The Characteristics of My Presidential Bet

As of now, our country has a lot of problems from poverty, graft and corruption, criminality, etc. In this coming May election, we will choose who will be our president. It is better to choose the candidate that has already accomplishment. My presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte had already many accomplishment or contributions to this country. His characteristics will show us that he is the right person for the highest position in the Philippines.

1. Duterte is a brave leader. Because of his bravery, he made a totally change in Davao City. At first, when he was not still the mayor in this place, this was very chaotic. The insurgency incident was really high. The residents of Davao had no peace of mind; they was really affected to the chaos. But when Duterte came, the big conflict had gone. He is the kind of leader who knows how to settle trouble. He is a negotiator contrary to the image that other people who portrays him as a barbaric and trouble maker.

2. Duterte is an enemy of the criminals. He believed that criminals has no room in our society that's why he really hates them. There is a rumor that there is a death squad in Davao to eliminate those evil people. The mayor didn't admit it directly, but according to his position it is okay to kill a criminal rather than to kill an innocent people. He will not let the innocent people should become a victim of those criminal. It doesn't matter if the story about death squad in Davao is true or not, the most important, this city became one of the peaceful cities in the whole world.

3. Duterte hates illegal drugs. Yes, there is no drug den in Davao. Don't believe to the allegations from his opponents that they can score drugs anytime in Davao. It is very obvious that is just a black propaganda against Duterte. Drug lords and pusher or even drug addicts are welcome in Davao. If there is a drug den in his territory, maybe the crime rate there would be increased. We can't hear any news that the authority found any drug den. This is also the dream of every Filipino parents, our country would become an illegal drugs free. So, their children would not become a user.

4. Duterte is an honest leader. If Duterte become a president, for sure the graft and corruption in the government will end or it would be lessened. He will not tolerate the officials who are using the government funds for their own benefits. Why I said this? Duterte is an example of a leader who have an integrity. He never been involved in any anomaly since he was a persecutor until he became a politician. His lifestyle will prove that; look at his house which is very simple compare to the elegant houses of other politician out there. He have no luxurious cars, yacht or any very expensive material things. For sure, he will bring this simplicity in Malacanang if ever he become our president.

5. Duterte has a discipline. Most of the Filipino people has no disciplines. Other people said that this is one of the reasons why we our country is not become progressive because we are lack of discipline. In Davao, smoking cigarettes in public places is not allowed. The mayor just alloted an smoking area zone. You will pay fine if you will not follow that order. Fire crackers also is not allowed in Davao during New Year season. Duterte is very stick in terms of following with the law. He even let the traffic enforcer to confront him if he violate any traffic rules. He is not the kind of leader who is always asking for especial treatment.

Maybe the stated examples are enough to said that Duterte is the right leader that we should have in our country. Love him or hate him, he will just do his job for the sake of good governance!

Duterte: The Effect of Peace and Order in Our Economy

National election is already coming, we need to choose our leader that will shape the future of our country. So, we must vote wisely or else our hope would be wrecked if we elect the wrong leader. We knew that Philippine politics is really a mess. It is hard to find an honest and bright leader. Many politicians are crooks and greedy for fame, power and money. All of us are asking for a change; hoping that the greatness of our country would be regained.

For president, my bet is Rodrigo Roa Duterte because he has a capacity to improve our economy.

Why Duterte has a gut to improve our economy alhough his main purpose is to wash out the criminals in our country particular the drug pushers and drug lords. Of course, this kind of action is very important. If ever he eradicate the drug problems in our country, we would attain peace. We don't need to worry every time we walk on the street. We are competent that no bad guys would attack or victimize us. We knew that illegal drug is one of the main factor of social disorder.  It there is peace in everywhere, businessmen would expand their business. They will provide or create jobs for other people.

Aside from illegal drugs, Duterte is also promised that he will erase the rampant corruption in government. For sure, if he become a president, corrupt official has no room in his cabinet. He will also kick out those corrupt politicians from their position. I believed to this promise of Duterte. As a Mayor of Davao, he didn't involve in any anomalies. If we have a leader like Duterte, the red tape in government will be gone. We knew that it is hard to put a business here in our country because of red tape. Foreign investors are afraid to invest because they need to bribe some government workers or official before they can build their business here. If many investors will enter in our country, they can give opportunities to some of Filipino families.

Yes, Duterte is portraying as a tough guy, but his platform is very clear. For him, we need first to clean our society through eliminating drug syndicates and corruption in the government. In the end, if he already clean up our entire society, progress would be next in line. How about you my friend, who is your bet for president?

The CA Stops the Eviction Order Against CHJDevCo and the Third Party in Camp John Hay

           Let us congratulate the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) with their locators and subleases because the Court of Appeals granted their request to stop the eviction order of the Baguio City Regional Trial Court. Maybe the Bases and Conservation Development Authority (BCDA) are really disappointed to that decision. We knew that they are very eager to take over the camp. They have other plan; whatever it is, only Arnel Cassanova knew it.

            Before this, we already heard that Casanova forced to evict the CJHDevCo by sending armed troops inside the camp. But the company didn’t intimidate with that kind of monstrous act. They knew that it was only a bullying tactic of Casanova. Aside from that, they were also threaten the third party and ordered them to agree with their conditions, if not they will also kick them out. BCDA believed that once the mother contract has been expired, automatically the subcontract will also become null and void. They also argued that they are paying rentals to the CJHDevCo and not with the agency. It means that they don’t have any obligation to the third party.

            As what we have smelled, BCDA is harassing the CJHDevCo because they are trying to escape from their debt with them. But they can’t avoid it; the Court of Appeals ordered to the agency that they should pay first their 1.42 billion debts before the CJHDevCo can leave the camp. It is possible that their office will be bankrupted if they will pay such huge debt. Casanova is still in denial stage. He can’t accept that he is the loser in this situation. So, to strengthen his ego and to show power, he is harassing the developer and the third party.

            Of course, Casanova doesn’t want to accept that decision of the Court of Appeals that’s why they have a plan to appeal in Supreme Court. If he thinks that is the right thing for them to do, so do it! He may win in a case, but the perception of the public about him will not be changed. He will be remembered as a tyrant leader who is always looking for trouble and a big hindrance in the progress or development of Camp John Hay.

Camp John Hay in the Midst of Devastation

                Earlier this year, the arbitration court had already released their decision regarding to the dispute between the Bases Conservation and Development Authority (BCDA) and Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo). The Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. ordered to the CJHDevCo, the developer of the former American Bases that they should leave the camp. In exchange of it, the BCDA should pay first them an amount of 1.4 billion pesos which serves as a damage fee.

                At first, BCDA Arnel Casanova was very happy to the decision of the court because he was successful from his intention to evict the CJHDevCo in Camp John Hay. But the truth speaks itself; their agency is the loser here because they need to pay a huge amount of money to the developer. At least, the CJHDevCo can recover their investment over the camp. But how about them where they get the funds? This budget is a big loss from the national government. Instead to make a profit to the camp, now they have an instant debt to the investors. This was happened because of the wrong leadership of Casanova.

                Casanova can’t provide the 1.4 billion pesos that’s why he is harassing the CJHDevCo. In the month of April this year, the BCDA tried to evict forcibly the developer and the third party in the camp. The office of the Ex-officio Sheriff of the first Judicial Region Branch 6 of Baguio RTC served a notice against their group and to their locators and tenants. But the early eviction had been stop through the TRO that they got from the court. It seems that Casanova doesn’t want to follow the rule of law. Before this, he already sent a n armed group in Camp John Hay to threaten the developer and businessmen there.

                Based to the previous statement of CJHDevCo Chairman Robert Sobrepena, their company is really willing to surrender the camp in the hands of the government. But of course, as what the court had been ordered, the BCDA should pay them first their obligation with them. The RTC of Baguio City was already confirmed the PDRCI’s decision. The only problem here, the developer doesn’t know if Casanova is willing to pay them. It seems that the BCDA is doing a hocus focus to escape from their debt. The agency involved the third party to their dispute with the developer to make great trouble inside the camp. But sorry to say, CJHDevCo and the third party have been united to fight the abusive leader of BCDA.

                If we will look at the whole picture, aside from the government, the residence of Baguio City is the big loser because their local government can’t get anymore their share from the earning in payment rental.  Casanova destroyed the essence of the Public- Private Partnership Program of the national government. Instead to work with the investor, he is pushing them to go away. Maybe it is about time to kick out Casanova then demolish the BCDA because this has no significant at all. As what we learned, the BCDA was built to help the modernization of the AFP; but until now they don’t give any great contribution to our military people. And now, he is destroying the future of Camp John Hay which is known as one of the best tourist attractions in Baguio City!

The New Conflict in Camp John Hay

             For the ninth time the BasesConservation Development Authority (BCDA) and John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) ignored the invitation for a meeting of the local government of Baguio. This is to clarify some important about the issues in Camp John Hay. Their councilmen wanted to discuss about their 19 conditions which written in Resolution 362, Series of 1994. It tackles about their demands to the agencies like segregation of the 13 barangays, the local government’s share in rental fee in Camp John Hay, the provision of its own water source, etc. Then, the councilmen will also discuss about their intention to reclaim the camp.

            BCDA President Arnel Casanova said that he didn’t attend to that meeting because he and his other officers conducted a corporate planning. While JHMC President and CEO Jaime Eloise Agbayani said that she had a personal appointment in Manila. But both of them promised that they will attend next to the invitation of the local government of Baguio. Well, don’t hold with their words, it is very obvious that they don’t want to have a dialogue with the councilmen of Baguio.

            Before this, Casanova was already said that the 19 conditions have no longer importance because their contract with the developer is already invalid. The CJHDevCo will turn over them camp with them once they pay their 1.4 billion pesos obligation to the developer. But the local government of Baguio emphasized that disregarding the 19 conditions is an equivalent to ignoring the rights of the resident of Baguio City. They said contradicts the statement of the Casanova by saying that the contract is Camp John Hay is between the BCDA and the CJHDevCo and not with the local government of Baguio. So, they have the rights to reclaim the property which belong to their territories.

            Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan should file a complaint to the court to pressure the two agencies to listen with their demands. Maybe Domogan is also aware that Casanova is acting like a dictator in Camp John Hay by forcing the developer and the third party to vacate the camp. Casanova is not listening to any appeals especially from his opponents. As a law practitioner, he is really an expert in arguing even his logics are nonsense. The local government of Baguio can only obtain their demands if they will bring their arguments in a trial court.  They can’t force Casanova and Agbayani to attend in a meeting if they don’t want to show themselves. Of course, they want to protect their interest in Camp John Hay.

Arnel Casanova: The Peace Advocate Who Loves Trouble

                If we will examine the life of the BCDA President Arnel Casanova, we will learn that his story is very admirable. He has a humble beginning; he belonged to the poor family. As a matter of fact, he experienced to live in a slum area. But because of his perseverance he made it on top. He had degrees in English, Law and Urban Planning. He was attained his Master’s degree in Harvard University through the help of scholarship that he got from World Bank. Once he became a professor in Ateneo de Manila University. Because of his intelligence and being smart, he made to enter in public offices.

            Casanova had already received many awards. When he was only 25 years old, he awarded as a peace advocate. It is very far today, he became known as a trouble maker or a bully! In fairness to him, the government recognized him as one of the prime movers in our country. One of his accomplishments was when he converted the former military camp in Taguig into a business district. Then, he launched the SCTEX which is the longest toll-way in the Philippines.

            But in just a blink of an eye, Casanova destroyed his good image when he was involved in corruption and giving a favor to the companies which has a connection with him. Now, he is very controversial because of the trouble he made in Camp John Hay. Because of him, CJHDEvco which is the developer in the camp will be evicted because of Casanova’s personal interest. Because of him also, the government will lose a huge amount of money. The court ordered the BCDA that they should pay first 1.4 billion pesos before the developer leave the camp.

            Is the kind of people who received an award bout being a peace advocate? He doesn’t know how to settle a conflict. What he wants is to follow himself without thinking the affected parties like the local government of Baguio which is the biggest loser in this case because they will lose their revenues from the rent of the developer in the camp. He is not also thinking about the situation of the third parties. Instead, he involved them into their conflict with CJHDevCo. He also wanted to kick out the sub-leases and locators who invested their money in that place.

            Because of the wrong actions of Casanova, it seems that the future of Camp John Hay became uncertain. What’s next after the developer leave the camp? What he will do if he if ever becomes successful from his plan to evict all the third parties? How he can manage the place effectively? Where he can get earnings if there are no running businesses there? It is very clear that Casanova has another plan for the camp. It is very possible that he will pass it to his allied companies. Of course, to do this they need to give him payola!

The Deed of Assignment in Camp John Hay

                The Bases Conservation and Development Authority (BCDA) doesn’t stopping from their bullying tactics against the Cam John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo). After the arbitration trial court made their decision to settle their dispute with the developer is harassing locators and sub-leases in the camp. They wanted them to vacate the camp if they will not comply with their rules or conditions.

                Recently, the BCDA had meeting with the third parties just to threaten them. In that meeting, they released a paper entitled ‘Deeds of Assignment which stated that locators and sub-leases must submit all of their records and contracts with CJHDevCo. If the third parties would not give the demand of the BCDA, it will lead into their eviction in Camp John Hay.

                Maybe for the BCDA, they are the owner of the camp and they can do what they want or they have the right to set a new rule. But sorry to say, their action is illegal because it is not based on our Constitution.  According to the existing law, all the properties and possessions acquired in good faith should be preserved to the third parties. The government should not involve them once they have a conflict with the private companies. As a lawyer, BCDA President Arnel Casanova might know this, but he chose to ignore the law because he has another plan for the Camp John Hay. What exactly it is, he is only the one who knew it.

                Of course, the BCDA has a reason why they are harassing the third parties. Their motive is to attack the CJHDevCo in another way. They want the sub-leases and locators to file a case against the developer once they kick out them in the camp.  If ever their tactic will be effective, they assumed that the third parties will get angry to the developer.  But the locators and sub-leases are not dumb to do that. The CJHDevCo have an offer with them that they will give legal assistance to fight the harassment of the BCDA. This is the right thing they should do; they need to unite to stop the BCDA from abusing their authority.

                By the way, the Baguio Regional Trial Court was already confirmed the decision of Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI) that the BCDA needs to pay 1.42 billion to the developer before they acquire the Camp John Hay. This is also the reason, why Casanova is harassing the third parties. They want the third parties and the developer to have trouble. If would happen, the third parties may ask for damage fees from the developer and it could be deducted from the money award that they will get from the BCDA. What a clever idea of Casanova! He is the one that needs to be sued because of his wrong decisions in Camp John Hay.

                Bases and Conservation and Development Authority (BCDA) President Arnel Casanova was really wrong with his claimed that they are the true winner with the decision of Philippine Dispute Resolution, Inc. (PDRCI). The arbitration court ordered the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) to turn over the Camp John Hay in the hands of the government. Yes, they won in that point; but they were also a big loser because the court was ordered to the BCDA that they should pay first the developer an amount of 1.42 billion pesos before they reacquired the camp. Then, the court was also rejected their claimed that the developer had a more than 3 million pesos debt with them. The decision needs confirmation from the Baguio Trial Court before it could be implemented. The good thing, the RTC confirmed it last March 27.

                Sad to say, the BCDA is not contented with the court decision despite they will get what they want. The 1.42 billion pesos is really a great lose to their agency that’s why they are doing all the dirty tactics not pay it to the developer. But of course, they can’t escape from the order of the court. They need to comply with it although they like it or not. The bullying tactics of the BCDA has no effect to the developer that’s why BCDA Arnel Casanova made another diversionary tactic. Aside from bullying the developer, he is also harassing the locators and developers inside the camp. 

Casanova hopes that through this the third parties will file a case against CJHDevCo. He believes that they will blame the developer because of their bad situation in the camp. To threaten the third parties, the BCDA released a contract entitle Deeds of Assignment which demanding them to submit all of their records and contracts with CJHDevCo to the agency. They need to need this to avoid eviction in Cam John Hay. Well, Casanova is acting like a dictator this time just to prove that he is powerful.

                For sure, the locators and sub-leases were not threatened with Casanova’s harassment. They knew that he is just using them to attack the CJHDevCo. They also believed that Casanova is involved in some corruption issue in the agency that he is managing.  Maybe he is harassing the third parties because he wants bribe from them. If not, why he is still insisting with his decision to evict the sub-leases and locators? Our Constitution is guaranteeing the rights of the third parties. They should not be involved to the conflict between the government and private companies because they gained their possessions or properties in good faith. For sure, Casanova knew this thing because he is a lawyer. If not, he is not a good lawyer; he just wants to distort the truth for his interest.

                 After Cassanova gains the properties of the properties of the third parties in the camp, what’s his next step? He will pass it to the individuals or group who a strong affiliate on him. If this is the scenario, it could only be another source of corruption of Casanova. Let us hope that the Congress will investigate to this abusive government official. Instead to help to boost the tourism industry, he is just destroying the development in Baguio City.