July 8 to 14, 2012

Farewell. Rodolfo Vera Quizon, better known as Dolphy,  is photographed here during his better days with a film camera in the background. Dubbed as the Comedy King, he had been an entertainer all his life starting from his acts on the stage to film and television. He succumbed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on July 10, 8:34 in the evening, after weeks in the intensive care unit of Makati Medical Center. He is survived by Zsa Zsa Padilla, his partner of 23 years, and 18 children from different women.  
                        

Photo Source: http://pepitomanaloto.blogspot.com/

‘Keep his word’

City Mayor speaks on governor’s recent 

re-election declaration 

and on city’s political climate

Despite Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.'s July 9 declaration, City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Jr. is still expecting him to keep his word.

"In this office, he said he will only serve one term." Valmayor's vague statement can be interpreted that he refuses to give his support to Marañon yet who has declared that he is running for re-election next year.

Last July 9, Monday, 18 of the 31 mayors of Negros Occidental went to the governor's office to persuade him to run for re-election come 2013. The governor was more than willing to comply. Quoted by the Visayan Daily Star, Marañon said that "Since the mayors want me to run, I have decided to run… With their support, how can I say no?"

PNP gate closes for rape suspect

City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Jr. has ordered City Local Government Operations Officer Marissa Costello to withdraw his recommendation for the Women's Center rape suspect.

Niel Bantilao, a casual employee of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) who allegedly raped a female minor, applied for training with the Philippine National Police (PNP). Valmayor recommended him but upon learning of his alleged crime through the NewsRecord column 'Bantay Banat' of veteran newsman Rics Cañizares he asked that Bantilao's name be deleted.

Although the mayor confirmed that no legal action has been taken against the suspect yet, he ordered CSWDO head Cynthia Mirande to investigate the matter.

Further, he told NRWP in an interview that he regrets that he only learned about the issue way after it happened. He said that he finds it perplexing that a grave crime had been committed against a minor under the city's custody.

The victim was arrested by the local police together with several others for violating the city's Curfew Ordinance. They were brought to the Women's Center, across the police station, where the crime is said to have happened. 

Vetting a Saint

Random Thoughts

by Polybius Gracchus

In the process of selecting an individual to be beatified, the Vatican appoints the so-called "Devil's Advocate" (Promoter of the Faith) to investigate, primarily, the dark secrets of a prospective saint to see to it that only the deserving passes the severest scrutiny of sainthood. In the matter of selecting the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, we have this mistaken, and, ridiculous idea that he or she must possess the attributes of a saint. We demand that the next CJ be beyond reproach, a man/woman of astringent morality, devoid of any glint of scandal or wrongdoing, a scholar of the highest order, to boot. A demigod, to be precise. Is it necessary? Is this the qualification that our Constitution requires?

Section 7 (1) and (3) of the 1987 Constitution provides that the members of the Supreme Court must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at least 40 years of age, must have been for 15 years or more as judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines, AND of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence. Former CJ Renato Corona breezed thru the proceedings of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) with a unanimous vote of its members, including Senators Drilon and Pangilinan who later voted for Corona's impeachment, questioning his very integrity and independence which they glossed over despite a formal complaint filed before them by Corona's in-laws. Surely, a decision based on the two senator's political connection with the Arroyo Administration.

The new meaning of military professionalism

Soldier's Pen

By BGen. Alexander Cabales (Ret.)

Recently, my attention was caught by an article in the July 9, 2012 issue of the Philippine Star entitled "Philippine military men no longer warriors?"  This newspaper account was in fact just a summary of yet another article in a magazine published by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in commemoration of its 65th Founding Anniversary on July 1, this year.  The unidentified author, who may have been a PAF soldier or a civilian of that organization, was strongly criticized by some idealistic young officers.  Among them was my son, 1Lt Alex Andre Cabales, who belittled him for his seeming unfamiliarity with the IPSP (Internal Peace and Security Plan) "Bayanihan" of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).  This said plan calls for the direct involvement of the AFP in non-traditional military activities such as the conduct of livelihood programs, infrastructure development, literacy and socio-cultural activities, among others, in insurgency stricken or insurgency prone areas all over the country.

Fishes & bees

Tita Len-len's Wais Tips

By Len-len Pataytay

The last time you heard from me, I was talking about food. This time, let me talk about food again, particularly the preparation stage, and let me just add practical tips that will make your kitchen life breezier.

Fishy thing

Most kids hate fish due to the embarrassing scales. Make sure fish is scaled before cooking. Rubbing it with vinegar will make it come off much easier. To cut down the mess, fill a basin half-way with water. Hold the fish down and scale it underwater.

Oh so sweet! Honey can be stored for a long time and it can cure several skin diseases and serve as beauty regimen.   

If this fishy scaling job makes your hands too smelly, rub with vinegar and salt, then rinse with water.

Enforcer-Fixer

Pikpik sa Abaga

Ni Henry Sandoval

Sa kalisod karon sa panginabuhi bisan unsa na lang klase nga panginabuhi ang himuon sa mga tawo nga mabuhi ang pamilya. May legal ug duna say mga illegal. 

Si Pael nga naila sa angga nga Pang-an nga makita nato nga ang pamilya matulog sa kanhi opisina sa Bank of the Philippine Island nanginabuhi sa legal nga paagi. Sayo sa buntag nangita kini siya ug mapunit nga mga plastic nga anaa sa kadalanan para iyahang mabaligya ug mapalit ug makaon para sa iyahang mga anak. Usahay mangindahay sa mga panimalay nga iyahang kaila.

Insurance

Bantay Banat

Ni Rics Cañisarez

Kinahanglan nga mo-interbenir na gayud ang atong mga lokal nga opisyales sa siyudad tali ining mga insurance company nga mag-ilis ug pangalan kada tuig. Pangutan-on kon legitimate ba kining mga kumpanyaha. Ubay-ubay na sa mga tag-iya sa mga sakyanan nga nagpa-insure sa usa ka company naniguro gayud aron dili masayang ang kwartang ilang gibayad.

Kini ra bang ubang insurance, laway ug guts, kabalo lang morason pero, kon mahutdan ug rason, mosibat, mawala ug makaloluoy lang ang tag-iya sa salakyan.