Vol 3 No 152.pmd
Transcription
Vol 3 No 152.pmd
P 8.00 VOLUME 3 NUMBER 152 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2009 GMA PA RIN. Sea of her constituency engulfs GMA on her way to file her COC. Priest likens GMA to Christ ‘Blasphemy’ cries Bishop David BY DING CERVANTES L UBAO, Pampanga – A priest who concelebrated here yesterday a Mass attended by Pres. Arroyo before she filed her candidacy for Congress, compared Mrs. Arroyo to Jesus Christ who “stooped down” to serve mankind. PAGE 6 PLEASE Husband Mike beams as GMA shows media her COC. PHOTOS BY BONG LACSON Arroyo files COC BY BONG Z. LACSON CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – in person – filed her certificate of candidacy for Pampanga’s 2 nd con- gressional district yesterday at the Commission on Elections office here. This, contrary to earlier reports that it would be mayors from the second district that would file her COC on her behalf. As early as 7:30 a.m. throngs of supporters with streamers expressing support for her candidacy had crowded B. Mendoza St. fronting the Comelec office. The PAGE 6 PLEASE Electronics engineer to challenge PGMA PORAC, Pampanga – A 55-year-old electronics engineer from this town said yesterday he remained undaunted in his plans to challenge Pres. Arroyo in the congressional race in Pampanga’s second district. “All I want to do is share my talent in electronics which has influenced many aspects in our lives,” said congressional aspirant Feliciano Serrano, a native of Barangay Sepung Bulaon here after the President filed yesterday morning her certificate of candidacy at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Serrano filed his candidacy all by himself Monday last week in the same venue in the polls body’s dark provincial office on the second floor of a building along Mendoza St. in downtown San Fernando. Serrano’s filing of COC was different from that of Pres. Arroyo. The President’s filing was attended by fanfare that started in a Mass concelebrated by 12 priests at the San Agustin PAGE 6 PLEASE SM expansion means more jobs – EdPam BY JOEY AGUILAR SNOWY WHITE. Sec. Ed Pamintuan, chairman of the Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council, and Mabalacat Mayor Boking Morales pose with SM Supermalls officials during the unveiling of the Giant Snowmen on Saturday at the SM City Clark’s The Event Center. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHERWIN REX MALIT ANGELES CITY – Sec. Edgardo “EdPam” Pamintuan has lauded SM Supermalls for continuously “expanding despite the global economic crisis.” “In the United States, malls offer 70 percent discounts just to invite people to purchase. In the Philippines, SM malls are expanding,” said Pamintuan, who led the unveiling of the Giant Snowmen at the SM City Clark on November 28. He also cited the mall’s proactive approach in dealing with the crisis, generating thousands of jobs nationwide and helping various communities through various programs as part of its corporate social responsibility. Pamintuan, together with Mabalacat Mayor Boking Morales, Balibago Barangay Captain Rodelio “Tony” Mamac, and other local officials like Angeles City Councilors Jay Sangil and Willie Rivera also graced the unveiling at the malls Event Center. “By expanding, we expect jobs to be generated and factories to be whirling. Opening of SM branches has a multiplier effect; it keeps the economy afloat,” he said. Pamintuan also added that SM malls give joy to Filipino families. “SM is the great equalizer.” GIANT CHRISTMAS ICONS In a press statement, SM City Clark officials said the mall delivered its own “gigantic versions of Christmas icons to make the holiday season more awesome.” “From the Giant Santa Claus to Grand Gingerbread House, SM City Clark brings another unique, fun, frosted concept with the Giant Snowmen,” it said. “The Giant Snowmen are made of stuffed fabric, synthetic wool and nylex fabric as soft toys big enough for kids, finished with Velboa fur to add a touch of winter. The custommade scarves were sewn in Baguio City. Teri Onor to run for board member in Bataan BY ERNIE B. ESCONDE PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 2, 2009 •WEDNESDAY BALANGA CITY – Television star Teri Onor on Tuesday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for a slot in the 10member provincial Board in Bataan. She joined other provincial and congressional candidates to run against the group of incumbent Gov. Enrique Garcia in the May 2010 elections. Onor in real life Dexter Dominguez will be completing his first term as vice-mayor of Abucay, Bataan on May. She is running under the banner of the Nacionalista Party and targets one of the five Sangguniang Panlalawigan seat in the First District. His supporters carried placards that read “Kabataan Tayo Naman, Teri Onor Kaagapay Mo” and “Teri Onor Kapuso Mo.” 2 Also filing on the last day were gubernatorial candidate Limay Mayor Nelson David, Efren Pascual Jr. for vicegovernor, Herminia Roman for congresswoman in the first District and 10 SP candidates. Lawyer Marie Gonzales, daughter of Defense Sec. Norberto Gonzales, filed her COC as representative of Bataan’s Second District last Nov. 20, the first day for filing. Members of Onor’s group come from different political parties. Some belong to the NP while others to the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Liberal Party and Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas. Rep. Roman filed her COC under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD merger but Governor Garcia claimed that her daughter, Gila Garcia, is the administration party’s official candidate for congressman in the First District opposing Roman. The governor, sons Rep. Abet Garcia of the Second District and Balanga City Mayor Joet Garcia and daughter Gila, director of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, have filed their COCs together with the complete municipal and provincial slates. They are all under the Lakas-KampiCMD. Nicera transfers China operations to Subic Infuses additional $1-M for expansion By MALOU DUNGOG SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Ultrasonic sensor-manufacturer Nicera Philippines, Inc. formally announced its second expansion project in this freeport, committing another $1million for its Subic facility after the firm decided to close down its China operations and transfer it here. “We will expand our current product line with new merchandise because we are go- ing to transfer our China plant to Philippines,” said Takashi Morimoto, president and general manager of Nicera Philippines, during the formal contract signing with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Tuesday. He added that the relocation to Subic was prompted by the one-child policy of the Chinese government, which had resulted in “insufficient workforce” for the firm’s China factory. SBMA administrator Armand Arreza welcomed the $1-million expansion project and lauded Nicera for “taking successful steps in meeting the challenges posed by recession head-on.” Arreza also said that the transfer of Nicera’s China operations to the local facility would hasten the resurgence of export production in Subic Bay. Takashi said that upon completion of its expansion PAGE 6 PLEASE LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI MABALACAT. Mayor Boking Morales shows the certificates of candidacy of the Lakas-CMD-Kampi in Mabalacat after filing at the comelec office yesterday morning. Joining the slate are Dong Dayrit, Arlene dela Cruz, Oscar Aurelio, Froylan Galang, Vice Mayor Pros Lagman, Jerry Basilio, Rox Peña, Liza Pineda and Bok Tiglao. PHOTO COURTESY OF DENG PANGILINAN Subic freeport honors outstanding workers BY MALOU DUNGOG SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — At least 10 workers, who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields, were recognized recently by the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. (SBWDFI) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) — the eighth batch of workers to be honored under the annual “10 Outstanding Freeport Workers” awards. SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga led Subic officials in recognizing the outstanding workers, noting that “the quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen field of endeavor.” “It is therefore our great honor to have with us the best workers in the country who contributed their talents and wisdom to make Subic as it is now — progressive and one of the top investment and tourism destinations in Asia,” Salonga added. SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, meanwhile, noted that perseverance, initiative, and concern for the common good are characteristics shared by Subic’s best workers — the same attributes of a globally competitive worker. “These stemmed from the spirit of volunteerism that has empowered the Subic workers ever since,” he added. This year’s search for the 10 outstanding workers in the Subic Bay Freeport began in July when the SBWDFI sent out nomination forms to all companies in the free port, as well as the different departments of the SBMA, said SBMA labor department head Severo Pastor Jr. Pastor also heads the SBWDFI. Pastor revealed that from a field of more than a hundred nominees, only 25 advanced to the final selection process that was carried out by a threeman panel chaired by Dr. Julia Mallari, director of the University of the Philippines Subic/Clark program. From the 25 finalists, the 10 outstanding workers were chosen. They are: Juan Afidchao, electronics technician supervisor (SBMA TransComm Department), who is credited for the efficient installation, repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of SBMA telephone lines and units. The work he did from January to August this year alone has resulted in savings of more than P100,000. Melvin Bactad, training specialist (SBMA HRMD), has contributed greatly to the empowerment of his fellow workers and to the development of a highly proficient and committed work force in the SBMA. Bactad facilitated 35 courses in the past year, or an average of three per month — one of SBMA’S most productive years in terms of internal trainings. Edmond David, process shift engineer (Subic Water & Sewerage Company), saved the free port from a disastrous situation with his expertise and exceptional ability to handle a crisis, preventing a water outage in March 2009. For three days, he directed the operation of the Binictican Water Treatment Plant to ensure unhampered water supply in the Subic Bay Freeport. Florante Frias, bulk operations superintendent (Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corp.), was instrumental in the discovery of pilferage cases in the petroleum tank farm and stopped a crime of economic sabotage. This fortified their clients’ confidence in the company and earned him the respect of his fellow workers, management and the Freeport community. Mariel Go, industrial engineering technician (Wistron Infocomm, Phils.), provided real-time support to the production line, helping improve manpower efficiency, line productivity and yield rate, thereby notably enhancing the efficiency rate of new cell lines to 99.58 percent within six weeks. Magnolia Lagrama, production worker (Nicera, Phils. Inc.), was twice named as the best production worker of Nicera in the frequency adjustment process. Lagrama does not refuse any assignment and performs well in whatever task she is given in the product line, thus making her name synonymous with assured output at any given time. Virgilio Manzano, fire marshall (SBMA Fire Dept.), is one of the gallant firefighters whose participation in major emergency operations earned for the SBMA Fire Department the “Gawad Kalasag” special citation from the National Disaster Coordinating Council. He has, time and again, risked his own life to save others. Manzano is also an expert in automotive repair and maintenance, who gets old fire trucks and support vehicles back in shape. Relly Nicolas, electronics communication engineer, (Wistron Infocomm, Phils.), has done various research and implemented many innovations that saved his company millions of pesos. He is credited for enabling Wistron to meet quality standards and on-time delivery, thereby increasing productivity and reducing “failure machine” complaints from customers. Sharon Pasion, production worker (Nicera, Phils.), was one of the company’s employee of the year awardees in 2008, and was chosen twice last year as model production worker of the month. Being part of the final inspecPAGE 6 PLEASE PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 2, 2009 • WEDNESDAY UNVEILING OF GIANT SNOWMEN 3 She’s really running PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 2, 2009 •WEDNESDAY NO MORE speculations and innuendoes. It’s goodbye to the Philippine presidency and hello to the Lower House of Congress for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Yesterday, at 10:30 in the morning, GMA ended months of predictable suspense over her after2010 political plans by officially filing her certificate of candidacy for Pampanga’s 2nd congressional district at the Commission on Elections provincial office in the City of San Fernando. No, it was not GMA herself that did the filing but the mayors of her district. Yeah, they that moved, not mountains but, molehills to convince her to run. “After much contemplation, I realized I’m not ready to step down completely from public service…Gaya ng alam ninyo, hinihilingan ako ng mga mamamayan ng aking tahanang distrito sa Pampanga na manatili sa buhay-publiko (As you all know, I have been asked by the citizens of my home district in Pampanga to stay on in public life), so after much soul-searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call,” she said Monday over the government-run Radyo ng Bayan. “I have been thinking of many opportunities and one day, I hope to pursue them. For example, I plan to go back to teaching or work for causes near and dear to me like climate change, improvement of education, and the cause of women.” So said the outgoing President. So why the congressional option? “These opportunities will remain open in the coming years. But now, the best way to continue to champion the things I love is in Congress.” she said. Really now, how about the speculations that her congressional run had the not-so-hidden agenda of her being installed as prime minister in case of a shift to a parliamentary government. “That speculation is so hypothetical (that) I won’t even bother to speculate on it,” was GMA’s curt reply. Give her the benefit of the doubt, shall we? As presidential lawyer Romulo Macalintal said: “History will be the judge whether she made a good decision.” Yeah, let’s leave it at that. For now. 4 EDGAR V. MOVIDO Founder LLL Trimedia Coordinators Publisher General Manager Atty. Gener C. Endona Editor Joey R. Aguilar Editorial Consultant Caesar “Bong” Lacson Marketing Manager Joanna Niña V. Cordero Administrative Staff Ma. Teresa U. Villanueva Layout Dondie B. Ventura Circulation Gilbert Mendoza Business & Editorial office at Unit B Essel Commercial Center, McArthur Highway, Telabastagan, City of San Fernando Tel. No. (45) 636•6327 Cel. No. 0917•481•1416 e-mail address: puntogitnangluzon@yahoo.com pdf file at http://www.punto.com.ph Punto! Central Luzon is a proud member of The Philippine Press Institute O p i n i o n New party, old principles acaesar.blogspot.com Zona Libre Bong Z. Lacson BALIMBINGAN, IT is called in the local parlance. The game of musical chairs, or the dance of changing partners, transposed to politics. So it is euphemized. Butterflies flitting from one flower to the other, seeking the sweetest nectar. So politicos engaged in it are metaphored. And, put in simile, like rats abandoning a sinking ship, where the administration party is concerned. Political prostitution. So Sen. Jamby Madrigal went graphically ballistic. Strange bedfellows politics does indeed make. So sworn foes today are the sweetest friends in the next polls. The party pooper in the last elections becomes the party boy in the next. Political opportunism, but an aberration in the party politics of the parliamentary system is the very rule of thumb in the Philippine political praxis. So Ferdinand Marcos left the Liberal Party to be standard bearer of the Nacionalista Party against incumbent Diosdado Macapagal, and won in 1965. So Fidel Ramos jumped the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino ship after losing the party convention and formed his Lakas-Tao to contest the presidency and won. In the Senate and the Lower House, at the provincial, city and municipal levels, candidates have changed political colors so often that etched in the national political consciousness is that broad-based multi-hued spectrum, most appropriately termed “rainbow coalition” by the ultimate politico, Joe de Venecia, who in the end was devoured by his own machination. Dedikasyon. Delicadeza. De Venecia. Who do they think they can still fool with that political infomercial? More than a simple oxymoron, the blurb is an idiotic contradiction in terms. Be it applied to either the elder or the younger De V. Bottom-feeding invertebrate. Parasitic fungus. So we sneer at the opportunist who switches party affiliation at the slightest…well, opportunity for self-preservation, if not self-gain. The rule among the rare exceptions to turncoatism here is embodied by City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Samson Rodriguez. Rodriguez rose and fell with the fortunes of the LDP: winning Pampanga’s 3rd congressional district seat as Cory’s candidate in 1987, losing in 1992 by obstinately sticking it out with Ramon Mitra, even when Cory herself shifted her administration’s support to Lakas-NUCD. For all his loyalty to the LDP, the party slammed its door on Rodriguez’s face in 1995 when it coalesced with Lakas-NUCD, taking in Mitra as a senatorial bet. Even partyless, Rodriguez won. And Mitra, with two parties, lost. Which goes to show how (in)essential the party is in congressional district contests. Of course, Lakas-NUCD knew a man of the vote when it saw one and promptly recruited Rodriguez: winning re-elections to Congress in 1998 and 2001, the San Fernando mayorship in 2004, and again in 2007 – against Kampi’s then comebacking Rey Aquino, whose own loyalty, not necessarily to the party, but to some party powers-that-be merited him the Philhealth presidency, so it was whispered within Kampi. In 2004, Rodriguez declared his intent to run for governor but was promptly prevailed upon by the President, to give in to then provincial Liga ng mga Barangay chair Mark Lapid. The party – so GMA was supposed to have invoked – needed the elder Lapid in the Senate. And she needed the action star Lapid – along with Bong Revilla – to somehow counterbalance the star value of her rival, the FPJ. To the interest of the party – and his President’s – Rodriguez readily subsumed his own, putting on an indefinite hold his gubernatorial aspiration. All these indubitably proving that more than make Rodriguez, party loyalty unmade him. Yesterday, Rodriguez took his oath as member of the Liberal Party. More than his whole slate for the City of San Fernando and the votes he would muster for the Aquino-Roxas ticket, Rodriguez took along to the LP his lifelong dedication to popular democracy and unassailable commitment to the principles of good governance as embodied in his article of faith, Magsilbi Tamu – that which has always served him in good stead, that which has served his constituencies the highest degree of excellence. Or have you not been watching the transformation of the City of San Fernando? Hence, where other new converts could only show form, Rodriguez already provides the LP the very substance of that which the party still dreams of. TODAY IN HISTORY Dam collapses in France THE MALPASSET DAM in France collapses on this day in 1959 and the resulting flood kills more than 400 people. The city of Frejus, dating back to Caesar’s time, was devastated by the massive flood. Frejus was built by Roman Emperor Caesar as a port city on the French Riviera. Over the years, the city center moved a few miles inland near the Reyran River. The river ran through a narrow gorge miles from the city and, in the 1950s, it was decided to build a dam to control the river’s flow. In late November 1959, a week-long rain storm stalled over the French Riviera. It was the middle of the night on December 2 when the rock beneath the Malpasset Dam gave way under the weight and pressure of the water. The entire dam collapsed and the water rushed down the gorge with tremendous power. Miles away, windows and doors were blown out of homes by the water. Some victims were buried in mud, while others are believed to have been swept out to sea. Rescue and relief efforts were extremely difficult as all access roads were destroyed. Even when help arrived, the mud was so thick that it took days of work to dig out the bodies. The best estimate is that approximately 412 people perished. Mysterious and perilous Agusan Marsh Regarding Henry Henrylito D. Tacio IT WAS all over the radio, television, and newspapers. Rowena Romano and her cousin Jennifer Daga-as were rowing their wooden banca home in Lake Mihaba, barangay San Marcos, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur when a saltwater crocodile suddenly attacked them. For the information of the uninformed, saltwater crocodiles are considered the largest living among crocodilians and reptiles on Earth. Its average size is 17 feet. According to reports, the crocodile bumped the banca, causing it to capsize, and caught the 12-year-old Romano by the head, before bringing her down into the water. A fisherman, who was following the two young girls, rescued the other girl. “When I was a kid accompanying my parents, the crocodiles then were even afraid by the mere sound of human voice and engines of motorboats,” 57-year-old Manobo tribal leader Bae Ligaya Dagaas told newsmen who visited the area. “Now, they are not afraid anymore.” So when Sonny Dizon asked me if I wanted to join the group in a nature trip going to Agusan Marsh – of which Lake Mihaba is a part of – I had a second thought. But then, he is the man behind the Davao Crocodile Park and those thrill adventures like wild water rafting, zip line, and the giant water slide in Samal, I decided to come along. After more than four hours of travel from Davao City to Agusan del Sur, we finally arrived at the town of Bunawan, the starting point our trip to Agusan Marsh. Rey O. Calderon, president of the people’s organization that monitors some parts of the marsh, welcomed us and provided us some necessary information. “There are several lakes found in Agusan Marsh,” Calderon told us. “But we will be going to the most nearest lake – Lake Mihaba.” Hearing those words made my spine tingling. What if the killer crocodile attacks us? Or, so I thought. When I counted the people who were going, I found there were thirteen of us. I am not suffering from triskaidekaphobia but the number is a bad omen. Remember Jesus Christ and the twelve disciples? Judas committed suicide while Jesus was crucified. Will the same fate happen to us? But before we boarded, Sonny said our driver will be staying to watch over our things. I was relieved! The perilous boat trip following the chocolateladen Cebulao River (which seems not flowing at all) to Agusan Marsh took us about one hour and forty-five minutes. To some, the voyage may be boring but I tried to open your eyes and marvel at the floating houses along the riverbanks and alluvial junctions. It was also along this trip that I got the first hoard of exotic and migratory birds gracefully flapping their wings as they transferred from one tree to another in search for their food. Before we knew it, we arrived at Lake Mihaba, one of the 56 lakes found in Agusan Marsh. The marshland, which is said to be similar to the Everglades of Florida, “acts like a sponge,” to quote the words of 106 scientists who attended a consultative meeting held in Butuan City. It buffers “downstream towns and cities from devastating floods.” This wetland soaks up excess water from a yearly rainfall of four meters plus nine rivers that slice through the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Compostela Valley. The marshland, which covers an area of 14,835.989 hectares, was declared as a protected area by the former President Fidel V. Ramos. The area harbors unique and pristine habitats like the sago and “peat swamp forest.” In the very heart of the marsh is a semi-permanent lake where many square kilometers of lily pads, hyacinths and other aquatic plants spread out like an enormous green quilt. In the dark tea-colored waters live untold numbers of catfish, carp, soft-shell fresh water turtles called dinata, and sailfin lizard. In fact, some parts of the marsh are used for traditional fish ponds and rice paddies. During the rainy season, when the water rises to create large lakes, vast numbers of ducks come to Agusan Marsh to nest. The wetland also serves as the refuge of the rare Oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster), purple swamp hen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and the threatened Philippine hawk eagle, spotted imperial pigeon and rufous-lored kingfisher. In the dry months, thousands of birds come from as far as Japan, China and Russia to escape the chilly winter winds of Northern Asia. Over 200 individual species have been known to spend at least part of the year in the marsh, making it one of Asia’s most important transit points for wild birds. More importantly, It harbors the most diverse assemblage of reptiles and amphibians and supports the largest remaining population of the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and is also believed to harbor the endangered Philippine crocodile (C. mindorensis). Some 42,000 hectares of the marshlands has been declared as a “world heritage center” by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) due to “its floral and faunal diversity with seven habitat types.” As the protected area is so huge, you won’t be surprised to see several floating communities within its lakes. Most of those who have made their permanent homes deep within the marsh, living on floating homes, are mostly ethnic Manobos. The small houses made of bamboo and nipa lashed to hard wood logs, freely rise or fall with the level of the marsh itself. The Manobos have their own dialect, which is a mixture of a native dialect and an acquired foreign language. The name “Manobo” is influence by the Malay river people. These people are called “Mansuba” from the word suba, the Malayan term for river. Literally, “Mansuba” means “people living near or in the river.” Later on, Mansuba is shortened to Manuba, which eventually took its masculine gender, which is Manobo. What we failed to visit during our visit was the so-called “Wonderland,” where you can see natural bonsai trees crafted by nature. My source said that it can be reached from barangay Caimpogan or from barangay New Visayas in the municipality of San Francisco. By the way, have I told you that Agusan Marsh is one of the largest and the most contained freshwater catch basin wetland in the Philippines? It stores more than 15 percent of the fresh water resources in the country. Napaguusapan lang Ni Felix M. Garcia Kualipikasyon, depende dapat sa posisyong habol (KARUGTONG NG SINUNDANG ISYU) NA LUBHANG mababa ang kualipikasyon Na nasasaad sa Omnibus Code ngayon, Kaya naman kahit na sinong amuyong Ay ‘qualified’ kahit sa anong posisyon. Kung kaya pati na posibleng may topak Ay maluwag na makapaghain agad Ng C.O.C. nila bunsod nitong batas Na basta’t marunong magbasa’t sumulat Ay ‘qualified’ na at puede nang humabol Sa kahit na anong ‘elective position;’ Kung kaya dapat na po natin sigurong Amyendahan o baguhin ang parteng ‘yon. Sa kasalukuyang batas sa eleksyon Na mababa na nga at hindi naa-ayon Sa makabuluhan at napapanahong Isyu na di dapat hayaang ganoon. Na animo’y larong pambata na lamang Sa ibang tao r’yan ang kahalagaan Ng eleksyon natin sa kasalukuyan, Kaya marapat na nating masusugan. Tama po bang basta’t marunong magsulat At magkapagbasa’y tanggap na kaagad, Kahit Presidente pa ng Pilipinas Ang ninanais na takbuhin at sukat? Sana naman, depende sa kakayahan O ika nga’y antas ng pinag-aralan; Kung ang natapos ay elementarya lang, Di dapat lalampas sa Kagawad lamang. Kung nakapagtapos man lang ng high school Ay puede na kahit ‘Board Member’ o Mayor; Pero Congressman o para Gobernador, Kung di man ‘bar passers, college graduate’ ngayon. At di tulad nitong mga nakaraan, Na kahit ang iba ay nag-‘high school’lang At wala naman din yatang katangian Kundi sikat lang at mapera ang ilan Ay naging Governor at nag-Senador pa; Kaya hayan pati si Pacman gumaya; At kahit ‘boxing’ lang ang ‘expertise’ niya Ay nakisawsaw na rin sa pulitika. Sana naman sa posisyong mas mataas, Gaya ng sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas, Ay huag naman nating isali at sukat Itong ang turnilyo ay tila maluwag; Na kagaya nitong nagpamalas mandin Ng inaakalang pambihirang galing; Anong silbi n’yan kung boses lang ng kambing At tilaok ng manok ang kayang gawin? . Mabuting pangulo at hindi panggulo Ang dapat maupo sa ating Palasyo, O sa alin pa mang sangay ng gobyerno; At di sirkero o kaya komikero. Para magkaroon naman ng dignidad O matatawag nating kredibilidad Ang ating eleksyon sa lahat ng antas, Sa kapakanan ng bansang Pilipinas! PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 2, 2009 • WEDNESDAY Editorial 5 Kristine Hermosa, Oyo Boy Sotto nag-walkout sa Star Awards nang makita sina Diether at Rima? Priest likens GMA to Christ Some people who were at the church remarked that the 12 priests who concelebrated the Mass seemed designed to reflect the number of Christ’s apostles. Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Virgilio Pablo David said that “Moraleja’s middle name should be B”. He said that the letter stands for blasphemy. Earlier, David said that “in the name of decency and for the sake of propriety, I’d appeal to her (Pres. Arroyo) not to run and to respect the spirit of the Constitution instead of exploiting the letter of the law which indeed does not categorically mention pro- hibition of running for lower positions.” “The Constitution drafters were such decent people that they left for common sense and propriety,” he said. David also stressed that “to have to ask the Supreme Court to state it categorically means we’ve sunk that low in our sense of civility. How sad indeed.” Yesterday’s Mass concelebrator, Fr. Jun Mercado, parish priest of Barangay Lourdes Sur in Angeles City, also addressed the crowd, saying that “in behalf of the other priests in the Mass, I appeal for support for Pres. Arroyo.” Electronics engineer to challenge PGMA FROM PAGE 1 church in her Lubao hometown through a balloon-festooned rally and then a motorcade to the Comelec. Serrano said he had nothing to do with Arroyo’s candidacy amid some people who suspect he was fielded to make it appear that Pres. Arroyo, despite her stature, could still be challenged by anyone in the district. “These days, our lives are affected by electronics. There’s electronic loading (of cellphones) and we do not even know whether some go to taxes because the telecom firms are in full control,” he said, adding that he wants legislations passed to make such transactions more transparent. Serrano said he graduated from an electronics engineering course from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1975. His wife attends to their car battery shop in Angeles City. Their three children have all finished college and are gainfully employed. He said he works in Manila in “on demand” ba- sis, but noted that he would be able to find time to campaign in the second district once the campaign season starts. “I will also campaign via text messages and internet,” he said, citing the potential of Facebook social network for campaign purposes. Serrano traces political roots to a grandfather who at one time had been barangay chairman of Sepung Bulaon. He said that in 2004, he ran as independent for mayor of this town, but noted that he got only “very few votes”. “They sent out my watchers from the precincts so I don’t really know how much vote I got,” said Serrano who has two other siblings, including an elder sister who works at the National Power Corp. and a younger brother who is employed in a firm here. Earlier, Prof. Randy David of the University of the Philippines, a native of Guagua in the second district in this province, vowed to challenge the President in the congressional race. Recently, however, he backed out. Arroyo files COC FROM PAGE 1 PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 2, 2009 •WEDNESDAY crowd swelled to over a thousand when the President arrived on board a Toyota mini-bus 10:30 a.m. Ms. Arroyo was mobbed by the crowd soon as she got out of her bus and took sometime pressing the flesh before she could go up three flights of steps to the Comelec office where provincial election supervisor Temmie Lambino waited for her. It was First Gentleman Mike Arroyo that handed Lambino the five copies of the COC which verification took Lambino less than ten minutes. The President took longer posing before television cameras and press photographers 6 holding her COC. Earlier, Ms. Arroyo attended a concelebrated Mass at the St. Augustine church in her hometown of Lubao and later delivered a message to her constituents at the church patio. The President led a 20vehicle motorcade from Lubao to the capital city. With her in the bus were her husband, son Juan “Miguel” Arroyo whose seat she now seeks, Reps. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales (3rd District) and Anna York BondocSagum (4th District), Mayors Dennis Pineda (Lubao), Eddie Guerrero (Floridablanca), Roger Santos (Porac), and Ric Rivera (Guagua) – all in the second district; Mayors Jerry Pelayo (Candaba) and Digos Canlas (San Simon) of the 4th district. On Monday, Ms Arroyo claimed her decision to run was borne by her desire to pursue public service and heed what she called “clamor” by her cabalens. “After much contemplation, I realized I’m not ready to step down completely from public service,” she announced over the government-run Radyo ng Bayan. “Gaya ng alam ninyo, hinihilingan ako ng mga mamamayan ng aking tahanang distrito sa Pampanga na manatili sa buhaypubliko (As you all know, I have been asked by the citizens of my home district in Pampanga to stay on in public life), so after much soul-searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call,” the President said. The President was entered in the ledger of candidates for provincial/district positions at No. 24. As of noon yesterday only one other candidate for the 2nd district House seat had filed a COC. Listed at No. 4 was a Feliciano Galcim Serrano, an “Independent.” Already the secondlongest serving Philippine president next to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, she apparently did not bother with criticisms that her congressional run was ultimately intended to reinstall her as prime minister in case of a shift to a parliamentary government. Nicera transfers China operations... FROM PAGE 2 project, Nicera will be hiring 110 additional workers for its Subic facility where it would manufacture new electronics products such as pyrosensor modules and pyroelectric infrared sensors used in home-se- curity lighting systems. These products are used in the assembly of the so-called Ecopa ball and stick, that combined with another system with voice recorder, allows the detection of motion in the dark. The system emits white light diodes upon detection and activates the playback of a recorded message. Takashi said this new product line would be manufactured in a new building to be built in a 15,000square meter lot at the Subic Techno Park (STEP) sometime next year. He added that the firm aims to produce 50,000 pieces of pyrosensor modules and one million pieces of pyroelectric infrared sensors a month. As of now, Nicera employs 136 direct workers and 553 employees from sub-contractors. Subic freeport honors... FROM PAGE 3 tion group exposes her to stress and long hours of work, given the tight shipment schedules they must meet. Joy Seridon, chemical engineer (Juken SangyoPhils., Corp.), was recently promoted as line leader, and has helped reduce product rejection ratio by as much as 60 percent through improved monitoring, inspection and coordination activities. She was also instrumental in establishing the company’s internal calibration team. Seridon was one of the key personnel who worked on the company’s ISO certification and succeeded in getting the renewal of the company’s ISO certification in just one audit. The 12 priests have long been known as supporters of the President, some of them identified with provincial board member Lilia Pineda who is now running for governor of Pampanga. Biblical passages were also invoked during a rally outside the church patio where the President proceeded after the Mass to greet some 3,000 folk from various towns in Pampanga’s second disctrict. In his speech before a crowd carrying placards manifesting support for the President’s congressional bid, Floridablanca Mayor Eduardo Guerrero also reminded local voters of the Biblical passage saying that those who ask do receive and those who seek do find. This, he said, was fulfilled for local voters by the decision of the President to run for Congress. First Gentlemen Mike Arroyo and son Rep. Mikey Arroyo, who gave way to his mother in the congressional race in the second district, were with the President during the Mass up to her filing of her candidacy in San Fernando. Addressing Mikey, Guerrero said that “while we love and need you, we love and need the President more.” The Gossipmiller by Cesar Pambid Republic of the Philippines OFFICE OF THE NOTARY PUBLIC PROVINCE OF TARLAC VERY SUCCESSFUL ang nakaraang Star Awards For Television na ginanap sa Pagcor, Parañaque. Bagamat may kalayuan ang venue, walang duda na pinagsadya ito ng maraming artistang dumalo at ng publikong talaga namang pinuno ang malaking venue na pinagdausan nito. We heard someone declared na sa lahat na nakita niyang awards night, ito na ang pinaka dahil aniya, well-attended nga ito. Bukod siyempre sa talaga namang walang hassle at coordinated ang lahat ng mga bagay tungkol dito. And for that, we would like to congratulate VIP Access Media for making this possible. At siyempre sa pamunuan ng Philippine Movie Press Club who left no stone untrurned para nga makasigurong isang malaking tagumpay ang naturang event. Kaya gusto kong ipaabot sa aking mga kasamhan sa club na sana’y mapanatili naming ang kaayusang nakita natin sa gabi ng Star Awards. Sa PMPC, mabuhay po tayong lahat. And speaking of Star Awards for Television, dumating ang real life lovers na sina Oyo Boy Sotto at Kristine Hermosa. Napakaelegante ng dalawa at talaga naming marami ang napapalatak dahil nga nakakikilig ang romansang nakapalibot sa kanilang pagkatao. Although, as usual, nag-dilly-dally na naman ang dalawa tungkol sa kanilang relasyon. Wala naming naninwala sa kanila malinaw na silang-sila na sa haba ng panahon at kulang na lang talaga ang kasal upang masabing sila ay tunay nang mag-asawa. Sa tanungan portion sa kanilang dalawa, nalaman nila na andoon din sa affair sina Diether at Rima. Nakita naming sandaling umasim ang mukha nina Oyo Boy at Kristine pero sa huli, napakaganda ng mga salita nila tungkol kina Diether at Rima. Nang pumasok na magkasabay sina Kristine at Oyo Boy, sinundan pa naming sila hanggang sa loob ng bulwagan. Agad na nahanap ng dalawa and kinaroroonan nina Diether. Sandaling naupo lang sina Oyo Boy at Kristine pero wala pang kalahating oras, magkasabay silang tumayo at agarang nilisan ang venue ng awards night. Kumbaga, sa tingin naming at siyempre ng ilang kibitzers, the two did a ceremonial walkout na hindi nila tinapos ang palabas at agad na tumalilis. Could this mean na naasiwa nga sina Oyo Boy at Kristine dahil sa nakita nila sina Diether at Rima? Your guess is as good as mine! RURAL BANK OF STA. IGNACIA, INC., Mortgagee, -versus- Maja Salvador reyna ng horror movies RE: EXTRAJUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT. NO. 3135, AS AMENDED LINDA V. DE GUZMAN, Mortgagor. x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE WHEREAS, on June 18, 2008, but notarized on June 19, 2008, a Deed of Real Estate Mortgage was executed by LINDA V. DE GUZMAN, of legal age, Filipino, single, and a resident of and with postal address at Atioc, San Miguel, Tarlac City, as MORTGAGOR, in favor of RURAL BANK OF STA. IGNACIA, INC., a banking institution duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Philippines, with principal place of business at Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac, but with branch office at Tarlac City, as MORTGAGEE, in order to secure the principal amount of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P250,000.00), Philippine Currency, obtained by the MORTGAGOR, plus interest and other charges. WHEREAS, as security for the payment of the aforementioned obligations, the MORTGAGOR mortgaged property together with all the improvements then existing or which may thereafter exist thereon located in the Barrio of San Miguel, Tarlac City, and more particularly described in Transfer Certificate of Title No. 414024, of the Registry of Deeds for the Province of Tarlac, as follows: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE No. 414024 “ A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 3-C-1-F-1 of the subd. plan Psd-03-154717, being a portion of lot 3-C-1-F, Psd-03-149754 L.R.C. Rec. No. ), situated in the Bo. of San Miguel, City of Tarlac. Bounded on the NE., along line 1-2 by lot 3-C-1-A; on the SE., along line 2-3 by lot 3-C-1-I both of Psd-03-149754; on the SW., along line 3-4 by lot 3-C-1-F-9 and on the NW., along line 4-1 by lot 3-C-1-F-2 both of the subd., plan. x x x x x x containing an area of FOUR HUNDRED ELEVEN (411), square meters, more or less.” WHEREAS, a Requests for Foreclosure was filed by the MORTGAGEE before me as Notary Public for the Province of Tarlac for the extra-judicial foreclosure of Real Estate Mortgage under Act. 3135, as amended, on the ground that the terms and conditions of the said Real Estate Mortgage have been breached with the default on the part of the MORTGAGOR in paying the loan to the MORTGAGEE, which the MORTGAGEE had extended to said MORTGAGOR as it appear in the book/records of account of the MORTGAGEE. WHEREAS, said Request for Foreclosure states that the outstanding indebtedness of the aforesaid MORTGAGOR under a Deed of Real Estate Mortgage as of October 2, 2009, is in the amount of THREE HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED NINETY THREE PESOS and 75/100 (P337,493/75), Philippine Currency, plus interest, penalty and other charges after said date, plus expenses of foreclosure and sale, all secured by the aforementioned mortgage. NOW THEREFORE, by virtue of the Power of Attorney incorporated in the said Deed of Real Estate Mortgage and in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 3135, as amended, the undersigned Notary Public for the Province of Tarlac, upon request of the MORTGAGEE aforementioned, hereby gives notice to all interested parties and to the public in general. The auction sale shall be held on December 16, 2009 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the Entrance Lobby of the Regional Trial Court of Tarlac City. He will sell at public auction to the highest bidder and for cash, Philippine Currency, the said real property above-mentioned including all improvements contained therein to satisfy the full amount of the mortgaged debt, plus interest, cost, lawful fees and expenses of foreclosure and sale. Prospective buyers or bidders are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the registered title to the property described above and encumbrance thereon, if any there be. Tarlac City, November 13, 2009 Copy furnished: MS. LINDA V. DE GUZMAN Brgy. Atioc, Tarlac City RICARDO C. ATIENZA NOTARY PUBLIC Until December 31, 2010 PTR No. 0240951 / Jan. 5, 2009 Tarlac City RURAL BANK OF STA. IGNACIA, INC Tarlac City Punto! Central Luzon: November 18, 25 & December 2, 2009 NEW MOON (GP3) 1030FS • 1050MF • 125 • 400 • 635 850LFS • 915LMF • 1130END NINJA ASSASSIN (R13) 1020FS • 1050MF • 1255 • 300 • 505 • 710 848LFS • 915LMF • 1053END A CHRISTMAS CAROL (GP3) Digital 1235FS • 1245MF • 300 • 505 640LFS • 710LMF • 845END PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (PG13) 1100FS • 1115MF • 115 • 315 • 515 • 715 850LFS • 915LMF • 1050END 2012 (PG13) 1125FS • 1145MF • 255 • 605 842LFS • 915LMF • 1152END NAPANSIN N’YO BA, tila yata nalilinya si Maja Salvador sa mga horror films? Dahil dito, puwede na yatang bigyan ng tag si Maja bilang Reyna ng Horror Films. Say mo, Pacita M.? Mismong si Maja, nakahahalatang lagging horror filmns ang natotoka sa kanya. Hindi na nga niya maipaliwanag kung bakit ganito ang nangyayari sa kanayng career. She can’t understand why she keeps on making scary films and TV shows like “Sukob,” “Villa Estrella,” “Patayin Mo sa Sindak Si Barbara,” “Nginig” and “Spirits” when she gets scared so easily. “Totoo ‘yun, matatakutin talaga akong tao,” sabi niya. “Tapos, ewan kung bakit puro katatakutan ang ginagawa ko.” Katatapos lang niyang gawin ang Diablo episode ng “Shake, Rattle & Roll XI,” the directorial debut of Rico Gutierrez of “Showbiz Central.” “I play someone who lost her faith in God as she’s growing up lalo na nang masaktan ako sa lovelife at ang boyfriend ko, nagpari,” she says. “Dahil dito, I get possessed by the diablo. It’s a very challenging and difficult role kasi in the possession scenes, nilagyan ako ng prosthetic makeup sa mukha. 24 hours na nakakabit sa akin ‘yun during the shoot kaya nag-break out ang mukha ko at kita ito sa ibang scenes ko in my soap, ‘Nagsimula sa Puso.’ It’s also a very physically tiring role kasi maraming scenes na hinahabol ko ang victims ko at sigaw ako nang sigaw. Buti napanood ko yung ‘Exorcism of Emily Rose’ so more or less, I know how it is to be possessed. But I’m really scared while filming this and I pray to God first before each take kasi iba talaga ito from past horror films I did dahil may devil. Playing my boyfriend na nagpari is Mark Anthony Fernandez and my current boyfriend na naging biktima ko is Alex Castro, also in the cast are Gina Alajar as my aunt who took care of me, Irma Adlawan as a doctor, and Joem Bascon as a seminarian. But I’m excited about ‘Shake’ kasi first Metro filmfest entry ko ito at I’ll join the parade of stars.” Is it true she’s now on with Coco Martin? “No. How can that be hindi naman nanliligaw man lang ‘yung tao? Pero masaya kami sa taping ng ‘Nagsimula sa Puso,’ along with Jason Abalos na pilit ding nili-link sa’kin. Friends lang kaming tatlo sa set.” How about the rumor that her-BF, Carlo Aquino, is now on secretly with GMA7’s Kris Bernal? “Okay lang sa’kin kasi matagal nang nanligaw sa’kin si Carlo, but I haven’t asked him kung totoo nga ‘yun sa kanila ni Kris. Kung totoo man, walang kaso sa’kin ‘yun.” JENNIFER’S BODY (GP3) Claudine Baretto, Mark Anthony Fernandez magkakabalikan? 1100FS • 1115MF • 115 • 315 • 515 • 715 900LFS • 915LMF • 1100END 2012 (PG13) 1100FS • 1115MF • 230 • 545 830LFS • 900LMF • 1140END A CHRISTMAS CAROL (G) 1220FS • 1235MF • 240 • 445 620LFS • 650LMF • 825END JENNIFER’S BODY 1220FS • 1240MF • 245 • 450 • 655 840LFS • 900LMF • 1045END NINJA ASSASSIN (R13) 1050FS • 1100MF • 100 • 300 • 500 • 700 840LFS • 900LMF • 1040END PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 1050FS • 1105MF • 105 • 305 • 505 • 705 840LFS • 900LMF • 1035END NEW MOON (G) 1050FS • 1100MF • 130 • 400 • 630 840LFS • 900LMF • 1110END HETO NA, hinmdi pa man, nagsisimula na’ng mga intriga dahil sa paglipat ni Claudine sa GMA 7. Ex kasi ni Claudine si Mark Anthony na favorite leading man sa naturang network. Maituturing na homegrown talent ng ABS-CBN. She really practically started with the network as she was still a teener when she started doing movies for Seiko Films. Claudine is mum about the real reason ng desisyon niyang lumipat ng network. During the contract signing, Claudine expressed her wish na makatrabaho ang asawang si Raymart Santiago, who is, wika nga, a certified Kapuso. Would she mind working with former boyfriend Mark Fernandez, who is one of the most in-demand leading men ng GMA-7? “I’d love to work with Mark again,” sagot ni Claudine. “Napag-usapan na namin ’yan ni Raymart. And he has no objection.” Mark, for his part, welcomed the idea, too. Now both married and with children (two each), both Claudine and Raymart think they are both matured to continue dealing with what happened before. PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 2, 2009 • WEDNESDAY Kapampangan priest Fr. Roland Moraleja was chosen to deliver the homily by a group of 12 priests who concelebrated the Mass for the President before she filed her certificate of candidacy for Congress at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in San Fernando. Moraleja said that the decision of Mrs. Arroyo to “go down” from presidency to run for a lower post in Congress was like Jesus “taking the form of a slave to serve mankind.” He urged the President “not to be afraid” in her decision to run for congress. “To serve, we must humble ourselves,” he said, while noting that one does not have to be president nor congressman to be able to serve others. Moraleja cited the New Testament, specifically chapter 2 of St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians which cited Jesus as God humbling himself by taking the form of man. “You have served Pampanga well and they still need you in Pampanga, regardless of what people say. If other people put you down, we Kapampangans will put you up,” he said in his homily. Maja Salvador FROM PAGE 1 7 LP IN SAN FERNANDO. Mayor Rodriguez (2nd from right), official candidates of Liberal Party answer questions from the Pampanga media. With him are LP vice gubernatorial bet Marco Lazatin, Gov. Ed Panlilio, LP senatoriables Riza Hontiveros and other local candidates of LP Pampanga. PHOTO COURTESY OF DENG PANGILINAN WITH NEW PARTY Oca to pursue crusade for good governance PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 2, 2009 •WEDNESDAY BY JOEY AGUILAR 8 CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Mayor Oscar “Oca” Rodriguez has announced on Monday that he will “carry on with the crusade of good governance” under the Liberal Party. “I dare go against expediency and practicality. As always, I have chosen to follow my principles, the same motivation in joining LAKAS before. It is the same principles that I uphold and stand for today – dignity, integrity, humility, honor and patriotism – the same principles that the Liberal Party stands for,” he said during a press conference at the Heroes Hall here. “It is now official; I am now a bonafide member of the Liberal Party – a decision reached after a long and arduous contemplation,” he said. Rodriguez, together with the “Magsilbi Tamu” team, met LP standard bearer Sen. Noynoy Aquino and his runningmate Sen. Mar Roxas for the wreath laying rites at the Heroes Hall to commemorate Andres Bonifacio’s heroism. However, Aquino and Roxas went back to Manila and failed to join the senatorial and local bets in the press conference. The two term mayor also said that good governance thrives in a society under traditional patronage politics; “that responsible citizenship and transparency in good governance go hand in hand; that governance for the people and by the people should not be sacrificed at the altar of political ambition.” “The City of San Fernando is the benchmark, the fulcrum and the catalyst that would propel governance from the dark ages of traditional patronage politics,” he added. Rodriguez led the Magsilbi Tamu team in the filing of their respective certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday morning. Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago will be his runningmate. His line up for councilors include: Alex Patio, Ruperto Dumlao, Jaime Lazatin, Paul Quiwa, Redentor Halili, Jun Lutero, Rosemary Calimlim, Engr. Mariano Castro, Jr., Atty. Jose Elmer Teodoro and Dr. Leticia Yap. “Join me…Jopin us…Let us move forward hand in hand in pursuing the change borne of justice, social and economic equality. Let us continue the struggle fought for by our forefathers. Let us light the beacon of hope for our people. Magsilbi Tamu!” Rodriguez said. MODEL CITY The City of San Fernando is the first city in the Philippines to achieve a Performance Governance System (PGS)-institutionalized status. Based on the performance audit findings conducted by the Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (U-ACT), CSF delivered impressive results in the implementation of its PGS. As one of Institute for Solidarity in Asia’s (ISA) partners, the city adopted the PGS as its governance framework in 2005. In the past five years, CSF has achieved more than 100 percent growth in business enterprises, 33 percent growth in local income, and a high constituency satisfaction rating for efficient delivery of services. Processing time for the issuance of business permits was streamlined from six weeks to two hours. In his audit findings, UACT Executive Director Ryan Patrick Evangelista said that with the creation and institutionalization of the Multi-Stakeholder Governance Council (MSGC), the city has achieved an effective governance model for pubic-private partnership that deviates from partisan politics. The same findings said: “the CSF was successful in increasing the level of dynamism and cohesiveness of the legislative-executive dialogue process to ensure public accountability.” This paved the way for the enactment of a new Revenue Code, Market Code, Environment Code and Revision to the Property Tax Administration. It also “successfully initiated substantial reforms in the conduct of business processes and transactions, improving the issuance of business permits and licensing and real property tax assessment through an ISO-certified management system.” Evangelista said that the city has reduced its dependence from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and substantially increased its revenues. ‘Palengke ng laman’ sa Angeles City nasunog NI JOEY AGUILAR LUNGSOD NG ANGELES – Nasunog kahapon ang malaking bahagi ng “Area” sa barangay Sta. Teresita na mas kilala bilang “palengke ng laman” sa lungsod na ito. Sinabi ng isang nakasaksi sa pangyayari na bandang alas-dos ng hapon ng masunog ang kalahating bahagi ng “Area”. Ngunit hindi parin alam kung ano ang pinag- mulan ng sunog. Sinabi ni Senior Supt. Danilo Bautista, ang city police director dito na mahigit sa 10 bahay na magkakalapit ang nasunog sa nasabing lugar. Ayon naman kay Chief Insp. Jaime Villamil, station 2 commander, ang sunog ay nagsimula sa bahay ng isang nagngangalang Modesto Dayrit. Sinabi din niya na humigi’t kumulang sa P1.5 milyon ang halaga ng mga nasunog. Inaalam parin ng mga imbestigador kung ano ang pinagmulan ng sunog. Matatandaang nasubog din ang malaking bahagi nito noong 1988 sa panahon ng yumaong alkalde Antonio Abad Santos. Ngunit pagkatapos ng ilan pang mga sunog ay patuloy parin umanong nag-ooperate ito bilang “palengke ng laman.”