tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732057828596369312023-11-16T03:00:10.202-08:00Global Pinoy NewsUnlike the Usual News Portals for Mobile and Global PinoysUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-72394147832359462152011-03-01T17:41:00.000-08:002011-03-01T17:41:32.883-08:00Embassy Team Directly and Regularly in Touch with Relatives of Missing Filipinos in Christchurch Quake<a href="http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/news-from-rp-embassies/2567-embassy-team-directly-and-regularly-in-touch-with-relatives-of-missing-filipinos-in-christchurch-quake">Embassy Team Directly and Regularly in Touch with Relatives of Missing Filipinos in Christchurch Quake</a><br />
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Tuesday, 01 March 2011 13:57 Public Information Service Unit<br />
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1 March 2011- The Philippine Embassy team in Christchurch and the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) are coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila to facilitate and gather the fingerprints of the 11 missing Filipinos to be brought to Christchurch to help in identifying the missing Filipinos.<br />
The DFA-OUMWA has also requested their relatives to secure the dental records and other medical records of the missing Filipinos to help in their identification in Christchurch.<br />
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The DFA-OUMWA has forwarded to Christchurch the information about the said Filipinos that are available at the DFA Office of Consular Affairs database.<br />
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The Embassy team is directly and regularly in touch with the relatives of the 11 Filipinos who remain missing in the aftermath of the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the city a week ago.<br />
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The DFA-OUMWA is also continuously assisting them by ensuring that they are provided regular updates about the ongoing efforts done by the Embassy team in Christchurch.<br />
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Charge d'Affaires (CDA) in Wellington Giovanni Palec has reported that the New Zealand police are gathering evidences including personal belongings (e.g., the last clothes worn, etc.) to verify identities of those who perished through DNA testing. New Zealand authorities would not release the identities of those who perished unless and until they have recovered the bodies and verified their identities through DNA testing.<br />
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The DFA-OUMWA is assisting the relatives of the missing Filipinos who wish to go to New Zealand to assist in the identification of the fatalities. It is coordinating with the New Zealand Embassy in Manila for the issuance of visas. It is also assisting in the expeditious release of the relatives' passports and other requirements for the trip.<br />
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Earlier, the DFA reported that CDA Palec, through a telephone conference Saturday with the Cebu-based families of the five of the missing Filipinos believed trapped in the rubbles of the CTV building, apprised the relatives on the latest updates from New Zealand police and other officials and the initiatives undertaken by his team.<br />
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The missing Filipinos are Jessie Lloyd Redoble, John Kristoffer Chua, Ezra Mae Medalle, Emmabel Anoba, Jewel Francisco, Ivy Jane Cabunilas, Mary Louise Anne Amantillo, Valquin Bensurto, Rhea Mae Sumalpong, Erica Nora, and Lalaine Collado Agatep.<br />
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No person has been rescued alive since last week.<br />
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A certain Elisa Torres, who was earlier thought to be Filipino, was determined to be of another nationality.<br />
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Mr. and Mrs. Sumalpong and Mrs. Lourdes Redoble, parents of two missing Filipinos, are now in Christchurch to assist in the identification of their loved ones.<br />
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The DFA-OUMWA also verified that two of the 11 Filipinos are Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) members -Lalaine Collado Agatep and Ivy Jane Cabunilas. As members, they are entitled to OWWA benefits and assistance.<br />
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The Philippine Mine and Safety and Environment Association offered assistance to send a trained team to New Zealand to assist in the search and recovery operations in Christchurch. However, the New Zealand Government politely declined as there are already sufficient search and rescue teams on the ground.<br />
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The embassy team had repeatedly asked and prodded rescue officials to continue on with the search, given the text messages that were sent by a number of missing Filipinos immediately after the quake to their families here on their conditions and locations.<br />
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Authorities are now on the recovery phase of their operations, including in the CTV area which has received intense international attention due to a large number of missing students, including Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and others.<br />
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The New Zealand police shifted from search and rescue to recovery phase on Friday.<br />
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The remains of those recovered are transported to a military camp in Christchurch, where the identification and processing take three weeks.<br />
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Police authorities have yet to release a consolidated list of missing persons with their nationalities, despite repeated requests by New Zealander and other families searching for definitive answers as to the status of missing loved ones.<br />
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The Embassy team arrived 23 February early morning in Christchurch to coordinate efforts with authorities as well as look after the welfare of the 2,000-strong Filipinos in Christchurch.<br />
The team continues to assist the Filipino community in Christchurch, distributing water purifying tablets and food provisions to them. They are also encouraging the community to avail of counseling and victim support offered by the authorities. ENDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-86468085646976447862010-10-18T02:55:00.000-07:002010-10-18T02:55:59.692-07:00Juan (Megi) updates<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="fontbyline" style="color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-decoration: none;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20101018-298403/Super-typhoon-Juan-makes-landfall-in-Sierra-MadrePagasa">Super typhoon Juan makes landfall in Sierra Madre—Pagasa </a></b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><span class="fontbyline" style="color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By Kristine L. Alave</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="fontbyline" style="color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Philippine Daily Inquirer</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="fonttimestamp" style="color: #666666; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First Posted 13:52:00 10/18/2010</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><span class="fontbyline" style="color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Filed Under: </span></span><a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=Disasters%20(general)&id=57&imp=" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Disasters (general)</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">,</span></span><a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=%20Weather&id=919&imp=" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Weather</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="fonteditor" style="color: #666666; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"></div><div class="KonaBody"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">MANILA, Philippines—Super typhoon Juan made landfall in the Sierra Madre mountains at 11:25 a.m. on Monday, the country’s weather bureau said.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The storm has been carrying maximum winds of 225 kilometers per hour, with gusts of 260 kph, according to the latest bulletins of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration. It has been slowing down, and was earlier seen tracking west southwest at 17 kph.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The typhoon was expected to pass through Isabela, Mountain Province, and Ilocos Sur and exit at about 2 a.m. Tuesday.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In its 11 a.m. press conference, Pagasa weather specialist Vicente Manalo said the super typhoon appeared to be a "well-behaved tropical cyclone" as it seemed to follow the usual course of typhoons that entered the Philippines during the month of October.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101018-298350/Juan-slows-down-may-stay-longer-in-RPPagasa" style="color: #445566;">‘Juan’ slows down, may stay longer in RP—Pagasa</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By Kristine L. Alave</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Philippine Daily Inquirer</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">First Posted 07:07:00 10/18/2010</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Filed Under: Weather, Disasters (general)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Typhoon Juan (international code name: Megi) has slowed down to 19 kilometers per hour from Sunday night's 20 kph as its fringes touched the east coast of northern Luzon Monday morning, the weather bureau said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As of 7 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Juan, a super typhoon, was seen 170 km east of Tuguegarao. It was moving west southwest at 19 kph and was expected to make landfall in northern Isabela before noon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The typhoon packed maximum winds of 225 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 260 kph.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">On Sunday night, Pagasa officials said they were worried that the storm would slow down. According to Pagasa officer-in-charge Graciano Yumul Jr., a slowdown in speed means the typhoon, which is estimated to carry as much rain as the deadly storm Ondoy in last year, would stay longer over the Philippines.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Signal number 4, the highest alert in Pagasa’s scale, has been raised in Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Mt. Province, and Ifugao.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Signal number 3 was hoisted over Batanes, the Calayan and Babuyan Groups of Islands, Apayao, Benguet, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and the northern part of Aurora.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Signal number 2 was declared in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, rest of Aurora, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Polillio Island.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Northern Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas are under signal number 1.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1975209825" style="color: #445566;">Metro Manila, south Luzon now within range of ‘Juan’ </a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20101017-298206/Metro-Manila-south-Luzon-now-within-range-of-Juan" style="color: #445566;">Super-typhoon changes track in past six hours</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By Kristine L. Alave</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Philippine Daily Inquirer</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">First Posted 11:04:00 10/17/2010</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Filed Under: Weather, Disasters (general)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE 4) Typhoon Juan (international name: Megi) has moved slightly downward, putting Metro Manila and parts of southern Luzon on its range, the state weather bureau said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In an 11 pm advisory on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed Metro Manila and nearby provinces on public storm warning signal number 1 after the typhoon changed its track in the past six hours.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Juan, a super-typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 260 kph, was now moving west southwest at 20 kph, slightly slower than the 22 kph issued in the 5 pm forecast. As of 10 pm, the typhoon was 290 km east northeast of Tuguegarao, Cagayan.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">PAGASA official-in-charge Graciano Yumul Jr. said Metro Manila and other parts of southern Luzon will experience rains as it was now within the typhoon's rain band.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"Just because it's signal number one, it doesn't mean that we should not be prepared. Manila was only under signal number one during Ondoy," Yumul said, referring to last year's storm that flooded 80 percent of the metropolis.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Under Department of Education standards, elementary classes in Metro Manila and other areas under signal number 1 are suspended, Yumul said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Aside from Metro Manila, Signal number 1 was placed over Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Polillio Island, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, northern Quezon and Rizal.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Signal number 2 was declared over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Benguet, and parts of Aurora.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The following provinces were placed under Signal number 3: Batanes, Calayan Group of Islands, Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and northern Aurora.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Cagayan and Isabela remained under signal number 4, the ultimate public storm warning signal used by the PAGASA.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1975209829" style="color: #445566;">Super-typhoon hits North</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101018-298304/Super-typhoon-hits-North" style="color: #445566;">Gov’t evacuates folk in Cagayan, Isabela</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By Kristine L. Alave, Edwin Bacasmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Inquirer Northern Luzon, Philippine Daily Inquirer</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">First Posted 01:33:00 10/18/2010</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Filed Under: Weather, Emergency Planning, Disasters (general)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">MANILA, Philippines—Authorities on Sunday began evacuating thousands of villagers in vulnerable areas hours before Super-typhoon “Juan” was to hit northern Luzon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Packing winds of 260 kilometers per hour, Juan (international code name: Megi) was expected to make landfall in Cagayan province by 8 a.m. Monday and exit Ilocos Norte in the afternoon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">With Juan intensifying into a super-typhoon, the weather bureau hoisted Signal No. 4 over Cagayan and Isabela at 6 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Signal No. 4 is the highest warning signal used by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">PAGASA said the last time the country declared Signal No. 4 was in 2006, when “Reming” battered the Bicol region. Reming had gusts of 320 kph.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Juan was spotted 390 km east of Aparri, moving westward at 22 kph, PAGASA said. The super-typhoon had sustained winds of 225 kph and gusts of 260 kph.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">But in its 11 p.m. advisory on Sunday, PAGASA placed Metro Manila and nearby provinces on Signal No. 1 after the super-typhoon changed its track in the past six hours.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Juan was now moving west southwest at 20 kph, slightly slower than the 22 kph issued in the 5 p.m. forecast. As of 10 p.m., the super-typhoon was 290 km east northeast of Tuguegarao, Cagayan.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">PAGASA officer in charge Graciano Yumul Jr. said Metro Manila and other parts of southern Luzon will experience rains as it was now within the typhoon's rain band.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"Just because it's Signal No. 1, it doesn't mean that we should not be prepared. Manila was only under Signal No. 1 during (Tropical Storm) ‘Ondoy’" Yumul said, referring to last year's storm (international name: Ketsana) that flooded 80 percent of the metropolis.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Under Department of Education standards, elementary classes in Metro Manila and other areas under Signal No. 1 are suspended, Yumul said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Aside from Metro Manila, Signal No. 1 was placed over Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Polillio Island, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Rizal and northern Quezon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The super-typhoon could uproot trees, blow away houses made of light material, damage power lines and communication services, trigger landslides and cause storm surges.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Not only did the typhoon’s wind speed and strength intensify, its radius also grew from 300 km to 350 km, said Robert Sawi, the chief forecaster at PAGASA.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Sawi said Juan’s rainfall was expected at 20 millimeters per hour, about half the volume dumped by Ondoy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Officials said the rainfall amount was a conservative estimate, noting that the data came from the fringes of Juan.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Juan is the 10th and strongest storm to hit the country this year. The country is battered by an average of 20 storms a year.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Juan intensified into a super-typhoon with winds of over 215 kph as it approached the coast of Cagayan Sunday, PAGASA said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Brunt</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">PAGASA’s Yumul said Juan would further intensify based on models used by the agency and the forecasts of other weather agencies.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“Those that will bear its brunt are northern Luzon and central Luzon,” Yumul said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Signal No. 3 was raised over Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and northern Aurora.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Benguet and the rest of Aurora.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Evacuations</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">At least 700 people moved out of their homes to safer ground on Saturday in mountainous Isabela province, said Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In nearby Cagayan, authorities have ordered villagers to move out of high-risk neighborhoods in 12 coastal towns.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“If nobody will budge, we may carry out forced evacuations,” said Bonifacio Cuarteros of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Farmers have been warned to harvest as much of their crops as possible before Juan hits or risk losses, Cuarteros said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">President Benigno Aquino III ordered all government agencies to be on high alert to prevent any casualties, while the Coast Guard was instructed to ban all fishing vessels from setting off to sea in the north.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Thousands of military reserve officers and volunteers were on stand by, along with helicopters, including six Chinooks that were committed by US troops holding war exercises with Filipino soldiers near Manila, Ramos said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Rescue boats and thousands of food packs have been prepositioned near vulnerable areas, he said, adding that schools along the typhoon’s path would be closed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“This is like preparing for war,” Ramos, a retired Army general, said. “We know the past lessons and we’re aiming for zero casualties.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Command conference</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">An angry Mr. Aquino fired the head of the weather bureau in July for failing to predict that a typhoon would hit Manila. More than 100 people were killed in Manila and outlying provinces by that storm.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The President will preside over a command conference of the NDRRMC in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City at 9 a.m. on Monday, his spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Sunday night.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">No instructions</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In Aparri, Cagayan, residents of a coastal settlement were worried that local officials still had not given any safety instructions to them as of 6 p.m. Sunday.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Journalists and photographers stationed in Cagayan witnessed how the residents of Barangay Maura living near the sea made various attempts to fortify their houses.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As early as 2 p.m. Sunday, the skies over Aparri were dark gray and the sun was not visible for the rest of the afternoon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Fishermen helped each other push their boats to safer areas and many residents waiting for Juan killed time watching the waves slam on the beach.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Several mothers raised fears that water from the sea might enter their houses, or worse sweep them away.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Calm before storm</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Hours earlier, residents of northern Luzon woke up to a sunny morning amid preparations by local governments and disaster-response officials for what was touted to be the strongest typhoon to hit the country since January.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The weather was so good that some candidates for the Oct. 25 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Benguet found time to campaign, finding the typhoon a convenient excuse to engage their neighbors and push their bids.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">But it was the proverbial calm before the storm. By mid-afternoon, reports reaching the Philippine Daily Inquirer showed that strong winds started to be felt in northern Cagayan as strong rains fell.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Norma Talosig, Office of Civil Defense director in Cagayan Valley, said her office had issued repeated warnings to residents in coastal towns and flood-prone villages to stay on alert and prioritize their safety.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“I have this warning to villagers—do not wait until tomorrow to evacuate as the typhoon’s radius is very wide ... So far, [there were no reports of] forced evacuation,” Talosig said in a text message sent at about 4 p.m. Sunday.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">At least four evacuation centers in Gonzaga and Santa Ana towns in Cagayan have been readied for residents of coastal areas as officials started preemptive evacuation there.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Rescue teams</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Edna Junio, provincial social welfare and development officer, said local government and rescue teams had assisted residents living near rivers and coastlines transfer to evacuation centers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A statement from the NDRRMC said evacuation of residents had started in Aparri, Buguey, and Ballesteros towns, also in Cagayan.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Isabela provincial government has formed a 24-hour emergency response team manned by personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and trained rescue personnel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Relief goods</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III ordered the delivery of relief goods to various towns on Saturday and Sunday, taking advantage of the good weather.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Laoag City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council started mobilizing quick response teams in preparation for the typhoon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Sirens at the Laoag City Hall were also sounded each time the weather bureau raised storm signals.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In the Cordillera Administrative Region, a warm Sunday greeted Baguio and Benguet barangay candidates, who included tips about storm preparation in their campaign spiels.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Mayor Gregorio Abalos Jr. of La Trinidad, Benguet, met with local rescue officials about the condition of houses in Barangay Puguis, where a landslide triggered by last year’s Typhoon “Pepeng” (Parma) wiped out a section of the community of Little Kibungan.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Wilted palay</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In Nueva Ecija province, a sunny day frustrated farmers as they eagerly awaited rains from Juan that would feed their rice farms.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Virgilio Santaygillo, 48, a farmer from Barangay Cabu in Cabanatuan City, said news about possible heavy rains had given him hope that he could save his already wilting palay (unmilled rice).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“We fear excessive rains but we pray for water [for our crops],” he said.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Nathaniel Servando, PAGASA administrator, said Juan might not be the last destructive typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2010, a La Niña year. With reports from Christine Avendaño in Manila; Villamor Visaya Jr., Cristina Arzadon, Vincent Cabreza and Maurice Malanes, Inquirer Northern Luzon; Armand Galang, Inquirer Central Luzon; and Reuters</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20101018-298349/Over-100000-evacuated-in-rain-lashed-Hainanstate-media" style="color: #445566;">Over 100,000 evacuated in rain-lashed Hainan—state media </a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Agence France-Presse</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">First Posted 07:02:00 10/18/2010</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Filed Under: Weather</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">BEIJING—More than 100,000 people have been evacuated after rains hammered the Chinese island of Hainan causing major floods for the second time this month, according to Xinhua news agency on Monday.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Around 200 villages have been inundated after 200 millimeters (eight inches) of rain lashed the island between Friday and Sunday, Sun Wei, deputy director of disaster relief and public services department, told Xinhua.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The new barrage of rains compounded Hainan's misery after floods ravaged the southern Chinese province earlier in the month.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">More than 440,000 people were evacuated after the heaviest rains for decades inundated 90 percent of Hainan, damaging roads, schools and infrastructure.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Local rivers continue to flow well over their flood warning marks and over 70 percent of the island's reservoirs are dangerously full.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Hainan is bracing for more heavy rain as super typhoon Megi is expected to sweep through the region by the end of the week.</span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-87007119033964952332010-10-13T01:38:00.000-07:002010-10-18T02:50:45.244-07:00Speech on World Teachers' Day<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ipagdiwang natin ang Pandaigdigang Araw ng mga Guro!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dinggin ang mga panawagan ng mga titser ng bayan!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rep. Antonio L. Tinio</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>ACT Teachers Party-List</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Oktubre 5, 2010</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ngayong araw na ito, ipinagdiriwang ng sanlibutan ang takdang araw para sa mga guro na siyang mas kinikilala natin bilang pangalawang magulang ng kabataan. Ang araw na ito ay inilalaan at ipinagdiriwang nating mga Filipino upang bigyang pugay ang ating mga titser na siyang nagturo at gumabay sa atin kung paano malinang ang ating kakayanan sa pagbasa, pagbilang, hanggang sa maging dalubhasa, marunong, pati sa iba't-ibang aspeto ng buhay. Sila rin ang siyang gumagabay sa ating kabataan, ang susunod na henerasyon, upang sila ay maging matuwid, mapagkalinga, makatao, makabayan at produktibong mamamayan na magiging haligi at tagapagmana ng ating bansa. <br />
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Pormal na itinaguyod ng UNESCO ang ika-5 ng Oktubre bilang World Teachers' Day upang itanghal ang mga natatangi at di maikakailang ambag ng mga guro sa lipunan at upang obligahin ang lahat ng pamahalaan na pangalagaan ang karapatan at dangal ng mga titser.<br />
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Ayon sa UNESCO, kailangan pa ng halos 11 milyong bagong guro sa buong mundo para matupad ang target na magkaroon ng universal primary education sa 2015. Idagdag pa natin ang kakulangan ng titser sa high school, higher, technical at vocational education. <br />
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Sa ating bansa, nananatiling kalunus-lunos ang kalagayan ng mga guro. Mahigit isang libong titser ang nangingibang-bansa kada taon upang magtrabaho at kumita ng mas malaki kaysa manatiling titser dito sa ating bansa. May kakulangang halos 104,600 guro para sa elementarya at high school, ayon sa Department of Education (DepEd). Bukod sa pang-araw-araw na sakripisyong dinadanas ng mga titser, titser din ang nasa frontline tuwing may halalan at marami na rin ang nag-alay ng kanilang buhay upang bantayan ang balota.<br />
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Kaninang alas-diyes ng umaga, pinatunog ang mga school bell sa lahat ng paaralan bilang hudyat ng pambansang selebrasyon ng World Teachers’ Day at dumalo sa mga koordinadong pagdiriwang ang ating mga guro sa pamumuno ng ating DepEd. <br />
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Dito rin sa Kamara, inanyayahan ng ACT Teachers Part-List ang isang malaking delegasyon ng mga guro sa isang aktibidad na nagbibigay pugay sa mga guro. Ito ang ating espesyal na pagkilala at pasasalamat sa ating mga titser, at pamamaraan na rin upang isulong ang kanilang karapatan at kagalingan sa harap ng maraming suliranin at hamon. <br />
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Ipinanukala at isinusulong ng ACT Teachers Party-List na maisabatas ang House Bill 2142 o “The Public School Teachers' Salary Upgrading Act” na magtataas sa minimum salary grade level ng mga guro sa lahat ng pampublikong paaralan at high school sa buong Pilipinas. Nais nating itaas ang buwanang sahod ng mga guro upang sa harap ng maraming pagsubok ay lalo nilang pagbutihin ang paglilingkod sa bansa sa paghuhulma, paglilinang at paggagabay sa ating kabataan na siyang pag-asa ng ating bayan. Kasama natin sa mithiing ito ang mahigit 50 pang kagalang-galang na kapwa mambabatas na mga co-author ng naturang panukala. Hangad nating maisabatas ang HB 2142 sa tulong at suporta ng mayoridad ng Kamara, ng Senado at sa huli, ang lagda ng Pangulong Aquino. <br />
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Kabilang rin sa mga tampok na kampanya ng ACT Teachers Party-List ang mga isyu at suliranin ng mga guro hinggil sa mga kapalpakan ng Government Service Insurance System. Lubhang pahirap sa mga titser at kawani sa buong bansa ang mga di-makatarungan at palyadong patakaran ng GSIS sa ilalim ni Ginoong Winston Garcia. Nawa'y agad na tulungan ng Kamara ang libu-libong guro at kawani upang maresolbahan agad ang mga problemang hatid ng GSIS, iligal na kaltas at kapalpakan sa members database information system. <br />
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Nais din nating pigilan ang panukalang pagkaltas sa badyet para sa sektor ng edukasyon, sa halip ay kailangan pa nga itong dagdagan upang mahabol ang internationally-acceptable levels na itinatakda ng UNESCO. Kailangang laanan ng mas mataas na state subsidy ang edukasyon, i-restore ang budget para sa capital outlay at maintenance and other operating expenses sa katanggap-tanggap na levels. Bakit nga ba hanggang ngayon ay naglalaan ang gobyerno ng napakalaking badyet para bayaran ang interes ng mga kwestyonableng utang-panlabas, para gastusin sa mga digmaan, pambili ng mga kanyon, baril at bala, ngunit binabawasan ang pambili ng mga gamot at textbooks, kinakaltasan ang perang para sa pagpapaayos o pagpapagawa sa mga pasilidad sa paaralan, o para magkaroon ng abot-kayang pabahay para sa maralita? Bakit, matapos ang baluktot na pamamahala ng nakalipas na administrasyon, ay tinitipid pa rin ang mga sektor pangkalusugan, ng edukasyon at iba pang kapaki-pakinabang na serbisyong panlipunan? <br />
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Hayaan ninyong banggitin muli ng inyong lingkod ang mga panawagan at adyenda ng mga titser para sa Kamara. <br />
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Itaguyod natin ang edukasyong pangmasa! Bigyan ng pinakamataas na prioridad sa pambansang badyet ang edukasyon ayon sa nakasaad sa Saligang Batas. Kailangang maglaan dito ng 6% ng GDP upang agad na mapuno ang mga kakulangan sa mga pasilidad, gamit, guro at mga kawani. Maaari itong magawa kung magdedeklara lamang ng debt cap o moratorium sa pagababayad ng panlabas na utang ang pamahalaan. <br />
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Tiyakin nating sa hinaharap ay makatatapos ng elementarya at hayskul ang lahat ng kabataan. Gawin sana nating abot-kaya ang edukasyon sa antas kolehiyo. Itigil na ang pribatisasyon at komersyalisasyon ng mga State Universities and Colleges. Dapat paglaanan ang mga ito ng sapat na pondo. Kailangang punuan ang mga kakulangan sa guro, klasrum, libro, at iba pang rekursong pampaaralan.<br />
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Isulong natin ang edukasyong pambansa at siyentipiko! Ang sistema ng edukasyon ay dapat i-ayon sa mga pangangailangan ng pambansang industriyalisasyon at modernisasyon ng agrikultura. Ipalaganap natin ang kurikulum na nagtataguyod sa demokratikong pananaw at magwawaksi sa anumang porma ng diskriminasyon. <br />
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Itaguyod natin ang karapatan at kagalingan ng mga guro at kawani sa edukasyon. Itaas natin sa Salary Grade 15 ang mga pampublikong guro at sunod na sikaping itumbas dito ang suweldo ng mga pampribadong guro. Dapat ding pondohan nang sapat at ipatupad ang Magna Carta for Public School Teachers. Papanagutin si Winston Garcia, isaayos ang GSIS, at kagyat na i-refund ang mga di-makatwirang kaltas sa mga miyembro. Itaguyod ang pagrespeto sa job security ng kaguruan. Kailangan din ipatupad ang mahigpit na regulasyon sa kontraktwal-isasyon sa sektor ng edukasyon. Tiyakin natin ang kaligtasan ng mga guro at kawani at pangalagaan ang kanilang mga karapatang pantao.<br />
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Maraming paraan, hindi lang sa simpleng pagdiriwang ng World Teachers Day ngayong araw na ito, para pasalamatan at bigyang-pugay natin ang ating dakilang mga guro at kawani sa sektor ng edukasyon. Bilang mga kinatawan sa Kamara, dinggin at tugunan natin ang mga panawagan ng mga titser na makabagong bayani rin ng ating bayan!<br />
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Maraming salamat po.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-12358139759941828462010-10-11T21:22:00.000-07:002010-10-18T02:51:08.674-07:00Groups Say Aquino’s First 100 Days a Failure<div id="BlogContent" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><strong>“It has been 100 days and we don’t see any major achievement or results as far as genuine change is concerned. There is plenty of rhetoric but too few accomplishments that could be felt by the poor.”– Bagong Alyansang Makabayan</strong><br />
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<strong>By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL</strong><br />
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</b><em><a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/" rel="external">Bulatlat.com</a> <sup>[1]</sup></em><br />
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MANILA – Contrary to the passing grade Aquino has received from a survey, farmers, workers, urban poor, students, migrants and other sectors gave Aquino a failing grade in his first 100 days of governance.<br />
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Members of progressive groups led by the umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) marched to Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) bridge Oct. 8, to mark the 100 days of Aquino in office. The groups protested what they call as a continuing absence of any meaningful reform under Aquino, and his failure to address issues such as human rights, the prosecution of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, land reform and pro-people economic development.<br />
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Leaders carried a banner that read: “100 araw: Nasaan ang pagbabago? (100 days: Where is change?)<br />
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“It has been 100 days and we don’t see any major achievement or results as far as genuine change is concerned. There is plenty of rhetoric but too few accomplishments that could be felt by the poor,” Renato Reyes, Jr. secretary general of Bayan, said.<br />
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<strong>Human Rights and Arroyo’s Accountability</strong><br />
Reform advocacy group Pagbabago! People’s Movement for Change said the current administration shows no determination in prosecuting former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her accumulated corruption charges and electoral fraud.<br />
Reyes said so far, there has been no development in the investigation of the Truth Commission of Arroyo’s crimes.<br />
“The investigation and prosecution for corruption of Arroyo is not only Aquino’s campaign promise but is also one of the pressing political issues that he needs to address,” Pagbabago said.<br />
Within the 100 days of the Aquino administration, Karapatan has already documented 16 victims of extrajudicial killings, two victims of enforced disappearances missing, 19 victim of frustrated murder, 28 victims of illegal arrests, 28 victims of illegal detention, ten victims of torture and 754 victims of forced evacuation. There have been 844 victims of human rights violations. The number surpasses the record of rights abuses in the last six months of the Arroyo regime.<br />
“He said in his inaugural speech that there can be no reconciliation without justice and yet he extended the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya,” Roneo Clamor, Karapatan acting secretary general, said .<br />
“All he talked about is money and government. We’re worried about people’s lives,” Clamor said.<br />
The groups also slammed Aquino’s inaction on the clamor to release political prisoners. “There has been a recommendation to review the case of the Morong 43 in the Department of Justice and yet, they are still languishing in prison for eight months already,” Geneve Rivera, secretary general of the Health Alliance for Democracy (Head) said during the rally.<br />
<strong>Failure to Deliver Basic Social Services and Economic Reform</strong><br />
In his assessment of Aquino’s 100 days, Lito Bais, chairman of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu) said there had been no change.<br />
“During his State of the Nation Address he told those who are listening that ‘You are my boss’…but maybe he meant congressmen who are also landlords and capitalists because he is promoting only their interests,” Bais said.<br />
The land dispute at the Hacienda Luisita remains pending at the Supreme Court. The mediation panel formed by the high court failed to provide a solution to the land problem at the sugar estate owned by Aquino and his family.<br />
Bais said the Aquino government must implement fundamental reforms such as genuine land reform, justice for victims of rights abuses and the prosecution of Arroyo.<br />
Meanwhile, women’s group Gabriela said the Aquino administration failed miserably to address the women’s 10 point demands.<br />
“He complains that because he is a bachelor he was not given a chance to have a honeymoon period. As far as women are concerned, even as Aquino is still at the courtship stage, he is already being rejected, “ said Lana Linaban, secretary general of Gabriela.<br />
Linaban said instead of having a comprehensive plan to alleviate poverty, the Aquino administration is implementing a ‘misleading anti-poverty program’ such as conditional cash transfers (CCT). The program would cost P29.2 billion and is targeted to reach 2.3 million families by 2011. “He said the CCT is like a life vest that would take the poor to decent living. But this life vest would only take the poor into the quick sand of poverty.” She added that the CCT program would give P1,400 ($32) a month to select poor families but a family needs a minimum of P900 plus ( $20.75) a day to afford a decent meal.<br />
“The Aquino government made a deep slash in the funds for state colleges and universities, health and housing while the budget for foreign debt paymenst and national defense increased. This shows where the real concern of the government lies,” Gabriela also noted.<br />
Vanessa Faye Bolibol, secretary general of National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP) responded to Aquino’s statement that the education budget would be increased. “The president claims that he is prioritizing education but his budget proposal aims to reduce subsidy to State Universities and Colleges. It took a lightning rally for the President to say something about the education budget. The report would have been an irrelevant piece of gimmickry and lies had it not been for the student protest that exposes the real issues of the Filipino people,” the NUSP said in a statement.<br />
During Aquino’s Ulat sa bayan on his first 100 days held at the La Consolation College in Manila, four student leaders from the University of the Philippines-Manila stood up to protest the cut in the budget of SUCs.<br />
Instead of answering directly the concern of the students, Aquino said the budget for the DepEd increased.<br />
“Why don’t you try to be a student and enroll at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and see for yourself how dilapidated the facilities are,” Bolibol challenged Aquino.<br />
<strong>Continuation of the Policies of the Arroyo government</strong><br />
Aquino’s first 100 days signifies the continuation of the same anti-people policies of the previous administration, the groups said.<br />
Dr. Ramon P. Paterno, member of Pagbabago and All UP Academic Employees Union said Aquino’s 100 days was more of a continuation of the Arroyo administration. “There were policies favoring foreign investors, the budget for defense was increased and privatization programs were implemented during the Arroyo government. Essentially, there has been no change under this new government.”<br />
Gabriela added, “He puts a lot of hype in criticizing Arroyo but his administration’s neoliberal economic policy framework does not at all depart from the policies adhered to by his predecessor.” <em><a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/" rel="external">(Bulatlat.com)</a> <sup>[1]</sup></em></div><hr class="Divider" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma; font-size: 12px; height: 1px; text-align: center; width: 805px;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma; font-size: 12px;">Article printed from Bulatlat: <strong dir="ltr">http://www.bulatlat.com/main</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma; font-size: 12px;">URL to article: <strong dir="ltr">http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/10/09/groups-say-aquino%e2%80%99s-first-100-days-a-failure/</strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-15046727706622881942010-09-14T21:26:00.000-07:002010-09-14T21:26:41.517-07:00RP Consulate General in Guangzhou Meets POC Officials for Asian Games 201015 September 2010 - Philippine Consul General in Guangzhou Joselito A. Jimeno met with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officials on September 8 to prepare for the Philippine participation at the 16th Asian Games (Asiad).<br />
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The Asiad will be held in Guangzhou on November 12 to 27. The POC delegation was headed by 16th Asian Games Philippine Deputy Chef de Mission Moying Martelino. During the meeting, Mr. Martelino furnished the Consulate the list of the athletes approved by the POC to compete.<br />
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The list currently contains 160 athletes, and the number could go up to 200, Mr. Martelino said.<br />
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The POC officials added that the Philippines is expected to win gold medals in billiards, considering that Filipino cue artists are considered "world-class".<br />
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Another athlete expected to win the gold medal is long jumper Marestella Torres, who claimed the top prize during the last Asian Athletics Championship.<br />
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Medals are also expected from taekwondo, boxing, and other combative sports.<br />
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The POC officials also mentioned other Philippine Government officials from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) shall also be part in the official delegation to the Asiad. These include PSC Chairman Ricardo R. Garcia, Commissioners Salvador Andrada and Joaquin Loyzaga, and Executive Director Geraldine Bernardo.<br />
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They also mentioned that judoka John Baylon and weight-lifter Hidilyn Diaz will participate in the torch relay on November 10.<br />
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Nine Philippine media outfits are accredited to cover the 16th Asiad, including the Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin and two POC media. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/news-from-rp-embassies/1848-rp-consulate-general-in-guangzhou-meets-poc-officials-for-asian-games-2010">RP Consulate General in Guangzhou Meets POC Officials for Asian Games 2010</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-82191094815980905472010-09-14T01:43:00.000-07:002010-09-14T01:43:18.850-07:00Two men who lived, fought for the 'masa'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><span id="ctl00_cph1_Article1_FormView1_ArticleHeaderLabel" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bolder; line-height: 25px;"><a href="http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=610923&publicationSubCategoryId=64">Two men who lived, fought for the 'masa'</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.philstar.com/ArticleListByAuthorName.aspx?AuthorName=Satur+C.+Ocampo" id="ctl00_cph1_Article1_FormView1_LabelAuthorName" style="color: #004276; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="Displays articles written by this author">AT GROUND LEVEL By Satur C. Ocampo</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><span id="ctl00_cph1_Article1_FormView1_LabelChannelPublishDateTime" style="color: grey; font-weight: normal;">(The Philippine Star) Updated September 11, 2010</span></span><br />
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Two days apart last week, two hardy men, one young, one elderly, passed away quietly. The young man’s death on September 3 spurred a torrent of messages of sympathy and paeans mostly from young poets, writers and activists, through their blogs and <a href="http://facebook.com/">Facebook</a> pages. The elderly man’s passing on September 5, on the other hand, spawned the onrush of memories about the anti-martial law struggle among his surviving colleagues, including myself.<br />
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The young man was Alexander Martin Remollino, 33, activist writer, poet and journalist. He died of lung infection due to diabetes at the Philippine General Hospital. A member of the National Union of Journalists, Alex wrote for the online newsmagazine <a href="http://bulatlat.com/">Bulatlat.com</a> from 2003 to 2010. When he died he was information officer and researcher for Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).<br />
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The elderly man was Medardo Roda, 76, chairman emeritus of PISTON (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide). His fifth stroke since 2002 led to cardiac arrest with multiple seizures, causing his death at the East Avenue Medical Center. Tonight his comrades in the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Bayan will honor “Ka Roda” and his 30 years of activism.<br />
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Ka Roda and the late Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, KMU chair when he died, were both labor icons, former taxi drivers who drove to rally assembly points in their old-model cars. Unquestionable was their integrity and dedication to the workers’ cause and to our people’s struggles against the Marcos dictatorship, the US military bases, and neoliberal globalization. They fought for freedom, justice, and human rights. At the head of protest marches they stood out, two robust muscular men with solid clenched fists. Their speeches were fiery, but they could make audiences laugh with their peculiar sense of humor.<br />
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In 1983, the two were detained for rebellion. After more than a year Ka Roda was released. Ka Bel, who was held longer, escaped before Marcos was ousted. I myself escaped in 1985 after nine years in military detention. Years later, Ka Roda and I would recall with amusement the tags that Marcos had put on us: he called Ka Roda “the most rebellious driver the Philippines ever had” and me, a “viciously militant rebel who continues to commit rebellion in prison.” <br />
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Ka Roda’s leadership imprint remains in the way PISTON, organized in 1981, continues to fight against unregulated oil price hikes and unjust impositions on public utility drivers and operators. He will be sorely missed in protest actions.<br />
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Alex Remollino may have lived in circumstances less perilous than under martial law. Yet his heart raged against oppression, exploitation, corruption and abuses, surging ferociously in his writings, particularly his poetry, no less intensely than what we had felt long ago. <br />
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But that rage never showed in Alex’s mien or body language. Addressing him after learning of his death, a friend wrote: “Who could forget your stories about wanting to punch certain people in the face? Politicians, military men, high-ranking government officials… Oh but you kept your temper, and what anger you felt you channeled into your writing, your poetry. You controlled your temper and all that the world saw was you smiling, even if your written words always betrayed that under that smiling exterior was a young man who felt such fire, such compassion for the poor, such love for their struggle.” <br />
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A university professor and long-time activist observed that Alex used “sharp language in calling to account those who cause the people’s sufferings…” but employed “endearing language in paying tribute to the struggling masses.” She compared Alex to Emilio Jacinto, the bright young writer of the Katipunan whose words Alex posted in his Facebook page: “Life that is not consecrated to a lofty purpose is like a tree without a shadow, if not a poisonous weed.”<br />
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Although he preferred to identify himself simply as “a writer and development worker in the Philippines,” Alex had already had a poem, “Tuparin Natin ang Banta ng ating Panahon” (Defying the Challenge of the Times), set to music and used in a video that won second prize in the 18th Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video. He also co-authored the book, Subverting the People’s Will: The May 10, 2004 Elections, published by the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG).<br />
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Another admirer noted how journalism nourished the poetry: “Alex used for his poetry the truths he gleaned from his journalism. Unlike other young poets who found muses from the imagined, Alex drew inspiration from the real sentiments and aspirations, agony and hope of the masses. What he would not share with friends and colleagues would end up in his poems, told more fervently, told more gracefully.”<br />
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Alex Remollino and Medardo Roda, with many others before them, may have lapsed into history, but the people’s struggle goes on for as long as the conditions they raged against basically persist. And as the struggle develops new forms, good persons step forward to do their share. Thus is how history is made.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-40402999422388531782010-09-13T02:32:00.000-07:002010-09-13T02:32:04.938-07:00Solons call for probe of alleged P2M jueteng payola of two Aquino aidesHouse members today called for an investigation into the claim of retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz that two close and trusted officials of President Benigno Aquino are receiving a minimum of P2 million in monthly jueteng payola.<br />
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<a href="http://congress.gov.ph/">Rep. Teodoro Casino</a> (Party-list, <a href="http://www.bayanmuna.net/">Bayan Muna</a>) said Cruz's allegations are serious enough to merit an investigation by Congress. "If his claims are true, then the officials concerned should be sanctioned and charged appropriately."<br />
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<a href="http://bayanmuna.net/">Casino</a> said the allegations that two of <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">President Aquino</a>'s trusted officials are receiving jueteng payola strongly contradict the chief executive's promise of a clean and honest government.<br />
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"We call on Archbishop Cruz to support us in any forthcoming investigation by identifying the erring aides or officials of the President and providing proof against them," said Casino, chairman of the House committee on small business and entrepreneurship development. <br />
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<a href="http://congress.gov.ph/">Rep. Rodolfo Albano</a> (1st District, Isabela) said lawmakers should act quickly to probe the allegations of Cruz as he expressed dismay that the anti-corruption campaign of <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">President Aquino</a> is being undermined by some of the chief executive's very own people.<br />
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"These aides or officials are doing a disservice to the government and to the people. They should be named and investigated immediately as well as their cohorts in the jueteng operations," said Albano.<br />
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Albano commended Cruz for his continuous and valiant crusade against jueteng. "His courage is commendable."<br />
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<a href="http://congress.gov.ph/">Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles</a> (1st District, Davao City), a vice chairman of the House committee on human rights, said an investigation into the jueteng payola issue is the most logical and urgent thing for <a href="http://congress.gov.ph/">Congress</a> to do to uncover and ultimately stop the alleged abuses of the concerned aides of the <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">President</a>.<br />
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Nograles said what makes it more disturbing is the report that the two aides are holding key security posts, and part of their jobs is to eradicate jueteng operations.<br />
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"We urge Archbishop Cruz to continue his vigilance and also help us in any forthcoming inquiry into the issue by providing evidence against the aides concerned," said Nograles.<br />
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Earlier, Cruz, who heads the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, said jueteng had turned into a "political monster" under the Aquino administration. He said the two officials' names surfaced in the latest summary of field reports submitted to him by the Krusadang Bayan's nationwide network. President Aquino meanwhile urged Cruz to show proof, no matter how little, so he can investigate the officials concerned.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=4430">Solons call for probe of alleged P2M jueteng payola of two Aquino aides</a></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">12 September 2010 01:32:39 PM</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Writer: Rowena B. Bundang, MRS-PRIB</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-61239161122843543922010-09-08T22:21:00.000-07:002010-09-08T22:21:26.646-07:00ABS-CBN Sacks Veteran Reporter, 19 Others<div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">By DATELINE PHILIPPINES<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/" style="color: #00497f; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Bulatlat.com</a></em></strong></div><div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">MANILA — Broadcast giant <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/09/05/abs-cbn-sacks-veteran-reporter-19-others/">ABS-CBN fired</a> a 14-year veteran reporter and 19 other personnel in the latest round of dismissals at the so-called “Kapamilya” network.</div><div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The firing of reporter <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/09/05/abs-cbn-sacks-veteran-reporter-19-others/">Wheng Hidalgo</a> and other personnel, all from ABS-CBN’s Technical Operations Department, brought to 110 the number of workers from the network’s Internal Job Market (IJM) dismissed since June 16.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The latest firings came after the <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/24/abs-cbn-employees-gain-initial-victory-labor-department-orders-holding-of-certification-election/" style="color: #00497f; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) overturned on August 13 a previous ruling and declared IJM personnel regular employees and granted their petition for certification elections</a>.</div><div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Hidalgo was fired on Friday, September 3, after she refused to accept the network’s offer for regularization because it required her to, among others, withdraw a labor case she had filed against ABS-CBN and waive her length of service.</div><div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Hidalgo and other IJM personnel based in Manila and Cebu filed a case before the National Labor Relations Commission in 2002 questioning their employment status. In 2006, the Supreme Court declared the Cebu IJM workers regular employees of the network.</div><div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/15/abs-cbn-defends-firing-41-workers-so-far/" style="color: #00497f; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">mass firings</a> began the day Gabby Lopez, ABS-CBN chairman and CEO, set as the deadline for the IJM workers to accept the network’s offer of regularization which IJM Union president Antonio Perez assailed as conditional and discriminatory.</div><div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Hidalgo was with the delegation of ABS-CBN workers, NUJP, Partido Manggagawa, PhilIppine Airlines, PLDT and other unions who engaged Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz in a dialog last August 12 on the issue of contractualization.</div><div style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Georgia, 'New Times Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The following day, August 13, <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/17/friday-the-13th-massacre-at-abs-cbn-as-media-giant-axes-37-more-workers/" style="color: #00497f; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">ABS-CBN invited 37 IJM personnel from news and current affairs to five posh hotels around Metro Manila to tell them they were fired</a>. This was the same day DOLE issued the decision that IJM personnel are regular “Kapamilya” employees. <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(<a href="http://dateline.ph/" style="color: #00497f; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Dateline Philippines</a> / Posted by <a href="http://bulatlat.com/main" style="color: #00497f; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Bulatlat.com</a>) <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/09/05/abs-cbn-sacks-veteran-reporter-19-others/">ABS-CBN Sacks Veteran Reporter, 19 Others</a></em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-10768965809724398292010-09-07T20:38:00.000-07:002010-09-07T20:38:40.087-07:00Alexander Martin Remollino: Journalist, Poet, ActivistBy RONALYN V. OLEA<br />
<a href="http://bulatlat.com/">Bulatlat.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/09/04/alexander-martin-remollino-journalist-poet-activist/">Alexander Martin Remollino</a> was a journalist, poet and activist who devoted the best years of his life to serving the Filipino people.<br />
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During his college days at the University of Santo Tomas, <a href="http://arkibongbayan.org/2010/2010-09Sept03-AR%20Poetry%20reading/slrcporytytrsfinh.htm">Alex</a> joined the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and participated in mass protests not only against tuition increases but also against problems confronting the public. His political activism never stopped even as he was forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints. <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/09/04/alexander-martin-remollino-journalist-poet-activist/">Alexander Martin Remollino: Journalist, Poet, Activist</a><br />
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See also: <a href="http://arkibongbayan.org/2010/2010-09Sept03-AR%20Poetry%20reading/slrcporytytrsfinh.htm">Arkibong Bayan's Tribute Page for Alex</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-4293077406848850772010-09-01T03:19:00.000-07:002010-09-01T03:19:30.674-07:00Bloated by patronage funds, proposed 2011 budget prone to corruption<a href="http://www.ibon.org/ibon_articles.php?id=100">Bloated by patronage funds, proposed 2011 budget prone to corruption</a><br />
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There is a marked increase in the 2011 national government (NG) budget submitted to Congress, making the proposed budget alarmingly patronage-rich, says research group <a href="http://www.ibon.org/">IBON</a>.<br />
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The Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in the proposed 2011 budget has increased by Php13.9 billion or 128.5% from Php10.9 billion in 2010 to Php24.8 billion.<br />
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According to research head Sonny Africa, “This large pork barrel allocated mainly according to parochial concerns is inconsistent with improving the effectiveness of spending.”<br />
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Africa added that similarly, the Php29.2-billion budget for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) – especially its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program – creates massive opportunities for patronage politics at both the local and national levels.<br />
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The research group also noted a vague large lump-sum item for locally-funded projects under the Department of Agriculture (DA). An allocation worth Php5-billion was created for “Public-Private Partnership Support Fund” under the DA Office of the Secretary. According to Africa, “Lump sum funds are prone to corruption. Who decides on how these funds are going to be used?”<br />
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IBON earlier noted a large drop in the NG budget for major sectors under economic services and insufficient allocations for social services as alleged steps for austerity. In contrast there are huge increases in proposed spending for other areas such as debt servicing (29.2% increase), armed forces (17.9% increase), and in the PDAF, among others.<br />
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According to the research group, these mispriorities in the budget are not consistent with government’s avowed fight against corruption. More importantly, this skewed spending means government retreating from its responsibilities in much-needed areas as well as on its goal of uplifting majority of Filipinos from poverty. (end)<br />
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<a href="http://www.ibon.org/ibon_articles.php?id=98"><b>Economy grows but not felt by Filipinos</b></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ibon.org/ibon_articles.php?id=99"><b>2011 proposed budget an austerity to repay debt</b></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ibon.org/ibon_articles.php?id=89"><b>Aquino urged to consider alternative fiscal solutions to improve RP revenues</b></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-41492093113124130232010-08-24T23:40:00.000-07:002010-08-24T23:40:40.499-07:00UMID eCard enrollment hits 1 million<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Enrollment for the UMID eCard has reached its one million mark; four months after the <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">Government Service Insurance System</a> announced its compliance with the Unified Multi-purpose ID System or <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">UMID</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The GSIS has around 1.5 million members and pensioners, all of whom are eCard holders. All cardholders are enjoined to enroll for the UMID <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">eCard</a> in order to enjoy the full benefits of the card.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The pension fund said enrollment is still ongoing in all of its offices nationwide. In addition, the GSIS said it has also set up a one-stop-shop at the <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a> Gym, located at its head office in Pasay City, where members and pensioners can enroll for the new eCard, activate the same, and apply for a one-time cash advance.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">A P10,000 cash advance can be availed by members whose UMID eCards have already been activated and whose Record of Creditable Service is at least five (5) years.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The P10,000 cash advance has an interest rate of 12 percent effective based on a diminishing balance and is payable in three years.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a> is the first to adopt the UMID System, which aims to streamline and harmonize the identification systems of all government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations through the use of a unified multi-purpose ID.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">With the use of a single identification system, government agencies, such as the <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a>, the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) will be able to get rid of redundant databases.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The UMID system also enhances the integrity of state-issued ID cards, facilitate the public’s transactions with the government, and cut costs from producing different IDs.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Now that GSIS eCard is already UMID-compliant, it now bears a common reference number (CRN) which is linked to the ID numbers of the SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">With the CRN, the UMID-compliant eCard will serve as a valid identification card not only for GSIS but also for SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Once enrolled and upon receipt of their UMID eCard, members and pensioners are enjoined to activate the same using any of GSIS’s UMID-compliant GW@PS kiosk.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #415b68; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/news.php?id=172"><b>UMID eCard enrollment hits 1 million</b></a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-46693261181904465022010-08-24T23:37:00.000-07:002010-08-24T23:37:30.271-07:00Itigil ang Pagnanakaw ng GSIS sa kanyang mga Miyembro - Privilege Speech ni Rep. Antonio Tinio, ACT TEACHERS Partylist_8/16/2010<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nitong nakaraang mga buwan, sa panahon ng kampanya para sa pambansang eleksyon ng Mayo, nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong umikot sa iba’t ibang probinsya ng ating kapuluan upang makapanayam ang mga public school <a href="http://www.actphils.com/">teachers</a> at mapag-usapan ang kanilang kalagayan at mga hinaing. Saan man ako magpunta, iisa ang kanilang pambungad. Dapat daw tugunan ang kanilang mga problema sa GSIS (<a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">Government Service Insurance System</a>).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><a name='more'></a>Ano-ano ang mga problemang ito?<span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Mahaba ang listahan. Kabilang dito ang: walang-paliwanag na mga kaltas sa kanilang maturity claim o retirement lumpsum; walang-paliwanag na kaltas sa kanilang salary loan; di pagbibigay ng dibidendo ng <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a>; pagkait sa survivorship benefits; di pagkaltas ng mga loan payments; sobrang pagkaltas ng mga loan payments kahit bayad na ang utang; di pagbibibigay ng funeral benefits, education plan, at iba pa. Ang esensya, hindi raw nila natatanggap ang inaasahan nilang benepisyo o ang pinapangako ng batas na dapat nilang matanggap.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nakatitiyak ako na, bilang mga kapwa kinatawan at tagapaglingkod ng taumbayan, mayroon na ring mga guro o kawani ng gubyerno na lumapit sa inyo upang idulog ang kanilang mga problema sa <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a>. Mahigit sa pitong taon nang dinaranas ng mga guro at kawani ang itinuturing nilang kalbaryo ng GSIS. Sa panahong ito, nasaksihan natin ang malawakan at sama-samang pagkilos ng mga kawani upang ipaglaban ang kanilang mga karapatan, mula noong unang sigwa ng mga protesta noong 2003, welga ng mga kawani ng <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a> noong 2004, at samu’t saring mga martsa, piket, at rali mula noon hanggang sa kasalukuyan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sa kabilang banda, ibang-iba ang kuwento kung pakikinggan natin ang pamunuan ng GSIS. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kamakailan lamang, ganito ang naging pahayag ni Winston Garcia, President and General Manager ng <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a> mula January 2001 hanggang June 30, 2010:</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“…during my stint as President and General Manager, I instituted the reforms needed for prompt and efficient delivery of services to all our members and pensioners. …</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Because of these reforms, the GSIS’s actuarial life—or the period by which it can provide for the needs of its members and pensioners—has been substantially extended. In 2001, the Fund’s life was projected to last only until 2028. By December 2009, the Fund’s actuarial life was estimated to last until 2064.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Ayon kay Garcia, nalulugi na ang GSIS nang datnan niya ito noong 2001. Dahil umano ito sa kawalan ng maayos na sistema ng pagtala sa pagpasok at paglabas ng pondo ng GSIS at ang low collection efficiency—maluwag daw ang pagbigay ng GSIS ng mga benepisyo sa miyembro ngunit mahina ito sa pagkubra sa mga utang.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tama ang naging pagtukoy ni Garcia sa mga problema ng GSIS. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ano ang kanyang naging tugon?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tinagurian niyang “GSIS Reform Agenda” ang solusyon na kanyang inilapat noong 2003. Ang “Premium-Based Policy” ang pinakabuod ng reporma, patakarang nagsasaad na ibabatay sa premiums na binayad ng miyembro ang halaga ng benepisyong kanyang matatanggap mula sa GSIS.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Susi sa pagpapatupad nito ang computerization ng <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a>. Sinasaklaw ng computerization ang sumusunod: </span></div><ol start="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">computerization of membership database;</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">computerized billing, collection, receipting, and posting of payments directly linked to the membership database;</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">massive cleansing and updating of membership records and reconciliation of records between GSIS and employers (i.e., government agencies).</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bilang tugon sa problema ng low collection efficiency, ipinatupad din ni Garcia ang patakaran ng automatic deduction of arrears (Claims and Loans Interdependency Program o CLIP).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tagumpay ba ang Reform Agenda? Kung ang tanging sukatan ng tagumpay ay ang “bottom line,” o kita ng isang korporasyon, hindi maikakaila na ang solusyon na kaniyang inilapat ay nagdulot ng kagyat at dramatikong pagpihit sa katayuang pinansyal ng GSIS. Mula sa bingit ng pagkalugi, natransporma diumano ang GSIS upang maging top-earning government corporation sa kasalukuyan, na may net revenue noong 2009 na Php 49 bilyon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ito ang pinanghawakan ni dating Pangulong Arroyo nang isantabi niya ang malawakang panawagan ng mga miyembro para sibakin si Garcia na rumurok noong 2004. Dahil sa basbas ng Malacanang, hindi na natinag sa puwesto si Garcia hanggang sa kadulu-duluhan ng administraysong Arroyo.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ngunit, sa halip ng mga papuri at pasasalamat bilang tagapagligtas ng GSIS, bakit pawang mga batikos at pagkamuhi ang inaani ni Winston Garcia sa mga guro at kawani?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kung gagamitin nating sukatan ang ideyal ng GSIS bilang tanging social security fund na pangunahing sasandigan ng 1.6 million kasapi nito sa panahon ng kagipitan, patunay ang mapait na karanasan ng daan-daang libong guro at kawani na bigo ang Reform Agenda ng <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isantabi na muna natin ang mga alegasyon ng korapsyon, despotismo, at kawalan ng transparency sa kanyang pamumuno ng GSIS. Ipagpaliban muna natin sa ibang pagkakataon ang pagsusuri sa mga ito.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nais nating ipakita na ang mga patakaran at programa mismo ng GSIS na ipinatupad ni Garcia, ang kanyang pinagmamalaking Reform Agenda, ang sanhi ng pagdurusa ng mayorya ng 1.6 milyong kasapi ng GSIS.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><b><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. Bigong computerization at malubhang problema sa posting.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hindi matagumpay ang GSIS sa pagpapatupad nito ng computerization. Nagsimula ito noong 2003 at nagpapatuloy pa rin hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Puno ng mga problema ang implementasyon nito. Kabilang sa mga ito ang hindi pa rin nakukumpletong updating ng service records ng kalahating milyong mga guro; ang palpak na migration mula sa luma patungo sa bagong computer system noong September 2007; at ang katastropikong pagbagsak (crash) ng buong sistema noong Marso 2009. Ngunit ang pinakatampok na indikasyon ng kabiguan ng computerization ay ang problema ng posting—hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin maagap na naitatala ng GSIS ang bawat kabayaran ng mga miyembro sa kani-kanilang individual accounts. Gaano kalala ang problemang ito? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Noong July 22, nakasama ako sa isang dialog ng mga lider ng Alliance of Concerned Teachers sa bagong hirang na Chairman ng Board of Trustees ng GSIS na si Daniel Lacson Jr. Sa pagkakataong ito, ibinunyag ng OIC ng GSIS na si Consuelo Manansala na umaabot sa 6 na bilyon ang individual payments na hindi pa napo-post ng GSIS. As of July 2010, GSIS has been unable to post 6 billion payments made by members to their individual accounts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ibig sabihin nito, may <i>anim na bilyong remittances</i> ang mga miyembro na kabayaran sa premiums, sa salary loans, sa housing loan, atbp., mula 1997 hanggang sa kasalukuyan, na tinanggap na ng GSIS ngunit hindi pa nila naipapasok sa computers ng GSIS upang maitala sa individual account ng bawat miyembro. Ibig sabihin, kahit pa nakabayad na ang miyembro, as far as the GSIS computerized records are concerned, hindi pa sila bayad at may utang pa sila sa GSIS.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gaano kalaki ang halaga ng unposted remittances na ito? Mahirap masabi, pero maaaring umabot ito ng hanggang Php 50.461 bilyon, na siyang halaga ng discrepancies sa accounting ledger balances ng GSIS noong 2008.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bakit hindi pa napo-post ang mga remittances ng members? Lumilitaw na pangunahing teknikal ang kadahilanan. Ayon kay Manansala, “due to incomplete information,” i.e., may hinahanap na impormasyon ang kanilang computer system na hindi nakalakip sa remittance kung kaya kailangang ibalik sa ahensya.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kung anuman ang dahilan, malinaw na wala sa kontrol ng miyembro ang mga sirkumstansyang ito at pawang responsibilidad ng GSIS ang maagap na pagtala o pagpost sa ibinayad ng miyembro. As far as the member is concerned, and as far as the GSIS law is concerned, nakabayad na siya sa sandaling kaltasin sa kanyang suweldo ang karampatang halaga. Sa katunayan, katulad ng iba pang mga institusyong pampinansya, ang pangangalaga ng kumpleto at wastong talaan ng bawat sentimong transaksyon ng bawat miyembro o kliyente ang isa sa mga pundamental na tungkulin ng GSIS. Malinaw na hindi niya ito nagagampanan sa kasalukuyan.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ano ang epekto sa miyembro ng kapalpakan sa posting ng GSIS?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. Walang pakundangan, walang batayan, di makatarungan, at ilegal na overdeductions ng GSIS sa kanyang mga miyembro.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Susi sa Reform Agenda ang patakaran ng CLIP, o automatic deduction of arrears mula sa mga benepisyo ng mga miyembro. Mula sa punto de bista ng GSIS, ito ang instrumentong magbibigay-lunas sa problema ng low collection efficiency na matagal na nitong binubuno. Ngunit sa punto de bista ng mga miyembro, ang CLIP ay maka-isang panig, arbitrary, at lumalabag sa kanilang right to due process. Sa katunayan, nilalabag nito ang Section 41(w) ng R.A. 8291.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ang kombinasyon ng incomplete o partial posting of payments ng GSIS at ang patakaran ng CLIP o automatic deduction of arrears ay nagresulta sa pag-iral ng isang rehimen ng walang pakundangang overdeductions sa mga benepisyo ng miyembro mula Agosto 2003 hanggang sa kasalukuyan.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ayon sa report ng Commission on Audit para sa taong 2008[i], umaabot sa Php 2.7 billion ang awtomatikong kinaltas o binawas ng GSIS nang walang matibay na batayan:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“…in view of the deficiencies of the system which resulted in the unposting of premiums and loan repayments and its eventual crash in March 2009… the correctness and validity of members’ loans and premium arrearages amounting to P2.348 billion and P0.388 billion, respectively, or a total of P2.736 billion deducted/clipped from the life and retirement benefits of members in 2008 per verification could not be relied upon. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Napatunayan ng COA na sa ilang kasong kanilang pinag-aralan, nagsagawa ng double deductions ang GSIS—yung nabayaran na through salary deduction, kinaltas pang muli through automatic deduction from benefits:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“The audit procedures we performed to determine the validity of deductions, using COA employees and retirees as samples showed that remittances were actually made by COA pertaining to these deductions. Thus, there was double collection of loans and premiums receivable thereby understating the receivable accounts and the retirees/members’ benefits equivalent to the amount of the deductions, for which actual remittances were made by COA.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Hindi lamang “double collection of loans and premiums,” ang ginagawa ng GSIS, ayon sa COA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“The unposted payments were treated by the system as arrearages resulting in the computation of undue interest thereon.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dahil sa kawalan ng posting, nagkakaroon ng “fictitious arrears” ang mga miyembro.</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tapos pinapatawan pa ng GSIS ang mga ito ng interes. Ginagamit ng COA ang salitang “underpayment” para tukuyin ang ibinabayad sa mga miembro matapos kaltasan ng nabanggit. Sa halip na “underpayment,” pahintulutan niyong tawagin ko itong “pagnanakaw.” Hindi pa yan ang tawag natin sa pagkuha ng sa pera na pag-aari ng iba?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kung gayon, ninanakawan ng GSIS ang mga miembro nito, not once but twice—sa pamamagitan ng deduction ng fictitious arrears at ng undue interest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ayon sa audit ng COA, umabot sa Php 276.179 milyon ang halaga ng underpayment sa life insurance at retirement benefits ng members sa saklaw ng panahong kanilang sinuri:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Life insurance and retirement benefits of members were underpaid by P253.353 million and P22.826 million, respectively, or a total of P276.179 million due to unposted remittances brought about by deficiencies of the computerized system, thereby understating premiums receivable for the deductions made which were actually covered by remittances from the agencies.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Narito ang pagnanakaw sa life insurance claims mula January 5 hanggang September 30, 2008:</span></div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: inherit; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 1em; line-height: 16px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial;">
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" width="187"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Area/Period Covered</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 94.5pt;" width="126"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unposted Premiums</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Undue</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Interest</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">CY 2008</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 94.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="126"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 140.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Home Office</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 13.5pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 94.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="126"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 717,003</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 66,942</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 783,945</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 140.25pt;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Regional and Branch Office</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 13.5pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 94.5pt;" width="126"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 5,943,197</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 4,512,843</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 10,456,040</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sub-total</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 94.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="126"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> P 6,660,200</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 4,579,785</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 11,239,985</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Narito ang pagnanakaw noong 2007 and for prior years:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 1em; line-height: 16px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial;">
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" width="187"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Area/Period Covered</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 3.25pt; margin-right: 3.75pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unposted Premiums</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Undue</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 3.25pt; margin-right: 3.75pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Interest</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">CY 2007 and Prior Years</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Home Office</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 1,614,611</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 1,506,007</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 3,120,618</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Regional and Branch Office</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 108,305,371</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 130,687,197</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 238,992,568</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sub-total</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 109,919,982</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 132,193,204</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 242,113,186</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 140.25pt;" valign="bottom" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total for life insurance</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 116,580,182</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 136,772,989</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt; width: 81pt;" valign="bottom" width="108"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 4.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">P 253,353,171</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pinag-aralan din ng COA ang kaso ng 2,522 retirees na naging biktima ng palpak na migration from the old computer system (PROD) to the new SAP-ILMAAAMS on September 30, 2007. Natuklasan nila na nabiktima ang mga ito ng underpayment na nagkakahalagang Php 22.826 milyon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Retirement benefits</span></b></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 1em; line-height: 16px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial;">
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 15.3pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Office/Branch</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0.9pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">No. of Samples</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Underpayment to Members</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Butuan and Surigao</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">44</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> P 3,689,959</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tacloban</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1,072</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3,425,540</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cotabato</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> -</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2,282,434</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tarlac</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">19</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2,073,269</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Head Office</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">73</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 1,505,517</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Zamboanga</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">50</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1,470,408</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maasin</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">299</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1,289,214</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cagayan De Oro</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">43</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1,286,472</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cebu</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">257</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">727,468</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bayombong</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">10</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">720,367</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iligan</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">27</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">664,160</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bohol</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">262</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">618,557</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dumaguete</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">231</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 516,549</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cabanatuan</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">38</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">516,382</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cauayan</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">10</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">418,435</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pampanga</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">12</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">393,626</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">La Union</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">9</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">379,393</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tuguegarao</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">10</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">257,775</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bataan</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">14</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">196,895</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dagupan</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">7</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">189,514</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Laoag</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">31</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">113,884</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Iloilo</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">71,377</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Legaspi/Naga</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" width="202"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 59.4pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">18,996</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 1.95in;" valign="bottom" width="187"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 2.1in;" valign="bottom" width="202"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 23.85pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2,522</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 145.75pt;" valign="bottom" width="194"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 22,826,191</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pansinin natin na:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bayombong, 10 retirees were underpaid by an average of Php 72,000;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cagayan de Oro, 43 retirees were underpaid by an average of Php 30,000;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tarlac, 19 retirees were underpaid by an average of Php 109,000;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In Dagupan, 7 retirees were underpaid by an average of Php 27,000.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hayaan ninyong bigyan ko ng mga pangalan ang ilan sa mga biktima ng “pagnanakaw” ng GSIS sa mga miyembro. Ang sumusunod ay mga gurong kasapi o di kaya’y lumapit sa Alliance of Concerned Teachers na nagbahagi ng sarili nilang karanasan:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 1em; line-height: 16px; width: 613px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial;">
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 80.15pt;" valign="top" width="107"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Name</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 78.35pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Face Value</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 148.5pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Deductions</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 75.55pt;" valign="top" width="101"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Net Proceeds</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 77.45pt;" valign="top" width="103"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Check no. /Date issued</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 80.15pt;" valign="top" width="107"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lodivina B. Cunanan</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(DepEd Pampanga)</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 78.35pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">95,269</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 148.5pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Premium in arrears: 28,144.64</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Policy loan: 38,755.69</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">SOS/Conso: 16,896.55</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cash advance: 1,691.16</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total: 85,488.04</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 75.55pt;" valign="top" width="101"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">9,780.96</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 77.45pt;" valign="top" width="103"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">104353/</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">10-13-08</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 80.15pt;" valign="top" width="107"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Consolacion L. Tipay</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(DepEd Tarlac)</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 78.35pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">41,922.55</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 148.5pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Premium in arrears: 13,103.46</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Policy loan: 10,910.21</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total: 24,013.67</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 75.55pt;" valign="top" width="101"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">17,908.88</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 77.45pt;" valign="top" width="103"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">80289/</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2-20-08</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 80.15pt;" valign="top" width="107"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mariluz Q. Pascasio</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(DepEd Tarlac)</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 78.35pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">71,599</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 148.5pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Premium in arrears: 36,909.67</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Policy loan: 34,689.33</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total: 71,599.00</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 75.55pt;" valign="top" width="101"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">0.00</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 77.45pt;" valign="top" width="103"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 80.15pt;" valign="top" width="107"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rosita D. Dueñas</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(DepEd Tarlac)</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 78.35pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">93,185.44</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 148.5pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Premium in arrears: 42,295.72</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 75.55pt;" valign="top" width="101"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">50,889.72</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 77.45pt;" valign="top" width="103"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">430869/</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">7-25-07</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 80.15pt;" valign="top" width="107"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jovita D. Serrano</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(DepEd Tarlac)</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 78.35pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">93,451.23</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 148.5pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Premium in arrears: 39,407.33</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Policy loan: 47,084.74</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total: 86,492.08</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 75.55pt;" valign="top" width="101"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6,959.15</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 77.45pt;" valign="top" width="103"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 12pt;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">80288</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><b><span lang="ES" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. Labis na kabagalan sa pagproseso ng mga benepisyo</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kabilang sa mga hinaing ng mga guro at kawani ang napakabagal na pagproseso ng GSIS ng kanilang mga claims.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Due to the recurrent flaws in the computerized systems that started in 2008 which eventually led to its crash on March 30, 2009, the processing of claims took 20 to 720 days resulting in the accumulation of 34,532 unprocessed claims, amounting to P3.860 billion per books as at December 31, 2008 and inefficient delivery of benefits to members.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 1em; line-height: 16px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial;">
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Claims/Benefits</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 147.55pt;" width="197"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 9.9pt; margin-right: 18.9pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">No. of Claims</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 1.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amount</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Retirement</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 147.55pt;" width="197"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 54.9pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">10,323</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 1.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> P 2,070,394,555</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Life</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 147.55pt;" width="197"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 54.9pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">23,296</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 1.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1,738,692,400</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Funeral</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 147.55pt;" width="197"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 54.9pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">296</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 1.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6,309,144</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Survivor</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 147.55pt;" width="197"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 54.9pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">617</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 1.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">44,619,450</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" valign="bottom" width="190"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Total</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 147.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="197"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-right: 54.9pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">34,532</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" valign="bottom" width="190"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 1.8pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> P 3,860,015,549</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: inherit; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"> </td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: inherit; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 147.55pt;" width="197"> </td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: inherit; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 142.2pt;" width="190"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“In the Head Office, the claims remained unprocessed/unpaid from 76 to 378 days as of February 18, 2009 while in the Branches, processing time ranged from 20 to 720 days as shown in the table below:</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 1em; line-height: 16px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial;">
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Branch/Office Lag Time in the</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Processing of Claims</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Butuan and Surigao</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">30 - 720 days</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cabanatuan</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">20 - 718 days</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pampanga</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">31 - 639 days</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tarlac</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">31 - 480 days</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bayombong</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">115 - 429 days</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Head Office</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">76 - 378 days</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Davao, Tagum and General Santos</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">173 - 362 days</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 234.85pt;" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tuguegarao</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; width: 197.15pt;" width="263"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.25in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">67 - 246 days</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">May kasabihan tayo, “aanhin pa ang damo, kung patay na ang kabayo.” Aanhin ang bilyong-bilyong assets ng GSIS, kung hindi mapakikinabangan ng miyembro ang mga benepisyong iginagawad ng batas sa kanya sa panahon na kailangan niya ito.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To recap, ang mga patakaran at programa mismo ng Reform Agenda, particular ang flawed computerization at ang CLIP, ay nagresulta sa pagkait sa mga miyembro, ng ganap na pagtamasa sa mga benepisyong ipinangako sa kanila ng batas. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nagpatupad ang nakaraang administrasyon ng isang Reform Agenda na di maikakaliang nagpaganda sa bottom line ng GSIS. Ngunit hindi ito kailanman magiging katanggap-tanggap kung ito ay makakamit sa pamamagitan ng pagyurak sa mga karapatan ng GSIS members. Bilang tanging social security fund ng 1.6 milyon miyembro nito,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ngayong, may bagong gubyerno, may bagong presidente. Narito ang ginintuang pagkakataon para iwasto ang mga pagkakamali ng nakaraan. Mr. Speaker, mga kasama, nais kong ipaalala sa inyo ang Section 8 ng GSIS Act of 1997:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Sec. 8. Government Guarantee. — The government of the Republic of the Philippines hereby guarantees the fulfillment of the obligations of the GSIS to its members as and when they fall due.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Malinaw na itinatakda ng batas na, magkulang man ang GSIS sa pagtupad ng kanyang batayang tungkulin bilang social security fund ngating 1.6 milyong kawani, titiyakin ng gubyerno ng Republika na patuloy pa ring matatamasa nang buo, walang labis, walang kulang, ang mga benepisyo ng bawat miyembro ng GSIS sa natatakdang panahon. Malinaw na naabot na natin ang kalagayang nangangailangan ng panghihimasok ng gubyerno upang mapangalagaan ang mga karapatan ng mga miyembro ng GSIS.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kung gayon, nananawagan ako sa mga kasamahan natin sa Kongreso na gampanan ang ating tungkulin sa oversight at legislation upang:</span></div><ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">itigil ng GSIS ang mga di-makatarungang pagkaltas sa mga benepisyo ng miyembro;</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">kagyat na i-refund ng GSIS sa mga di-makatarungang kaltas na may kasamang interes;</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">panagutin ang mga opisyales sa pangunguna ni Winston Garcia sa kanilang pagyurak sa mga karapatan ng GSIS members;</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">i-review ang GSIS Reform Agenda lalo na ang epekto nito sa karapatan at kagalingan ng mga miyembro;</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">i-review ang R.A. 8291 at mga kaugnay na batas upang mapag-aralan kung paano mapapahusay at mapapatibay ang proteksyon ng mga miyembro;</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">tiyakin ang tunay na representasyon ng rank-and-file employees sa Board of Trustees ng <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">GSIS</a>.</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Maraming salamat, Mr. Speaker.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="all" /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="border-bottom-color: gray; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: gray; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: gray; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: gray; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: 1px;" width="33%" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><a href="" name="12a8a5d95ce219ae_12a88e224e31561b_12a88e" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[i]</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Ang mga datos mula sa <a href="http://www.coa.gov.ph/">Commission on Audit</a> ay mula sa kanilang “Annual Audit Report on the <a href="http://www.gsis.gov.ph/">Government Service Insurance System</a> for the Year Ended December 31, 2008.”</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Privilege Speech</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Rep. Antonio L. Tinio</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ACT Teachers Party-List</span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15px;"><span scayt_word="Agosto" scaytid="1273">Agosto</span> 16, 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 15px; line-height: 15px;"><b><a href="http://www.actphils.com/2007/node/215">Itigil ang Pagnanakaw ng GSIS sa kanyang mga Miyembro - Privilege Speech ni Rep. Antonio Tinio, ACT TEACHERS Partylist_8/16/2010</a></b></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-80618173687558741362010-08-23T01:58:00.000-07:002010-08-23T01:58:46.883-07:00Morong 43′s New Mom Asserts Her Rights and That of Her ChildTwenty armed men in three vehicles took her from her hospital room in handcuffs. She was separated from her baby. They took her away swiftly while her mother was settling her hospital bills. This detainee is not a high profile, dangerous criminal, but a health worker and political detainee.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/21/morong-43s-new-mom-asserts-her-rights-and-that-of-her-child-2/">Morong 43′s New Mom Asserts Her Rights and That of Her Child</a><br />
By RONALYN OLEA<br />
<a href="http://bulatlat.com/">Bulatlat.com</a> [1]<br />
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“I felt like I am an Ampatuan,” Carina Judilyn Oliveros blurted out as she described how the guards of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) took her and her baby out of the hospital on Aug. 18.<br />
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Oliveros, one of the Morong 43, gave birth to her first child on July 22 at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. The 43 health workers were arrested on Feb. 6 in Morong, Rizal by virtue of a search warrant against a certain Mario Condes who was never found. They were held in military captivity for almost three months before they were transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. They have been charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.<br />
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The Ampatuans, meanwhile, are suspects in last November’s massacre of 57 individuals, mostly journalists, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.<br />
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“There were about 20 of them, all armed,” Oliveros said in describing the soldiers who took her and her baby out of the hospital. “Some were carrying long firearms. About ten went inside our [hospital] room.” Oliveros initially refused to go with the BJMP guards but she was told the court has ordered her immediate transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa.<br />
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Judge Gina Cenat Escoto of Morong Regional Trial Court Branch 78 rejected the petition filed by Oliveros’ counsels for her temporary release on recognizance due to humanitarian reasons. In a decision dated Aug. 16, the court ordered the BJMP to immediately return Oliveros to the detention facility. The court said there was no basis for granting the release.<br />
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“I just wanted to hold my child but they did not allow that until we got inside the vehicle,” Oliveros said.<br />
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“They handcuffed me but they did not want the public to see it. I told them, ‘Don’t cover the handcuffs.’ As I was being brought out of the room, I shouted repeatedly ‘Free the 43!’” Oliveros said. “The people looked at us. They have probably seen my picture at the posters outside the hospital,” she said.<br />
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“Why would I be ashamed? I told them I am not ashamed of what I’m doing. We, the 43, are not criminals,” Oliveros explained. She was accompanied by Fr. Dionito Cabillas of Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa Amnestiya (Selda) and a staff of the Health Alliance for Democracy (Head) back to Camp Bagong Diwa. Oliveros noted that the BJMP had used three vehicles to fetch her.<br />
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In a separate interview, Oliveros’s mother Sheila expressed disgust at the BJMP personnel. “They told me to arrange the hospital billing but when I came back to the room, Judilyn and my grandson were gone. They took them away and I did not even get a chance to talk to my daughter,” she said.<br />
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Oliveros said that before the vehicle sped away, she saw her mother outside the hospital lobby, crying. “I was crying, too. I knew that she felt bad that I was treated like a criminal,” Oliveros said as she fought back tears.<br />
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At the Detention Cell<br />
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Determined to breastfeed her three-week-old baby, Oliveros brought her child to the detention cell she shares with 22 other women detainees, all members of the Morong 43.<br />
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The cell was damp, overcrowded and poorly ventilated. Oliveros said there were bed mites and a big rat in their room.<br />
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She said the BJMP promised to provide her baby a separate wooden bed, but it never came.<br />
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“On our first night here, my baby found it hard to sleep. The next few days have been slightly better,” she said, adding that her colleagues help her take care of the baby. “They all wanted to kiss him and hold him. Later, we agreed that a maximum of three women may hold him for a day,” Oliveros said.<br />
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She said the jail warden told her that after a week, they would take the baby out of the detention cell. “They told me to give him to my mother or else, they would give my baby to the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development],” Oliveros said.<br />
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Additional Injustice<br />
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“This is an additional injustice to Judilyn. As much like being illegally arrested and detained, being pregnant while in prison is an additional suffering and sacrifice on her part. She was not spared from psychological and physical torture in the hands of the military,” the Morong 43 said in a statement released to the media.<br />
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“After being blindfolded and handcuffed for 36 hours, she was placed under solitary confinement. In her cell, she had been interrogated anytime at night or day by one or more military men. She was also threatened to be electrocuted when she joined our protest action against the military who forcibly took or ‘kidnapped’ our five companions from their cells in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal,” the Morong 43 statement read. “Need Judilyn and baby have to suffer more? Is justice and humaneness elusive again as in the era of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?”?<br />
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“It is cruel and deplorable,” said Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan.<br />
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“Camp Bagong Diwa is no place to rear a child, much less a baby. Jails are not safe and healthy places for infants,” she said. To subject a newborn to these unhealthy conditions is downright heartless. Judilyn Oliveros should be allowed to care and breastfeed her baby outside of Camp Bagong Diwa,” said?Ilagan.<br />
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The congresswoman further said that the court’s decision violates the baby’s right to be fed, to be raised and to develop in a healthy and normal environment and in conditions of freedom and dignity, in accordance with the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of the Child.<br />
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Continuing Protests<br />
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The women of Morong 43 held a noise barrage the day after Oliveros was transferred to the BJMP. On Aug. 19, no visitors were allowed inside as a “disciplinary measure against the Morong 43 women,” according to the BJMP personnel.<br />
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“We are outraged at the prison official’s drastic and inhumane response to the female detainees’ peaceful expression of discontent. They did not violate any prison policy and thus did not deserve such maltreatment,” Carlos Montemayor, spokesperson of the Free the 43 Health Workers! Alliance, said.<br />
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“Prison officials should also be reminded that under Republic Act 7438, every arrested or detained person shall be allowed visits or conferences with any member of his/her immediate family, among other individuals and institutions,” said Cristina Palabay of Tanggol Bai, an association of women human-rights defenders.<br />
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“This manifests the worse injustices being experienced by Oliveros and child, as well as the rest of the Morong 43, who are already victims of illegal arrests, torture and detention. Justice remains elusive for the doctors and community-based health workers, even pregnant and nursing mothers like Oliveros. Such is the deplorable state of the more than 400 political prisoners in the country, many of them were illegally arrested and imprisoned under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration,” Cabillas of Selda said.<br />
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Appeal<br />
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Ilagan said the court’s decision is ‘an injustice to Judilyn and her baby and should immediately be reconsidered.’<br />
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The counsels of the Morong 43 have filed a motion for reconsideration.<br />
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Oliveros said Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Ma. Victoria Cardona and CHR lawyers visited them on Aug. 20. “They told me they would support our appeal to the court for my temporary release,” she said.?<br />
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“We call on Pres. Aquino to exercise prudence and understanding on the plight of political prisoners as his late father, Senator Benigno Aquino, was himself a victim of political persecution under the Marcos administration. Free the 43 health workers; free all political prisoners,” the Morong 43 said.<br />
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Ilagan pressed for the immediate dismissal of cases lodged against the 43 health workers. She said “The cases filed against the health workers were fabricated and their arrest was clearly illegal. Every day that they remain in detention is a testament of injustice.” (<a href="http://bulatlat.com/">Bulatlat.com</a>) [1]<br />
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<a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/21/morong-43s-new-mom-asserts-her-rights-and-that-of-her-child-2/">Morong 43′s New Mom Asserts Her Rights and That of Her Child</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-25427997913292446952010-08-23T01:54:00.000-07:002010-08-23T01:54:31.630-07:00Sa kabila ng pagkakapiit ng Morong 43: Manggagawang pangkalusugan tuloy sa paglilingkod<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://pinoyweekly.org/new/author/darius-galang/" style="color: #a01591; text-decoration: none;">Darius Galang</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
Hindi natatakot ang mga panggagawang pangkalusugan sa bansa na maglingkod sa mga maralita sa kabila ng pagdukot at pagpapahirap ng militar ang tinaguriang “Morong 43.”<br />
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Ito ang napatunayan ng Council for Health and Development (CHD) matapos matagumpay na nakapaglunsad ang organisasyon ng kanilang ika-10 General Assembly of Community-Based Health Programs (CHBP) in the Philippines.<br />
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Bitbit ang temang “Reaffirm Our Commitment To Serve People Amidst Intensifying Repression And Worsening Economic Crisis,” nagtipon ang mga manggagawang pangkalusugan mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa upang ipagtibay ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga mahihirap na komunidad.<br />
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“Despite the odds, community-based health programs staff and CHWs hold on to their commitment to serve the poor and put people’s interests above self,” saad ni Sr. Edit Eslopor, OSB, tagapangulo ng Board of Trustees ng CHD.<br />
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Dumalo sa pagtitipon ang mga delegado mula sa Bikol, Timog Katagalugan, Gitnang Luzon, National Capital Region, Hilaga, gitna at Kanlurang Visayas, Hilagang Mindanaw, Caraga, Socksargen at Zamboanga Peninsula.<br />
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Kasama sa kanilang ipinaglalaban ngayon ang pagpapalaya at pagbibigay hustisya sa tinaguriang “Morong 43” na kapwa nila manggagawang pangkalusugan na dinukot noong Pebrero, tinortyur at patuloy na ikinukulong ng militar at pulisya.<br />
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“What happened to the ‘Morong 43′ may have sowed fear among our CHWs and CBHP staff, but it is only temporary,” banggit ni Eslopor.<br />
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Dagdag niya na mula pa noong 1973 dinanas na ng mga CBHP ang iba’t ibang balakid ngunit patuloy ang pangangailangan sa kanilang serbisyo dahil sa palalang kondisyon ng serbisyo medikal at kakulangan ng batayang serbisyong panlipunan, laluna sa mga komunidad sa kanayunan.<br />
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Samantala, tumungo ang mga pamilya’t tagasuporta ng Morong 43 sa Kongreso upang dumulog ng dagdag tulong mula sa mga mambabatas. Umaasa silang ang oversight functions ng Kongreso makikita kung ano ang constitutional rights ng Morong 43 na nilabag ng iba’t ibang puwersa ng estado at ng nakaraang administrasyong Arroyo.<br />
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Nagbigay rin ang mga kaanak at tagasuporta ng mga puting rosas at liham ng apela kay Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III para sa suporta sa pag-usad ng kaso ng Morong 43.<br />
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Pinamunuan ng CHD at Community Medicine Development Foundation o COMMED ang health skills training na isinagawa sa Morong, Rizal noong Pebrero nang salakayin militar ang kanilang pagtitipon. Umabot sa 43 manggagawang pangkalusugan ang ilegal na inaresto ng mga elemento ng Philippine Army at Philippine National Police, tinortyur, pinagkaitan ng kanilang mga karapatan at patuloy na idiniditine hanggang ngayon.<br />
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<a href="http://pinoyweekly.org/new/2010/08/sa-harap-ng-pagkakapiit-ng-morong-43-manggagawang-pangkalusugan-tuloy-sa-paglilingkod/">Sa kabila ng pagkakapiit ng Morong 43: Manggagawang pangkalusugan tuloy sa paglilingkod</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-39984842927829884252010-08-23T01:50:00.000-07:002010-08-23T01:52:00.856-07:00Balik-tanaw sa muling binubuhay na patay: Kasaysayan ng ROTC sa bansaBy <a href="http://pinoyweekly.org/new/author/darius-galang/">Darius Galang</a><br />
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Isang bangkay ng binatang lalaki ang natagpuang lulutang-lutang sa Pasig River noong Marso 18, 2001. Balot na nga ang kanyang katawan ng isang karpet, binalutan pa ng packing tape ang kanyang mukha. Nakagapos pa ang kanyang mga paa at kamay.<br />
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Ang binata ay si Mark Welson Chua, isang estudyante ng University of Sto. Tomas. Ayon sa mga imbestigasyon, biktima si Mark ng pamamaslang matapos isiwalat niya sa pahayagang pangkampus na The Varsitarian ang mga anomalya at pangungurakot sa loob ng programang Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) sa kanyang pamantasan.<br />
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Ito ang nagbunsod sa sunud-sunod na mga pagkilos ng kabataan upang lansagin ang ROTC sa kani-kanilang mga paaralan at maging mismo sa legal na balangkas ng Konstitusyon ng bansa.<br />
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Ngunit nitong nakaraang mga linggo, tila ibinubuhay pa ng administrasyong Aquino ang naturang programa. Iminungkahi ni Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas sa Kamara ang revival ng mandatory na ROTC, habang aktibo namang itinutulak ni Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin kay Pang. Benigno Aquino III ang panukalang ito.<br />
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“Palagay namin, panahon na para hilingin muli natin sa mga kaibigan sa Kongreso na iisponsor ang panukalang batas na gawing mandatory muli (ang ROTC)…Palagay namin, wala namang dapat ipag-alala rito,” ani Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., tagapagsalita ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).<br />
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Depensa naman ni Gazmin, kailangang buhayin ang ROTC dahil nagiging mas makabayan ang kabataang napapasailalim sa naturang programa. Siyempre, maraming organisasyon ng kabataan ang umangal. Ayon kay Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, isang kultura ng panunupil at militarismo lamang ang pinalalaganap ng ROTC, bukod pa sa matagal nang naisiwalat na mga kaso ng korupsiyon at pagmamalupit sa pagitan ng mga kadete at opisyal ng programa.<br />
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Balik-tanaw<br />
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Taong 1862 nang unang itinatag ang ROTC sa US bilang isang college elective na nakatuon sa pagsasanay at disiplinang militar. Lahat ng alyadong bansa ng US ay sumunod sa programa. Kasama rito ang Pilipinas, na kolonya ng US, noong 1912. Kauna-unahang yunit ng ROTC ang itinatag sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.<br />
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Matapos ang direktang kolonisasyon ng US sa bansa, nagpatuloy ang ROTC bilang college elective sa lahat ng lalaking estudyante ng Pilipinas. Nakasaad sa Saligang Batas ang mandato ng ROTC bilang isang malaking haligi ng defense structure ng bansa. Dito kukuha ng lakas-pantao ang armadong puwersa sa lahat ng sangay nito – ang army, navy at air force – sa panahon ng giyera.<br />
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Dalawang taon noon na mandatory sa mga estudyante upang tapusin ang Military Science. Sa mga gustong magkaroon ng reserbadong mataas na ranggo sa serbisyong militar, apat na taon silang mapapasailalim sa naturang programa.<br />
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Biktima ng ROTC<br />
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Ngunit sa pagdaloy ng panahon, nakita ang ilang mga anomalya hanggang sa korupsiyon sa loob ng programa nito, hanggang humantong pa ng pagkamatay ng isang estudyante at kadete na sumasailalim sa pagsasanay ng programang ROTC.<br />
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Ayon sa ama ni Mark Welson Chua, “mahal na mahal (ng kanyang anak) ang programa kaya gusto niyang iwasto ang kamalian nito, at maghain ng reporma.”<br />
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Isang paglalathala ukol sa mga katiwalian ng mga opisyal ng ROTC hanggang sa kultura nito ang kanyang inilabas sa The Varsitarian, ang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng UST, noong Marso 2001. Tinanggal sa puwesto ang commandant ng UST kasama ang kanyang staff. Nakatanggap rin ng death threats si Chua matapos ang mailathala ang artikulo. Ilang araw bago natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay, asignatura niya ang isang security training sa Fort Bonifacio.<br />
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Sa awtopsiya, buhay pa siya nang itapon siya sa ilog. Isa sa akusado ay nahatulan na ng kamatayan, habang nagtatago pa rin ang tatlo pa.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pinoyweekly.org/new/2010/08/balik-tanaw-sa-muling-binubuhay-na-patay-kasaysayan-ng-rotc-sa-bansa/">Balik-tanaw sa muling binubuhay na patay: Kasaysayan ng ROTC sa bansa</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-50224054365300782612010-08-17T22:45:00.000-07:002010-08-17T22:45:25.640-07:00Friday the 13th ‘Massacre’ at ABS-CBN as Media Giant Axes 37 More WorkersThe <a href="http://www.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN</a> IJM Workers Union asks President <a href="http://gov.ph/">Aquino</a> to stop the illegal dismissals, contractualization and union-busting at his “favorite” media network.<br />
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By MARYA SALAMAT<br />
<a href="http://bulatlat.com/">Bulatlat.com</a><br />
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MANILA – Thirty-seven more workers at the country’s largest media network, <a href="http://www.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN</a>, have been dismissed, bringing to 92 the number of employees fired from the company’s “Internal Job Market,” the ABS-CBN IJM Workers Union said.<br />
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The firings, which occurred nine months after the workers were first officially disowned as employees by the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, occurred in the same week that the network announced a staggering 179-percent increase in earnings for the first half of 2010.<br />
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In a report by Business Mirror, <a href="http://www.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN</a> said last Tuesday that its net income in the first six months hit a record P2.27 billion, higher than the P813 million it earned in the same period last year and also higher than its full-year net income of P1.7 billion in 2009.<br />
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The 37 workers of the broadcasting company’s news and current affairs department were reportedly invited into “private talks” by human resources managers of <a href="http://www.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN</a> last Friday the 13th, only to be told they had lost their jobs, said the labor center KMU (May First Movement) in a statement.<br />
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The mass termination swells the number of employees set to file cases of illegal dismissal tomorrow at the National Labor Relations Commission, while the first batch of terminated employees and fellow unionists will attend the hearing on their illegal dismissal cases.<br />
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Last June, Gabby Lopez, the company’s CEO, threatened to fire employees who refuse to waive their demands for regularization as well as those who persisted in forming a union.<br />
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The ABS-CBN IJM Workers’ Union, an independent union, was denied certification by the labor department last November, when the labor department took the word of ABS-CBN that the union’s members are not employees of ABS-CBN. The unionists have since appealed the decision, citing their payroll, identification cards and years of service in ABS-CBN as proofs of their employment here. The employees also pointed to the fact that the IJM is an integral part of ABS-CBN.<br />
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The union’s appeal, said its vice president Alain Cadag, is still up for review and approval by labor secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. But in the meantime, their union is being busted while their members are compelled to agree to “bogus” or “discriminatory” regularizations that are also packaged with “waivers” such as the unionists turning their back on their union and on their assertion that they are indeed employees of ABS-CBN.<br />
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The most recent employment offers refused by the newest batch of terminated employees will have them as short-term contractual employees or employed on per program basis, the KMU said.<br />
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Bong Osorio, head of corporate communication of ABS-CBN, had denied last month that they were “dismissing or retrenching employees.” Instead, Osorio described what is happening with ABS-CBN personnel as an “ongoing process” that is “not a mass termination or dismissal.”<br />
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Government Intercession Only “Favored” ABS-CBN<br />
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With President Benigno Aquino’s promised change still ringing in their ears — the ABS-CBN was perceived to have helped a great deal in broadcasting Aquino’s presidential campaign — the unionists said they had trooped to his residence last June to seek Aquino’s intercession in the “unjust dismissals, contractualization and union-busting at ABS-CBN.”<br />
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Their case was reportedly referred to the labor department, who called on the union a few days later. But instead of their complaints being acted upon, the union-busting and mass firing seemed to have worsened with the latest biggest number of terminated employees.<br />
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“Despite the talks called upon by the <a href="http://dole.gov.ph/">DOLE</a> with the <a href="http://abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN</a> workers, bigger retrenchments attacked them afterward. Instead of the situation getting better after talks with government officials, things got even worse,” KMU’s Elmer Labog said. He asked if letting ABS-CBN “get away with its anti-worker schemes” is Aquino’s way of thanking the network for “being instrumental in keeping up a good image of President Aquino.”<br />
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“We remind the Lopezes that they will never be able to build the biggest media firms today if not for their workers. So the right to regularization and to organize a union are basic rights long due the Kapamilya workers; it is the Lopezes who have no right to deny them that, and much more to terminate them just like that,” Labog said.<br />
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He added that President Aquino should intervene not for the Lopezes but to “bring back the dismissed workers, and grant them their due regularization and right to form a union.” (<a href="http://bulatlat.com/">Bulatlat.com</a>)<br />
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<a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/17/friday-the-13th-massacre-at-abs-cbn-as-media-giant-axes-37-more-workers/">Friday the 13th ‘Massacre’ at ABS-CBN as Media Giant Axes 37 More Workers </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-79001287255462228242010-08-17T22:41:00.000-07:002010-08-17T22:41:08.611-07:00All Eyes Today on SC as Farm Workers, Cojuangco-Aquinos Battle Over LuisitaLawmaker says Supreme Court itself will be on trial. “The <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/18/all-eyes-today-on-sc-as-farm-workers-cojuangco-aquinos-battle-over-luisita/">Hacienda Luisita</a> land dispute is the first acid test of the Supreme Court under the <a href="http://gov.ph/">Aquino</a> administration. The Cojuangco-Aquinos have put the Supreme Court on trial here,” says <a href="http://congress.gov.ph/">Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano</a>.<br />
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By RONALYN V. OLEA<br />
<a href="http://bulatlat.com/">Bulatlat.com</a><br />
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MANILA — Farm workers belonging to Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (Ambala) will troop today to the Supreme Court to reiterate their demand to revoke the stock distribution option (SDO) and distribute <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/18/all-eyes-today-on-sc-as-farm-workers-cojuangco-aquinos-battle-over-luisita/">Hacienda Luisita</a>, the sugar estate owned by <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">President Benigno S. Aquino</a> III and his family.<br />
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The SC will hold today oral arguments on the petition for certiorari filed by the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) management against the 2005 resolution of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) and Department of Agrarian Reform revoking the SDO and ordering the distribution of land to the farm workers.<br />
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Today’s oral arguments is the “first agrarian dispute to be heard by justices in open court and involves the President’s landlord clan,” said Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano. “We call on the Supreme Court justices to put an end to the historical injustice suffered by landless farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita at the hands of the Cojuangcos.”<br />
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To evade land distribution, HLI in 1989 implemented the SDO as one of the non-land transfer schemes stated in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL).<br />
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In its resolution, the PARC said that the policy of “no-work no-shares” – workers who supposedly co-own the hacienda do not earn shares if they do not work — is contrary to law and public policy. It also said the setup under the 1989 memorandum of agreement is one-sided in favor of the HLI and that the farm workers remain ordinary farmers and the land remain under the full ownership and control HLI. It concluded that the farm workers’ economic conditions become onerous, their lives becoming more miserable.<br />
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According to the guidelines released by the high court, the oral arguments will focus on the following:<br />
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* Whether or not PARC has jurisdiction, power and/or authority to revoke the 1989 SDO agreement, and whether the council, in 2006, followed due process in ordering the revocation of the agreement;<br />
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* Whether or not there is a legal basis to revoke the SDO agreement;<br />
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* Whether the DAR and PARC are the real parties-in-interest in the case;<br />
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* “Whether or not the rights, obligations, and remedies of the parties to the SDOA are now governed by the Corporation Code and not by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law;” and<br />
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* “Whether Luisita Industrial Park Corporation (LIPCO) and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), as transferees of a portion of Hacienda Luisita, may invoke the doctrine of innocent purchaser for value in the instant case.”<br />
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But Gleoresty Guerra, assistant chief of the Supreme Court public information office, said the oral arguments may also discuss the controversial compromise deal hatched by HLI management on Aug. 6. The HLI management and persons claiming to be representatives of the farm workers signed a compromise agreement. The so-called deal purportedly offers two options: SDO or land, and the HLI management claimed that the farm workers voted for SDO, the same scheme that led to the death of seven striking farm workers in the 2004 massacre.<br />
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“Even if it (compromise agreement) is not mentioned in the guidelines, there is no prohibition (against it being tackled),” Guerra told reporters on Tuesday.<br />
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Mariano said the Supreme Court will also be put “on trial” on the controversial agrarian dispute involving the HLI.<br />
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“The Hacienda Luisita land dispute is the first acid test of the Supreme Court under the Aquino administration. The Cojuangco-Aquinos have put the Supreme Court on trial here,” Mariano said.<br />
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“The world is watching how the Supreme Court will handle the Luisita case,” Mariano added. “Will it allow itself to be an accessory to the crime of the Cojuangco-Aquinos, circumvention of the law, and foul play? Or will it act as the people’s sentinel over rights and welfare, and the very essence of social justice?”<br />
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Mariano, also chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), said that the “strongest argument of farmers against the SDO is that it was used by the Cojuangco-Aquinos to evade land distribution.” With the sham deal, the President’s relatives are deceiving the farmers for the second time around,” Mariano said.<br />
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“The Cojuangco-Aquinos’ aim is to prevent our big chance of winning at the Supreme Court. The agreement is a desperate measure to preempt or influence the Supreme Court in its decision,” Lito Bais, acting president of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu), said in an open letter addressed to his colleagues.<br />
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“It is scandalous how the Cojuangco-Aquinos lord over on the land that should have been ours since 1967 and again in 1985. They pocketed billions of profit from land use conversion which is prohibited under CARL,” Bais said.<br />
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In 1985, a Manila trial court ordered the distribution of Hacienda Luisita land to the farm workers. When Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino became president, the case was dismissed by the Court of Appeals (CA).<br />
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Jobert Ilarde Pahilga, Ambala legal counsel and executive trustee of the Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra), said that the SDO is unconstitutional. “The law states that land, not pieces of paper, must be distributed to the farmers,” he said in an earlier interview with Bulatlat.<br />
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“The Cojuangco-Aquinos will not succeed in their schemes. No matter how long it takes, we will never give up the fight because we are the legal and legitimate owners of the <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/18/all-eyes-today-on-sc-as-farm-workers-cojuangco-aquinos-battle-over-luisita/">Hacienda Luisita</a> land,” Bais told his co-farm workers.<br />
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Aquino’s “hands-off policy” was also criticized by Bais. “Those who voted for Noynoy [Aquino] are disgusted for he has not shown any semblance of good will and fulfill his promise. Now, the true colors of a president raised from the sweat of the toiling farm workers are exposed. He is mum and just waiting, hoping that the scheme of his relatives would succeed.” (<a href="http://bulatlat.com/">Bulatlat.com</a>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-36083326221941436012010-08-17T22:34:00.000-07:002010-08-17T22:34:10.956-07:00Teachers to PNoy: Justice for farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita!“The thorny issue of land distribution is once again awaiting a decisive action by <a href="http://www.act-teachers.org/">PNoy</a>. He should remember, that it was hailed then as a landmark law during her mother’s term as president of this land. So what are you waiting for <a href="http://www.act-teachers.org/">Pnoy</a>?”, said Ms.France Castro, Secretary-general of <a href="http://www.act-teachers.org/">Alliance of Concerned Teachers</a>. “Those farmers have waited for more than twenty years and so justice must be served,” she added.<br />
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It is now the fundamental challenge for Pnoy’s political leadership. He must be decisive on the Hacienda Luisita case. Will he take the road to genuine development or turn a blind eye on the centuries –old bondage and exploitation of peasant and farm workers on the hands of big landlords of haciendas like Hacienda Luisita?”asked Ms. France Castro.<br />
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“Go , for social justice!” Ms. France Castro said . “ Our agriculture has long been backward and battered by trade and investments liberalization, privatization of agricultural extension services, and deregulation of government’ s role including its default on the implementation of a genuinely redistributive agrarian reform program.”<br />
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At the same time, agricultural production is small scale and technology is backward. The corporate firms such as those for export crops such as fruits and sugarcane, are concentrated in the hands of few families and transnational corporations.” Prominent families such as <a href="http://www.act-teachers.org/">PNoy</a>’s have made fortune out of these export crops and yet,’ kapit-tuko’ pa rin sila sa Hacienda Luisita,” Ms. Castro exlaimed.<br />
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The exacerbation of landlessness is most telling in regions designated as growth areas for foreign investments and export production resulting to new norms of exploitation, especially the increasing number of farmers becoming farm workers to augment their incomes.<br />
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Inhumane and deplorable working conditions of work and slave wages for land and agricultural workers such as in Hacienda Luisita is prevalent. We heard enough how globalization has intensified the destruction of the agricultural productive forces and landlessness and sunk millions of Filipino peasant families deeper into poverty.<br />
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By infusing profit-driven market oriented schemes and measures relying on foreign funding, the government has defaulted on its responsibility to implement a genuine land reform program.<br />
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“If PNoy wants to move forward to genuine development of our Motherland, then he must start fixing the problem in his own backyard. He must break the land monopoly which breed various exploitative relations in agriculture like rent and usury. He better set a good example, or else gain the wrath of the people including teachers who are closely watching this issue.” added Ms. Castro.<br />
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<a href="http://www.act-teachers.org/">Teachers to PNoy: Justice for farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-85787271515526709832010-08-16T22:36:00.000-07:002010-08-16T22:36:37.703-07:00Bukas na ang Interactive Website ng Pangulo sa Taong-bayan<a href="http://president.gov.ph/news/default.aspx">Bukas na ang Interactive Website ng Pangulo sa Taong-bayan</a><br />
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Binuksan na ng <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">Malakanyang</a> ang isang bagong interactive website na magbibigay ng pagka-kataon sa taong bayan na malaman ang official events ng <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino</a> III at upang magsilbi ring makabuluhang feedback mechanism na gamit ang digital media.<br />
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Inilunsad ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma ang opisyal na website ng Palasyo na “<a href="http://www.president.gov.ph/">www.president.gov.ph</a>” sa media briefing sa Malakanyang noong Lunes, ika-16 ng Agosto.<br />
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Sa paglulunsad na ito, sinabi ni Coloma na ang Phase I ng bagong media communications ng Malakanyang ay nagtatampok ng tatlong mahalagang pahayag: “Piliin Natin ang Daang Matuwid; “Kayo ang BOSS Ko,” at “Iba na tayo ngayon BAGONG Pilipinas.<br />
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Ayon kay Coloma, ang unang pahayag ay kumakatawan sa pangako ng sambayanan na susundin ang bagong daang itinakda ng Pangulo, samantalang ang ikalawa naman ay naglala-rawan ng pansariling pangako ng Pangulo na kanyang inihayag sa kauna-unahan niyang Ulat sa Bayan o SONA noong Hulyo 26.<br />
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Ang ikatlong pahayag na “Iba na tayo ngayon, Bagong Piliipinas” ang kumakatawan sa pangako ng pambansang liderato tungo sa pagbabalik ng tiwala sa gobyerno, pagsugpo sa katiwalian at pagpasok sa isang bagong panahon ng isang bagong kultura ng pamamahala.<br />
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Bukod sa matutunghayang mga pinakabagong balita, larawan at video releases, sinabi ni Coloma na maaari ring ihayag ng taong bayan ang kanilang kuru-kuro at hinakdal sa tulong ng social media links na gaya ng Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Friendster at Multiply na madaling masasagot o magagawaan ng karampatang hakbang ng kinauukulang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno.<br />
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Idinagdag ni Coloma na ang Phase II ay sa Oktubre ng taong ito bubuksan at ito ay ang Citizen’s Concern Website na para naman sa messaging, electronic mail (email), telepono at Snail Mail para magkaroon ng iba’t-ibang paraan ang publiko sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa pamahalaan.<br />
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Idinagdag ni Coloma na ang Phase II ay magiging isang malawakang pag-alam ng damda-ming bayan, pagsusuri sa hinaing at mga isyu at maging pagsubaybay sa ginagawang hakbang ng iba-ibang tanggapan at ahensiya ng pamahalaan.<br />
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Hiningan pa ng tulong ni Coloma ang mga kompanya ng telekomunikasyon (TelCos) bilang bahagi ng kanilang saguting panlipunan ukol sa higit na makatuwirang halaga sa paggamit nito upang higit na maraming mamamayan ang mahimok makiisa sa feedback mechanism na gaya ng SMS o text messaging.<br />
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Ang Phase III naman, ayon kay Coloma, ay sa Enero 2011 pa bubuksan at siyang magpapa-tupad ng e-serbisyo na digitally-enabled frontline services na ginagawa sa iba-ibang transak-siyon ng gobyerno upang madaling makakuha ang taong bayan ng clearances, sertipiko, pasaporte at iba pang kauri nitong mga bagay.<br />
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Ang Digital Volunteerism ay makabayang grupo o digitally empowered advocates.<br />
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Umaasa ang Kalihim na sa Phase III ay maaaring magrehistro at makiisa ang mga volunteer groups sa website upang makita ang kaibahan ng karaniwang grupong boluntaryo at digital volunteers groups.<br />
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Idinagdag ni Coloma na sa ika-2 SONA ng <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">Pangulo</a> sa Hulyo 2011, maibubukas na sa publiko ang Phase IV o Open Government portal kung saan ang taong bayan ay maaaring tumingin at umalam kung ano na ang nagawa ng gobyerno at kung ano pa ang ginagawa ng bawa’t kaga-waran na gaya ng paglalabas ng badyet, ilang porsiyento na ang tapos ng mga proyekto at mga programa at iba pang bagay na ibubukas sa madla para matiyak na nasa ayos ang lahat ng transaksiyon ng pamahalaan.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-9861901709416669032010-08-15T22:08:00.000-07:002010-08-15T22:08:49.175-07:00Under Aquino III: Promoting Ties of Dependency with the U.S.?<a href="http://www.cenpeg.org/IA%202010/IA%20HTML/IA_09_s2010.html">Under Aquino III: Promoting Ties of Dependency with the U.S.?</a><br />
By the Policy Study, Publication, and Advocacy<br />
<a href="http://www.cenpeg.org/">Center for People Empowerment in Governance</a> (<a href="http://www.cenpeg.org/">CenPEG</a>)<br />
August 14, 2010<br />
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Those who are watching the first 100 days of the new administration can now start focusing their lens on President <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">Benigno S. Aquino</a> III’s coming visit to the United States in September - his first major official foreign trip. The decision to make the U.S. as his maiden foreign destination is not only symbolic but will have far-reaching implications not only on foreign policy but also on the so-called special relationship between a former colony and a superpower. In the long run, it will have broad implications on the Filipino people.<br />
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Of course, the presidential spokesperson says <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">Aquino</a> III, together with other heads of state, is going to address the United Nations General Assembly when it convenes next month. The more important agenda, however, pertains to the event that will happen at the White House and other meetings with high U.S. officials. The new president will make a courtesy call to the world’s most powerful leader – a traditional ritual performed by the Philippines’ past presidents from Manuel Quezon to Ferdinand Marcos and until recently, Gloria M. Arroyo who made several visits to Washington, DC.<br />
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A meeting with the U.S. president will underscore the importance given by the Philippine government to “special ties” with a former colonial master. But these “special ties” have nothing to do with people-to-people friendly relations. These ties have been shaped largely by economic and military considerations that were proven to be inimical to the Filipino people’s sovereign and territorial rights even if being friendly with Uncle Sam guaranteed support for any sitting Philippine president.<br />
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In the post-World War II era official visits by Philippine presidents to the U.S. embodied the country’s commitments to onerous economic and defense agreements that laid the foundations of an unequal neo-colonial relationship between the two countries. Time was when the Philippines had to undergo economic reconstruction as a result of the destruction wrought by the war between the U.S. and Japan yet American rehabilitation funds were tied to extending parity rights to Americans, allowing the stay of U.S. military bases and supporting wars of aggression in Korea, Indochina, and elsewhere. Ferdinand E. Marcos was propped up by the U.S. as America’s spokesman in Southeast Asia when the U.S. needed a coalition of forces from the region to support its wars of aggression in Indochina. Marcos played the role of America’s mouthpiece so well that his dictatorship lasted long enough thanks to continued U.S. support. The Americans dumped him when he became a liability and built up Corazon C. Aquino as the “third force” for succession. As a president, Aquino backed the renewal of the U.S. military bases and unleashed a U.S.-inspired “total war” policy against rebels leading to more human rights violations.<br />
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During the Bush regime, Mrs. Arroyo paid several visits to Washington, DC where she also met Pentagon and Congress leaders. The numerous agreements that she forged – most of them confidential – led to the Philippines playing the role as America’s “second front” against terrorism thus paving the entry of U.S. forces and military installations in the guise of war exercises and special trainings. Since 2001 the increase of U.S. military aid and intervention led to the escalation of extra-judicial killings and other war crimes amid the intensification of Arroyo’s counter-insurgency campaign against the Left, whether armed or unarmed. Yet, despite the financial commitments made by the U.S. government Arroyo’s nine-year presidency saw the highest unemployment rate in 50 years, widening income disparities, corruption, election fraud, plunder, and political repression.<br />
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In late May this year when the results of the presidential race had yet to be completed the U.S. ambassador to Manila, Harry Thomas, Jr., was the first foreign envoy to congratulate Aquino III. Their talks at Times Street touched on continued U.S. support, special ties between the two countries, and an invitation for an early state visit by the president-apparent. The Times Street talks have been followed by high-level meetings with U.S. state department officials led by Secretary Hillary Clinton, a new military assistance package, an offer of a missiles and war aircraft sale, and port calls by warships from the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). This week, the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) announced the release of $434 million to fund three projects in the Philippines for five years. The MCC board is chaired also by Clinton.<br />
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In reciprocity, Aquino III said he is looking forward to the U.S. visit with an upbeat expectation of bringing “gifts” back to the country.<br />
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<b>America’s current interest</b><br />
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Begging an immediate answer is what America’s current interest is in the Aquino III presidency and what possible “commitments” are on the table to emphasize the two countries’ “historic ties.” The lingering economic recession, increasing unemployment, and budget cuts or streamlining in the U.S. raise questions how much economic or military assistance is left that can be given to the Philippines and other countries - and in exchange for what.<br />
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The recent visits of high U.S. officials in the Philippines signal a continuing interest in the country in the context of America’s geo-strategic interests in the region and the rest of the world. The underlying framework of these objectives is chiseled in U.S. President Barack Obama’s National Security Strategy (NSS, May 2010) and the U.S. military’s new counter-insurgency (COIN) guide of January 2009. Although both doctrines reiterate the need to maintain the superpower’s access to world resources especially oil and other energy materials, they also stress America’s right to pre-emptive and unilateral strikes against “terrorism,” rogue regimes, and emerging powers, such as China, seeking to challenge the U.S.’ global power.<br />
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Recently, Obama secretly deployed new special operations forces (SOFs) to the Philippines and 69 other countries. The deployment is in line with the NSS and the new COIN which essentially continues U.S. counter-insurgency programs in as many countries especially in “failed (or weak) states” and in partnership with host governments and their armies. COIN, however, gives equal emphasis on the use of civilian components such as humanitarian missions; engaging NGOs, civil society, and diaspora communities; and an increasing role of the USAID and other agencies to promote “governance, transparency, the rule of law, and anti-corruption”. Not that both papers believe in democracy per se but they see the imperative of maintaining political stability and the elimination of “rogue enemies” as vital to U.S. imperial global interests.<br />
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Under Arroyo, the U.S. succeeded in inserting its forces and military outposts in the Philippines particularly in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga. The U.S. claims that the Philippines, particularly Mindanao, is part of the “arch of instability” in Southeast Asia and the rest of East Asia where America’s strategic oil and other commodities pass through the South China Sea. China’s irredentist claim over the sea is now being contested by the U.S. which considers it as an “open territory”.<br />
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<b>Consistent</b><br />
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There is no question that Aquino III will remain consistent with the traditional support for U.S. military presence in the country and the whole region. Likewise, he has made it clear that he supports the controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and has continued the Mrs. Arroyo’s U.S.-backed counter-insurgency campaign despite the fact that it has led to the killing of activists and other atrocities.<br />
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Influential rightist think tanks in the U.S., particularly the Heritage Foundation, are pressing Obama to continue supporting the AFP’s modernization program with bigger funds. The modernization assistance is being geared toward upgrading the Philippines’ territorial defense especially over the Spratly islands which are claimed by China and other countries.<br />
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An increased defense alliance with the U.S. leading to a quiet escalation of its military presence will make the Philippines a pawn in the Pentagon’s plan of containment and encirclement of China. If Aquino III makes the mistake of succumbing to this pressure, he runs the risk of antagonizing Beijing’s trade ties with Manila and its growing investments in mining, electronics, and other industries. It could provoke retaliation from China in the disputed Spratly islands.<br />
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The U.S. government’s strategic military operations in the Philippines in the guise of fighting terrorism are driven by America’s war industries that are supported by big defense spending in the midst of recession. In the U.S. recession the only prospects of recovery and employment are provided by Boeing, and other corporations involved in the war industry. The presence of U.S. forces in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world has been profitable to engineering, construction, electronics, aircraft, shipping, and other war manufacturing corporations in the U.S. Globally, U.S. forces and installations along with wars of intervention that are raging in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other flashpoints help sustain the powerful military-industrial complex in the U.S.<br />
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When Aquino III goes to Washington, DC his commitment of support for continued U.S. military operations in the Philippines will also be a tacit promotion of the war industries that market weapons of mass destruction and wars of intervention in the world. Such pledge of support is expected to reap financial and military assistance for the new administration but it will also bind Aquino III – like past Philippine presidents - to a master-slave relationship.<br />
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The <a href="http://gov.ph/">Philippine</a> government’s exclusivist ties with America have continually jeopardized not only potentially productive ties with other countries but also deepened the country’s neo-colonial, superior-subordinate bondage to its former colonial master. In fact, the continued U.S. influence in the Philippine presidency has deprived the Filipino people of their sovereign right to self-determination, to non-intervention by a foreign country, while bitter economic pills are imposed by U.S.-influenced multilateral agencies. This relationship also helps sustain U.S. meddling in counter-insurgency operations turning the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) into a surrogate army of the Pentagon and a power broker of sorts insofar as the Philippine presidency is concerned.<br />
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Aquino III the presidential contender had promised change in the system of governance. What is unfolding as far as dealing with the U.S. is concerned may exactly be the opposite.<br />
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There is thus a compelling reason for patriotic forces in the Philippines, including progressive elements in Congress, to call for the abrogation of the VFA and other onerous agreements with the U.S. and an end to U.S. military presence. The overarching imperative is to work for an independent Philippine foreign policy as an important element of governance.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-84298840447453502942010-08-15T21:58:00.000-07:002010-08-15T21:58:37.629-07:00Lawmakers hit P-Noy for SK abolitionTwo youthful legislators today lambasted the proposal of <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III</a> to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections for its failure to be functional and effective in the delivery of public services under the Local Government Code.<br />
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<a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/about-mong/">Rep. Raymond V. Palatino</a> (Party-list, <a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/">Kabataan</a>) said the aim of the Sangguinang Kabataan is to encourage the youth to take active part in governance and to serve as an educational experience for them. It should contribute to the political education of the youth, Palatino said. <br />
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"We don't discourage students to join student councils since we believe these extra-curricular activities can improve the leadership skills of the youth. We should view SK in the same way. SK is even broader and better since it also involves out of school youth. If <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">PNoy</a> will insist this argument, will he also discourage students to stay away from campus politics?" Palatino argued.<br />
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<a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/about-mong/">Palatino</a> said young people can become SK officers without abandoning their studies. "SK candidates should be aware that they need to balance their studies and SK work. There should be no conflict between education and SK work," Palatino said.<br />
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"If corruption is the issue here, then we should abolish barangays and other LGU units too. SK members can't access funds without approval of local officials. Abolishing SK does not eradicate corruption. If there are corrupt SK members, blame LGU leaders and even national leaders for being bad role models," Palatino stressed.<br />
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<a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/about-mong/">Palatino</a> debunked statement that there are corrupt SK members. He said this is unfair to many SK officers who are performing their duties well and to many LGUs, which have successful partnerships with SK members. He believes that majority of SK members are not corrupt. <br />
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"Now there is a proposal to elect a single youth representative in the barangays. This proposal is inconsistent with the 2nd argument that youth should not be exposed to corruption at a young age. We don't want the SK to be contaminated with corruption but we can allow a single youth leader to take the risk of being seduced by corruption practices?" Palatino stressed.<br />
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Rep. Marcelino R. Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City) said the mandate of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) should be carefully reviewed but not totally abolished. Since there are instances of corruption as stated by the President, the system needs to be reviewed if not strengthened, Teodoro said. <br />
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<a href="http://congress.gov.ph/">Teodoro</a> said instruments of corruption within the system can be abolished to dispel claims that SK is a breeding ground for corrupt officials.<br />
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"We should maintain a representative from the youth sector through the Sangguniang Kabataan less the budgeting, disbursement and procurement processes," Teodoro said.<br />
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Teodoro said it is not the SK that is corrupt but the system itself. The SK falls prey and is taken advantage of by unwieldy and unscrupulous contractors.<br />
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"The youth should play an important part in nation-building and should not be immediately dismissed without reviewing their mandate and finding ways to reform the SK system," Teodoro said. <br />
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<a href="http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=4354">Lawmakers hit P-Noy for SK abolition</a><br />
Writer: Lorelei V. Castillo, MRS-PRIB<br />
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<a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/blog/transform-sk-into-network-vs-corruption-misgovernance-kabataan-partylist/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Transform SK into network vs corruption, misgovernance – Kabataan Partylist</b></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/">Kabataan</a> Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino today called on the <a href="http://gov.ph/">government</a> to “reorient” the Sangguniang <a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/">Kabataan</a> (SK) and transform it into a youth watchdog vs corruption and misgovernance amidst proposals to abolish the youth council.<br />
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“We should not put to waste this large network of young Filipinos who want to participate in government and community service. Why not tap the SK and launch a nationwide campaign against corruption and misgovernance, train the youth to be advocates of new politics from the barangay level up,” said Palatino.<br />
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Palatino said this will “invigorate” the SK and will help develop a new breed of leaders. He said that the young people just need “a little encouragement” and a “progressive framework.”<br />
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Palatino also assailed the proposal of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to abolish the SK and instead give one seat to a youth representative in the barangay council.<br />
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“Robredo’s proposal to abolish the youth council and instead have only one representative will weaken youth representation and will make them more vulnerable to the influence of traditional politics,” he said.<br />
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<a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/">Palatino</a> said Robredo’s proposal will kill the Katipunan ng mga <a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/">Kabataan</a> (KK), a transparency and accountability mechanism of the youth council.<br />
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“This will only make the young people in the barangays less involved in governance and community affairs. This proposal will worsen the problem we have today with SK: it has been coopted and is now becoming a breeding ground for trapos precisely because the SK is not empowered enough,” he adds.<br />
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<a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/">Palatino</a> said the government should not undermine the capability of the youth to lead. “We need a new breed of leaders if we want change, those who will stand for patriotic change and social justice,” said Palatino.<br />
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“The more the young people participate in governance, the more they will be able to expose corrupt acts, anti-people policies and become inspired to rake on the role for social change. This way, we can tap the youth for the change we want in our society.”<br />
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<a href="http://kabataanpartylist.com/">Palatino</a> filed HB 1963 or SK Reform and Strengthening Bill last week aiming to improve and further empower the SK.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-91381835983345458212010-08-15T21:34:00.000-07:002010-08-15T21:34:54.070-07:00DOLE affirms commitment to promote gender equality in workplaceResponding to the ever changing need for gender equality in the workplace, the Department of Labor and Employment (<a href="http://www.dole.gov.ph/">DOLE</a>) today said it will continue to evolve its policies and align itself to the demands of the Filipino workforce, especially on the need to address issues concerning gender and discrimination against women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs)<br />
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In a statement, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said that “although much has been achieved in the country’s struggle for gender equality and fairness over the years, much, still has to be done. The pressing issue of discrimination against women and LGBTs has to be remedied.”<br />
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“This is in line with the 22-point labor and employment agenda of <a href="http://president.gov.ph/">President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino</a> III that highlights the promotion and protection of workers’ rights,” the Labor Chief said, adding the Labor Department will continue to develop and find new ways to bring forth solutions in addressing the gender issues in the workplace.”<br />
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“This has led us to delve deeper to find lasting solution to the issue,” Baldoz said, as she referred to the recently concluded Working World Trialogue held at the Bayview Park Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.<br />
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“The inputs from the discussions will be taken into account by the ILS and will be used in research to formulate solutions surrounding the gender issue,” Baldoz said.<br />
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Meantime, the <a href="http://www.dole.gov.ph/">DOLE</a> Chief called on employers to provide for a policy on “meritocracy,” where job applicants and employees are hired and promoted on the basis of their qualifications, abilities and merits relating to the performance of their jobs, and not on the basis of gender, sex, creed, beliefs and nationality.<br />
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“This effort is the first step in promoting equal rights for women, LGBTs and other workers affected by discrimination in the <a href="http://gov.ph/">Philippines</a>,” Baldoz said.<br />
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The forum, dubbed “Working World Trialogue Series 10.10 Discrimination in the Workplace: Beyond the Stereotypes,” has achieved considerable success in bringing together a unique mix of gender experts, workers’ groups, employers and civil society to discuss issues confronting the workplace on rights at work, employment opportunities, social protection and social dialogue.<br />
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Speakers from diverse range of stakeholders, from government, trade unions and employer groups, including representatives from the International Labor Organization (ILO), Philippine Commission on Women, UP-Manila Center for Gender and Women’s Studies, Rainbow Rights Alliance, People Management Association of the Philippines, Center for Migrant Advocacy, PS-Link, Akbayan, and Ang Ladlad participated and shed light to the burning issue of gender-based discrimination in the workplace. <br />
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Baldoz said that the Labor Department is now in the process of organizing other fora of this type to help bridge the gap between the genders and bring about gender equality in the workplace.<br />
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Among the <a href="http://www.dole.gov.ph/">DOLE</a> officials who participated in the event are Assistant Secretary Ma. Joji V. Aragon, ILS Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz, representatives from the ILS, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Labor Communications Office (LCO).<br />
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<a href="http://www.dole.gov.ph/secondpage.php?id=1299">DOLE affirms commitment to promote gender equality in workplace</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-54733200744090137372010-08-15T21:25:00.000-07:002010-08-15T21:31:23.315-07:00P-Noy calls for hourly broadcast of original Pilipino compositions<a href="http://president.gov.ph/">President Benigno S. Aquino</a> III has directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (<a href="http://dotc.gov.ph/">DOTC</a>) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to fully implement Executive Order No. 255 requiring all radio stations to play in the airwaves at least four original Filipino music every hour from hereon.<br />
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The President issued his directive during the oath taking of the officers of the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM) at the Rizal hall of Malacañang on Friday afternoon.<br />
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“I am directing the head of the PMS to call up the <a href="http://dotc.gov.ph/">DOTC</a> and remind the NTC to fully implement the existing Executive Order as soon as possible,” the President said.<br />
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E.O No. 255 was issued in July 1987 by the President’s mother, the late President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino, requiring all Radio Stations with Musical Format Programs to Broadcast a Minimum of Four Original Pilipino Musical Compositions in Every Clockhour and for Other purposes.”<br />
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The directive was an immediate answer to the request of OPM president Ogie Alcasid who, in behalf of the industry, expressed support for the President’s sincere leadership to bring about change and social transformation through good governance, transparency and moral ascendancy.<br />
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Alcasid said Cory was the “great icon of democracy” while the President has emerged as “the new symbol of change and social transformation.”<br />
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Alcasid also requested the President’s support for the professional development of young musicians and artists including assistance for the sick and elderly members of the industry.<br />
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The President suggested to the OPM officers the possibility of putting up an organization much like the Movie Industry Welfare Fund (MOWELFUND) through the funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (<a href="http://pcso.gov.ph/">PCSO</a>), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or even the President’s Social Fund (PSF).<br />
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The President said his administration will also support the protection of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of musicians which he said contributes some 4.25 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).<br />
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The President thanked the music industry which, he said, has been at the forefront in promoting the country’s arts and culture and in uplifting the hopes and dreams of every Filipino.<br />
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“For a country that is developing like us that has so many problems, the arts for man’s sake really deserves all the support we can have,” the President said.<br />
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Aside from Alcasid, the President administered the oath of office of OPM chairman Mitch Valdez, OPM executive director Elmer Beltran Ingles, Gary Valenciano (VP for internal affairs), Noel Cabangon (VP for external affairs), Christian Bautista (VP for special projects), Jose Mari Chan (treasurer), Dingdong Avanzado (secretary) and ex-officio trustees Jim Paredes and Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo.<br />
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The officers, beefed up by Regine Velasquez and Jessa Zaragoza, later rendered the song “Kaya Natin,” which was composed in the aftermath of the massive flooding and devastation caused by Typhoon Ondoy last year.<br />
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Established in October 1986, the OPM is the leading and most respected organization of Filipino professional singers in the country.<br />
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<a href="http://president.gov.ph/news/default.aspx">P-Noy calls for hourly broadcast of original Pilipino compositions</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-64072056488604667012010-08-13T10:38:00.000-07:002010-08-13T10:38:33.343-07:00KMU to Lucio Tan: heed PAL workers’ demandsAmidst a brewing strike by the Philippine Airlines’ ground employees and cabin crew, labor center <a href="http://www.kilusangmayouno.org/">Kilusang Mayo Uno</a> called on PAL owner Lucio Tan today to immediately heed the PAL workers’ demands, saying Tan has clearly gone overboard in implementing his anti-worker policies.<br />
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“PAL’s workers are sending a clear message to Lucio Tan: stop implementing your anti-worker policies. PAL workers can never take so much. They are only demanding the upholding of their basic rights as workers – to have a decent job, job security and proper compensation, and the right to collectively bargain,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, <a href="http://www.kilusangmayouno.org/">KMU</a> chairperson.<br />
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“To maintain huge profits throughout the years, Lucio Tan has pressed down workers’ wages and benefits. He has contractualized huge segments of PAL’s workforce through outsourcing and spin-off schemes. He has imposed a 10-year moratorium on CBA negotiations and de facto extended this. The workers want an end to all these,” he added.<br />
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PAL’s employees, led by the PAL Employees’ Association or Palea, warned the PAL management of launching a strike, citing PAL’s plan to outsource or spin-off segments of its operations which threaten to displace 2,600 workers. Palea also decried the PAL Management’s refusal, for two years now, to start negotiations with the union for a collective bargaining agreement.<br />
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Despite a much-publicized P80-Million package offer to PAL’s flight attendants, the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines or Fasap has expressed its willingness to go on strike. The group cited the PAL management’s refusal to budge on the attendants’ main demand of raising the retirement age of 40 and scrapping PAL’s “no-motherhood” policy.<br />
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“Tan, through his spokespersons in the PAL management, is citing profit losses to make PAL workers, and the public as well, accept the present state of affairs in PAL and management moves that do little to address workers’ demands. This is hogwash. The PAL workers are the first people to know if the company is losing or gaining,” Labog said.<br />
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“Tan is still the second richest man in the country today, whose net worth continues to grow. And a huge reason for this is his exploitative and anti-worker policies in PAL. There is a limit to his greed, as the recent statements and actions of PAL workers show. While he has been fighting for his superprofits, workers are fighting for social justice,” Labog added.<br />
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KMU cited a Forbes Asia Magazine report showing Tan to be the second wealthiest person in the country today, with a net worth of P1.9 Billion. PAL workers also cite PAL’s recent payment of previous debts and buy new aircrafts. <br />
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Reposted from: <a href="http://www.kilusangmayouno.org/news/2010/08/kmu-lucio-tan-heed-pal-workers%E2%80%99-demands">KMU to Lucio Tan: heed PAL workers’ demands</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273205782859636931.post-65017128463818131912010-08-13T10:20:00.000-07:002010-08-13T10:31:32.154-07:00Aquino gov’t shouldn’t wash hands off VAT on toll feesThe umbrella group <a href="http://www.bayan.ph/">Bagong Alyansang Makabayan</a> today criticized the <a href="http://pnoy-news.blogspot.com/">Aquino</a> administration for “washing its hands” in the issue of the Value Added Tax on toll fees set to take effect on Monday. The group said that <a href="http://www.gov.ph/">Malacanang</a>’s reasoning that the VAT is an old law from the previous administration is unacceptable.<br />
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The previous government of Gloria Macapagal <a href="http://pnoy-news.blogspot.com/">Arroyo</a> enacted a law that expands the coverage of the <a href="http://pnoy-news.blogspot.com/">VAT</a> to include oil, power and other services. The Bureau of Internal Revenue is pushing for the coverage of VAT on toll fees. Some lawmakers have opposed this saying that government services like toll ways should not be covered by the VAT. A petition is now pending before the Supreme Court asking it to issue a temporary restraining order on the implementation.<br />
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“The <a href="http://www.gov.ph/">Aquino</a> government cannot hide behind the feeble defense that the VAT is an Arroyo-era law that needs to be implemented. The present government has all the powers to stem the implementation of onerous taxation and spare the people from further hardship. The VAT on toll has not been implemented since 2005. Why is the BIR in a hurry to implement it now when there are many questions as to its validity?” said <a href="http://www.bayan.ph/">Bayan</a> secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bayan.ph/">Bayan</a> believes that the implementation of the <a href="http://pnoy-news.blogspot.com/">VAT</a> sets the tone of the <a href="http://www.gov.ph/">Aquino</a> government’s fiscal policy.<br />
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“It seems that the <a href="http://pnoy-news.blogspot.com/">Aquino</a> government’s fiscal policy is to pass the burden to the people. Fast-tracking the VAT on toll is meant to pass on to the people the humongous budget deficit and public debts incurred by the past regime. Instead of providing immediate economic relief, the <a href="http://pnoy-news.blogspot.com/">Aquino</a> government is promoting additional economic burdens for the people,” said Reyes.<br />
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“Aside from the VAT on toll fees, government is also readying a fare hike for the MRT, another added burden on the people,” he added.<br />
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Bayan believes that the revenues from the <a href="http://pnoy-news.blogspot.com/">VAT</a> on toll fees will not go to poverty alleviation programs but rather to paying off government debts incurred over the last nine years.<br />
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“The claim of Sec. Lacierda that poverty alleviation programs will be the result of additional taxes is something we’ve heard before. That was the same promise given by Arroyo when she first implemented the EVAT,” Reyes said.<br />
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“The reality is that for every P10.00 raised by government, P6.00 goes to debt spending. That is how it has been for some time now. The new government doesn’t seem to be departing from that,” he added.<br />
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Quoting reports from the Bureau of Treasury, <a href="http://www.bayan.ph/">Bayan</a> said that as of the first half of the year, national government debt spending has risen to 12% or some P406 billion compared to the same period last year when it spent P361.5 billion.<br />
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“Let’s not mislead the people that poverty alleviation projects will come about when what the government is really spending for is paying off debts,” Reyes said.### <a href="http://bayan.ph/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1281665725&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1">Aquino gov’t shouldn’t wash hands off VAT on toll fees</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0