Total Solar Eclipse on March 9, Partial Eclipse in PH

8 March 2016 – 9 March 2016 — Total Solar Eclipse

The total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Indonesia including Sumatra, Borneo, and Sulawesi, and from locations in the Pacific Ocean.

Observers in northern and eastern Australia, in South Asia, and in East Asia will be able to see a partial eclipse.

The eclipse will begin at 23:19 UTC on March 8, 2016, and its maximum point will take place at 01:59 UTC on March 9, 2016. Totality will last for 4 minutes and 9 seconds. - TimeAndDate

 Area seeing the total solar eclipse.

 More than 90% of the sun is covered.

 Up to 90% of the sun is covered.

 Up to 40% of the sun is covered.

 Eclipse is not visible at all.

Note: Percentage values (%) relate to moon coverage of the sun and depends on location. Visibility is weather permitting.

In the Philippines, a partial solar eclipse will be visible as follows:

"Please take care if you are fortunate enough to be watching this event: Observing the sun with the naked eye is extremely dangerous and can lead to permanent blindness. Please use certified equipment such as solar eclipse glasses, or a solar telescope under expert guidance.”

Image Attribution: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC

Solar eclipse of March 9, 2016 - In most parts of India and Nepal the sun will rise partially eclipsed. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Papua New guinea will witness more than 50% partial eclipse. Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand will see about 50% partial eclipsed sun. Australia, China, Japan and Alaska will get less than 50% partial eclipse. 

Flooding to threaten southeast China to Japan; Drought to persist in Southeast Asia

The three warmest months are by definition summer, the three coldest months are winter and the intervening gaps are spring and autumn. Spring, when defined in this manner, can start on different dates in different regions. In terms of complete months, in most north temperate zone locations, spring months are March, April and May, although differences exist from country to country.

Asia spring forecast: Flooding to threaten southeast China to Japan; Drought to persist in Southeast Asia

While much of Asia can expect dry and mild conditions, there will be areas of ongoing drought as well as the risk of flooding during the spring of 2016.

"The main players in Asia this spring will be the typical ones, including the monsoon and fluctuations in Indian Ocean water temperatures," according to AccuWeather Chief International Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.

In addition, El Niño may still have enough influence to factor into the western Pacific Typhoon season during the approach of summer.

El Niño is defined by above-average sea surface temperatures in eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean. These sea surface temperatures cycle from warm to cool, relative to average, over a several-year period.

Much of Asia can expect near to above-average temperatures this spring.

An exception, although not highly unusual, will be from northeastern China, eastern Mongolia and Russia's far east to northern Japan. Cold and snowy conditions may hang on during March and perhaps into early April in this area.

During much of this past winter, waters in the Indian Ocean have been warmer than average. This abnormal warmth is likely to continue well into the spring.

The warm water may help to spur tropical downpours earlier than usual in the western parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as the southern parts of Myanmar and Thailand. - Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather

Birth pangs getting more pronounced, time for introspection

Birth pangs getting more pronounced this year? 

In terms of Bible Prophecy, birth pangs refers to certain convulsive geopolitical, geophysical, astrophysical and world-wide socio-economic events and issues scheduled to occur in the time leading up to an awaited global event. 

Birth pangs are likened to the contractions experienced by a woman about to give birth, with those episodes increasing with frequency and intensity. 

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matt. 24:3-8)

Daily dose of  disaster. 'Earth Changes' video summary of extreme weather events, environmental indicators of 'planetary upheaval' (seismic, volcanic, etc), and Near-Earth Object activity in January alone.

With mass whale strandings in India and northwestern Europe, sea birds dying, record epic blizzards, record cold wave in the Far East and South East Asia bringing snow to Vietnam, Taiwan and southern China and the first recorded snowfall in Kuwait, severe flooding in the central US, UK and many other places, the earliest Pacific cyclone on record, and the earliest Atlantic hurricane since 1938, major earthquakes in Russia's Far East and Alaska, significant volcanic eruptions in central America, Russia's Far East and Antarctica, and more. And it is not stopping.

Time for some introspection.

Marinduque: The name's origin and the Marinduque Tagalog we speak

The origin of the name, "Marinduque", has been the subject of discussions and thought-provoking conjectures.

Fr. Miguel Bernad in a brief account commented on the origin of the names of a number of places in the Philippines, among which was Marinduque. He said that "Malinduk (or Malindik) is now Marinduque." Explaining that there are provinces, towns and villages whose modern names have been the result of some inability on the part of the Spaniards (or of others), to pronounce the original native name.

F. Arsenio Manuel (of the former National Historical Institute), who conducted a study of place-names, made an interesting one on the origin of 'Marinduque'. He said that 'Marinduque' could not have originated from Malinduk or Malindik but rather from "MALINDUG". 

This he said, has historical implication, for the word "malindig" which means "tall and elegant stature" in Tagalog has similar if not parallel meaning to the Visayan term "malindug". These were two cognate terms, Manuel wrote in the study, which fittingly describe the island's volcano, Mt. Malindig.

As for the probability that the Visayan term used as basis for naming the mountain and not the Tagalog word, accounts of early Visayan migration to the island would appear to support this view. The Dasmarinas listing of encomiendas in 1751 already spelled Marinduque in this manner, wrote he. 

Manuel explained further that the phonetic hispanization of Malindug followed the Spanish phonetic system. Spanish does not tolerate the voiced velar stop "g" in its phonology. In Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas and other Spanish chronicles for example, the term for 'loincloth' is spelled 'bahaque'. This spelling and its Spanish pronunciation follows Spanish phonetic laws - 'bahag' becoming 'bahaque'.

This change according to him also appears to have happened to "Palanyag" which became "Paranaque", with additional change taking place, the "l" becoming "r", again following Spanish phonetic tendencies. This "l" - "r" 'spin shift' is, of course, also evident in 'Marinduque'.

Hence, the legend of Marinduque as having resulted from the romance of "Marin" and "Duque", the ill-starred lovers of a popular local myth cannot have any value in historical writing nor folklore studies, stated Manuel. This, he opined, was just another instance of 'folk-etymologising'.

Malindig Volcano's Maculilis crater. Photo: Morion Mountaineers Santa Cruz

In 2002, as a volunteer cultural worker I decided to call the theater group I formed in Buenavista, "Teatro Malindug", for that town lies at the foot of the subject volcano. I spent sometime, of course, explaining to the cast (students from the Marinduque Victorian's College), that we owe it to our ancestors to preserve that forgotten name.

The MALINDUG name wasn't new to me, though. I first encountered the same explanation from a research paper given to me by the late Ding Jardiniano of Boac back in 1993, in connection with a play I was writing entitled "Saan Nanggaling ang Moryon", that we presented as "Moryonan" Isang Baliktanaw." 

The said research paper (there was a dearth of such at that time so we valued anything and everything about Marinduque), was authored by another person (Jardiniano told me then that he knew that guy personally), but it wasn't Manuel. 

However, in 1997, I had the chance to participate in the Conference on Local History sponsored by the National Historical Institute (NHI) held in Makiling, That's where I met Manuel and he freely distributed copies of his work entitled: "Marinduque: A Study of Place Names" - an identical copy of the same document I encountered in 1993. And so I took note to change the attribution promptly to that of Mr. Manuel as obviously the other guy just stole his work. 

(I was aware at that time that the previous 'author', also from NHI, earlier figured in the loss of the famous Bonifacio trial papers and sale of other historical documents and was promptly jailed. It isn't far-fetched that he just copied Manuel's paper and claimed authorship. I happen to be aware that even on this small island-province, this kind of practice also happens. Anyway, in 2004, Manuel was declared as National Artist for Literature).

Then, in 2000, former Balangaw member (and kindred spirit), Patrick Henry R. Manguera, who decided to take up a Master's Degree in History at the University of the Philippines, after some discussions on our local history, sent me a mimeographed copy of a 1923 (repeat 1923), article on Boak Tagalog, written by a CECILIO LOPEZ, of the University of the Philippines. It gave me a surprise, almost startled by its implications. The said article was reprinted in 1970 also in mimeographed form for distribution.

Cecilio Lopez, Father of Philippine Linguistics

Excerpts from the Lopez paper:

"A few words may here be said regarding the derivation of the name Marinduque, a word around which the same kind of regrettable, because superficial and erroneous etymologyzing and inventive story-telling has sprung up which is indulged in, nowadays, by only too many of my countrymen who seem to have allowed themselves to be guided away from that historical sincerity which true patriotism should dictate to them.

"The name in question has nothing to do with a Mary, and a Spanish duke ('duque'), but can be shown to be derived from the name of a high and particularly steep mountain on the island, called Malindig.

"In old chronicles the name of the island occurs in such varying forms as Malinduc, Marinducq, Marinduc, Malindic, and Malindig, forms quite evidently to be analyzed into the well-known 'adjectival' prefix 'ma-' denoting chiefly existence, and a radical word, or stem, occuring in Tagalog as 'lindig', in Bikol as 'lindog' or 'lindug', the second vowel of both forms (i.e. Tag. 'i', Bik. 'o' or 'u'), going back, in accordance with the so-called 'pepet law', to the indistinct vowel 'e'. 

"The change of the first sound of the stem, 'l', to 'r' is likewise in consonance with a common Indonesian phonetic law, while the conversion of final 'g' into the Spanish ending 'que' finds an exact parallel in the case of the town Paranaque on Manila Bay, which in Tagalog is called Palanyag. Note, in this connection, also the fluctuation of the last sound of the name Boac which is given by Buzeta y Bravo (Diccionario geografico de las Islas Filipinas) as 'Boac o Boag'.

"The stem 'lindig occurs, according to Noceda y Sanlucar, in the new obsolete Tagalog word 'maglindig', meaning 'rising up straight so as not to be covered by the water', while for the Bikol form 'lindog' Marcos de Lisboa states quite clearly that it means 'monte muy alto y derecho', both forms embodying thus the idea of English 'steep, towering'."

After further research, I came to learn that Cecilio Lopez was known as the 'Father of Philippine Linguistics', and his works have not been squarely contested by anyone. I love and admire Lopez. Why? Listen to his expert remarks made after a very thorough study of Boak Tagalog (he spelled it that way but that's really 'Marinduque Tagalog', in my view):

"When listening to a conversation between people belonging to the speech-group here in question, a native from the country around Manila is likely to receive the impression that Boak Tagalog is simpler, more imperfect form of his own more highly developed speech, an impression comparable to that experienced under similar circumstances by an Englishman, German, or Frenchman, when listening to one of the different dialects spoken in his country. 

"We should not forget, however, that altho they have followed a different development, such provincial forms of speech have been originally the roots, or among the roots, from which modern national forms have sprung, and that in them may, therefore, be found remnants of the more archaic speech of our forefathers, remnants long forgotten by our modern parlance but nevertheless of great interest to the linguist".

Teatro Balangaw's 'Mara Unduk' 1997, with Mt. Malindig in the background 

Wala na si Lopez pero mahalaga baya ito hindi lamang sa mga mag-aaral ng salita o wika, kundi higit para sa mga taga-Marinduque ang naisulat niyang ito. Talaga laang. Galaw-galaw mo, ang Boak Tagalog (na Marinduque Tagalog din) ang pinag-ugatan, o isa sa pinag-ugatan ng Tagalog at inasalita pa rin natin ngay-on, at doon pa mismo maririnig ang mga sinaunang pananalita ng 'ating' ('ating' bilang Filipino, dahil hindi naging taga Marinduque si Lopez, ha?), mga ninuno! Isipa raw maigi!

Volcanoes erupting now

Bulusan Volcano is known for its sudden and sporadic eruptions.
Photo Rhaydz Narcia/Rappler

February 22, 2016 18:00 PM Advisory: BULUSAN VOLCANO, SORSOGON 

At 5:01 P.M today, two successive minor eruption events occurred at the west-northwest fissure of Bulusan Volcano summit that produced a grayish ash plume followed by a steam and ash plume approximately 500 meters high. Based on the seismic records, the eruption signal consisted of two (2) earthquake events, a rock fracturing event followed a few seconds later by an explosion-type earthquake, with a total duration of four minutes and twenty-one seconds. Prior to the eruption, the Bulusan seismic network detected no volcanic earthquake, although increased seismicity was recorded on 20-21 February. Ashfall was reported in the towns of Juban and Irosin.

Eruption of Momotombo volcano

February 19, 2016: Momotombo (Nicaragua): Activity at the volcano has been increasing. During the past days, explosions have become frequent, with intervals of only few hours. The largest on Wednesday evening at 20:50 local time showered almost the cone with incandescent ejecta and produced ash plumes up to 1 km tall. Unconfirmed reports suggest that some of the eruptions also have produced small pyroclastic flows.

Mild ash fall was reported in the communities of La Concha, Matuzán, Boca de Cántaro, Flor de la Piedra and Puerto Momotombo.

The Telica and Momotombo volcanoes are two stratovolcanoes in Nicaragua. 

On February 13, 2016 both erupted within two hours. 

According to the Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies (INET) reported that microseismic activity remains high, suggesting that more eruptions are likely to occur in the near future.

February 14, 2016 - KAMCHATKA, RUSSIA - In Kamchatka, neighboring volcanoes Karymsky  and Zhupanovsky have been animated in recent days, and emit ash plumes detected by KVERT/Volcano Observatory Notification to Aviation (VONA).

In Zhupanovsky, a beautiful sequence shows a plume of ash and gas on February 10, amounting to 8,000 meters asl. The explosive activity continued on  the 13th in the morning, with a plume amount to more than 10,000 meters and dissipating about 300 km to the east.

Eruption at Semeru on February 13.  Credit: David P / Tempo.com 

February 14, 2016 - EAST JAVA, INDONESIA - A pyroclastic flow (hot avalanche of fragmented volcanic material) occurred on the volcano's southern side yesterday morning, reaching 4.5 km length and producing an ash plume that rose to 26,000 ft (8 km) altitude. Darwin VAAC raised the aviation color code to RED. 

Colima Volcano

February 12, 2015: Colima (Mexico): The volcano continues to produce intermittent explosions, but there might be something new in the making: weak, but continuous glow from the crater has appeared during the last night, something that hasn't been observed since the latest effusive eruptive phase in July last year

February 5-12, 2016: Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano continues to produce small to moderate vulcanian explosions at rates of a few per day, typically (watch video).

Araw ng Marinduque videos

Excerpt from "Bulong" dance-drama on Marinduque's folk beliefs and culture. Presented by Teatro Balangaw as part of Araw ng Marinduque-Ani ng Sining, February 2009 in the island-province's six towns. Story and artistic direction by this blogger. 

Moryonan is a dance-drama interpretation of the local Moriones tradition that depicts the legend of Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus on the Cross. He became the first Christian convert after blood and water flowed from His side curing Longinus of his blindness. Dance created by Teatro Balangaw boys from the villages of Bognuyan and Bacong-Bacong in Gasan, Marinduque. Part of Araw ng Marinduque celebration in February.

Historical photos and footages on the commemoration of the Battle of Pulang Lupa in Marinduque. Featuring "Awit sa Pulang Lupa" written and composed by Eli J. Obligacion, with the Marinduque Provincial Capitol Choir singing the song with Teatro Balangaw cast performing the dance-drama. Also included in the Araw ng Marinduque festivities.

Balangaw (rainbow) arches over Pastores cave in Buenavista

In 2010, the MIMAROPA ARTS & CULTURE SUMMIT was held in Marinduque as part of Araw ng Marinduque commemoration. A Grand Parade showcasing local festivals was held.
The sarswela "WALANG SUGAT" returns to the island-province after its Marinduque premiere in 1902.



"Walang Sugat", the well-loved sarswela masterpiece by Filipino librettist Severino Reyes was presented in Marinduque on February 18 & 19, 2010, only the second time it was seen on the island after more than a century. This zarzuela was first presented here in 1902 on the occasion of the Boac town fiesta with no less than then Fiscal of Tayabas and future Philipine president, Manuel L. Quezon as guest of honor. 

That original production was mounted by Gran Compania de Zarzuela Tagala of Manila and was brought to Marinduque in the same year it was premiered to the world. 

The 2010 production was staged by Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. (BKFI), recipient of CCP's Gawad para sa Sining as best theater group in the Philippines. 

The project highlighted the 90th Anniversary of "Araw ng Marinduque" and Philippine International Arts Festival 2010 celebration on this island, spearheaded by the provincial government of Marinduque in cooperation with National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA), CCP, BKFI and the island-province's six municipalities. 

The occasion also served as an avenue to promote NCCA programs and partnership with LGUs in the MIMAROPA Region with the holding in Marinduque of the "Gintong Binhi" the 1st Mimaropa Arts & Culture Forum.

The First Araw ng Marinduque Celebration in 2008: VIVA MARINDUQUE!

The idea of celebrating Marinduque’s founding anniversary in fitting ceremonies province-wide with activities showcasing its traditional arts & culture, history, products and uniqueness as a province, in the same vein that all municipalities, provinces and cities in the Philippines mark their own anniversaries, was proposed by this blogger as then consultant for tourism and cultural affairs, to the provincial government in late November 2007. 

The said proposal was warmly supported by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Tourism chaired by board member Yolando Querubin.

Knowing that the funds of the provincial government for such activities were limited at that time, I had the opportunity to discuss the possibility of obtaining a grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts with NCCA Commissioner Elmer B. Ingles while attending a seminar in Vigan earlier in the same month of November. Ingles was enthusiastic about the idea of a joint PHILIPPINE ARTS FESTIVAL (PAF) and “ARAW NG MARINDUQUE” celebration, both occurring in the month of February.

On my way back to Marinduque from Vigan I received a phone call from a culture and arts officer of NCCA, apparently directed by the commissioner asking me to immediately fax my proposal that should strictly follow the official guidelines for the Philippine Arts Festival grants. But it had to be done right away as the deadline for submission was already on the following day. 

This was complied with, and soon after came the response for the inclusion of Marinduque in the national arts festival project. A Memorandum of Agreement between the Provincial Government of Marinduque and the NCCA was eventually signed, witnessed by the Provincial Accountant with the Provincial Treasurer issuing a certificate on which bank account the NCCA funds should be transferred to.

PAF-ARAW NG MARINDUQUE COMMITTEE

A committee tasked to map out plans for the celebration was created. This was composed of representatives of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, the Provincial Tourism Office, the Office of the Governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Education, the Provincial Engineering Office and the six municipalities of Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Torrijos and Sta. Cruz.

“VIVA MARINDUQUE” was adopted as the project title of “ANI NG SINING IN MARINDUQUE: PHILIPPINE ARTS FESTIVAL 2008”, and in line with NCCA objectives - to celebrate the Filipinos artistic creations; to promote the Filipino creativity, specifically of local and indigenous talents, through various forms of artistic expressions; to provide a venue for broader participation in creative activities; to drumbeat “Araw ng Marinduque” as a new avenue for cultural-tourism promotion and development in the province.

It also aimed to raise the level of cultural awareness among local artists and the community, in general, and is expected to pave the way for the honing of local talents, as well as strengthening their network among other artists, cultural workers and arts enthusiasts within and beyond the island-province. 

It was also seen as a rare opportunity to raise the level of local and national awareness on Marinduque’s rich cultural heritage.

The “Viva” project was held as an interactive and collaborative project with the NCCA, all the local municipalities, participating schools, cultural organizations, performers and participating groups. This showcase was then presented in all the six municipalities, simultaneous with the arts festivals in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

VENUES

Available public spaces were utilized, namely, covered courts, gyms or open spaces, specifically Boac Covered Court, Mogpog Covered Court, Sta. Cruz Gym, Open Court in Torrijos, Open Public Park in Buenavista and Municipal Tennis Court in Gasan.

The February rains posed a problem as there were days when it rained the whole day on scheduled dates. In Sta. Cruz the original venue had to be changed from the Sta. Cruz Open Court to the Gym two hours before the show. In Torrijos, Buenavista and Gasan, the venues of which had open spaces the rains stopped as if on cue. In all the venues and scheduled dates the programs started at exactly 7:31pm).

The cast dressed up all the venues with backdrops, curtains, mobile platforms designed for the purpose, and additional plants and designs where needed. The municipal governments provided monobloc chairs for the use of town officials, visitors and guess. The general public used bleachers or watched standing on top of parked jeepneys or trucks. A technical crew that travelled with the group was responsible for installation of lights and sound requirements.

Cast dressing up a venue in Mogpog

THE SHOWCASE

Cultural and historical researches were major components of this project that went beyond the traditional arts expressions for which Marinduque is known for, such as moryonan and putong that remained important “Viva” features. Presented were: 

“Moryonan” – dance drama on Marinduque’s famous Lenten tradition; “Bulong” – dance-drama on teleportation/entry into another dimension, a belief still popular in far-flung areas; 

“Labanan sa Pulang Lupa” – dance-drama with original song on the “Battle of Pulang Lupa” with choral rendition by the Marinduque Provincial Capitol Choir; Mini-feature on one of the U.N. Millenium Development Goals, poverty alleviation (an NCCA requirement); 

Cast of Viva Marinduque

“Kalutang” played by the Pangkat Kalutang group of Gasan; “Harana”, local songs of courtship; and “Putong”, Marinduque’s welcome or thanksgiving ritual.

Students from Bangbang National High School and Marinduque Midwest School and out-of-school youth underwent workshops/rehearsals conducted by this blogger as artistic director and project coordinator with the assistance of choreographers Joseph Ogalinola and Ian Sotto (both from Buenavista), Oliver Macunat and Roselo Salvacion (both from Gasan). 

Well known director Frank Rivera was also invited to conduct a workshop for the dance-drama cast and the participating cultural groups. Altogether, the “Viva Marinduque” artistic and production staff were composed of 100 persons. During the performance in Buenavista, Mayor Ofelia Madrigal requested that some dancers who took part in their municipal showcase be also included in the Viva repertoire to perform some of the local dances, increasing the number of participants to 120.

Mogpog's "Battle of Camarines (Bintakay)"

Part of the arts festival concept was the concept of including municipal showcases. The municipality of Mogpog came up with “Battle of Camarines (Bintakay)”, performed by DepEd teachers, about the revolutionary struggle in Mogpog during the Filipino-Spanish war. The story was presented from the point of view of Olympia Manuba, the local Gabriela Silang. The play also incorporated local dances, songs and cultural practices, and underscored the capacity of women to be so empowered as to join the fight for Inang Bayan.

In Boac, DepEd teachers presented a local folk dance; In Sta. Cruz the municipal choir rendered various local songs with an elderly veteran of “Harana” songs dishing out a few songs. In Buenavista, selected students from Buenavista National High School performed three local dances, including “Banderitas de Libas”, said to be a native dance that was eventually included in the Viva presentations. “Harana” songs complete with a movable ‘bahay kubo’ was likewise performed as part of the municipal contribution.

Torrijos' "Inalimango"

In Torrijos, DepEd teachers danced “Inalimango” as well as other lesser known folk dances. As most of the Viva performers were from Gasan including the Kalutang musicians, the municipal government helped in the technical aspects of the production from rehearsals, providing additional mobile platforms when necessary, providing additional meals and snacks to the cast and appointing a municipal staff as coordinator for all Gasan performers throughout the duration of the project (January-February).

Responsibility for lights and sound, production design, costumes and props, transportation, accommodation, meals and snacks, streamers and documentation were variously assumed by the provincial government and participating sponsors.

AUDIENCE

Government officials, employees, teachers, students, parents and people from all walks of life watched the “Viva Marinduque” presentations. Depending on the weather situation and other factors such as efforts exerted by the municipal governments to attract a good crowd the estimates were: 

Mogpog (2,000), Sta. Cruz (held at the Gym with 500 people mostly dressed up for the occasion); Boac (700); Buenavista (2,000); Torrijos (1,000) and Gasan (2,500). The Mogpog Viva presentation was shown on the two local cable channels and covered by the local paper, “The Weekly Marinduque”. Performances were held in Boac (Feb 9), Mogpog (Feb 12), Torrijos (Feb 16), Sta. Cruz (Feb. 17), Buenavista (Feb 23) and Gasan (Feb. 26, 2008).

THE OTHER “ARAW NG MARINDUQUE” FESTIVITIES

“Viva Marinduque” was the most visible of all the Philippine Arts Festival-Araw ng Marinduque celebration because of its province-wide presence. There were other activities undertaken, however, to mark the event. Among them: “Barakalan at Turismo” (Trade, Tourism and Food Fair) a cooperative endeavor among the six municipalities of Marinduque, the Department of Trade and Industry and the provincial government. The exhibition site (Boac Covered Court), served as a big bazaar of quality Marinduque trade and tourism products and served as tourist information center as a whole. (Feb. 16-21, 2008)

“Quiz-Bee & Oratorical Contests” organized by the Department of Education, the Quiz-Bee on Marinduque’s culture and history, as well as the Oratorical Contest were undertaken for high school students in public and private schools. The latter’s theme was “Marinduque: Alab ng Puso ng Pilipinas”. DepEd took care of the responsibility for the guidelines and mechanics of the contests. Held at the Boac Covered Court. (Feb. 18, 2008)

“Harana”. As Marinduque is known to be one of the few remaining localities in the country where the traditional “Harana”, local serenade, is being practiced, or where the old songs remain popular to oldtimers, all municipalities showcased their versions of Harana to generate new interest in this tradition. Held at Sta. Cruz Municipal Court (Feb. 18, 2008).

National historians included Dr. Emmanuel F. Calairo, president of National Historical Association and Dr. Augusto V. De Viana, chief history researcher, National Historical Institute

“National Conference on Marinduque”. The former National Historical Institute identified eminent historians, researchers, anthropologists and archaeologists to present papers on various aspects of Marinduque’s culture from pre-Hispanic times to the present. 

History conference participants

Students, teachers, government officials, historic-cultural societies, researchers and media participated in this conference organized by the provincial government in cooperation with the National Historical Institute, National Museum, Philippine Historical Society, Department of Education, private schools and the six municipalities. Held at the Mogpog Central School. (Feb. 19-20, 2008).

Drum and Lyre Corps from OMPSA, Torrijos at the Boac Covered Court

“Grand Parada” (Street-Dancing Festival Showcase). Showcase of municipal festivals introduced in recent years to promote the province as a year-round tourist destination. Parade with all municipalities bringing their own festivals to the capital started from different designated areas in Boac Poblacion and converged at the Boac Covered Court. 

Participated in by the provincial government, the six municipalities, Phiippine National Police, Department of Education, other participating agencies, NGOs and the business community. 

Streets of Boac & Covered Court (Feb. 21, 2008 morning).

“Putong Festival”. Showcase of different “Putong” rituals from the six municipalities. Suceeding annual festivals were intended to be competitive, with traditional and modern categories. Organized by the Provincial Tourism Office in cooperation with the Municipal Government of Mogpog and the other five municipalities. Mogpog Covered Court (February 21, 2008 afternoon)

Unprecedented kudos to all individuals and orgs involved

Spreading cultural and historical awareness and continuously exploring, searching for that something that could help bring about unity and positive change in a small, poor, politically divided island-province, promoting a sense of oneness, a clearer sense of identity and direction among Marinduquenos, are tasks cultural workers and artists take upon themselves to undertake. 

It is believed that existing political structures could make it rather difficult for cultural undertakings of the same magnitude as the first "Araw ng Marinduque" to prosper. But the message of the Araw ng Marinduque celebration was clear. 

As the first Araw ng Marinduque celebration was concluded, a RESOLUTION was adopted by the SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN NG MARINDUQUE. It was to commend all the individuals behind the success of the two projects for such an achievement "despite the limited time and budget of the provincial government and the six municipalities... and even strengthened a collaborative effort with the national government offices/agencies and other organizations..."

The resolution stated that "despite the limited time and budget", the event "exuded the province's unique culture, customs and traditions which were hailed by most of those who witnessed the various activities and presentations".

The huge success of the Viva Marinduque project could be gleaned from the welcome decision of the NCCA for singular inclusion of Marinduque three (3) years in a row in the Commission's annual Philippine Arts Festival projects, and to prioritize cultural development in this island-province.

Full text of said SP Resolution adopted on motion of board member Eleuterio "Bong" Raza, Jr. follows. In a strong show of support and solidarity with all those involved in the project, said Resolution was "unanimously seconded" by all the members of the provincial council, and therefore may be described as unprecedented: 

Republic of the Philippines
PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE
Boac

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN

EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES
5th SPECIAL SESSION, 11th SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN
SUPREME COURT COMPOUND, BAGUIO CITY
FEBRUARY 24, 2008

Resolution No. 264 series 2008

RESOLUTION

COMMENDING ALL INDIVIDUALS, OFFICES, AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE “ARAW NG MARINDUQUE” 

WHEREAS, the recent celebration of the “Araw ng Marinduque”, the founding anniversary of the province, had exuded the province’s unique culture, customs and traditions which were hailed by most of those who witnessed the various activities and presentations relative to the same;

WHEREAS, despite the limited time and budget of the provincial government and the six municipalities, it did not constrain them from organizing a committee that made the event a success and even strengthened a collaborative effort with the national government offices/agencies and other organizations that led to such an achievement;

WHEREAS, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is truly grateful to all individuals and/or organizations who in one way or another, and through their efforts, have contributed to the success of such an endeavour;

WHEREFORE, on motion of Hon. Eleuterio R. Raza, Jr. unanimously seconded, it was:

RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, to commend all individuals, offices/agencies and organizations who contributed to the success of the celebration of the “Araw ng Marinduque”.

RESOLVED, finally, that copy of this resolution be furnished the following for their information, to wit:

1. Provincial Governor
2. Provincial Administrator
3. Executive Assistant to the Governor
4. Mayor and SB of the 6 Municipalities
5. Organizing Committee through the Consultant for Tourism Affairs
6. Department of Education
7. Department of Trade and Industry
8. Marinduque State College and all School Participants
9. National Commission for Culture & the Arts
10. National Historical Commission
11. Department of Tourism
12. Sponsors, Donors, Guests, Others.

ADOPTED, this 24th day of February 2008 at Baguio City.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:
(Signed)
NIMFA M. CABRERA,Secretary, SP

ATTESTED:

(Signed)
TOMAS N. PIZARRO
Vice-Governor & Presiding Officer

Uh-oh! Ocean levels in the Philippines rising at 5 times the global average

Globally, sea levels are going up, but there are big regional differences

Effect of rising sea levels

The main factors influencing rising sea level have been well documented. First, climate change has led to increased global temperatures. As its temperature rises, the sea water expands (a process called steric expansion). In addition, ice sheets and land glaciers all over the world are shrinking through evaporation and melting. All of these factors contribute to rising ocean levels.

But the sea level doesn’t rise uniformly across the ocean—variations exist in different regions, and certain areas are more at risk.

Data collected from monitoring networks can be used to probe the mechanisms of sea level rise. In this investigation, scientists used satellite data from April 2002 to June 2014, which documented changes in mass (via gravimetry) and height (via altimetry) to account for the global and regional sea level rise budget. Because this combination of satellite data measures different contributions of the total sea level change, it can provide information on the overall change in the oceans' volume. These scientists compared their findings to previous studies that explored sea-level change due to water's expansion using analysis of temperature and salinity changes.

The team separated the sea level rise into several components: heat-driven expansion; glaciers and ice sheets; water movement, distribution, and quality (hydrology); and the rise of land as the glaciers above it melt off. They analyzed the sea level budget both globally and for a number of coastal areas.

Global sea level rise

Using their methods, they found that the global sea level rose by 2.74 ± 0.58 mm/y over this 12-year period. The volumetric contribution (1.38 ± 0.16 mm/y) was significantly larger than previous estimates made using temperature and salinity profiles. In addition, this contribution is twice as large as the value estimated using data collected from the uppermost 1,500m of the ocean.

They also found that the increase in sea level driven by the melting of ice sheets and glaciers (1.37 ± 0.09 mm/y) was offset by a negative contribution from the value that encapsulates water movement, distribution, and quality (-0.29 ± 0.26 mm/y). The remaining contribution required to close the budget was 0.22 ± 0.26 mm/y. This value represents other deep and shallow volumetric changes and internal ocean mass deviations, which are not accounted for elsewhere.

Regional sea level rise

When assessing regional changes in sea level, the team saw that the contributions of each component differed significantly from those of the global sea level. In the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the rising sea level was dominated by the volumetric contribution (up to a whopping 75 percent). And it resulted in some dramatic local changes—it was as high as 14.7 ± 4.4 mm/y near the Philippines. The sea level was also strongly affected by the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, despite their distant location. In the central and eastern Pacific, heat-driven expansion contributions had a negative impact (-2.8 ± 11.5 mm/y) on the global sea level, although the margin of error was enormous.

Surprisingly, the coastlines around the Atlantic Ocean appeared to see significant changes that could not be attributed to expansion of the melting of ice. This unknown contribution could be caused by either volumetric effects that are not properly picked up using these methods or from internal mass variations of the ocean.

The authors also found that the contribution attributed to water infrastructure did not change the global sea level. The contribution from changes in the glacial volume remained small at the coastlines except near the former ice sheets.

These findings are particularly useful for areas that are most susceptible to the rising global sea level like coastal cities—assuming we're willing to incorporate it into our planning. - Arstechnica

ISIS recognizes Philippine-based extremist groups

The release of the video could presage the announcement of a wilayat in the region soon

This file photo shows Filipino extremists who are allegedly linked to ISIS. File/Rappler

A number of jihadist groups in the Philippines are now officially recognized by the Islamic State in Iraq & Syria (also known as ISIS, IS, ISIL, or Da'esch), but the terror organization stopped short of declaring a wilayat or province in the country or in Southeast Asia.

A video released by the ISIS-linked, Russian-language outlet Al Furat Media over the weekend showed Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Isnilon Hapilon and two other groups pledging allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the terror group.

Also seen in the video are Abu Anas al Muhajir and Abu Harith al Filipini. Al Muhajir is identified as the leader of the Katibat Ansar al Sharia, while Al Filipini represented the group Katibat Marakah al Ansar.

Muhajir, whose real name is Mohd Najib Husen, was killed in a firefight in Basilan in December, and the video included some combat footage from the incident.

The video also showed ISIS officially recognizing the allegiance of other extremist groups in the region, including the Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid and the Mujahidin Indonesian Timor (MIT).

The MIT, also known as the Mujahideen of Eastern Indonesia, is led by Santoso, who pledged loyalty to ISIS back in July 2014, and has been designated by the US as a terror organization in September 2015.

Next steps

The release of the video could presage the announcement of a wilayat or province in the region soon, which came out a month after the deadly Jakarta suicide attacks.

ISIS has officially recognized several provinces outside its base in Iraq and Syria, within Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Northern Caucasus.

The declaration of allegiance is also in line with the 5-step process ISIS follows in its ambitions to expand beyond Iraq and Syria.

"First, raising awareness of the Islamic Caliphate through propaganda," terror expert Rohan Gunaratna explained to Rappler early January. "Second, a series of groups pledging their allegiance to the 'Caliph.' Third, selection of groups to form a province. Fourth, the selection of a leader to lead the ISIS branch, and fifth, the ISIS proclamation of a designated area as a province of the caliphate."

Acts of terror or brutality usually follow a group's declaration of allegiance to ISIS, as a show of commitment and to bolster their chances for funding and support from the main organization.

Escalation

This is the latest in a string of videos linking ISIS to extremist organizations in the Philippines.

In January, a video from Mindanao started circulating on the dark web jihadi forum Shumukh al-Islam, which showed Hapilon marching with other extremist leaders from Sulu and Basilan, showing the consolidation of various groups pledging allegiance to ISIS. (READ: ISIS to declare a province in Mindanao?)

In December 2015, a video of Filipino jihadists allegedly training in the southern Philippines was released by an ISIS-linked account. (READ: ISIS’ global ambitions and plans for Southeast Asia)

Earlier in 2015, the group Ansar al Khilafah, also based in the Philippines, released a video announcing their loyalty to ISIS. The said group is reportedly led by a certain Abu Sharifah, and is based in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani.

In recent years, a number of extremist groups around the world have shifted allegiance from Al-Qaeda to ISIS.

ASG has traditionally been linked to Al-Qaeda, and it is still unclear how many members of the extremist group has pledged allegiance to ISIS. – Rappler

Comelec junks use of voting receipts

“The credibility of the elections and the stability of our democracy is at risk if the security and sanctity of the every ballot is compromised.”- Archbishop Socrates Villegas  

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has junked the use of the voter verification paper audit trail (VVPAT), one of the four minimum security requirements mandated by law, in the May 9 elections.

The seven members of the Comelec en banc were unanimous in the decision to do away with the system that will provide a paper trail during the polls.

Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista made the disclosure on Tuesday during a hearing by the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Automated Election System and amid calls by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and election watchdos to activate the security feature to ensure the integrity of the coming electoral exercise.

The VVPAT system allows voters to verify if their ballots were cast correctly through the issuance of a receipt, showing the names of candidates that they voted for.

It serves as a deterrent against election fraud and provides a means to audit stored electronic results.

Voting counting machines have three other security features — digital signature, ballot verification or ultra violet detector and the source code review.

The application of these features is mandated under Republic Act 9369 or the Automated Election Law.

The security features were part of the contract that the Comelec awarded to technology provider Smartmatic Corp., which supplied the 82,000 Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) counting machines that were used during the 2010 and 2013 elections.

The Comelec did not activate the VVPAT during the elections in 2010 and 2013.

Bautista said the voter verification system, if used, may trigger problems that can compromise the results of the elections.

He explained that a printed receipt can be used as a tool for vote-buying or vote-selling.

The Comelec chief noted that the Supreme Court has upheld the poll body on the issue in the Capalla vs. Comelec case.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the voting process will be extended by seven hours if the voter verification system is applied.

Jimenez shot down a suggestion of election watchdog Reform Philippines Coalition (RPC) that the printed receipt be dropped into a separate ballot box before a voter goes out of the polling booth.

CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas earlier called on the Comelec to restore the four major security features that were removed from the vote counting machines in 2010 and 2013.

“The credibility of the elections and the stability of our democracy is at risk if the security and sanctity of the every ballot is compromised,” Villegas said in a pastoral statement.

Election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) also criticized the Comelec’s claim that the activation of the VVPAT would prolong the voting process, saying “what is important in elections is accuracy rather than speed.”

Glenn Chong, PCOS machines victim turned clean election advocate

Clean election advocate Glenn Chong has pointed out that the Comelec decision to deactivate the VVPAT feature would render the elections illegal.

“That is a violation of the law. The Comelec is bound to commit the same mistake, similar to what it did in the 2010 and 2013 elections,” he said.

“With the coming 2016 [electoral exercise], its legitimacy, integrity and credibility are again seriously threatened by the very same controversial removal and/or dilution of the AES [automated election system] security features and the very same flagrant violations of our elections laws by those entrusted with their conduct and management,” Chong added.

Lito Averia, IT consultant of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, also criticized the Comelec for its decision, saying it denied voters the right to know if the machines read their votes correctly.

With the VVPAT feature disabled, there is no way voters can verify if their votes were really counted. The VVPAT system is required under Section 6, Paragraph (e) under Minimum System Capabilities of Republic Act 9369.

But Averia said there is another way to ensure transparency and that is by using counting machines with bigger screens.

Instead of printing a receipt containing the names of candidates whom the voters chose, the machines will just display the names on the screen. - The Manila Times

Kasaysayan ng mapanlinlang na utang at kinalaman nito sa eleksiyon

Madali kitang makalimot ay, kaya balikan natin at paala-ala lemeng sa mga nakaraang kaganapan...

AUGUST to OCTOBER 2012 - Dahil sa pabago-bagong resolusyon ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Marinduque, lumitaw na walang maliwanag na ideya ang SP kung magkano ang pinupuntiryang uutangin sa bangko at wala ring ideya kung saan nila ibig gastahin ito. 

Unang kapasyahan ay P300M, binawasan at ginawang P250M, at sa huli ay ginawang P150M (para raw sa pagpapagawa ng airport runway, P100M; at para sa farm-to-market roads ay P50M). 

Binigyang diin ng Gobernadora na kailangan daw ipagawa ang airport runway na responsibilidad naman at pinondohan na ng DOTC at CAAP. September 12, 2012 ay kinumpirma na sa sulat ng DOTC kay Cong. Velasco ang nakalaang pondo. Iginiit naman ng gobernadora na kapitolyo ang magpapagawa at sisingilin na lamang ang DOTC, taliwas sa sinusunod na mga patakaran ng pamahalaan.

Nagpasa ng Resolution No. 2012-12 Oct. 20, 2012 ang MARINDUQUE MOVERS bilang pagtuligsa at paglaban sa hakbangin ng kapitolyo para mangutang dahil sa nabanggit na mga kadahilanan. Sinusugan naman ito ng Sangguniang Bayan ng Boac na nagpasa rin ng resolusyon para hadlangan din ito.

Para bigyang diin ang panlilinlang na ginagawa sa taumbayan, inihayag ng Marinduque Movers ang sadyang hindi pagsunod sa mga patakaran ng SP, tulad ng hindi pagpapaalam sa minority group. Anang Movers: "it was not discussed nor presented formally as the proponent has not submitted any financial feasibility study and program of works for the proposed projects, and, most notably without the endorsement of the Treasurer, Accountant, PPDO, and most importantly the Provincial Development Council, and its approval was allegedly railroaded.” 

Dagdag pa nito: “the flip-flopping SP Resolutions only show how the proponent of the loan has no clear idea on the exact amount they need and it follows that they do not have, again, a clear idea on what projects are to be undertaken”.

FEBRUARY 2013: Tumahimik muna ang kapitolyo, subalit tatlong buwan bago dumating ang Eleksyon 2013, biglang binuhay na naman ang gustong gawing pangungutang.

Dahil bistado na kung saan talaga gustong gamitin ang utang, nagsampa ng injunction case sa Marinduque RTC ang Marinduque Movers laban sa provincial government at Philippine National Bank (PNB). Iminungkahi at pinayagan ng Korte na isama ang mga mayor ng Sta. Cruz, Boac, Gasan at Buenavista bilang mga nagrereklamo rin, o plaintiffs. Pumirma rin ang 1,465 referendum petitioners na lumaban sa pakau ng kapitolyo.

Binansagan ng abogado ng Movers, Atty. Benjo Buenviaje, ang pangungutang na isang masamang hakbang "sinister (evil) measure". 

At tila nanahimik muli ang provincial government.

FEBRUARY 2014: Pormal na humiling sa SP ang Gobernadora ng Marinduque na bigyan siya ng awtoridad na makipag-negotiate sa Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) para mangutang ng P500M naman.

Umalma naman ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Sa kanilang pag-aaral na pormal na nakasaad sa kanilang Joint Committee Report No. 21-2014 petsa May 14, 2014, ay bahagi ng kanilang sinabi ang ganito:

- Ang gustong utangin ay P 500-million, pero kapag isinuma-total ang paglalaanan ay may discrepancy kaagad na P 50-million (P 250-M sa farm-to-market roads/provincial roads; P 75-M para sa heavy equipment; P 50-million para sa waterworks; P 75-M para sa other priority projects like sports complex at tourism - Total P 450-M).

Ilan pa rin sa dapat pansinin na bahagi ng nasabing Joint Committee Report ay ang sumusunod:

- Base sa report ng provincial engineer, ang isang kilometro ng konkretong daan ay magkakahalaga ng P 6-million; kinumpirma ng engineer ang pangangailangan sa heavy equipment para sa pagpapagawa at maintenance ng mga kalsada. 

- May nakalaan nang P 77-million para sa infrastructure development mula sa 20% Developmet Fund-Annual Investment Program pero ayon sa provincial engineer, ang P14-million na nakalaan para sa PEO ay hindi ginagamit dahil si Honorable Congresswoman Gina Reyes ay naka-secure na ng funding assistance mula sa national government na nagkakahalaga ng P 214-million para sa pagpapagawa ng farm-to-market roads.

Ito ang eksaktong nakasaad sa nabanggit na Report tungkol dito:

The Provincial Government has allocated a total of P 77-Million for infrastructure development under the 20% Development Fund - Annual Investment Program. Out of this according to the Provincial Engineer, only P 14-Million were under the Provincial Engineering Office, and this amount is not being utilized since the Honorable Congresswoman Gina Reyes has secured funding assistance from the National Government amounting to P 214 Million which will be used for the construction of Farm-to-Market roads.

Ang laman ng Joint Committee Report na nabanggit ay pormal na inadopt ng SP sa Resolution No. 318 Series 2014 (May 14, 2014).

Sa hindi malamang dahilan, nasundan ito ng matagal at misteryosong katahimikan.

OCTOBER 2015: Bumulaga ang bagong panggulat! Proposed loan na naman pero luto na. Sumusunod ang bahagi ng aking blog noong October 14, 2015, na ang titulo ay 'Marinduque racing for resurrection of pre-election P 300-M loan; missing funds?':

Isinasagawa na naman ngayon nang mabilisan matapos ang matagal na pananahimik, ang panibagong pangungutang ng P 300-Milyon ng Kapitolyo ng Marinduque sa Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) naman. (Dahil sumablay yung sa PNB at Landbank na naunang mga target).

Sa isang pulitikal na pamiting sa Sta. Cruz kamakailan, may kinalaman sa parating na eleksyon at dinaluhan ng mga barangay captains ay panay ang pagbibida ng isang opisyal ng Kapitolyo sa mga Kapitan na aprubado na aniya ng bangko ang halagang P 300-M na uutangin at babayaran ng probinsya sa loob ng 13 taon. 

Tatrabahuhin na lamang ang pagsasaayos ng mga papeles, quiet lang kayo. "Basta may maaasahan na tayo", sabi pa nga raw. 

Naalaala ko tuloy yung isang blog ko noong September 8, 2012:

But are they engaged now in a race at troubleshooting of some sort to legalize their blunders? (Sins?) Of course, there’d be arguments that no official agreement has been signed yet, nothing’s been ratified yet by the SP. But shall we just throw up our hands in frustration, or just simply throw up, and there… they go?

...So they now in fact, and very soon for the rest, will go the rounds of the campaign trail, while we watch them laugh, tickled to the bone for getting away with their sinister deeds. 

Just like a walk in the park, it is, plotting to conduct and promote baluktot na daan, in direct defiance of Pnoy’s ‘tuwid na daan’, towards what is now seen as potentially the craziest, most expensive Marinduque election campaign of all time?

Then, Gov. Carmencita Reyes signed a 10-year P 300-M loan contract with DBP on Oct. 20, 2015, or 12 days after she was ordered suspended for 60 days by Sandiganbayan in relation to her alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

The said loan contract was signed in the midst of questions from some SP members like 'what loan is that?', 'where are the necessary pre-loan documents we have requested a long time ago for the customary studies?', etc. etc.

JANUARY 2016: May report mula sa Philippine Daily Inquirer:

A group of taxpayers has asked the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) to nullify a P300-million loan deal entered into by the provincial government of Marinduque with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), saying the beneficiary projects have already been funded by national government agencies.

In an 11-page petition filed on Dec. 28 last year in the Makati RTC Branch 145, the group sought the issuance of an injunction order to prevent the release of the fund.

The petitioners included former Marinduque Gov. Aristeo M. Lecaroz; former Mayor Pedrito Nepomuceno of Boac town, Marinduque; retired Philippine National Police chief Recaredo Sarmiento II; Eliseo J. Obligacion and Milton Mendoza.

Dinidinig pa rin ang kasong ito hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Malalim na pagtatanong, pag-iisip

Napakahaba na po ng listahan ng Commission on Audit (COA) tungkol sa mga anomalyang nagaganap sangkot ang milyon-milyong pisong pondo sa loob ng kapitolyo ng Marinduque nitong mga nakaraang taon. Basahin dito, dito, dito at dito.

Panahon na para sa makabuluhang pagtatanong at malalim na pag-iisip ang mga magigiting na mga kababayang Marinduqueno kung dapat pang patagalin ang tila walang humpay at walang katapusang mga anomalya at corrupt practices na ito gamit ang kaban ng bayan.

Aba si FPJ ang nagsabi at nakatatak na rin sa puso ng mga Filipino, higit sa mga Marinduqueno na: "Kapag puno na ang salop, kailangan ng kalusin!"