VM advocates clean, honest elections

CANDABA - Incumbent Vice Mayor Daniel Gallardo other day disclosed that he wanted win in the 2013 midterm elections with a his conscience clean and that he be judged based on his performance as presiding officer in the municipal council.

Gallardo said he would not compromise his long years in public service just to get a fresh mandate unlike candidates who are resorting to indirect vote buying activity.

"Gusto ko manalo ako, hindi dahil namili ako ng boto kundi gusto talaga ako ng mga tao," he pointed out.

The vice mayor is advocating for a clean and honest elections so that in the end the people here would get the kind of government they deserve.

"Kung magpupunta lang sila sa akin parahumingi ng pera huwag na lang dahil mapapahiya lang sila sa akin. Kahit hindi na nila ako iboto," he  stated.

It was learned that Gallardo has been subjected to an election protest by ex-mayor Normita Evangelista who run for vice mayor in 2010 before Regional Trial Court Branch 48 Judge Serafin B. David in the City of San Fernando on the grounds that the results of the election for vice mayor were “pre-programmed”. . 

However, the  Commission on Elections (Comelec) junked with finality the motion for reconsideration on petition for certiorari and mandamus filed against him in relation to the May 2010 polls.

Gallardo who garnered 15,388 votes as against the 15,262 votes of Evangelista, a margin of 126 votes in 2010 elections. 

He is currently  the running mate of Gerard Patrick "Kuya Pat" Pelayo under the Kapanalig at Kambilan neng Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) party.

CANDABA - Incumbent Vice Mayor Daniel Gallardo other day disclosed that he wanted win in the 2013 midterm elections with a his conscience clean and that he be judged based on his performance as presiding officer in the municipal council.

Gallardo said he would not compromise his long years in public service just to get a fresh mandate unlike candidates who are resorting to indirect vote buying activity.

"Gusto ko manalo ako, hindi dahil namili ako ng boto kundi gusto talaga ako ng mga tao," he pointed out.

The vice mayor is advocating for a clean and honest elections so that in the end the people here would get the kind of government they deserve.

"Kung magpupunta lang sila sa akin parahumingi ng pera huwag na lang dahil mapapahiya lang sila sa akin. Kahit hindi na nila ako iboto," he  stated.

It was learned that Gallardo has been subjected to an election protest by ex-mayor Normita Evangelista who run for vice mayor in 2010 before Regional Trial Court Branch 48 Judge Serafin B. David in the City of San Fernando on the grounds that the results of the election for vice mayor were “pre-programmed”. . 

However, the  Commission on Elections (Comelec) junked with finality the motion for reconsideration on petition for certiorari and mandamus filed against him in relation to the May 2010 polls.

Gallardo who garnered 15,388 votes as against the 15,262 votes of Evangelista, a margin of 126 votes in 2010 elections. 

He is currently  the running mate of Gerard Patrick "Kuya Pat" Pelayo under the Kapanalig at Kambilan neng Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) party. 

Discharge of polluted water in Pampanga River noted

MACABEBE - Some residents here whose main source of living is defendent on fishing are complaining about discharge of waste and polluted water to Pampanga River and other major waterways.

Pepito Lagman,  a  resident in one of the coastal barangays in this town bared most of the fishpond operators are causing pollution through discharge of contaminated water in the nearest body of water.

"Wala naman tayong gustong siraan pero yung mga may ari ng fishpond na nagpapakain ng feeds sa kanilang mga isda naglalabas ng tubig na may halong chemical mula sa kanilang pinapakain. Apektado kasi ang ani dahil sa chemical na nakakain ng mga isda sa labas ng mga fishponds," he told Sun Star Pampanga in an interview.

Lagman said the adverse effect could be avoided if the fihspond owners and operators are responsible enough in the conduct of their business.

"Dapat i-require silang magkaroon ng septic tank para doon na lamang nila ilabas yung tubig mula sa kanilang mga fishpond. Parehong makikinabang ang kalikasan at ang mga taong umaasa lamang sa biyaya ng kailugan," he added.

Another fisherman here shared that before, they have been catching several kilos ng fish in just three hours of  fishing in Pampanga River, which according to him enough to feed his family for a day aside from being able to buy immediate needs of the family.

"Pero ngayon konti na lamang ang nakukuha kahit buong araw kapang mangisda," the fisherman stated.

With this, Lagman suggested that the municipal government should regulate the conduct of doing fishing business in the locality to ensure that the welfare residents is not compromise

UNA senatorial bet pushes additional benefits for 'tanods', BHWs

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Former senator and United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bet Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri the other day disclosed that he will push for additional benefits to barangay police (tanods) and community health workers if he gets elected as senator this coming elections .

Zubiri speaking before the crowd of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in Pampanga recognized their contribution in carrying out the health agenda of the government.

Under his proposal, the national government will allocate budget through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the package of benefits intended for the tanods and BHWs.

"Napansin ko kasi yung ibang matagal ng nagseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Mayroon pa nga dyan na umabot na sa mahigit tatlungpong taon sa serbisyo pero pag retire nila wala man lang silang natatanggap mula sa pamahalaan," he noted. 

With this,  Zubiri is set to propose  for a package of benefits which include compensation, medical insurance, retirement benefits, additional allowances, among others. 

However, he clarified that funds for this purpose shall come from the national government and not from the Internal Revenue Allotment by the local government units. 

"Pagdating sa kalusugan ninyo, dapat sagot na ng gobyerno," he stated. 

Zubiri stressed that in case his proposal will be approved by both congress-Senate and House of Representatives, the community health workers, tanods and other barangay officials will be classified as regular government employees to entitle them with the said benefits. 

Drivers ask council to intervene on election of officers

CANDABA - The members of  Candaba-Baliuag-Bahay Pare (CBB) Tricycle Operators-Drivers Association (Toda) yesterday sought the assistance of the municipal council here for the holding of election to replace their set of officers whose term of office had already expired.

Cipriano Sanguyo, a CBB Toda member,  said that based on their existing by laws, the term of office of the  key officers including the Board of Directors  already ended December last year and the continuing vacancy is leading to misunderstanding and disarray of the daily routine of the association.

However, Sanguyo noted that the current Toda president failed to call for the conduct of election as mandated by their internal rules and regulations.

This election  is supposedly scheduled on December 30, 2012 but to the surprise of the members, no election was held as the current officers allegedly on their own decided to extend their term of office until after the 2013 midterm elections. 

Salvador Santos, also a  Toda member stated that disgruntled members already signed a petition asking their officers to voluntarily spearhead the conduct of election to give way to the new set of officers who will manage the affairs of the association. 

Santos noted that the problem was first brought to the barangay hoping that village chief Arnold Canimo could mediate on it. 

"Nagpunta na po kami sa barangay pero wala pong ginawa ang aming kapitan," another tricycle driver narrated. 

Vice Mayor Daniel Gallardo  for his part told the Toda members to appoint their temporary or interim representatives to make sure that some issues and concerns are properly addressed. 

Gallardo said an ordinary member has no personality to represent the association unless he was duly authorized by at least two thirds of the total membership.

He said interim representatives shall only act until after the new set of officers were elected. 

CBB-Toda has a total membership of more than 450 tricycle operator-drivers. 

Present during the council committee hearing were councilors Edgardo Gulapa, Michael Sagum, Narciso Maglanque, Racquel Foz, Charina Sombillo and Francisco Magat

Naguit endorses Pelayo for congress

MINALIN - This town Mayor Arturo Naguit has publicly endorsed the candidacy of Candaba Mayor Jerry "John Lloyd" Pelayo for 4th congressman.

Naguit said that for so long the congressional seat  has been held by the Bondoc family.

The mayor stated that this is the right time to entertain reform and change of leadership in the 4th district.

 "Magagawa natin ito sa tulong ni Mayor Jerry. Kaya kami sa Minalin ay buo ang suporta namin sa kanya, " he added.

It can be noted that the late Emigdio Bondoc first assumed the congressional seat during the eight congress in 1987 until 1998. He has held the position for at least 11 years. 

He  was replaced by his son Juan Pablo also known as Rimpy  who was then elected as district representative in 1998 .

After serving his full terms, his sister  Dra. Anna York Sagum became the congresswoman in 2004 wherein she has served for three consecutive terms which about to end this 2013.

Rimpy is now eyeing for a comeback to replace his graduating sister in congress.

"Balamu mu wari anti yamung bola ing congress para king 4th district? Pipasa pasa de ring mipa-pamilya kaybat ning Tatang ing anak a lalaki potang kayi ing wali. Bisa ne na naman ing koya. Makanita namu wari?," Naguit ended.

Capitol to identify fishing boundary between Bataan and Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Fourth district Board Member Nestor "Bay" Tolentino disclosed that the provincial government is set to establish a marker that will establish the territorial water boundary between Pampanga and Bataan.

Tolentino  recently said  the provincial board approved an ordinance allocating a particular budget  amounting to at least P1.5-million  for the purpose.

He added that there is a compelling need to identify the fishing boundary fronting the province of Bataan to protect the fishermen in the coastal municipalities in the province.

"Madami sa ating mga mangingisda ang hinuhuli dyan sa Bataan kaya dapat malaman na talaga natin  kung saan talaga ang boundary  para maproteksiyunan naman natin ang ating mga kababayan," Tolentino stated.

He noted that for last year alone, several fishermen from Masantol and other neighboring towns were apprehended by Bataan authorities allegedly for encroaching into their fishing territory and engaging to illegal fishing.

"Si Governor Pineda ang dami na niyang napiyansahan at hindi na niya nababawi ang kaniyang pera," the board member noted.

The boundary will be determined with the help of the Bureau and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and other concerned agencies of the government to ensure that the marker will be properly installed.

Earlier, Lilian Cruz Garcia, BFAR assistant regional director joined a dialogue  with the fishermen held in Macabebe town led by Governor Lilia  Pineda and other local officials.

This initiative is aimed at putting an end on the fishing boundary dispute leading to the arrest of some fishermen.

Illegal recruiters in Pampanga face raps

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- Fifteen Kapampangan from Lubao town who sought the assistance of Governor Lilia G. Pineda through the Pampanga Action Center for Overseas Filipino Workers’ Concern (PACOC) had filed in court large scale estafa and illegal recruitment against a suspected group of illegal recruiters who enticed them to work in Africa.

PACOC Chief Eliza Rey Munoz immediately coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for further investigation and filing of appropriate cases against the group responsible for the alleged illegal recruitment activities in Lubao.

Munoz identified the victims as Ruben Larioza, Robert Chavez, Rody Evangelista, Romeo Manalansan, Arnold dela Cruz, Joel Manalansan, Marcos Manalansan, Ramil Sangalang, Alvin Dela Pena and other five more complainants.

The victims through PACOC had also named the members of the suspected group of illegal recruiters operating in Lubao as Cynthia Soria Benitez of Tabaco, Albay, Mario Pallasigue of Mexico, Pampanga, April Anne Perez Mariano and former Barangay Kagawad Rustico Manalansan. The victims said these suspects promised them jobs and deployment in Africa.

The three identified suspects were former co-workers and friends of Rustico who allegedly induced him to recruit his town mates and relatives to work in Africa in exchange for his alleged free deployment and employment in the same country plus “commission”.

Munoz said, Rustico was able to recruit 22 among his friends and relatives in Barangay Balantacan and in Sitio Mansanitas, Sta. Cruz, Lubao. ”Siya ay pangdalawampu’s tatlo sa mga dapat sanang pupunta sa Africa,” Munoz said.

In their complaint affidavit, the victims disclosed that they paid the suspects a total amount of P353,000 for the processing and placement fees  and in exchange for sure employment in Africa as skilled construction workers.

“We were promised to receive each $700 up to $900 monthly salary. Kaya nahingan kami ng hindi bababa sa P35,000 kada isa dahil sa ang full payment ay hanggang P60,000,” the victims bared.

However, the victims lamented that they were surprised when they were given computer generated working visa in Qatar instead of Africa which they did not immediately find out as “fake” visa until such time that they have waited for several months and the suspects failed to arrange their deployment in Africa.

Munoz said this was the time the victims began to believe that they were victimized by illegal recruiters, hence, they sought the assistance of PACOC which the latter eventually coordinated with the NBI.

She added, the victims only want their money back and put the suspects in jail.

Munoz said the governor has instructed her office to work closely with other concerned line agencies of the government to assist the families and the Kapampangan OFWs who are seeking greener pasture abroad and help the law enforcers in giving justice to OFW victims of illegal recruitment through the enforcement of the full force of the law.