'Fruit of Hope' program on

VILLAMOR AIRBASE, Pasay City -- A plane loaded with fresh fruits from war-torn Jolo, Sulu arrived yesterday at this military facility, signifying the start of the government's "Fruit of Hope" program in which produce from hard-to-reach areas of Mindanao will

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Secretary General Sen. Richard J. Gordon initiated the "Invest in Peace and Prosperity -- Fruit of Hope" program to help farmers from Mindanao sell their produce at a higher price. The produce is shipped by the government to Manila for free.

Gordon was in Jolo yesterday to sign an agreement among partner agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations that started the program that will be an avenue for farmers to the national market.

Officials from the Philippine Air Force, PNRC, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, provincial government of Sulu, Asia America Initiative, Rustans, SM, Robinsons Corp., Shopwise, and Nestle signed the agreement.

After the signing, a Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 transport plane was loaded with the inaugural shipment of six tons of newly harvested lanzones and mangosteen to Manila. (Anjo Perez and Louie Perez)

Gov't urged to pursue cases vs tax evaders

An administration lawmaker yesterday urged the government to take a strong stance in pursuing criminal cases against tax evaders who will ignore the tax amnesty program offered by the Arroyo government.

Davao City Rep. Vincent Garcia, vice chairman of the House Oversight Committee, aired this appeal as he asked tax evaders to take advantage of the tax amnesty program that government has started implementing, saying that this will give them a new chance to clear their tax record.

Garcia said tax delinquents qualified for coverage under Republic Act (RA) 9480 or the Tax Amnesty Law can now pay their liabilities without worrying about possible persecution or prosecution.

"Tax delinquents have more to gain and nothing to lose by paying their past liabilities. Now, they can settle these without fear of being subjected to a rigorous investigation nor being charged in court for tax fraud or non-payment of taxes," said Garcia.

If the tax amnesty program succeeds, Garcia said, it will lessen the possibility of new taxes in the next few years or even until the end of President Arroyo's term in 2010. (Ben R. Rosario)

Pinay 'tortured' in Bahrain

The Philippine Embassy in Bahrain has pledged to investigate the reported physical torture committed against a Filipino domestic help in the Middle East country.

A report said Marlina Gratuito, 30, a resident of Las Pinas City, was hospitalized after her employer allegedly "stripped, kicked, punched, and scalded her with boiling water."

She was taken to the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) and later transferred to the Hidd Detention Center.

"We cannot comment yet on the case as pieces of information are not very clear," an embassy official was quoted as saying.

"We do not understand why (Gratuito has been detained), because it seems the sponsor was at fault. We have the sponsor's address and contact details, and we will investigate the allegations," the official, who declined to be identified, added. (Charissa M. Luci)

QTA anniversary ball slated

Prominent Quezonians Drs. Manny and Pie Calayan and acting Justice Secretary Solicitor General Agnes VST Devanadera will be honored for their valuable achievements in their respective fields of endeavor at the Quezon (Tayabas) Association (QTA) Annual Anniversary Ball on Sept. 22 at the Sofitel Westin Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.

Dubbed "Una Noche de Ayer," the event will reminisce the splendor and grandeur of the past through music and dances from the historical Spanish era in celebration of the group's 84th anniversary.

Noted for its various socio-civic programs to help the poor in Quezon through medical missions, scholarship grants, and Christmas gift-giving activities, the QTA has embarked on more relevant projects to help prevent global warming by undertaking tree-planting activities and clean-up drives in the province and alleviating poverty by providing livelihood programs in the community.