Armada needs to defeat Tupas in polls to become governor

Iloilo Vice Gov. Roberto Armada will not take over from Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas except by running for the post in the May polls. Armada has been absent from the sessions of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan because he thought all he had to do was wait for the outcome of the court decision on the Tupas dismissal case by the Ombudsman.

The Court of Appeals, however, late last week permanently enjoined the Ombudsman and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) from implementing the order for Tupas’ removal from office. The same goes for board members Domingo Oso Jr. and Cecilia Capadosa.

The court stressed that the dismissal orders "are not immediately executory."

"Consequently, the orders embodied in these decisions directing respondent DILG secretary to implement them upon receipt and consequently the implementing order issued by the DILG are a nullity and therefore, have to force and effect," the CA ruled.

The decision of the court was penned by Associate Justice Francisco Acosta, and concurred by associate justice Arsenio Magpale and Agustin Dizon.

The court also pointed out that after it had studied and viewed the case in "proper perspective" and concluded that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez "acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or in excess of jurisdiction" when she ordered the immediate execution of her Dec. 4, 2006 decision dismissing the three officials accused of graft.

It follows, therefore, that the implementing order by Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno was "null and void."

The Ombudsman had ordered Tupas and the board members dismissed after finding them guilty of using P85,000 of government funds for the provincial board members’ league.

Armada contended that the temporary restraining order issued by the CA was issued one day after he was been sworn into office as governor. In short, because of the action of the DILG, Armada contended that he and provincial board member Emmanuel Gallar were sworn into office as governor and vice governor of Iloilo. Thus, they cannot just be removed solely on the basis of the CA TRO.

Now, if Armada wants to ascend to the gubernatorial post, he needs to defeat Tupas in the May polls.

So far, however, none has declared to run against Tupas in the gubernatorial contest. Armada seems to be the only potential rival of Tupas, with the except ion of Rep. Rolex Suplico. Though he is a nephew of Tupas, he had long been threatening to run against his uncle.

Suplico, on the other hand, is also a staunch member of the opposition. Thus, he could not expect the administration to give a boost to his campaign against Tupas.

The Team Unity lost during the weekend a chance to gather a 20,000-man rally when they opted to abide by their policy of pulong-pulong rather than a show of strength.

That could have impacted on the Iloilo electorate had they followed the offer of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to organize the rally for the team.

Beeline to Maranon’s birthday

If there’s anything impressive lately, it was politicians from both camps – the Genuine Opposition and the Team Unity – trooping to Sagay City yesterday to Sagay City to join the family of Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Maranon to celebrate his 73rd birthday.

Among those who flew in yesterday were Sen. Loren Legarda, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, and Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri who is also considered by Negrenses as one of their own. Another important figure was Antique Gov. Sally Zaldivar-Perez, chairman of the Regional Development Council.

What is surprising is that nobody of note had opted to run against Maranon. Thus, he is virtually unopposed for the governorship.

He has a string of achievements in his cap, including diversifying the Negros economy and reducing its dependence on the sugar industry.

Now, for example, both the gamecock and poultry industry generate hundreds of millions of export every year. Just for gamecock slipping permits, the veterinarian’s office had earned more than P2.5 million last year. Each gamecock pays P5 per head for slipping.

The local hog industry has also increased by leaps and bounds. And the provincial government had given it added boost by encouraging the cultivation of corn for animal feeds.

Now, through its cattle dispersal program and through artificial insemination, the Negros cattle industry had expanded and now also help solve the malnutrition problem among small children, especially pre-schoolers who are given free milk daily, partly subsidized by the provincial government and the local government units.

Of the many tributes from various government, civic and non-government sectors, the most touching was that of the NOSP-Pagkaon Scholarship grantees.

"The scholarship has done a lot for our growth as a person – the trainings intended for improving our leadership skills, personality development, interpersonal relationships, entrepreneurial skills and community organizing skills," the signatories stressed in their message.

Their manifesto was penned by Juvia Sueta from Barangay Palaka, Valladolid, a BS Agriculture major in Soil Science (magna cum laude) from the Leyte State University. Sueta is now a faculty member of the Department of Science and Agronomy of the Leyte State College of Agriculture.

Among the scholars were Jecah Tajonera (Sipalay), Rachel Canizares (Toboso), Mark Lester Gamboa (E.B. Magalona), Dulce Amor Salvani (Binalbagan), Alona Marie Austria (Himamayland City), Jennifer Labargan (La Castellana), Teodoro Dimaandal Jr. (Talisay City), Analyn Lansiola (E.B. Magalona) and Johnny Baldion (Valladolid).

The list also included Jilie Elijay (Calatrava), Raffy Tayson (Sipalay City), Cherry Endino (Valladolid), Mycel Boris (Kabankalan City), Rio Dunque (La Castellana), Liesel Dahildahil (Cauayan), Arcelyn Gayorgor (Isabela), Romel Solidum (Ilog), Kathyrine Narez (Kabankalan City), Princess Gegantoca (Iloilo), and Jennifer Bulleza (Valladolid).

The 676-member Alliance of Hog Raisers Association also sent their birthday greetings to Maranon. The group has 25 member associations.

The AHRA-NO is headed by its president Dr. Rodney Ta-ala, DVD. The other officers were Rey de la Rama, vice president; Jo Palacios, secretary; Ruby Cruz, treasurer; Leonaridas Choresca Jr., auditor; Albert Javier, PIO; Henry Perez, business manager; and Dr. Renante Descena, adviser.

USLS award for Olive

The University of St. La Salle presented the signum La Allianum Award to Olivia Villaflores Yanzon, chairman of the board of the Yanson Group of Companies, which included the Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. and the Bachelor Express Inc.

That was the crowning glory of the Yanson family headed by her husband, Ricardo Yanson Sr.

Olive was cited for her many outreach social projects that helped public school teachers improve their capabilities.

Cardon, as her husband prefers to be called, and Olive had also shared with their children their passion to help the less fortunate. Thus, they are involved in various outreach projects. Roy, the eldest for example, had also been awarded by DLSU for his outstanding achievements in the field of civic work as well as involvement in La Salle’s alumni outreach.

Kudos to Olive for a well-earned tribute from USLS.

ADDENDUM. UCCP pastor Jonathan Bacani Thursday stressed that Barangay Captain Eladio Baylon of Aya, La Libertad, who was ambushed and slain in Barangay Mandapaton, was well-loved by the people. Barangay residents turned out in full force for the funeral of Baylon who was killed in an ambush together with six other civilians by the New People’s Army. This was owned by Ka JB Regalado, spokesperson of the Leonardo Panaligan Command, Larangan Gerilya I. Despite the NPA claims that Baylon was involved in torture and several crimes, Pastor Bacani pointed out that Baylon also helped put up several churches in the hinterlands and was a great church leader. "His memory will live among us all," said Pastor Bacani.