Coal-firedpower plantunder review

he newly-appointed officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority

LocalLegendacreditorscan collect,CA says

Vol. XXXVII No. 52 November 1-7, 2011 Olongapo City and Zambales P4.00

POWER FIGURESCEPALCO linemenwork on the 13.8 KVline along theMabayuan road. Thenew lines are meantto improve the city’spower distributionsystem reliability andefficiency.(Anthony Bayarong)

WHAT’S INSIDE‘It’s a bargain’

PAGE 2

Subic & Clark callsnow toll-free

PAGE 5

Olongapo FC survivesGordon College FC

PAGE 6

The Court of Appeals(CA) affirmed the decisionof the local court allowinglocal creditors of LegendaInternational Resort, Ltd.(LIRL) to collect from itsliquidation proceedings.

The Olongapo CityRegional Trial Courtbranch ruled against theMorgan Stanley EmergingMarkets’ request for it torecognize the liquidationproceedings it started inHong Kong.

Ealier this month, theCA’s Sixteenth Divisiondenied Morgan Stanley’sappeal to reverse the rul-ing of the lower court.

‘By simple compari-son, it can

RP Energy: All legal requisites were complied

turn to page 5

Anti-coal plant drive faltering?

After mustering a 2,000-man march last August,the ‘No to coal plant inSubic Bay’ move-mentmay be losing steam.

From August toOctober, some 4,600people registered with itsFacebook page but likes,and more importantly,comment postings havetapered off.

When asked to com-ment, page moderatorJasmine Santiago told thiswriter to direct questionsto Alex Hermoso, con-

COMBAT READY—United States GIs check their rifles on top of their military vehiclewhile waiting to be disembarked from USS Germantown. American and Filipino sol-diers conducted joint war exercises in various parts of Luzon recently. (MDP/SBMA)

venor of the Civil SocietyMovement of Zambales(CSMZ).

Olongapo News triedbut failed to secure a replyfrom Hermoso as of presstime.

A page member putthe leaders of the anti-coalplant campaign to task,asking for updates on thecampaign to put upposters and tarpaulin infront of the businessestablishments.

Most anti-coal plantposters are in the area ofNew Banicain.

turn to page 2

T(SBMA) are reviewing the US$1.28 billion coal-fired power plant projectlocated at the Redondo Peninsula.

This was revealed by SBMAchairman Roberto Garcia in an interviewlast week.

‘There are certain issues related to theenvironmental impact of project that weare looking into,’ he said. turn to page 2

EXCLUSIVE

An official of RP Energy said the coal-fired powerplant project’s Environmental Compliance Certificate(ECC) complied with all legal requirement.

‘There is no truth to the allegation that RP Energyhas not complied with the social acceptabilityrequirements of the ECC,’ Ray Cunningham, RPEnergy representative & Steering CommitteeMember said, stressing that ‘all EnvironmentalManagement Board (EMB) requirements werefulfilled.’

Cunningham added that his firm alreadyconducted three rounds of consultations with LGUsaffected by the project.

Anti-coal plant groups have asked governmentregulators to withdraw the project’s ECC because itdid not have social acceptability.

Cunningham clarified that ‘project endorsement’for environmentall critical projects are needed in aseparate process, not for the ECC application.

‘(Which) in RPE’s case is the Subic BayMetropolitan Authority’s endorsement, being the legalgovernment unit which has jurisdiction over projectlocation,’ he stressed.

The Department of Environment and NaturalResources (DENR) issued the ECC to RP Energyon December 22, 2008, and the SBMA boardapproved the Lease & Development Agreement(June 8, 2010) for the project site.

The Subic Bay Metro-politan Authority (SBMA)said that only the first plantwith a capacity of 300MWwas given a green light bythe regulators. (See Coal-fired power plant under reviewstory above)

Cunningham, how-ever, said that their ECC‘is for 600MW project.’

‘Phase 1 is 300MW.We are proceeding withboth phases 1 & 2concurrently,’ he said in atext message, noting thatthis was provided for intheir Lease and Deve-lopment Agreement withSBMA. turn to page 5

Mayor Joe’s case moved to Manila

This, after the child's mother told theSC that they fear testifying becauseRodriguez weilds authority and influencein Zambales.

The mother said her daughter wasafraid to testify for fear of her life.

The SC transfer order was based

The Supreme Court transferred the childabuse and trafficking case of San Marcelinomayor Jose Rodriguez to Manila recently.

on the resolution of the court’s thirddivision dated Aug. 31.

The resolution directed judgeNorman Pamintuan of the OlongapoRTC Branch 73 to send the records ofthe criminal cases to the Manila RTC.

It also ordered the executive judgeof Manila RTC to ‘raffle the consolidatedcases among the designated family courtsof the said court.’ turn to page 6

Koreans honor Pres.Ramon Magsaysay

PAGE 6

BY ANTHONY BAYARONG

BY JOHN BAYARONG

2Olongapo News November 1-7, 2011

TALKBACK

JohnBayarong

It’s a bargain‘At 50 units, they should be paying P5,000.’

The coal plant story is a narrative of twofutures. One is national and the other islocal.

Government argues that the countryneeds the coal-fired power plant to ensurepower requirements needed by the eco-nomy will be met.

The other future considers the effectsof the power facility’s operations on thepeople and environment, locally.

RP Energy, Inc., validly argues thatit complied with all legal requirements forputting up the power generation facility.

It has secured the nod of all regula-tory agencies. It also has a lease anddevelopment agreement (LDA) in theFreeport.

Those opposed question the environ-mental clearances issued by the SubicBay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)Ecology Center and EnvironmentalManagement Board (EMB).

Forty-three groups, including the localgovernment of the municipality of Subic,City of Olongapo and Zambales province,thumb down the project for variousreasons—a mix of corruption, environ-ment, health and business tax concerns.

Knowingly, or unknowingly, bothcamps agree on one thing—their forefingers are directed at SBMA, and cer-tainly with good reasons.

SBMA approved the project. Andunder the Bases Conversion law (RA7227) it has override powers over the localgovernments around it.

If SBMA buckles under the weight ofthe anti-coal plant campaign, RPEnergy’s (wait, let’s say that again,Meralco’s) foray into the power generationbusiness takes a hit.

And the country loses 300MW (or asRP Energy insists, 600MW) of capacityto supply the power needs of the eco-nomy.

If SBMA decides to honor the LDA,despite the allegations of irregularity (andto some directors, there are basis in fact),then residents and tourist will have to livewith the fly ash and other emissions.

The anti-coal plant advocates,meanwhile, will carry a 0-2 win-loss cardin the Zambales front.

EDITORIAL

New Banicain is avillage just outside the Rizalgate of the Subic BayFreeport Zone.

Three local governmentunits have expressed theiropposition to the project,namely; coal plant hosttown Subic, Zambales,Olongapo City, and theprovincial government ofZambales.

Anti-coal plantdrive faltering?

Former city councilorGhie Baloy in an onlineinterview wondered whathappened to the strongstart.

‘Nag lie-low ang mgabloggers. I am reallywondering if (most) werereally sincere,’ he said.

But he said that somemembers of the movementcontinue to update him.

‘Alex (Hermoso) is stillin the working group. Healways keeps me updatedon what’s happening,’Baloy said, adding hereceived a text message

when an article came out inthe Manila Times.

Manila Times, anewspaper of nationalcirculation, recently ran aseried of articles on theSubic Bay coal-fired powerplant.

Needing resourcesIn one post last October

14, Hermoso, using threeexclamation points, urgedbusiness owners to sharesome resources.

‘The best for all is tocontribute to the campaignfund which the activemembers are sustaining

out of their own resourcesand effort,’ he said.

Among the businessgroups listed in the anti-coal plant online petitionare the beach resortsassociation around theSubic Bay area and theMetro Olongapo Chamberof Commerce, Inc.

The petition lists 43other groups that includeseveral partylist organi-zations, church groups,environmentalists, arotary club, scoutingorganization and anassociation of models.(30)

He added that there are someprovisions in the contract that ‘are unlikelyto de delivered by the proponent.’

In 2006, SBMA signed a joint ventureagreement with Taiwan CogenerationCorporation for the construction of a300MW coal-fired power plant at theRedondo Peninsula.

According to Chairman Garcia, thepower plant, under a joint ventureagreement, will supply the zone withcheaper electricity rate.

‘Hindi maliwanag ‘yung cheaperenergy...kailangan linawin nila sa aminkung paano mangyayari ‘yang cheap

electricity na sinasabi nila,’Garcia said, adding that underthe law ‘the producer has toconnect to the national gridand once na pumasok sa gridmay transmission cost na.So,where is the lower electricitycost na sinasabi nila?’

But records show that inJune 2010, SBMA has sincesigned a ‘lease and develop-

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JUDELINE C. BASCOCRISPIN CURIANOJOHN B. BAYARONGJOEL CURIANOANA MARIE ARCEOJACQUILINE B. CURIANO

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ment agreement with RP Energy, Inc., ajoint venture firm between Aboitiz Powerand TCC.

Scaled up capacityRP Energy is now controlled by

Meralco Powergen, after securing a 52%stake from Aboitiz Power and TCC.

With the entry of Meralco, theproposed power plant has been scaled upfrom 300MW to 600MW.

Garcia confirmed that the first300MW has been issued an EnvironmentalCompliance Certificate (ECC) bygovernment regulators, but quickly addedthat RP Energy has yet to get the nod ofSBMA or an ECC for the additional300MW.

But RP Energy’s Ray Cunninghamsaid that their ECC ‘is for 600MW projectas provided for by the Lease andDevelopment Agreement’ they signed withSBMA.

Protest eruptsInitially, the project proponents faced

a skeptical community in a series of publicconsultations.

Coal-fired power plant under reviewfrom page 1

Last August, however, thousands ofresidents from the outlying communitiesaround the Freeport zone marched tooppose the construction of the coal-firedplant.

Bitter political rivals, the Gordon andthe Magsaysays, represented by OlongapoCity mayor James Gordon, Jr., andZambales first district congressmanMilagros Magsaysay, joined forces inopposing the coal plant project.

RP Energy, for its part, has avoidedpublic confrontation with their critics,opting instead to explain to political,business and civic leaders through smallfora and discussion sessions in various partsof the zone.

‘Open to the public daw ang mga fora.But we have not received any invitationfrom them,’ several members of theNational Union of Journalists of thePhilippines-Zambales, who asked not to beidentified, told the Olongapo News.

‘Bakit? Mga pulitiko at negosyantelang ba ang maaapektuhan ng fly ash?’ thejournalists lamented. (John Bayarong)

I’m back.Sadly, the sentence above be-

came associated with characters.Remember Chuckie? Or, more re-cently, Mike Arroyo? I may not be ingood company, right?

In the late 1990's I had a chanceto write a column in this paper. Some,liked it. Others, hated it to the pointthat I got threats.

it or it, what isprinted is the truth.

You may share leads to storieswith us, and we will do the rest.

So, get the ball rolling.A friend recently told me that the

night market along the perimeter roadwas a hot topic at the city council re-cently.

Apparently, businessmen alongGordon Avenue howled in protest whenthey saw the tents began sprouting infront of their establishments.

The stalls at the main gate disap-peared reportedly because it was notcovered by the resolution passed.

But, they magically reappeared aday after the Mardigas. Pwede ba ‘yun?

Also, according to councilors, theexpected (and announced) revenuefrom the night market is aroundP250,000.

At 50 units, the traders should bepaying P5,000 each. It’s a bargain.

Are you interested to know howmuch the traders paid? I certainly am.

*****Our cops recently launched a great

campaign. Over the next few weeks,they will visit preschools to introduceMamang Pulis, the friendly, compe-tent and dependable communityhelper.

During the visits, they will talk abouthow policemen work day and night toprotect us from the bad guys.

Our kids need to know this. For allthe flack they are getting, MamangPulis keeps our community reasonablysafe and secure.

Yes, there are bad eggs. But wewere all kids once, right? Many of usdreamed of becoming a doctor, archi-tect, journalists, soliders and yes, po-licemen.

We need to hope that our kids dobetter than how we are doing today.

So, to the men and women of theOlongapo City Police Office, I say, goodjob Idols!

*****The Otero Avenue extension is now

open. No more bumpy ride for manyresidents.

Kudos to Brgy. Captain Joe Madriawho followed-up his request for MayorBong Gordon to have the road paved.

Same goes to the mayor for givingthe go ahead for the project.

The tougher challenge is gettingthe entire stretch of Waterdam andLong road fixed.

Both are in such a bad state for somany years, that residents stoppedcomplaining.

Some portions were repaired byCongresswoman Mitos Magsaysaybefore the elections, but her funds can-not match the P2 billion budget of thecity.

Some people at the City Engineer-ing Department told me that the roadswere already programmed.

They told me that in 2009. Yikes!

Battle of selfinterests

turn to page 5

from page 1

Olongapo News5

November 1-7, 2011

Legendacreditorsfrom page 1

Calls between Subic, Clark now toll-freebe deduced that both

actions belong to differentlegal spheres,” the appellatecourt noted.

LIRL, locally known asLegenda, defaulted on someP10.5 billion worth of debtin 2004.

Morgan Staley began aliquidation proceeding inHong Kong to collect debtsand was allowed by theSubic Bay MetropolitanAuthority (SBMA) to oper-ate all the Legenda facili-ties here in April, 2006.

In response, local cre-ditors also started rehabili-tation proceedings in thelocal courts.

The rehabilitation failedand the RTC allowed localcompanies to collect debts.

Morgan Stanley askedthe RTC to recognize theHong Kong process in-stead, but was denied.

SBMA has since takenover the Legenda facilitiesand leased the properties toKorean investors.

Only the formerLegenda Hotel along Wa-terfront road remains in thecontrol of the Freeport au-thority. (30)

No more long distance charges for calls betweenClark and Subic.

This was announced byPLDT Clark manager LitoMercado after the inter-connection program wascompleted recently.

‘This means thathundreds of firms operatinginside Clark and Subic maycall each other without theusual long distancecharges,’ he said.

Mercado said theinterconnection of Clarkand Subic telephone lineswas an offshoot of anaward-winning projectlaunched by the MetroClark Advisory Council(MCAC).

‘This could meanmillions in savings for Clarkand Subic Bay locators. Weare happy to announce thata toll charge between thetwo Freeports is now a thingof the past,’ Mercado said.

The Olongapo Newssought comments of Subic-tel officials but failed.

In 2001, the MetroClark Advisory Council(MCAC) formed ‘TaskForce Interconnection’ tomake calls between Smart,Philippine Long DistanceTelephone (PLDT) andDigitel subcribers withinClark zone, Angeles City

and the province of Pam-panga tollfree.

Clark DevelopmentCorporation (CDC) publicrelations officer AngeloLopez noted that after the

project was successfullylaunched in 2002, the Clarkzone saved at least P1.2million annuallt in longdistance charges.

‘Companies inside the

Clark and Subic freeportscan now easily access ortransact business directlywithout hesitation due tocommunications charges,’he added. (30)

RP Energy: All legal requisites were compliedfrom page 1

The Meralco controlledfirm allayed environmentalconcerns saying that theirstudy shows that ‘effectswill largely be minimal.’

‘(The plant operation)will meet all philippine en-vironment standards andwill be consistent with in-ternational best practices,’Cunningham said.

The Olongapo Newssought the comments of theSBMA Ecology Center onthe matter but received noreply.

Last September 21, theSBMA board asked RPEnergy to provide more in-formation on the environ-mental effects of the plant’soperation.

A reply, according toRP Energy, was sent lastOctober 24th.

‘(The) project will notgenerate acid rain nor smog.It uses the CFB (circulat-ing fluidized bed) combus-tion process that has inher-ent and effective NOx andSOx reduction capability,

Slides provided by RP Energy, Inc.

which are the primary com-ponents associated withacid rain and partly forsmog production,’ Cunning-ham explained.

Their study, modified toreflect two 300MW plants,showed that change in thewater temperature aroundthe area will be below one

degree Celsius.‘This will be far below

the DENR standard of nomore than three degrees,and will be within the natu-ral temperature variationsobserved within Subic Bay,’the RPE represenative ex-plained.

A major concernamong the local govern-ment executives, Cun-ningham said, ‘is the ex-emption from real propertyand business taxes.’

But Olongapo City viceMayor Rolen Paulino saidthat degradation of the en-vironment and health issuesare their main concerns, notmoney.

SBMA recognizes theobjections of the Freeportstakeholders, Garcia said.

He clarified that theSBMA will approve the ex-pansion if the plant will pro-duce cheaper energy forthe stakeholders, improvethe commercial rates, ad-dress environmental con-cerns, and if it is acceptableto everybody in theFreeport.

RP EnergyEMB Standards

NOx(mg/Nm3) SOx(mg/Nm3) PM (Dust) (mg/Nm3)

RP EnergyEMB Standards

Temp pH COD BOD TSS Oil

Illegal? Unusual?Tell us about it!

Text or call :0922-838-07720919-699-9204

Meanwhile, the SubicBay Freeport Chamber ofCommerce (SBFCC) isworking to be part of theRedondo coal-fired powerplant multi-partite monitor-ing team (MMT).

In their newsletter,SBFCC president DannyPiano said that they wantto have full transparency ofemission data.

‘We recommended toRPE and DENR that emis-sions monitoring data andstatistics be made availableto the public in real time,’Piano said.

But, he was suprised tolearn ‘that a Multi-PartiteMonitoring Team and En-vironmental MonitoringFund was already executedin 2010’ without a singlerepresentative fromOlongapo City and SubicBay.

This, according to Pi-ano, seems to be in viola-tion of DENR Administra-tive Order No. 37 Section11.0.

The Order specifiesthat representatives from abroad spectrum of stake-holders should be includedin the MMT. (30)

Hermosagets 3,000jobs Around 3,000 jobs will beavailable at the HermosaEcozone Industrial Park(HEIP) once a Japaneselocator starts full operationearly next.

Hermosa mayorDanny Malana said thatJapanese firm Sumi Philip-pines Wiring SystemsCorp.(SPWSI) is investingsome P300 million in a pro-duction facility at HEIP.

The firm manufactures,exports and sells automo-tive wiring harness andmaintenance service tocompanies in Japan.

SPWS president Taka-shi Takagaki said the plantdesign is tailored to ensuresafe working conditions andcompliance to labor laws.

HEIP is a 165-hectareindustrial estate componentin a 478-hectare mixed-useproperty development in themunicipality.

Zambales towns win governance awardsTen municipalities in the province recently received theSeal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) from the Depart-ment of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Interior and LocalGovernment SecretaryJesse Robredo gave awardsto the mayors andrepresentatives of Castil-lejos, San Marcelino, SanAntonio, San Narciso, SanFelipe, Botolan, Iba,Palauig, Candelaria, andSta. Cruz.

The SGH is given tolocal government units(LGU) that have excelledin the areas of planning,

budgeting, revenue mobili-zation, financial manage-ment and budget execu-tion, procurement, and re-source mobilization.

San Felipe alsobagged the runner-upaward for the GawadPamana ng Lahi in CentralLuzon municipal category,while the municipality ofLlanera, Nueva Ecijatopped the category.

San Felipe and San

Narciso also received P1million each from thePerformance ChallengeFund, an incentive given to4th and 5th class municipa-lities.

The P500-million PCFis an incentive granted bygovernment to bestperforming local govern-ment units that haveexcelled in the delivery ofvarious public service totheir respective consti-tuents.

A total of 100 localgovernment units in theregion were given with the

SGH while 19 LGUs arePCF recipients.

Robredo urged awar-dees to sustain their effortsand make their LGUs attaina more transparent, ac-countable, responsive andparticipative governance.

He also encouragedother LGUs to strive forbetter performance.

Independent cityOlongapo also received theSHG for its dedication andoutstanding performance ingood governance, socialand economic welfare ofthe citizens.(30)

Tale of two...

The future is decidedby the battle of self-interests of the present.

RP Energy-Meralco’sinterest lies on the revenuethe plant will produce forthe company.

The anti-coal activists,and residents, want tokeep their present qualityof life.

SBMA, on the otherhand, wants to make surethe tuwid na daan is, well,tuwid.

Think about it, whatdrives you? On the coalplant issue, which futurewould you choose?

from page 1

Olongapo News6

Cops launch ‘Idolko’ driveIn a bid to improve the image of Mamang pulis, theOlongapo City Police Office (OCPO) recently launched'Pulis ko, Idol ko!' targeting children in various preschoolsin the city. Mayor’s

case movedto Manila

SubicTimes.comOlongapo NEWS

Subic Bay Futsal Cup (PFCWC‐Subic Bay Qualifier)Team Standing (October 22, 20011)

P W D L G GA GD PointsOPEN DivisionOlongapo FC 2 1 1 0 12 6 6 4

Gordon College 2 1 0 1 20 9 11 3Timog FC 1 0 1 0 4 4 0 1

Lindberg FC 1 0 0 1 1 14 ‐13 08&Under

Balic‐Balic Kickers 2 2 0 0 16 0 16 6Barretto FC 2 1 0 1 4 6 ‐2 3Juventus FC 2 0 0 2 1 15 ‐14 011&Under

Lighthouse FC 2 1 1 0 6 5 1 4Balic‐Balic Yellow 2 1 0 1 6 4 2 3

Barretto FC 1 0 1 0 3 3 0 1Balic‐Balic Green 1 0 0 1 1 4 ‐3 0

14&UnderTwo games. Aggregate score. GoalsOCNHS 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3

D' Expendables 1 0 0 1 1 3 ‐2 1P‐Played, W‐Win, D‐Draw, L‐Lose, G‐Goals, GA‐Goals allowed

Supported By:

Olongapo FC survives Gordon College, takes top spot

Olongapo FC (OFC) turned backa spirited Gordon College FC(GCFC) comeback, 8-6, scoring 3goals in second half to secure thetop spot at the Subic Bay FutsalCup (PFCWC) after two matchdays.

GCFC forward Emil Pellezer’sfour goal blitz in the 2nd half was notenough to turn the tide. OFC strikerZid dela Cruz and Federico Fariñasslotted in 4 and 2 goals, respectively,to douse the GCFC rally.

In their second match of the day,GCFC vented their ire on Lindberg FC,14-1, to take full 3 points, pushing thema point behind league leader OFC’s 4points (See team standing).

‘We had great fun. These guys aregood technical players,’ Martin Kirk,

Balic-Balic Elementary School 8’s unbeatenplaying manager of Lindberg FC said.

Lindberg manufactures eyewear forthe European market and is the only com-pany represented in the Subic Bay FutsalCup.

In the age group competition, Balic-Balic Elementary Kickers 8&Under teamcontinued their domination, blastingBarretto FC, 5-1, securing maximum 6points after two games.

In their second match, Barretto FCturned the table against Juventus FC be-hind Joseph Lisondra’s 4-goal effort toearn 3 points.

Juventus chalked up a goal on penaltyafter a bruising tackle against 5-year-oldX Bayarong by the goalkeeper.

Cheered on by teammates, Bayarongstood up, took to the penalty, and struckgoal to the delight of the around 200 spec-

tators. The match ended 5-1.In the 11&Under group, Balic-Balic

Yellow defeated Balic-Balic Green, 4-1 ,but succumbed to Lighthouse FC (LFC)3-2 in their second match of the day.

LFC’s Andres Datol fired two goalswhile AJ Avecilla added another. BBYellow’s Joseph Frando, who also com-peted in the Olongapo City meet hoursearlier, could only muster 2 goals.

1st Game Results:Olongapo FC - Zid Royce Dela Cruz, 4;Federico Fariñas, 2; Raymark Maliao, 1;Raul Jaime, 1.Gordon College FC - Emil Pellezer, 4;Harvey Mejia, 1; Ruben Tala, 1.

2nd Game Results:Gordon College FC - Emil Pellezer, 6;Harvey Mejia, 4; Edriel Tagaan, 3; RubenTala, 1.Lindberg FC - Mark Anthony Salvador, 1.

City director P/SSuptChristopher Tambungansaid that policemen will visitall preschool in the city toshow children that Mamangpulis 'is a friend and protec-tor of their rights.'

In a report sent to theregional office, Tambungannoted that public criticismagainst erring cops haveeroded the confidence ofthe public.

'These attacks createdan impact to the image ofthe PNP that hinders therealization of transformingthe PNP into more credible,effective and capable policeservice,' he noted.

Tambungan added that

the Pulis Ko, Idol Ko! pro-gram hopes 'to gain the trustand confidence of the pub-lic, especially children.’

After a city-wide mo-torcade, the 'Gapo copshosted a series of gameswith the children of EarlyChildhood DevelopmentCenter inside the City Hall.

The children weretreated to games, given sou-venir shirts, pins and showndifferent types of uniformsused by the various units ofthe Philippine National Po-lice (PNP).

Anne Gordon, wife ofcity mayor James Gordon,Jr., was the guest speakerof affair. (30)

Image makeover --- Policewoman Lily Rualo helps an unidentified child wear a sou-venir shirt during the launching of the 'Pulis Ko, Idol Ko!' campaign of the OlongapoCity Police Office last October 21st. Behind them is P01 Lovela Dudulao.

Early this year,Rodriguez was arraigned inthe sala of Judge RichardParadeza of RTC Branch72, pleading innocent to thecharge of violation of theAnti-Child Abuse Act(Republic Act No. 7610).

The charge wasdismissed.

But Joy Bayona,associate provincial prose-cutor, filed an amendedcharge against Rodriguezciting Section 11 of RA9208 for “use of traffickedpersons.”

The case wastransferred to Pamintuanwhen he was made aregular judge of the familycourt in February.

Rodriguez denied theallegation saying the victimand the mother's accusationwere politically-motivatedand was meant cause“political turmoil” in the SanMarcelino

Rodriguez said he wason his way to Manila onSept. 12 last year, the dayhe supposedly raped thegirl.

Jonie Ponce, alsoknown as “Jodie,” was alsonamed respondent forallgedly bringing the girl tothe mayor’s rest house inSan Marcelino where thealleged rape took place.

Ponce is facing chargesof violating RA 9208 andRA 7610. (30)

from page 1

Koreans honor late Pres. MagsaysayCASTILLEJOS, Zambales--A South Koreangroup is in the country for a four-day visit to thisprovince to break grounds on several infrastruc-ture projects.

by Allen M. Villa

At least 20 mem-bers of the New VillageMovement of SouthKorea will be putting upmultipurpose halls,public markets, andschools for the indig-enous Aeta community.

Charles Park, amember of the group,said that officials andentrepreneurs from theprovince of Gyeong-sangbuk-do in SouthKorea were here to‘bring aid and relief tomarginalized commu-nities in the Philippines.’

‘But we chose theprovince of Zambales, inparticular, because thisis where former Presi-dent Magsaysay is from,’he said.

Park explained thatMagsaysay was nearand dear to the hearts ofKoreans due to, ‘what hedid for us during the Ko-rean war. He helped uswhen we needed it.’

New Villlage Move-ment president ParkMong Yong said thatPresident Magsaysay,who hails from Castil-

lejos and Iba towns ofthis province, sent troopsto South Korea in the1950s to ‘defend us fromour enemies.’

Yong said that sincethen, Magsaysay earnedthe respect of the SouthKoreans and wastreated as one of themost loved personalitiesin their country.

‘Now, many yearslater, we can give back tohis people,’ Yong ex-plained.

Manny Reyes, whofacilitated the efforts onthe ground on behalf ofthe Korean delegates,said that the Koreangroup will initially starttheir projects in thetowns of San Marcelino,

San Felipe, andCastillejos.

‘By first quarter ofnext year, these projectswill already be com-pleted,’ Reyes said.

San Felipe MayorCarolyn Fariñas said thatshe was grateful for thedonation.

She said that the Ko-rean delegates also haveoutreach programs forthe Aetas.

‘This is just the begin-ning. They have told usthat they will initiateprojects in all the townsof the province,’ Fariñasexplained. (30)

Smiles around --- An undated photo shows the latePres. Ramon Magsaysay campaigning. (life.com)