Ortega's widow appeals to Pnoy on DOJ resolution

Patty Ortega, widow of the late Gerry Ortega who was assassinated for his alleged involvement in criticizing mining in Palawan, appealed to President Benigno Aquino. She is seeking justice for the death of her husband.


Yesterday, the Department of Justice released a resolution charging four people to the crime. However, the resolution also said that there was insufficient evidence presented to link former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and others to the crime. The Ortegas believe that Gerry was ordered killed by the former governor for allegedly exposing the anomaly involving the Malampaya funds.


Meanwhile, the family of Reyes thanked the DOJ for exonerating their father. 


Patty wants Malacanang, thru the President, to review the resolution. She still believes that Reyes etal should be included in the charge sheet for allegedly being the "masterminds" behind the day slaying.


By the way, Justice secretary Leila de Lima inhibited herself from the case since she once handled former governor Joel Reyes' electoral cases.

Who ordered the killing of RMN Commentator Gerardo Ortega?

I know Gerardo Ortega since way back in the early 90's as one of those who'll fight for his principles and beliefs until death. We met in Puerto Princesa and during those rare times between friends, he told me about certain things about his beloved province, and how big business interests are slowly destroying the environment.


Yesterday, Ortega was shot by a hired assassin from Taguig. The gun used in killing the lone voice against nickel mining operations in Palawan was reportedly under the name of a government official who supports illegal mining operations in Palawan. 


What's good about this is that the assassin was arrested. Will he reveal who paid for his services? 


Ortega's case should be solved as quickly as possible. Who are the probable suspects? Of course, certain officials of the DENR as well as owners of mining firms and their protectors. 


One, MacroAsia Corporation and Ipilan Nickel Corporation are raring to go to full-scale mining at Barangay Mambalot, Brooke's Point in Palawan, aided by officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 


Here is a news blog report written by Cheryl Galili.

THE CALATEGAS Irrigators Services Association or CISA has filed graft and corruption charges against Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes, members of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), municipal council of Narra, the two House representatives and several others to the Office of the Ombudsman.

CISA said Reyes and many others violated sections 3 (e) and (j) of Republic Act 3019 and section (e) of Republic Act 6713 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Those who were charged are Mayor Lucena Demaala, municipal council members Bayani M. Agapito, Janeth E. Goh, Sunny G. Batul, Randolf S. Pe, Lila P. Almarez, Arlie M. Deles, Tomas A. Tabinga and Ceferino M Genovea. The charges also include House representatives Abraham Kahlil V. Mitra and Antonio Alvarez and Sec. Alfredo E. Abueg Jr., Vice Governor David Ponce de Leon, Romeo B. Dorado of PCSD and other members and former Narra mayor Lucena Demaala.

The members of the Palawan Board (PB) being accused are Joselito A. Cadlaon, Ernesto A. Llacuna, Gil P. Acosta, Modesto Rodriguez II, Edmundo F. Balerite, Derrick R. Pablico, Vicky T. De Guzman, Alice F. Fabellon at and former Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president and ex-officio member Mark Dior S. Madamba.

In the complaint affidavit of Teofilo Tredez and other farmers in Barangay Calategas, Narra, it is stated that the PCSD intended and maliciously taken for granted the fact that the areas applied for by Patricia Louise Mining and Development Corporation (PLMDC), Narra Nickel Development Corporation (NNDMC) and Palawan Alpha South Resources Development Corporation (PASRDC) are within the “core zone” of the municipality that should not have any activity.

The CISA said the mining companies allegedly filed for applications to get Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) clearances in Narra however, it is clear in an evaluation report of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) in February 2006 that the areas are within a core zone because of the existence of trees that compose a critical watershed area.

Core zones are areas in Palawan that need protection and where activities detrimental to their health are not allowed.

Dorado was sued apparently because he refused to give a copy of the evaluation report to the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC). “Dorado violated Article III, Section 7 of our Constitution and Republic Act 6713 regarding the right of an individual to obtain public documents,” the complaint said.

The Narra officials were included in the case, the complaint stated, for altering the Environmental Critical Areas Network (ECAN) map of their municipality by approving the passage of Resolution 2006-936 on February 17, 2006 that voided Resolution No. 2005-881 that was passed on September 28, 2005.

From being a core zone, the municipal councilors changed the classification and made it into a controlled-use zone without conducting consultation with the people of Narra, the affidavit said.

Even if the areas have been reclassified into a controlled-use zone, small scale or large scale mining should not be done because according to PCSD Resolution 05-250, the use of a controlled-zone should not be any activity that profits.

The affidavit cited “Section 10 (b) buffer zone a. restricted use Area b. Controlled use Area: Strictly controlled mining and logging which is nor for profit (i.e. communal forest, CBFM, etc. almaciga tapping, tourism development, research grazing and gathering of honey, rattan and other minor forest products maybe allowed).”

Alvarez and Mitra, former House representative Alfredo Abueg Jr. and the rest are being charged too for approving the mining applications for SEP clearances despite knowing the possible violations.

Aside from altering the ECAN map, the mining companies were also given SEP clearances on April 21, 2006 despite their protest.

The members of the PB, the affidavit further stated, plotted together in speeding up the endorsements of the mining companies in spite of obvious protest from CISA.

In response to the charges, all the parties involved said they are ready to face CISA in court to prove their innocence. Provincial Information Office Rolando E. Bonoan, Jr. said a counter affidavit is already being prepared by the office of Reyes to be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman before the 10-day deadline.

“Governor Reyes and the other officials charged are already preparing their response to the charges,” Bonoan said. He denied that the provincial government is not taking the case for granted but it “has no basis.”

Ponce de Leon, on the other hand, said they have asked the Ombudsman for a 15-day extension to make a reply. “We have received the subpoena already and we are finalizing our answers. Of course, ours is complete and absolute reputation of the charge. We have adequate factual and legal basis for our action,” he strongly stated.

Aside from miners, who are destroying the Palawan biosphere?

Loggers, of course, big-time loggers like Don Pepito Alvarez. Don Pepito, a former Marcos crony, has substantial interests in Palawan, among them, denuding its forest cover. 

Philippine Breaking News: Villar-Arroyo meeting in Spain

Senator Manny Villar (who just topped the SWS presidential survey with Kabayan Noli de Castro) left for Spain on the eve of a senate ethics probe. Wagging tongues say a big-time businessman, a common friend of Villar and Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, arranged a meeting for both leaders. What's the subject of the meeting, he did'nt say. Villar left despite assurances from Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile that the august body will be fair in handling the probe.

This is quite disturbing---hearing Villar meeting Mrs. Arroyo. What will they be discussing, since Villar is not the senate president anymore? Will Arroyo be convincing Villar to put his vote on charter change or will it be about fielding a common administration slate come 2010? Or, will Arroyo be getting assurances from Villar on her post-2010 fate?

Whatever it is, one thing is for sure---Villar is just being consistent. Remember that despite public showing of Villar and Erap together, Villar's camp remained "loyal" to Mrs. Arroyo. Among the presidentiables, Villar is the only one not criticizing Mrs. Arroyo and her demon cabinet. Maybe Mrs. Arroyo wants Villar to go with her anointed, Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro and form a formidable team come 2010? A Villar-Teodoro teamup is not far-fetched considering that Villar is still seeking for someone to go with him in campaigns.

Is Villar the one minority senator Aquilino Pimentel referred to as "pseudo" oppositionist?

By the way, the Central Police District (CPD) just cleared ABS-CBN news anchor Ted Failon from parricide charges. They have'nt released the report yet, but initial information shows that the CPD has not enough physical evidence to buttress that parricide charge.

And for those who call Palawan their home, a big-time billionaire logger by the name of Don Jose "Pepito" Alvarez is thinking of dipping his fingers in Palawan politics. He wants to replace incumbent Palawan governor Joel Reyes.

During Marcos time, Alvarez was among the strongman Marcos business associates. He grew his wealth during the dictatorship and it was under the time of Ramos and Estrada that Alvarez recovered his wealth. He came back into the limelight through his disastrous pastime, big-time logging operations. He's being credited of shaving all those mountains of precious trees.

What would happen to Palawan should Alvarez become successful in his bid for governor? Alvarez, some say, is thinking of the billions of dollars worth of petrol dollars lying dormant in that province and those billions more from commercial tourism. For those who love Palawan, go there now. Take tons of pictures. Take some wildlife if you can, and even trees and wild scrubs. Because when Don Alvarez becomes successful and take over Palawan politics, you may not see one single living wildlife there.