October | 2006 | Northern Dispatch (nordis) Weekly

SC: Foiling the master of deception

October 31, 2006 in columns, general, opinion

By DR. MICHAEL A. BENGWAYAN

There is reason to hope in this country again because of eight Justices of the Supreme Court who choose not to sell their country to the powers that be.

After Malacañang, the master of deception,robbed the country of the presidential election results, OFW funds, farmers’ fertilizer, retired government GSIS and soldiers retirement funds, it plotted to rob us of our Constitution, which is born from the bloodied streets of EDSA and out from resisting a dictatorship. Read the rest of this entry →

Letter: On the conversion of BENECO

October 31, 2006 in energy, general

By Luz Balisong, BENECO

In a dialogue attended by BBECCE Chair Prof. Federico Balanag, RCDC OlC-Chair Mr. Peter Dumaguing, businessman Jack Dulnuan and retired banker Tolentino Opiniano, BENECO General Manager Gerardo P. Verzosa stated that BENECO is not actually against the conversion into a stock cooperative. He emphasized, however, that it is not the opportune time to convert considering the conflicting issuances of NEA and CDA. Issues raised by the group were exhaustively discussed in the dailies, in the information drive, TV shows and radio broadcast. But we must point out the following:

First, on the issue of the amortization payments. GM Verzosa cited an earlier opinion from the NEA that there is no legal basis to consider it as share capital of the member-consumer. In fact, there is a proposal to amend the Cooperative law for a provision to address this concern. Dumaguing cited Memorandum Circular No. 2006-06 dated May 18, 2006 as basis for claiming that the amortization payments can be considered as share capital. Looking closely, he said Memorandum refers to equity contributions in their amortization and not share capital, as manifested. Equity is the “residual interest in the assets of an entity that remains after deducting its liabilities.” The Circular never mentioned that the amortization payment would be the member-consumers’ share capital. Rather, it stated that it would form part of the equity contribution. Read the rest of this entry →

Letters: From Atty. Lynn A. Macalingay via email, Oct. 23

October 29, 2006 in general, letters, opinion

Mayat diay inbingay nga proseso ti panagaramid ti tapuy (tapey kuna ti taga-Besao). Here are some additional pointers which I learned from the baaks of Besao. Different ways of doing it, but basically the same:

1. Yes, it is true that balattinaw (red rice) is more eye-catching – but it does not guarantee a better taste. Read the rest of this entry →

Letters: From David A. Tauli via email, Oct. 23

October 29, 2006 in general, letters, opinion

I always enjoyed drinking tapey when it is available, but never observed how it was made. Thanks to the article, I can make up for not having been involved in tapey-making in the many times I visited the Ili. The tapey may not have the dietary benefit that come from drinking grape wine, but I hope to get to drink it with greater frequency if we could make a go of producing our own tapey. #

Letters: From Cheryl Daytec-Yangot via email, Oct. 23

October 29, 2006 in general, letters, opinion

We tried preparing tapey once. It was a hit-and miss exercise really. The finished product turned out to be sweet. We were proud of ourselves. I told my mother Lean and I were good at preparing tapey. She said there is no such thing as “good” or “bad” at it. The secret, she said, is in the bubod. Some bubods make the tapey taste acidic, others give it a bitter taste like ampalaya, and others make it sweet. I hope you publish an article on how to spot the bubod that makes the tapey sweet.#

Baguio groups unite, call for Jadewell's ouster

October 28, 2006 in Baguio City, general, transport

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 25) — Various groups – from ordinary housewives to businessmen, moderate to militant, jeepney drivers to car owners – trooped to the Sangguniang Hall of this summer capital city with a common call to drive out the Jadewell Parking System Corporation out of this city due to abusive and arrogant Jadewell personnel and questionable local government passages and deals.
towing

Aside from demanding city officials to end the 6-year plague that is Jadewell they also asked the council to act decisively on the repeal of the pay parking ordinance by junking City Ordinance 003, series of 2000 and the June 2000 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered into with Jadewell by then City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, now the lone congressional representative. Read the rest of this entry →

Jadewell sues City officials

October 28, 2006 in Baguio City, general, transport

BAGUIO CITY (October 24, 2006) — Now eyeing the heads of Baguio’s acting mayor, city legal officer, and city councilors, the private parking firm Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation is asking the Supreme Court to cite them for contempt.

Jadewell, the same private corporation that had flexed muscles leading to the suspension of Baguio City Mayor Braulio Yaranon and also endangering Mayor Enrico Echeveria of Caloocan City over the same pay parking business, wants the high tribunal to cite Acting Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr., City Legal Officer Melchor Rabanes and 10 of the 14-member city council for contempt due to their notice of rescission on the controversial 12-year pay parking contract here. Read the rest of this entry →

Peasants hit GMA policies as anti-farmers

October 28, 2006 in agriculture, Cordillera, general, peasants

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 28) — While Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised in her July 2006 State of the Nation Address (SONA) that one of her priorities is the agriculture sector, a peasant federation in the Cordillera claimed that her policies on agriculture continuously drive peasants to crisis.

Alyansa dagiti Pesante iti Taeng Kordilyera (Apit Tako or Alliance of Peasants in the Cordillera Homeland) pointed out that GMA adopted policies anchored with agreements under the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade – World Trade Organizations (GATT-WTO), which paved for entry of foreign capital, goods, and products into the local market. Read the rest of this entry →

Corporate control impedes Igorot miners

October 28, 2006 in Cordillera, general, mining

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Oct. 25) — Mineral claims still in the hands of large mining companies remain a legal impediment confronting some 30,000 small scale miners in Benguet, an official of the province’s Federation of Small Scale Miners (SSM federation) disclosed during the Benguet Forum on October 25.

Engr. Lomino Kaniteng, SSM federation president, said Benguet’s small scale miners have remained illegal despite the 14-year old Republic Act 7076 or the People’s Small Scale Mining Act of 1992, which he tagged inutile. Read the rest of this entry →

Shootings resume in NL “killing fields”

October 28, 2006 in Cordillera, criminality, general, politics

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Oct. 25) — Abra used to be known as Northern Philippines “Killing Fields” until the national government via the Philippine National Police instituted a “police state”, according to a PNP official in Camp Bado Dangwa.

The killings supposedly by hired goons of warring politicians died down a bit until lately when it is coming back again. Read the rest of this entry →

Baguio militants laud SC decision against people’s initiative

October 28, 2006 in Baguio City, general, politics

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 26) – Joining the triumphant celebration on the Supreme Court’s decision against the peoples initiative as a mode of changing the constitution, the militant Tongtongan Ti Umili (TTU or Peoples’ Forum) calls for the peoples’ vigilance as the proponents plan for another mode of charter change – the Constituent Assembly (ConAss).

ConAss, as their plan b, is being pushed by administration congressmen as House Resolutions by Cong. Jaraula and Cong. Prospero Pichay are subjected for deliberation, claimed the TTU in a statement. In order that the ConAss will be adopted as a means of changing the constitution, both houses must acquire 2/3 votes from their total membership. Read the rest of this entry →

Manila-based artists post exhibit for city’s elders, abused women & kids

October 28, 2006 in Baguio City, general, the arts

BAGUIO CITY (Oct.22) — Seven multi-disciplinary women artists put up an exhibit here for the benefit of women, elderly and children of Baguio City.

Chin-chin Gutierrez’s painting, among the exhibited art works at Bliss Cafe. For more photos, visit NORDIS Photo Gallery.

The exhibit entitled W-Works features Manila-based artists Cynthia Alexander, Carol Bello, Vivian Limpin. Barbie Almalbis-Honasan, Aba Lluch Dalena, Daphne Aguilar and Teta Tulay. The artists are also musicians, poets and teachers who have crossed paths in one way or another in the arts scene of Manila. Read the rest of this entry →

People of HL commemorates Ka Ric’s 1st death anniversary

October 28, 2006 in general, human rights

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 26) — Bloodstained bamboo chairs, smashed brain parts and tears – these were seen in a Nipa hut where the late CATLU President Ricardo “Ka Ric” Ramos was killed on October 25 last year.

It’s still fresh in my mind how brutal and inhumane a triggerman of a supposedly protector of the people is. Read the rest of this entry →

Tossed salad, ‘arts games’ top DOT-CAR activities for November

October 28, 2006 in general, tourism

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 25) — The Ten-Foot-Diameter Bowl, One-and-A-Half-Ton Vegetable Salad is soon to be another gastronomic experience as the Tossed Salad Festival opens its activities to the public on November 16 to 19.
wow-cordi
ECO-WEAVE. As part of the WOW Philippines-Cordillera celebrations, local designer Jem Bautista Datu presents her indigenous gown made of Benguet silk, modeled here by Ms. Tourism Baguio 2005. A showcase of gowns using indigenous and eco-friendly materials will be held at the Baguio Convention Center on December 2.

The Tossed Salad Festival, an annual city event that local and foreign tourists look forward to since 2001, has been a major come-on for hotels, inns and restaurants to organize other culinary activities to be held in the city, participated by invited local chefs and from neighboring provinces. Read the rest of this entry →

Swimming pool for dogs?

October 28, 2006 in general

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Oct. 26) — It maybe be queer, yet heartwarming.

Because inside the government-run Benguet State University (BSU), a swimming pool for dogs will be built. Read the rest of this entry →

Editorial Cartoon: Oct. 29, 2006

October 28, 2006 in editorials, general, opinion

edcart )ct 29, 2006

Editorial: Santong paspasan

October 28, 2006 in editorials, politics

A Tagalog saying goes like this: “Kung di makuha sa santong dasalan, e di kunin sa santong paspasan.” Rough English translation: If you can’t get her by praying to all the saints, then get her in blitzkrieg fashion.

It is seen as the standard dual tactic used by a Pinoy macho man to get the women he wants, where and when he wants them. The trick, supposedly, is to do it so audaciously and fast that the result becomes a fait accompli before anyone could object and resist. The unspoken assumption is that the girl will like it in the end despite all her protestations. Read the rest of this entry →

Advocate's Overview: Too early to celebrate Cha-Cha’s fall

October 28, 2006 in columns, general, opinion

By ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW

The Supreme Court finally dismissed the petition seeking people’s initiative as a means of introducing change to the 1987 Constitution. The vote was very close as eight SC justices voted for the dismissal of the petition while seven voted against.

The SC ruled that the constitution does not allow revision through a people’s initiative, as the petitioners wanted, aside from the questionable way that the six-million-plus signatures were acquired. Read the rest of this entry →