Ex-Mayors Betrayed by Former Subordinates

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

A lady mayor, who lost in the last election, bawled. This after she learned from one of her loyal department heads that twenty days before the succeeding mayor would assume office in July 1, her man Friday, together with majority of the department heads, went to the house of the new mayor.

Man Friday, to those who loved to skip their English Class just to emulate their Sabado Night means an efficient and devoted aide or employee: a right-hand man (Merriam Webster).

The loyal department chief whispered to the losing chief executive that the guy ingratiated with the new mayor by exposing the anomalies of the latter liked how he (the conspiring man Friday) and the exiting mayor padded government procurement, imposed cut or S.O.P from contractors and suppliers on the prices of their services, and their other shenanigans in bilking the public coffer.

The exiting chief executive confronted him at her house and told him that of all the betrayals done to her by some of the department heads, his treachery broke her heart most.

“Tinuring kitang pamilya ko. Lahat ng sekreto ko di ko tinago sa iyo pero ito pa ang ginawa mo sa akin,” she told him in between sobs.

Sus, this was reality of life nowadays. Your fiduciary lieutenant now will be your whistle blower tomorrow. This son of a gun had to dump you for his self-preservation without looking how you boosted his stocks then.

Even the ex-mayor other heads of offices, whose reverence they showed then to all and sundry, had deserted her after the polls were finally counted because she was already lame duck.

Noong nakipagbuno ako sa high official ng PCSO

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Before President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered the closure of  Lotto, Small Town Lottery (STL), Peryahan ng Bayan, and Keno under the auspices of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, I blamed the high officials of the PCSO who hailed from Manila in a symposium in my province about their losses of billions of pesos this year from the betting public.

When I cited their incompetence at the expense of the indigents who depended on their social and medical needs, the crowd erupted into laughter and applause.

The guests, by the way, were several mayors in the province, lawyers from the provincial and city prosecutor offices, Philippine National Police led by Provincial Director Colonel Redrico Maranan, National Bureau of Investigation, officers from the Criminal Investigation Detection Group from the PNP, media, and other stakeholders.

My passionate exchanges with the lady lawyer of the PCSO, not the applause, are the highlights of this article tee - he!

An exciting, passionate, and heated forum about the existing illegal operation of Peryahan ng Bayan in Pangasinan. The symposium held at a restaurant in Calasiao, Pangasina were attended by PCSO's provincial and national officials, big brass of agent corporation Speed Game, Inc., PNP regional and provincial brass, team from the NBI, CIDG, mayors, and the over eager members of the Fourth Estate led by prolific media man Atong Remogat. Atong however was cut-off from his question because it was lunch time already.

Here is the transcript of my crossing of swords with the power –that- be who was accompanied by PCSO’s Corporate Counsel Wesley Barayuga:

STL Operator Blamed PCSO, Peryahan of Collection Shortfall

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

CALASIAO -  Because of the proliferation of the illegal number game Peryahan ng Bayan (PnB) in Pangasinan, the administrator of a franchised small town lottery (STL) blamed the leadership of the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office on the collection deficit it faced.

Speed Game, Incorporated (SGI) Administrator Anthony Ang-angco exposed the incompetence of the PCSO in a symposium held in a restaurant here when it allowed PnB of Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation to compete with SGI in the number game business in the forty-four towns and four cities’ province.

“You don’t do your part!” a smarting Ang-angco told lawyer Wesley A. Barayuga the corporate board secretary of the PCSO during the meeting held at Antonio’s Catering Events Place here.

ILLEGAL - Speed Game, Incorporated (SGI) Administrator Anthony Ang-angco (standing with microphone) unloaded his sentiments before the presence of the officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office in a symposium held at the function room of a restaurant in Calasiao, Pangasinan on the illegal operation of Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation’s Peryahan ng Bayan in Pangasinan. PnB eats the collection from the betting public of SGI thus it prejudiced its P117 million Presumptive Monthly Retail Receipt (PMRR) it gives to the PCSO.

The SGI Administrator explained that the problem spawned by PnB gnawed its (SGI) contracted remittances to the national government.

“Pero we are binding with the agreement na ang aming other payment kailangan din namin iyong declare share kami. So kung humahaba po iyong (inaudible) lumalaki ang utang mabuti lang sana kung PCSO lang ang may share doon. Kaya lang sa part namin sa Speed Game we are doing every single part”.

SGI has to remit P3.9 million a day or P177 million Presumptive Monthly Retail Receipt (PMRR) to the PCSO where the latter use them as funds for the social and medical needs of the indigents all over the country.

Pinas nahaharap sa matinding power crisis

Halos araw-araw may brownout sa iba’t ibang parte ng ating bati, pati na dito sa ating lalawigan. Kung hindi gagawa ng hakbang ating gobyerno, baka maulit yong power crisis noong panahon ng panunungkulan ni Pangulong Corazon Aquino na halos araw-araw ay brownout na nagtatagal mula lima hanggng sampung oras.

            Kaya pag-upo ni Pangulong Fidel Ramos ang paglutas sa naturang krisis sa kuryente ang isa sa mga top priorities ng kanyang administrasyon. Ang paglutas ng naturang problema ang isa sa mga matibay at makahulugang legacy ng Ramos Administration. Pinagtuonan ng pansin ni FVR ang pagpapatayo ng karagdagang power plant, kabilang na ang Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant na may generating capacity na 1,200 megawatts at ang San Roque Hydropower plant na may generating capacity na humigit-kumulang sa 300 megawatts.

            Sa pamamagitan ng mga bagong power plant, nabigyan ng solusyon ni President FVR ang matinding power crisis sa bansa.  Pero ngayon, sinasabi ng mga dalubhasa sa larangan ng energhiya na napipintong magaganap uli ang power crisis kung walang maipapatayong karagdagang power plant.

BIR Region – 1 Exceeds Collection by P1.5B

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

CALASIAO – The regional office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue exceeded its collection first semester of this year by P1.5 billion compared to its collection the same period in 2018.

Regional Director Thelma S. Milabao said that in January to June 2019 her office collected P6.7 billion while in the same period last year it gathered P6.1 billion or a surplus of P1.5 billion.

Region- 1 covers four provinces and nine cities in the Northern part of Luzon.

She cited the positive collection ensued when President Rodrigo Duterte veto freed the provision in the General Tax Amnesty Law allowing a one-time declaration and settlement of estate taxes on properties that are in the name of persons who died or donors whose estates remain unsettled. 

The Amnesty Law is part of the Train Law II, according to the BIR official here.

Several of the provisions of the Amnesty Law were vetoed by President Duterte.

The official, who asked for anonymity, said the regional office still determines if the amnesty for one-time declaration and settlement of Estate Taxes were the reason that spiked the first semester collection here.

“We suspected that these taxpayers were motivated to come to the BIR offices because the government did not ask them to pay the penalties and the surcharges of the Estate Tax from 2017 and its backward years”. 

A reporter interviews BIR Region - 1 Director Thelma S. Milabao.

The regional director was optimistic she can collect the P14, 449, 604, 000 goal because the central office in Quezon City reduced the earlier goal of P19 billion this year.

The supposed implementation of the Amnesty Law and the Train Law II became the reason why the tax goal here became P19 billion.

“Hopefully maka goal kami,” Director Milabao cited when asked if at the end of the fiscal year 2019 her office can collect the target given to her.

Meanwhile, the Revenue District Office - 6 in eastern Pangasinan has all the odds stuck against it.

“Because of the TPLEX where our office collected bigger Capital Gain Taxes and other taxes, the central office based that collection last year to spike its goal for this year," an official of the RDO-6, who asked not to be named said.

TPLEX is Tarlac - Pangasinan -  La Union Express Way where farm land owners sold their lots to the TPLEX through government's power of eminent domain.

“That transactions were One-Time Transaction (ONETT) and were not replicated this year, “the official there said.

The RDO-6 had almost P2.1 billion goal last year and P1,836, 602 this year.

Its actual collection last year was P1,563, 611,939.77.

The office covered Urdaneta City and eight towns around it.

RDO-6 is under RDO Chief Cecilia C. Campos and Assistant RDO Chief Lolita A. Salayog.

The tax goals of other RDOs in Region – 1 for this year are:

RDO-1 in Laoag City but covers entire Ilocos Norte, P1,762,267; RDO- 2 in Vigan City but covers Ilocos Sur, P2, 119, 762; RDO-3 San Fernando City but covers La Union P2,985, 306; RDO-4 Calasiao but covers Central Pangasinan, P4, 394, 782; and RDO-5 Alaminos City but covers Western Pangasinan, P1,350,885. 

READ MY OTHER ARTICLE:

Power of the Gov't to Buy Your Property

Cong. De Venecia Hinirang na Deputy Majority Leader

Itinalaga na nga bilang Deputy Majority Leader ng 18th Congress ang kongresista ng ika-apat na Distrito ng Pangasinan na si Congressman Christopher de Venecia. Kasabay nito ang pagtalaga sa kanya bilang Miyembro ng Committee on Rules, na siyang nagsasaayos upang ang mga prayoridad na panukala ng administrasyon ay maisulong para maging batas. 

WHIP - Newly elected Deputy Majority Leader of the 18th Congress Pangasinan's 5th District Congressman Christopher de Venecia.

Sa ika-17 Kongreso, si De Venecia ay nahirang bilang Assistant Majority Leader pero sa ikalawang termino niya sa Kongreso, ginawa na nga siyang Deputy Majority Leader ng mayorya sa Kamara, na aagapay sa nahalal na Majority Leader na si Rep. Martin Romualdez at sa itinalagang House Speaker na si Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. 

MAYOR’S JOB TOUGHER – Ex-Solon, Mogul Say

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN – The mayor’s job is tougher than that of a congressman, a former solon and the new mayor here described it.

Former Pangasinan Second District Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil said he found out that being a mayor is exciting but tougher than that of being a member of the House of Representatives.

“Actually exciting at mas mabigat ito. Sa totoo lang because you are dealing with people directly. Person to person ito, eh. You know my experienced from the day I took charge of the office kasi nandito ang mga papeles na pipirmahan ko nandiyan ang tao punong puno sa office ko at meron pa sa labas na naghihintay”.

CHIEF EXECUTIVES - Former two-star police general and ex congressman Leopoldo Bataoil (left) and mogul Cezar T. Quiambao. Both are present mayors of Lingayen and Bayambang in the province of Pangasinan.

                                  

   When he was a three-term or nine years’ congressman he could focus more time on his proposed and co-sponsored bills and resolutions, and plenary works without any of the factors he just mentioned in a local government unit (LGU).
“Sa Congress you can focus sa mga bills and resolutions and you can even go to the plenary at walang maka istorbo sa iyo”.

Bataoil, a former two – star police general, is known for his strong work ethics.

One of them was his excitement to report at dawn in his first official day last July 1 as the new chief executive of the capital town of the province.

“July 1 mula noon at ngayon I hit the road running. I turned night into day. On that Tuesday sinubukan ko 5:45 Am checked ko kung diligent (municipal workers). Excited ako hindi ako makatulog ng gabi”.

Group cites more benefits from second power plant in Sual town

SUAL, Pangasinan – A group of senior citizens here is urging the new leaders to support the second power plant project because of its numerous benefits the residents of Sual could get from the project to be constructed by a multi-national company based in South Korea.

These are the following:

1.       The proposed power plant project would provide more than one thousand jobs for local folk that would mean higher purchasing power and standard of living for Sual residents;

Multiplier Effect

2.       Real property taxes to be collected from the plant owners is estimated roughly at P800 million every year to be shared by the provincial government (35 percent), the municipality of Sual (40 percent) and the barangay where the plant would be constructed (25 percent);

3.       Sual residents shall be given discounted rates on their electric bills;

4.       The municipality of Sual shall be guaranteed continuous power supply;

5.       Additional revenues shall be provided for livelihood assistance to local folk, more scholarship grants, additional subsidies to local farmers in terms of free certified seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation; additional free medicines and other services to senior citizens, womenfolk and other sectors of the community, expanded health care delivery, construction of more farm-to-market roads, classrooms and other infrastructure projects;

Tobacco Farmers in P’gasinan earn P1M per Hectare

Grateful to Miracle Plant Growth Enhancer

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

MALASIQUI – Because of the confluence of commercial and chemical factors like the use of plant growth enhancer, tobacco farmers here have experienced a booming harvest early this year because of the roughly a million of pesos’ net profit per hectare.

Bernardo Cabatbat, a 72 years old farmer, was surprised that after he used AMO Plant Growth Enhancer (APGE) in the planting season in September last year to its harvest in March this year where he earned about a million pesos in his one hectare of farm land.

“Maganda noong dumating ang AMO matagal na ako sa AMO,” he stressed in Filipino the effect of the sea weed based non toxic’s miracle fertilizer.

BIG TIME - Proud tobacco farmers at Barangay Gatang in Malasiqui, Pangasinan show their green bags that carry the AMO “miracle” plant growth enhancer after a pep talk with enhancer’s officials. Frantic hardware and lumberyard owners in the 73 villages’ town have to deal with the frenzied farmers ordering construction materials for their houses and other needs because they hit big time in the recent harvest season.

He said the cost of production from planting to harvesting tobacco was seventy thousand pesos.

“Katulad ngayon isang ektarya kulang-kulang one million pesos ang kinita namin dito”.

Unlike rice and corn, the buying system of tobacco is not by kilo but by pardo.

Pardo means 20 sets of tobacco leaves. One set is six cured leaves strung through its petiole by a bamboo stick where they are hanged in curing barns.  

“Even the hardware and lumber yard owners were amazed by the frantic demand of the farmers in Barangay Gatang for construction materials of their houses. They wonder why most of these customers came from the same barangay,” Cabatbat told this newspaper.

SM CENTER - DAGUPAN'S JOB FAIR 2019

My Pre-Fight Analysis: Pacquiao vs Thurman

By Mortz C. Ortigoza*

In this coming Sunday, commercial and criminal activities in the Philippines will be in a stand still.

From joggers to muggers all these people will be in the confine of their houses glued at the boob tube and radios because their boxing icon and senator Manny Pacquiao, 40, will be trading leathers with elite American boxer Keith Thurman, 30, for the World Boxing Association’s Super World Welterweight Title at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In this pre - fight analysis I will delve on the strengths and weaknesses of both pugs and my unsolicited advises how they neutralize each other to win the diadem.

  I based mostly my analysis on how a young rugged Australian’s Jeff Horn relentlessly dawned on the older Pacquiao like a windmill and saw him struggle to avoid those flurry of blows and lost the fight at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

I studied too how Thurman chalked up victories against two of the very best Welterweight boxers during their matches in the whirling dervish Joe Frazier liked Shawn Porter and the hard but accurate hitting Danny Garcia.

Although Thurman knocked down Josesito Lopez (36-7-0 with 42 percent K.O ratio) in the early rounds, in that latest rumble Keith was lethargic because of his two years’ absence in the ring because he recuperated on a right elbow injury and got married.

World Class PUVs Terminal Opens in Dagupan City

 Operator Allays Fear It Will Be Blocked by the Lim Admin

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY – Because of the provisional authority to operate given by the government the world class inter-modal transport terminal here can open anytime to serve the public, according to the official of the company who runs it.

“Right now we are pleased to say we have the provisionary authority to operate. And in fact if you notice kaninang umaga it was the regional director of the LTFRB who gave a very strong endorsement for this transport terminal dahil sang ayon itong transport terminal natin sa utos mismo ni Pangulong Duterte ang LTFRB,” Executive Director Alan German of the SDS Development & Consultancy after he attended Wednesday morning in this city the nationwide simultaneous launched of One Direction Towards PUV Modernization of the Department of Transportation & Communications and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

COLOSSAL - Executive Director Alan German (extreme left) of the SDS Development & Consultancy leads the cutting of ribbon in the recent inauguration of the colossal world class hundreds of millions of pesos inter-modal terminal  located in the Judge Jose de Venecia Highway Extension at Barangay Tapuac in Dagupan City. German is accompanied by the firm's lawyer Leiland R. Lopez (extreme right) and Bonuan Gueset Barangay Chairman Noel Bumanlag. Photo: Mortz C. Ortigoza

He added that the firm is in a skeletal operation even before its inauguration and ribbon cutting he led with SDS’s counsel Leland R. Lopez.

“We can operate anytime given the provisional license to operate,“ German, the son of publicist Reli German, reiterated on the sprawling two-and-a-half hectares hub.

Dialogue with Mayor Brian Lim

He said the company wants to dialogue with Mayor Brian Lim when told by this writer the mayor may oppose the terminal’s operation because the public utility buses here are not allowed because of the routes dictated by the LTFRB in their franchisees.

German said that his firm complied with all the government regulations.

“Tungkol po sa lahat ng paper works at regulation. So confident po kami as far as legal standing is concerned. Our good mayor is still doubtful about the status of our operation we would like to dialogue with him. Clarify namin po,” he stressed.

Stupid Question from a Reporter

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

I exchanged notes lately with some media colleagues at Gloria Maris Restaurant when one of them told me about his anecdote with a fellow woman reporter.

He said he was with her when they interviewed the chairman of a party list for the forthcoming election.

He recalled that he asked the chairman with the following:

“Sir, are your top party list's nominees are Mr. A, Mr. B, and Mrs. C?”

“Yes, the three of them!” chairman, a rich man, retorted.

Not to be outshone, the woman reporter confidently interjected:

“Sir, if you have three nominees who among them was your favorite to support?!”

The male reporter told me he cringed near the wall where he was seated. He was too embarrassed about the stupidity of the question.

“The office’s staff of the chairman were seen restraining themselves to guffaw," he told me, of course, in Tagalog.
 They, son of a gun, could not believe that the seemingly intelligent looking reporter riding in a then flashy car could ask that idiotic question.

DONATE-A-BOOK, SHARE THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE WITH SM

         Just in time for the back-to-school season, SM shoppers can share the gift of knowledge through The SM Store’s SM Share Movement Donate-A-Book campaign in all branches nationwide.

Ongoing until July 7, shoppers can donate books and school supplies to benefit school children of select SM Foundation supported schools. In exchange, shoppers will receive 50 pesos discount coupon for every donation made.

Grade three pupils of Balanga Elementary school received brand new back packs with school supplies from The SM Store.

Earlier donations from the campaign, which was launched last May 20 were distributed to the Balanga Elementary School in Bataan where employee volunteers from the nearby branches of The SM Store in Pampanga and Olongapo shared a fun-filled day with grade 3 pupils.

 The SM Store donated books from Olongapo and Pampanga branches enough to fill up the mini-library of the two storey school building donated by SM Foundation. Bags and school supplies were also donated just in time for the back to school season.

The grade 3 pupils of Balanga Elementary school were also treated to a story telling session by The Story Telling Project (TSP), a non-government partner organization of SM, with the aim to spark hope, inspiration and imagination through storytelling.

Gov’t O.K Taxis to Ply in Dagupan, Region-1

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY – The government has allowed a franchise of 30 taxi units in this city to operate here and the entire Region-1.

According to lawyer Leland R. Lopez, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already released the provisional authority to operate the public utility vehicles.

TAXI - The part of the thirty units of Toyota Avanza's taxis operated by the Bonuan Transport Service Corporation (BTSC) parked at one of the bays of the just been inaugurated mammoth Dagupan City Transport Terminal in Judge Jose De Venecia Highway Extension at Barangay Tapuac, Dagupan City. The BTSC is where its main office is located. Photo by Mortz C. Ortigoza

 “Dito na rin mag ta- take off and operate iyong first na taxi operator ng entire province of Pangasinan na awardan na rin kanina ng probationary authority to operate. Meron na po silang 10 taxi units owned and operated by the Bonuan Transport Services Corporation,” he said.

Lopez is the counsel of SPD Development & Consultancy that owns the sprawling almost hundreds of millions of pesos modern Dagupan City Transport Terminal located at the Judge Jose De Venecia Highway Extension at Barangay Tapuac here.

PH has second highest electricity price in Asia

THE country’s average electricity price for residential customers is now second highest in Asia as of January this year, according to a consulting firm that specializes in providing power market advisory services in the Asia-Pacific region.

           Based on data presented by International Energy Consultants Managing Director and lead consultant Dr. John Morris, the top 5 countries with the highest power rates surveyed in Asia are Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

The Philippines electricity prices at an average cost of P15 per kilowatt hour are some of the highest in Asia and have become prohibitive to many investors. Compared to booming countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, the Philippines is badly suffering from a dip in foreign direct investment with expensive electricity cost as the main culprit.

Solution? Construction of more coal-fired power plants to meet the need to produce about 1,000 megawatts a year.

Guico mulls more cong. districts in Pangasinan

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BINALONAN – A Pangasinan congressman wants to see two to four congressional districts to be apportioned to the present six districts so they could boost economically the mammoth province.

Fifth District Representative Ramon “Monmon” Guico, III told this writer at the terminal of the family owned WCC Aeronautical and Technological College about the proposed law he has been mulling.

“Just imagine each of the eight to ten districts gets a billion of pesos’ allocation every year,” he cited.

With four districts approved by congress and signed into law by the president of the Philippines, Pangasinan could have ten congressmen.

WINNERS - Then Fifth District congressional candidate Ramon "Monmon" Guico, III (extreme left) ride a human powered tricycle driven by then provincial board's  aspirant Louie Sison. Both forayed to win the hearts and minds of voters in a village of the eight towns one city' Pangasinan's district in the May 13, 2019 polls. The duo won the electoral derbies.

According to Pangasinan Fourth Engineering Office's District Engineer (DE) Simplicio Gonzales and Pangasinan Second Engineering Office DE Edita Leano Manuel of the Department of Public Works & Highway, the average allocation of infrastructure projects from the national government to each of the Second, Third, and Fourth Congressional Districts will be about one billion pesos this year.

Pangasinan has a population of 2,956, 726 according to the 2015 Census.

It’s Nice to Die in this City

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

When I was buying a hand of lakatan bananas in a talipapa (makeshift store), I asked the spouses who manned it if the place I was standing was part of the city of Taguig where the former lady mayor is the wife of my friend then senator and now  House Speaker - wannabe Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Barangay Southside po ito sir. Pinagaagawan ito ng Makati City and Taguig,” the husband, a septuagenarian, told me while he wrapped the almost P100 bananas' hand (P70 a kilo) I bought.

“Nasa Supreme Court na iyang away diyan sa BGC (sprawling world class commercial hub's Bonifacio Global City) at mga barangays. 
Kung kayo ang tatanungin sino mas gusto ninyo?” I asked.

 Both blurted out: Makati!

I told them that in my province Pangasinan many mayors there give P3,000 to P5,000 to the bereaved family of the deceased.

“Magkano ang bigayan sa patay dito sa Makati at Taguig?” I confidently asked them since I knew the nuances of how local chief executives forked out sums to lighten up the grief of their helpless constituents.

The wife said Taguig only gives coffin while Makati City provides the family a coffin, P4,000, canvas, and expenses for coffee, biscuits, and others for the entirety of the wake.

Free coffin, anyone?

If Taguig City has more or less P10 billion annual appropriation budget (2017 AAB was more than P8 billion) this year, Makati City collected P15.8 billion revenues last year that could be part of its reenacted budget, thanks to the procrastination of her opposition dads, this year.

Sus, these mammoth budgets have shamed the P1.10 billion and almost P1 billion AABs of the cities of Dagupan and Urdaneta in my province Pangasinan!

Vice Guv Mark, 4 BMs Take Oath

VICE GOV. LAMBINO AND 4 SP MEMBERS TAKE THEIR OATH. Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino (middle) takes his oath of office at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) session hall on June 30.  Also on the same day, three new board members and one returning board member sworn into office, namely: Donabel N. Fontelera (2^nd from left) – 1st district, Vici M. Ventanilla (extreme left) – 3rd district, Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison (2^nd from right) – 5th District and Von Mark R. Mendoza (extreme right) – 2nd District. /SMDG (Photo by MVSadim)