Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Former Mayor and Board Member calls Marinduque Governor's attention on 'sorry state of hospital', 'failure to deliver millions of pesos worth of projects, services'; FB opinions

Former Mayor of Boac and former board member Pedrito |Toto" Nepomuceno has called the attention of Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes of Marinduque in connection with the "sorry state of our hospital in Marinduque" and based on a recent Commission on Audit (COA) findings that the provincial government had failed to deliver P105Million worth of projects and services to its people".

Copy of Nepomuceno's letter to the Governor was posted in an FB group page, see below:

From the FB Group, Marinduque, Kasaysayan at Kultura



PEDRITO M. NEPOMUCENO
Former Mayor – Boac
Former Board Member – Marinduque
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 June 2014
GOVERNOR CARMENCITA O. REYES
Province of Marinduque
Provincial Capitol
Boac, Marinduque
Dear Governor Reyes,
For whatever they may be worth to your preferences I took the liberty of forwarding to you, hereunder, FB blogs regarding the sorry state of our Hospital in Marinduque and another regarding the underspending of the provincial government having P105,933,256.93 of its development funds untouched. With this information and comments from the people, we can deduce that the provincial government had failed to deliver P105Million worth of projects and services to its people and we can presume that our Hospital is one of the victims of the inaction by the provincial government. In this regard, it is earnestly requested that you, as our Governor, take a serious look into the situation and may we expect positive action from your office.
Jb Sotto20 hrs • Edited
Nakakatakot pala sa Provincial hospital mg marinduque...People sa kapitolyo specially mga politiko dyan.!!!can you please get your act together.katabi nyo pa naman ang hospital.sana wag magkasakit mga pamilya nyo and the only option is to bring them to this hospital.cant blame the staff there.they have to make do on the available funding that the government is giving them.Please...tama na pagpagawa ng daan.basketball court.etc..people of marinduque needs a hospital with equipment.medical supplies.decent enough for human beings.where do the taxes go?LikeLike •
Toby Jamilla, Justin Angelo Jardeleza Manrique, Hector Labay and 59 others like this.

Jane Katte Fermo Sadiwa bkit po nkktkot??!andni p nmn ako s ospital20 hours ago • Like

Adele MagMer Mam teresa matagal ng nakakatakot po 20 hours ago • Like • 1

Adele MagMer Kulang sa equiptments po, yung emergency kulang gamit icu dapat complete para hindi na matakbo lucena o manila20 hours ago • Like

Jb Sotto @jane. Madam.let me rephrase nakakaawa mga patient.nakakatakot bec walang facilities hospital.pag emergency case sure dedo na.may bldg nga na bago wala namang gamit.20 hours ago • Like • 5

Jane Katte Fermo Sadiwa ganito nmn po tlga dito......20 hours ago • Like

Adele MagMer Dapat ngani po ayusin mayaman marinduke taon taon nadayo pag moriones asan kaya hihihihi20 hours ago • Like

Jb Sotto Naaawa ako sa patients.nasa hallway katabi ng basura at mga pusa nagkalat.katabi pa mandin ng kapitolyo hindi man lang napondohan ng national govt!20 hours ago • Like

Merlinda Osmillo Lunar hay naku mga kababayan matagl na po ganyan sa atin, pag may sakit agad dalhn na sa maynila. kc imbis na gumaling baka lalong lumala.20 hours ago • Like • 2

Glee Rosas So, this is a slaughter house, not a hospital...tsk tsk tsk!20 hours ago • Like

Jb Sotto Staff at the hosp.i commend you.you make do on whatever resources you have.ang problem ars the politicians who dominate every waking year of our lives dyan.wala na bang ibang alternative para ma improve naman buhay ng ng marinduquenos.20 hours ago • Like • 3

ヌニェス キース slaughter hauz.. boom.. inuuna ipagawa ang mga daanan kc malaki ang kurakot don eh.. eh sa hosp. equipments konti ang kikbal..19 hours ago • Like

Leonard Baltero Naranjo bakit kz binoboto p palitan n ang asa pwesto19 hours ago • Like

Photo: Jeff Ponce
Rico Hermoso Jhing Bantayang maiigi yang hospital at bka unahin p nilang pabakuran yan ng may kulay na mapanlinlang at kaakit akit sa paningin ng mga pangkaraniwang mmayan kesa unahin ayusin ang sistema at lagyan ng mga gamit na kailangan. Ano baga yan kaliit ng marinduque ay ang pangunahing pangangsilan ng mamayan ay napabyaan/pinapabyaan? Dami ng ngrereklamo...hanggang kailan pa? At gaano katotoo na isa lng daw ang nag fufunction na ambulance jan ngayon? Tanong laang po yung akin...
19 hours ago • Like

Godofredo Marte Narinig ko yung taong may sakit dinala sa ospital ng Marinduque ng hapon inilabas kinabukasan patay, buti pa raw yung patay na relo pag dinala Kay Mati sa Boac pag kinuha nung may ari buhay!18 hours ago • Like • 1

Reynaldo Rabe mungkahi lang po bkit yong mga kababayan natin na nag c pagtapos ng doctor bkt d po kaya cla mag ta u ng kahit private hospital..ng kahit mahal may mapupuntahan po ang mga tao cla din po ang nag duty rotation cla may lugar ako na napuntahan ganyan po ang sistima..kahit mahal po ang importanti,, may kaciguruhan sa mga pasyente...marami po tayong magagaling na doctor..na mga may licence..na kababayan natin
17 hours ago • Like • 1

Reynaldo Rabe pero ng taon 2000 po jan ako na operahan maayos noon saka malinis jan...provincial hospital ng marinduque...natutuwa nga ako noon kc nag bantay ako sa PGH at sa JOSE REYES hospital grabi ang dumi mahirapan kang kumain...17 hours ago • Like

Neneng Macayaon Santos I agree Jb Sotto. Walang improvement ang hospital sa tin! Palibhasa un mga naka upo , sa manila nagpapagamot kayang kaya mg pera nila. Pag mahirap ka jan ka na mamamatay sa hospital na yan or else magtiis ka sa haus na lang
16 hours ago • Like

Danny Monteagudo tamad ang mga cleaner diyan kasi mga regular yang mga iyan
16 hours ago • Like

Neneng Macayaon Santos Nun bata pa ako albularyo na lang kesa dalhin sa hospital. At ang bilin ng nanay ko wag cyang dadalhin dyan kahit ano mangyari
16 hours ago • Like • 1

Neneng Macayaon Santos Paano na lang ang mga walang kakayanan? Cno kaya ang makakapag umpisa para sa ika aayos! I know maraming good samaritan na may kakayanan mag donate. Sana lang mapakinabangan ng mahirap na nangangailangan16 hours ago • Like

Danny Monteagudo Ang sakit ng mga mahihirap di kayang gamutin pero ang sakit ng may pera nagagamot . Kaya ang pera dimonyo kung minsan Di gagamutin kung walang paunang bayad Kaya di mapagaling ng doktor16 hours ago • Like

Pernia Sarah Walang pagbabago mtagal ng panahon yan... Wala mgawa mga tao khit anung reklamo ...11 hrs • Like

Merlinda Osmillo Lunar mga kababayan tlagang walang pagbabago ang marinduque kung ang mga nakaupo ay pansariling interest laang ang hangad, kailanagan po ung taong icpin muna ay ang kanyang nasasakupan at hindi ang kanyng sarili. un ang tunay na naglilingkod.11 hrs • Like

Ellen Fernando Sabi nga sa awiting "Mona Lissa".......they just lie there,,, and they die there.... Let's all pray na mabuksan ang mga mata ng mga kinauukulan para makita nila ang tunay na kalagayan ng ating pagamutan... God bless all the nurses and doctors na napapagod, kasi, iilan din lang sila na nag-aatend sa maraming pasyente...10 hrs • Like

Mau Rivamonte Mac Sad naman..i will only think of retiring and settling down in marinduque pag oks na ang hospital facilities nila..sa katulad ko na iniisip na ang pagtanda ay kasama na sa priority yan..sana naman maimprove pa para di na tatawid ng dagat..10 hrs • Like

Deejay Labiaga Naconfine din ako dito nung naaksidente ako at ilan ito sa mga concerns na nakita ko: Karagdagang mahuhusay na doktor at nurse,mga responsableng manggagawa,mga advance na medical equipment and technologies,sapat na supply ng gamot, sapat at comportableng silid para sa mga pasyente,malinis na pasilidad.. ilan lamang ito sa dapat na bigyan at matugunan ng pansin ng lokal na gobyerno ng ating lalawigan upang sa ganun baga ay wala ng pangamba ang mga marinduqueno dahil alam nila na may ospital sila na matatakbuhan ukol sa usapin at problemang pangkalusugan,lalong lalo na yung emergency na kailangang magamot kaagad atleast alam nila na yung ospital natin ay TRUSTWORTHY at DEKALIDAD! hindi kana lalayo kasi one of the best na ang ospital natin.. make the marinduque hospital one of the best in the country! if that becomes reality? then it's even more prouder to say'I'm from marinduque,and i'm a marinduqueno!' peace..9 hrs • Like • 2

Ding Pampola Minsan kayong nagco-comment ay siyang lalong huli sa kaalam diyan sa ating hospital! ang tagal na ganyan ang ating hospital pero patuloy pa natin ibinoboto ang ang namumuno diyan! kayo baga ay nakikibasa laang ng comment dine? masama baga kayo sa pagbabago ng ating lalawigan sa 2016?.8 hrs • Like • 3
Ding Pampola Hinahamon ko ang nasa grupong ire na magsama tayo sa 2016.8 hrs • Like • 2
Christopher Laririt mas mlaki po ang kita sa constracion project.. kysa s suply or sa mdicen....8 hrs • Like
Ding Pampola Ay naku.. tapusin na natin usapan sa ng==8 hrs • Like
Ding Pampola mga politiko na yaan.. paghandaan natin ang 2016.8 hrs • Like

Jean Sotto-Peralta na-stroke ang tatay namin at dinala sa hospital. ultimo bulak kailangan mo pa bilihin sa labas... walang gamit kaya kailangan namin sya iluwas sa maynila para ma-ct scan... buti na lang yung mga empleyado ng hospital may mga kusang-loob at natural na malasakit...4 hrs • Like

Alex Peralta baka naman NORMAL lang na hindi up to standards ang facilities ng hospital dahil walang pondo ang m'duque? hindi ba kailangan lang natin BABAAN ang expectations natin at TANGGAPm'duque, compared with lets say batangas, quezon, or laguna? baka naman theres a valid explanation kung bakit hindi binibigyan ng PRIORITY ang pag pondo sa hospital - baka mas binibigyan ng priority ang infrastructure, peace and order, education, etc?
IN na lang na ganito talaga kasi nga hindi naman MAYAMAN na province ang m'duque, compared with lets say batangas, quezon, or laguna? baka naman theres a valid explanation kung bakit hindi binibigyan ng PRIORITY ang pag pondo sa hospital - baka mas binibigyan ng priority ang infrastructure, peace and order, education, etc?4 hrs • Like

Justin Angelo Jardeleza Manrique We cannot see change in our province if we cannot see reality. Most of our voters are a bunch of sellouts.4 hrs • Like

Jojo Mondoñedo Gawin na lang motivation ang Marinduque Hospital na maging malusog, kumain ng tama, umiwas sa bisyo, magsikap para may pampagamot sa Maynila. Or pretend you're living in a jungle in the 11th century when medicine & hospitals do not exist - yet people survived. Our government leaders are probably pretending that way.2 hrs • Like • 1

Bullet Rpb U got it mr. M40 mins • Like
Jonas Subagan Yesterday at 2:44pm Someone requested me to share this.....
Underspending is disadvantageous to constituents, COA tells Marinduque
In most cases, the Commission on Audit (COA) chided government agencies for overspending or...
Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines|By Manila Bulletin
LikeLike • • Share

Toby Jamilla, Shad Barbaran and 2 others like this.
Jonas Subagan Underspending is disadvantageous to constituents, COA tells Marinduque
(Manila Bulletin by Ben Rosario June 16, 2014)
In most cases, the Commission on Audit (COA) chided government agencies for overspending or for failure to liquidate expenses.
But the case of the local government of Marinduque is something different.
COA has called on provincial officials of Marinduque to stop scrimping on their budget, saying that underspending is disadvantageous to their constituents.
COA aired this advice, noting that the provincial government left P105,933,256.93 of its development funds untouched although the money should have been allocated to finance various projects contained in the Annual Investment Plan.
In its 2013 annual audit report for the province, COA also scolded provincial officials for hesitating to collect over P19 million in unpaid real estate taxes from a mining firm that caused what is now viewed as the worst ecological disasters in the country’s history.
COA said Marcopper Mining Corporation owes the province a total P19,253,315 in real estate tax arrears...
Hernan Madrigal KaKalungkot naman,sayang ang naka-allot na pondo..panigurado tatrabahuhin yan ng SP,kaya yan supplemental dahil parang lalabas na unappropiated ithough nasa aip naman..tsk..tsk..magulo nga..baka yan sa kahigpitan ng coa dini dahil tutok sila sa pre-audit na dapat eh post-audit..tingin ko laang naman..Yesterday at 6:03pm • Like
Pipo Nepomuceno Bakit kaya nangungutang pa dati? Hmmmmm...please enlighten me.5 hrs • Like • 2
Toby Jamilla You nailed it, Pipo Nepomuceno. Exactly the right question to ask
As for the P105,933,256.93, our provincial hospital would definitely need some help.
4 hrs • Edited • Like • 1
Pipo Nepomuceno Tapos naming dami pang taong tumayo upang dumipensa sa pangungutang nila ay nagatanong laang kita para malinaw at alam natin ang patutunguhan ng uutangin nila. Tapos yung mga yuun pala ay wala ding alam...parang mga aso lamang na tumahol para idepensa...hindi naman maipaliwanag kung ano ang dahilan. Ngayon...baka maliwanagan na kita.
Shalom!
Very truly yours,
PEDRITO M. NEPOMUCENO
219 Apo Street, Barangka Ilaya
Mandaluyong City

Monday, June 23, 2014

COA hits Marinduque provincial government: disadvantageous 'underspending', hesitation to collect certain Marcopper taxes


Previous post on this blog is about the seeming hesitation or deliberate attempt by authorities concerned to mislead by giving false information to the people on the correct income of the province. (Over P 416-M in 2013, but only P 200-M declared in various venues). 

The post also made mention of Marcopper's unpaid real estate taxes to the province amounting to around P 1-billion.

Curiously, the Commission on Audit  has recently "scolded" Marinduque provincial officials on issues related to these topics, see story below from Manila Bulletin. According to COA some P 106-million should have been allocated by the provincial government to finance various projects contained in the Annual Investment Plan.

It should also be noted that Marcopper's real property tax delinquency referred to in the article apparently refers only to "siltation and decant system and on the lot where the structure was erected" and excludes all other tax delinquencies on properties in the various municipalities of Marinduque.  

Underspending is disadvantageous to constituents, COA tells Marinduque

by Ben Rosario, Manila Bulletin

In most cases, the Commission on Audit (COA) chided government agencies for overspending or for failure to liquidate expenses.

But the case of the local government of Marinduque is something different.

COA has called on provincial officials of Marinduque to stop scrimping on their budget, saying that underspending is disadvantageous to their constituents.

COA aired this advice, noting that the provincial government left P105,933,256.93 of its development funds untouched although the money should have been allocated to finance various projects contained in the Annual Investment Plan.

In its 2013 annual audit report for the province, COA also scolded provincial officials for hesitating to collect over P19 million in unpaid real estate taxes from a mining firm that caused what is now viewed as the worst ecological disasters in the country’s history.


Source: docstoc.com

COA said Marcopper Mining Corporation owes the province a total P19,253,315 in real estate tax arrears. Narcisa Marapao, COA Region IV-B director, noted that the Supreme Court has upheld the right of the provincial government to collect the unpaid taxes.

State auditors noted that only P34,112,094.78 and P42,951,939.34 of the “total current and continuing appropriation for the 20 percent development fund of P77,639,340 and P105,357,951.06” were spent in 2013.

As a result of the slow spending, a “significant amount of unutilized balance of P105,933,256.93” was left.

According to COA, this has resulted in the inability of Marinduque to implement “desirable socio-economic development and environmental management outcomes” that would have created jobs and livelihood for  Marinduque folk.

“Implement immediately the programs and projects pertinent to the unutilized balance of P105,933,256.93 as embodied in the AIP,” COA auditors said.

They added: “For unimplemented projects which are inconsistent with the governing rules and regulations, initiate amendments or realignment of project to those that address the needs of the constituents as far as tangible projects and programs are concerned.”

In the same report, COA asked provincial officials to heed an SC decision on the controversy surrounding the non-payment of real estate taxes by Marcopper Mining Corporation.

“The SC decision is clear, final, and executory, thus, the provincial government should not be hesitant to demand what is lawfully due to it,” COA said as it reiterated previous observations against Marinduque’s failure to collect the real estate tax arrears.

“Real property tax delinquency of Marcopper Mining Corporation on siltation and decant system and on the lot where the structure was erected totalling P16,754,825.34 and P2,498,490.02 respectively or P19,253,315.36 for various years had not been collected despite the favorable decision of the SC under GR 170532 dated April 30, 2009, thus depriving the local government of much needed funds to finance its operations,” the state audit agency noted.

The uncollected taxes ballooned when MMC contested the tax assessment issued by the province in 1996.

It was on the same year that the mine tailing disaster took place and put to waste the Makulapnit-Boac river system and buried Barangay Hinapulan that displaced at least 400 families.

“For years, the collection of the taxes from the Marcopper Mining Corporation has been a heavy burden for the local government units whose residents were gravely affected by the operations of the mining company,” stated COA.

The audit body added: “It’s the almost two decades since it had ceased its operations and the closure of its offices has added to the predicament.”

Before the SC issued the ruling, the mining firm questioned the tax assessment before the Court of Appeals which decided in a 2005 that the siltation dam and decant system located in Barangay La Mesa, Sta. Cruz town, was tax exempt.

However, the SC reversed the CA decision as it promulgated on the same year that the appellate court was guilty of “grave abuse of discretion.”

“CA committed grave abuse of discretion in ignoring irrefutable evidence that the subject property is not a machinery used for pollution control, but a structure adhering to the soil and intended  for pollution control, but has not been actually applied for that purpose during the period under assessment,” COA said, citing the High Court decision. - MANILA BULLETIN

Also read:

Income ng Marinduque nililihim o kabulaanan ang  sinasabi sa sambayanan?

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Income ng Marinduque nililihim o kabulaanan ang sinasabi sa sambayanan?


Tanong: Magkano nga ulit ang hindi nabayarang buwis ng Marcopper sa probinsya ng Marinduque?

Sagot: Ayon sa tala ng Provincial Treasurer ng Marinduque na opisyal na ibinahagi sa MaCEC, ang utang ng Marcopper bilang buwis pang-ariarian sa probinsya ay P 1,048,624,496.80. Read

P 1,013,101,529.51 na utang sa Sta. Cruz (1980-2006);
P 11,164,686.80 na utang sa Torrijos (1983-1996),
P 1,194,977.89 na utang sa Mogpog (1999-2006)
P 23,163,602.60 na utang sa Boac (1985-2006)

Tanong: Magkano naman ang inaabot ng income ng Lalawigan ng Marinduque kada taon?

Sagot: Ayon sa tala mismo ng Provincial Government ng Marinduque hindi na ito bumababa sa P 400-million kada taon. Noong taong 2013 ang halaga ng income ng lalawigan ay P421,465,028.29 (kasama na rito ang IRA, Tax Collection at Sales). Read

Datos naman ang nasa itaas mula sa Department of Finance, 
inilimbag ng Rappler June 18, 2014:
Ang income ng Marinduque sa taong 2013 ay 
P 416,699,082.00


Mahalaga marahil na ipahayag ang ganitong mga bagay-bagay at katotohanan sa mga usaping karaniwan namang hindi ipinaaalam sa sambayanang Marinduqueno. At kapag kailangang ihayag naman ang mga ganitong bagay lalo na sa usapin ng income o revenue ng lalawigan ay taliwas at kalahati lamang ng totoong halaga ang ipinapabatid sa publiko. 
Bakit kaya?



Sa pakikipagpulong ng 'expert witness' na si Atty. Harry Roque sa mga stakeholders ng Marinduque noong Marso 2014, para kumbinsihin ang mga mamamayan na lunukin ang settlement offer, ang mga sumusunod ay bahagi ng kaniyang naging pahayag.

Ang sambayanang Marinduqueno ay may kakayanang maghusga sa kanyang mga pananalita kung may katotohanan o wala:

"... Pero kung iisipin ninyo talaga bang walang makukuha ang probinsiya? Tingin ko hindi naman po. Dahil unang una, nagsimula po tayo noong 1996, wala naman tayong ni pisong nakuha kahit kanino. Itong 20 million po bagamat maliit pakinggan dahil US dollars, 917 million naman po yan in pesos.
"Kung ang kita ng Marinduque ay 200 million kada isang taon, limang taong kita rin po yan. Kung meron pong magsasabing bale wala itong settlement award hindi po totoo yan. Dahil 5 taong kita po yan ng probinsiya. Nung 1996, zero. Nung 2014, 20 million dollars, 917 pesos (sic).
"Pangalawa, hindi ba ang kikita lang diyan ay yung abogadong si Skip? Sa katunayan po, dahil ako ay isang radikal at aktibista, kung ang kikita lang dito ay yung abogadong dayuhan isa po ako sa mga tututol ngayon diyan.
"Pero yan po yung ganda ng mediation. Bagamat merong pinirmahang kontrata na dapat mas malaki ang makukuha ng mga abogado ang sabi ng mediator, "hindi". Ang iyong kita will be fixed. Ok? At kung hindi po ako nagkakamali ang pinix ngayon ay... ano ba yun, five?... ha?... hindi eh ah... six point five at hindi na pupuwedeng mas mataas pa dun. Kasama na po diyan sa 6.5 ang lahat na ginastos nung abogado. Yan po ay order ng mediator. Kung susundin po talaga yung kontrata mas malaki ang makukuha nila. Pero hindi na po susundin ang kontrata dahil nagsalita na yung mediator.
"Ang lalabas po diyan mga 500 something million pa rin ang mapupunta sa probinsiya ng Marinduque. Uulitin ko po, noong 1996 nung nangyari po ito, zero. Ngayon po, at least 500 plus million pesos..."

Para-paraang masasabi kaya ang ganyang tirada? 

(Update: Ipinalaganap pa ni Roque ang maling impormasyon hinggil sa income ng Marinduque sa kanyang blog matapos ng kanyang meeting sa lalawigang ito na kung saan ay kanyang isinulat ang sumusunod: "But hey, $20 million dollars is still about a billion pesos. This is hardly a sum of money that can be considered peanuts to a province that earns only P200 million annually.")

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Confidentiality, lawsuit concerns on Nevada Case



Roque: ...Ay nga pala pro-bono na naman. private p's (?) lang ang kailangan nilang tulong.

Ok.ok. alam mo...hindi... ayaw ko kasing makita.. kasi pag hindi sila tumulong ako'ng idedemanda sa kanila.. di ba lagi naman akong nadedemanda ahahahahaha

Ayaw kong makita nila na at least pag sila'y hindi tumulong lagot sila sa akin... nakita mong mga pananalita ko... baka nakakalimutan natin ang primary reasons nila... (bumulong ang kausap)

... kailangan (inaudible) ng primary eh..

(Katapusan ng pag-uusap)

(...Oh yes pro-bono again. they only need private p's (?) for help.

Ok, ok. you know... I just do not want to see... because if they do not help I will be sued ... Isn't it that I always get sued anyway ahahahahaha

I do not want them to see that at least if they do not help they'd be in trouble with me... you saw how I spoke... maybe we are forgetting their primary reasons... (person he's talking with whispers to him)

... what's needed is primary eh.)

(End of conversation)




Bokal Caballes: Ang nasabi ko po sa kanya, ang tanong ko ay ganito: Attorney Skip, ako bilang kinatawan ng aking mga mamamayan, maari ko bang isangguni sa aking mga nasasakupan ang nilalaman at buod ng nasabi pong settlement agreement na hindi po ako dinidemanda ng Barrick Gold, sapagkat naka-stipulate po doon sa settlement agreement, lingid po sa inyong kaalaman, ay may confidentiality clause.

Kaya kahit po gusto ng kinatawang ito na maisangguni, alam nyo po naman na ako ay 100% na tutol dito po sa nasabi kong settlement agreement, ako rin po ay binubukas ang aking isip at damdamin na ikonsulta rin sa aking nasasakupan at bigyan ng sipi ang lahat ng mga barangay ng nasabi kong settlement agreement upang sila ay maging katuwang namin sa pag-arrive sa isang tama, makatotohanan at makatarungang desisyon. Kung sakali po ako ay idimanda at mag-distribute po ako ng kopya ng nasabing settlement agreement ako po baga ay inyong ipagtatanggol? (Tawanan)

Roque: Ipagtatanggol po natin yan. Dahil ang sasabihin naman natin sa Barrick, meron na po tayong Saligang Batas dito sa Pilipinas na nagsasabi na merong karapatan po ang publiko sa mga impormasyon lalong-lalo na sa mga bagay-bagay na nakakaapekto sa interes ng publiko. At dahil itong kasunduan pong ito ay isa dun sa mga bagay na yan, sa tingin ko naman ang dapat masunod ang ating Saligang Batas at hindi ang Barrick.

Bokal Caballes: ...Maraming maraming salamat po Attorney Harry Roque. Ngayon po ay libre na po kaming mamahagi ng sipi ng nasabi kong settlement agreement.

Roque: Sa tingin ko po dahil nung nandito naman ako nung unang pagkakataon, at sinabi rin naman ni Attorney Skip dahil nag-uusap na nga kung tatanggapin ito, hindi na dapat magreklamo ang Barrick. Dahil kung ang lumabas naman dito ay sasabihan naman ng mga taga-Marinduque na (inaudible) ... e di wala bale wala rin yung kasunduan na yun...

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Marinduque Movers' strong stand against Barrick compromise deal

Marinduque Movers makes a stand vehemently opposing acceptance of compromise proposal offered by Barrick Gold. It also joined the massive call by municipalities of Boac, Buenavista, Gasan and Mogpog for immediate rejection by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the deal. 

In a resolution unanimousy approved by its board of trustees the group also urged Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes of Marinduque to make formal and public her official stand on the proposed compromise settlement.

Marinduque First Saturday Movers is a formal group of well-known professionals, businessmen, and former high-ranking government officials from Marinduque who have held national and local government positions. Movers continues to live up to its committment to unify Marinduquenos and friends of Marinduque, providing moral support and dissemination of information, among others, toward improving the quality of life for the people of Marinduque.

It will be recalled that the matter concerning the proposed deal was first taken up in a public forum in January 2012 at the session hall of the provincial government amid complaints that stakeholders are being kept in the dark. Details of the proposed agreement were not made public until almost two years later when a few copies found their way into social media.

Mainstream media has likewise variously reported on the issues involved on this case, a case that refuses to die with Palace people, high-profile lawyers and officials doing everything in their power for "multiple extensions of its life".

The Barrick offer for settlement of this case filed by the Marinduque Government for massive environmental damages to the island-province for three decades of irresponsible mining has been described as "onerous', "unacceptable", "unconscionable" because of terms and conditions that simply belie all the truths about the extensively documented mining experience on this island.


Resolution from Marinduque Movers vehemently
opposing acceptance of Barrick compromise proposal

Despite more than a year of so-called consultative meetings with stakeholders who have been vocal about their rejection of the terms and conditions of the agreement, and public pronouncements by certain local government officials ensuring disapproval of the deal, no final rejection has ever been made by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to-date.

March meeting with Roque

In a public forum with Atty. Harry Roque acting as expert witness, he disclosed that the USD 20-million offered by Barrick Gold includes the missing escrow funds set up by Placer Dome before its departure from the province in 2001. Roque belied reports that the escrow fund has already been received by the provincial government but did not explain the figures he stated, which was only US 8-million. The amount deposited by Placer Dome in escrow was US 12-million. Read

Roque also claimed before Marinduque stakeholders in March this year that jurisprudence in Canada, a possible venue for filing a lawsuit against Barrick, no longer allows litigation of cases for events that did not take place in Canada. 

This claim has been debunked by Research Coordinator Catherine Coumans of MiningWatch Canada who after citing specific facts, clarified that "there is no legal reason why Marinduque cannot continue its case against Barrick in Canada. Bothe the Nevada judge and Barrick have argued that Canada is the appropriate place for the case to continue."

"Furthermore, there are lawyers and law firms in Canada who would be very interested in pursuing a case such as this one.", Coumans added.

Coumans also chided Marinduque's U.S. legal counsel on the case feeling strongly that "as Marinduquenos consider their options, it is the responsibility of Marinduque's lawyer, Atty. Walter Scott to ensure that his clients are given valid, and complete information by anyone associated with him and with the case." 

Excerpt from Marinduque Mover's Resolution follows:

“BE IT RESOLVED, to manifest its official stand on the matter, and expresses its VEHEMENT OPPOSITION AGAINST THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMPROMISE PROPOSAL OFFERED BY BARRICK GOLD, AND DO HEREBY JOIN THE MASSIVE CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE REJECTION BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF THE SAID COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT;

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT HON. GOVERNOR CARMENCITA O. REYES MAKE FORMAL  AND PUBLIC HER OFFICIAL STAND ON THE PROPOSED COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT;

“BE IT LIKEWISE RESOLVED, to create a special legal group which is mandated to study and make recommendations to the Board in regard the possible legal action that may be taken should the resolution be unheeded;

“RESOLVED FINALLY TO, serve copies of this resolution His Excellency, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino, the Honorable Governor of Marinduque, the Honorable Vice-Governor and Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Marinduque, the Honorable Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Sangguniang Bayan Members of the Municipalities of Boac, Buenavista, Gasan and Mogpog, Marinduque, and the President of MACEC, for their information and perusal.”

Copy of the Saturday Movers' Secretary's Certificate shown here signed by Anastacio E. Revilla, Jr., Corporate Secretary and attested by Gen. Recaredo Sarmiento (Retired), President/Chairman.


Also read:

Thursday, June 12, 2014

June 12, Independence Day rally at Liwasang Bonifacio

Anti-pork groups hold Independence Day rally

By


PHOTOS by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–‎Despite the filing of plunder and graft charges against those involved in the P10-billion pork barrel scam and their impending arrest, various groups said they are still “not contented.” 

Groups from different sectors will take to the streets their continuous denouncement of the billions-worth Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) racket on the day of national independence on Thursday. 

 

Led by the #Abolishpork movement, hundreds of protesters are expected to gather at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to hold a torch-lit march until the historic Mendiola Peace Arch. 

Activist nun Mo. Mary John Mananzan, one of the movement’s leaders, said they will reiterate their demand to make accountable the brains behind the pork barrel scam. 

“The people deserve nothing less. It has become a cause of great outrage that the administration protects its allies implicated in the pork scam,” Mananzan said. 

Dubbed the “Rally for Accountability,” militant, civil and religious groups including Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), the Whistleblowers Association, Church People’s Alliance Against Pork, Artista Kontra Korapsyon (AKSYON), University of the Philippines (UP) Faculty versus Pork, Youth ACT Now! and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) will join the march. Read more on INQUIRER

Monday, June 9, 2014

Comments to previous post on Barrick's settlement offer and Rogue tactics


Isabel P. Ball I appreciate Ms. Couman's efforts. Though ATS was a subject for interpretation, and the U.S. Supreme Court finally sealed its doors to foreign cases on human rights and the environment abuse, the U.S. Counsel seemed oblivious of the threat and magnitude of the court's impending decision. One other confusing aspect pertains to the pose of Counsel Scott having had basically thrown in the towel, and he wants out of the case. So what is Marinduque still waiting for after it has made it's firm position in opposition of the settlement, hook, line, and sinker. It is again too still a night for Marinduquenos, receiving no pronouncements after making the resounding NO against Barrick. Lastly, I tend to question the legal strategy made by PG to pursue the case in the U.S. instead of in Canada. There were unfounded fear that Canadian court might only allow a small compensation for the damages apart from the judges also dubiously pro Barrick, a decision that locals here refer to as a hometown decision.


  • Marinduque Mandin So to summarize, there is no legal reason why Marinduque cannot continue its case against Barrick in Canada. Both the Nevada judge and Barrick have argued that Canada is the appropriate place for the case to continue. Furthermore, there are lawyers and law firms in Canada who would be very interested in pursuing a case such as this one. 

    Finally, I am writing this to set the record straight, but strongly feel that, as Marinduquenos consider their options, it is the responsibility of Marinduque’s lawyer, Atty. Walter Scott to ensure that his clients are given valid, and complete information by anyone associated with him and with the case.
  • Marinduque Mandin alam na kong ano ang dahilan ni roque sino ang nasa likod nito.. tsk tsk tsk talaga naman.
  • Caesar Sadiwa Devera tawag diyan ay deception of the highest order pag nagsanib aring mga puwersa ng gubyerno at mga abogadong sanay sa pagmamanipula panggagamit at oagbubulaan sa mga taong tulog


Also read:





Saturday, June 7, 2014

Post from Catherine Coumans in response to alleged comments by Atty. Harry Roque

I have received the following submission to this blog from Research Coordinator Catherine Coumans of MiningWatch Canada. Coumans is a familiar name to Marinduquenos. Her experience with irresponsible mining on the island led her to leave an academic career in favor of working with local communities to counter the damaging effects of mining. She has extensive knowledge of issues related to the Marcopper mine-spill problem in Marinduque and has provided expert testimony on mining in two congressional inquiries in the Philippines, 1990, 2001.

Coumans feels that there is much that should be challenged in matters stated about the case, particularly in connection with recent posts here, but she has "stuck with one key thing in light of the decision that Marinduquenos need to make", feeling strongly that Barrick does not have them (Marinduquenos), up against the wall. 
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.

Post from Catherine Coumans in response to alleged comments by Atty. Harry Roque

I am writing to express serious concern about information allegedly provided by Atty. Harry Roque to the provincial clients of Marinduque’s case against Barrick Gold, and to Marinduquenos generally, as it is potentially misleading.

I preface my remarks by noting that they are in regard to translations of Atty Roque’s public comments provided in the blog “Marinduque Rising.”

Atty. Roque is reported to have said that “a decision of the Supreme Court of Canada...has stated, ‘if it did not happen in Canada, one cannot also file a case in Canada.”

It is unclear to which Canadian Supreme Court decision Atty. Roque is referring. Atty. Roque should provide a clear reference to the case to which he is referring.

To be clear, there is no Canadian Supreme Court ruling that would block the filing of a case against Barrick Gold in Canada, for the harm caused by Marcopper in Marinduque. In fact, there are already three related court cases in Canada against a Canadian mining company HudBay Minerals for alleged human rights abuses caused in Guatemala. These cases are proceeding to trial in Canada. See http://www.chocversushudbay.com/  The company did not dispute that Canada is the appropriate Forum (location) for the case and the Superior Court of Ontario ruled that Canadian company Hudbay Minerals can potentially be held legally responsible in Canada for rapes and murder at a mining project formerly owned by Hudbay’s subsidiary in Guatemala. 

In the Marinduque case, Barrick submitted a motion to dismiss the case before the Nevada trial court in 2011 on the basis of Forum non Conveniens (that the US is the wrong Forum). Barrick argued that either Ontario or Vancouver were the appropriate Forums for this case (because Barrick is headquartered in those jurisdictions). In February 2011, the judge granted Barrick's motion to dismiss the case and said that the case should go to Canada with the following conditions 1) that Barrick cannot ask for dismissal of the case from Canada based on Forum non Conveniens and 2) that Barrick has to agree not to seek dismissal on the basis of statute of limitations.  Of course Barrick can still make an argument that it was Marcopper, not Barrick, that allegedly caused the damage in Marinduque, but that argument can be made in any Forum (US, Philippines, Canada). Marinduque’s lawyers  appealed the Nevada judge’s dismissal of the case in Nevada, but that appeal has been put on hold so that the current negotiations between Marinduque and Barrick could take place.

So to summarize, there is no legal reason why Marinduque cannot continue its case against Barrick in Canada. Both the Nevada judge and Barrick have argued that Canada is the appropriate place for the case to continue. Furthermore, there are lawyers and law firms in Canada who would be very interested in pursuing a case such as this one. 

Finally, I am writing this to set the record straight, but strongly feel that, as Marinduquenos consider their options, it is the responsibility of Marinduque’s lawyer, Atty. Walter Scott to ensure that his clients are given valid, and complete information by anyone associated with him and with the case.


Catherine Coumans, Ph.D.
Research Coordinator and Asia Pacific Program Coordinator
MiningWatch Canada
250 City Centre Avenue, Suite 508
Ottawa, Ontario