Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Renato C. Corona in one of his appearances during the Impeachment Trial.
The year 2012 started with a bang in January with the annual Aklan Sto. Niño Ati-atihan festival. The celebration is province wide as done in Altavas, Batan, Malay, Makato, Brgy. Daja, Banga, Malinao, Kalibo, and Ibajay. The Kalibo Ati-atihan started on Jan. 6 and ended on Sunday evening, Jan. 15. This year, Ati-atihan Festival has started in Kalibo which will end on Sunday, Jan. 20.
It was in January 2012 when the Chief Justice Renato Corona Impeachment Trial started in the Senate Session Hall. Corona entered a “Not Guilty” plea for all the charges. There were eight (8) charges as stated in the articles of impeachment like betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution.
After months of hearing, Chief Justice Renato Corona of the Supreme Court was found guilty as charged.
It was also on Jan. 1, 2012, New Year when one of the prominent persons of Banga, Aklan passed to the great beyond.
A lawyer and a successful agri-businessman, Atty. Tomas S. Raz was elected Banga Municipal Councilor in 1959, and Banga Mayor for two terms (1964-1971). He later was elected Aklan SP member for 14 years. He was also chairman of Philippine Red Cross, Aklan Chapter.
It was also in January when prediction was made about the end of the world based on the Mayan Long Calendar. Great, for we are still here as the prediction that the world will end on December 21, 2012 was false.
It was in February when “Aklan Cops Nab Suspected Drug Pusher in a Buy Bust Operation”. It was a joint operation of the Provincial Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operations Group which conducted the operation on February 2 in Brgy. Navitas, Numancia, Aklan.
The police identified the suspect as Martwin Reyes Y Terencio of Brgy. Navitas, Numancia, Aklan. He was arrested after selling P20,000 worth of Marijuana bricks to a police agent who posted as buyer.
In March, the Diocese of Kalibo ordained two priests who are Rev. Fr. Laurence Andrew Ureta Oliva and Rev. Fr. Revier Tion Supranes. They were ordained priests on March 26 at the solemnity feast of the Lord’s Annunciation, St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Kalibo, Aklan.
Rev. Fr. Oliva is from Lezo, Aklan while Rev. Fr. Supranes is from Libacao, Aklan. They both finished Philosophy degrees at Sto. Niño Seminary, Numancia, Aklan and their Theology and Masters degree in the University of Sto. Tomas, Manila.
In April, the most controversial news was China’s deployment of big ships in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough), which is only 124 nautical miles from Masinloc town in Zambales. This incident prompted the US to assure assistance to the Philippines in case attacked under the Mutual Defense Treaty between the USA and the Philippines.
In May, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Renato C. Corona was found guilty by the Impeachment Court by 20–3 votes of Senator Judges. The voting took place on Tuesday afternoon, May 29. Those who found Corona guilty were Senators Edgardo Angara, Allan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Teofisto Guingona III, Gregorio Honasan II, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Sergio Osmeña III, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel III, Ralph Recto, Ramon Revilla, Jr. Vicente Sotto III, Antonio Trillanes IV, Manuel Villar and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
Senators Joker Arroyo, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and Miriam Defensor Santiago found Corona innocent.
In June, the Philippines boxing icon Manny Pacman Pacquiao experienced his first defeat in the hands of Timothy Bradley. It was a very unpopular decision, the boxing world did not agree. The three judges from the Nevada State Athletic Commission – CJ Ross and Duanc Ford gifted Bradley with a 115 – 113 score cards while the third judge Jerry Roth had Pacquiao won 115 – 113.
In July, the King of Philippine Comedian Dolphy passed away to heaven. He was Rodulfo, Quizon, Sr. in real life. Dolphy’s death on July 10, Tuesday night ended his long reign as Philippine Comedy King. He died after a long bout with chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease.
In August, the Rural Bank of Balete (Aklan) Incorporated closed. Information was so tight, nobody predicted its closure as it was functioning very normal. Many bank clients were caught unaware.
In September, it was time to file Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the May 2013 midterm election. Politics in Aklan furthermore became alive again. Press conferences about politics were held. The filing of COCs served to show candidates’ wealth.
In Badio, Numancia, Aklan, the deaths of 29 fighting cocks became a problem. The question who inflicted several wounds which caused deaths among the cocks was never answered.
In October, the Department of Agrarian Reform Aklan selected and awarded some agrarian reform beneficiaries who engaged in vegetable projects in Buruanga, Aklan.
In Balete, Aklan on October 24, Balete celebrated its municipal and religious fiesta in honor of their Patron Saint, St. Raphael Archangel. The fiesta celebration highlighted young pretty women through beauty contest, “Enchanting Balete”. During the parade, Balete showed to the public the assets they have.
In November, Aklan was honored with the arrival of the Trade and Tourism Mission to Aklan from the State of Alaska, USA. The mission was led by two state legislators Hon. Cathy E. Muñoz and Hon. Bob Herron. They stayed in Aklan from Nov. 15 to 19 visiting Aklan’s best tourists destinations, visiting offices and conferring with public officials and businessmen.
In December, the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the 2013 budget at a total amount of P1.31 billion out of which P10.828 million will be spent for agriculture. This is P21.64 per Aklanon for one year or P1.80 per month.
The P20,000 Christmas bonus for capitol employees in 2012 is 927 times more than the per capita share of Aklanons for agriculture budget in 2013. This is one of the factors why the members of the farm sector is most marginalized more depressed and unempowered.
Typhoon Quinta flooded Aklan on Dec. 26 especially Kalibo, Madalag, Banga, Libacao, Malinao, Numancia, Lezo, and Ibajay. This put period for the year 2012 in Aklan. /MP
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