Top 5 Contributions of Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City

        The national election is coming nearly; we will choose again our leaders. This is not just an ordinary election because we need to vote a Philippine president. So, we need to be wise from our decision. Digong is my choice because he has a gut to become our leader. His record proves that he is a good leader. Here is my list why I am in favor with Digong.

1. Digong made a radical change in Davao through lessening its crime rate. He planted fear in the mind of the criminal that's why the bad elements are behaving because they can't do their illegal activities there. Davao was categorized as one of the most peaceful cities, not only in the Philippines, but in the entire world.

2. Of course, there is no drug den in Davao City which is contradicting to the claim of the opponents of Digong. They said that drug is still rampant in this city, but we knew that is just an accusation. They have no evidence to prove that. The mayor is really angry with drug lords and pushers. So, why he would let them to operate in his beloved city? Davao became very peaceful because of his advocacy, to fight illegal drugs.

3. Digong is known for being brave and tactless every time when he open his mouth. His critics portrayed his as a barbaric and ruthless. But in reality, Digong has also a soft heart and he really loves peace. As a matter of fact, he is a great negotiator. He knew how to deal the conflict with the Muslim extremist and even with the National People's Army. It doesn't mean that he also believe with their principles. As a Filipino people, he believes that we don't need to fight with each other. There is always a room for peace if we will attain to get it. See, there is no arm conflict in Davao because Digong knows how to deal with the enemy of the government.

4. Because of Digong, the Davao City became one of the most progressive town in the country. He can't do this if he is not a good leader. Digong fixed first the problem about peace in order. Before he become a mayor, Davao is a very chaotic place and the poverty rate was also high. But through his initiative and genuine concern, he made a lot of change for the benefits of his constituents.

5. Digong is not a corrupt politician. He made himself as an example that the leader can live in  a simple life. Unlike to other politicians they are living in wealth while their constituents are hungry and lack of material things. Check the lifestyle of Digong, he is very simple. His house is not elegant as what other people thinks. The cellphone that he is using is not a Smart phone. It looks like a Nokia 3210! He has not not been involved in any anomalies.

The supporters of Digong believes that if ever he become a president of our country, he will never be changed. We need a leader like him with a strong conviction to fight against criminals and illegal drugs. If he did it in Davao, why he can't make it in the whole country?

Duterte for a Change

         I believed that if Rodrigo Duterte could win in presidential election in May 2016, he would make a change in this country that already drown in a rotten system. Where ever we go, criminality is rampant due to drug problems.  He is only the sole candidate who is giving a priority to fight against pushers and drug lords who are victimizing our people especially the youth.

As what Duterte said, his campaign against illegal drugs and criminality might bloody; but it is just okay if the result is to attain a peaceful society. He promised that no innocent people could be involved from his sweeping of dirts in our society. He can implant fear in the mind of the criminals. So, they may stop from their illegal activities before it is too late. If we have peace in order, we can also attain economic development in our country. The good example is Davao, this is already a progressive province because of Duterte's strong leadership. He is supporting that businessmen in her town. He make sure no one can disturb them while they are doing their business. He has a diplomatic skills also; he even talks with the NPA to maintain peace and order in his area. This is the leader we need, he knows how to deal to the communist and Muslim rebels like MILF and MNLF.

Duterte wanted to stop the corruption in the government. Once he do it, we will attain economic stability. For sure, poverty rate would be lessen because the resources of the government will be used for the common good of the people. No more public funds could go to the pockets of the corrupt politicians. Maybe this is impossible, but if the leader has a political will to correct the wrong system, it could be done! If corruption has already stop, foreign investors will go in our country to build their businesses here. They will create a lot of jobs for our people. If have more opportunities in our country, no Filipino people can leave their family just to work in abroad. I believed that Duterte will abolish the contractualization system in the Philippines. So, everybody has a chance to be regular with their resppoective jobs. Of course, he may also increase the minimum wage of the ordinary workers.

Duterte is not also an anti-illegal drugs and corruption, he is also an advocate of Federalism. He want to implement this system because he believed that it is about time to change our political system. Duterte has a point and basis, why he want it to be implemented. The old system doesn't work anymore that's why we need to change it. In federal system, every provinces has a chance to use their funds and resources for their municipalities. If they are independent, they can do their own economic plan. yes, they still need the help of the national government; but they would not just completely rely on them. The distribution of funds will be equaled. Unlike what we have today, the national government is just choosing the provinces they want to give enough or more funds. We don't know how they compute it, maybe it is according to their political affilition or what.
So, in Duterte's leadership, we would hope that the true change that we have been waiting for so long may happen.

A Victory for CJHDevCo and to the Third Party in Camp John Hay

            Again, the Bases Conservation and Development (BCDA) becomes a loser after the Court of Appeal decided favored to the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) and to the third party in Camp John Hay. The CA ordered to the BCDA that they should stop from implementing the eviction order of Baguio City Trial Court against the developer, locators and subleases. Hence, the opponents of Arnel Casanova are really happy because the decision of the CA is only proved that they are on the right track.

            The battle between BCDA and CJHDevCo is already 10 years longer. But the public didn’t notice it until Casanova went to the court and file an estafa case against CJHDevCo Chairman Robert Sobrepena, but the court dismissed it. But Casanova didn’t stop from harassing Sobrepena until he involved the whole company. He went to the arbitration court to request an eviction order against the CJHDevCo. The court ordered to the developer to leave the camp, but the BCDA needs to pay an amount of 1.42 billion pesos to the CJHDevCo. But instead to comply with the court’s decision, the government agency is doing some dirty tactics. They are not paying any single cents to the developer. Even the CA said it also, Casanova don't have a plan to pay their debt. 

           The sad thing, the BCDA also involved the third party with their conflicts although they are innocents. All they want to do is just to continue their businesses inside the camp. Casanova tried them to evict with the help of the Sheriff office in Baguio City. But thanks God; the court released a TRO to stop the wrong action of the BCDA. Based on our Constitution, all the government properties which acquired by the third party in good faith should be acknowledge. Casanova didn’t respect the rights of the third party; maybe because he wants them to replace by his friends who has an interest to build their business inside the camp. If not, why he is forcing them to leave?

            Well, it is early to celebrate because Casanova can’t accept easily the decision of the court. For him, his own rules should prevail inside the camp. To contradict the decision of the Court Appeals, his legal counsel is planning to bring the case in the Supreme Court. For the CJHDevCo and to the third party; they should just relax and wait for the next move of Casanova. They need to be prepared to all the harassment that he tend to do against them.

The Unpaid Debt of BCDA to CJHDevCo

                If you think that the trouble in Camp John Hay is really over. Well, you’re wrong because the dispute between the Bases ConservationDevelopment Authority (BCDA) and Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) is still continuing. This is despite the fact that the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI) was already issued their decision to settle their problem in Camp John Hay. The court granted the request of BCDA to reclaim the camp; provided, they should pay first 1.4 billion pesos to the CJHDevCo before they leave the place. But in the other side, the court rejected the claimed of the agency that the developer owed them an amount of 3.3 billion pesos back rental.

                Casanova is not contented although he will get what he wants. Well, it is very obvious that he is not totally happy with the court’s decision because he has an instant huge debt. It is okay, Sir, that’s the prize of your wrong actions. So, you should pay it! Please, don’t involve the third party from your dispute with the developer. You’re an attorney by profession and you knew what’s written in our law, don’t twist. Our constitution is protecting the rights of the third party. Under mutual restitution, the government will honor the private individuals if they acquired properties in good faith. It is possible that Casanova wants the third party to file a case against the developer if ever they evict them also. He is using them as a pawn to harass the CJHDevCo. Of course, the third party that is just a part of dirty tactic of Casanova to control them all.

                It seems that Casanova has no plan to follow the order of PDRCI because there he never says any due date when they will pay their debt. If he is really willing to pay the developer, it is very easy for them to do that. For sure, their agency has a lot of funds, but Casanova doesn’t want to release it because he knew that the BCDA will be bankrupted. If that would happen, he should only be blamed for that. But in the other hand; this is very good.  It will pave the way for the closure of BCDA since they are just disrupting the progress or development in Baguio City.

                If I were P-Noy I will kick out Casanova for being an ineffective leader. This country doesn’t need like him who doesn’t care about the real situation of the people. If he has genuine concern for the people, he will not reclaim the Camp John Hay. In the first place, he doesn’t have a concrete plan after he get it from the developer. What’s his plan to the employees inside the camp? Then, the shares of the local government of Baguio City will be gone in an instant. P-Noy should also realize that Casanova is not respecting the Public-Private Partnership Program of the government. The aim of PPP is get more investors to support the government’s projects. But because of Casanova’s disputes with the investors, it is possible that they can’t get the trust of the investors. They will afraid to encounter a government official like Casanova who is one of a kind in terms of harassing people!

Who Have the Rights to Reclaim the Camp John Hay?

                It seems that the Bases Conservation Development Authority (BCDA) and John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) don’t want to make a dialogue with the local government of Baguio City. This was after the two agencies snubbed the requested meeting of the city council to talk about the problem in Camp John Hay. The local government wanted to reclaim the camp after the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) will turnover it to the government.

                It is very obvious that the BCDA and JHMC are still tough with their position. They believed that local of government of Baguio can’t interfere with the issue in Camp John Hay. As I have learned, this was the ninth time that two agencies snubbed to the invitation of the city council. The city council emphasized that they have the rights to reclaim the camp. For them, Camp John Hay belongs to the local government and to the people of Baguio as well. The BCDA have a contract with the CJHDevCo and not with them. It means that all the improvements including lands should be return to the local government of Baguio.

                Mayor Domogon reminds the two agencies about their 19 conditions or known as Resolution Numbered 362, Series of 1994 that they had signed. From this resolution, it states about the segregation of the 13 barangays and their shares to the payment rental in Camp John Hay. Plus the provision of its own water source. These issues should be cleared before the developer leaves the camp. If not, for sure, the BCDA will just ignore the rights of the local government of Baguio. The BCDA has a debt with them; they are not still receiving their share from rental payment. The Baguio City is the great loser to the wrong decisions of BCDA that’s why they want to reclaim the camp. The local government is aware that they will not get benefits if they let the BCDA to manage it.

                Of course, BCDA President Arnel Casanova and the JHMC have personal interest to the camp. So, why they should cooperate with the local government of Baguio? Casanova is very tough with his belief that the agency has the sole rights to manage the camp. Maybe this issue will only be solved in a court battle. Don’t expect that the BCDA and JHMC would surrender easily about their position in Camp John Hay. 

The True Color of Arnel Casanova

                Do you know the personal background of Arnel  Pacasio Casanova aside from he is the current president of the BasesConservation Development Authority? Maybe you only knew about the trouble that he made in Camp John Hay. Do you know that this person has a good educational attainment? Not only that, he just came from a poor family in Batangas. But because he has an ambition, he surpassed the poverty. Is that inspiring? Of course, yes!

                In terms of educational background, Casanova graduated in UP Diliman with degrees in Emglish, Law and Urban Planning. He was a former scholar of World Bank; they were sent him in Harvard University to take Masteral degree in Public Administration. He served also as a professor in Ateneo de Manila University. Wow, that is very impressive! It only means that he is really an intelligent person.

                Casanova decided to enter in the government, to gain more wealth. I mean, to become a public servant. At first, he was just an officer in BCDA, but because he of his good performance he tend to become the head of that agency. Based on the report, he made a lot of development. He is the one who developed the former military camp in Taguig when he converted it as a business district. Under his leadership, he was also launched the Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). This is a great help for those people who are travelling in that cities.

                Aside from being an educator and public servant, Casanova was also awarded as a peace advocate when he was only 25-year old. He helped the government to obtain peace in Mindanao when he negotiated with the Muslim rebels particularly the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

                The sad thing, it seems that Casanova forgot where he came from and what he had done in the past years. All of his efforts and good deeds in the past are nonsense because he already changed his ways. Instead to fight oppression, he becomes a law breaker despite the fact that he is an attorney by profession. He uses his power and connection to harass people like what he is doing now in Camp John Hay. He filed a cased against the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDEvCo) which is the developer of the camp. He made a lot of allegations against the company just to evict them. His plan has been succeed when the court ordered the developer to leave the camp with one condition. The BCDA should pay them 1.4 billion pesos. The developer accepted the decision of the court; they are really willing to leave the camp. The only problem, Casanova is not yet giving the said amount.

                Casanova harassed the CJHDevCo by sending armed groups for them to leave the camp. But of course, the developer didn’t follow the order of the BCDA. Casanova tried also to evict the third parties in the camp. Thanks to the court, they released a TRO to stop the eviction order. Third parties felt that th BCDA are just using to them as a pawn with their conflict to CJHDevCo.

                 If I were P-Noy I will kick out him in his post. For sure, he has a strong connection to the president that’s why despite of his wrong actions in Camp John Hay, he is still a president of the BCDA.

The Harassment Issue of BCDA 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.