Rudelia Palima

Prayers, pleas for Maasin OFW jailed in Iran continue

By Ronald O. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY—Family and friends of Rudelia Palima, an OFW from Maasin city jailed in Iran for allegedly carrying prohibited drugs, continue seeking help from various  sectors in the country on the immediate resolution of the latter’s case.

Charlie Cinco, Communication and ATN officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs-Eastern Visayas said that they are also closely monitoring the progress of Palima’s case thru the communications they made to Manila and Philippine embassy in Tehran, Iran.

Palima’s case was reported to DFA-Eastern Visayas last April 15, this year.

Cinco said that Palima’s alleged drug case is the first in the region since they opened their office in 2003.

When asked about the latest update on the condition and legal assistance of Palima from the Philippine government, Rep. Roger Mercado of the lone district of Southern Leyte said that DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos had already been informed on this.

“Sa alam ko na assist na,” Mercado said in his text message.

Earlier, Esther Bangcawayan of Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) based in Hong Kong, a non-governmental agency assisting the various plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) said that they will also look into the case of Palima and give help.

Also, Marisa “Dundeet” Lerias, daughter of former So. Leyte governor Rosette Lerias expressed her concerns on the situation of Palima since violating Narcotics law in Iran has terrible consequences.

“The authorities will treat her well if they know that the government is looking out for her concerns,” she said in an email.

Friends and concerned individuals meanwhile continue spearheading prayer vigils for the safety and immediate return of Palima to the country.

Meanwhile, Thereporteronline tried to contact Mitzi Acero Mahait, the alleged employer of Palima, thru her social network address however she has not responded yet to the queries and allegations.

Mahait, who is now in abroad, happened to be a friend and schoolmate of Palima in Maasin city. She passed the teacher’s board in 2003.

“I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money,” the 47-year-old single woman — identified only by the pseudonym “Christine” — told the Straits Times in an interview.

The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.

The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.

The maid had also taken care of the doctor’s late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer’s will when it was drawn up in 2008.

“There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get,” the maid recalled.

“Christine” was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor’s nephew for solace.

“It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself,” she said.

“I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her.”

The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.

“I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person,” the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.

“I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same.”

Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.

By Jani Arnaiz

Update posted on July 13, 2010

MAASIN CITY – Several Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from all over the world have appealed to authorities to help a Pinay OFW from Maasin City in Southern Leyte, who was jailed in Shiraz, Iran allegedly for carrying prohibited substance.

Rudelia Palima, 34 years old mother of seven years old girl, was reportedly jailed upon arrival at the Shiraz International airport from Cambodia when authorities found “sizeable cocaine” inside her luggage.

According to her mother, Mila Palima, a resident of Abgao village here, Rudelia called them last March 24, 2010 informing them that she was in a jail in Shiraz, (one of the largest cities) in Iran and that she was fooled by her Filipino employer, who was a friend and a classmate way back in Maasin.

Mila narrated that according to her daughter, her employer Mitche Acero Mahait, asked her to go to Iran during Ramadan to get stocks for their jewelry store in Cambodia.

“Nay, Mitchie fooled me, I didn’t know she put drugs in my baggage,” Palima said quoting her daughter Rudelia crying.

The mother said Rudelia was first recruited as a storekeeper of a jewelry store in Kuala Lumpor in Malaysia owned by her classmate and friend Mitchie, a native of Ichon, Macrohon also in Southern Leyte, and married to a Nigerian.

They transferred to Cambodia allegedly to put another store, said the mother. She last called on June 30, telling them that Ambassador Senga has visited her and that her case will be heard first week of July.

Call for help

Ethel Cayce, a Pinay staff of World Vision in Singapore, who is a friend of Rudelia, wrote Ms. Kris Aquino-Yap on her Facebook account asking her to help the OFW.

Ethel wrote Aquino: “I don’t usually post personal messages on a public platform least in FB but the life of my friend who may face death soon (as in this Friday – 16 July 2010?) in IRAN is beyond heart-rending. Just last night… we have confirmed through an online post (thereporteronline.com.ph, pls refer to the link below) that Rudelia Palima, my friend, kababayan, and a classmate in high-school has been jailed in Iran for allegedly possessing “prohibited substance” (drugs?).

“I know no more than the details provided in the article and saw a brief moment of hope when i read that at least the news has already reached our local authorities in Southern Leyte. I believe that the authorities back home are doing the best that they can do now but as a friend of Rudelia, Id like to take this chance to appeal for your help to stand for our appeal since you are closest person to our President NoyNoy, your brother.

Ms. Kris, as an OFW I only wish one thing for my good friend Rudelia, that is to see her being reunited with her family and for her to see her child grow. I believe that being away from her family is more than enough sacrifice.

Thank you so much for sparing your time to hear this.

Another OFW who called herself mantova italy says commenting on the The Reporter online post July 11, “I am an OFW from Italy and I’m a Maasinhon, I feel so sad about this news, please help Miss Palima. I’m calling for all government officials of Maasin and Southern Leyte to act immediately before Flor contemplacion case will be repeated. Calling for all the Visayan Association abroad particularly, Samar-Leyte Association Rome Italy, Filipino Community of Milan, Filipino Community of Mantova, Filipino Religious Gruop of Modena, and all other Filipino Community in Italy and all over the world.”

Another blogger, cris of manila says: “Calling all concern on this case, lets help the Palima case b4 its too late, this is a repeat of history of another ofw, i know she is innocent and was framed up, lets pray 2geder nothing is impossible in GOD. to the family its better to come here in Manila and seek the help of the media thru GMA Kapuso, It’s a big help for this case…kalampagin nyo ang gobyerno…lihok dajon bgo pa mauwahi.

According to Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, he already asked the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs thru the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (Oumwa) Esteban Conejos.

“I was told by the DFA that they are already preparing funds for the investigation of the Palima case,” said Mercado.

In a follow-up on Monday, July 12, Mercado said he is still waiting for the report from OUMWA.

Last week the DFA sent message to Mercado: “This is Maurice from the office of the DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos. I wish to inform you that recently we have approved the request of our embassy in Iran for funding in connection with their proposed jail visit to OFW Rodelia Palima. We are waiting for the official report of the Embassy with respect to the jail visit. Today we have sent a fax to post reiterating for the report on the matter. Rest assured that we will closely monitor the case and we will provide you with regular updates.”

“What I was very much worried about was the rumor of the impending death of my daughter this Friday. I heard that she would be hanged and that some residents here said that her daughter was one of those to be hanged according to a CNN report,” said Palima crying in an exclusive interview.

“I believe my daughter is innocent because she is a good girl and was SK chairman for eight years. I don’t believe she engage in illegal activities. She was only framed up,” she said.

“I am appealing to you Pres. Aquino to help my daughter. She was only made a courier by a syndicate and I believe she is innocent,” Palima asked the President.x

Mila Palima, a resident of Abgao village here, said her daughter, Rudelia Palima, 34 years old, was reportedly caught by Iranian police carrying cocaine in her baggage when she arrived from Cambodia.

According to her, Rudelia called them last March 24, 2010 informing them that she was in a jail in Shiraz,one of the largest cities in Iran and that she was fooled by her Filipino employer, who is also a friend and a classmate way back in Maasin.

According to her daughter, she was told by Mitche Acero Mahait, her employer, to go to Iran during Ramadan to get stock for their jewelry store in Cambodia. “Nay, I was fooled by Mitche, I didn’t know she put drugs in my baggage,” Palima said quoting her daughter Rudelia crying.

Palima said her daughter left for Kuala Lumpor, Malaysia last November to work as storekeeper of the jewelry store of her classmate who was married to a Nigerian.

She said her daughter was prodded on by her classmate to work for her although she objected because she would be far away from her 7 years old. The younger Palima was a single mother.

Her daughter last called on June 30 saying that she was treated well and the hearing of her case would be on the first of July.

“What I was very much worried about was the rumor of the impending death of her daughter this Friday. I heard that she would be hanged and that some residents here said that her daughter was one of those to be hanged according to a CNN report,” said Palima crying.

“I believe my daughter is innocent because she is a good girl and was SK chairman for eight years. I don’t believe she engage in illegal activities. She was only framed up,” she said.

“I am appealing to you Pres. Aquino to help my daughter. She was only made a courier by a syndicate and I believe she is innocent,” Palima asked the President.

According to Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, he was told by the office of the Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos that funds have been requested for the scheduled visit by personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Iran.

“I was told by the DFA that they are already preparing funds for the investigation of the Palima case,” said Mercado.

The text message from DFA: “This is Maurice from the office of the DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos. I wish to inform you that recently we have approved the request of Our embassy in Iran for funding in connection with their proposed jail visit to OFW Rodelia Palima. We are waiting for the official report of the Embassy with respect to the jail visit. Today we have sent a fax to post reiterating for the report on the matter. Rest assured that we will closely monitor the case and we will provide you with regular updates.”

The younger Palima, a neighbor of Gov. Damian Mercado and Rep. Roger Mercado, was SK chairman in Abgao village during Damian’ stint as Maasin mayor and worked as secretary at the office of the Governor Mercado before she left abroad.

NSO website shows.

The National Statistics Office report used the results of the 2009 Global Adult Tobacco Survey which showed that almost half or 48% which is equivalent to 14.6 Million of adult males and 9% or 2.8 Million of adult females are current smokers.

On the average, male daily smokers consume 11 cigarettes per day while female daily smokers consume 7 cigarettes per day.

Among adults who smoked 12 months before the survey, 48 % attempted to quit but only 5% successfully quit smoking.

More than one-third (37 percent) of adults who worked indoors or outdoors with an enclosed area at their workplace were exposed to tobacco smoke.

Among adults who used public transportation a month prior to the survey, more than half (55 percent) were exposed to second-hand smoke, while among those who visited government buildings or offices, more than one-third (37 percent) were exposed to second-hand smoke.

The Philippines 2009 GATS is a nationally representative household survey of the population 15 years of age and older. It was designed to collect information on respondents’ background characteristics; patterns of tobacco use; former/past tobacco consumption; age of initiation of daily smoking; consumption of different tobacco products (cigarettes, pipes, cigars and other smoked tobacco); nicotine dependence; frequency of quit attempts; exposure to second-hand smoke; and knowledge about health effects of smoking among others.

The Survey was implemented by NSO with the funding provided by the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. Survey data were collected electronically during personal interviews conducted from September 10 to October 12, 2009. (PIA

Filed Under: Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Politics

MAASIN CITY, Philippines –President Macapagal Arroyo, the congresswoman-elect of Pampanga’s second district, has allegedly “declined” her allies’ prodding to run for Speaker, saying she would rather be like “Sonia Gandhi” of the Philippines, a lawmaker said on Saturday.

Gandhi is the Italian-born widow of assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. She was immensely popular and assumed the party’s leadership when her husband was assassinated in 1991.

In an emergency meeting held in Malacanang Thursday, Arroyo told her allies that she could effectively help them in Congress “if she is not the Speaker, ” re-elected Southern Leyte Representative Roger Mercado told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The meeting, Mercado said, was attended by re-elected and newly elected congressmen from the administration Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats.

“The President declined when we suggested to her to run for the speakership,” said the congressman.

“I would rather be like Sonia Gandhi, their party’s titular head who did not aim for the Prime Minister, but rather strengthened her party,” he quoted the President as telling the more than 100 lawmakers in attendance.

Mercado said the President would like the work in Congress be “pleasant and fulfilling.”

“Her plan is to help the members of Congress and she told us that she would be effective if she is not the speaker,” he added.

But even if the President initially declined to vie for the speakership, Mercado said there would be no telling what would happen next, or if she could be convinced to change her mind.

He said the Lakas congressmen have scheduled another meeting next Friday to again discuss the party’s choice for the speakership.

Mercado also disclosed that President Arroyo has also assumed the party chairmanship in place of Occidental Mindoro Representative Amelita Villarosa.

“So far we have not decided whom to nominate for the speakership because we were unanimous in choosing President Arroyo to become the speaker, but she declined,” the congressman added.

April 27, 2010

MAASIN CITY – Sen. Noynoy Aquino has rejected the new psychiatric report as another smear campaign saying that Ateneo has already denied that they made the psychiatric evaluation when he was still a student at the school.

Sen. Aquino during his Maasin sortie on April 27. Photo by Jani Arnaiz

Obviously he was not aware of the press conference of former National Power Corporation Guido Delgado held early Tuesday morning.

Aquino said Ateneo had already denied that it made the psychiatric evaluation when he was still college student.

“The (school) authority said that there never was (a psychiatric report). Why are they insisting that there was one? The institution has a reputation. They have to protect it,” he said.

“Yung sinacite ko yong authority. The authority said that there never was,” said Aquino. “Bakit pipilitin nilang merong (psychiatric evaluation).”

Aquino added that there might come a time when this kind of smear campaign should be investigated.

“Desperado na yung kalaban kung anoano na lang ang sinasabi,” the Senator in an inclusive interview at the church convent.

He arrived at the Maasin port at around 2 p.m. where a huge crowd waited for him and other LP candidates. He and his running mate, Manuel Roxas II, were mobbed when they arrived.

His convoy could hardly move and after arriving at the church ground where they spoke, he was also mobbed.

His security tried to pass through the church, but when the crowd knew it, they rushed to touch or shake hands.

Meanwhile, former Gov. Rosete Lerias lambasted the city government for not giving them permit to use the gym.

She was thankful though to Bishop Precioso Cantillas, who saved the day for Liberal Party candidates. Cantillas permitted them to use the City cathedral’s ground.

The Bishop, however, reiterated that giving them permit is not an endorsement. “”I allowed Rosette, who askedme the use of the space since she said they were not allowed to use the plaza or the gym,” said Bishop Cantillas in a text message.

If former Malacañang chief legal adviser will be asked, Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra’s decision in clearing two top powerful Ampatuans on their hands in the murder of 57 people – to include journalists and women–in Maguindanao last November 23, 2009 was untimely.

This was the opinion of Atty. Sergio Apostol when asked comments on the updates of the Maguindanao massacre which was met with frustrating developments in connection to Agra’s recent pronouncement.

Apostol then chided that the problem with Agra is that he is new to the job.

He however believed that Agra must have sought somebody’s clearance with regards to his resolution.

Apostol, a veteran lawyer, legal professor and former judge, commented that Agra should have also take into consideration the pressing issues revolving the Ampatuans.

He hinted on several issues besetting the country like the national election this May 10, 2010 and the gravity of the case.

In a separate report, it can be recalled that the Ampatuan clan maintained a stronghold in the vote-rich Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and had delivered a big boost to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s election campaign in 2004 being party stalwart.

Absolved by Agra’s decision in connection to Maguindanao multiple murder case were suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Datu Akmad Tato Ampatuan.

Families and supporters of the victims however continued to vigil and hold protest for Agra to reconsider his decision the soonest possible time.

They are also calling the government to act decisively on the case and not on the merit of political expediency and collusion.

Filed Under: Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Politics

MAASIN CITY, Philippines – “Pautay-utay.”

In trickles, that is. That was how administration senatorial candidate Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. described the flow of funds to the campaign kitty of the once formidable Lakas-Kampi-CMD and its national candidates.

“Meron namang dumarating kahit pakonti-konti (We get something even it comes in trickles),” said Revilla when the Philippine Daily Inquirer asked about their funding problems.

But Revilla, who is leading the surveys in the senatorial race, clarified that he was not complaining and would just make do with whatever campaign funds that came.

“Kahit pautay-utay (Even if the money comes in trickles), we will survive and maintain our standing,” he added in an interview during a whirlwind sortie in this Southern Leyte capital city Sunday. (Revilla has been one of the frontrunners in the senatorial race.)

Revilla came to Maasin alone and made the round in the city proper aboard an open truck in less than 30 minutes.

Revilla arrived in an aging unnumbered four-seater red helicopter that landed in an open section of the vast Maasin port at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The helicopter was said to be rented but no one among Revilla’s supporters here could say if the senator personally rented the aircraft, said a source, who declined to be named as he was not privy to how Revilla got hold of the helicopter.

Revilla just came from Dulag, Leyte where he had a campaign sortie with another administration senatorial bet, League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) president Ramon Guico.

The senator left Maasin before 11 a.m.

He disclosed that he has been campaigning hard for their other senatorial bets. “But they should help themselves and work hard. Kailangan din nilang magsipag (They should also work hard to get votes),” he said.

Revilla was met by Southern Leyte Representative Roger Mercado and LMP president for the province, Bontoc town mayor Pedro Fustanes. Several mayors of the 19 towns in the province came to greet him but were late and missed the senator.

Although there was no formal announcement from local Lakas leaders on Revilla’s arrival here, many of the city’s residents flocked to the streets to take a glimpse of the popular actor-turned-senator.

Lakas-Kampi’s vice presidential bet Edu Manzano and some of the party’s senatorial candidates have grumbled over the lack of logistical support from Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

Saranggani Govorner Miguel Dominguez, Lakas-Kampi-CMD national president, earlier said party funds were expected to flow during the start of the campaigning for local posts.

He, however, urged Lakas candidates to tap their own resources, and share the costs of their campaign.

He said they would provide for their national candidates’ campaign materials, lodging, food and air fare during sorties, and even rental fees for choppers.

SILAGO, Southern Leyte – Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Victor Domingo debunked allegations linking his office to the killing of whistleblower Wilfredo “Boy” Mayor, saying it was very impossible.

“You know it’s hearsay because the accusations only came from a friend of Mayor,” said Domingo referring to another whistleblower Sandra Cam, who linked DPWH on Mayor’s killing alleging the victim was supposed to expose alleged scam at the Highways department in Bicol.

“The accusation on Mayor is very impossible. Is there ghost project now during this time? The NGO’s are very active, there are the critics of administration and everyone is monitoring and then you can still engage in ghost projects. It’s not true,” said Domingo.

“What I know is that Mayor is into casino gambling. Ang daming utang yan, million-million.”

He said Mayor was not actually talking. It’s only Cam who is accusing us and she is into ‘jueteng’ syndicate. “You know it’s election time and these people are with the opposition.

Domingo though admitted that Mayor was a “broker/fixer” at the DPWH. “He was a broker or fixer which is not allowed in the government. But you know in the government, fixers managed to get in.”

He stressed that the regional director in Bicol has told him that he welcomed any investigation.

“Coming from Cam, it’s hearsay because it did not come from the late Mayor himself. But we would not file case against her since we are in the government we are not supposed to be onion-skinned.”

Domingo was here to inaugurate and attended the unveiling of a marker of the P1.2 billion road concreting project from Himay-angan-Silago in southern Leyte and Abuyog in Leyte province.