The death toll in Davao’s explosion has risen to 12 individuals. 10 where killed instantly after the blast with 2 reported deaths after they were brought to hospitals.
Reports remain sketchy surrounding the explosion as police continue to investigate the incident. Some witnesses claim that the explosion was due to an LPG tank in a nearby SPA located near the Roxas Ave. night market. Other speculate that this could be a terrorist attack brought about by either the current drug war being waged by the government or the newly launched all out war against the Abu Sayaff.
The explosion at nearly midnight of September 2 caused panic among residents, bystanders and students who frequent the night market on Roxas Avenue. Mayor Sarah Duterte recently re opened the night market as it conformed to the City Government rules on how it was to be organized.
Based on current news reports being received from Davao, 60 have been injured by the blast. Some received what appears to be shrapnel wounds according to first responders from Davao’s emergency response services. Others suffered shock.
Police Chief Ronaldo Dela Rosa has stated that the investigations are on going, but also speculated that it may be a terrorist attack from the abu sayaff.
During weekends, President Rodrigo Duterte goes home to Davao. In an interview with media he declared a state of lawlessness across the nation, ordering the police and armed forces for increased vigilance and visibility to include checkpoints. He also reassured that public that Davao as a destination remains safe.
Duterte was in power in Davao for almost 2 decades, occupying various positions from Mayor to Congressman. The current Mayor and Vice Mayor are his children.
In a move that defied a Court of Appeals 7th Division Order issued in December 10, 2014, Panlilio led Fridays Holdings Inc., subsidiary of Boulevard Holdings Inc. unlawfully took over the property of Mila Yap-Sumndad in Boracay last March 13, 2015 using overwhelming force led by the Sheriff Melanie Z. Nanit.
The resolution dated December 10, 2014, the Court of Appeals enjoined Friday’s Holdings Inc., Hon. Rommel O. Baybay, the presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court (branch 132) of Makati, from further proceeding with the implementation of the writ of execution dated February 3, 2014 issued by Makati RTC branch 132. It called on all other agents to defer from implementing the said decisions pending a retrial.
Proceedings and other pending issues in relation to the case was suspended by the Court of Appeals order.
“I was surprised by the actions of Sheriff Melanie Z. Nanit who forcefully broke down the gate without any BREAK OPEN ORDER and invaded my property with mallet bearing goons, despite the current order of the Court of Appeals. I am also disturbed by the fact that a big company like Boulevard Holdings Inc. would resort to breaking the law. Paano naman kaming mga legitimate landowners dito sa Boracay?” –she added.
The late spouses Benjamin and Pilar Yap, parents of Mila Yap-Sumndad, were the original owners of a 2,564-square meter of land located in the island of Boracay in Malay, Aklan. On December 10, 1989, Friday’s Holdings Inc., then owned by William Lutrell, entered into a lease contract over the entire property with the spouses Yap, covering 25 years until February 14, 2014.
After the spouses passed away, the ownership of the property was transferred to their surviving children, including Mila Yap-Sumndad and her siblings, all as compulsory heirs.
Luttrell, the Australian who created Friday’s Resort, on the other hand was murdered in Manila in 1994, the same year Panlilio took over Friday’s Holdings Inc. According to Australian Federal Authorities, the murder remains unsolved to this date.
By becoming compulsory heirs, Mila Yap-Sumndad and her siblings effectively became the successors-in-interest of the original lessors (the late spouses Yap). Mila Yap-Sumndad was able to acquire 60 percent of the property, with the rest ceded and shared in equal portions among her siblings.
After the expiration of the 25-year contract of lease, BHI has ceased to be the lawful possessor of the property, according to Mrs. Yap-Sumndad. “Sa akin itong property dahil ipinamana sa akin. Hindi ito pwedeng ibenta ng sinuman dahil mana ito. May decision na ang Court of Appeals, bakit sila nag forum shopping at pilit kinakamkam ang aking lupa? Dahil malaki sila at maliit lang kami? Sumndad said in a statement.
Charges of Unlawful Arrest, Arbitrary detention and delay in delivery of detained persons have been filed against the following officials: Sheriff Melanie Z. Nanit, P/Supt. German Gerbosa, P/Insp. Frensy Andrade, P/Senior Insp. Conrado Carganillo aand PSI Josephine A. Jomocan for having arrested and detained Ismael Sumndad for over 27 hours following the March 13 illegal property invasion.
Friday’s Holdings Inc. and Boulevard Holdings Inc. management and shareholders should respect the decision of the Court of Appeals and not resort to this kind of activities using goons and agents of the government Sumndad said in ending.
Despite statements from no less than President Aquino that he will continue the WOW Philippines campaign, DOT Chief Alberto Lim is still adamant that the campaign should be changed. New viral marketing materials from the Department of Tourism has stricken the WOW word from the logo. See the DOT website at http://www.tourism.gov.ph
This defiance is creating brand confusion in the market according to an advertising executive. What he is doing is SUBTERFUGE where certain elements are taken out or added in a picture to trick the eye and train it to the adoption of an addition or elimination of a visual element. Taking out the word WOW is probably his way of saying that he still got his way. Unknowingly, taking out the WOW damages the current campaign in the long run because it now lacks an “invitation”.
He now calls the WOW Philippines campaign as one bereft of the beauty of Philippine Culture. This is his defense for the now defunct and plagiarized “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” campaign which President Aquino himself dumped. What is concerning here is the arrogance and determination of Alberto Lim to even go against the President whom he serves. PNOY campaign officials who are now holding crucial posts in the government have been steadfastly defending the beleaguered DOT Secretary and saying that Alberto Lim still has the confidence of the President and command responsibility ended with the resignation of Enteng Romano.
In the deliberations on the PKG, Lim refused to listen to the inputs from within the DOT such as that of Edwin Trompeta and other Regional Directors. He also refused inputs from the stakeholders – the hotels, travel agencies and tour providers. Alberto Lim should just follow the instructions of President Aquino NOW and have Manny Pacquiao promote the Philippines globally because he already has global appeal. Imagine Manny saying: “WOW Philippines! See my country!” and then have a series with Manny in many tourist sites saying – “WOW Beautiful Churches” – “WOW Beautiful People” – “WOW Best Beaches”. Manny Pacqiuao did this for VITWATER by just saying “YOU KNOW”.
In TV and print interviews, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim has continued to deny any knowledge on the expenses incurred for Pilipinas Kay Ganda. Instead he has pointed to resigned Usec. Enteng Romano as fully responsible for the major debacle that has recently rocked the Aquino administration. In an interview with QTV, he feigned all knowledge of the expenses that where incurred and used his recent US trip as an excuse. Lack of knowledge and feigning knowledge cannot be used in this case as there is an approval process involved in government before funds are released for projects previously approved and screened by no less than the head of Agency or Department. All government employees know the concept of Complete Staff Work or CSW, where nothing is signed or moved upwards for decision until one is sure that he/she has done everything within government guidelines. Most DOT officials have been mum on the topic of Pilipinas Kay Ganda and refuse to comment on the approval process involved. One would ask if anyone at the DOT has the gumption to even help their beleaguered Secretary correct himself on his comments.
If one is to prepare a timeline on all the events surrounding the amateur thematic campaign Pilipinas Kay Ganda, it could be said that this is the “baby” of Secretary Lim and Enteng Romano was just the “implementor” in view of his position as DOT promotions Usec.
1. Secretary Lim was already negative about the previous WOW thematic campaign and Awesome tactical campaign when he assumed office as head of the DOT. He said that he would focus in concentrating on product development and that WOW as a word that defines the Philippines is an after thought of the Philippine experience. In effect he already wanted to change the message at the onset.
2. Secretary Lim, upon seeing the studies made by Campaigns and Grey instructed Usec. Enteng Romano to “take inspiration” from the Polska, Maldives and Espana logo.
3. Pilipinas Kay Ganda tagline was submitted by Campaigns & Grey based on the marketing data that the Agency was provided by Usec. Romano. This data shows that filipinos are still the most dominant “tourists” amongst the 3 Million foreign visitors to the Philippines. This marketing data is flawed because the DOT insists on recording filipinos residing abroad as tourists and count them as such. They also record foreigners who study and work here as tourists. So if I were an EXPAT and I go on a business trip to HK twice a year, everytime I come back to the Philippines, I am recorded as a tourist. The Agency used this data as a basis for using Tagalog.
3. The DOT wanted to stem the decline in visitor arrivals brought about by the loss of the HK and China markets. It was also affected by the negative tourist advisories.
4. Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (PTPB), formerly the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) the prime marketing arm of the DOT was defanged and basically relegated to a secondary sideline role because its COO is a GMA appointee.
5. Secretary Lim presented the Pilipinas Kay Ganda to President Aquino in a cabinet meeting where it was already received negatively.
6. It is true that some elements were the idea of Usec. Romano like using Manny Pacqiuao. It is also true that Usec. Romano fast tracked the launching of the logo despite warnings from the Agency, but these were instructions from Secretary Lim because he already liked the idea and saw it fit to be launched ASAP to placate tourism stakeholders he had been ignoring -The resorts, travel agencies, tour organizers and tourist transport industry who have been clamoring for clear cut tourism marketing direction and presence in the global market.
7. It is also true that the website was the responsibility of Usec Romano, but it was previewed and approved by Secretary Lim.
Secretary Alberto Lim knows about Pilipinas Kay Ganda! In fact he mentioned that one of the main reasons for the new campaign is: Bago kasi ang Presidente so dapat may bago din tayong ipakita. This came out on DZRH and other news outlets.
His PR Agency and Bloggers worked double time to promote the launch event which VP Binay graced and which in his speech (Alberto Lim) cited as the new direction that will bring the tourist back to the Philippines.
Based on the instances and events above, Secretary Alberto Lim cannot deny that money was already spent and ready to be spent. Unless he has some form of Amnesia, he signed the CHECK which only comes after a proposal is approved and vouchers are prepared and signed (a tedious and slow process).
His excuse that he didn’t know after the fact that millions were spent for Pilipinas Kay Ganda is a total lie! Continuing to deny knowledge after having pushed for the campaign and passing the buck totally to Romano is a measure of the character of Secretary Lim.
In the private sector and big corporations, a marketing mistake can usually be written off as a bad management decision. In government, it cannot just be written off because of government rules and regulations. If heads are to roll, it should not just be that of Romano who continuously covers for Secretary Alberto Lim or Lim’s Chief of Staff. It should be Lim himself not waiting to be axed, but graciously and irrevocably resigning for his failure and lies.
Here is the check signed October 18, 2010. Vouchers are always attached to checks that details its purpose.
He denies signing this check and approving the release of funds.
Willie Revillame has taken an indefinite leave of absence from his popular noontime show. Or at least that is what is being stated by the management of ABS-CBN instead of really stating a fact that he has been suspended. Obviously his tirade during the funeral procession of Cory from Greenhills in San Juan to the Manila Cathedral live on air piqued some officials at ABS-CBN, when Willie shouted on air against showing segments of the funeral march during his show. It took Gabby Lopez and some of his officials some time before they could react to the issue given that Wowowee is one of the highest rated and grossing show on the network based on advertising receipts. It had to take 47,000 viewers (and still growing) from all over the world petitioning for the removal of the highest paid TV host to make ABS-CBN officials act on the insult that was first addressed to them but were seen by the Filipino viewing public as un-becoming and grossly inappropriate behavior given that the nation was in mourning.
Obviously Willie is not from a very well educated background, otherwise he would have known what was appropriate behavior at that time. His antics have become worse in recent times as reported by other news outlets and blogs. Which now brings to question the stand of ABS-CBN network on how it should be part of morally up-lifting the nation. Condoning Willie and his antics and insults on air would be tantamount to saying that the Kapamilya network has the same values. In fact they should dis-associate themselves from this boob of a host and retain some self respect for the network and its owners.
It seems that success has gotten into the head of this show host. Thinking that he is a money maker for the network and an endorser for Presidentiables, he can do anything on air without getting sanctioned or penalized for it. Nobody should be above the law, least of all someone who is on air everyday and whose actions are being emulated by the Filipino youth. Willie is no longer a positive image for ABS-CBN and they should have known that long before when he was caught driving an illegally imported vehicle. They should make him know that now. Soon crocodile tears will come out from his eyes once again on air where he will make a plea of forgiveness to the public. Should we believe him would be the question. I’m sure Kris Aquino did (forgive him), but nobody takes her seriously anyway nor is she an expert on moral standards.
Consumer brands being endorsed by Willie should also know that the mere association with him at this moment is tantamount to being associated with a negative proposition- it is brand suicide. Some crass creative directors may disagree, but that is the risk that they have to take when they sell their concepts to the Brand Managers and owners. PANA or the Philippine Association of National Advertisers have already individually and unofficially discussed the matter with ABS-CBN officials. An official statement has yet to be stated however.
Even without Willie as a host on his noontime show (Willie is an owner), the show would probably survive given that it has already developed a following worldwide. However if he stays on, advertising revenues would dry up. It is still a wonder why Unilever is associating itself with the show given the antics and the insults that Willie dishes out during their segment when he says comments about the armpits of women. We are sure that Unilever officials cringe at this when they view the segments.
Maybe it should be up the advertisers and viewers to make a decision for ABS-CBN to take out this arrogant show host. The MTRCB is surely dragging its foot on this. For ABS-CBN it is a business and when the ratings go down because no one is watching, the advertising revenue will surely dry up.
The San Lorenzo Village Monitor calls on all advertisers (PANA and NON-PANA members), advertising agencies and viewers who live in Barangay San Lorenzo and have their businesses here to boycott Wowowee until such time that ABS-CBN makes an official statement removing Willie Revillame from its network. Petition for his removal at: http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?badwilly
San Lorenzo Village Monitor 