Palace: We're Filipinos - let's talk peace in the Philippines

By: Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines — There is no need for a third party facilitator for the peace talks between the government and the communists because the matter can be addressed by Filipinos, Malacañang said yesterday.

“Let’s just say that as far as the President is concerned, venue matters. He does not understand why we should continue talking in Norway. We are all Filipinos. We can talk about it here in the Philippines. Why do we need to go far? It will just entail costs,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said at a press briefing.

Asked if there is a need for a third party facilitator for the talks, Roque replied: “Wala na po siguro, nandito na naman tayo sa Pilipinas. (Perhaps no more. We are here in the Philippines).”

“But you know, any party who wants to help and who’s been involved in the process can help. But the point of the President is he does not understand why we have to talk in another country,” Roque added.

Roque said the government peace panel has the authority to fix the logistics and other requirements for the resumption of talks. He noted that President Duterte has also offered to shoulder the costs of travel of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison and other communist negotiators who will join the talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“The President is dead serious about (the talks). He has already asked the Department of Justice to file the necessary motions in court to set free individuals who will be participating in the talks and I think that is the best evidence of good faith on the part of the government,” he added.

Palace justifies delay
Duterte has moved the talks scheduled for this month to July, a move that communists said would enable the military to launch offensives against the New People’s Army (NPA).

Roque said the delay in the talks with the communists was meant to ensure that any agreement would pass legal scrutiny.

He said the communists should go slow in releasing documents and statements about topics that should be settled during negotiations.
“(Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) Secretary (Jesus) Dureza told me there are matters that should be discussed among negotiators and should not be released to the public,” he said.

“They can address their troops but let’s keep matters being discussed in the peace talks for the ears of the negotiators for the time being,” said Roque.

One of the documents released by the NDF is the supposed stand-down agreement that was said to have been signed by government and communist negotiators in Utrecht, the Netherlands last June 8.

The stand-down agreement supposedly required the two parties to cease hostilities to create an atmosphere conducive for the resumption of formal peace talks. The agreement also prohibits the conduct of offensives against combatants and civilians.

Roque said he could not comment on a document that was not released by the government.

“I have not seen the document and as far as I am concerned, we still have to subject it to authentication and vetting, which is our practice in the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson,” he added.

Communist guerrillas believe the government cancelled the resumption of peace negotiations because of a plan for an all-out military offensive across the country until the end of the year.

“By calling off the scheduled peace negotiations with the NDF, Duterte aims to give the Armed Forces of the Philippines more time to complete its military campaign plan for (the year) of mounting bigger offensives under Oplan Kapayapaan in the hope of crippling the NPA and inducing the NDF to negotiate a surrender,” the CPP yesterday said.

But Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has belied these claims. – With Artemio Dumlao, Michael Punongbayan, Jose Rodel Clapano

PLGU Comval joins 'Oplan Balik Eskwela' in Marawi

By: Rey Antibo

Compostela Valley Province--- The provincial local government unit (PLGU) of Compostela Valley joins the conduct of “Oplan Balik Eskwela 2018” in Marawi City on June 8-10, 2018.

Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy led the team together with the employees of the provincial engineering office.

The recipient school was in Pendolonan Elementary School in Marawi City were the province committed to repair the 2-units of classroom, repair of their comfort rooms and by donating a Bestank to be used for the potable water storage.

The program was also in collaboration with the Gawad Kalinga (GK) volunteers from Luzon, Visayas and from the land of Mindanao.

Faida P. Razul- one of the displaced teachers in Marawi Siege expressed her gratitude to the volunteers coming from the different places especially Comval for extending their help in preparing their school for the opening of classes.

“Sukad sukad sa dihang nahuman ang giyera sa Marawi nabati niya ang pag higugma nga gikan sa iyang kapwa Pilipino tungod sa sinsirong pagtabang sa pagrepair ug pagpanindot sa ilang eskwelahan pinaagi sa bayanihan nga programa,” said Razul.

Meanwhile, Manaoray Taratingan said that one of their problems is the damaged classrooms, water storage facility and the comfort rooms.

“Lisod gyud mag open ug klase kung nangaguba na atong facilities sa school unya walay saktong kapasilungan ang atong mga kabataan,” said Taratingan.

“Dako kaayo among kalipay ug pasalamat in behalf sa mga teachers ug parents sa mga taga Comval labi na kay Gov. Uy nga bisan sa kalayo sa ilang lugar giadto ug gitabangan gyud sila aron maandam ang ilang tagsa tagsa ka mga eskwelahan para sa pag abli sa klase,” said Taratingan.  (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

Giduaw ni Comval Gov. Tyron Uy ang Ground Zero sa Marawi City kauban ang mga personahe sa Gawad Kalinga ug Provincial Government of Compostela Valley sa maong pagbisita. Matud niya, "Dili angay kalimtan ang nahitabo dinhi sa Marawi. We are reminded that we should come together as a country to ensure that we can rebuild this city. Compostela Valley remembers Marawi.”   Si Gov Uy mao usab ang kasamtangan chairman sa Regional Peace and Order Council. (Maryel Lasaca // ID Comval)

Comval's last leg for VDSF

Aquathlon culminates in Mabini

Compostela Valley province—The province’s last leg for the Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDSF) event culminates with the successful holding of the 1^st Comval Aquathlon held in Mabini on June 17, 2018.

“The Comval Aquathlon is the last VDSF event hosted by Comval from mountain climbing for women last April, to Mars Attack National Climb last May and successfully ended in the fine waters of Mabini Protected Landscape Seascape, our way of celebrating Father’s Day!”, Provincial Tourism Officer Christine Dompor said.

With 96 participants, the aquathlon covers a 600-meter swim challenge from Kopiat Island to the mainland, particularly at Manaklay Beach Resort, and a 1,000-meter run for the adult category and kids aging 11-14 years old. While the kids’ category ages 7-10 years old covers a 200m swim.

For the over-all adult category aging 20-49 years old, Jomar Turno of Tagum City bested other swimmers-runners clocking 16:01 (16 min, 1 sec) followed by Edison Cayano at 16:24 and Dos Gumela at 16:33.  For the boys/girls category (7-10 y.o.), Xander Barraca topped at 3:20 followed by Matthew Dugaduga at 3:21 and Keanne Albert Alpiz at 3:22.

The 1^st place for all categories received cash prizes of P7,000 and plaques each. While the 2^nd  and 3^rd placers received cash prizes of P5,000 and P3,000 each plus plaques, respectively. All finishers also received medals and gift items from the event sponsors.

Jojo Bernadas who topped the female adult category aging 35-49 y.o, finds it challenging saying the experience was great. “I am a runner and joined ultra marathon. But this is my first time to swim in open water and join this kind of competition,” the 49 year-old power-lady said.

“We would like to position Comval as a prime tourism destination, also hosting triathlon and other sports events. We have this beautiful island for a great cross-channel experience,” Gov. Tyron Uy, who is also a sports enthusiast, said.

Also present and giving their support are Mabini Mayor Reynaldo Dayanghirang, President and CEO Tomas Lorenzo of Lorenzo Group of Companies and owner of the Lubi Plantation in Kopiat Island, the jump off point for the swim-run event, Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Butch Blanco, CVPPO Provincial Director PSSupt Roderico Roy, AFP, local officials and different partner-organizers of the event such as the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and Health Offices, Mabini tourism officer Elizabeth Dayanghirang    Red Cross-Comval, and the Phil. Coast Guard, and the different support offices of the provincial government. The race technical director of the event is Dax  Ang of Davao Adventure Xtreme.

Summing up the event, Dompor ended, “it’s a splash, it’s an epic run! We happily thank everyone for joining us this year and we are cooking for more sports adventure in Compostela Valley from highlands to the islands!”    (fe fuentes-maestre/ID Comval)

Negativity kills

My column in Mindanao Daily Mirror and Mindanao Daily:

NEGATIVITY KILLS

Sometimes, we feel our life is turning miserably. Our negativity doesn't allow us to keep our eyes, ears - and, most important! -  our minds, hearts and souls opened. Were reaching our breaking point.

As I said several months ago here: this breaking point can be the prelude to our strongest moment. It is when we reach our breaking point, that we discover our real strength. Allow me to ask you, my dear readers, "What happens to you or with you when you reach your breaking point?" Do you face it or do you run away?

I'll be giving you a very simple answer: If you face it - you break it. If you run away (and/or close your ears, eyes and mouth) - it surely breaks you!

Everyday - a dull reality! Many of us will answer this question with a big YES! Actually we do like to cover a newborn day already with grey veil? Each day has a new face, but sometimes we don't have the strength to watch its countenance. Of course, not every day has adventures and highlights.

But we enjoy quarreling and arguing. With other people and even with ourselves.

Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that, at the same time, seemed especially desolating and painful with a particular satisfaction. Indeed, everything I have learned, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness. 

If it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from your earthly existence, the result would not be make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable. 

By observation, we can feel that many of us need help to manage the everyday life. We need something that would keep us going as we journey through life. Many times we can also learn from other people and their experiences.

Blue eyed or very philosophical but so very true: If the world is to be brought to order, a nation must be first changed.  If  nation isn' t be changed, my home town is to be reordered and must be first set be right, my dear brothers and sisters. And, one step further: If my family is to be regenerated, I MYSELF MUST FIRST BE!

And here is one more thing: Affection is the humblest love - it gives itself no airs. It lives with humble and private things: soft slippers, old clothes, old jokes, and the thump of a sleepy dog's tail on the kitchen floor. The glory of affection, the disposition of mind, the good will and tender attachment, is that it can unite those who are not "made for one and another", people. Who, if not out down by fate in the same household or community, would have nothing to do with one and another.

For me life has been a thing of ups and downs in approximately equal measure. I don't have something sensational to report every day about my progress. Often, I wonder if fulfillment in life is necessarily tied to change for the better.

Over 200 schools file tuition hike petition

By: Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star) - 

MANILA, Philippines — Over 200 private colleges and universities are seeking government approval to increase tuition and other fees this year due to the impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and the migration of teachers to state-funded tertiary institutions.

In a press briefing yesterday, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) officer-in-charge J. Prospero de Vera said their regional offices have endorsed the applications for tuition and other fee increases of 248 private higher education institutions (HEIs).

The data do not include applications from Region 4-A, which are expected to be submitted to the commission next week before the board tackles the requests for increases.

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“The regional offices have completed their work on evaluating the applications. There is no decision of the commission en banc yet but there are some preliminary data,” De Vera said.

“This number may go down depending on the decision of the commission en banc next week,” he added.

Of the 248 HEIs, 211 are asking for increase in both tuition and other school fees, 27 only on tuition and 10 only on other school fees.

Asked for reasons for the increase, De Vera said the HEIs cited the impact of the TRAIN law and the migration of faculty members to state-funded colleges and universities (SUCs) that offer better compensation.

“Some are saying (these are) effects of the TRAIN law,” he said. “Also, because cost of education has really gone higher. Remember, one of the problems being encountered by private universities now is they are losing their good faculty to SUCs.”

The CHED official noted that private schools have to be competitive in terms of salary for them not to lose teachers to the public sector.

“Private universities are losing a lot of their very good faculty because they cannot pay them competitive salaries. Tuition increases (are) the number one way of making the salaries competitive because 70 percent of any tuition fee increase must be given to salaries,” he said.

In addition to new faculty items in SUCs, he noted the Department of Education has created a lot of items for senior high school teachers, which offer higher compensation than some of the smaller private universities.

De Vera, however, stressed that the number of private HEIs seeking increases in tuition and other fees is just a small percentage of the over 1,600 private tertiary institutions nationwide.

“Majority of private universities are not increasing fees. It’s only a small percentage, only 14 percent of HEIs have applied for tuition increase,” he said. “The impact of this overall may not be as bad as speculated.”

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/06/15/1824852/over-200-schools-file-tuition-hike-petition#UhyE9XxsL2z6FAdx.99

Philippine Independence Day 2018

From left: Klaus Doring, Consul a.h. of the Federal Republic of Germany, Michael Ang, Consul a.h. of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Yoshiyaki Miwa, Counsellor, Davao Consular Office of the Embassy of Japan (soon to be elevated to Consulate General), Issam ElDebs, Consul a.h. of the Republic of Syria, Acting Assistant Secretary Robert O. Ferrer, Jr., DFA Mindanao, Peter Faistauer, Consul a.h. of the Federal Republic of Austria, BIMP-EAGA Signing Minister and Chairman of Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) Abul Khayr Alonto, Berlian Napitupulu, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Maria Lourdes MonteverdeMalou Monteverde, Consul a.h. of the United Mexican States, Undersecretary Luzviminda Ilagan, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Intelligence Coordinating Council (NICA) Director Jerome Marquez, Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Lim of the National Economic Development Authority. Not in picture: Mr. Vicente Lao, Consul a.h. of New Zealand, Mr. Guilbert Go, Consul a.h. of the Czech Republic, Mr. Li Lin, Consul General-designate, soon-to-be Consulate General of the People's Republic of China, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Arthur Milan and Vice Consul Saifulnizam of Malaysia

Trade War or Not?

TRADE WAR OR NOT?

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini doesn't want to use the word "war" when speaking about EU-US relations. It's true that the EU has to defend its interests, she says, "but we're not at war with anyone."

Fine. But fact is, the EU caught between desire for retaliation and calm. No wonder! The EU doesn't want to just put up with Donald Trump's higher import tariffs and is mulling retaliatory measures. But German firms, in particular, fear that no one would profit from an escalation of the situation. And that's indeed true.

While being off to Manila due to several events (Philippine Independence Day is just around the corner!), I got this in mind: Is Trump's Korea policy calculated chaos? As the US scrambles to reorganize a summit with North Korea, positive outcomes are far from certain. Rather than a calculated strategy, the Trump administration's disorganized diplomacy is leaving the world in suspense. Latest news on my desk: June 12 is final for the Trump-Kim meeting. Who knows?

   

Fact is also: the European Commission is hopping mad, and it's ready to fight back. For its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, the higher US tariffs are "protectionism, simple as that." The US, he says, leaves the EU with no other choice than to initiate a WTO case. However, a ruling by the world trade body is likely to take months.

Also, US President Donald Trump has already signaled his country would withdraw from the World Trade Organization, should it side with the EU in its ruling. In other words, Europeans shouldn't pin too much hope on the WTO.

Juncker said the EU executive would come up with an adequate response nonetheless, as retaliatory measures such as higher EU import duties on US products had been prepared ahead of the US decision. Among the American items to be targeted would be ships and other products made with steel, whiskey, peanut butter, Harley-Davidsons and Levi's jeans worth €2.8 billion ($3.27 billion).

That's far less than the EU steel and aluminum exports to the US - worth €6.4 billion annually - which are affected by the Trump administration's decision. EU countertariffs could only be implemented after June 20, and it's unclear whether they will come at all. The bloc's member states will have to come to a joint decision, but positions currently differ widely.

Higher US tariffs on cars would be a blow to Germany's auto industry. That's for sure!

Of course, some EU states are not affected at all. Good for them. The managing director of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA), Gerhard Handke, told Reuters that not all EU member countries were affected by the higher tariffs to the same extent. He said there are nations that do not export steel or aluminum to the US at all. Handke argues that those nations are not interested in retaliation. Fine, but where is the spirit of an UNITED Europe? Yes, I know. It's gone already - as many Europe critics voiced out.

By contrast, Germany is hit hardest. "Against this background, keeping the EU's ranks closed despite different national interests among the 27 members will be a tall order," Handke commented.

Instead of coming up with comprehensive realiatory mesasures, he suggests the EU keep negotiating with the US.  He fears that otherwise there may be a devastating, psychologically induced impact on the market alongside the damage that businesses stand to incur.

The head of Germany's steel and metalworking industry group WSM, Christian Vietmeyer, doesn't beat about the bush. "Any EU response that could lead to a further escalation and more trade barries would do even more damage — Brussels should stay calm," he said.

German carmaker Volkswagen agrees that a spiral of sanctions and countersanctions would see no winners in the end. Donald Trump has already threatened to impose higher import tariffs on cars, which would deal a serious blow to Europe's powerhouse.

So, trade war or not? And please accept by apologizes for using the term "war".

Bernd Lange, who heads the European Parliament's INTA trade committee, is trying to combine a certain readiness to compromise with what he believes is the need to counter Trump's latest move with determination and resolve.

"Trump is attempting to blackmail us, and that's why we have to initiate an adequate response without provoking further escalation," he told German public radio. He suggested the EU should also raise import tariffs, but not to the same extent as the Trump administration. And that's what will most likely happen next.

Lange criticized German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier, who he said wanted to strike a deal with Donald Trump at all costs. "But no, we shouldn't negotiate a dirty deal under duress."

Altmaier himself said people should remain level-headed. He told German public broadcaster ARD (the first German TV channel after WWII) he hoped a process of contemplation would kick in in the US given that many goods would become more expensive there with the imposition of higher import duties. The minister added that people should not be fooled by Trump's threats toward German carmakers, calling on Europeans to stand and act together and possibly teaming up with Canada and Mexico, which have already announced countermeasures.

But not eveyone is willing to stay calm and treat the trade spat as a purely economic conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron took a look back in history. "Economic nationalism leads to war, and that's exactly what happened in the 1930s," he said. Gabriel Felbermayr, the director of the ifo Center for International Economics, sees "a Cold War in EU-US trade relations" on the horizon. Strong words, indeed!

Duterte Boasts Anti-Corruption Drive: 30 fired so far!

By Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin

SEOUL — At least 30 government officials have been fired by President Duterte as part of his intensified anti-corruption campaign so far.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the Grand Hilton Convention Center Seoul in South Korea on June 3, 2018. (ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)

Addressing the Filipino community in South Korea last Sunday, the President said he has removed officials involved in certain irregularities including excessive foreign travels.

Duterte said he was hurt that many of these sacked officials convinced him to run in the last presidential elections.

“To date, I have fired almost lahat kilala ko and sadly, ito ‘yung mga tao nag-udyok sa akin — nandoon ako sa Davao, pinupuntahan ako, pinepeste ako [To date, I have fired almost everyone I know and sadly, these were the people who convince me to run. I was in Davao then and they went there and pestered me],” Duterte said in his remarks.

“So to date, I have fired about 30,” he said.

“I’m fighting corruption. You know that. Pati sila. Sinabi ko talaga sa kanila na even a whiff [Even them. I told them even a whiff],” he said about his presidential appointees.

Duterte admitted that he has dismissed some government officials for engaging in more than 10 foreign trips.

He said one official traveled 21 times abroad, including trips to China, Canada, and Brazil. He did not identify the person.

“What have you achieved? You’ve wasted money. Lahat ng nag-travel more than 10, tinanggal ko sa gobyerno [I removed in government those who traveled more than 10 times],” he said.

“What made you think that itong pera ng Pilipinas iyo [What made you think the money of the Philippines is yours?]” he added.

Duterte said he has already imposed some travel restrictions for government officials to prevent abuse of public funds. He said they must now get his permission before they could travel abroad.

“Now I have this instruction, walang travel. Before you go — except the, ‘yung gaya ng Foreign Secretary hindi mo na… Others, clear it with me. Gusto kong malaman na paano mo gastusin ‘yung kwarta [Now I have this instructor, no travel. Before you go, except the likes of the Foreign Secretary, others clear it with me. I want to know how you will spend the money],” he said.

Among the former officials recently removed from office are Customs Deputy Commissioner Noel Patrick Prudente, Government Corporate Counsel Rudolf Philip Jurado and Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino.

Duterte said Jurado committed a mistake when he issued a legal opinion allowing the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) to issue gambling permits outside its area of jurisdiction. He insisted that APECO had no authority like the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) that issues gambling permits across the country.

“He interpreted the law beyond its normal proportion by farming out — nagbigay rin siya ng lisensya using the mother franchise. Eh para rin siyang PAGCOR [by giving licenses using the mother franchise. You’re just like PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation],” he said.

Apart from the APECO controversy, Duterte slammed Jurado over the proposed 75-year lease contract for a foreign firm in Nayong Pilipino.

“Although it was not in the contract, in its final form, but to suggest na 75 years is totally stupid,” he said.

“Ilang presidente magdaan kung ganun 75 years? Parang ibinigay mo na ‘yung isang kumpanya, isang tao. 25 years, renewable 25 years. But 75 years — talagang… Lumayas kayo dito [How many presidents will pass in 75 years? It’s like you’ve given one company to one person. Twenty years, then renewable for 25 years. But 75 years? You better leave],” he added.