I stand before you tonight to deliver my last State of the City Address as your incumbent City Mayor. I stand here brimming with confidence that we have accomplished what we have set out to do for our city.

Steadfastly and painstakingly, we have revitalized our city over the past nine years. Hindi lang natin naiayos ang ating kapaligiran – ang ating mga nagawa ay nakapagbigay rin ng dangal, karakter, at kumpyansa sa sarili. There is no better proof of our milestones in governance than the respect and admiration that our city enjoys both nationally and internationally. Taas-noo tayong tumutugon sa anumang pagkakataon dahil sa pagtitiwala at paggalang natin sa ating sarili.  Ngiti ng pag-asa ay pangkaraniwang nakikita sa mukha ng bawat isa.  In many instances, we have provided benchmarks, and we have set the tone that inspired countless Filipinos to believe that change is possible.

BF started the journey and I continued from where he had left off. Altogether, we have given rise to a New Marikina – a city of infinite potential and possibilities. We have transformed Marikina into an incubator for opportunities and innovations, successfully bringing together people and ideas. Sa ating mga nagawa, napatunayan nating mahalaga ang mangarap, magtiwala sa sarili, at magpursige. Mahalaga ring kilalanin ng mamamayan ang pamahalaan bilang pinakamalakas na institusyon sa lipunan at epektibong instrumento ng pagbabago.

Our healthy environment ushered in social, economic, and even political order. Marikina now enjoys a quality of life and a dynamic local economy, making it a preferred place for living and business.

Through the years, we have been able to maintain a high level of program and service delivery in key areas of governance. To date, we can speak of many accomplishments that have changed the face of our city, to include the following:

In the Area of Infrastructure

We have succeeded in concreting 16 kilometers of roads and 19 kilometers of alleys in various settlement sites. We have paved 393 kilometers of sidewalks and improved 56 kilometers of drainage system. We have completed the construction of 52 kilometers of bicycle lanes. Ang ating lungsod ang siyang may pinakamahabang bicycle network sa buong bansa ngayon. This is a clearly a pro-people facility as it allows individuals without cars to freely move around the city on bicycles.

We have constructed 39 multi-purpose covered gymnasiums in various communities and subdivisions; similar facilities are scheduled for construction within the year. They are must-have community structures that address Filipinos’ propensity to converge and engage in collegial activities.

We have constructed and renovated a number of buildings to include 587 public school rooms, the Marikina Healthy City Center, Marikina Convention Center, Marikina Sports Park Building, and Barangay Halls. We have roofed a total of two kilometers of alleys within the public market zone. Ito ay nagpalaki sa ating pamilihang bayan ng halos sampung beses.

We have installed and maintained a total of 8,050 street and park lights. Malaking halaga ang ating inilalaan sa programang ito sapagkat napakahalaga ng maliwanag na lansangan sa pangangalaga sa katahimikan ng ating bayan.

In the Area of Environmental Management

We have developed and maintained 22 kilometers at the River Park. We have also developed 150 people’s parks – the most by an LGU in the Philippines on a per capita basis.  Our greening program has covered about 4% of our city’s total land area. Our target is to cover 10%, which is the international standard for a community to be regarded as ecologically healthy.

We have been able to sustain a garbage collection efficiency rate of 99% – considered as the highest in Metro Manila.  Ang disiplina sa pangangalaga ng basura ay naging tatak na ng Marikina.

A septage treatment facility has been completed and is now ready for operation. This will be a big help in improving the quality of our river water.

In the Area of Health

The advent of modern health facilities has significantly improved our institutional capability to meet the medical requirements of our constituents. Matatagpuan sa ating Healthy City Center ang ilang mga modernong equipment katulad ng dialysis machine, laser surgical machine at mammography. Ang lahat ng ito ay maaaring pakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ng mga kapos sa buhay.

Our regular health care services have been complemented by free medical services such as cataract operation and breast cancer screening, in partnership with private groups. Pangunahing nakinabang sa mga programang ito ang mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan.

The 15% annual reduction in the incidence of diseases in our city in the past three years would attest to the efficacy of our health care delivery.

In the Area of Education

The continuing construction of public school buildings has sustained the ratio of one classroom for 50 students in our public schools. Five (5) of our public schools are now holding whole day classes. Hindi tayo titigil hanggat hindi natin nakakamit ang ideal ratio na 1-is-to-45.

Our public school system continued to upgrade its standards both in facilities and methodology – producing students who excel in many fields. A student of Malanday Elementary School emerged as one of the top three placers in the copy reading contest during the Metro Manila Young Writers Conference held recently. All public schools in our city have free wireless Internet access. Just recently, the Division of Marikina City launched a School Action Research with the view of making our city the research capital of the Philippines.  It underlines the importance of empirical research in the continuous improvement in the delivery of basic education.  I commend our public school officials for taking to heart the challenge of making our public school system truly dynamic and competitive.

We have seen an increase in enrolment at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina at 28% annually in the past few years. Meanwhile, the number of graduates registered a yearly increase of 4%. PLMar has already graduated a total of 3,926 students since its inception in 2003.

PLMar nursing graduates notched a passing rate of 76% in the 2009 Nursing Licensure Examination, while graduates of criminology achieved a passing rate of 75% in the 2009 Licensure Examination in Criminology. In the 2010 TESDA Assessment, all PLMar Cargiving Program graduates garnered 100% rate.  Ang pamantasan ay tunay na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kabataan na pagbutihin ang kanilang pag-aaral dahil alam nila na ito ay susi sa pagkakaroon ng maginhawa at makabuluhang buhay. Ang PLMar ay isa sa mga pamantasan sa buong Metro Manila na may pinakamababang matrikula – isang pagpapatunay na abot-kamay ng mga Marikeño ang mataas na kalidad na edukasyon sa sarili nilang lungsod.

In the Area of Public Safety

Marikina remains to have fewer incidents of crimes (whether high-profile or petty crimes) in the entire Metro Manila. We have reduced by 60% the distribution and use of illegal drugs, thanks to the uncompromising and relentless Anti-Drug Campaign spearheaded by Vice Mayor Marion Andres.

Our local PNP was again cited as the Best Police Station in the National Capital Region in 2009; it also earned the second spot in the national level behind Davao City.

We have relocated 1,500 families from danger areas whose houses were devastated by Tropical Storm “Ondoy.” There remain 100 families to move to safer grounds. Sisiguraduhin po nating mailipat sa ligtas na lugar ang mga kababayan nating nasa mapanganib na kinalalagyan.

In the Area of Business Development

We have a stable local economy that enjoys a continuous influx of new businesses to our city. The call centers of the ICT Group and NCO Group remain intact and upbeat despite “Ondoy.” Another organization, Sutherland, is set to establish its call-center business within the premises of CITC (formerly NACIDA). It shall create 5,000 jobs – representing huge employment opportunities for our constituents.

In the Area of People Development

We have invested heavily on people because this strategy is at the core of our economic reinvention. We believe that for innovations to flourish and for business to grow, a community must have talented, educated, well-trained, and a readily available workforce. We have been able to empower people with knowledge, skills, and values at an average of 5,000 a year, and succeeded in providing job assistance to 5,000 jobseekers annually. Nailunsad natin ang College Education Program para sa mga empleyado ng city hall sa pakikipagtulungan ng PLMar, kung saan limampung porsyento ng matrikula ng bawat indibidwal na kalahok nito ay sinasagot ng pamahalaan.  Ito ay isang oportunidad para sila ay magkaroon ng college degree at lalo pang umunlad ang kanilang buhay. We have effectively developed a toolbox of approaches tailored to help people of various backgrounds and educational levels to become economically viable, productive, and self-sufficient.

In the Area of Urban Planning and Revitalization

We have completed the installation of uniform house plate numbers for a more effective identification of properties. We are also in the process of completing street names in coordination with the City Council and the barangays.  These are fundamental requisites  of an orderly community.

In the Area of Governance

We take pride in having transformed our city hall into a working bureaucracy that embraces discipline, professionalism, and excellence. It is an institution whose standards closely mirror the management practices of private companies. And it is an institution that constantly strives to find new and better ways of doing things to satisfy and delight its clients. One tangible manifestation of this is our streamlined business registration procedure that has significantly reduced the number of steps from 15 to just 7. Procurement and information access are two other areas where we have made meaningful improvements in our pursuit of a client-friendly city hall.  Marikina is one of the few LGUs in the country that put their purchases on the web.

We have consistently improved the income-generating capacity of our city through the years. A 1.7-billion-peso income in 2009 is a quantum leap from our city’s annual income of 800 million pesos in my first year of office in 2002.

Because of good governance and of our sound financial management, the International Finance Corporation of World Bank has chosen Marikina to be the first and most eligible LGU in the Philippines for its sub-national loan.  Ito ay diretsong pagpapautang ng multi-lateral funding institution sa isang lokal na pamahalaan na kauna-unahang gagawin sa ating bansa.

A homey city is what Marikina has become – - – one simply has to look around to get a sense of its elements.

In 2009, Marikina was again cited for its excellence in local governance with the following awards and recognitions:

• Clean Food and Water Laboratory

Innovation and Excellence in Local Governance

Given by the Galing Pook Foundation

• Best Police Station in Metro Manila

Given by the National Capital Regional Police Office

• Most Outstanding Healthy Lifestyle Advocate

Given by the Department of Health

The Most Competitive Metro City Award that Marikina received in 2007 is the one that I valaue most because all that we are doing are geared towards making Marikina truly competitive.  We hope to pass on this culture of excellence to the succeeding leadership. Ang kultura ng kagalingan ay nais nating manatili at maging bahagi na ng ating sistema.

Our development momentum was temporarily disrupted by the onslaught of “Ondoy” in September 2009. While the calamity resulted in an unprecedented loss of lives and property, it significantly revealed a priceless gem: Marikeños’ competence to rise above any challenge and their capacity to unite and help one another in times of need.

Maraming magka-kapitbahay na dati-rati’y hindi nag-uusap ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na magtulungan at magkaisa. Nakabangon tayo dahil sa dedikasyon, lakas ng loob, at pinagsama-samang galing, kasabay ng pagmamalasakit ng napakalaking bilang ng mga volunteers. Mabilis tayong nakabangon dahil sa tulong at malasakit ng MMDA sa pangunguna ni dating Chairman Bayani “BF” Fernando. Ito ay patunay sa kahalagahan ng kakampi tungo sa mabilis at matagumpay na pagkilos. Muling nangibabaw ang ating karakter nang tayo’y manindigan at tinuran ang mga katagang, “Babangon ang Marikina at kaya natin ito!” Ang sabi nga ng isang taxi driver na taga-Caloocan, “Iba talagang kumilos kayong taga-Marikina – parang hindi kayo na-Ondoy!”

The successful celebration of the Marikina Christmas Festival illustrates that our city is back on track, more determined than ever to resume its programs and strategies, as well as undertake new ones. We must thank the barangays for being part of the continuing efforts to restore confidence among our people. Despite the tragic aftermath of “Ondoy,” we continue to have an upbeat attitude and confidence in our city and its future.

The stream of visitors to our city under the Lakbay Aral program is slowly being experienced. In fact, the total number of visitors to our city reached 183,000 in 2009. Post-“Ondoy” visitors are amazed with the way our city has overcome the tragedy in 30 days. This is something we expect to continue in order to draw the attention of other local government units and interest groups.

While full recovery takes time and entails precise programs and undertakings as contained in our city’s Recovery and Reconstruction Plan, we should take satisfaction in the fact that we do not allow the tragedy to get in the way of our development. A positive mindset which we have nurtured through the years has once again played a pivotal role, cementing our reputation as a courageous and resilient community.

We should express our gratitude to the City Council for enacting appropriate laws that significantly ease the burden of Marikeños resulting from “Ondoy,” to include the following:

• Ordinance No. 162, Series of 2009, Granting a 50% Discount on 2010 Real Property Tax in Marikina City

• Ordinance No. 179, Series of 2009, Granting Relief of Interests and Penalties to Delinquent Taxpayers in the City of Marikina

• Ordinance No. 140, Series of 2009, Repealing Ordinance No. 13, Series of 2009, Prescribing Fee on All Business Establishments within the Marikina Public Market Zone for Various Services to be Rendered by the Office of the City Market Administrator

• Resolution Strongly Urging the Department of Education-Marikina City to Forego or Waive Charges and Penalties Against Parents/Guardians of School Children of Marikina City for the Loss or Damage of Books or School Materials due to Tropical Storm “Ondoy”

The Council is currently revisiting our city’s land use and zoning plan as a consequence of “Ondoy.” It hopes to formulate new policies that would help mitigate the impact of flooding, especially in high-risk areas.

These pieces of legislation reflect the sensitivity of our City Council to the plight of our people and its functionality as a tool for good governance. Let me stress anew that we have a truly working legislative body under the capable leadership of Vice Mayor Marion S. Andres, with a sterling record of 168 approved ordinances and 229 approved resolutions in 2009. They indeed deserve to be acknowledged and congratulated!

Our city is equally blessed to have a competent and hardworking lawmaker in Congressman Marcy Teodoro, whose wide array of projects – ranging from road improvement, construction of multi-purpose halls, and medical assistance to livelihood programs and educational scholarships – have immensely contributed to community building. His sponsorship of and active participation in the passage of important bills have earned him the distinct honor as one of the top 30 Congressmen of the Philippines.

Even as reconstruction and recovery are foremost in our agenda in the coming years, we are poised to roll out a number of important projects, to include the following:

• Relocation of certain offices in the City Hall  to the Marikina Sports Park Building
• Continuing relocation of residents in flood-prone areas to safer grounds within or outside Marikina
• Purchase of calamity-related rescue operations equipment for all the barangays
• Improvement of citywide calamity alarm system
• Updating of the Disaster Management handbook to be disseminated to all households in the city
• Concreting of the remaining unpaved alleys in settlement sites
• Construction of Public Markets in Malanday and Nangka
• Construction of a Multi-Purpose Center in Balubad, Nangka
• Construction of a new Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina within the premises of CITC
• Construction of new school buildings in SSS Elementary School and St. Mary, Nangka
• Establishment of an Administration Office in Fortune Elementary School
• Construction of a new Legislative Building
• Upgrading of existing parks to include the provision of playground amenities
• Expansion of the River Park Development to include the development of ground golf facilities, edible park, and empty lot farming
• Expansion of the beneficiaries of PhilHealth
• Establishment of the Marikina Control Facility (a central monitoring and dispatch center to include the installation of a surveillance system in major intersections and at the River Park for improved monitoring, crime prevention, and crime solution)
• Upgrading of equipment and facilities of the local PNP
• Installation of two more septage treatment facilities in partnership with the Manila Water Company

There is so much to be done to bring our city into the next level of development. Be assured that we will continue to pursue relevant programs to achieve that objective.

Let me acknowledge the solid, loyal, and invaluable support of the judiciary, national agencies, public and private schools, socio-civic and religious groups, people’s organizations, the youth, and senior citizens. I cannot say “thank you” enough for making governance a shared responsibility.

Our city continually thrives because of political leadership. The transition from BF to MCF has been pivotal in sustaining the gains of our collective hard toil. Let us not allow the momentum to be derailed. We need to choose leaders who share the same vision and advocacies, and who have the same passion for integrity and good governance.

Upang magpatuloy ang pagsulong ng ating lungsod, tiyakin natin na ang mga susunod na mamumuno ay kasama nating nangarap, naniwala, nagpursige, nagsakripisyo, nanindigan, at nagtagumpay. Ito ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit natin itinataguyod ang mga adhikain para sa ating lungsod nina Konsehal Boy Bolok Santos, Vice Mayor Marion Andres, Congressman Marcy Teodoro, at Konsehal Donn Favis, sampu ng kanilang mga kasama. Ipaubaya natin ang pamamahala ng ating lungsod sa mga taong kaagapay natin at tunay na magmamamalasakit sa ating mga naipunla. Let us ensure a good transition of leadership in 2010. Our city deserves worthwhile leaders with whom our future will truly be strong and secure.

Itaguyod din natin ang adhikain ni Senator Dick Gordon at Bayani “BF” Fernando para sa ating bansa.  Kung nais natin ng disiplinang totoo; ng pagbabago at kaayusan – - – kay GORDON at BAYANI sigurado tayo!  Gordon and BF are the best fit for President and Vice President of our country, respectively.  They have the elements to bring our country to a high level of transformation – - -  a transformation that will make Filipinos prouder before the world.  I call all Marikeños to contribute to making our country great again.

Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

Candidates will be coming from five (5) parties namely: Bagumbayan-VNP, Lakas Kampi CMD, Liberal Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. Candidates who were not picked by any party will brave their way to the local elections as Independent candidates.

A complete list of the official candidates for the 2010 local elections in Marikina City are as follows:

MAYOR:

Marion Santos Andres a.k.a. Dr. Marion – Bagumbayan VNP

Alfredo Senga Cheng a.k.a. Boy – Lakas Kampi CMD

Del Reyes De Guzman a.k.a. Del – Liberal Party

Johnn Alexander San Pedro Chong a.k.a. Alex Chong – Independent

VICE MAYOR:

Thaddeus Antonio Manuel Santos, Jr. a.k.a. Boy Bolok – Bagumbayan-VNP

Efren Santos Angeles a.k.a. Lamok – Lakas Kampi CMD

Jose Fabian Cadiz a.k.a. Dr. Cadiz – Liberal Party

Melencia Samson Majerano a.k.a. Mely – Independent

Ferdinand David Marco a.k.a. Ferdie – Nationalist People’s Coalition

CONGRESSMAN (District 1):

Marcelino Reyes Teodoro a.k.a. Marcy – Lakas Kampi CMD

Garizaldy Borero Dela Paz a.k.a. Gary – Lakas Kampi CMD

Samuel Santos Ferriol a.k.a. SF – Liberal Party

Daniel Marquez Casuga a.k.a. Danny – Independent

Alfredo Gerardo Canlas Fajardo a.k.a. Junie – Independent

CONGRESSMAN (District 2):

Donn Carlo Buencamino Favis a.k.a. Don – Bagumbayan-VNP

Romero Federico Saenz Quimbo a.k.a. Atty. Miro – Liberal Party

Benjamin Roberto Gomez Baretto a.k.a. Benj – Independent

Felizardo Del Castillo Bulaong a.k.a. Doy Del Castillo – Independent

Hilario Aquino Punzalan a.k.a. Larry – Independent

Adiuthor Perlas De Guzman a.k.a. Adjo – Independent

Rogelio Salarzon Serrano a.k.a. Ka Roger – Independent

Romeo Dela Cruz Candazo a.k.a. Ome – Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino

DISTRICT 1 Councilors:

Bagumbayan VNP:

Frankie Cruz Ayuson a.k.a. Kap Frankie

Serafin Yao Bernardino a.k.a. Bojie

Carissa Favor Carlos a.k.a. Carissa

Esmela Canlas David a.k.a. Mel

Narciso Bautista Dela Cruz Sr. a.k.a. Siso Picasso

Roy Reyes Delgado a.k.a. Roy

Reginaldo Nepomuceno Reyes a.k.a. Dondie

Poncianito Enriquez Santos, Jr. a.k.a. Ponchie

Lakas Kampi CMD:

Joseph Bernabe Banzon a.k.a. Jojo

Manolito Maglente Dacuycoy a.k.a. Manny

Pedro Rivera De Guzman a.k.a. Jun

Laurence Dela Paz Gomez a.k.a. Ranger

Anthony Bernardino Mejia a.k.a. Tony

Alberto Lim Mendoza a.k.a. Al

Danilo Senga Tiu a.k.a. Danilo

Alex Santos Trinidad a.k.a. Alex-Astigs

Liberal Party:

Ronnie Santos Acuña a.k.a. Kambal

Mariano Bolok Betic a.k.a.  Mar

Mario Manriano De Leon a.k.a. Kap. Mario

Danilo Abergas Del Rosario a.k.a. Danny

Gerald Cruz Diamante a.k.a. Ge

Elmer Bautista Nepomuceno a.k.a. Nepo

Eva Aguirre Paz a.k.a. Eva

Rogel Valentino Santiago a.k.a. Pogi

Independent:

Arnold Cruz Aquino a.k.a. Wildman

Ninoy Evangelista Aquino a.k.a. Bong

Alfredo Mangga Arroyo Jr. a.k.a. Manoy Joker

Ignacio Ufana Bael a.k.a. Bael

Felipe Halayhay Cuevas a.k.a. Philip

Federico Buenagua Estonido a.k.a. Dikoy

Igmidio Mariano ferrer a.k.a. Medick

Arvin Impuesto Jimenez a.k.a. Tado

Emelita Rentoza Sola a.k.a. Lita

DISTRICT 2 Councilors:

Bagumbayan VNP:

Jaime Grimaldo Cruz Jr. a.k.a. Jon Jon

Anna Del Barrio Dayao a.k.a. Annie

Federico Guillermo Ifurung a.k.a. Dick

Manuel Cuare Orara a.k.a. Orara

Rommel Fuentes Ortiz a.k.a. Ortiz

Roberto Chaluangco Ponce a.k.a. Boy Ponce

Wilfred Santos Reyes a.k.a. Boggs

Ponciano Tria Ubaldo, Jr. a.k.a. Bong

Lakas Kampi CMD:

Rodrigo Villar Contado a.k.a. Nonoy Villar Contado

Solomon Santos Fernandez a.k.a. Solo

Andres Cajurao Garalza Jr. a.k.a. Judge

Wilfredo Lim Zamora a.k.a. Fred

Manuel Reyes Pangilinan a.k.a. Manny

Fernando Florendo Rosales a.k.a. Dindo

Liberal Party:

Peter Paul Ramos Belmonte a.k.a. Ka Pete

Alfonso Reyes Cruz a.k.a. Ponso

Ariel Vicente Cuaresma a.k.a. Ariel

Mark Albert Javier Del Rosario a.k.a. Mark

Xy-Za Rafsing Diazen a.k.a. Xhy

Ernesto Mateo Flores a.k.a. Ef

Susana Pinongcos Magtubo a.k.a. Judy

Rizalina Watson Teope a.k.a. Riza

Independent:

Julio Zaragosa Antiporda a.k.a. Mayon

Zosimo Aliling Balingit a.k.a. Moy

Salvatore Viloria Caronite Jr. a.k.a. Sam

Dolores Malaluan Camacho a.k.a. Dory

Angel Rafael Dacalos a.k.a. Dacky

Eduardo Cruz Francisco a.k.a. ECF

Manuel Manlolo Miralles a.k.a. Manny

Rodolfo Nacanilao Pascual a.k.a. Pasky

Feliciano Reyes Reyes a.k.a. Sonny

Saulfred Clado Soliguen a.k.a. Fred

Nationalist People’s Coalition:

Lamberto Sayson Ramos, Jr. a.k.a. Jun

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino:

Aurelio Callao Caparas a.k.a. Ding

Arthur Esteves Limpin a.k.a. Tatay Arthur

Demetrio Castillo Marquez, Jr. a.k.a. Jun

Vincent Francis Dumandan Singh a.k.a. Ting

Among the surprise team-ups is the so-called “Transformers” comprised by none other than Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon who filed his COC as Presidential candidate and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman, Bayani “BF” Fernando as his Vice-President.

Both Senator Gordon and MMDA Chairman Fernando served as City Mayors in the past and both has brought order and built their respective cities to become model cities for peace and order, health care, education, livelihood and good governance. They were both successful in transforming Olongapo  and Marikina City into progressive and orderly cities.

With no senatorial line up, Senator Gordon and Chairman Fernando will brave their way to the 2010 National Elections with hopes of transforming the Philippines as they have done so in the past.

More or less seventy (70) people who attended the said activity came from the Movement for a Better Philippines, a new youth group, and a Filipino-American who promised to mobilize Filipinos in the United States to raise funds for Panlilio.

Panlilio was a priest for 29 years before he run and won the gubernatorial race in 2007.  He is on leave from his priestly duties while serving out his term as a governor, but said he would leave the priesthood if he runs for president.

Lawyer Ma. Gracia Rinoza-Plazo asked Panlilio if he is going to look for a first lady since he will be leaving the priesthood when he runs, but of course Panlilio said, “no”. Panlilio said that his decision to formally file a certificate of candidacy in November would still depend on how ready the people are to support him.

Health workers should be the top priority for the vaccines since they will be in high demand as people continue to get sick. Pregnant women and anyone over six months old with chronic health problems should be next in the list of priorities, said the WHO official. A special attention should also be given to children since they are considered “amplifiers” of the spread of the virus, especially when gathered in schools.

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, an international school was shut after twenty (20) students were diagnosed with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus. In United States, at least a million people were estimated to have been infected by the virus and 211 of them died.

It is being feared that the present strain of A(H1N1) could pick up genes from other flu strains that would enable it to be both highly virulent and contagious, as per the new study.

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The expiry of mobile phone credits of P10 to P50 will be extended from two days to five days to fifteen days; more than P50 to P100, 30 days; more than P100 to P250, 60 days; more than P250 to P300, 75 days. Sen. Mar Roxas who presided over the hearings on desappearing cell phone loads  said that, “With this, our money will no longer disappear as if they just evaporated or expired. This is a good output of the hearings.”

On the issue of unsolicited or promotional text messages, Commisioner Ruel Canobas of the NTC said that subscribers would no longer be bombarded with messages unless they subscribe to these promotional texts first. However, Canobas said that those who were already subscribed should honor their subscription until it ends.

Konez also said, “But it’s a negotiation, so we probably won’t accept the first offer, but we’re not far off. The talks I had with Bob were good. So I will bring Manny the offer. We’ll probably counter, but I think it will get worked out. We’re really not that far off. I can’t say for sure, though, because Manny makes that decision, but I think it looks good. This is the fight Manny says he wants.”

Arum, who is in Europe now said that, “There is no rush.” The timeline will only start once Pacquiao signs the contract. That would be the time when Arum will set up a schedule beginning with a ten-day press tour that will bring Pacquiao to the Puerto Rican Capital of San Juan, New York where there is a large concentration of Puerto Ricans, Los Angeles and possibly Mexico City.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines ranked first, surpassing Thailand with 1, 414 cases of influenza infections. However, A(H1N1) related deaths in the Philippines are lower with only one case documented since the outbreak of the flu virus in April. The United States still remains as the country with the most number of deaths at 170, followed by Mexico with 119 deaths.

A total of 89,921 cases have already been recorded by WHO, following the discovery of 12,520 newly confirmed cases. These cases are mostly from the US with 6,185, Mexico withe 1,582, Chile with 1,165, United Kingdom with 909 and the Philippines with 848 new cases.

Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that there are still 224 confirmed cases that are undergoing treatment, but are mostly in their homes. He added that all the cases exhibited mild symptoms with fever as the most common, cough and nasal congestion.

Smartmatic and TIM are expected to submit their incorporation papers to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday and sign the contract with the Comelec by Friday. The signing of the contract will pave way for the country’s first fully automated elections in 2010.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez, Chairman of the Oversight Committee lauded Comelec Chairman Jose Melo for reamining steadfast in his commitment to fully automate the 2010 national elections. They likewise appealed to the political leaders to make Comelec’s preparations for the May 2010 automated elections free of intrigues, to let the poll body do its job of ensuring a clean and honest election and to leave the winning bidders in the poll automation project alone.

Neverland has been in disarray since 2005 when charges were filed against Jackson for alleged child molestation. After his acquittal, Jackson has not returned to live in Neverland.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Jackson drafted a will in 2002 that divided his estate between his mother, his three (3) children and one or more charities. However, the estate was reportedly on the verge of foreclosure even before Jackson’s death because of his extravagant lifestyle and numerous personal and legal problems.