GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/14 Apr) – Government prosecutors have more than enough evidence to pursue multiple counts of plunder charges against suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and several other officials in connection with the uncovered irregularities in the handling of the region’s funds, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III said here today.
The President said the government is inclined to pursue the plunder charges against Ampatuan as part of its ongoing efforts to usher in proper reforms to the impoverished region and help bring justice for the victims of the gruesome Maguindanao massacre.
He said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently studying various vital evidence against Ampatuan, who was earlier found by the Commission on Audit (COA) to have allegedly misused “not less than P1 billion” of ARMM’s funds in just about a year in office.
Mr. Aquino said COA has yet to complete its audit on the region’s funds and they expect to uncover more evidence of supposed fund misappropriations involving Ampatuan and other regional officials.
“This is just the start of the process. (I instructed) the DOJ to move faster in terms of the gathering of necessary evidence to facilitate the immediate filing of charges (against Ampatuan),” he said in a briefing after inspecting the P27-million biogas power generation facility here.
Ampatuan, who had been tagged as among the principal suspects in the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre, started his first three-year term as ARMM governor in 2005 and was reelected for another term in 2008.
His second term as regional governor was cut short in December 2009 after he was arrested, along with his father (former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.), brother Andal Jr. (former mayor of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao) and several other relatives in connection with the massacre.
Witnesses said the Ampatuans had planned the infamous massacre in Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan Maguindanao that killed 58 people, including 32 journalists.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Magnitude 5.1 quake hits Gen San
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit General Santos on Friday dawn.
The earthquake occurred at 12:11 a.m. on April 15 with a depth of 143.3 kilometers, according to the website of United States Geological Survey’s (USGS).
The epicenter was 119 kilometers from General Santos City in Mindanao region.
The earthquake occurred at 12:11 a.m. on April 15 with a depth of 143.3 kilometers, according to the website of United States Geological Survey’s (USGS).
The epicenter was 119 kilometers from General Santos City in Mindanao region.
P500-M new investments eyed
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- An investment mission next month to the International Food Exposition (Ifex) in Manila is expected to generate P500 million worth of new investments for Central Mindanao region, a regional Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) official said.
The Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the Regional Development Council-12 earlier identified six focus industry clusters as a strategy to further enhance the area's development.
Ethel L. Gumana, DTI-Soccsksargen National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center chief, said Central Mindanao is among the featured regions in the Ifex slated on May 12 to 14.
"Our delegates [from the business community] hope to forge joint venture agreements with multinational firms during the business matching activity. There will also be project proposals to the different embassies," she said.
Gumana said the region's participation to the Ifex is in line with efforts to promote awareness of the area's business opportunities.
It also seeks to facilitate linkages between potential investors and project proponents and intensify networking with local and foreign business community and funding organization, she added.
Hopefully, this would lead to the influx of investments in the region and the creation of employment opportunities for the people of Soccsksargen, Gumana said.
The region straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. The six focus industry clusters earlier identified by the EDC were coffee, muscovado, tourism (culture, adventure and Nature), processed fish, processed fruits, and Information and Communications Technology. The committee identified the clusters based on their potential market demand, regional coverage and social benefits.
Other products that were also recognized to have growth potentials in the region are palm oil, art crafts, crabs, corn, coconut, rice, processed meat and hogs.
Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), earlier urged Mindanao producers to expand their markets to abroad, by forging marketing links or trade partnerships.
The regional investment mission would join the Ifex exposition with the support also of the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program.
Under the oversight of Minda, the GEM program is one of the USAid-funded programs covered by the Mindanao Peace and Development Assistance agreement between the governments of the Philippines and the United States.
Gumana said they have gathered at least 20 projects from local government units and the private sector that will be presented to potential funders and investors during the forthcoming trade mission.
The Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the Regional Development Council-12 earlier identified six focus industry clusters as a strategy to further enhance the area's development.
Ethel L. Gumana, DTI-Soccsksargen National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center chief, said Central Mindanao is among the featured regions in the Ifex slated on May 12 to 14.
"Our delegates [from the business community] hope to forge joint venture agreements with multinational firms during the business matching activity. There will also be project proposals to the different embassies," she said.
Gumana said the region's participation to the Ifex is in line with efforts to promote awareness of the area's business opportunities.
It also seeks to facilitate linkages between potential investors and project proponents and intensify networking with local and foreign business community and funding organization, she added.
Hopefully, this would lead to the influx of investments in the region and the creation of employment opportunities for the people of Soccsksargen, Gumana said.
The region straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. The six focus industry clusters earlier identified by the EDC were coffee, muscovado, tourism (culture, adventure and Nature), processed fish, processed fruits, and Information and Communications Technology. The committee identified the clusters based on their potential market demand, regional coverage and social benefits.
Other products that were also recognized to have growth potentials in the region are palm oil, art crafts, crabs, corn, coconut, rice, processed meat and hogs.
Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), earlier urged Mindanao producers to expand their markets to abroad, by forging marketing links or trade partnerships.
The regional investment mission would join the Ifex exposition with the support also of the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program.
Under the oversight of Minda, the GEM program is one of the USAid-funded programs covered by the Mindanao Peace and Development Assistance agreement between the governments of the Philippines and the United States.
Gumana said they have gathered at least 20 projects from local government units and the private sector that will be presented to potential funders and investors during the forthcoming trade mission.
Aquino backs arming of state prosecutors
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Noting the dangers they face in convicting crooks, President Benigno C. Aquino III strongly backed the arming of state prosecutors, even telling them that they can learn from him. Aquino on Thursday disclosed that the Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police and the Prosecutors League of the Philippines (PLP) have already signed a memorandum of agreement that will prioritize the firearms licensing application of prosecutors.
The government is concerned about the safety of prosecutors, especially when taking high-profile cases, said Aquino, a gun enthusiast, during the 23rd PLP national convention here. It was Aquino's first presidential visit to this city.
"If you need a so-so [gun] instructor, I'm also willing to volunteer," the President said."We cannot allow mere intimidation to stop us all from doing our jobs," he added. Aquino said that security orientation seminars will be conducted for prosecutors in the different parts of the country through the European Union Philippine Justice Support program, with 50 of them already benefiting from the project also undertaken with the Justice department. On top of favoring gun-toting prosecutors, Aquino also urged them to resist the temptation of money. "Wag sana ninyong tularan ang iba na agad nababaliktad ang paninindigan oras na lapagan sila ng sako-sakong pera (Don't follow others who change their stance when offered by sacks of money)," he said.
The President claimed that under his 10-month old administration, the conviction rate of government prosecutors rose to 25 percent from just 14 percent under the previous Arroyo government, commending Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for the feat.
To further enhance the prosecutors' performance, Aquino said the Justice department's allocation for prosecution services were raised by more than P260 million in the 2011 General Appropriations Act. In a related development, the President said the budget for the Witness Protection Program was also increased by almost 80 percent to P151 million from P84 million in a bid to encourage people to stand against crooks. The amount could cover 640 witnesses or whistleblowers, he added.
Earlier, Malacanang has certified as one of its priority bills the Whistleblower’s Act.
The government is concerned about the safety of prosecutors, especially when taking high-profile cases, said Aquino, a gun enthusiast, during the 23rd PLP national convention here. It was Aquino's first presidential visit to this city.
"If you need a so-so [gun] instructor, I'm also willing to volunteer," the President said."We cannot allow mere intimidation to stop us all from doing our jobs," he added. Aquino said that security orientation seminars will be conducted for prosecutors in the different parts of the country through the European Union Philippine Justice Support program, with 50 of them already benefiting from the project also undertaken with the Justice department. On top of favoring gun-toting prosecutors, Aquino also urged them to resist the temptation of money. "Wag sana ninyong tularan ang iba na agad nababaliktad ang paninindigan oras na lapagan sila ng sako-sakong pera (Don't follow others who change their stance when offered by sacks of money)," he said.
The President claimed that under his 10-month old administration, the conviction rate of government prosecutors rose to 25 percent from just 14 percent under the previous Arroyo government, commending Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for the feat.
To further enhance the prosecutors' performance, Aquino said the Justice department's allocation for prosecution services were raised by more than P260 million in the 2011 General Appropriations Act. In a related development, the President said the budget for the Witness Protection Program was also increased by almost 80 percent to P151 million from P84 million in a bid to encourage people to stand against crooks. The amount could cover 640 witnesses or whistleblowers, he added.
Earlier, Malacanang has certified as one of its priority bills the Whistleblower’s Act.
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III visited General Santos City and Sarangani provinces on Thursday to attend four events.
The President arrived at Gensan airport around 9 a.m. and proceeded to the KCC Convention Center for the opening ceremony of the 23rd national convention of the Prosecutor's League of the Philippines.
Immediately after, Aquino went to Baluntay village in Alabel, Sarangani for the ceremonial turnover of the Banana Chips Processing Facility to the Baluntay Women's Association.
At 11:30 a.m., Aquino proceeded to the Bibiana Farms and Mills Inc. in Katangawan, General Santos City where he was briefed on the Philbio Alternative Power Generation Facility.
Aquino also reportedly met with Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Shamcey Supsup.
Billy Crawford Live in GenSan!
For the first time ever, one of ABS-CBN hottest talents, Billy Crawford will be in town for a show at the KCC Mall of GenSan!
Billy Crawford, who’s Filipino-American was a child actor and a mainstay of Kuya Germs Moreno’s That’s Entertainment before he moved on to the US and Europe where he became a hit-maker through a number of songs and albums he released while there.
Now, he is one of ABS-CBN’s busiest stars, appearing in the weekly variety program ASAP, the talent search “Pilipinas Got Talent” and the occasional guest appearances in its other shows of the Kapamilya station.
To get FREE TICKETS for his KCC Mall of GenSan show, one would need only to purchases items worth P1000 at their Department Store. The accumulated receipts from these purchases may be exchanged for a TICKET to Billy Crawford’s show.
The “Billy Crawford” Live in GenSan show will start at exactly 6:00pm at the KCC Convention and Events Center.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Architecture board topnotcher wins Bb. Pilipinas Universe title
General Santos City-born Shamcey Supsup, the 2010 architecture board topnotcher, was named the 2011 Binibining Pilipinas Universe during the pageant coronation night on Sunday, April 10 at the Araneta Coliseum.
A surprised yet ecstatic Shamcey, who also graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman, will represent the country in the Miss Universe Pageant in Sao Paolo, Brazil. "I still can't believe it. Parang panaginip. Kanina nung nag announce na sabi ko it's God's will. If it's for you, it's for you. You just have to believe it," Shamcey said in an interview after the pageant. "Whatever happens, it happens for a reason and God has a plan for every one of us... Ang dami talagang magaganda. Ang dami talagang magagaling. Feeling ko the judges had a hard time choosing the winner for the year."
Asked if she's now feeling the pressure of accomplishing the feat of Venus Raj, who won fourth runner up in the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas last year, Shamcey said: "I'm not pressured at all kasi I believe I was here for a reason and whatever my destiny is, I'll do my best. I'm just gonna give it my all and I hope that whatever I'm gonna do there [Brazil] yun ang hinahanap nila at kung para talaga sa 'yo para talaga sa 'yo," Shamcey said.
Shamcey bested 39 other candidates in the pageant. Aside from winning the major title, she also won three special awards: Miss Cream Silk, Ambassador of Philippine Airlines, and Miss Talent. Meanwhile, Iriga native Dianne Necio bagged the Binibining Pilipinas International title and Pasig City resident Isabella Manjon was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Tourism. For Dianne, it is a dream come true after winning the first runner up plum last year. "Last year, I joined and I ended up as first runner up and it was talagang pinagdasal ko. Kanina I'm not expecting anything. Sabi ko lang, 'Lord ibigay mo kung ano yung gusto mo ibigay.' So I'm just thankful na I will have the chance to compete in an international title... Talagang pag di mo tinigilan yung dream mo, maaabot mo siya and keep on praying," Dianne said in an interview.
Isabella, on the other hand, could not contain her joy in winning the Tourism crown.
"I'm so overwhelmed right now. Sobrang I feel blank. I'm so happy," she said. Other winners are First Runner Up Janine Tugonon and Second Runner Up Mary Jean Lastimosa.
This year's special award winners are:
People's Choice: The Face of Binibining Pilipinas: Angelia Ong
Best in swimsuit: Queenirich Rehman
Best in long gown: Luzelle Felipe
Ms. Friendship: Samantha Purvor
Manila Bulletin Reader's Choice: Luzelle Felipe
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