News-Feature
Unknown community school boasts of Bar passers
By Roy Gersalia
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines – While most, if not all newly-founded law schools take years to have a passer in the tough and prestigious Bar examinations, people in Sorsogon province have more reason to be prouder since the only school who offers the Bachelor of Laws course here have proven its mettle since its founding in 2001.
Conquering odds and taking a great leap had not been that easy especially for a provincial law school as shown by the experience of others.
But despite this, the Aemilianum College Incorporated located at Rizal Street in Barangay Piot, this city, had made quite a number of persons who became lawyers since the first batch of its graduates took the tough exams in 2005.
“Having Bar passers in the first attempt of a law school is a privileged denied to most, if not all law schools,” said Ron Ely Espinosa, an incoming 4th year student.
Year 2005 became what Frenchmen called “Le moment des verite” or moment of truth for the Aemilianum College of Law. In its first try, the Aemilianum College Inc. produced three lawyers in the persons of Atty. Jonathan G. Balintong, Atty. Sergio Domasian and Atty. Enrique J. Renoria.
Balintong and Renoria are now teaching at the College of Law under the able stewardship of Atty. Rofebar Gerona, Dean of the Aemilianum College of Law. Atty. Domasian is now a practicing lawyer in Manila.
Lady luck, shone literally, in year 2006 when the College produced its first woman-lawyer in the person of Atty. Jehan Rebustillo. Atty. Ryan Filgueras also became lawyer in the same year.
Rebustillo encouraged women-students of the College especially during the Bar operations every September to go for “women power” so that many would join her as female lawyer produced by the Aemilinaum College of Law.
Filgueras on the other hand, is now a Comelec (Commision on Elections) lawyer and is now teaching at the Aemilinum College of Law every Saturday and Sunday.
In 2007, Atty. Dante Arcos, who is also teaching at the College hurdled the Bar exams which only about 20% of all the examinees passed. He is currently employed at the Regional Trial Court here and plans to go private practice soon.
And recently, the 2008 Bar exams, the results of which were released only a few weeks ago, another lawyer was produced by the Aemilianum College in the person of Atty. Ronel Marianito.
Now, not only school administrators led by Fr. Abe Arganiosa and Dean Gerona are proud but the whole province as well as more are expected to enroll this coming Academic year said Jackie Villafuerte, an incoming 3rd year student.
Ahead of Ateneo
A standing joke in the college is that the Aemilianum Law is always next on top and ahead of Ateneo because after Abra College, Aemilianum is next in the alphabetical listings of the Colleges of Law nationwide.
The joke is set to inspire students especially freshmen in the College of Law, said Salvador Mendoza, Law Student Council president.
Weekend classes
The Aemilianum College of Law held its classes only on Saturdays and Sundays, one of the few schools who was permitted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to operate on a weekend basis.
The scheme was designed to accommodate working students where most of the students in the College of Law here are employed either in government or in private institutions.
And even if the classes are held every weekend, one can finish the Law course in four years time in an affordable tuition, Mendoza said.
Helping Hand
For years now, Congressman Sonny Escudero of the 1st district here have been one of the benefactors for the College. He donated the latest volumes of the Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA) and the Supreme Court Advanced Decisions (SCAD).
His son, Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero used to teach law in the College.
Every September, when the College’s Bar operations are set to go to Manila to help and give their support for the Bar candidates, Governor Sally A. Lee lends the government-owned bus for the students and teachers who are going to attend.
The College also received some pittance from private businesses here and gave them their financial support for the expenses to be incurred for the Bar Operations team.
However, the College, looks forward for the much better improvement of its facilities. Additional Law books, additional computers with Internet and a photocopying machine for the students are needed, said one of the students who refused to be identified.
The name
Since 1985 the Somascan Fathers handles the school. The name became Aemilianum Institute and now the Aemilianum College. This name is taken from the Family name of their founder St. Jerome Emiliani.
NEWS
Escudero fears ‘automated cheating’ in 2010
By Roy Gersalia
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 18:51:00 04/19/2009
Filed Under: Elections, Eleksyon 2010
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines — Senator Francis Escudero raised fears that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would end up wasting the P11.3-billion budget for the planned computerization of elections in 2010 since it had not fully explained how it would use the funds.
Escudero, who is being touted as a contender for the presidential race in 2010, said here on Thursday that the Comelec has not given the public a clear picture of how the next elections would be held.
“It may be vulnerable. The automated elections may possibly become automated cheating,” he said.
The Bicolano senator also said he got information from the Comelec that data related to the process of counting the votes would first be transmitted to the United States via Internet before the results could get back to the Philippines.
He said this route could be vulnerable to cheating.
Asked if he would really run for president, Escudero was his usual coy self and said he would first study the political climate and focus first on serving the people as senator.
Escudero will turn 40 in October. Under the Constitution, a presidential candidate must be at least 40 years old.
“I am not saying I won’t [run], I’m not saying I will. All I am saying is that the decision will have to be made when I’m fully qualified,” Escudero added.
NEWS
Wife of slain Sorsogon peasant leader killed
By Roy Gersalia
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 12:28:00 04/01/2009
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines–Governor Sally Lee has condemned the killing of the wife of peasant leader Willy Jerus of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), whose killing two years ago has yet to be solved.
Lee issued a statement promising to closely monitor the investigation of the killing of Edelina “Eden” Jerus, 37, and ensure justice for the victim.
Two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen shot Eden dead Tuesday at 10:45 a.m., as she was providing home-cooked food in her residence at San Juan Roro, Sorsogon City.
Eden, a member of Hustisya (Victims of Arroyo Regime United for Justice), suffered four gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival at the Sorsogon Doctors Hospital.
She left behind two sons, aged 10 and 8 years who reportedly watched over their bloodied mother when the gunmen fled, according to neighbors.
Eden’s husband Willy was killed on April 16, 2007.
NEWS
Army overruns rebel camp in Sorsogon
By Roy Gersalia
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 16:43:00 03/31/2009
Filed Under: Armed conflict, Military, Police
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines–Joint police and Army troopers seized a camp of the New People’s Army rebels early Monday morning in Castilla town in Sorsogon, an Army spokesman said Tuesday.
Captain Razeleigh Bansawan, civil military operations officer of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said members of the 3rd Scout Rangers Brigade and the 508th Police Provincial Mobile Group, overran the camp located in Sitio Kawa-kawa, Barangay (Village) Bonga in Castilla town.
Three nipa huts stood in the camp, which yielded an ammunition box of an M-16 rifle and eight rifle grenades, said Bansawan.
When the rebels learned government forces were nearing the camp, they fled southbound toward Magallanes town using a motorized boat, added Bansawan.
Col. Ariel Bernardo, Commander of the 901st IB, said the successful operation is part of their intensified campaign against the communist rebels in Sorsogon province.
NEWS
Army denies US role
Gov’t troops encounter NPA rebels in Sorsogon
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines—(UPDATE) A firefight lasting 30 minutes ensued between government troops and communist rebels in Bulacao village in Gubat town in Sorsogon, an Army official confirmed Thursday.
The firefight between the 3rd Scout Rangers Battalion and the New People’s Army rebels started at around 6 a.m., said Col. Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade.
Col. Arnulfo Pajarillo, who led the 3rd Scout Ranger troops, said they were conducting combat patrol when they chanced upon a group of around 30 communist rebels in one of the hills in Bulacao.
Bernardo said the rebels withdrew after the clash and the Army troops were in hot pursuit.
He said the clash had no casualties, but he has yet to confirm if there were rebels who were hurt.
Asked to confirm a reported participation of US soldiers in the encounter, Capt. Razaleigh Bansawan, spokesperson of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said it was only a disinformation tactic by the communists and their supporters to discredit the government and the forthcoming Balikatan mission in Sorsogon.
He said the US troops were only here for humanitarian mission to help the Bicolanos.
The joint US-RP Balikatan exercises here will start on April 1 with engineering brigade and medical mission groups already in place.
Militant groups have been staging protest actions for weeks, denouncing the joint military exercises, while the communist guerrillas issued statements against the Balikatan, which they alleged to be laying the groundwork for military operations.
NEWS
Chiz-Jinggoy team seen in 2010 polls
By Roy Gersalia
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:52:00 03/26/2009
Filed Under: Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Regional authorities
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines – A team-up of opposition senators Francis Escudero and Jinggoy Estrada for the presidential and vice presidential race in the 2010 elections is in order, said a political analyst here.
The analyst relied on Estrada’s message on Tuesday night during the commencement exercises of the Sorsogon State College at its main campus here where the lawmaker was the guest speaker.
In his message, Estrada said he was following the footsteps of his father, former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada – as he was also an actor, a mayor and also has a mustache – as a possible candidate for vice president these coming elections before going to bid for the presidency.
He said he was open to the possibility of a team-up with Escudero as his president for the 2010 elections as, he said, both of them are stalwarts of the opposition party and good friends.
His comment of a possible tandem with Escudero drew applause from the audience.
Escudero is a native of Sorsogon and is believed to have a wide following, especially among the youth.
Joey Gois, a local political analyst here, said the tandem of the opposition senators, who also both have good records as legislators, would possibly defeat other candidates even from the administration.
“The idea of a team-up is most welcomed by the Sorsoganons as they are both with good credentials plus they have the popularity needed to win in the elections,” said Gois.
“Their chemistry, especially at this time that most Filipinos are dismayed with the administration of President Arroyo, would, I think, nail the administration candidates,” Gois said.
He also said that not only Sorsoganons should rally behind Escudero, but all Bicolanos as well, as the senator might not only become the first Bicolano president but the one who would also serve the people well.
The 39-year-old Escudero has reportedly not decided yet on the matter, saying it was too early and he has more work to do at the Senate.
He, however, said he was open to any possibility.
NEWS
2 dead as boat capsizes off Sorsogon town
Inquirer
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines – Two teenagers drowned while two of their companions survived when a small fishing boat capsized Wednesday afternoon, police said Thursday.
The fatalities are Albert Tabuso, 17 and Eric Deniega, 18, both residents of Estanza, Legazpi City and the survivors are Mark Raymund Baylon, 18 and Noli Dayro, 19, said Chief Inspector Dennis de Leon.
De Leon, in a phone interview, said the four were supposed to go to a wedding feast of a friend in a nearby village around 1:30 p.m. in Barangay (village) Poblacion, Castilla town Wednesday when big waves overturned the boat.
“It was unfortunate for the two fellows because they did not know how to swim. Their two other companions were unable to save them because of the strong current and big waves,” De Leon said.
Upon being informed of the incident, the police immediately conducted a rescue operation but it took about three hours to recover the two bodies due to rough seas.
All four teenagers were immediately brought to the M. Vicente Memorial Hospital in Barangay Cumadcad but Tabuso and Deniega were declared dead on arrival.
De Leon said the survivors have been discharged from the hospital.
Families of the victims claimed the bodies at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, De Leon said.
NEWS
Survey results show ‘Chiz’ 2nd
By Roy Gersalia
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:55:00 03/11/2009
Filed Under: Eleksyon 2010, Regional authorities
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines – Results of a survey that showed Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero ranking second among several possible presidential candidates was welcome news to his supporters in Sorsogon, Escudero’s home province.
The survey, made from Feb. 2-15, showed Escudero with a rating of 17 percent, just two percent behind leader Vice President Noli de Castro, with a rating of 19 percent in a survey that had a margin of error of minus or plus 3 percent.
Third in the survey was former President Joseph Estrada with a rating of 16 percent; followed by Sen. Manuel Villar with a rating of 15 percent; and Sen. Loren Legarda with 12 percent.
Sen. Mar Roxas was sixth with 8 percent; Sen. Panfilo Lacson, 6 percent; Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, 2 percent; and Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando, 1 percent.
The camp of Escudero said it was a welcome development that could help the 39-year-old senator decide whether or not to throw his hat into the political ring for the highest position in the land.
Salvador Mendoza, a known ally of Escudero, said he was happy with the results of the survey.
“Maybe if his supporters increase, Chiz will become the next president,” he said, adding that Escudero might also become the first Bicolano president.
Escudero has not yet announced his candidacy but has already been ranked among the top presidential candidates for 2010 along with De Castro, Roxas, Legarda and Villar.
His website, www.chizescudero.com, said Escudero studied at the University of the Philippines from kindergarten to college where he took up law.
After passing the Bar in 1994, Escudero took a Masters degree in International and Comparative Law at Georgetown University in 1996.
News-Feature
A tale of two villages
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines – What sex is all about.
While a man tried to hang himself due to failure to consummate their marriage with his wife in a village here, another man was complained to authorities by his wife as a victim of being ‘oversexed’ by his husband in another village in Sorsogon town.
In Casiguran town, about 10 kilometers from this city, a newly-wed couple have not successfully consummated their marriage since their wedding a month ago because of the husband’s mother-in-law preventing her daughter to live in one roof with her husband.
In a fit of despair, the man identified to by authorities as Rolly Esmiria, 28 and a resident of Barangay Eskwela, Casiguran town decided to commit suicide by tying a rope at his neck that resulted to a severe wound nearly ending his life.
He was found by his wife and some relatives and was immediately brought to Sorsogon Doctors Hospital for treatment.
Doctors declared him safe but advised to stay for a few more days as the doctors will still observe the severe wound.
It was also reported that wife’s mother is preventing her daughter to visit her daughter’s husband at the hospital.
A few days before the suicide attempt Mayor Esther Hamor was reported to have acted as mediator with Esmiria and his mother-in-law as soon as the story reached the mayor’s office and having known their respective families for years, but failed to convince Esmiria’s mother-in-law.
Meanwhile in St. Magdalena town, a newly-wed wife complained to the police of being oversexed by his husband whom he said tried to have sex with her ten- times-a-day.
Accompanied by her parents, the 21 year-old victim (name withheld) and who is just married with her husband for three months, complained to the local police in Sta. Magdalena town yesterday reporting the sex gusto of her husband whom she cannot bear anymore.
The police, however, are still on its course of investigation and thinking what appropriate case to be filed against the 20 year-old husband who is identified only as “Gardo”.
In a police entry numbered 0969-09, the victim narrated her experience with her husband who he said tried to have sex with her from the wee hours of the morning, before and after lunch and dinner just few minutes from nighttime and thereafter.
She also said that her husband even at snack time tried to have sex with her.
It was the ordeal that she can’t bear anymore why she decided to report it to the local police, a source at the police station said.
Trauma made the victim to report it to the police station, said the same source.
NEWS
NPA admits raid on Sorsogon mayor’s home
Inquirer Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 15:34:00 02/09/2009
Filed Under: Armed conflict, Local authorities
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines — The Celso Minguez Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) in this province on Monday owned up to the Feb. 3 raid on the home of Mayor Helen de Castro of Bulan town.
In an e-mailed statement, NPA spokesman Samuel Guerrero said the raidwas meant to warn elected officials suspected of maintaining weapons caches and private armies, especially with next year’s elections drawing near.
Police said the rebels only seized a shotgun and an “air-soft gun” from the security guards at De Castro’s house.
Between 10 to 20 guerrillas stormed the house of de Castro, holding her son, Bulan Councilor Guillermo de Castro Jr., at gunpoint.
The mayor and her husband, Guillermo Sr., a former town mayor, were not in the house when the raid happened.
Elements of the 509th Police Provincial Mobile Group and the Bulan police engaged the raiders in a 15-minute gunfight before the rebels fled.
