JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2021 8 DIGITAL....FROM P. 7


The program built my confidence to tackle the science, and simplify concepts for ordinary readers, and in the process, help raise public awareness of environmental problems.


reports. I


Shortly after I returned to Manila, I worked at the Philippine office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency where I was in-charge of media, and communicating the organization’s initiatives in the country.


source of official development assistance loans and grants, JICA has projects in marine resources management, renewable energy, disaster risk management, climate change resiliency, and environment-friendly urban infrastructure.


As the Philippines’ biggest


sustainability reports for banks, property companies, utilities, and energy firms. It’s heartening to know that ESG issues are increasingly being taken into account in the business decisions of certain companies, and are becoming more responsible for their actions. But as environmental issues grow larger, so should the corresponding response and action of not just corporations, but also governments and the citizens. While I didn’t become an environmental journalist who writes explosive investigative stories, I still do get to write about and for the environment. Positive stories are right


usually write


I was more than happy to write about JICA’s diverse projects, but it would’ve been a different story without my EJ background. My EJ training also helped me gain several writing projects with consultancy firms specializing in sustainability reporting. There is now a growing appreciation for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) as a measure of a company’s performance. In fact, the Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission last year required listed companies to submit a report on their sustainability impacts on top of their annual


TEMPEST....FROM P. 5


so long and unwieldy it serves no geographic specificity—and thus, is no help to anyone. There really should be a


City resolution drafted to give specific lengths of its byways their own names. At least the curve that extends to Daro, going to the Water District, has been renamed Gen. Diego de la Viña Street—although locals still call it “Kalubihan.” I’m glad we’ve retained some of the old street names, especially those streets that follow the Spanish tradition of naming the early streets of Dumaguete after saints.


From Lorna Makil, we learn that this concept of “encircle and protect” allows for the spiritual protection of the poblacion, with streets surrounding it becoming hallowed by these saints’ names. Hence, we have Calle Santa Catalina, Calle San Juan, Calle San Jose, Calle Santa Rosa, and Calle Santa Cecilia— although the latter is now Silliman Avenue.


December 2018, for the City Tourism Officer to finally see some realization of her “proper street signs” dream. What


It took three years, in


REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF NEGROS ORIENTAL 7TH


Branch 13 – Family Court Dumaguete City GLORIA ALBURO PULANCO,


up my alley, and in a world already full of fear and pessimism, we all could use more uplifting stories that educate and inspire people to make better decisions for the planet and mankind.


earned her bachelors in Communication from Ateneo de Manila in 2007, then the Certificate in Environmental Journalism from Silliman in 2012 through the WWF-Prince Bernhard Scholarship for Nature Conservation. She worked as features writer then assistant editor at BusinessWorld until 2011, then moved on to the development sector until last year when she moved to Reno to join her husband.


Hannah Muralla-Palustre


Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 7th


BRANCH 63 Bayawan City IN THE MATTER OF THE ISSUANCE OF A


NEW OWNER’S ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. FV-16291 OF THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF THE PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL


HEIRS OF ANTONIO V. CARBALLO SR., represented by their Attorneys-in-Fact, ANTONIO O. CARBALLO JR. and SERINA JEAN O. CARBALLO, Petitioners vs.


LRC Case No. 120 Judicial Region


Petitioner versus


HSIAO KAI HUNG, Respondent x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/


CIVIL CASE NO. 2020-15827 FOR: ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE


PURSUANT TO ART. 35 (3) OF THE FAMILY CODE


Filed before this Court is a motion for leave of court for extraterritorial service of Summons by Publication. Under Sec. 17 Rule 14 of the Rules of Court as amended, when the Respondent does not reside and is not found in the Philippines, and the action affects personal status of the Plaintiff, extraterritorial service of summons may be effected under any of these modes:


SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION a party, or


1) Personal service out of the country with leave of court or 2) As provided for in international conventions to which the Philippines is


3) By publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and sending a copy of the Summons and Order of the Court by registered mail to the Defendant’s last known address, also with leave of court, or 4) By any other means the Judge may consider sufficient. Applying the foregoing rule, the motion for issuance of Summons by


Publication filed by the Plaintiff through counsel, the same is hereby GRANTED. “Accordingly, let service of summons upon Respondent HSIAO KAI


HUNG be effected out of the Philippines by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, once a week for three consecutive weeks; at the same time, furnishing Respondent copy of this Order, as well as the corresponding Summons and copy of the Petition at his given address and email address, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, all at the expense of Petitioner. Said Respondent is hereby ordered to file his answer in Court within a reasonable time, which shall not less than 30 days after notice. The Order of this court dated Nov. 19, 2020 is hereby set aside upon filing of the motion for reconsideration. Atty. Alexylle Rose Garsula-Concepcion and the Petitioner are notified of this Order in open court.


second floor, Hall of Justice, E.J. Blanco Drive, Piapi, Dumaguete City.


(Sgd.) Leah P. Villarubia Presiding Judge


FIRST AMENDED PETITION


Petitioner GLORIA ALBURO PULANCO, by counsel, unto the Honorable Court, most respectfully states that:


resident of Barangay Lower Batinguel, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. She may be served with summons, orders, notices, and other processes of this Court in the law office of the undersigned at:


THE LAND REGISTRATION AUTHORITY and THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF THE PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, Respondent. x---------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER


ALEXYLLE ROSE GARSULA-CONCEPCION & ASSOCIATES Door 2 Tornandizo Siebert Bldg., San Juan St., Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental


Tel. No. (035) 420-9841; Mobile +63 906-827-0360


CARBALLO SR., represented by their ATTORNEYS-in-FACT ANTONIO O. CARBALLO JR. and SERINA JEAN O. CARBALLO, praying that this Court, after due notice and hearing, issue an Order declaring the lost owner’s duplicate of Original Certificate of Title No. FV-16291 null and void, located at Obos, Sicopong, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, Philippines, and directing the issuance of a new owner’s duplicate in lieu of the afore-described lost owner’s duplicate, upon payment of the requisite fees.


late spouses Antonio V. Carballo Sr. & Clotilde O. Carballo; that Antonio V. Carballo Sr., during his lifetime, was the registered owner in fee simple of a parcel of land situated in the municipality of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, particularly described in Original Certificate of Title No. FV-16291, issued by the Register of Deeds of the Province of Negros Oriental; the property is declared for tax purposes under Tax Declaration No. 2017-14-0001-03257, issued by the Municipal Assessor of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental; the realty taxes on the property are up to date; during his lifetime, Antonio V. Carballo Sr. kept the Owner’s Duplicate Copy of Original Certificate of Title No. FV-16291; after the death of Antonio V. Carballo Sr., the herein attorney-in-fact, particularly Antonio O. Carballo Jr., became the custodian of all Certificates of Title covering the properties owned by their deceased parents; during his inventory, he could not find the Original Certificate of Title No. FV-16291 which is the subject of the instant Petition; all efforts exerted to find and locate the said Certificate proved in vain and futile; the original of said certificate is intact and on file in the office of the Register of Deeds of the Province of Negros Oriental; said certificate of title was in full force and effect at the time the owner’s duplicate copy thereof was lost; one of the heirs, Serina Jean O. Carballo, executed an Affidavit of Loss, and filed the same with the Register of Deeds of the Province of Negros Oriental; the owner’s duplicate of said Original Certificate of Title No. FV-16291 has not been delivered to any person or entity to answer for any loan or forbearance; and no deed or other instrument affecting the property described herein has been presented, or is pending registration in the Office of the Register of Deeds of the Province of Negros Oriental. Wherefore, finding the instant Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, this Court hereby sets this Petition for hearing on FEB. 4, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning, at RTC Br. 63, Bayawan City, at which date and time, all persons who have any interest in the subject property may appear and file an opposition to the instant Petition.


The Petitioner is directed to send copies of herein PETITION with its annexes to 1) the Register of Deeds of Negros Oriental; and 2) Land Registration Authority, at his expense.


The Petitioner is further directed to post a copy of this ORDER- NOTIFICATION at: 1) the bulletin boards of the City Hall of Bayawan City; the bulletin boards of RTC, Branch63, Bayawan City;


2) the bulletin boards of the Provincial Capitol of Negros Oriental; the site itself of the subject lot;


to be undertaken by the Sheriff of this Court, at the expense of the Petitioner. On the date of the hearing of this Petition on FEB. 4, 2021 at 8:30 in the


3) the Barangay Hall of the place with the subject property is located; and 4) the site itself of the subject lot;


morning, Petitioner shall submit the relevant Certificates of Posting to prove compliance with the foregoing.


its Annexes and of this ORDER-NOTIFICATION, personally or by registered mail, at his expense, to the registered owners, co-owners, adjoining owners, occupants, and any and all persons or entities having an interest in the subject parcel as indicated in the memorandum of encumbrances annexed to the subject title, AT LEAST 15 DAYS prior to the aforestated date of hearing of this Petition. The Register of Deeds for Negros Oriental shall verify upon receipt of a copy of this ORDER-NOTIFICATION, the status of the subject title, whether or not it is valid or subsisting at the time of the alleged loss; whether or not another title/s exist/s in said office covering the same property; and as to the existence of transaction/s whether registered or pending registration, which may be adversely affected by the present Petition. The Register of Deeds shall submit his/her written findings to this Court on or before the initial hearing of this Petition of FEB. 4, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning. SO ORDERED. Given this Chambers this Nov. 16, 2020, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Philippines.


MARIA MYLA RAE M. SANTOS – ORDEN Eexcutive/Presiding Judge


MetroPost 2021 January 17 • January 24 • January 31 The Petitioner is likewise directed to furnish copies of the PETITION with Petitioners allege that: they are the forced and legitimate heirs of the A verified Petition was filed by Petitioner HEIRS OF ANTONIO V.


2. Respondent HSIAO KAI HUNG, likewise of legal age, Taiwanese citizen, and a resident of 172 Zhuguang Road North District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan 300; and last known Philippine address at Barangay Potrero, Malabon City, Metro Manila. Respondent also has an electronic mail address at hsia.kaihung@gmail. com. Respondent may be served with summons, orders, notices and other processes of this court in the given addresses.


required is when the contracting parties have cohabited for five years or more as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage. In the case herein, Petitioner and Respondent neither cohabitated for five years prior to their alleged marriage; 4. Petitioner and Respondent never intended to be married or live as family, after the alleged celebration of their marriage. Both parties in good faith assumed they were never married. Hence, the marriage between Petitioner and Respondent is void ab initio under Art. 35 of the Family Code of the Philippines; xxxx Art. 35. The following marriages shall be void from the beginning: 1) Those contracted by any party below 18 years of age, even with the consent of parents or guardians;


2) Those solemnized by any person not legally authorized to perform marriages, unless such marriages were contracted with either or both parties believing in good faith that the solemnizing officer had the legal authority to do so; 3) Those solemnized without license, except those covered in the preceding


Chapter;


the other; and ours)


4) Those bigamous or polygamous marriages not failing under Art. 41; 5) Those contracted through mistake of one contracting party as to the identity of


5. Petitioner and Respondent met in Manila through mutual friends named Robert and his wife. Robert’s wife would always bring Petitioner to places, it was one of those occasions that Petitioner met Respondent. 6. Five days after the alleged date of celebration of the parties’ marriage, Petitioner, without an ounce of doubt, stayed in Manila for a while, and gave birth to a daughter, Malene Pulanco, at J.P. Sioson General Hospital in 25 Bukidnon St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City, Philippines on 20 October 1995. Petitioner with her daughter stayed with Petitioner’s sister, Grace Pulanco, at Pedro Gil, Paco, Manila, for years. Respondent visited their daughter once a year until 1999. Since then, the parties cut all their relations. A machine copy of the Certificate of Live Birth of Malene Pulanco is attached, and made integral part herewith as Annex “A”.


Pulanco on her own in the Philippines, and expected Respondent will only give financial support for the child. This was initially the scenario until Petitioner was informed by the Respondent of the latter’s engagement in marriage to another Taiwanese national. In hindsight, Petitioner accepted Respondent’s honesty, and never presumed that they were ever married; 8. In the year 2015, Malene Pulanco was already 19 years old, who yearned


7. Petitioner accepted the fact that she will raise her daughter Malene


6) Those subsequent marriages that are void under Art. 53 xxxx (Emphasis STATEMENTS OF THE CASE


3. One of the exceptions mentioned by law where marriage license is not GROUNDS FOR VOIDING OF MARRIAGE The Law Offices of 1. Petitioner GLORIA ALBURO PULANCO, of legal age, Filipino, and a PARTIES SO ORDERED. Given in open court this 15th day of December 2020 at the


Republic of the Philippines Judicial Region


“proper street signs” we see now in place is just Phase 1 of the project—perhaps owing to the fact that there really was no budget for it in the first instance of its conception back in 2016, and for which reallocations of funds had to be done.


care of the inner City streets. “Phase 2 is all about the outer City streets,” Ms. Antonio said, “and that’s in the works. We were supposed to do Phase 2 in January 2020, but COVID-19 happened. It was put on hold. We continue this year.”


Phase 1 is all about taking


And how come the street signs for Rizal are still missing? “I had them removed for replacement,” she said. “The manufacturer put in ‘Rizal Boulevard,’ when it should be ‘Rizal Avenue.’”


Such distinctions are important, whether one likes the idea or not. A city progresses for the better if it knows itself—and that includes geography, and street names more specifically. If we cannot agree on the name of the street we live on, how can we agree on the best way to move forward as a community?


only then the child may qualify to possess R.O.C. (Taiwan) nationality, and apply for the passport.”


Taiwan https://www.roc-Taiwan.org/ph _en/post/81.html A machine copy of the Consular requirements is attached, and made integral part herewith as Annex “D”. 11. Malene then requested from the Philippine Statistics Authority-


Malene was able to access the same requirements in the Consular page of


Dumaguete City, a Certificate of No-Marriage (CeNoMar) of her mother to determine her status as illegitimate. Only to find out that Malene’s parents, herein Petitioner and Respondent in the records of the PSA were allegedly married on 20 March 1999 at Kalookan City, Metro Manila; 12. Malene showed the CeNoMar to her mother, herein Petitioner. Petitioner, upon discovering of the same, was shocked and dismayed for her daughter that this unfortunate circumstance has cost her daughter’s opportunities to study abroad. A machine copy of the PSA Certification dated 11 August 2015 is attached, and made integral part herewith as Annex “E”.


They decided to secure for a Certificate of Marriage at PSA to verify the same. PSA also showed that there is, indeed, a record of marriage between Petitioner and Respondent entered into their office records;


Petitioner relayed the same to her sister, Josephine Pulanco, about the same.


13. Sometime 07 September 2015, Malene then returned to Taiwan, and told her father, herein Respondent, on updates of her documentary requirements for citizenship;


went to the Local Civil Registrar’s Office in Imus, Cavite, and requested whether the instance of marriage of Petitioner and Respondent were entered into their records, and whether a marriage license indeed existed. City Civil Registrar of Imus, Cavite Violeta P. Sanez issued a Certification dated 03 August 2020 that no record of marriage license between Petitioner and Respondent exists in their records. A machine copy of the Certification is attached and made integral part herewith as Annex “F”.


absent in entering marriage between Petitioner and Respondent. The consent given by the Petitioner was not her own, it was not intelligently and consciously gifted into the marriage. Petitioner could only assume it was likewise for the Respondent. Both Petitioner and Respondent were scammed by strangers who posed as workers for the City Hall of Manila; 16. In compliance with A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC (Re: Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Valid Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages), herein Petitioner further states that she was born and raised, and a resident of Barangay Batinguel, Dumaguete City. To that effect, the Punong Barangay of Batinguel, Dumaguete City, Frankie S. Credo, issued a Certification dated 28 September 2020 attesting that Petitioner Gloria Pulanco is a resident of the same barangay within the jurisdiction of Dumaguete City. A machine copy of the Barangay Certification dated 28 September 2020 with house sketch location is attached, and made integral part herewith as Annex “G”.


and verified that the Petitioner never abandoned the same as her place of residence. Petitioner maintained the same address as her place of residence ever since. Petitioner only temporarily resided in Manila for her college education at Philippine Christian University from the years 1990 to 1995. Sworn Statement of the undersigned Counsel is attached, and made integral part herewith as Annex “H”. 18. That Petitioner and Respondent have not acquired any real properties in the course of their marriage as they did not live together since the date of marriage. Petitioner has been living with her sister Josephine Pulanco, and the latter’s family in Barangay Lower Batinguel, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. The same fact is affirmed by Pastora O. Espinosa and Novilyn R. Orcullo who are neighbors of Josephine Pulanco in Lower Batinguel, Dumaguete City. Joint Affidavit of Espinosa and Orcullo is attached, and made integral part herewith as Annex “H”.


Complaint was furnished to the Office of the Solicitor General at 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City by registered mail; and to the Office of the City Prosecutor-Dumaguete City by personal service.


the marriage of the Petitioner with Respondent be declared VOID AB INITIO pursuant to Art. 35 (3) of the Family Code of the Philippines. Other just and equitable remedies are likewise prayed for.


RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED 04 NOVEMBER 2020. Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines.


ALEXYLLE ROSE GARSULA-CONCEPCION & ASSOCIATES Door 2 Tornandizo Siebert Bldg., San Juan St., Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Tel. No. (035) 420 9841; Mobile +63 906-827-0360


(Sgd.) Alexylle Rose Garsula-Concepcion Counsel for Petitioner


MCLE Compliance No. VI-0027828 valid until 14 April 2022 VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING


I, GLORIA ALBURO PULANCO, of legal age, Filipino, single, with residence and postal address at Lower Batinguel, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines, on oath, hereby state that; 1. That I am the Petitioner in the above-entitled proceeding; that I have


caused the preparation of the foregoing FIRST AMENDED PETITION, that I have read and understood the contents thereof, and that all the allegations therein are true and correct based on my own knowledge and belief, and based on authentic records;


3. That to the best of my knowledge, no such petition or proceeding is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or any of its divisions, or with any other tribunal or agency;


been filled, or is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or any of its divisions, or with any other tribunal or agency, I undertake to promptly inform this Honorable Court of that fact within five days therefrom. Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines, 04 November 2020.


(Sgd.) GLORIA ALBURO PULANCO


for the love and support of her father. Through her research, Malene learned that Taiwanese nationals rarely change their addresses due to the expensive living situation in the country. With her is an address of her father at 172 Zhuguang Road North District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan 300. A very eager daughter, coupled with the determination to find her father, Malene flew by herself to Taiwan. A machine copy of Malene Pulanco’s Philippine passport, where her Taiwanese visa stamp dated “18-28 July 2015” is attached, and made integral part herewith as Annex “B”. 9. It was surreal experience for Malene, she finally met her father after 19 years of longing. Malene candidly asked her father to give support to her desire to continue her education in Taiwan and the United States of America. Her father, herein Respondent, told her that he would gladly have her under his care. Respondent advised his daughter that he would adopt her so Malene can acquire Taiwanese citizenship. Malene had to return to the Philippines to secure all necessary documentary requirements for her citizenship. A machine copy of Malene Pulanco’s Philippine passport where her Taiwanese visa stamp dated “07-17 September 2015” is attached, and made integral part herewith as Annex “C”. Malene stayed for four years with her father in Taiwan. 10. Without delay, Malene as a first time applicant for Taiwanese citizenship, started complying with the requirements as an illegitimate child of her father. Malene had to comply a different set of requirements for her category as illegitimate child, in accordance with Taiwanese laws, and are as follows: “3. If the father is an R.O.C. (Taiwan) national while the mother is a foreigner,


the father must first accomplish an acknowledgment record (If the father has household registration in Taiwan, he will need to submit the birth certificate and the mother’s certificate of no-marriage/CeNoMar, and other relevant documents to the Household Registration Office in Taiwan to register. Regarding the details of this matter, please consult the Household Registration Office where the father has household registration),


exhibited her proof of identity above written, known to me to be the same person who executed the foregoing document at her own free and voluntary will in Dumaguete City.


Doc No. 481 Page No. 98 Book No. IV Series of 2020


(Sgd.) Alexylle Rose Garsula-Concepcion Notary Public


summoned and required to file and serve your answer to the above-quoted Complaint within 30 days from the date of the last publication of this Summons. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, Plaintiff will take judgement by default, and may be granted the relief applied for in the First Amended Petition as against you.


this 16th


Witness the HON. LEAH P. VILLARUBIA, Presiding Judge of this Court, day of December 2020.


GRETEL LYN G. GARCIA Officer-in-Charge


MetroPost 2021 January 10 • January 17 • January 24


MCLE Compliance No. VI-0027828 valid until 4/14/22 NOW, THEREFORE, Defendant Hsiao Kai Hung, you are hereby


PTR No. 2449155A - 09 January 2020, Dumaguete City IBP No. 089899 - 04 January 2020, Pasig City Roll of Attorneys No. 66740


Notarial Commission Serial No. 2019-015 Expiry: 31 December 2020


SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, this 04 November 2020, the Affiant 4. That if I should thereafter learn that a similar petition or proceeding has


2. That I have not commenced any other petition or proceeding involving the same issue in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or any of its divisions, or with any other tribunal or agency;


PTR No. 2108006A - 03 January 2019 IBP No: 056113 - 05 December 2018 Roll of Attorney’s No. 66740


The Law Offices of WHERFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed that PRAYER 19. Pursuant to No. 4 of Section 5 of A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC, a copy of this 17. The undersigned Counsel personally went to the residence of Petitioner 15. With the foregoing facts and circumstances, consent was palpably 14. Petitioner, through the help of her sister Grace Pulanco living in Manila,


METROPOST


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