SM City (Mindpro) Mall in Zamboanga Opening Scandal

 On DILG leadership's investigation of LGU & Mall operator's breach of Philippine government's

IATF policy & protocols on physical distancing...

10 Years Old Anahaw Tree Planted at Teng's Grill-Zamboanga

 (11/23/20) Let's #Plant_Plant_Plant. 🌴 At hindsight and with humility, I planted this #Anahaw #Palm_Tree a little more than 10 years ago today at Teng's Grill & Catering Services main branch in Zamboanga City of #ASEAN_Philippines. Amazing & wonderful, indeed. 🌳💞🇵🇭 Let's continuously support our #agricultureandfarming in the countryside Kaibigan, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, PhD. 🙏💞🇵🇭 Let us advance #urbanagriculture.

WMSU’s JFC Member Shines at the 2006 PPSA International Conference

WMSU’s JFC Member Shines at the 2006 PPSA International Conference By Moy N. Edding Zamboanga Star, Vol. 24, No. 122 (November 3, 2006)

The research work of Esnaen M. Catong, a WMSU faculty and a Junior Faculty Club (JFC) member, was chosen by the prestigious Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA) last June 26, 2006 for presentation at the 2006 PPSA International Conference which focused on the theme “Alternatives.” He presented his study entitled Active ‘Three-O’ Diplomacy: An Indispensable Alternative for Philippine Survival at the said international conference held on October 27-28, 2006 at the Grand Astoria Hotel, this city.

In the 58-page study, Prof. Catong contends that “it is in the best interests of the Philippines to take a closer look on the ‘Three-O’ (Oil, OFW, and OIC) for survival.” He argues that “ours is a ‘history of crisis’ hence the country’s leadership (present and future) should focus on coming up with decisive and clear-cut policies on ‘Three-O’.” “We should graduate from ‘reactionary policies’ on OFWs, Oil, and OIC,” he adds.

Notable, in his powerpoint presentation using data from POEA, BSP, DOE, and some foreign institutions as primary and secondary sources, he argues that “the Philippines cannot do away with main OFW-host countries who happen to be OPEC-key players, and also OIC influential members.” Finally, after discussing the challenges and prospects of ‘Three-O’ he offers recommendations to address ‘Three-O’ confronting the country. Among others, he offers visible solutions that include a “Comprehensive OFW Program (COFWP),’ how to “deal with OPEC for Oil aside from working for alternative energy sources,” and how to “engage with OIC for sustainable peace and development in the country.” And the way to do it, he said, is to have active diplomatic engagements herein referred as “Active ‘Three-O’ Diplomacy.”

Teng Catong, as his friends call him, teaches political science and history at the College of Liberal Arts of WMSU. His research interests include Philippine Foreign Relations, Diplomatic History (West Asia and Southeast Asia), Conflict Resolution, Islamic Studies, Ethno-history, Political Dynamics, and Migration. He has presented research papers in international and national academic conferences. Recently, one of his studies won in a research competition from the Research Fellowship Program for Young Muslim Scholars under the auspices of AMAN and the Rockefeller Foundation based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Prof. Catong is one of the founding members of the JFC whose main goal is to protect and enhance the interest of its members usually with a rank of Assistant Professor down to Instructor in WMSU. He joined the political science department of WMSU as a visiting lecturer in 1996 and became a tenured faculty in 1999. Teng is among the principled and respected young leaders/educators in the region and has always been working as a partner of WMSU in development. He was overwhelmingly elected president of the University Student Council and the 1^st Student Regent of WMSU pursuant to the CHED Modernization Act (R.A. 8292) in S.Y. 1997-1998. Indeed, he is one of the admired faculty members that WMSU has produced. He earned his B.A. in Political Science in 1995 and Bachelor of Laws in 1999 at WMSU. He graduated an M.A. in History, Cognate in Political Science at UP Diliman, where he is also finishing a Ph.D.

The Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA) International conference is one of the most high profile academic events in the field of Political Science. PPSA is the Philippine Social Science Council’s (PSSC) leading Professional Association. This year’s gathering showcased scholars in the field of political science that include Prof. Felipe Miranda, Prof. Alexander Magno, Prof. Malaya Ronas, Dr. Olivia Caoili, Dr. Natalia Morales, Dr. Teresa Encarnacion Tadem, Dr. Amado Mendoza, Dr. Maria Ela Atienza, Dr. George Tigno, Prof. Raymund Quilop, Prof. Aries Arugay, Prof. Perlita Frago, Prof. Rolando Fernando, and Prof. Lusterio Rico, all from UP Diliman; Dr. Ronald Holmes of DLSU; and Dr. Macapado Abaton Muslim of MSU. Dr. Antonio Ledesma, S.J. of Xavier University was the keynote speaker.

Faculty members and scholars from leading universities abroad like Dr. Reynaldo Ileto of National University of Singapore joined other academics and researchers from non-academic institutions in infusing discourses from various perspectives with other research presenters in the country from UP Diliman, UP Visayas, AdMU, DLSU, WMSU, UAP, MSU, USM, USC, XU, AFP, IPD, AER, and SWS.

Foreign universities with research presenters include Cankaya University and Fatih University in Turkey, Flinders University of South Australia, Gadja Mada University, Humboldt University of Berlin, Kobe University of Foreign Studies, Kyoto University, National University of Singapore, University of Canberra, University of Florida, and University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Former UP Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Political Science Dr. Olivia Caoili, former Dean of UP Institute of Islamic Studies Dr. Carmen Abubakar, and UP School of Industrial and Labor Relations Professor Dr. Virginia Teodosio were among the renowned academics present in the 2006 PPSA International Conference who responded with positive remarks on the study of Prof. Catong.

Meanwhile, Prof. Catong is “encouraging his colleagues at the premiere university in Western Mindanao to let their presence be felt in their respective fields of specialization through research. We should be proactive in producing research outputs to help our respective communities in line with the purpose of the university’s creation.” “This is my modest way of responding to the statement of WMSU and PASUC president Dr. Eldigario D. Gonzales during the opening ceremony of the WMSU Centennial Palaro that ‘the best is yet to come’,” he adds.

The WMSU president upon the recommendation of CLA Dean Dr. Agnes Duque also sent political science Professors Patrocinio Enopia, Edgar Araojo, Jofre Rasul, Lilibeth Macario, and Criselda Chou as participants in the recently concluded international conference which was co-sponsored by the Asia Foundation, USAID, City of Zamboanga, ADZU, and PSSC.

WMSU is celebration its centennial with the theme WMSU: A Century of Commitment to Excellence!

Post-EDSA Oligarchy and the State of Education in the Philippines

We are Citizens of the Philippines and We Support President Rodrigo R. Duterte's No-nonsense Fight Against Illegal Drugs, Corruption, and Criminality towards Lasting Peace, Inclusive Growth, and Sustainable Development

Realize Change!
Strengthen Unity of Kilusang Pagbabago
Against Anti-Change Forces

TEN months into his administration, President Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PMRRD) has hurdled the increasing challenges obstructing the advancement of the agenda for real change the Filipino people longed for.

PMRRD is determined in the campaign to eliminate corruption, anti-illegal drugs, anti-crime, pursue the peace process, shift to federalism and improve governance to effectively and swiftly deliver the needed services to the people especially at the grassroots.

However, the government bureaucracy is still haven to numerous crooks, largely those carried over from the previous administrations.
 Others made their way during the elections. There are those that were able to sneak through by masking themselves, or through their connections with the President and his men.

Kilusang Pagbabago believes PMRRD is sincere. He has strong political will to pursue the change agenda. But government is far from perfect.

Many elements within the bureaucracy hold conflicting interests and positions on various issues even among the members of the broad and loose PMRRD alliance, to the detriment of the interest of the majority of the Filipino people.

The “yellows” and their foreign backers have mounted synchronized assaults aimed to impeach the President.

Parallel media offensives both at the national and international fronts were escalated on the issue of Extra Judicial Killings (EJK), with some known media outfits funded by drug money.

Even then, the campaign for anti illegal drugs of PMRRD still gains the popular and overwhelming support from 8 out of 10 Filipinos.

The local elite and the oligarch will not stop to destabilize and unseat PMRRD from the Presidency.

Unfortunately, a disgruntled government appointee is maligning and putting in bad light one of the President’s trusted men - Cab Sec Jun Evasco, along with Penpen Libres (lead convenor) and other leaders of Kilusang Pagbabago – Lead Organization, Inc./Nat’l. Organizing Committee (KP-LOI/NOC).

This appointee identified as Ms. Rowena Burden, a newly appointed commissioner of the Philippine Commission of Women (PCW) has engaged in defamation and derogatory assaults aimed at destroying the image and credibility of said KP personalities and the whole Kilusang Pagbabago (KP), which is a legitimate program included in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

Using red scare tactics in social media, she is urging people to leave the KP and join her newly organized “own” movement (called We, The People). We are sickened by the thick-faced attempts at sowing disunity, divisiveness and factionalism within the broad coalition of PMRRD supporters.

PMRRD, meanwhile, calls on the Filipino People to help him to succeed through participatory governance.

To derail us, we know snakes will continue to hatch political intrigues and dis-information. These are normal occurrences because anti-change forces will not stop.

We will not be cowed by any attempt of the Anti Change forces to obstruct and destabilize the administration of PMRRD.

KP will stand firm and vow to defend PMRRD and Cab Sec Evasco.

The broad stakeholders and members of Kilusang Pagbabago (KP) at the national and international levels, under the guidance of KP-LOI/NOC hereby manifest our strong unity and commitment to intensify the movement, realize change and establish a better Philippines for the next generations to come.

Mabuhay ang mga KPyanos sa buong mundo!
Mabuhay ang Mamamayang Pilipino!

#DefendPRRD
#ProtectCabSecEvasco
#StopDestabilization
#StopAntiChangeForces
#SulongKilusangPagbabago
#RealizeChange

Signed:

Mr. Joselito “Penpen” Libres
Lead Convenor
Kilusang Pagbabago –
Lead Organization Inc./
National Organizing Committee
(KP-LOI/NOC)

Ms. Edina Almodal
Co-Convenor, Luzon; KP-LOI/NOC

Ms. Doris Mongaya
Co-Convenor, Visayas; KP-LOI/NOC

Mr. Larry Batara
KP-LOI Region 1

Mr. Larry Madarang
KP-LOI Region 2

Ms. Nini Balaquio
KP-LOI Region 3

Mr. Ricky Sotto
KP-LOI Region IV A

Mr. Fred Abad
KP-LOI Region IV B

Mr. Jose Eduardo Velasquez
KP-LOI Region V

Fr. Elmer Cahilig
Mr. Felix Espada
KP-LOI Region 6
(Western Visayas)

Mr. Wendel Cabrera
Atty. Rex Fernandez
Atty. Ennoh Chentis Fernandez
KP-LOI Region 7
(Central Visayas)

Mr. Rico C. Cajife
Atty. Priscilo B. Martin
KP-LOI Region 8
(Eastern Visayas)

Mr. Romulo Baz
KP-LOI Regn 9
(Western Mindanao)

Ms. Vida Pacturan
Mr. Joseph Borromeo
KP-LOI Region 10
(Northern Mindanao)

Mr. Alexander Balili
Mr. Alexander Casiple
KP-LOI Region 11 (Davao)

Mr. Rey Billena
Mr. Diomedes Madanggit
KP-LOI Region 12 (SOCSKSARGEN)

Mr. Henrito Calvez
Mr. Radigundo Rivas
KP-LOI Region 13 (Caraga)

Mr. Abdulrashid Ladayo
Mr. Carl Lacoto
KP-LOI ARMM

Ms. Anna so Rosuman
Mr. Vitorio Jerico L. Cawis
 KP-LOI Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR)

Mr. Wilmar Panti
KP-LOI NCR

Atty. Homer Mabale
Kilusang Pagbabago-
United to Free Camiguin (KP-UFC)

Mr. Celso Tizon
Chairperson
Mr. Vergilio dela Cruz
Secretary General
Hugpong Federal Movement of the Phil. (HFMP)

Dr. Edgardo Clemente
Chairperson, KP-Metro Manila Duterte Movement (KP-MMDM)

Mr. John Labrador
President, Luzon Wide Alliance for True Change (Luzon Watch)

Atty. Aries Albay
Atty. Antonio Arellano
Atty. Randolph “Bong” Paracasio
Mr. Rogelio “ Jing” Bantayan
Kilos Pederal para sa Pagbabago (KPP)

Mr. Jimmy Cabrera
Mr. Popong Landero
Musicians and Artists for Duterte (MAD) Mr. Louie Ceniza
National President, Philippine Fraternal Order of Eagles

Mr. Monk Aziz Rasteen Olamit
Solid South Duterte Movement (SSDM)

Prof. Esnaen Catong
Former Dean & Faculty Union President (WMSU)
Faculty Regent of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU)

Mr. Miguel Catain
Chairperson, Liga ng MayKapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LMPI)

Ms. Belinda Formanes
Climate Change Congress

Ms. Evangeline Silva
PESANTE Pilipinas

Mr. Mamerto Dumayas
Buklod ng Malayang Magsasaka ng Palawan at Occidental Mindoro

Dr. Luis Jose Presbitero, MD
Duterte Die Hard Supporters (DDS)

Mr. Jonathan A. Banez
Regional President, Region 11
GUARDIANS Brotherhood Incorporated (GBI)

Mr. Arnel Corpuz
KP International

Ms. Jhay Jhay Acedo
President

Mr. Leo Lauron
Ms. Maume Y. Climaco
Mr. Conrado Quizon
Mr. Roy Tampos
BOD members
Overseas Filipino Workers- Global Movement for Empowerment
(OFW-GME)/ KP International

Ms. Azenith A. Tonio
KP Int’l. - Spain

Mr. Aurtenciano R. Miranda Jr.
KP Int’l. - Rome/Italy

Mr. Edgardo Sta. Maria Turingan
KP Int’l. – Italy (Milan)

Ms. Angelita Ebanks
KP Int’l. - Cayman Islands (Caribbean Sea-North America)

Ms. Robina Alburo
KP Int’l. – Southern Taiwan

Mr. Rodel Balana
KP Int’l. – Taichung, Taiwan

Ms. Rio Anita Mesa
KP Int’l. - Hongkong

Engr. Rogelio D. Barrozo
KP Int’l. – Singapore

Mr. Jonathan Estabillo Marigsa
KP Intl. – Macau

Ms. Sheryl Abella Palacios
KP Int’l. United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)

Mr. George Requerme
KP Int’l. - United Arab Emirates (Dubai)

Ms. Laureen Abella Alturkait
KP Int’l. – Turkery

Ms. Ailyn Callenero
KP Int’l. – Lebanon

Mr. Reymundo Salazar
KP Int’l. – Bahrain

Mr. Crispin Ordonio
KP Int’l.- Brunei

Mr. Joel R. Morfe
KP Int’l. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Mr. George Astilla
KP int’l. – Tokyo (Japan)

Mr. Samuel Anticamara
Mr. Mamon Fernandez
KP int’l. – Nagoya (Japan)

Mr. Rudy Gealogo Celeste
KP Int'l. - DDS Indonesia

The best is yet to come! :)

MINDANAO' S DIVERSITY: A HIDDEN BEAUTY IN ADVERSITY

In the early 1980s under the “Masagana 99” and “Green Revolution” programs of the Philippine government, farmers and fishermen were given support from seeds to post-harvest facilities in the countryside that was felt even in the post-conflicted territories in Mindanao.

We were among the recuperating masses and neither part of the Marcos cronies nor Aquino loyalists.

Putting things in their contexts, after the disastrous wars in the 1970s during the Martial Law---that claimed more than 120, 000 lives---that ended in the ceasefire following the signing of the Tripoli Libya Agreement in 1976, we were apolitical to the best of our abilities. 

The diverse communities in Mindanao-focused on livelihood and shared the agricultural prosperity in the periphery. The barter system economy was popular, later on, badly politicized and destroyed by the greedy oligarchs in Southern Philippines and beyond.

The once upon a time called “the Pearl of the Orient” was renown for agriculture not only because of the institutions like UP-Los Banos and the International Rice Research Institute, (IRRI) but because of the huge agriculture-based human capital that gained the respect of the world.

For lack of technical know-how in “modern farming” and understanding of the farming environment and systems, most of these farmers incurred losses at the outset---notwithstanding govt support. In less than 2 years, the massive exportation of agriculture and aquaculture followed that helped sustained our economy notwithstanding the globally politicized political economy. 

With my father as a rice farmer and fishpond enthusiast-turned agripreneur, I have rich actual experiences on these ups and downs being the eldest in the family of seven siblings. On top of being the eldest grandson of the marriage alliance of the two big clans in Western Mindanao (old Region IX) and Central Mindanao (old Region XII).

Due to policy discontinuity? 

On fishpond and aquaculture, some Japanese & Taiwanese experts partnered with the locals. It was indeed a success. We were among those farming families with success stories to tell up until the EDSA revolution---when everything Marcos in terms of policies and programs and in most part in names either direct or by inducement---were discontinued. 

The rice farmers suffered and the fishpond (modern at that time blended with environmental-friendly indigenous knowledge) died in its natural death. 

We used to shield our fishponds with bakawan or bakhaw tress plus the tallest grass (bamboos) for farming materials and biodiversity---resilient plants that could withstand environmental challenges, and the rest is history. 

Outcomes? 

The agriculture & environment systems approaches were abandoned due to the post-EDSA policy of subdividing Ministry of Agriculture into several departments and bureaus that led to the choking of the fishes with water lilies in the Manila-centric so-called experts perceived counter-productive ponds & farms in Mindanao---later on convenient for land titling by the new-born oligarchs of Mindanao courtesy of the ignorance of the natives of the Torrens Titling System that was in full scale. 

Philippine exports of cultured prawns and high-value fishes to Japan, Taiwan markets to the rest of the world, gone---choking fishes with water lilies and hybrid kangkongs named Imelda---in the mostly land grabbed lands perfect for inclusive and; sustainable agricultural environment. 

At hindsight, it must be in the family FAMILY NAMES Marcos vs. Aquino---that Filipino farmers & Fishermen suffered in the post-EDSA Philippines.

In foresight, it is about time that my unpopular experience as a son of an ordinary Muslim farmer who survived the trails of Mindanao---and with descendants who chose education as against the barrels of the gun, notwithstanding adversities.

 With the fervent hope that our challenges and prospects in life be part of the narratives of the Philippine in the quest for lasting peace and inclusive development.

On President Duterte's Handling of the Philippine-China Relations

Considering Philippine national interests, putting down the Rodrigo Roa Duterte leadership stance and some Filipino scholars on the Philippine-China relations---to the point of questioning their intellectual capability, being backward and a loser mindset---is uncalled for.

I personally do not believe that the mindset of a president who for the first time in history optimized a high octane power politics in the post-EDSA Philippines is at all backward and a loser---but a big WINNER in the realm of geopolitics.

Precisely, a mindset of a winner that did not solely optimize military arsenals to WIN!

Following the line of contention of a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy---as he claimed further to have passed his military history with flying colors--- who had been mentioning four countries that he considered having WINNER mindsets, here are some historical and socio-economic foundations of their WINNING as juxtaposed to the Philippine context prior to the presidency of Mayor Digong Duterte.

Singapore was not recognized by the world because of their military prowess. In reading, also consider the "context specificity "that I had been telling my some Filipino citizens all along. For instance, Israel became military known because their economic activities that led to their controlling of the economies of the US and Europe, hence their military sophistication.

The US became what she is today militarily because of their post-war dominance in the arms race following the payment of the reparation for damages and their economic exploitation of the Philippines---their first and only colony in Asia.

China was already the "celestial empire" even two hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ---may peace be upon him. She became complacent and known as the sleeping giant during the cold-war and now is awake following the economic paradigm shift by revising her constitution in 1981 that resulted in her rise economically and now politically.

In reading, it must be with comprehension ---tempered with context specificity. For instance, on Nick Joaquin's Filipino mindset of smallness---that was in the context of consciousness which was developed considering the 333 years of Spanish colonization, 50 years of American colonialism plus 70-year of neocolonialism, and 3 years of Japanese conquest is not applicable to the wide-read Filipino scholars like Dr. Clarita R. Carlos.

Hence, the introduction of the subjects in history and social sciences in all curricular offerings as a constitutional mandate to all academic institutions including the PMA to precisely liberate the Filipino people from the iota of ignorance towards inclusive development---that the government of the past failed to understand and connect.

The post-colonialist, postmodernist, and at the same time pragmatist President Rody Duterte---whose understanding of historiography, political science, and law is respectable as manifested by his act implementing to the spirit of the independence in Philippine foreign policy in accordance with Art 2, section 7 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

As a lifetime learner and passionate educator of history and civilization, politics and culture, socio-economic development, and geopolitics by choice and profession; I have the firm belief that the Philippines leadership will opt for MUTUALITY AND SHARED PROSPERITY through COLLECTIVE SECURITY.

The ASEAN framework is working and China will continously participate actively in the process, as it was in the past for peaceful co-existence. President Duterte's handling of the Philippine-China Relations in my modest analysis is rational---and in accordance with the Philippine national interests.