Dagupan Guard Blasted to Death BHF’s Robber

SUSPECT PART OF THE NOTORIOUS BRANZUELA GA'GA' GROUP OF OZAMIS

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY- Calls it sheer folly on the part of the ten robbers, but after the armed men disarmed the two guards and threateningly asked the employees and customers to lay face down on the floor another unaccounted guard aimed his shotgun from the second floor and blasted one of the marauders as they hurriedly ransacked the BHFJewelry Gemline at noon of May 31 in this city.

First robber  wearing white t-shirt entered BHF Gemline.
After his companion disarmed the shotgun wielding
security guard (the one squatting, 2nd photo) he
brandished a .45 caliber pistol.

According to a source in a nearby commercial establishment, the third guard was eating his lunch upstairs when the commotion ensued at the ground floor – the display center of the biggest jewellery shop in this city and the province of Pangasinan.

“Ni dis-armahan iyong dalawang guards at pinadapa iyong mga empleyado at dalawang customers na babae at sinimulang limasin ang mga alahas”.

As the most of the robbers busied themselves filling their three or four loot bags with jewelries stashed from the display area, the third guard popped-out from the second floor and blasted away with his shotgun one of them.
The first shot, according to the source, did not hit the group leader who was standing with a companion near the door. Both of them were carrying baby Armalite camouflage in a back pack they carried in front of their body.
"The second shot rung and hit the leader in the nape that made him fell in the floor faced down dead".

“Confused the suspects fled leaving their loot bags, patrollers gave chase and conducted dragnet. During the pursuit five motorcycles where recovered and one more M-16 or a total of two M-16s have been recovered,” texted to this blogger by Superintendent Christopher Abrahano, the chief of police of this city.

After the nine malefactors scampered to their motor bikes outside, one of the two guards recovered his shotgun and shot the escaping marauders.

BATAOIL IN DISTRICT CONSULTATIVE FORUM

Representative Leopoldo Bataoil (2^nd District, Pangasinan) (1st row, blue polo shirt) poses with regional, provincial, and municipal heads of government departments and agencies like the Departments of Social Welfare & Development, Education, Public Works, Health, and Commission on Higher Education at the function hall of the President’s Hotel in Lingayen, Pangasinan. The meeting held last May 30 was about the proper distribution of the P70 million priority development and assistance funds (PDAF) this year of the solon where the national government allocated it to government bodies after the Supreme Court struck early this year as illegal to be used for the personal discretion of members of congress.MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Gov. Espino grants financial assistance to IP group

  Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (5^th from left) awards the financial grant worth P297,393 to Sitio Mapita High Value Crops Growers’ Association of the Indigenous People (IP) community in Sitio Mapita in Aguilar for the implementation of irrigation component last May 28 at the Governor’s Office, Capitol Building in Lingayen. Witnessing the awarding are (starting from left): Farmers Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) Business Development Officer Maricel San Pedro Provincial Planning and Development Office Coordinator Benny Pizarro, Provincial Treasurer Malou Utanes, Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya and Technical Working Group Coordinator Dave Calaguio and some officers and members of the IP group.

/vfs

Prov’l Gov’t names 100 more Academic Scholars for AY 2014-2015

Lingayen – One hundred more academic scholars of the provincial government for the academic year 2014-2015 have been chosen after getting through a comprehensive examination facilitated by the Provincial Scholarship Fund Board (PSFB) on May 12 in Pangasinan National High School (PNHS) in Lingayen and Juan Macaraeg National High School in Binalonan.

The result was released on May 26, Monday.

The 100 new academic scholars of the province are given the choice to choose any four-year or five-year degree course (except for BS Nursing due to the congestion of nursing graduates who remain unemployed).

            The scholarship program of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. is a youth development priority thrust.

            Chief Administrative Officer Irmina Francisco, PSFB Head, said valedictorians of nine (9) secondary schools in the province who applied for the scholarship were automatically qualified, based on a set criteria and guidelines, and whose annual family income is not more than Php130, 000.

            Scholars will receive Php8,000 financial assistance per semester; but should maintain 85 as general average. For engineering, architecture and accountancy courses a general average of 82 is required, and should maintain 80 as ceiling grade for all subjects. Failure or negligence of complying with these requirements means disqualification from the academic scholarship.

Ang K-9 ay Aso, ang K-12 ay DepEd

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Dahil pasukan na naman sa eskuela, naala-ala ko tuloy ang interbyu ko sa isang Superintendent ng Department of Education na may hawak ng almost 10, 000 teachers sa kanyang jurisdiction.

Kasama ko si namayapang Max na reporter ng radio na ganito ang kinahahantungan ng interbyu namin sa nasabing DepEd’s bigwig:

MORTZ:  Maam, ano na ang pinagkaka-abalahan ng DepEd ninyo ngayong pasukan na naman?

SUPT.: Ito, inaayos namin ng mga supervisors at principals ko ang K-12.

MAX: K-12 madam? Kelan pa pinasukan ng Dep Ed ang mga aso? Akala ko pagtuturo sa mga bata ang pangunahing layunin at inaatupag ng Dep Ed?

SUPT.: Ikaw talaga Max! Hindi K-12 iyong ibig mong sabihin K-9 iyon! Iyan ang ginagamit ng PSG (Presidential Security Group) na aso na muntik ng makagat ang reporters na si Atong, Ronnel, at Harold dahil wala silang presidential media coverage I.D noong dumating dito si President Aquino.

Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo ang anecdote ko sa the late Max (Ilokanong magaling mag Bisaya na katsukaran ko) dahil naala-ala ko ang laughing value ng napanu-od ko na Miss Gay sa YouTube sa pelikulang Bekikang na ni direct ng mahusay na kababayan kong Ilonggong Director na  beki rin na si Wen Deramas (I seldom watch Filipino flicks Direk since ang cable-TV namin may diperensiya kaya puro Russian shows ang lumalabas) na kung saan ang style ng kanyang mga box office hits could be likened to the bastardized Scary Movies, Naked Guns and Gods Must be Crazy.

HOST IN THE MISS GAY: Experts said if the Filipinos want to be globally competitive the government should introduce K-12 to its education system. What’s your STAND on K-12?

BADING (na kamukha ni Barok sa Hiwaga Komik na sobrang nerbiyos kasi nose-bleed English ang tanong): What’s my stand? I don’t want to stand, I want to seat! I don’t like K-2 neither K-12, what I liked is K-9 Dog Style. Thank you!

K-9 Dog and a tot

Diyos Mio, nag riot po ang mga ta-o sapalakpakan at pag indak ng kanilang pa-a dahil sa galing ng Bading na kamukha nila Flintstones.

***

By the way, bago pala ako makapasok sa division Office ng DepEd, pinilit pa ako ng the Late Max hindi dahil sa late ako kung hindi dahil  galit nag alit sa akin ang mga big wigs doon.

“Halika ka na Mortz, pumasok ka na sa loob. Gusto ka daw makausap ni madam at ni sir (Assistant Superintendent).

Noong nasa loob na ako nangi-nginig sa galit si Superintendent at Assistant Superintendent sa akin.

SUPT: Bakit mo kami binibira dito sa DepEd? Baka gusto mong ma libel case ulit?

ASST. SUPT: Oo, ide-demanda ka namin ng libel. Bakit mo sinasabi sa column at nababasa sa internet ng mga kamag anak at kaibigan ko sa abroad na bading ako?

MORTZ: Sir huwag naman kayo magalit sa akin. Pinasasabi lang ni Mr. X na kasama ninyong supervisor na magkasama daw kayong nanghahabol ng mga lalaki sa plaza pag gabi.

Tuwang tuwa ang matabang matron- looking na madam sa sinabi kung katotohanan dahil hindi siya makapaniwala na ang matipunong assistant niya ay isang miyembro pala ng FMLP o Federasyon ng Mang-aagaw ng Lakas sa Pilipinas pag sumapit na ang gabi lalo na pag maliwanag ang buwan.

Mag mula noon naging best of friends na kami ni Superintendent. Malayo pa lang ako natataranta na siyang sumisigaw sa mga staff niya na bumili na ng palamig at kakanin habang  nag hahanda akong i-interview ko siya o ng mga kasama ko.

***

It was unfortunate that the Dagupan City based 89.3 DWIC of the Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Inc. - an FM station in an AM format – folded and returned to its former format.

“What happened?” I posed to some folks when they told me about it.  “Should Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua need that AM format to attack the administration of  Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez to further his business interest in the city?” I continued to ask.

Bataoil too focused on congressional works

THOUGHTS FOR GOV’SHIP IN THE BACKBURNER

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

LINGAYEN – Pangasinan's Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil is preoccupied nowadays in his work as solon that he does not find time to entertain the thought of running for the governorship of the Pangasinan in the 2016 polls.

Rep. Pol Bataoil (2nd District,
Pangasinan

He said he has to refrain in commenting on the possibility he runs for the number one public office in the province. He assured the public that he was too focus on the services as legislator he rendered to his constituents.

“As of now still  kailangan pa ang ating maibigay na serbisyo. Gusto kong pagbutihin pa ang aking panunungkulan for whatever purposes”, Bataoil, a former police two-star general declared in an interview recently with Bombo Radyo.

Even when pressed if he is amenable to a Bataoil for governor and Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., for the vice governor’s tandem in the next polls he pooh-poohed it by answering that “  I have to resort in not commenting on that basta asahan po ninyo ang aking focus now ay talagang panunungkulan at pag-se-sirbisyo sa ating kababayan”.

Felix new police RD, Lazo slid as his Assistant

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Was the roller coaster ride who will be the next regional director of the police regional office in Region-1 (PRO-1) has been over?

 Chief Supt. Roman Felix

According to the acting provincial director of the Philippine National Police in Pangasinan, Chief Superintendent Roman Felix has assumed last May 27 the regional post in the four-province Region 1.
“It’s Chief Superintendent Felix. He just assumed the post of the regional director. We support his programs,” Senior Superintendent Raymond Sterling Blanco declared to this blogger.
But a source who asked anonymity cited that Felix’s appointment is in an acting capacity.
Blanco said that after Felix's, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1983, appointment, Chief Superintendent Moro Virgilio Lazo, PMA Class 1984, has been returned by the national headquarter as Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA), his former post, of PRO-1.
Lazo, who was recently promoted to a military equivalent of a star-rank, was the officer-in-charge regional director of PRO-1 for six months.
Before the appointment of Felix the public have been treated with a roller coaster ride seeing a number of generals like Chief Superintendents  Diosdado Valeroso  Noli Talino, Wendy Rosario, and Edgar Basbas  appointed by PNP Chief Police Director Alan L. Purisima but found themselves frustrated by holding the proverbial empty bag after they were denied the directorship at the time they were to assume the post.
A political kibitzer, who asked not be named, explained that the maneuvering whom to seat and whom not to seat at the powerful post was the result of the brinkmanship of the power-that-be who has an interest in the race for the 2016 presidential election.
PRO-1 is one of the most envied, just like PRO-3 based in Pampanga province, regional posting in the country because of the sheer size of its demography and the number of provinces it controls.

The Capitol in Lingayen

Lingayen- - -What used to be the just a mere symbolic seat of power, the Provincial Capitol is now a busy hub for people transacting business and a beehive for promenaders and lovers of nature.

Since its transformation in 6-1/2 years ago, the Capitol building has turned into one of the most frequented places in Pangasinan and favorite site for tele-novela setting, backdrop for pre-nuptial or birthday shootings, family outings, study tours, and several other gatherings not just among the locals but among foreigners, as well.

The lush and verdant environs, clean lawns and public comfort rooms, the scent and whiff of fresh air-- all these have gathered positive feedbacks from visitors here and abroad with an impression that it is truly fun to be in Pangasinan.

It can be recalled that immediately after Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. took his oath as the provincial chief executive in July 2007, changes took place leading to the unparalleled transformation from mediocre to excellent state of the Capitol and its environs.

Cayetano Calls for PhilHeath Execs' Heads

CEBU, Philippines - Senate majority floor leader Alan Peter Cayetano is calling on President Benigno Aquino III to fire all officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. amid non-payment of P200 million debts due to private hospitals in the country.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is flanked by Pangasinan
Governor Amado T. Espino and Pangasinan's Congress-
man Leopoldo Bataoil (Right).

Cayetano, in a press conference Thursday night here, said the government is giving all the support and a huge budget to PhilHealth in order to address the health of  the poor Filipinos and yet the agency’s officials “were in such a mess.”

“I am calling President Aquino to fire all PhilHealth officials. These people are overpromising and they mess up. Why keep them up there?” Cayetano said.

Earlier, the Philippine Private Hospital Association Inc. threatened they will no longer honor PhilHealth cards due to the unpaid debts of PhilHealth to their member-hospitals for six months already.

“These people must be fired. Alam ko repormista si Pangulong Aquino pero masyadong mabait. By firing some people, we are sending strong message that we are setting a higher standard of public service,” Cayetano said.

Although the senator recognized the efforts of PhilHealth regional officials, he said no matter how good these officials are, it’s the agency’s top leaders that are proving inefficiency and incompetence.

Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

“We have great people in the regional office, pero yung leadership ng PhilHealth, papatay-patay,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano added that PhilHealth has all the money and trained personnel at the regional level, as well as database, and yet when it comes to paying its obligation, he said the agency’s leaders do not know why they are there in the first place.

“Kung sa America may ‘Obama Care’ sila, dito sa atin yung PhilHealth, ‘I don’t care,’” the senator said.

Cayetano also lambasted the agency’s top leaders as many indigent Filipinos are not PhilHealth cardholders until now.

Mayor Belen Delivers her 1st SOCA

DAGUPAN CITY – Stand by me and together let us claim our future boldly and wisely!

This was the call of Mayor Belen T. Fernandez to the 185,000 Dagupenos through the more than 6,000 people who listened to her first State of the City Address (SOCA) at the CSI Stadia on May 22.

She asked the Dagupan people to rally behind her in making Dagupan a Smart City by 2016 and a Premier City of the North by 2019.

 BRASS AT SOCA: Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez exchanges pleasantries with the brass of the Pangasinan’s Police Provincial Office of the Philippine National Police headed by acting Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Raymond Sterling Blanco (3^rd from Right) and National Bureau of Investigation – Pangasinan led by its chief lawyer Pedro Roque (2^nd from Left) after she tendered a banquet to the guests in her 2014 State of the City Address (SOCA) held at her family owned Stadia in May 22. MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Fernandez opened her SOCA by congratulating certain sectors of the city for making 2013 a successful year that is worth remembering where she particularly mentioned the Dagupan People’s Council under hermano mayor lawyer Liberato “Ope” C. Reyna Jr. for a well-attended city fiesta that will long linger in the memory of Pawil Dagupeños; for bringing back the spirit of civic service and pride of place; for reminding old-timers of the city of their birth; and for inspiring the new generation of Dagupeños to proudly claim this city of their dreams.

Fernandez thanked the Lord Almighty for having spared the city from the wrath of Typhoon Yolanda and promised to continue to include those who have been affected in her daily prayers for their fast recovery.

“I wish to inform you, my compassionate fellow Dagupeños that our city contributed the amount of P500,000 for the victims. The little that we could spare while we ourselves were in the midst of a local financial crisis during my first 100 days in office,” she disclosed.

FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE CITY

Fernandez reported that when she assumed office, the city’s financial status was not as stable as it is today after she implemented vigorous revenue-generating campaign without increasing taxes, combined with her robust expenditure cutting.

“Records show that the budgetary appropriation at the beginning of January, 2013 already indicated a deficit of P37.1 million which continued until June. When I took office in July, this budgetary deficit was reduced to P11.130 million,” she said.

By the close of 2013, the city’s consolidated cash position including the Trust Fund and the School and Educational Fund stands at P282.2 million, which is more than the previous year of 2012 by P106.9 million or 163 percent more.

However, still weighed-down by previous years, with 2012 expenses charged against the 2013 budget, Fernandez managed to end with P3.882 million by December of 2013, which is smaller than the October surplus, but better than a deficit.

“It should be noted that those budgetary deficits running for nine months ate up a portion of the P119 million proceeds from the sale of the MC Adore property. But because of the financial reforms I instituted in my administration starting in July, we were able to return the portion eaten up,” she explained.

Fernandez cited revenue increases of 10 percent and over in business tax, tax on delivery trucks and vans, fines and penalties, fishery rental fees, registration fees and income from markets which recorded an overall consolidated total operating income of P597.6 million as of yearend compared to that of the previous year at P559.3 million only.

“If you recall, during my first 100 days, collections from market operations registered a whopping 300 percent increase. This is because of the reforms I personally instituted covering all market collections,” Fernandez said.

For the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 under the previous administration, the city registered a budget surplus as follows: from a budget deficit of P37.1 million in January 2013, the present administration registered a budget surplus of P49.6 million or an increase of P86.6 million or 233 percent for the same month.

From a budget deficit of P3 million in February 2013, the city registered a budget surplus of P81.3 million or an increase of P84.4 million or 277 percent for the same month this year; and from a budget deficit of P22.2 percent in March 2013, the city again registered a budget surplus of P80.8 million or an increase of P103 million or 465 percent for the same month this 2014.

“For the entire first quarter of 2014, this administration registered an average increase in budget surplus amounting to P274 million or 442 percent over the same quarter in 2013,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez added that the hasty sale of MC Adore Hotel was designed to cover the budgetary deficit of the city under the previous administration.

“Clearly obvious now was the fact that the 2012 obligations – electricity and water bills foremost and dubious payroll expenses, which remain unpaid – would have consumed the entire P119 million proceeds from the sale of MC Adore had they charged to the 2013 budget. Then Dagupan would not only have a budgetary deficit but default on its obligations,” Fernandez explained.

REDUCTION OF EXPENSES

Side by side by her drive to increase revenues, Fernandez also undertook ‘radical surgery’ to reduce the expenses of the city.

ESPINO III VS. COJUANGCO SAYS GUV’S ALLY

BETS FOR 2016 CAPITOL RACE  UNRAVEL

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

LINGAYEN – A staunch ally at the provincial board (PB) of Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. declared here to reporters that the latter son and namesake will be his candidate for the 2016 gubernatorial derby.

ESPINO'S RABID ALLY: Veteran Board Member
Alfonso Bince told media men that Pangasinan
Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., bet for the
gubernatorial derby in 2016 would be his son
and namesake Amado III. 

Board Member Alfonso Bince told recently media men that the governor will post his son Amado "Pogi" Espino III, president of the League of Barangays in the Philippines-Pangasinan Chapter and ex-officio member of the PB in the 2016 race for the governorship of the almost 3 million population province.

“We just want to confirm here that the governor is fielding a candidate for the governorship and (the bet) is not Mark Cojuangco,” the last terms lawmaker declared.

When pressed who will be Governor Espino’s candidates for the two top posts in the capitol, he said it would be Espino III and incumbent Vice Governor Ferdinand Calimlim for the governorship and vice governorship, respectively.

Former Congressman Mark Cojuangco

“I understand that the candidate for governor will be the former mayor of Bautista town and our incumbent board member Pogi Espino. It would be Espino, Calimlim in 2016”.  

Cojuangco, the Pangasinan chairman of the family founded Nationalist People's Coalition, declared to this blogger in February this year his moist eye for the governorship of the 1,333 village province.

Meanwhile, Former Congressman Cojuangco’s spokesman Rosendo So assailed Bince for sowing intrigue and creating dissension among the party members after he and five board members resigned from it.

“Huwag siyang mag create ng gulo. Ang ganda ng samahan natin dito sa probinsiya e gagawa siya ng estorya and we hope kung gagawa siya ng estorya (na) tama naman (sana). Gumagawa ng estorya nag-aatake siya. Mukhang mali, mahirap talaga”, he explained recently at radio station DWPR in Dagupan City.

Bince was smarting to the media after the group of Cojuangco bypassed them in his rounds of consultations and visits to fiestas in the towns and villages of the province.

Bince reasoned out that their resignation from the NPC that will take effect on June 1 slighted Governor Espino, a party member, because they did not consult him.

But Board Members Clemente Arboleda and Anthony Sison, who remained with the NPC, looked at the justifications of Bince and company as shallow.

“I don’t own the district and they (Cojuangco and company) can go to the barangays (villages) wherever they want,” Arboleda said.

 He said those resigned board members should respect his decision why he did not to jump ship from the party.

So said BM Sison told him that he did not see any impropriety on Cojuangco’s barnstorming the different parts of the province.

“E  bakit kami magre-resign sa NPC wala naman kasalanan iyong mga umiikot,” Engineer So, the chairman of Abono Party-list, quoted Sison.

Board Member Amado "Pogi" Espino III

“ Maski hindi kami mag courtesy call sa kanila naiintindihan nila na malawak ang Pangasinan. May oras na pupuntahan natin lahat, may oras ang mga kasamahan (BMs) natin,” So stressed.

Shame on these DepEd Brass, They Lack Manners

BY MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Controversial brass of the Department of Education in Dagupan City. 
Dr. Gloria R. Torres , Dep-Ed City Superintendent (3rd from Left) and  
Dr. Lourdes D. Servito, Acting City Assistant Superintendent, and staff
posed with Dagupan City's Mayor Belen T. Fernandez (holding a fire 
extinguisher).

Maraming mga propesyonal, estudyante, mangmang, at iba pa ang nahuli sa Dagupan City  sa unang araw ng implementasyon ng ordinansang “Anti-Jaywalking”.

Mga 70 plus kata-o ang natimbog ng Public, Order, & Safety Office (POSO).

Sabi ng POSO ang mahigit 30 ay nag seminar ng dalawang oras sa mga ibat ibang ordinansa na unrelated sa jay walking while mahigit 40 naman ang pinili na lang mag bayad sa unang violation na P50.

Ngayon ko lang nalaman na pahirap ng pahirap na ang mga tao sa ‘Pinas. Nakita ninyo naman mahigit 30 ang pinili na mag seminar dahil wala kahit man lang P50 silang dala. Mabuti rin itong mental torturing seminar na 2 hours. Mantakin ninyo naman na pagkatapos nila mag seminar parang nag graduate na rin sila ng Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, kasi ni seminar sila ng katakot takot na mga batas ng Dagupan City mag mula sa conversion ng agricultural land to commercial land, resolution empowering the mayor to contract loans at the Land Bank of the Philippines for the propose Malimgas Market na ilang ta-on na ang nakalipas, at iba pa.

Hindi ba puweding, he he he, bigyan ni Mayor Belen ng certificate for crash schooling sa “political science” itong mga walang perang jaywalkers?

***

Ito ang matindi! Hindi  ninyo ba alam na kahapon lang nakipag habulan ang mga POSO sa isang dating Olympic swimmer ng ‘Pinas na jay walker na ayaw magbayad o mag seminar?

Magmula sa harap ng city hall hanggang sa CSI Stadia ang habulan. Masyado daw mabilis si Boy Swimmer dahil hindi lang tumatakbo sa kalsada kundi nag free style pa ng kunyaring langoy. Mabuti na lang ang isa sa tatlong POSO ay gumawa ng paraan para lang mahuli siya.

“Anak ng bakang dalaga, masyadong mabilis sa pagtakbo si Boy Swimmer, kaya ang ginawa ko hindi lang ako tumakbo ng tumakbo para mahuli siya. Ginawa ko sinabayan ko na rin ng pag-sagwan ang pag-takbo ko para mahuli ang hitad! Kaya hayon, kalaboso siya sa salang jaywalking at usurpation of a swimmer in a swimming pool”.

Sa kasalukuyan ay bini-verify pa ng diyaryong ito kung sino iyong bayaning POSO at kung kelan siya gagawaran ni Mayor Belen ng gantimpala at promotion sa kanyang exceptional performance to catch an illusive jaywalker.

ILL- MANNERED DEP- ED OFFICIALS

“Bad taste in the mouth, this bunch of public officials has no manner!” This what I told myself when top brass of the City Division Office of the Department of Education led by the Visayan speaking City Superintendent Gloria R. Torres and Acting City Assistant Superintendent Lourdes D. Servito scandalized some guests as they inserted themselves in a queue mostly formed by women sexagenarians to a banquet tendered by Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez after her State of the City Address in May 22.

PH CITY’S SECURITY COULD SHAME THE ISRAELI POLICE

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Police security in the just concluded Barangay (village) Nights in “Wild-West”  San Carlos City, Pangasinan was so tight that cockroaches would die if they dare to penetrate.

Israeli Police

“The security measures here in San Carlos could shame the cordon provided by the Israeli Security Force,” I quipped to media man Harold “Intriguing Joe” Barcelona.

Aside from the uprising against Spain by Andres Malong and Juan dela Cruz Palaris, Harold unforgettable moment in this city was when his best friend Mayor Jolly Resuelo and a body guard died when several assassins opened fired on them during a public function inside the city gym.

In the Barangay Night held lately in the city, every guest that include former Congressman Mark Cojuangco (who did  not arrive) and Board Member Amado Espino III, president of the Liga ng mga Barangays of the Philippines – Pangasinan Chapter, former Pangasinan Congresswoman Rachel Arenas, Vice Governor Ferdie Calimlim, and village officials have to pass in the metal detector, just like what they have to do in the national airport, provided by the new security conscious Police Chief Supt. Charlie ”Gospel-Quoting Joe” Umayam at the entrance of the Sports Complex.

Anxious armed to the teeth police clad in camouflage teemed on the periphery of the sports complex bracing for any taking- a- chance assassin who wants to sneak and cause mayhem and disgrace the Philippine National Police.

SECURITY CONSCIOUS CHIEF:San  Carlos City Police
 Chief Charlie "Gospel
Joe" Umayam.

“But any bad guys can still exploit a hole in your stringent security dragnet by climbing the roofs of those buildings around the Complex and snipe any VIPs (very important persons) inside the Complex".

Umayam’s officer a certain Inspector (lieutenant) Zafra smiled and told me that it could not happen because Umayam has put some snipers at the rooftops to counter any wannabe assassin who would emulate Spider Man and positioned himself at any one of the rooftops.

“I requested two teams (16 men) and an officer of the SWAT (Special Weapons Action Team) from the PPO (Provincial Police Office) to fill up the gap left by my overstretch policemen who will not only guard the event (Barangay Night) but the villages”.

Umayam, a member of PNPA class 2000 and a member of the British- inspired Special Action Force, told me that he has to do it because if he concentrated all his men in the Complex malefactors can strike at the barangays without any police to deter or repel them.

Umayam, a former chief of police of the rambunctious killing prone town in Abra, narrated to me the measures he did in the concluded Barangay Night in a small salo-salo (blowout) he hosted after his deputy, Chief Inspector Whathisfirstnameplease Abugan, a former enlisted man, celebrated his one month as Umayam’s deputy.

 What can you say on this gesture from “Gospel Joe” to “Lucky Joe” Abugan, Lieutenant Colonels Mat Casupang, Armando Mueno, and Christopher Abrahano?

Special Weapons Action Team
(SWAT) in Pangasinan, Philippines
(Above Photo).

I bet you guys, no chief of police (COP) has treated the retiring Abugan, who was put on the receiving ends in the past by his superiors, like what Gospel Joe Umayan has done to the former.

Umayam said that he rented the metal detector from Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union.

He also told me that he asked the bank owners and managers in a meeting that they should ask their clients to remove their helmets and gloves when they transact inside the bank as precautionary measures.

“So far no shooting and other major incidents ensued in my one month as COP here”.

He said he wants to erase the “Wild-Wild West - A Corral “reputation of the City as sensationalized by the media once known as Binalotongan where killings, robberies, and other crimes in the past tainted the reputaton of the city.

(You can read my selected columns at http://mortzortigoza.blogspot.com and articles at Pangasinan News Aro. You can send comments too attotomortz@yahoo.com).

AXA INVADES DAGUPAN

 Top brass of AXA Philippines, fastest growing life insurance in the country,
explains to reporters the advantages to their customers of their branch expansion
 in Dagupan City. They said their presence is strategic as family income and
 saving of households in Dagupan Pangasinan province have been remarkably growing
lately. AXA is an affiliate of the Metro Bank Group. MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

SP seeks three separate CRs for males, females, gays

Lingayen- - -Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members Alfonso Bince, Jr. and Danilo Uy have jointly filed measure that seeks to require owners of business establishments in Pangasinan to provide three separate restrooms for males, females and gays.

In seeking approval of the bill filed, Bince pointed out the necessity for specifically designated rest rooms to avoid confusion by the using public.

The proposed ordinance covers business establishments catering to the public such as banks, bus terminals, department stores, entertainment places, gasoline stations and groceries especially those operating 24 hours, hospitals, internet cafes and computer shops, lending firms, malls, pawnshops and restaurants.

The measure was already referred to the committees on children, women, senior citizens, family affairs and social welfare; and laws and ordinances.  Public hearings prior to its passage will likewise be conducted.

Province holds vet medical mission in brgy. Macaleeng in Anda

           

LINGAYEN ---- More than 100 livestock were given animal healthcare treatment by the Veterinary Medical Mission conducted by the provincial government thru the  Office of the Veterinarian (OPVET) last Thursday, May 22 at Brgy. Macaleeng in Anda town.   

            With a theme, “Enhancing Animal Industry for Good Opportunity Venture in Pangasinan,” the mission in tandem with the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC)  Regional Office and the Municipal Agriculture Office, aims to help the farmers and fisherfolks to increase their income.

            OPVET officer-in-charge Dr. Eric Perez said the holding of veterinary medical mission, especially in remote  barangays, is one of the priority thrusts of  Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr.

            “Ang provincial government sa pamumuno ni Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. ay inilalapit ang iba’t ibang programa para sa ating mga hayop  para sila ay mabigyan ng mga kaukulang atensyon upang sila ay mapanatiling malusog at lalo pang mapalawig ang animal industry sa ating lalawigan,” he said  as he urged the residents not to  sell their female carabaos still fit to breed.   

            Last March 27 this year, the provincial government received a plaque of recognition from the PCC for its efforts to prevent the depletion of the carabao through the passing of Provincial Ordinance No. 170-2013 which prohibits the selling of female carabaos that are still considered breedable.  

  About 57 cattles, 30 carabaos, 8 goats and 12 dogs were  given medical treatment which include deworming, artificial insemination, pregnancy prognosis, vitamins  supplementation and anti-rabies vaccination

The activity, which has benefitted 38 Macaleeng residents, was a coordinated effort of the PCC staff headed by Dr. Reynaldo Paneda, artificial insemination coordinator, OPVET staff and the LGU’s Municipal Agriculture Office headed by Elizabeth Tomas.         

Village chief Damasino Gacutan, Jr and members of the barangay council expressed their gratitude to Gov. Espino for bringing the program to their barangay.

“Marami sa aming mga anak ay nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral dahil sa tulong ng pagbebenta ng baka at kalabaw,” he said.

//mer

Balolong Faces New Administrative Case

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

URBIZTONDO – The beleaguered mayor of this Central Pangasinan town faces another preventive suspension case from the same complainant who charged him with administrative cases in years 2012 and 2013.

Urbiztondo Mayor Ernesto Balolong Jr. faces the media  following
 his release from NBI custody. With him is his councilor-son Voltaire.
(Photo grabbed from the Philippine Star

Loida Cancino in a verified complaint, as a taxpayer and PhilHealth member, at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) after this town’s Mayor Ernesto Balolong failed to remit  from the months of July to December 2013 and January to February 2014 the contributions to the PhilHealth of the personnel of the  local government here.

“Available records show that in the period of July to December 2013 and January to February 2014 deduction for PhilHealth contributions were made for the payrolls of the officials and employees of the local government unit of Urbiztondo in the total amount of P299, 950 that the municipal failed to remit to the PhilHealth,” stated on paragraph 6 of Cancino’s complaint affidavit that was dated May 15, 2014.

Cancino narrated in her complaint that even her contribution to PhilHealth was undermined as the mayor, as mandated by law, failed to pay the contribution.

The complainant showed the failure of the mayor to remit in a disbursement voucher she used as Annex “A” of her complaint.

Cancino, a former treasurer here who earned the ire of the mayor, stressed that deliberate failure of the respondent in not causing the remittance to the social health insurance the contribution deducted from the salaries of the complainant and other officials and employees of the Municipality of Urbiztondo, the benefit to which they may be entitled under the National Health Insurance Act, were suspended to their damage and prejudice.

“That considering the gravity of the offense, the probability of the respondent influencing the witness and the safety and integrity of the records and other evidences, the herein complainant hereby prays that the respondent be placed under preventive suspension pursuant to law”.

In 2012 and November 22, 2013 Balolong was sued by Cancino through an administrative case at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) of Pangasinan.

The first administrative case in 2012 was about the P52.4 million loans negotiated, through a resolution of this town’s council, by the mayor with the Philippine National Bank who lent the sum to the town.

Cancino argued in her complaint that the loan was not covered by an appropriation ordinance and a review from the provincial board.

The second administrative case in November 22, 2013 was when Balolong signed into law an appropriation ordinance giving an allocation of P8, 441, 35.59 to PNB in August 2013 despite the rejection of the provincial board of the appropriation in this town’s 2013 budget as an amortization to the bank.