President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded yesterday the late former editor of Manila’s Chinese Commercial News (CCN), Rizal Chang Keng Yuyitung, for serving "as an excellent example to a new generation of journalists, as well as advocates of democracy."

Rizal, who was born in the Philippines in 1922 and named after the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, died in Toronto, Canada last April 19.

In her message of condolence to the family and friends of the late CCN editor, the President described him as "one of those rare individuals whose personal and professional integrity had thrust him into the centerstage of politics."

"Like the hero he was named after, Rizal used pen rather than sword to fight for truth to prevail; and, like the hero, he was persecuted for upholding the ideals of his profession," the President said.

She recalled that during the "dark days leading to Martial Law," Rizal, as an editor in the Chinese Commercial News, published "what others dared not publish, thus transforming CCN, the country’s oldest Chinese language newspaper, from a business paper to one that awakened and expanded political thought. He and his paper obtained the ire of a dictator who was afraid of the truth."

In 1970, Rizal and his brother Quintin were arrested by military men in their CCN office in Manila and deported to face trial and conviction in Taiwan. The two brothers spent many years in prison.

After release from prison, Rizal and his family moved to Canada, where he died last April 19 at the age of 85.

President Arroyo said Rizal "would be remembered as a very principled man who gave voice to the truth even under threat."

TALISAY CITY, Cebu—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the inauguration this afternoon of the newly-built P45-million Hall of Justice of Talisay City, Cebu which will house two regional trial courts and two municipal trial circuit courts.

Wearing a cool blue pant suit with blue espadrille sandals, the President cut the ceremonial ribbon, assisted by Vice President Noli de Castro, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, and Cebu City Rep. Eduardo Gullas (1st District) who was the main author of Republic Act No. 9375 which provided for the construction of the Justice Hall.

The President was accompanied by Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano and  Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Cerge Remonde.

Funded with P35 million from the President’s Social Fund and P10 million from the Supreme Court, the construction of the two-storey building started in January last year.

Another Gullas project, which was supported by the President with construction funds, was the P805-million Naga-Toledo Road Improvement Project which was inaugurated earlier today for the President by Vice President De Castro. The road spans 35 kilometers, more than half of which lies in the first district and the remaining stretch in the third district.

Nine Team Unity candidates also joined the President at the Justice Hall inauguration, led by former Senate President Edgardo Angara who came first, followed by Senator Ralph Recto, Mike Defensor, Prospero Pichay, Cesar Montano, Vic Magsaysay, Sultan Jumalul Kiram, Miguel Zubiri, and Tito Sotto.

Speaking in the vernacular, the President shared a "memory aid" as she rooted for the Team Unity candidates with the acronym: "MaS PARA SA KiDZ Mo."

She explained to the crowd that it stands for Magsaysay, (Chavit) Singson, Pichay, Angara, Recto, Arroyo, Sotto, (Tessie) Aquino-Oreta, (Sultan) Kiram, Defensor, Zubiri and Montano.     

From Talisay City, the President then motored to the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City for the awarding of the 32nd Visayan Qu'ran Reading Competition where some 5,000 Muslims based in Cebu and Bohol converged for the annual event.

Next stop for the President was the ground-breaking of the Cebu North Coastal Road Project in Paknaan, Mandaue City. One of the major development projects in Metro Cebu, it is envisioned to help improve the traffic condition in the existing  road network leading to the northern towns of the province from Mandaue City.

The project will run parallel to the existing provincial road and will stretch through the coastal areas of Mandaue City and the towns of Consolacion and Liloan. It will be linked to the provincial road at Liloan town proper.

"The Philippines is a multi-ethnic society with institution-wide accommodation of ethnic traditions."

Thus declared President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today as she graced the 32nd Visayan Qur'an Reading Competition at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City.

In her short message to some 5,000 Muslims who converged here from their homes all over Cebu and Bohol, President Arroyo said the Qur'an Reading project "is a contribution to our principle that the Philippines is a multi-ethnic society..."

She also thanked local officials who were supportive of such endeavors by the Muslims in the area, including Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena, Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. The activity was organized by the Regional Office of Muslim Affairs under Regional Director Sakiran Hajan.

The President stayed on to award the best male and female readers of the Qur'an (formerly Koran). Winning over seven other female contestants was Rahima P. Amerol of the Samstar Traders Association of Colon, while Abdul Latif Ben Daud of the Leon Sancangco Jama'ah Association won over 11 other male contestans. 

Last year's winners were Norhana Linogaman and Nader Alangka.

The winners are chosen according to "tajwid" which is 40 points; melody, 25 points; "fasahah," 20 points; voice, 15 points.

"Tajwid" has to do with correct pronunciation and "alphabetic qualtiy," including the length of time it takes to say the words, or to pause or stop. On the other hand, "fasahah" consists in "faultless smooth recitation with perfect pronunciation, and recitation without hesitation of words and verses," among others.

This year's theme revolved around the Qur'an being "a torch for humanity."

And talking about the Philippines being "multi-ethnic," the Visayan Muslim group, in its souvenir program, pointed out that "Islam has provided mankind with a torch, the Qur'an... (and that) the problem with peace and unity of today had long been addressed by Islam by taking deep concern for the poor and the diversity of religions on earth."