October 12, 2009
Announcements, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics
Mindanaoans were so eager to listen to Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s proclamation. After all, he was the “presidentiable” who hasn’t formally declared his intentions yet…because he was still underage. Now that he has turned 40 years old, though (the minimum age required for a presidential candidate), supporters and critics alike were looking forward to his announcement.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t made today.
Still, there’s good news for his fans. Escudero has finally made a decision.
And as to whether he’ll really run for president or not…well…your guess is as good as mine.
Chiz, who turned 40 last October 10, 2009, also said that he would not make any political announcement yet because this was not the right time to talk politics. He said that there were still many people suffering because of the recent catastrophes.
Let’s admit, this earned him brownie points, yes?
Meanwhile, Mindanaoan heard that the Bagong Sigla concert in Davao City was a success. Congratulations to the organizers and to Senator Chiz!
LikeOctober 9, 2009
Advocacy, Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Society
Popular band Spongecola will perform in Davao City, Mindanao today, October 9, 2009, during the Bagong Sigla benefit concert at Damosa Market Basket, Lanang, Davao City. Entrance is technically not free since you’re requested to bring some canned goods, a pack of rice, dry and usable clothing, bottled water or medicines but this is for a good cause so it’s still all good, yes?
Alternatively, you can also just donate a minimum of one peso at the concert gates to gain admission (although I highly suggest that you bring more than that please) Beneficiaries will be the typhoon Ondoy victims.
This Bagong Sigla concert will actually be held simultaneously in Manila, Iloilo, Davao and Dagupan. Originally planned to be a free musical concert in time for Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s 40th birthday, it’s now a huge, nationwide benefit concert for the Tropical Storm Ondoy victims (Ondoy’s international code name is Ketsana).
The Manila concert will be held at Liwasang Ullalim at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex and it will feature BAMBOO, Miguel Escueta and Chicosci. Imago will lead the concert in Dagupan while Cueshe will provide the entertainment in Iloilo. Dabawenyos, meanwhile, will be in the company of Spongecola.
“Sugod! Kilos! Tayo ang Bagong Sigla” underscores Chiz Escudero’s call for a united front.
Chiz will celebrate his 40th birthday on October 10, 2009 and reports say that he will state his intentions to run for president in the May 2010 elections on October 12, 2009.
July 9, 2009
Commentary, Cotabato, Food, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, iligan city
At least someone’s thinking about Mindanao and Mindanao refugees! Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday said that the government should act immediately to divert shipments of imported rice to central Mindanao so that the 380,000 refugees in evacuation centers won’t go hungry after a UN agency halted its food relief operations in the region.
“We are faced with a humanitarian crisis that could become a disaster if this administration fails to act quickly to fill in the gap left by the UN World Food Program,” Escudero said.
“Part of the rice we have been shipping in from abroad can be diverted to the ports of General Santos and Cotabato City. This will not make a dent in the NFA’s 82-day buffer stock,” he said.
He also called on the government to ensure the safety of the staff of the UN agency which suspended its program on Wednesday after a series of bombings in Cotabato and Iligan cities that killed six and wounded dozens of other people.
At the same time, Escudero reiterated his call for the resumption of talks between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) even as he condemned the brutal terrorist attacks which have mostly killed civilians.
“We are now reaping the results of a failed peace policy. The old ways of thinking have not worked. Perhaps it is time for the people to find novel ways to stop the bloodletting,” he said.
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Mindanao peace and development hostaged to politics
August 27, 2009
Commentary, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Politics
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Senator (and rumored presidentiable) Francis “Chiz” Escudero has said it and I agree — the peace and development here in Mindanao is hostaged to politics. The kind of politics that run in “Imperial Manila.”
One of the things that the next president should do is bring together all stakeholders in Mindanao to craft a development agenda — one that’s doable, cost efficient and worth all of our time and efforts — that will not be hostaged to any change in administration.
“Only an all-stakeholders approach will lead to the long-sought peace and meaningful development in this region, not Imperial Manila’s “urong-sulong, atras abante” approach since we gained independence,” Escudero said.
The 39-year old lawmaker said the country’s development will greatly be accelerated if authority is devolved to the lowest level of government.
He said that regions and provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays should be able to act on their problems without waiting for Malacañang’s imprimatur.
To achieve this, Escudero stressed the need for the next administration to increase the share of local governments in the internal revenue collections from 40 to 60 percent in the next six years.
The latest National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) figures show that the contribution of Mindanao to the country’s overall output is roughly 17.7% compared to the budgetary allocation of only 11 to 14% being given by the government to the region.
Can you imagine that? Mindanao is one big contributor and yet we’re often disregarded or forgotten when it comes to budgetary allocations!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?