March 10 at the provincial capitol grounds: Protesters reject the surprise MOA the Governor of Marinduque is asking the Sanggunian for authority to sign. The MOA includes PGM deal with a third party funder for $8-million (P400-million), the provincial government has to pay, win or lose.
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| March 10. Placards that read: "Reyes/Scott/Diamond, Negosyo ang tingin sa Kaso." "Reyes kasama sa problema noon, Pahirap ka pa rin ngayon" "Diamond/Scott, 'Take it or leave it', Now we say ALIS!!! (LEAVE!!!) '"Gov. Reyes Makunsensiya ka Naman!" |
March 10. The protesters now call their group BANTAY-KASO (Marinduque Movement for Transparent & Accountable Disposition on the PGM-Barrick Case). This is a new addition to MACEC and now partner in this Mission.
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March 10. Protestors arrive at the capitol grounds after marching from the Boac Covered Court where they converged for a brief program with Mayor Bert Madla and Vice-Mayor Robert Opis, former BM Lyn Angeles, MACEC's Ms. Beth Mangol and Congressman Lord Allan Velasco.
Protester shows her placard.
March 10. MACEC members with local clergy outside the session hall as observers.
March 10. MACEC leaders from the six municipalities of Marinduque listen to the Sanggunian board members.
Tuesday, March 7. Gov. Carmencita Reyes in defense of her surprise MOA before the SP.
On Friday, March 3, US lawyer Skip Scott turned up at the session hall in connection with a request from Gov Reyes to sign a MOA with Diamond McCarthy. The MOA, considered 'significantly onerous' also involves a deal between PGM and a US third party funder for litigation cost of $8-M (P400-M), win or lose.
Local stakeholders who have been engaged in these issues for decades, including MACEC, Church leaders and local officials only became aware of the proposed MOA at the last moment. The attempt was not in accordance with the process and discussions agreed upon during numerous consultations with Sanggunian, MACEC and other stakeholders.
The fraught March 3 meeting raised concerns regarding the sudden effort to push
through the MOA without giving relevant parties adequate time to review
documents and prepare questions.
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March 10. After the unsuccessful bid of Gov. Reyes for authority to sign the sudden MOA, a Resolution was passed inviting other Canadian law firms to submit proposals for engagement. A technical team to work out guidelines, processes and criteria for selection was also approved. Above photo taken after the session March 10. L to R: Fr. Arvin Madla, former BM Jojo Alvarez, Bishop Junie Maralit, BM Rey Salvacion, BM Gilbert Daquioag, BM John Pelae, BM Mely Aguirre, Cong. Lord Allan Velasco, BM Primo Pamintuan and Vice-Gov. Romulo Bacorro, Jr. |
Mayor Madla speaks before the protesters who gathered at the Boac Covered Court.
Boac Vice-Mayor Robert Opis takes his turn to address the protesters.
Former BM Lyn Angeles speaks before the new people's movement, now known as BANTAY-KASO
Cong. Velasco shares his thoughts on the issue with participants from the different affected barangays. It also drew people from other municipalities to show a united front.
March 7. Fr, Arvin Madla and Ms. Beth Mangol of MACEC with lawyer Skip Scott at the Capitol. A lot of trust was lost in the years during which Diamond McCarthy’s agent
tried to persuade Marinduquenos to accept a settlement offered by Barrick. The settlement came with onerous conditions to which the Province did not agree to.
Marinduquenos repeatedly rejected the settlement for the simple reason that it did not provide the resources necessary to accomplish Marinduque’s goals of rehabilitating degraded ecosystems and providing compensation for Marinduquenos who have been harmed.
March 7. Governor, a certain board member and the Vice Governor during the ad hoc committee hearing.
During the March 7 meeting, stakeholders including Macec, Mayor Madla and a councilor from Mogpog, reiterated the same position they've made before, that Scott has no legal personality to represent the province in any manner whatsoever.
At the SP session hall, Skip Scott in foreground. Questions of Finances and Trust have been raised by Marinduquenos.
Inside the SP, March 7.
This photo was captioned "Ngiting Tagumpay" courtesy of Thelle Marie.
Also read what I posted exactly a year ago (March 11, 2016), on the estimated total cost of damage compensation filed in various courts:
