The Truth About the P80 Million Bulan Bus Terminal Mandamus
By Luisito Panelo
BULAN, SORSOGON, 04 February 2008 – The euphoria of Mayor Rosa De Castro’s much-heralded “dismissal” of the Petition for Mandamus filed by certain Bulan residents ended today with the filing of a motion for reconsideration by Gogolin, et. al. with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Bulan in Sorsogon City.
The motion for recon pointed to certain “errors” in the Order of Judge Adolfo Fajardo of RTC’s Branch 65 and the “lack of legal basis” on the latter’s “conclusions” dismissing the Petition for being “prematurely filed”.
Atty. Redentor Guyala, counsel for the petitioners, assailed in his motion the court’s reasoning when it said that de Castro “is not prevented at all from adopting some latitude of discretion in the performance of such duties under RA 6718” or the law requiring the mayor to disclose information and grant full access to official records, documents and papers pertaining” to the Bulan Bus Terminal project.
Atty. Guyala pointed out that the “arguments or reasons advanced by the court are flawed and untenable and CONTRARY to earlier decisions of the Supreme Court, as well as to the facts cited in the Petition.
The petitioners’ lawyer wrote, “A cursory reading of the provision quoted by the court in its Order showed that Mayor de Castro do not have the kind of ‘latitude of discretion’ in performing her duties under Sec. 11 (d) of RA 6718.” He then added that Mayor de Castro is, in fact, given only a time frame of 15 days from receipt of the letter request to act and she is specifically directed to ACT PROMPTLY, IMMEDIATELY and EXPEDITIOUSLY on requests covered by RA 6718.
“The language of RA 6718 is too plain and unambiguous for anyone to miss out on the law’s stated imperative”, the motion pointed out.
“It is unfortunate that the court, in advancing its argument that the respondent mayor ‘is not prevented from adopting some latitude of discretion. . .’ only opted to take short excerpts of Section 8 and 11, par. D of RA 6718 failing to note that the said provisions of law referred only to one type of public document, the Statement of Assets and Liabilities (or SAL) required of public officers or those employed in the government and that said provisions are not applicable to the documents requested by the petitioners.
“The sections cited by the court, have NO application to petitioners’ requested information and access to official records, documents and papers pertaining to the official acts, transaction or decision of Mayor de Castro concerning the Bulan Bus Terminal Project.”
Guyala’s Motion also assailed the court’s second argument as erroneous. It provided
“The court argued that the petition ‘failed to state the legitimate reason for such a request’, but yet failed to cite any law or rule that would require petitioners to first state a ‘legitimate reason’ BEFORE the respondent mayor would recognize the constitutionally guaranteed right to information and access to public records, documents and papers pertaining to the mayor’s bus terminal project and perform her mandated duty under RA 6718.
“The fact is, there is NO LAW or RULE that requires petitioners to state a reason and settled jurisprudence distinctly held no such requirement. Obviously, this court’s argument stemmed from a misconception of the nature and character of petitioners’ right to information and access to public documents. This misconception is apparent from the court’s equally fallacious (third) argument that ‘the petition failed to show clearly that petitioners have a well defined, clear and certain right to warrant the grant of mandamus’, and its untenable (fifth) argument that mandamus will not issue in this case ‘where there is NO SPECIFIC RIGHT to be enforced’.
Refuting these arguments, Atty. Guyala explained that the petitioners request for information and access to public records, documents and papers on the mayor’s project was, verbally and in writing, made to Mayor de Castro on June 28, 2007 during a so-called “Consultative Conference” and in the course of a discussion with her, where the majority of those in attendance were asking to be enlightened about the Project’s “raison d’ etre”, and about certain aspects of the Project which would allow the people of Bulan “to determine whether those to whom they have entrusted the affairs of government are honestly, faithfully and competently performing their function as public servants”, as elucidated in the analogous case of Chavez vs. PCGG (299 SCRA 539).
Those in attendance, particularly the petitioners, were anxious to verify the truth of the reported violations of the Procurement Law and bidding rules, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act, even the National Building Code and Environment Laws and Regulations, which supposedly attended the implementation of the Project.
“Viewed against this backdrop”, Atty. Guyala further explained, “the ‘purity of intention’ and ‘legitimacy of the motive’ of petitioner former Vice Mayor Albino G. Guyala III and, as the court put it, ‘his cohorts’ in making their request could not be doubted or questioned. The place where, and the spontaneity in which the said request was made, if anything else, should be sufficient to assure the mayor, and even the court, of petitioners’ good faith in so making it. After all, in law and in everyday life, good faith, rather than malice, is always to be presumed. Malice always needed proof to be believed. An allegation, however, of ‘perennially losing an election’ is never an evidence of malice or bad faith, although unmistakably it is an indication of a decadent and juvenile mindset of the party alleging it.”
On the right of petitioners to ask the court to compel Mayor de Castro to grant them access to information and public records, the Motion characterized the Right as SELF-EXECUTORY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT. It is afforded and guaranteed to any citizen of this country under Art. III Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution. According to Constitutionalist Joaquin Bernas’ “The Constitution of the Philippines: A commentary”,
“The right, moreover, is a public right where the real parties in interest are the people. Hence, every citizen has a “standing” to challenge any violation of the right and may seek its enforcement by mandamus.” (2003 Ed, p. 371).
“In asserting their right, which is a PUBLIC right”, Atty. Guyala further clarified, “petitioners are not duty-bound to first explain their motive or the legitimacy of their purpose to Mayor de Castro whose mandated duty under RA 6718 is to recognize petitioners’ right to information, to act promptly on their letter request, and to make accessible and readily available for inspection within reasonable hours all public documents so requested. To vanish all doubts and misgivings about petitioners’ right and standing to bring this suit for mandamus, Justice Irene Cortez’s ponencia in Legaspi vs. Civil Service Commission, is quoted, viz:
“In the case before Us, the respondent takes issue on the personality of the petitioner to bring this suit. It is asserted that, the instant Petition is bereft of any allegation of Legaspi’s actual interest in the civil service eligibilities of Julian Sibinghanoy and Mariano Agas. At most there is a vague reference to an unnamed client in whose behalf he had allegedly acted when he made inquiries on the subject (Petition, Rollo, p.3). xxx
“But what is clear upon the face of the Petition is that the petitioner has firmly anchored his case upon the right of the people to information on matters of the public concern, whom, by its very nature, is a public right. It has been held that:
* * * when the question is one of the public right and the object of the mandamus is to procure the enforcement of a public duty, the people are regarded as the real party in interest and the relator at whose instigation the proceedings are instituted need not show that he has any legal or special interest in the result, it being sufficient to show that he is a citizen and as such interested in the execution of the laws * * * (Tanada et. al. vs. Tuvera et. al., G. R. No. L-63915, April 24, 1985).
“From the foregoing, it becomes apparent that when a Mandamus proceeding involves the assertion of a public right, the requirement of personal interest is satisfied by the mere fact that the petitioner is a citizen, and therefore, part of the general ‘public’ which possesses the right.
* * * ‘Public is a comprehensive, all-inclusive term. Properly construed, it embraces every person. To say that only those who have a present and existing interest of a pecuniary character in the particular information sought are given the right of inspection is to make an unwarranted distinction. * * * (Subido vs. Ozaeta, supra at p.387)’
“The petitioner, being a citizen, who as such is clothed with personality to seek redress for the alleged obstruction of the exercise of the public right. We find no cogent reason to deny his standing to bring the present suit.”
Atty. Guyala’s Motion also find the court’s argument as untenable and erroneous when the latter advanced the arguments that “within the machinery of the LGU”, an administrative remedy is available to the petitioners, like the filing of an administrative complaint citing in support the case of Militante vs. Honorable Court of Appeals.
“There are basic fundamental factual differences between this instant (Gogolin’s) petition and that of Militante’s, such that the general principle of exhaustion of administrative remedies finds NO application in this petition”, Guyala’s motion for reconsideration pointed out.
“In the Militante case, petitioner sought the implementation of a private right, that is, a demolition order which was not directly addressed to the respondent, nor was it respondent’s mandated duty to act on it. And significantly, in the Militante case, there were other administrative officers superior to her who could grant the relief prayed for, as those superior officers could act instead, or substitute, or overturn respondent’s act. Respondent Carandang was a mere department manager in the National Housing Authority (NHA) whose General Manager is Gaudencio Tobias. On the other hand, in the instant petition, petitioners are asserting a PUBLIC RIGHT, a constitutional self-executory PUBLIC right. And unlike respondent Carandang in the Militante case, Mayor de Castro is not a subordinate, but the ‘top Indian’ in the totem pole of the local government unit (LGU) of the town of Bulan. No one can substitute for, or reverse her decision, or can the respondent be legally compelled to do her mandated duty under RA 6718 by anyone, except only by the court. The respondent mayor is the CHIEF EXECUTIVE of her political, territorial domain, the LGU of Bulan. Consequently, unlike in the Militante case, the suggested administrative remedy of the court is impractical and unrealistic, and it is not PLAIN, SPEEDY and ADEQUATE remedy. An administrative complaint as suggested by the court ‘within the machinery of the LGU’ will certainly not be adequate, even if it would result in respondent mayor being censured, reprimanded or suspended, which, under our political culture and the local dispensation are well nigh impractical and unrealistic.”
Atty. Guyala’s Motion for Reconsideration outlined to the court the instances where the law itself provided for exceptions to the applicability of the doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies. He wrote:
1. Where there is unreasonable delay or official inaction that will irretrievably prejudice the petitioners.
2. Where to exhaust administrative review or remedies is impractical and unreasonable.
3. When no administrative review is expressly provided by law.
4. When there is urgent need for judicial intervention or when strong public interest is involved.
5. When the only question involved is one of law.
In summary, Guyala’s Motion stressed that, what is challenged before the court is Mayor de Castro’s “unreasonable and continuing inaction on, albeit refusal to grant, petitioners’ verbal and written request for information and “access to official records, documents ad papers pertaining to official acts, transaction or decision” of Mayor de Castro and her predecessor in office, Guillermo de Castro, relative to the Bulan Bus Terminal Project being undertaken by her in Barangay Fabrika, Bulan, Sorsogon”.
The mayor’s inaction or refusal to grant petitioners the desired information and access, according to the Motion, constituted a violation of petitioners’ right to information and access to official records, etc. under Art. III, Section 7 (Bill of Rights) of the 1987 Constitution. And the filing of the Petition for Mandamus was intended to compel Mayor de Castro to disclose the information and to grant the access requested.
By way of an epilogue, the Motion for Reconsideration concluded:
“Of late, the Philippines has earned the notoriety of being dubbed the “most corrupt country” in Asia. As citizens of this country, petitioners, like other Filipinos, are uneasy and uncomfortable with such an appellation. Wide-spread as graft and corruption are perceived by many to be in this country, petitioners are just as anxious and prayerful as others, that such a notoriety will not visit their hometown, notwithstanding that already a large number of Bulan residents, rightly or wrongly, believe that the “plague” (or is it a “pillage”) has long come to Bulan, as early as 1995. Petitioners though, still cherish the hope, that with this court’s help, and in their small way, they can still forestall the spread in epidemic proportion of such a plague or pillage in Bulan. Heaven forbids! This motion for reconsideration, therefore, as with the earlier filing of this petition, is made purely in that light, hope and faith, surely “with malice towards none and charity to all”.
February 4, 2008 at 9:30 am
Fullmoon in Bulan!
Excellent job Atty.Redentor Guyala, former Vice-Mayor Nonong Guyala and the Petitioners, Mr.Luisito Panelo and all the workers behind you! I also ask now the noble people of Bulan here and abroad to give their moral support to our Legal Team in their noble task of restoring the once “Cleanest And Greenest Town Bulan” that we lost since the De Castros entered Bulan and started spreading their poisonous dirts all over the Town, especially in Fabrica and in Barangay Aquino. I also call on the ATTENTION OF ALL THE 63 BARANGAY CAPTAINS OF BULAN to reconsider their positions,to realize the havoc and corruption happening left and right of them,to think and act for the progress of Bulan and finally to support the Legal Team of Guyala et al in their CIVILIZED FIGHT FOR THE TRUTH AND COMMON GOOD and for their DEFENSE OF YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
To all tagaBulans, Bulan has the capacity to shine a pure light if all of us would continue to fuel it with our honest and pure intentions.Think about the present situation of our town Bulan- and it’s future- every time you gaze at the clear night sky when the the Moon is full- Bulanon! Bulan above is telling us to protect our town Bulan,so that we could shine a bright as him- and be a model town-throughout the whole nation and the whole world over (thanks to Internet) if each of us would work together in restoring the once “Cleanest and Greenest Town Bulan. It’s the only way to progress- to work together and restore our pride. Bulan deserves a bright future.
jun asuncion
Bulan Observer
February 5, 2008 at 10:33 am
SABI NI MAYORA SA RADYO INTERVIEW SAN ENERO NA AN MGA RESEARCH STUDENTS KUNO PINADUNG-AW NIYA SA MUNISIPYO SAN BUS TERMINAL FINANCIAL RECORDS.
MAY UN PALAN RECORDS NA MALINIG NA PWEDE IMUDON
HAIN PA MAN TABI AN PROBLEMA SINI PARA MAUNDRA AN REQUEST SINI NA MGA PETITIONERS? MAY UN MAN BGA PROVISIONS SAN SAL (statement of assets & liabilities).
TONYBOY PAMUTANGA NA INI TABI BASI WRA NA KULOG SIN ULO AN MUNISIPYO. TRANSPARENCY NA, PEACE AGREEMENT NA
ANG UNAHIN! PAPRIDEPRIDE PA KARAMO! SA OTRO IBOTO KA IKAW VICEMAYOR,OK?
February 5, 2008 at 10:38 am
MABUHAY KA ATTY. REDENTOR GUYALA! SA INTERO NA NA GUSTO IBALIK AN ANTI-CORRUPTION GOVT. SAN BULAN!
SALMATONON SAIMO NONONG & PETITIONERS GRP. SAN SAIYU PAGHINGUHA SA KAMAYADAN SAN KADAGHANAN NA MGA TAGABULAN.
KAY PAGMAYMAKAWAT SA GOBYERNO, MAS DAGHAN AN MATIOS NA TAWO.
February 7, 2008 at 9:35 am
whwew this is really somethin ` to sit on and read. Lets pray hard na lang that bulan folks will vote properly (unsold) next election and remove the undeserving govt. god bless you all!
February 10, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I wud just like to comment on d CBT project of Mayor Helen de Castro. Mayora, don´t u evr think of putting first in ur agenda the health, livelihood nd food “sa bawat mesa” rather than d huge budgeted CBT project? Who wil benefit ds anyway? D riding public who cud only afford a ride? Wat about d poorest of d poor who cud not even go 2 a nearby town as they cud not afford d high fares? W/ d CBT proj. u´re just adding burden 2 dr already heavy load lives-by spendng additional fares just 2 b able to reach d trminal bus w/c u sited in Fabrica. U put ur convenience & self-vested interest in ds proj.first at d helm rather than dat of d poor riding public.Evrybody knows dat ur amassing from ds huge budgeted proj.I´m sure ur husband has hands on ds.Makunsensya namn po kayo.Matakot kayo sa bad karma.If not 2 GOD.Sobrang garapalan natoh.Tgilan nyo natoh.Hindi na naka2tuwa.I wud like 2 remind u dat POWER nd everything is temporary in ds world. Sabi nga po lahat may katapusan. We expect u 2 do and give ur best for the common good-4 d good of the Bulanons, in general, nd not only 4 one particular family-d De Castro. Masyado na po kayong mayaman ngayon.Everybody knows in Bulan na wara ngani kamo balay wen u´re just beginning ur political career.The taxpayers of Bulan r xpecting a good governance in d context of incorruptibility, transparency nd outgrowth.U must set a good xample to d next brood of young politicians in d coming generations- for dm 2 look up to nd to reckon w/. May u learn 2 fight fairly nd squarely.Ds is my ardent rquest 2 u, Mr. & Mrs. de Castro. Don´t treat ur political opponents-d Guyalas in particular, as mere opponents in politics hunger for power.Let me remind u, they have their PROFESSIONS and family businesses to speak 4 thmselves.They cud have live decently in comfort in dr respective homes.Therefore, POLITICS is not their bread nd butter tulad ninyo, but rather politics 2 them is just dr expressions of their great love nd special concern for the Bulanons, so please treat them rather as fiscalizers who have high hopes for d future of our beloved town Bulan. It`s part of their systems (the Guyalas) to put everything in their proper perspective.D Guyalas are not ur political enemies whom u and ur husband nd some political alliance loved to harass nd insulted all these years. Enough is enough.I suggest, u try 2 have some meditations nd refelections on d so many negative issues dat ur family r continuously getting from ur disgruntled constituents. Try 2 reflect likewise on dr offers of altrenative courses of actions, solutions, recommendations to ur questionable management and fallible administration.These cud greatlty help u, I´m sure. I ardently pray for ur conversions. Pls. try to leave us just one good legacy w/c obviously ur husband Geming failed us. GOOD GOVERNANCE BASED ON TRANSPARENCY AND INCORRUPTIBILITY
Before I end up this commentary. May I point out again dat d Guyalas are NOT out to ruin ur political career because may I reiterate dr aim is simply putting evrything in their proper perspective- seeing every taxpayers money is counted and are not put into waste- is among them. At this juncture, I join the petioners of the CBT proj., headed by the Guyalas, to produce the legal documents that they are trying to ask and request from you Mayora so as to substantiate ur claim that d said proj. is a legal transaction and must deserve commendations from ur constituents. If u can show the legal proof, u deserve another term, otherwise, better leave ur position as mayor of Bulan nd don´t ever reconsider of running again for any public office in Bulan, or elsewhere in the next elections, because u don´t deserve every electorate votes. God bless Bulan!
February 12, 2008 at 12:12 am
Absolutely correct, Rai! At first, I thought this is nice to have a big, modern bus terminal. Kaya lang as time goes on babaadaw mas grabe ugang palan an pagsarakit san mga natives san mga taga bulan sini makakadto lang sa terminal. Atog kay dati na tios an mga tawo patitioson pa sin dagdag na pamasahe? Sa obserba ko, an luwas ugang sini na terminal baga ugaring sin chapel san bulan na aaragihan san mga puno na mga buses, matan-aw san mga kargadorboys in uniform then magkrus or magkaway kan TonyboyGilana sa bintana sin “hello, pls open the fabricaBIGdoor to the highway and bless us all!” hiihi kraw lang ini.
Anyway Rai, whoever you are, i would like to join you. Like mr guyala & you, i could have also chosen to live comfortably without commenting on this blog….i call this Blog for concerned Bulanenos-but just like the Guyalas and d rest of us here (silent public eye) analyzing the situation of our very own town, i still will go all out to support any constructive oppositions (guyala & bulanons all over the world!) to a massive “political Clean Up” in Bulan. Its about time! GOOD GOVERNANCE must be re-activated!
I am going to support you Rai (haen ka tabi?) in our very peaceful means to support this REFORM IN BULAN!! GALIAS lets not say its makamumundo ini na broadband hot corruption story, batugon ta ini sa bungto ta mismo mga kabatas!!
Lets ignore problems san neighbouring provinces, regions or NCRs cities nationwide..we are clamoring and are concerned only for Bulan. This movement has to start up in our town. Kita na an mauna sini tabi.
Mayora, we are not talking nor interested about the coming election or propaganda against you. Its about the overpriced bus terminal project and corruption practices in Bulan. Its not a broadband case involving millions of US Dollars and the 1st gentleman of the president of the Philippines. These are credibility and transparency issues challenging your government that must be taken seriously by you as soon as possible. It is mainly about the CBT transaction legalities linking our towns` first gentleman. (why the hell are first gentlemen so misbehavin to their first ladies?)
Rai pls email me at letsUniteAngelsforB@hotmail.com!
February 12, 2008 at 2:28 pm
as long as there’s an “uneducated” voter, unaware of the issues and willing to sell their votes, corrupt politicians will stay. this is the very glaring problem of our town and not only our town, the whole country itself. they are not only politicians, they are “businessmen” – they invest and collect the profit once elected. this forum is very informative, however it is very limited to those who has an access and the knowledge of the tool. something has to be done to reach out the ordinary and to those who can not access the internet so there will be a mass based information mechanism/medium that will enlighten them of the consequences of not voting wisely.
February 13, 2008 at 8:59 pm
good website> lucky ako madiskubre ini.
to rudy b. siempre kaipuhan educated an mga voters. but i dont agree na an education an kulang sa pagboto kun si x or y or z. an pinakaproblema sa country nato an kawaraan sin tiwala sa sadiri. kun may tiwala an sadiri na tawo wara sin makabakal boto. ikaduwa an diri pagkahonesto san tawo. maski nano ka-educated naluwas paman gihapon an pagkadishonest (you wrote even politicians become “businessmen”.) self trust and honesty an pinakaharigi san pagugsod san sayo na lugar.
ST & Honesty awat na nawara ini sa mga tawo san pilipinas. pls dont forget na an spanish influence saato na pagkacorrupt saka pagkamang-api an nagpadagos saato na mga tawo. siyempre lalo na an vested interest. kasakiman. Maski nano pa man mao na ini an batog san ato pagedukar sa daghan pa na tawo. masuewerte kita kay may natutuda pa na mga “concerned” pa na tagabulan bago kita tulunon ni giming ,hihi
thnk you nonong, batugan ko ini rudy b. ipapadara ko ini na blogsite sa intiro na tagabulan na kilala ko. ok?
February 14, 2008 at 12:06 pm
letty,
appreciate your input. you interpreted me literally, if you notice i quote and unquote the word uneducated because i don’t mean the lack of education. what i would like to imply and emphasize is the lack of awareness. try to ask any ordinary person, much better if you can find this person at “relanse” or folks from secluded barangays and ask them what do they know about the Bulan Central Terminal. they would probably answer you the superficial part of the project which is the physical existence of the infrastructure – that Bulan is probably at par now with the bigger cities or towns in the Bicol region. however, if you ask them if they would know the circumstances and condition of the land donation, i’m 100% sure they will just scratch their head and look up at the sky. yes, you’re right if people are aware of the issues, has self respect and most of all has self confidence and trust, a community will be progressive and prosperous. still i would like to emphasize that “educating” people should be done at the grass root level, blogging would not be enough. there must be some hard evidence that would back you up, else people would just brand you as another “tsimoso/tsismosa”. regards.
February 16, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I wud like 2 reassure my dear brothers, Manoy Rene or Atty. Redentor Guyala and former Vice Mayor Albino “Nonong” Guyala III
that I am fully supporting ur crusade to fight corruption which is besetting in Bulan under the administration of Mayor Helen and Geming De Castro. My dear brothers, continue ur quest for justice for the Bulanons. I am truly proud of u both. God is with us!
Nenette, Philippine Embassy in Madrid, Spain
February 21, 2008 at 4:52 am
More power to Atty Guyala and Nonong Guyala. Ipadagos tabi nio an laban sa corruption didi sa ato bungto.
Puro ta tabi napapansin an terminal. Pero how about an sa ato Plaza Rizal na may budger daw na 4M?
Mao tabi yuon an 4 MIllion? Hapot ko lang tabi kay an bubong san stage grabe na an turo, and the contractor of the fence
is the son of a certain Nonoy de Castro from Casiguran who acts like he owns Plaza Rizal! Sila sila nalang ba? Puro nalang de Castro!
Maybe we shoud rename Plaza Rizal to Plaza de Castro and replace the monument of Rizal with the statues of Guiming and Rosa.
Ini tabi sayo na obserbasyon, in uuringan na kita san mga de Castro’s sa pandok ta dire pa kita nagmamangno.
I think it’s about time na magkasarayo kita nan labanan ta ini na corruption nan pagpapasakit sa ato bungto.
February 22, 2008 at 7:37 pm
With reference to Angel´s commentary relative to my own, first and foremost, I wud like 2 express my thanks and appreciation to you, Angel, for directly expressing your support to my advocacy for sustained accountability and reform, as discussed lengthily in my previous commentary.
By the way, you were asking for my whereabouts. I am presently here in Europe, dahil yadi po an trabaho ko niyan.
For a brief backgrounder, I was born in Bulan coz my roots came from Bulan, though I was raised in Manila. I had the chance 2 study in Bulan during high school (1st and 2nd yrs.). I´m sure you are from Bulan, too. I hope to see you there someday-to thank you personally. (I have ur e-mail ad).
I was indeed elated and deeply touched by your show of support to my advocacy. I admire you for STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE-FOR PEACEFULLY FIGHTING FOR WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS RIGHT- the ultimate benefactors of which are the people of our beloved town Bulan. You and I are among them. Salamatunon sa imo, Angel. You are a person of principle.
It is my hope that the people of Bulan will likewise signify OPENLY their support to your quest for truth and transparency of the CBT project of the De Castros. Please come forward. Don´t be afraid to asert your rights, as we have the right to free speech and the right to be heard.Be COURAGEOUS and PATRIOTIC for our beloved Bulan. A good example already set by Angel, Jun Asuncion, Santi, to name a few.
It is likewise my hope that the De Castros and his benefactors/advisers wil eventually accede to the repeated requests of the petitioners of the CBT project and other concerns. After all, this is one of our public rights.. access to information, access to any public documents, etc.
And after all, the request of the CBT petitiones and equally concerned citizens is NOT something that WILL PLACE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY of the town of Bulan in jeopardy. It is neither at stake nor at risk, but rather, it wil give the concerned citizens of Bulan, PEACE OF MIND AND SECURITY, while the CLOUDS OF DOUBT, SKEPTICISM, LACK OF CONFIDENCE, UNCERTAINTY AND DISTRUST TO THE DE CASTRO ADMINISTRATION WIL EVENTUALLY FADE AWAY.
Dako na kahaputan ko lang tabi.. may intatago ada an nasa poder na maaaring magbutang sa kanira sa malaking kahihiyan at eskandalo kung kaya diri sira natugot sa request sin CBT project petitioners? Na sa paglaom daw nira, na this (disclosure of CBT documents) may led to their (de Castros) ouster? Could these possibly be their greatest FEAR? On second thought, bat nila iisipin ang ganon kung malinis sila, both in conscience and in deed?
In retrospect, the people in power repeatedly claim that it is not their intention to relinguish their throne and their cling to power. And to borrow the words of their Alipores “DIRI NA NAMO BUBUTSAN AN BULAN”.
Wara man problema kuta kun they get elected through honest and clean elections. The people of Bulan are PERENIALLY aware of what was happening during elections….MASSIVE VOTE BUYING, HARASSMENT, etc.etc. No hay problema din kun sana daanis an pamamalakad sin mga De Castro, saka diri nabubuhay sa TAKOT an mga tawo dahil sa pangha-harass ni Geming. Geming, tabi, an RESPECT in e-earn diri in i-IMPOSE. Kun wara sana sin mga ini basi magka-igwa na sin katoninongan (tama ba an bicol ko)sa Bulan..basi pa doon na ako mag-istar sa Bulan for good after my retirement several years from now. Ipagpapalit ko an chorizo de Bilbao, langgostino, paella sa inihaw na buraw nan sinanlag, nan pansit kara Ning’s.
Seriously speaking, I pray the above legitimate arguments and observations may serve as a wake up call to the De Castros. I AM CHALLENGING THEM ANEW..if the said CBT project is above board and executed or done in accordance with the law, in short, the project is lawful and legitimate, FINE! Then, there is nothing to be afraid of! BE TRANSPARENT!. YOU owe this to the concerned people of Bulan…God bless Bulan!
February 23, 2008 at 10:54 am
pan o ngani magmangno an mga tawo sa bulan na an kadaghanan san tawo sa bulan o mga botantes
kulangonon sa pagsarabot! nagsusunodsunod na lang na mga buta bungol kay listuhon ngani magsurmaton magdenggoy si first family!
kulang sa edukasyon an mga tawo nyan pagsarabot san tunay na mga pangroloko sa bulan! bikol ini ha.
Who is Nonoy de Castro? Siya na lang an ihurma ta sa rebolto. Nag-angay angay man siya. Kay nano tabi sadiri niya na kwarta an pinaimo sa plaza rizal? SHAME ON YOU DE CASTROS!
February 25, 2008 at 12:31 am
To Iguy,
This is one way of sharing education and information to our beloved town people, which is of course limited because internet connection and computers are a privilege of only a few in Bulan.I even suspect that TagaBulans who are outside Bulan are more informed than many who are in Bulan. I think about those remote barrios also whose people, young and old, have little access to information media.They may have radios, So it’s very important that at least a radio station which represents the opposition of Bulan must be created.The same way with the print media.And it will take a little time more for more internet cafes to set foot in Bulan.I’m “dreaming” of this moment when a free wireless internet connection would be available and would cover the whole of Bulan.That would mean you would just need a wireless laptop and you can surf wherever you may be in Bulan- in Plaza Rizal or in Danao, wherever, as long as you are receiving the signal.This is already reality in some places on earth.This however would require more time. But I know this would also be a reality in Bulan someday.
In the meantime, just continue sharing your ideas and your political energy with others.
February 25, 2008 at 5:53 am
To Iguy,
I don’t know him either. Siguro cousin pa siya san mga de Castro’s didi sa Bulan. Just heard his name sa street vendor na ngisogunon sa kaniya.
And to Jun, sana nga maging wireless na an internet didi sa bulan balang araw. Para dire naman kami magparakadto sa sayo n internet cafe nan kun badi may mka sikop pa san inbabasa nan insusurat namo. patay!
February 25, 2008 at 8:24 pm
To Rudy B: same here. marhay na adlaw maski haen ka man.
mayad kay diri mo man limot an bulan tabi. to some points inisip ko pa an meaning san i quote and unquote,karaw lang ini manoy. Ah basta batugan ta na baya an pagspread sini na good news. KABATAS an tsismis ko saimo ini:
if you ask vendors sa market about the terminal an simbag daw: Sus patwada kita marhay na dios. harayuoooooonnn bga iyan.
For me siguro maski baklay ko lang yun kaya ko. Kun sinabi mo daw na 80 milyones yun an simbag ugaring san vendores: kumpletos recados plan. SO thats it. wara man tlaga interes aramon an issues. BLIND loyalty & Admiration lang kan manamit na pananalita ni Mayora. Maski edukado, mao man an luwas kay habo matatsaran na nagdudunongdunong.dimao? Maghapot ka kan Galias onefm sin medyo oppossing kay an simbag saimo balagbag! Hoyyyy JunG. saludo kami sa pagkadecastros mo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sino ba tong JunG?
An dream ko man ini: an Bulan diri makupo san mga taga masbate. There are increasing tagalog speakers, bisaya, ilonggo.
OK back to work kita. Sa otro nman kay kun mablacklisted na me.
February 26, 2008 at 3:33 pm
to : letty
i will never forget Bulan, this is the place where i was born and grew up. where i learned the foundation and groundwork of what i am today. no place is comparable to Bulan. i have traveled extensively, from the amazing America to nosy Europe (Ireland/UK/Netherlands/Germany), from Asia (Malaysians loves to compete with Filipinos to no avail) to Latin Americas (Costa Rican women are the most beautiful and Brazilians are exotic) but Bulan is still the best. i will never trade “kandingga” or Ange’s pancit – guisado or with “sabaw” (forget the word, really miss the stuff) with Big Mac. i terribly miss our town, i have not attended our town fiesta for the last 35 years, celebrated Christmas only once since 1972.
i am a little bit curious – have you really asked people at the market about the terminal? if this is true, the feedback is really interesting – the people are not enthusiastic because they feel they would not benefit from the project. this is a clear indicator of management failure – no prioritization in place, no goals/objectives defined. another thing, don’t be upset if there is an increasing number of “migrants” from other regions. this is the strength of our town – a melting pot, naturally and strategically situated at the crossroads of an important region, they know there is an opportunity. this is the challenge for the leadership – to hasten the blended talents of the local and “migrants” and transform our town to be one of the most vibrant, prosperous and flourishing trading post in our region and should not focus on their selfish intentions. i’m also afraid you’ll “hate” me if i would not be able to speak straight bicol, karaw lang. regards.
February 27, 2008 at 6:48 am
Hayyy naku!
Ako tabi siguro after my graduation this coming March, mpa Manila nalang ako or try my luck na mag abroad. Mas greener siguro didto an pastures kumpara didi sa ato sa Bulan. Since elementary pano ako, an nakagisnan kona na mayor an mga de Castro’s. Hayyyy naku talaga 
February 27, 2008 at 11:28 am
santi mao bga > san nabasa ko an post ni rudyb. bagan gusto ko na magpa CostaRica maimud chicks. Hayyyy di bale na bata pa man ako, may HOPE pa kay may WILL man kuno bga. Awat na baga an Decastros business este Management san bulan.
March 15, 2008 at 12:23 am
nonong g: makakagirabo daw yun na kantidad san pagpahimo san central bus terminal sa bulan, halataon na milyunes an mag kickbacks sun san nagpahimo ha…. sabi nga ni jun lozada sa senate zte-nbn broadband deal investigation, “bubukol yan chairman” ..so maski itago an 80M bubukol man gihapon…. baga yun san burod maski itago nan sukluban san bado bukol man gihapon…. so i would assume na daku-dako an kickbacks or commissions sun san mga “greedy group” sabi ni dante madriaga, sayo man na testigo sa senado sa zte-nbn deal,… deri man bungol, buta nan ngula an mga tagabulan na deri mahalata an mga kickbacks, sabi pa nga ni madriaga, may-on na yun sin “tongpats”…
makakagirabo talaga yun na kantidad, kun si romy neri an matestigo sun, sasabihan yun si meyora na “moderate the greed”…… greed for money hehehhehe….
mayad man na may blog na sugad sine sa bulan….mabuhay ka kabatas…. pls continue the crusade against all forms of corruption in the local government of bulan,,, keep it up..
March 19, 2008 at 4:46 pm
obvious ba? kaya ngat tahimik na sila eh An hapot ngani asin nakakapagtaka sino ba ang Audit Boss ng Sorsogon? Uyuguyogon mo yahn. remember an KARMA? sure loss yan sa mga tayataya Maraw ay kamo mga SAKIM!!
March 24, 2008 at 7:18 am
More than two months na si guiming sa manila. Nagpapabolong san hapdos niya. Let’s pray for his speedy recovery. Nasa amerika man si mayora. And yet after six months daghanon na naman an ibo-broadcast na accomplishments including an hiring san service crews san jollibee sa bulan kaopod pa sa accomplishments. Sana inopod na niya an illegal quarrying san black sand hali sa barangays namo and nasuje for export to china na insesegregate sa calomagon using the heavy equipment of the lgu duly supervised by guiming. Aside from the exploitation san natural resources of bulan, the children were also employed during the gathering of black sand. Still no child labor concerns were raised. Mao ini an pagpadaba sa mga kabobongto?
March 26, 2008 at 8:51 am
to: bulaneno:
kay an balita ko tabi an registered owner, per mayor’s permit issued, san jollibee bulan si meyora, kaya OK lang cguro na ibroadcast na accomplishments pa yun niya as part and parcel of the public service maski private business niya…..hehehehe.. kay nanu tabi an hapdos ni guiming, if you would not mind? basi hapdos san mga para mahjong o para casino?
March 29, 2008 at 3:12 am
to rudyb;
deri ko tabi aram na donation palan ine na ingod, an paghuna ko sine binakal ine san LGU-Bulan kara de castro, pakihatagi daw tabi ako sin impormasyon o circumstance/s nan iba pa na mga provison/s on the conditions of the donation kay adalan ta sin mayad para makapagcomentar kita sine basi may hardcopy ka san “deed of donation” kay himay-himayon nato an provisions/conditions, kay kadaghanan cguro san mga tagaBulan deri man ada aram ine…
mabuhay ka….
April 2, 2008 at 12:54 pm
to : attybenji,
my apology for this late response, i have just arrived and has no chance to open up my computer while away from home. with regards to the circumstances on the land “procurement” of the controversial BCT, i have no personal knowledge about it, i have not seen the official documents myself. i have just referenced it from one of nonong’s article (i couldn’t remember the title) that there are certain condition(s) on the “land donation” pertaining to this project that if the project will not be in the black or will not do well after five years(???) the donor has the right to take it back from the beneficiary which is the local govt. of Bulan. i think this is one of the legal basis in pursuing their petition for mandamus to verify the truth whether the proponent of the project has violated some provisions of the Procurement Law and Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act. you may want to inquire nonong g. for more inputs, i’m sure he can help you out. for your info, regards.
April 3, 2008 at 3:10 am
rudyb:
thanks a lot for the information that is something already… mabuhay ka!
…. as regards the matter of “mandamus” case as you did mention, I will refrain from making any comment/s about it because that case is considered a sub-judice matter already… baka ma-contempt of court pa ako, kaluoy man….. bahala na cguro si atty. rene guyala & nonong g. sa kaso na yan..
… anyway, if one of the conditions in the deed of donation is that the project must be fruitful or profitable in 5 years, (w/c is an impossible dream to accomplish) if not the donor has the right to rescind or revoke ipso facto the donation…. and i’m very much sure, the terminal fees exacted from bus operators will not even suffice to make said CBT prosperous… maski magbilang pa kita sin taon o dekada. (sino an naghimo san feasibility study sine na CBT kay rapaduhon nato san ikod san pagi o latigo na pwede bakalon sa tindahan ni tata fonso diesta basi makamangnu sine na problema)…
… nagparaburuta-butahan o burungul-bungolan siguro an saato mga honorable municipal councilors sa bulan (blind obedience to their master) at the time when the donation was accepted by LGU-Bulan… In my humble opinion, the acceptance of donation, (whether real or personal property) in favor of the LGU must be accepted thru an ordinance enacted for that purpose, and unanimously approved by the council itself, without such ordinance the donation is null and void…. the mayor cannot accept the donation by himself/herself, or in behalf of the LGU without such ordinance, his/her power to accept must be properly specified and authorized thru an ordinance for that purpose…. anyway, granting for the sake of argument that there was an ordinance passed for that purpose, kay nanu tabi deri nagbabarasa ang mga konsehal nato sa bulan para maintindihan an mga conditions sa donation na after 5 years palan pwede i-revoke o i-rescind san donor an donation kun deri kumikita sin limpak-limpak na kwarta an project na CBT….
for sure, the land subject of donation including its improvement/s will be reverted to the donor (decastro) in due time or after 6 years the most…. ginisa lang kita sa saridi mantika…. take note, the cost of the project, per reports, is around 80M kuno….sayang sine na kwarta..
maybe, after 5 years, the donor will surely file a case in court for revocation/rescission of donation on ground as stated in the deed itself, and the court, of course, will grant it because the contract says so….. after all, the civil code says: “the obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between the contracting parties, xxx.”……. tapos na ang boxing….. a case of unjust enrichment on the part of the donor…..(ang galing po ng utak ng proponent ng project/contract na ito, alam niya ang repercussions or consequences in the near future)…
April 10, 2008 at 8:36 pm
atty benjie garing dagjan an naarman ko sa post mo. good site.
basa basa muna.
this CBT is such a pity. wara daghan na mutang o danon sa mga tunay na bulanenos. TBGILANA wats up? dagos pa an operasyon niyo sani?
May 6, 2008 at 10:17 am
mga kabungtos, san nakaagi na semana hali ako sa Bulan, pinasyaran ko an Bulan Integrated Terminal sa brgy. Fabrica, (Last time pan-o na naimod ko ine intitindog palang an mga poste) nan nag-interview ako sin mga manglain-lain na klase sin tawo tungkol sa kanira estimate san ginastos san local na gobierno san Bulan sa pagpatindog san terminal, including the sementado na kalsada from the hi-way to the terminal, (mga pasahero, parauma, tsuper, tindero/tindera, empleado, istambay, carpintero, kantero, kargador, para sikad-sikad, para tricycle, baggage/porter, mga para-isda, mga para-inom, para sigarilyo, etc.) an pinakamataas na estimate nira baka umabot daw sin mga 20Million to 25Million Pesos an nagastos sa pagpatindog san terminal,,,,, so niyan maski doblehon pa nato an presyo himuon ta intero na 50Million,,,, so sobrahon pa gihapon an 80Million na ginastos sine… sa diin daw nakakadto an sobra na pondo sine, basi sa bulsa san mga nasa poder…. sigurado yun…
What Are We In Power For? sabi san sayo na naging senador san pilipinas daghan na taon an nakalipas…..
niyan tabi kun ikukumpara daw ine na Bulan Integrated Terminal sabi san mga nainterview ko na tawo wara daw ine sinabi sa New Casiguran Public Market, na mas dianison pa daw an pagkahimo, pero an inaabot lang na ginastos san Casiguran government mga 26Million lang more or less…….daku dako an diperensiya ano po?
makangangalas ha? hain na daw sine an sobra na kwarta? kay barahinon ta man para may pangbakal kita san NFA rice, kay mahalon na baga an commercial rice! Hehehehe..
May 10, 2008 at 9:16 am
ang ganda pala ng buhay ng nakaupo sa pwesto ano po atty benji?…. baga san puru nalang karawatan nan kickbacks/commissions an iniisip ano po?…. dianis yun attybenjie kay nakapaginterview kan san mga ordinary na tawo na nagtitirios sa bungto nato…. nano baya ine na gobierno nato kay puro lang pag take advantage san kwarta sa bungto an inuuruna….
sge po baka sa fiesta makauwi din ako sa bulan, at papasyaran ko rin itong controversial na terminal…..
until then, bye..
May 11, 2008 at 9:16 pm
i think diri na yuon gin iisip. an gahoy suon “habitual corruption”. automatic na yuon. mao ini an dako dako na hapdos san mga nasa gobyerno. di bale na. an hapdos baga diri man kaya bakalon. maski pira pa na kwarta, nawawara man gihapon.
an corrupt, hapdos man baga. an cancer mao man tabi. keep your faith. WAG NANG IBOTO. DONT VOTE!
May 16, 2008 at 12:20 pm
The Regional Trial Court Brach 65 thru Judge Adolfo G. Fajardo issued an ORDER dated April 10, 2008 wherein the dispositive portion states: “WHEREFORE, premises considered, and finding the grounds relied upon by petitioners in their Motion for Reconsideration to be clothed with merit, the same is GRANTED. The ORDER of this Court dated 10 January 2008 dismissing the petition on ground of prematurity is hereby set aside. In order to dispel once and for all the doubts and suspicions shrouding the regularity and orderliness of the questioned public documents, and public interest being at stake, let an order issue directing the respondent mayor to submit under oath a list of all public documents relating to the Bulan bus terminal project already submitted by her office to the Commission on Audit accompanied by her Sworn Statement that no copies of those public documents forwarded to the Commission on Audit are still on file with her office or in the custody of her subordinates, like the Municipal Accountant, Municipal Budget Officer and the Municipal Treasurer – within ten (10) days from receipt hereof. SO ORDERED.
It just proves that the alibi given by the respondent mayor that “no public documents in her possession is there for the asking” backfired to her. Thus, she is in a great dillemma whether to issue a sworn statement about her LIES that would be later on becomes an evidence against her or be cited in contempt for not doing the same.
MORAL LESSON: Huwag magsinungaling kung ayaw mong matulad kay Pinocchio!
June 4, 2008 at 8:15 am
to: bulaneno,
mayad man tabi kay nakakuwa ka sun na decretal portion san Order ni Judge Fajardo para mabasa nan maaraman san publiko.
kun susunudon yun na order ni judge fajardo sin sa diyosan lang, wara sin itatago nan wara sin buruwaan, dahil an sabi ni judge dapat under oath si meyora na masumitir san mga public documents pertaining to the BIT project, kapag magbuwa siya o itatago niya an iba na dokumento pwede siya makasuhan sun si perjury kay under oath liwat, hehehehe
malamang sige na an kapiriting-piting san mga lubot san mga alipores niya sa municipio, an budget officer nan treasurer sin kaharanap sun entero na mga public documents na isinubmit niya sa COA nan an deri niya isinubmit sa COA….. in short, vindicated niyan an mga petitioners sa MANDAMUS Case, sige na niyan an kaparalakpak san mga petitioners, an mga respondents naman indadarangahan san pagkatanggap sun na Order ni judge, deri aram kun nano an hihimuon, baga yun san mga hudong na maya, deri aram kun diin mahugdon, hehehe….
after 10 days, pwede na yun pasyaran sa korte sa sorsogon kun nanu na mga dokumento an isinumitir san mga respondents…. so kun sira deri nagsasabi san totoo manunungod sa tunay na presyo o kantidad san BIT, otherwise known as central terminal, maruluwas sun an baho nira, baga san lapok o lapdok sa imburnal kapag binutingkay san cameniro na alisngaw an baho, hudong ka, nan posible na madismayo ka pa sa lang-og.
congrats, petitioners, mabuhay kamo, mabuhay si judge fajardo..
June 4, 2008 at 8:42 am
an political strategist or speech writer pala ni meyora rosa na si tony boy gilana (ex-municipal councilor)mao an designated or appointed na Administrator or Manager san Bulan Integrated Terminal, a questionable project by the present administration due to alleged over pricing, etc, (BIT for brevity) sa bgy. fabrica, awat na tabi na panahon deri kami sine nagbabagat since 1986 pa kay naging teacher ko ine sa physics nan economics sa RGCC (formerly Quezon Academy). Inparahanap ko ine si tonyboy san pag-uli ko san fiesta deri ko man nabagat, kay nadusmog pala sa motor, an nabagat ko ugang an kamanghod niya na kaklase ko man san high school si Salve Gilana, an sabi saako, totoo na naaksidente pala si tony boy sa motor sa may Salvacion, Irosin, nadusmog kuno sa motor, paranggos an pandok nan nadali an ngudoy kay tuminama sa poste kay an kurbada sa salvacion bweniluhan niya an paghuna deri zigsag, kaya ralampaw daw sa tinampo..
get well soon my teacher, tony boy and i pray for your immediate recovery, next time please drive safely… god bless!
June 4, 2008 at 1:22 pm
MABUHAY KAMO NA MGA PETITIONERS! wara man palan inbasura na petition mandamus an kurte kundi pareho nira
ginadalan mun a san kurte kun maundra sira sa tama o sa sala na may kapangyarihan. Hinayhinay lang tabi. Sabi baga ni mayor helen yuon lang kuno sa munisipyo an mga papeles. calling the municipal accountant, treasurer and budget officer!!!
Lapse na baga an 10 days. Nano tabi an simbag san munisipyo san bulan sugod sini na Exec. Order san Kurte?
kaya kami didi maski tios, an totoo lang pirmi nabubuhay kay wara sin nadudusmog sin lapanak talaga an ngudoy..hehhehe
MAYOR HELEN DE CASTRO, ACT NOW THAN LATER! SIEMPRE DAGHANON AN KOPYA NIYO SUON KAY NORMAL LANG NA MAY MGA KOPYA NYAN FILES AN MATANOS NA MUNISIPYO SAN BULAN.
CAREFUL lang kamo mga petitioners sa mga panahon na ini.
pray lang namo na SAFE kamo sa mga kalugaran niyo niyan.
gbya
June 4, 2008 at 1:33 pm
pls correct me. an gusto ko sabihon, MAYAD MAN GIHAPON NA PIRMI MAGPAKATOTOO AN TAWO SA KADA HIMO NYAN SURMATON SAN ATO MGA OPISYALES SA GOBYERNO PARA WARA PWEDE MADUSMOG NYAN MABALBALAN SAN JUSTISYA.
MINSAN NAKASWERTE MAN, NAKALIBRE SA MARAOT NA INHIHIMO. MINSAN, MALAS, PWEDENG MAKULONG, MABUNGAW, MARIMATI. AN MAGPATIKUTIKU SA KATOTOHANAN, MINSAN BIGLA MAN MACOCORNER KA, CHECK MATE KA! MAKULOGON AN BALOS! ANUHOM MO PA MAN AN KWARTA KUN WARA KA NA PANDOK NA DIRETSU?
June 6, 2008 at 9:24 am
so ano na po ang mangyayari sa kaso dahil may order na si judge, meaning to say mapipilitan ng ilabas ang buong katotohanan sa terminal project na overpriced, so kapag nakita sa records na overpriced pala an project, pwede siguro sila mayor de castro sampahan ng kaso na graft and corruption? saan ba pwede magsampa ng kaso, sa bulan ba o sa manila pa? sino naman an masampa? si atty guyala ba?
hahahahahaha, grabe pala an aksidente na nangyari sa political strategist ni meyor ha, bakit naman ginawa niya na straight an zigzag na tinampo sa irosin, rurungkabon siguro niya an gutter o poste na kahoy san Soreco II?
ingats ingats sa pagmamaneho ng motor….kay wara na sun mabantay o magma-manage san Bulan Terminal na mahalon an presyo, mr. gilana….
October 5, 2008 at 9:04 am
nano na tabi an estado sini na Truth digdi? an mandamus petition?
boygutom grabe talaga pag nag andar an rida san karma ha?
por dios por santi.
nano gutom ka pa pirmi? hehe