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Mindanaoans who aim to have a seat in the Senate

Advocacy, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personalities, Politics
First off, let me make this clear. This list of Mindanaoans who want to run for Senator in the 2010 elections is just initial - there may still be more interested senatorial candidates in the days to come so Mindanaoan will try to update the list as often as possible. Hopefully, this list can help you, fellow Filipino voters and fellow Mindanao residents, in choosing the right candidate to send to the Senate. I'm also hoping that this post can help provide a platform for all of us Mindanawans to discuss who can really be the true voice of Mindanao in the Senate. Please feel free to share your thoughts! Aquilino Martin "Koko" Pimentel III - ran for the Senate during the last elections but lost to former Bukidnon congressman and now Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Koko Pimentel has since l...

Mindanao awaits Chiz Escudero’s proclamation – he has decided but has deferred announcements

Announcements, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics
Mindanaoans were so eager to listen to Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero's proclamation. After all, he was the "presidentiable" who hasn't formally declared his intentions yet...because he was still underage. Now that he has turned 40 years old, though (the minimum age required for a presidential candidate), supporters and critics alike were looking forward to his announcement. Unfortunately, it wasn't made today. Still, there's good news for his fans. Escudero has finally made a decision. And as to whether he'll really run for president or not...well...your guess is as good as mine. Chiz, who turned 40 last October 10, 2009, also said that he would not make any political announcement yet because this was not the right time to talk politics. He said that there were still many peop...

Davao City sends P10M financial aid to Tropical Storm Ondoy victims

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Davao City, Events, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News
Wow, go Mindanao! This piece of news about my beloved hometown is definitely heartwarming :) Davao City will send P10 Million from the city's own calamity fund for the victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana). Thank you to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and to all the members of the city council for this effort! I salute you all and of course, I salute all fellow Dabawenyos for the hard work you've all exerted so far. The money will be coursed through the Philippine National Red Cross. Meanwhile, if you're in Davao City and have some relief goods or clothes or food to share, please don't hesitate to drop them off at these areas: - Ateneo de Davao University (go Ateneo! :) I'm so proud of my school hehe) - ABS-CBN Davao City (Mc Arthur Highway, Matina) ...

Sen. Dick Gordon proposes a 9th ray to the sun in Philippine Flag – should Mindanao care?

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline
Independent Senator Richard Gordon probably has too much time on his hands. This was the very first thing that came to my mind when this Mindanaoan blogger learned that Senator Dick Gordon filed a proposal before the Senate to add a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag. Yes, you read that right. A ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag. According to him, the additional ray will symbolize his "advocacy to champion reforms in Mindanao." Now don't ask me exactly how a 9th ray can make a whole lotta difference but if you ask the senator (who, I think, also has plans to run for president come May 2010), he says this move is part of his many advocacies for "peace and continuous growth and development not only for the Muslim people but also for the whole of Mindanao." The me...

Job in Mindanao alert: Administrative Aide IV position in Wao, Lanao del Sur

Announcements, ARMM, Government, Jobs, Lanao del Sur, Mindanaoan Update
For people looking for jobs in Wao, Lanao del Sur, here's a piece of good news. The Regional Office of the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) just released a bulletin stating that the position of Administrative Aide IV is vacant. This means that applications for the said job in government are now welcome. The place of assignment will be in Wao, Lanao del Sur District Hospital. Interested applicants should have completed at least two years in college and should be a Career Service Sub Professional (should have passed at least the first level of eligibility). Applicants must also be good in oral and written communication and must have pleasant personality. Moreover, applicants to this job opportunity in Lanao del Sur should be knowledgeable in computer...

Mindanaoan.com exclusive: Senator Chiz Escudero on Senator Noynoy’s plan to run for president in 2010

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities
Mindanaoan.com just received this text message from Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Senator Noynoy Aquino's declaration to run for president in the May 2010 elections: "He is a good friend and I wish him all the best in his endeavor. He is definitely a good addition to the roster of those who have declared their intention to run for President in order to give our people the widest and best possible choices for President." Escudero, 39, is also rumored to be a presidential candidate. Observers say that the young legislator is being eyed by the NPC Party to be its standard bearer in next year's presidential elections. Chiz Escudero will turn 40 on October 10, 2009. WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THIS, FELLOW MINDANAOANS?

Mindanao peace and development hostaged to politics

Commentary, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Politics
Senator (and rumored presidentiable) Francis "Chiz" Escudero has said it and I agree --- the peace and development here in Mindanao is hostaged to politics. The kind of politics that run in "Imperial Manila." One of the things that the next president should do is bring together all stakeholders in Mindanao to craft a development agenda --- one that's doable, cost efficient and worth all of our time and efforts --- that will not be hostaged to any change in administration. “Only an all-stakeholders approach will lead to the long-sought peace and meaningful development in this region, not Imperial Manila’s “urong-sulong, atras abante” approach since we gained independence,” Escudero said. The 39-year old lawmaker said the country’s development will greatly be accelerated if authorit...

Senator Pia Cayetano places 2nd in her age group in Ironman Philippines – picture inside

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos
A female Philippine senator recently passed one of the most gruelling tests of health and fitness! Senator Pia S. Cayetano reached the finish line with businessman Fernando Zobel de Ayala at the first-ever Cobra International Ironman 70.3 Philippines held at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex on Sunday (August 23). The senator placed second in her age group with a time of 5 hours and 57 minutes which qualified her for a slot at the 2009 Ironman 70.3 World Championships to be held in Clearwater, Florida. The Ironman Philippines race course consisted of a 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike and 21.1-kilometer run. Not bad for a busy legislator, yes? Photo courtesy of the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano. Thanks, Mike!

Rumored presidentiable Sen. Chiz Escudero and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte share a light moment during Kadayawan Festival 2009

Blogging, Davao City, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos, Politics
Fans of rumored presidentiable Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte will love the picture in this Mindanaoan blog entry. Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero was one of the main guests of Mayor Rody during festivities marking the city’s Kadayawan Festival 2009 last August 22, 2009. Judging by the happy smiles on the faces of these two popular political personalities, do you think this is a sign of an alliance to come? WHAT DO YOU THINK? In his visits to Mindanao, by the way, Escudero has repeatedly called for increased investments by government in agriculture and infrastructure to maximize the island’s economic potential.

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Rep. Teddy Casino, Atty. Alex Lacson, Neric Acosta, Rep. Risa Hontiveros lead Register and Vote Campaign CDO schools visit – pictures inside

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Events, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Politics
Here are the photos Mindanaoan (me!) took during the recent Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao leg of the Register and Vote (RV) Campaign - specifically during the two students fora held at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology and Cagayan de Oro College - both Cagayan de Oro City schools. Mindanaoan was privileged enough to have accompanied the Team Kiko group last July 30, 2009. This RV campaign, which is spearheaded by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, aims to draw out 5 to 9 million first time voters, encourage them to register at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and then come May 2010, exercise their right to suffrage. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, AKBAYAN Partylist Rep. Risa Hontiveros, former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta, BAYAN Partylist Rep. Teddy Casino and author Atty. ...

Horse fights to be re-staged during Kadayawan Festival 2009

Advocacy, Controversial, Culture, Davao City, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News
I can already smell the protests courtesy of animal welfare advocates. Horse fights (also known as "Paaway Kuda"), which are part of the culture of indigenous peoples, will be revived in this year's Kadayawan Festival 2009 celebration. Horse fight competitions will be staged from August 17 to 23, 2009 during the 2009 Kadayawan in Davao City, Mindanao. I bet the people behind the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and other animal welfare organizations can't wait to travel to Davao and condemn the "cruel" competitions. Recently, the Davao City Council Committee on Lumads (Indigenous Peoples), led by Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, revealed that the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has approved the staging of horse fights during the Kadayawan Festival. In a horse f...

President Arroyo dead | How Manila Bulletin killed President Gloria Arroyo

Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Humor, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Technology
This controversial picture has been doing the rounds online today (this has been shared and re-shared through Facebook and blogs) but just in case you didn't get to see this, here's one major faux pas courtesy of broadsheet Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin "killed" President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo! What do you think of this and what do you think will happen to the section editor of Manila Bulletin? Check out the photo found in this entry. Notice the caption: “With utmost care. Military honor guard carefully moves the coffin of President Arroyo out of the Manila Cathedral.” The controversial Manila Bulletin photo was published in the early edition, page 20. However, I was told that the section containing the picture was promptly removed from the newspaper sets distributed in Visayas ...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on the passing of Tita Cory

Announcements, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update
This is the full statement of opposition senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on the passing of former President Corazon Aquino: I join the whole country in extending my sympathies on the passing of a humble and noble woman, former President Corazon C. Aquino. Their loss is the loss of every Filipino. In democracy's darkest hour, she joined many others in confronting a repressive dictatorship. Her willingness to accept the daunting challenge of running in 1986 served as a catalyst for an unprecedented bloodless uprising that would lead to the restoration of democracy and the reinstitution of the many freedoms we enjoy and cherish today. History tells us that our first woman head of state an uplifting figure who inspired her countrymen to begin the arduous task of rebuilding our nation. Ex...

Rock the Vote Cagayan de Oro leg – Thousands pledge to register and vote in 2010 elections

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Features, Government, Internet, Journalism, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics
Roughly 8,000 people made the pledge to register and vote in the May 2010 national elections last July 30, 2009 during the Rock the Vote 2009 Cagayan de Oro City leg held at Xavier University Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Rock the Vote is a musical cum advocacy show which aims to encourage people especially first time voters to register at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and exercise their right to suffrage. Rock the Vote is also a part of the ongoing Register and Vote (RV) campaign, which is led by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan. Pangilinan, along with author Atty. Alex Lacson, AKBAYAN Party List Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Bayan Muna Party List Rep. Teddy Casino, led the reading of a unity statement which declares commitment to bring about needed change through ...

What will Pres. Arroyo report about Mindanao in her last State of the Nation Address – SONA?

Advocacy, Commentary, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News
Today, July 27, 2009, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will address the nation in her last (or so we believe or made to believe) State of the Nation Address (SONA). So far, Arroyo has made 8 SONAs and today, during her last SONA, I want to know what she will report about Mindanao. Will she say the truth? Will she tell the whole country and the whole world the real score about the ongoing peace talks, movements against terrorism, Mindanao tourism, political controversies etc? Will she say that during her term, more jobs were created for Mindanaoans? Will she say that the level of education became better during her presidency? Will she say that her administration has now struck a balance between population management, human development and social responsibility? What about ...

Rock the Vote 2009 Cagayan de Oro City leg on July 30, 2009 – poster inside

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Features, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society, Technology, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY NEWS | MINDANAO EVENTS - How does a FREE concert featuring Hale, Spongecola, Luke Mejares and other surprise guests sound to you? Because one will happen in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao very soon! "Rock The Vote 2009" will be held on July 30, 2009, 6 PM at the Xavier University Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City. "Rock the Vote" Cagayan de Oro City is a free concert which aims to engage young voters, especially the first time voters, to register and exercise their right to suffrage. Rock the Vote 2009 is in line with the ongoing Register and Vote (RV) Campaign, led by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, which aims to draw out around 5 to 9 million Filipino voters for the May 2010 elections. Check out the poster for the CDO leg of the nationwide RV Campaign: Meanwh...

PGMA in Bukidnon Mindanao today, to hold cabinet meeting – and why I want to be a fly on the wall

Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to be in the Province of Bukidnon today, July 21, 2009. This trip, reportedly her 7th in Mindanao so far this year, could be, in my opinion, quite a controversial one. First of all, she's supposed to hold a cabinet meeting in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon. Why Bukidnon of all places, you ask? Exactly. Bukidnon is the "political home" of the Zubiris. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri served as congressman in the third district for 9 years. Incumbent Bukidnon governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. is on his last term. Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman Joey Zubiri is Migs' brother and eldest son of the governor. Malaybalay City Vice Mayor Ignacio "Inaki" Zubiri, nephew of the governor and cousin of the senator, is said to be eyeing the mayoralty post in ...

Let’s not forget the 3 kidnapped teachers…part deux

Advocacy, ARMM, Basilan, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Sulu, Zamboanga Sibugay
MINDANAO - Opposition senator and reported 2010 presidentiable Francis "Chiz" Escudero and I share the same sentiments. Chiz Escudero, in his recent press statement, has asked the public that while it's true that we all should be happy for International Red Cross volunteer Eugenio Vagni's safe release from captivity in Basilan, we should still not forget the three teachers who remain hostages of the Abu Sayyaf. If you remember, these are my very thoughts last May 2009. The three teachers namely Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noemi Mandi were abducted by last March 13 off the island barangay of Bangkaw-Bangkaw, Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay while they were on the way home. “The end of Mr. Vagni’s ordeal should convince those working behind the scenes to exert more effort in...

Mindanao food aid from United Nations to continue – definitely good news!

Advocacy, Announcements, ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Commentary, Food, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay
MINDANAO - Thankfully, the Mindanao food aid from the United Nations World Food Program will continue! We Mindanaoans should really be thankful for this because the UN WFP food assistance can really help so many people especially those displaced by the recent conflicts here in Mindanao. UN Resident Coordinator ad interim Dr. Soe Nyunt-U has reportedly announced that the delivery of food aid for Mindanao will resume once the travel restrictions imposed on their personnel are lifted. I'm hoping that the travel restrictions will be lifted very soon! So many families will really benefit from the UN WFP food assistance. Accordingly, the travel restriction to Mindanao for UN World Food Program personnel was only for the week of July 6 and was a precautionary measure following the spate of ...

Sen. Chiz Escudero urges Malacanang to diverte imported rice to Mindanao refugees

Commentary, Cotabato, Food, Government, Headline, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities
At least someone's thinking about Mindanao and Mindanao refugees! Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday said that the government should act immediately to divert shipments of imported rice to central Mindanao so that the 380,000 refugees in evacuation centers won’t go hungry after a UN agency halted its food relief operations in the region. “We are faced with a humanitarian crisis that could become a disaster if this administration fails to act quickly to fill in the gap left by the UN World Food Program,” Escudero said. “Part of the rice we have been shipping in from abroad can be diverted to the ports of General Santos and Cotabato City. This will not make a dent in the NFA’s 82-day buffer stock,” he said. He also called on the government to ensure the safety of the staff of t...

Sara Duterte declared as the next mayor of Davao City

Controversial, Davao City, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Photos
MINDANAO - Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte is bequeathing his thrown throne (thanks for pointing out this typo, Sir Mike! Ayayay!) And his daughter, Davao City Vice Mayor Sara "Inday Sara" Duterte is, naturally, next in line. Recently, I was  in my hometown Davao City for a Philippine Councilors League gig. The boys provided the live band entertainment the night the closing ceremonies was held (June 27 at Grand Regal Hotel Ballroom, Lanang) and there were roughly a thousand councilors from all over the Philippines present. The night's guest speaker was no other than Inday Sara. Actually, while the boys and I were waiting for the program to begin, you could hear the buzz. A lot of councilors were curious about her --- how she looked like (how come she didn't look like her fath...

Why blame the Mindanao media all the time?

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism
My classmate in Ateneo and Sarangani provincial governor Miguel Rene Dominguez is asking for trouble. Not a few eyebrows will surely be raised after he reportedly blamed the Mindanao media for "always highlighting all the bad things that are happening in Mindanao." Same goes with Lt. Colonel Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, who also blamed the media. Dominguez said that the "insurgency and other conflicts in Mindanao is actually just a game of perception. And I blame the media for that!" He reportedly then said that the culture of the media today, except for a few who are practicing peace journalism, is not very commendable. De Leon, on the other hand, said that the rest of the country's and the world's perception of Mindanao at present is also the work of t...
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