HOPE FOR NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION Volume 2 No. 5 • 8 pages May 2012 The official publication of the Pimentel Center for Local Governance and the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance LGU SEMINARS, ROUND TABLE CONFERENCES, OTHER ACTIVITIES PUNCTUATE ALMOST TWO YEARS IN THE LIFE OF THE CENTER

Participants from Mandaluyong City and Las Piñas City flank Arch- COMELEC Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. (center) during the Round Table bishop Oscar Cruz and Prof. Nene Pimentel during the Seminar-Work- discussion on the“Challenges Facing the Comelec Today and in Futute shop on Good Barangay Governance for National Transformation Elections”, held at the Pimentel Center, University of Makati last May held last April 27-28. 18. Also in the picture: Johnny Pecayo, Nene Pimentel and Raymund Rosuelo( standing).

[May 2012 Report to ELECTORAL REFORM the Center’s barangay IMPERATIVES DISCUSSED and LGU constituents] Word from AT PcLG By Staff Writers the Center By Dean Alex Brillantes Brief History and Staff Writers The Center for Local Gov- To preserve the sanctity of ernance at the University of The problem posed by Lady mances but only after the acts the ballot is a gigantic task and Makati came from a spark Gaga’s scheduled shows in Pa- requires the cooperation of all are done. I doubt if pre-censor- citizens. This was the message of of inspired thought of the say City is more complicated ship legal in this country. But Commission on Elections Chair- then Makati Mayor Jojo Bi- in a functioning democratic actual pornographic perfor- man Sixto Brillantes during a nay and filial support of now country like ours than it is in mances, I believe, may be sanc- forum held at the Pimentel Cen- Makati Mayor Junjun Binay other aspiring democracies. tioned under existing statutes. ter for Local Governance at the sometime in 2008. University of Makati held last Here we have to contend 2. We can also demonstrate May 18. with freedom of expres- against what is presumed to be It burst into the flame of Areas of Reform sion and of speech and other lewd public exhibitions of the life when it was stoked by the Chairman Brillantes focused freedoms guaranteed by the performer. prayers of spiritual warriors on four areas of reform. These Constitution. In autocratic like Bishop Deo Iniguez, Ultimately, however, the ob- are: (1) Registration of voters; (2) countries, they have no such Coylee Gamboa, Pastors ligation to discourage the youth Refining the Party List; (3) Regu- problem. What those in power King Flores, Roy Carandang of the land, especially those be- lation of Campaign Finance; and say - even in matters of morals (4) Improving the Automation and Hugh Nguyen and Fr. low the age of 18, from gravi- - goes. System. Pascual in 2010. tating towards the shows of So what may we who find Lady Gaga and her ilk lies more The Chairman said that “It is LGU seminars imperative to cleanse the voters Lady Gaga’s erotic gyrations in the hands of parents than in lists where flying voters, unquali- In July 2010, it started its and sexy songs offensive to our the State. fied and underaged voters have mission to help upgrade the religious sensitivities do? Allowing the State to have a been listed.” knowledge and skills of local 1. We can insist that the au- Turnfreer hand to Page in defining 2 the mor- Turn to Page 3 thorities implement existing Turn to Page 6 laws against obscene perfor-

2 Paglaum May 2012

ROUND TABLE WORD...

SIDELIGHTS als of our people would be By Clarisse Aquino more dangerous to our lives and liberties than a thou- sand Gaga shows. For one thing, it would relinquish to the govern- ment the primary right and duty of parents to rear their children to become responsible citizens that is placed on their shoulders by the Constitution, itself. And consequently, it would unduly broaden the author- ity of State to intrude into the field of morality that is better left to the people and their religious leaders to prescribe. That said, existing laws that proscribe obscenity Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes (seated center at right end of table) fields questions from audience in the Round and pornography should be Table Conference on Election Problems at the Center last May 18. The audience included Congressman Dodo Man- implemented. Otherwise, danas, Dean Ed Tapia, Dean Alex Brillantes, other UMak faculty, Muslim leaders, academes and graduate students. entrepreneurs - local or foreign - whose values are The welcome remarks de- the participants. She said, the of boys. It separates the grain measured only by the stack livered Dr. Edith Chan, the “voters need to know their votes from the chaff, it identifies the Executive Vice President of are safe, and that they will be cream from the crop! But it also of dollars they could extract the University roused many counted.” results in mudslinging, black from the naive youth of the participants from drowsiness land, would, in effect, be al- “There is no alternative to propaganda, or worst, killings, occasioned by the sultry May lowed to spit on our values democratic politics,” she added. and destruction. It produces weather. “It enables us to settle our dif- ambivalence and dichotomy of as a people. In what may well be a fight- ferences peacefully. And politi- feelings but it is something that A word of caution - those we cannot do without.” ing speech from the leading cal parties play a crucial role in who want to go via the route lady academe of the University, politics in a democratic State by True to her nature, howev- of law as determined by the Dr. Chan hit the root of the setting out alternative policy er, she urged the participants courts should be prepared problem that bugs elections in positions from which we can to enjoy the discussion and to to produce the evidence the country at the very start of choose as voters.” remember that “its more fun needed to convict the cul- her welcome remarks. in the during elec- In her statement, the Execu- prits because that is what tions.” She said that the “the Com- tive Vice President posed a rhe- the Rule of Law requires. mission on Elections has a torical question as to what the The Com- critical role in building public people can do to help restore elec Chair was confidence and in defending de- public confidence in the work- introduced by Johnny Pecayo, mocracy.” ings of the Comelec. Answering The official publication of the Pimentel Center for Local Governance and the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance the question, she said that since Publisher of The usually charming in- Editorial Director Jay Dejaresco elections are for the voters, the the L.A.-based tellectual presaged the vigor- Contributing Writers Alex Brillantes voters interests must be given Manila US ous exchange of viewpoints Norma Camunay utmost consideration. Times. Pecayo, between the main discussant, who is also the Roy Carandang Comelec Chair Brillantes, and, The leading lady educator of President-elect Jaime Ocampo the University explained that of the Makati Nene Pimentel “if we’re going to restore public Rotary Club- Raymund Rosuelo confidence in politics, we need Nielsen, said Ed Tapia to be clear that the process be- that Chair- Cris Uy Artist/Photograper gins and ends with voters. man Brillantes reyronda Publisher Gwen Gana brought a fresh “The impartiality of the Editorial Consultant Coylee Gamboa face to the work Commission is vital for public Editorial Staff Clarisse Aquino of the Comelec confidence. But so is its effec- Maelyn Calizo citing his (Bril- tiveness.” Carla Caringal lantes’s) in- The EVP concluded her depth knowl- Pimentel Center for Local Governance welcome address with a scath- Pimentel Institute for Leadership & Governance edge of election 4th Floor Administration Building, University of Makati, ing but realistic summation: laws and how JP Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Makati City “Philippine elections,” she the Comelec Telephone No.: 882-0678 loc 307 Email: [email protected], [email protected] said, “bring the best and the should imple- Website: www.pimentelinstitute.org Dr. Edith Chan worst in it. It makes men out ment them.

May 2012 Paglaum 3

LGU... Moro leaders on the Peace Process; (3) Maximizing the government officials in ad- Development of Our Natu- ministering their respective ral Resources; (4) The State political units and warding of Our Justice System; (5) off the blight of corruption The Kalayaan-Islands-and- from LGUs affairs in a 3 x Scarbourough Shoal Contro- 4 square meter room at the versy; (6) The State of our office of EVP Edith Chan of National Defense, and (7) the University of Makati. The Power Crisis Confront- Without any identified ing the Nation, to mention source of funds but with full some topics. faith in God’s benevolence, These were professionally the Center defined its mis- and candidly discussed by sion more sharply and start- big names in and out of the Prof. Nene Pimentel explains the finer points of the Local Government ed ‘to walk in faith’ in the government today. Among Code and how the principles of accountability and responsibility are ap- Lord. the discussants were the plied to LGU work to avoid corruption in one of the Center’s seminars on It is with unbounded joy Sultan of Sulu Ismail Kiram local governance. that The Center can look II, former Marawi Mayor back to a 10 month and a and Moro Rebel Leader Com- Essay Contests Prof. Terry Dumogho, Fr. decade of our existence with mander Omar Ali, DENR With the help of the Anton Pascual, Atty. Luigi happiness in our hearts that Sec. , DOJ Sec. UMak faculty, the Center Gana, Dr. Jimmy Ocampo, God and our people did not , DFA USEC also sponsored English essay Dr. Norma Camunay, Prof. let us down. Jose Brillantes, DND Sec. writing contests in the sec- Raymund Rosuelo, Pastors , AIPA ond semester of last year for King Flores, Hugh Nguyen, Without let-up, the Center (ASEAN Inter Parliamen- the College students of the and Cris Uy and Liza Ting, has delivered the message tary Assembly) Secretary University. Coylee Gamboa and Atty. to hundreds of local govern- General Antonio Cuenco and Jay Dejaresco. ment officials through the The topics dwelt on: (a) DFA Official Atty, Henry seminars not only in the how the barangay delivers The Center also had the Bensurto Jr. and DOE Sec. University of Makati but basic services to the people indispensable support of . elsewhere in the country and (b) how the Lupon Taga- Pres. Tom Lopez, EVP Dr. too. The most critical issue of pamayapa helps in our peo- Edith Chan, VP for Adminis- Climate Change has also ple’s search for Justice. tration Dr. Raymond Arcega, Additionally, the Center reverberated in the halls of the other vice presidents and helps the College of Gov- The winners received sub- the Center in the last few officials and employees of ernance and Public Policy stantial prizes. months with ecological ex- UMak and the City Govern- underscore the vital impor- pert Dr. Steeve Godilano and Nativiti-han Contest ment of Makati. tance of the work of city and an environmental activist And to help preserve the municipal councilors in stra- Impressive Facilities like Bel Formanes expound- true spirit of Christmas, the tegic regional seminars. The Center gratefully ac- ing on it for the Center’s con- Center organized a belen knowledges the City Gov- Round Table Conferences stituents. contest with the active sup- ernment’s and UMak’s port of the university’s art Incidentally, the Center Typhoons Ondoy and Sen- construction of impressive department. has been holding a series of dong that recently wrought offices, a Library and a semi- Round Table Conferences indescribable havoc to places It was participated in by nar room at the 4th Floor of on current and public issues that had been typhoon-free college classes and by a num- the Administration Building dealing with (1) The Owner- in the past simply made the ber of administrative divi- of the University for the use ship of the Sultan of Sulu of subject inevitably compel- sions of the University. of our professorial lecturers Sabah; (2) The views of some ling. The winners likewise got and LGU Seminar attend- good prizes. ees, and the Faculty and Students of the University. Credit Books and Computers Credit for those little achievements goes to that The Center has also hap- self-less band of practical pily received copies of the idealists who would like to book, Anti-Corruption Man- see our nation transformed. ual for SMEs, from the good They include Archbishop heart of Mr. Wash Sy-Cip. Oscar Cruz, Bishop Deo Ini- These books have been (and guez, Atty. Joe Villanueva, are) distributed to the par- UP Vice Pres. Popoy de ticipants of our LGU semi- Vera, Pastor Andrew Luison, nars. Architech Roy Carandang, Other books and some Dean Ederson Tapia, Winnie computers were donated to A view of the Pimentel Center located at the 4th Floor at the Administra- Marbella, Dean Alex Bril- the Center by kind-hearted tion Building of the University of Makati. lantes, Atty. Gwen Gana, individuals.

4 Paglaum May 2012 PIMENTEL CENTER’S ACTIVITIES 1 year 10 Months SYMPOSIUMS

The Sultan of Sulu Ismail Kiram II (extreme left) listens with Prof. Pimentel (2nd Some Moro academic and political leaders (left-right) MSU President Dr. Maca- from left) and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Brillantes to Moro politi- pando Muslim join hands with Prof. Nene Pimentel in symbolic unity in asserting cal and NGO leader Al Tillah (in coat and tie) winding up his summation at the Moro rights at a symposium at the Center last February 4, 2012. Others in the symposium on the Sabah issue last October 15, 2011. picture are Farouk Dumagay, Mehol Sadain, Senen Bacani and Omar Solitario. ROUND TABLE CONFERENCES

RTC at the Center on Climate Change last January 12. (Left-right): EVP Edith RTC at the Center on the Spratly’s issue last March 15. ASEAN Inter Parliamen- Chan, DENR Sec. Ramon Paje and Dean Ederson Tapia on stage. tary Association Secretary General Antonio Cuenco leads the discussion (hold- ing the microphone).

RTC at the Center on Disaster Risk Management last March 12. Discussing the RTC at the Center on Energy issues last April 20. Main discussant was the Sec- issue is Dr. Viktor Sebek, Executive Director for the Inter-America Center for retary of the Department of Energy Jose Rene Almendras (speaking into the Peace and Security (extreme right). At the extreme left is the Kenya Ambassa- microphone). At his right is Johnny Pecayo and at his left is Prof. Pimentel. dor to the UN George Owuor. Sitting next to him is Prof. Pimentel (in blue bar- ong) and former Sen. Heherson Alvarez, who moderated the forum. Ms. Cecile Guidote Alvarez partnered with the Center to hold the RTC.

Homeowners Association (Jabaha) of Project 8, Quezon City, President Bhechi Officials of Jabaha pose with Arnold Banton and his wife, Lilia (at the center, and, Lazcano places Gold Medal for Honesty on Arnold Banton at the Jabaha Recognition their two daughters in front), from left-right: Boardmembers Virgilio Robles and Bob Night on May 13 at the Lazcano residence. Ms. Lazcano is assisted by Judge Hidalgo. Mallari, Bing and Nene Pimentel, the Bantons, Fr. Alex, President Bhechi Lazcano, Au- Jabaha Board Member Virgilio Robles watch from the side. Banton’s story was fea- ditor Lizette Reyes and Boardmember Bobby Paguia at the Jabaha Recognition Night tured in the April issue of Paglaum. honoring the Banton couple on May 13.

May 2012 Paglaum 5

ESSAY AND BELEN CONTESTS

First and second prize winners of the Essay Contest on the Barangay for college stu- The winners of the December 2011 Belen Contest, namely, Adrian Hapa of dents of the UMak sponsored by the Center Reuben James Ramos and Helen Nguyen, DCNB (3rd from left), Moner Raguindin of CTM (5th from left), and Ms. Crest- respectively, stand in the middle with their medals, citations and cash awards last eta Evangelio of CASE (2nd from the right) receive their trophies, citations and December 9, 2011. They are flanked from the left by English teacher Shelley Sara- cash prizes from Pastor King, Sen. Marcos, PILG President Gwen P. Gana, and cin and Sen. Bongbong Marcos, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Gover- Prof. Pimentel. nance, and Prof. Pimentel and Pastor King Flores. OUT OF TOWN LGU SEMINARS

Baguio City Seminar. Some 200 participants attended. November 25-27, 2011 Cabanatuan City Seminar. Some 1200 participants attended. February 25-27, 2011 SOME IN-HOUSE BARANGAY SEMINARS

Forbes Park Barangay Chairman Jose Conception shares his insights into the PILG President Gwen P. Gana pays tribute to the late Barangay Kagawad Rey- duties and functions of barangay officials. naldo Dagsa. UMak President Tomas B. Lopes presented the plaque of honor to Mrs. Arlene Dagsa and her family. January 28, 2011

Maranaw Participants with DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima. November 25, 2011. GEN. Luna, Quezon participants with Archbishop Oscar Cruz and DND Sec, Vol- taire Gazmin. March 22, 2012.

6 Paglaum May 2012

ELECTORAL... The challenge is how to imple- ment the law. The law provides To do that the COMELEC has that all candidates – winning and begun to use the biometrics and losing – must submit statements automatic fingerprint system of campaign contributions and that recognizes the unique and expenditures after the elections. specific features of the voters fin- Two difficulties impede the gerprints, their eyes and other easy implementation of the law. singular characteristics. This will The first pertains to the capaci- obviate the possibility of multiple ties of the COMELEC to review registration by individuals. the thousands of reports that are The COMELEC chairman cit- submitted to it after the elec- ed the example of some areas in tions. The COMELEC simply the Autonomous Region of Mus- does not have enough people to lim Mindanao (ARMM) where review all the reports submit- the registered number of voters ted. They have only 79 people in was bloated by underaged voters the law department, whose job is coming from neighboring prov- much more than simply review- inces. The use of biometric and ing the reports. automatic fingerprint system Brillantes said that there is a Chair Brillantes (back to camera, white barong) facing inquisitors at the will prevent that practice as only need for citizens groups to assist Round Table Conference on Election Problems on May 22. qualified voters will be registered the campaign finance unit of the was “piloted nationwide!” How- resulting in the cleansing of the COMELEC in reviewing the re- national government? The local ever, given what Brillantes felt voters’ lists. ports. He said that PPCRV and government? In other words, the were only were mostly technolog- NAMFREL and other citizens abolition of barangays as elective A second area of reform that ical and administrative glitches levels of local governments has was discussed by Brillantes said groups could provide that as- sistance. A second challenge in and failures (e.g., long queues serious implications and is not as is the review the abuses of the due to precinct clustering, digi- simple as suggested by its propo- party list system. In past elec- implementation of the campaign finance reforms was the legisla- tal signatures, UV lights), it is a nents. tions, the party list system was marvel that the first nationwide misused and manipulated. It has tive decision to decriminalize it. Many questions were also Violation of campaign finances automated elections were, on the raised about the conduct of reached ridiculous proportions, whole, quite successful. Brillantes said, with a chuckle, have been decriminalized and is elections at the ARMM. These that even drug addicts, cockfight- now only considered merely an There were vigorous exchang- ranged from the continuous ing afficionados, “anti-war and administrative violation. Conse- es of views in the open forum that padding of voters lists, to the anti terrorists” are claiming to quently, candidates have been followed. Questions were raised appropriateness of the ARMM willing to simply pay the fines be marginalized and underrep- about the perceived need to post- structure to the unique needs of (if caught given the limited ca- resented sectors just so they may pone the barangay elections to the region, to the need to address pacities of the COMELEC as dis- be given accreditation to field 2015. Brillantes suggested the violence. A proposal was raised cussed above). their groups as party list candi- elections for barangays be held by former Governor Al Tillah re- dates. Finally, a fourth area of reform in 2014. Another issue pertained garding the need to harness the is in the area of election automa- to the proposed abolition of the religious leaders in the ARMM to The Comelec head revealed tion. The case is currently sub ju- barangays with elected officials provide the enabling framework that there are no less than 187 dice in the Supreme Court hence and converting them to adminis- for a citizens arm a la PPCRV for party list representatives in con- Chairman Brillantes did not fully trative units of the cities or the the Muslim areas. gress and the COMELEC hopes discuss the matter. However, municipalities with the simple All told, the roundtable discus- to bring this down to 127. Brillantes provided a background appointments of the barangay sion on the Challenges Facing A third area of reform deals of the automation law. officials. Prof Nene Pimentel the COMELEC Today provided with campaign finance. Brillan- When the law was passed in pointed out that the problem is some hope about the future of tes pointed out that the problem 2007, automation of elections not as simple as that consider- elections, given the directions is not election finance itself as were supposed to be only piloted ing the laws and probably even for reform being initiated in the there is a law – RA 7156 – that in several selected areas of the the Constitution might have to COMELEC, led by transformed provides proper regulation and country. However, it was imple- be amended. There is also the leadership in the agency, and reporting of campaign finances mented all over the country giv- question as to who would ap- most important, the need for an and contributions. ing rise to the oxymoron that it point the barangay officials. The engaged citizenry. QC MAYOR HONORS ‘HONEST MAN’

Quezon City Mayor Her- the latter. bert Bautista paid public tribute to Arnold Banton This, he did in spite of at the Flag Ceremony held the fact that he is only at the quadrangle of the a daily wage worker at City Hall last May 7. a butcher shop, had a Banton was featured by daughter who was hos- Paglaum in its April is- pitalized at that time sue as an honest man who and his wife is a full found a wallet with some time housewife who cash on a street in Project 8, Quezon City on April 12, takes care of their three (L-R) Senator Koko Pimentel, Lilia and Arnold Banton, Vice Mayor Joy took pains to look for the daughters from his daily Belmonte, and Mayor Herbert Bautista during the flag ceremony held at owner and returned it to wage earnings. Quezon City Hall Quadrangle last May 7.

May 2012 Paglaum 7 The College That Works: How College of Governance and Public Policy (CGPP) Reinvented Locally Funded Capacity Building Program IN UMAk-PCL Partnership By Dr. Jaime G. Ocampo

College Secretary and Chair of MPA Program and the Partner The UMAk-PCL partnership has already evolved and it has PCL. its more than six-months holding classes with the following Satellites Institutions namely: The graduate program on Master of Development Man- Satellites Cluster Venue No. of agement and Governance is a Students modified one (1) year program 1. Luzon NCR & its UMak 178 where graduate students at- neighboring Luzon tend once a month classes in Provinces a three day face to face lecture 2. Visayas /Lapu-lapu CICC 73 sessions. The students of the Mactan & Neigh- Executive Program on Bach- boring provinces & Dr. Jimmy Ocampo elor of Arts in Political Science, islands In 2011, the CGPP started Major in Local Administration 3. Mindanao Davao/Gen.San Gen. Santos & 181 to reinvent its service learning attend classes from six months & Neighboring Davao Legislative delivery through a “customized to twenty-two months depend- Provinces Bld. education” both in the gradu- ing on their preparation and 4. Palawan Palawan & its Palawan Legisla- 65 ate program (Masters in De- credentials. islands tive Building velopment Management and 5. Bicol Albay/Tabaco Ca- Albay Legislative 58 STRATEGIES FOR Governance) and in the Execu- marines Sur/Norte Building CAPACITY BUILDING tive Program (BA in Political Naga Science, Major in Local Gov- UMak being a degree-grant- ing institution has become in- asked to systematically as- ernment Administration). b. Intergroup problem solv- novative in delivering learning sess their capabilities and set ing. How It Started? Modules both in the Masters specific targets for future per- UMAk is lucky in that the degree and baccalaureates. If a conflict or competition formance. After which the SB PCL decided to partner with us The lecturers employ the fol- arises among the SB members members evaluate their work in crafting a tailor-fit program lowing strategies and tech- over resources and prestige, and establish goals for the next for Sanggunian Members. niques for legislative capacity overlapping responsibilities, session. development: facilitator may the groups to- The CGPP designed the d. Sensitivity training. a. Team-building Tech- gether to identify problem ar- program to be conducted in SB members of the group niques. eas and deal with them. different satellite institutions. may improve openness and c. Goal Setting and Plan- Thousands of SB members in Much of the classes ‘work trust by identifying and explor- ning. many parts of the country are both in the graduate and bach- ing their deep-seated feelings taking part in the program as elors program is done in groups In goal-setting efforts, SB about their work, and about presented by the CGPP Dean, of legislators. members of the group are one another. RTC with Nepalese Officials By Dr. Alex Brillantes, Ph.D. a delegation of vis- Local Government Code of 1991 the Nepalese experience. The iting Nepalese gov- within the context of the con- other members of the delega- ernment officials on tinuing advocacy for federalism. tion include Sharad Chandra May 30. It has been argued that, in the Paudel and Geha Nath Gau- Nepal has re- Philippines, federalism is the tam, Joint Secretaries, Office cently adopted a next logical next step after de- of the Prime Minister and federal form of volution. Council of Ministers; Dilli government that Professor Pimentel, the au- Ram Sharma and Umakanta provides the frame- thor of the Local Government Acharya, Under Secretaries, work for autonomy Code and the prime exponent Office of the Prime Minister of its sub-national of federalism in the country will and Council of Ministers; and governments. The discuss the Philippine struggle Mr Sumit Sharma Sameer, Program Officer, The Asia Dr. Alex Brillantes Nepalese officials for devolution and federalism. seek to familiarize Secretary Jaya Mukunda Ka- Foundation. The Pimentel Center for themselves with the state of lo- mal of the Office of the Prime The dialogue promises not Local Governance will host a cal autonomy in the Philippines Minister of Nepal, and head of only to be enlightening but round table conference with brought about by the landmark the delegation, shall discuss engaging as well.

8 Paglaum May 2012 SAIPAN MAYOR SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH RP By Jay Dejaresco

In a bid to revive an economy tourism, spawned by its numer- weakened by a global decline ous pristine beaches, well known in jobs and trade, the mayor of dive spots, and resorts. Saipan of the Commonwealth of Flores welcomed the dialogue Northern Mariana Islands per- in the round table discussion sonally invited Filipinos to em- saying it can jumpstart mutually bark in mutually beneficial op- beneficial opportunities for the portunities in the areas of trade, people of Saipan and the Philip- business and tourism. pines. Saipan Mayor Donald Flores Flores came to Manila to in- was a guest of the roundtable ject an economic stimulant to a discussion on ‘economic growth municipality recently plagued by thru potential business partner- a sharp economic downtrend. ship’ of the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance Mayor Flores bared that and the Pimentel Center for Lo- Saipan was once a bustling place Saipan Mayor Donald Flores receives from Prof. Nene Pimentel a plaque of ap- of commerce in the apparel and preciation for his discussion at the Round Table Conference at the Pimentel cal Governance at the University Center on possible RP-Saipan economic, social and academic tie-ups last May of Makati and the Rotary Club garments industry, bringing 22. Looking on (left-right): Ms. Mache Torres, president of the Rotary Club of Makati Uptown on May 22, hundreds of millions of dollars in Makati Uptown; Daniel Buniag of the Office of the Governor of Northern Mari- 2012. revenues to his municipality. anas, Johnny Pecayo, Dr. Norma Camunay (partly hidden), Dr. Jimmy Ocampo, Mayor Flores highlighted the Unfortunately, over the last and Dean Alex Brillantes. proximity of Saipan to the Phil- several years Saipan was rocked pines, the Saipan will revive its Mayor Flores said that in ippines which is only four hours by the general downward eco- once thriving economy and bring 2009 the immigration laws of away by air transport. nomic trend in the U.S.A. that back the glory days of Saipan as the United States were enforced started with the terrorist acts of He also cited the fact that a center of commerce, trade and over the islands belonging to the September 11, 2001 in mainland Filipino comprise about twenty tourism in the Pacific. Commonwealth. five percent of the inhabitants in U.S.A. Participants in the round table Saipan. Saipan is an island of 53,000 Saipan’s booming tourism discussions were several presi- industry was also adversely af- inhabitants, belonging to the Filipinos there can easily form United States Commonwealth of dents and officers of the different a political block in Saipan which fected by the bird flu scare which the Northern Mariana Islands. Rotary Clubs of Makati, and fel- enables them to actively par- prevented vacationists in Asia lows and officers of the Pimentel ticipate or even influence public from travelling there. The United States exercises Institute for Leadership and gov- policy issues. Flores however remains opti- political jurisdiction over the ernance and the Pimentel Center Flores said Saipan’s main mistic that by forging ties with islands, particularly in the en- for Local Governance led by Prof. source of economic wealth is other countries like the Philip- forcement of federal laws. Aquilino Nene Pimentel Jr. UMak Welcomes visitors from LOCAL Cities/ Municipalities AND Asian Countries

ket. Community College; Graduate The University of Makati or School Students from Eastern UMak is the only locally fund- Visayas State University; and ed University in the country to Senior Citizen Federation-Bay, have facilities that can match Laguna. private Universities in the Their visits to UMak include country. courtesy calls on University With such a distinction, President Prof. Tomas B. Lopez UMak is invariably included in Jr., Executive Vice President every itinerary of city visitors Dr. Edita I. Chan and a tour in both local and foreign. the different University Facili- ties including the new Health On the first quarter of this and Physical Sciences Building year, the Extension Services and interaction with members Office (ESO) in coordination of UMak community. But visi- Visitors from Jeonbuk Scouts, Seoul, South Korea pay a courtesy call on with International Relation De- tors from different Senior Citi- UMak Pres. Tomas B. Lopes Jr. partment and Office of the Se- zen Federations throughout nior Citizen Affairs, welcomed the country have a more unique The City of Makati as the tice in governance that brings visitors from Jeonbuk Scouts, experience on their trips here. financial capital of the country effective services to its constit- Seoul, South Korea; Senior The ESO in coordination with houses the finest and exclu- uents. Aside from being a busi- Citizen Federation-Luisiana, different departments and col- sive business establishments, ness and tourist hub, Makati Laguna; High School Students leges prepare a special pro- hotels, shopping malls, res- City is also being hailed as the from Seoul, Korea; Senior Citi- gram exclusively for them. The taurants and residence in the site of a fully locally funded zen Federation-Tuguegarao program includes the perfor- country. Its city government University that helps its less City, Cagayan; Administration mance of UMAk’s finest talents is recognized through out the privileged citizens to have bet- and Faculties of Marinduque in theperforming arts of music, country to have the best prac- ter futures in the global mar- State College and Iloilo City dance and theater.