Reg. 3 Econ. Dwarfs Reg. 1 with P60.8-B. Tax

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – Based on the tax target given by the national government, the taxes to be collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in central Luzon are almost three times bigger than by their counterpart in Ilocos Region.

BIR Revenue Region No. 4 Director lawyer Emmanuel S. Ferrer, Jr. told Northern Watch Newspaper that his office is mandated by the tax agency’s central office in Quezon City to collect P60.8 billion for this year.

Central Luzon is becoming a preferred hub for industrial park development in the country. This is according to leading diversified professional services and investment management firm Colliers (NASDAQ and TSX: CIGI), that attributes this to improving infrastructure connectivity and the rise of new industrial spaces in the region, brought on by the development of more integrated communities. Moneysense.com

“P60.8 billion. For last year P51 billion,” the Director told this writer during the sideline of the tax campaign kick-off rally of Revenue District Office No. 21A held at the Activity Center of Marquee Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Ilocos Region

The BIR in central Luzon oversees Revenue District Office No. 1 in Ilocos Norte, RDO No. 2 in Ilocos Sur, RDO No. 3 in La Union, RDO No. 4 in central Pangasinan, RDO No. 5 in western Pangasinan, and RDO No. 6 in eastern Pangasinan.

RDO No. 4 Chief Lope N. Tubera said that Revenue Regional Office No. 1 was ordered to collect P23. 7 billion while his office – that oversees two cities and fourteen towns’ central Pangasinan was tasked to rack up P5.391 billion for 2024.

Central Luzon

If RDO No. 4 is the premier tax office in the six RDOs Ilocos Region, RDO-21A under Charmaine C. dela Torre is the flagship office of central Luzon because it is mandated to collect P14.4 -billion this year. RDO-21A covers the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat and the towns of Magalang, Porac, and Arayat.

The population of the six provinces (Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales) of the Revenue Regional Office No. 4 as coined by the BIR for central Luzon was 7, 985, 037 (PSA 2020) while the demography of the four provinces (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan) Revenue Regional Office No. 1 was 5,301,139 (PSA 2020).

 Region-3

A growth region in the Philippines, according to the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) that contributes significantly to the national economy, Central Luzon is home to a number of industrial estates and economic zones with efficient water, power and telecommunication facilities; port facilities; road networks that create synergy between and among the economic and tourism points of Subic, Clark and the seven provinces; and, a strategic location that offers accessibility for the movement of people, goods and service from the North to Manila.

A distinct advantage in consideration of the Asia-Pacific Rim, Central Luzon’s highly strategic location was enough for the United States Government to locate their biggest naval and air military facilities outside the US mainland. The former Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base facilities which were turned over to the Philippine government in 1991, now two of the country’s premier economic zones.

Central Luzon combines the advantages of an international airport, a seaport, industrial and agricultural areas, tourism and leisure sites, support services, and major thoroughfares. The complementation of each of these elements enhances the strengths of the region as an investment destination.

Ilocos Region

Although the economy in the southern portion of the region, especially Pangasinan, is anchored on agro-industrial and service industry, the economy in the northern portion of the region is anchored in the agricultural sector. The economy in Pangasinan is driven by agro-industrial businesses, such as milkfish (bangus) cultivation and processing, livestock raising, fish paste processing (bagoong), salt production, and others. At the same time the importance of trading, financial services, and educational services in the economy cannot be denied. Income in the Ilocos provinces or northern portion mostly come from cultivating rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, and fruits; raising livestock such as pigs, chicken, goats, and carabaos (water buffalos).

The distribution of the economic activity in the region may be seen from the collection of tax revenue of the national government. The bulk of the collections come from Pangasinan, which posted 61% of the total.

The service and light manufacturing industries are concentrated in the cities. Dagupan City is mostly driven by its local entrepreneurs, which have started to expand its network up to the national level. San Fernando City in La Union also has an active shipping port and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte has an international airport.

The tourism industry, driven by local airlines and land transportation firms in the area like Victory Liner, Five Stars, Solid North, Farinas Transit Company and Partas, focuses on the coastal beaches and on eco-tourism. There are fine sands stretching western Pangasinan, along Bauang and premium beach resorts in San Juan all in La Union and the rest of the region. Opportunities to engage in other water sports and activities abound. Eco-tourism takes advantage of the marine and forest resources in the Ilocos Region and displays the natural beauty of the place.

The region is also rich in crafts, with renowned blanket-weaving and pottery. The Ilocanos’ burnay pottery is well known for its dark colored clay.

Bankruptcy of this Political Family

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

A kin mulls to be elected for a lawmaking seat of a first class town in the next year’s election. I told him to prepare two to three million pesos for day to day expenses  and for the purchase of votes from the voters in the eve of election if he wants to win the derby.

Photo credit: Groww

Was my advice dissolute or immoral since the Right of Suffrage is revered by people in a democratic society like the Philippines?

The solemnity of an election is only a platitude espoused by experts on the annotations of political science books,the Constitution, and jurisprudences.

In reality, one needs a lots of money be it in a presidential, senatorial, congressional and local elections despite they run against the limitation on the campaign expenses mandated by the Omnibus Election Code in the rambunctious country's Philippines.

One needs a lot of doughs for a regular television advertisement on the national elections that run up to a billion of pesos for a one year to six months’ preparation but one needs to buy the vote –from P50 to P,1000 – directly to each of the mostly ignorant masa to win an electoral seat that gives a pittance based on the monthly remuneration for a three years’ term of a politico.

Elective positions are preoccupations entered by the people who have monies to burn. I smirked seeing those candidates, for example in the top village post, mortgaging a property for a million of pesos or selling their house and lot so they can buy votes just to win a post that gives a P15,000 monthly pay for a two or three years’ term.

These candidates mired themselves with debts just to massage their ego as the most respected leader in their barangay when they get elected. Imagine, there is an adjective of “Honorable” appended before their rank and name. I found this practice and goal insane!

Almost everybody pays obeisance to the “Kapitan” and “Kagawad” in the barrio.

Ito iyong mga kulang sa accomplishment sa buhay at diyan na nagsusugal sa pagiging pulitiko kahit na malubog sila sa utang dahil kailangan nila ng prestige or respeto.

***

One example of this inanity was a former mayor and his father who borrowed tens of millions of pesos just to win the 2019 mayorship election. Debtors were freaking out because even during the mayor’s failed reelection in the 2022 poll they couldn't pay their debts they used to buy votes in the 2019 contest. When their governor friend lost the last election, their burgeoning construction business with the provincial government disappeared in thin air that aggravated their fluidity to pay their debts to angry creditors.

Worse, even their cars have been sold if not pulled out by the car dealers because of their failure to pay the monthly amortization.

Both father and son swore that they would no longer dip their fingers on the acrimonious, expensive, and dirty world of politics.

They become insolvent if not a pauper.

How about you dear readers, do you know folks like those above?

P’nan Town Nixes Classes Every Time Sun Hits Danger Level

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan - When the heat index reaches the danger degree Celsius, the mayor here ordered that classes from the elementary to high school in public and privates school be suspended.

Photo courtesy: Inventiva

A report Thursday, for example, from the Department of Science & Technology (DOST)-PAG-ASA that the heat index would reach 46° prompted Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno to suspend the classes to protect the students.

The action of Parayno was not new because in April 3, 2024 she signed Executive Order No. 2024-019 that instructs the suspension of all face-to-face schoolings in pre-school to high school levels in both public and private schools under the local government here.

DOST-PAG-ASA said that the 46° is under the classification “danger” to humans that would cause cramps, exhaustion, or stroke to those who expose themselves  under the blistering sun.

To those school officials who would continue the direct mode of classes, it is up for them, according to the Mayor, because they have been authorized by the Department of Education (DepEd) based on DepEd Order No. 037 Series of 2022. The order is about the g𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 c𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 s𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 c𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 w𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯 s𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 e𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 n𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 d𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, p𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 o𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 / p𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 i𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 c𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴.

Parayno, however, said that the parents, guardians and the students should coordinate with the school officials to know the mode of learning the children are going to undertake.

Mayor Parayno cautioned her constituents to protect their health and safety under the sizzling heat felt not only in the Philippines but in the other regions of the world.

Earlier, the mayor advice the people here to drink enough water, stay at shaded area, avoid exposing themselves to the merciless sun, wear comfortable dress, use protection from the sun like umbrella, hat and sunglasses. (With reports from Mangaldan PIO)

Batang Celeste Aagawan ng Trono si Sual Mayor

 

 MATAPOS TALUNIN NI MAYOR SI EX-CONG. CELESTE SA BATTLE ROYAL

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

SUAL, Pangasinan – Nagparehistro dito kamakailan lang si dating Pangasinan Board Member Arthur Celeste, Jr. para agawin ang trono ng nakaupong mayor ng pinakamayamang bayan sa buong Pangasinan.

Former Pangasinan Board Member Arthur Celeste,Jr (left) and burgeoning town mayor Liseldo "Dong" Calugay.

Tinalo noong May 9, 2022 sa isang magarbo at maingay na mayorship election dito ni two-term mayor Liseldo ”Dong” Calugay ang tiyuhin ni Celeste na si dating Pangasinan 1^st Disrict Cong. Jesus “Boying” Celeste.

Si Celeste ay pinalitan bilang pinuno ng Philippines Councilors League - Pangasinan Chapter (PCL-PC) ni Carolyn Dizon-Sison kung saan awtomatiko siyang naging ex-oficio na miyembro ng provincial board matapos maghain ng resignation letter sa opisina ni Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino si Celeste sa pagiging Board Member ng Pangasinan 1^st District.

Nanalo si Celeste sa PCL–PC election kontra kay Councilor Antonio Perez ng San Manuel, Pangasinan noong September 9, 2022 kung saan siya ang naging pinuno ng 47 na mga bayan at mga siyudad sa lalawigan na may mga PCL chapters.

Bago magpa rehistro dito, nagbitaw muna si Celeste bilang elected city councilor ng Alaminos City dahil iyan ay naaayon sa batas bago ang isang Filipino ay maging kandidato sa alin mang elective public pusisyon sa ibang bayan.

Former Pangasinan Board Member Arthur Celeste, Jr. (extreme right photo), Sual Vice Mayor JC Arcinue (2nd from right) and Celeste's namesake and father Pangasinan 1st District Cong. Celeste (extreme left photo). Photo taken after the young Celeste filed recently his voter registration at the 19 villages' Sual town. Photo credit: Board Member Apple Bacay 

Ayon sa Local Government Code of the Philippines ang isang “elective local official must be… a registered voter in the… town…; a resident therein for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the election… (Section 39)”. 

Ang batang wannabe mayor na kandidato dito ay anak ni Pangasinan 1^st District Cong. Arthur Celeste, Sr.

Ang namumuong labanan dito ay nakikita uli ng mga political experts na isang battle royal matapos gapiin ni Mayor Calugay si dating Congressman Boying Celeste sa isang magarbo, maingay at magastos na election noong May 9, 2022 kahit na daang milyong pesos ang bumaha dito sa projects at social services  galing sa pondo ni Congressman Noli Celeste.

Nakakuha si Calugay ng API ng 14,735 boto habang si dating congressman Celeste ng Nationalista Party ay merong 12, 125 na boto.

Matapos manalo na vice mayor ng matandang Celeste si incumbent Vice Mayor JC Arcinue, siya ay pinagpapalagay ng diyaryong ito na maging tandem uli ng batang Celeste sa susunod na taong election noong makita siyang kasama si Arthur Jr. noong nag file ito nag voter registration dito.

Tittle -Tattle: Estrella vs. Vice Guv Lambino

By Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

The critics of Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico and Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino –dubbed as the vaunted Aguila in the 2022 Election – fail to sow intrigue on the photo of come backing congressional wannabe Manay Gina de Venecia of the Pangasinan 4^th District where the De Venecia’s matriarch posed for a photo op with Guico, outgoing 4^th District Cong. Toff de Venecia, and Albert Romero Estrella.

Albert Romero Estrella (extreme left photo) and Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino (extreme right photo). Estrella is the scion of Department of Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrad Estrella.

Estrella represented his father Department of Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrad Estrella during the Farmers' Night at a fiesta in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Some media men at the Capitol suspected that the young Estrella – who has a male twin – was doing a stomp and soiree to countless of places in the huge province for his vice gubernatorial bid.

A high official doused water to the perception of the Capitol friendly reporters that the boy zeroes to unseat the vice governor at his perch in the capital town’s Lingayen.

Albert is ubiquitous nowadays because he is going to replace his uncle – Cong. Eskimo Estrella - as the first nominee of the Abono Partylist while his twin’s Gilbert will be challenging Pangasinan 6^th District Marlyn Primicias-Agabas. This after the latter was rumored to undermine the bid of the Estrellas in the district to have another congressional apportionment so their kin could run unopposed for Congress.

I wrote on my blog then: “The cause of the riff, my source who asked on conditioned of anonymity, started when Estrella’s younger brod Cong. Robert Raymund “Eskimo” Estrella, who is the lone Representative of Abono Partylist, passed a bill in the House of Representatives to transform Pangasinan six congressional districts to eight. (MY QUESTION: Why file a bill for an eight- district when we could have up to 12 districts based on our more than three million populations by using the Constitutional barometer of not least than 250, 000 population for creating a congressional district?).  My source said that Cong. Estrella’s bill carved out the towns of Asingan, Balungao and Rosales and Sta. Maria – both the bailiwick of the Estrellas - all from the old 6^th District for the new 7^th District that includes too the towns of Villasis and Sto. Tomas of the 5^th District. My mole told me that the actuation of Estrella – whose brother – DAR Sec. Conrad - and him have shaky alliance with 6^th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas – offended the camp of the latter. Agabas’ hubby – a former congressman – is the incumbent Tayug Mayor Tyrone Agabas. “Since she is a Deputy Majority Leader of the 19^th Congress, she could torpedo the bill in the committee level before it goes to the plenary for votation,” my source – an avid reader of this column - told me when I pooh-poohed how can a lone congresswoman frustrates a bill for the welfare of the folks in Pangasinan when the 315 members of the House of Representatives resort to the popular votes and not her to catapult the bill into a law (of course with the collaboration of the Senate and the final signature of the President to make it a real law - as what our Prof taught us in Political Science)”

COJUANGCO AND VG LAMBINO’S BROUHAHA

When I crossed path with Vice Governor Lambino last Monday at the Capitol, he reacted to the two sentences of my front page news article in the vernacular titled: Si VG Lambino na ang Gustong Makalaban ni Urdaneta Mayor that saw print on our April 21-27 issue of the Northern Watch Newspaper where I am the Editor-in-Chief.

THE VAUNTED members of the Aguila that destroyed the political machinery of the Espino family in Pangasinan. From left to right: Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Art Celeste, Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico, and Billionaire Businessman Cezar Quiambao. 

  I wrote: “Noong mag krus ang landas ni Lambino at Cojuangco kamakailan sa Bagoong Festival sa Lingayen, sinabihan ng huli ang una na hahanapan niya ng kalaban sa pagiging bise gobernador si Lambino”.

“Itong pangyayari ay ayon sa insider ng diyaryong ito sa Lingayen na nagsabi na masama pa rin ang loob ni Cojuangco matapos magpatawag noong September 2023 si Lambino sa mga miyembro ng provincial board para imbestigahan ang illegal na P75 million na seawall sa Lingayen na panukala ni Cojuangco na gawin ng Department of Public Works & Highway”.

The young two-term vice governor told me that he met with the solon and was told what I wrote above. He disagreed however that Cojuangco was still smarting on what he did and his lawmakers on the seawall.

“A few days later I met him and everything was fine as if nothing happens,” he told me.

As what the overused phrase said: All well that ends well!

So If Lambino and Cojuanco are chummy again so with Governor Guico and the mestizo 2^nd District congressman – the son of the man behind the success of the mammoth conglomerate’s San Miguel Corporation.

In a post at Facebook by Cojuangco dated April 19, Governor Guico was seen in a jovial moment with the solon, Pangasinan 1^st District Rep. Art Celeste, and Billionaire Businessman Cezar Quiambao where they dined at a posh restaurant in Imperial Manila, probably, and stood, held their fingers, and raised their hands to project to all and sundry their unity.

Cojuangco captioned it: “Ayon sa mga bali-balita na gawa ng mga Marites at Tolits, nabuwag na raw ang TEAM AGUILA. Ako raw at si Gov. Ramon Mon-Mon Guico III ay hindi na nag-uusap at may samaan ng loob, at tumiwalag na raw ako sa Team AGuiLa. Wala na pong paliguy-ligoy pa, kayo na ang humusga! Sabi nga nila, a picture paints a thousand words. Kaya heto na po ang picture namin na kuha ngayong gabi Paki-share na lang sa mga Marites at Tolits, mga ka-distrito!

I quipped by writing at my Facebook Account after sharing the photos of the meeting of those four powerful men of Pangasinan:

“Ayaw niyo kasi maniwala sa mga blogs ko na walang kalaban sa pagka Gob si Monmon Guico sa 2025 election. Heto, buongbuo ang apat na orig ng Aguila!” after Governor Guico showed me text messages from Cojuangco, Cong. Toff de Venecia, and Manay Gina de Venecia who greet him on his natal day.

The quadrumvirate of Guico, Cojuangco, Quiambao, and Celeste collaborated in the 2022 Election to destroy big time the political machinery of their archrival the perennial ruling Espino family – composed of former Governor Amado, his son and namesake the former Guv, and his congressman son’s Jumel -  in the national and provincial politics.

With Guico and Lambino cozying up with Cojuangco, their critics and bashers have lost topics to sow intrigue.

Paano iyan walang kalaban na formidable sa governorship and vice governorship sa 2025 election ang dalawa, another three years kayong insecure na naman niyan mga kritiko at sour grapes?

Money Fight: Garcia should Duke-Out with Pacquiao, Spence

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

The series of punishment dealt by Lightweight Division’s pug Ryan Garcia on Devin Miles Haney - his adversary last weekend – was scintillating.

NEW FACE of boxing American Ryan Garcia (left photo and clockwise), explosive Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and the still dangerous American Errol Spence. 

While glued excitedly on Round 1 (where Ryan powerful left hook wobbled Haney), I reminisced the mauling of Manny Pacquiao of the then favorite to win Antonio Marco Barrera on their first meeting when I saw Garcia did the same to Haney in Round 7.  I recalled, too, how the hard hitting Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga with his street brawl style kept knocking down the technical – just like Haney – World Boxing Association World Welterweight and Welterweight’s World Boxing Council Champ’s American Vernon Forrest when Garcia felled his opponent twice in Rounds 10 and 11.

My take on Haney: When your opponent is a knocked out artist, you don’t fight him tit-for-tat. The only guy who did it was Sugar Ray Leonard against Roberto Duran on their first hard fought back and forth take- no- prisoner battle. What made Leonard different to Haney, the former had a chin, powerful hand speed, and fast footwork.

POST FIGHT PRESSER

In the post press conference called by the camp of Garcia, Golden Boy Promotion Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Oscar dela Hoya told the members of the press that Ryan is the face now of boxing.

“Ryan is calling all the shots now – that is the fact! If he (opponent) wants to fight at 147, he wants to fight at a catch weight, guess what?  If anybody wants to make money, if anybody wants to make more money they have to fight Ryan. Guest what? He calls all the shots, that’s it!”

Ryan Garcia emerged victorious over American compatriot Devin Haney in a high-stakes match held in New York. The taller and powerful champ strategic implementation of his left hook proved instrumental, leading to his opponenet's staggering knockdowns in the seventh, 10th, and 11th rounds.

DANGEROUS ON THAT EXCESS WEIGHTS

Garcia exceeded by 3.3 pounds the maximum limit of 140 pounds of the Lightweight Division that made him heavier and powerful in the fight night against the beleaguered Haney whose victims were George Kambosos, Jr (twice) and Vasyl Lomachenko (controversial win).

“Garcia would be dangerous despite the technicality of Haney because of that excess weight a day before the fight night,” I told my two grown up boxing aficionado sons a day before the rumble at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City.

Boxing experts and renowned combat sports players opined in the post-fight that the native of Los California should be fighting at 147 pounds (Welterweight) and not to return to the lower weights like when he looked gaunt where Tank Davis knocked him down to the dais big time in Round 2 and knocked him out through a kidney punch on Round 7 on their April 22, 2023 outing.

Garcia mulled to fight the towering Sebastian Fundora - the champion of the WBO and WBC 154 Super Welterweight Division.

 Garcia however should evaluate thoroughly whom to fight next as based on Dela Hoya’s logic for profit.

 Garcia was declared on that breathtaking fight by the ref as the majority (two judges) winners at 114-110 and 115-109 while the other judge gave that controversial draw of 112-112.

HIGH PAYING FIGHT

Garcia camp should call out legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao or Errol Spence – who could enhance the PPV - instead of a rematch with Haney and a duke out with Teofimo Lopez – the present WBO Super Lightweight champ.

On the last outing of Spence versus Terrence Crawford at Welterweight, the event gross $55 million and a gate revenue of more than $20 million while Pacquiao versus Keith Thurman at Welterweight sold $37.5 million in PPV.

The Tank versus Garcia fight in April 22, 2023 at Las Vegas, Nevada earned 1.2 million PPVs at $84.99 and approximately $22.8 million from ticket sales or a total revenue of $124.9 million.

Garcia can earn more than $50 million on his latest match. According to thesporters.com, he stands to earn $30 million not to mention $12 million he won at the casino when he bet $2 million for himself. The American – whom many thought became a nut job - was the underdog on this Haney fight. The ballyhooed fight is expected to earn one million PPV sales.

(Send comments to totomortz@yahoo.com)

FRIENDS

Come backing Pangasinan 4th District congressional wannabe Gina de Venecia (standing) and her son Rep. Toff de Venecia (extreme right) cozy up with Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico (extreme left) and Albert Romero Estrella (center) who represents his father Department of Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrad Estrella during the Farmers' Night at a fiesta in Manaoag, Pangasinan. Photo credit: Manay Gina de Venecia

Resuello Praises for Addressing Vitamin-A Deficiency

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BASISTA, Pangasinan – The constituents of mayor Jolly R. Resuello lauded him by making the landlocked town as pilot project of Malusog (Golden) Rice Seed and Grain Production.

 The project was initiated by Pangasinan 2^nd District Congressman Mark O. Cojuangco in partnership with PhilRice to address Vitamin-A deficiency of the Filipinos. The rice contains additional levels of beta-carotene which the body converts into vitamin A.

GOLDEN RICE is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment that the body converts into vitamin A as needed). This compound is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden color (RRRI).

Golden Rice was developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Golden Rice, according to IRRI, is developed through genetic engineering. While ordinary rice does produce beta carotene, it is not found in the grain. Thus, scientists used genetic engineering to add the compound to the grain - a minor tweak that improved the grain’s nutritive value. The beta carotene in Golden Rice, which was made possible by the addition of two new enzymes, is identical to the beta-carotene found in green leafy and yellow-colored vegetables, orange-colored fruit, and even in many vitamin supplements and food ingredients.

Like ordinary rice, Golden Rice does not require any special cultivation practices, and generally has the same yield and agronomic performance.

While vitamin A can be obtained from food products and supplements, challenges regarding their availability, accessibility, and affordability make it difficult to address the problem of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). As rice is a staple food in many vitamin A-deficient communities in Asia, Golden Rice can be a significant help in improving these areas’ vitamin A status once the grain becomes available for public consumption.

“Thanks to the leadership of our esteemed Mayor Jolly R. Resuello, our town of Basista has been chosen as a pilot area for the Golden Rice Production project,” a post at Agriculture-Basista at Facebook said.

Si VG Lambino na ang Gustong Makalaban ni Urdaneta Mayor

FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT SA AUGUST

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

Inihayag sa isang press conference sa Urdaneta City kahapon na tatakbo sa pagka bise gobernador ang kontrobersyal na Alkalde nito pagmaganda ang survey results niya dito.

Ani news reporter Ed Gonzales na andoon sa press meeting, sinabi ni Parayno sa mga reporters na may balak siyang tumakbo sa nasabing pusisyon.

Urdaneta City Mayor Julio "Rammy" Parayno III (left) and Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino.

“Kung sakali man na bahagya lang ang diperensiya sa pagtakbo sa mayor mapipilitian akong tumakbong vice governor,” ani Parayno sa isang video, “Nagkaroon ako ng dream na mag preside ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan at ito ay naging forte ko noong ako’y vice mayor ng Urdaneta”.

Nagpatawag si Parayno ng mga media men sa kaniyang opisina kahapon ng alas tres para sagutin ang batikos sa kanya ni Pangasinan 5^th District Congressman Ramon “Monching” Guico, Jr. na siya ay kurap at wala siyang nagagawang maganda sa Urdaneta, bilyong peso ang utang ng siyudad sa pamumuno nito, nagagalit daw siya tuwing may flag ceremony sa mga government workers niya, babaero daw siya, at merong maliit na ari.

Hindi kaila na makakalaban ni Parayno sa reelection niya si Maan Guico – maybahay ni Pangasinan Governor Ramon “Monmon” Guico III – matapos mag pa register as new voter siya sa Urdaneta noong March 14 para matupad ang requirement sa batas na one-year residency bago ang isang dayo na galing sa Binalonon, Pangasinan makatakbo sa pagiging alkalde ng 34 villages na siyudad kung saan 16 na Kapitanes ay pro Maan Guico na.

Nakikita ng mga experto na isang Herculean na gawain na labanan ni Parayno si Maan lalo walang nakikitang makakalaban ang kanyang mister sa pagka gobernador sa susunod na taon na eleksiyon.  Kaysa gumastos siya ng milyon-milyon kontra sa Guico, makakalibre daw siya sa gastos pag nilabanan niya si reelective Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino.

“Happy ako noong inoffer sa akin iyan parang…may certain degree of happiness o brightness or parang alam mo iyong ito na iyon it is a destiny or a fate,” dagdag niya pa.

Maniniwala ang karamihan, gayunpaman, na hindi ito pakana ni Parayno para maiwasan ang mainit na isyu sa kanilang dalawa ni Cong. Monching kung siya ay makikita ng mga taga Pangasinan na umiikot na sa 44 towns at 3 cities na lalawigan para matupad ang pangarap niyang maging No.2 man ng provincial government.

Hinamon ni Parayno si Cong. Monching dati sa pagiging alkalde ng Urdaneta pero ni kontra hamon din siya ng huli na maglaban sa congressional seat ng 5th District.

“Parayno was once a presiding officer in his home town as elected vice mayor in this city and during his stint years as head of the Sangguniang Panlungsod  (city lawmaking body) he performed extra-ordinary results in parliamentary procedures,” dagdag ni Gonzales.

Si two-term mayor Parayno ay nagtapos ng Bachelor of Arts sa Political Science major in Parliamentary Rules at Bachelor of Laws sa University of Pangasinan kung saan naging professor si Duterte Administration Secretary Raul Lambino – ama ng kasalukuyang bise gobernador – doon ng matagal.

Kung naging guro ni Parayno si Lambino sa Political Law at Constitution malamang gagamitin ni Mayor ang natutunan niya galing sa ginagalang na academician sa pangangampanya niya at sa pagiging presideng officer sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislature) kung paano tutulungan niya ang Guico Administration at ang pro Guico lawmakers doon -- iyon kung manalo siya sa May 12, 2025 election – to hammer laws.

“He said as of now he is conducting a survey whether or not he will continue his dream to run for Vice Governor and appeal to the Pangasinanses that he should be given up to August to finally decide after the survey result has come up”

Pag hindi daw pabor kay Mayor ang survey tatakbo na lang siya sa last reelection niya kasama ang kanyang congressional candidate na si dating Pangasinan Governor Pogi Espino na makakasagupa ni Cong. Monching.

***

Noong mag krus ang landas ni Lambino at Cojuangco kamakailan sa Bagoong Festival sa Lingayen, sinabihan ng huli ang una na hahanapan niya ng kalaban sa pagiging bise gobernador si Lambino.

Itong pangyayari ay ayon sa insider ng diyaryong ito sa Lingayen na nagsabi na masama pa rin ang loob ni Cojuangco matapos magpatawag noong September 2023 si Lambino sa mga miyembro ng provincial board para imbestigahan ang illegal na P75 million na seawall sa Lingayen na panukala ni Cojuangco na gawin ng Department of Public Works & Highway.  

BBM Seeking U.S Protection will Cost Ph Economically from China - Imee

By Mortz C. Ortigozaa

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The presidential sister disagreed on the iron clad protection by the United States against the unhampered bullying of the Chinese against personnel of the coast guard ships of the Philippines because it could cost economic sanction by Beijing to Manila.

National and local media practioners pose a question to Senator Imee Marcos about the Spratlys' brouhaha and the progress of the Charter Change in the Senate. Seated with Marcos is Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrad Estrella. The duo are guest of honors of the get together of the Kabataang Barangay held at the Sison Auditorium in the Capitol in Lingayen.
At the back of Sec. Estrella is Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil.
PHOTO CREDIT: Zoe Adeur

“Mahirap iyan iyong economic sanction, mamatay tayo ng gutom naghihikahos ang marami maraming mawawalan ng trabaho,” Senator Imee Marocs told this writer at the sideline of the national get together of the members of the Kabataan Barangay she headed in the 1970’s. It was held recently in the Sison Auditorium at the Capitol in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

United States President Joe Biden told the senator’s young brother President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr that the U.S defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad.

“They’re ironclad,” Biden said as he began the three-way talks at the White House with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Marcos. “As I said before, any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels or armed forces in the South China Sea would invoke our mutual defense treaty,” the U.S President pledged.

Marcos and the Japanese Prime Minister are with Biden to formulate their strategies to deal with the belligerent Beijing government that threatened the multi trillion-dollar trade sea lane there.

The Philippines and the U.S have a military’s Mutual Defense Treaty since August 30, 1951.

In 2023 the Philippines exported US$10.65 Billion or P573, 201, 750, 000 of goods to China according to Trading Economics.

In Hong Kong alone, Filipino workers there sent in 2022 U.S$732.36 million or P41.7 billion – according to statista.com -  for the Philippines economy alone. Filipinos – who could not find works in the Philippines – are employed too in Mainland China and Macau – another part of China like Hong Kong.

Senator Marcos advice the concerned agencies of the government not to side with the U.S and China and avoid harsh languages that could offend the Chinese government.

 She said that Beijing was affronted by the certification of Manila of the 17 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the country.

EDCA codifies the conditions of limited military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States. It hands over all operational controls of these "Agreed Locations" to the United States, and allows U.S. forces to pre-position and store defense materiel, equipment, and supplies.

“Sa kanilang Presidente dapat mag-usap usap. Meron silang 11 proposals tinapon natin sa sahig, wag naman tayong ganyan kahit pikon na pikon ang ating mangingisda,” Senator Marcos stressed

The Philippines government she said should resort to dialogue at every level like the Chinese coastguard, lawmaking body of China, and their president.

“So ang sinasabi ko ang dapat we stake our claim in the legal fora that are available among them all the co-claimants, among them ASEAN, also very important we go back to the U.N lahat iyan ang talagang kailangan gawin. So sa pamaraang legal huwag lang iyong note verbal na parang binasura na sa dami at patawag ng patawag ng Ambassador (ng China)”.

She said that we should pursue these steps in spite of Filipino fishermen being harassed by the Chinese coast guard and militia ships in the Spratlys.

Meanwhile, The Philippines may invoke the 1951 MDT if a sailor or a member of its military is killed in an attack in the South China Sea, President Marcos said Monday.

He made the remark when asked at a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on when the MDT could be invoked amid China’s continued aggressive acts in the Spratlys.

“I think (US Defense) Secretary (Lloyd) Austin explained it very well. If any servicemen, Filipino service man, is killed by an attack from any foreign power, then that is time to invoke the MDT,” the President said.

He said that as long as the Chinese have actually caused casualties on the Filipino side and it has killed the serviceman whatever their designation whether they are merchant marine or Coast Guard or those personnel of the navy vessels, it does not matter.

  

  

Prosti ang Nagkalat na Maliit ang Ari Ko – Urdaneta Mayor

MATAPOS SIYANG MAKIPAG-SEX DITO

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Inamin sa isang panayam ni Urdaneta City mayor na galing sa bayarang babae na naka sex niya ang pagkakalat sa mga customers niyang mga pulitiko na maliit daw ang ari niya.

“Hindi ko itinatanggi na nakakatalik ko rin ito dati at ito ay kasalanan ko sa aking asawa na pinagsisihan ko na rin. Nahinto ang pagkikita namin mula noong April ng 2023,” ani Mayor Julio “Rammy” Parayno III sa telephone interview sa kaibigan niyang reporter at blogger na si Renato “Atong” Remogat.

TRYST. Urdneta City Mayor Julio "Rammy" Parayno III and a file photo of an anonymous seductive woman.

Sa Facebook Account ni Remogat ngayong araw na ito, sinabi ni Parayno na ang dating naka relasyon niya ay isang high class escort girl, sexy at maganda na si K.N na taga-Villasis na ang mga parokyano nito ay mga batang mayor sa Pangasinan.

“Ang gawain nito ay siraan ang Mayor na nakakatalik niya kapag hindi naibigay ang gusto niyang pera. May mga nabanggit na rin siyang mga batang Mayor sa akin na sinisiraan niya na kapag hindi nila naibibigay iyong gusto niya, pero never kong ipinarating sa mga Mayor ang mga bagay-bagay gaya ng malilit daw ang itits nila, dahil hindi ko naman alam ang personal na katawan nila,” dagdag ni Mayor.

Si K.N ay pamangkin ng kilalang illegal drug peddler sa Villasis na nahuli ng mga pulis sa bayan ng San Manuel na nagbebenta ng druga.

Nagalit daw ang prosti na girlfriend ni Parayno dahil ayaw niyang tulungan ang una na makalabas sa kulungan ang tiyuhin na pusher.

“Dahil sa hindi ko pagtulong nagalit ito at hindi na nagpakita. Gaya ng sabi ko sigurado akong siniraan din niya ako kina Mayor CW at Mayor VD gaya ng paninira niya na maliit ang itits (ko) hehe,” ani Mayor.

Sina Mayor C.W at Mayor V.D, dagdag ni Parayno, ang mga exclusive na may alaga sa first class na prostitute ngayon.

Pero di masabi ni Mayor kung alam ng dalawang batang mayor na pareho silang ginagatasan ng tusong si K.N.

 “Ayon sa kaibigan ni K.N, mas paborito raw niya si Mayor CW dahil malaki magbigay ng pera”.

Ani Parayno na si Mayor C.W ang nagkuwento kay Pangasinan 5^th District Congressman Monching Guico na maliit ang ari niya (Parayno).

“Kaya nga natawa ako ng malaman ko iyan sigurado akong si Mayor CW ay naniwala kay K.N at ito naman ay ikwenento rin niya kay Congressman. Parang batang naniwala agad sa kuwento si Congressman,” sabi ni Parayno kay Remogat.

Ang isyung maliit ang ari ng Urdaneta Mayor ay nagsimula kamakailan lang noong nagpatawag si Congresmman Guico ng mga miyembro ng Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) of Urdaneta sa tahanan niya sa Binalonan, Pangasinan.

Ani Remogat sinabi daw kay Parayno ng ibang miyembro ang patutsada ni Congressman Monching na corrupt at wala siyang nagagawang maganda sa Urdaneta, bilyong peso ang utang ng siyudad sa pamumuno nito, nagagalit daw siya tuwing may flag ceremony sa mga government workers niya, babaero daw siya, at merong maliit na ari.

Andito sa ilalim ng news article na ito ang screen shots ng blog ni Remogat na may pamagat: Parayno Nagsalita na Laban sa Paratang ng mga Guico.

U.S F-16 Pilots TeachFilipino How to Hit Missile, Radar Sites

 

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

"Baby it's the U.S F-16 Block 50 jet that cost multiple billions of pesos each," as I quipped to the video camera of my son Jigger during the Cope Thunder 2024.

The American brought today in Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga 12 Lockheed Martin aircraft to collaborate with Filipino pilots of FA 50PH light attack multiple role jets how manuverability like air to ground attack islets and enemy ships.

Some Pinoys paid for airfare going to Singapore to watch an air expo to see jet like this while this Yokel is privileged to be part of the Ph military sanctioned reporters to cover American air assets and interview their pilots.

These jets are called Wild Weasel vaunted for air -to- ground attack.

The F-16 Wild Weasel Pilots explain to me that that flyby of the six multi-million pesos jets to the South China Sea from Basa Air Base in Pampanga was a hard drive where the pilot used their after burners to burn more gas just like for a dog fight mission.

The Wild Weasel mission is now assigned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, using the Block 50 and Block 52, with production beginning in 1991. The single-seat Block 50/52 F-16C according to Wikipedia, is specifically tasked with this mission and aircraft modified for this mission are designated F-16CJ/DJ. The pilot now performs both the role of flying the airplane and targeting and employing against ground threats. Other aircraft, while capable of engaging anti-air emplacements, are typically tasked with other primary missions; the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog", primarily tasked with CAS missions, lacks the avionics to perform a true Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission and does not carry the AGM-88 HARM.

The AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) is a tactical, air-to-surface anti-radiation missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar systems. It was originally developed by Texas Instruments as a replacement for the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard ARM system. Production was later taken over by Raytheon Corporation when it purchased the defense production business of Texas Instrument.

Marcos Ain't Call U.S Military vs. China

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Sanamagan! U S Pres. Joe Biden unequivocally told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to invoke the Mutual Defense Pact with Washington and the superior U S forces would come - at a dropped of a hat - to the succor of the Philippines military being harassed by the Chinese in the South China Sea.

“The United States defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad. They’re ironclad,” Biden said as he began three-way talks at the White House with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Marcos. “As I said before, any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels or armed forces in the South China Sea would invoke our mutual defense treaty.”

Marcos and the Japanese Prime Minister are with Biden to formulate their strategies to deal with the belligerent Beijing government that threatened the multi trillion dollar trade sea lane there.

For me, Marcos will not call the U.S military help despite our ships from our coast guard have been rammed by Chinese government vessels in the Spratlys.

HERE MY REASON:

China’s trump card against the Philippines however is its imports from our country. By stopping to patronize them means tens if not hundreds of thousands of jobs and US$10.65 billion or P573, 201, 750, 000 (Year 2023) would be lost in the Philippines.

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, these goods were electronic equipment, ores slag and ash, copper, edible fruits, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons and fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and aquatics invertebrates.

Our import from China was US$30.93 billion or PhpP1.7 trillion for the same year.

Our five top exporting countries in 2022 were U.S, Japan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore with revenues of US$ 12.4 billion, US$11 billion, US$10.9 billion, U.S$10.4 billion, and U.S$4.9 billion, respectively.

Moreover, we have 242,107 Chinese tourists that arrived in the country from January 1 to November 27, 2023.

And I am not talking here about the tens of thousands Filipino workers in Mainland China and her protectorates Hong Kong and Macau who sent those tens of millions of dollars per year that help make our economy float.

Hawak tayo sa bayag ng mga Tsekwa, anak ng bakang dalaga!

We have limited options to challenge China because we are a poor country.

If our total export in 2022 is a mere US$78, 929, 717, 000, our neighbors' Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore have a mammoth exports of US$291, 979, 103, 000 US$469, 548, 577, 000 and US$515, 077, 895, 000 in the same year (Seasea Stats).

As the maxim says: Beggars like us (like those military hands me down from our patron the U.S) cannot be choosers.