ROXAS PINS MAMASAPANO INCIDENT AT FORMER PNP CHIEF

By Chantal Nabong

The encounter between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and government that ensued in Mamasapano area at Mindanao pins blame on resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director, General Alan Purisima.

As soon as the Board of Inquiry’s report on Mamasapano proceeds to Camp Crame, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary, Manuel Roxas III, cleared President Aquino’s name over the mishandled police operation, and pinned the blame to the former police chief for not following President’s order.

He said that based on what he read on the report, President Aquino was not in any way responsible in the Operation, and was just doing his job as a commander-in-chief when he commanded the neutralization of Malaysian bomber, “Marwan”, and Filipino bomb-maker Basit Usman.

 “The order was to apprehend or serve the warrant on Marwan and Usman. Nothing’s wrong with that, trabaho niya yan. Kung hindi niya ginawa yan, may pananagutan ang Pangulo. Ang pagpapalano ay iniutos ni Purisima kay Napenas, so nasa sa kanila na kung ginawa nila ang dapat nilang gawin,” Roxas said.

Roxas put the blame on Purisima and Napenas for mishandling the operation and for not abiding president’s order to synchronize their operation with the military.

 “The President took steps precisely to correct that situation by ordering that OIC Espina, be told about this, he ordered this to a four-star general, he ordered this to a two-star general. Siguro naman the President, it is reasonable for him to assume na ang kanyang mga utos ay kanyang susundin,” Roxas added.

 On the other side, Purisima’s lawyer, Kristoffer Purisima, accused Roxas of prejudging the case and playing to certain sectors of the public.

Purisima’s lawyer assured that they will speak towards allegations at the right time and forum.

The said operation, Oplan Exodus, took place on January 25, 2015, in Mamasapano area at Mindanao, were 67 Filipinos died during the battle against top NBI wanted terrorist, Marwan.

TO HAVE TWO OR TO HAVE NONE?

By Oliver Palileo

They have a father… for now.

The Court of Appeals (CA) released a writ of preliminary injunction that makes Makati City Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr. to stay in his position as the head executive of the city.

In this resolution, the CA extend indefinitely its restraining order to halt the suspension of the office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other agencies against Binay and other Makati City officials in regards to the corruption controversy revolving the construction of Makati City Hall Building II.

In response, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima recognizes the decision, saying that it ‘clarifies the intent of the earlier Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the acts that were subject to restraint’.

And because of the decision, everything must be back to normal. Because, there are reports that the Vice Mayor’s staff and City Councilors have not yet receive their monthly payments due to the confusion which lead of having ‘two fathers’.

It is nice to know that the government recognizes the power of the Court of Appeals as a co-equal branch of government and not overpower it as in the case of the President and the Supreme Court.

We just hope that these issues will resolve to a further peace and development of the City and it will not affect the business and the lives of their constituents.

Palarong Pambansa 2015 sets in Davao del Norte

By Oliver Palileo

The annual multi-sporting completion will be held at Tagum City, Davao del Norte in May 3 to 9, 2015.

This is after a careful deliberation by the Department of Education (DepEd) to six areas in Mindanao, namely Tagum City, Dipolog City (Zamboanga del Norte), Pagadian City (Zamboanga del Sur), Koronadal City (South Cotabato), Lanao del Norte, and the CARAGA region.

With the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), DepEd has an official inspection on the facilities that will be using during the 7-week sports fest. And based on the criteria that the agencies given, Tagum City garnered the highest score.

“The only thing we need to expect is for Tagum to deliver,” Sec. Armin Luistro answered when he was questioned about his expectations from this year’s host city. “Ang maganda sa Tagum ay mukhang handa na ang lahat. Hindi na kailangan pa ng dagdag na buwang preparasyon,” he added.

Over 15,000 elementary and high school students from all over the country will compete in 15 regular games and 5 demonstrated games.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario feels that hosting the annual sports fest is a priviledge. “It gives us the opportunity not only to showcase our capability to stage multisport competitions, but also to show how well the province and the region have progressed in terms of business, economy and tourism,” the governor added.

 

Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013

Republic Act No. 10588 or also known as the Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013 is a law signed by President Benigno Aquino III on May 27, 2013. This is to “promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry through the institutionalization of the Palarong Pambansa as the country’s premier national sporting event.”

According to the law there are 15 elementary sports and 21 high school sports that are must be included in the competition but the law also suggest that these are not limited. Common sports that will found in both elementary and high school divisions are athletics, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball.

It is also said that there will be a Palarong Pambansa Board wherein they will be the lead policy-maker and lead coordinating body for the preparation and conduct of Palarong Pambansa. It will consists of the secretary of DepEd which he/she will be the chairperson of the board, four (4) undersecretaries and three (3) assistant secretaries of DepEd, the chairman of Philippine Sports Commission and secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).