DOJ chief opposes Bangsamoro sub-state proposal

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Monday expressed her rejection over the proposed Bangsamoro sub-state in Mindanao.

Despite the impending preliminary framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) set to be signed on Oct. 15, De Lima said the national government will maintain its authority and control over “non-negotiable” powers.

Foreign policy, internal defense, and external security are among of these powers, De Lima said.

“They asked for more autonomy, ok lang yun… Malaking bagay na hindi pinursige ng MILF yung layunin nila for a sub-state. Naging kwestyunable yun, a sensitive issue. Why create a sub-state? This is just one state, one country,” the justice secretary pointed out.

The new Muslim autonomous region (a new autonomous political entity or NPE) would replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) comprised of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao and Maguindanao provinces.

De Lima is also against the formation of a Bangsamoro’s justice system, saying that the Supreme Court (SC) still exercises jurisdiction over the shariah courts.

“It’s understood, we just have one Supreme Court,” De Lima said, adding that, “any courts created under the basic
law will still fall within the supervision and control of the Supreme Court.”

According to the agreement, “the Bangsamoro Basic Law may provide for the power of the Bangsamoro Government to accredit halal-certifying bodies in the Bangsamoro.”
“The Bangsamoro Basic Law shall provide for justice institutions in the Bangsamoro.” (mtimes)

Philippines Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

The Philippine Government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) herein referred to as the Parties to this Agreement, HAVE AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED AS FOLLOWS:

I. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BANGSAMORO

1. The Parties agree that the status quo is unacceptable and that the Bangsamoro shall be established to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The Bangsamoro is the new autonomous political entity (NPE) referred to in the Decision Points of Principles as of April 2012.

2. The government of the Bangsamoro shall have a ministerial form.
The Parties agree to entrench an electoral system suitable to a ministerial form of government. The electoral system shall allow democratic participation, ensure accountability of public officers primarily to their constituents and encourage formation of genuinely principled political parties. The electoral system shall be contained in the Bangsamoro Basic Law to be implemented through legislation enacted by the Bangsamoro Government and correlated with national laws.

3. The provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays and geographic areas within its territory shall be the constituent units of the Bangsamoro.
The authority to regulate on its own responsibility the affairs of the constituent units is guaranteed within the limit of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. The privileges already enjoyed by the local government units under existing laws shall not be diminished unless otherwise altered, modified or reformed for good governance pursuant to the provisions of the Bangsamoro local government code.

4. The relationship of the Central Government with the Bangsamoro Government shall be asymmetric.

5. The Parties recognize Bangsamoro identity. Those who at the time of conquest and colonization were considered natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago and its adjacent islands including Palawan, and their descendants whether of mixed or of full blood shall have the right to identify themselves as Bangsamoro by ascription or self-ascription.

Spouses and their descendants are classified as Bangsamoro. The freedom of choice of other Indigenous peoples shall be respected.

II. BASIC LAW

1. The Bangsamoro shall be governed by a Basic Law.

2. The provisions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law shall be consistent with all agreements of the Parties.

3. The Basic Law shall reflect the Bangsamoro system of life and meet internationally accepted standards of governance.

4. It shall be formulated by the Bangsamoro people and ratified by the qualified voters within its territory.

III. POWERS

1. The Central Government will have reserved powers, the Bangsamoro Government shall have its exclusive powers, and there will be concurrent powers shared by the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government. The Annex on Power Sharing, which includes the principles on intergovernmental relations, shall form part of this Agreement and guide the drafting of the Basic Law.

2. The Central Government shall have powers on:

a) Defense and external security
b) Foreign policy
c) Common market and global trade, provided that the power to enter into economic agreements already allowed under Republic Act No. 9054 shall be transferred to the Bangsamoro
d) Coinage and monetary policy
e) Citizenship and naturalization
f) Postal service

This list is without prejudice to additional powers that may be agreed upon by the Parties.

3. The Parties recognize the need to strengthen the Shari’ah courts and to expand their jurisdiction over cases. The Bangsamoro shall have competence over the Shari’ah justice system. The supremacy of Shari’ah and its application shall only be to Muslims.

4. The Bangsamoro Basic Law may provide for the power of the Bangsamoro Government to accredit halal-certifying bodies in the Bangsamoro.

5. The Bangsamoro Basic Law shall provide for justice institutions in the Bangsamoro. This includes:
a) The competence over the Shari’ah justice system, as well as the formal institutionalization and operation of its functions, and the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Shari’ah courts;
b) Measures to improve the workings of local civil courts, when necessary; and
c) Alternative dispute resolution systems.

6. The customary rights and traditions of indigenous peoples shall be taken into consideration in the formation of the Bangsamoro’s justice system. This may include the recognition of indigenous processes as alternative modes of dispute resolution.

IV. REVENUE GENERATION AND WEALTH SHARING

1. The parties agree that wealth creation (or revenue generation and sourcing) is important for the operation of the Bangsamoro.

2. Consistent with the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the Bangsamoro will have the power to create its own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges, subject to limitations as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties. This power shall include the power to determine tax bases and tax rates, guided by the principles of devolution of power, equalization, equity, accountability, administrative simplicity, harmonization, economic efficiency, and fiscal autonomy.

3. The Bangsamoro will have the authority to receive grants and donations from domestic and foreign sources, and block grants and subsidies from the Central Government. Subject to acceptable credit worthiness, it shall also have the authority to contract loans from domestic and foreign lending institutions, except foreign and domestic loans requiring sovereign guaranty, whether explicit or implicit, which would require the approval of the Central Government.

4. The Bangsamoro shall have a just and equitable share in the revenues generated through the exploration, development or utilization of natural resources obtaining in all the areas/territories, land or water, covered by and within the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro, in accordance with the formula agreed upon by the Parties.

5. The Bangsamoro may create its own auditing body and procedures for accountability over revenues and other funds generated within or by the region from external sources.

This shall be without prejudice to the power, authority and duty of the national Commission on Audit to examine, audit and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenues and the use of funds and property owned and held in trust by any government instrumentality, including GOCCs.

6. The details of revenue and wealth sharing arrangements between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government shall be agreed upon by the Parties. The Annex on Wealth Sharing shall form part of this Agreement.

7. There shall be an intergovernmental fiscal policy board composed of representatives of the Bangsamoro and the Central Government in order to address revenue imbalances and fluctuations in regional financial needs and revenue-raising capacity.

The Board shall meet at least once in six (6) months to determine necessary fiscal policy adjustments, subject to the principles of intergovernmental relations mutually agreed upon by both Parties. Once full fiscal autonomy has been achieved by the Bangsamoro then it may no longer be necessary to have a representative from the Central Government to sit in the Board. Fiscal autonomy shall mean generation and budgeting of the Bangsamoro’s own sources of revenue, its share of the internal revenue taxes and block grants and subsidies remitted to it by the central government or any donor.

8. The Parties agree that sustainable development is crucial in protecting and improving the quality of life of the Bangsamoro people. To this end, the Bangsamoro shall develop a comprehensive framework for sustainable development through the proper conservation, utilization and development of natural resources.

For efficient coordination and assistance, the Bangsamoro legislative body shall create, by law, an intergovernmental body composed of representatives of the Bangsamoro and the Central Government, which shall ensure the harmonization of environmental and developmental plans, as well as formulate common environmental objectives.

V. TERRITORY

1. The core territory of the Bangsamoro shall be composed of:
(a) the present geographical area of the ARMM; (b) the Municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in the province of Lanao del Norte and all other barangays in the Municipalities of Kabacan, Carmen, Aleosan, Pigkawayan, Pikit, and Midsayap that voted for inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite; (c) the cities of Cotabato and Isabela; and (d) all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the local government unit or a petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the qualified voters in the area asking for their inclusion at least two months prior to the conduct of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the process of delimitation of the Bangsamoro as mentioned in the next paragraph.

2. The Parties shall work together in order to ensure the widest acceptability of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as drafted by the Transitory Commission and the core areas mentioned in the previous paragraph, through a process of popular ratification among all the Bangsamoro within the areas for their adoption. An international third party monitoring team shall be present to ensure that the process is free, fair, credible, legitimate and in conformity with international standards.

3. Areas which are contiguous and outside the core territory where there are substantial populations of the Bangsamoro may opt anytime to be part of the territory upon petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the residents and approved by a majority of qualified voters in a plebiscite.

4. The disposition of internal and territorial waters shall be referred to in the Annexes on Wealth and Power Sharing.

5. Territory refers to the land mass as well as the maritime, terrestrial, fluvial and alluvial domains, and the aerial domain and the atmospheric space above it. Governance shall be as agreed upon by the parties in this agreement and in the sections on wealth and power sharing.

6. The Bangsamoro Basic Law shall recognize the collective democratic rights of the constituents in the Bangsamoro.

VI. BASIC RIGHTS

1. In addition to basic rights already enjoyed, the following rights of all citizens residing in the Bangsamoro bind the legislature, executive and judiciary as directly enforceable law and are guaranteed:

a. Right to life and to inviolability of one’s person and dignity;
b. Right to freedom and expression of religion and beliefs;
c. Right to privacy;
d. Right to freedom of speech;
e. Right to express political opinion and pursue democratically political aspiration;
f. Right to seek constitutional change by peaceful and legitimate means;
g. Right of women to meaningful political participation, and protection from all forms of violence;
h. Right to freely choose one’s place of residence and the inviolability of the home;
i. Right to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in social and economic activity and the public service, regardless of class, creed, disability, gender and ethnicity;
j. Right to establish cultural and religious associations;
k. Right to freedom from religious, ethnic and sectarian harassment; and
l. Right to redress of grievances and due process of law.

2. Vested property rights shall be recognized and respected. With respect to the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people arising from any unjust dispossession of their territorial and proprietary rights, customary land tenure or their marginalization shall be acknowledged. Whenever restoration is no longer possible, the Central Government and the Government of the Bangsamoro shall take effective measures for adequate reparation collectively beneficial to the Bangsamoro people in such quality, quantity and status to be determined mutually.

3. Indigenous peoples’ rights shall be respected.

4. The Central Government shall ensure the protection of the rights of the Bangsamoro people residing outside the territory of the Bangsamoro and undertake programs for the rehabilitation and development of their communities. The Bangsamoro Government may provide assistance to their communities to enhance their economic, social and cultural development.

VII. TRANSITION AND IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Parties agree to the need for a transition period and the institution of transitional mechanisms.

2. The Parties agree to adopt and incorporate an Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, which forms a part of this Framework Agreement.

3. There shall be created a Transition Commission through an Executive Order and supported by Congressional Resolutions.

4. The functions of the Transition Commission are as follows:
a. To work on the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law with provisions consistent with all agreements entered and that may be entered into by the Parties;
b. To work on proposals to amend the Philippine Constitution for the purpose of accommodating and entrenching in the constitution the agreements of the Parties whenever necessary without derogating from any prior peace agreements;
c. To coordinate whenever necessary development programs in Bangsamoro communities in conjunction with the MILF Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) and other agencies.

5. The Transition Commission shall be composed of fifteen (15) members all of whom are Bangsamoro. Seven (7) members shall be selected by the GPH and eight (8) members, including the Chairman, shall be selected by the MILF.

6. The Transition Commission will be independent from the ARMM and other government agencies. The GPH shall allocate funds and provide other resources for its effective operation. All other agencies of government shall support the Transition Commission in the performance of its tasks and responsibilities until it becomes functus oficio and cease to exist.

7. The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted by the Transition Commission shall be certified as an urgent bill by the President.

8. Upon promulgation and ratification of the Basic Law, which provides for the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the ARMM is deemed abolished.

9. All devolved authorities shall be vested in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority during the interim period. The ministerial form and Cabinet system of government shall commence once the Bangsamoro Transition Authority is in place. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority may reorganize the bureaucracy into institutions of governance appropriate thereto.

10. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority shall ensure that the continued functioning of government in the area of autonomy is exercised pursuant to its mandate under the Basic Law. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority will be immediately replaced in 2016 upon the election and assumption of the members of the Bangsamoro legislative assembly and the formation of the Bangsamoro government.

11. There will be created a third party monitoring team to be composed of international bodies, as well as domestic groups to monitor the implementation of all agreements.

12. At the end of the transition period, the GPH and MILF Peace Negotiating Panels, together with the Malaysian Facilitator and the Third Party Monitoring Team, shall convene a meeting to review, assess or evaluate the implementation of all agreements and the progress of the transition. An ‘Exit Document’ officially terminating the peace negotiation may be crafted and signed by both Parties if and only when all agreements have been fully implemented.

13. The Negotiating Panel of both Parties shall continue the negotiations until all issues are resolved and all agreements implemented.

VIII. NORMALIZATION

1. The Parties agree that normalization is vital to the peace process. It is through normalization that communities can return to conditions where they can achieve their desired quality of life, which includes the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods and political participation within a peaceful deliberative society.

2. The aim of normalization is to ensure human security in the Bangsamoro. Normalization helps build a society that is committed to basic human rights, where individuals are free from fear of violence or crime and where long-held traditions and value continue to be honored. Human insecurity embraces a wide range of issues that would include violation of human and civil rights, social and political injustice and impunity.

3. As a matter of principle, it is essential that policing structure and arrangement are such that the police service is professional and free from partisan political control. The police system shall be civilian in character so that it is effective and efficient in law enforcement, fair and impartial as well as accountable under the law for its action, and responsible both to the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government, and to the communities it serves.

4. An independent commission shall be organized by the Parties to recommend appropriate policing within the area. The commission shall be composed of representatives from the parties and may invite local and international experts on law enforcement to assist the commission in its work.

5. The MILF shall undertake a graduated program for decommissioning of its forces so that they are put beyond use.

6. In a phased and gradual manner, all law enforcement functions shall be transferred from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the police force for the Bangsamoro.
The Parties agree to continue negotiations on the form, functions and relationship of the police force of the Bangsamoro taking into consideration the results of the independent review process mentioned in paragraph 4.

7. The Joint Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) as well as the Ad hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) with the participation of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) shall continue to monitor the ceasefire agreement until the full decommissioning of the MILF forces. These existing coordinating mechanisms shall be the basis for the creation of a Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) to ensure the coordination between the Government and remaining MILF forces, and through which MILF shall assist in maintaining peace and order in the area of the Bangsamoro until decommissioning shall have been fully completed.

8. Both Parties commit to work in partnership for the reduction and control of firearms in the area and the disbandment of private armies and other armed groups.

9. The details of the normalization process and timetables for decommissioning shall be in an Annex on Normalization and shall form part of this Agreement.

10. The Parties agree to intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of the Bangsamoro, and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants, internally displaced persons, and poverty-stricken communities.

11. The Parties recognize the need to attract multi-donor country support, assistance and pledges to the normalization process. For this purpose, a Trust Fund shall be established through which urgent support, recurrent and investment budget cost will be released with efficiency, transparency and accountability. The Parties agree to adopt criteria for eligible financing schemes, such as, priority areas of capacity building, institutional strengthening, impact programs to address imbalances in development and infrastructures, and economic facilitation for return to normal life affecting combatant and non-combatant elements of the MILF, indigenous peoples, women, children, and internally displaced persons.

12. The Parties agree to work out a program for transitional justice to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and address human rights violations.

IX. MISCELLANEOUS

1. This Agreement shall not be implemented unilaterally.

2. The Parties commit to work further on the details of the Framework Agreement in the context of this document and complete a comprehensive agreement by the end of the year. (Mindanao Examiner)

CA issues freeze order vs oil firm’s assets over smuggling raps

The Court of Appeals (CA) has issued a 20-day freeze order against the bank accounts of a petroleum company whose officers are facing smuggling charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In an 11-page resolution penned by Associate Justice Michael Elbinias, the CA’s First Division has found enough grounds to freeze the accounts and all related web accounts of Cross Country and Petroleum Corporation located at Unit 3105 World Trade Exchange Building, 215 Juan Luna Street, Manila and Aleli Arellano, Jerome Canada and Samuel Mora.

Arellano is a major stockholder of the oil firm which had been able to engage in multi-billion peso oil importation business despite a paltry capitalization of only P3 million.

She allegedly signed some of questionable import entries of the oil company.

Canada is a customs broker who signed some of the questionable import entries of the Cross Country.

The freeze order became possible following the petition filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Ordered frozen are the assets of the oil firm in Asia United Bank, Security Bank, Metrobank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Banco de Oro, Green Bank, Land Bank, Phil. National Bank and Export and Industry Bank.

The appeals court directed the concerned banks to comply with the order.

Both parties were directed to attend the hearing set on November 10, 2011 at the CA Building in Manila, “in order to determine whether or not to modify, lift, or extend the effectivity of the freeze oder.”

Records showed that the company was able to import nearly P8.5 billion worth of petroleum products between March 2009 and September 2010.

Also facing charges before the DOJ are Mora, duties and VAT-refund representative of Cross Country; Canada, customs broker and several others, among them customs employees who allegedly conspired to defraud the government of taxes.

These violations supposedly gave the government legal justification to consider all subject Cross Country shipments as fraudulent and demand from the company payment of the entire amount of the petroleum products imported to the tune of P8.5 billion.

In its ruling, the CA stated that “after a careful and judicious examination, the petition for the issuance of a freeze order is justified by a finding of probable cause.”

“…Unless the bank accounts subject of the petition are frozen and placed under the custody of the law, there is imminent certainty that the funds contained in the accounts …will be withdrawn…and out of reach of the law enforcers,” the resolution stated.

Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Andres Reyes Jr. and Celia Librea-Leagogo.

 

 

Aquino offers to bring in doctors for Gloria Arroyo

The government, after disallowing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad, has offered to bring into the country foreign medical experts to check on the former State leader.

At a hastily called press briefing in Malacañang, no less than President Benigno Aquino III himself said his administration is even willing to shoulder the bills for the treatment of Mrs. Arroyo, an incumbent congresswoman representing the second district of Pampanga.

The President said he is wishing for the former Philippine leader’s speedy recovery.

“Bilang pagkilala ng karapatan ni Gng. Arroyo na personal na pumili ng mga espesyalistang doktor na magbibigay lunas sa kanya, maaari tayong magpapunta dito ng mga espesyalista o manggagamot mula sa alinmang panig ng mundo upang magsagawa ng kanyang eksaminasyong medikal,” Aquino said.

“Kung kinakailangan handa nating sagutin ang mga tungkuling pinansyal sa pagpapagamot ni Gng. Arroyo,” he added.

The camp of Mrs. Arroyo has yet to comment on Aquino’s offer as of posting time.

The briefing was held a day after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima announced that the government cannot allow Mrs. Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad due to, among others, the “discrepancies” between the medical abstract the Arroyo camp submitted to the Department of Justice to justify her request for an Allow Departure Order (ADO) and the letter-affidavit they earlier submitted.

Mrs. Arroyo, who is on the Immigration watch list in connection with the charges filed against her, needs to secure an ADO before she can leave the country. She is being treated for a pinched nerve and is suffering from hypoparathyroidism and a bone mineral disorder.

De Lima said there was no need for Mrs. Arroyo to leave the country because she was recuperating well and has already been attended to by doctors here in the Philippines. She cited a report by Health Secretary Enrique Ona who paid Arroyo a recent visit at her home.

The camp of Mrs. Arroyo has since brought the matter before the Supreme Court.

Supportive of De Lima’s decision

Aquino, during Wednesday’s briefing, said he fully supports De Lima’s decision to deny Mrs. Arroyo’s request. He said this is to ensure that Mrs. Arroyo will be available to face the plunder and electoral sabotage charges filed against her.

“Gagawin natin ito upang matiyak ang pagharap ng sinumang akusado sa ating hukuman at manaig ang katarungan sa ating bansa,” he said.

He added that it is not unreasonable to doubt the motive of someone who cannot make up her mind on what countries she wanted to go to.

Earlier in the day, the camp of Mrs. Arroyo maintained that the former president has no plans of fleeing from the charges against her, and that the “escape scenario” is just a “figment” of De Lima’s imagination.

The President said when Mrs. Arroyo asked for a travel authority before the House of Representatives, she mentioned six countries she wanted to visit. But only three countries were indicated in an affidavit she submitted to the DOJ.

He added last week, Mrs. Arroyo changed one of the countries on her list.

“Sa makailang beses niyang pagsusumite ng mga di-nagtutugmang listahan ng mga bansa, nito lamang Nobyembre 2 niya naisipang banggitin ang doktor na titingin sa kaniya,” Aquino said.

“Hindi po ba kung magpapaalam ka para magpagamot ng iyong karamdaman, mula’ t sapul pa lamang ay alam mo na kung kanino ka kokonsulta at kung nasaang bansa siya, lalo pa kung alam mong may nakabinbing kaso laban sa iyo?” he asked.

No full trust

Asked if he has trust in the former President, Aquino said he cannot give his full trust to someone who cannot truthfully declare where she is going.

“Hindi ko ho pine-personal ito. (Pero) paano natin dapat paniwalaan nang buong-buo ‘yong sinasabi niyang aalis ako, magpapagamot, babalik ako kung ‘yon nga ho pabago-bago pa iyong mga bansang binabanggit niya?” he said.

The President also found it funny that Mrs. Arroyo questioned before the court Memorandum Circular 41 which was issued and implemented during her term.

Asked if he is willing to talk to his predecessor, Aquino answered in the affirmative. “Bakit hindi? Guro ko naman siya noong araw; nakakatanda sa akin; babae pa ho siya; siya ay may karamdaman, bakit naman ho natin iiwasan ‘yon?” he said. — KBK/RSJ/HS, GMA News

Pacquiao offers little hope of bout vs Mayweather

LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao offered no extra hope to fans that he will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. next year, but his trainer says the long-awaited showdown might be the only challenge left for the Filipino icon.

 

Pacquiao was greeted by hundreds of well-wishers on Tuesday as he arrived at Las Vegas for his Saturday fight against Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, but he was ho-hum about Mayweather’s pitch last week for a May 5 fight with Pacquiao.

“What I’ve done, I’m happy (with),” Pacquiao said Tuesday. “Whatever fight my promoter gives me I’ll take it and fight hard. We haven’t made a decision about the next opponent. After this fight, I’m just waiting for the next.”

Unbeaten Mayweather, Pacquiao’s main rival as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, has not made a deal to fight the Asian southpaw even though such a bout figures to bring $50 million for each fighter — if it ever happens.

“I think that fight has to happen,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer. “It needs to happen because it’s the only challenge out there (for Pacquiao). I don’t see any other challengers.”

Even so, Pacquiao’s camp made it clear that Mayweather’s hand-picking a date and site for his next fight and then offering to fight “Pac-Man” is unacceptable.

“I’m kind of tired of Floyd,” Roach said. “Shut up and fight or not. We’ll fight him any day of the week. Who is he to make the rules?

“If that fight doesn’t happen, I’m not going to cry.”

Roach said Mayweather needs to face Pacquiao to give his unbeaten record legitimacy, saying “there will be questions” if he does not, and said Mayweather’s defensive style has produced unspectacular fights, calling the Marquez bout “a much more exciting fight than Mayweather.”

That is, in part, because Pacquiao is passionate after Marquez has claimed he truly won their prior fights, a 2004 draw and a Pacquiao split-decision victory in 2008 that was decided by one point on one judge’s scorecard.

“He disrespected me. The most important thing to me is respect,” Pacquiao said. “I’m not mad at him. I’m not mad at anybody. It’s about what I need to prove.”

Pacquiao wants to silence Marquez once and for all, saying that took priority over the $30 million payday he will have for the fight compared to the career-best $5 million Marquez will make.

“I took this fight not for the money but to give a great showing,” Pacquiao said. “This fight is one of the most important fights I’ve had. This fight is really important to me because he says he won the last two fights.

“That’s why I have been very motivated with my training. I feel like in my training when I was 24 or 25 years old.”

Roach added: “Manny has a little extra fire in him. He has been a little rougher on his sparring partners.”

Pacquiao sees Mayweather as having been disrespectful of boxing fans with his controversial knockout of Victor Ortiz last September. Mayweather swung the deciding punch while Ortiz turned to look at the referee

“I won’t do that. I don’t want to disappoint the fans,” Pacquiao said. “I care about the fans. I don’t want them to be disappointed.

“Nothing wrong with what he did. It’s legal. But we are talking about sportsmanship.” — AFP

Pacquiao, Vegas mourn Joe Frazier’s death

LAS VEGAS – Former undisputed world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, the epic rival to fellow boxing legend Muhammad Ali, was mourned on Tuesday in US boxing mecca Las Vegas by fighters he helped inspire.

Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino icon who defends his welterweight crown against Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday, said Frazier’s legacy will endure well beyond death, which came for Frazier on Monday at age 67 of liver cancer.

“His memory in boxing will remain,” Pacquiao said. “We lost a great champion. He was a great fighter. He left a huge legacy as a fighter. We won’t forget the fights he gave Muhammad Ali.”

Pacquiao was born three years after Frazier fought Ali for the third and final time in the “Thrilla in Manila,” but a young Pacquiao sought out the video of that fight to see the legendary bout an older generation raved about.

Pacquiao wants to follow in the Ali-Frazier footsteps one day with his own epic bout in his homeland.

“My dream is to fight a big fight like that in the Philippines,” Pacquiao said. “I hope to find a promoter who can promote that. The problem is it’s hard to promote. It costs a lot of money.”

Ali, in a statement, paid his ultimate respect to the first man who ever beat him in the ring, Frazier taking a unanimous 15-round decision at Madison Square Garden in 1971.

“The world has lost a great champion,” Ali said. “I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”

Frazier went 32-4 with one drawn and 27 knockouts over his career, but for long-time fight promoter Bob Arum, the Manila fight was simply the greatest bout in boxing history.

“The third fight was the greatest fight in the history of boxing. Ever. The greatest fight ever,” Arum said. “It’s something I’ll never forget. He proved himself a great man and a great warrior.”

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson posted his remembrances on his Twitter page, saying, “Today is a sad yet remarkable day as we mourn the death of boxing legend Joe Frazier & honor him by celebrating his amazing accomplishments.”

Tyson marveled at the Ali-Frazier rivalry, which saw Frazier win the first fight but then lose a 1974 rematch in a 12-round decision at New York and be stopped by Ali after 14 rounds in Manila.

“Frazier and Ali were quintessential the apex of pedigree fighting in which each man would not give an inch until they were dead,” Tyson said. “Their era was competitive fighting at the highest level. As a young fighter it has always been an honor to be compared to Frazier.”

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman posted a Twitter message that simply said, “Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend.”

Floyd Mayweather, the undefeated welterweight who has refused to fight Pacquiao in what many fans hoped might be a modern epic boxing trilogy such as Ali and Frazier staged, offered to pay for Frazier’s funeral.

“RIP Smokin Joe. My thoughts and prayers go out to to the Frazier family. We lost an all time great,” Mayweather posted on his Twitter page.

“My condolences go out to the family of the late great Joe Frazier. TheMoneyTeam will pay for his Funeral services.”

Bernard Hopkins, the oldest world champion in boxing history at age 46 after winning the WBC world lightweight crown earlier this year, mourned a fellow Philadelphia fight legend.

“Joe Frazier is an icon, and he will always be remembered that way,” said Hopkins. “He had great discipline and a strong will to win. It’s a very sad day in Philadelphia and all over the world.

“Joe is a person who will never be imitated or emulated. His legacy in boxing will never be duplicated.”

Even beyond boxing, Frazier touched sports stars, notably women’s tennis superstar Serena Williams, who tweeted, “Joe Frazier you were a icon and pioneer for people like me. Inspiring and loved. Your presence will be missed.” — AFP

Imelda seeks Sandigan OK to go to China again

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos has asked the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court to allow her to go to China next week to attend a high-level conference of women leaders in various fields.

The 82-year-old widow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was invited as a VIP guest to the 2011 Financial Times–Women at the Top conference and dinner to be held in Shanghai on Nov. 15. The occasion will coincide with the announcement and publication of the FT 2011 Top 50 Women in World Business Ranking.

Marcos has 10 pending graft charges before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division concerning allegations of having unlawful financial interests in private foundations and businesses while she was a member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984, during which her husband was president.

Due to the charges, Marcos has to seek clearance from the court each time she has to leave the country.

In his letter to Marcos dated Oct. 7, 2011, Financial Times chief executive officer John Ridding said the event will “bring together world-class thought leaders and decision makers for an exclusive gathering, to discuss the role of women in business, their contributions as drivers of development and growth, and their inspirational legacy as innovators and influencers in the workplace and beyond.”

Marcos’ counsel, Robert Sison, said the former First Lady has been allowed to travel abroad many times in the past and has always returned as proof that she is not a flight risk.

Marcos’ last trip abroad was on Aug. 29 to Sept. 11, 2011 when she visited Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Hong Kong at the invitation of Chinese firms Metro Millenium Consolidated Building Consultants Inc. and the China Triend Investments Ltd. to encourage more investors to put up businesses in the Philippines particularly in her province and congressional district.

“Accused has no intention to evade the due course of justice and the processes of this Honorable Court. She has left the country several times in the past and has returned in compliance with the terms and conditions of her permit to travel abroad,” Sison said.

He added that Marcos has executed waivers of appearance that will allow the trial of her cases to proceed even in her absence. (GMA News)

PAGASA: Wind system to bring rain over Palawan, Mindanao

An inter-tropical convergence zone may bring rain over parts of Palawan province and Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Wednesday.

PAGASA, in its 5 a.m. bulletin, also noted the warm weather with isolated rain in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

“Southern Palawan and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms,” it said.

For Metro Manila, PAGASA said the temperature may range from 25 to 33 degrees Celsius.

In its extended weather forecast, PAGASA indicated warm weather may prevail over Metro Manila until Sunday, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 33 degrees.

On Tuesday, PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said despite the entry of the amihan (northeast monsoon), Filipinos can still expect the weather to become warm again due to the easterly winds.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast and southeast will prevail over Extreme Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and coming from the northeast to north over Mindanao.

The coastal waters along these areas will be slight to moderate, it said. — LBG, GMA News

Cops arrest 3 suspects in stealing of car accessories in QC

The police early on Wednesday arrested three men suspected of stealing car accessories from parked vehicles in the Quezon City area.

A report of radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus said the police also recovered some 130 pairs of side mirrors and other car accessories such as headlights and tail lights in a raid in Banaue, Quezon City early Wednesday.

The report identified those who were arrested as: Robert de Vera, Oswald Tiologo and Ricky Reyes.

The police are investigating them for fencing or selling the stolen items.

Quezon City Police District Station 11 head Superintendent Norberto Babagay said they received many complaints from motorists who said their car mirrors were stolen when their vehicles were parked in the area.— GMA News

4 suspected hijackers killed in Laguna clash

At least four suspected hijackers were killed in a predawn encounter with police in San Pedro, Laguna province Wednesday.

San Pedro police head Superintendent Kirby Kraft said the men fired at pursuing police teams at San Antonio village near the boundary of San Pedro and Muntinlupa City.

“May apat dito armado ng mataas na kalibre, mahaba (kasama ang) carbine,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He did not immediately identify the four fatalities, but said they are looking for other suspects who may have escaped the firefight.

No one among the pursuing police teams was hurt, he said.

Citing initial reports reaching him, he said the four suspects had hijacked a truck carrying 192 flat television sets in Cavite Tuesday.

Acting on a tip, police tracked down the suspects and located them along the highway, Kraft said.

“Madilim itong lugar, hinahanap namin kung may nakatakbo (The encounter took place in a dark area. We are looking for other suspects who may have escaped and are hiding),” he said. — LBG, GMA News