tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351155662024-03-19T01:50:13.504-07:00Huni sa Hunahuna ni Inday Yenice cream, fireworks, rain, bubbles, ocean, mountains, papers, pens, world map, notebooks, songs, strings, books, poetry, music, guitar, paint, films, cameras, photos, bags, shirts, my hair, my nails, my thoughts, my friends, my humms, my family, my pillows, my toes, my knees, my shoulder, my head...Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-29022584670774463692009-06-06T17:58:00.000-07:002009-06-06T18:04:47.278-07:00LOVE IS BUTA<strong>By: Carine Era Mozo Asutilla</strong><br /><br />Boy: Nakakita na ka’g bangaw?<br />kanang bangaw sa kagabhion?<br />Nakakita na ka’g uwak?<br />kanang uwak nga puti bitaw?<br />Nakakita na ka’g uwan?<br />kanang uwan nga kolor purple?<br />Nakakita na ka’g ulmigas?<br />Kanang ulmigas mukao’g elepante?<br />Kanang lumod nga mu-boogie?<br />O kaha wati...<br />nga mukao’g puthaw?<br />Sure ko wa’ pa!<br />Pero kung imo kong higugmaon gang...<br />Tanang wa pa nimo makit-i<br />Imong makit-an.<br />Girl: Nakakita na kog bangaw<br />Apan sa adlawan.<br />Nakakita na ko’g uwak<br />Apan itom siya.<br />Nakakita na ko’g uwan<br />Apan wa'y kolor.<br />Nakakita na ko’g ulmigas<br />Apan di mukao’g elepante.<br />Nganong mangita man ko’g wa?<br />Ug basin nakalimot ka dong...<br />Ang gugma buta.Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-71305623820392470672009-04-05T02:37:00.000-07:002009-04-05T06:37:19.155-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/05/09/gang-members-body-dumped-cebu-cemetery<p><strong>Gang member's body dumped in Cebu cemetery</strong></p> <p><strong>abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/05/2009 7:31 PM</strong></p> <p>An alleged gang member was killed and dumped in a cemetery in Talisay City, Cebu province, Saturday morning.</p> <p>Talisay City police said the victim, at least 20-years-old and had a gang tattoo, was dumped by his killers at the Evergreen Cemetery in Barangay San Roque.</p> <p>Village watchman Renante Rabaya told police that joggers called his attention around 6:25 a.m. after spotting what seems to be a man's body stuffed in a garbage bag.</p> <p>Police initially said the victim was a member of the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) fraternity because of a tattoo on his right hand. </p> <p>Richard Buscayno, the fraternity's president in Cebu, however, said he did not recognize the victim. He said the man could have been a member of a local gang, whose members are known for wearing silver accessories.</p> <p>The victim, who remained unidentified by police, was also wearing a red sweat shirt and black short pants. </p> <p>Crime scene investigators said the victim died of multiple gunshot wounds.</p> <p>Police have yet to determine the motive for the killing. -- report from Carine Asutilla, ABS-CBN Cebu</p> <p>as of 04/05/2009 7:32 PM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-60765854641660983332009-03-30T23:36:00.000-07:002009-03-31T03:36:44.289-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/03/30/09/deadline-filing-claims-vs-legacy-extended%20%20<p><strong>(Update) Deadline for filing claims vs Legacy extended</strong></p> <p><strong>abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/30/2009 3:47 PM</strong></p> <p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended the deadline for plan holders of bankrupt Legacy Group's 3 pre-need firms to file their claims to April 15.</p> <p>The SEC earlier set the deadline of March 31 for the clients to file their claimes against Legacy Consolidated Plans, Scholarship Plan Philippines Inc., and All-Asia Plans Inc. </p> <p>The corporate regulator also reminded planholders to bring with them necessary documents like certificate of full payment, copy of the pre-need contract, and official receipts when filing for claims. </p> <p>Cebu</p> <p>Meantime, Legacy clients continue to flock to the SEC office in Cebu City. For more than two months, officers of the SEC branch has received 452 complaints from plan holders and 75 from investors who availed Legacy’s double-your-money scheme. <br> <br>Among them were couple Christopher and Zenaida Ebo who purchased two educational plans and one P50,000-worth post-graduate tuition fee coverage from Scholarship Plan Philippines Incorporated. While their eldest daughter, who graduated with a nursing degree in 2007, has benefited from the plan, their sons have not. </p> <p>She said that the pre-need company covered the first semester of her first son's industrial engineering fees, but the company kept asking them to wait for confirmation when they tried to avail again for their son’s second semester tuition fee. The second son was not able to start his post graduate studies at all.<br> <br>Merle Cunanan, SEC director for Cebu office, said that they also accept complaints against Legacy through mail from those who could not not personally file them.</p> <p>The complaint form could be downloaded from the SEC website, <a href="http://www.sec.gov.ph">www.sec.gov.ph</a>. She said that the complaint should be notarized also. A filing fee of P530 for each investor-complainant is required. - with ABS-CBN Business and Carine M. Asutilla, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas</p> <p>as of 03/30/2009 9:10 PM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-6765438516298320372009-03-20T21:56:00.000-07:002009-03-21T01:57:03.421-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/20/09/negros-rights-group-seeks-chr-help-exhumed-farmers<p><strong>Negros rights group seeks CHR help on exhumed farmers</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 03/20/2009 8:57 PM</strong></p> <p>A human rights group in Central Visayas is seeking the help of the regional Commission on Human Rights in investigating the death of two farmers whose corpses were found buried in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.</p> <p>KARAPATAN-Central Visayas and the Promotional Church of People's Response, who conducted fact-finding investigations, identified the victims as Ronel Raguing and Junito Quirante, both of whom went missing in February this year.</p> <p>Alexandra Quirante, Junito's wife, said that her husband had left their house to barter for food with some relatives in a neighboring barangay, but did not come home. Virginia Raguing, Ronel's mother, meanwhile, said she only realized that her son was gone when a relative came looking for him. </p> <p>KARAPATAN and the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) later dug up the victims' bodies, which were found wrapped in garbage bags, in a remote area in Sta. Catalina on March 9.</p> <p>In the initial autopsy report from NBI-7, the victims' hands and feet were tied while their bodies bore several stab wounds.</p> <p>Dennis Abarrientos of KARAPATAN claimed that the 79th Infantry Battalion was behind the killings. He said both victims were suspected of being members of a rebel group and were arrested by the military in January.</p> <p>as of 03/20/2009 8:58 PM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-26139819009055566032009-03-20T19:59:00.000-07:002009-03-20T23:59:44.683-07:00kinsay naay kaila couple nga ni-apply as condom testers? pls pm me. :) thanks po. :)<!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-91314541414168839382009-03-19T13:24:00.000-07:002009-03-19T17:24:46.805-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/19/09/alleged-npa-leader-celebrates-45th-birthday-cebu-jail<p><strong>Alleged NPA leader celebrates 45th birthday in Cebu jail</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN Central Visayas | 03/19/2009 8:09 PM</strong></p> <p>Political detainee and suspected New People's Army (NPA) leader Ramon Patriarca celebrated his 45th birthday at Danao City Jail in Cebu Tuesday, where he was visited by militant leaders and human rights advocates.</p> <p>Patriarca's sister, Belen Cabujat, flew in from Manila Friday last week so she could visit him in jail for the first time. She said she was worried about Patriarca's health. She said Patriarca had lost a lot of weight and was complaining about the jail's ventilation.</p> <p>Paul Rodriguez, president of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Central Visayas, also visited Patriarca. Rodriguez said that he and Patriarca had been part of BAYAN since the 1980s.</p> <p>Rodriguez recently filed a petition for habeas data which designed to protect an individual's right to protect information about himself at the Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command. He said he found out that his name was included in the military's Order of Battle. He said his name may have been included in the list because he had voiced his opinions as BAYAN president during the Hello Garci scandal in 2005.</p> <p>Rodriguez asked the court to remove his name from the Army's list of targets, which also includes Patriarca's name.</p> <p>Chief Inspector Waldemar Villanueva, Danao City jail warden, said that they allowed Patriarca’s visitors to take part in Patriarca's birthday celebrations inside the jail, which included a special mass celebrated for him. However, only five visitors at a time were allowed to see Patriarca.</p> <p>Villanueva said they had also beefed up security, adding 15 police since Patriarca was detained in the said jail.</p> <p>Villanueva, however, did not allow members of media to enter the jail and Patriarca also reportedly refused to be interviewed. His supporters said Patriarca only wished that he will be freed along with other political detainees.</p> <p>Patriarca, alleged to be the head of the finance and research department of the NPA, was arrested February 5 in Barangay Casili in Consolacion town in a joint operation by the Armed Forces’ Central Command and the Philippine National Police (PNP) after Danao City RTC Judge Edito Enemecio issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of rebellion.</p> <p>Patriarca had allegedly used several aliases and held various high-ranking positions in the NPA's Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas as deputy secretary, finance officer, head of taxation and secretary while in Negros.</p> <p>Militant and human rights groups, however, have condemned the arrest, saying it constituted illegal detention. They also allege that Patriarca had been tortured during interrogation by unidentified armed men. </p> <p>as of 03/19/2009 8:09 PM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-84481981166523866672009-03-19T13:21:00.000-07:002009-03-19T17:21:23.571-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/19/09/groups-oppose-power-rate-hike-erc-hearing-cebu<p><strong>Groups oppose power rate hike in ERC hearing in Cebu</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 03/19/2009 11:18 PM</strong></p> <p>Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) lead a labor and other activist groups for a protest Thursday during the expository hearing on National Power Corporation’s (NPC) power rate increase presided by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).</p> <p>Representatives from the NPC went out from the hearing to face the protesters. Bong Mendiola, a representative from NPC, explained that their application for the P1.14 increase per kilowatt hour is intended to operate a more expensive plant.</p> <p>“The load of Visayas as of now, medyo tight ang power situation natin, ibig sabihin ‘yong konsumo malapit ng masagad ‘yong planta naming, ‘yong available capacity namin,” said Mendiola.</p> <p>Mendiola said that the application was filed last 2007 but was denied. He said that they just revived the application in partnership with Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation. Mendiola also added that their last increase was implemented in 2004 when P0.20 was approved.</p> <p>Aaron Pedrosa, Sanlakas spokesperson, said that Mendiola admitted to them that the increase in power rate is part of their privatization scheme to attract investors to buy NPC. He said that if investors will buy the NPC with high rates already implemented, it will be easier for investors to get back their investments.</p> <p>“Why would they say that they wanted to give better service to consumers when they are already in privatization mode? They are just making electricity not accessible to the masses,” he said.</p> <p>Lito Vasquez of FDC-Cebu said that 70 percent of the NPC’s asset is already privatized. He said that based on Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, the investor who will buy NPC is not obliged to pay the liabilities or debts of the NPC.</p> <p>As of February 2009, PSALM reported that NPC has $5.9 billion debt. The debt will be assumed by PSALM before NPC will be sold to private investors. But Vasquez said that it will still be the taxpayers who will have to pay the debts while at the same time they would suffer also from a high power rate.</p> <p>Different representatives from the sectors of consumer, industrial, church and power distributor attended the expository hearing. Some of them took the chance to submit their position papers opposing the power hike increase.</p> <p>Elinore Cabanilla from the Social Action Center of Diocese in Bacolod said that their diocese feels that the increase of power rate in the Visayas is too much for the consumers, given that the increase in Luzon and in Mindanao is less compared to Visayas. Luzon has P0.46 while Mindanao has an increase of P0.71.</p> <p>Cabanilla said that in their cathedral, they consume more than P50,000 worth of electricity in a month and if the increase will be implemented, they will have to pay more than that. She said the church might not be able to handle it. She said that the diocese of Bacolod has 69 parishes.</p> <p>She said that their concern mostly is for their parishioners who are already affected by the global financial crisis. She said that if the increase in power rate will be implemented, sooner or later, prices of basic commodities will also rise.</p> <p>Cabanilla also expressed her disappointment with the dioceses in other provinces, particularly in Cebu for not sending a representative on the hearing. Cabanilla said that the church should take a stand for its parishioners. Cabanilla believes that it is not timely to implement a hike in power while the country is suffering from financial crisis.</p> <p>Porferio Montesclaros of MEPZCEM Chamber Incorporated from the industrial sector meanwhile has also submitted its opposition. He said that the industrial sector is intensely opposing the increase since most of their companies are greatly affected by the global financial crisis. He said that most of the companies are not operating fully just to cut production costs.</p> <p>Montesclaros said that if the increase will be approved, they will suffer. He said that with the present rate of power in Cebu, one company under MEPZ normally has an electric bill amounting to more or less P10 million per month. With the current economic situation, a company could hardly pay the amount, even more if the increase will be implemented.</p> <p>ERC Commissioner Raul Tan meanwhile said that on Friday, PSALM and NPC will present its respective evidence on the need to increase the power rate.</p> <p>“We will make sure that the consumers will win this, because the most expensive electricity is having no electricity at all,” said Tan.</p> <p>as of 03/19/2009 11:30 PM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-44422487948619438972009-03-18T14:09:00.000-07:002009-03-18T18:09:31.301-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/18/09/pdic-cebu-giving-forms-claims-closed-banks<p>PDIC in Cebu giving forms for claims in closed bank</p> <p>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 03/19/2009 12:23 AM</p> <p>The Philippine Deposits Insurance Corporation started distributing claim forms for savings and time depositors with more than P100,000 deposits Wednesday.</p> <p>78-year old Aguido Alimpos from Compostela town in Cebu was among the hundreds who came to get their forms with priority numbers at Philippine Countryside Rural Bank (PCRB) Lilo-an Branch.</p> <p>Alimpos has over a hundred thousand pesos deposit. He said that he first deposited the amount in a rural bank in Compostela but the rural bank closed a few years ago. He then decided to transfer it at PCRB but after a couple of years, the bank closed along with the other rural banks under the Legacy Group of Companies.</p> <p>I was of course upset when the bank closed. Somehow I felt that this money is cursed (he laughs). This money comes from the lands of our parents that we sold about a decade ago,” said Alimpos.</p> <p>But Alimpos is assured that he will get his full amount since PDIC has insurance on deposits up to P250,000, unlike Engineer Epifanio Jordan who has a deposit worth P335,000.</p> <p>“I had that amount when I retired from work. I’m just really bothered whether I can get all my money back knowing that PDIC will only give P250,000 insurance,” said Jordan.</p> <p>PDIC said that as of the moment Jordan will get only the insured P250,000 of his deposits. The remaining P105,000 will only be given back to him after the bank’s asset will be liquidated. PDIC however, cannot give a timeline as to when the liquidation will be over.</p> <p>For now, PDIC reminds depositors to bring photocopies of their two valid identification cards and passbooks to get their claim forms. They also asked the depositors to only transact with authorized PDIC personnel.</p> <p>They also clarified that there is no payment in processing for claims.</p> <p>The distribution of forms would last until April 3. The payment of the insurance would reportedly start on March 23. </p> <p>as of 03/19/2009 12:25 AM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-64725996587302447472009-03-16T23:58:00.000-07:002009-03-17T03:58:58.035-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/17/09/labor-complaint-forces-closure-john-os-golf-course<p><strong>Labor complaint forces closure of John O's golf course</strong></p> <p><strong>By JOHN DX LAPID, ABS-CBN Central Visayas | 03/17/2009 3:25 PM</strong></p> <p>Former senator John Henry Osmeñas golf course in Negros Oriental has shut down operations pending a labor complaint filed by its employees over alleged non-payment of their salaries since December.</p> <p>The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Negros Oriental conducted inspections at the Pamplona Plantation Golf and Country Club for possible labor law violations after 24 employees complained they were not given their salaries for the last four months.</p> <p>Labor Employment Officer Kenric Villaluz said the management refused to give the documents the team needed for the inspection.</p> <p>Villaluz, who took the workers' statements, found that in addition to not being paid, the employees were not given the right amount of salary. He said they were just given P150 a day, without holiday and 13th-month pay.</p> <p>Results of the inspection will be sent to DOLE Central Visayas for further investigation, where Osmeña will have to answer the workers' complaints.</p> <p>Even if the golf course was closed, employees still hope that it will be back to operations soon, since, they said, it is their only livelihood.</p> <p>as of 03/17/2009 3:26 PM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-79406145567339603862009-03-15T02:39:00.000-07:002009-03-15T06:39:46.413-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/14/09/bohol-radioman-files-complaint-vs-mayors-aide<p><strong>Bohol radioman files complaint vs mayor's aide</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN Central Visayas | 03/14/2009 11:28 AM</strong></p> <p><br>A radio broadcaster in Bohol has filed a complaint before the Visayas Ombudsman against a mayor's aide for allegedly attacking him inside his office last February.</p> <p>Nestor Daarol, dyTR news anchor, filed charges against Arlene Karaan, executive assistant of Tagbiliran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials. </p> <p>Daarol said he wants Karaan dismissed from the mayor's office.</p> <p>The radio news reader said Karaan attacked him inside his office last February 28 as he was about to go on air for his block time program "Kasayuran." Karaan, he said, had been waiting for him at the station's reception area accompanied by other people. </p> <p>Daarol said Karaan hurled some foul-smelling liquid at his body and face. Daarol said he did not know what the liquid was, but said it seemed to have come from a toilet bowl. </p> <p>Daarol said that he felt dizzy and had difficulty breathing because of the smell. He added Karaan also brandished a rattan stick while screaming at Daarol "not to be a meddler."<br> <br>Fearing for his life, Daarol ran towards the news anchor’s booth to protect himself from further physical harm. He said the security guards and the station’s staff were all stunned and were unable to react immediately. </p> <p>Karaan and her companions left immediately after the incident, the radio broadcaster said.</p> <p>Daarol said the day before the incident, Karaan was looking for him and some of his staff had tried to warn him about the mayor's aide. </p> <p>He believes Karaan attacked him because for criticizing the alleged P6.4 million worth of unliquidated city public funds over his radio program. He said, however, that he did not mention any names in the scam.</p> <p>The Commission on Audit had released a report about the city government's financial transactions in December 2007, and Karaan was among those with unsettled accounts reaching up to almost P800,000. </p> <p>Daarol later filed a blotter at the Tagbilaran City Police Station and had to see a doctor for an allergic reaction from the liquid that was thrown at him.</p> <p>A few days after the incident, Daarol broadcast his radio program "Silab sa Udtong Tutok" on another radio station, DYRD, and told listeners about his encounter with Karaan.</p> <p>as of 03/14/2009 11:28 AM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-91306920859240351192009-03-15T02:36:00.000-07:002009-03-15T06:36:28.810-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/15/09/recruitment-agency-exec-shot-cebu-city<p><strong>Recruitment agency exec shot in Cebu City</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 03/15/2009 8:17 PM</strong></p> <p><br>A branch manager of a recruitment agency in Cebu City was shot by an unidentified gunman in his own room Sunday afternoon.</p> <p>Simplicio Yvon, 54 years old and a branch manager of Vision Recruitment Agency, sustained a gunshot wound on his left armpit.</p> <p>Yvon told Police Officer 2 Lou Pagara of Cebu City Police Office homicide section that on 2 p.m. Sunday, a man he did not recognize knocked on his room then immediately shot him and left his place. Yvon was renting a room at Andres Abellana Extension at Barangay Guadalupe.</p> <p>“The victim said that someone was knocking on his door. When he answered it, a man appeared and shot him. He was not able to recognize the suspect as he fled right away after the incident,” said Pagara.</p> <p>Witnesses in the area said that they did not see anybody with a gun but only heard a single gunshot.</p> <p>Yvon said that the suspect must be one of his agency’s applicants.</p> <p>“Maybe he was one of those I have interviewed but was not able to get through,” Yvon told Pagara.</p> <p>The victim of the shooting incident was not able to give more details as he was immediately rushed to Visayas Community Medical Center.</p> <p>Police said they did not recover any evidence at the crime scene. </p> <p>as of 03/15/2009 8:18 PM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-39206205544948848192009-03-12T22:36:00.000-07:002009-03-13T02:36:40.701-07:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/13/09/korean-english-shool-teachers-cry-foul-over-unpaid-wages<p><strong>Korean english shool teachers cry foul over unpaid wages</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN Central Visayas | 03/13/2009 10:17 AM</strong></p> <p>Korean employers angered 13 Filipino teachers, who were not paid their wages and were illegally fired by a Korean school, when they ditched several labor settlement meetings at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).</p> <p>The Korean owners of the Blissful English School, formerly the CG English academy, failed to show up for two settlement meetings scheduled for Thursday and March 5. The owners, a family named Cho, had been accused of illegally dismissing the teachers and not paying their separation pay.</p> <p>Jaymar Reyes, who was a teacher at the language school for five years, said that one of the school owners, Il Un Cho, informed them about the company's shaky financial status in December last year. In January this year, the management then asked for their resignation. </p> <p>Reyes said they accepted the request to resign and had asked the management to give them separation pay. The Korean owners, however, said they would only be paid P1,000 for their length of service. </p> <p>According to the Labor Code of the Philippines, a worker who is terminated is entitled to a separation pay equivalent to at least one month's pay or at leadt one month's pay for every year of service, whichever is higher. Reyes, for example, was paid P16,000 per month, but only received P5,000 in separation pay.</p> <p>Laarni Menguito, another teacher, also discovered that their benefits, like the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Association (PhilHealth), and Pag-ibig Fund, were not remitted when one of their co-workers were hospitalized.</p> <p>The teachers filed a complaint against the school with the NLRC after they wrote a letter to the management informing them of their violation to the Labor Code, but did not get a response. </p> <p>The school, Reyes said, has two locations, one in Nichols Park, Guadalupe in Cebu City and another in Laray, Talisay City. He added that the CG Academy had changed its name to Blissful English School three years ago.</p> <p>When the Talisay school branch was visited, however, a Korean named Daniel Park, manager of the Blissful English School, denied that any of their teachers were fired, or that they still have a connection to the CG English Academy. According to the school's head teacher, the two schools, had separated and they had no knowledge of whether the Cho family is still there.</p> <p>Security Guards at the CG Academy, meanwhile, said that the Koreans had already left a week ago.</p> <p>The teachers' lawyer, however, Atty. Mundlyn Misal Martin, said they are still planning to file a criminal case against the school's management and that they will also have the school blacklisted in the Philippines as well as in Korea. "Foreigners should not belittle Filipino workers," she said.</p> <p>as of 03/13/2009 10:17 AM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-58324437225243792832009-03-04T22:48:00.000-08:002009-03-05T03:48:21.292-08:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/05/09/cebu-furniture-company-turns-crisis-opportunity<p><strong>Cebu furniture company turns 'crisis into opportunity'</strong></p> <p><strong>abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/05/2009 4:32 PM</strong></p> <p>While other companies are laying off many of their workers due to the economic crisis, one Cebu furniture company says it is still managing to stay afloat by turning "crisis into opportunity."</p> <p>Rather than succumb to massive layoffs in the dwindling market, Dedon Manufacturing Incorporated president Herve Lampert said the company would rather invest in its workers. “People are our asset. Our products are delicately woven by hands. Lying off people would mean that we lose competency, skill, and quality edge of an organization," he said.</p> <p>“Crisis gives us a lot of pressure how to manage our cost. But it is more challenging for us to think how to develop our products, develop new collection, expand a little bit our product range to be ready after the crisis," he added.</p> <p>Lampert said their strategy includes enhancing their workers' skills, teaching their workers how to maximize the materials available to them without sacrificing quality, a trait that he says is very important in the face of cautious buyers.</p> <p>“Looking for workers who are artists is hard. We all know that crisis will pass, and if it will, we need our artists to produce more quality products,” added Lampert.</p> <p>Lampert said that they are constantly meeting with their workers, telling them honestly about the company's status. By involving the workers, he said, he will gain their trust and support, saying that the employees even agreed to a freeze on their annual income increase until the crisis is over.</p> <p>Lampert said, however, that although they are stable, the company was also affected by the global financial crisis, saying that their orders from abroad dropped 27% as of the last week of February. </p> <p>“People are spending less, they are more cautious with their money. For the first time, the luxury market has been affected by the crisis,” he said.</p> <p>Lampert said that their clients are mostly exclusive shops of luxury furniture. Some of their distinguished clientele include actor Brad Pitt, singer Beyonce Knowles, and Hollywood diva Cher. President Arroyo, reportedly also owns some of their furniture products. </p> <p>Lampert said that as of the moment, the company is still able to operate fully because although client demand decreased, orders have not stopped coming in. He remained cautious, though, saying that in a global financial crisis, everyone loses security, including his company. He was optimistic, however, that Dedon would not have to lay off its workers.</p> <p>Dedon Manufacturing Incorporated, considered as one of the "Big Four" furniture-export companies in Cebu, is reportedly the only company among the four that remains “stable” during this period of crisis, according to reports from Philexport Cebu. The other companies, Maithland and Smith Cebu, Philippine Traders, and Mehitabel Incorporated have reportedly laid off some of their workers.</p> <p>Dedon, located in Barangay Pagsabungan in Mandaue City, is owned by a former European soccer player, Bobby Dekeyser, who played for the German team Bayer-Munchen. Established in 1990, the company has factories in 80 countries around the world. Its Cebu factory has 3,500 workers. Its signature style is luxury outdoor furniture woven from Hular fibers, a durable fiber produced in Luneberg, Germany. <strong>with a report from Carine M. Asutilla ABS-CBN News Central Visayas</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>as of 03/05/2009 4:33 PM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-33710191023238417572009-03-02T19:46:00.000-08:002009-03-03T00:46:05.956-08:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/01/09/midwife-killed-%E2%80%98admirer%E2%80%99-cebu-city<p><strong>(na-hurt ko... wa jud gibutang akong name...)</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Midwife killed by ‘admirer’ in Cebu City</strong></p> <p><strong>abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/02/2009 12:26 AM</strong></p> <p>A 33-year-old midwife was stabbed to death at her own home in Barangay Busay in Cebu City allegedly by an admirer.</p> <p>The victim was identified as Dee Ann Alcala. The suspect meanwhile was identified as Onizimo Taningco, a taxi driver who was renting a room at the victim’s house.</p> <p>The 11-year-old daughter of the victim was the witness to the incident.</p> <p>“Angel,” not her real name, said that her mother and Taningco were arguing. Taningco was purportedly questioning her mother why she did not come home on Saturday night.</p> <p>Angel said that after lunch Taningco came home drunk. He was eating in the kitchen when her mother arrived home from a sleepover with friends Saturday night.</p> <p>Taningco reportedly wanted to talk to Alcala but Alcala ignored him because he was drunk and she was preparing for a picnic with her two daughters.</p> <p>Alcala has reportedly been separated from her husband Edward but the two reportedly agreed that on Sundays they will both take their kids out and “bond”.</p> <p>Taningco reportedly wanted Alcala not to go out with her family. When Alcala reportedly got annoyed, she reportedly threw bottles and glasses on the floor to scare Taningco away but he reportedly became furious.</p> <p>Angel said that Taningco took a knife and stabbed her mother several times. She said she tried to pull Taningco but he pushed her away. Angel said she then called out for help from neighbors and police but it was too late. Angel said her mother died in the kitchen but Taningco was immediately caught by the responding police.</p> <p>Taningco said that he was jealous because he heard that Alcala was dating her ex-boyfriend.</p> <p>He said that they have an intimate relationship for six months. He said that he just wanted to talk to Alcala to clear things out about them but the victim refused. He said that he was broken-hearted and was not able to control himself.</p> <p>Taningco who hails from Sultan Kudarat was detained at Cebu City Police Office. A murder case will reportedly be filed against him. </p> <p>as of 03/02/2009 12:26 AM</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-46768571157627267952009-03-02T19:43:00.000-08:002009-03-03T00:43:50.856-08:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/02/09/missing-five-year-old-girl-cebu-returns-family<p><strong>(I don't know nganong wa ni siya ma-byline... weird...)</strong></p> <p>A five-year old girl who was reportedly kidnapped at an elementary school in Cebu Thursday last week returned to her family Monday after four days in captivity.</p> <p>The victim, Suhaiba Punut, arrived at her mother's store in a downtown mall 1 p.m. Monday, four days after she went missing.</p> <p>The victim reportedly told authorities that the suspect, whose name she does not know, paid a public utility vehicle to take her to the mall where her mother, Sanairah Punit, has a store.</p> <p>The girl said she did not know her kidnapper's name, but described the place where she was brought as "a small house with many small houses around it."</p> <p>"[The suspect] gave me food to eat but sometimes she spanks me, I don't know why," Suhaiba reportedly said.</p> <p>Suhaiba was reportedly abducted Thursday last week as she was waiting for her mother to fetch her after kindergarten class in Mambaling Elementary school at around 11 a.m. Based on accounts of witnesses, an unidentified woman had reportedly approached her and led her away on a black motorcycle.</p> <p>The victim's family immediately reported the incident to the police’s Regional Intelligence Division (RID) which later released a cartographic sketch of the suspect based on witness accounts.</p> <p>RID chief, Melvin Ramon Buenafe, reportedly said that the possible motive for the abduction is not money, since no ransom demand was issued, but family problems. The victim's family, however, insisted that they did not have enemies.</p> <p>Suhaiba later revealed that the suspect had told her that she had been sent by the girl's mother and that she had asked permission from Suhaiba's mother to take her home for the evening.</p> <p>Witnesses reportedly described the suspect as "boyish", about 28 to 30 years old, 5'5 in height, with brown complexion and shoulder-length hair. The suspect reportedly entered the school's gates, talked to the victim, and even offered her food. Accompanied by the suspect, the victim reportedly then informed her cousin, a grade 4 student at the same school, that she would be leaving with her but instead left with the suspect on a black motorcycle.</p> <p>The victim's mother said she would have her daughter checked for trauma and physical injuries. The Punuts reportedly will also pull Suhaiba out of school in order to prevent the same incident from happening.</p> <p>School safety quizzed</p> <p>Mambaling Elementary School's security guard, Pablo Labunog, recounted the incident, saying that the suspect had asked to take Suhaiba with her in order to help the victim find a phone and call her mother. Labunog also said that the victim looked at ease with the suspect, and so allowed the woman to take Suhaiba.</p> <p>“The kid does not talk or come near to anyone she doesn’t like or she doesn’t know. She bites people who try to come near her when she doesn’t know them. But that time, it was Suhaiba who came near to the woman, so I assumed she was a family member who was there to pick her up,” Labunog reportedly said.</p> <p>The victim's mother, however, blamed the school for failing to ensure her child's safety.</p> <p>Bernardita Ynclino, the school's principal, however, said that the incident could have been prevented if Suhaiba's mother had been able to fetch her child on time.</p> <p>“Had the mother came earlier to pick her child from school, it should have not happened. We advise parents of our pupils to come at least 15 minutes before their children are released from their classes,” said Ynclino.</p> <p>The school's kindergarten coordinator, Cris Palen, also said that the victim's mother usually picks her child up very late.</p> <p>“She is always left without lunch because her mother comes late to pick her up. Sometimes the teachers would have to take her in and share their lunch with Suhaiba,” Palen said.</p> <p>The victim's mother, however, refused to comment. <strong>With a report from Carine M. Asutilla, ABS-CBN Central Visayas </strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-12826432586289173312009-02-26T22:22:00.000-08:002009-02-27T03:22:12.461-08:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/27/09/corrupt-officials-negros-town-threatened-grenade<p><strong>'Corrupt' officials in Negros town threatened with grenade</strong></p> <p><strong>abs-cbnNEWS.com | 02/27/2009 4:50 PM</strong></p> <p>A bomb threat made against the vice-mayor's office in Sibulan town, Negros Oriental sent employees and municipal officials into panic Thursday.</p> <p>Police found a live explosive inside a bathroom near the office of Sibulan Vive mayor Manuel Diputado, reports said.</p> <p>Members of the Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental reportedly searched the area and found a rifle grenade with ground rice hull concealed in a sack in one of the building's bathrooms.</p> <p>The grenade was brought to the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office to be discharged.</p> <p>Police were alerted about the bomb threat after an employee from the city treasurer's office allegedly received a text message from an unknown sender reportedly saying "Public warning: To all Sibulanon, keep away to these premises; municipal court, police station. Bomb explodes anytime. We will punish corrupt and one-sided officials."</p> <p>Employees were then immediately evacuated from the Municipal hall by members of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).</p> <p>Municipal employees reportedly said that Diputado has never had any prior threats against him.</p> <p>Sibulan Mayor Antonio Renacia, meanwhile, reportedly said that security will be tightened in local government offices. He also hoped that the incident would not affect the town's image.</p> <p>Police have yet to identify the culprits. -- <strong>report from John DX Lapid, ABS-CBN Central Visayas</strong></p> <p><br>as of 02/27/2009 5:33 PM</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-45567069255976725812009-02-26T22:10:00.000-08:002009-02-27T03:10:16.634-08:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/26/09/charges-attempted-murder-filed-vs-two-foreign-tourists<p><strong>Charges of attempted murder filed vs two foreign tourists</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN Central Visayas | 02/26/2009 10:43 PM</strong></p> <p>Charges of causing serious physical injuries and attempted murder were filed against two foreigners in Cebu City Thursday for allegedly attacking two Filipinos. </p> <p>Lawyer Inocencio Dela Cerna, counsel for Hilario Escudero IV and Don Marck Delleva, filed the cases against Hola Iketau, a Tongan, and Jody Hunt from New Zealand at the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office. Prosecutor II Raul Cristobal received the cases. </p> <p>Escudero had bruises all over his body, a front tooth was broken, and his neck was fractured but Delleva suffered more. Aside from bruises, his jaw was busted. Delleva could no longer talk and chew food. He is scheduled to have surgery Friday at a private hospital. Delleva is a liaison officer of Cebu Medical Supplies and Equipment while Escudero is an aircraft officer. </p> <p>Escudero, in his affidavit-complaint, said that he and Delleva together with one Eleanor Ubal were onboard a car going to uptown Cebu past midnight last Sunday. He said they happened to pass by F. Manalo St. in front of Eddie’s Hotel. </p> <p>Escudero said that he noticed that cars in front of them were slowing down and there were about 20 foreigners who were pointing and cursing every passing vehicle. The foreigners were allegedly drinking beer in the middle of the street. </p> <p>When Escudero came nearer, Hunt allegedly stood up and blocked them. Escudero said he blew the car’s horn so that Hunt would move aside but Hunt banged the hood of his car with his fist and the rest of the foreigners encircled the car. </p> <p>Escudero said that he, Delleva and Ubal then went out of the car. Escudero said he then confronted Hunt. Hunt was allegedly about to smash a bottle of beer into Escudero but another foreigner allegedly stopped the New Zealander. </p> <p>They reportedly exchanged heated words for a time, but later the foreigners allegedly started pushing the two victims. Hunt then reportedly slipped away from the crowd and went inside Lonestar KTV located just around the corner of Queens Road and called another group of foreigners, one of them reportedly was Iketau, who came running towards them. </p> <p>Out of fear, Escudero said he told his companions to get in the car. Hunt allegedly was about to punch him but he managed to close the door of the car before it happened. He said he was able to get in the car. Delleva however reportedly did not have time to do so. Escudero said he heard Delleva cry out in pain. Iketau allegedly punched him purportedly dislocating Delleva’s jaw. Hunt then reportedly ran towards Delleva and rammed him. </p> <p>Escudero said he went out of the car to help Delleva but Ikatau grabbed him and punched him several times in the head and face. </p> <p>Escudero fell down and he tried to get up but Ikatau allegedly hit and kicked him again several times together with another foreigner he never knew. Iketau allegedly pulled him up again and hit him several times until he felt numbed. A whistle from a security guard of Eddie’s Hotel reportedly stopped the rumble. Reportedly, the foreigners then stopped hitting him and went directly to the KTV bar. </p> <p>Ubal, the security guard and bystanders reportedly came to their rescue.</p> <p>The victims said they then reported the incident to Fuente Police Office and went for a medical examination at Cebu City Medical Center.</p> <p>Escudero said that he was traumatized by the incident. He said that it would cost him much to repair his front tooth and it would take time before he could recover from the pain he sustained from the incident. </p> <p>Last Tuesday, Iketau and Hunt went to Fuente Police Station to have their statements taken on the incident.</p> <p>Dela Cerna said that the two foreigners told police that they have been mauled by two Filipinos and sustained several bruises. He said that the two foreigners were trying to turn the story around. Dela Cerna said that police then contacted the alleged victims when they discovered that the two foreigners fit the description Escudero and Delleva told police. </p> <p>When they were all in the police station, the two foreigners however reportedly asked for forgiveness. Dela Cerna said that the two were willing to pay for damages. When it was settled, the foreigners were not detained. </p> <p>The following day, Dela Cerna again met up with the suspects. He said that he brought with him receipts of medicines and hospital bills reaching up to P500,000. When the foreigners learned of the amount, they reportedly told Dela Cerna that all they could offer was P50,000. When Dela Cerna saw that there was no hope for their clients to get enough financial support from them, he decided to press charges. </p> <p>Layer Noel Archival, counsel of the two foreigners, said that the incident was just a mere traffic problem. He said that Iketau and Hunt were not the ones who started the fight and that Escudero and Delleva did. </p> <p>He said that his clients were also victims because they sustained bruises from the incident but they were willing to settle the case and pay for damages even if they too were hurt in the rumble.</p> <p>The Filipino complainants however asked them to each pay for two million pesos for damages.</p> <p>Archival said that the foreigners could not afford it because they are mere tourists who have been here for months. Archival said that they are willing to face the charges than pay for the damages. </p> <p>Dela Cerna said that they did not ask for that huge amount but were asking for a larger amount than what the foreigners have offered them. He said that Delleva already has more than P500,000 hospital bills excluding the expenses of his jaw operation today. </p> <p>as of 02/26/2009 10:43 PM</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-90928817330856035572009-02-23T21:12:00.000-08:002009-02-24T02:12:46.032-08:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/23/09/pvao-cebu-says-start-interview-wwii-vets<p><strong>PVAO in Cebu says to start interview of WWII vets</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 02/23/2009 11:26 PM</strong></p> <p>The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) in Central Visayas said it is set to start conducting interviews with Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans Tuesday until Thursday to determine if they will qualify as beneficiaries of United States’ newly stimulus law which provided benefits to veterans. </p> <p>The families of the veterans rushed to PVAO office here in Central Visayas Monday for queries regarding the interview. </p> <p>Emmanuel Pabilona of PVAO-7 said that veterans from provinces in Region 7 must come into their office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday until Thursday for an interview. Pabilona said that the interviews will be conducted nationwide from regions 1-14, and that three representatives from United States Veterans Affairs (USVA) will be the ones to interview them. </p> <p>PCAO said the veteran should come personally and can be accompanied by any member of the family. He said that the veterans should bring an identification card and any supporting documents to prove that he is a qualified veteran. The benefits were announced that it may be released within this year. </p> <p>Pabilona said that qualification would be that he is a living WW II veteran, recognized guerrilla, a member of United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), and Philippine Scout enlisted prior to July 1, 1946. He said that there are a thousand veterans in Central Visayas and about 12,000 veterans in the entire country who are still alive. He said that veterans of WW II are expected to be 83 years old and above. </p> <p>He also said that veterans from other provinces in Central Visayas who will not be able to come into their regional office for circumstances beyond their control can go to Philippine Veterans Field Office. </p> <p>Fred Cabalda was one who came to PVAO-7 to inquire on the said benefit. His father-in-law, Gregorio Isok is a veteran of WW II and is already 90 years old.</p> <p>Cabalda said that the amount that will be given to his father-in-law will be enough for his medication. Isok is suffering from ailments brought by old age. Cabalda said that the family will be able to get back their things, which were pawned for Isok’s medicines. </p> <p>Paulino Luniza, former president and now consultant of the Sons and Daughters of Veterans of World War II, also came to PVAO with his mother Pascuala. Luniza said that their group will try to come up with a request for the government of the United States to allow living spouses of veterans who already died to still avail of the benefits. Luniza said that the amount would be of great help to families of the veterans especially to their spouses who are living but suffering from ailments. </p> <p>Pabilona said however that the spouses can only claim the benefit if the qualified veteran died after having been interviewed. Philippine-based veterans who will qualify will each receive $9,000 while US-based veterans will each receive $15,000.</p> <p>Pabilona said that aside from the US benefits, the PVAO has been providing assistance to the veterans and their families such as educational insurance, hospitalization, old-age pension for the veteran and his spouse, disability assistance, death and burial assistance among others. He said that the only benefit that has not yet been given to them is the non-service-connected disability pension that has already been approved by the Philippine government in 1994 which no funding has been released yet however. </p> <p>as of 02/23/2009 11:26 PM</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-1164101705812942452009-02-18T10:58:00.000-08:002009-02-18T15:58:07.046-08:00http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/18/09/abs-cbn-cebu-starts-own-backyard-gardening<p><strong>ABS-CBN Cebu starts own backyard gardening </strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN Central Visayas | 02/18/2009 11:13 PM<br></strong> <br>Employees, news and entertainment personalities participated in the clean up of the vacant lot at the back of ABS-CBN Complex in Mandaue City and its conversion into garden plots.</p> <p>About 50 plots were cultivated and were planted with eggplants, tomatoes, and pechay, while lemon grass were planted at the slope area.</p> <p>ABS-CBN Cebu Area Manager Tata Cinco-Sy said that the gardening activity is just one of the station's projects lined-up this year.</p> <p>Sy said that creating a garden at their own backyard is one way of surviving from the global economic crisis. She said that putting up a vegetable garden can provide families with food and can also become a means to generate income.</p> <p>Sy said that as a broadcasting station, ABS-CBN Cebu is initiating empowering projects to encourage viewers to do the same.</p> <p>"Part of our thrust this year is going beyond, beyond broadcasting, beyond traditional public service. This is next-level broadcasting, next-level public service," said Sy.</p> <p>Leo Lastimosa , DyAB station manager, said they are encouraging viewers and listeners of their stations to use their idle lots and start the same gardening project. He said that local government units can even initiate it for its residents. LGUs can provide seedlings for their constituents to grow.</p> <p>"If the entire community will work together, we can get through this crisis, victorious," said Lastimosa.</p> <p>The Provincial Agriculture Office has valued the project of ABS-CBN Cebu. The Cebu Provincial Capitol immediately sent bags of organic fertilizers to the station, while 18 members of the Cebu Federation of Farmers organized a get-together with the employees of ABS-CBN Cebu for basic gardening lectures. </p> <p>as of 02/18/2009 11:13 PM</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-59679614632231179712009-02-17T16:09:00.000-08:002009-02-17T21:09:42.422-08:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/17/09/soldiers-cops-hit-closure-legacy-pre-need-firms<p><strong>Soldiers, cops hit by closure of Legacy pre-need firms</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 02/18/2009 1:44 AM</strong></p> <p>Members of Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loans Association Incorporated (AFPSLAI) are among the victims of the closure of Legacy Group of Companies.</p> <p>About a thousand of them in Central Visayas were each able to purchase an educational plan from Scholarship Plans Philippines Incorporated, a pre-need company and member of Legacy group.</p> <p>Rofel Vivar, AFPSLAI branch manager in Central Visayas, said that in 1980’s AFPSLAI offered its members help to have an educational program for their children to offset education which has become expensive.</p> <p>She said that they allowed their members to avail of loans loan and purchase educational plans and the members will pay through salary deduction.</p> <p>Nicanora Torreon, wife of a Coast Guard officer in Bohol, came to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to file her complaint against SPPI. Nicanora purchased two educational plans for their children. Nicanora’s husband Roberto, paid fully the two educational plans in 2004 through salary deduction from AFPSLAI.</p> <p>She said that there was no definite time as to the maturity of the plans. She said that as soon as the child to whom the educational plan is intended enter college, you can readily use the said plan as long as it was fully paid.</p> <p>Nicanora said that in 2006 she was supposed to use the plan for her daughter in nursing. She then went to Manila to ask for the certificate of full payment and to avail on the said educational plan but SPPI only told her that they will mail the certificate of full payment and they will call her on the application of the said plan.</p> <p>But after three years, she said SPPI did not send any certificate of full payment and most of all did not call for a confirmation if they can use the said plan.</p> <p>Nicanora’s son who also has an educational plan in SPPI is now on his second year of college in University of Cebu - Mambaling for the course of Marine Engineering. He too was not able to use the educational plan purchased for P50,000.</p> <p>Merle Cunanan, SEC regional director, meanwhile checked on the documents of Nicanora. She said that the case of Nicanora is the same with other pre-need companies under Legacy. She also said that AFPSLAI was able to remit to SPPI all the salary deductions it made form Nicanora’s husband because of the accounting both the AFPSLAI and the SPPI gave her. <br>Vivar is now calling on all AFPSLAI members who were able to purchase an educational plan from SPPI to come into their office. Vivar said that AFPSLAI is preparing a list of their members they will submit to SEC to guide the regulatory agency on assistance that could be provided them. </p> <p>as of 02/18/2009 1:44 AM</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-72516936432219595262009-02-12T10:42:00.000-08:002009-02-12T15:42:25.116-08:00http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/12/09/pryce-planholders-mixed-regarding-%E2%80%98-kind%E2%80%99-return-plans<p><strong>Pryce planholders mixed regarding ‘in kind’ return of plans</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 02/12/2009 11:21 PM</strong></p> <p>A dentist was the first complainant against Pryce Plans Incorporated in Cebu. Dr. Gabriel Dionices Albina came to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Wednesday morning to follow-up on his complaint against Pryce Plans.</p> <p>Before reports came out earlier this week, during a Senate hearing on the Legacy Group of Companies on the “in-kind” payments from pension and educational plans of pre-need company Pryce Plans Incorporated, Albina has already filed his complaint against the company.</p> <p>Albina submitted his complaint to the Securities and Exchange Commission last October 2006, a few days after his pension plan worth P50,000 reached its maturity date. Albina was supposed to claim his pension but the company refused to give out his pension and asked him to accept it “in kind”.</p> <p><strong>LPG, meds and memorial lot<br></strong>The company offered him Pryce gas, Pryce medicines, and a memorial garden lot in Cagayan De Oro City.</p> <p>Albina said that he did not accept the offer and instead filed a complaint against the company to SEC-7.</p> <p>“The LPG tank is worth P1,800 including the gas tank, take it or leave it. What would I do with so many LPG tanks?” said Albina.</p> <p>After filing a complaint against Pryce Plans, he said he decided to terminate the pension plans of his mother Constancia and brother Ian.</p> <p><strong>‘Chose to answer to planholders’</strong><br>The three then later on received a letter from the head office of the pre-need company. The letter was signed by Ruperto Marasigan Jr., the company’s assistant vice president and audit supervisor.</p> <p>The letter asked the Albina to be patient and understand their situation. The company admitted that they are suffering from a slow cash flow.</p> <p>Marasigan said that they did not renew the license of Pryce Plans and they are just merely a servicing company now. He said that when it’s license was not renewed, the company experienced decline of cash flow and diminution of resources. He said that the pre-need company is suffering from a crisis because of the fall of two major players of the pre-need industry, CAP and Pacific Plans. He said that they are one of those affected by the crisis.</p> <p>Marasigan further said that some of the pre-need companies were already filing legal actions such as petitions for corporate rehabilitation to escape from liabilities and obligations to plan holders. But Pryce Plans, Marasigan said, chose not to file suit but instead try to answer to their planholders.</p> <p>Albina said that one way of answering to its planholders is the conversion of their plans to “in kind”.</p> <p>Albina bought the plan last 1996 for P30,000. He said he paid it in full in 2001. He was supposed to claim his P50,000 pension plan last 2006. When his mother and brother decided to terminate their pension plans, they were supposed to receive P23,655 each.</p> <p>Albina was advised by SEC to find a lawyer to assist him in filing a possible civil case against the company.</p> <p>The office of Pryce Plans is located at room 301 in Cebu Holdings Center in Cebu Business Park.</p> <p>ABS-CBN News tried to get the side of Pryce Plans but its personnel ordered the security guard at the lobby in their building not to let anyone come up to their office aside from its planholders.</p> <p>ABS-CBN News was able to meet some planholders however who were there to check the status of their plans.</p> <p><strong>‘Cash only’<br></strong>Former president of the National Food Authority employees’ union in Central Visayas, Jaime Ang, was among the plan holders. He had two educational plans he said he bought in 1994 and fully paid for P400,000 last 2000. He said the said plans were intended for his nephews and are supposed to reach maturity date on 2012.</p> <p>But after hearing reports against Pryce Plans, Ang said he wants to terminate his educational plans. He said that he will only accept cash and not any “in kind”.</p> <p>Ang said he is questioning the government, particularly SEC, for not being able to take a look at the situation of the pre-need company before.</p> <p>“The government has the obligation to protect us - the planholders. They should have monitored the pre-need companies, which are all registered under the Security and Exchange Commission,” said Ang.</p> <p>If Ang will refuse to receive LPG, medicine or a memorial lot, businessman Carlito Diaz however will settle for it.</p> <p>Diaz has an investment of P1,000,000 in Pryce Plans. He said he wants it terminated and be converted to LPG. Diaz said he finds it as a business opportunity. <br>Merle Cunanan, SEC-7 director, meanwhile said that all their office can do is to receive complaints from the planholders and investors. She said that the head office has the department that will look into the matter. She said further that pre-need companies have a trust fund that will refund the planholders. </p> <p>as of 02/12/2009 11:21 PM</p> <p><br> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-41510432674262101012009-02-12T10:38:00.000-08:002009-02-12T15:39:00.874-08:00http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/12/09/planholders-arms-lapu-lapu-resthouse-legacy-owner<p><strong>Planholders up in arms on Lapu-Lapu resthouse of Legacy owner</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 02/13/2009 12:58 AM</strong></p> <p>Legacy planholders and investors have reacted negatively on reports of a huge resthouse that Legacy owner Celso Delos Angeles owns.</p> <p>The two-storey house is located at Barangay Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City. The resthouse is located atop a cliff near the seashore.</p> <p>The planholders and investors of Legacy think that their money was used to buy the property.</p> <p>“Where else did our money go? It should be sold right away so that we can get our money back, or else we will all chop the house down and divide it among ourselves,” said Ben Tero, a planholder.</p> <p>“I was shocked, he has a house that big and yet he can’t pay us back?” said Belen Allego, an investor who lives a few houses away from Delos Angeles’ rest house, he only knew that they were neighbors when she saw it on TV.</p> <p>The house and lot was owned previously by a Cebuano businessman. Delos Angeles reportedly bought it from them sometime in 2002. Delos Angeles founded Legacy in 1997.</p> <p>Elena Talinting said she was the original owner of the lot. She said that the businessman bought it from them in 1980’s. The lot is estimated to be 1,900 square meters.</p> <p>Aside from the two-storey house which was made of wood with furniture also made out of wood, Delos Angeles also has a speed boat on standby and a swimming pool.</p> <p>He has three caretakers to maintain the rest house. One caretaker who identified himself only as Jaime said that Delos Angeles seldom visits the house. He said that the Legacy Group owner comes with his family only twice a year at most. But some of Delos Angeles friends, he said, would come by on weekends.</p> <p>Residents said that they have seen actresses like Maui Taylor and Katya Santos spend overnight stays at the rest house. They also said that Manny Pacquiao also came by at the rest house.</p> <p>Complaints continue<br>Planholders of pre-need companies under the Legacy Group of Companies meanwhile continue to file complaints at the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Central Visayas.</p> <p>SEC has earlier reminded complainants that planholders and investors have different approaches in filing charges against the company.</p> <p>Contained in SEC Office Order No. 36 issued in January 30 to all SEC extension offices are guidelines approved by the Commission en banc that should be followed in filing complaints against the eleven pre-need companies under the Legacy Group of Companies.</p> <p>For pre-need planholders, they have to fill up the Pro-Forma Complaint to be provided by the SEC office. There is a separate Pro-Forma Complaint for planholders and for investors.</p> <p>The planholder should submit a photocopy of Certificate of Full Payment and other supporting documents. SEC said there is no filing fee.</p> <p>For investors however, aside from filling in the Pro-Forma Complaint intended for the investors, they also have to pay a P510 filing fee.</p> <p>SEC said that the investors’ complaints will only serve as additional evidence for the charges of violation of Securities Regulation Code to be filed against Legacy. It said that an investor can file a separate civil case for recovery of sum of money and or syndicated estafa, if they want to.</p> <p>SEC had also said earlier that the filing of complaints will only be until March 31. The complainants are advised to monitor SEC through their website, <a href="http://www.sec.gov.ph">www.sec.gov.ph</a>. It said complainants with questions can call the head office in Manila at (02) 584-6058 or (02) 584-6337. <br> </p> <p>as of 02/13/2009 12:58 AM</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-20960519659396997982009-02-10T11:06:00.000-08:002009-02-10T16:06:16.675-08:00http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/10/09/sec-receive-complaints-cebu-vs-legacy-only-till-march-31<p><strong>SEC to receive complaints in Cebu vs Legacy only till March 31</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 02/11/2009 1:45 AM</strong></p> <p>The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Central Visayas said it will be accepting complaints from investors and planholders of pre-need companies under the Legacy Group of Companies only until March 31.</p> <p>Merle Cunanan, Director of SEC-7 said that since January 7, their office has received 120 complaints against Legacy group. Most of the complaints were addressed to their pre-need companies.</p> <p>Cunanan said that there is still no assurance that these complainants will get their claims. She said that the planholders and investors still have to file their complaints so that an investigation will be conducted.</p> <p>“Pre-need companies have a contract and plan holders are protected by a trust fund, which should answer the plan holders,” said Cunanan.</p> <p>According to SEC Information desk, to file a complaint against any pre-need companies under Legacy, a complaint form should be signed by the complainant, indicating information about his or her deposits or investments to any plans offered by the pre-need companies.</p> <p>The complainant is also asked to provide documents that will support ones claim like bouncing checks issued by the pre-need companies. He or she should also submit certificate of full payment or official receipts as proof that the complainant has paid his or her plans.</p> <p>Amorlina Fabroa was among the planholders of Legacy. Fabroa, who hails from Campo Guadalupe in Carcar City, came early to the SEC office to file her complaint against Legacy.</p> <p>Fabroa has a scholarship plan and a pension plan with Legacy Consolidated Plans Incorporated. He applied for the pension plan last 2007 and had fully paid the plan with P88,176.</p> <p>The plan is supposed to mature on 2016. Fabroa said she expected to receive P100,000 by that time. She had also put more than P16,000 for a scholarship plan.</p> <p>Benjamine Tero from Barangay Camputhaw in Cebu City had also applied for the pension plan.</p> <p>He said he paid P565 every month for five years. The plan was supposed to reach its maturity date this year.</p> <p>Tero said that the plan he opened last 1999 was intended for his wife Antonia.</p> <p>Tero said that after he had fully paid the amount for five years, he waited for another five years for it to mature. He was expecting that his wife could receive her pension this year.</p> <p>“I will file a case. I have been paying for it for five years and waited for another five years only for nothing,” said Tero.</p> <p>Tero’s neighbor, Thelma Ruiz, meanwhile also applied for a pension plan at Legacy Consolidated Plans Incorporated along with Tero. Ruiz said that it was her children who shouldered the monthly payments for the pension plan. </p> <p>as of 02/11/2009 1:46 AM</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-9032427210868955452009-02-10T11:03:00.000-08:002009-02-10T16:03:36.285-08:00http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/10/09/cebu-groups-say-recent-case-highlights-need-anti-torture-bill<p><strong>Cebu groups say recent case highlights need for Anti-Torture bill</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 02/11/2009 2:18 AM</strong></p> <p>The Central Visayas chapter of human rights group Karapatan said its is challenging the House of Representatives to pass the House Bill 3259 or the Anti-Torture Bill after an alleged communist rebel was tortured while in the hands of the military and police.</p> <p>Ramon Patriarca, who security forces allege is the taxation and finance officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Central Visayas, was reported to have suffered bruises and was traumatized in the hands of the military and police.</p> <p>Last Monday, Patriarca during the hearing of a petition for writ of amparo showed the court all his bruises.</p> <p>Patriarca said that he got them during the tactical interrogation that the police and military conducted four days since his arrest at Barangay Casili in Consolacion town in Cebu province last February 5.</p> <p>Presiding Judge Geraldine Faith Econg of Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9 granted the petition for writ of amparo filed by the camp of Patriarca against Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) and Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Central Command.</p> <p>Patriarca was then placed under the custody of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Witness Protection Program.</p> <p>State prosecutor Graeme June Elmido said that Patriarca will be watched over by DOJ Marshals. The police and military will only be there to augment, he said.</p> <p>Elmido said that Patriarca can be visited by his lawyer and family at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Danao City.</p> <p>Like in Martial Law<br>Dennis Abarrientos, Karapatan secretary general, said that the hearing on the petition of writ of amparo only showed that the act of torturing an arrestee is still being practiced by the police and military as if the Martial Law era is not yet over.</p> <p>Abarrientos said that the case should serve as an eye-opener for lawmakers to act immediately on the Anti-Torture Bill.</p> <p>Arman Perez, Bayan Muna secretary general, said that several Cebu representatives to Congress’s lower chamber are co-authors of the said bill. Perez mentioned 6th district Rep. Nerrisa Soon-Ruiz, 2nd district Pablo Garcia and 3rd district Rep Pablo John Garcia.</p> <p>Perez said they are appealing to their representatives to urgently push for the passage of the bill.</p> <p>Perez said that the bill ahs already passed the House Human Rights Committee and has been submitted to the plenary for discussion.</p> <p>Perez said that those who practice torture would be punished if the bill will be enacted.</p> <p>Threat of similar treatment?<br>Meanwhile, colleagues of lawyer Poch Sinco in Community Empowerment Resource Network Inc. (CERNET) expressed their fear for the life of Sinco.</p> <p>Tiray Alcaseba said that Patriarca mentioned in the court hearing last Monday that some military and police personnel mentioned that they would also want Sinco to undergo the same torture that Patriarca underwent.</p> <p>Patriarca told the court that he was punched several times, was made to wear a diaper, and was soaked in water.</p> <p>Alcaseba said that as much as they are condemning what happened to Patriarca, they are also condemning the act and the attitude of the police and military who are supposed to be defenders of human rights and protectors of the people. </p> <p>as of 02/11/2009 2:18 AM</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115566.post-72633307397160921492009-02-05T14:45:00.000-08:002009-02-05T19:45:30.699-08:00http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/05/09/govt-agencies-say-prices-basic-commodities-cebu-are-stable<p><strong>Govt agencies say prices of basic commodities in Cebu are stable</strong></p> <p><strong>By CARINE M. ASUTILLA, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas | 02/06/2009 2:01 AM</strong></p> <p>The latest price monitoring on basic commodities by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Cebu Province Office (CPO) last February 2 showed that both wet markets and supermarkets have maintained their prices for the past weeks. </p> <p>Zaide Bati-on, DTI-CPO's trade and industry regulatory division chief, said that stores did not even exceed the suggested retail prices (SRP) of the commodities. </p> <p>“Crisis here in Cebu (in terms of prices of basic commodities) is not yet felt,” said Bati-on. </p> <p>Bati-on said that based on their record, if prices of canned goods, milk products, and other primary goods from last week will be compared to this week, there was no movement of prices.</p> <p>Canned sardines with an SRP of P12.87 could be bought in wet markets for P12.40 and P12.30 in supermarket groceries. </p> <p>Instant noodles with SRP of P6.65 is priced P6.25 in wet markets and P6.50 in supermarket groceries. Detergent soaps with retail price of P20.50 can be bought in supermarkets at P20.45 and P20.50 at wet markets. </p> <p>Among the basic necessities and prime commodities listed, only the price of coffee refill in wet markets and supermarkets are higher than its SRP. Coffee’s SRP is P14.60 but is sold at P15.00 and P14.65. </p> <p>No price increases in medicines<br>Meanwhile, the Bureau of Food and Drugs of Department of Health (DOH) in Region 7 said that there is also no alarming increase in prices of 39 essential medicines. </p> <p>Dr. Angelita Salarda, chief of the DOH- 7 health and regulation division, said that they are waiting for the cheaper medicines bill to take effect so that the manufacturer’s selling price of medicines will be implemented. </p> <p>Salarda said that they have conducted their monitoring of drug prices last week and have submitted reports to their head office in Manila. </p> <p>No LPG scarcity - DOE<br>The Department of Energy Visayas office also clarified that there is no scarcity of supply of LPG in regions 6, 7, and 8. </p> <p>Saul Gonzales, DOE Visayas Energy Industry Management chief, said that unlike reports coming from Manila on shortage of liquefied petroleum gas or LPG, their office has not received reports from dealers in the Visayas regarding shortage of supply. </p> <p>Gonzales said that they have asked DTI also to check the supply of LPG among outlets. The reports have reportedly been submitted to Manila. </p> <p>Supply of LPG is not a problem at all, Gonzales said, but there is an increasing trend in LPG prices. They have monitored five LPG suppliers in the three regions; Gasul, Shellane, Petronas, Prycegas, and Caltex. </p> <p>Their record showed that the prices of 11-kilogram LPG tank from January up to early this February had gone up by P25-P79. </p> <p>Gasul, which used to be at P469 is now priced at P544. Shellane was at P550, now it’s at P575. Petronas from P470 is now at P545. Prycegas is now at P554 from P485 while Caltex is also priced at P544 from P468. </p> <p>Gonzales assured that if the prices of LPG in certain outlets will increase toan unreasonable price, DOE will investigate it. He said that the prices and supply will be closely monitored with their weekly inspection on suppliers. </p> <p>as of 02/06/2009 2:18 AM</p> <p><br> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Carine Era Mozo Asutillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11903560147975412930noreply@blogger.com0