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VOL. XXV NO. 011

TUESDAY JANUARY 01, 2013

P10.00 IN TACLOBAN

INSIDE
NEWS
Cebu Capitol short of general fund
news page 2

Palace belittles case filed vs Roxas, 3 police ocials

news page 2

DSWD to LGUs: Reposition relief goods for immediate response during calamities
BY SARWELL Q. MENIANO Correspondent

MMFF backto-back win for Dingdong

news page 3

Japan scrambles fighter jets after Chinese plane seen near disputed island
news page 6

TAC L OBA N CITY The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) told local government units in the region to preposition relief goods to ensure immediate response for affected families during natural calamities. DSWD Regional Di-

Storm Quinta left 5 dead in EV

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Sun and clouds mixed with a slight chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.

weather

rector Letecia Diokno said that prepositioning is very important since the region is very vulnerable to typhoon considering its location along the countrys eastern seaBudget deliberation for 2013.Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Eastern Samar disboard. The official told local cussed the budget for 2013 amounting to P704,020.32 million . With them was Virlin Capon, execugovernment units, espe- tive staff of Gov. Conrado Nicart. LITO A. BAGUNAS cially in disaster-prone areas, to preposition a minimum of 250 food packs in preparation for future natural calamities. We have been pushTACLOBAN CITY-Samar Governor Sharee Ann police and the Army, Tan said. ing for prepositioning Tan said that she finds it favorable with her provTan is seeking for a reelection in next years eleceven before storm Pablo ince identified as one of the potential hot spot areas tions along with her younger brother, Vice Gov.Stebattered Mindanao. This in the country relative to the conduct of the 2013 phen James Tan and mother, Rep. Milagrosa Tan. is what all local governmidterm elections. Another siblings, Michael and Angel, are runment units should do, so With Samar identified as a hot spot area, the ning for mayors for Catbalogan and Calbayog they can help displaced Commission on Elections(Comelec) is expected to cities,respectively. families before an aid augment the present number of forces of both the from the national governto page 8

Samar guv finds it `favorable that her province is identified as potential hot spot

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Members: DALMACIO C. GRAFIL, Publisher/Owner-LSDE; ALVIN Gz. ARPON, Columnist-LSDE; RINDO LAGONOY, DYDW; RAMON G. CUYCO, LSDE; VEN S. LABRO, Editor -LSDE/PDI; GAY B. GASPAY, PIA; JOEY GABIETA, Staffwriter-LSDE/PDI; PACIFICO SILVESTRECE, Sunto the Guest of the EXPRESS IT AT THE PARK at the day Punch; EILEEN NAZARENO-BALLESTEROS, Columnist-LSDE; LUZVIMINDA SANTIAGO, PIO-Philhealth; GINA GEREZ, PGO; REYAN Nook of Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City every ARINTO, LSDE; LITO A. BAGUNAS, LSDE; VINO CUAYZON, PIA; WILSON CHAN, LPH; RONALD VIAS, DYVL; AHLETTE REYES, LSDE; Saturday 7:30-9:00 AM NILDA GO, KBP; FRED PADERNOS, LSDE; ATTY. IMELDA NARTEA, Leyte Province; SARWELL MEANO-Correspondent-LSDE; LEMUEL For Special Edition by appointment PAGLIAWAN - LSDE; ROLLIE MONTILLA - Eastern Times; MARK MORALLOS-DYDW Tel. No. 321-4833 Telefax 053-321-5591

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NEWS

Tuesday, 01 January 2013

Cebu Capitol short of general fund

CEBU CITY The Cebu Provincial Government does not have enough money in its general fund to pay its suppliers and project contractors. The disclosure came from the group of acting Governor Agnes Magpale, who had announced when she began discharging her duties since December 18 as acting chief executive that she was going to find out the real financial state of Cebu Province. It was criticized by suspended Governor Gwen Garcia and her brother, Representative Pablo John Garcia, as being not entirely truthful. On orders of Magpale, Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre issued a certification of Capitols fiscal state. Salubre, in a press conference called by Magpale at the legislative building on Thursday, said Capitol has only P90 million in its general fund, which is not enough to settle its payables of P200 million. Also present in the press conference were Magpale, Provincial Board Members Peter John Calderon and Arleigh Sitoy, and Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy. Capitols total cash in bank is P387,451,403.14. Of this, P90,418,576.87 is the general fund; P61,603,877.96 the special education fund; and P235,428,948.31 the trust fund. Calderon, head of the committee on budget and appropriations, said payables are chargeable only to the general fund. At the press conference, Salubre said the general fund is short of P100 million to pay Capitols unsettled expenses. But Governor Garcia said some expenses were taken out of the general fund when these should have been charged to the trust fund. She said there were instances when it was more expedient to use the general fund than the trust fund. Some of these should have been charged to the trust fund unya wa na macharge. Kadaghanan kay mas dali man, didto gipangcharge sa general fund, Garcia said. Last month, she gave instruction to revert the money to the trust fund. In the governors state of the province address last July 20, Garcia declared that the Province remains absolutely debt-free. She said Cebu Province had P29 billion at the end of 2011 as it earned P2.3 billion or 12 percent more than in 2010. Salubre said the general fund is now less than the amount for the Christmas bonus of Capitol employees, which is worth more than P50 million. He said an amount of P60 million was set to be given to the barangay health workers, tanods (village watchmen), day care workers for their honorarium and another P68 million to be paid for the use of tourist buses. Laguna Catering and Commissary Center sent to Magpales office a statement of account worth P3,396,084. Laguna Garden Caf likewise did, for P177,933. The Perfect Clean General Services sent a letter that Capitol has an overdue account of around P13.9 million. The Province has also an amount to be paid to Holcim for cement purchase worth P2.7 million and another to a contractor worth P6 million for the asphalting of road in Alegria town. Calderon said the Province had this shortage probably because the revenue for the fiscal year of 2012 was not realized or collected. Salubre said this is the only year Capitol was short. Calderon said the trust fund is used for specific purposes as this fund is given by the National Government. (SUNNEX)

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Palace belittles case filed vs Roxas, 3 police officials

MANILA (Updated) Malacaang belittled Thursday the robbery complaint filed by the son of suspended Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia against Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Palace believes that case against Roxas is weak. Well, everyone knows that a criminal offense is committed personally. Unless they have proof that Secretary Mar Roxas was present in Cebu stealing those tents, I doubt if the case will prosper against Secretary Roxas, Lacierda said. Paolo Garcia filed a criminal case for robbery against Roxas and several police officials for allegedly stealing three tents that were used during the prayer vigil held outside the Provincial Capitol in support of the suspended governor. Aside from Roxas, also named respondents were Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Marcelo Garbo, Commanding Officer of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB)-Central Visayas Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag and Police Insp. Alvino Enguito of RPSB-Central Visayas. Saying the tents were not owned by the Provincial Government, the younger Garcia asked the respondents to pay P7,800 in actual damages for the rental of three tents last December 18. He said the tents were rented for P2,600 per tent per day. The complainant is also asking the respondents to pay P500,000 in attorneys fees, P5 million in moral damages and P2 million in exemplary damages. Garbo said Thursday he is coordinating with the Garcia camp to return the tents that his men took last December 19. They are well-secured and well-accounted for. They are safely kept in Capitol, he said. Dismantled Garbo instructed his men to dismantle the tents rented by Paolo to keep the governors supporters from staying there to avoid any commotion after Malacaangs suspension order came out. Wala tayong kinuha. Hindi natin yun ninakaw (We didnt get or steal anything). We are only following orders and we assumed it is a government property, Garbo said. Asked if the case filed against him, two other police officials, and Secretary Roxas was valid, Garbo said the elements of robbery were missing. In a separate interview, Supt. Cabanag believes the case filed against them was a form of harassment. Sa among personalidad, kami nalang gyud mangawat ana? Naay daghan ana sa kampo (Given our positions,

why would we steal those? There are lots of tents back at the camp), he said. Governor Garcia was suspended for six months by Malacaang for grave abuse of authority based on the complaint filed by the late vice governor Greg Sanchez

in 2010, accusing her of usurpation of authority. She, however, continues to defy the order and refuses to leave her office at the Capitol. She spent Christmas there with her family last Tuesday. (SUNNEX)

Tuesday, 01 January 2013

NEWS

Leyte Samar Daily Express

To all advertisers, subscribers, readers and supporters: As we celebrate the coming of a New Year, we also would like to extend our sincerest thanks for the great help you have extended to us in the past year. We hope that in the coming year, our partnership will continue to thrive. We know that without people like you, we will never be able to pursue our dream of disseminating relevant information to our people in Eastern Visayas. Thank you and Happy New Year.
From the:

Management and Staff of Leyte Samar DAILY EXPRESS

as Brillante Mendoza received the Best Director trophy. The movie also won the Best Production Design, Best Original Story (Henry Burgos) and Best Cinematography (Odyssey Flores). The movie also bagged the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award and the Most Gender Sensitive film in the festival. Actor Cesar Montano was handed the Best Supporting Actor trophy for El Presidente while Wilma Doesnt was named Best Supporting Actress for Sisterakas. Sisterakas also won the third Best Picture award while El Presidente was recognized as festivals second Best Picture. Period movie El Presidente took home the following trophies: Best Float, Best Sound, Best Musical Score, Best Makeup, Youth Choice Award and Best Theme Song for Apl.d.aps music with the same title. Shake, Rattle & Roll XIV won the Best Visual Effects trophy -- their sole award in the competition. In the New Wave Fulllength category, heres the list of winners: Best Actor: Allan Paule (Dayak) Best Actress: Liza Dinio (In Nomine Matris) Best Director: Tyrone Acierto (The Grave Bandits) Special Jury Prize: Quantum Films Ad Ignorantiam Best Film: The Grave Bandits In Nomine Matris (Sa Ngalan ng Ina) and Maribela also won the Most Gender Sensitive awards for New Wave Full-length and Student Short Film categories, respectively. The 2012 MMFF was hosted by KC Concepcion and Queen of All Media Kris Aquino.
(SUNNEX)

Man tries to foil arrest with bomb threat

A FORMER security guard, facing charges of murder and rape, yesterday kept police out to arrest him at bay by threatening to explode a grenade. He made the threat as he locked himself inside his house in Lapay, Argao, Cebu, with his wife and eight-yearold daughter. Michael Anthony Villamora, 31, eventually surrendered after three hours of standoff that began at 12:25 p.m. when Argao police tried to serve a warrant for his arrest. Argao police chief Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos said Villamora had wanted that he be arrested after New Years Day because he would have liked to spend the occasion with his family. No one was harmed, but Villamora had been brandishing a grenade and a .45 pistol. He gave himself up upon the pleas of his wife, Jinky, 30. Batobalonos said they went to Barangay Lapay, located eight kilometers from the Poblacion, to serve a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 26 Judge Maximo Perez. The warrant stemmed

MMFF back-to-back win for Dingdong

MANILA - Actor Dingdong Dantes bagged the Best Actor trophy for the second time in a row, this time for the movie One More Try, while Superstar Nora Aunor was named as Best Actress in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)
that her husband was now going to surrender. Villamora put down the grenade and firearm and stepped out of the house. Batobalonos said he was thankful Villamora came to his senses. Villamora, interviewed by the police later, said he got irked at his wife for not agreeing with him to live in Manila for good. Jinky had refused because she didnt want to leave her job at the municipal registrars office in Argao. The warrant against Villamora was related to a shooting incident in Barangay Usmad, Argao few months back. One person died while two others were injured during a strafing that had Villamora allegedly one of the perpetrators. (SUNNEX)

from a murder, attempted murder and frustrated murder charges filed against Villamora. Batobalonos said police got a tip that Villamora had returned home last Wednesday from his hideout in Manila. When the police arrived, Batobalonos called Villamora to surrender while his men circled the house. He introduced himself as the police chief but got no response. Five minutes later, Villamora opened a jalousie window. Police saw him holding his wife Jinky with his left hand and a hand grenade and a pistol with his right. Villamora threatened to explode the grenade if the police came nearer. Batobalonos called Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), and asked for backup. Two teams from the Special Reaction Unit (SRU) soon arrived. After 30 minutes of negotiation, Villamoras daughter was sent outside the house. Batobalonos said Villamora didnt want his daughter hurt. When police showed signs of attacking, Jinky shouted

awards night Thursday. In the 2011 MMFF, Dantes received the Best Actor award for the movie Segunda Mano. Held at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City, this years awards night was attended by the biggest and brightest stars of the festival. One More Try, directed by Ruel Bayani and produced by Star Cinema, was named festivals Best Picture and Best Screenplay. The movie also received the Best Editing award, Best Child Performance for Miguel Vergara, and the first Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence. The trophy was personally handed to director Ruel Bayani by veteran actress and Poes wife, Susan Roces, and daughter Grace Poe-Llamanzares. Meanwhile, Aunors Thy Womb earned big nods during the event

Leyte Samar Daily Express

OPINION

Tuesday, 01 January 2013

Leyte Samar

DAILY EXPRESS
POSITIVE * FAIR * FREE

Dalmacio C. Gral Publisher Ven S. Labro Editor-in-Chief Abelardo G. Orteza Managing Editor Alma M. Gral Business Manager
The Leyte Samar Daily Express is published daily with editorial and business ofces at G/F Knights of Columbus Bldg., 187 P. Zamora St. Tacloban City CONTACT Tel. Nos. 321-4833/ 523-7373 Fax. (053) 321-5591 WEBSITE leytesamardaily.net EMAIL ADDRESS EDITORIAL lsdaily2@yahoo.com ADVERTISING lsdaily_ads@yahoo.com All rights reserve. Except as permitted by law, no part of Leyte Samar Daily Express may be re-produced or distributed in any form or by any means stored in a database or retrieval system without its prior written permission from the publisher.

EDITORIAL

Happy New Year

oday, January 1, 2013, we mark the beginning of a new Gregorian calendar year, celebrated globally in various innovative ways. Last midnight, then, people held special events, entertainment activities, and grand celebrations to welcome the New Year. Falling on a Tuesday, this New Year of 2013 is celebrated as a public holiday and as such, ofces, agencies, and some commercial operations are closed to observe this momentous day. The day before, people from various walks of life had crowded market areas, hotels, malls, and other public centers in preparation for this universal celebration. The tradition to welcome the New Year is always carried out through major events shown on television, newspapers, entertainment places, and radios,

usually kicking off in early December. Greetings are exchanged by sending New Year cards, owers, gifts, and beautiful quotes; if personal greetings do not allow it, then texting New Years greetings are exchanged. As the start of a New Year, this day is spent by some people at home, preferring to be together as families, making sure that each member of the family is present around a special dinner that has been traditionally prepared by Filipinos. They want to start the year with prayers, togetherness, unity, harmony, peace, and of course, love. However we observe the New Year does not matter much; what matters most is the fact that
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PPI

riences to many people. Hard to Letters should be as brief as possible, accept but, sometimes, calamities like the flooding in various parts and sent with the writers name,signature of the country come our way in address and phone numbers (if any) to: order to humble us down from Letters to the Editor, Leyte Samar Daily our excessive, high regard of ourExpress, They may be edited for length selves. Why, some people are just so and clarity. puffed up they think they dont touch the ground anymore. They hold their heads high, look down Samar Weekly Express on others, refuse to listen to other peoples ideas, harass their critics, Eastern Samar Bulletin speak bullshit to others, displaying foul attitude, sounding like they alone are the best, the rest beis a member of the ing all stupid. Why people of this caliber end up too high-minded is one of puzzle. Some say its because of power and authority that one comes to The National Association of have. Kinakalasan is the term for Philippine Newspapers

Commentaries from readers whose identities they prefer to remain anonymous can be accommodated as blind items. It will be our editorial prerogative, however, to verify the veracity of such commentaries The year 2012 that just exited had been full of humbling expebefore publication.

Acknowledging God

Things To Mind
doms pagliawan it in vernacular. One is not used to it; when that power comes his way, he tends to think he has suddenly become a god of some sort, not knowing how to exercise and apply that authority in moderate and appropriate manner. Popularity is also cited as the cause for grandstanding. When one becomes renowned to a lot of people, one is tempted to believe this is tantamount to greatness. He then becomes pompous and bloated, thinking superior of himself, the rest around him being nothing, not even worth his attention. Wealth likewise generates this pride. A great dose of it affords much comfort and material abundance that one comes to think he

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Leyte Samar Daily Express

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

can buy everyone, or make or unmake them with this powerful device. The thing boosts his ego and catapults him to high heavens far beyond the common peoples reach. Even the promise of it provides one with some kind of security he tends to emit an aura of invulnerability. One classic example to this kind of behavior was that of the owners of Titanic, the huge ship built to defy the forces of nature. As a luxury ship meant to ferry wealthy passengers to and from the New World, it boosted the builders ego into saying the ship was the worlds greatest that time. No question about that. But
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Tuesday, 01 January 2013

OPINION
This very day, two important events are celebrated in the universal Roman Catholic Church the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God which is a holy day of obligation, and the World Day of Peace. There are historical references that cite this day to be also the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ to remember the first time that the blood of the Redeemer was shed and to herald the manifestation that He was truly human; the Octave of the Nativity or the eighth day from Christs birth; and the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, marking the day when He was given the name Jesus (Luke 2:21). This day, Catholic faithful are expected to hear Mass celebrated in honor of Mary, Mother of God. On December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Benedict XVI penned his message for the celebration of the 46th World Day of Peace bannering the theme Blessed are the Peacemakers. There he stated, Each New Year brings the expectation of a better world. In light of this, I ask God, the Father of humanity, to grant us concord and peace, so that the aspirations of all for a happy and prosperous life may be achieved. (Full text found @ www.vatican.va) In part, His Holiness exhorted, Our times, marked by globalization with its positive and negative aspects, as well as the continuation of violent conflicts and threats of war, demand a new, shared commitment in pursuit of the common good and the development of all men, and of the whole man. He noted, It is alarming to see hotbeds of tension and conflict caused by growing instances of inequality between rich and poor, by the prevalence of a selfish and individualistic mindset which also finds expression in an unregulated financial capitalism. In addition to the varied forms of terrorism and international crime, peace is also endangered by those forms of fundamentalism and fanaticism which distort the true nature of religion, which is called to foster fellowship and reconciliation among people. He added, All the same, the many different efforts at peacemaking which abound in our world testify to mankinds innate vocation to peace. In every person the desire for peace is an essential aspiration which coincides in a certain way with the desire for a full, happy and successful human life. In other words, the desire for peace corresponds to a fundamental moral principle, namely, the duty and right to an integral social and communitarian development, which is part of Gods plan for mankind. Man is made for the peace which is Gods gift. Peace is Gods gift and the fruit of human effort. Peace concerns the human person as a whole, and it involves complete commitment. It is peace with God through a life lived according to his will, the Pope stated. This effort depends above all on recognizing that we are, in God, one human family. Truly, what meaning do
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Leyte Samar Daily Express

This day with impetus

Acknowledging....
from page 4

Happy....
from page 4

A right way to start the year: be positive. However, beyond being optimistic are other correlated must and must not sets of what-have-you to attain a better disposition in life in the year that is just beginning. The elders usual advice to younger ones: also stay cool, be amiable and always in good faith, and constantly pray. With the influence of the Chinese culture, some homes and business establishments owned by pureblooded Filipinos have adopted the oriental geo-

mancy called feng shui. By and large, since the Philippines is a Christian, particularly a Catholic, nation, at the turn of the year families take the time to say personalized prayer or the more pious one the Holy Rosary, seeking Gods grace and blessings for the ensuing year, through the intercession of the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Others have it in a combination of both. By what ever manner people opt to usher in the new year, the ultimate end is to achieve peace and prosperity.

then they also boasted it was the safest ship to board, unsinkable for its sealed compartments and double bottom design. Even God cannot sink this ship, one of its builders concluded. Ergo, that was tempting God. That was good as challenging Him to do what He can to sink that ship. Certainly, they got what they wanted to prove. They had defied the God to whom nothing is impossible. When the ship sailed for its first voyage, it sank after it got terribly damaged. Good for that ship. At least, the excessive pride attached to it finally vanished, the puffed up people learning their lesson. Indeed, God has a way of reminding us that we have nothing to be proud of. Everything that we boast for

we are into it and thats something we should be thankful and brace for. Its time for us to look forward to another year with hope, faith, perseverance, coupled with hard work and a great sense of responsibility. Above all, we should make God the center of our lives, our guide, and our strength. Happy New Year to one and all!
could disappear in seconds. He that exalts himself shall be abased. This is what the sovereign God is capable of doing, allowing catastrophes to happen once in a while if only to make us realize that we need Him, not just occasionally, but all the time.

The Sower
January 1, 2013 Tuesday (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God) Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

THE VISIT OF THE SHEPHERDS

[The shepherds] went in haste [to Bethlehem] and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been tod them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Circle
towards not wasting food as the fruits are, they being graces from God. It is mind boggling how people who could hardly eat or afford a good meal for the family can spend so much on an unfounded belief, buying overpriced round fruits that are not even for consumption but for mere display as the gods of superstitions tell through mongering out of nowhere. There is nothing wrong just taking the belief as passed on by word of mouth those who are into the practice would justify. But spending so much on overpriced fruits that are not really round as mandated at the expense of significant things like basic food for the family is just so grave a wrong by any measure. Those who had been at it had surely remained wishing for that same good luck that every new year brings. Doing the ritual every year is an indication that the good luck of the past years never came true as the round fruits collected in those years were believed to have brought about. Only the opportunist sellers of overpriced fruits that look like or as if round
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THE MOTHER OF GOD

As one who stands at the gate and with doubtful hand draws aside the curtain and peers into the unknown, so we begin today taking our first step across the threshold of a New ear. It is already a beautiful year, because it is another year of the Lord. Hence there are new blessings in store for us. Did not God ask Moses to bless his people in these words: the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you (Num 6:22)? Of course, there will also be hills of difficulties on the way. But both hills and valleys are needed in our lives, as in any land. It is the hills that collect the rain for fruitful valleys. So it is our experience on the hills of our difficulties that drives us to the throne of Gods grace and bring down showers of blessings. As Mary treasured in her heart (Lk 2:19) all the wonderful things God had done to her in the birth of her Son Jesus, so let us treasure in our hearts the gifts that God has already given us in his Son Jesus. This will give us constant hope that all will be well for those who walk holding the hand of God. It is not by accident that we celebrated today the feast of Mary as Mother of God. We need her daily assistance throughout the New Year. Her Divine Son cannot refuse her anything that she asks him on our behalf. Her Son esteems her prayers so greatly and is so eager to please her, that when she prays it seems as if it is she who commands, a queen and not a handmaid. A great treasure in any house is a good mother. But Mary does for us more than what the best of mothers can do. (His Word is Life by Vima Dasan, S.J. published by Paulines. Visit us at www.paulines.ph or at Paulines Media Center, Real St., Tacloban City. Tel. #321-3195)

We do not know who and where the idea of collecting round fruits for luck in every new year emanated. The practice of collecting such round fruits, in some places thirteen kinds while in other places of a different number, is widespread across the socio-economic strata. Rich and poor are afflicted with the belief that good fortune is bound to come to those who are able to collect for display those round fruits. Practically, it is really tough finding round fruits in all its strictest sense since most fruits are either oblong, oval or in some cases pointed and elongated far from round. But those in the practice had the tolerance of seeing fruits to be round even if they are actually not. In the haste of completing

the number of kinds, people take even the not round fruits as acceptably round. If there is good luck in the practice, it is chiefly to the fruit vendors who take the opportune time to increase their sales volume as well as their profit margin due to the high demand. In some cases, the buyers who are duped into the belief are forced to take fruits that are not only not round but are not mature and not ripe and are not for human consumption as well. Such fruits are truly for display in the passing of year and never for consumption by the person who bought such fruits. These unripe and immature fruits are later to be found in the waste bin or compost pit, for luck that this writer would never be able to understand how. Good manners is always

Prayer for the Nation and for Those who Serve in Public Office
God, our Father, you guide everything in wisdom and love. Accept the prayers we offer for our nation; by the wisdom of our leaders and integrity of our citizens, may harmony and justice be secured and may there be lasting prosperity and peace. Almighty and eternal God, You know the longings of our hearts and You protect our rights. In your goodness, watch over those in authority, so that people everywhere may enjoy freedom, security and peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (Courtesy of Daughters of St. Paul)

Pray the Holy Rosary daily for world peace and conversion of sinners (The family that prays together stays together)

Leyte Samar Daily Express

NEWS
beaten to death. The Russian bills implementation nullifies a recent agreement between the United States and Russia in which the countries agreed to additional safeguards to protect children and parties involved in inter-country adoptions. American families have welcomed more than 60,000 Russian children into American homes over the past 20 years, Ventrell said last week. Just last month we implemented a bilateral adoptions agreement with Russia to improve safeguards for adopted children and their families. If Russian officials have concerns about the implementation of this agreement, we stand ready to work with them to improve it and remain committed to supporting intercountry adoptions between our two countries. Only China has more adoptions to the United States than Russia. Backers of the Russian bill said American adoptive parents have been abusive, citing 19 deaths of Russian children since the 1990s. In 2010, an American woman caused outrage after she sent her adopted son back to Russia alone on a one-way flight, saying the boy, then 7, had violent episodes that made her family fear for its safety. Konstantin Dolgov, Russian Foreign Ministrys Special Representative for Human Rights, said on Twitter that Russia is well aware of, and have pointed out more than once, the inadequate protection of adopted Russian children in the US. He also noted that the United States is one of three nations that has not signed the 1989 U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Anthony Lake, U.N. Childrens Fund executive director, touted the importance of inter-country adoption. While welcoming Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedevs call for the improvement of the child welfare system, UNICEF urges that the current plight of the many Russian children in institutions receives priority attention, Lake said. UNICEF asked that Russia let childrens best interests guide the design and development of all efforts to protect children. We encourage the government to establish a robust national social protection plan to help strengthen Russian families. Alternatives to the institutionalization of children are essential, including permanent foster care, domestic adoption and inter-country adoption, he said.
(FROM THE WIRES)

Tuesday, 01 January 2013

President Vladimir Putin signed a controversial measure banning the adoption of Russian children by U.S. families, the Kremlin said Friday. The action could affect hundreds of American families seeking to adopt. Americans adopted close to 1,000 Russian children last year, according to U.S. State Department figures. Read more: Russias lower house approves bill to ban U.S. adoption Though the number has been dropping in recent years, Russia remains the third most popular country for U.S. citizens to adopt after China and Ethiopia. The U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul tweeted this week that passage of the bill saddens him, but said hes open to dialogue. The measure also bars

Russias Putin signs anti-U.S. adoption bill

any political activities by nongovernmental organizations receiving funding from the United States, if such activities could affect Russian interests, Russias semiofficial RIA-Novosti news agency said. It also imposes sanctions against U.S. officials thought to have violated human rights. Read more: Russian lawmakers eye adoption ban to U.S. A vote this week in the Federation Council, Russias upper house, was unanimous, but Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the bill ahead of its signing. Lawmakers in the State Duma, Russias lower house of parliament, adopted it last week. The move by Russian politicians is widely seen as retaliation for a law that U.S. President Barack Obama

Chinese court rejects appeal in Mekong River killings

A court in Chinas Yunnan Province on Wednesday rejected an appeal from six defendants convicted of killing 13 Chinese sailors, said the state-run Xinhua news agency. Last month, the Intermediate Peoples Court of Kunming sentenced four of the men to death for the killings, which occurred in October 2011 on the Mekong River. They were also ordered to pay compensation of 6 million yuan (about $960,000). Read more: Chinese court sentences drug gang to death over river murders One of the men is a drug lord identified as Naw Kham; the other three were members of his gang, Xinhua said. Of the two other gang members, one received a death sentence with a reprieve and another was sentenced to eight years in prison. Thai authorities discovered the murder scene after boarding two Chinese cargo ships that had come under gunfire. They found nearly 1 million amphetamines and the 12 bodies, some with their hands bound. One sailor was missing. The men had been charged with homicide, hijacking, kidnapping and drug trafficking. The alleged gang was arrested in a joint operation by police from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, according to the state-run China Daily. Five of the six men are from Myanmar, Thailand and Laos; one is stateless, Xinhua said. Naw Khams gang colluded with Thai soldiers in the attack on the cargo ships, the Hua Ping and Yu Xing 8, Xinhua said. Naw Kham had also directed several of his subordinates in the kidnapping of Chinese sailors and hijacking of cargo ships in exchange for ransom in early April 2011, the court said.
(FROM THE WIRES)

signed on December 14. That bill, called the Magnitsky Act, imposes U.S. travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia. The United States is concerned by measures in the bill passed in the Russian Duma today that, if it becomes law, would halt inter-country adoptions between the United States and Russia and would restrict the ability of Russian civil society organizations to work with American partners, U.S. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said last week. The Magnitsky Act is named in honor of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who uncovered the largest tax fraud in the countrys history in the form of rebates claimed by government officials who stole money from the state. Magnitsky died in 2009 after a year in a Moscow detention center, apparently

DSWD....
from page 1

ment arrives, she added. For Tropical Storm Quinta, she said that local government units managed to provide assistance to hundreds of families displaced by flooding. The standby fund of the regional office is more than enough because the impact of the storm is only minimal, Diokno told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

The food packs would contain rice, canned goods, noodles, coffee, and milk. Meanwhile, the DSWD has blamed the impact of natural calamities to the worsening poverty situation in Eastern Visayas based on the latest poverty statistics report. Diokno said that between 2006 to 2009, poverty cannot be attributed to inefficient implementation of the conditional
money brings prosperity to those who sell round fruits to people who had somehow been captive in the belief in things shaped circle. Comments to alellema@ hotmail.com N.B. BSCE Batch 1988 of the Leyte Institute of Technology (now Eastern Visayas State University), Tacloban City express its collective sincere thanks and gratitude to God for sparing Eastern Visayas from typhoons and calamities, for the good weather that allowed the successful celebration of their KIRIGTA 2012 class reunion and homecoming held on 27 December 2012 at the Executive House of the Eastern Visayas State University main campus and for all the graces and blessings over the years.

cash transfer since the program kicked off in 2009 covering only 10 municipalities of Northern Samar. The succeeding floods, landslides, and other natural calamities have affected the livelihood of people. That affects the productivity of farmers. One way to end poverty is to mitigate the effects of disasters, she said, noting that most of the poor families are in farming communities.

Japan scrambles fighter jets after Chinese plane seen near disputed island
Tokyo -- Japan scrambled fighter jets after a Chinese plane was seen Thursday near small islands in the East China Sea that are claimed by both countries. This is the first time that the dispute over the islands -- which Japan calls Senkaku and China refers to as Diaoyu -- has involved aircraft, introducing a new sphere of risky encounters for the two Asian neighbors. Chinese government ships have repeatedly entered the waters around the remote, rocky islands since the Japanese government announced in September it was buying several of the islands from private owners. Why Asia is arguing over its islands Japanese Coast Guard vessels have engaged in games of cat and mouse with the Chinese ships, with both sides broadcasting messages to one another insisting they have territorial sovereignty over the area. Analysts say that by sending its own patrols into the area, China is challenging Japans de facto control of the islands, which has been the status quo for the past 40 years. On Thursday morning, a Japanese Coast Guard patrol vessel spotted the Chinese government plane in airspace around the islands, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said. As a result, the Japanese Self Defense Force sent eight F-15 jets and an early warning E2C plane to the area, the government said, revising up the number of planes it initially said it had deployed. By the time the Japanese jets arrived, there was no sign of the Chinese plane, which had not shown up on military radar, the Japanese Self Defense Force said. South China Sea risks becoming Asias Palestine Chinas State Oceanic Administration said a B-3837 patrol plane had arrived in the islands airspace Thursday morning in order to carry out a joint air-sea patrol with ships in the area. The patrol teams announced Chinas territorial claim and told the Japanese ships to leave the area, it said. Fujimura said that the Chinese planes entry into the area was extremely regrettable and that Japan has lodged a protest with the Chinese government through diplomatic channels. The Japanese governments acquisition of the islands in September also set off several days of violent anti-Japanese protests across China and soured economic ties between the two Asian nations. The United States has said it doesnt take sides in territorial disputes and urged the two sides to resolve the situation peacefully. Nonetheless, U.S. officials have admitted that the islands fall under the scope of a mutual defense treaty between Washington and Tokyo.
(FROM THE WIRES)

Circle....
from page 5

This day....
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are getting the goodness of that promise, by raking in a good fortune from the sales of such fruits every start of the year. If anything, such belief departs from our belief in God who grants us all the graces and blessings we need. We do not know how accurate the belief is or if the same had really some goodness brought for the new year. Nothing had ever been recorded as resulting from such belief of collecting round fruits every new year. We had just been following what some consider as tradition, one whose beginnings we are unsure of. A belief whose foundations are as unfounded as its founders are except that

all these traditions and astral projections have if the nuclear matter that binds all things and makes all things work harmoniously is absent that is peace? Peace, internal and external, is really essential, the absence of which renders all efforts null and void. This peace only comes from God. Following is a prayer that is nice to internalize for a good start, a prayer that could serve as impetus for a better life. My God, I will give you my heart, and since you are so good as to give me another day, give me the grace that everything I will do be for Your honor and for the salvation of my soul. St. John Vianney.

Tuesday, 01 January 2013

NEWS

Leyte Samar Daily Express

15 of the worlds most bike-friendly cities

Grab a helmet and check out these 15 cities where drivers use all five fingers when they wave at you. EUROPE Amsterdam, lands Nether16 reasons to travel Patagonia by bike Copenhagen, Denmark In the Danish capital, around a third of the workforce gets to the office by bike. By some estimates, thats more than a million kilometers pedaled every day. For an alternative and truly bike-friendly urban experience, check out Christiania, a neighborhood of 850 that, in addition to setting up a semi-independent government and decriminalizing trade in cannabis, has banned cars. Paris, France Paris gets a nod here for its creation ofVlib, one of the worlds largest public bicycle rental programs. Twenty thousand stylish three-speeds are distributed among 1,450 rental stations throughout the city, available to subscribers at variable rates (rides under 30 minutes are free). NORTH AMERICA Boulder, Colorado Denvers little hippy neighbor to the north dedicates 15% of its transportation budget to improving and promoting bicycle travel. Nearly every major roadway has a designated cycling area, and theyve even instituted a pilot program to get kids biking to school. This guy has created a very cool color-coded route map, complete with local attractions. Chicago, Illinois Late during his 22-year tenure, Mayor Richard Daley became set on turning Chicago into the most bicycle-friendly city in the United States. It doesnt appear to be all talk, either, as more bike lanes pop up all the time, and more laws that protect cyclists safety are passed. The City of Chicago website has all you could ever want to know about the citys bicycle initiatives. Matador: 12 essential items for a cycling trip Davis, California Its said there are more bikes than cars in this small, northern California city of 65,000. Not only that, but its official motto is Most bicycle friendly town in the world. The city marks Bike Month throughout May. Ottawa, Ontario Canadas capital claims the highest percentage of bike commuters in the country, if not the continent. Its 170 km of paths make it easy to get from point A to B, though twowheeled traffic is sure to drop between December and March. Visit the City of Ottawa website for more. Portland, Oregon You were worried there for a second, werent you? No, we havent forgotten what most people consider the bike capital of the U.S. The only thing as impressive as Portlands bicycle infrastructure (including a 260-mile network) and commuter stats (almost 10%, the highest in the country) is the camaraderie of its cyclist community. nia San Francisco, Califorof any in the world to be bike unfriendly. The sheer number of cyclists necessitates some pretty sophisticated infrastructure for the travel, storage and repair of twowheeled vehicles. Cape Town, South Africa Bogots transportation initiatives have been a model for change throughout Latin America, and its treatment of bicycles is no exception. Miles of safe, segregated bike paths and Sunday Ciclova events (where main thoroughfares are closed to cars) make Colombian cyclists very happy.

The bicycling capital of Europe tops many lists -- including this one, it seems -- as the most bikefriendly city anywhere. Safe and extensive route networks, serious governmental promotion, and a bike culture that transcends class boundaries are all reasons why 40 percent of the citys traffic moves on two wheels. Barcelona, Spain Barcelonas Bicing program, one of many mass bike rental systems that have popped up recently in Europe and beyond, debuted in 2007 in the Catalonian capital. An annual Bike Week is held in late May to spread the word. Berlin, Germany Commuting Berliners are never lonely -- 400,000 of them pedal to work each day. City leaders still arent satisfied with this figure, and millions of euros have been allocated to encourage more cyclists to get on the streets. One result is a mapping website that helps you plot bike-specific routes. Matador: Photo essay -

The founding city of Critical Mass -- mass bike rides that take place in cities around the world -- cant be overlooked. Over the past decade, bicycle collisions have declined while the number of bike commuters has nearly doubled. Add city initiatives like removing car parking to make room for bike parking, distributing Watch for Bikes stickers (to be placed on drivers side rearview mirrors), and its fledgling bike share program, and you get one of the worlds bike-friendliest cities. 10 long-distance bicycle routes in the U.S. ELSEWHERE Beijing, China Debatable? Sure. But I wouldnt call the city with probably the most bicycles

African cities arent the Perth, Australia first that spring to mind for bike friendliness, but Cape With more than 700 km Town is doing its best to of bike routes and plenty to change that. see along them, Australias fourth largest city takes The South African hub it for Down Under. Find is committed to creating cy- maps, recommended rides cling lanes, dedicated bike and other cycling resourcparking and public com- es on the Perth Bike Maps muter showers. webpage. Bogot, Colombia (FROM THE WIRES)

Leyte Samar Daily Express

NEWS

Tuesday, 01 January 2013

Storm Quinta left 5 dead in EV

TACLOBAN CITY Storm Quinta left Eastern Visayas with five casualties, to include a family of three and two fishermen, authorities reported this week. Missing fishermen in Merida, Leyte and Borongan City were both found dead Thursday afternoon after they were reported missing during the onslaught of the storm. The body of 36-yearold Julio Noya Silvano was found floating 200 meters away from the shoreline of Sitio Suba, Barangay Macario in Merida. Silvanos cadaver was found by a rescue team composed of policemen and relatives of the victim late Thursday afternoon. He was identified by his wife and his father, said Merida Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (DRRMO) Nestor De La Pea. According to De La Pea, the victim and his brother Enerio left the shore Wednesday, ignoring threats of strong winds and big waves, to catch shrimps. The victim was drowned when their banca capsized during storm surge. His brother survived and reported the incident to the local police, he added. In Borongan City, another fisherman Joeliver Casipong, 34 of Barangay Sabang North was found dead along the coastline of the citys Divinubo Island late Thurday afternoon. Casipong and his unknown companion ignored warnings of impending storm. They want to earn more because the trading price of fish is high when the weather is bad, said BoArmy were the reasons cited why Samar and the 14 other provinces were placed under said category. Personally, I find it favorable with the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the Army identifying Samar as a political hot spot, Tan said. This could mean that the Comelec would order for the additional of forces of police and Army personnel in the province, the governor added. rongan City DRRMO Jaime Voces. Voces said that the victim left their house on December 23 while the storm is still approaching the countrys area of responsibility. His companion survived the incident. They were separated from each other due to big waves that kept on rampaging their pump boat, Voces told Leyte Samar Daily Express in a mobile phone interview. Earlier, the Office of the Civil Defense has listed couple Rodrigo Busa, 56; Rosita Busa, 50; and their son Kimjie Busa, 7 as storm casualties. They were killed after a tree fell to their makeshift house in Sitio Lumangag, Barangay Del Pilar in Maydolong, Eastern Samar. (SARWELL Q. governor added. MENIANO) While the entire Samar province has consistently been named as a According to her, it hot spot area for the past would be better if all elections, election-relattowns and cities across ed violence were mostly the province would be noted in the first district given an additional po- of the province. Notably, killings relice or Army personnel during the conduct of lated to politics were previously noted in Gandara elections. This way, our people and Calbayog City. These would no longer have this killings, according to varapprehension or fear that ious police investigations, the elections would turn were reportedly perpeout to be violent or there trated by some armed would be killings, Tan groups hired by certain politicians. said. The presence of priThey would now feel confident that the elec- vate armed groups in tions here in the province the first district of Samar would be peaceful, the were confirmed by police BETHANY HOSPITAL
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Gov. Tan said that she is not bothered at all with Samar this early was named as a potential hot spot areas for the May 13,2013 elections. Earlier, no less than Interior Sec.Mar Roxas has identified 15 provinces across the country as hot spot areas for the balloting. Election violence, presence of private armed groups and members of the New Peoples
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authorities in the region with one group, the socalled Moloboco group, allegedly neutralized by police authorities. Gov. Tan said that she just like any ordinary people of the province, she is also hoping that the conduct of elections in the entire province would be peaceful. Tans reelection bid as governor is being challenged by Rosa Jessica Aika Delgado, daugther of slain Calbayog mayor Reynaldo Uy. Delgado, in a previous interview, has denied that her family maintains a private armed group.
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