Message from Canada on the passing of Councilor Myke Magalang

Shown in  photo: Vice-Mayor Dante Marquez, Dr. Catherine Coumans and Councilor Miguel "Myke" Magalang. In pursuit of the Marinduque environmental case in Canada

Dr. Coumans Sends Condolences to the Magalang's Family

Posted by Romeo Mataac, Jr., Marinduque News Online:

Catherine Coumans of MiningWatch Canada sent her condolences to the bereaved family of the late Councilor Miguel “Myke” R. Magalang.

Dear All,

My heart is incredibly heavy at this news of our untimely loss of Myke. I met Myke in 1988, when I first arrived in Marinduque with my husband. Over the course of more than a year on the island, and in the many years to follow, he became a dear friend, as well as a trusted and much appreciated source of wise counsel. Myke was one of the most intelligent and passionate people I knew. His research skills and ability to martial facts into persuasive texts for action were rare gifts, as was his ability to see the bigger picture and look far down the road, while remaining strategic in the day to day and ongoing struggle for justice in Marinduque. It breaks my heart that he will not be with us here, when we finally reach that goal. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, who he loved so deeply, and to his daughter who meant the world to him.

In gratitude for his friendship and deep sadness at his loss,

Catherine

(Research Coordinator Catherine Coumans works with MiningWatch Canada's expert advisors, staff, and Directors to ensure the accuracy, focus and timeliness of their information resources and research efforts. Tasks include monitoring government and industry initiatives affecting MiningWatch interests, supporting participation of MiningWatch members and associates in consultations and negotiations, representing MiningWatch perspectives in meetings, presentations and negotiations as required, and preparing and/or co-ordinating written briefs and submissions as required. Her focus area is the Asia-Pacific region.)

Recalling the speech of Councilor Magalang: Quo Vadis, Elusive Justice?

A Colloquium for local government functionaries on the alternative venues for the Marinduque Case versus Placer Dome Inc. and Barrick Gold Corporation sponsored by the Municipal Government of Boac. Legislative Session Hall, 2F New Municipal Government Building, Boac, Marinduque, August 13, 2014 (8:00am-01:00pm).

In our search for environmental justice and fair compensation for all the damages wrought by the irresponsible mining operations to the people and environment of this Island which culminated in the March 23, 1996 Boac River Mining Disaster, there is a need for competent legal representation of the municipality of Boac and the people of Marinduque in general as the civil case against Placer Dome Inc. and Barrick Gold Corporation is pursued in other forum or venue – either the Philippines or Canada. 

In the midst of uncertainties and unpredictable direction the Nevada Case is proceeding, there is a need to fill in the gap for expert information if only to ensure that the people of Boac and Marinduque are not deprived of their right to access to information, participation, and justice. The colloquium, therefore, aims to provide venue for intelligent discussions towards collective action and commitments through the appreciation of: (a) the advantages or disadvantages of pursuing the case in Canada; (b) exploring the possibility of engaging pro bono lawyers from Canada; (c) analyzing the corporate social responsibilities of Canadian mining companies throughout the world; (d) strengthening local government functionaries’ roles on governance of the extractive industry; and, (e) deepening the collective commitment of local government officials to pursue justice for the victims of mining in the province.

Salamat po sa lahat ng mga Punong Barangay na dumalo gayundin sa lahat ng kinatawan ng mga Pamahalaang Bayan ng Mogpog, Gasan at Buenavista.

Magalang passed away on May 22, 2016 after spending a day in comatose. His remains lie in state in Boac, Marinduque.

Konsehal Myke Magalang of Boac has died

Malaking kawalan sa Bayan. Konsehal Myke R. Magalang
Tagapagtaguyod ng Sining, Kultura at Lokal na Kasaysayan; pakikipaglaban sa mga usaping Pangkalikasan at Pangkomunidad; Mabuting Pamamamahala at pagsugpo sa Kahirapan

Konsehal Myke Magalang ng Boac, Pumanaw na

ni Romeo Mataac, Jr., Marinduque News Online 

Pumanaw ngayong araw, Mayo 22, 2016 ang isa sa masigasig at kasalukuyang konsehal ng bayan ng Boac na si Miguel "Myke" R. Magalang.

Si Magalang ay tumakbo bilang Sangguniang Pambayan Member noong nakalipas na Mayo 9, 2016 National and Local Elections sa ilalim ng Partido Liberal subalit hindi pinalad na manalo.

Bago ang kanyang pagpasok sa pulitika, si Konsehal Magalang ay aktibong nagsulong at kumatawan sa Marinduque sa laban nito sa Marcopper Mining Corporation. Siya ay nagsilbing Executive Secretary ng Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC).

Narito ang mga isinulong na ordinansa at adbokasiya ni Magalang bilang isang responsableng opisyal ng Bayan ng Boac at respetadong mamayan ng Marinduque.

Ilang ordinansa na inakda at isinulong ni Kon. Magalang noong 2001-2004

068 s. 2001: Municipal Scholarship Ordinance
070 s. 2002: People’s Participation & Empowerment Ordinance
072 s. 2002: Business License Plates Ordinance
073 s. 2002: Health and Diagnostic Ordinance
074 s. 2002: Provident Fund Ordinance
076 s. 2002: CARE for Indigents Ordinance
077 s. 2002: Heraldic, Local History, Culture & the Arts Ordinance
079 s. 2002: Trees Farming & Butterfly Propagation Ordinance
080 s. 2002: Employees’ Grievance Settlement Ordinance
081 s. 2002: Gawad Boakeño Ordinance
083 s. 2002: Typographical Error Ordinance
084 s. 2002: Personnel Selection & Merit Promotion Ordinance
085 s. 2003: Investment, Enterprise and Tourism Code
086 s. 2003: Municipal Waters Ordinance
087 s. 2003: Cellular Phones Regulatory Ordinance
088 s. 2003: Solicitations Regulatory Ordinance
089 s. 2003: Youth Welfare and Development Ordinance
090 s. 2003: Barangay Frontline Workers’ Welfare Ordinance
091 s. 2003: Reorganization Ordinance of 2003

Mga ordinansang inakda at isinulong ni Kon. Magalang sa Ikawalong Sanggunian: 2013-2016

147 s. 2013: Land Registration and Administration Ordinance
148 s. 2013: Providing for the Internal Rules of Procedures
149 s. 2013: Frontline Workers’ Retirement & Separation Ordinance
150 s. 2013: Creating a Market Specialist I (SG-11) Position
151 s. 2013: Night Market Ordinance
152 s. 2013: Gustavo Sto. Domingo Complex Ordinance
153 s. 2013: Daang Teofilo Roque Ordinance
155 s. 2014: Procedures in Administrative Investigation
157 s. 2014: Boac Children’s Social Protection Code
159 s. 2014: Volunteerism for Rural Development Ordinance
166 s. 2014: Edmundo Reyes Sr. Sports & Athletic Arena Ordinance
168 s. 2014: Information & Communications Technology Ordinance
170 s. 2015: Farmers & Fisherfolks Month Ordinance
171 s. 2015: Gusaling Luis Aliño Hidalgo Ordinance
177 s. 2015: Public Employment Service Office Ordinance
178 s.2015: Tubong as Intangible Cultural Heritage Ordinance
181 s. 2015: Fire Protection Ordinance
190 s. 2015: March 24 Historical Infamy Ordinance
192 s. 2015: Philhealth Capitation Fund for the Poor Ordinance
194 s. 2015: Public-Private Partnership Ordinance
195 s. 2015: Creating Priority Positions in the LGU
196 s. 2015: Senior High School Scholarship Ordinance
209 s. 2015: Granting of One Time PEI for LGU employees
207 s. 2016: Insurance for Day Care Children Ordinance
208 s. 2016: Insurance for Barangay Functionaries Ordinance
Kabilang ang inakdang 183 na makabuluhang Resolusyon (2013-2016)

Mga naging misyon sa ibang bansa (1999-2015)

1999: Volunteer Mission, World Scout Bureau, Seoul, South Korea;
2007: Guest Campaigner, APEC Ministers Meeting on Mining, Australia
2007: Guest Lecturer, International Guest Program, Austria
2009: Keynote Speaker, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
2009: Delegate, Al Gore Course on Climate Change, Australia
2009: Delegate, Asian Workshop on Social Accountability, Indonesia
2009: Delegate, Int’l Negotiation on Climate Change, UN, Thailand
2009: Panel Reactor, Publish What You Pay Conference, Canada
2010: Delegate, Int’l Conference on Dev’t Cooperation, EU, Nicaragua
2011: Delegate, Asian Reg’l Workshop on Extractive Industry, Thailand
2012: Delegate, UN Conference on Sus. Dev’t, (Rio+20), Brazil
2012: Case Study Presenter, Conference on the EIA Process, Thailand
2012: Delegate, Case Sharing on Social Accountability, Thailand
2014: Participant, Int’l Learning & Meeting on DRR, Manila-Iloilo-Albay
2015: Campaigner on Climate Change, Brighton-London-Manchester, UK
2016: Mentor, International Training – Al Gore Leadership Corps, Sofitel

Lubos ang pakikiramay ng Marinduque News Online sa pamilya Magalang. Konsehal Myke will be a great loss to our society. Indeed, you will surely be missed.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and Pope Francis' controversial statements

Mayor Duterte: For the record, I believe in God but not in religions, period. The most hypocritical institution in the Philippines, guess who? 

Pope Francis: It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam. However, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends his disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest. In the face of Islamic terrorism, it would therefore be better to question ourselves about the way in an overly Western model of democracy has been exported to countries such as Iraq, where a strong government previously existed. Or in Libya, where a tribal structure exists. 

Mayor Duterte (To the Bishops): Kayo ba'y naniniwala talaga sa separation of Church and State?

Pope Francis: States must be secular. ('Secular' - not having any connection with religion). Confessional states end badly. That goes against the grain of History. I believe that a version of laicity accompanied by a solid law guaranteeing religious freedom offers a framework for going forward. We are all equal as sons (and daughters) of God and with our personal dignity. However, everyone must have the freedom to externalize his or her own faith.

Philippine President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte recently caused a stir among many Catholics in this predominantly Catholic country with his response to broadcaster Jessica Soho of GMA-7 on some religious issues.

Similarly, Pope Francis in a recent exclusive interview by the French Catholic newspaper, La Croix, created quite a controversy with his response, driving some to state that "he is declaring himself of anti-Christ spirit".

During the campaign period, Duterte said he does not care if the Catholic hierarchy would not endorse him as he reiterated his support for family planning.

“Some bishops came out saying ‘Do not vote for Duterte.’ I said let this election be a sort of a referendum, a sort of a plebiscite for the church and me,” Duterte said during a forum with The STAR. 

Those who have raised concerns on the qualification of Duterte to become president were Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, retired Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez and Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz.

 

 

La Croix releases English translation of Papal interview

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has given an exclusive interview to the French Catholic La Croix newspaper. In the broad-ranging conversation with journalists Guillaume Goubert and Sébastien Maillard for La Croix, Pope Francis discussed matters ranging from healthy secularism and the right way to understand and live according to the Church’s universal missionary mandate, to the idea of Europe in relation to the migration crisis and the possibility of peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians.

He also addressed the clergy sex abuse crisis, offering considerations about an ongoing investigation – widely covered in France – involving the Archbishop of Lyon, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, whose handling of the case of one pedophile priest in particular has been subject to scrutiny and criticism. La Croix has now published an English translation of the interview, available here.

INTERVIEW Pope Francis

– In your speeches in Europe, you refer to the “roots” of the continent without ever describing them as Christian. Rather, you define “European identity” as “dynamic and multicultural.” In your view, is the expression “Christian roots” inappropriate for Europe ?

  

Pope Francis : We need to speak of roots in the plural because there are so many. In this sense, when I hear talk of the Christian roots of Europe, I sometimes dread the tone, which can seem triumphalist or even vengeful. It then takes on colonialist overtones. John Paul II, however, spoke about it in a tranquil manner.

Yes, Europe has Christian roots and it is Christianity’s responsibility to water those roots. But this must be done in a spirit of service as in the washing of the feet. Christianity’s duty to Europe is one of service. As Erich Przywara, the great master of Romano Guardini and Hans Urs von Balthasar, teaches us, Christianity’s contribution to a culture is that of Christ in the washing of the feet. In other words, service and the gift of life. It must not become a colonial enterprise.

– On April 16, you made a powerful gesture by bringing back the refugees from Lesbos to Rome. However, does Europe have the capacity to accept so many migrants ?

Pope Francis : That is a fair and responsible question because one cannot open the gates wide unreasonably. However, the deeper question is why there are so many migrants now. When I went to Lampedusa three years ago, this phenomenon had already started.

The initial problems are the wars in the Middle East and in Africa as well as the underdevelopment of the African continent, which causes hunger. If there are wars, it is because there exist arms manufacturers – which can be justified for defensive purposes – and above all arms traffickers. If there is so much unemployment, it is because of a lack of investment capable of providing employment, of which Africa has such a great need.

More generally, this raises the question of a world economic system that has descended into the idolatry of money. The great majority of humanity’s wealth has fallen into the hands of a minority of the population.

A completely free market does not work. Markets in themselves are good but they also require a fulcrum, a third party, or a state to monitor and balance them. In other words, [what is needed is] a social market economy.

Coming back to the migrant issue, the worst form of welcome is to ‘ghettoize’them. On the contrary, it’s necessary to integrate them. In Brussels, the terrorists were Belgians, children of migrants, but they grew up in a ghetto. In London, the new mayor (Editor: Sadiq Khan, the son of Muslim Pakistanis) took his oath of office in a cathedral and will undoubtedly meet the queen. This illustrates the need for Europe to rediscover its capacity to integrate.

I am thinking here of Pope Gregory the Great (Editor: Pope from 590 – 604), who negotiated with the people known as barbarians, who were subsequently integrated. This integration is all the more necessary today since, as a result of a selfish search for well-being, Europe is experiencing the grave problem of a declining birth rate. A demographic emptiness is developing. In France, at least, this trend is less marked because of family-oriented policies.

– The fear of accepting migrants is partly based on a fear of Islam. In your view, is the fear that this religion sparks in Europe justified?

Pope Francis: Today, I don’t think that there is a fear of Islam as such but of ISIS and its war of conquest, which is partly drawn from Islam. It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam. However, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends his disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest.

In the face of Islamic terrorism, it would therefore be better to question ourselves about the way in an overly Western model of democracy has been exported to countries such as Iraq, where a strong government previously existed. Or in Libya, where a tribal structure exists. We cannot advance without taking these cultures into account. As a Libyan said recently, “We used to have one Gaddafi, now we have fifty.”

Ultimately, co-existence between Christians and Muslims is still possible. I come from a country where they co-habit on good terms. Muslims come to venerate the Virgin Mary and St George. Similarly, they tell me that for the Jubilee Year Muslims in one African country formed a long queue at the cathedral to enter through the holy door and pray to the Virgin Mary. In Central Africa, before the war, Christians and Muslims used to live together and must learn to do so again. Lebanon also shows that this is possible.

– The significance of Islam in France today, like the nation’s Christian historical foundation, raises recurring questions concerning the place of religion in the public arena. How would you characterize a positive form of laicity (Editor: ‘laicity’ refers to the French system of separation of Church and state)?

Pope Francis: States must be secular. Confessional states end badly. That goes against the grain of History. I believe that a version of laicity accompanied by a solid law guaranteeing religious freedom offers a framework for going forward. We are all equal as sons (and daughters) of God and with our personal dignity. However, everyone must have the freedom to externalize his or her own faith. If a Muslim woman wishes to wear a veil, she must be able to do so. Similarly, if a Catholic wishes to wear a cross. People must be free to profess their faith at the heart of their own culture not merely at its margins.

The modest critique that I would address to France in this regard is that it exaggerates laicity. This arises from a way of considering religions as sub-cultures rather than as fully-fledged cultures in their own right. I fear that this approach, which is understandable as part of the heritage of the Enlightenment, continues to exist. France needs to take a step forward on this issue in order to accept that openness to transcendence is a right for everyone.

– In a secular setting, how should Catholics defend their concerns on societal issues such as euthanasia or same-sex marriage?

Pope Francis: It is up to Parliament to discuss, argue, explain, reason [these issues]. That is how a society grows.

However, once a law has been adopted, the state must also respect [people’s] consciences. The right to conscientious objection must be recognized within each legal structure because it is a human right. Including for a government official, who is a human person. The state must also take criticism into account. That would be a genuine form of laicity. Full story on La Croix

Mensahe ni Cong. Lord Allan Velasco

Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Q. Velasco (right) with Associate Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Mayor-elect Lorna Q. Velasco (Torrijos), and the chairman of the Provincial Board of Canvassers

LordAllan Quinto Velasco

May 16 at 12:32pm 

🙏🏻 After 5 days....Natapos din po!!🙏🏻

Gusto ko po sanang kunin itong pagkakataon para po magpa Salamat sa 60,759 na ating mga Kababayan na nagbigay tiwala at suporta sa inyong Lingkod.. sa lahat po ng tumulong at nagsulong ng adhikain natin para sa Probinsya.. at sa lahat po ng nag-alay ng mga Dasal para sa tagumpay ng ating Lalawigan..🙏🏻

Sobrang nakakatuwa pung isipin na marami na sa atin ang talagang naghahangad na Magbago at Umunlad ang ating Lalawigan. Ito po ay isang napakabigat na hamon at responsibilidad na ibinigay ninyo, pero alam ko po na kakayanin natin ito dahil hindi lamang ako ang magsusulong nito kundi ang buong Lalawigan natin. Basta Sama-sama, kayang-kaya!!❤️👊🏻

Let us start the change!!👊🏻
Start it within ourselves and
Be the change!!😊

Ibalik ang Sigla sa Isla🌴🎏💦☀️

Love for country will make this nation great again - LAV🇵🇭❤️

Mensahe ni Gasan Mayor Vicky Lao-Lim tungkol sa nakaraang eleksyon

"SAPAGKAT HINDI PO TAYO NAGWAGI SA HANGARING MAKAPAGSERBISYO BILANG GOBERNADOR NG LALAWIGAN, TAOS PUSO AKONG NAGPAPASALAMAT SA 34,800 VOTERS NA NAGREGALO NG KANILANG MAHALAGANG BOTO SA AKIN AT SA BAYAN. MARAMING SALAMAT PO, KAYO AY TUNAY NA NAGMAMAHAL SA BAYAN AT NAGMAMALASAKIT NA ISULONG ANG PAGBABAGO AT MAGANDANG KINABUKASAN NG NAPAKARAMING NAGHIHIRAP NA KABABAYAN.

"MASAYANG TINANGGAP KO ANG PAGKATALO AT TAAS NOONG MAIPAGMALAKING NANINDIGAN TAYO HANGGANG SA HULING ORAS NG ELECTION WALA TAYONG BINILI NI ISANG BOTO.

"...SADYANG HINDI PA HANDA ANG KARAMIHANG BOTANTE SA TUNAY NA PAGBABAGO. KUNG KAILAN SILA MAGIGISING AT MAGING HANDA, DI NATIN MATITIYAK, PANGINOONG DIOS LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM."

TO ALL MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS,

MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA LAHAT NG PAGBATI NUNG MOTHERS DAY AT PATI PO SA LAHAT NG SUPORTA AT MALAKING TIWALA SA AKING GINAWANG SERBISYONG MATAPAT AT SAKRIPISYO UPANG ANG GASAN AY MAGKAROON NG MALAKING PAGBABAGO. AKO AY LABIS NA NAGPAPASALAMAT SA LAHAT NG MGA KABABAYAN NATIN NA TUMULONG UPANG MAGTAGUMPAY TAYO SA ATING PANGARAP NA MAPAUNLAD ANG GASAN.

AT SA MGA WALANG NAITULONG PWEDE PO BA TANGGAPIN AT IPAGMALAKI ANG MAGANDANG PAGBABAGO SA ATING BAYAN NA HINAHANGAAN SA BUONG MARINDUQUE?

WAG PO NATIN SIRAIN ANG ATING BAYAN, NG DAHIL LANG SA PULITIKA. MAGTATAPOS NA ANG SERBISYO KO BILANG MAYOR SA JUNE 30,2016. AT SA PAGPAPALIT NG PINUNO DALANGIN KO IPAGPATULOY ANG MGA IIWANAN KONG PROYEKTO NG MAHUSAY AT MAGING HIGIT NA MAUNLAD ANG BAYAN AT MAMAMAYAN NG GASAN.

SAPAGKAT HINDI PO TAYO NAGWAGI SA HANGARING MAKAPAGSERBISYO BILANG GOBERNADOR NG LALAWIGAN, TAOS PUSO AKONG NAGPAPASALAMAT SA 34,800 VOTERS NA NAGREGALO NG KANILANG MAHALAGANG BOTO SA AKIN AT SA BAYAN. MARAMING SALAMAT PO, KAYO AY TUNAY NA NAGMAMAHAL SA BAYAN AT NAGMAMALASAKIT NA ISULONG ANG PAGBABAGO AT MAGANDANG KINABUKASAN NG NAPAKARAMING NAGHIHIRAP NA KABABAYAN.

MASAYANG TINANGGAP KO ANG PAGKATALO AT TAAS NOONG MAIPAGMALAKING NANINDIGAN TAYO HANGGANG SA HULING ORAS NG ELECTION WALA TAYONG BINILI NI ISANG BOTO. DI KO KAYANG SIRAIN ANG PANGAKO KAY BISHOP JUNIE AT SA MGA TAONG SIMULAT SIMULA PA NG PAKIKIPAG UGNAYAN SA MGA BARANGAY NG BUONG MARINDUQUE AY SINABI KO NA HINDI AKO MAMIMILI NG BOTO UPANG MAIPAKITA SA BUONG PILIPINAS NA MARARANGAL ANG MGA BOTANTE NG MARINDUQUE.

WALA PO TAYONG MAGAGAWA SINIKAP KONG MARATING LAHAT PATI KASULOK SULUKAN AT KABUNDOK BUNDUKAN NG BUONG MARINDUQUE UPANG MAKILALA AKO AT MAIPALIWANAG ANG LAYUNIN KO BILANG GOBERNADOR...

SADYANG HINDI PA HANDA ANG KARAMIHANG BOTANTE SA TUNAY NA PAGBABAGO. KUNG KAILAN SILA MAGIGISING AT MAGING HANDA, DI NATIN MATITIYAK, PANGINOONG DIOS LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM.....

MULI MARAMING SALAMAT PO AT SANA PATULOY TAYONG GABAYAN NG DIOS AMA SA LANGIT SA PAGTAHAK SA TUNAY NA MATUWID NA LANDAS AT NAAAYON SA KANYANG KALOOBAN.

SUMASAINYO AT NAGMAMAHAL,

MAYOR VICKY LIM

Lightning strikes kill 65 in four days in Bangladesh

NBC News carried a similar story from AP adding that 'Experts attributed those deaths to increased deforestation and metal devices such as cell phones, according to the AP."

Lightning strikes kill 65 in four days in Bangladesh

(CNN)Sixty-five people have been killed by lightning strikes in Bangladesh in four days, as the country endures its annual severe storm season.

Most of the deaths occurred in rural parts of north and central Bangladesh, with the victims predominantly farmers and construction workers, Reaz Ahmed, director general of Bangladesh's Department of Disaster Management, told CNN on Monday.

The deadliest recent day was Thursday, when 34 people were killed, he said. Twenty-one died the following day, seven on Saturday and three on Sunday.

Lightning strikes are relatively common in the low-lying, densely-populated nation, with the country experiencing severe storms with frequent lightning often between March and June, ahead of the onset of the monsoon.

Bangladeshi rickshaw drivers take shelter during a heavy downpour in the capital, Dhaka.

The storms were caused by strong cold fronts moving out of the Himalayas and southeastward, encountering warm, moist air from the Bay of Bengal.

Deforestation has exacerbated the problem, with the lack of trees making farmers working in fields a target for lightning strikes.

Ahmed said that while lightning was common at this time of year, the number of fatalities was higher than usual. Last year, 274 people were killed by lightning.

"We are discussing with our meteorological experts on why the deaths are higher this year," he said, adding that the government had been running a public education campaign on how people could protect themselves from lightning.

The government is providing 20,000 Bangladeshi takas ($253) to victims' families, and 10,000 Bangladeshi takas (roughly $126) to the wounded, he said.

So far this year, five people have been killed by lightning in the United States, a country with about double the population of Bangladesh, which has 157 million people.

About 90% of victims of lightning strikes survive, although many endure debilitating injuries. The odds of a person being struck by lightning during his or her lifetime is about one in 12,000.

CNN's Sean Morris contributed to this report.

Rickshaw pullers carry passengers during a downpour at TSC in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 13 May 2016. City dwellers was relieved after the rain as they were having hot weather for the past weeks. Reports say dozens of people were killed after being struck by lightning during the countrywide storm the last two days. ABIR ABDULLAH / EPA

INC: Where did our votes for Marcos go?

Eduardo Manalo

The INC members particularly questioned where the votes for the church-endorsed tandem of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Marcos went.

They said they believed the results of the votes were manipulated in favor of administration candidates Robredo and her running mate Manuel Roxas II.

The INC members called the President and his government “traitors” for robbing them of the votes in favor of his anointed ones.

“The Comelec should explain this [the zero votes for Duterte and Marcos in Bohenge Elementary School in Lamitan City, Basilan]. Now, we are convinced that electoral cheating occurred in Visayas and Mindanao. Where did the votes of the Iglesia Ni Cristo go?” posted Randy Santos, an INC member.

The posts that went viral also saw print in Zamboanga Today in Zamboanga Peninsula.

“We have three locales here in Lamitan City, Basilan. Our votes for Senator Marcos and Duterte have vanished. Please share this so everyone will become aware of the widespread poll cheating,” Santos said.

JanLeander Metille posted: “How did they [Duterte and Marcos] get zero votes? Didn’t you know that INC members [in Lamitan City] brave bullets just to worship? It is impossible that they will not be united in voting for our candidates.”

“We cannot allow the theft of the votes of our people and the votes of INC. If no one will complain, nothing will be disclosed. Let us tell the world of the mischief of the Aquino government, and of the treachery of Aquino,” Joel Arevalo Ramirez said.

For her part, Malou Billo Chavez said: “It looks like they want us to barricade Comelec once again. Just one signal to all of us and we will be there. We are into block voting, how come our candidates did not receive any votes at all? They are fooling the INC? Let’s see how good they are, even that Leni [Robredo].”

“This should be disclosed by the media. It is impossible that our candidates will get zero votes. There is at least one INC member in the place so it is not possible that our candidates will have zero votes. Let us come up with a page that will broadcast the cheating,” Jacob Ascutia posted.

“I call on everyone now to show our true spirit of unity. We should hold rallies now, to protest the theft of our votes,” Mymy Alino Mariano said. - Full story by Christine F. Herrera on The Standard

PPCRV copy-pasting amazing; presumptuous veep appalling

Nagkabukingan na yata sa isa pa palang istilo ng PPCRV

Report:

Poll officials, as well as those from Smartmatic, have repeatedly said this does not affect the results, as the server merely receives them from the election returns transmitted by the vote counting machines.

Tapos biglang nadulas sa magic ng “copy-paste” na gawain pala ng PPCRV ang mismong PPCRV!

"WE JUST COPY AND PASTE ON OUR SERVER THEN UPLOAD IT TO THE SCREEN!", pagbibida ng isang PPCRV senior volunteer nang tanungin siya what caused votes to jump.

Biglang react tuloy si James Jimenez ng Comelec na parang di makapaniwala sa videong napanood sa twitter.

Basahin ang twitter chatter sa ibaba kasama na ang tweet ni Jimenez. Dagdag pa ni Jimenez, “I do know that when you do that, error vulnerability yan”.

Kaya dapat tumigil na ang sino mang PRESUMPTUOUS VICE-PRESIDENT itching for that position sa pagdeklara sa sarili niya na siya ang panalo at himukin na mag-concede ang kalaban.

Hindi yata niya alam na hindi pa nasisimulan sa Kongreso ang pag-canvass ng mga boto para sa bise-presidente at presidente, dahil narinig kong sinabi niya na Comelec daw ang magdedesisyon kung sino ang nanalo sa bise.

Pero halata naman na ang pakay ay bilugin lamang ang isip ng mga tao. Mind conditioning. With TV backing you up repeatedly puwede nga naman yun, Goebbels! 

Back to copy-pasting, lahat talaga ng mga gawain to do such magic at abnormal methods ay dapat ilantad, at parusahan ang mga utak na nasa likod nito, isama na ang iba pang gumawa ng anumalya, kapag napatunayan para hindi paulit-ulit ang sistemang ganito.

But will media investigate, probe deeper into this data copying-pasting episode? 

100% HINDI! Wanna bet?

Shorter travel time from Metro Manila to Lucena with new Quezon road

New Quezon road eases traffic woes, offers scenic view

THE NEW ecotourism road cuts through coconut plantations in Sariaya town in Quezon province. DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

LUCENA CITY—Beset by traffic problems along the Maharlika Highway, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) opened a 24-kilometer road that connects the provinces of Quezon and Batangas while providing motorists a scenic view of the countryside.

Nestor Cleofas, DPWH Quezon second engineering district chief, said the two-lane concrete highway provides a comfortable and leisurely trip to travelers by skipping the town centers of Sariaya in Quezon, the city center of San Pablo and Alaminos town in Laguna province, and Santo Tomas town in Batangas.

Motorists using the ecotourism road will also be treated to a splendid view of Mt. Banahaw, verdant rice fields and coconut plantations, Cleofas said. “They can even scout for future vacation venues along the rows of beach resorts in Sariaya town,” he said.

Opened in mid-March, the road has five concrete bridges and will serve as an alternate route to Maharlika Highway that traverses Quezon, Laguna and Batangas, passing through the Batangas towns of San Juan, Rosario and Ibaan on the way to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (Star) Tollway that connects to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx).

It also aims to boost the economic and tourism potentials of Sariaya, considered one of the major tourist destinations in the coastline of southern Luzon.

Travel time from Lucena City to Metro Manila via Maharlika Highway, a 126-kilometer route, takes about four hours because of traffic gridlock, especially on sections of the highway leading to town and city centers.

By using the ecotourism road, motorists will negotiate a longer 149-km route but travel time would take only three hours.

James de los Reyes, who travels regularly from Lucena to Metro Manila, said the new road cut his travel time by 30 to 45 minutes.

Though there are occasional gridlocks in the towns of San Juan, Rosario and Ibaan, De los Reyes considered these “tolerable” compared to time spent on the road in chokepoints along Maharlika Highway.

“But I’m still wary of taking the ecotourism road at night. It seems deserted with only few vehicles using it,” he said.

Traffic flow on the section of Maharlika Highway, which cuts through Sariaya’s town center, slows down because of narrow streets and the volume of vehicles that include motorcycles and tricycles jockeying for every inch of road space.

The ecotourism road project was started in 2006 and was supposed to be completed in 2011. Road right-of-way payments and shortage of materials due to suspension of quarrying at the foot of Banahaw in Sariaya delayed its completion.

Cleofas said the new road would also provide a faster, safer and shorter travel time from Metro Manila to the Bicol region.

With existing bypass roads in Tiaong and Candelaria towns in Quezon, the completion of the ecotourism road will help ease traffic woes of motorists along the central parts of Quezon. 

A 7.2-km bypass road is also being constructed in Sariaya. Barring road right-of-way problems, it is expected to be finished in 2017. - Delfin T. Mallari, Jr. INQUIRER

Who benefited from "manipulated, anomalous and abnormal data"?

‘Leni benefited from manipulated poll data’

by  Christine F. Herrera, Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Joel Zurbano

The Liberal Party’s vice presidential bet Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo was the beneficiary of  “manipulated, anomalous and abnormal data” that appeared shortly after a new script was uploaded to the transparency server that was reporting unofficial election results on May 9, a study by two university professors said.

Professors Antonio Contreras of De La Salle University and Rogelio Quevedo of the University of the Philippines on Monday urged the Commission on Elections to conduct an independent “forensic investigation” into the entire automated election system (AES) after a Smartmatic technician uploaded the script that altered the system’s hash code, apparently without authorization.

Although Smartmatic project director Marlon Garcia said the changes were “cosmetic,” the professors said the unofficial count from the transparency server showed “a linear line” that favored Robredo in the vice presidential race after the script was introduced.

At the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, Contreras and Quevedo emphasized that anomalies in the system occurred after the hash code was changed.

Contreras said a straight line increase in a candidate’s vote count was not normal, especially when results from many areas were being transmitted at random.

Breakfast forum. From left, Antonio Contreras , De La Salle University professor,  Rogelio Quevado, a former member of the Comelec Advisory Council, law professor of the UP College of Law and an IT expert,  and investment banker Francisco Yuseco,  discuss the recent elections  during the  Samahang Plaridel Kapihan sa Manila Hotel Media Forum on Monday. LINO SANTOS

“There should have been an up and down spikes depending on the areas coming in but in the vice presidential race, there was only one line upwards and then after the 80-percent transmission rate, Senator [Ferdinand] Marcos [Jr. slowed down] in a linear [way] that was really abnormal,” Contreras said.

It was during the hours after the script was introduced that Marcos’ one-million-vote lead was overtaken, Contreras and Quevedo said.

Quevedo said the introduction of the script triggered a change in the system that altered the results.

“I could categorically state that it is not accurate [to say] that a mere change in the hash codes will not result in cheating,” Quevedo said.

Asked who was the beneficiary of the abnormal data in the elections results, Contreras said: “It is obviously Robredo because she was the one who took the lead shortly after the hash codes were changed.”

Quevedo, also a member of the Comelec Advisory Council, said even the supposed investigation made by the poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting showing that the system change did not cause any modification in the results was “merely superficial and self-serving.”

Quevedo added the PPCRV was not qualified to make such a finding.

“I am asserting that PPCRV is not in any way in a position to make that finding. They could not say there was no anomaly because they were present when that interference in the transparency server was made and they allowed it. So PPCRV’s investigation is just self-serving. It is just exonerating itself,” Quevedo said.

Contreras said the linear increase in Robredo’s votes could only be the result of manipulated data.

“We didn’t just study Marcos and Robredo, but all the vice presidential candidates,” Contreras said in Filipino. “All of them showed a straight line. This would not have happened to the transmission if another program had not been introduced.”

Any increases, he added would not be in a straight line.

Quevedo of the UP College of Law, and Contreras a professor of political science at DLSU, debunked the claim of the Comelec, the PPCRV and Smartmatic that the changing of the system, which in turn changed the hash codes, was merely cosmetic, saying “no IT expert in his right mind would dismiss it as a minor change.”

Quevedo said as a lawyer whose expertise is IT, he has strong belief that the change of the “?” to “ñ” is a trigger that caused some changes in the entire system.

Last week, Garcia admitted having ordered the change in the hash code as he said a new script had to be introduced to change the “?” to “ñ” in the names of some candidates such as Roy Señeres for president and Sergio Osmeña and Getulio Napeñas for senator.

But Quevedo pointed out that the mere change in the hash code during the transmission period meant “something was not right.”

Although he refused to say there was cheating in the transmission, Quevedo said the Comelec should order a forensic investigation to erase any doubts created by the unauthorized change in the system’s code.

“If Comelec really wants to project itself as the body in charge of the election, that it is transparent and not biased, then it should immediately order the forensic investigation of the transmission and the election results,” he said.

A forensic investigation would examine the system’s historical data and determine what changes were made to the system, said Quevedo, a top executive and lawyer for Smart Communications Inc. - More on The Standard

Another Batang Gilas victory at NCAA Pacific Rim Championship 2016

Batang Gilas, the U18 Philippine National Team emerged as the champion in the very first NCAA Pacific Rim Championship 2016.

This invitational tournament pitted some of the top youth teams around Asia to inject more energy in the promotion of basketball n the region. 

Held at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Bangkok from May 13-15 it featured competitions in 3 age groups - U14, U15 and U21. Teams from Taiwan, Japan, Iran, Indonesia and the Philippines have joined.

Main focus of the tournament was on the U21 group that saw the Batang Gilas U18 powerhouse playing against U21 teams in preparation for their participation in FIBA Asia U18 Championship later in July.

In his Facebook page Alain AJ Madrigal briefly describes for his Marinduque fans and Batang Gilas fans his experience competing in said Bangkok tournament: "Panalo kami U21 na sila Under 18 po kami physicalan po ang laban."

Photos by Kuk Thew (as watermarked). Check her facebook page "Kuk Thew" for more! 

More pics on Batang Gilas on Aj Madrigal - Alain Jethro

A  promotional ad in Bangkok for the NCAA Pacific Rim Championship 2016