November 10, 2009
Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Weird, northern mindanao
Ang politics nga naman! Mindanaoan was a bit shocked – nay, very, very shocked – when I found out that last-termer Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. and political archrival JR Nereus “Neric” Acosta MAY soon sing sweet music together. This, after Zubiri is reportedly eyeing a “transfer” to the Liberal Party from LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI. Acosta will run for Senator under the LP.
What’s so interesting about this is that these former political allies have burned a lot of bridges over the years and have become bitter political enemies. Zubiri has accused Acosta of graft and corruption. Acosta, on the other hand, tried to run for Bukidnon governor in the last elections but lost to Zubiri by a very large margin. From mudslinging to accusations of one trying to kill the other to one trying to discredit the other, you can say that the Zubiris and the Acostas have been, are and most probably will still be bitter enemies. To even see them in one place can probably be the biggest news for the day in Bukidnon. However, with Zubiri reportedly transferring allegiance to Noynoy and Mar, should we now call these two FRENEMIES?
Interestingly, Zubiri reportedly led a 3-day caucus in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao recently and during the mock polls, Liberal Party bets Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas gained the most votes among Bukidnon mayors, vice mayors, councilors and barangay captains. Because of the result, Zubiri now has reportedly urged the local leaders to pledge allegiance to Noynoy and Mar and ultimately to the LP.
As of press time, talks of an induction in Bukidnon are spreading like wildfire.
Interestingly, too, Zubiri has now accused President Gloria Arroyo’s party, LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI, of not being “supportive” of the provinces that have delivered votes for her in the last election. Zubiri said that PGMA’s party has neglected the provinces that have helped her win before. Of course, we can assume that Zubiri wanted to remind the president that he busted his ass campaigning for her in Bukidnon during the last elections and yet Bukidnon (or probably him) hasn’t been generously rewarded.
Another thing that we should also take note of — Zubiri’s son, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is an official of LAKAS-CMD. Does this mean that Migs will also soon leave PGMA’s side and follow his dad’s transfer to the LP?
LikeOctober 28, 2009
Announcements, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics, Videos, blogging, northern mindanao
Apart from Senator Kiko Pangilinan, another special person who extended his greetings and message to the participants of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 was former Bukidnon Congressman Neric Acosta. Acosta, the author of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, is the first Filipino World Fellow of Yale University. Neric Acosta is also an academician, an environmentalist and a passionate member of various NGOs.
Thank you very much to Sir Neric for his time and for his great thoughts 
Yes, I agree, let’s re-ignite that Mindanaoan spirit! Mindanao should be for Mindanaoans and let Mindanao not be a place of contestation. It must be a haven of peace and harmony especially for all of the diverse tribes here in our island.
For more information about Neric Acosta, log on to Neric Acosta 2010.
Thank you also to Paolo! Mindanaoan “harassed” Pao pa naman so he can look for Sir Neric and to get this video hehe 
Thank you so much Paolo! I super appreciate this!
Here’s his special video message for all of the MBS CDO participants:
February 26, 2009
Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, northern mindanao
Yesterday, February 25, 2009, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez ordered the filing of graft charges against former Bukidnon First District Congressman Neric Acosta, his mother former Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon mayor Socorro Acosta and his aunt Nemia Bornidor (member of the Board of Trustees of the Bukidnon Integrated Network of Home Industries, Inc. and JR Nereus Acosta’s aunt).
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Fr. Venancio Balansag Jr., Fr. Wilredo Torayno, Vicente N. Abrogueña (now deceased), and Felix Vergara, Jr. representing the Bukidnon Crusade Against Graft and Corruption. The BCAGC alleged that on January 9, 2001, the former Bukidnon congressman and Yale World Fellow and then Mayor Amado Noble of Talakag, Bukidnon executed a Memorandum of Agreement providing for the appropriation of P2.5 million for the acquisition and installation of a Solar Tunnel Dryer for BINHI, Inc. The Purchase Request declared that the said solar dryer was to be used for agricultural services within Talakag. However, according to the Ombudsman report, Acosta “took possession of the said Solar Tunnel Dryer and transferred it to Manolo Fortich to be utilized by BINHI, Inc. which has as its incorporators his father Juan and maternal aunt, Bornidor.”
The press release from the Office of the Ombudsman also alleged that “on August 2, 2001, P2.5 million worth of funds from Nereus’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was released to the Municipality of Talakag in favor of BINHI, Inc. Prior to the release of the said amount, Nereus allegedly instructed Noble that Talakag shall only serve as a conduit for the release of the said amount and even gave explicit orders that it shall serve as loan assistance with zero interest. Furthermore, on July 2, 2002, the amount of P5.5 million sourced from Nereus’ pork barrel was released by the Municipality of Manolo Fortich in favor of BVPC, which has as its cooperators and members Socorro, Bornidor, and Nereus’ father Juan.”
The following full statement from current Liberal Party Secretary Nereus Acosta was sent to Mindanaoan and Bukidnon Online:
To my shock — although given the climate of suppressing opposition voices, not entirely an unexpected turn of events — I learned today, February 25, 2009, from various media sources that a case filed against me (and my mother, former Mayor of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon) six years ago will be brought to the Sandiganbayan by the Ombudsman with the intent to file graft charges against us. I (or my lawyers) have not received any formal notice or document pertaining to this development.
This case, used by my political opponents as an election issue against me during my campaign for a third term in 2004, involves my supposed channeling of public funds to private entities (BINHI, a Grameen Banking NGO I worked with prior to being congressman) and a cooperative my mother had helped establish at a time she was not in public office. I trained under Dr Muhammad Yunnus of Bangladesh (2006 Nobel Peace Laureate) in the early 1990s and with family and close associates began a pioneering replication program for Grameen Banking for rural women in Bukidnon under BINHI in 1989-1990. I continued with these projects when I entered politics in 1995, seeking new linkages between government and NGO entities. Today, BINHI is a partner of the Center for Agricultural Development (CARD), which was named Magasaysay Awardee for Public Service in 2008. I stand by my record of environmental legislation (as principal author of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts), NGO and community-based work in Mindanao, and the legitimate use of public funds for my district during my first two terms. I am fully prepared to present any evidence attesting to this, as we have answered all charges leveled against me and my mother previously.
At the height of the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal and just a few days after my endorsement of the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo in 2005, this case was revived by the Ombudsman. I was stripped of my chairmanship of the Committe on Ecology and did not receive any ‘pork barrel funds’ for the rest of my final term in Congress. In 2006 I was one of four congressmen who again endorsed a second impeachment complaint against the president. In 2007, Mr. ‘Hello Garci’ Garcillano himself ran for congressman in the district I represented for three terms.
I find it utterly malicious that this case is being sent to the Sandiganbayan at a time when Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierrez is under intense fire from various sectors for failing to act on large-scale multi-million graft cases involving the First Gentleman (Jose Pidal, World Bank reports on collusion with private contractors), Benjamin Abalos (MegaPacific deal, ZTE-NBN), Jocjoc Bolante (fertilizer scam), the ‘Euro Generals,’ Mr. Garcillano, and others. At present, I belong to a large group of private citizens and groups led by Bantay Katarungan/Kilosbayan and former Senator Jovito Salonga who are preparing an impeachment complaint against the Ombudsman.
I will face the bar of public opinion and any court of law, as any public servant ought to when called to account for his actions while in office. But if Ombudsman Gutierrez is indeed serious about doing her job and proving that she functions with the independence of her constitutional office, then I issue the challenge for her to file charges as well, in the face of a preponderance of evidence, against all political officials, even administration allies, without fear or favor. To single out opposition leaders or allies while covering up for those in power (or affliated to those in power) only reinforces the very reasons cited by calls for her impeachment: that she has acted unfairly, engaged in ‘vindictive politics’ and has failed to perform independently as the country’s top anti-graft official.
I join and fully support a growing chorus of citizens nationwide that demands an end to a politics that preys on enemies and voices of dissent, uses tools of deceit to hold on to power, and shields those in power from full accountability — and works for a renewed politics that fully respects the social contact between a people and their government, and restores faith in our leaders and institutions.
Neric Acosta
February 25, 2009
The 2010 presidential elections are just around the corner and I’m interested to know – after former Bukidnon Third District Congressman Juan Miguel “Migs” Zubiri, will Mindanao again produce new senators? Will there be two (or more) Mindanaoan senators soon?
This early, I’ve heard a lot of buzz about three Mindanaoans who will allegedly gun for a senatorial seat this 2010 Philippine elections. These are former Bukidnon First District Congressman JR Nereus “Neric” Acosta, United Opposition spokesperson Adel Abass Tamano and current Bukidnon Second District Congressman Teofisto “TG” Guingona III.
On Neric Acosta – He served as a congressman for Bukidnon’s first district for three consecutive terms. The principal author of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, and the Biodiversity Protection Act, Neric is a young and dynamic academician. Currently the Secretary General of the Liberal Party, Neric is considered as one of the “possible senatorial bets” who might run under Mar Roxas‘ ticket. He ran for governor in Bukidnon opposite Migs Zubiri’s father, incumbent Gov. Jose Zubiri, Jr., in 2007 but lost.
On Adel Tamano – Currently the President of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Adel is the first Filipino Muslim to graduate from Harvard Law School.
On TG Guingona – TG, son of the former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., is a member of the Nacionalista Party (otherwise known as Manuel Villar’s party). He’s currently serving his second term as congressman of Bukidnon’s second district.
What do you think? Does any of these three Mindanao politicians (or perhaps all three of them for that matter) have a chance of landing a seat in the Philippine Senate?
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Iligan City councilor, a Liberal Party candidate, attacks broadcaster on air
January 15, 2010
Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Humor, Media, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics, Radio, Weird, iligan city, northern mindanao
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This piece of news pretty much made my day today. Mindanaoan thought that what happened between an anchorman of a local radio station in Iligan City and an Iligan City councilor (who’s seeking re-election, no less!) was controversial, wacky, weird, funny, interesting and well…basically a sign of what’s to come in the next few months. Yup, the campaign season really DOES bring out the LOLs!
According to news reports, Iligan City Councilor Chonilo Ruiz, a Liberal Party (LP) candidate, attacked DXRJ anchorman Albert Loyola while the latter was inside the announcer’s booth and was live on air. Ruiz allegedly barged into the station Wednesday morning and punched Loyola.
Ruiz is seeking re-election come May 2010. Ruiz is seeking for a third term.
Amid the commotion, Loyola was allegedly heard shouting repeatedly over the microphone that he was being punched by Ruiz. Meanwhile, Ruiz was also allegedly heard on air saying “salbahe ka, salbahe ka.”
Reports didn’t say if Loyola was rushed to the hospital for medical tests.
Ruiz, however, engaged in an interview with another Iligan City radio station. He claimed that Loyola repeatedly called him “botboton” or liar in Visayan. Ruiz said that he tried to call the station in order to air his side but he was ignored.
Loyola, for his part, explained that he was just “asking” Ruiz how the city council is spending the budget on committee hearings. He claimed that he “wasn’t served snacks” during public hearings even though Ruiz said that part of the expenses included snacks for attendees.
Loyola reportedly said he will file appropriate charges against Ruiz. Ruiz said he will face the charges but also appealed to media practitioners to practice professionalism.
So here are my thoughts about this.
First off, both parties must acknowledge that neither of them come out “victorious” because of this controversy. IMHO, media man Loyola may have his 15 minutes of fame but at the end of the day, he will be remembered as the man who complained because he didn’t get SNACKS and who got punched in his very own lair. I’m not sure if Loyola was even able to retaliate but that does not matter. What people will think of and talk about is the fact that he got whacked inside his very own announcer’s booth.
Secondly, re-electionist Ruiz will now be forced to face a major PR disaster. For someone who’s seeking re-election, this type of publicity is the last thing that he needs. He may have been “hurt” by Loyola’s accusations and he may only be human…but for someone who’s been in politics for at least two terms, shouldn’t he be used to all these by now? Also, people’s minds will now be tickled — why was Ruiz so angry at such a seemingly small accusation? If the council did spend the money wisely during committee hearings and if there really is legal basis for the committees involved to spend a part of the expenses for “snacks,” then what’s there to worry about? Loyola is probably just another media practitioner who wants to magnify things plainly because…well…maybe because that’s what he does and that’s what he needs to do. Plain and simple.
As for Ruiz — sir, my unsolicited advise — extend your patience further. Keep your heart in check. And perhaps you can employ a staff member who will always remind you of PR and media strategies. Remember, media practitioners may be your enemies for now…but at the end of the day, there will come a time when they can be your allies as well.