HOUSE ELECTS REP. SALUDO TO COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

HOUSE LEADER CAUTIONS AGAINST HASTY EXTRADITION

Manila Bulletin

Mon 14 February 2000

UPHOLDING DUE PROCESS IN JIMENEZ CASE

The Manila Times

Opinion February 10, 2000

Today I rise to defend the Constitution, the legal processes it enshrines, and the basic and fundamental rights it holds sacred for all.

Today, I must raise my voice in alarm as our Constitution and the way of life it ordains are threatened from within and from the outside.

"Alarm", hardly describes our reaction to the incursions of a foreign power into the affairs of our Supreme Court and its brazen attempt to influence our judicial processes to go the way it wants.

Neither does "dismay" describe our reaction to our DOJ’s obvious lapse in allowing US intervention at this point.

But "distress" is close enough to what my favorite senator has caused in seeking to supplant our own fundamental law with that of the Americans, otherwise, he says: "Relations between the Philippines and the US would be impaired at a time when these need to be strengthened."

Every time a controversy arises involving our relationship with the United States, the national barometer of how to react is whether our decisions will adversely affect the so-called special relationship with the United States of America.

It is apparent that a railroading is what the US desires. The efficiency and speed with which the extradition case of Mr. Mark Jimenez is being handled unfortunately is equated with the denial of the basic rights of Mr. Jimenez which are guaranteed by the fundamental law of the land.

Even the US Supreme Court had this to say about due process vis-à-vis the desire of the US Government for speedy justice: "…..One might fairly say of the Bill of Rights in general, and the Due Process Clause in particular, that they were designed to protect the fragile values of a vulnerable citizenry from the overbearing concern for efficiency and efficacy that may characterize praiseworthy government officials no less, and perhaps more, mediocre ones".

It is to the best interest of the global community to accept that no rights secured and guaranteed by their fundamental laws are "sacrificed at the altar of expediency".

Indeed, mere expediency will not excuse constitutional shortcuts as ruled by our own Supreme Court in the case of Association of Small Land-owners in the Philippines vs Secretary of Agrarian Reform.

Regardless of the merits of the extradition, or the lack of it, there are a number of fundamentals that cannot be compromised on the negotiating table, to suit the convenience of another state, even if that state should be the most prosperous, the strongest militarily, and the dominant political influence in the world.

Firstly, the law of our land is our Constitution. Before it, all else must fail.

Secondly, fundamental human rights, as the right to due process, and the resultant right to confront one’s accusers, are considered inviolate in our Constitution.

Thridly, no individual should be denied access to those rights, as in fact no constitution should rob any individual of those basic human rights. The rights of the accused, whether citizen or alien guaranteed in our Constitution should take precedence over treaty rights claimed by a contracting state.

The case of the United States’ attempts to extradite Mr. Mark Jimenez under their terms of extradition, and on conditions they try to dictate, tests our avowed adherence to constitutional principles and human rights.

I do not seek here to defend Mark Jimenez. What we must fend off is the clear assault on our Constitution. And the principles it enshrines and we hold sacred.

When our own state prosecutors raise accusations against any individual, they must comply with stringent rules that would protect the rights of the accused.

Should we now allow a situation where a person will be collared, detained, and transported without even hearing the nature of the charges against Mr. Jimenez are highly doubtful.

When our state prosecutor files charges against an individual the latter is by right entitled to a bill of particulars. Should we not demand the same thing in this case?

I consider it our prime duty to stand up to this renewed assault on the integrity of our Constitution, and our commitment to the basic and fundamental legal processes…

If others cannot uphold due process, we must show them that we can.

If others cannot respect basic human rights, we must show them we will.

If others cannot defend our Constitution, we must show them that we can.

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SOLONS LASHES BACK AT KIT ON MORALITY

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sunday February 6, 2000

A Leader of the House of Representatives yesterday called Sen. Francisco Tatad a "modern day Pharisee" after the latter reportedly claimed House members "understand little about morality."

The angry retort from House Assistant Majority Leader Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. (LAMP, S. Leyte) was triggered by Tatad’s strong reaction to reports that the House is set to pass the divorce bill.

"It is ill-concealed hypocrisy to go around beclouding legislative deliberations by imputing dark designs on their proponents, even while the critics themselves can hardly hold themselves up to close scrutiny," Saludo said in a press statement.

Given Senator Tatad’s colorful and checkered career, he should be the last person to pass judgement on the morality of the House, Saludo added.

"Senator Tatad by his irresponsible statements has not only breached interchamber courtesy, but is even confused about our Speaker’s position on the divorce bill," the Leyte congressman said.

Saludo said Speaker Manny Villar was not actually endorsing the divorce bill, sponsored by Manuel Ortega of La Union, Villar, he said, was merely saying that compared with two other sensitive bills (same-sex marriage and abortion), Ortega’s bill had the better chance of gaining approval.

The Speaker did not say it would already be approved, Saludo explained.

"There are other major legislations that the lower chamber is trying to settle – the securities act, the banking act, power reform bill – that we will hardly have the time to engage the likes of Senator Tatad in a morality debate, " Saludo said.

"It is unfortunate that a member of the Senate has thrown parliamentary caution to the winds in order to curry favor with what he must perceive as a major voting block," Saludo lamented.

Saludo accused Tatad of pandering to the pulpit, claiming that his latest posturings tend to confuse lawmaking with pontification.

"By arrogating to himself the role of political judge and morality police, Senator Tatad has raised a new and insidious genre of McCarthyism in legislation," Saludo said.

Saludo said Tatad should "come down from his moral high horse and address the core issues that confront us in our crisis."

"Lest he be judged, Senator Tatad should not be hair-triggered with his judgements," Saludo added.  go top

SOUTHERN LEYTE INCLUDED IN 23^RD JAPANESE YEN-LOAN PACKAGE

By: Gene A. Veloso

Manila Bulletin – Provincial News

February 2, 2000

Maasin, Southern Leyte – The construction of a third road linking the two Leyte provinces and a major road artery for the traffic from Luzon to Mindanao will start this year.

A major part of the construction will link Silago, the remotest town in this province 172 kilometers northeast of here, to Abuyog, its nearest neighbor across the border some five kilometers in the northwest. Abuyog is some six kilometers from Tacloban City.

The road work will then connect Silago to the southeastern seaport of San Juan (formerly Cabalian), 48 kilometers away, where a ferry terminal will simultaneously be built.

A distance of some 88 kilometers is estimated to be eliminated when the project is completed, while the San Juan-Lipata ferry route will be shorter by one-and-half hours compared to the time for sea travel to Lipata from the Liloan ferry point.

House Majority Leader Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. (LAMP, Southern Leyte), who worked for the inclusion of Southern Leyte in the 23^rd Yen Package of the Japanese Government, said that once completed, the Abuyog-Silago-San Juan Pacific gateway will become a third access road for the Luzon-to-Mindanao traffic.

The other two are the Tacloban-Ormoc-Baybay-Maasin access and the Tacloban-Mahaplag-Sogod-Liloan road network which already have terminal facilities for ferries and bigger boats.

He said this was the strongest selling point in convincing Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) officials to include Southern Leyte in the 2^nd Yen Package.

The other argument was that the road network linking the six Pacific towns to each other has been neglected in the last 74 years and remains the only road that is not concreted. These towns also experience the heaviest rainfall in the province.

Saludo expressed gratitude to Rep. Erico B. Aumentado (2^nd District, Bohol), for "showing him the ropes in having Southern Leyte included in the 23^rd Yen Package. He also thanked Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Yoshihira Ara whom he quoted as having said that "the people of Southern Leyte are lucky because the OECF was scrapped after its merger with the Import-Export Bank of Japan to form the International Cooperation Bank of Japan."

Saludo had earlier organized and led a mission to Japan to negotiate for the inclusion of Southern Leyte in the 23^rd Yen Package which had originally considered only the provinces of Catanduanes and Bohol.  go top

SOLON SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ON LIMAMASA MASS

Manila Bulletin Wed. Mar 24, 1999

Rep. Aniceto G. Saludo Jr. of the lone district of Southern Leyte the other day debunked claims disputing the site of the First Holy Mass which was held in the shores of Limasawa Island, a municipality of Southern Leyte, on March 31, 1521.

Saludo set the record straight as attempts at distorting the historic event came out in some recent articles claiming that Butuan City is the place where the first Spanish expedition led by Magellan held the first Catholic mass in the country.

In a privilege speech delivered on the floor before the Holy Week break, Saludo said that historic Mass 478 years ago was not an ordinary event that could simply be ignored or overlooked as a mere footnote in the history books.

"To any Catholic, the Holy Mass is the embodiment of his or her faith," Saludo said.

Saludo emphasized that it was not his intent to dwell on the theology of the Catholic faith. "The purpose here is to stress the significance of the First Holy Mass in Limasawa which marked the beginning of Christianity in our land and our introduction to the values taught by this religion," Saludo added.

"Whatever were the motives of the Spanish monarch in whose name Magellan sailed to the East, whether it was to look for spices or gold, one thing was certain – the seeds of Christianity were planted in Limasawa on an Easter Sunday 478 years ago," Saludo stated as he belied claims contained in a proposal to make Masao in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte the site of the First Holy Mass in the Philippines.

"It was unfortunate," Saludo said, "that the proponent of such an attempt (in the House of Representatives) has misread the purpose of Republic Act 2733 which has declared Limasawa in Southern Leyte as National Shrine." Echoing the views of his colleagues on House Bill 2550 which attempted to relocate the site of the First Mass through a legislative fiat, Saludo said no one can legislate history.

Saludo mentioned numerous studies and findings made by various respected scholars of history supporting the facts pointing to Limasawa as the site of the First Mass. In his speech which sought to end the controversy, he cited the conclusions made by the (retired Supreme Court Justice) Gancayco Commission which was precisely tasked and created by the National Historical Institute to put to rest conflicting claims on the subject.

"After the exhausting hearings and rigorous evaluative analyses and appraisal of primary sources and evidence, the commission concluded decisively that the facts and events as chronicled by Antonio Pigafetta and the English translation of the original Italian manuscript of Pigafetta by James Robertson showed that the site is, indeed, Limasawa Island," Saludo declared.

Saludo reiterated his position that history has to be truthful or it would not be history at all. "Without history, we have no national memory", he said. go top

SCHOLARSHIP PARA SA MAHIHIRAP NA ESTUDYANTE, DAPAT PALAWIGIN, - SOLON

Balitang Kongreso – Media Affairs Office, House of Representatives April 12, 1999

Naghain ngayon si Congressman Aniceto Saludo (LAMP, Southern Leyte) ng isang panukalang naglalayong palawakin ang coverage ng scholarship fund ng gobyerno upang matulungan ang mahihirap na estudyante.

Sa kasalukuyan, ayon kay Saludo, maliit na porsiyento lamang ang nakikinabang sa scholarship fund sa ilalim ng Republic Act 7610 o ang tinatawag na Local Government Code.

Sinabi niyang dapat paabutin ang coverage ng scholarship fund hanggang sa mga munisipyo dahil marami ang mas matutulungan ditong mga kuwalipikadong estudyante.

Ayon kay Saludo, ang coverage ng scholarship fund ay ang mga syudad lamang kung saan matatagpuan and mga kolehiyo at unibersidad.

"The limitations pose by these particular provisions of the code defeats the goal of delivering effective and efficient services to poor but deserving students," ani Saludo.  go top

SOLON MAD AT 2 EXECS OVER CARABEEF CONCESSION

BY: Carlito Pablo

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, February 22, 1999

THE DIRECTORS of the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection Commission are in hot water for allowing a third Indian company to export carabeef to the Philippines.

In a hearing on Feb. 17, the House committee on agriculture and food voted to cite for contempt BAI Director Teodoro Abilay and NMIC Director Edgardo Dimalanta.

Abilay and Dimalanta accredited the Al-Khabeer Exports Ltd. on Dec. 23, 1998.

Rep. Aniceto Saludo, Jr. (LAMP, Southern Leyte), vice chair of the committee, said the accreditation of Al-Khabeer violated an agreement reached on Dec. 16 during a committee hearing to suspend all accreditation’s until Congress shall have finished its study on the importation of Indian carabeef.

Both the House and Senate are looking into the policy of allowing carabeef imports from India.

Saludo said the "questionable action of Abilay and Dimalanta would be endorsed to Ombudsman for their possible prosecution."

Saludo said the committee would ask the Ombudsman why the two officials "still insisted on recommending the approval of the accreditation in spite of their assurance to the House."

The congressman said the committee held Abilay and Dimalanta in contempt "for having willfully and knowingly violated the Dec. 16, 1998 agreement to suspend all carabeef accreditation’s."

Records showed that Acting Agriculture Secretary William Dar granted full accreditation to Al-Khabeer upon the recommendation of Abilay and Dimalanta on Dec. 23.

Al-Khabeer is the third accredited Indian carabeef company after Allanasons Ltd. and Hind Agro Industries Ltd. A fourth Indian firm had applied for accreditation last year. But the application of Arabian Exports Ltd. was denied after the BAI found that its facilities did not conform to world-class standards.

Abilar and Dimalanta submitted a report to Dar dated Dec. 1, 1998 which recommended " a temporary suspension of accreditation pending the completion of the necessary requirements by Al-Khabeer.

In the report, the two officials cited, among others, the need for "further improvements on the cleaning area for meat trays."

This was based on their actual inspection of the plant in India on Nov. 15-22, 1998.

But about three weeks later after the Dec. 1 report, the two officials recommended the full accreditation of Al-Khabeer, saying they had "found favorable conditions that merit allowing the importation of buffalo meat" from the company.

"It appears that Secretary Dar was not fully informed by his own officials," Saludo said.

The National Federation of Hog Framers and Inc. had asked President Estrada last year to stop the importation of carabeef because it was edging out the local hog, cattle and poultry industries.

The country imported at least 40 million kilos of carabeef last year said the federation, which claimed that the meat came from areas where bovine animals were suffering from foot-and-mouth disease.

The Department of Agriculture said the buffalo meat from India came from FMD-free areas.

Rep. Saludo’s Bill to benefit people residing near geothermal plants

BY: Carmelito A. Custodio

Southern Leyte Edition

February 13-19, 1999

Southern Leyte Rep. Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. has introduced a bill in the House of Representative that give benefits to those residing near the geothermal power plant and an incentive to the region.

House Bill No. 3937 seeks that at least 5% from the geothermal taxes paid to the government and the royalty fees (excluding ad valorem tax for exportation, processing, disposition of geothermal power energy) must be allocated for the rehabilitation of the places affected in the establishment of the geothermal power plant.

Furthermore, the bill of Rep. Saludo seeks to give a 30% power consumption discount to those residing where the geothermal power plant erected , while the Energy Regulatory Board (ERE) will promulgate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of power rate under the section 2 of House Bill No. 3937.

Meanwhile, Rep. Saludo has expressed hope that his bill will be approved and enacted as a law.

Rep. Saludo fully supports aggie dev’t

Leyte Samar Weekly Express

February 13-19, 1999

Rep. Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. fully supports agricultural development which is the main thrust of his legislative agenda.

According to Rep. Saludo’s district office in Maasin, the solon believes that the countryside is the base of the country’s development and therefore, there is an urgent need to rehabilitate national highways, farm-to-market roads and other access routes, to improve irrigation systems and post harvest facilities and to provide his constituents with other rural infrastructures.

Rep. Saludo, his district office said in a press release, has already filed several bills to show his concern.

Among these bills are the ones titled "An act to promote Agriculture Technology Sharing among Provinces, Cities and Municipalities throughout the country to attain the fullest Development as self-reliant Communities" and "An act establishing a Philippine Agriculture Modernization."

He also filed a bill that seeks for the construction of waterworks system in the district.

To his credit, he has already filed 70 bills and a number of resolutions in his first six months in the House of Representatives which include local and national concerns.

Rep. Saludo also serves as Chairman of the Sub-Committees on Forest Resources, Natural Resources and Development and on Agricultural Credit. He is the vice chairman of three committees: Natural Resources, Energy and Agricultural and Food. He is also a member of 11 other committees.

Recently, he just concluded two international trips.

In Mexico, Rep. Saludo was with the delegation of Speaker Manuel B. Villar for almost a week this January 1999 to explore possible bilateral investments and other business opportunities. The group also visited a cement factory, CEMEX, the largest Mexican investor in the Philippines.

The US trip on January 9-16, 1999 was more on a study tour of California’s key power sector organizations, regulatory agencies, electric utilities and project sites.

Rep. Saludo headed the Human House of Representatives delegation which included senior members of the House and top officials of the private sector. (PR)  go top

MALAYA OPINION

THURSDAY DEC. 10,1998

JESUS C. SISON

"I salute President Estrada for his humility. He is very much worthy of his mother’s pride and happiness.’

Giving Congress the chance to participate in the selection of the chief of Justices of the SC and Judges, would give politicians the right to intervene in the in the appointments to the judiciary. In short, it will give a chance to the senators and congressman to politicize the courts. Rep. Aniceto Saludo said that the Commission on Appointments (CA) of congress should be given back the authority to confirm those appointed to the SC and the Court of Appeals. I disagree for political reasons.    go top

Dahil sa pagdami ng mga ginagahasa

By: Media Affairs Office, House of Representatives

Balitang Kongreso

Monday, March 22, 1999

Hiniling ngayon ni Congressman Aniceto Saludo (Lamp, Southern Leyte) ang pagtatayo ng mga Women’s Crisis and Rehabilitation Centers na siyang magiging pansamantalang tuluyan ng mga biktima ng panggagahasa at iba pang pang-aabuso.

Ayon kay Saludo, kapansin-pansin ang paglaki ng bilang ng kaso ng panggagahasa kahit pa ang parusa sa krimeng ito ay kamatayan.

"This disturbing trend has already affected a lot of people, the victims, their family, community and the country in general," ani Saludo.

Sinabi ni Saludo na kung may mga crisis centers ay may matatakbuhan ang mga biktima ng panggagahasa at iba pang sexual abuses.

Sa ilalim ng panukala, ang mga crisis centers na ipapasailalim sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ay pangangasiwaan ng mga social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists at iba pang medical professionals.

"Sila (rape victims) ay matutulungan sa mga centers na ito habang hindi natatapos ang kaso. They need more help from professional and experts to contain the trauma they suffered," aniya.

Ang crisis centers ay itatayo sa lahat ng congressional districts sa buong bansa, ayon kay Saludo.

Ayon sa panukala, ang mga biktima ay tatanggap ng libreng panggamot mula sa regional, provincial at district hospitals.

Ang pondong ilalaan sa proyekto ay maaaring magmula sa Philippine Amusement and gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) at sa Philippine Charity and Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).  go top

Leyte congressman promises to oppose dredging in Maasin

By: Francis S. Savellon

Freeman

April 11, 1999 Sunday

SOUTHERN Leyte Rep. Aniceto G. Saludo Jr. yesterday vowed to oppose the dredging of filling materials from an offshore area in Maasin for use in Cebu’s South Reclamation Project.

"I am not opposed to the south reclamation works in Cebu City if it will help boost the economy, but we cannot allow the sand of the offshore area of my district to be brought here. Dredging of that staggering volume will cause an environmental imbalance beyond repair," Saludo said.

The total reclamation fill requirement is estimated at 8.8 million cubic meters, to cost around P2 billion, which is 80 percent of the entire project cost.

The proposed dredging Maasin covers an area of 4,500 hectares. Its major activities include the "dredging and desilting of sea bottom" with an "assurance" that the dredged materials will be brought to an "appropriate landfill site and will not be eroded back to the seabed."

Amid reports that local politicians are lobbying with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to secure an environmental compliance certificate for the Maasin dredging, Saludo said he has organized a lobby group which will try to persuade Environment Secretary Antonio Cerilles against issuing an ECC.

One of the requirements for the issuance of ECC is an endorsement from the municipal council of the local government unit and the district congressman.

Saludo, who is the vice chairman of the House committee on natural resources, said he will not issue an endorsement.

He, however, criticized the municipal council of Maasin.

Though the Maasin council did not endorse the dredging project, "it did not interpose any objection to the dredging" which is tantamount to an approval, Saludo pointed out.

Saludo said he is not interfering in local government jurisdiction in the endorsement of the dredging works, but, from his end, he would be monitoring the process.

If anything "unusual" happens in securing the approval of the ECC, the House of Representatives will come in.

Earlier, the Crusade Against Environmental Aggression and Social Exploitation (Cease), a group of professionals who hail from Southern Leyte, said the extraction of sand materials poses severe environmental impact and threatens the livelihood of farmers and fishermen living along the river system and coastal areas.

Cease is now actively opposing the proposed dredging in Maasin, saying it will destroy the coral reefs and the marine ecosystem of the area.

Former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena, the main proponent of the SRP, had contended that no reefs would be destroyed in the dredging.

But Cease will soon present a photo exhibit on the teeming marine ecosystem in Maasin which would be destroyed by the dredging project.

Congressman bares P1.7B road concreting project

THE REPORTER by Jun Gorpido

Southern Leyte

February 7-13, 1999

MAASIN, Southern Leyte (RNS) – Congressman Anecito Saludo, Jr. of the lone district of this province bared important concreting road projects worth P1.7B that have long been the aspiration of the residents of municipalities in the province.

Funded under the 23^rd Yen Package of Japan, those projects mainly involve the concreting of roads from the town of St. Bernard up to Silago and the Panaon Island connecting all the four municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan and San Ricardo.

For many, many years now the national road from St. Bernard down to the municipality of Silago has not been given full attention as these are not fully concreted. The initial concreting of these roads were done phase by phase or pat-ak-pat-ak (cut-by-cut) leaving the road bare of rough, stony or with holes rendering travel time to be long, slow and tiring to passengers. The same thing with the roads linking to Panaon Island area.

Saludo said the work is scheduled to start next year and to be implemented by the present administration.

The Congressman also expressed his observation that the national road in this province had no more maintenance when the kamaniros in every municipality were phased out several years ago. He said that the contractor ought to have the maintenance for the road, but sad to say these roads are not being maintained because some contractors have no equipment of their own, he said.

Sanjie Gan of radio station DYSL also mentioned about the road problem in the municipality of Tomas Oppus. He asked Congressman Saludo if he could instruct the DPWH to do some repair on the stretch of the road which is rough and muddy brought about by the frequent rains.

According to the congressman, road construction in Tomas Oppus will be re-bidded after the termination of the contract wherein a qualified contractor must own equipment, and not just to sub-contract the project.

He added that roads in the Pacific area are scheduled for repair with truckloads of sand and gravel already piled along the road but the delay is due to the rainy season." After the rain", he said, "it will be worked out."

Activities lined up to mark Limasawa mass

Malaya News

Tuesday, March 16, 1999

Leyte Rep. Aniceto Saludo, Jr. has announced a snowballing interest among various sectors including the House of Representatives to promote the cultural and historical heritage of the Philippines.

Saludo, the House assistant majority leader and member of the House committee on foreign affairs, said Spain, Mexico, and Portugal through their embassies have expressed support for this year’s 478^th anniversary celebration of the First Catholic Mass in the country on March 31, in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 7822 "declaring Limasawa island in the Province of Leyte (Southern Leyte) where the First Mass in the Philippines was held as a National Shrine."

Saludo added plans for the festivities and support of the three European countries were discussed recently at a breakfast meeting hosted by Mexican Ambassador Enrique Michel for Saludo, Gov. Rosette Yniguez Lerias, Ambassador Delfin Colome of Spain, Ambassador Joao H.A. Brito Camara of Portugal and civic leader-lawyer Joaquin Chung.

Colome pledged to help raise funds for the erection of a 50-foot monument of a Risen Lord, similar to the Christ of the Andes in South America.

"The monument will also house an edifice heralding the educational, cultural , and religious legacies of Spain and the influence of Portugal and Mexico in Philippine society and history," Saludo said.

3 countries back Limasawa rites

Across the Nation

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tuesday, March 16,1999

THREE European countries have expressed support for this year’s 478^th anniversary celebration of the first Mass in the country, according to Rep. Aniceto Saludo, Jr.

Saludo said plans for the festivities on Limasawa Island, the site of the first Mass, and the support of Spain, Mexico and Portugal were discussed at a breakfast meeting held recently.

The meeting was hosted by Mexican Ambassador Enrique Michel for Saludo, Southern Leyte Gov. Rosette, Yniquez Lerias, Ambassador Delfin Calome of Spain, Ambassador Joao H.A. Brito Camara of Portugal and civic leader Joaquin Chung.

Saludo, a member of the House committee on foreign affairs, also announced the snowballing interest among various sectors, including the House of Representatives to promote the cultural and historical heritage of the Philippines.

He and Governor Lerias said they were hopeful that the historical festivities would help highlight the potential of Southern Leyte as the new gateway to the Pacific and renew the image of the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient Seas.

With the active support of the three European countries, they said they were confident that the world would rekindle its interest in the country, especially Southern Leyte.

Colome pledged to help raise funds for the erection of a 50-foot monument of a Risen Lord, similar to the Christ of the Andes in South America.

"The monument will also house an edifice heralding the educational, cultural and religious legacies of Spain and the influence of Portugal and Mexico in Philippine society and history," Saludo said.

Camara also voiced Portugal’s interest in launching a project that would immortalize Ferdinand Magellan who led the Spanish expedition and the celebration of the first Mass on the shores of Limasawa.

Michel revealed plans to construct a replica of a ship as a symbol of the galleon trade in the Philippines during the 15^th century.

He thanked Lerias for accelerating the organization of a Governors League of the Pacific Region, with Mexico spearheading the cooperation and understanding among the proposed member-nations.

Banks Wary of lending to Agri firms

Today 19 Nov 98

MNC

The banking system is awash with cash, but the big private commercial and thrift banks have been disregarding the law that requires them to lend one-fourth of their loanable funds to the farmers.

Documents submitted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to congress showed that last year, the banking system had loanable funds totaling P150 billion, of which P150 billion should have been loaned to farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Plugging the loopholes of presidential decree 717, or the Agri-Agra Law, has been listed as one of the top priority bills of the house of Representatives. Hearings were called even during the Halloween recess so that the bill could be approved on second reading when Congress resumes session on November 9.

Congress was informed by the Bangko Sentral that the commercial banks reported only a 20 percent compliance rate with the Agri-agra Law. The thrift banks had only 8- percent compliance rating.

Instead of lending to farmers, they bought risk-free Treasury bills, or lent to big agribusiness and food processing firms like San Miguel Corp. and RFM Corp.

The Standard alibi given by the banks of the house committee on economic affairs was that the farmers are " high credit risk" clients. The average default rate, they claimed, is about 25 percent.

The semi-government Philippine National Bank has been most blatant in its objections to giving the Agri-Agra Law more teeth.

In its position paper, PNB said: "The bank(believes) that at this time of financial crisis, the enactment of the house bills (giving more teeth to the) law would wreak havoc on the banking system.

"Firstly, the deletion of the provision allowing financial institutions to invest the amount allocated for agri-agra credit to government securities is, to our mind, to burdensome on the part of the financial institution."

PNB added that jailing and fining of bank executive for violating the law " is uncalled for" and that " as a private bank, PNB (itself) cannot be compelled to gear its resources toward the implementation of the objectives of the house bills".

Although the PNB’s majority shares have been sold to private investor, the government’s remains one of its biggest stockholders.

Separate bills seeking to amend the farm credit law had been filed by Reps. Mar Roxas, Herminio Teves, Leonardo Montemayor, Antonio Romna, Ralph Recto, Aniceto Saludo Jr., Cresencio Paez and Augusto Syjuco Jr.

Among their proposed amendment are the replacements of T-bills as alternative mode of the compliance with the purchase of bonds issued by government banks, including the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, and mandatory lending of 40 - percent of the total agri-agra funds to small farmers.

The Banker’s association of the Philippines has been more subtle in its objections. Its has demanded that earnings from bonds, their preferred odes of complying with the law, must be complying with the law, must be competitive with T-bills, meaning more profitable. This means that lending money from the giant commercial banks will not be cheap.

They explained that direct lending to farmers is difficult because most of their branches are in urban centers. The distance and poor access to information on creditors are an obstacle to direct lending operations.

The lawmakers, however, junked the banks’ claims the farmers are high risk borrowers, saying that information lender who have been charging higher interest rates than the banks have been doing business in rural areas for as long as they remember. They have prospered instead of closing shop.

In an anecdote, the lawmakers argued that the loan sharks, or "five-six" lenders, have been developed some systems that could be adopted by the banks in extending credit to farmers, fisher folk and rural entrepreneurs.

Book board execs urged to resign

To avoid graft, conflict-of-interest raps

MANILA BULLETIN, Mon., Sept. 28, 1998

A lawmaker has urged book publishers and suppliers who are sitting as members of the governing board of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) to resign from their government posts to avoid anti-graft cases.

Southern Leyte Rep. Aniceto G. Saludo Jr. stressed this point Monday during a Congressional hearing at the Batasan as he subjected NBDB board members Dominador Buhain and Carol Javier to intense questioning.

Saludo said cases of "conflict of interest" could be lodged against book industry personalities sitting in the government book development board in view of their undue advantage over other industry players such ass publishers and book suppliers.

Earlier, leaders of book societies in various regions and prominent individuals and organizations in the publishing industry warned newly appointed members of NBDB governing board to resign or otherwise be liable for conflict of interest cases.

Willie Rola, president of the Book Society of Mindanao (Region 11), and Jose Gonzales, president of the Book Society of Northern Luzon said the "activities of Dominador Buhain like concerning of book purchases of DECS for his family-owned Rex Bookstore should never happen again."

They said Buhain’s act was a glaring case of conflict of interest which could constitute violation of the anti-graft law.

"Spending millions of pesos of NBDB money market personal business products is definitely an illegal act and should never be allowed by the newly appointed officials of NBDB, a government agency mandated to develop the book publishing industry," Rola and Gonzales said.   go top

Congress wants say in selection of chief justice

The Philippine Star

Truth shall prevail

DECEMBER 8, 1998

Barely a week after President Estrada appointed a new chief justice, a ranking member of congress proposed yesterday that lawmakers be given a say in the selection of those who will hold positions in the judiciary.

In a privilege speech, Assistant House Majority Leader Aniceto Saludo said the Commission on Appointments (CA) must be given back the authority to confirm those appointed to the Court of Appeals.

"One of the glaring defects of the selection process is the unintentional muffling of the peoples right to be heard". Saludo said. " In the selection, the peoples right to be heard on who may or who may not dispense justice in their behalf is lost. Lost, too, is Congress right to present their constituents."

Saludo pointed out that this issue could be addressed by returning to the CA the function of confirming officials of the governments judicial branch from the chief justice, the associate justices of the appellate court.

He explained that , throughout its history, the CA had a voice in the selection of Supreme Court justices. In the 1935 constitution, members of the High Tribunal were appointed by the president with the CA’s consent. Prior to the commonwealth, it was the United States president who appointed members of the SC with the consent and advice of the US senate.

Salud went on to stay that it was only in 1973, during Martial Law," that the efficient manner in the selection of SC members was stopped.

"Giving back to the CA its part in the selection process would counterbalance the near absolute power of the executive (branch) and reduce the fears of political influence and patronage meddling in the proper dispensation of justice, "he stressed".

The present system initiated in the1987 Constitution gives the judicial and bar council the power to screen and nominate prospective members of the Supreme Court. Salud said this system should be preserved since it gives judges and lawyers a chance to monitor their own ranks.

Mas matapang na Estrada administration…

MABILIS NA BALITA

ABANTE TONITE

NOBYEMBRE 20,1998

MANILA--- Mas matapang at mas matigas na Estrada administration laban sa ibang bansa ang nais na makita ni Southern Leyte Rep. Aniceto Saludo.

Hiniling ni Saludo sa mababang Kapulungan ang madaliang pagpapatibay sa kanyang inihaing resolusyon na naglalayong isnabin ng Pilipinas ang mga bansang umaabuso sa mga manggagawang Pilipino.

Sa kanyang resolusyon, sinabi ng kongresista na alinmang dayuhang bansa ang aapi at aabuso sa Filipino Overseas Workers(OFW’s) , dapat putulin ng Pilipinas ang kooperasyon at tulong na ibinibigay ng bansa.

"Maganda ang pagtrato natin sa mga dayuhan habang sila ay dumadalaw sa Pilipinas, pang-aabuso at diskriminasyon naman ang inaabot ng ating mga kababayan sa kanilang mga bansa," katwiran ni Saludo.

Official ask funding assistance from Saludo

Reporter November 15-21, 1998

M. Gorpido, Jr.

BONTOC, Southern Leyte—Local officials aired to the lone district representative here priority projects pending for implementation due to lack of funding sources.

Among the project mentioned by barangay and municipal officials include farm-to –market roads, irrigation system, water system, day care centers, community hospitals and health centers, barangay electrification, livelihood center and road repair and maintenance and a 17 hectares mangrove projects.

The meeting which was attended by barangay officials, Bontoc Mayor Jack Dizon, municipal planning development council coordinator Rodrigo Tumaog and Boy Santiago, representative  of Aniceto Saludo, Jr., was called to prepare the town on the possible effect of La Nina.

In an open forum William Soler, irrigators president in Bontoc, disclosed that all of the irrigation systems here are half-finished. He requested congressman that they had been given funds for the construction of farm-to-market road.

Fernando Puro said that only two barangay have no farm-to market roads. But he stressed that they still need financial assistance for the maintenance of those barangay roads.

Divisoria Barangay Captain Crecencio Sulla said that Anahaw spring can be tapped as source for potable water but their desire to have a water system stalled for lack of money.

Boy Santiago informed the officials that Denmark and Switzerland are interested to finance water system projects. But before they could ask for funding assistance, a province wide survey will be conducted first.

But Santiago advised the barangay officials to come up with their proposed projects and submit the same to Cong. Saludo for funding purposes.

He informed that the incumbent Congressman is the Vice Chairman of the committee on appropriation, Vice-chairman on energy and barangay electrification, vice-chairman committee on natural and Education and member Committee on Health and Public Works, at the lower house.

He said aside from government funds, they can also top other agencies and private institutions here and abroad.

He disclosed that for fiscal year 1999, Southern Leyte was allocated P1.5 billion, P6.5 million of which is intended for road construction.

Meanwhile, members of the PDCC-La Nina Info Task Forced tackled on proper waste management disposal both for biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials. Esmeralda Enting-Itom of DENR emphasized the planting of trees in all denuded lands and vacant lots including vegetables and fruits trees and zero burning of plant residues, organic and inorganic materials.

Solon to Pursue raps vs. ex-solon

Jani Arnaiz, PDI Visayas Bureau

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Nov. 6, 1998

MAASIN, Southern Leyte- Rep. Aniceto Saludo said he is not dropping the four counts of frustrated murder charges he filed against former Rep. Roger Mercado at the provincial prosecutor’s office.

He said he had no plans of accepting any amicable settlement from Mercado amid rumors that he had accepted a "multimillion settlement" in exchange for withdrawing his case against Mercado are not true.

"There is no truth to the rumor. In fact, I intend to file disbarment case against him for conduct unbecoming of a lawyer," he said.

But Saludo admitted that the former lawmaker had sought the help of his congressmen friends, bishops and priests to persuade him to forgive Mercado and drop the charges.

He, however, insisted that there would be no chance for any amicable settlement, saying he would allow justice to take its course.

The INQUIRER tried to reach Mercado in his residence for comment but was told he was not around.

Saludo also lamented that the judiciary here is " taking its sweet time in resolving our case" as the defense appeared to have used several tactics to further delay the case.

He said he filed the case against Mercado in July yet but it has remained pending at the provincial prosecutor’s office.

Saludo of the Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino, defeated Mercado, a lakas reelectionist, in the congressional race in the province’s lone district in the May 11 elections.

Three days before the elections, Mercado fired at Saludo, LAMMP mayoral candidate gereardo Dator and their security escort, SPO1 Rolando Sacro armed with an M-16 rifle.

Saludo, Dator and Sacro were able to escape unharmed, failing to get them, Mercado vented his ire on the helicopter, a brand –new Hughes 500c, parked on the oval.

Mercado and his security men, most of them policemen, allegedly riddled the helicopter with bullets, causing it to explode.   go top

South Leyte town judge suspended on graft, sex charges

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Across the nation

November 23,1998

Jani Arnaiz, PDI Visayas Bureau

MAASIN, Southern leyte—A regional trial court judge here has been suspended by the Supreme Court First Division pending investigation of a string of cases filed against him by court employees.

Executive Judge Leandro Loyao of Maasin Regional Trial Court Branch 24 was ordered "suspended immediately until the termination of investigation" by justice Romulo Quimbo, office of Court Administrator consultant.

Quimbo was given 60 days to investigate the complaints of the court employees against Loyao that included sexual harassment, grave abuse of discretion, graft, vindictiveness and conduct unbecoming of a judicial officer.

The suspension order dated Nov.11 was signed by Clerk of Court Enriqueta Esguerra-Vidal. When the INQUIRER went to his sala on Wednesday to seek his comment on the order, Loyao did not report for work.

With Loyao suspended, Maasin is left without an RTC judge. Loyao was the lone judge in Maasin following the death of Judge Numoriano Avila of Maasin RTC Branch 25 last year.

Among highly controversial cases pending before Loyao’s Sala is the arson case filed against former southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado.

Mercado was accused of blowing up helicopter used by his opponent, now Rep. Anecito Saludo, During the May election campaign.

Loyao’s suspension stemmed from a spring of cases filed by his 134 court employees at the office of the Court Administrator.

Among the complainants were Romulo Madredijo, sheriff; violete hipe; court stenographer; Jonathan Mamado, utility worker; Imelda Conato, court stenographer; Vivian Montanes, legal researcher; mamerto Caube, municipal trial court clerk of court; among others.

Caube told the INQUIRER that it would be up to the Supreme Court to decide whether Loyao should be dismissed from the service or not.

Based on their complaints, Administrative Circular No. 53-97 was issued on March 10,1997, encouraging members of the Philippine Association of Court of employees to attend its annual convention in Bohol.

Southern Leyte celebrates 38^th founding anniversary

By Quirico M. Gorpido

The Freeman THURSDAY July 9,1998

MAASIN, SOUTHERN LEYTE—The province of Southern Leyte has celebrated its 38^th founding Day Anniversary recently.

The provincehood of Southern Leyte was reportedly conceived by past political leaders such as Kangleon and Bantug even before the ascension to office of Congressman Nicanor E. Yniguez. In fact, the plan for the extend of the Southern Leyte province is up to Baybay, Leyte.

But some political leaders in the Western part have opposed the plan. What was agreed upon was only up to Maasin, leaving Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang and Inopacan nearer to Maasin out of the jurisdiction of the province of Southern Leyte.

Although the efforts of the Yniguez predecessors were not successful, yet it served as the springboard of what Yniguez had done during his term as Congressman under the administration of Carlos P. Garcia.

Thus the provincehood of Southern Leyte was finally approved on July 1, 1960, separating itself from the Tacloban supervision and governance.

In turn the momentous event make former Congressman and Ex-Speaker Nicanor E. Yniguez as "The Father of Southern Leyte."

In the morning there was a parade that started at the Anatalio Gaviola plaza up to the provincial capitol playground where the program was held. It was participated in by the provincial, municipal, barangay official and employees of government agencies. Teachers and students of the Saint Joseph College, the College of Maasin, the Ampo Maritime and Teachers College, heads of line agencies, some municipal Mayors, PNP, ROTC, banks, SJC Band and the San Juan Polytechnic College Band, and other government offices have also participated.

The Katipong Maasinhon Sa Sugbo, the Rotary Club of Limasawa-Maasin, DECS and Saint Joseph College have their respective floats paraded down to the sunken garden at the provincial capitol.

Teamwork as key to effectiveness

Hotline by Willie o. Justimbaste

LEYTE SAMAR WEEKLY

SEPTEMBER 5 – 11, 1998

The district of Southern Leyte Rep. Anecito "Odong" G. Saludo, Jr is very accessibly and conveniently located at the 2^nd floor of Candy’s Supermart in the corner of Assemblyman Tomas Oppus and Gov. Salvador Demetrio streets, just a stone’s throw away from the Maasin port area and in the heart of the town’s commercial center. It is houses the office of Deputy Presidential Assistant for Southern Leyte Rufino "Titing" Brodeth, a needed bureaucratic layer that would not have been possible were it not for Congressman Odong Saludo. Representative Saludo is no push-over and he would want his congressional district to have its full due in legislative representation and available government position that would contribute to the growth and progress of Southern Leyte. Sources close to the Southern Leyte solon said he is seriously bent on making the strongest representation the Southern Leyte would be provided its share of provincial or field office for every regional counterpart of all national government agencies. This way, Saludo’s district would not be left out in the implementation of national programs and projects, the identification of which, among others, is within the ambit of congressional prerogative.

***

Saludo inner circle also revealed his desire to accommodate competent Southern Leytenos in regional and provincial national line agency posts where they can qualify. According to Odong Saludo, "Southern Leytenos should now be given a chance to lead after a long period of time that we were just made to follow." Southern Leytenos have high hopes and expectation that with the teamplay and coordinated efforts of the legislative district office of Rep. Odong Saludo and presidential liaison Titing Brodeth, development would be fastracked and opportunities for Southern Leytenos will be better democratized and dispersed.

***

This column’s series on Shemberg quarrying operations in Sogod’s Subangdaku River are temporarily ceased pending the outcome of a reported investigation or inquiry to be conducted by DENR Manila. This columnist received an invitation to related public hearings scheduled last September 10 in Maasin for sea dredging and fish caging and in Sogod for Shemberg-Rockland sand and gravel extraction. While we were prepared to present our position in both issues, the DENR central office bigwigs in Manila who were supposed to conduct the public consultations per request of Governor Rosette Y. Lerias decided to make a no-show and instead would just send representatives from the field office. To which Governor Lerias objected the reason for the resetting of the public hearings to a later date. We will wait for the rescheduled consultations no matter where and when. For as long as those who would conduct these are from DENR Manila and not anymore from the regional or provincial offices. The reason is quite simple. We don’t trust the DENR field personnel and we believe that there has been too much familiarizing or fraternizing going on with client applicants for permits and concessions which have clouded their sound and sane judgements.

***

To make sea travel safe

UNDER THE SUN

Raul L. Contreras

OPINION TODAY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27,1998

"Now that Joseph Estrada is President, helping the mahirap means dealing with the state of shipping; sea travel, after all, is the means of transport still within reach of the masa."

NEOPHYTE Rep. Aniceto "Dong" Saludo Jr. of Southern Leyte had many things to say over lunch last Wednesday. First, he did not think I was funny when I suggested that stopping sea voyages totally would be the best way to arrest the exodus of hordes of Filipinos to Metro Manila.

Then he stated strongly that an n-depth investigation in aid of legislation in aid of legislation ought to be made about the state of the shipping industry itself and what ought to be made about the state of the shipping industry itself and what ought to be done about it. He’s afraid the probe into the sinking of the MV Princess of the Orient would go the route of investigations of similar incidents and end up nowhere. He will file a resolution in the House tomorrow to support his objective.

I believe Saludo is on course. When Louie Lagdameo was still transportation secretary, I told his advisers to remind him to concentrate on improving sea travel conditions (safety foremost) before thinking of the railways. Well, Louie got derailed. Now Joseph Estrada is president, helping the mahirap means addressing the state of shipping; sea travel, after all, is the means of transport still within reach of the masa.

Now, if only today’s economic managers would make economic development occur outside Metro manila and other urban centers, the masa need no longer take floating coffins owned by lawyers who make ship captains disappear so they can memorize the script for their arraignment. In the last tragedy, an investigation would indeed be superfluous. Witnesses have told their story of how the captain and the crew were first to abandon ship and first to be rescued; about Sulpicio Lines having only two personnel looking at the worthiness of some 30 ships; how Sulpicio Lines’ owners and managers ought to be deep-sixed, mafia-style with cement shoes and all in Manila Bay.