Manila Standard Today - Sunday (October 28, 2012) Issue

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Sunday
MST
The Sunday Edition of ManilaStandardTODAY
Vol. I No. 18 16 Pages, 2 Section
P18.00 SUNDAY, October 28, 2012
ARTS & LIFE B1
MILF WRACKED
BY DEFECTIONS
Water shortage impends
as El Nio threatens PH
Ako Bicol, Akbayan
gure in partisan row
Petron triggers
price cut; Shell,
Phoenix go along
By Francisco Tuyay
T
HE Moro Islamic Liberation
Front is being riddled with
defections and its leader
Ebrahim Murad is purportedly
offering to pay the leaders of the
defection P5 million each to stay with
his group and stop obstructing the
Framework Agreement it forged with
the government.
Gapul Hadjirul, political di-
rector of the Moro National Lib-
eration Front central committee,
said at least four MILF com-
manders have defected to the
MNLF because they supposedly
feel betrayed by Murad.
He betrayed his supporters
when he conspired with the
Malaysians in entering into a
Framework Agreement that
is a deception by the govern-
ment and a conspiracy with
the Americans to attain their
secret objective in Mindanao,
Hadjirul told MST Sunday in
a telephone interview.
Hadjirul identied the four
commanders as Samer Samsu-
din Lungkatay, Samer Salamat,
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE government has to explore other
sources of potable water as Metro
Manila and its nearby provinces are
facing a water crisis, lawmakers said.
The presumed abundance of water
as a resource, given our climate and
geographical location, should not make the
government complacent as the progress
of industry and the massive urbanization
continues to threaten the supply of potable
water in Metro Manila and other urban
zones, according to House Resolution
2619 of Las Pias City Rep. Mark Villar.
Villar in his resolution urged the House
committees on appropriations and the
Metro Manila Development Authority
to look into the need to develop water
sources in Metro Manila and other nearby
provinces based on the study conducted
by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The objective of this measure is to
maintain a continuous supply of water
and to craft relevant legislation to
ensure sustainability of water supply
for the welfare of Metropolitan Manila
residents, the resolution stated.
Citing the Good Practice in Urban
Water Management, a study conducted
by the ADB showed that Metro Manila and
other provinces should tap other sources
of water to prepare for situations like
prolonged drought and earthquakes which
could destroy the dams that are the primary
sources of water at present.
BUSINESS
SRI TAN DATO SERI
VINCENT TAN
Berjaya group founder
donates P100m to
Gawad Kalinga
STEVE BALLMER
Microsoft CEO
presents the new
Microsoft Windows
8 during its launch
in New York
City
AUBERGINE:
CONSISTENTLY
GOOD
Stefan Langenhan
is the executive
chef at Aubergine,
which is said to
be one of the best
French restaurants
in Metro Manila
Abdulwahid Jainalan and a
certain Saidale.
Samsudin is the former
chairman of the MILF Coun-
cil of Ulamas while Salamat is
the brother of deceased MILF
founder Hashim Salamat and
allegedly commands some
8,000 MILF troops.
Jianalan, on the other hand,
is supposedly Murads former
security chief who commands
about 6,500 ghters. Saidale
is allegedly a new command-
er who is the leader of 1,500
armed men.
Murad is very upset at the
defection of Samsudin, Had-
jirul said, adding that Sam-
suddin had already met with
MNLF leader Nur Misuari in
Zamboanga City where they
swore allegiance to the MNLF.
Hadjirul said Misuari ap-
pointed chairman of the
MNLF Council of Ulamas
and member of the MNLF
central committee.
Murad was so upset with
the defection that he offered
pay Samsudin P5 million so he
would settle differences with
the MILF leadership.
Burst of colors. A ower vendor is surrounded by bunches of
owers which she sells at the famous ower market on Dimasalang
Street in Manila in time for the All Souls Day; A rainbow (below)
hovers over Benguet after a whole day of rain. Cutower farmers
cultivate the owers that make their way to Manila and other desti-
nations. DANNY PATA AND RICK REYES
Next page Next page
By Vito Barcelo
TWO party-list groups, Ako
Bicol and Akbayan, denounced
the black propaganda and bul-
lying being employed by ideo-
logical groups from the right-
ists and the leftists.
Rep. Rodel Batocabe of Ako
Bicol, which garnered the high-
est number of votes in the last
elections, warned the Comission
of Elections of efforts by the
extreme left to undermine the
democratic process.
For its part, Akbayan denied
joining pro-democracy organi-
zations in a move to disqualify
party-list groups linked with
the communist movement.
Batocabe said the extreme-
left groups are like ampao
an empty bun out to condition
the minds of the people.
He said: They are clearly not
tolerant of other groups even if
the elections and surveys show
that the public in general has
rejected them and their ideas.
Batocabe was referring to the
lacklustre performance of the
party-list groups which have
links with the Communist Party
of the Philippines.
Ako Bicol, which obtained
1.5 million votes in the last
elections, warned the Comelec
against adopting the standards
and propaganda of the left-lean-
ing Kontra-Daya in determining
the qualied party-list groups
that should be allowed to partici-
pate in the 2013 elections.
MILF CHAIRMAN MURAD
Next page
By Alena Mae Flores
OIL companies will cut pump prices by as much as
P2.15 per liter effective 12:01 on Monday to factor
in the softening of world oil prices given the slow
economic pace in US and Europe.
Petron Corp. on Saturday said it would reduce
prices by P2.15 per liter. Other oil rms are ex-
pected to follow suit, with Fernando Martinez of
Eastern Petroleum saying that a substantial roll-
back will take effect this week owing to negative
sentiments in the market.
A rollback is good for motorists who are headed
for the long vacation during the Halloween period,
Martinez said.
Misuari claims to have won over 4 commanders to his side
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
OCTOBER 28, 2012 SUNDAY
A2
Sunday
NEWS
ManilaStandardTODAY
[email protected]
PRESIDENTIAL deputy spokes-
person Abigail Valte said on Satur-
day that the statement of President
Benigno Aquino III on former
president Gloria Macapagal Ar-
royo and impeached Chief Justice
Renato Corona being reunited or
seeing each other in jail was
taken out of context.
In a radio interview, Valte clari-
fied that what Mr. Aquino meant
was that there was a possibility
that Corona may see Mrs. Arroyo
in jail.
The president was not saying
that the cases were over. In fact,
the tenses used by the President
were very specic, Valte said.
Of course, we understand
the context of that given that
they are being asked to answer
the charges, she added.
Valte was reacting to the com-
ment made by House Minor-
ity Leader and Quezon Rep-
resentative Danilo Suarez that
Mr. Aquio was pre-empting the
result of the cases led against
Arroyo and Corona.
Let the court decide on their
cases. Maybe we can avoid
making comments as if they
had already been pronounced
guilty when the investigation is
not yet nished, Suarez said.
Lawyer Ferdie Topacio, a legal
counsel of the Arroyos, mean-
while, shrugged off the presidents
comment, saying that it is not
worth reacting to such drivel.
Topacio added that it was not pos-
sible that Arroyo and Corona to be
reunited in jail since there are sepa-
rate facilities for each gender.
I am just shrugging my shoul-
ders because its not worth reacting
to such drivel, Topacio told the Ma-
nila Standard in a text message.
Valte also took issue against Su-
quijor Rep. Orlando Fua who said
that Mr. Aquino was being cruel
against his political enemies.
There is no cruelty there,
Valte said, adding that Fua was
exaggerating the issue.
Fua said that Mr. Aquinos cru-
elty against his political enemies
showed his administration was an-
chored on vindictiveness.
Obviously, the rights of
these people are being afforded
to them. They are being made
to answer the charges against
them in the proper forum. So
how can that be cruelty? How
can observing due process be
tagged as cruelty? Obviously
thats an exaggeration, Valte
said.
Chito Sta. Romana, an Emmy
award-winning journalist and for-
mer China bureau chief of ABC
News, the mainland is preoccu-
pied with Tokyo and the Party
Congress to elect a new leader in
November.
Historically, enemy ng China
ang Japan, he told Manila Stan-
dard in a phone interview, noting
that superpowers border conict
have moved the epicenter away
from West Philippine Sea for now.
But Sta. Romana said Chinese
leaders recognized Japan as one
power they cannot afford to lose
as a partner in trade and invest-
ments notwithstading the bitter
Manchurian invasion by the Im-
perial Army in World War II.
He urged policy-makers in
Manila to rm up strategies but-
tressed by international law and
the United Nation Convention on
the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
The challenge is to keep diplo-
matic channels open and avoid any
miscalculations that could lead to
conict, Sta. Romana said, under-
scoring a multilateral approach.
China will elect new lead-
ership in Party Congress next
month but new party leaders as-
sume formal government posts in
March, he said.
The new leadership will
need time to consolidate its po-
sition [over the dispute in South
China Sea] More high-level
talks at bilateral and multilateral
are necessary.
The faceoff happened last April
when Chinese forces blocked the
Philippines from arresting Chi-
nese shermen who were caught
poaching in Scarborough (Pana-
tag) Shoal.
Sta. Romana, who spent nearly
30 years living and working in the
mainland, said Beijing was sur-
prised over Manilas action in Bajo
de Masinloc but the tension eased
up early August when the border
conict ared up over what Japan
claims as its Senkaku domain and
China claiming the same island as
its Diaoyu territory.
Sta. Romana said the Philip-
pines should learn the dynamics
of the East China Sea conict par-
ticularly the posturings of the two
adversaries.
Instead of sending its naval
force with a newly commissioned
aircraft carrier, China invoked its
historical ascendancy and submit-
ted documents on baselines and
maritime jurisdiction.
China-Japan tiff buys time for PH
By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan
THE territorial conict in East China Sea
will buy the Philippines time to chart a
course of action over its own dispute with
Beijing, an expert on China relations said.
A LOCAL government ofcial
and a retired Army sergeant are
among 16 people accused of
illegal mining in Bayog, Zam-
boanga del Sur. They are fac-
ing multiple charges led against
them by the Criminal Investiga-
tion and Detection Group of the
National Police following a raid
at the miners compound in Sitio
Balabag, site of their alleged il-
legal mining activities.
Among those charged before
the Provincial Prosecutors Of-
ce is Bayog town councilor
Julieto Monding, who chairs the
powerful committee on ways and
means and taxation and commit-
tee on agriculture and aquatic re-
sources. A co-accused is retired
Master Sergeant Avelino Penniz
of the Army. He is identied as
Mondings chief security ofcer.
The illegal miners were found
to have violated Republic Act
No. 8294 for illegal possession of
rearms, ammunitions and explo-
sives. They too, were charged for
violating RA 6969, for possession
of substances and nuclear wastes.
The illegal miners also violated
the new system of Mineral Resourc-
es Exploration, Development, Utili-
zation and conservation.
None of those charged are
members of the Indigenous Sub-
anon tribe.
Last Friday, Sr. Superintend-
ent Edgar Danao, regional direc-
tor of the CIDG-PNP in the Zam-
boanga Peninsula led his men in
raiding Mondings compound in
Balabag. Armed with 21 search
warrants issued by a regional
trial court judge in San Miguel,
Zamboanga del Sur, the police
swooped down the compound
that housed 14 rod mill and doz-
ens of carbon-in pulp plants.
Yielded during the six-hour ten-
sion lled operations were 13
high powered rearms that in-
clude an M16 armalife rie and
KG9 colt rie, 4,000 meters of
detonating cord; four sacks of
commercial dynamites and as-
sorted ammunitions. The po-
lice also seized tons of cyanide,
a highly toxic chemical used in
gold mining operation and gal-
lons of nitric acid.
The operation is not mining
related, nor it is related to the
implementation of the Cease and
Desist Order (CDO) issued by the
Mines and Geosciences Bureau
(MGB). It is purely police matter.
It is more on peace keeping since it
is widely known that there are high
powered rearms and explosives
in Balabag. It is for crime
prevention because we know
there is lawlessness and high rise
of criminality in the area, Danao
told the media in an interview right
after the operation.
16 charged with illegal mining in Zambo Sur
Reunion
prompts
denial by
Palace
Arrival honors. President Aquino and Armed Forces chief Jesse Dellosa review the honor guards upon
his arrival at the Naia Terminal II on Friday night, after a ve-day visit New Zealand and Australia. Related
story on A3
Water...
The ling of the resolution came as the
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)
warned that the country would experience
drought or the El Nio phenomenon which
began to hit various parts of the country in
October and would last until May 2013.
The El Nio, which is caused by an abnormal
warming of surface ocean waters in the eastern
tropical Pacic, will initially cause below-
normal rainfall that would later progress into
drier conditions.
Data from the Japan International
Cooperation Agency Master Plan on Water
Resources Management in the Philippines
showed that only 1,907 cubic meters of fresh
water would be available to each person each
year, making the Philippines second to the
lowest among Southeast Asian countries with
available fresh water.
The National Water Regulatory Board has
identied nine water-critical urbanized areas
where water is consumed intensivelyMetro
Manila, Metro Cebu, Davao, Baguio City,
Angeles City, Bacolod City, Iloilo City,
Cagayan de Oro City, and Zamboanga City.
MILF...
Murad through an emissary
asked Samsudin and [renegade
MILF commander Ameril Um-
bra] Kato to return to the MILF
in exchange for P10 million,
Hadjirul said, quoting a source
from within Murads inner
circle.
The money that was to be
used was the money given
by Malaysian Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,
Hadjirul added, but 95 per-
cent of the MILF that defected
to the MNLF rejected the offer
outright.
Asked about the the alleged
payoff, presidential spokesman
Edwin Lacierda refused to com-
ment on Hadjiruls allegations.
I think we are the wrong
person to react, Lacierda said
in a text message. Let the
MILF respond to that rst...
Peace is its own dividend.
But Hadjirul maintained that
Murad is trying his best to con-
vince his former elite command-
ers to reunify with him in a bid to
pursue the peace treaty and dem-
onstrate to the entire country that
they are united in the aspiration
of the Mindanao people.
We want the truth about the
Mindanao problem to surface,
but the problem is the govern-
ment is covering up the matter.
We dont know what real agenda
and motives are, but it seems to
us that their primary intention is
to divide Bangasa Moro people.
Instead of promoting peace,
they are creating a semblance of
war, Hadjirul added.
Petron...
Petron said it would carry out
the following price rollback
(VAT inclusive) effective 12:01
am Monday: P2:15 liter of Blaze
100 XCS Plus and Xtra, P1.70/
liter of Pinoy Gasoline and regu-
lar, P1.35/liter of Turbo Diesel,
DieselMax, and kerosene.
Another major oil company,
Pilipinas Shell also cut its pric-
es by as much as P2.15. Seaoil
Philippines and Phoenix Petro-
leum followed suit.
Last week, Petron adopted
another rollback of prices by
P0.90 per liter of premium and
unleaded gasoline, P0.40 per
liter of regular gasoline, P0.35
per liter of diesel and P0.25 per
liter of kerosene.
Prior to the latest price cut,
unleaded gasoline sells at
P49.95 to P57.87 per liter. Die-
sel, at P42.20 to P44.55 per
liter; and kerosene, P50.65 to
P57.23 per liter.
Eastern Petroleum mean-
while opted for P2-per liter
cut in premium and unleaded
gasoline, regular gasoline by
P1.75; diesel and kerosene, at
about P1.35 per liter.
Prices vary depending on the
location of the station, brand
and market forces.
PCSO awardee. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofces department manager Dr. Larry Cedro (second from right) rejoices
as he raises the award before PCSOs ofcers and employees after being conferred with the Managerial Excellence Awards
during the culmination of the week-long celebration for the charity agencys 78th anniversary. The celebration kicked off
on Oct.22 at the PCSO main ofce in Pasay City. With him are top ofcials of the PCSO (from left) general manager Jose
Ferdinand M. Rojas II, directors Mabel Mamba and Francisco Joaquin III and chairman Margarita P. Juico. JOSEPH MUEGO
Ako Bicol...
The party-list groups belong-
ing to the extreme left are not inter-
ested in the democratic processes,
Batocabe said. They caused all
these troubles and controversy at the
Comelec to improve their chances
even if the people do not want them
and their empty promises.
They want to have their cake
and eat it too. They should stop the
sloganeering and metamorphose
into a more effective organization
willing to work within the sys-
tem, Batocabe said.
Batocabe said the extreme left par-
ty-list groups do not have the achieve-
ments they can speak of, other than
their sloganeering and relentless criti-
cism of the Aquino administration as
part of its efforts to undermine the le-
gitimate government.
They cannot claim a monopoly
in catering for the interest of the
Filipino people, particularly the
marginalized sectors, he said, add-
ing that the Comelec should now
allow the left-leaning groups to
monopolize the party-list elections
by disqualifying legitimate party-
list groups.
Batocabe also called on the Com-
elec to reject the disqualication
case led by Anakbayan against Ak-
bayan, which had opted to join the
democratic processes to advance the
interest of the marginalized sectors,
rather than through violent means.
According to the lawmaker,
Akbayan did not make any error
in calling for support for the ad-
ministration.
That is the purpose of the par-
ty-list systemfor varied groups to
be able to work together within a
system.
He also challenged the Comelec
to similarly apply to Bayan Muna
the grounds that it used in disquali-
fying the Ako Bicol. The Comelec
should also apply its decision on
the disqualication of Ako Bicol to
Bayan Muna, which does not clearly
represent a particular marginalized
sector. Whats sauce for the goose is
sauce for the gander, he said.
Meanwhile, Batocabe disowned
the newly-organized left-leaning
Aking Bicolnon party-list, which
has been claiming to be an adjunct
of Ako Bicol. This group is clearly
riding on the popularity of Ako Bi-
col, in a bid to mislead the Bicola-
nos in supporting their bid in next
years party-list elections, he said.
Akbayan denied joining a move
to disqualify Bayan Muna and other
party list identied as fronts of the
Communist Party of the Philippine.
Akbayan Partylist was errone-
ously reported to be allied with the
Peoples Advocacy for Collabora-
tion and Empowerment (PEACE),
New Guardians for Freedom and
Democracy and Pro Democracy
Foundation of the Philippines,
groups that led a disqualica-
tion petition against Bayan Muna,
Gabriela, Kabataan, Anakpawis
and several other partylist groups
before the Commission on Elec-
tions, according to Barry Gutier-
rez, Akbayan National spokesman.
We are also not involved with
any move to disqualify Bayan
Muna and their afliate partylist
groups from the 2013 elections.
We issue this statement to counter
any perception that may arise and
mislead our fellow citizens into
making the conclusion that Ak-
bayan seeks to silence its detrac-
tors with the same dirty tricks that
they resort to, he said.
[email protected]
Sunday
NEWS
ManilaStandardTODAY
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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION AS
UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION OF CONSULTANTS

E
Z
Date: July 16, 2012
Name of the Organization: Confederation of Filipino
Consulting Organizations, Inc.
Business Address: Unit 211 2
nd
Floor Grand
Emerald Tower Don F. Ortigas
Jr. Road Corner Garnet Rd.
Ortigas Center Pasig City
Contact Numbers: 310-4931 to 33 local 214
Please indicate sectors or felds:
1. Advisory/ Review
2. Pre-investment & feasibility studies
3. Design services
4. Construction Supervision
5. Management & Related Services
6. Other Technical Services or Special Studies
In support of this application, the following documents are
hereby submitted:
A. Organization and its Coverage (15%)
9 Registration certifcate (e.g. SEC, DT or CDA) or any
document showing existence of juridical personality
9 Articles of Incorporation including amendments thereto,
if any
9 By-Laws including amendments thereto, if any
9 Organization's profle, vision, mission and objectives
9 Statement explaining why the organization should be
recognized as UOC for the sectors being applied for
9 List of registered offcers and provide for resume or
curriculum vitae
9 List of registered members, whether individual or
associations, with respective contact numbers,
addresses, professions and/or disciplines, and track
record
9 Commitment of the organization to cooperate with the
actively participate in the development of one UOC (e.g.
Board resolution or any valid form of offcial statement
of the organization)
B. Accreditation Process (30%)
9 Accreditation guidelines and other relevant documents
describing in detail its registration and accreditation
system for both individual consultants and associations
9 Composition of accreditation board/committee in
charge of the evaluation of members
C. Capacity Building Program (25%)
9 Capacity building program/s adopted by the
organization
D. Regulation/Policing Process (25%)
9 Guidelines refecting the procedure on regulation/
policing by the organization of its members, including
sanctions for erring members
9 Proposed mechanism for dispute resolution of its
members
E. Liaison (5%)
_____ List of offcers and employees authorized by the
organization as liaison offcers, including their respective
position, addresses and contact details I hereby declare
that I am granted full power and authority to do, execute,
and perform any and all acts necessary to represent the
organization in its application under the Government
Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Guidelines on the
Recognition of Umbrella Organization of Consultants,
as shown in the attached document showing proof of
authorization (e.g. duly notarized Secretary's Certifcate
issued by the corporation).
I hereby certify that the attached documents are authentic
copies of the original, complete, and all statements/information
provided therein are, to the best of my knowledge, true
and correct. Any misrepresentation of a fact is a ground for
disapproval of my application or termination of the recognition
as an Umbrella Organization of Consultants. I shall notify
GPPB of any changes affecting any of the information
contained herein.
MR. ERIC A. CRUZ
Signature over Printed Name of
Organization's Authorized Signatory
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, this 16
th
day
of JUL, 2012 in QUEZON CITY, affant is personally known
to me and was known by me through competent evidence
of identity as defned in the 2004 Rules of Notarial Practice.
Affant has exhibited to me his/her government issued
identifcation card with picture 0006 to expire on
as well as his/her Community Tax Certifcate No. 14300440
issued on January 6, 2012 at Manila.
APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION AS UMBRELLA
ORGANIZATION OF CONSULTANTS
In line with Republic Act 9184, its Implementing Rules and
Regulations, and the Government Procurement Policy Board
Resolution 02-2011,
Confederation of Filipino consulting Organizations, Inc.
Unit 211 2
nd
Floor Grand Emerald Tower Don F. Ortigas Jr.
Road Corner Garnet Road Ortigas Center Pasig City
hereby applies for recognition as the Umbrella Organization of
consutlants for the following sector/s of the consulting industry:
Advisory / Review
Pre-investment & Feasibility Studies
Design Services
construction Supervision
Management & Related Services
Other Technical Services or Special Studies
This serves as notice to all concerned to submit to the
Government Procurement Policy Board Technical Support
Offce any questions on and/or oppositions to the foregoing
application not later than ffteen calendar days from the
publication of this application.
MR. ERIC A. CRUZ
Organization's Authorized Signatory
(MST-Oct. 27-Nov. 8, 2012)
Lugar back in PH
Palace: No hospital sell-out
Aquino nishes state visits
By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan
WHILE there are moves to turn
government hospitals into corporate
entities, that does not necessarily
mean they would be privatized, deputy
presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte
said on Saturday.
In our discussions with the
Department of Health, we have
not talked about privatizing
government hospitals. There
will be no privatization as far
as the DOH is concerned Valte
said in an interview aired over
state-owned Radyo ng Bayan.
There are proposals to
incorporate government
hospitals, not to privatize them.
That will allow the hospitals
to be run more efciently, she
said, dismissing notions that
government hospitals would be
made semi-private.
Under the corporatization
program, hospitals shall have
corporate boards that may
include private investors who
will ensure investments and
prots.
The plan aims to eliminate the
budget for maintenance and other
operating expenses (MOOE) of
26 government hospitals by 2014
and their allocation for personal
services by 2020.
Among the hospitals that
will be corporatized are the
Baguio General Hospital and
Medical Center, Cagayan
Valley Medical Center,
Veterans Regional Hospital,
Ilocos Training and Regional
Medical Center, Region I
Medical Center, Dr. Paulino J.
Garcia Memorial Research and
Medical Center, Jose B. Lingad
Memorial Medical Center,
Batangas Regional Hospital,
Bicol Medical Center (Naga
City), Bicol Research Training
and Teaching Hospital (Legaspi
City), Quirino Memorial
Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes
Memorial Medical Center,
Rizal Medical Center, Amang
Rodriguez Medical Center, San
Lazaro Hospital, Vicente Sotto
Memorial Medical Center.
Also to be incorated are Eastern
Visayas Regional Medical Center,
Corazon Locsin Montelibano
Memorial Regional Hospital,
Western Visayas Medical Center,
Northern Mindanao Medical
Center, Southern Philippines
Medical Center, Zamboanga
City Medical Center, Cotabato
Regional and Medical Center,
CARAGA Regional Hospital,
Davao Regional Hospital, at
Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr.
Regional Training and Teaching
Hospital will be turned into
private corporations.
But several health workers and
medical practitioners opposes the
idea.
On Friday, at least 1,000
government health workers
has staged a lunchbreak protest
against the government plan
to corporatize government
hospitals.
Health Alliance for Democracy
member Mel Garcia said that
the plan is a move towards
privatizing POC, which would
lead to an increase in the cost of
services offered by the hospitals.
The group Alliance of Health
Workers also opposed the plan
because it would supposedly
strip the public, particularly the
poor sector, of their access to
health institutions.
Privatization of public health
facilities and services is among
the biggest threat to the majority
Filipinos, who cannot afford the
fees at private hospitals, said
Emma Manuel of the Alliance of
Health Workers.
Last February, Senator Frank
Drilon led a bill seeking to
convert 26 national government-
run hospitals into government
-owned and -controlled
corporations (GOCCs) so as to
allow them to generate revenues
that will be used to subsidize
medical care for the poor.
Giggling little monster. Although he was made up to look like a decapitated head on a table, Jernest Justine Lumtong couldnt stay in
character and started giggling when his mother Jennifer tried to kisses her son during a Halloween costume contest at the Manila Ocean Park
in Manila on Saturday. DANNY PATA
Sailing with dolphins. Tourists scramble with their cameras and tablet computers to
take pictures of the dolphins that frolic at the the Tanon Strait between Negros Oriental and
Cebu islands which is home to several dolphin species. Tourists can take a large boat managed
by the town of Bais, Negros Oriental out to open waters where the dolphins play.
TEDDY PELAEZ
By Eric Apolonio
UNITED States Senator Richard Lugar
(R-Indiana) arrived in the country on
Saturday morning as part of an Asia-
Pacic tour to encourage nations to reduce
the use, production and stockpiling of
weapons of mass destruction.
Lugar, who is on his sixth consecutive
term as senator, arrived at Clark
International Airport on a special ight and
immediately proceeded to visit the Clark
Veterans Cemetery where 8,300 American
servicemen are buried.
He arrived in Metro Manila later the same
day and is staying at a Makati City hotel,
ahead of his meeting with President Aquino in Malacanang on Monday.
The American senator was chairman of the US Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations in 1986 when he supposedly advised then President
Ferdinand Marcos to cut and cut clean at the height of the rst
Peoples Power Revolution.
Lugar has been a senator since 1976, but he lost the Republican
primary for a seventh term and his service in the Senate will end in
January next year.
Lugars visit is aimed to encourage expansion of the Nunn-Lugar
Global Cooperative Threat reduction program.
The program is focused on reducing stockpiles of nuclear, chemical
and biological weapons, related materials, and delivery systems in
nations around the world to address proliferation threats.
The Senators visit to the Philippines is one stop on a trip to several
Asia Pacic nations that is intended to encourage expansion of the
Nunn-Lugar Global Cooperative Threat Reduction program, the
embassy said in a statement.
Lugar said that sources of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons
or precursor materials could be states or rogue terrorist elements.
With Sara Fabunan
PRESIDENT Aquino and his entourage ar-
rived at the Ninoy Aquino International Air-
port on Friday, ending a 5-day state visit to
New Zealand and Australia.
Aquino visited New Zealand from Oct. 22-
23 at the invitation of Prime Minister John Key
and Australia last Oct. 24-26 at the invitation
of Prime Minister Julia Gillard to strengthen
bilateral ties with the two countries.
Aquinos entourage included Foreign Sec-
retary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary
Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Ce-
sar Purisima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso
Alcala, Director General Arsenio Balisacan
of the National Economic and Development
Authority, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin
and Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presi-
dential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Ofce.
Aquino said he witnssed the signing of an
agreement between Philippine company En-
ergy Development Corp. and GNS Science
of New Zealand where the later will provide
technical services to EDC for its geothermal
power production operations.
He said that New Zealands Alliance Select
Foods International Inc., based in the Philip-
pines, also formalized in Auckland its $2.18-
million share purchase agreement to acquire
80 percent of Akaroa Salmon NZ Ltd., a pio-
neer in salmon farming in New Zealand.
Aquino in his three-day state visit to Aus-
tralia said they secured the assurance of Aus-
tralian companies investments in the areas of
infrastructure development, energy and tele-
communications.
Interested investors are Macquarie Infra-
structure and Real Asset which forged a part-
nership with the Government Service Insur-
ance System in setting up a $600-million fund
for investment in infrastructure projects in the
Philippines.
Telstra, an Australian telecoms rm also
plans to enlarge their operations in the Philip-
pines and hire almost 4,000 more employees.
At least 10,000 employees are currently em-
ployed by Telstra in the Philippines.
Austral, an Australian builder of commer-
cial and defense vessels in Balamban, Cebu
plans to expand its fabrication facilities.
While Atlantic Gulf and Pacic Philippines,
an industrial process outsourcing company in
the Philippines, won a US$152 million con-
tract to modularize electrical and instrumenta-
tion rooms for an offshore natural gas project
in Western Australia. Eric B. Apolonio
By Kevin San Agustin
WHEN Irish lads would go on a jour-
ney and would come to a wall that is
seemingly too high to scale, they would
throw their caps over the wall so that
there would be no choice but to follow.
Chutzpah.
Do we call this sheer genius or out-
right stupidity?
Amazing things happen when a dream
is backed by will and resolve. Seeming-
ly insurmountable circumstances are of-
ten broken down and punched through.
With enough hard work, anything is
possible.
Heres a quick list of notable failures
who eventually made it after really giv-
ing everything to their craft: Walt Dis-
ney, Michael Jordan, Abraham Lincoln,
and Steve Jobs.
But what happens when an irresistible
force meets an immovable object? Are
there limits to the human will that there
are just some things beyond the reach of
man? Are there instances where it does
not matter how hard you push, you still
will not reach your goal? Is it really bet-
ter to die trying if the end is not really
in reach?
Captain Ahabs only purpose was to
seek revenge from the whale that took
his ship and his leg. To the bitter end, he
fought and it caused him his life.Would
his life have been better off applied in
another endeavor? Would he have been
happier? Should he have taken like Cap-
tain Boomer and accepted that the whale
would have been best left alone?
Take another example of a man that
dedicated his life to a single cause:
Inigo was the son of a great sword
maker. A six-ngered man commis-
sioned a sword with the elder Montoya,
but reneged on the price and was only
willing to give a fth of what was agreed
upon. In the disagreement, the six-n-
gered man killed Inigos father. Inigo
thus dedicated his life to the study of
fencing and to seek out the six-ngered
man. Hence the classic movie line:
Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya.
You killed my father. Prepare to die.
But what happens next after youve
slayed the proverbial dragon? Inigo
was lucky that after his quest, he was
offered a jobas the infamous Dread
Pirate Roberts.
Lance Armstrong, on the other hand,
was not so lucky. After coming back
from testicular cancer, he won the Tour
de France a record seven consecutive
times. The reward: endless charges
of doping, being stripped of his titles,
banned from a sport he once dominated
and losing the faith of Nike et al.
Now hes into triathlons: and hes
been winning. So maybe he is lucky af-
ter all.
I guess only time will tell who heroes
and fortunes fools are.
But if you think about it, do we re-
ally have a say? Or is everything already
written out and all we have to do is play
our part?
The stars align. The wind blows. The
tide shifts.
When you want something, all
the universe conspires in helping you
achieve it.
Despite being cheated and robbed
several times, Santiago still managed to
nd the love of his life and his treasure.
Maktub.
So how do we know? Do we work our
backsides off or do we go through life
simply accepting what is meant to be?
Do we blaze a trail, or follow the yellow
brick road?Are we putting too much em-
phasis on the end and not the journey?
It is the time you have wasted for
your rose that makes your rose so
important.
We choose our own paths. We
choose our own careers. We choose
whom to love. Some choose to take the
most direct route, while others a more
laid-back casual route. Some would
give everything and not stop until they
make it or they die. Others barely ex-
ert any effort, but have lady luck on
their shoulder, and end up where they
rst aimed to be anyway.
Its a ne, ne line between love and
a waste of time.
But is it really a waste of time if that is
what you want in the rst place?
It all comes down to knowing what
you want and going for it with every-
thing that youve got. Whether or not we
succeed becomes incidental in knowing
that weve fought the good ght.
Kevin Timothy T. San Agustin is a
4th year student in Far Eastern Uni-
versity and De La Salle Universitys
MBA-JD program.
The first time
EDITORIAL
Political dynasty
at its worst
Where do we draw the line?
Publ i shed Monday t o Sat urday by
Kamahalan Publishing Corporation at 3rd
Floor Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de
Roxas corner Perea Street, Legaspi Village,
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(connecting all departments), 659-4826;
Manila
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TODAY
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Sunday
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A4
Sunday
OPINION
ManilaStandardTODAY
EVERYMAN
By Joselito B. Capario
IT MAY be true that it is only
the people who will decide
whether to stop political dy-
nasty in the country, or the ex-
istence of one. The Commis-
sion on Elections view on this
regard is credible if and only if
we live in a society where the
voters cast their vote wisely,
intelligently and voluntarily
without any consideration at
all except that of the greater
good and for public interest.
Political dynasty is prohib-
ited under our 1987 Consti-
tution. Article II, Section 26
provides that: The state shall
guarantee equal access to op-
portunities for public service
and prohibit political dynas-
ties as may be dened by law.
But this constitutional pro-
scription is not self-executory
thus, there is a need for a law
to expressly dene and pro-
hibit political dynasty in the
country.
Where politics becomes
a family affair, where it
amounts into a succession of
positions among the members
of the clan or family, where
the elective positions are
dominated by members of a
few families, to me, there is a
clear sign of the existence of
a political dynasty, notwith-
standing the positions being
local or national in scope.
But then again, there is no
clear definition of the term
in the absence of an enabling
law to that effect.
Blacks Law Dictionary de-
nes a dynasty as (a) Succes-
sion of rules in the same line or
family and (b) Powerful or in-
uential group or family which
continues in existence for a con-
siderable time. Applying this in
politics, especially in Philippine
politics, we can arrive at a com-
mon understanding.
Measures to address the is-
sue have already been led in
Congress. Past Congresses put
those in the archives. At pres-
ent, we have Senate Bill No.
2649 led by Sen. Miriam De-
fensor-Santiago which remains
at the committee level. Under
the said bill, political dynasty
exists when the spouse of an
incumbent elective ofcial or
relative within the second de-
gree of consanguinity or afn-
ity holds or runs for an elective
ofce simultaneously within
the same province or occupies
the same ofce immediately
after the term of ofce of the
incumbent ofcial. The deni-
tion though delimits the scope.
Challenges ahead
We cannot deny, in the com-
mon parlance, the existence of
political dynasty in the coun-
try. Ours is replete with such
conditions in every geographic
unit and political spectrum -
from the barangays, munici-
palities, cities and provinces
up to the national level. It has
not been resolved despite con-
tinuing debates in the halls of
Congress because our present
system tolerates the existence
of dynasty in public ofces,
especially in the elective posts.
The challenges for our law-
makers and policy-makers are
daunting such as, but not lim-
ited to, the following realities:
1) Strong family ties even
in politicsThe Filipino cul-
ture of strong family ties has
gone beyond the borders of
every home. Politics becomes
a great venue to showcase the
influence of family in a local-
ity that even the people have
become used to the trend.
They are left with no choice
but to go along with the flow;
2) Present political set up
How would you pass a mea-
sure or bill if the same would
attack the present political set
up where dynasties are ram-
pant in our political arena? A
big question rests upon a big
contradiction. Indeed, strong
political will to enact a law to-
tally prohibiting political dy-
nasty is badly needed;
3) Passive electorateAgain,
only the sovereign will of the
people will ultimately stop polit-
ical dynasty. There is no doubt
about this. However, there is a
dire need for enlightenment in
order to fully exhaust the power
of the people to make an indel-
ible change; and
4) Traditional politicsThe
culture of trapos especially in
the local levels remains a great
challenge. In the places where
guns, goons and gold still per-
sist, political dynasty as a cus-
tomary practice becomes a li-
cense of the ruling clan.
If there is a law prohibiting
political dynasty, there would
be, for sure, many violators.
Many would be found guilty.
Political dynasty, or the exis-
tence of one, undermines our
people and our democratic in-
stitutions. It sees public ofce
and elective positions as com-
modities in the marketin
fact, high valued oneswhere
only the haves could afford
to buy. And this condition,
and cycle, will continue until
the people decide to revolt to
bring about change. Or per-
haps a law will be enacted and
implemented to the fullest.
Or else, we will live, time and
again, in a society where our
politicians are like trash to be
reduced, reused and recycled.
Joselito Caparino is a pub-
lic administration graduate of
UP Diliman. He now lives in
the City of San Jose del Monte
in the province of Bulacan.
YOUR rst time shouldnt be with
just anybody. You want to do it with a
great guy.
Such goes the rst line from a one-
minute campaign video released by
the camp of United States President
Barack Obama.
The video has a short-haired girl,
who looks like she might be in college,
talking about her rst timeas a voter,
that is.
The girl touches on the issues pur-
sued by Mr. Obama in his rst four
years in ofcewomens health, the
war in Iraq, and gay marriage.
Before I was a girl; now I was a
woman.
As expected, the video was roundly
criticized by conservatives for its dou-
ble entendre. First time could be
taken to mean the girls rst sexual en-
counter, even as it is revealed later that
it is not what she was referring to.
My rst time voting was amazing,
she gushes.
First- time voters here in the Philip-
pines only have until Wednesday, Oc-
tober 31, to le their applications for
registration with the Commission on
Elections. This is in preparation for
the national and local elections in May
next year. Aside from Filipinos who
had just turned 18 since the last elec-
tion two years ago, those whose voting
statuses have been deactivatedby
failure to vote in the two past consecu-
tive electionsmust also renew their
registration to be able to vote again.
The Philippines is a young nation,
with 53 percent of the population un-
der 25 years old, according to 2010 g-
ures of the National Statistical and Co-
ordination Board. The young are also
deemed more active, more outspoken,
more likely to challenge the status quo
and more idealistic.
But what we have been showing
our young people is not encouraging.
There is much talk about change, but in
terms of the political structuremon-
ey, power and inuence concentrated
in the hands of the elitefew actually
believe change could happen as a gen-
eral trend. There is much talk about
the future even as our decision makers
seem to be stuck in the mindsets and
ways of the past.
It would be however tragic to believe
nothing more could be done by any
generation. First-time voters should
thus seize the opportunity and troop
to the Comelec ofces, if they havent
done so already.
One can participate in nation-build-
ing in so many ways, but being part of
the electorate is the foremost and the
most fundamental of them.
Let their rst time also be amazing.
And meaningful. And far-reaching.
EVERYMAN
A5
Sunday
FOREIGN
ManilaStandardTODAY
[email protected]
ARCHAR, BulgariaOn the banks of
the Danube, in the northwest corner of
Bulgaria, lie the remnants of an ancient
Roman settlement called Ratiaria, host
to a priceless cultural heritage. Craters
pockmark the huge site, evidence of a
scourge threatening one of the worlds
great troves of antiquities: looters dig-
ging for ancient treasure to sell on the
black market.
Archaeologist Krasmira Luka, who
heads a team excavating part of the 80
hectare (200 acre) site, says the area has
been repeatedly raided by thieves who
dig pits looking for ancient coins and jew-
elry. Everything else, including precious
ceramic vessels and other historically sig-
nicant artifacts, is smashed to pieces.
Destroying the items is not just a
crime, its an irreparable tragedy, Luka
said, looking out at a moonscape littered
with shards of ceramics or glassware de-
stroyed by the diggers. The day after our
team leaves the site, the diggers are in
place. Its an uneven battle.
Located on the crossroads of many
ancient civilizations, Bulgaria is ranked
by its scholars as behind only Italy and
Greece in Europe for the numbers of
antiquities lying in its soil. But Bul-
garia has been powerless to prevent the
rape of its ancient sites, depriving the
world of part of its cultural legacy and
also costing this impoverished Balkan
nation much-needed tourism revenue.
Police reports indicate that every
day up to 50,000 people are engaged in
treasure hunting raids across Bulgaria,
a country of 7.3 million. According to
Angel Papalezov, a senior police ofcer,
hundreds of thousands of artifacts are
smuggled out of the country every year,
with dealers hauling in up to $40 million.
But Ratiaria is the most drastic example
of the looting that has been going on over the
last 20 years, since the fall of communism.
The rst excavations here were carried out
by Bulgarian archaeologists between 1958
and 1962. They were renewed in 1976 by
an Italian team, but lack of funding forced
them to leave the site in 1991.
Western experts call Ratiaria a world-
class archaeological site that is under
grave threat.
Ratiaria has a great archaeologi-
cal and historical signicance not just
of regional and national importance
to Bulgaria but internationally for the
study of the Roman Empire, said Ja-
mie Burrows, an archaeologist at the
Nottingham University, who has spent
several years working at Ratiaria.
Such a site could have been North West
Bulgarias Pompeii, bringing wealth to a
poor region in need of such tourism, he
said in an email to The Associated Press.
Without quick efcient action this oppor-
tunity may sadly be missed.
Ancient sites were protected during
communist times by a strong fear of the
omnipresent police and harsh punish-
ments for any law-breaking activity.
Since the collapse of the totalitarian sys-
tem, many have taken up looting to earn a
living. Organized by local maa, looting
squads that have mushroomed all over
the country are well equipped with metal
detectors, bulldozers, tractors and even
decommissioned army vehicles.
Bulgaria hosts some of the most
unique and vulnerable cultural resourc-
es in Europe.
In addition to the numerous Neo-
lithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age
settlement mounds, there are signi-
cant remains of Hellenistic, Roman and
Byzantine urban centers. Perhaps most
BEIRUTTwo deadly car bombs
and sporadic ghting marred a shaky
holiday truce Friday in Syria, although
thousands of protesters used the brief
respite in the civil war to pour into the
streets and demand President Bashar
Assads ouster.
Chants of Syria wants freedom!
rang out in the streets in the largest dem-
onstrations in months, suggesting that a
19-month-old crackdown and sustained
violence has not broken the spirit of
those trying to rid the country of As-
sads rule.
But even if a cease-re holds for the
intended four-day Muslim holiday of
Eid al-Adha, its unlikely to be a spring-
board for ending the conict that has
already claimed more than 35,000 lives.
Syria mediator Lakhdar Brahimi,
the U.N.-Arab League envoy, has not
charted a way forward or said how he
would bridge the deep divide between
Assad and his opponents. The Syrian
president wont resign and the opposi-
tion says it wont negotiate a transi-
tion deal until he does.
Brahimis plan marks the rst attempt
by the international community in six
months to scale back the violence that has
displaced hundreds of thousands of peo-
ple and devastated entire neighborhoods.
A more comprehensive U.N. cease-re
plan in April quickly collapsed.
Brahimi did not set clear terms for the
truce, perhaps to reduce the possibility
of failure. He only said it should be in
effect during the four-day holiday, but
made no arrangements for monitoring
compliance.
A few hours after the truce took ef-
fect, a car bomb in a residential area of
Damascus, near a housing complex for
police, killed 10 people and wounded
more than 30, Syrian state media said.
Amateur video posted online showed
debris scattered across a large area.
Flames shot out of the cars gutted wreck-
age, as frantic residents tried to evacuate
casualties. One rescuer carried a man with
blood streaming down his face.
Another rigged car went off near an
army checkpoint in the southern city of
Deraa, killing three soldiers, said the
Britain-based Syrian Observatory for
Human Rights, which compiles reports
from a network of activists.
Still, there appeared to be a drop in
ghting and casualties Friday.
In recent weeks, the daily death toll
usually topped 150. From dawn to dusk
Friday, 62 people were killed, including
24 regime soldiers, according to the Ob-
servatory.
Khaled al-Shami, an activist in Da-
mascus, said he expected the lull to end
quickly. The regime cannot afford to
give a truce a chance, he said. The
leadership worries it will breathe new
life into the revolution and they will not
let that happen.
However, rebel commanders have
also dismissed the truce as irrelevant,
while a radical Islamic group ghting
on the rebel side, Jabhat al-Nusra, has
rejected the cease-re outright.
Gunmen from the group also took part
in ghting Friday near a military camp
close to a key supply road to Aleppo,
Syrias largest city. In Aleppo, where
rebels and regime forces are locked in a
stalemate, ghting raged near the mili-
tary airport, killing at least four people.
Elsewhere, at least 22 people were
killed by regime shelling and sniper re
in the Damascus suburbs of Harasta and
Douma, and in the northern Idlib prov-
ince, the Observatory said.
In Washington, State Department
spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said
the U.S. has seen violations on both
sides but pointed out reports of attacks
from helicopters and tanks. These are
weapons, obviously, that the opposition
doesnt have, she said.
Fridays street protests in a number of
locations across Syria began after wor-
shippers emerged from mosques after
holiday prayers. AP
BEIJINGChinese lawmakers stripped
disgraced politician Bo Xilai of his last
ofcial position Friday, formally expel-
ling him from the countrys top legisla-
ture and setting the stage for
criminal proceedings against
the once-rising political star.
Though largely a formal-
ity since Bo was purged
from the Communist Party
late last month, his expulsion
from the congress removes
his immunity from prosecu-
tion. That sets the stage for
a criminal case involving
accusations of corruption and other
wrongdoing, including interfering in
the investigation into the murder of a
British businessman. Bos wife and a
household aide were convicted for the
murder last month.
Communist Party leaders are keen
to resolve the countrys messiest
political scandal in decades as they
prepare for next months once-in-a-
decade transition of power. They are
handing over to the next generation
of leaders, who will be tasked with
shoring up public support in the face
of widespread disgust over ofcial
graft and inuence peddling.
But they are unlikely to have enough
time to push forward with the trial be-
fore a party congress opens
Nov. 8, said Ding Xueliang,
an expert on the Chinese
leadership at Hong Kong
University of Science and
Technology.
Preparations will involve
leaders reaching a consensus
on how harshly to punish Bo
and which of his associates
to include in the trial, Ding
said. The leaders also need to be con-
dent the headstrong Bo will be compli-
ant, without launching embarrassing
accusations or outbursts in the court-
room, Ding said.
Its really a very muddy situation,
he said.
As the most powerful ofcial in the
southwestern mega-city of Chongqing,
Bo had been considered a candidate
for a seat on the partys all-powerful
Politburo Standing Committee, and
his toppling exposed sharp inghting
in the partys uppermost ranks. AP
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney greets supporters after he spoke about the economy at a
campaign rally at Kinzler Construction Services in Ames, Iowa, Friday, Oct. 26. AP
Obama, Romney focus on economy
WASHINGTON Republican chal-
lenger Mitt Romney used a government
report showing tepid economic growth
to hammer President Barack Obama
less than two weeks before Election
Day, but the report also had some good
news for the president.
Looters strip Bulgaria of ancient treasures
With the Commerce Depart-
ment reporting a modest 2 per-
cent growth rate unlikely to make
a big dent in unemployment,
Romney said Obama inherited a
bad situation when he took ofce
and made the problem worse.
He criticized Obama for failing
to reduce borrowing and spend-
ing, protect entitlement programs
or reach deals with Republicans.
The report also provided am-
munition for Obama: It showed the
economy grew for the 13th straight
quarter at a rate that though mod-
estbeat expectations. Obama
claims progress during his term on
xing the economy, though conced-
ing it hasnt been fast enough, and
says Romneys policies would only
make matters worse.
The economy remains the
races dominant issue. But vot-
ers who are still undecided arent
likely to be swayed by Fridays
mixed report from the Commerce
Department, experts said.
Growth in the July-September
quarter climbed slightly but was
still too weak to stir signi-
cantly more hiring. The pace
of expansion increased to
a 2 percent annual rate
from 1.3 percent in
the April-June quar-
that the number is not bad because
that would resonate.
With 11 days until the election,
the economy is being kept aoat by
revitalized consumer spending and
the early stages of a housing recov-
ery. But more than three years af-
ter the Great Recession ended, the
US continues to struggle because
businesses are reluctant to invest,
and slower global growth has cut
demand for American exports. The
recovery is still the slowest since
World War II.
The latest report did exceed
expectations in GDP growth and
showed some progress in con-
sumer spending, which drives 70
percent of economic activity.
Consumer spending increased at
an annual rate of 2 percent in the
July-September quarter, up from
1.5 percent in the previous quarter.
And a survey by the University of
Michigan released Friday found
consumer condence increased to
its highest level in ve years this
month. That suggests spending
may keep growing.
Obama took ofce during the
worst downturn since the Great
Depression and says his policies
stabilized the economy later that
year. He argues that his massive
stimulus package and auto bail-
out helped it grow in 2010.
Romney vows to put his expe-
rience as a businessman to use to
create 12 million jobs in four years
in a country where unemployment
only recently fell below 8 percent
for the rst time since Obama took
ofce. The Republican challenger
borrowed a hopeful theme from
Obamas successful 2008 cam-
paign, saying he and running mate
Paul Ryan can bring real change
to this country.
Democrats delighted in point-
ing out that Romney spoke outside
Kinzler Construction Services,
which beneted from more than
$650,000 in stimulus funding from
the 2009 package Obama that
signed into lawand the Republi-
can nominee often criticizes.
Romney campaigned in Iowa
and Ohio as national polls showed
a tight race. Though his aides
claimed momentum, citing recent
polls, Obamas team said the presi-
dent led or was tied in each of the
nine battleground states where the
two sides have concentrated hun-
dreds of millions of dollars in tel-
evision commercials over the past
ve months.
Back in the White House after
his long day and night and day
of campaigning, Obama said he
looked forward to trying to reach
a deal with congressional Repub-
licans on a sweeping budget deal
if he wins re-election. Asked by
radio show host Michael Smer-
conish if he would make the rst
move, the president replied, Ive
said Ill do whatevers required to
get this done.
And I think the key that the
American people want right now is
for us to tackle some big challeng-
es that we face in a commonsense,
balanced, sensible way. That was
a reference to one of his biggest
differences with Romneyhis in-
sistence that tax cuts be allowed to
expire at upper incomes on Dec.
31, as opposed to Romneys insist-
ence that they be extended.
Obama has been under pressure
from Romney in recent days to be
more specic about a second-term
agenda, and he released a 20-page
pamphlet earlier this week. He also
had interviews with MTV and sev-
eral battleground-state television sta-
tions on his schedule for the day. AP
ter, led by more consumer and
government spending. This
years third-quarter growth is
slightly below the 2.2 percent
average pace since the reces-
sion ended in June 2009.
For the average American, I
dont think changes in quarterly
GDP make a big difference in
their perception of the economy,
said Andrew Kohut, president of
the Pew Research Center. Its
certainly good for the president
Car bombs, violence mar Syrias shaky truce
Chinas legislature
expels Bo; trial starts
Photo shows detail of an ancient Roman inscription on tombstone, found on the
site of Ratiaria, an ancient Roman settlement located on the banks of the Danube,
in the northwest corner of Bulgaria. Located on the crossroads of many ancient
civilizations, Bulgarian scholars rank their country behind only Italy and Greece
in Europe for the numbers of antiquities lying in its soil. But Bulgaria has been
powerless to prevent the rape of its ancient sites, depriving the world of part of
its cultural legacy and also costing this impoverished Balkan nation much-needed
tourism revenue. AP
notable among Bulgarian antiquities
are the remains of the Thracians, a
powerful warrior kingdom conquered
only by Alexander the Great and the
Roman Empire. The best known Thra-
cian remains in Bulgaria are tombs and
burial mounds which contain stunning
gold and silver work. AP
Xilai
to the society
A6
CSR
MST Sunday
Giving back
Locally, major business en-
terprises are responsive and in-
tegrate CSR programs in their
corporate plans, making these
acts of kindness and generosity
as part of daily operations.
While the companies set up
the program with short-term
and long-term goals, employ-
ees do their part by volunteer-
ing their time and energy to
achieve their objectives.
The implementation of such
programs comes with its own
challenges. CSR programs
must come with clear and do-
able objectives, parameters in
assessing the outcome must be
set in clear terms and the desired
results should be attainable and
sustainable even beyond the du-
ration of the program.
Meeting these challenges
make for a CSR program that
is truly relevant with its im-
pact truly appreciated by the
sectors or communities as its
beneficiaries.
CSR programs and projects
seek to address the various
needs of underprivileged sec-
tors and communities by in-
stitutionalizing assistance in
education, health, livelihood
and environmental concerns.
In the case of cement maker
Holcim Philippines, its nearly
1,700 employees volunteered
for a day of service for its
communities in commemora-
tion of its 100th year anniver-
sary of the Swiss construction
materials giant Holcim Ltd.
Declared as Community Day,
Holcim Philippines employees
participated in the outreach ef-
forts in its communities in La
Union, Bulacan, Misamis Ori-
ental and Davao.
The company also launched
Sagot Ko ang Bukas, a cam-
paign to encourage its employ-
ees and its partners to pledge
on how they can contribute to
a better future.
The companys main CSR
program is the Galing Ma-
son, which seeks to raise the
profile and skills of local ma-
sons and has helped train over
3,500 people.
These activities are part of
the Holcim Groups commit-
ment to have its 80,000 em-
ployees world wide partici-
pate in outreach efforts in rec-
ognition of the strong role of
community support played in
the Holcim Groups success,
and in line with the companys
values and commitment to
sustainable development.
Most companies stage pro-
grams geared to improve the
situation of Filipino children.
As the future of nation, com-
panies aim to assist families,
schools, community leaders in
raising children better.
Sharp Corp. also turned 100
last September 15 and to cel-
ebrate its milestone, Sharp
Phils. Corp. (SPC) cited Out-
patient Pediatrics Department
of Philippine General Hospital
(PGH-OPD) as the beneficia-
ry of My Sharp, Our Future
The business
of sharing
TOP business corporations are not only known for their best
business practices and core values but also for their corporate
social responsibility (CSR) programs. According to the As You
Sow foundation, CSR refers to operating a business in a man-
ner that accounts for the social and environmental impact cre-
ated by the business.
A gift to childrens ward. (From left) Sharp Phils. Corp. president Takahiro Tanaka turns over the
donation to Philippine General Hospital-Outpatient Pediatrics Department representative as part of the
companys centennial celebration.
campaign.
My Sharp, Our Future is
a regional campaign of Sharp
Corp. from which P20 shall be
donated for every purchase of
Sharp LCD/LED TV and PCI
products and the proceeds shall
be donated to a chosen bene-
ciary. Its campaign period ran
from June 7 to September 15.
In the Philippines, SPC award-
ed the donation to PGH-OPD
for the purchase of vaccines
and other medical needs.
The turn-over ceremony of
donation of My Sharp, Our
Future campaign to PGH-
OPD coincided with the 100
th

founding anniversary celebra-
tion of Sharp Corp. last Sep-
tember 14.
PGH-OPD houses more than
2000 children patients who
cannot afford to pay medical
expenses. Most of the com-
mon ailments are pneumonia,
genital disorder, malnutrition
and physical deformities.
Launched in 2004, the Fe-
dEx/Safe Kids Walk this Way
program is a pioneer child
pedestrian safety program.
Since its launch, the program
has reached more than 1 mil-
lion children from 89 ben-
eficiary schools nationwide
through classroom teaching
sessions and events. The
Walk this Way program also
contributed to road safety ed-
ucation being integrated into
elementary and high school
curriculum. As a result of
the program, improvements
in road signs and walkways
were implemented, and physi-
cal hazards to child pedestri-
ans were eliminated.
Hundreds of FedEx employ-
ees in the country volunteered
to support this program, pro-
moting pedestrian safety
awareness by participating in
classroom education, imple-
menting road interventions,
and facilitating pedestrian
safety road shows in various
parts of the country.
FedEx has been committed
to building strong, sustain-
A7 MST Sunday
able communities and
actively supports com-
munity building initia-
tives together with non-
profit organization such
as ORBIS, Gawad Ka-
linga, Kythe, and Junior
Achievement.
For their part, Singa-
pore Airlines (SIA) Ma-
nila staff donated one
hours worth of their an-
nual salary to Childrens
Hour. We look forward
to doing more for the
Filipino youth through
Childrens Hour. This
is only the beginning of
a partnership for a good
cause, SIA Manila gen-
eral manager Andrew Bu-
diman said.
Childrens Hour is a
non-profit organization
started in 1999 by former
British Prime Minister
Tony Blair in response to
the new millennium fren-
zy and was brought to the
country due to positive
local support.
Redondo Peninsula En-
ergy, Inc. (RP Energy)
looked into the plight of
women subjected to do-
mestic violence. Thus,
the company organized
the series of talks under
the Usapang Babae pro-
gram to create awareness
about the rights of women
and how they can protect
themselves against sexual-
ly transmitted diseases and
violence against women.
Usapang Babae is a part
of the companys KliniK-
aBarangay Womens
Health and Wellness Ini-
tiative, the rst CSR pro-
gram in the country that
addresses womens health
and wellness concerns.
Through the CSR pro-
gram, RP Energy aims
to establish a Womens
Health and Wellness Cen-
ter in Barangay Calapan-
dayan, Subic to improve
the provision of health-
care services for the bat-
tered women.
During the talk led by
AusAID Prime Project
gender equity adviser Ev-
elyn Gorospe, the Phil-
ippine Commission on
Women revealed that one
in five Filipino women
aged 15-49 has experi-
enced physical violence
since age 15.
More than 90 women
suffering from various
forms of cruelty attended
a discussion on violence
against women dubbed as
Usapang Babae in Subic
Bay, Zambales.
For disaster response
and assistance, agricul-
tural industry leader Ca-
lata Corp. provided relief
to ood-stricken residents
of Bataan. Using seven
boats, Calata Corp. em-
ployees coordinated with
barangay captain Emeterio
Fania and councilor Edna
Magtoto in distributing
relief goods consisting
of canned food, noodles,
rice, and other emergency
items to as many as 1,000
residents of Almacen Her-
mosa Bataan in the si-
tios of Centro 1, Centro
2, Ibayo 2, Macera and
Balas. Moreover, Calata
Corp. staff created make-
shift distribution centers
for residents located in el-
evated areas.
Calata is the countrys
biggest combined distrib-
utor of agro-chemicals,
fertilizers, seeds, feeds
and veterinary medicines.
Calata Corp. provides relief to 1,000 Bataan residents. After weeks of relentless rains and
ooding, Calata Corp. provided canned goods and groceries to ood-stricken residents of
Bataan.
to the society
A8
CSR
MST Sunday
Giving back
Being committed to give
back to others by coming up
with excellent social respon-
sibility programs into their
business prospects, Petron
has been recognized ample of
times by respected organiza-
tions. As the countrys larg-
est oil rening and marketing
company, they continue aspir-
ing to be socially responsible
and good corporate citizens.
The company has won Best
in Environmental Excellence
in Global CSR Awards in 2011,
Integral CSR main award for
Most Integrated into the Core
Business, CSR Leadership
Challenge, Special Award on
Environment and Sustainable
Development for Measuring,
Managing and Minimizing
our Environment Footprint in
Bataan, and CSR Leadership
Award for Petron Foundation
for general manager Marilou
Erni.
Since 2009, Petron has pub-
lished a Sustainability Report
that details the companys
economic, environmental,
and social performances. This
publication conforms to the
Global Reporting Initiative
(GRI) G3 Guidelines. The
2009 Sustainability Report
was the rst by a Philippine
company to attain a B+ level
under the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI) G3 Guide-
lines, while 2010 Report,
also at the B+ level, received
a GRI Application Level
Check. This afrmation
makes Petron the rst Philip-
pine oil company to receive a
GRI Application Level Check
using the GRI G3 Guidelines.
Through the companys
CSR arm Petron Foundation
Inc. (PFI), they launched and
maintained various initiatives
that address national concerns
in essential areas such as edu-
cation, environment, health
and human services, and other
advocacies in partnership with
the communities, local and na-
tional government units, like-
minded organizations, and their
employee-volunteers
Their ultimate goal is to
contribute to a brighter fu-
ture for Filipinos by fueling
H.O.P.E. (Helping the Filipi-
no Children and Youth Over-
come Poverty through Educa-
tion), their agship program
in education.
PFI believes in the need to
encourage more CSR cham-
pions from within and outside
their company. Advocacy
plays a big role in keeping
CSR an essential part of the
business operation. They con-
tinue to be part of the annual
celebration of the CSR Week
organized by the League of
Corporate Foundations.
Petron employees make it
a tradition every December
to give Tuloy Aral ng Petron
scholars a memorable Christ-
mas event through Project Joy.
The children and employees
engage in a day of games, priz-
es, and gifts as they celebrate
the holiday season.
The company regularly fea-
tures stockholders in their com-
munication materials to show
them that they are part of their
family and that they are an im-
portant factor on the companys
continuous success.
Petron is also a proud
member of various organiza-
tions such as Philippine Busi-
ness for Social Progress as
Board of Trustee of Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao Re-
gional Committee, League
of Corporate Foundations,
Bataan Coastal Care Founda-
tion, Corporate Network for
Disaster Response and Junior
Achievement Philippines.
Advocating with distinction
AboitizPower as a company
believes that fulllment of civil
regulations alone is not enough
to be socially responsible, thus
they are committed to make
a difference in the communi-
ties where they are located.
With these CSR interventions,
AboitizPower hopes to spark
change and make a difference
starting from their own neigh-
borhoods
One way to achieve this
goal, Aboitiz Power engages
in infrastructure projects like
street lighting and rural elec-
trication, through business
units and in cooperation with
the respective local govern-
ment units.
Cotabato Light, for one, has
donated substantial amounts
to the street lighting proj-
ect and rural electrication
in Cotabato City. Likewise,
Hedcor has helped improved
roads in Sibulan.
On top of these company-
initiated efforts, AboitizPower
has likewise donated P1.2
million to the Philippine Busi-
ness for Social Progress.
AboitizPowers subsidiar-
ies also help its neighbor-
ing public schools through
construction of classrooms,
donation of computers and li-
brary kits, and in helping the
schools prepare for the open-
ing of classes in June through
Brigada Eskwela.
The company also provides
scholarships and nancial as-
sistance and performs medi-
cal, dental, optical missions,
circumcision drives, day care
center rehabilitation, and
adoption of ambulances in
support of primary health.
AboitizPower has staunch-
ly supported Aboitiz Foun-
dations Integrated Comput-
erization Program, whose
mission is to provide public
schools access to comput-
ers and integrate computer
education in their curriculum.
Company subsidiaries have
likewise provided signicant
funding for the construction
of classrooms in Davao and
Iligan City.
AboitizPower sup-
port the Aboitiz Founda-
tions mission of providing
livelihood opportunities.
Luzon Hydro Corporation,
STEAG State Power, and
Cebu Private Power have al-
lotted a combined P9.2 mil-
lion in 2009 for micro-nance
packages and capability build-
ing projects.
AboitizPower is one of the
rst companies in the coun-
try to introduce a brand of
cleaner and renewable energy
that leaves a lighter impact on
the Earths resources. Aboitiz-
Power has also made it its
mission to initiate and support
environmental programs and
projects. A number of Aboitiz-
Powers subsidiaries have al-
located funding and donated
equipments for various envi-
ronmental concerns.
Raising the bar of CSR
Bay makeover. Volunteers of Petron Foundation pick-up trash during the Manila Bay clean
up drive.
Eco-friendly camp. SN AboitizPower-Magat emphasizes caring for the environment
during a kids summer camp.
years
78
PCSO
A9 MST Sunday
The governments charity agency was
founded on October 30, 1934 upon the pass-
ing of the Philippine Legislature Act 4130.
Since then, the PCSO has faithfully gen-
erated funds for charity and is continuously
extending its services to provide medical
and healthcare related assistance to Filipinos
particularly those in impoverished areas.
Among the PCSOs many programs are
the Individual Medical Assistance Program
(IMAP), Institutional Financial Assistance
Program (IFAP), ambulance and mobile
clinic donation, and disaster and calamity
response programs.
Last week, PCSO conducted three medi-
cal missions in San Andres Bukid, Manila,
Project II, Quezon City, and in Pasay City.
Also recently conducted were medical
and dental missions in San Antonio and Lo-
pez, Quezon where around 2,000 indigent
people were the beneciaries 738 adults,
537 children, and 312 dental patients.
Meanwhile, more than 100 local govern-
ment units nationwide are now enjoying
faster delivery of medical services as they
received new ambulances from PCSO this
year, while partner-institutions including the
Bureau of Fire Protection, Metro Manila De-
velopment Authority, and Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration, among others, and
10 hospitals and rural health units were also
given ambulances.
PCSO constantly seeks new ways to
make the services of the charitable agency
more accesible to everyone. One of these
includes the opening of new PCSO branch
ofces. This year, branches were opened in
the provinces of Samar, Cagayan, Zambales,
and Bohol. In development are ofces in
Bacolod City and Benguet.
Serving Filipinos
through charity
THIS year, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofce
celebrates 78 years in service to the Filipino people.
NEW AMBULANCE. PCSO chairperson
Margarita Juico (center) and general manager
Atty. Jose Ferdinand Rojas II (left) turn over the
symbolic key of a new ambulance to Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
Administrator Carmelita Dimzon (right) at
the charity agencys main ofce in Pasay City.
JOSEPH MUEGO
PCSO generates its revenues primarily
from the sale of lotto and game tickets.
For every one peso revenue, 0.55 cen-
tavos go to the prizes, 0.15 centavos is
used for the agencys operating expens-
es, while the remaining 0.30 centavos go
to its charity fund.
From the 30 percent Charity Fund, PCSO
provides assistance and grants to individu-
als and institutions in accordance with its
mandate and in concurrence with the PCSO
Boards priority thrusts and directions for
the agency.
One of the PCSOs most important ini-
tiatives is the IMAP. Under this program,
medical assistance is given to individual
patients through the issuance of guarantee
letters to hospitals where the patients are
conned.
Manila
Standard
TODAY
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
A10 | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2012
Republic of the Philippines
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
M a n i l a
ManilaStandardTODAY
CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES AND BRILLANTES, JR., SIXTOS., Chairman
PERIODS OF PROHIBITED ACTS IN SARMIENTO, RENE V., Commissioner
CONNECTION WITH THE DECEMBER TAGLE, LUCENITON., Commissioner
01, 2012 PLEBISCITE TO RATIFy THE VELASCO, ARMANDOC., Commissioner
CONVERSION OF CABANATUAN CITy, yUSOPH, ELIAS R., Commissioner
NUEVA ECIJA, FROM A COMPONENT LIM, CHRISTIAN ROBERT S., Commissioner
CITy INTO A HIGHLy URBANIzED PADACA, MARIA GRACIA CIELOM. Commissioner
CITy, PURSUANT TO PRESIDENTIAL
PROCLAMATION NO. 418 DATED JULy
04, 2012.
x-------------------------------------------------x Promulgation: October 25, 2012
RESOLUTI ON NO. 9543
Pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the Omnibus
Election Code and Republic Acts No. 7166, 6466, 10169 and other election laws, the Commission on Elections, has
RESOLVEDto adopt, as it hereby RESOLVESto adopt, the following CALENDAROFACTIVITIESANDPERIODSOF
PROHIBITEDACTS in connection with the December 01, 2012 plebiscite to ratify the conversion of Cabanatuan City,
Nueva Ecija, froma component city into a highly-urbanized city, as follows:
DATE/PERIOD ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED ACTS
November 05, 2012
(MON) to December
01, 2012 (SAT)
Posting of the Computerized
Voters List as of the August 22,
2012 ERB Hearing.
November 05, 2012
(MON)
Submission to Commission
by the heads of reaction/strike
forces or similar forces of a
complete list of all its members.
November 05, 2012
(MON) to December
11, 2012 (TUE)
PLEBISCITE PERIOD Bearing, carrying or transporting frearms or other
deadly weapons in public places, including any
building, street, park, private vehicle or public
conveyance, or even if licensed to possess or
carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the
Commission (Sec. 261 (p) (q) OEC as amended
by Sec. 32, RA 7166;
Suspension of local elective offcials (Sec. 261
(x), OEC)
Transfer of offcers and employees in the civil
service (Sec. 261 (h), OEC);
Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment
of a new precinct (Sec. 5, R.A.. 8189)
Organizing or maintaining reaction/strike forces or
similar forces (Sec.261, (u), OEC)
Illegal release of prisoners (Sec. 261 (n), OEC)
Use of security personnel or bodyguards by
candidates, whether or not such bodyguards
are regular members or offcers of the Philippine
National Police or Armed Forces of the Philippines
or other law enforcement agency (Sec. 261 (t),
OEC, as amended by Sec. 33, RA 7166)
November 05, 2012
(MON) to December
01, 2012 (SAT)
Raising of funds through dances, lotteries,
cockfghts, etc. (Sec. 97, OEC)
Issuance of appointments, promotions, creation of
new positions, flling of new positions, or giving of
salary increases in government offces, agencies
or instrumentalities (Sec. 261 (g) OEC);
Release, disbursement or expenditures of public
funds (Sec. 261 (v), OEC);
Construction of public works, delivery of materials
for public works and issuance of treasury warrants
or similar devices for a future undertaking
chargeable against public funds (Sec. 261, (w)
OEC
November 10, 2012
(SAT) to November
29, 2012 (THU)
INFORMATION
CAMPAIGN PERIOD
Making any donation or gift in cash or in kind, etc.
(Sec. 104, OEC).
Use of armored/ land/ water/ air craft. (Sec. 261
(r), OEC).
Appointing or using special policemen, special/
confdential agents or the like. (Sec. 261 (m),
OEC).
November 23, 2012
(FRI)
Last day to constitute the
Plebiscite Committees
Last day to constitute the
Plebiscite Board of Canvassers
November 30, 2012
(FRI)
EVE OF PLEBISCITE DAy Campaigning (Sec. 3, OEC);
Giving, accepting free transportation, foods,
drinks, and things of value (Sec. 89, OEC);
Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or
taking intoxicating liquor (Sec. 261 (dd), (1),
OEC).
(NOTE: Acts mentioned in the three (3)
preceding paragraphs are prohibited until
election day.)
December 01, 2012 (SAT) PLEBISCITE DAy
Casting of votes- (from 7:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m.);
Convening of the City
Plebiscite Board of
Canvassers (6:00 p.m.)
Vote-buying and vote selling (Sec. 261 (a), OEC).
Voting more than once or in substitution of
another (Sec. 261 (z) (2) and (3), OEC).
Campaigning (Sec. 3, OEC).
Soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda
for or against any candidate or any political party
within the polling place or within thirty (30) meters
thereof (Sec. 261 (CC) (6), OEC).
Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or
taking intoxicating liquor, etc. (Sec. 261 (dd) (1),
OEC).
Opening of booths or stalls for the sale, etc., of
wares, merchandise or refreshments, within thirty
(30) meters radius from the polling place. (Sec.
261 (dd) (2) OEC).
Giving and/or accepting free transportation, food,
drinks and things of value (Sec. 89, OEC).
Holding of fairs, cockfghts, boxing, horse races
or similar sports. (Sec. 261 (dd) (3), OEC).
December 11, 2012 (TUE) LAST DAy OF PLEBISCITE
PERIOD
Let this Resolution be published in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, and in
one (1) local newspaper of general circulation in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. The Deputy Executive Director for
Operations shall furnish copies of this Resolution to the Regional Election Director of Region III, the Provincial Election
Supervisor of Nueva Ecija, the Election Offcer of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, the Secretary of the Department
of Interior and Local Government, the Secretary of the Department of Justice, the Secretary of the Department of
Education, the Provincial Governor of Nueva Ecija, the City Mayor of Cabanatuan City, the DepEd Supervisor of
Cabanatuan City.
The Regional Election Director of Region III, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija and the Election
Offcer of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija shall give this Resolution the widest dissemination.
This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh (7
th
) day after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of
general circulation in the Philippines, and in one (1) local newspaper of general circulation in Cabanatuan City, Nueva
Ecija.
SOORDERED.
SIXTOS. BRILLANTES, JR.
Chairman
RENE V. SARMIENTO LUCENITON. TAGLE
Commissioner Commissioner
On Offcial Business
ARMANDOC. VELASCO ELIAS R. yUSOPH
CHRISTIAN ROBERT S. LIM MARIA GRACIA CIELOM. PADACA
____________________________________________________________________________________
Ma n i l a
DEPUTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT BRILLANTES, JR., SIXTOS., Chairman
OF EDUCATION, THE DEPARTMENT SARMIENTO, RENE V., Commissioner
OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAyS, TAGLE, LUCENITON., Commissioner
THE ARMED FORCES OF THE VELASCO, ARMANDOC., Commissioner
PHILIPPINES, THE DEPARTMENT OF yUSOPH, ELIAS R., Commissioner
THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL LIM, CHRISTIAN ROBERT S., Commissioner
GOVERNMENT, THE PHILIPPINE PADACA, MARIA GRACIA CIELOM. Commissioner
NATIONAL POLICEAND OTHER LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ENSURING FREE,
ORDERLy, HONEST, PEACEFUL AND
CREDIBLE CONDUCT OF THE
DECEMBER 01, 2012 PLEBISCITE TO
RATIFy THE CONVERSION OF THE
CITy OF CABANATUAN, NUEVA
ECIJA, FROM A COMPONENT
CITy INTO A HIGHLy URBANIzED
CITy, PURSUANT TO PRESIDENTIAL
PROCLAMATION NO. 418 DATED
JULy 04, 2012.
WHEREAS, Section 2, (4) C, Article IX, of the Constitution, empowers the Commission on Elections to deputize
instrumentalities of the government, and with the concurrence of the President, the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies, for the purpose of ensuring free,
orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections, plebiscites and other electoral exercises.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution,
the Omnibus Election Code, the Local Government Code (Republic Act No. 7160), Republic Act No. 7166, and other
election laws, RESOLVED to promulgate, as it hereby RESOLVES to promulgate, as follows:
SECTION 1. Deputation. - The Department of Education, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the PNP and other law
enforcement agencies are hereby deputized by the Commission on Elections (Commission) for the purpose of ensuring
free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible conduct of the December 01, 2012 Plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the
Cabanatuan City in the Province of Nueva Ecija froma component city into a highly-urbanized, pursuant to Presidential
Proclamation No. 418, approved on July 04, 2012.
SEC. 2. Duties and functions. The abovenamed agencies shall, as deputies of the Commission and insofar
as applicable, performthe same duties and functions as described in: (1) Comelec Resolution No. 9391 dated 13 April
2012 entitled Deputation of Certain Departments Under the Executive Branch, Government-Owned and Controlled
Corporation and Financial Institutions In Connection With the June 2, 2012 Special Elections for Member, House of
Representatives, Fifth Legislative District of the Province of Negros Occidental; (2) Comelec Resolution No. 9389
dated 13 April 2012 entitled Deputation Of The Armed Forces Of The Philippines For The Purpose Of Ensuring
Free, Orderly, Honest, Peaceful And Credible Conduct Of The June 02, 2012 Special Election For Member, House
Of Representatives, Fifth Legislative District Of The Province Of Negros Occidental; (3)Comelec Resolution No. 9390
dated 13April 2012 entitled Deputation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Including the National
Police Commission and the Philippine National Police, and Other Law Enforcement Agencies For the Purpose of
Ensuring Free, Honest, Peaceful and Credible Conduct of the June 2, 2012 Special Elections for Member, House of
Representatives, Fifth Legislative District of the Province of Negros Occidental.
SEC. 3. Effectivity. This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh (7
th
) day after its publication in two (2) daily
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and in one (1) newspaper of local circulation in the Cabanatuan
City.
SEC. 4. Dissemination. - The Executive Director shall furnish copies of this Resolution to the Offce of the
President and Secretaries of the Departments/Agencies herein deputized. The Regional Election Director of the
Region III, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija shall coordinate with the above departments and agencies
for effective implementation hereof, and, with the Election Offcer of the Cabanatuan City, give this Resolution the widest
dissemination possible.
SOORDERED.
Chairman
On Offcial Business
DATE/PERIOD ACTIVITIES

Ma n i l a
ENFORCEMENT OF THE BRILLANTES, JR., SIXTOS., Chairman
PROHIBITION AGAINST SARMIENTO, RENE V., Commissioner
APPOINTMENT OR HIRING OF NEW TAGLE, LUCENITON., Commissioner
EMPLOyEES; CREATION OR FILLING VELASCO, ARMANDOC., Commissioner
UP OF NEW POSITIONS; GIVING yUSOPH, ELIAS R., Commissioner
SALARy INCREASES; LIM, CHRISTIAN ROBERT S., Commissioner
TRANSFERRING/ DETAILING CIVIL PADACA, MARIA GRACIA CIELOM. Commissioner
SERVICE EMPLOyEES IN
CONNECTION WITH THE
DECEMBER 01, 2012 PLEBISCITE
TO RATIFy THE CONVERSION OF
THE CABANATUAN CITy, NUEVA
ECIJA, FROM A COMPONENT CITy
INTO A HIGHLy URBANIzED CITy,
PURSUANT TO PRESIDENTIAL
JULy 04, 2012.
WHEREAS, Sec. 261 (g), (h) and (x) of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines provides that:
The following shall be guilty of an election offense:
xxx xxx xxx
(g) Appointment of new employees, creation of new position, promotion, or giving salary increases. During
the period of forty-fve days before a regular election and thirty days before a special election, (1) any head, offcial
or appointing offcer of a government offce, agency or instrumentality, x x x x x , whether provisional, temporary or
casual, or creates and flls any new positions, except upon prior authority of the Commission. The Commission shall
not grant the authority sought unless, it is satisfed that the position to be flled is essential to the proper functioning of
the offce or agency concerned, and that the position shall not be flled in a manner that may infuence the election.
As an exception to the foregoing provisions, a new employee may be appointed in case of urgent need:
Provided, however, that notice of the appointment shall be given to the Commission within three days fromthe date of
the appointment. Any appointment or hiring in violation of this provision shall be null and void.
(2) Any government offcial who promotes, or gives any increase of salary or remuneration or privilege to any
government offcial or employee, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations.
(h) Transfer of offcers and employees in the civil service. - Any public offcial who makes or causes any transfer
or detail whatever of any offcer or employee in the civil service including public school teachers, within the election
period except upon approval of the Commission.
xxx xxx xxx
(x) Suspension of elective city or barangay offcer. The provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding during the
election period, any public offcial who suspends, without prior approval of the Commission, any elective city or barangay
offcer, unless said suspension will be for purposes of applying the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in relation to the
suspension and removal of elective offcials; in which case the provision of this section shall be inapplicable.
WHEREAS, to enforce effectively the foregoing provisions, there is a need to promulgate the necessary rules for the
guidance of all concerned.
NOW THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the
Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, RESOLVED to promulgate, as it hereby RESOLVES to promulgate, the
following rules to implement the provisions of Section 261, subsections (g), (h) and (x) of the Omnibus Election Code, in
connection with the December 01, 2012 Plebiscite in Cabanatuan City:
Section 1. Scope. This Resolution shall cover acts involving the whole City of Cabanatuan.
Section 2. Prohibited acts. (a) During the plebiscite period from November 05, 2012 until December 11, 2012, no
public offcial shall, except upon prior written authority of the Commission:
1. Make or cause any transfer/detail whatsoever of any offcer or employee in the civil service, including public
school teachers.
Transfer as used in this provision shall be construed as any personnel movement fromone government agency
to another or fromone department, division, geographical unit or subdivision of a government agency to another
with or without the issuance of an appointment.
2. Suspend any elective city or barangay offcer, unless the suspension will be for purposes of applying the Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act in relation to the suspension and removal of elective offcials.
(b) Beginning November 05, 2012 to December 01, 2012:

1. No appointing offcer shall, except upon prior authority of the Commission:

b.1. Appoint or hire any new employee, whether permanent, provisional, temporary, substitute or
casual; or
b.2. Create or fll any new position.
2. No government offcial shall promote or give any increase of salary or remuneration or privilege to any
government offcial or employee, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations.
Sec. 3. Request for authority of the Commission; How to fle. (a) Requests for authority to make or cause any
transfer or detail of any offcer or employee in the civil service shall be in writing and fled with the Offce of the Regional
Election Director of Region III.
Said requests shall indicate: (1) the offce and place to which the offcer or employee is proposed to be transferred/
detailed or otherwise moved; and (2) stating the reasons therefor.
(b) Requests for authority to appoint or hire new employees, shall be submitted in writing to the Offce of the Regional
Election Director of Region III where the vacancy exists, stating all the necessary data and reasons for the same.
(c) Requests for authority to create and fll new positions shall be submitted to the Offce of the Regional Election
Director, Region III.
The Commission shall not grant the authority unless it is satisfed that the position to be flled is essential to the proper
functioning of the offce or agency concerned; and that the flling up of such position shall not in any manner infuence the
results of the elections.
(d) Renewal of appointments of temporary, casual, substitute and contractual personnel are not covered by this
prohibition and therefore will no longer need prior authority of the Commission. However, the appointing authority shall furnish
the Commission, through the Regional Director of Region III, and through the Law Department for main offce positions,
a complete list of employees whose appointments were renewed indicating their position, item number, salary grade and
station.
(e) Requests for authority to suspend an elective city or barangay offcer shall be submitted to the Law Department of
the Commission, supported by a copy of a formal complaint executed under oath and containing the specifc charges therefor.
(f) The Law Department shall submit all requests received by it, together with its recommendation, to the Commission
for approval or disapproval.
(g) The Regional Election Director of Region III shall approve or disapprove all requests received by him, and submit
a report on the requests acted upon by him to the Law Department, within seventy-two (72) hours from his action thereon,
by the fastest means of communication: Provided, that all actions of the Regional Election Director granting the requests for
exemptions fromthe coverage of the ban herein involved are subject to reviewby the Commission and shall remain valid and
effective unless otherwise rescinded or nullifed by the Commission.
Sec. 4. Urgent need to appoint new employees. Where there is urgent need to appoint or hire new employees,
the same may be allowed without the need for a prior request for authority from the Commission provided that within three
(3) days from the date of the appointment or hiring, the Commission, through the Offce of the Regional Election Director of
Region III, shall be notifed in writing, stating therein the exact date when the position sought to be flled became vacant, the
cause of vacancy, reason/s for said appointment or hiring and all the necessary data or information regarding the same.
The appointment or hiring of new employees shall be valid unless the same is found by the Commission: (1) to have
been made to infuence in any manner the results of the plebiscite; (2) to have been issued without the required notice; and
(3) that there is no urgent need for the appointment.
The need to fll up a vacant position by a new employee may be considered urgent if the position to be flled is
essential to the proper functioning of the offce or agency concerned and that the position sought to be flled has been vacated
either by the death, retirement, resignation, promotion or transfer of the regular incumbent; provided, that the appointment
is issued within sixty (60) days from occurrence of the vacancy, and that the same cannot be flled by promotion or transfer
of insiders within the same period; and provided further, that the position shall not be flled in a manner that may infuence
the plebiscite.
Appointment to a position which has been vacant for more than sixty (60) days before the issuance of appointment shall
not be considered urgent and must, therefore, require prior written authority from the Commission or the Regional Election
Director of Region III.
Sec. 5. Total ban on promotion, salary increases, granting privileges. Promotion, or giving any increase of
salary, remuneration, or privilege to any government offcial or employee including those in government-owned or controlled
corporations, is strictly prohibited without exception whatsoever.
Promotion as used in this provision shall mean the advancement of an employee from one position to another with
an increase in duties and responsibilities as authorized by law, and usually accompanied by increase in salary. Promotion
may be from one department or agency to another or from one organizational unit to another within the same department
or agency.
Sec 6. Injunction. The Civil Service Commission (CSC), including all its feld offces, is hereby enjoined not to
approve the appointment of new employees where no prior written approval of the Commission or its regional offce is
presented by the appointing authority concerned or proof that the required notice within the 3-day reglementary period as
provided in Section 3 hereof has been complied with.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA), including all their feld
offces, shall not release or authorize the release of any appropriation, or pass in audit, payments or expenditures of public
funds that may be directly or indirectly used in violation of the foregoing prohibitions.
All feld offces of the CSC are directed to submit immediately to the Commission a written report on any violation of
said provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.
Sec. 7. Penalty. Any violation of the provisions of this Resolution shall constitute an election offense and shall be
punishable by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years, among other penalties provided
by law.
Sec. 8. Effectivity. This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh (7
th
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and in one (1) newspaper of local circulation in the Cabanatuan City.
Sec. 9. Dissemination. The Offce of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations shall furnish the Regional
Election Director of Region III, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija, the Election Offcer of the Cabanatuan
City, and the City Mayor of Cabanatuan City with a copy of this Resolution. The Regional Election Director of Region III,
the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija and the Election Offcer of Cabanatuan City shall give this Resolution the
widest dissemination possible.
SOORDERED.
Chairman
On Offcial Business
_____________________________________________________________________________
Ma n i l a
RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING BRILLANTES, JR., SIXTOS., Chairman
PUBLIC WORKS BAN AND RELEASE, SARMIENTO, RENE V., Commissioner
DISBURSEMENT AND EXPENDITURES TAGLE, LUCENITON., Commissioner
OF PUBLIC FUNDS IN CONNECTION VELASCO, ARMANDOC., Commissioner
WITH THE DECEMBER 01, 2012 yUSOPH, ELIAS R., Commissioner
PLEBISCITE TORATIFy THE CONVERSION LIM, CHRISTIAN ROBERT S., Commissioner
OF CABANATUAN CITy, NUEVA ECIJA, PADACA, MARIA GRACIA CIELOM. Commissioner
FROMA COMPONENT CITy INTOA HIGHLy
URBANIzED CITy, PURSUANT TO
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO. 418
DATED JULy 04, 2012.
The Commission on Elections, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and
other election laws, has RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES to promulgate, the following rules to enforce the provisions
of Section 261, subsections (v) and (w) of the Omnibus Election Code in connection with the conduct of the December 01,
2012 Plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the Cabanatuan City from a component city into a highly-urbanized city, dated
July 04, 2012;
SECTION1. (A) ProhibitiononRelease, Disbursement or Expenditure of Public Funds. Effective November 05,
2012 until December 01, 2012, no public offcial or employee including barangay offcials and those of government-owned or
controlled corporations and their subsidiaries concerned, shall release, disburse or expend any public funds for:
1. Any and all kinds of public works, except the following:
(a) Maintenance of existing and/or completed public works project: Provided, that not more than the average
number of laborers or employees already employed therein during the six-month period immediately
prior to December 01, 2012, shall be permitted to work during such time: Provided, further, That no
additional laborers shall be employed for maintenance work starting November 05, 2012 until December
01, 2012;
(b) Work undertaken by contract through public bidding held, or by negotiated contract awarded, before
November 05, 2012: Provided, That for the purpose of this Section work undertaken under the so-called
takay or paquiao systemshall not be considered as work by contract;
(c) Payment for the usual cost of preparation for working drawings, specifcations, bills of materials,
estimates, and other procedures preparatory to actual construction including the purchase of materials
and equipment, and all incidental expenses for wages of watchmen and other laborers employed for
such work in the central offce and feld storehouses before November 05, 2012: Provided, That the
number of such laborers shall not be increased over the number hired when the project or projects were
commenced; and
(d) Emergency work necessitated by the occurrence of a public calamity, but such work shall be limited to
the restoration of the damaged facility.
No payment shall be made within fve (5) days before the date of the plebiscite to laborers who have rendered services
in projects or works except those falling under subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d), of this Section.
The prohibition shall not apply to on-going public works projects commenced before the plebiscite period or similar
projects under foreign agreements. For purposes of this provision, it shall be the duty of the government offcials or agencies
concerned to report to the Commission the list of all such projects undertaken by them as provided for under Sec. 2 of this
Resolution.
2. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and any other offce in other departments of the government
performing functions similar to said department, except for salaries of personnel, and for such other routine and
normal expenses, and for such other expenses as the Commission may authorize after due notice and hearing.
Should a calamity or disaster occur, all releases normally or usually coursed through the said departments and offces
of other departments shall be turned over to, and administered and disbursed by, the Philippine National Red Cross,
subject to the supervision of the Commission on Audit (COA) or its representatives; and
3. The Human and Urban Development Coordinating Council and any other offce in any other department of the
government performing functions similar to said department, except for salaries of personnel and for such other
necessary administrative or other expenses as the Commission may authorize after due notice and hearing.
(B). Prohibition against construction of public works, Delivery of Materials for Public Works and Issuance
of Treasury Warrants and Similar Devices or maintenance of municipal and barangay-funded roads and bridges.
Effective November 05, 2012 to December 01, 2012:
(1) the construction of any public works, except for projects or works exempted in the preceding Section; or
(2) the issuance, use or avail of treasury warrants or any device undertaking future delivery of money, goods, or
other things of value chargeable against public funds in the Cabanatuan City, shall be prohibited.
SEC. 2. Submission to the Commission of lists of authorized public works projects. On or before
November 05, 2012, the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, the City Mayor of Cabanatuan City and the punong
barangays therein, shall submit to the Commission in Manila thru the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija , a
certifed list of all on-going public works, projects under foreign agreements and those undertaken by contract through
public bidding, negotiated contract undertaken in the Cabanatuan City before November 05, 2012.
Any public works not included in the list herein required to be submitted by the Secretary of Public Works and
Highways, the City Mayor of Cabanatuan City and the punong barangays therein, which are not among the exceptions
under Section 261, subsection (v) of the Omnibus Election Code shall be considered as falling under the public works ban.
SEC. 3. Immediate payment of laborers required. Any laborer who may have worked on construction and
maintenance of city and barangay-funded roads and bridges which have to be suspended pursuant to the public works
ban shall be paid immediately his complete earned wage upon the suspension of said projects. In no case shall the
earned wage or any portion thereof be retained to be paid only within fve (5) days before or on the day of the plebiscite.
SEC. 4. Injunction. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA),
including its feld offces concerned, are hereby enjoined not to release or authorize the release of any appropriation, or to
pass in audit payments or expenditures of public funds that may directly or indirectly be used in violation of the prohibitions
contained in Section 261 (v) and (w) of the Omnibus Election Code and Section 1 hereof.
The Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija and the Election Offcer of the Cabanatuan City are directed to
monitor compliance with the requirements under Sec. 2 hereof by the local executive offcers in the aforesaid city, and
submit immediately to the Commission a written report on any violation of said provisions.
SEC. 5. Penalty. Any violation of the provisions of this Resolution shall, consistent with Sections 261 and 264 of
the Omnibus Election Code, constitute an election offense and shall be punishable by imprisonment of not less than one
(1) year but not more than six (6) years, among other penalties provided for by law.
th
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
SEC. 7. Dissemination. The Education and Information Department shall cause the publication of this resolution
in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation, immediately after promulgation hereof.
The Deputy Executive Director for Operations shall furnish the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, the DBM
and COA, the Regional Election Director of Region III, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija, the Election
Offcer of Cabanatuan City and the City Mayor of Cabanatuan City, with a copy of this Resolution.
SOORDERED.

Chairman
On Offcial Business
_____________________________________________________________________________
Ma n i l a
RULES AND REGULATIONS ON BRILLANTES, JR., SIXTOS., Chairman
THE BEARING, CARRyING OR SARMIENTO, RENE V., Commissioner
TRANSPORTING OF FIREARMS TAGLE, LUCENITON., Commissioner
OR OTHER DEADLy WEAPONS VELASCO, ARMANDOC., Commissioner
IN CONNECTION WITH THE yUSOPH, ELIAS R., Commissioner
DECEMBER 01, 2012 PLEBISCITE LIM, CHRISTIAN ROBERT S., Commissioner
TORATIFy THE CONVERSION OF PADACA, MARIA GRACIA CIELOM. Commissioner
CABANATUAN CITy, NUEVA ECIJA,
FROM A COMPONENT CITy INTO
A HIGHLy URBANIzED CITy,
JULy 04, 2012.
WHEREAS, Sections 32 of Republic Act No. 7166 provides:
SEC. 32. Who May Bear Firearms. During the election period, no person shall bear, carry
or transport frearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street,
parks, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless
authorized in writing by the Commission. The issuance of frearms licenses shall be suspended
during the election period.
Only regular members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines
and other law enforcement agencies of the Government who are duly deputized in writing by the
Commission for election duty may be authorized to carry and possess frearms during the election
period: Provided, That, when in the possession of frearms, the deputized law enforcement offcer
must be: (a) in full uniformshowing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number, which shall
remain visible at all times, and (b) in the actual performance of his election duty in the specifc area
designated by the Commission.
WHEREAS, in connection with the May 10, 2010 Automated National and Local elections, the October 25,
2010 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, and for the June 2, 2012 special election for Member, House
of Representatives, 5
th
District, Negros Occidental, the Commission promulgated Resolution 8714, and 9028, 9392,
respectively, providing for the rules and regulations implementing Sections 32 and 33 of Republic Act No. 7166;
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,
the Omnibus Election Code (B.P. Blg. 881), Republic Acts No. 6646, 7166, and other elections laws, the Commission
RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to ADOPT Resolution 8714, dated December 16, 2009, Resolution No. 9028,
dated September 20, 2010, Resolution No. 9392, dated April 13, 2012, and the other Resolutions issued by the
Commission in connection therewith, insofar as they are applicable, for purposes of the conduct of December 01, 2012
Plebiscite to ratify the conversion of Cabanatuan City from a component city into a highly-urbanized city, pursuant to
Presidential Proclamation No. 418, dated on July 04, 2012, subject to the following amendments/modifcations:
Section 1. Period and Scope of Effectivity. The ban shall be effective in the whole of the City of Cabanatuan during
the plebiscite period which is fromNovember 05, 2012 to December 11, 2012.
Sec. 2. Firearm; Deadly weapon. The term frearm shall refer to the frearm as defned in existing laws, rules
and regulations. The termalso includes airguns and airsoft guns.
Deadly weapon includes bladed instrument, hand grenades or other explosives, except pyrotechnics.
Abladed instrument is not covered by the prohibition when possession of the bladed instrument is necessary to the
occupation of the possessor or when it is used as a tool for legitimate activity.
Sec. 3. Status of authority to bear, carry or transport frearms issued pursuant to Resolution No. 8714,
dated December 16, 2009, Resolution No. 9028, dated 20 September 2010, and other Resolutions issued in
implementation thereof. - All authority to bear, carry or transport frearms issued pursuant to Resolution No. 8714, dated
December 16, 2009, Resolution No. 9028, dated September 20, 2010, and the other Resolutions implementing Resolution
8714, and 9028 are hereby recognized as valid and effective in relation to the conduct of the December 01, 2012 plebiscite
in the Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, provided that the conditions for the grant of the authority are complied with. In case
of new personnel or new frearms not covered by previous authority, the procedures for the issuance of authority under
Resolution No. 8714 shall be followed, except that the evaluation and approval shall be made by the Regional Joint
Security Control Center (RJSCC) of Region III.
SEC. 4. Transport of explosives and its components. The transport of explosives and/or its components
by (1) those engaged in the importation, exportation, purchase and sale of explosives and/or its components; or (2)
those involving the transportation of explosives and/or its components, may be authorized by the Director General of
the Philippine National Police (PNP) through a validly issued permit, and giving prior notice to the Commission by having
the original of said permit stamped approved by the RJSCC of Region III and submitting a certifed true copy thereof.

The explosives and/or its components must be immediately transported to the Firearms and Explosives Division
(FED), Civil Security Group (CSG), PNP, or to the intended place of destination, employment and/or utilization, and
authorized by the FED, CSG, PNP, as the case may be.
SEC. 5. Guidelinesfor security, protective, investigative, or intelligenceagencies. For orderly implementation
of the ban on frearms, the following guidelines are hereby provided for security, protective, investigative, or intelligence
agencies:
a. For single posting, the security guard assigned is prohibited to transport his frearm from duty area to his
residence;
b. Firearms stationed in armored trucks are exempted provided they are duly licensed frearms and being used
during the regular course of business of the security agencies;
c. In case of newposting or termination of posting which entail the transport of frearms to the area of assignment
or return of frearms to the security agencys offce, the security agency may be granted permission to transport
the frearms on a one-time, one-way basis only upon prior notice to the RJSCC.
SEC. 6. Reporting requirements. The RJSCC shall submit to the Committee on the Ban of Firearms and
Security Personnel (CBFSP) a bi-weekly report on the implementation of this Resolution, which shall include the following:
a. Current status of the enforcement (i.e. number of arrests, names of persons involved, number of confscated
frearms, categorized into licensed or unlicensed) of the ban on frearms and security personnel; and
b. The peace and order situation in various parts of the country, especially in the areas where the plebiscite shall
take place, including insurgency, the existence and size of private armies, the intensity of political rivalries and
other circumstances, that may affect the conduct of the plebiscite.
The CBFSP shall consolidate all weekly reports submitted by the RJSCC and submit the same to the Commission
en banc.
SEC. 7. Prohibition and penalties. Any violation of this Resolution shall be punished with imprisonment of not
less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years and shall not be subject to probation. In addition, the guilty party shall
be sentenced to suffer disqualifcation to hold public offce and deprivation of the right of suffrage. If he is a foreigner, he
shall be sentenced to deportation which shall be enforced after the prison termhas been served.
SEC. 8. Effectivity, publication and dissemination. - This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh (7
th
) after its
publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

The Education and Information Department shall cause the publication of this Resolution and shall furnish copies
thereof the Regional Election Director of Region III, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija, the Election Offcer
of the Cabanatuan City, the PNP, the AFP and all other law enforcement agencies.

SOORDERED.
Chairman
On Offcial Business
________________________________________________________________________________________
Ma n i l a
RULES AND REGULATIONS ON THE BRILLANTES, JR., SIXTO S., Chairman
LIQUOR BAN IN CONNECTION WITH SARMIENTO, RENE V., Commissioner
THE DECEMBER 01, 2012 PLEBISCITE TAGLE, LUCENITO N., Commissioner
TO RATIFy THE CONVERSION OF VELASCO, ARMANDO C., Commissioner
CABANATUAN CITy, NUEVA ECIJA, yUSOPH, ELIAS R., Commissioner
FROM A COMPONENT CITy INTO A LIM, CHRISTIAN ROBERT S., Commissioner
HIGHLy URBANIzED CITy, PURSUANT PADACA, MARIA GRACIA CIELO M. Commissioner
TO PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION
NO. 418 DATED JULy 04, 2012.
WHEREAS, the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines provides:
Sec. 261. Prohibited Acts. The following shall be guilty of an election offense:
x x x x x x x x x
dd) Other prohibitions
(1) Any person who sells, furnishes, offers, buys, serves or takes intoxicating liquor x x x on the day before the
election or on election day: Provided, That hotels and other establishments duly certifed by the (Department) of Tourismas
tourist-oriented and habitually in the business of catering to foreign tourists may be exempted for justifable reasons upon
prior authority of the Commission. Provided, further, That foreign tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said authorized hotels
or establishments are exempted fromthe provisions of this subparagraph.
WHEREAS, violation of said prohibited acts shall be punishable with imprisonment of not less than one year but not
more than six years and shall not be subject to probation, and in addition, the guilty party shall suffer disqualifcation to hold
public offce and deprivation of the right of suffrage;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections (Commission) pursuant to the powers vested in it by
the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, has RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to
promulgate the following implementing rules and regulations:
SECTION 1. Prohibited Acts and Period. - It shall be unlawful for any person, including owners and managers
of hotels and other establishments to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve, or take intoxicating liquor anywhere in the whole
Cabanatuan City fromNovember 30, 2012, the day before the plebiscite, to December 01, 2012, the day of the plebiscite.
SEC. 2. Exemption. - Hotels and other establishments in Cabanatuan City, duly certifed by the Department of
Tourism as tourist-oriented and habitually in the business of catering to foreign tourists may be exempted for justifable
reasons fromthe liquor ban, provided they have prior written authority fromthe Commission.
Foreign tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said authorized hotels and establishments are also exempted.
ManilaStandardTODAY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2012 | A11
SEC. 3. Where to apply for and secure exemption. Applications for exemption, together with the required
supporting documents, shall be fled with, and duly acted upon by the Regional Election Director of Region III.
SEC. 4. Conditions for the grant of exemption. Exemption may be granted only upon compliance with and
submission of the following:
1. A request for exemption which must be under oath and which must contain a statement that the hotel/
establishment operators/owners have not been convicted for an election offense;
2. ACertifcation fromthe Department of Tourismthat the requesting hotel or establishment:
a) is tourist-oriented and is habitually in the business of catering to foreign tourists;
b) is currently licensed to do business; and
c) has paid the required taxes and/or fees imposed by the government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities.
SEC. 5. Revocation.- The exemption granted may be revoked or withdrawn by the Commission upon petition of
any interested party on showing, among others, that the reason upon which the exemption was made does not exist or is
not justifable, or that the requesting party or applicant has committed misrepresentation in the application, or introduced
or submitted falsifed documents.
SEC. 6. Who shall implement: The Philippine National Police (PNP) shall implement this Resolution.
th
) day after its publication in two daily (2)
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and in one (1) newspaper of local circulation in Cabanatuan City.

SEC. 8. Dissemination. - The Offce of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations shall furnish copies thereof to
the Philippine National Police in Cabanatuan City, the City Mayor of Cabanatuan City, the Regional Election Director of
Region III, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija, and the Election Offcer of the City of Cabanatuan, who shall
give this Resolution widest dissemination.
SOORDERED.
Chairman
On Offcial Business
____________________________________________________________________________________
Ma n i l a
RULES AND REGULATIONS BRILLANTES, JR., SIXTO S., Chairman
GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF SARMIENTO, RENE V., Commissioner
THE DECEMBER 01, 2012 TAGLE, LUCENITO N., Commissioner
PLEBISCITE TO RATIFy THE VELASCO, ARMANDO C., Commissioner
CONVERSION OF CABANATUAN yUSOPH, ELIAS R., Commissioner
CITy FROM A COMPONENT CITy LIM, CHRISTIAN ROBERT S., Commissioner
TO A HIGHLy URBANIzED CITy, PADACA, MARIA GRACIA CIELO M. Commissioner
JULy 04, 2012.
The Commission on Elections, by virtue of the powers conferred upon it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election
Code, the Local Government Code of 1991, Republic Act No. 7166, and other election laws, RESOLVED to promulgate,
as it hereby RESOLVES to promulgate, the following rules and regulations to govern the conduct of the December 01,
2012 Plebiscite to ratify the conversion of Cabanatuan City from a component city to a highly urbanized city, pursuant to
Presidential Proclamation No. 418 dated July 4, 2012:
SECTION 1. Supervision and control. - The Commission on Elections shall have direct control and supervision
over the conduct of the plebiscite.
SEC. 2. Expenses and plebiscite forms and paraphernalia. - The expenses in holding the plebiscite, which shall
include the printing of offcial ballots, plebiscite returns and other forms; the procurement of supplies and paraphernalia;
the per diems of the members of the PlebCom, the members of the City Plebiscite Boards of Canvassers (CPBOC), Sub-
canvassing Committees and their support staff; other operational and incidental expenses; and the costs of publication of
resolutions and information materials, shall be borne by the City of Cabanatuan.
For this purpose, the Deputy Executive Director for Operations (ODEDO) shall prepare the budgetary requirements
and require the proponents to immediately appropriate and remit the necessary amount.
SEC. 3. Posting of Presidential Proclamation No. 418. At least ten (10) days prior to the day of the plebiscite,
the Election Offcer (EO) of Cabanatuan City shall cause the posting of copy of Presidential Proclamation No. 418 in all
polling places in Cabanatuan City.
SEC. 4. Information campaign. An objective information campaign on the plebiscite shall be conducted from
November 10, 2012 to November 29, 2012. During this period, civic, professional, religious, business, youth and any
other similar organizations may hold symposia, public rallies or meetings to enlighten the voters of the said city on the
plebiscite issues, and to campaign for or against the ratifcation of Presidential Proclamation No. 418 dated July 4, 2012.
Constructive discussions and debates shall be encouraged and the voters assured of the freedom to voice their opinion
regarding the issues, advantages or disadvantages thereof.
The EO of the Cabanatuan City, in coordination with the local government offcials, mass media, NGOs and
religious groups shall convene barangay assemblies or pulong-pulongs for such constructive discussions and debates.
SEC. 5. Date of plebiscite and voting hours. The plebiscite shall be held on December 01, 2012 (Saturday).
The voting shall start at seven oclock in the morning and end at three oclock in the afternoon.
If at three oclock there are still voters within thirty (30) meters in front of the polling place who have not yet cast
their votes, voting shall continue but only to allow said voters to cast their votes without interruption. The poll clerk shall,
without delay, prepare a complete list containing the names of said voters consecutively numbered. The voters listed shall
be called to vote by the poll clerk by announcing each name three (3) times in the order in which they are listed. Any voter
in the list who is not present when called shall not be allowed to vote at any later time. The said list shall be submitted to
the Election Offcer.
SEC. 6. Area of coverage. The plebiscite shall be held in the whole of Cabanatuan City.
SEC. 7. Who may vote. All qualifed and duly registered voters of Cabanatuan City, after the August 2012
Election Registration Board hearing, are eligible to vote in the plebiscite.
The InformationTechnology Department (ITD), shall prepare the lists of voters for use in the plebiscite in accordance
with Section 11 hereof.
SEC. 8. Place of voting. - Voters shall cast their votes in the polling place designated by the Commission. The
Poster Indicating the Precinct Number (CEF 3) shall be prominently posted near or at the door of the polling place.
SEC. 9. PlebCom Composition, Compensation, Duties and Functions. The voting and counting of votes shall
be conducted in each polling place by a PlebComcomposed of a Chairman, a Poll Clerk and a Third Member who shall
all be public school teachers, to be appointed by the Commission through the EO.
Each member of the PlebComshall be entitled to a per diemof Three Thousand Pesos (Php3,000.00) for services
rendered in connection with the plebiscite.
The PlebComshall have the following powers and duties:
(a) Supervise and conduct the voting in the polling place on December 01, 2012;
(b) Count the votes and thereafter prepare the plebiscite returns and other required documents/reports and
distribute the same as herein provided;
(c) Furnish watchers certifcate of votes upon request;
(d) Act as deputies of the Commission in the supervision and control of the plebiscite in the polling places wherein
they are assigned to ensure the holding of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible plebiscite;
(e) Maintain order within the polling place and its premises, to keep access thereto, open and unobstructed, and
to enforce obedience to its lawful orders.
If any person shall refuse to obey lawful orders of the PlebComor shall conduct himself in a disorderly manner
in its presence or within its hearing thereby interrupting or disturbing its proceedings, the PlebCommay issue
an order in writing directing any peace offcer to take such person into custody until the adjournment of the
meeting, but such order shall not be executed as to prevent the person so taken into custody fromexercising
his right to vote. Such order shall be executed by any peace offcer to whomit may be delivered, but if none
is present, by any other person deputized by the PlebComin writing; and
(f) Performsuch other functions/duties as may be prescribed by the Commission.
SEC. 10. Disqualifcations. - No person shall serve as chairman or member of the PlebComif he is related within
the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affnity to any member of the same PlebCom.
No member of the PlebCom shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any partisan political activity or take part in the
plebiscite, except to discharge his duties as such, and to vote, provided he is a registered voter of Cabanatuan City.
SEC. 11. Precincts and polling places. For purposes of the December 01, 2012 plebiscite, the precincts
established after the August 2012 Election and Registration Board Hearing, and the clustering scheme based on the
Guidelines In The Clustering/Grouping Of Precincts For Purposes Of The October 25, 2010 Barangay And Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) Elections, shall be adopted.
SEC.12. Posted Computerized Voters List (PCVL); Election Day Computerized Voters List (EDCVL). - The
ITD shall print three (3) copies of the PCVL which shall be certifed by the Election Registration Board (ERB).
One (1) copy of the PCVL shall be given to the PlebComfor use on plebiscite day. The other two (2) copies of the
PCVL shall be distributed as follows:
a) One copy for posting at the Offce of the EO;
b) One copy for posting at the bulletin board of the City Hall of Cabanatuan City.
The ITD shall also print two (2) copies of the EDCVL which shall likewise be certifed by the Election Registration
Board.
Sec. 13. Distribution of Plebiscite Forms and Supplies. - The City Treasurer shall, in coordination with the EO
concerned, distribute the plebiscite forms and supplies to the PlebComs in the morning of the day of the plebiscite. The
EOor his authorized representatives shall release the PCVLs to the School Principal concerned who shall in turn release
themto the PlebComs.
The Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija is hereby authorized to approve requests for early delivery of
plebiscite forms and supplies, subject to the following conditions:
a) That there is considerable distance between the Offce of the City Treasurer and the location of the polling
place;
b) That there is lack or diffculty of means of transportation in the area;
c) That the total number of precincts in the barangay is such that if the delivery of the offcial ballots, election
returns, other plebiscite forms and paraphernalia is done early in the morning of plebiscite day, not all the
PlebComs may be able to receive said documents and paraphernalia in time for the opening of polls at 7:00
a.m. of plebiscite day; or
d) That the peace and order conditions in the area justify such advance delivery in order to ensure the security
of the forms, documents and paraphernalia, and safety of the members of the PlebComs.
SEC. 14. Offcial watchers of proponents; oppositors; citizens arms. - The proponents and oppositors may
appoint two watchers each, to serve alternately, in every polling place.
Duly accredited citizens arms of the Commission shall be entitled to appoint a watcher in every polling place. Other
civil, professional, business, service, youth, and any other similar organizations, with prior authority of the Commission,
shall be entitled collectively to appoint one watcher in every polling place.
If, because of limited space, all watchers cannot be accommodated in the polling place, preference shall be given to
the watchers of the citizens arm, with the latter being given preferential position closest to the PlebCom.
SEC. 15. Qualifcations of watchers.- No person shall be appointed watcher unless he:
a) Is a registered voter of the Cabanatuan City;
b) Is of good reputation;
c) Has not been convicted by fnal judgment of any election offense or of any other crime;
d) Knows how to read and write Filipino, English or of the prevailing local dialect; and
e) Is not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affnity to the chairman or to any other member
of the PlebComin the polling place where he seeks appointment as watcher.
SEC. 16. Rights and duties of watchers. - Upon entering the polling place, the watchers shall deliver to the
chairman their appointments as watchers, and their names shall forthwith be recorded in the Minutes with a notation under
their signatures that they are not disqualifed to serve as such under the immediately preceding Section. The appointments
of the watchers shall bear the signature of the duly authorized representative of the organization that appointed them. For
this purpose, such organizations shall provide the EO concerned with the names and signatures of their representatives
authorized to appoint watchers in Cabanatuan City not later than November 23, 2012.
The watchers shall have the right to:
a) Witness and informthemselves of the proceedings of the PlebCom;
b) Take note of what they may see or hear;
c) Take photographs of the proceedings and incidents, if any, during the voting, counting of votes, as well as of
the plebiscite election returns and of the ballot boxes;
d) File a protest against any irregularity or violation of law which they believe may have been committed by the
PlebComor by any of its members or by any person; and
e) Obtain fromthe PlebComa certifcate as to the fling of such protest and the resolution thereof.
Watchers shall not speak to any member of the PlebCom, or to any voter or among themselves, in such a manner
as would disturb the proceedings of the PlebCom.
The watchers shall, if available, affx their signatures and thumbmarks in the plebiscite election returns.
SEC. 17. Offcial ballots. The offcial ballot shall be distributed at the ratio of one ballot per voter.
The offcial ballot shall bear the following heading: OFFICIAL BALLOT ; PLEBISCITE ; DECEMBER 01,
2012 ; CABANATUANCITy, NUEVA ECIJA ; and underneath the following instructions: Fill out this ballot secretly
inside the booth. Do not put any distinctive mark on any part of this ballot.
The following question shall be provided in the offcial ballot:

DOyOUAPPROVE OF THE CONVERSION OF CABANATUAN CITy FROM
A COMPONENT CITy INTOA HIGHLy URBANIzED CITy, PURSUANT
TOPRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO. 418, DATED JULy 4, 2012?
SEC. 18. Forms to be reproduced when needed. The following forms may be reproduced when needed:
a) Temporary Appointment of Chairman/Poll Clerk/Member;
b) Certifcate of Challenge or Protest and Decision of the PlebCom;
c) Oath of Voter Challenged for Illegal Acts; and
d) Oath To Identify AChallenged Voter.
Sec. 19. Minutes of Voting and Counting of Votes. - The PlebCom shall accomplish in two (2) copies the
Minutes of Voting and Counting of Votes (CEF 11) entering therein all data required as they become available and all acts
as they occur. Copies of the minutes shall be signed and sealed in separate envelopes (CEF 18 and 18-A) for distribution
as follows:
a) The copy intended for the Commission shall be delivered to the Election Offcer who shall forward the same
to the Election Records and Statistics Department, COMELEC, Manila; and
b) The copy intended for the ballot box shall be deposited inside the ballot box compartment for valid ballots.
SEC. 20. Challenge against illegal voters. - Any voter or watcher may challenge any person offering to
vote for:
a) Not being registered;
b) Using the name of another; or
c) Suffering froman existing disqualifcation.
In such case, the PlebComshall satisfy itself as to whether or not the ground for the challenge is true by requiring proof
of registration, identity or qualifcation. The PlebComshall identify the voter through his photograph, fngerprint, or specimen
signatures in the EDCVL. In the absence of any of the above-mentioned proof of identity, any member of the PlebCommay
identify under oath a voter, and such act shall be refected in the Minutes.
SEC. 21. Challenge based on certain illegal acts. Any voter or watcher may challenge any voter offering to vote
on the ground that he:
a) Received or expects to receive, paid, offered or promised to pay, contributed, offered or promised to contribute
money or anything of value as consideration for his vote or for the vote of another; or
b) Made or received a promise to infuence the giving or withholding of any such vote; or
c) Made a bet or is interested directly or indirectly in a bet that depends upon the results of the election.
In such case, the challenged voter shall take an oath before the PlebCom that he has not committed any of the acts
alleged in the challenge. Upon taking such oath, the challenge shall be dismissed and the voter shall be allowed to vote. In
case the voter refuses to take such oath, the challenge shall be sustained and the voter shall not be allowed to vote.
SEC. 22. Record of challenges and oaths. - The PlebComshall record in the Minutes all challenges and oaths taken
in connection therewith and its decision in each case.
SEC. 23. Rules to be observed during the voting. During the voting, the PlebComshall see to it that:
a) Voters shall vote in the order of their arrival in the polling place, however, preference shall be given to senior
citizens, persons with disability and heavily pregnant women;
b) No watcher shall enter the place reserved for the voters and the PlebCom, nor mingle and talk with the voters;
c) No person carrying any frearm or any other deadly weapon, except those expressly authorized by the
Commission, shall enter the polling place;
d) There shall be no crowding of voters and disorderly behavior inside the polling place; and
e) The ballot box shall remain locked during voting.
SEC. 24. Persons allowed inside the polling place. - Only the following persons shall be allowed inside the polling
place:
a) Members of the PlebCom;
b) Watchers who shall stay only in the space reserved for them;
c) Representatives of the Commission;
d) Voters casting their votes;
e) Voters waiting for their turn to cast their vote;
f) Other persons who may be specifcally authorized by the Commission.
Unless specifcally authorized by the Commission, it is unlawful for the following to enter any polling place or stay within
a radius of ffty (50) meters thereof, except to vote:
1. Any offcer or member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the Philippine National Police;
2. Any peace offcer or any armed person belonging to any extra-legal police agency, special forces, reaction
forces, strike forces, Civilian Armed Force Geographical Units, barangay tanods or other similar forces or
para-military forces, including special forces, security guards, special policemen;
3. All other kinds of armed or unarmed extra-legal police forces; and
4. Any barangay offcial, whether elected or appointed.
However, the PlebCommay, by a majority vote, if it deems necessary, order in writing the detail of a policeman or any
peace offcer for its protection or for the protection of the election documents and paraphernalia. Such order shall be entered
in the Minutes. Said policeman or peace offcer shall stay outside the polling place near enough to be easily called by the
PlebComat anytime. In no case shall the said policeman or peace offcer hold any conversation with any voter or disturb or
prevent or in any manner obstruct the free access of the voters to the polling place.
SEC. 25. Preparation of ballots for illiterate and person with disability/disabled voters. No voter shall be
allowed to vote as illiterate or person with disability/disabled unless such fact is indicated in the EDCVL, or when the physical
disability is apparent. If so, he may be assisted in the preparation of his ballot, by any:
a) Relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affnity;
b) Person of his confdence who belongs to the same household; or
c) Member of the PlebCom.
All assistors must be of voting age.
No person may assist an illiterate or person with disability/disabled voter more than three (3) times, except the
members of the PlebCom.
In all cases, the poll clerk shall frst verify fromthe illiterate or person with disability/disabled voter whether the latter had
authorized the assistor to help himto cast his vote.
The assistor shall, in the presence of the illiterate or person with disability/ disabled voter, prepare the ballot using a
ballot secrecy folder.

The assistor shall bind himself in writing and under oath to fll the ballot strictly in accordance with the instructions of the
voter and not to reveal the contents thereof, by affxing his signature in the appropriate space in the Minutes.
SEC. 26. Accessibility of polling place to person with disability/ disabled voters. - All polling places of precincts
where there are persons with disability/disabled voters shall be located at the ground foor of the voting centers, unless not
feasible. For this purpose, the EOshall coordinate with the proper school or building offcials.
SEC. 27. Prohibition against premature announcement of voting. - During the voting, no member of the PlebCom
shall make any announcement as to whether a certain registered voter has already voted or not, as to how many have
already voted or how many so far have failed to vote or any other fact tending to show or showing the state of the polls; nor
shall he make any statement at any time, except as witness before a court or body as to how many persons voted.
SEC. 28. Preliminaries to the voting. - a. The PlebComshall meet at the polling place at six oclock in the morning
of election day, and do the following:
1. See to it that it has all the election forms, documents and supplies needed;
2. Post one (1) copy of the PCVL at the door of the polling place;
3. Staple or paste the certifed list of candidates (CEF 4) inside the ballot secrecy folders;
4. Place the ballot secrecy folders on top of the desk/chair.
b. Before the voting begins, the chairman of the PlebComshall:
1. Open the ballot box, empty both of its compartments, exhibit themto all those present and, being empty, lock its
interior cover with three (3) padlocks. The members of the PlebComshall each retain their respective keys to the
padlocks during the voting; and
2. Showto the public and to the watchers present the package of Offcial Ballots, duly sealed, and thereafter, break
the seals. The number of pads and the serial numbers of the ballots in each pad, and the fact that the package
of ballots was shown to the public with the seals intact shall be entered in the Minutes.
The interior cover of the ballot box shall remain locked until the voting is fnished and the counting begins. However, if it
should become necessary to make roomfor more ballots, the chairman, may, in the presence of the members and watchers,
open the box and press down with his hands the ballots contained therein without removing any of them, after which the
PlebComshall again close the interior cover of the ballot box and lock it with padlocks as therein provided.
SEC. 29. Manner of obtaining ballots. - The voter shall:
1. Look for his name in the PCVL posted near the door of the voting center and determine his precinct number and
sequence number;
2. Approach the PlebCom member of the precinct, give his sequence number in the PCVL, name and address,
together with the other data concerning his person;
3. The PlebComshall verify if the name of the voter is in the EDCVL. If the name of the voter is in the EDCVL, his
identity shall then be established through the following:
i. His photograph in the EDCVL or specimen signatures in any authentic document which may establish his
identity except barangay certifcate or community tax certifcate; or
ii. In the absence of any of the above-mentioned proof of identity, any member of the PlebCom or any
registered voter of the precinct/clustered precinct may identify under oath a voter, and such act shall be
refected in the Minutes.
If the PlebCom is satisfed with his identity, the name of the voter shall be distinctly announced in a voice
loud enough to be heard throughout the polling place. Otherwise, the voter shall be directed to leave
the polling place after informing him the reason thereof. If the voter is not challenged, or having been
challenged, the question has been decided in his favor, the voter shall be directed to the chairman of the
PlebCom.
4. Before giving the ballot to the voter, the chairman of the PlebComshall:
a) Check if any of the fngernails of the voter has already been stained with indelible ink. If stained, it shall be
a conclusive presumption that he has already cast his vote. As such, the voter shall be directed to leave the
polling place after informing him the reason thereof. This fact, including the name and the precinct of the
voter, shall be recorded by the Poll Clerk in the Minutes;
b) Affx his signature in the EDCVL;
c) Authenticate the ballot by affxing his signature at the back thereof;
The failure to authenticate the ballot shall not invalidate the ballot but shall constitute an election offense.
d) Instruct the voter on how to fll-up the ballot properly.
e) Fold the ballot in such a manner that its face, except the portion where the serial number appears is covered,
and give the same to the voter.
Only the chairman shall issue the offcial ballots, and not more than one ballot shall be issued at one time.
f) Require the voter to affx his signature on the proper space on the EDCVL.
SEC. 30. Manner of voting. - The voter, upon receiving his ballot, shall, using a ballot secrecy folder, fll his ballot by
writing the word YES or OO in the blank box after the question if he is voting for its approval, or if he will vote for its rejection,
the word NO or HINDI shall be written in the blank box after the question.
It shall be unlawful to use ca paraffn paper or other means for making a copy of the contents of the ballot or make use
of anySEC. 31. Prohibition on voting. It shall be unlawful for a voter to:
a) Bring the ballot, ballot secrecy folder or ballpen outside of the polling place;
b) Speak with anyone other than as herein provided while inside the polling place;
c) Prepare his ballot without using the ballot secrecy folder or exhibit its contents;
d) Fill his ballot accompanied by another, except in the case of an illiterate or person with disability/disabled
voter;
e) Erase any printing fromthe ballot, or put any distinguishing mark on the ballot;
f) Use carbon paper, paraffn paper or other means of making a copy of the contents of the ballot, or otherwise
make use of any other scheme to identify his vote, including the use of digital cameras, cellular phones with
camera or similar gadgets; and
g) Intentionally tear or deface the ballot.

SEC. 32. Spoiled ballots. - If a voter accidentally spoils or defaces a ballot in such a way that it can no longer be
lawfully used, he shall surrender it folded to the chairman who shall write the word spoiled in the corresponding space above
the ballot serial number in the EDCVL. The spoiled ballot shall, without being unfolded and without removing the detachable
coupon, be distinctly marked with the word spoiled and signed by the Chairman of the PlebCom at the back thereof and
immediately placed in the compartment of the ballot box for spoiled ballots.
The voter shall then be given another ballot duly authenticated by the chairman after announcing the serial number
of the second ballot and recording said serial number above the word spoiled. However, in cases of spoiled ballots under
paragraphs (c), (e) and (g) of the immediately following paragraph, the voter shall not be issued another ballot.
If the second ballot is again spoiled or defaced in such a way that it can no longer be lawfully used, the same shall be
surrendered correctly folded to the chairman in the same manner as the frst spoiled or defaced ballot. No voter, however,
shall change his ballot more than once.

SEC. 33. Procedure after voting.

a. After the voter has flled up his ballot, he shall fold it in the same manner as when he received it;

b. The voter shall then, in the presence of all the members of the PlebCom, affx his thumbmark in the corresponding
space in the ballot coupon, and return the folded ballot to the chairman;

c. The chairman, in the presence of the voter and all the members of the PlebCom, without unfolding the ballot
or seeing its contents, shall verify its serial number as against the number previously entered in the EDCVL
to determine whether it is the same ballot given to the voter. Any ballot returned to the chairman, the serial
number of which does not tally with the number of the ballot delivered to the voter as entered in EDCVL, shall
be considered spoiled and shall be so marked and signed by the Chairman of the PlebCom, and placed inside
the compartment for spoiled ballots. Such fact shall be indicated in the Minutes of Voting and Counting of Votes.

d. The voter shall forthwith affx his thumbprint in the corresponding space in the EDCVL.
e. The chairman shall then apply a drop of indelible stain ink at the base and extending to the cuticle of the right
index fngernail of the voter, or any other fngernail if there be no right index fngernail.
If the voter refuses to have his fngernail stained with indelible ink, he shall be informed that such refusal will
render his ballot spoiled. If the voter still refuses despite being informed thereof, the Chairman shall, without
unfolding the ballot and without removing the detachable coupon thereof, distinctly mark the ballot with the word
spoiled, and thereafter sign the same at the back thereof and immediately place said spoiled ballot in the
compartment of the ballot box for spoiled ballots. The voter shall then be requested to leave. Such fact shall be
indicated in the Minutes.

f. The chairman shall sign in the proper space in the EDCVL;

g. The chairman shall detach the ballot coupon in the presence of the other members of the PlebCom and of the
voter, and shall deposit the folded ballot in the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots and the detached
coupon in the compartment for spoiled ballots.

Any ballot returned to the Chairman shall be considered spoiled accordingly marked, signed by the Chairman of
the PlebCom, and placed inside the compartment for spoiled ballots, if the detachable coupon of which has been
removed not in the presence of the other members of the PlebComand of the voter. Such fact shall be indicated
in the Minutes.

h. The voter shall then leave.

SEC. 34. Disposition of unused ballots. After the voting, the chairman in the presence of the PlebCom, shall:

1. Record in the Minutes the quantity of unused ballots;
2. Tear the unused ballots in half lengthwise;
3. Place one half in the envelope (CEF 16-A), and submit to the EOfor safekeeping; and
4. Place the other half in another envelope (CEF 16-B), and then deposit inside the compartment of the ballot
box for valid ballots.

Such facts shall be entered in the Minutes.

SEC. 35. Counting of votes to be public and without interruption. - After the voting is fnished, the PlebComshall
count the votes cast and ascertain the results in the polling place. Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, the PlebCom
shall not adjourn, postpone or delay the counting.
SEC. 36. Transfer of counting of votes to safer place. - If on account of imminent danger of violence, terrorism,
disorder or similar causes, it becomes necessary to transfer the counting of votes to a safer place, the PlebCommay transfer
the counting to the nearest safe barangay or school building within the city, provided it is approved unanimously by the
PlebCom and concurred by the majority of the watchers present. This fact shall be recorded in the Minutes of Voting and
Counting of Votes and the approval and concurrence of the members of the PlebComand the watchers shall be manifested
by affxing their signatures therein.
In effecting the transfer, the PlebComshall ensure the safety and integrity of all election documents and paraphernalia.
The PNP and/or the AFP in the area in consultation with the election offcer shall provide adequate security and transport
facilities to the members of the PlebComand election documents and paraphernalia during the transfer and counting of votes.
SEC. 37. Preliminaries to the Counting of Votes. - (a) The PlebComshall clear the table of all unnecessary writing
paraphernalia. They shall assume such position as to provide the watchers and the members of the public as may be
conveniently accommodated in the polling place, an unimpeded view of the ballot being read by the Chairman, as well as of
the election returns and tally board being simultaneously accomplished by the Poll Clerk and the third member respectively,
without touching any of said election documents. Any violation hereof shall constitute an election offense.
(b) The PlebCom shall open the ballot box, take out the ballots from the compartment for valid ballots and, without
unfolding or exposing their contents, examine themusing the following guidelines:
1. Ballots folded together - The PlebComshall ascertain that each fold consists of a single ballot.

If in the course of the examination, ballots are found folded together before they were deposited in the ballot
box, they shall be placed in an envelope for excess ballots.

2. Excess ballots - The PlebCom shall count the ballots and compare the number of ballots with the number of
voters who actually voted.

If there are more ballots than the number of voters who actually voted, follow the procedures provided for in
Sec. 16 hereof.

3. Ballots with detachable coupons In case ballots with their detachable coupon are found in the box, the coupon
shall be detached and deposited in the compartment for spoiled ballots, and the ballots shall be included in
the pile of valid ballots.

4. Ballots with the word spoiled - If ballots with the word spoiled should be found, they shall be placed in the
compartment for spoiled ballots.

The ballots deposited in the compartment for spoiled ballots shall be presumed to be spoiled ballots, whether
or not they contain such notation; but if the PlebCom should fnd that during the voting any valid ballot
was erroneously deposited in this compartment, or if any ballot separated as excess or marked had been
erroneously deposited therein, the PlebCom shall open said compartment after the voting and before the
counting of votes for the sole purpose of drawing out the ballots erroneously deposited therein. It shall then
prepare and sign a statement of such fact and lock the box with its three keys immediately thereafter. The
valid ballots so withdrawn shall be mixed with the other valid ballots, and the excess or marked ballots shall be
placed in their proper envelopes which shall for such purposes be opened and again labeled, sealed, signed
and kept as hereinafter provided.

(c) Excess and spoiled ballots shall not be read in the counting of votes.
(d) The poll clerk shall take hold of the plebiscite returns and the third member shall tack the tally board on the
blackboard or any available space within the plain view of the PlebCom, watchers and the public.
SEC. 38. Manner of Counting of Votes. - The counting of votes shall be public, without interruption or delay until
completed, and shall proceed as follows:
(a) The PlebComshall open the ballot box, take out the ballots and without unfolding themor exposing their contents
except so far as to ascertain that each ballot is single, compare the number of ballots in the box with the number of voters
who actually voted as recorded in the Minutes of Voting and Counting.
(b) If there are more ballots found than there are voters who actually voted, all the ballots shall be returned inside the
box and thoroughly mixed therein. The Poll Clerk, without seeing the ballots and with his back to the box, shall publicly draw
out as many ballots as may be equal to the excess, and without unfolding them, place them in an envelope which shall be
marked excess ballots, sealed and signed by the PlebCom.
(c) If there are no excess or the excess has been taken out, the PlebComshall formseparate piles of 100 ballots
each which shall be held together by rubber band.
(d) The Chairman shall take the ballots of the frst pile and read the ballots one by one, while the Poll Clerk and
Third Member shall simultaneously record on the plebiscite returns and tally board, respectively, each vote as it is read
by the Chairman.
(e) Each vote shall be recorded by a vertical line, except every ffth vote, which shall be recorded by a diagonal
line crossing the previous four vertical lines for the same answer.
(f) After fnishing the frst pile, the PlebCom shall count the tallies for the Affrmative and Negative votes and
record the sub-totals in the column immediately after the last tara recorded in the plebiscite returns and tally board,
respectively.
(g) The Poll Clerk and theThird Member shall compare the tallies refected in the plebiscite returns and tally board.
(h) In case of discrepancy, a recount shall be made. The ballots shall again be grouped together as before the
reading.
(i) Thereafter, the same procedures shall be followed with the second and subsequent piles of ballots.
(j) After all the ballots for the precinct have been counted, the PlebComshall:
1. Sumup the sub-totals of recorded Affrmative and Negative Votes and enter the grand total in words and
in fgure in the plebiscite returns and tally board;
2. See to it that the entries in the frst copy of the plebiscite returns are clearly impressed and refected
properly in the other two (2) copies;
3. Sign and affx their thumb marks on the certifcation portion printed at the bottomof the plebiscite returns
and tally board; and
4. Place the counted ballots in an envelope provided for the purpose, close the envelope with a serially
numbered paper seal, sign and deposit the same in the compartment for valid ballots. The accomplished
tally board, certifed by the PlebCom, shall also be deposited in the compartment for valid ballots.
SEC. 39. Appreciation of Ballots. - The provisions of Sec. 211 of the Omnibus Election Code, whenever
applicable, shall govern the appreciation of ballots. Any question on the appreciation of ballots shall be decided by
majority vote of the PlebCom.
No watcher or any other person inside the polling place shall be allowed to participate in the appreciation of ballots.
However, any watcher may fle a protest, which shall be recorded in the Minutes.
SEC. 40. Plebiscite Returns and Distribution of Copies Thereof. Plebiscite returns shall be prepared in three
(3) copies. All the members of the PlebComshall sign the certifcation printed at the bottomof the plebiscite returns and
affx their respective thumb marks on the space provided.
Upon completion of the plebiscite returns, each copy shall be placed in separate envelopes provided for the
purpose, and the PlebComshall immediately distribute the same under proper receipt, as follows:
(a) The frst copy, to the City Plebiscite Board of Canvassers;
(b) The second copy, to the Election Records and Statistics Department of the Commission in Manila; and
(c) The third copy shall be deposited inside the ballot box.
SEC. 41. Announcement of Results. - Upon completion of the plebiscite returns, the Chairman of the PlebCom
shall orally and publicly announce the total number of Affrmative and Negative Votes cast and counted in the precinct.
SEC. 42. Alterations and Corrections of Plebiscite Returns. - Any correction or alteration made in the plebiscite
returns by the PlebCombefore the announcement of the results of the plebiscite in the polling place shall be duly initialed
by all the members thereof.
After the announcement of the results of the plebiscite, the PlebComshall not make any alteration or amendment
in any of the copies of the returns, unless ordered by the Commission.
SEC. 43. Certifcates of Votes; Wrapping the lid of the ballot box. - Before leaving the precinct, the PlebCom
shall issue a Certifcate of Votes to the watchers upon the latters request.
The PlebComs shall also ensure that before the delivery of the ballot box to the City Treasurer, they shall seal the lid
of the ballot box with packaging tapes in such a way that the lid cannot be opened without destroying the packing tapes,
and with all the members of the PlebComs and all watchers affxing their signatures on said packing tapes.
SEC. 44. Delivery of the Ballot Boxes, and Other Supplies and Documents, Preservation of Voting Records,
Ballot Boxes and their Keys, and their Disposition. - The provisions of Section 217, 218 and 219 of the Omnibus
Election Code on delivery of ballot boxes, keys and election supplies and documents, preservation of the voting records
and ballot boxes, and their keys and disposition of their contents shall apply to the plebiscite governed by this Resolution.
Sec. 45. City Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (CPBOC). There shall be a City Plebiscite Board of Canvassers
(CPBOC) which shall canvass the plebiscite returns submitted by the PlebComs. The CPBOC shall be composed of
the EO of Cabanatuan City, as Chairman, the City Prosecutor as Vice-Chairman, and the City DepEd Superintendent of
Schools, as Member-Secretary. The CPBOCshall create twelve (12) subcanvassing committees, with three (3) members
each committee, to expedite the canvass of the plebiscite results.
At least fve (5) days before the day of the plebiscite, the chairman shall issue a written notice to the other members
of the Board, separate from the written notice given by the chairman as to the convening of the CPBOC, that it shall
convene at six oclock in the afternoon of the plebiscite day to canvass the plebiscite returns. Notice of said convening
shall also be posted in three (3) conspicuous places in the City Hall and other public places in Cabanatuan City. The
CPBOC shall meet at the Session Hall of Cabanatuan City not later than six oclock in the afternoon of plebiscite day and
shall canvass the plebiscite returns and shall not adjourn until the canvass is completed.
In case there is a need to change the canvassing venue for security and/or space reasons, the Provincial Election
Supervisor is hereby authorized approve request/s for such change, subject to the requirement of notice as provided
herein.
SEC. 46. Supervision and Control over the Board. - The Commission shall have direct control of and
supervision over the Board and may motu proprio relieve at any time any member thereof for cause and may substitute
himin accordance with Sec. 26 hereof.
SEC. 47. Absence of a Regular Member. - In case of absence of a regular member, the members present shall
frst verify whether or not the notice stating the date, time and place of canvassing has been duly served on the absent
regular member.
In the absence of such notice, one shall be immediately sent to the absent member. If the latter cannot be located,
or his whereabouts are unknown, he shall then be substituted. These facts shall be recorded in the respective minutes
of the CPBOC. As soon as the absent member appears, the substitute member shall relinquish his seat to the regular
member.
SEC. 48. Incapacitated Regular Member. - In case of sickness or serious injury of the regular member, a sworn
medical certifcate shall be required attesting to the incapacity of said member. Upon submission of the medical certifcate,
a substitute shall be appointed. Said certifcate shall be recorded in the Minutes of the CPBOC.
SEC. 49. Substitution of Chairman and Members. - In case of non-availability, absence, disqualifcation due
to relationship, or incapacity for any cause of the CPBOC Chairman, the Regional Election Director of Region III shall
appoint a lawyer of the Commission as substitute. With respect to the other members of the CPBOC, the Regional
Election Director of Region III shall appoint as substitute the following in the order named: the City Auditor, the Register of
Deeds, the Clerk of Court nominated by the Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court or any other available appointive
city offcial.
SEC. 50. ProhibitionAgainst Leaving Offcial Station. - During the period beginning December 01, 2012, until
the completion of the canvass, no member or substitute member of the CPBOCshall be transferred, assigned or detailed
outside of his offcial station nor shall he leave his station without prior authority of the Commission.
SEC. 51. Quorum. - A majority of the members of the CPBOC shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. Amajority vote of all the members thereof shall be necessary to render a decision.
SEC. 52. Watchers: Rights and Duties. - The proponents and oppositors, the citizens armof the Commission,
if any, and other accredited groups or organizations may appoint watchers during the canvassing of votes. Aperson who
is not a registered voter of the city, of questionable reputation, or who has been convicted of an election offense or any
other crime shall not be appointed as watcher. Barangay offcials, including barangay tanods, are disqualifed to serve
as watchers.
The watchers shall have the right to:
(a) be present at, and take note of all the proceedings; and
(b) fle a protest against any irregularity noted in the proceedings of the Board and obtain the resolution thereon
in writing.
The watcher shall not be allowed to participate in the deliberation of the Board.
SEC. 53. Right to be Present and to Counsel. - Proponents or oppositors have the right to be present and to
counsel during the canvass of the returns. Only one counsel shall argue for the proponent or oppositor. In case there are
several counsel for the proponents or oppositors, they shall agree among themselves who will argue for them.
SEC. 54. Internal Canvassing Procedures. - The CPBOC shall canvass the plebiscite returns in the following
manner:
(a) The Chairman of the CPBOCshall list sequentially all precincts in the Statement of Votes By Precinct (SOVP)
and ensure that every precinct in the project of precincts of the city is listed therein. All the Plebiscite Returns submitted to
the CPBOCshall be placed in a ballot box or ballot boxes, if not all of plebiscite returns can be accommodated in one ballot
box . The CPBOC Chairman shall produce before the members, the ballot box(es) containing said plebiscite returns;
(b) Before opening a ballot box, the CPBOCshall record its condition and its serial number, and the serial number
of the self-locking fxed length seal securing the ballot box;
(c) The Chairman of the CPBOC shall then open the ballot box, retrieve the envelopes containing plebiscite
returns and record in its Minutes of Canvass, the conditions and serial numbers of the envelopes and their paper seals;
(d) The Chairman of the CPBOC shall open the envelope one at a time, record the condition and serial number
of the returns and its paper seal, and forthwith open the same for canvassing.
(e) Only such number of envelopes containing plebiscite returns that can be canvassed during the meeting of the
CPBOC shall be opened which number shall be recorded in the Minutes of Canvass.
(f) Entries in the SOVP shall be made every time a plebiscite return is canvassed. Once all the columns of
the SOVP are flled up, the members of the CPBOC shall sum up the number of precincts canvassed, the number of
registered voters, the number of voters who actually voted, and the total Affrmative and Negative votes therein and
thereafter affx their initials below their names appearing at the certifcation portion of the form;
(g) In case its copy of a plebiscite returns is missing, the CPBOC shall obtain such missing returns from the
PlebCom concerned. If said returns have been lost or destroyed, the CPBOC, upon prior authority of the Regional
Election Director of Region III may use any of the authentic copies of said returns or a certifed copy thereof issued by the
Commission. Forthwith, the CPBOC shall refer the case for investigation to the Regional Election Director of Region III
who shall report his fndings to the Commission;
(h) Each time the CPBOC suspends its meetings or adjourns for the purpose of awaiting for the other plebiscite
returns, it shall:
1. Determine the totals of all Affrmative and Negative votes canvassed;
2. Accomplish the SOVP and close the same with the initials of the members following the last entry of
Affrmative and Negative votes;
3. Place the SOVPin an envelope, which shall be sealed with a serially numbered paper seal and signed by the
members in the presence of all the members of the board and the watchers; and
4. Place the plebiscite returns already canvassed, the remaining unopened envelopes, and envelope containing
a copy of the SOVPinside a ballot box which shall be locked with three padlocks and a self-locking metal seal,
the serial number of which shall be duly recorded in the Minutes of Canvass.
Each member of the CPBOCshall keep a key to the three padlocks of a ballot box, so that it cannot be opened
without all of them being present. The ballot box shall be deposited in a secured room for safekeeping until
the resumption of its meeting.
(i) At the resumption of the canvass, the secretary of the CPBOC shall:
1. Get the ballot box fromthe secured roomand verify the condition of the ballot box, the three padlocks and the
self-locking serially numbered fxed length seal;
2. Enter in the Minutes a description of the condition thereof, as well as the serial number of the self-locking
serially numbered fxed length seals;
3. Destroy the self-locking serially numbered fxed length seals in the presence of the other members of the
board and watchers; and
4. Present to the CPBOC the remaining unopened envelopes containing plebiscite returns and the offcial SOV
contained in a duly sealed and signed envelope.
(j) After all the plebiscite returns assigned to it have been canvassed, the CPBOC shall:
1. Prepare a tally of the total affrmative and negative votes, including the data on the number of registered
voters, number of voters who actually voted, and the total number of precincts it has canvassed; and
2. Place the plebiscite returns copy for the CPBOCin their respective envelopes and deposit the same inside the
ballot box which shall be locked with three padlocks and sealed with a self-locking metal seal.
3. Each member of the CPBOC shall keep a key corresponding to the three padlocks of the ballot box.
SEC. 55. Documents and articles omitted or erroneously placed inside the ballot box; Authority to open
ballot box. If after the delivery of the keys of the ballot box to the proper authorities, the PlebCom shall discover that
some documents or articles required to be placed in the ballot box were not placed therein, the PlebCom, instead of
opening the ballot box in order to place therein said documents or articles, shall deliver the same to the Election Offcer
of Cabanatuan City. In no instance shall the ballot box be reopened to place therein or take out therefromany document
or article except to retrieve copies of the plebiscite returns which will be needed in the canvass and in such excepted
instances, the members of the PlebComand watchers shall be notifed of the time and place of the opening of said ballot
box: Provided, however, That if there are other copies of the plebiscite returns outside of the ballot box which can be used
in canvass, such copies of the plebiscite returns shall be used in said canvass and the opening of the ballot box to retrieve
copies of the plebiscite returns placed therein shall then be dispensed with.

The Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija is hereby authorized to act on requests to open ballot boxes to
retrieve the plebiscite returns erroneously placed therein needed in the canvass.

SEC. 56. Minutes of the Canvass of the CPBOC. - The CPBOC shall prepare two (2) copies of the Minutes
of the Canvass.
The frst copy shall be submitted by the Secretary of the CPBOC to the Law Department of the Commission within
ten (10) days fromtermination of canvass. The second copy shall be deposited inside the ballot box.
SEC. 57. Completion of the Canvass. - The CPBOC shall sign the certifcation and affx their thumbmarks at
the bottomof each SOVP, and, using a separate SOVP, consolidate the data including the total Affrmative and Negative
votes. Thereafter, it shall prepare a Certifcate of Canvass and Proclamation (COCP).
The COCP shall be supported by an SOVP. The members of the CPBOC shall print their full names and affx
their signatures and thumbmarks in the proper space at the bottom of both forms and certify under oath that the entries
therein are true and correct.
SEC. 58. Distribution of the COCP. - The COCPshall be prepared in four (4) copies, supported by a Statement
of Votes by Precinct, and distributed as follows:
(a) The original shall, within three (3) days from proclamation, be sent to the Election Records and Statistics
Department (ERSD) of the Commission;
(b) The second copy shall be fled in the Offce of the EO;

The third copy shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; and
(c) The fourth copy shall be submitted to the City Mayor of Cabanatuan City.
SEC. 59. Applicability of the Omnibus Election Code and Other Election Laws. - The pertinent provisions of
the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 7160 and other election laws and resolutions of the Commission which are
not inconsistent herewith shall, as far as practicable, apply to the plebiscite subject of this Resolution.
SEC. 60. Implementation. The Offce of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations, assisted by the Plebiscite
Working Committees, shall implement this Resolution to ensure the holding of a free, orderly, honest, peaceful and
credible plebiscite.
The Offce of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations assisted by the Regional Election Director of Region III
and the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija shall supervise the conduct of the plebiscite.

SEC. 61. Dissemination. - The Deputy Executive Director for Operations shall furnish the Regional Election
Director of Region III, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Nueva Ecija, the EO of Cabanatuan City, the Secretary of the
Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Secretary of the Department of Education, the City Mayor, the City
Treasurer and the DepEd Superintendent of Cabanatuan City, with a copy of this Resolution.
The EOof Cabanatuan City shall give this Resolution the widest dissemination in Cabanatuan City.
SEC. 62. Effectivity. - This Resolution shall take effect on the 7
th
day after its publication in two (2) daily
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and in one (1) newspaper of local circulation in Cabanatuan City.
SOORDERED.
Chairman
On Offcial Business
[email protected] Sunday
BUSINESS
ManilaStandardTODAY
SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 SUNDAY
A11
Sunday
Manila StandardTODAY
Business
A12
By Carla Mortel
SRI TAN Dato Seri Vincent Tan, founder
of Malaysian conglomerate Berjaya
Group of Companies, donated P100
million to Gawad Kalinga Foundation in
an unprecedented effort to help victims
of typhoon Sendong in the
Philippines.
Tan turned over the
check to Gawad Kalinga
Foundation founder and
chairman Tony Meloto to
help build houses for those
displaced by typhoon
Sendong. As witnessed
by Tan and Vice President
Jejomar Binay, Berjaya
Philippines country
head Paul Soo and GKs
executive director Jose
Luis Oquinena signed the
deed of donation during
the GK Bayanihan Expo event held at
the SMX Arena on Oct. 6. Thousands of
GK volunteers and several government
ofcials cheered and applauded the
gesture.
The Berjaya Group is one of the rst
companies to heed the call for donations
to assist typhoon victims rebuild their
lives, starting with a decent home to
live in. The amount represents the rst
in a three-part donation that totals P300
million in three years, the biggest to be
made by any company in the country.
Tan says he also made a promise
to himself to donate half of his
charity the moment he stepped down
as chairman of the Berjaya Group
Berhad, the mother company of
Berjaya Philippines, and turned it over
to his son, Robin Tan. He was also
inspired by Bill Gates who started the
Giving Pledge years ago.
I told myself that I want to follow what
he [Gates] did. Nothing is
more heartwarming that
being given the chance to
share time, effort and talent
to help those who are in
need, he says. Tan retired
from an active corporate role
in Berjaya Corporation Bhd,
the agship of the Berjaya
Group of Companies, on
Feb. 23.
As a businessman
and entrepreneur, Tan
has varied interests in
property development,
t e l e c o mmu n i c a t i o n s ,
gaming, stock broking, manufacturing,
trading, hospitality and Internet related
businesses, utilities, media and insurance
through various public and private
companies.
The Malaysian billionaire and
philanthropist also praised Meloto for his
seless initiative for noteworthy causes.
I nd his efforts very admirable and I
hope that we can also duplicate the same
in Malaysia, he says. Having a roof
on top of ones head is an essential need
and right to every person and family.
Nothing can help a person or a family to
achieve a better life without a home to
begin with.
Berjaya Group founder donates P100m
ENTREPRENEURS Ramon Uy Jr. and his
wife Francine have discovered a large market of
health conscious individuals craving for fresh food
products from organic farms.
Organic farms, according to the Uy
couple, grow food naturally or without
the aid of chemical fertilizers or
pesticides. The couple established their
organic farm called Fresh Start Organics
in Silay City in 2005.
It was a fresh start for us because
when we started the business, we just
got married. It is [also] a fresh start for
farmers who want to go into organic and
sustainable farming, and for people who
want to change their lifestyles by being
healthy and changing the way they eat,
says Francine.
Ramon explains that Fresh Starts
organic farm started as a demonstration
eld to prove the effectiveness of an
organic fertilizer made from vermicast
or worm manure, which his father found
way of developing more efciently.
His father, Ramon Uy Sr., invented
a machine called RU Shredder in 1999
which converts solid waste into compost
or organic bedding materials.
That invention helped him recover
from the Asian nancial crisis that hit
his foundry business. It proved efcient
in producing organic vermicast, an
organic fertilizer that now revolutionizes
the farm industry. This enriches the
soil directly and does not harm the
agricultural system.
Initially, the couple wanted to prove
the effectiveness of the organic fertilizer
in growing crops and vegetables, but
found that people are also interested in
the fresh produce from the farm. It was
natural that their products diversied
from fertilizers to organic food.
Their timing was perfect because in
2005, the local governments of Negros
Occidental and Negros Oriental signed a
memorandum of agreement committing
Negros Island to become a leading
organic producer in Asia.
With government support, Fresh Start
received its organic certication in 2010
from the Negros Island Certication
Services, the rst organic certication
body accredited in the country in
compliance with the Organic Agriculture
Act.
Negros has always been dominated
by big sugar planters, and small farmers
have always been looking for their
own niche. We have found it in organic
farming, and this is their opportunity,
says the younger Ramon.
In 2011, the Uy couple decided
to establish a Fresh Start Organics
retail outlet in Bacolod City to serve
innovative and healthy organic meals.
The store also sells certied organic
products such as fresh salad greens and
vegetables; unpolished white, brown,
red, and black rice varieties; rainforest
shade-grown coffee; and an assortment
of personal care and home products
from Fresh Start and other labels from
around the Philippines.
Soon, people from other parts of the
country heard about Fresh Start Organics
products, which found their way into
eco-stores in Manila, Dumaguete and
Iloilo, and even into the kitchens of
culinary experts such as Margarita Fores
of Cibo fame.
Global market research rm
MarketsandMarkets predicted that
global organic food and beverage sector
would grow from $57.2 billion in 2010
to $104.5 billion in 2015.
People often have the misconception
that organic products are expensive. What
they dont see is that products grown and
manufactured through the conventional,
chemically-laden farming process have
hidden costs to the environment and
the health of consumers. Rather than
organic products being too expensive,
conventional products are actually too
cheap. Organic products reect the real
costs of fair production, says Ramon.
It is sustainable because it does
not depend on chemicals to grow
crops. Rather, it works side-by-side
with nature. For example, we plant
marigolds around the farm as natural
pest repellents as well as sunowers that
attract benecial insects to prey on the
pests. Organic farming is also adaptable
to climate change since organic soil
absorbs up to three times more water,
making it more capable to withstand
droughts, he adds.
Ramon says Fresh Start Organics
gives farmers a fair or premium price for
their produce, contrary to the low price
they are usually offered by middlemen.
We train them to break free from
the dependence on chemical inputs by
teaching them how to make their own
compost and providing them with start-
up technology. As farmers they are the
rst to wake up to work, but they are
also the poorest in society. We empower
them because without them, all of us
will starve, he adds.
As one of the most active advocates of
the organic movement in the province,
Ramon was elected president of the
Organic na Negros! Organic Producers
and Retailers Association, which facilitates
the partnership of retailers with different
organic suppliers in order to meet the
growing demand for organic goods.
For him, the good thing about
Negros organic producers is that they
are consolidated, which makes them
capable of producing bigger volumes
than otherwise possible.
When you go organic, it wont
work with just the private sector alone
it needs to be multi-sectoral. Private
producers, the government, the support
of restaurants and local consumers, the
Churchthese sectors all need to be
present. For our part, we can share our
technology, but it will only catch on if
different sectors cooperate, he says.
Fresh Start will join other organic
producers in showcasing their products
in the Negros Occidental pavilion
of the International Food Exhibition
Philippines 2013, the countrys biggest
export-oriented food event.
The Center for International
Trade Expositions and Missions, the
Philippines export marketing authority,
and the Department of Agriculture
Agribusiness Marketing Assistance
Service will hold IFEX 2013 at the
SMX Convention Center in Pasay City
on May 16 to 19, 2013.
We joined IFEX to gain more
exposure for our growing set of
products, and because we believe the
future for organic goods is very bright.
The Philippines has a huge potential
to be very competitive in this industry
because we are essentially agriculture-
based. We have a large workforce in
rural areas who can be empowered to
go organic. We also have a very diverse
and rich culinary heritage with different
kinds of exotic products such as fruits,
cacao, coconuts, heirloom rice, and
coffee thats only grown here in the
country, says Ramon.
For more information on IFEX
Philippines, contact CITEMs Vicky
Arellano at tel. nos. 8312336 or
8312201 local 277. You may also e-mail
[email protected] or visit
www.ifexphilippines.com.
Mapa faculty exchange
program. Mapa Institute of
Technologys School of Architecture,
Industrial Design and the Built
Environment (ARIDBE) recently
entered into a faculty exchange
program with Lule University of
Technology, a world-class university
in the city of Lule, Sweden. The
collaboration between Mapa and
LTU was made possible through a
Swedish exchange program called
the Linnaeus-Palme, which aims to
promote and strengthen long-term
cooperation among universities in
Sweden and in developing countries.
Shown are (standing, from left)
professor Bengt Holmquist and
Dr. sa Wilkberg-Nilsson, both
from Swedens Lule University of
Technology, as they give lectures on
industry designs to Mapa students.
Tan built the Berjaya Group to
become one of Malaysias biggest
conglomerates, with business interests
spanning across Asia in the areas of
real estate, hotel and tourism, food and
beverage, education and technology,
among others.
In the Philippines, Berjaya holds
majority control in several business
outts such as Papa Johns Pizza,
E-Load Central, Friendster Philippines
and Berjaya Hotel. It has also recently
acquired the distributorship of Mazda
vehicles in the Philippines.
Tan also revealed that he was
increasing his companys stake in the
country by opening up more opportunities
for business, even the prospect of
partnerships with the government
and private sectors. The Philippine
economy is very vibrant and alive right
now. I say it is open for business, and
it is more fun in the Philippines, and
that the Filipinos are worth living and
working with, he says.
Berjaya Group recently sponsored
30 Filipino students, with full tuition
and board, to the Berjaya University of
Culinary Hospitality, an institution in
Kuala Lumpur specializing in culinary
arts, hospitality and tourism education.
An earlier batch of 10 students who
started in 2010 on full Berjaya scholarship
graduated in August.
At Berjaya Group of Companies, a
company which I have had the chance to
lead and serve for many years, we always
operate in the spirit of philanthropy, of
reaching out to people as we deal with
our businesses and establish networks,
says Tan.
Truly, there is nothing more
heartwarming than being given the
chance to share time, effort and talent to
help those who are in need, he says.
Sunday
ManilaStandardTODAY
ARTS & LIFE
B1
SUNDAY OCTOBER 28, 2012
of course, we can accommodate
any special request by the guest
as long as we have the ingredi-
ents, Stefan promises.
I like that my job allows
me to be creative, he reveals.
Basically its me developing
recipes for Aubergine, but
always in cooperation with chef
Norbert. I have a sous chef as
well, Michael Schmidt. We sit
together and brainstorm. We
check our records, I take a lot of
pictures every day, of different
kinds of presentations that we can
do. From there, we decide what
goes into the menu. Its a lot of
work behind one dish, he says.
Those who wish to learn how
he does it can sign up for cook-
ing classes. We gather around
10 to 15 students, and prepare
a menu of three to ve courses.
We cook for two or three hours.
Then afterwards, we sit down
and eat what was prepared.
They can invite their husbands,
wives, and friends to join us for
the meal. It can either be for
lunch or dinner. The cost ranges
from P3,500 to P4,500 per per-
son, depending on what we will
cook. All participants are given
a certicate and an apron, he
offers. The restaurant also ac-
commodates exclusive func-
tions and does catering.
their kitchen dishes out a lot of the
Aubergine Surf and Turf (Grilled
lobster tail and roasted Australian
Mulwarra beef tenderloin with
pan seared duck foie gras and sau-
ted mushrooms Barnaise sauce
and Madeira jus, wild mushroom
risotto and glazed vegetables).
For the desserts, our best seller
is the souf, he quips. Very few
guests leave without buying a
stack of macarons or a box of pra-
lines from their deli counter.
Aside from their regular a la
carte menu, Aubergine, located
at at the 32
nd
and 5
th
Building,
5
th
Avenue corner 32
nd
Street,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig,
has the Chefs Special black-
board and business lunch which
changes weekly. They have the
eight-course degustacion menu
for those who want to try a bit
of everything, I think its excel-
lent for rst-time visitors. The
kids can choose from a section
especially made for them. The
vegetarians are not left out ei-
ther, they also have their own
list of sumptuous options. And
I think the secret is the con-
sistency. I have never heard com-
plaints about quality of food or
of service dropping. We use the
freshest products, the best ingre-
dients all the time. We are not
looking to buy the cheapest one,
we are looking for the best qual-
ity. Most of our items are prepared
fresh. Weve also received a lot of
good comments about our service.
Our staff is very professional, very
knowledgeable, they know what
they are doing and they are friend-
ly, muses executive chef Stefan
Langenhan.
Its all about training, training,
training, he emphasizes. We
check everything, taste every-
thing, explain everything nicely
to the staff, and show them three,
four, even 10 times until they get
how we want it, he elaborates.
With a Master Chef diploma
from Hotelfachschule Altoetting
and more than two decades of
experience working in ve star es-
tablishments in Europe and in in-
ternational cruise lines, Stefan has
a lot to share with his team. Guests
can view them while they work
since Aubergine has a huge open
kitchen. People like watching
us, they have a lot of fun. We al-
low them to go inside the kitchen,
say hi, and have a picture with the
chefs. The Chefs Table is the best
table in the house, it offers the best
view of the kitchen. It seats 14 and
is high so one can see everything
going on, shares the German
chef who began his adventures
in the kitchen at age ve, baking
cake and cookies with his mother.
Aubergines Duck Cont and
foie gras are just some of the most
popular items on their menu. We
are very very open minded when
it comes to working with foie gras
and we are quite known for it. We
have been trying a lot of things
and weve been making different
dishes out of them, enthuses the
chef. In fact, they have foie gras
ice cream on their cold and warm
appetizers page. We are also sell-
ing a lot of steaks from our grill,
we have very good meat here
and lots of seafood, lobsters, and
scallops, he goes on. No wonder
Aubergine executive chef Stefan Langenhan
The Chocolate pyramid has a nice surprise inside
By Dinna Chan Vasquez
THE Magnolia Fresh Chicken
Carindria Fiesta Year II two-day
event began with a bang as the
drum and bugle corp from Juan
Sumulong Elementary School
played their renditions of pop
songs. Dancers in their color-
fully embellished native wear
followed and capered about the
pahiyas decorated walkway.
San Miguel Foods Inc. presi-
dent Rita Imelda " Tatish"
Palabyab led the ribbon cutting
ceremony with vice president and
general manager Dr. Leo Obv-
iar, Ginebra San Miguel Group
Product manager Paul Camello,
National Live Operations manag-
er Roy Mujer, Meats and Poultry
Marketing manager Jake Lugay
and Magnolia Chicken Product
manager Camille Juan.
The highlight of the event was
the ofcial launch of the Mag-
nolia Fresh Chicken CARES
(Carinderia Alaga Rewards)
loyalty program and a heart-to-
heart talk with the audience on
what Alagang Magnolia really
is by teaching them the basic
principles of hygiene and sani-
tation in food storage and food
handling.
Magnolia Fresh Chicken
CARES program is the brands
initiative to give back to its loyal
carinderia customers. Members
are entitled to a CARES starter
kit which includes a member
card, rewards passport and spe-
cial promo items from Magnolia
Chicken. Exclusive promotions
via a point system plus big sav-
ings treats from the Monterey
Meatshop assigned to the mem-
bers are some of the benets.
Carinderia 101
A number of firsts marked
the first day. Notable is a
unique module called Carin-
deria 101 which teaches and
inspires carinderias to grow
their business. Speakers from
Lugaw Republic, Bigasanko.
com, and Rodics shared their
stories and gave tips to help
budding carinderia entrepre-
neurs start their business and
help them have an entrepre-
neurial mind-set to overcome
challenges.
The Culinary Institute of Aris-
tocrat and San Miguel Pure Foods
Culinary Center conducted cook-
ing demonstrations during the
event. CIA chefs Jack Luspo and
Rene Batac prepared Magno-
lia Fresh Chicken Adobo Spring
Roll and Monterey Braised Beef
Chunks Shanks while SMPFC
guest chefs Ernest and Sylvia
Gala cooked mouth-watering oeu-
vres such as Monterey Beef Bris-
ket Korean Style, Spicy Magnolia
Chicken Wings, Magnolia All
Purpose Flour Puto with Purefoods
Star Corned Beef and Monterey
Pork Pata with Magnolia Free
Range and Brown Eggs.
Honey glazed duck breast
Through the
years
By Nana F. Nadal
IF you know good food, you must know about Aubergine
Restaurant and Patisserie. Opened in December 2007, the
destination for contemporary French cooking continues
to be a favorite of executives and expats with discriminat-
ing palates. Despite its inconspicuous location and very
little promotion, not to mention the ballooning number of
other dining options in the area, Aubergines tables have
remained occupied. The establishment, owned by culinary
industry luminaries Hans Schallenber g and Nor ber t
Gandler (the same names behind the International School
for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management) has received
countless awards including a citation in the Miele Guide
as one of the best restaurants in Asia.
Cold sm
oked Norw
egian salm
on
A different kind of esta
Ginebra San Miguel prepared
a mixology and air demo with
the 2011 air champions and ac-
credited bartenders of the Philip-
pines while speakers from Petron
and Condura shared energy sav-
ing tips. Condura, a partner of
Carinderia Fiesta gave away re-
frigerators to rst prize winners
of the cooking contest.
Photo gallery
A photo gallery set amid
a bahay na bato paid tribute
to carinderias who are now
byword in the food industry.
Aptly billed as Pinoy Carin-
deriaThe Next Big Thing,
the exhibit not only featured
the best of the best carinde-
rias in the metro but also the
premium quality products that
only San Miguel Pure Foods
Corporation can provide, led
by Magnolia Fresh Chicken,
SMFI vice president and general manager Dr. Leo Obviar, President
Tatish Palabyab, SMFI National Live Operations manager Roy Mujer,
and Meats and Poultry Marketing manager Jake Lugay
Pure Foods Star Corned
Beef, Magnolia Pancake
Mix, Star Margarine, Nu-
tri-Oil, Magnolia Cheezee
and San Miguel Coffee Su-
per Mix and Magnolia Ice
Cream.
Dr. Paraluman Giron,
head writer of K-12 Basic
Education Program of the
Department of Education
gave an awe-inspiring talk
on Carinderia Life Coaching
while Llena Tan-Arcenas,
San Miguel Pure Foods Cor-
porate Innovations Group
Wellbeing Manager spoke on
nutritional values, food por-
tioning and appropriate food
serving.
As a prelude to the most
anticipated search for the rst
Carinderia Queen pageant,
international fashion guru Re-
nee Salud gave tips on how to
vamp up and accessorize ones
look and outt, as well as their
carinderias.
Ma. Luisa Matsushita of
Chezta Eatery was crowned
the rst Carinderia Queen.
Sunday
ManilaStandardTODAY
ARTS & LIFE
B2
SUNDAY OCTOBER 28, 2012
THIRTY kids took part in a healthy and
sumptuous lunch recently during the
launch of the Keep Fit, Feed a Child Sea-
son 3 at Gregorio del Pilar Elementary
School in Tondo, Manila.
A series of Filipino folk dances and chil-
dren songs brought life to the kick-off pro-
gram. Both the parents and teachers of the 30
children beneciaries graced the event.
The Keep Fit, Feed a Child Program aims
to create awareness on the lack of nutrition
among children from four-10 years old and
how it affects school drop-out rate and educa-
tional performance. In partnership with Kabi-
sig ng Kalahi, Inc and Mead Johnson Nutrition,
the program will run for six months wherein
the school children will follow a lunch menu
that will help improve their nutrition.
Senior vice president Faye Corcuera,
group head of HRMG, highlighted the impor-
tance of both education and nutrition for the
children. Proper nutrition is important so that
the children will stay in school to nish their
studies and make their dreams come true.
Victor ia Wineke, president of Kabisig
ng Kalahi, Inc. also encouraged the parents
of the children to sustain in the program.
Please dont let go. Let us participate in the
program, as this will really help our chil-
dren, she said.
Weight gain
Wineke reported that in the previous seasons
of the program, there was signicant improve-
ment in the health condition of the children.
In 2010, there was 99.45 percent weight gain,
while in 2011, there was 99.56 percent weight
gain. Around 90 percent of the children were
Keep t, feed a child
In Keep Fit, Feed a Child Program, every BPI employee has to lose weight, so BPI can translate it to a
certain amount which will help feed malnourished children. Kids enjoy a sumptuous and healthy
meal with BPI employees.
IN 1565, a trade route between the Spanish East In-
dies (the Philippines) and New Spain (Mexico) started
with the discovery of the ocean passage by Andr es de
Ur danet a.
The trade route became the passage way of what would
later be known as the Galleon Trade. The Manila Gal-
leon, one of the most important trading systems at that
time, was a great source of income for the colonies (Phil-
ippines and Mexico) and Spain. It facilitated the transfer
of goods among Europe and Asian and Latin American
colonies. In addition to the goods, it facilitated the ex-
change of peoples and their ideas, customs and lifestyle
among the participating economies.
Flour ishing t r ade
The trade between Manila and Acapulco, which nor-
mally took three to four months, flourished and would
end only in 1815, a few years before Mexico gained its
independence from Spain in 1821. It was a lucrative
trade that was protected by the colonists in the Phil-
ippines and the merchants in Seville who petitioned
King Philip II to have the Casa de Contratacin
(House of Trade) protect the monopoly. In the Galleon
trade, Asian goods such as Chinese silk, spices from
Moluccas, Japanese lacquerware and Philippine cot-
ton textiles were shipped to Acapulco, and eventually
to Europe, in exchange for silver from New Spain.
It attracted to Manila local and Asian merchants espe-
cially Chinese from Fujian Province who had brought
ivory, porcelain and silk, items that were in demand in
the Americas and Europe at that time. In return, some
Mexican crops and animals were introduced to the Phil-
ippines such as corn, potato, cotton and tobacco.
Recr eat ing t he per iod
The exhibition, The Manila Galleon in Acapulco,
recreates in the most authentic way possible the feel of
the period and the trade through its ambience-setting
designs, select trade goods and Mexican items, such
as ceramics and utensils. In addition to the commodi-
ties or tangible goods, the exhibition also re-transmits
the complex trans-cultural assimilation that happened
among the peoples of the Far East, Europe and the
Americas.
An important section in the exhibition is the Soci-
ety and Religion section which features the Altar of
the Virgin of Guadalupe and the images of the brown-
skinned Virgin of Guadalupe. The Virgin of Guadal-
upe, which is considered the Patroness of the Philip-
pine Islands, was sent to the Philippines from Mexico
in 1648 through the Galleon Trade. The image and
what it represents garnered a strong, local devotion
among the locals, such as in Pagsanjan, Bohol and in
Makati.
The Manila Galleon in Acapulco is an initiative of
the Embassy of Mexico with the assistance of the Go-
bierno del Estado de Guerrero, Instituto Guerreranse
de la Cultura, Guerrero Cumple and the Conaculta or
the Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes.
The exhibition will run until Dec. 10 at the Upper
Galleries, Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
The Manila Galleon
in Acapulco at the Met
A typical 18
th
century print
on canvas of a
woman with a
jaro de agua (jar
of clay).
The Tlacololero is the
person wearing this wooden
mask. The Tlacolero dance is
a traditional harvest dance
in Guerrero.
On the lower right of the
painting a girl kneads a corn
into our using a petate
(stone mortar) in a Mexican
cocina. Talavera tiles are placed
on kitchen walls.
completely rehabilitated after the program.
Principal Diomedes Rosete expressed
gratitude for the constant support the part-
ners have for the school. It is indeed an op-
portunity for us.
The actions coming from your institutions
are an answer to DepEds call of helping the
deprived and depressed schools, he said.
BPI initially turned over P 60,000 to jump-
start the program. However, more than just giv-
ing the amount, the Keep Fit, Feed a Child also
focuses on encouraging employees towards
having a healthier lifestyle.
While the employees pledge to lose
weight based on Body Mass Index with-
in three months, it is also important for
the employees to maintain their lifestyle
choice, may it be starting exercises regi-
mens, stopping vices, eating healthy and
even managing stress with work.
"I haven't had a real vacation trip ever since Showtime
started, whereas i used to go to Boracay or wherever all the
time. Other than these minor things, Showtime is a great
ride and I'm so lucky to be part of it!" says Jugs.
He says that the show came into his life at the right time.
"I just turned 30 and I was thinking of what to do for the
rest of my life. I was thinking of getting an MBA, but I was
also busting my brains thinking of a day job that I can get so
that I can still do the Itchyworms at night and on weekends.
Showtime is the perfect answer! It's a win-win situation be-
cause it was a morning show which i can do schedule-wise,
and it will also give my band great exposure," shares Jugs.
In a previous interview, Jugs revealed that the people be-
hind It's Showtime never pressured him to lose weight or
look better.
"People thought Itchyworms wouldn't make it because we
were fat but we did," he says.
He is also happy that because of the show, the number of
people watching Itchyworms' gigs has increased ("doubled
or tripled actually," he says). Companies have also hired the
band not only for their corporate shows but also to endorse
their products, something which Jugs says is "cool."
Without sponsors and his "stylish" girlfriend, Jugs doesn't
know how he would dress for the show.
"Dressing for a daily show is quite difficult. But I am
blessed with a very stylish girlfriend who knows a thing
or two about styling. She taught me the basics like 'color-
combination' and 'layering.' Now, I choose my look based
on what I feel that particular day," says Jugs.
He names brands like adidas, Levi's, Ray-Ban and Team
Manila as his favorites when it comes to dressing up. Jugs,
incidentally, collects adidas shoes and Ray-Ban shades. He
is rarely seen without a pair of sunglasses, making it his
trademark look.
"I started wearing shades when the Itchyworms were just
starting out, so that we wouldn't see audience, thus lessen-
ing our nervousness. I carried it to Showtime, and it worked
out pretty good as well. Anyway, one Christmas, my girl-
friend gave me a pair or oversized Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and
I started wearing it on the show. After that, I bought one
also, and then a few more people gave me some as well.
Now I think I have probably 20 pairs of Wayfarers in my
collection," says Jugs.
Aside from shoes and sunglasses, Jugs also collects books
on The Beatles and guitars. He shares that he has over 50
guitars. He has a preference for weird-looking ones from
Gibson, Fender and Mar tin.
It may sound weird that someone who's been in a band for
years is still nervous about facing the audience but it is true.
"There is always pressure on us to make the audience
stand up and have fun. That's where the nervousness comes
from," says Jugs.
Yes, Jugs Jugueta may need a security blanket when fac-
ing his audience but he is definitely happy where his life
has taken him.
"I try my best so that it doesn't get into my head. It helps
that it happened when I was a bit older, and my feet were
firmly planted on the ground," says Jugs when asked how
he keeps himself grounded despite the fame and adulation
that he is enjoying.
BEFORE J ugs J ugueta became a co-host of the widely popular ABS-CBN
show Its Showtime, he would wake up at 1 p.m. Now, the Itchywor ms
frontman has to be up at 7 a.m. for the noontime show.
By Dinna Chan Vasquez
Why
JUGS
has to wear
shades
Jugs collects sunglasses,
books on The Beatles
and guitars
B3 OCTOBER 28, 2012 SUNDAY
Sunday
tech.mst.ph
ManilaStandardTODAY
email: [email protected]
Windows 8 arrives
LENOVO recently unleashed a slew of AMD powered consumer
notebooks to the Philippine market.
The new line of lightweight and thin IdeaPad AMD notebooks
includes the S205, S206 and S405 models, the latest addition to
Lenovos ultraportable laptop offerings, are packed with features that
make mobile computing more fun and convenient without sacricing
performance, Vicky Agorrilla, Lenovo Philippines country general
manager told the Manila Standard.
With the perfect mix of fashion and power, these notebooks
are expected to make a splash in the growing consumer
market< Agorilla said.
IDC Asia/Pacic PC Tracker reported signicant growth in
the Philippines PC market in the rst quarter of 2012
with the consumer market growing at 30% as mini
notebook shipments spiked upwards to garner 32% of
the total PC market share. (http://www.idc.com/getdoc.
jsp?containerId=prPH23590312)
We designed the latest IdeaPad notebooks to fulll the
computing needs between netbook and notebook categories. The
S205, S206 and S405 have the power of a laptop
in making them the perfect companion for
fashion-loving consumers who are looking for a
computing device thats stylish in design, offers solid
performance, and portable, all at an affordable
package, Agorilla said.
Running on AMD dual core processors, the
latest IdeaPad S series sport an ultra-slim design
and lightweight for easy portability and have a
stylish AccuType chiclet keyboard for comfortable
typing
The S205 and S206 notebooks have 11.6 HD display,
16:9 widescreens while the IdeaPad S405 features a 14 HD
display.
The IdeaPad S series notebooks also offer an expressive
cityscape design that will make heads turn. They feature stylish
exteriors with a metallic nish in bright colors that teens and students
will be delighted to choose from: cotton-candy pink, electric blue,
graphite grey, crimson red, and pearl white, Agorilla said.
The S205 mini notebook measures 18mm thin, weighs only 1.35kg,
and has battery life of up to 5 hours. Powered by AMD E-450 dual
core processor, the S205 offers
integrated graphics, DDR3 memory,
320GB HDD storage, and HDMI, USB 2.0 and 6-
in-1 card reader ports.
Designed as a travel companion, the S206 notebook is 20.7mm
thin and 1.3kg in weight that features AMD C60 dual core processor,
D D R 3
memory, 320GB
HDD storage and 4 hours
of battery life. With
the built-in Lenovo
Quick Start instant on function, users can log online in
seconds and run basic apps without starting Windows.
Additional features of the S206 include an integrated
2.0 HD Webcam for seamless video chatting and Web
calling, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 connectors and 2 in 1
card reader.
The S405 notebook is equipped with up to
AMD A8 quad core processors with up to 1TB
hard disk storage capacity to offer users plenty of
space to store movies, documents and music.
Designed as an entertainment companion, featuring
Dolby Advanced Audio v2 certication, stereo speakers and
HDMI output, the S405 is just 21.9mm thin and weighing 1.8kg,
combining comfort, simplicity and responsiveness at an affordable
price.
Now available from Lenovo Exclusive Stores (LES) and authorized
resellers, the S205, S206 and S405 are priced at Php19,900, 17,995
and PhP27,995, respectively. tech.mst.ph
Lenovo
launches AMD thin
and light notebooks
NEW YORKWith the launch of Windows 8, buyers are about
to discover a computing experience unlike anything theyve seen
before. Heres a guide to getting past some of the hurdles.
The main thing to know is that Windows 8 is designed especially
for touch-screen computers, to make desktops and laptops work more
like tablets. It is Microsofts way of addressing the popularity of
tablets, namely the iPad. But Windows 8 will work with mouse and
keyboard shortcuts, too. Itll take some getting used to, though.
There are two versions of Windows 8, or more precisely, theres
Windows 8 and theres Windows RT. They look the same, but they
run on different processing chips. Windows 8 runs on standard chips
from Intel and AMD and is the version youd get if youre upgrading
your home desktop or notebook PC. Windows RT is the version for
light, small tablets and laptop-tablet hybrids.
Windows 8 will run programs written for older versions of Windows.
Windows RT wont. Its limited to applications specically written for
it and available through Microsofts store. (As a consolation, a version
of Microsoft Ofce is included free on Windows RT devices).
Here are some tips on how to navigate the new Windows:
When you start a Windows 8 machine, youre greeted with a
screen that shows the time and a pretty picture. To get past it with a
touch-screen device, swipe upwards with your nger from the bottom
edge of the screen. If you have a keyboard, hit any key.
Next, youll see a mosaic of Live Tiles, each representing an
application. Programs specically written for Windows 8 will run in
this new environment, which is unofcially nicknamed Metro. Each
application lls the screen when you run it. Applications written for
older Windows versions will open up in something that looks very
much like the old Windows Desktop environment. You can switch
back and forth between Metro and the new Desktop, though Microsoft
wants people to eventually use only Metro.
The Desktop screen lacks a Start button, so its hard to start
programs from there. Microsofts idea is that users should learn to go
to the Metro tiles to start programs or access settings, even if many
programs, including some Windows utilities, will open up in Desktop.
To get back to the tiled Start screen with a mouse or touchpad, move
the mouse cursor to the top right corner of the screen, then swipe it
down to the Start icon that appears. If you have a touch screen,
reveal the Start icon by swiping in from the right edge of the screen.
In the Desktop environment, you can glance at the Taskbar to see
which Desktop programs are running. If youre a mouse or touchpad
user in Metro and want to see whats running, you have to know this
trick: Move the cursor into the top left corner of the screen, then drag
it down along the left edge of the screen. If you have a touch screen,
swipe in from the left edge, then quickly swipe back in.
Neither environment will show you programs that are running in
the other environment, but if you have a touch screen, swiping in from
the left side of the screen lets you jump between open applications.
The Alt-Tab combination does the same thing with a keyboard, in
case you arent using a touch screen.
There are two versions of Internet Explorer, one for each
environment. A Web page you open in one doesnt appear in the
other, so if youre trying to nd your way back to a page, it helps to
remember which browser you were using.
When using Metro on a touch screen, you close a program by
rst swiping your nger down from the top edge of the screen. That
shrinks the window. Then you swipe your nger down to the bottom
edge of the screen. Dont stray to the right or left edges of the screen,
or the app will end up docked in a column along that edge. You
can perform the same action with a mouse cursor by clicking and
dragging from the top edge of the screen, but using the old Alt-F4
command is easier.
* In the Desktop version of Internet Explorer, you can see at a
glance which pages you have open in tabs. In Metro, each Web
page lls the screen, leaving no room for tabs.
To see which other pages are open on a touch-screen computer,
you swipe your nger down from the top of the screen to reveal
thumbnails of the other windows. Dont sweep too far, or youll
shrink the window instead.
If youre using a mouse in Metro, you right-click anywhere on
the screen to reveal the tabs. Of course, this means right-clicking no
longer does any of things it can be used for in previous versions of
Windows, such as letting you open a link in a new tab.
* When Microsoft introduced Windows 95, some people thought
it was amusing and counterintuitive that the procedure for shutting
down the computer began with the Start button. In Windows 8, that
incongruity is gone along with the Start button, but shutting down
with a mouse or touchpad isnt obvious either. Move the cursor into
the top right corner of the screen. A menu will pop out. Sweep down
to the Settings button that appears, and click it. Then click Power,
then Shut down. If youre on a touch screen, start by swiping in
from the right edge of the screen, then tap Settings. AP
A guide to Windows 8
WHERE DO I CLICK, AGAIN?
IBM, Infosys roll out P1-B tech project for RCBC.
Aiming to boost its online and mobile banking initiatives, Yuchengco-
owned Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) announced
that it has a started implementing a P1-billion IT transformation
project which it awarded to tech giants IBM and Infosys. (From left)
Dennis Bancod, RCBC SEVP and CIO; Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, IBM
Philippines President and Country General Manager and Lorenzo V.
Tan, RCBC President and CEO.
WITH the global availability of the
highly publicized Windows operating
system beginning last Friday, consumers
and businesses worldwide are set to
experience all that Windows 8 has to offer,
including a new Metro-style user interface
and a wide range of applications.
We have reimagined Windows
and the result is a stunning lineup
of new PCs. Windows 8 brings
together the best of the PC and
the tablet. It works perfect for
work and play and it is alive
with your world. Every one of
our customers will nd a PC that
they will absolutely love, said
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
Windows 8 features the new
fast and uid Start screen that
gives people one-click access to
the apps and content they care
most about. It also features an
entirely new Internet Explorer
10 that is perfect for touch,
and built-in cloud capabilities
with SkyDrive, according to
Microsoft.
Consumers around the world
could either download the
software to upgrade their existing
PCs, or buy Windows PCs
preloaded with the software.
Microsoft said existing
Windows users (Windows XP,
Windows Vista or Windows
7) can upgrade to Windows 8
Pro through the end of January
for US$39.99. Meanwhile,
Windows 7 PCs bought after
June 2 can avail of the same offer
for US$14.99. The DVD copy of
Microsoft Windows 8 sells for
US$69.99.
The company claims it has
more than 1,000 Windows
8 certied PCs and tablets,
including Microsoft Surface
making it the best lineup of PCs
ever across the Windows 8 and
Windows RT ecosystem.
Devices running Windows 8
The ofcial release of
Microsofts newest operating
system unleashed a wave of new
Windows 8 devices in all shapes
and sizes from its hardware
partners. For consumers and
businesses, that breadth offers
the chance to nd just the right
PC no matter their needs.
The launch of Windows 8
opens a Pandora of a new wave
of tablets, convertibles, hybrids,
notebooks, Ultrabooks and all-
in-one PCs, hitting the shelves as
early as this week.
From small and slim tablets to
big and beautiful all-in-ones, the
new capabilities in Windows 8
have opened the door for a huge
array of new and reimagined
devices, says Nick Parker,
corporate vice president of
Microsofts OEM Division.
Windows 8 gives Microsoft
and our partners the opportunity
to think differently and creatively
about hardware design with new
materials, hinges, touch panels
and edgeless displays, Parker
says. The approach to hardware
design and breadth of innovation
across all types of PCs results in
an incredible amount of choice
for customers.
Microsofts OEM partners have
been heads down building more
than 800 different devices that
are now certied for Windows 8
and Windows RT. With the new
wave of innovation were seeing
around Windows 8, whatever
your needs are, theres a PC that
delivers, Parker says.
The Tablet Takeover
For anyone on-the-go and
far from a desk, tablet PCs
provide a comfortable, versatile
and convenient computing
experience. Support for
multitouch is already giving
Windows 8-based tablets a big
boost, and Parker expects more
to come to market after launch.
Weve already seen how
popular tablets can be with
consumers, and virtually every
major manufacturer is coming
to market with an offering, at a
range of price points, he says.
While consumers are looking
for the convenience and exibility
of tablets such as the ASUS
Vivo Tab RT, major OEMs are
also designing tablet PCs with
specic features to suit enterprise
scenarios. Hospitals, for example,
may want to check out Dells
Latitude 10 Tablet, which
features ngerprint capabilities
and a smart card reader for
heightened security in dealing
with condential records.
Convertibles and Hybrids:
The Best of Both Worlds
Touch is a convenient way to
interact with a PC, and there are also
times when people want the speed
of a keyboard and the precision
of a mouse. Students might want
tablet functionality to tote to the
classroom and a keyboard for late
nights writing term papers.
With new convertible PCs such
as the Samsung ATIV Smart PC
Pro and hybrids such as the HP
Envy x2, users dont need to
make an either/or decision. Both
feature a traditional clamshell
laptop design plus a touch screen
that separates from the keyboard
and transforms into a tablet.
All-in-Ones: Do It All
on the Desktop
Even the world of desktop
computing is getting a makeover
with Windows 8. All-in-ones
such as the Acer Aspire 7600U
feature large, touch-sensitive
displays that can either detach
from the desktop station or rotate
to lay at perfect for playing
a game around the dining room
table, redesigning that interior
living space, or planning a family
vacation.
The cool factor kicks up another
notch with multipurpose all-in-
ones such as the Sony VAIO L
Series that feature the X-Reality
processing engine found inside
BRAVIA TVs. Select models
offer latest-generation glasses-
free 3D technology, turning
your ofce PC into a cutting-
edge entertainment device.
Notebooks and Ultrabooks
Despite all the change that
touch-based navigation is bringing
to the PC world, the everyday
laptop remains a dependable
workhorse. For anyone who
needs to combine portability with
power to compose and create
using traditional keyboard and
mouse input, todays notebooks
and super-slim Ultrabook
computers still offer a premium
PC experience.
On the other hand, an
executive or sales person who
travels frequently or anyone
who likes to travel light may
opt for a new Ultrabook form
factor, such as the sleek new HP
EnvyTouchSmart Ultrabook 4 or
the razor-thin ASUS Zenbook
PRIME UX31A with touch.
We are excited about the
amazing new PCs for Windows
8 coming to market and think
customers will be delighted,
Parker says. tech.mst.ph
Manila StandardTODAY
Sports
Sunday
Stern made basketball a global sport
B4
On September 2006 the coun-
try fell to 195th on the Fifa World
Rankings, its lowest ever. Because
of the Azkals program the country
has climbed to 147th, its highest
ever ranking, as of October, 2012.
From No. 33 in Asia the country
is now No. 22 and most important-
ly the Philippines is now the No.
3 team in Southeast Asia behind
only Thailand and Vietnam.
The Azkals have made huge
strides. But according to Azkals
team manager Dan Palami, the
42-year-old businessman from Ta-
cloban who started bankrolling the
national team two years ago, the
best is yet to come because appar-
ently they have loftier goals than
just ruling the Southeast Asian
arena.
We hope to become number
one in Southeast Asia by the end
of the year. After Southeast Asia,
well set our sights on Asia. Well
just try to make it one (goal) at a
time, he said.
The Azkals have indeed arrived.
But because theyve established
their credibility the tradeoff is that
opposing teams now scout more
and prepare much harder before
they play against the Azkals.
Our neighbors no longer con-
sider us underdogs. We have to
live up to expectations not only
for our fans here in the Philip-
pines, but also in the competi-
tions. Were no longer coming in
as a surprise team. All the other
teams are paying attention to us
now, said Palami.
Success has not come easy and
problems abound and not just on
the pitch. It is not a secret that the
Azkals have been involved in a lot
of issues and controversies several
times. Palami is always there to
take up the cudgels for his players.
More than anybody else, I
know the boys will never do such
things to destroy the team. It was
just that they were often misunder-
stood. Now I know they are more
sensitive to what is happening to
the team, Palami said.
Text and photo
by Reuel Vidal
THE evil that men do lives af-
ter them, the good is oft interred
with their bones, wrote William
Shakespeare in Julius Caesar.
Such is the case with many
great men who are remembered
for their faults and shortcoming,
their achievements overlooked or
belittled. Such will probably be
the case with the National Bas-
ketball Association commissioner
David Stern who will step down
next year.
Stern has many detractors but
no one can deny his achievement
of globalizing the league making
it a household name.
A lot has happened in the 30
years that Stern spent growing the
NBA. He started with a league
that couldnt even get its cham-
pionship series on live primetime
TV. Today it is a global brand that
is followed with interest in every
corner of the world.
Among the most important
policy decisions of Stern include
drug testing for the athletes, a sal-
ary cap for the teams and a dress
code to give dignity and stature to
both players and coaches.
Recognizing that the use by ath-
letes of steroids and other perfor-
mance-enhancing substances can
eat away at the integrity of athletic
competition the NBA under Sterns
direction instituted a tough drug
testing policy to ensure the purity
of the competition. Additionally,
steroids and performance-enhanc-
ing drugs pose serious risks to the
health of athletes.
The NBA has a comprehensive
testing program in place. And most
importantly the NBA also educates
its players, ofcials and personnel
about the specics of its drug pro-
gram to ensure its success.
In professional sports, a salary
cap is the limit on the amount of
money a team can spend on player
salaries. This cap encompasses both
the individual player and the team
as a whole. Other sports leagues
have implemented salary caps,
both to keep overall costs down as
well as to ensure parity between the
teams so that wealthy teams can-
not dominate the league unfairly by
signing the top players.
The cap therefore drives down
the cost and ensures the competi-
tive balance throughout the league.
Stern also had a hand in the
institution of a dress code for the
NBA. As a matter of policy NBA
players are required to wear Busi-
ness Casual attire whenever they
are engaged in team or league
business.
This means players have to wear
a long or short-sleeved dress shirt
(collared or turtleneck), and/or a
sweater. They must wear dress
slacks, khaki pants, or dress jeans.
The dress code also applies to foot-
wear meaning appropriate shoes
and socks, including dress shoes,
dress boots, or other presentable
shoes, but not including sneakers,
sandals, ip-ops, or work boots.
This may seem restrictive to
casual observers, but it actually
ensures that players are perceived
as professionals and as such com-
mand that much more respect
from the general public.
Stern has built the NBA into a
model for professional sports in
league operations, in public ser-
vice, in global marketing and in
taking advantage of advances in
digital technology.
Under Stern the league estab-
lished NBA Cares which is the
leagues global community out-
reach initiative. The NBA gives
back to the public and has insti-
tutional programs for education,
youth and family development,
and health and wellness. The
league, through its teams and play-
ers, support programs for the less
fortunate and needy, partners with
other groups and pursues initiatives
which positively impact children as
well as families worldwide.
The NBA has social programs
all over the world. Here in the
Philippines the NBA reached out
to Marikina City, the hardest hit
city by Typhoon Ondoy several
years ago, by launching the Jr.
NBA Philippines, at the Marikina
Heights Gym which the league
refurbished. It also has the Jr.
NBA and partnered with Alaska
Milk to nd the best young bas-
ketball players through an annual
nationwide search for talent.
Stern has overseen the NBA
outpace other US professional
sports leagues with seven new
franchises, about 30 times in-
crease in revenues and a dramatic
increase in coverage in US and
international television. Under
Sterns watch the NBA has also
launched two secondary leagues
in the Womens National Bas-
ketball Association and the NBA
Development League.
Under Stern the NBA has also
experienced explosive growth
worldwide with the opening of
ofces in 15 international mar-
kets, the television broadcast of
NBA games in 215 countries and
territories featuring the league in
more than 40 languages.
More than any other profes-
sional sports league in the world
the NBA has taken advantage of
advances in telecommunications
and digital technology creating
the NBA.com, WNBA.com, and
NBADLeague.com; social me-
dia platforms; NBA LEAGUE
PASS; and NBA TV.
Stern retires as commissioner
Feb. 1, 2014. He leaves 30 years
to the day after taking charge of the
league. He leaves the NBA which
he has nurtured and grown from an
upstart sports league in the US into
a global icon in the process increas-
ing the prole and popularity of the
sport of basketball to the point that
it rivals football as the most popular
sport in the world.
Will Sterns achievement be in-
terred with his bones? Only time
will tell.
NBA Commissioner David Stern stands beside a collage of the 50
greatest NBA players which was displayed during NBA functions
in a recent visit to Shanghai, China. Stern has globalized the NBA
and made basketball so popular it rivals soccer as the most popular
sport in the world.
to be the best in Asia
By Anjanette Abad

The Philippine Azkals have gone a
long way since their inception several
years ago.
Palami wants
Palami said it was a difcult
to handle a team in a sport that
was not popular nationwide. He
was aware that the entire coun-
try basked in the success of bas-
ketball and was not very fond of
football. This did not deter the
president of the Leyte Football
Association who took on the chal-
lenge of managing the Azkals.
Nobody wanted my job before,
especially when the team kept on
losing matches. But then somebody
had to take the chance. So I took on
the challenge. Im nding out what
I can do for the team, Palami said.
Palami accepted the responsi-
bility of handling the team and
assembled a mixture of talent for
the Azkals, getting the services of
Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosa-
rio, Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Ara-
neta, and the Fil-foreign football
players: the Younghusband broth-
ers, Phil and James, Neil Ethridge
and Robert Gier.
He then gathered several spon-
sors to supply and clothe the team.
From then on, even though he had a
day job as manager of his own com-
pany, Palami never turned his back
on the Azkals.
Ill never forget how it was when
we all started, when the players, my-
self and the management were all try-
ing to build the dream. Its nice to
recall those moments and then you
realize where you are now. You tell
yourself that everything turned out
well, Palami said.
The team has matured accord-
ing to its team manager. Right
now it is preparing for the up-
coming Suzuki Cup in Thailand
this November 24.
The teams development now
can be compared to a grade-
schooler who is ready to take on
his high school life according to
Palami.
We are now about to graduate
elementary. To improve we have
been playing as a team against
high school teams like Bahrain
and Kuwait, said Palami of the
improved competition his team
now has to face.
Azkals just had their 10-
day training stint in the Middle
East against Bahrain and Ku-
wait which according to the
team manager, only shows that
theyre on the right track.
We are now ready to ght. I
can see the progress of the team
from before. We can see the qual-
ity of players that we have. Some
members of team of 2010 are no
longer here but we are thankful for
their contribution, said an opti-
mistic Palami despite the Azkals
2-1 loss to Kuwait and the score-
less draw with Bahrain.
The following weeks will be
tough for the Azkals. After losing
the Younghusbands (who have
since committed to return to the
program) for a spell the team faces
more uncertainty with players like
Neil Ethridge, Roland Muller,
Stephan Schrock and Angel Guira-
do possibly missing more games.
Despite the handicap, the Az-
kals are hoping to reach a whole
new level when they see action in
the Asean regions premier foot-
ball competition. They will play in
the 2012 AFF Cup, also known as
the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup. This
will be the ninth edition of the
Asean Football Championship, the
football championship of South-
east Asia which will be co-hosted
by Malaysia and Thailand and will
be held Nov. 24 to Dec. 12, 2012.
However, if the past few years
have shown anything it is that
Dan Palami has a sound program
in the Azkals who have improved
consistently through the years and
that aspiring to be the best football
team in Asia is not just an empty
pipe dream but an achievable, re-
alistic objective to aspire for.
Midelder Marwin Angeles (above, center) faces off against Guams Reyn Johnson (above, left) during
their Peace Cup game, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The Azkals won 1-0, despite not having Phil and
James Younghusband. The Philippine Azklas (inset) rejoice after clinching the rst Philippine Football Peace
Cup by beating Chinese Taipei 3-1 in their nal match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. DANNY PATA
AZKALS

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