The Manila Times


A 2


ALACAÑANG on Sunday urged Filipinos to avoid lavish Christmas parties and take it


news MONDAY D e cember 6, 2010


Filipinos urged to observe austere Christmas M


Deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said that government offices would also spend less for Christmas par-


■ PROBE FROM A1 JPE rejects new Ping probe


said that he would talk with the Sen- ate leadership about the resolution on Lacson and possibly discuss this in a caucus.


If the case is reinvestigated and


the warrant of arrest against Lacson is withdrawn, according to Honasan, the fugitive senator might finally surface and work in the Senate while preparing for his


■ CONSUMERS FROM A1


Prepaid electricity to light up day of users


can monitor how much electricity he or she consumes in a day.” De la Cruz added that the prepaid


electric meter is patterned after prepaid technology used by telecom- munication companies. Through the prepaid meter system,


he said, consumers can also control their bill.


A P100-load under this system, de la Cruz added, would be good for two days’ worth of electricity. He said that the prepaid meter is the


perfect solution for distribution utilities such as Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). “It [meter] can also reduce [electric-


ity] debts and illegal [power] connec- tions that DU [distribution utilities] are experiencing,” de la Cruz added. Illegal connections, made possible


through “jumpers,” are the main problem of the distribution utilities. A man interviewed by The Times


admitted that he and many of his neighbors in Manila’s poor Tondo district are using jumpers. “We are only doing it because we don’t


have enough money to pay the high electricity charges,” he said in Filipino. The man, a carpenter who moon-


lights as a pedicab driver, said that he used to be billed by Meralco but increasing cost of electricity forced him to steal it instead of paying for it. “Every time meter readers arrive to


read my neighbors’ meters, we [who use jumpers] hide or lock ourselves inside our home for an hour,” he said. “We look like criminals who are


hiding every time police arrive in our neighborhood,” the man added. “If there’s a chance, we want to change our illegal doings,” he said. Apparently welcoming the prepaid


meter system, the man said, “I think that a P100 load for my electricity for two days is not a bad deal.”


■ STOPS FROM A1 Donaire stops Sidorenko in 4th round


Manila) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Malacañang, through deputy


spokesman Abigail Valte over state- run Radyo ng Bayan, congratulated Donaire for winning the fight. Donaire hurt the gutsy Ukranian with a left hook midway into the opening round and then decked him with quick combinations to the head just before the end of the round. He dictated the pace of the fight


with hard power shots from both hands and dropped Sidorenko again in the final minute of the third round with a perfectly timed counter-left hook, probably his best shot. The end came with about 1:48


minutes into the fourth round when a flurry of hard lefts and rights sent the bloodied Sidorenko down on one knee. The referee stopped the fight as the former Olympic bronze medalist was in no position to continue, his


face all red from the almost clinical beating by the supremely confident Filipino-American fighter, who is being dubbed as “the next Manny Pacquiao.” The impressive victory sets up a


February 19 televised HBO fight against Mexican puncher-boxer Fernando Montiel, who will stake his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantam titles in what could be the two fighters’ biggest fight. “I came here to make a statement, and I thank God I did it,” Donaire said after the fight. “I think I’m ready for the next


level,” he added, referring to his showdown with Montiel, probably Mexico’s finest active boxer. His Mexican-American trainer


Robert Garcia said that he was not surprised by the outcome because Donaire was in probably his best


shape for the fight. “Nonito is very talented fighter


who trains very hard and I’m quite convinced that he would continue his winning ways if he remains focused,” Garcia added. When asked about comparisons


between the Filipino ring icon Pacquiao and Donaire, the Mexican- American trainer told this writer just after the weigh-in on Friday afternoon that the Bay Area sensation has the power and the speed of Pacquiao. “Manny has his powerful left


straight and Nonito has a lethal left hook, so I think the comparison is not far-fetched at all,” Garcia said. “Both are quick and both are gutsy Filipino warriors.” While flattered by the compari- sons with his idol Pacquiao, Donaire insisted that the eight-division pound-for-pound best boxer in the


world “is without peer.” “There’s only one Manny


Pacquiao,” he said during an earlier interview. “We Pinoy boxers are just really, really thankful to Manny for opening doors for us. If you ask me, I think Pacquiao is without peer.” But one thing that Donaire has


probably learned from the great Pacquiao is his desire to fight the very best available opponents. He had made no secret his plan to


gradually go up in weight to seek greater challenges. Donaire said that his “dream fight” is against unbeaten Puerto Rican featherweight star Juan Manuel Lopez. The Filipino-American boxer, who turned 28 on November 16 this year, showed his boxing skills against Sidorenko with right hand leads and double and triple jabs to set up his power combinations.


WITH REPORT FROM CRIS G. ODRONIA defense in court.


Enrile said that Justice Secretary Lilia de Lima had told him that the Department of Justice (DOJ) could not review the case because it is al- ready filed in court and the justice department had found probable cause against Lacson.


He added that in their talks, de Lima suggested that Lacson come


■ PEACE FROM A1 Manila eyes key role in Middle East peace


He added that the Philippines is much concerned with the secu- rity and safety of every Filipino re- siding or making a living in the Middle East. “The Philippines is a strong ad-


vocate and supporter of the Mid- dle East ‘Peace Process’ and is set to make a contribution in any way it can,” Cabactulan said. He maintained that the country will continue backing establish- ment of a free and independent Palestinian State and called on Is- rael and Palestine “to work to- gether to achieve lasting peace in the region.” “The Philippines has for many


years joined in the global clamor for the establishment of a Pales- tinian homeland to help alleviate the dire situation of the Palestin- ian people. The Philippines sees merit in the Two-State Solution proposed by our partners for peace and hopes that both Israel and Palestine will put their hands to- gether to meaningfully achieve a long-lasting and durable solution


■ SUSPENDS FROM A1 DOLE SUSPENDS VISITS


country’s 16 regions effective 1 Decem- ber 2010 until January 14, 2011,” Baldoz said after issuing the order. “The suspension is guided by our mandates on labor and employment in the light of the goal of President Benigno Aquino 3rd, in his 22-point agenda on labor and employment, to strengthen the welfare and protection of the coun- try’s workers. It is also [meant] to up- hold the integrity of labor standards’ en- forcement by precluding opportunities and temptations for abuse of the inspec- tion power during the Christmas and New Year holidays,” she added. Baldoz clarified that while AO 443 suspended activities related to enforce- ment of labor standards during the pre- scribed period, it exempted the inves- tigation of labor standards complaints, which shall in all cases be speedily dis- posed of; technical safety inspections covering mechanical equipment and electrical wiring installation; and urgent inspections/technical assistance visits that may be called for because of com-


pelling circumstances. For such urgent visits, the DOLE


Regional Office first shall seek ap- proval of the Labor secretary before any such visits may be conducted. Baldoz required concerned re- gional offices to submit accomplish- ment reports on activities not covered by the suspension as required under existing rules and regulations. Under AO 443, the period of suspen- sion will be utilized for disposition of all pending labor-standards cases and preparation of the Labor Standards En- forcement Program for 2011, which shall ensure effective continuation of DOLE’s Labor Enforcement and Action Program (LEAP), as well as the TAV and SA approaches.


The Labor department is implement- ing an expanded and enhanced LEAP to achieve a higher rate of compliance with general labor standards by com- panies and establishments. LEAP was implemented starting September this year.


to the problem,” Cabactulan said. The Philippines also takes a leadership role in UN peacekeep- ing operations with troops in Golan whose presence helps keep the peace in the Middle East. One concrete measure, Cabac- tulan said, is the creation of a Mid- dle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.


The Philippines presided over


the 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) held in New York in May this year.


During the conference, states re- affirmed the proposal to establish a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. “The Philippines views the out- come of the 2010 NPT Review Con- ference as a significant contribu- tion to the Middle East peace proc- ess,” the ambassador said. Among the key elements of the NPT review were the convening of an international conference in


2012 on establishment of a Mid- dle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction; the appoint- ment of a facilitator with a full mandate to support implementa- tion of a 1995 Resolution by con- ducting consultations with states in the region and making prepa- rations for the 2012 conference; the designation of a host govern- ment for the 2012 conference; and the key role of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Or- ganization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the prepa- ration for the 2012 conference. “The 2012 conference presents a rare chance to show the seriousness and goodwill of all stakeholders. I strongly encourage the countries in the region and the three depository states of the 1995 Middle East reso- lution to participate and strive to achieve a meaningful outcome. Not only is it important that they at- tend, but they must go to that con- ference with an open mind and heart,” Cabactulan said.


■ AWAITING FROM A1


‘Morong 43’ still waiting


situation,” Valte said during an interview over government-run Radyo ng Bayan. According to the Palace deputy spokesman, the Justice secretary has submitted another recommendation to President Aquino regarding the health workers’ case. Thus, she appealed to con- cerned parties wait for the Presi- dent’s action on the matter. The 43 health workers, who


were arrested in Morong town in southern Rizal province in February this year on suspicion that they were communist New People’s Army rebels, are facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.


easy on the traditional roast pig in keeping with President Benigno Aquino 3rd’s austerity measures.


ties, while the Education depart- ment has issued a directive for schools to temper the fun.


“In keeping with the austerity policy given by the Aquino admin- istration, we can celebrate a mean- ingful Christmas with our office mates without going over the top,” Valte said. The government, she added, was also advising the public to eat in moderation for health reasons. “Enjoy the season in good health . . . go slow on lechon,” Valte said. Lechon is the traditional spit-


out of hiding and file a petition for bail on the ground that the evidence against him is not strong. “I read the evidence and they are


very weak and would not show be- yond reasonable doubt that Sen. Lacson is involved,” Enrile said. The courts have rejected petitions


of lawyers of Lacson to withdraw a warrant of arrest issued against him and to review the case. The lawyers have also asked the department not to oppose their mo- tions, which the department rejected. “The lawyers can’t ask the DOJ not


roasted pig, a Filipino delicacy served on special occasions but blamed by many doctors for a spike in reports of high blood pressure during the holidays.


More than 80 percent of Filipinos are Catholics, prompting strict ad- herence to Christmas traditions and festivities.


Filipinos are notorious for observ- ing the longest Christmas season in the world, which officially begins


to oppose any motion for review. The DOJ was the one that filed the case and it would look bad if it approved the review,” Enrile explained. He said that if Lacson surfaces and files a petition for bail, he might succeed in convincing the courts to release him temporarily. “I did not go in hiding. I went to the courts, and I was released,” Enrile said of what he did twice when he was charged with non-bail- able crimes.


He pointed out that Lacson could not file a petition while in hiding.


with nine pre-dawn Masses nine days before December 25 and typically extends to the first week of January. Education Secretary Armin Luistro also issued a directive to the country’s 43,000 elementary and secondary schools to keep Christ- mas parties simple. Teachers are barred from collect- ing money for parties from par- ents—a common practice, which Luistro said added to the burden of


■ CHARGES FROM A1 Melo asks Ombudsman


commissioners, citing the Ombuds- man’s lack of authority to adjudicate the cases.


In a four-page letter dated No-


vember 30, 2010 obtained by The Manila Times, Melo and the six Comelec commissioners asked Gutierrez to dismiss all the criminal and administrative charges against them since they are impeachable of- ficers outside the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman. “[T]he complaints filed before the Ombudsman should be dismissed on the ground that members of this com- mission are among the impeachable officials provided for by the Consti- tution,” the letter stated.


List of charges


Among the cases filed against Melo and his commissioners, as cited in the letter, are the cases filed by the Philippine Computer Society dock- eted as “Ma. Cristina V. Agustin vs. Benjamin Abalos, et al., OMB-C-C- 10-0238-F and OMB-C-A-10-0247- F” and by a certain Nelson Celis against Melo and many of commis- sioners for alleged violation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Stand- ards for Public Officials. The Times learned that the Comelec chairman was also implicated in the Ballot Secrecy Folder (BSF) contro- versy, which is under investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman. A report of the Comelec Law De- partment headed by lawyer Ferdi- nand Rafanan found that Melo and several commissioners may be im- peached over the folder scandal. In the 99-page Confidential Inves- tigation Report on the P690-million Ballot Secrecy Folder controversy dated June 28, 2010, the Rafanan panel found Melo and the commis- sioners liable for “their apparent in- excusable gross negligence.” In the Rafanan Panel Report, Melo and several commissioners were asked to explain why they should not be impeached by Con- gress for alleged betrayal of public trust stipulated in Section 2, Article XI, of the 1987 Constitution for promulgating Comelec En Banc Resolution 8795, which approved the procurement of Ballot Secrecy Folders for a price of P380 each. Excluded in the charge sheet in the BSF scam were Commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer and Arman Velas-


■ PRICES FROM A1 Bread prices to go up again


Co said that bakeries expect a bigger demand for Pinoy Tasty during the Christmas season, so a fifth of their production capacities would be allocated to baking this cheap bread.


Since October, members of PhilBaking, Filipino-Chinese Bak- ery Association Inc. and Philippine Federation of Bakeries Associa- tions Inc. have been churning out the 450-gram Pinoy Tasty, which costs only P36. Branded loaves of bread cost up


to P55. Co said that the price of Pinoy


Tasty would be maintained until the early part of January next year, after which bakers would determine if they should raise the price to offset increasing costs of raw materials. “There will still be a price differ- ence between branded bread and Pinoy Tasty,” he noted.


Bakeries are keeping the price of


Pinoy Tasty low by subsidizing its production as part of their corpo- rate social responsibility.


»In The Manila Times


co because they did not sign the cited resolution on account of their absence as they were on official business abroad.


Also pending with the Office of the Ombudsman are graft charges against Melo and several Comelec officials filed by lawyer Harry Roque for the alleged P8.5-million poll paper scam used in the Autono- mous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections held in 2008.


Impeachment needed In the letter sent to the Ombuds-


man, Melo and the commissioners defended themselves, saying that they cannot be charged by Gutierrez unless they were impeached first as enunciated by the Supreme Court. “Violation of the laws cited by the complainants carry the penalties of removal from office, imprisonment and fine. Following the doctrine enunciated by the Supreme Court in the above-mentioned case (Marco- leta v Borra), an impeachment com- plaint should have first been filed and resolved accordingly against the members of this commission before a criminal and administrative com- plaint can be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman,” they argued. The accused explained that the Comelec has been given powers by the Constitution to enforce and administer all laws and regu- lations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum and recall and the some of the complaints stemmed from the implementation of au- tomated elections that are sanc- tioned by law. “It is for these reasons that the undersigned members of the Com- mission on Elections respectfully request this Honorable Office to dismiss the cases/complaints filed against them and the issuance of a certification stating the dismissal of the above-stated cases/complaints,” they stressed.


Aside from Melo, who is about to


leave the Comelec, Commissioners Ferrer and Gregorio Larrazabal will finish their term on February 15, 2011. According to a high-ranking offi- cial in the Office of the Ombuds- man, without the resolution on the cited cases against Melo and several commissioners, the accused cannot receive their retirement benefits and the Ombudsman clearance nor- mally issued to resigned or retired government officials.


many poor families. “I would like to remind our dear teachers and students to continue observing austere measures as they prepare for Christmas parties in schools,” he said. “Let us remember that the true spirit of Christmas is not in grand cel- ebrations but in spreading love and sharing our hearts with those who are in need this holiday season.”


AFP


December 6, 1987 Mayoral bets, five aides gunned down TWO candidates for mayor—one in Pandi, Bulacan, and the other in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte—were slain in separate incidents in escalating pre-poll violence.


December 6, 1967 Mrs. Gordon denies poll-bribe charge MAYOR-ELECT Amelia Gordon of Olongapo City, Zambales, yesterday denied an allegation made before House investigators that she had offered a P15,000 bribe to murdered Commission on Elections official Benjamin Misola. “It ’s not only silly but downright ridiculous,” the widow of assassinated Mayor James Gordon told Rep. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. of Zambales.


December 6, 1947 Third profits case pending PAPERS on another case of war-profits tax evasion involving a tax liability of P170,638.88 yesterday were endorsed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue to the Manila fiscal’s office. The person involved is the brother-in-law of the treason indictee who is implicated in the P5-million tax-evasion case reported to the prosecutor ’s office on Thursday.


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