Mountain Beacon

14/06/2025

When Propaganda Was Heroic

It is a proud moment for us Filipinos to be celebrating our 127th Independence Day and more so to writers for most of our founding fathers were writers and journalists.

We can mention Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Maria Panganiban, Jose Alejandro, Isabelo delos Reyes, Dominador Gomez, and Eduardo de Lete, they being collectively known as the Propagandists.

Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and Apolinario Mabini also wrote gripping poems and essays though they are known more for their gallantry in action. The first Filipino President Emilio Aguinaldo also wrote his memoirs and had an extensive book collection but also was not included.

The most celebrated among them, of course, is Rizal who wrote two novels that were reprinted by Penguin Books more than a century later, a late tribute not only to the impact of these novels but the literary style of our National Hero.

But it kept us thinking: if these were journalists at this time, would they have flourished?

One, being called Propagandist was already problematic. As Thomas Hanitzsch wrote in his 2010 essay, "Deconstructing Journalism Culture," propagandist journalists are those who are loyal to the ruling powers and elites.

Our propagandists were the opposites. If we go by Janitzsch, our heroes should have been better called as "watchdog journalists" whose role is that of guardians supplying citizens with information to fight the abuse of power and to "arm" them with knowledge to get them out of harm.

So one way to endear our writing heroes is to stop labeling them as propagandists. If not "watchdog journalists," then maybe "patriot journalists."

Also if we gauge their writings on the preferred norm of fairness and balance, the writings of our heroes would not pass.

Why would they be fair and balanced? They were in a revolution. Should they quote their enemies like the frailes and the Spanish government just to make a balanced report? Of course not.

Does that make them propagandists? Not really, if you get into the point of view of their fellow Filipinos at that time. Who were they protecting at then? Not the powers that be or even the big corporations. They are their own publishers and printers.

Even now, journalists are re-considering the concept of fairness and balanced reporting as hallmarks of good journalism.

Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel in their 2001 book, The Elements of Journalism, said that fair, balanced, and impartial are vague terms and no longer considered core terms of the craft.

But Kovach and Rosenstiel added that Rizal and company's role more than 100 years ago of monitoring power and offering a voice to the voiceless still rings true.

Among the purposes of journalism which they compiled in 1997 include:

1) Journalism's first obligation is the truth

2) Its first loyalty is the citizens

5) It must serve as an independent monitor of power

6) It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise

7) It must strike to make the significant interesting and relevant.

The Propagandists and the K*K (not the Ku Klux Klan) had already shed light on what journalism should truly be and they have given up their lives to prove their point. Now, let us look at the travesty we have made of journalism and take a pause and learn from them anew.

Editorial
Mountain Beacon
June 16, 2025

14/06/2025

Foreign investors sue CJHDevCo; DOJ-NBI task force to hold town hall meeting in Camp John Hay

By Mia Magdalena Fokno

Baguio City, June 14, 2025—Legal action over property disputes at Camp John Hay continues to intensify, with several Korean nationals filing civil cases against developer Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo), while the Department of Justice (DOJ) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) prepare to meet affected stakeholders in a scheduled town hall this week.

The complaints, filed between June 9 and 10 before the Baguio City Regional Trial Court, seek damages with a prayer for writs of preliminary attachment or garnishment against CJHDevCo. All plaintiffs are Korean citizens who purchased or leased residential properties in the economic zone through CJHDevCo. Mountan Beacon has reviewed the court documents but is withholding names in accordance with journalistic standards.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which recovered control of the former American rest and recreation facility in January 2025 following a Supreme Court ruling, welcomed the legal move.

“This is a welcome development,” said BCDA Chairperson Atty. Larry Paredes in a statement dated June 11. “We are happy to see that the sublessees and stakeholders have finally taken the correct course of action or legal remedy, which is to run after the person or entity who got their money.”

Paredes stressed that CJHDevCo “must be accountable and liable for its own representations and commitments.”

Meanwhile, the DOJ and NBI will hold a town hall meeting on June 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at John Hay Golf, Camp John Hay, Baguio City. According to a public notice posted on site, the meeting is part of the special task force’s investigation into “alleged fraudulent acts and misrepresentations” by CJHDevCo, its stockholders, directors, officers, and employees. Attendees will include DOJ prosecutors, NBI personnel, and sublessees.

The task force was created under DOJ Department Order No. 242, issued April 11, 2025. As first reported on May 13, the task force has been directed to conduct a case build-up into potential violations involving CJHDevCo’s sale of long-term leases and investment-like instruments. A report is due to the DOJ secretary within 60 days of the order.

BCDA has also reaffirmed its support for affected foreign nationals and retirees, offering one-on-one consultations, translation services, and help navigating new lease agreements that comply with Philippine law and the Supreme Court’s decision.

In a separate statement sent to media on June 14, a group claiming to represent “unit owners” reiterated their accusations that BCDA’s takeover of Camp John Hay was “illegal” and violated their rights as builders in good faith. However, the statement was unsigned and did not include any verifiable names. We have reached out to the group’s legal counsel for comment but have not yet received a response.

These developments come on the heels of at least 12 quieting of title petitions filed by Filipino homeowners, and a broader reckoning over the failed public-private partnership between BCDA and CJHDevCo, which began in 1996 but soured after payment and development issues emerged in the early 2000s.

With multiple court cases underway and a DOJ-NBI task force now actively seeking testimonies and evidence, the Camp John Hay dispute has escalated from a contractual controversy into one of the most closely watched property and governance issues in Northern Luzon.

14/06/2025

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has removed Engineer Edilberto Bayugao Bungaoen, vehicle registration chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO)–Baguio District Office, following his arrest for drunk driving. Termination proceedings are now underway.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon orders immediate removal of LTO-Baguio officer caught drunk driving; termination proceedings under way

14/06/2025

UP Baguio infra delay draws student and city clamor, school assures action

By Mia Magdalena Fokno

Baguio City, June 14, 2025 – Two long-delayed infrastructure projects in the University of the Philippines Baguio, the refurbishment of Bulwagang Juan Luna and the Campus-wide Interconnectivity and Accessibility Project, remain on the table, but still await funding nearly a decade after they were first proposed.

This was confirmed in a June 10 letter addressed to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong by Dr. Daniel C. Peckley Jr., Vice President for Development of the UP System, who assured city officials that the University is “steadfastly committed” to completing both projects.

“We understand the significance of these projects not only for the UP Baguio community but also for Baguio City as a whole,” wrote Peckley. “Please be assured that the University remains steadfastly committed to their completion.”

Projects with city-wide value

The Bulwagang Juan Luna, first proposed for restoration as early as 2016, is envisioned as a Cultural Hub for student activities, performances, and civic events. Meanwhile, the Campus-wide Interconnectivity and Accessibility Project, initiated around 2018, aims to create safer, more inclusive pathways across the mountainous UP Baguio campus.

Nearly a decade since planning began, both projects remain incomplete despite having been listed under multiple budget cycles and undergoing initial site assessments and preparatory work.

These initiatives were intended not only to modernize university infrastructure but also to benefit the wider Baguio public, especially persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and cultural organizations in need of accessible venues.

The city government, concerned over the long-standing delays, had earlier written to UP seeking updates. Mayor Benjamin Magalong has consistently advocated for the revitalization of civic and educational infrastructure through partnerships with national institutions such as UP.

What caused the delays?

According to Peckley, the main obstacle is funding. UP Baguio had requested support through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) since 2024, but the proposals failed to secure allocations from the national budget. In response, the university began pursuing alternative strategies, including soliciting private donations and forming partnerships with alumni and development organizations.

To prepare for eventual resumption, the UP System’s Project Management Office (PMO), the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration (OVCA) in UP Baguio, and the OVP for Development conducted joint site inspections. These planning steps are meant to ensure that “once funding becomes available, the projects can proceed efficiently.”

Dr. Peckley also affirmed in his letter that UP Baguio has “worked with diligence and prudence in managing its development efforts” and will continue seeking ways to implement the projects in full.

Students speak out

While university officials continue planning, students have been vocal about the years-long delay. In February 2025, over a thousand UP Baguio students staged a walkout and protest, citing unspent government funds and lack of infrastructure progress despite repeated budget appropriations from 2018 to 2023.

“When we organize programs or activities, they always tell us there’s no budget,” said student protester Pauline Lago in reports from the protest.

Students also criticized the administration for holding a town hall on the matter without inviting any university official to respond to their questions.

They demanded transparency, timely utilization of public funds, and faster completion of the long-promised infrastructure, particularly those critical to accessibility and cultural development.

What’s next?

The completion of the Bulwagang Juan Luna and accessibility upgrades hinges on whether UP Baguio can secure external support or future government allocations. Until then, groundwork continues in the background, and both local government and students will be watching closely.

“We remain fully committed to ensuring that both the Bulwagang Juan Luna and the Campus-wide Interconnectivity and Accessibility Project are completed to serve not only our students and faculty but also the wider Baguio community,” Peckley said.

Photo courtesy of Alliance of Concerned Students, UP Baguio.

14/06/2025

Longer time to shop for our tourists

13/06/2025

A rare but fast-acting infection, invasive meningococcal disease can kill within 24 hours. Doctors urge parents to know the signs and consider vaccination.

13/06/2025

Today

13/06/2025

LTO-Baguio Official Relieved After Drunk Driving Charge, Mayor Magalong Decries ‘Arrogance’

By Mia Magdalena Fokno

Baguio City, June 13, 2025—A high-ranking official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO)–Baguio has been relieved from his post effective June 13 following a drunk driving incident that has drawn strong condemnation from city officials, including Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

The official is facing charges under Republic Act 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, after a traffic altercation involving another government official on the evening of June 10. The incident occurred around 9:10 p.m. and was intercepted by the Baguio City Mobile Force Company. The case is currently being handled by Police Station 7.

According to BCPO Director PCol Ruel Tagel, the official exhibited signs of intoxication during initial questioning and later tested positive in an Alcoholic Breath Test conducted at a local hospital. In addition to the drunk driving charge, he also faces a separate case of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property. Although the complainant initially withdrew, the prosecutor-on-duty reinstated the case.

Mayor Magalong minced no words in criticizing the LTO official’s actions.

“I am deploring this type of behavior—arrogance. It goes against the principle of good governance,” he told media. “Government officials should lead by example, and this official clearly does not subscribe to that guidepost.”

The mayor added that the incident was “so unfortunate” as it happened while the city is intensifying efforts to reduce road traffic incidents, many of which are still attributed to human error and negligence.

“It is lamentable that the person who was supposed to uphold the law was the one who dishonored it,” Magalong said.

He welcomed the prompt administrative action taken by the Department of Transportation (DoTr), commending both Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and newly appointed DoTr–Cordillera Regional Director Brig. Gen. Glenn Dumlao (ret.) for their decisive response.

“I commend Secretary Dizon and Director Dumlao for their swift decision to relieve said official and ensure a thorough investigation,” the mayor said.

Dumlao, who assumed his new post only recently, confirmed in a statement that the LTO-Baguio official was placed under administrative holding “pending the results of a deeper investigation.” An officer-in-charge will temporarily oversee LTO-Baguio operations.

The incident has reignited calls for greater accountability and discipline among government personnel, particularly those tasked with enforcing transportation and road safety laws.

12/06/2025

Speed isn’t always the enemy, but safety must always win

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is calling for a review of the city’s speed limit ordinance, arguing that current restrictions, particularly the 30 kilometers per hour (kph) cap on roads like South Drive, Loakan, Kennon, and Marcos Highway, are impractical and counterproductive. He’s not wrong to raise the question. But when lives are at stake, this conversation demands more than just anecdotal discomfort behind the wheel.

Passed in 2019 under former mayor Mauricio Domogan, Ordinance No. 18-2019 imposed a 20 kph speed limit within the Central Business District and 30 kph on inner roads. These limits were meant to curb rising road accidents, many of which, city authorities confirm, are still attributed primarily to human error.

The mayor now suggests adjusting these limits based on actual road conditions, noting that driving at 30 kph on long stretches like South Drive is “not advisable.” That may sound reasonable, but globally established evidence suggests a cautious approach.

What the science says

International road safety studies strongly support low-speed urban zones. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long advocated for 30 kph zones in cities, citing that the risk of death for pedestrians struck at 30 kph is roughly 10%, compared to 80% at 50 kph. A 2011 study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) echoes this, concluding that “a pedestrian hit at 30 kph has a 90% chance of survival, but that chance drops dramatically at higher speeds.”

Even vehicle-to-vehicle collisions show similar trends. A 2021 study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention found that reductions in posted speed limits significantly lowered the frequency and severity of crashes, not just for pedestrians, but across all road users.

Closer to home, cities like Cebu and Pasig have experimented with speed enforcement and seen promising results. Internationally, Edmonton, Canada reported a 45% decrease in serious injuries after shifting residential streets to a 30 kph limit. London’s 20 mph (32 kph) zones slashed road casualties by over 40%, according to Transport for London data.

What national law allows

It’s worth remembering that Baguio, like all local government units (LGUs), must work within the framework of Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines. Section 35 of the law sets default national maximum speed limits: 80 kph on open roads for cars, 40 kph on boulevards, 30 kph on city and municipal streets, and 20 kph in crowded streets or school zones.

Importantly, Section 36 prohibits LGUs from increasing these limits, they may only lower them in the interest of public safety. So while the city can fine-tune its ordinance to reflect local needs, any amendment that raises speed caps above those allowed by national law would not be legally enforceable.

But low speeds aren’t a silver bullet

That said, a blanket speed limit without consideration of road type can create unintended consequences. Excessively low limits on open roads can cause “phantom traffic jams”—sudden, self-reinforcing slowdowns caused not by congestion but by minor speed fluctuations. A study by the University of Exeter and MIT demonstrated how such stop-and-go patterns increase driver stress and risky behavior, especially on highways and steep roads.

When drivers feel constrained by what they perceive as unrealistic rules, enforcement becomes harder. Frustrated motorists may resort to shoulder overtaking or aggressive lane changes, ironically increasing danger for pedestrians and cyclists. Road safety is not just about speed. It’s also about predictability, behavior, and design.

A better path forward

The call for amendment should not be dismissed out of hand. But any revision must be grounded in a well-researched, context-sensitive approach. One speed does not fit all.

Instead of raising limits across the board, the city should consider:

• Zoning by context: Maintain 20–30 kph in pedestrian-dense areas, schools, and tourist zones. Evaluate the feasibility of 40 kph only on wide, well-lit, and pedestrian-free stretches, while still prioritizing human safety.

• Design for safety: Roads that feel safe at 40 kph often encourage speeding past that. Road narrowing, speed humps, and visual cues like tree lines or markings can help reinforce lower speeds.

• Strengthened enforcement: The city’s investment in breath analyzers, speed guns, and clearer signage is a move in the right direction. These must be used not just to catch violators but to create a culture of accountability.

• Data-driven decision-making: Amendments must rely on local traffic crash data, not gut feel. Are there more collisions on South Drive at 30 kph? Or are drivers simply impatient? That difference matters.

Streets that serve all

This isn’t a fight between motorists and pedestrians. It’s a conversation about making our roads safe, sane, and shared. Mayor Magalong is right to open the dialogue, but the guiding principle must remain this: speed must never be prioritized over safety.

In the end, it’s not about how fast we get there. It’s whether we all get there alive.

Editorial
Mountain Beacon
June 13, 2025

12/06/2025

DoTR-Cordillera Chief Orders Relief of LTO-Baguio Official Amid Probe

Newly-designated Department of Transportation–Cordillera regional director, retired police Brig. Gen. Glenn Dumlao, has ordered the immediate relief of a Land Transportation Office (LTO)–Baguio official accused of misconduct.

In a statement released Tuesday, Dumlao confirmed that the official has been placed under administrative holding “pending the results of a deeper investigation” being conducted by his office.

The move signals Dumlao’s intent to enforce accountability just days into his new post, amid mounting calls for reforms within regional transportation offices.

Further details on the official’s alleged violations are expected to be released as the internal probe progresses. (MBNT)

12/06/2025

NBI Arrests Former Baguio Mayoral Candidate Mark Directo for Alleged Estafa

A former candidate for mayor of Baguio City was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation–Pampanga District Office (NBI-PAMDO) on Monday, June 9, over multiple estafa complaints linked to alleged fraudulent property deals and campaign fundraising schemes.

Mark Andrew Bandoc Directo, who ran and lost in the May 2025 local elections, was apprehended at around 4:00 p.m. inside the Clark Freeport Zone, according to NBI officials.

His arrest was based on a warrant issued by Judge Heherson Almondia Casareno of the Regional Trial Court Branch 79 in Baguio City under Criminal Case No. 48525-R, dated May 21, 2025.

According to the NBI, several individuals accused Directo of misrepresenting himself as the owner of various condominium units and villas in Clark and Baguio. He allegedly offered these properties for sale and solicited investments, claiming the proceeds would be used to fund his mayoral campaign.

Complainants also alleged that Directo promised shares in fictitious business projects in exchange for financial support. The reported victims include residents from both Baguio City and Pampanga.

NBI agents said the arrest followed weeks of surveillance and coordination with law enforcement inside the Clark economic zone. Directo did not resist arrest and is currently in NBI custody pending court proceedings.

Authorities reminded the public to verify the legitimacy of investment offers and property sales, especially those linked to political fundraising.

As of this writing, Directo has not issued a public statement. His legal counsel has yet to respond to media inquiries.

The court is expected to schedule arraignment proceedings in the coming days. If found guilty of estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, Directo could face up to 20 years in prison depending on the amount involved and number of victims. (MBNT with reports from DZRH)