Improvement of School’s Sports

The best example of the title of this article was the recent Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) Meet in San Carlos City, Pangasinan where Dagupan City’s athletes pitted but prevailed with huge provincial sport's teams Pangasinan- 1, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and cities of Laoag, Vigan, San Fernando, Alaminos, Urdaneta, and San Carlos.

Dagupan City, through the aggressive support of the sports of her Mayor Belen Fernandez , finished second best in the over-all official ranking of the R1AA Meet from the over-all champion Pangasinan- 2.

“Dagupan City was declared champion in the elementary level with 20 gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze medals and first runner-up in the secondary level with 24 gold, 21 silver and 20 bronze medals. Commissioner Finnela T. Sim of the Dagupan City Sports Commission (DCSC) disclosed that this was the first time that the elementary level clinched the championship crown and the second spot over-all in the history of R1AA,” according to the press release by the Dagupan City’s local government.

 According to Schools Division Superintendent Froserfina J. Bravo, the city government’s vigorous support led by the mayor and the Dagupan City Sports Council and the Dagupan City Athletic Association inspired the athletes so much to go for gold

Bravo expressed hopes that in the next R1AA, the city will finally be on top and be known as the home of the best athletes in Region 1.

P12M worth of marijuana destroyed in Santol, La Union

 

 

 

CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO- The joint forces from Santol Police Station, La Union Police Public Safety Company (LUPPSC) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Regional Office 1 (PDEA-RO1) destroyed more than Php12 Million worth of Marijuana plants in Santol, La Union during the two  days eradication on February 24-25, 2016.

 

Police Chief Superintendent Ericson T. Velasquez, regional director of Police Regional Office 1, said the combined operatives uprooted 93,200 Marijuana plants with a Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) value of Php12,109,000 in 18 plantation sites along the mountainous places at Barangay Sasaba and Sapdaan, all in Santol town.

 

Based on report, 18 plantation sites were scourged in Sapdaan where they uprooted more or less 79,800 fully grown MJ plants, while in Sitio Palpalidan, Sasaba, 13,400 MJ plants were destroyed in almost three plantation sites.

 

 

The bulk of the uprooted MJ plants, confiscated MJ stalks and agricultural tools were burned at the plantation sites while samples were brought to PDEA RO1 for documentation and proper disposition.

 “Our operatives together with the PDEA-RO1 will continually conduct massive anti-illegal drugs operations and relentless eradications on the suspected MJ plantations sites to at least lessen if not curtail the proliferation of illegal drugs in our region,” Velasquez said.

Surge in rape cases, abuse due to improved reporting - police

 

DAGUPAN CITY – An improved crime reporting system and effective public awareness campaign resulted in increased reporting of rape cases and other forms of abuse against women and children in Pangasinan, the police said.

Supt. Ferdinand De Asis, provincial police spokesperson, clarified that the increase in number of victims can be attributed to the improved reporting of cases and not necessarily an actual surge in rape cases and other kinds of abuse or on the failure of the police to thwart criminality.

The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) has noted a 32-percent increase in rape cases and other forms of abuse involving both women and children last year.

De Asis said there were 228 cases committed against women and children recorded in 2014 while some 302 incidents were filed last year. Of the 302 cases, there were 50 women and 252 children who filed either rape cases or other forms of abuse.

“The rise in cases of abuse towards women and children is disheartening, yet the surge is an indication that the public is now aware that these incidents should be reported to the authorities," he said.

Public awareness is a result of the intensified information dissemination campaign made by police personnel in cities and municipalities to encourage more victims to come forward for police intervention, he said during the “Pantongtongan Tayo” radio program of PIA-Pangasinan on Tuesday.

“Despite an amicable settlement, the police also continue to file cases and let the court decide on it. The PPPO monitors the filed cases and we are happy to know from the Office of the Prosecutor that conviction rate is high,” De Asis added.

PWDs from Region 1 off to France for Int’l Abilympics

DAGUPAN CITY– Four persons with disabilities from Region 1 will carry the Philippine flag to the International Abilympics or the Olympics of Abilities  for Persons with Disabilities on March 22-27 in France.

Jennifer Garcia (orthopedically handicapped) will compete in the word processing category; Annie Rose Rumbaua ((orthopedically handicapped) in cookery; Jerome Marzan (hearing impaired) in webpage design and  Preciousa Paz Quinto (hearing impaired) in outdoor photography.

Garcia, who suffered from polio when she was two years old, said she is excited for the opportunity to compete internationally.

“Going to France to represent our country is already a prize in itself. We are happy to be part of the team. So please pray for us guys in the competition,” Garcia said.

Gilbert Caronongan, Abilympics Focal Person, said Region I has the biggest number of qualifiers from the Philippine delegation composed of two other qualifiers from Region 11, and one each from Regions 4A, 8 and 10.

A mock competition was held Tuesday at the Area Rehabilitation and Vocational Center (AVRC) in Dagupan City to gauge the contestants' preparedness and competitiveness.

“The mock competition was designed to identify the critical areas where the contestants will be needing support and improvement to prepare them for the international contest,” Caronongan said.

The other five contestants are: Julius Rosalinda (waste reuse) and Adam Rey Pantinople  (desktop publishing), both from Region 11; Edmundo Balan (painting and decoration) from Region 8; Aurora Porras (floral arrangement) from Region 4A; and Jannet Saladoris (bakery/cake decoration) from Region 10.

The International Abilympics, which takes place every four years, traces its beginning in Japan in 1972. The first international contest was initiated by Japan in 1981 in line with the United Nation’s Declaration of the same year as International Year of Disabled Persons.

The Philippines has participated in the competition and has fielded PWD competitors in Hongkong (1991), Australia (1995); Czech Republic (2000); India (2003) and Japan (2007). In 2000 and 2003, the Philippines ranked 8th and 6th respectively among 21 participating countries.

Next PNP’s chief if a new Ph prexy wins

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

The mayor of a town somewhere in Northern Luzon smarted why the resolution for a loan had been stalled by the provincial board.

A member of PMA Class 1987. Vice Presidential bet
Chiz Escudero is an adopted member of that class.

  

“After the resolution was dilly dallied by our councillors, here is the provincial board telling us that we still need the requirements of votes despite the resolution mustered by a majority votes of our lawmakers,” a source told me.

A media man privy on this back door anomaly said the mayor should emulate what other mayors have been doing: Give the “Honorables” their share so the resolution passes the review of the Board.

“Mga between P10 thousand to P20 thousand bawat isa diyan ang presyo,” he whispered.

“Mura lang naman pala,” I said.

He added the Board know that the officials of the town earn, too since private contractors who are going to build the projects funded by the loan will give them their S.O.P (euphemism of cut).

***

Rubbing elbows lately with some top brass of the police who were alumni of the elite Philippine Military Academy, I asked them who will be the next chief of the Philippine National Police in case anyone of these presidential candidates wins the May 9 election and takes office in July first of this year.

Remember, incumbent Chief of the PNP Director General Ric Marquez will be retiring from office in August this year.

When I asked if Senator Grace Poe wins who will be her fair haired boy.

 The answer was a member of PMA Class 1987 because vice presidential aspirant Chiz Escudero was an adopted member of the Class.

 "Si Grace was adopted member of PMA Class 1991, any member will be too young for the top post of the national police," he told me when I asked if Poe is not only an adopted daughter of action star Fernando Poe, Jr but of PMA class.

"How about si (Vice President) Jojo Binay in case he wins?" "It would be Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz" another PMYer retorted.

 Cruz police rank is an equivalent to a full colonel in the military. He is not a PMAyer but an alumnus of the Philippine National Police Academy. "He used to be the chief of police of Binay   in Makati when the latter was the mayor," my source told me.
Cruz is now assigned as the Deputy Director of the Police Community Relation Group.(PCRG).

VM Orduna calls Guv "liar"

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BUGALLON – “Sinungaling, liar. Matila in Pangasinan, ulbod in Ilocano (He is a liar. Matila in Pangasinan, ulbod in Ilocano,” described by this town Vice Mayor Ric Orduna the Pangasinan’s governor to reporters.

Candelaria, Quezon Barangay Captain Fernando Alimagno (left) and Bugallon Mayor Rodrigo Orduna (right) at a press conference where they accused Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino (inset) of receiving hundreds of millions of pesos from the illegal numbers game 'jueteng.' (photo by Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon.com/Espino photo from http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/officials/executive/the-governor/governor/)

Orduna, as he acknowledged in the past, was the illegal gambling jueteng treasurer of Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.

He said the governor had the propensity to break what he promised with him or to his allies.

“When he asked me to run for the presidency of League of Mayors in the Philippine-Pangasinan Chapter, I thought he would aid me when mayors need financial help. When I told him I will be meeting them I thought he shell out his share but I have to personally fund their entire expenses,” he recalled when he was still in good graces of the governor.

Former Espino ally and financial supporter Abono Party List chairman Rosendo So said the fall out between Espino and Fernando “Boy Bata” Alimagno happened because the governor reneged to what he promised with the jueteng operator.

So quoted Alimagno as saying, “May commitment si Governor na two percent sa akin. Dati nakatangap kami ng sampung milyones (The governor promised me two percent. I used to earn ten million pesos a month when we were running jueteng).”

But the governor, according to Alimagno, breached on his promise to give him two percent of the proceeds from the Meriadiane Jai Alai - a gambling played just like jueteng, thus he exposed him as the jueteng lord in Pangasinan at a press conference in Manila.

Orduna and Alimagno said they and Espino operated and protected the illegal gambling number game in the 44 towns and four cities’ province.

But because the governor weaselled out  both sued him with plunder at the Ombudsman in December 14, 2012.

BALON DAGUPAN TEAM 2nd OVER-ALL IN R1AA

BALON DAGUPAN TEAM 2^nd OVER-ALL IN R1AA – The Balon Dagupan Team clinches the second place over-all in the 2016 Region 1 Athletic Association Meet in San Carlos City, Pangasinan for the first time in the history of R1AA. The team was also declared champion in the elementary level for the first time and first runner-up in the secondary level. Receiving the trophies and awards are (from left) Dagupan City Athletic Association president Manuel Ferrer, Dagupan City Sports Commissioner Finnela T. Sim, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Lourdes Servito, Dr. Marissa Perez, Schools Division Superintendent Froserfina J. Bravo, Dr. Liezel Cancino, Dr. Cherry Cayabyab and Dr. Diosdado I. Cayabyab. (CIO photo by Jojo Tamayo)

BALON DAGUPAN TEAM IS SECOND BEST IN THE R1AA

DAGUPAN CITY – For the first time, the  Balon Dagupan team finished second best in the over-all official ranking in the Region 1 Athletic Association Meet in San Carlos City, Pangasinan  with 44 gold, 38 silver, 38 bronze medals. 

From number seven in the last R1AA, Dagupan climbed to number two over-all this year.

Dagupan City was declared champion in the elementary level with 20 gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze medals and first runner-up in the secondary level with 24 gold, 21 silver and 20 bronze medals.

Commissioner Finnela T. Sim of the Dagupan City Sports Commission (DCSC) disclosed that this was the first time that the elementary level clinched the championship crown and the second spot over-all in the history of R1AA.

The Balon Dagupan swimming team contributed much of the total gold, silver and bronze medals of the city along with arnis, basketball, athletics, chess, badminton, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball and gymnastics.

In the secondary level, the city’s arnis boys team won one gold, three silver and one bronze; the arnis girls team won one silver and three bronze; athletics boys team one silver while the athletics girls team won one bronze while the badminton team in the girls and boys division won one bronze each.

The boys basketball team also won gold in a do-or- die finale with Pangasinan II who had been leading the game by 24 points in the second quarter. The Balon Dagupan Team made a good turn-around in the fourth quarter with the three point shots of Russel Manaois ending the game with a four point win over Pangasinan II for the final score of 84-80.

Basketball girls ended second over a two point loss with San Carlos City and settled for a silver medal. The chess boy’s team won silver and a bronze.

Cayetano to Comelec: Rule ASAP on Pacquiao’s disqualification

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY -  A vice presidential candidate called the Commission on Election to decide if senatorial aspirant Manny Pacquiao is disqualified or not after he was charged with violations of the Fair Election Act (FEA) on equal access to media time and space.

CAYETANOS AND PACQUIAO. Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao
 (center) is flankedby siblings Senators Pia Cayetano and
Alan Peter Cayetano. PHOTO CREDIT. SenatorPiaCayetano.com

Pacquiao, a boxing icon and Philippines’ congressman, was charged last February 22 by Akbayan Party List Rep. Walden Bello of undue publicity on his senatorial run because of the hypes created by his forthcoming Pacquiao versus Timothy Bradley rubber match in Las Vegas, Nevada in April 9.

The 90 days campaign period for the senate started last February 9 and ends on May 7, 2016.

“Ako ang tingin ko, kung ano ang magiging decision dapat gawin by regulasyon ng Comelec na desisyon kasi hinde lang naman si Manny ang pinag-uusapan natin. Pinag-uusapan natin lahat (Comelec should be decisive, it should make a regulation on their decision because we do not talk only about Manny but other candidates),” stressed by Senator Cayetano.

He however opined that the promoter of Pacquiao has a point to proceed with the match because it is news worthy.

Cayetano did not find Bello wrong in suing Pacquiao because when the latter was sued with a similar case when he ran for Congress in Saranggani nobody supported it and Comelec allowed him to run.

“Pero halimbawa one on one, let us say si Mar Roxas at Mayor (Rodrigo) Duterte ay may boxing match sa Vegas baka umangal si Vice President Binay at Senator Merriam (But for example a race for the presidency, let us say Mar Roxas versus Rodrigo Duterte in a boxing match in Las Vegas. Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Merriam Santiago will surely protest the undue publicity the match gives),” he explained.

He prays that Comelec rule on the media mileage generated by the April 9 match even without somebody suing Pacquiao.

“Kasi si Manny Pacquiao sumusonod naman sa ruling iyan (Because Manny is a law abiding citizen)”.

FEA says each bona fide candidate or registered political party for a nationally elective office shall be entitled to not more than one hundred twenty (120) minutes of television advertisement and one hundred eighty (180) minutes of radio advertisement whether by purchase or donation.

It also mandates that any mass media columnist, commentator, announcer, reporter, on-air correspondent or personality who is a candidate for any elective public office or is a campaign volunteer for or employed or retained in any capacity by any candidate or political party shall be deemed resigned, if so required by their employer, or shall take a leave of absence from his/her work as such during the campaign period: Provided, That any media practitioner who is an official of a political party or a member of the campaign staff of a candidate or political party shall not use his/her time or space to favor any candidate or political party.

Bello said the Comelec issued Resolution No. 9615 three years ago to expand the definition of “political advertisement” to include media appearances in shows not covered by the Comelec hour.

“Manny is a great boxer, and I am a fan, but now that he is also a senatorial candidate, he needs to understand that election laws must apply to everyone. There are limits to political advertising,” Bello, also a senatorial contender, cited.

A violation of campaign rules and regulations is tantamount to an election offense, which carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment as well as disqualification from voting and holding public office.

'GOBYERNONG MAY PUSO' WILL DELIVER

BAGUIO CITY—Visiting familiar territories in the north, presidential race frontrunner Sen. Grace Poe faced her critics head-on, saying she was not only qualified to be president but she would do things more efficiently than self-proclaimed experienced politicians.

Speaking to thousands of supporters at the Melvin Jones Grandstand in Baguio’s famous Burnham Park, Poe said her “Gobyernong may Puso” would deliver on its promises to help the most neglected sectors, including farmers and poor students.  

“Mga kababayan, kung hindi nila binubulsa ang pera, kung tama ang pamamalakad nila, kung sila ay may tunay na malasakit, dapat nagawa na nila ang mga ito noon pa,” Poe said before a cheering crowd. “Kaya po natin ‘yan.”

The senator, the first foundling to run for president, said she would never steal from her countrymen.

“Sabi nila, wala kang karanasan. Ang sagot ko: wala akong karanasan sa pagnanakaw at pananakot,” she said.

“Sabi nila OJT daw ako. Sabi nila papayagan mo ba na ang magmamaneho ng kotse mo, baguhan lamang?... Sagot ko pa sa kanila: mas pipiliin ko na ang bagong nagmamaneho kaysa sa matagal na ngang nagmamaneho pero matagal nang naka-park lang ang sasakyan,” Poe said.

The leading presidential aspirant assured voters that if elected, she would continue the Conditional Cash Transfer program that has helped millions of poor families, and even strengthen it to provide livelihood opportunities.

“Ang ating laban ay para magkaron tayo ng maayos na buhay sa ating bansa. Ang nais isulong ng ‘Gobyernong may Puso’ ay programang tunay na nakakatulong sa inyo. Ito ay gobyernong nakakaramdam ng inyong problema,” she said.

Chan is Pangasinan's election "Police Czar"

Author meeting yesterday at the Police Regional Office in San Fernando City, La Union two of his police friends "General" Marlou Chan, deputy police regional director for administration - a star ranked position, and Lt. Colonel Ed Revita.

Chan would be playing a very crucial role in the acrimonious Pangasinan election after he was appointed lately by the chief of the national police Director-General Ricardo Marquez as designated commander of the regional special operations task group. "You're appointed as the supervisor of the election in Pangasinan and other provinces because of your expertise on election's crises management," Marquez was overheard by a source telling Chan.

The almost two millon vote - rich Pangasinan is the only province in Region 1 included in the list of election watch-list areas (EWAs) on account of recorded political violence in the 2010 and 2013 elections.

Chan is a member of the Philippine Military Academy's Class 1985 while Revita is an alumnus of the Philippine National Police Academy. MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez (2nd from left) and Deputy Regional Director for Administration S/Supt. Marlou Chan briefed members of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office last February 14, 2016.

PALS. Chan poses with posterity with two of his favorite media men
Ronnel de Vera (extreme left)  and media hearthrob Atong
Remogat. 

Author with Chan's PMA 1985 classmates who are police generals.

Cayetano and Bangus Farmers

Vice presidential aspirant and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano went to Dagupan, Pangasinan on February 23 and spoke with bangus farmers to push for a "people's bank" to facilitate capital lending.

This is part of the "Ronda-Serye” listening tour with his running mate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo, where the tandem personally listens to ordinary Filipinos and presents their solutions to the country's disorder.

Media man Atong Remogat , dubbed as the Duterte's dead ringer in Pangasinan, introduced Philippines Councilors League President Maybelyn dela Cruz -Fernandez before the latter spoke lauding the help Senator Cayetano rendered to the PCL. Dagupan City Councilor Maybelyn is an actress

Dagupan City Mayor calls women to be vigilant

After alleged Muslim rapist arrested

DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Belen T. Fernandez commended the Dagupan City Police Station for the immediate arrest of the suspect in a rape and frustrated murder case committed somewhere in Bonuan last February 19.

Abdul Kapia y Rumapnec

The arrest of the suspect came three days after the victim, a young lady working in a subdivision office was raped, attacked and was left for dead on February 19 in a subdivision in Bonuan here.

The police identified the suspect as Abdul Kapia y Rumapnec, 44, of Bonuan this city. He was positively identified by the victim as the one who abused her when she was alone in the office at around 12:00 noon that day.

Karen (not her real name) said the suspect hit her with a stone until she fell unconscious. While unconscious, Kapia dragged the victim outside and brought her to  a grassy portion of the subdivision where he  molested her

After satisfying his carnal desire, Kapia hit Karen with a stone several times and left her for dead.

The victim was found later by the subdivision’s guard who brought her to the hospital.

Dagupan City Mayor calls on women to be vigilant

Today at 1:02 AM

After alleged Muslim rapist arrested

DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Belen T. Fernandez commended the Dagupan City Police Station for the immediate arrest of the suspect in a rape and frustrated murder case committed somewhere in Bonuan last February 19.

Abdul Kapia y Rumapnec

The arrest of the suspect came three days after the victim, a young lady working in a subdivision office was raped, attacked and was left for dead on February 19 in a subdivision in Bonuan here.

Comelec reminds candidates on common poster area rule

CALASIAO  – Days into the campaign period for the national positions, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Ilocos Region reminded all political candidates to abide by the common poster area rule.

Election Officer Jeremias Mencias of Calasiao advised all national politicians to check with local election registrars of towns and cities to know the common designated area where they can display their campaign posters.

He said posting of campaign materials on trees, electric posts, telephone posts, bridges, and structures administered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as well as on the properties of the Department of Education (DepEd), is strictly prohibited by the Comelec resolutions.

He added that painting of campaign advertisements on public and private walls or fences is also prohibited.

Romulo: Salary increase timely but inadequate without tax rates cut

Senatorial Candidate Roman T. Romulo lauded the action of President Aquino of signing an executive order increasing  the salary of government workers but continues to express his disappointment on the President's lack of support on the proposals to reduce income tax rates.

"The grant of salary increase to government workers is timely considering the high cost of living.    However, such would have been more meaningful if the President also supported my proposal to lower the tax of all income earning citizens, private or government."said Romulo.

"Despite the signing of said Executive Order, Congress should still pass the SSL 4 to ensure its continued implementation. The Executive Order of the President is good only for this year and does not provide for an indexation of pensions for retired police and military personnel, as such Congress should not pass this matter to the next administration, we should decide on this once the election season is over, " said Romulo.

Solon mulls revival of North Railroad System

DAGUPAN CITY  -  A Senatorial aspirant is mulling the revival of the North Railroad System that traverses Dagupan City which is deemed to contribute to agricultural boost in the province.

Incumbent Congressman  Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian talked about the train system revival during his visit to Dagupan City when asked about his possible top priorities in Pangasinan should he clinch a Senate seat in the 2016 elections.

 “As Pangasinan is agriculture-based, priority pa rin natin ang agriculture. Buhayin natin ang North Rail transit sa Luzon which could help in the delivery of agricultural goods at bababa ang cost ng transport pati ng goods,” Gatchalian told media  men.

In this way, the province can contribute to the country’s rice sufficiency, he said.

Gatchalian  also mentioned of tourism boost as a priority since the province has the Hundred Islands, Manaoag shrine and plenty of caves.

The 42-year old Senatoriable said it was always good to go back to the province where he spent his early teenage days in the family fishpond in Lingayen town.

The North Railroad Transit is part of the  Philippine National Railways or PNR, operating a single line of track in Luzon. History dictates that on June 25, 1875, under a royal decree issued by   King Alfonso XII of Spain, the required Inspector of Public Works of the Philippine Islands was requested to submit a railway system plan for Luzon. The plan included a  concession for the construction of a railway line from Manila to Dagupan  which was granted to Don Edmundo Sykes of the Ferrocarril de Manila–Dagupan (Manila–Dagupan Railway), later to become the Manila Railway Company, Ltd. of London, on June 1, 1887

However, continued neglect in past decades reduced PNR's efficiency and railroad coverage. Persistent problems with informal settlers in the 1990s contributed further to PNR's decline.

A village in Dagupan City, Barangay Mayombo, retains a sitio called PNR where the railroad transit used to traverse. (VHS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)