Council Grills Maa Bgy Captain Laud On DMC Project

The City Council in today's session grilled Maa barangay captain Loreto Laud, Jr. over the issuance of the certificate of no opposition he issued for the DMC real estate development project in Shrine Hills.

Councilor Teresa Mata Marañon asked Laud about the issuance of the no-opposition certificate considering the disapproval of the Maa residents about the development. Laud however said there was no petition at the time he issued the certificate.

Knowing that the residents of Maa are up in arms against the further development of the area sans an independent geo-hazard study, Laud said he would stand by his decision to issue the certificate provided DMC will stand by its word that it would set up all the mitigating measures to ensure the safety of the people.

However, Laud said he is recommending the conduct of an independent geo-hazard study for the project to make sure it will not endanger the lives of the Maa and nearby residents.

Maa Residents Show Full Force In Today's Council Session

Live blogging at the City Council

Maa residents are starting to fill up the session hall of the City Council showing full support for their purok leaders' quest to bar the further development of Shrine Hills by real estate developers.

Councilor Sudagar delivered a privilege speech on the environmental and well as historical and cultural value of the Datu Luho Creek which is being used as the sole drainage area of all subdivisions in the Maa are.

More on this later..

Badjaos Warned: Be Good Or Face Physical Punishment

Badjaos who roam around the city asking for money or food are free to do so provided they do it in a respectful manner. Otherwise, they would face the wrath of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte asked the deputy mayors to advise the Badjaos to change their ways or else he has no choice but to inflict physical harm on them. "Makatilaw gyud mo ug tamparos nako (you will get a taste of how I slap)," he said.

This was the mayor's reaction after receiving many complaints about the bad behavior of Badjaos who in many occasions have spitted on their victims especially students who tend to ignore them when they ask for money.

Mindanaoans Prefers MEDA Than NEDA

Mindanaoans are pushing for the creation of the Mindanao Economic Development Authority in view of Malacañang's decision to place the Mindanao Economic and Development Council (Medco) under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) by virtue of Executive Order 757.

"Why place Medco under NEDA when Mindanao can have MEDA to oversee its development, " asked several Mindanaoans. Medco, a multi-sectoral body which includes members from both government and the private sector, is tasked with the overall planning strategy for Mindanao's programs.

Mindanaoan representatives Datu Pax S. Mangudadatu and Simeon Datumanong have already introduced House Bill 5255 which provides for the creation of MEDA in the House of Representatives. MEDA, which will act as an implementing agency for Mindanao programs, is expected to facilitate and promote the socio-economic development of Mindanao.

MEDA, according to Kusong Mindanaw convenor Rey Magno Teves, would ensure that the island's programs and projects will be given continued focus.

Mindanao Investment Conference Slated In Davao Nov. 25

Davao City will host the Mindanao Investment Conference (Min iCon)at the Marco Polo Hotel on November 25 and 26.

Min Icon, with the theme "Drive the Wheels for Peace. Invest in MindaNOW!", is expected to highlight various investment opportunities in Mindanao that will promote peace in the region.

The conference will present investment opportunities in Mindanao that are ideal for small and medium entrepreneurs including the production and processing of seaweeds, coffee, honeybee, banana, rubber, moringa tree and Cream Dory Fish or Pangasius.

"With this conference, we are optimistic that we can encourage more businessmen to pour in their investments in Mindanao so that we can offer more jobs to Mindanaoans," Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Southern Mindanao regional director Marizon S. Loreto said.

Jailed Senator Tops No. Of Senate Bills Filed For September '08

The government may be doing the Filipinos a disservice in keeping renegade-soldier Senator Antonio Trillanes in jail. However, Trillanes has proven that his supporters did not waste their votes on him as evident with his performance in the Senate.

Trillanes may be inside the jail and is not allowed to attend Senate sessions but he is keeping himself busy inside his cell. Senator Trillanes topped the list of Senators who have filed bills in the Senate last September 2008 with 16 bills for the said month. He was followed by Senator Manny Villar with 13 bills, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago with 10 bills, Senator Loren Legarda with 6 bills and Senators Francis Escudero and Mar Roxas wit 4 bills each.

Majority of Trillanes' bills can have enormous impact in the society once they become laws. Among these bills are:

SBN-2637: Agritourism Promotion Act of 2008
An Act to Promote Agritourism in the Philippines which can greatly promote Mindanao's agriculture and promote the island's role as a food basket.

SBN-2621: National Livelihood Development Act of 2008
An Act Creating the National Livelihood Development Council Thereby Institutionalizing the Livelihood Movement of the Philippines which can alleviate poverty not only in the countryside but in the whole country as well.

SBN-2620: Anti-Private Army Law of 2008
An Act Defining 'Private Armies and Other Armed Groups', Implementing the Constitutional Provision for Their Dismantling, Prescribing Penalties Therefor which can (hopefully) prevent Mindanao political lords (and even politicians from otter areas) from establishing their own military forces.

One can argue that Trillanes' prolific bill creation and filing may be because he does not have anything to do inside his room except formulate laws. However, looking at the quality of the bills he has proposed one can say that this military man who challenged President Gloria Arroyo's leadership several years ago may have something important to say. It is unfortunate that he could not be allowed to function like regular Senator. On second thoughts--why not imprison the rest of the senators---maybe then they would be able to craft more meaningful laws.

Davao City Mayor Urge Enactment of Drunk Driving Law

DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) may be a common crime in the United States and if you are updated with Hollywood news then you are aware that actor Mel Gibson is facing criminal charges for the offense. It is thus surprising to note that such laws does not exist in the Philippines considering the increasing number of traffic accidents involving drunk drivers.

In view of this, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has urged lawmakers both in the city council and in the House of Congress and Senate to hasten the enactment of a law that will penalize drunk driving.

Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta said a resolution-ordinance that seeks to penalize drunk driving has already passed first reading in the Davao City Council. Acosta said she is pursuing the approval of this measure with the hope that it will discourage drivers from operating their vehicles while intoxicated.

Last year, Senate president Manny Villar has refiled Senate Bill 83 otherwise known as the Alcohol and Drug Testing Act. The bill seeks to criminalize driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The bill seeks to penalize violators by suspending their drivers' license for a year and by paying a P1,000 fine for the first offense. Second and subsequent offenses will mean a five-year driver's license revocation and a fine of P5,000. The Bill is still pending in the Senate committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Duterte said it is imperative that a DUI or DWI law is enacted because under the present law, drivers who cause an accident while intoxicated only face a criminal negligence case no matter how many people they victimize in one accident.