NPC and Abono Party-list appeal to Justice Sec. De Lima to order NBI to reinvestigate the murder complaint vs Gov. Espino and Cong. Celeste

Abono Party list chairman  Rosendo So (R) and Pres. Benigno Aquino

The Nationalist People's Coalition has slammed political rivals for resorting to "political harassment and machinations" after the National Bureau of Investigation filed a complaint for murder against its party stalwarts -- Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. and Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Jesus Celeste -- for the death of Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez. "We are very dismayed over these petty tactics against our candidate.
 It is becoming too obvious to the public that these are machinations for their own political interests," NPC provincial chairman and former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco said. Abono party-list chairman Rosendo So described the murder charges as "impossible and improbable," even as he called on Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to order the NBI to conduct a re-investigation of the allegation against Gov. Espino and Cong. Celeste immediately. "Martinez is an ally of Governor Espino and Cong. Celeste. Mayor Martinez consistently delivered votes to the NPC. It is impossible for his allies to order his murder," So noted. "The NBI must re-investigate this case. This is not a joke. If they are training their guns on Gov. Espino, they will allow the real mastermind to get away and justice will not be served," So said. The NPC is engaged in a coalition with the Liberal Party of President Benigno Aquino III, but only for senatorial candidates. "We are standing by our candidate. It is very clear that this is just character assassination," Cojuangco said. Martinez was killed in front of his house on December 15 last year, and alleged killers Ricardo Legarda and Richard Manuel are currently detained at the Pangasinan provincial jail in Lingayen. Cojuangco said political opponents first tried to implicate Espino in alleged jueteng operations in the province. "But when the jueteng allegations did not stick, they are now trying to drag him into this murder case. Is it because they cannot defeat Gov. Espino in a legitimate electoral exercise?" Cojuangco said. "Gov. Espino told me he is being harassed. I told him politics is really like that - it is dirty and some resort to desperate measures if they know they cannot defeat their opponent," he added.

Murder raps vs Espino, Celeste Fabricated

FABRICATION. Rep. Jesus Celeste (Extreme Right) denies he has
 a hand in the killing  of Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez in a press
conference he called in Alaminos City in February 13.From Left is
Celeste's lawyers Art Amon and Joseph Segundera and Alaminos
Mayoralty bet Arthur Celeste. 

DON'T DRAG GOV. ESPINO AND REP. CELESTE. This was
what the widow , son, and daughter -in-law of Martinez cried against the political
opponents of Espino and Celeste during the February 13 press conference.

This was the curt reaction of Pangasinan Rep. Jesus “Boying” Celeste of the province’s first district to news reports linking him, along with Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. to the killing of Infanta (Pangasinan) Mayor Ruperto Martinez last Dec. 15 of last year.
 The two government officials were tagged as “masterminds” in a report of a team from the central office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) submitted to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, according to the news reports.
 “This is ridiculous. Our political foes have gone desperate in their character assassination to improve their acceptability rating in the forthcoming May local elections,” former Rep. Arthur Celeste, a younger brother of the incumbent congressman, told the media yesterday.
 The Celeste brothers questioned the credibility of the NBI report which, according to them, was “based merely on hearsay, on a testimony of one single alleged witness of minor age who comes from a broken family.”
 “The NBI recommendation is sweeping and uncalled for. It is more of a publicity stunt orchestrated by our political rivals to besmirch our reputation,” they said.
 The former solon who is running for mayor in this city against Lean Braganza, son of Mayor Hernani Braganza who is seeking the gubernatorial post against reelectionist Gov. Espino, urged the Justice department to be more prudent in looking into the veracity of the NBI report and the allegations of the witness identified as Jestin Aquino, a stowaway and first-year high school dropout from Bayambang, Pangasinan. “The late mayor Martinez was a close friend and reliable ally. He always came to us for support to serve better his constituents,” Celeste said, as he pointed out that the slain mayor was never engaged in black stone mining as alleged by Jestin.
 “There’s no black stone quarry in Infanta,” he added. Meanwhile, Crisanta Martinez, widow of the slain mayor, appealed to the authorities and other concerned parties not to use the murder of her husband as an issue in the political campaign. “It’s very bitter and painful for us, especially to link Cong. Celeste and Gov. Espino, our most reliable political benefactors to the killing,” she said. Jennifer Martinez, daughter-in-law of the late mayor, told the media their family was informed two weeks ago about “latest development on the killing” by Pangasinan Police Director, Sr. Supt. Marlou Chan who advised them to go to the NBI office in Manila to know the progress of the case. “When informed (at the NBI Special Task Force) that Cong Celeste and Gov. Espino are involved, we were dismayed and left for home because we believe they are innocent,” she said. In the same press conference, Rep. Celeste vehemently denied knowing Richard Manuel, alias “Kardo,” one of the two arrested suspected gunmen in the killing of Martinez who was identified in the news reports as Celeste’s bodyguard. “I never knew him (Kardo) from Adam and I don’t employ armed bodyguards,” he said. According to the news reports, the witness Aquino claimed to have heard the Celeste brothers and Espino discussing about a plan to liquidate Martinez in a resort in Bolinao town. “That’s fantastic,” exclaimed Celeste. “How could we talk about an assassination plot in the presence of other people, especially that of a minor?” he added. (PIO).

Big Brother Togikawa vows more assistance for Hundred Islands Medical Services Complex

Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza solemnizes the wedding of 98 couples
during the  9th Valentines Day mass wedding at the Don Leoploldo Sison
 Auditorium 

The city government of Alaminos has already received a lot from this Good Samaritan but there’s no stopping him in extending anew his gift of love to the Alaminian community. This, as another 40 ft. container full of medical equipment as well as balikbayan boxes with dialysis supplies are expected to arrive here early next month, said Stanley Togikawa, President of Shiraki Memorial Foundation of Hawaii (SMFH). Tokigawa and his lovely wife, Madam Joan, were here last February 12 to formally turn-over the medical equipment, supplies and hospital furniture that his group has donated to the city government particularly to the almost completed Hundred Islands Medical Services Complex (HIMSC). Tokigawa noted that their foundation normally send four to five containers a year and the one that is coming next month for Alaminos will be a forty (40) foot container truck full of hospital beds. Some of the equipment that were donated to the city came from a clinic in Hawaii that has already closed. This include incubators, x ray machine, dialysis machine, BP apparatus, ECG as well as dental chairs, medical supplies, office furniture and a lot hospital beds. The SMFH then partnered with the Medical Supplies Network, Inc. (MSI) of South Erie, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, represented by Director Larry Biron to be able to send four 40 foot container shipments of equipment and medical supplies to Alaminos City. “It’s a pleasure working with you. We thank Alaminos for this partnership as we could send all the items that we have so you could help the people of this city. It was Mayor (Hernani) Braganza’s vision that you would have this medical complex and I’m so glad to see the buildings near completion and probably in another few months you’ll have it ready,” stressed Togikawa. “I could still recall Lemton Agricola told me, almost three years ago, about the needs here of equipment and supplies. It was him who got this started. And then a month later, I meet with the mayor and we decided this is a good project for us to work with you all and to send you used medical as well as supplies,” he continued. Lemton Agricola, the founder of Project (ADAM) Anti-Drug Abuse Movement based in Alaminos, and his wife Venjie, once lived in Hawaii, USA. They have some strong connections with various Christian foundations and benevolent entities and good friends that include couples Stanley and Joan Tokigawa, whom they introduced to the hardworking mayor who was then on official visit to Honolulu in 2010 as Secretary General of League of Cities of the Philippines. In that casual meeting with the visionary mayor and upon hearing his administration’s health care thrust highlighted by the establishment of the first medical complex in the province, Stanley immediately committed a 40 ft container shipment. The shipments arrived in January and Mayor Braganza was personally there when the donations were unloaded and stored at the City Health Office and an undisclosed warehouse for safekeeping pending the completion of the medical complex. Then the next three containers arrived by the end of March. Mr. Tokigawa and his team were here last August to personally inspect the donations of his foundation. Appreciative of how the city government took good care of their gift for the Alaminians and went on to visit the medical complex which construction is on-going, he again committed to the mayor 2 more forty containers of equipment as well as medicines once the HIMSC will be fully operational. Agricola disclosed that the medical equipment and supplies were personally collected by Stanley and his volunteers from different hospitals in Hawaii and ships it over to those countries which such donations are very valuable and helpful to the delivery of their basic services. “Mayor Nani and Stanley became good friends because they share common passion to be of great service to the community and the vision for the poor particularly in providing health care services to the people,” said Agricola. “Stanley is a very nice and humble guy. He is man of action and prestige and we are very lucky that we are among those who benefited from his benevolence.” The Agricolas’ have been very supportive to the city government particularly in the anti-drug prevention drive, providing free computer and internet literacy trainings for out-of-school youth and conducting career guidance and education for job seekers. Meanwhile, City Administrator Wilmer S. Panabang was on hand in welcoming the city’s guests. He was joined by City Councilor Constante Carasi, City Health Officer Ma. Victoria Carambas, some department heads and the faculty and students of the Pangasinan State University Alaminos City Campus. In his message, Panabang extended Mayor Braganza and the city’s utmost gratitude to Sir Stanley, Madam Joan and the men and women of Shiraki Foundation for the wonderful gifts extended to the city and the people of Western Pangasinan. Panabang said “it is but fitting that the turn-over ceremony was held today or two days before the whole world will be celebrating the Valentine’s Day wherein assistance like this is an expression of their love and care to us.” “We are very happy for our friends, our benefactors who are actively assisting us in providing quality health care for our people in this part of the province of Pangasinan,” he continued. And also we would like to say that we are very proud to have you here in our city. “We do hope that our big brother from Hawaii could come back and join us in the formal opening and blessing of our medical complex very soon.” Tokigawa received a plaque of recognition, a specially made e-Kawayan name plate, and Hundred Islands T-shirts from the city administrator as the city government’s simple gesture of gratitude and appreciation for his family and his foundation’s major contributions to Alaminos. In return, Stanley and his wife, played as Santa Claus once again as they gave away home-made goodies to everyone who attended the turn over ceremony. The group immediately proceeded to the nearby medical complex to inspect the medical equipment, furniture, supplies and all the stuffs donated by Shiraki Foundation that were already put inside the newly constructed buildings. Tokigawa is expected to be back anytime soon to see how their donations have impacted the lives of Alaminians and thousands of patients in Western Pangasinan that will likely avail of quality, accessible and affordable services of the medical complex once it’s already fully operational. (CIO)

P-Noy's Officials Rating Drop

MANILA, Philippines - Performance and trust ratings of the country's top 5 officials declined significantly, according to Pulse Asia's latest survey released Tuesday, February 12, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as the biggest loser. Across the board, the country's top officials - President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., and Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno - suffered double-digit declines in their overall performance rating between November 2012 and January 2013.
 Enrile suffered the most significant approval rating drop, from 73% in November to 46% in January, a decrease of 27 percentage points, according to Pulse Asia's January 2013 Pre-Election Survey (PES).
 His disapproval ratings, on the other hand, rose from 5% to 16%, an 11-percentage point rise. People who said they are undecided about his performance also grew, from 22% to 37%. The survey noted that Aquino and Binay are the top two officials who are still enjoying majority approval ratings, despite significant drops. Aquino suffered a 12-percentage point drop, from 78% approval rating in November to 66% in January. People undecided about his performance increased during the same period (16% to 28%), while disapproval rating remained unchanged at 6%. Binay's approval ratings also declined, from 82% to 69%, while his disapproval ratings rose slightly, from 3% to 5%.
 His "undecided" rating rose by 11 percentage points, from 14% to 25%. Belmonte and Sereno, already having relatively low performance ratings, also suffered significant declines: 18 percentage points for the House Speaker (46% to 28%), and 14 points for the Chief Justice (38% to 24%). Trust ratings As with the performance ratings, only Aquino and Binay got majority trust ratings in the Pulse Asia PES, with all top five officials suffering declines.
 The survey noted "sizeable majority trust ratings" for Aquino (68%) and Binay (71%), while trust is the plurality of sentiment for Enrile (46%). A near majority of the survey respondents, however, are undecided on their opinion on Belmonte and Sereno. Belmonte got a 28% trust, 21% distrust, and 48% "undecided" ratings, while Sereno had 24% trust, 20% distrust, and 50% "undecided" ratings.
 Enrile got the biggest trust rating change from November 2012 to January 2013, a drop of 21 percentage points from 67% to 46%. Distrust of Enrile, on the other hand, rose by 10 points, from 5% to 15%, in the same period. Aquino's trust rating came down 12 percentage points (from 80%), while Binay's was down 10 points (from 81%).
 The President and the Senate President also saw double-digit increases in their "undecided" rating - from 16% to 26% for Aquino, and from 27% to 38% for Enrile. Declines were also seen in the trust ratings for the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Supreme Court. The survey was conducted from January 19 to 30, Pulse Asia said, through face-to-face interviews. Sample size of the PES was 1,800 registered voters from across the country.
 The survey was done with the following issues as backdrop: Senate funds controversy Preparations for the start of the 2013 senatorial and local elections Atimonan shooting incident Grounding of USS Guardian at Tubbataha Reef Pres Aquino's attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Highly-publicized crimes at malls and the shooting of an Isabela town mayor Philippines filing a case vs China on the territorial dispute on the West Philippine Sea Pulse Asia's Pre-Election Survey has a +/-2% margin of error at 95% confidence level. The survey group said the survey is conducted independently. - Rappler.com

Raps vs Espino, Celeste for Infanta mayor's slay

Gov. Espino: Another Capital Offense

Congressman Celeste: Conspirator?

Mayor Martinez: Dead

MANILA - After having been implicated in the illegal numbers game jueteng, Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, Jr. now finds himself facing murder charges for the death of Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez.
 The charges against Espino and Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Jesus "Boyong" Celeste were filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday.
 Martinez was shot in the head and neck by two assailants in front of his house at Barangay Cato in Infanta last Dec. 15.
The alleged assailants, Ricardo "Kardo" Legarda and Richard Manuel, are currently detained at the Pangasinan Provincial Jail in Lingayen.
 In a transmittal letter on behalf of Akap sa Bata ng mga Guro Kalinga Philippines, the NBI pointed out that a 16-year-old male witness  has personal knowledge about Martinez's killing.
 The witness, a practicing journalist in Pangasinan, alleged that respondents planned Martinez's murder with his father, Jaimie Aquino (a controversial Pangasinan media man), at a beach resort in Bolinao, Pangasinan, reportedly owned by Celeste.
 Mr. Aquino was also recommended for indictment for the crime of murder. "It was there that witness... heard Gov. Espino saying that Mayor Martinez should be killed in order to prevent the latter to implicate them with respect to 'itim na bato (mineral).
 He also heard Congressman Celeste reply that they should not worry since they have someone who will kill Mayor Martinez," the transmittal letter read. 'Itim na bato' reportedly refers to nickel found in the area.
 The gunman later turned out to be "Kardo," whom the witness claims to have also met.
 The witness executed his affidavits in the presence of representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
He left his home last December due to his father's alleged physical abuse.
 The witness also claimed he has personal knowledge of the killing of Kagawad Jovencia Gasmin of Barangay San Juan, Alcala, Pangasinan and Kagawad Nato Sabangan of Bayambang, Pangasinan.
 Sought for comment, Pangasinan provincial administrator Rafael Baraan, speaking on behalf of Espino, said: "We have not yet received a copy of the complaint and therefore we have no basis for making any statements at this point." Espino and Celeste are members of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) (ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 02/12/2013 4:52 PM )

AGBAYANI, BRAGANZA BINANATAN SI ESPINO

Former Governor Agbayani (blue t shirt) and Gubernatorial
bet Braganza (2nd from Right) during the Liberal Party's
convention in February 11, 2013 in Calasiao, Pangasinan

Agbayani and Braganza

Ni Ricky Cera

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – Pinabula-anan ni dating governor Victor Agbayani na merong alitan na namumuo sa kanila ni gubernatorial bet Hernani Braganza ng magsama sila kamakailan sa bayang ito para batikusin ang mga kasinungalingan at panlilinlang ng kampo ni Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino. “It is the candidate who can best direct the campaign strategy,” Ani ni Agbayani kay Braganza na magkatabi sa isang press conference sa isang hotel dito.
Noong nakaraang linggo ay pinalalabas ng mga propagandista ni Espino na kumalas na si Agbayani kay Braganza, kasalukuyang alkalde ng Alaminos City, matapos itong mag patawag ng press conference sa Dagupan City kung saan sinabi niya na bumitaw na siya bilang campaign manager ni Braganza para tumutok sa kampanya ng mga senatorial candidates ng Liberal Party.
 Ang dating gobernador at si Braganza ay stalwarts ng LP sa lalawigan. Nagsama ang dalawa sa isang pagtitipon sa Regency Hotel dito na dinaluhan ng daan- daang LP candidates at supporters nila sa Pangasinan.
Sa isang panayam kay Agbayani, provincial chairman ng LP, minaliit niya ang kakayahan ni Espino bilang ama ng probinsiya kumpara noong panahon niya na siya ang gobernador ng Pangasinan.
 “Malayo! Kung tinutukoy niyo iyong delivery ng mga pangangailangan ng mga tao sa barangays na ginagawa ko sa nakalipas na ta-on ko na pagiging gobernador.
Ang kilometrong haba ng mga kalsada na nagawa ko, ang higit kumulang na isandaang irigasyon na pinagawa ko.
 Gumawa ako ng maraming kalsada, tulay, irigasyon”. Ayon sa ibang mga mayors sa Pangasinan na ayaw magpakilala ay madalang ang mga proyekto na dumadating sa kanila sa ilalim ng Espino Administration. “Minsan wala pa! Napunta ata ang ibang pondo sa pagpapaganda ng kapitolyo kaya napabayaan ang mga bayan at barangay” sabi ng isang political spectator.
Sabi ni Agbayani marami pang hahabulin si Espino sa kanyang mga nagawa sa kalusugan, patubig at settlement ng mga mahihirap. “Malayo!, “ paulit niyang sinabi sa mga periodista. Ayon sa kanya sinira ni Espino ang “Heritage Value” ng kapitolyo. “Lahat nabago e.
Nawala ang historical significance niya”. Sinabi ni Braganza sa pulong ng mga LP leaders na ang kasalukuyang ama ng Pangasinan ay isang pangit na halimbawa ng 3Gs o Gold, Goons, at Guns matapos makatangap siya ng impormasyon na namudmud kamakailan ng P15 thousand na cheke kada kapitan ang katungali sa Western Pangasinan.
Sinabi ng alkalde na paiimbistigahan niya kung may abusong ginawa si Espino dahil ang mga cheke ay nakapangalan sa probinsiya. Isa pang batikos ni Braganza sa kalaban:“Ang kailangan ng taga Pangasinan ay Farm-to-Market road. Bakit ibibigay niya aircon sa mga kapitanes. Paano aasenso ang Pangasinan?”.

PRISAA 2013 Kicks Off

LINGAYEN—After the successful holding of Palarong Pambansa last year, the province of Pangasinan has again embarked on another nationwide sports event-hosting as this year’s Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games kicked off at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Complex (NRSCC) on February 11, 2013.
According to Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan who represented Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. during the opening program, as compared to the province’s hosting of PRISAA way back in 2006, this year is far different.
 This is because of the enhancements of the province’s sports facilities such as the NRSCC grandstand upgrade. “Ang sports ay importanteng bahagi…ng pagtrain sa mga future leaders ng ating bansa,” Baraan further said as he cited that sports events like PRISAA encourages the development of core life values including excellence, hard work, integrity, and respect for others.
 Thus to further the sports development of the youth, the building of a sports academy in the province is now underway with an initial budget of Php15 million, Baraan added.
Meanwhile, the program’s guest of honor and speaker, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, D.D., told the delegates always be reminded of the existence of God, soul, and life everlasting. “Kapag naglaro kayong kasama ang Diyos, kapag naglaro kayong buong kaluluwa, kapag naglaro kayong hindi kinakalimutan ang buhay na walang hanggan, kahit saan kayo makarating, you will always be champion,” he said. In addition, Atty. Gonzalo Duque, PRISAA National President mentioned that PRISAA 2013 paved the initial year of including private secondary schools.
He said that the modification is for the more extensive training of young athletes, expected to result to more Olympics players coming from PRISAA. Also, Duque uttered that Espino is “the only governor that has maintained the facility of NRSCC” as he hailed the Governor’s commitment to sports as well as sports development.
After the formal opening of the 2013 PRISAA National Games, San Carlos College (SCC), Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) and University of Luzon (UL) Drum and Bugle groups showed off their skills. On the other hand, Dagupan City-based Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) and UL performed their mass field demonstrations.
 PRISAA is the country’s largest national athletic association with more than 500 member colleges and universities from the entire Philippines that aims at carrying out the mandate of promoting physical fitness and sports development among youth with the help of various government departments and agencies and private entities. More than 4,000 student-athletes from the 17 regions around the country battle in the 18 sports events namely Athletics (M/W), Basketball (M/W), Badminton (M/W), Sepak Takraw (M), Beach Volleyball (M/W), Baseball (M), Softball (W), Volleyball (M/W), Football (M), Boxing (M), Chess (M/W), Karate-do (M/W), Judo (M), Dance Sports, Lawn Tennis (M/W), Table Tennis (M/W) and Swimming (M/W). In addition, on Feb. 13, the Mutya ng PRISAA 2013 Pageant and the Vocal Solo and Duet Competitions will be held at the Sison Auditorium. Winners in the different events will be recognized on Feb. 16 in the closing ceremonies. (PIO)