants and their teacher-chaperone of the incident. The following day, the victim told investigators, the teacher again embraced him and said, “I love you.”
Prosecutor Mosatalla said Manlangit did not submit his counter-affidavit despite filing a motion for extension of time to file such affidavit.
News/backpage:
Cat’nes is 6th runner-up
in Palarong Bicol 2010
From a second place finish last year, the Catanduanes athletic delegation dropped to 6th place in the 2010 Palarong Bicol where host Camarines Norte notched the overall championship.
At the end of the seven-day sports and literary competition held, Camarines Norte obtained 519 points, followed by 1st runner-up Camarines Sur with 510.5 points; 2nd runner-up Naga City, 244; 3rd runner-up Legazpi City, 236.66; 4th runner-up Albay, 236; 5th runner-up Masbate, 207; and, 6th runner-up Catanduanes, 192 points. The overall champion, along with second and third placers, received a trophy and certificate of commendation, while the rest of the winning delegations received certificates of commendation. Masbate will the host of the 2011 Palarong Bicol.
The lean Catanduanes delegation garnered a total of nine golds, three of whom were contributed by Mark Lorenz Castro who topped the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter runs in secondary (boys). Also grabbing individual golds were swimmer Julius Angulo in 100-meter breast stroke, and Bonnie Lumbao and Angelo Tatad in chess.
The other golds came from elementary baseball (champion), elementary basketball (champion), secondary volleyball (champion), chess (2 golds), and swimming.
The locals also took 23 silvers from arnis (1), secondary athletics (4), boxing (1), tennis (1), chess (6), elementary softball (1), swimming (8), and taekwondo (1). The chess and softball teams were 1st runners-up.
The 19 bronze medals came from arnis (2), elementary athletics (4), secondary athletics (3), badminton (1), boxing (1), secondary basketball (1), volleyball (1), swimming (5), and taekwondo (1). The girl swimmers in elementary took 1st runner-up honors.
Although the delegation was budgeted with P3.7 million, it was not enough to provide for adequate training and uniforms. The number of athletes were slashed, especially those with little chance of earning medals, while some of those who did join the training did so without uniforms. The two-week training likewise was inadequate, according to some coaches and trainors. (with a report by RB Manlangit/PIA CamNorte)
News/backpage:
Payo lawman faces homicide rap
for killing robbery suspect in `08
A member of the Panganiban police station has been charged of homicide for shooting to death a robbery suspect nearly two years ago.
In a review of an amended resolution of the Catanduanes Provincial Prosecution Office, the Office of the Overall Deputy Ombudsman recommended the filing of homicide charge against PO1 Francisco Angeles Jr. for the death of Joel Bañares in barangay San Nicolas, Panganiban on April 19, 2008. The prosecution office had stated that Angeles should be charged with homicide with the aggravating circumstance of use of unlicensed firearm.
The incident arose from information received by the accused and two other policemen – SPO4 Epifanio Peña and SPO1 Luis Lumen – that a robbery had been committed at the residence of Leandro Angeles, who told the lawmen that he saw Bañares jumo outside the compound through the barbed wire fence that had been cut.
Bañares was riding a passenger jeepney towards Virac when the three lawmen invited him. Bañares alighted from the vehicle and walked with the cops toward the southern part of barangay San Nicolas. After a few meters, two gunshots were heard. Bañares sustained two gunshot wounds in the back, causing his instant death.
In their separate counter-affidavits, they claimed that Bañares ran away and was chased by PO1 Angeles. Angeles claimed that the shooting was incidental and that Bañares tried to take possession of his service firearm, which fired twice and hit the victim at the back.
The Office of the Overall Deputy Ombudsman, however, disagreed. “We cannot sustain the argument of Angeles that the firing of the gun, which hit Bañares twice at the back and killed him, happened by accident.”
There is sufficient evidence that PO1 Angeles is probably guilty of homicide, it added, but there is not enough evidence that the gun used was unlicensed. The resolution, approved by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, likewise stressed that there was no evidence to show that SPO4 Peña and SPO1 Lumen participated in the fatal shooting of the robbery suspect.
News/backpage:
BIR looking for Bicol’s
Student Tax Wizard
The Bureau of Internal Revenue, Revenue Region No. 10, will launch its 2010 Tax Quiz Bee for college students in the Bicol region this Feb. 23, with the winner earning the tag “Student Tax Wizard for 2010” and P10,000 pesos plus trophy.
Alexander P. Laroza, OIC-Revenue District Officer for Revenue District Office No. 69 in Virac, Catanduanes, said the quiz bee is one of the activities the Bicol BIR has undertaken in its tax campaign for the year.
To be participated in by college students enrolled in Business Administration and Accountancy courses in all schools, colleges and universities in Bicol, the contest aims to instill tax consciousness among the youth and remind them of their civic duty of assisting in nation building by being involved in complying with their tax obligations.
Laroza added that the elimination round and awarding of winners for the district level quiz bee will be on March 5, 2010, with the deans of the school’s College of Business Administration or Accountancy to endorse a maximum of ten (10) contestants each to the RDO not later than February 23, 2010. No registration fee shall be collected.
Both the elimination round and the regional finals will consist of two phases: the Written Phase and the Oral Phase. The Written Phase will be purely a pen and paper test to be administered to all contestants, the results of which will be the basis for selecting those who will take the oral phase of the contest. On the other hand, the Oral Phase will be given only to the top 10 contestants in the written phase, with the questions to be read orally to the contestants, who will then write their answers on a whiteboard within a prescribed time. The questions for all stages will be taken from and limited to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1998, as amended.
The top three (3) winners in each RDO will qualify for the regional finals, the venue and date of which will be announced later, Laroza said.
Winners in the RDO elimination round will be given P3,000 and plaque for the 1st place, P2,000 and plaque for 2nd place, and P1,000 and plaque for the 3rd place. The regional champion, the Student Tax Wizard for 2010, will get P10,000 and a trophy, while the 2nd and 3rd runners-up will earn P7,000 and P3,000 cash, respectively, and trophies. Their schools and coaches will likewise receive trophies and plaques of appreciation.