BE Dujali Mayor Moral, one of the two mayors mentioned by Mayor Sara Duterte?

During the founding convention of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), the regional political party of Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, two still largely unidentified mayors were hinted by her following the alleged says-so of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez tagging the presidential daughter as “part of the opposition” and sowing a deadly “intrigue” that the Speaker, for being him in that position, can easily impeach the President.
But it was President Digong who first tagged those, and then lumped as just “an intrigue by media again.” At the most recent, by media’s frequent asking, the Speaker has been saying “surrender na” and imposing silence instead of rebutting Mayor Inday Sara’s tirades at him, like her most recent expression about her being only a woman. “Surrender na nga ako e. Surrender na,” the Speaker told reporters in Surigao City last Thursday.

Giingna’g surrender na, but propagandists from the Firm, I suspect, kept on feeding fire to the imagined Sara-Bebot rift in the hope that Cong. Tony Boy Floirendo could get off the hook from the heat he’s now, or so, he could be saved. But boy, the Speaker remains to be the staunchiest ally of the President in the Lower House. He made PDP-Laban the ruling party now, from 2 to 123 members inside the House. The Speaker is no pushover.

But here’s a question most relevant to DavNor: Who among the 10 mayors in DavNor who gave the “intriguing info” to Mayor Inday? The info, which was denied by Speaker Alvarez as to be uttered by him, has driven a temporary wedge between the presidential daughter and the Speaker. It’s similar to the ancient spat between the princess and Legislature head trusted by the King. Both are loved by His Highness. But back to the question. The Speaker currently has five mayor allies. The other five mayors troop under the Floirendo-Del Rosario clannish grouping.

We heard a word from political grooves of DavNor that simply because BE Dujali Mayor Leah Marie “Tata” Moral-Romano and Mayor Inday Sara are both women and lawyers, they shared two essences that they possibly could communicate well. I rather tag this as speculation. Moral-Romano belongs to Floirendo-Del Rosario camp. It’s unthinkable that the mayors who gave the info came from Alvarez camp. But maybe, the lady mayor lawyer was just the mayor who felt alluded to. Meantime, we’re still on the thick of our search for answer on who really those two mayors are.

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from Mindanao Sun Chronicle weekly, March 5-11, 2018

No more Sara tirades vs the Speaker

Belated happy 20th Araws to BE Dujali town in Davao del Norte and to Comval last March 8. Both occasions were graced by Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. It was on that day that- to the dismay of those who want House Speaker Bebot Alvarez destroyed- we knew the cannon of Mayor Inday fell silent, drawing out speculations that maybe the Mayor and the Speaker have reconciled for good, or that maybe President Duterte have mended their differences.

But I believe more on the report that the President chose not to intervene in their now so shortlived feud. And with that suspended stance, the two understood PDigong’s dilemma, then both gave deference to him. The two- without doubt- are loved by PDigong. Inday Sara is his daughter. We’ll stop here about Sara. That’s too understandable.

We’ll delve more on Speaker Bebot. The Speaker is PDigong’s most trusted and most loyal ally in the House (correct ka dyan Palace spokesperson Harry Roque). I did a little online research, and I found out that the Speaker and the President are magkumpare. PDigong is ninong of one of the children of the Speaker.

It was Alvarez, during his first stint in Congress who started pushing then Congressman Digong to run for president way back in 1998. “Dagan ‘pre ug presidente ug klaro ka nga modaug”, “Ayaw gud ug kumedya diha pre, pangita ug lain nga imong ulog-ulogan”- conversations I imagined when they were both serving as congressmen. Eighteen years after, the words of Cong.Alvarez proved to be prophetic.

But we knew too much about the Mayor Digong too reluctant to run for president. But Alvarez distributed t-shirts crying out loud for Duterte to run for president. He did all his convincing, and maneuvering via PDP-Laban, with Sen. Koko Pimentel, to substitute Martin Diño as candidate for president after Digong filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor in Davao City in Oct. 2015. But by December of the same year Digong officially substituted Diño as candidate for president. Alvarez was then described as the man who convinced Duterte to run for president.

It was the Speaker who best described who PDigong is: “a toughie who has a soft core.” Upclose the Speaker saw Mayor Digong sobbing: first after a visit from a cancer patient, then when candidate Digong saw the size of the rapturous crowd at a campaign rally in the 2016 election.

After Digong won to be our 16th President, the two buddies went on adventure trips together, like they flew an ultralight two-seater plane over Pampanga. “(It was) like riding a motorcycle in the air,” Alvarez recalled. Alvarez knows his buddy “doesn’t drink or smoke” but “he loves to talk. We talk about so many things… women, light moments… girlfriends.” Bebot also said to the press that Digong’s favorite dish is “inun-onan”, adding that on their trip to Australia before the campaign period, they spent time just “walking around, eating.”

From all of these we can confidently say that Alvarez has been Digong’s trusted buddy and confidante.

But back to Roque’s description of the Speaker as the most trusted and most loyal ally in the House, the man who convinced Rody to run for president is still the House Speaker trusted by majority of congressmen who have varying vested interests. DavNor’s Uno Cong. Bebot was elected Speaker by 86 percent, or 251 of the 292 members of the House of Representatives in the 17th Congress. That was and is a supermajority. He made PDP-Laban as the nation’s ruling party comprised of 123 incumbent congressmen now from 3 members, and thousands of incumbent local officials via the fast train of PDP-Laban mass oathtaking.

But how he does traffic all of these varying and even conflicting vested interests of congressmen, to crack a whip to realize the president’s campaign promises, legislative agenda and even wishes? He could even call, urge and prod the upper chamber. No doubt about this: the Speaker has strong, knowledgeable, unifying and confident leadership that dovetails and connects with, nicely fitting to the tough and strong-willed leadership of PDigong.

The Speaker is no pushover. No other leader in the House who knows and understands PDigong’s gusto, wishes, body movements and projections and zest in life than a Mindanaon and Bisaya-speaking, a rugged, who at times fumes mad at the oligarchs, understands and hobnobs with the lumpen proletariat, a non-elitist just like PDigong- than the Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez.

That’s why guys the canon of Mayor Inday fell silent these days to the great dismay of those who want the Speaker destroyed so that they’ll be saved and their current heat taken off from them. So sorry to Gov. AGR and Cong. Tony Boy.

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from Mindanao Sun Chronicle weekly, March 8-14, 2018

DavNor Constituents Can Have Team ALDU Cards & Have Hospitalization Assistance If Possible with Zero Billing

The Team Alvarez-Dujali (ALDU) medical assistance program is getting stronger each day as people like the simple concept of giving help to them especially when they have members in the family getting confined in DRMC and SPMC government hospitals.

The Team ALDU medical assistance program first requires each beneficiary to have a TEAM ALDU card, which entitles him an automatic P5,000 hospitalization assistance.

(Photos: via Facebook- Elmer Ramz Demz, Larry Bong Garcia)

But if the beneficiary incurs a hospital bill worth more than P5,000, he can go to the municipal/city chairman of Team ALDU, to avail another P5,000 worth of hospitalization assistance. That’s P10,000 already

If then again the beneficiary incurs a hospital bill more than P10,000 he can further go to the provincial chairman of Team ALDU, in this case Vice Governor Alan Dujali to ask for further hospitalization assistance worth a combined P20,000 and up, targeting an objective of zero billing of the patient.

Overall, this is Team ALDU medical assistance program funded by the House Speaker Alvarez.

That’s ’til there is fund as House Speaker Alvarez put up a whooping P50 million fund for the program for this year. But once the fund is consumed, expect the Speaker to find funds in Congress  for his District and province to replenish it til the next cycle of budgeting for next year 2019.

Anybody, who wants to have a Team ALDU card can first go to the following pointperson-chairmen, in District 2: Board Member Erning Evangelista for Sto. Tomas, Abante Panabo chairman Frank Gentiles, Carmen Councilor Leony Bahague and BE Dujali Councilor Goryo Facula. (mindanaosunchronicle.com/Cha Monforte)

Alvarez: “I Don’t Wish to be Congressman for 3 Terms, Only 2 Terms”

House Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez said during the 20th cityhood anniversary celebration of Tagum City Wednesday that he did not wish to serve as congressman of the 1st District in Davao del Norte for three terms, but only for two terms.

Joining with the Tagum City officials, employees and people led by Mayor Allan Rellon during the anniversary program in the afternoon at the New City Hall, the Speaker vowed he would do what he can, “I’ll do all” to finish within two terms all big-ticket projects on the pipeline as well those jumpstarted.

(Photo via Facebook – Demetrio Laguna Jagunos)

He mentioned the P500 million for modern football stadium, which could host international events, the start of the construction of the Tagum-to-Digos phase of Mindanao railway “this year”, and there is another phase for Tagum-Butuan City, and the flyover project, “which could be finished before the election next year.”

He also announced soon the Dept. of Foreign Affairs Consulate would open in Tagum.

He asked the people to give him more one more term to serve them, adding that his dream is that by end of his term “there would no more squatters in Tagum City,” apparently hinting he would be having mass socialized housing in the city.

He said “it’s a tough job” which needs people support, candidly adding “that’s why I need two terms.”

“Public service is sacrifice. I want to serve to the people what public service is as congressman, not only in sessions but also in delivering the goods for the people,” he concluded. (mindanaosunchronicle.com/Cha Monforte)

Sara Duterte Launches Regl Political Party, Asks Speaker Alvarez To Stop Attacking Her “Even in Whispers”

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte as party chairman led the formation Friday afternoon in Davao City a new regional political party named as Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), swearing in more than 500 incumbent officials led by four of the five governors in Davao Region.

Besides the governors, other officials who took oath during the HNP founding convention were mayors, board members, councilors and barangay captain representatives across the region except Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas and his loyal pack, although there was also a good number of officials from his province attending.

The convention was also less of the 11 congressmen in the region except Davao del Norte 2nd District Cong. Antonio “Tony Boy” Floirendo.

Floirendo however left the venue, The Royal Mandaya Hotel, at past 2 p.m. before the mass oathtaking of the first batch of HNP members took place.

The congressman has a warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan Wednesday in connection with the graft case filed by Speaker and Davao del Norte 1st District Cong. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez. The case is bailable by P30,000.

Closing in ranks with Mayor Duterte were Governors Claude Bautista (Davao Occidental, HNP president), Nelson Dayanghirang (Davao Oriental, HNP vice president, Anthony del Rosario (Davao del Norte, HNP secretary) and Jayvee Tyron Uy (Compostela Valley, HNP treasurer).

With the joining of majority of governors and their respective packs of leaders, Davao Region or Region XI, President Duterte’s home region  effectively became an HNP country even as Davao del Norte remains to be a house divided between the turfs of feuding Congressmen Alvarez and Floirendo, who is allied with Gov. Del Rosario.

Mayors from Davao del Norte who sworn in to HNP were only Floirendo’s five ally mayors while the other five mayors stick with the Alvarez’ PDP-Laban.

It turned out that those who sworn in since late last year during the PDP-Laban mass oathtaking activities pushed by Speaker Alvarez like the contingent from Compostela Valley led by Gov. Uy and several packs from Davao del Sur not loyal to Gov. Cagas (Nacionalista Party to PDP-Laban) have defected again to the regional party.

In an interview, Uy said there is “no conflict” as he would give officials in his province freedom to choose whether they would remain with PDP-Laban as their national party or be with HNP as their regional party.

Around 99.8 percent of Comval officials from provincial down to barangay levels swore to be new PDP-Laban members in mass oathtaking administered by Alvarez and Senate President Koko Pimentel Aug. last year.

Uy said he already had resigned from PDP-Laban Friday morning to be with HNP that is still to be registered and accredited with the Commission on Elections. The convention is one of the requirements.

Gov. Bautista said he was “considered resigned” from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), while Gov. Dayanghirang said he “intends to resign” from the Liberal Party, and Gov. Del Rosario said he already resigned from the LP last November.

Mayor Duterte said HNP would be a regional party which would focus in bringing equitable development of Davao Region during Duterte administration.

As Davao del Norte remains a house divided in the new political realignment, with the swearing in of ex-Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, ex-Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy or the switching of the Uys from Alvarez camp to HNP fold, Mayor Sara Duterte said she would “not interfere in the politics of Davao del Norte”.

The Speaker intends “to run a full slate in Davao del Norte” in the coming elections, the mayor echoed the words of the Speaker whom she said called up her husband Atty. Mans Carpio to ask for help.

But she asked Speaker Alvarez to exclude her from his attacks by not mentioning her name “even in whispers or even in thinking on her” otherwise she might abandon her own campaign in the next election and go to his district to ensure he would lose in his reelection bid.

The mayor fumed on her social media posts Thursday over purported says-so of Alvarez that she is part of the opposition by forming HNP and that he could impeach the President, which were all denied by the Speaker, while the President called it as just an intrigue by the “media again.”

The Speaker earlier said he never said those words and would never said those words to Dutertes.

Mayor Sara Duterte said “a mayor” who was not around in the convention told her the information.

“He is a friend of the Speaker,” she added.

“Who is he, the male mayor, a friend of the Speaker and who can communicate with Mayor Sara, who sow the intrigue?” commented a councilor who asked not to he identified at the sidelines of the jampacked HNP convention. (mindanaosunchronicle.com/Cha Monforte)

I Never Said Those- Alvarez to Inday Sara

“I never said those words and I will never say those against Dutertes,” said House Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez in his respectful reply to Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

The Speaker denied saying to the mayor to belong to the opposition in organizing a separate political party named Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) which will be launched today, Friday in Davao City.

At the same time yesterday, President Duterte said that the ruckus between his daughter and the Speaker, “who are both lawyers”, was just an intrigue, a wedge driven by the “media again”.

Sara made two posts on her Facebook and Instagram accounts lashing out at the Speaker, his father’s most staunchest ally. (mindanaosunchronicle.com/Cha Monforte)

Alvarez Wants To Slap Gov. AGR, Accuses Him of Getting P500,000 Commission from DPWH Project

House Speaker and 1st District Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez publicly dropped unsavory words that he wanted Davao del Norte Governor Anthony “AGR” del Rosario to be brought to him so he could strongly slap him.

This, as he accused the governor of getting P500,000 commission from an infrastructure project in Dept. of Public Works and Highways when he was still a congressman.

Alvarez’ fit of anger and accusation were both thrown at Del Rosario during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Davao Regional Medical Center Extension Hospital in Sawata, San Isidro, Davao del Norte last Saturday. It was attended by mayors in the 1st District, municipal officials and guests. The governor was not present.

Alvarez statements in Sawata blew the lid wide open telling all that Alvarez and Del Rosario have a running secret rift, generating political excitement and unease in the province.

In a press conference at the site, Alvarez was asked what he could say on the issue that the P2.6-billion flyover project currently being constructed at the heart of Tagum City suddenly came out from nowhere as it was not part of the Annual Investment Plan of the region and that somebody was blocking its implementation.

Hearing the question, Alvarez fumed saying in vernacular: “Kinsa may gustong mopugong sa project nga flyover? Kinsa man kay akong laparohon. Unsa man ilang tuyo ug gusto nila? (Who’s he who wants to block the flyover project? So i can strongly slap him. What do they want?)

The mediaman asking the question mentioned the word “governor”.

Alvarez then continued: “Kinsay nag-ingon ana? Kay laparohon nako. Kinsa man na nga governor? Ingna siya reklamo dire nako kay laparuhon ko siya, o ingna pagbasa usa ug libro usa siya moreklamo… Nagyaya lang na nga gobernador na! (Who said that? So I could slap him. Who’s that governor? Tell him, complain right to me so I can slap him, tell him to read first the book. What a docile governor!)”.

The Speaker added that if the governor could not place a big project in the province it would be better for him not to complain, adding: “seguro nagreklamo siya tungod kay di ka porsyento (he complained as he could not get percent from it), in apparent reference to Del Rosario.

Another question during the same presscon put the Speaker on further attack mode.

He alleged that the governor when he was still the District 1 congressman went “wild” in DPWH office over not getting the P200,000 balance of his supposed P700,000 commission from a contractor.

The contractor did not give the P200,000 balance because the governor had already taken the P500,000 in cash advance, Alvarez told mediamen and witnessing officials and guests.

Alvarez said somebody told him about it, even as he challenged Del Rosario to prove it wrong so that he could present his source to him.

However, last Sunday during a media dinner for a cause in Tagum City where Gov. Del Rosario was the honored guest, he replied to Alvarez allegations, saying that in Del Rosarios’ long years of serving the province they never have been involved in corruption.

He challenged the people not to elect them if their alleged corruption could be proven.

He added that he had never been in DPWH provincial and regional offices, as he denied Alvarez’ allegation of him pocketing commission.

He further said he would not further add to Alvarez allegations, saying he does not know where the information came from and why Alvarez was mad at him when he has not sinned against him. “Kay basig masuko na pod si Bebot (I don’t want Bebot to get angry again at me)”. (mindanaosunchronicle.com/Cha Monforte)

Chiongkee Still Leaves Tagum Brgy Audience Hanging on What Post He’ll Run To | But 1 Brgy Capt Says at the End of the Day Chiongkee Will Run for Mayor vs Rellon

Compostela Valley senior Board Member Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy talked for more than an hour before a different provincial audience composed of more than 300 barangay captains, kagawads and key functionaries, all from Tagum City, Friday night in Davao City.

He first talked about his invitation to the gathering, the 4th Liga ng mga Barangay Congress of the city chapter being held at hideous D’ Leonor Inland Resort in Malagamot area, which would run until Sunday, Feb. 18.

He said that the occasion might as well provide him the opportunity to clarify on the speculations about him planning to run to a certain post like for mayor, governor, or for any post.

He and DILG Tagum City Director Eliza Mendoza were the only top officials present during the opening of the barangay congress.

Uy said that he was at first reluctant to accept the invitation of the city Liga president Prospero “Popo” Estabillo, Jr to talk before them, saying he is not an official of the province.

Later he said that he came “from Tagum” and “from Madaum”, then he traced a bit of the history of his family, his father, 24, and mother, 16, then when they arrived in 1944 in Madaum.

He added he was born in Madaum, and the present barangay indigenous mandatory representative Kagan Datu Abelardo Bangud is his “kababata.”

“I recalled we sometimes walked from Madaum to the crossing of Tagum (about 14 kms in distance) when there was no vehicle,” the ex-Comval governor said.

In 1974 the Uy family transferred in poblacion of then municipality of Tagum.

He said he believes in destiny, like it never crossed in his mind that one day he would become a governor, or his son Jayvee Tyron becomes the present governor in Comval.

“It’s really hard when political leaders are not united,” he said, recalling what had happened in Comval during the last term of ex-Gov. Joecab Caballero.

He took a swipe at Amatong who did not endorse him thinking that the former was the kingpin.

Uy then shifted talking in length on the feeding program of Comval that he wanted to be replicated first in Madaum and neighboring barangays.

As to speculations that he would be running in Tagum or in its province, he said: “kabalo man mo ron grabe ang iringan sa inyong lugar. Taga Tagum ko, di pwede di ma involve. Motabang gyod ko bisag wa koy plano. Kay politiko ko, ila dayong koloran, but syempre taga Madaum ko. It’s payback time,” adding he would help in the unity of the warring top leaders in the province.

He described Speaker Bebot Alvarez as his “kababata” and the Floirendos and Del Rosarios as “all of my friends.”

After his long talk, Uy then witnessed the distribution and raffling of kitchen and glass wares and LED TVs, gift certificates and cash gifts he gave to barangay officials.

Meanwhile, a barangay captain said in an interview after the distribution of goodies that “It is now clear to me that at the end of the day Chiongkee will run for mayor against (Mayor Allan) Rellon.”

The barangay captain, who asked not to be named, added that the Comval board member talked so much “but still left us hanging.” (mindanaosunchronicle.com/Cha Monforte)

“Marcoses Are Solid Sara”- Imee

Davao City- Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos did not hide her profuse like to the Dutertes saying “solid Sara kami” in an interview with reporters at the sideline of a business conference at Marco Polo Hotel here Friday.

Without a cue, she said the Marcoses are “solid Sara” supporters.

 

She said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is her “kumare” while the “Dutertes and Marcoses have been friends since a long time ago.”

The governor added that the President’s father was the “last man standing” in President Marcos’ Cabinet.

Mayor Duterte was earlier reported to be planning to run for Congress, a report that she later debunked. She was anticipated to be running for speakership if she runs and wins as congresswoman in 2019 polls.

Meanwhile, on the issue on the shift to federalism,  Gov. Marcos said there is need for a thorough debate and discussion on it as well as on how the poorest regions of the country such as Cordillera and Muslim regions would be treated under federalism.

“We have to hammer out details of the nitty-gritty of the operational issues of federalism,” she said.

Marcos also expressed her frustration on what she said as delayed resolution of her brother Bongbong’s electoral protest to the winning of Vice President Leni Robredo.

“It’s high time to put closure on this. We did not invent evidences or fake news. Cheating really occurred in the last election. There is so much delay. Kailangan nang tapusin ito,” Gov. Marcos said. (mindanaosunchronicle.com/Cha Monforte)

Photo Posts of Vice Gov. Alan Dujali Set Off Online Frenzy Among DavNor Netizens

Davao del Norte Vice Gov. Alan Dujali posted two photos Tuesday afternoon showing known personages who could be potential mayoral challengers in District 2 municipalities in the province.

The second photo shows Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez administering oath of membership to PDP-Laban for Panabo businessman Frank Gentiles, 2nd District Board Member Erning Evangelista of Sto. Tomas, LYR President-CEO Larry Y. Rubinos (aka LYR), Carmen Councilor Leony Bahague and Arman Saniano of Samal Island.

They took their oath inside the Speaker’s office in Congress.

The first photo shows the new party members with the Speaker and the Vice Governor in a pose.

Except for Saniano who might vie to be included in the councilors’ slate of IGACOS Mayor Al David Uy come 2019 midterm election, the rest are seen to be formidable mayoral bets.

What is most surprising according to pundits is the swearing in of LYR, who might run for mayor in BE Dujali where he has commercial lots and businesses. He donated a lot which is now part of the municipal hall compound. Present BE Dujali Mayor is Atty. Leah Marie Moral-Romano.

The swearing in of Board Member Evangelista and Councilor Bahague, too, is quite surprising and– interesting.

Evangelista is considered the most senior, experienced, tough and seasoned incumbent politician in Sto. Tomas who could give a run to current Mayor Daniel Batosalem Jr. of his political luck while Bahague was the trusted guy, an ex-external administrator of Carmen who knew the closed-door intricacies of the governance of former Mayor Marcelino Perandos, husband of incumbent first-termer Mayor Virgie Perandos. 

Gentelis, an engineer-businessman and president of Abante Panabo, has long been known to be dueling again Mayor James Gamao after losing though unscathed in the last 2016 election.

Both posts of Vice Gov. Dujali are now being talked interestingly by many Davao del Norte netizens setting off an online frenzy.

PDP-Laban formidable mayoral bets backed up by superkingpin Speaker Alvarez have come full circle apparently threatening the District 2 bailiwick of Floirendos of Tadeco fame.

Will the Bailiwick of The Firm crumble in 2019? (mindanaosunchronicle.com/Cha Monforte)