The screen shot of the page where the cyber spat appeared.
A POPULAR Facebook account called “Better Ormoc” which now has 2,656 “friends” is turning bitter.
This Saturday evening, February 6, 2010, a “friend” has asked for a public apology from one of its more active members, saying that they have four lawyers in the family. This, after the name of a cousin, a member of the prominent Larrazabal clan here, was dragged out of nowhere.
The “cyber dispute” starts with a repost of Aya Sabarre Gica of a news item from GMANews.TV “How a workers’ strike became the Luisita Massacre-IT Matters”. She reposted the news on 8:30 PM of Thursday, February 4, without saying anything.
The post, by the next day, elicits the reaction of Jean Justimbaste, one of Better Ormoc’s more active members who openly supports Noynoy Aquino for president. Her posts include reposts of news favoring Noynoy Aquino, and actively campaigning for him on the FB account.
She said, “Hello Aya, linking Noynoy Aquino to the Luisita Massacre is like linking you to what Dudy Larrazabal’s son did to the Mahayag farms CARP beneficiaries….”
Aya Sabarre-Gica is the cousin of Mark, the son of Councilor Dudy Larrazabal. She is the daughter of Teresa L. Sabarre, younger sister of the councilor, who is running for another term this coming May 2010.
Apparently, Justimbaste is referring to a reported incident in Mahayag around a year ago, where Dudy Mark together with some of his people, allegedly burned the farm of beneficiary Valentin Laurente and company. Dudy Mark, in an interview by this reporter for his side of the issue then, said that they were merely preparing the land for planting, adding that the area’s ownership is still being disputed at the Department of Agrarian Reform, and has not been settled yet. DAR, on the othr hand, confirmed the ongoing dispute on the property, saying that the Larrazabal family has filed exclusion/inclusion proceedings that had to be resolved yet.
Meanwhile, a certain John Derre, obviously using a pseudonym, reacts. He says, “Mam Jean wala man pud namatay sa Mahayag oi, ‘yaw pud i compare.
Another blogger, Brigitte Therez, also asks: “Ms Jean, unsa may kalabotan intawn sa anak ni Dudy dinhi?
To which Justimbaste answers with a repost of her reply to Aya Sabarre-Gica. She then adds, “Read between the lines … and the parallels…”
Meanwhile, a seldom visible member Ingrid Panta comments, “Aren’t people allowed to put up links without being attacked? Sheesh….”
Brigitte Therez, on the other hand, placates Ms Panta saying, “hehehe… Parang SPICES lang yan Ms. Panta. Boring naman siguro kung walang mag-contradict…” That was on 7:52 PM of Friday, February 5.
By 9:52, Martin Algarra, a cousin-in-law of Dudy Mark, posts: “Yeah the comparison makes no sense. I agree w/ John. If I have to read between whatever then it is unclear to what the point is to begin with. Did you, Aya, do the report for GMA? I don’t get it.”
This is followed by a post from Jovit Larrazabal at 10:08. She said, “Jean, I really think you should think twice about what you write here in this public wall.. the standards for committing libel against a private person such as Dudy Mark is quite low as compared to public figures such as Noynoy.. FYI.. people now get convicted for libel for malicious information they write in the internet”. Jovit is Atty. Jovita Larrazabal, another daughter of Atty. Inaki Larrazabal Jr. and cousin of Dudy Mark.
John Derre once more comments, “It’s way different what happened in Mahayag Mam Jean, you don’t know what’s the real story.”
The next post comes from Aya herself. She says, “@sarah and john… I agree with both of you.
@ingrid.. I know.. Apparently, this shouldn’t be Better Ormoc.. It should be “Noynoy is better for ormoc and the rest of the country and anybody who thinks otherwise should not befriend this account.”
@martin.. Did I write it? When I read between the lines and the parallels that crosses the Manny Villar C5 extension project, apparently, I am Noynoy, Tito Dudy is Cory, and Dudy Mark is either Kris or Baby James, you choose… hehehehehe.. Bow.. and so I shall sleep. Peace. =)
At around 1:00 PM of Saturday, the moderator of Better Ormoc itself makes a post.
He or she states, “I think that is a little unfair for Better Ormoc, Aya. Do not generalize everyone here to be pro Noynoy just because someone from our friend list here is pro-Noynoy or somebody pro-Noynoy is attacking you because you posted something against his candidate. Beside, it’s local politics that we tackle here.”
“Better Ormoc” seldom comments or chides bloggers, but this is the first time he or she reminded a blogger that what are supposed to be discussed at the FB account are “local issues”. Ms Justimbaste usually reposts pro-Noynoy news and anti-Manny Villar materials, and Roger Lagarde, another member, usually posts pro-Dick Gordon news.
Despite earlier stating that she was going to sleep already, Aya immediately retorts, “@ Better Ormoc.. This is exactly what I am saying. My understanding is that Better Ormoc is not a forum for one particular candidate. This is a forum for people to make informed choices. Availability and access to information through sharing of articles, ideas, links, etc. help people decide. People should not be “attacked” (as @ingrid puts it) for sharing these information.
“As for this being a forum for local politics alone, I just supposed that whatever happens on a national level will definitely trickle down to the local level. After all, a better Philippines will result to a Better Ormoc.. and a Better Ormoc will definitely make it a Better Philippines”, she added.
Rainier Salazar, another lawyer and a member of the extended Larrazabal family, also makes his observation. “Sikata na ani ni Jean gud. Posible pa makasuhan. Bug-at na hinuon dalhon si Noynoy ron, good job Jean! Dudy Mark for president?”, he states. Atty. Rainier Salazar is the younger brother of Raffy Salazar, the official candidate for governor of the Liberal Party (Noynoy Aquino’s party) in Biliran.
The issue did not die there. By 9:30 of Saturday evening, another blogger using the pseudonym Alvin Zarco posts, “As sus Jean merisi sab anang mga jatis nga mga beneficiaries oi mga animal nga mga pobre maau ra sab na cla ingon ana-on…..dayon baya palaban sa mga leftist….maau ra ingon ana-on na cla patyon dayon!!!
And at around 11:30 PM, Manelle Rizarri-Jayme, another Larrazabal cousin, posts: “Jean I think a public apology addressed to Dudy Mark is necessary at this point. Please take note that we have 4 lawyers in our family.”
Manelle is the daughter of Milagros “Daya” Rizarri, sister of councilor Larrazabal. She now lives in Guam but stays in close contact with family and cousins through the net, the Larrazabals being known to be very close knit.
Even Maica Rodriguez-Larrazabal who is now based in the States, shared a piece of her mind.
Described by cousins as “bubbly and friendly” yet one who’d rather keep her opinions to herself, Maica posted: “@Jean: It was unfair, inappropriate (& to add, stupid) for you to link Aya, in conclusion, to what she merely posted (something she didn’t even write, duh) to such a tragic incident in Luisita by linking her to what, you say, Dudy Larrazabal’s son did to the CARP beneficiaries (say, you wanna post a link to an article written on that, too?).
Honestly, I’m for Noynoy (or Gordon; just not Gibo because of the GMA factor – sorry Aya, I’m sure you know my stand on this hehe) but I don’t mind reading articles about/against him, nor do I mind reading all the other articles about other candidates posted all over this “public” wall. Why attack people for posting something just because it is against your own candidate? Whatever happened to the “freedom of expression” you so preached in previous posts/comments in this very wall?
Maica is the eldest daughter of Dr. Mario “Mayong” Rodriguez, a councilor wannabe of the Kalihukan Alang sa Bag-ong Ormoc or KAABAG.
The Better Ormoc account, a reliable source earlier said, was opened by a personality very much identified with the KAABAG, a political movement which seeks a change in the political status quo. It was opened shortly before the movement was launched, with Kaabag opening up its own FB account a week later.
The account was meant to be a sounding board of “friends” on local issues affecting Ormoc but has taken a political flavor with members airing their pros and cons on certain political personalities and candidates.
It’s first post underscored its lofty ideals. It stated, “The change we seek for a better government and a better corruption-free Ormoc is every Ormocanon’s duty for the sake of our city’s future. However, the path towards that change is not an overnyt (sic) burst of emotion but a dedicated & consistent struggle.”
The account easily caught on. On its first and second week, the account immediately attracted around 1,260 members. After this, there was a momentary lull. Nonetheless, its membership grew over the months, reaching to the 2,656 it has as of press time.
With this current controversy, a spike in membership increase is expected, even if some members have already expressed they wanted out because of some unsavory posts, including a bombardment of pillows, hugs and teddy bears. The term “Bitter Ormoc” was coined earlier on by a member who complained of the unsavory posts.
The lack of regulations has made possible the postings of unfounded accusations. Accusations of narco-politics, to coddling illegal gambling and logging in the city have surfaced. Most are election related “issues”.
Just this Saturday evening, the name of a lawyer-candidate for council was published as a drug user by one Daniel Alejo, who may not be a real person but just using a pseudonym.
Many FB “friends” of this reporter who are also members of the account said they preferred to keep silent, wary that if they published their thoughts, they’d get “attacked”. Their fears are not unfounded, as Ingrid Panta observed.
Ironically, the personalities involved in this growing “virtual dispute” are also very much identified with Kaabag. Ms Justimbaste is the wife of Emil Justimbaste, a convenor of Kaabag. She has posted she is not a member of Kaabag but supports its candidates.
The couple runs “Pagtinabangay”, a non-government organization, which is into pro-poor programs. They also advocate for popular issues like the environment and reproductive health. Ms Justimbaste organized the local chapter of WomanHealth in Ormoc.
Aya Sabarre-Gica, on the other hand, is the daughter of Eugene Sabarre, another convenor. A tita, Dr. Judith Larrazabal-Garcia and husband Juli, are also part of the original group of 23 convenors. Businessman Inigo Larrazabal is a first cousin.
Inigo Larrazabal, on the other hand, tried to douse cold water on the virtual spat. On a post morning of Sunday, February 7, he tells his cousins, “@the rest of my cousins… let’s all chill na. Let’s all keep our cool. No need for us to go to the gutter on this. The internet is a wild beast. We cannot control you all know… People will be saying things that may not always sit well with us. Our family (the Inaki Larrazabal side) has at least been spared or insulated from the ugly side of politics. I’m sure we are all agreed that we would like to keep it that way. “
He adds, “@jean an apology would be appreciated or if you don’t feel like there is anything for you to apologize then your silence here is also appreciated. So we can all move on.” By Lalaine M. Jimenea
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I’ve got to say this, I admire Mr. Iñigo Larrazabal on being broadminded about the situation. He truly understands that the “web” is really a wild wild word (WWW).
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