Third mediaman killed

A third journalist, Rogelio Butalid, 46, was shot dead in Mindanao in the last two weeks. Butalid was shot dead as he left the Radio Natin station in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte.

The two other murdered media persons were Michael Milo of Tandag City and Joas Dignos of Valencia, Bukidnon.

Fourth journalist, Jonavin “Jhey-R” Villalba was shot and wounded in front of his house in Iloilo City.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) ranks the Philippines as the third worst country that fail to combat violence against the media.

New York-based Human Rights Watch called for immediate government action. Reporters Without Borders (RWB) and the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines condemned the attacks and asked the government to take decisive action.

As usual, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima issued a routine statement saying the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Special Investigation Teams (SITs) are looking into the killings. Senators Grace Poe and Loren Legarda issued statements condemning the killings. PNP Director General Alan Purisima also made the usual statement about Task Force Usig investigating the killings.

CPJ listed 72 journalists killed in the Philippines since 1972, rising to 75, with the three latest media killings. Twenty-seven journalists have been killed under the Aquino administration.

In recent surveys, the Aquino administration scored a failing mark in crime prevention. Recently, several PNP station commanders were relieved for doctoring their submitted reports.

Ricky Carandang resigns

Malacañang press strategist, Secretary Ricky Carandang has resigned. The President accepted his resignation effective Dec. 31. It will be a black Christmas for Ricky Carandang. The President is heartless to let him go at Christmas time. No reason was given for the resignation except a desire to return to the private sector.

There has been talk of a rift between “ Press Secretary” Sonny Coloma and Carandang. People are waiting if Edwin Lacierda will be shifted to another position. Usec Manuel Quezon III has been designated to take charge of Carandang’s office. Usec Ray Marfil is also a contender for Carandang’s post. Secretary Coloma is now handling the briefings of Malacañang reporters.

Cash aid finally

Thanks to the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP). Cash aid will be distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries for December 2013 and January 2014.

UNWFP has donated $6 million for the cash aid program. They also donated 6,000 metric tons of rice and biscuits for children.

Let us hope other donors give cash aid. Meanwhile, Mayor Alfred Romualdez, his wife Cristina, and Vice Mayor Sambo Yaokasin inaugurated Tacloban City’s giant Christmas tree as a sign things are back to normal in the city.

Comelec order

The Commission on Elections has ordered four hundred twenty-four officials to vacate their offices for failure to file the proper Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs). They will also be fined.

Among those ordered to step down are Governors Vilma Santo-Recto of Batangas, E.R. Ejercito of Laguna, Amado Espino of Pangasinan, and Ryan Singson of Ilocos Sur.

Twenty congressmen led by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, Manila Representatives Trisha Bonoan-David and Naida Angping, Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato, Romeo Acop of Antipolo, and Pasay City Mayor Tony Calixto are also in the list.

Governor Vilma Santos-Recto issued a statement that she filed her SOCE on June 6, but apparently the Comelec considered it defective. The winning candidates are required to personally sign their SOCE under oath. Governor Ryan Singson said he filed his SOCE on June 11.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr. did not give a deadline for the filing of the completed SOCEs.

Death toll at 6,009

The ‘Yolanda death toll passed the 6,000 mark, reaching 6,009 as of yesterday, with 27,002 injured and 1,779 still missing. 3.4 million families are affected

Tacloban workers are still recovering 30-40 dead bodies every day. It is expected that the total number of dead and missing will reach the 10,000 mark as earlier estimated by former Region 8 PNP Director Emir Soria, who was sacked for making such an estimate.

In Tanauan, a damaged convent burned down.

5,000 families at Zamboanga

Secretaries Rogelio Singson, Mar Roxas, and Voltaire Gazmin visited Zamboanga City for consultative meetings; 5,000 families are still in evacuation centers, but Mayor Beng Climaco announced food aid will be ended by Dec. 31.

Three months after the siege, the burned houses have not been rebuilt. The Badjaos evacuees are specifically asking to be resettled back in their seaside homes because most of them are fishermen.

Meralco rollback

Speaker Sonny Belmonte has asked Meralco to roll back its price increase by March. He is also calling for a review of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) law.

The House committee on energy headed by Congressman Ray Umali of Oriental Mindoro is investigating the reported collusion of power providers.

The rules of the Energy Regulatory Commission should be revised to prohibit automatic pass on of charges to consumers by Meralco.

Tidbits: Senator Manny Villar donated P8 million to Yolanda victims on the occasion of his birthday yesterday.

President Aquino said that 3,800 bunkhouses will be finished before the end of the year for typhoon Yolanda victims. About 50,000 bunkhouses are needed.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is bent on approving the LRT and MRT fares to P30 and P28 respectively. LRT 2 fares are proposed to be increased to P25. Additional hardships for the poor Filipino, coming after the Meralco increase.

The New People’s Army (NPA) attacked Kibawe, Bukidnon police station leaving one policeman dead.

John “Sunny” Sevilla has been appointed permanent Customs Commissioner.

Melanie Marquez suffered spinal fractures in a car accident in Utah, USA.

An uncle of North Korea President Kim Jong Un was executed for treason. He was accused of trying to overthrow his nephew.

Merry Christmas greetings to Senator Gringo Honasan, Senator JV Ejercito, Chairman Cristino Naguiat, Roberto Coyiuto Jr., and Dante Go.

Best wishes to avid reader Ed Roceles.