PamagCUSA Blog

Republic of the Philippines
Province of Pampanga

PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE
Telefax: (045) 861-2575 Email: pio@pampangacapitol.com

PRESS STATEMENT

14 May 2008

Court issues TRO vs Ordinance 176

City of San Fernando – A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was issued by the Regional Trial Court here yesterday on the implementation of Ordinance No. 176 otherwise known as An Ordinance Providing for the Equitable Distribution of Shares of Fees/Taxes Imposed By The Province Of Pampanga For The Extraction Of Quarry Materials And For Other Purposes.

The TRO which was issued by Judge Serafin B. David of the RTC Third Judicial Region, Branch 48, seeks to “maintain status quo which is the last actual peaceful uncontested situation which precedes the controversy”. The Order further states that it is issued “in order to avoid grave injustice and irreparable damage pending the hearing on the application for preliminary injunction”.

Gov. Eddie Panlilio has filed the Petition for Declaratory Relief with prayer for Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order against the implementation of Ordinance 176 on March 17, 2008.

In its Order, the Court believes that Ordinance 176 “appears to be contentious and any diminution, constrictions, restrictions of the existing rights of the Provincial Governor under the Constitution, Local Government Code and Philippine Mining Act”. “Further, any delay with the exercise of the power and authority of the Provincial Governor to raise the needed revenues pursuant to these laws and existing tax measures pending the resolution of the constitutionality of the questioned ordinance would cause great and irreparable injury to the Province of Pampanga in general as well as to the Municipalities and Barangays affected in particular.”

Since November 2007, the distribution of sand tax shares to the barangays and municipalities where quarrying operates was put into halt pending resolution of the case filed by the honorable governor against the Provincial Board (PB) on issues concerning the mentioned ordinance. The giving out of shares was further put on hold when mediation failed between the Executive and Legislative Departments because the PB backed-out from the negotiation table on 21 April 2008.

The issuance of a TRO is a temporary relief on the many issues associated with Ordinance 176. The hearing on the application of the Preliminary Injunction is set by the Court on May 26, 2008.

The Executive Department has asked the RTC to issue a Status Quo Ante Order which is tantamount to treating Ordinance 176 as non-existent in order for it to distribute sand tax shares to barangays and municipalities where quarrying operates. The Executive further pushes for the scrapping of the said ordinance and later come up with a new ordinance that will serve both the intent of the Legislative and Executive departments of the provincial government. /PIO

Posted by pamagcusa at 06:13 AM | Permalink

Makadwa, ding mapilan a talasuyu ning metung a ahensyang gubyernu keni king compound ning kapitolyu, e ku ne pu sabyan nung isanu, mipabalitang mua la kanu kanaku, uli na ning e ke pu kanu buring ideklarang piyesta opisyal iting aldo na ning PAMAGBUWIS (note: the agency referred to is BIR) nang biye ning kekatamung bayaning Jose Abad Santos.

Pauna ku na pung sasabyan na la pung katutuan kaniting pamisip, uling ala kanaku ing upaya ban gawan iti.

Dapot, akung migunam, nung talagang pakipate da ring mapilan ing pagmasusian ya iting aldo, kalalam at kalapad na yata ning lugud at pakamal da kang Tang Peping. Mu pin, e ku balu nung kayabe tala ngening kaorasan.

Makanyan man, nung miparakal la pa sana reng Kapampangan a malablab a pusu kareng karelang bayani, palage ku, alang balakid a e tamu agyung lampasan.

Pilan mo pu kekayu ngeni ing mekagawa nang kasamyentu, o itang ausan dang last will and testament? Karitak da pa. Masanting siguru ing gawan tana la, uling pota mabigla tamu, at akalakwanan tala ring kekatamung pamilya. Dakal na pung pamikatagun na ing pamikalugud minye yang dalan king pamisagsagan pauli na mu ning metung a gabun, alahas o nanu pa mang pibandiyan.

Anya pin asabi ku iti, uling ing kekatamung bayaning Jose Abad Santos, minye yang masampat a last will and testament king anak nang Pepito, a makaparikil mu naman kareng balang metung kekatamu.

E ka kikyak, anang tauling sinabi. Nung pigunaman taya, balamu baligtad ing sitwasyun: nung ninu na ing malapit nang mate, iya pa ing manaru. Kasakit na yata nita ne po? Nanu kaya ing dinalan king mura nang isip Pepito inyang dimdam na na retang akbung a memupus king biye nang tata na? Memintu ya pin kaya at pemigil na ing kayang luwa? Mapalyaring minagululgul ya I Pepito at gilisak ne lagyu I tata na.

E ka kikyak. King kanakung malukang palage, atin yang mas malalam a kabaldugan iting panabilin. Anti na mong sinabi ning ibpa king anak, magsaya ka, alang rason ot kailangan kang manangis.

Ing kadwa nang panabilin, iya pin ing pakit mu karela ing matapang ka. Agkatan da kayung migunam, nanu na mo kaya ing panlalawe da ring banyaga kekatamu> matapang a lipi? Lampas ning kutkutan, agkatan na ka tamung Jose Abad Santos na itas taya ing karangalan tamu antimong Pilipinu, at iti magumpisa king kekatamung sarili. Respetuan ta la ring sarili tamu, at resptuan da katamu mu naman ding aliwa.

Ing katlung panabilin, metung a karangalan ing mate para king kekatamung sariling bansa. Dapot, iti metung ya namang panagkat na mibiye-biye para king Pilipinas. Luguran taya iti, e mu king amanu, nune maging king pekamalating dapat at kasuyuan.

At ing tauling panabilin, ali mibibiye karing eganagana ing anting kalam. E ta ngan mayaus king pangamartir king altar ning pangamemalen. Dapot, mayayaus tamu ngan na manyalese king kekatamung kapaligiran, king kekatamung sarili, king kekatamung pamakiagum kareng aliwa, at king kekatamung pamintuan a Diyos.

Panupaya yu pu sana nung makuyad mu ing kanakung inapse, dapot titas ne ing aldo at akakit ku na mangabilis na kayung mamepe. Migit pa kaniti, ating manenaya kanaku kayari na niting pamagmasusi. Makanyan mu rin ating manenaya kareng balang metung kekatamu kasara na niting programa, at alang aliwa nune ring kekatamung pamilya, komunidad, lalawagan at bansa. Manenaya lang mabiye bayani, a makaibye halimbawa nung makananu ing mabibiye antimong tapat at responsabling memalen.

King mapilan a penandit, mamanuli tana kanyan, at mibalik na kareng sarili tamung pibalebale, o kaya naman mamalengki. Malyari mu naming taglus king mall at panayan yang mamuklat ban makapanalbe kang Aga Mulach ampong I Anne Curtis. Mananu na sanang ding tauling amanu nang Jose Abad Santos mikintal la king pamisip ding balang metung kekatamu, at miliwat la king masalese at mayap a dapat king ikanono na ning lalawigan at bansa. At nung makananung sasabyan na ning pari, meyari na ing misa, ume na kayu king kapayapan, aku namang sasabi ngeni, megumpisa na ing biye, ume na kayu king pangabayani.

Iya na mu pu ita, at dakal a salamat keko ngan.

Posted by pamagcusa at 07:20 AM | Permalink

Sometimes, I begin to wonder if the time and effort personally spent in writing this weekly column is worth it all. Sometimes, I cannot help but ask whether the biblical exhortations and/or admonitions made in this column over the years are exercises in futility since I don’t see much tangible effects in the hearts and minds of the Filipino-Americans which are supposed to be its targeted readers. All this time, I was hoping that these poignant reflections would convict, inspire and/or motivate many overseas-based Filipinos particularly the relatively affluent ones based in America, to at least look back to their country of origin and somehow, make a pivotal difference not only in the lives of their loved ones but more so, in the lives of our beloved and impoverished countrymen. I do appreciate the fact that through this column, I got connected with organizations such as the PAMAG-KUSA group ably spearheaded by Mr. Ram Pineda and Ms. Josie Castro which group provides much-needed personal financial support to the incumbent Gov. "Among" Ed Panlilio of Pampanga. I am also encouraged when complete strangers would appreciate the biblical insights I share with regards to Philippine affairs but sad to say, more often than not, these positive comments are about all there is to it, mere words of support with not much follow-through in terms of action and tangibility. Frankly, I was and still am expecting more pro-active involvement together with the proportionate commitment from more Filipino-Americans, individuals and organizations alike but unfortunately, it is humbly disheartening to admit that the results and cooperative efforts I have been looking for have been, so far, pathetically negligible to none.

Which begs the question? Perhaps, just like most if not all lawyer/columnists, I should simply promote my self-serving agenda/interests and write articles in immigration and family law having specialized in the same for more than 15 years. Perhaps, I should just drop and not pursue this seemingly quixotic movement, Bangon! Bagong Pilipinas (BBP), which envisions to involve overseas-based Filipinos, especially US-based ones, in the moral, economic and political transformation of the Philippines through the implementation of humanitarian and/or livelihood projects for the impoverished sectors of our country. Perhaps, many Filipino-Americans just would not understand/heed the admonition that not only should they support their loved ones alone but also, worthwhile projects such as Gawad-Kalinga and the Our Lady of Peace Foundation hospital in Paranaque providing free medical/hospitalization to indigent families in Metro Manila, among others. After all, Jesus Himself said…"If you love only those who love you, what credit is that to you?" Perhaps, many overseas-based Filipinos would never envision their collective capability/potential as a group to exhort/persuade their loved ones as well as the beneficiaries of the humanitarian/livelihood projects to once and for all, install morally upright political leadership in our country if only to greatly minimize if not totally eradicate the immorality and graft and corruption mentality/culture in our government bureaucracy. Perhaps…But then, I am reminded of what God said in Isaiah 55:10-11…"For just as from the heavens, the rain and snow come down and shall not return there until it has watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall My word which comes forth from My mouth. It shall not return to me void but shall do My will and accomplish the purpose for which I sent it." Indeed, St. Peter exhorts in 2 Timothy 4:1-5…"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus…I charge you to preach the word and to stay with this task, whether convenient or inconvenient, correcting, reproving, appealing- constantly teaching and never losing patience."

Emboldened by these exhortations and despite concerns by well-meaning relatives/friends for my health due to a quadruple heart by-pass surgery last year, I have decided to go full speed ahead anyway with the BBP movement as I have discerned it to be a God-given purpose/mission. Much like Gideon, I don’t profess to have the wherewithal, credentials/resources to get it done. I just pray and hope that at least 300 patriotic, God-fearing, Christ-centered, Spirit-inspired Filipino-Americans would stand in the gap with me in this fight for the eventual delivery of the Filipino people from the curses of poverty, graft and corruption and gross immorality. Will you be one of these select 300? After all, "The only reason why evil triumphs in this world is because good men simply do nothing."… Di ba?

To get involved with Bangon! Bagong Pilipinas (BBP) Movement, please call (213) 388-9925 or e-mail bbp.1010@yahoo.com. For details, log on to globalhello.com/bbp.

Posted by pamagcusa at 07:17 AM | Permalink