Eastern Samar
REPORTER
VOLUME 4 No. 12 Borongan City, Eastern Samar 10.00 JULY 18-24, 2010
EMC admits to ex-mayor
Mateo Biong’s liquidation
BY MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA
The Efren Martires
Command of the New People’s
Army operating here in Eastern
Samar has claimed responsibil-
ity for the killing of ex-mayor
Mateo Biong of Giporlos.
As such, the police said
that the killing of the ex-mayor
is now “solved” and all they
have to do is go after the sus-
pected perpetrators.
Sr. Supt. Jesus Gatchal-
ian, who was tasked to lead
“Task Force Biong” said that
they have already filed murder
charges against two known
members of the NPA operat-
ing under the command at
Balangiga in Eastern Samar.
Gatchalian is the deputy re-
gional director for Operatons
of the PNP.
The suspects were iden-
tified as Prely Capagalan alias
“Totoy” and Pary Alas alias
“Poring”, both allegedly ac-
tive members othe NPA and
hitmen of its Special Partisan
Revolutionary Unit or SPARU,
commonly called “sparrows”
San Julian gears up to fight dengue
San Julian town, some
20 kilometers north of Bo-
rongan City is set to combat
the mosquito which causes the
dreadful Dengue.
A letter sent by Governor
Conrado Nicart, Jr. to all the
municipal chief executives
plus the increasing Dengue
cases in the province prompted
the LCEs to mobilize faster
their health personnel to com-
bat the disease.
In an interview, Mayor
George N. Erroba this town in-
METRO ORMOC COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE
“Ang inyong katulong sa pag-unlad at pangangalakal”
SAVINGS:
• Regular Savings
• Coop Time Deposit
• Organizational/Club Savings
• Kiddy & Youth Savings
• Graduation Savings
• Savings with Assurance Plan
with Life Insurance
• Pledge Savings
• Accept Electric Bill Payment
Welfare Services:
• Hospitalization
• Mortuary
• Dental
• Guidance/Counsel-
ling
and Consultancy
Offices: Leyte Province-12; Biliran Province-1; Southern Leyte-2;
Western Samar-2; Eastern Samar-2; Bohol-1; Cebu-1;
Palawan-1; Aklan-1
website: www.evmailnews.com
by the press.
The police colonel also
disclosed that even before
the NPA issued the statement
which was sent to various
media outlets, the result of
their investigation already pin-
pointed the NPA as behind the
killing based on the testimony
of the four witnesses before
and after Biong was gunned
down around 3:00 o’ clock
in the afternoon of July 13 in
Barangay Cotikot, Giporlos
town.
“Well”, he said, “it (NPA
statement) made our investiga-
tion result credible with this
confirmation of the rebel group
acknowledging the commis-
sion of the crime.”
Their investigation,
however, reveals that Biong
was killed for failure to con-
tinue paying revolutionary
taxes to the NPA as one of the
reasons for the so-called sum- Eastern Visayas police regional director Ch. Supt. Rey L. Lañada leads the tree planting activity around the PNP regional
mary execution of the former headquarters in Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo,Leyte last July 20. He said that this is one way of showing the people the
police’s concern for the preservation of the environment. By Miriam Garcia-Desacada
see BIONG p. 3
PNP recovers more cocaine from E. Samar towns
formed that last week, he ini-
tially called for a meeting with PALO, LEYTE - The Cahagwayan, also of San said, received on the spot a he added.
the barangay chairmen, 16 police in this region has re- Policarpo, surrendered three monetary reward of P4,000.00 He said that the cocaine
of them, the barangay health covered 14 bricks of cocaine bricks aside from five kilos (equivalent to P1,000.00 per bricks are now under the cus-
workers (BHWs), school weighing a kilo each with an which were recovered from brick) from Borongan City tody of his office for proper
heads and the stakeholders of estimated value of P85-million the nearby towns of Salcedo Mayor Maria Fe Abunda turn over to PNP crime labora-
his town and they discussed in two separate operations at and Llorente. and additional P1,000.00 per tory and eventually to PDEA.
and planned out activities the San Policarpo, Eastern Samar. Another four bricks of brick from AIDSOFT and “This time, we are now
disease prevention. Eastern Visayas regional cocaine were surrendered also another additional reward on a full swing operations in
The meeting thus, came police director Ch. Supt. Rey on July 19 by two brothers from his office. He said he has the purpose of recovery of
up with a Synchronized Den- L. Lañada told Eastern Samar living in Divinubo, an island pledged that those who surren- estimated 1.5 tons missing
gue Plan, where, all at the Reporter that one Gregorio barangay of Borongan City. der the drugs to the police will bricks of cocaine, part of the
same time, households in Gabilan, 44, of Barangay The drugs were surrendered by receive a P1,000.00 reward 2,000 kilos reportedly dumped
Alugan, San Policarpo town Roberto and Dominador per brick from his office. The by a foreign vessel transport-
see DENGUE p. 3 turned over to operatives six Azul, brothers and both of Azul brothers will also receive ing the said contraband in the
bricks of cocaine, while Wenc- legal age. 1 sack of rice per brick as
eslao del Monte of Barangay The Azul brothers, he their reward from PDEA 8, see COCAINE p. 3
Gov. Nicart orders clean up of hospitals
Now...operating
nationwide!
True to one of the com- He also noticed that cases reported, some are death, the provincial hospital on a
GRANTS:
• Agricultural Loan (Farming/Livestock)
MICOOP PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
• Productive Loan:
mitments he articulated in his most of the hospital toilets it is high time that we take weekly basis.
• Aquatic Production
• Business Loan (Small to Medium)
- Agricultural Produc-
tion Loan
inaugural address to primarily need repairs and bulks of the matter on cleanliness as a In Balangiga, Gov. Ni-
• House Repair/Lot Acquisition Loan
• Medical & Educational Loans
- Non Agricultural Pro- focus on health, Eastern Samar trashes and waste materials primordial concern, other than cart likewise noted that the
duction Loan
• Instant & Emergency Loans • Business Loan Governor Conrado B. Nicart, all around had to be disposed. other administration given to Albino Duran Memorial Hos-
• ELAGPE (Emergency Loan Assistance for Government • Providential Loan
and Public Employee) • Educational Loan Jr., ordered recently the total “Can you just imagine the patient in order to combat pital is not very conducive
• OSMEL (OCCCI Small Medium Enterprise Loan)
• PAST (Pagtinabangay Alang Sa Ting-usbawan)
• Jewelry Loan
• Emergency Loan
clean-up of all hospitals in the trashcans which were filled up the disease,” he added. for patients to stay a while,
• SCWE (Savings & Credit with Education)
• FARM (Fair Affordable & Realistic Micro Lending)
• Appliance Loan
• House Repair
province. to the brim with old-stocked He also said, that after as medical interventions are
• RFBDS (Rural Finance & Business Development Services
• LDPOFW (Livelihood Development Program for Overseas • Other Loan In his first visit to the piles of wastes had to be back- he ordered some health of- being administered to them.
• Job Placement & Visa Processing
Filipino Workers)
• OWWA Eastern Samar Provincial hoed?”, Nicart said exasperat- ficials at the PHO, he expects “The rooms are not well
• ASA (Association for Social Advancement)
Hospital (ESPH) in the city ingly in an interview. a close monitoring and super- ventilated and are very hot,
of Borongan, the Governor The Chief Executive vision of all hospitals and a which is short to say, far for
noted the urgent need for a reminded the health officials periodic reporting to him of a patient’s little comfort and
total clean-up of its toilets and and personnel that foremost their findings. immediate recovery,” Nicart
cutting off the grasses along in health care is cleanliness. He also committed to
the surroundings. “With the many Dengue himself to personally inspect see NICART p. 3
PAGE 2 Eastern Samar REPORTER JULY 18-24, 2010
OPINION SECTION
THE
PATHFINDER
By BOYBOY EVITE
“Graceful Exit”
Buhi ka pa pala! The Pathfinder suddenly disappeared
without prior notice and reappear without a clue. Why?
-09125159xxx
Thanks. Your reaction is highly appreciated. Syempre buhi
pa kita. You asked why The Pathfinder disappeared without prior
notice? Of course I did. If you still remember, this was once a
regular column until in one issue I put the title “The Pathfinder
Signing In” and did my homework. After signing in and getting
things done, what shall I do next? Sign out, of course. You simply
failed to read between the lines maybe.
Don’t worry. Next time “The Pathfinder” fizzles out, it
will be “with prior notice” and I can assure you it’s gonna be a
GRACEFUL EXIT.- THE PATHFINDER
rrr
From Lady Anonymous, Borongan City
Iwasan ang sobrang kabastusan sa text messages! Ita-
guyod at sumapi sa T. I. T. I.
T – Taong
I – Intelektual
T – Tutol sa
I – Imoral
Patigasin at palakihin ang T. I. T. I. Mahalin din natin ang
mga P.U. K. I.
P – Pambansang
U – Unyon ng mga
K – Kababaihang
I – Inaapi
Mabuhay ang P.U.K.I. para naman maitaguyod ang pinag-
isang L.I.B.O.G.
L – Lapiang
I – Indibidwal ng
B – Bansang
O – Oras oras ay
G – Gutom!
Itaas ang mga kamay, iwagayway at sabay-sabay isigaw...
T.I.T.I. at P.U.K.I magkaisa dahil sa L.I.B.O.G.!
rrr
3 meanings of a Lady’s Skirt Slits:
Side slits means “Sit beside me.”
Back slit means “Follow me”
Front slit means “You are welcome”
Good Morning
rrr
from Ariel, PC Village Borongan City;
alam mo ba kung bakit ang Witch ay hindi nagpapanty?
Yun ay para daw nakaipit ng maayos sa walis.
see PATHFINDER p. 3
Treasure Box
By ROSE LEE SEGURA
Get your best deal
“It’s not what it’s worth. It’s what they think its
worth.” A common negotiating is that there is something
called OBJECTIVE VALUE, what something is “really” worth.
In fact, value is in the eyes of the beholder, and whether
you’re buying or selling, the key to success is how well you
influence your opponent’s perceptions.
*Don’t Reveal Your Deadline.
Don’t disclose your deadline unless it’s in your best
interest. If a time limit has been set by others , see if it
can be changed. If you must negotiate within a time frame,
downplay its importance. Focus on the deal itself.
*Know What You Want.
Often people make an impulse purchase because the
don’t stop to think whether they really need an item or
whether they’re getting the best value. To avoid this, make
a list of what you need before shopping.
*Think, Then Speak.
Before you make a remark, ask what your opponent
wants. For the most part, the party that speaks first lacks
patience. Let the other person make the first move, unless
it’s to your advantage to do so. The information he gives
away allows you to better frame your counteroffer.
*Know Your Market.
Information is the negotiator’s best asset and power-
ful too. If you are well-prepared you will never be fooled.
Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents
bargaining position will make you a stronger negotiator.
*Know When To Walk Away.
Deadlocks can normally be avoided. Negotiations of-
ten get stuck on a single point. When this happens, move on!
However deadlocks cannot be avoided. Recognizing
your options can increase your negotiating power.
*Never Look Back.
If the deal you have done was a good one, you might
have done it better, but also could have done worse.
Hindsight is always 20/20. The only question you
should be concerned with is, if you accomplished your
original objectives. If you think you’ve done it very well,
look forward. Never look back, life goes on. There will be
other deals.
By: Leo Reilly
The Aquino paradigm
Days ahead of his first State of the Nation Address (SONA),
President Benigno Aquino III enjoyed an unprecedented first for a
Philippine leader, which is a high trust rating of 88%, the highest
so far, actually, among the country’s presidents.
The polling firm making the survey stressed it was done
before the new President’s inauguration on June 30, and this made
us wonder that with PNoy’s popularity right after the inaugural
speech, his approval rating would have gone up the roof with the
no “wang-wang” call put into action, with the President himself
leading by example.
If actions speak louder than words, then words turned into
concrete action now became a solid foundation for the Aquino
administration, in effect projecting an image that it is practicing
what it preached.
rrr
Since day one in office, it was observed that President
Aquino’s warm relations with the media would extend far beyond
the traditional 100-days honeymoon; thus far it was described
as cozy, downright direct, engaging, and exciting -- save for
a rub or two on the Abads in public, and the call for review on
the Trillanes’ case.
But you can never miss the man being on top of the ac-
tion, lashing out at wrong directions as predicted for a typhoon
path – a recurring scenario which PNoy would attempt to correct,
even if weather experts had been going out in search of good pay
abroad -- and a wide-ranging attempt to solve the water crisis
in the metropolis.
He had started a serious crackdown on tax evaders, and had
served notice that any resumption of peace talks will be carried
out within constitutional limits.
rrr
Filing a case in Court versus the hard-core tax evaders in
the midst of Philippine society certainly takes time, eons of time
even, for a decision to be handed down, while negotiating with
the MILF to be kept under the basic law of the land would be a
guaranteed recipe for failure.
Yet it is an Aquino now leading the pack, and if instruc-
tions are to be followed to the book, somehow the chances of
success are still great.
And credit must be given to the new leader at the helm,
who displays as much humility as firmness in dealing with
predictable problems, and looking for unpredictable solutions.
Brace yourself for a big paradigm shift, the Aquno para-
digm.
rrr
Compromised public discourse?
PUBLIC discussion of issues and other topics of interest
is a vital activity in any society. That’s how society becomes a
living society, building up its unity and sense of purpose. That’s
how society makes itself truly human, reflecting the character of
the persons comprising it.
It’s in this ongoing public discourse that society gets to
know itself better and sets its path of development.
Everything has to be done to make our public discourse
vibrant, properly engaged and focused on real and not false or
artificial issues. Everything has to be done to keep it going,
constantly purifying it, ridding it of distorting elements.
But what do we have? A book recently reviewed by a friend
claims that much of our public discourse in the world today is
stripped-down, if not compromised and even trivialized. I could
not agree more.
Just the other day, while stuck in traffic at a busy crossroad,
a digital big screen at the corner flashed what were supposed to
be breaking news. There were 4 or 5 items that were announced.
I remembered or rather was stunned by 2.
One was on a certain Mother Lily keeping distance from
the Kris-James marital trouble. The other was on a Kim deny-
ing she is dating with Enchong. I suppose there were people
interested in those items but I asked myself whether they should
really be beamed at all.
Those were pure gossips. We just had a long brown-out in
the city then, and there was no explanation as to why it happened.
And, of course, there were and continue to be endless screaming
issues—our world economic crisis, our political stability, etc.
And yet we prefer to talk about gossips!
There’s obviously a money angle to this phenomenon.
Gossips hijack attention and sell like hotcakes. They can give
LALAINE MARCOS-JIMENEA
Publisher
NILO BORDIOS
Editor/Bureau Chief
NITA BAGAS
Marketing Executive
website: www.evmailnews.com
But governance, somehow, requires balance of perspective
from top to bottom, so this, probably, was the reason the much-
talked about in public yet much-desired in private, the PDAF
thing, would still be very much around, despite public opinion
pointing to it as a veritable source of corruption.
Leave the pork alone, since it is the proven equalizer for
the welfare of the constituents -- this has been the common
cry among a highly-
intellectual circle not
accustomed to crying. TALKING
Well, okay, ex-
pect more of the same POINTS
to be happening, for By BONG PEDALINO
now. This is one pre-
dictable concern not
yet ready for a predictable solution of scrapping this item out
for good – what is P 10 billion savings anyway but peanuts?
Instead of scrapping outright, strict monitoring and regu-
lation on how the money was spent must be instituted -- this
was the common alternative raised. The Auditors’ hand must
be busy, if only to comply with the presidential line that there
will be no poor people if there are no corrupt people.
rrr
At least the guys are honest. And what about this alter ego
who has been scored for padding his score in a game of golf,
but now will be leading a government agency where honesty is
not only the best policy but a way of life as well?
We haven’t heard yet another name to take his place, for
he has yet to prove, or given time to prove, his detractors wrong
by coming out clean in the months ahead with superb no cor-
ruption performance.
Let us just wait and see.
rrr
ODDLY YOURS: Is there a word to describe a woman
who loves being pregnant? Wordsmiths found such a word,
indeed, exist. The word is “bumpaholics”, obviously synony-
mous with “alcoholics”. This refers to women who love being
pregnant. Just that. In the July-August 2009 issue of Women’s
Health, a publication in the US, this rare word was used in the
following passage: “Having babies isn’t addictive in the way that
alcohol and narcotics can be. But bumpaholics feel compelled
to procreate for many of the same reasons that substance abusers
turn to booze or drugs. Infants are dependent creatures. They
can give their mothers a clear identity.”
diversion from our daily burdens. No wonder they are a regular
fare even in mainstream media. But then again, should we just
be riveted there?
Public debates over controversial issues are almost ex-
clusively keyed on the practical aspects. Any reference to faith,
religion and morality is taboo, considered to be not politically
correct.
Worse, the discussion is reduced to clever sound bites. It’s
de rigueur that they
have to be entertain- THE
ing to be followed
and appreciated by BYSTANDER
the people. For sure, By FR. ROY CIMAGALA
with such approach, a
lot of valuable things
get lost.
The process of dialogue and healthy exchanges of ideas
and opinions gets truncated. Public opinion remains shallow
and fails to capture the essential points needed for society to
grow properly.
There’s a tendency to resort to sensationalism, to gimmicks
like shock and awe, using sound and fury that signify nothing.
There’s a lot of junk and bunk used in today’s journalism. Just
look at the entertainment pages.
And even in the opinion pages, fallacies abound as logic
seems to be abandoned in many instances of media discussions.
Traditional values are left to decay as modern, sophisticated
arguments are presented to replace core beliefs derived from
faith. Reasonings swing from simplisms to sophistries.
see BYSTANDER p. 3
Contributors:
Miriam Garcia Desacada • Lance Alberto Clarito Acampado•
Boyboy Evite • KC Collado • PIA – Eastern Samar • Jo Fabile•
Louie Guarin • Vic Apura • Atty. Reymund Boco Gunda • Jose
Sanro Jimenea • Lirio Baldestomo
Office Address:
Brgy. Balud I, Borongan, Eastern Samar
Tel. No. (055) 560-9670
JULY 18-24, 2010 Eastern Samar REPORTER PAGE 3
BIONG ... from p. 1
mayor, Gachalian added.
On the other hand, EMC spokesperson Ka Karlos Manuel
said they sentenced Biong to death for the victim’s alleged in-
volvement in proliferation of illegal drugs and corruption.
From the same press statement, the NPA spokesperson said
accused the victim as a “big drug lord” and masterminded the
murders of Ronnie Barsana, Remigio Quiminales, an ex-army
soldier known only as Resureccion and others who were either al-
legedy aware of his “illegal activities or were his rivals in crime:.
The EMC also accused the former Giporlos mayor for
plundering “at least P50 million earmarked for five bridge proj-
ects, which scandalized the people but for which he was never
held to account” and other alleged acts of graft and corruption.
There were also allegations of abetting crimes against the
environment and “overcharging” for the fiesta sound system.
The EMC spokesperson also dismissed the claim by the
Commission on Human Rights that Biong’s punishment was an
extrajudicial killing. “The people’s court observed due process
in investigating, trying and punishing Biong in accordance with
the revolutionary justice system. Meanwhile, the CHR pays lip
service to solving the real problem of more than 1,000 politi-
cal killings as well as the killings of media people. Thus, the
government’s Oplan Bantay Laya continues to menace innocent
civilians and the media”, the statement added.
On the other hand, Biong’s widow Rebecca, when texted
for her comment on the recent turn of events declined to com-
ment.
Earlier, Rebecca Biong has said she is not convinced that
the NPA was behind the death of her husband and was eyeing
politics instead.
Gachalian, however, reiterated that the PNP is not closing
its door to continue their investigation if other information and
evidences will come out.
Biong served as mayor of Giporlos for nine years. He
ran for Congress during the May 10 elections for the lone seat
of Eastern Samar but was unsuccess. His 25 year-old son Mark,
however, succeeded him as Giporlos mayor against his two rivals.
By Miriam Garcia Desacada
PATHFINDER ... from p. 2
At alam rin ba ninyo kung bakit tawa ng tawa ang Witch
habang naksakay sa walis?
NAKIKILITI pala! Hi hi hi!
rrr
from Curbada Riders;
BANA: Day, kun unsa may mahitabo ng human sa opera-
syon, ayaw intawon pasagdi aton mga anak ha? I love you Day!
WIFE: Hilom diha! Ka OA nimo uy, walay namatay sa tuli
pisota ka!
rrr
from Berby Rocka, Borongan city;
kung ikaw ay pinagpala, pinagpala ng pinagpala... mala-
mang construction worker ka! He he he.
rrr
kamusta na kayo diyan? Ito na nga pala ang bagong roam-
ing number ko. Ditto na kayo magtext. Ingat kayo palagi diyan,
miss na miss ko na kayong lahat. – 09162908281
rrr
makikikamusta lamang po ako kay Mark Jun Martillano
nasa Cavite. Pakibigay na lang pos a iba ang number ko. Tnx
po. – 09393769736
rrr
Send jokes and other messages to: 09062780900nor visit
our website at www.evmail.com
NICART ... from p. 1
commented.
Because of this current condition, he pledged to do
something with the Balangiga Hospital in order to improve its
ventilation and basic facilities. By Alice Nicart/PIA
COCAINE ... from p. 1
month of December 2009 en route to Hongkong and China”,
Lañada said.
The police director added that they are now looking for
the remaining missing of bricks of cocaine, still voluminous, at
the province of Northern Samar where more than 20 bricks of
the same illegal drugs were earlier recovered by government
troopers.
Record shows that for the month of June and this July, the
PNP had already recovered 54 .5 kilos of cocaine. Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional director Julius
Navales said more than 400 kilos of cocaine were recovered by
their joint operations with the PNP and the Presidential Anti-
Smuggling Group.
Lañada, on the other hand, expressed optimism that the
PNP is now on the right track in recovering the remaining co-
caine, believed to be a thousand more kilos and being hidden
by some private individuals, waiting for the interest of the cops
to cool down.
Earlier, Lañada cried foul over accusations that some po-
licemen are in cahoots to hide the contraband for future illegal
drug trade.
Police intelligence reports revealed that some of the co-
caine which has found its way to the streets, are being sold from
P15,000 to P40,000 per kilo by dealers who have already joined
the lucrative business.
“But I doubt because lahat na nabibili o nailalabas na
cocaine ay nahuhuli rin pagdating sa Maynila o ibang region”,
Lañada added.
DENGUE ... from p. 1
each barangay will do extensive clean-up of their houses and
surroundings.
This they will commence this coming July 23 and every
Friday thereafter until the last Friday of August.
Better yet, a Larval Survey will likewise be done by the
BHWs to determine whether or not the larvae is increasing in
number.
Asked if the BHWs are equipped with the skill, Mayor
Erroba replied in the positive.
“Our BHWs, just like the rest in the province perhaps,
had been trained by the Department of Health (DOH) in the
conduct of the said survey. It is important that we conduct first
the survey so we can determine how to prioritize resources and
the intervention needed,” Erroba said.
“I’m serious,” he added. “I have received feedbacks of
some families who refuse to join in the survey; if need be, we can
set any house on fire if the household refuses to participate; here
we are talking lives, and I hope I will not be forced to pronounce
any family as non-grata”, the Mayor stressed.
Erroba who is also a national awardee for Literacy con-
cluded that his municipality is targeting for a Dengue Free Zone
by the end of August. By Alice Nicart/PIA
Republic of the Philippines
Local Civil Registry Office
Province: Eastern Samar
City/Municipality: Borongan
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby serve to the public
that CECELIA B. ALDE has filed with this Office a petition for change of first name from “MYRNA”
to “MA. MYRNA” in the Birth certificate of MYRNA BALANO ALDE who was born on 02 August
1969 at Borongan, Eastern Samar and whose parents are BENITO A. ALDE and LOLITA D. BALANO.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file written opposition with this Office
not later than 26 July 2010.
(Sgd.) MA. LUISA AZUL-ALIDO III
City Civil Registrar
ESR July 11-17, & July 18-24, 2010
BIR issues guidelines on
senior’s discount
Tacloban City - The Bureau of Internal Revenue has issued
Revenue Regulations No. 7-2010 which prescribed the guidelines
on how storeowners apply the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of
2010 and how senior citizens may avail of the privilege.
BIR Revenue Regulations No. 7-2010 which was signed on
July 21 by day by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Bureau
of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares, also
imposes penalties to both traders and the senior citizens who abuse
the concession.
A maximum of two years imprisonment and P200,000 fine
will be imposed on any establishment or professional who refuses
to give 20 percent discount on senior citizens’ purchases of goods
and services.
Likewise, persons who abuse the privilege in accordance
with the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 will be penalized
with a fine of not more than P100,000 and prison term of not less
than six months.
The BIR will start enforcing the law on August 5 or 15 days
after the publication of the said regulations in major news papers
as required by existing rules and regulations.
By that date, the BIR apprehending and penalizing storeown-
ers who refuse to give 20 percent discount to senior citizens.
Based on the regulations, a first time offender (business-
man or professional) is slapped with fines of up to P100,000 and
maximum one-year imprisonment. For the second offense, the fine
is increased to P200,000 and imprisonment of up to two years.
Persons who abuse the privilege is penalized with a fine of
not more than P100,000 and jail term of not less than six months.
If the offender is a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately
after serving the sentence without further deportation proceedings
by the Bureau of Immigration.
If the offender is a corporation or any similar entity, the of-
ficials directly involved will be held liable. It may also result in the
cancellation of business permit. PIA
BYSTANDER ... from p. 2
Big-time media outfits can launch into massive research
and reporting, but precisely because of a fundamental anomaly
in their approach, they end up creating myths, fish stories and
cock-and-bull tales, oozing with malice and ideological biases.
They never know how to inject the indispensable inputs
of faith and religion without sounding religious or superstitious.
They feel they need to avoid these sources of inspiration and
even of data. They still have this aspect of their work and of the
lives of those involved pretty much unresolved.
In fact, in one of the expressions of this mentality ar-
ticulated by the American John Rawls in his book, A Theory
of Justice, it was argued that “public reason requires citizens
to refrain from invoking or acting on their deepest convictions
about what is really true.
“They have to consent to work only with a scaled-down
set of beliefs or methods that claim the support of an ostensible
‘overlapping consensus.’”
This is the predicament we have in our hands insofar as
public discussion of issues is concerned. Talking from convic-
tions is considered incompatible with social peace and harmony.
They say it discourages conversation.
And so, there’s a drift toward relativism, as no absolute
values are upheld. Or better said, what is relative is made abso-
lute. Human consensus is the ultimate arbiter of what is good
and evil, what is right and wrong. Pope Benedict calls this the
“tyranny of relativism.”
We need to properly react and resolve this problem. Email:
roycimagala@gmail.com
PAGE 4 Eastern Samar REPORTER JULY 18-24, 2010