U.S. election update: Barack Obama ekes out narrow victory over Mitt Romney in presidential race

U.S. election update: Barack Obama ekes out narrow victory over Mitt Romney in presidential race

U.S. election update: Barack Obama ekes out narrow victory over Mitt Romney in presidential race

U.S. election update: Barack Obama ekes out narrow victory over Mitt Romney in presidential race

Prosecutors oppose appointment of an "outsider"

Samonte with Lawyer and former Governor Tomas Martin.

MALOLOS CITY—Ranking prosecutors in Bulacan are opposing the appointment of a private lawyer as provincial prosecutor citing lack of experience.

They also stressed that appointing an outsider would demoralized members of the national prosecution service of the Department of Justice (DOJ), many of whom has been serving the government for 20 years or more.

In a one page manifesto, Bulacan prosecutors asked the President Aquino to give priority to members of the national prosecution service in the province.

The manifesto was signed by Rita Gammad, senior deputy provincial prosecutor, Eduardo Dela Cruz, 2^nd assistant provincial prosecutor, Antonio Buan, and Eufracio Marquez, city prosecutors of the Cities of San Jose Del Monte and Meycauayan.

All four ranking prosecutors are applicant to post vacated by former Provincial Prosecutor Alfredo Geronimo who had reached his compulsory retirement last June 7.

The prosecutors insisted in their manifesto that they have been in the service under the DOJ for more than 20 years and have devoted their lives to serve the people.

“Our qualifications, competency, hardwork and dedication cannot be ignored compared to an applicant/outsider who has no experience whatsoever as a government prosecutors,” the manifesto said to which they refer to Lawyer Renato Samonte as an “outsider.”

In an interview, Buan said that Samonte is a good lawyer, but he expressed doubts over his capability to handle and lead the national prosecution service in Bulacan.

 “He is a very good private practitioner but he was never a prosecutor,” Buan said noting that that Samonte’s appointment will cause demoralization among members of the prosecution service.

He said that for years, many of them are hoping to be promoted to higher position, along with other lower ranking prosecutors noting that “they too are looking forward for promotion, but it won’t happen if someone from the outside will be appointed as out chief.”

Buan also clarified Samonte’s earlier statements claiming that he has been appointed to the post vacated by Geronimo’s retirement.

“As far as we are concerned, he is just a candidate, because we have not seen any formal appointment,” he said.

Buan added that the President can stop demoralization among members of the Bulacan prosecution service by appointing candidates who are experienced.

He insisted that Samonte has no experience and not a member of the government prosecution service.

A long time lawyer, Samonte came from Bulakan town and has an extensive law practice in  Metro  Manila and Central Luzon spanning three decades.

He  finished A.B. Political Science at the Ateneo de Manila University and graduated from the San Beda College of Law in 1980.       

His adept skills as a trial lawyer was honed and polished during his more than 10 years practice at the Law office of Dakila F. Castro where he litigated high-profile criminal cases, one of these was the libel case filed by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

Samonte is well-remembered for the brilliancy he displayed during Day 34th and 35th of the impeachment trial of SC Chief Justice Renato C. Corona where he crossed-examined former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Then lead counsel for the defense, Justice Serafin Cuevas, was blanked and rebuffed not once but thrice by Prosecutor Samonte while grilling ex-Mayor Atienze in connection with the irregularity in the sale of the Basa-Guidote property in  Legarda, Manila.  (Dino Balabo)

Cemeteries as tourist attractions

BALIWAG, Bulacan—Cemeteries must be preserved and developed into tourist destination, a heritage conservation group based in Bulacan urged.

Jaime Corpuz, chair of the Bulacan chapter of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) said cemeteries are not just home to dead loved ones.

He said that it is a repository of images and artifacts with cultural and historical, and resting place of people of importance.

“We have so much to learn about cemeteries, but not too many government unit or agency have seen its significance,” Corpuz said.

He said that monuments like mausoleum and sculpture in cemeteries are good basis for cultural and historical studies.

“Those are historical time pieces that will tell us how our ancestors lived in the past, and what are the influences of other countries to our culture by studying architecture and sculptures,” said Corpuz.

He stressed that cemeteries, especially those that are owned by the Church and by local government be protected and preserved.

Corpuz also proposed tourism programs like Lakbay Kaluluwa study tours be developed by local government units.

The same was echoed by Isagani Giron, the president emeritus of the Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan (Sampaka).

 

He said that before a tourism program is developed, local government units must join hands with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the Catholic church in conducting inventory of materials with cultural and historical significance.

“We only go to cemeteries during All Saints day, but it is good subject for cultural and historical studies,” he said.

He cited the Malolos Catholic Cemetery which was built in 1680 as one of the oldest in the country and is the resting place of some of the remains of the members of the famous women of Malolos.

He also agreed with Corpuz that cemeteries are considered as second home to Filipinos, thus, the construction of house like mausoleums.

“Mausoleums are clear example of Spanish influence in our culture because native Filipinos do not have cemeteries, instead, our ancestors used to bury their dead by the river,” Giron explained.

For his part, Father Ruel Arcega of the St. Augustine parish here said that going to cemetery on All Saints day have deeper religious meaning.

““Ito ay pagkilala natin sa muling pagkabuhay, at sa huling araw ng paghuhukom, ang muling pagsasama ng kaluluwa at katawan katulad ng ipinakita ni Panginoong Hesus at Birheng Maria,” said Arcega

With regards to cultural dimension of mausoleums in cemeteries, the priest explained that it’s a testament of the difference betweenthe rich and poor.

On Saturday, the STAR took photos of the mausoleums inside the Sto. Cristo Catholic Cemetery here.

Some of the mausoleums even have a roof top and others were designed like a house complete with power and water supply and comfort room.  (Dino Balabo)

Samonte is new Bulacan chief prosecutor

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan--Veteran trial lawyer Renato C. Samonte, Jr., is now the new Chief Provincial Prosecutor of Bulacan.

Samonte assumed the post vacated by Alfredo ‘Gerry’ Geronimo who retired from the government service last year.

Samonte is the eldest son of the late-Renato ‘Rening’ Samonte and Lucia dela Cruz of Taliptip, Bulakan, Bulacan and became the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Gat. Marcelo H. Del Pilar – Bulacan chapter) from 2009 to 2011.

       

Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado welcomed the appointment of Samonte by President Aquino as a fitting tribute to the qualification and capability of a true-blue Bulakenyo at the helm of the prosecution service, an indispensable pillar in the administration of justice in the province.

          

Samonte, who has an extensive law practice all over Metro Manila and Central Luzon spanning three decades, finished A.B. Political Science at the Ateneo de Manila University and graduated from the San Beda College of Law in 1980.       

His adept skills as a trial lawyer was honed and polished during his more than 10 years practice at the Law office of Dakila F. Castro where he litigated high-profile criminal cases, one of these was the libel case filed by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

Chief Prosecutor Samonte is well-remembered for the brilliancy he displayed during Day 34 and Day 35 of the impeachment trial of SC Chief Justice Renato C. Corona where he crossed-examined former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Then lead counsel for the defense, justice Serafin Cuevas, was blanked and rebuffed not once but thrice by Prosecutor Samonte while grilling ex-Mayor Atienza in connection with the irregularity in the sale of the Basa-Guidote property in  Legarda, Manila.

Aside from playing golf, ‘Attorney Jun’ is also an avid gun-enthusiast like former IBP president Jose ‘Peng’ dela Rama and incumbent Bulacan IBP-chapter president Ted Villanueva.

He is also a boat-racing aficionado and once a member of the Philippine delegate to the RP-Japan boat-racing competition. Aside from being an all-around sports enthusiast,

Samonte is also a collector of vintage and fancy cars and a former president of the Mini-Cooper Club of Bulacan.—EMIL G. GAMOS

Complete list of candidates for provincial elective positions

GOVERNOR

Almera, Jaime Apuli, Ind

Balite, Ernesto Dayao, Ind

Sy-Alvarado, Wilhelmino Manucdoc, NUP

Cundangan, BM District 1

VICE GOVERNOR

Fernando, Daniel Ramirez, NUP

Lopez, Josephine Cagiwa, Ind

Ocampo, Jayson Olarte, Ind

BOARD MEMBER (District 1)

Cundangan, Jose Santos, Ind

Fermin, Michael Cristobal, NUP

Ople, Felix Vasquez, NUP

Ople, Therese Cheryll Baun, NUP

Uy, Grossman Dax, UNA

BOARD MEMBER (District 2)

Dela Cruz, Enrique, Jr., Villanueva, NUP

Posadas, Ramon Rivera, NUP

Trinidad, Reynaldo Mocorro, Ind

BOARD MEMBER (District 3)

Bernabe, Carlito Legazpi, Ind

Castro, Rino Valero, NUP

Sulit, Ernesto Salvador, LP

Viceo, Emelita Isidro, UNA

Violago, Peter Alvin Averia, Ind

Uy, BM District 1

BOARD MEMBER (District 4)

Alejo, Rodolfo Martinez, Ind

Almario, Romeo Espiritu, Ind

Baluyut, Allan Ray Agbayani, NP

Dela Merced, Hilario Jr., Antonio, Ind

Delos Santos, Enrique Jr., Angkiangko, NUP

Santos, Enry Laan, LP

Sarmiento, Eulogio III Cordova, NUP

Salim, Congressman District 1

Bernabe, BM District 3

CONGRESSMAN (District 1)

Salim, Sahiron Dulan, Ind

Sy-Alvarado, Ma. Victoria Reyes, NUP

CONGRESSMAN (District 2)

Cristobal, Joseph Jose, Ind

Deborja, Antonio Eugenio, PDP-Laban

Mendoza, Pedrito Canisio Roxas, LP

Ordanes, Pancho Pagsuguiron, Ind

Mendoza brother.  Joselito (L) Congressman District 3,
Doc Pete (R) Congressman District 2

Pancho, Gavini Cruz, NUP

Villafuerte, Jaime Espiritu, Ind

CONGRESSMAN (District 3)

Cabochan, Jose De Leon, UNA

Mendoza, Joselito Roxas, LP

Silverio, Ricardo Jr., Sison, PMP

Viudez, Enrique II Violago, Ind

CONGRESSMAN (District 4)

Lopez, Jovel Evangelista, Ind

Villarica, Linabelle Ruth Ramos, LP

CONGRESSMAN (Lone District, SJDM City)

Miso, Garret Ian Baulos, Ind

Montinola, Rogelio Filiu, Ind

Papin, Imelda Arcilla, Lakas CMD

Rejante, Albert Ginez, KBL

Robes, Arthur Bardillon, LP

Robes, Oscar De Vera, Ind

Loren to keynote 1st Bulacan Buildex 2012

MALOLOS CITY—Senator Loren Legarda is set to keynote the three day first Bulacan Builders Exposition (Buildex 2012) here starting Monday, October 15.

Organized by the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in coordination with the provincial government, Buildex 2012 is expected to draw more than  a thousand businessmen here and from nearby province including Metro Manila.

The three day exposition will also showcase at least 80 participating exhibitors, including property developers, contractors, architects, interior decorators, furniture and furnishings, construction supplies, home financing, landscaping and all the things needed to build a house.

Nani Mallari, the executive director of the BCCI said that Legarda is expected to speak on her green advocacies in relation to sustainable property development and designs.

“She is one of the most vocal official on utilization of green technologies for development,” Mallari said noting that the senator’s office confirmed participation as early as last week.

Aside from Legarda, Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado and Mayor Lorna Silverio of San Rafael town were also tapped to speak at the opening of the three day exposition.

Alvarado will speak on the initiatives of the provincial government based on the provincial physical framework plan, while Silverio will present accomplishments for the successful development of her town drew over P500-Million in investments last year.

The first of its kind in the province, Buildex 2012 was organized to put Bulacan in the map in terms of property development.

Violeta Luna, president of the BCCI said that the province’s strategic location made it one of the premier areas north in Manila for investors.

However, she said that for many years, Bulacan was only seen as a place to invest in manufacturing and warehousing.

 “Buildex 2012 not only hopes to support the property and construction industry sectors in the province of Bulacan, ultimately, it wants to promote Bulacan as the ideal place to live in,”Luna said.

Aside from exhibitions, Luna said that there will also be free consultations on design, financing, and property documentation and processing for prospective property owners.

“To those who’ll come and visit they will be able to witness the original art pieces of Bulacan artists, who will conduct free sketching on the exhibit site. Raffle prizes also await patrons and visitors during the 3-day fair, they can also learn from the masters in property development trends and product standards in the speakership series,” she added.