DAILY NEWS UPDATES FOR JULY 18 WEDNESDAY

NEWS UPDATES
FOR JULY 18

COMELEC UPHOLDS LEGALITY
OF LIMKAICHONG PROCLAMATION

The Commission on Elections first division upheld the legality of the proclamation of Rep. Josy Limkaichong as the duly elected congressman of the first district of Negros Oriental.
At the same time, the Comelec also dismissed the petition of Josy’s opponent to declare such proclamation a nullity. Thus this double whammy has bolstered the popular clamor that Josy Limkaichong is now the duly elected congresswoman of the first district of Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, ex Rep. Jing Paras continues to cite the Comelec en banc’s decision reportedly upholding the second division’s decision declaring Josy LImkaichong a Chinese citizen because her father Julio Sy failed to compelte the requirements for naturalization despite the fact that Julio Sy already took his oath as a Filipino citizen nine months before Josy was born in l959.
Paras said that if Josy sits in Congress, his party mates in Kampi will question her presence in privilege speeches. However, Limkaichong ironically, took her oath before KAMPI founder President Arroyo herself, and then before RTC Judge Rosendo Bandal Jr.
If at all, a case about the first district election is pending, Comelec chairman Ben Abalos said that it should now be settled by the House Electoral Tribunal..

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LEGAL CIRCLES DEFEND
HOUSE SECURITY ACT

Legal luminaries in Dumaguete defended the House Security Act saying that the Real Terrorists feel the threat that is why there is so much howling, but the plain citizen will feel more at peace knowing that the known trouble makers will now have their place in the sun.

In defending the anti terrorist acts, the legal circles said:

That in order to be covered by the anti terrorist act, the accused must first be proven with probable cause that he is a member of a group that’ is declared a terrorist , otherwise, he will be accused of an ordinary felony only.

Second, if the law enforcers are found to be remis in their duties and fabricated charges against a persons under the HSA , such law enforcer can be charged and fine of no less than half a million pesos plus imprisonment.

And that the our elements that must be followed to be covered under the HSA are : they must commit any of those 12 crimes enumerated in Sec. 3, and that among other requirements, that such act must sow and create conditions of widespread extraordinary fear, and panic among the populace; and that the purpose of the act must be to coerce the government into giving in to an unlawful demand.
If the four elements are not included, then the act is not covered by the anti terrorist law.


The classic example of a violation of the anti terrorist law was the kidnapping of the American Burnham pastors in Las Palmas where there was widespread fear of the kdinappers abu sayaf whose was coercing the Phil. Government to pay ransom which is an illegalg demand.

So that the present HSA cannot just indict anyone because any wrongful indictment by government on anyone, or wrongful detention, will cost the government half a million pesos in everyday of illegal detention as a result of such an accusation.

However, if there are law enforcers who disregard the provisions of the HSA, then the law becomes useless and inutile because the implementers themselves do not respect the provisions of the law. The law enforcers now become the mockers of the very law they seek to implement.

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TWO MAYORS CONFIRM IMPARTIALITY
OF PROVINCIAL ATTORNEY’S ROLE

Two municipal mayors with opposing views for and the other against the provincial attorney’s reappointment by the new governor, only proves that the provincial attorney in the person of Atty Erwin Vergara is impartial.
It was noted that mayors whom the provincial attorney clashed in political cases were against his reappointment, while those whose mayors were favored politically were in full support for Vergara’s reappointment.

Board Member Adanza objected to Vergsara’s return as provincial attorney and PAO chief because he recalled that Vergasra bungled one expropriation case in Zamboanguita town in 1999, where the municipality under Mayor Adanza then, was ordered to pay P2.6 million, instead of P400,000, due to what he described as the alleged failure of Vergara to file the necessary pleadings on time , with the Court of Appeals .
But Dauin Mayor Alanano said that over a dozen cases defended by Vergara won court victories that is why Alanano wants Vergara retained.
Dauin Mayor Lenin Alviola who fought against Vergara in their political duel with his vice mayor Rudy Yee where Vergara defended Yee, he wants the PAO out.
Thus, considering pros and cons, it only means that Vergara was doing his duty and its outcome were all based on court decisions and not his own.


IT’S SHOWTIME FOR
DISABLED PERSONS
The Dumaguete City Handicapped Association marks its 29th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week on the theme "Kapag May Access, May Success," July 17yesteray until July -23.
"Persons with disabilities are among the most marginalized and most neglected in society," Connie Gregore, DUCHA president said, adding that their disability is both a cause and an effect of their lack of access to opportunities.
"Our success depends a lot on whether we are allowed access to education, jobs and livelihood. Unless we are given a chance by society and by the community, we can never really develop on our own. Challenge us but give us the tools to meet that challenge, “ said Conie Gregori, its national president.
Considered as the biggest activity involving the disabled and incapacitated in the country, the celebration is aimed at raising public awareness about disability, and encouraging citizens to take active responsibility in uplifting the economic and social conditions and recognizing the abilities of PWDs. "
A parade after a holy mass , will be participated in by DUCHA members, children with disabilities from The Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation and schools plus other non-government organizations.
Also set are exhibit information booth ; essay writing and poster-making contests, and a quiz bowl, with regular children and children with special needs from the different Special Education centers ; those on wheelchairs are racing at the Boulevard; and a wheelchair basketball game at the Foundation University Gym on July 22.
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COUNCIL TO TACKLE
EASY RIDE ROUTESEASY RIDES OR MINI JEEPNEYs in Dumaguete are appealing to the city council to cancel competing tricycle routes from dumaguete to Bajumpandanl,-Cantil-e; Talay and Junob in order to share income from the road.
The easy ride drivers complain that while tricycles are allowed on their routes, easy rides are not allowed in tricycle routs , this they consider as unfair.
Meanwhile, newly returned councilor nilo sayson said he is organizing the so-called Dumaguete Bantay Katilingban Federation among the city’s 30 barangays in order to come up with a unified direction among the constituents in barrios.
Some criticized Sayson as organizing another group that could become a potent political tool to some vested interests. This was denied by Sayson saying that this is purely intended as service to the people.