SP looks into allegedly botched
road asphalting

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is investigating complaints that parts of the newly asphalted road from San Jose City to Cabanatuan City began to crack and peel off just days after they were completed.

The provincial board headed by Vice Gov. Edward Thomas F. Joson has summoned Ramiro Cruz and Ulysses Llado, district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to explain the prematurely damaged asphalt roads in the light of suspicions that substandard materials were used.

Earlier, SP Member Joseph Ortiz sought a legislative investigation into the damaged asphalted roads.

Ortiz said it was hard to understand why a national road paved with asphalt only recently would look like it had been powdered with washed sand. He cited the damaged asphalted road in Barangay Caanawan in San Jose City and a 200 meter stretch of Maharlika Highway passing in front of the Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital in Barangay Bitas, Cabanatuan City.

Ortiz said that if the damaged parts of the road were not repaired immediately, they could cause accidents.

Second Distr. Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago, whose district covers San Jose City, said that the asphalt produced in the province are of inferior quality compared to that in Pampanga.

He said that he had called the attention of the DPWH on the asphalted roads that "melt" easily because of inferior materials.

Cruz, of the First Engineering District, denied that there was any irregularity in the road asphalting project. He said that the DPWH is repairing the damage by patching the potholes with the help of a Manila-based contractor.  He also explained that the road was damaged by typhoon Kiko.

Llado, of the Second Engineering District, for his part, said that the damaged portion of the highway in Barangay  Bitas is still covered by a one year warranty period so the contractor is bound to fix the damaged road. ###
 
 

SC dismisses, disbars Cabanatuan RTC judge

The Supreme Court has dismissed from the service and disbarred a Cabanatuan City regional trial court judge found guilty of dishonesty and falsification of an official document.

The 16 page unanimous decision written by Chief Justice Reynato Puno imposed the penalties on Judge Virgilio Caballero of Cabanatuan City RTC Branch 30 after discovering that he lied in his application for the position of RTC judge.

The SC ordered Caballero disqualified for life from holding office in any government agency, all his benefits forfeited except his accrued leave credits, and his name removed from the Roll of Attorneys for violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

According the the high court, Caballero committed dishonesty when he denied having ever been formally charged for any case in his personal data sheet when he applied for the position of RTC judge.

“A judge knows fully well that the making of a false statement in his PDS could subject him to dismissal. A judge should conduct himself in a manner which merits the respect and confidence of the people at all times for he is a visible representation of the law,” the SC said.

The SC also said that Caballero violated the lawyer's oath to “do no falsehood nor consent to the doing of any in court”  thus, he was disbarred.

The SC ruled that Caballero's  dishonesty “did not only affect the image of the judiciary, it also put his moral character in serious doubt and rendered him unfit to continue in the practice of law.” ###
 
 

San Antonio barangay chair killed

The barangay chair of San Jose, San Antonio was shot and killed while the head of the village's  Bantay Bayan was wounded when they were ambushed by a group of men last August 24.

Chief Insp. Angel Bondoc of the San Antonio police identified the fatality as Roberto Santos, 55. Wounded in the attack was Ricardo Ponce, 70.

The shooting happened in Barangay Papaya, four kilometers from the poblacion.

Investigators said that Ponce accompanied Bondoc to the municipal hall to answer an administrative case filed against him by his colleagues in the barangay council.

The two were on their way home on a motorcycle when three men in a van appeared and opened fire, killing Santos on the spot. Ponce was hit in the chin and shoulder. The suspects quickly escaped.

Police are looking at several motives for the attack, including politics and land dispute. ###
 
 

Regional police director clarifies RMG pullout

Chief Supt. Leon Nilo dela Cruz, Police Regional Office 3 director, clarified that only eight members and not the entire 60 man Regional Mobile Group (RMG) deployed in Gapan City were pulled out and transferred to Aurora.

Dela Cruz made the clarification after reports circulated in Nueva Ecija that the entire RMG had been transferred.

He said that some of the RMG members were re-deployed to Aurora in a government coconut plantation project that was recently burned by communist rebels.

Earlier, Gapan City Mayor Ernesto Natividad said that the sudden pullout of the RMG from the city was made without prior consultation with local officials.

He said that he saw no valid reason for the pullout when the 2010 elections is barely months away. He said that the presence of the RMG contributed a lot in maintaining peace and order in Gapan City and adjoining towns.

Dela Cruz assured Natividad that more RMG forces will be deployed to Nueva Ecija before the 2010 elections. ###
 
 

Thousands march for good governance

Over 6,500 college students joined "Lakad Tungo sa Pagbagago" last August 22.

The event was organized by Kaya Natin (KN), a national movement for good governance and ethical leadership convened by the Ateneo School of government and founded by Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio.

It was the third in the "Takbo Para sa Pagbabago" fun run series aiming to encourage Filipinos to become proactive in electing better leaders for the country.

A total of seven schools took part in the event held the day after the 26th death anniversary of former Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr. and dedicated to commemorate the Aquino couple's legacy and contributions to democracy.

The activity started from the College of the Immaculate Conception and ended at Araullo University eight kilometers away. The two schools and the Diocese of Cabanatuan acted as hosts and main organizers of the event.

At the finish line in Araullo University, San Isidro Mayor Sonia Lorenzo and former Cabiao Mayor Baby Congco, both KN leaders, gave messages on good governance and how it has helped improve the lives of their constituents. ###
 
 

Gawad Kalinga starts building village for PWDs

Gawad Kalinga has launched the Village of Hope in a two hectare lot in Palayan City, exclusively for persons with disabilities (PWD).

The lot was donated by Gov. Aurelio Umali after he asked for GK's help in the construction of the special community after seeing the progress of another GK village in Gabaldon town.

Among those who signed the memorandum of agreement and attended the groundbreaking rites were Umali, his wife Rep. Czarina Umali, Gawad Kalinga President Tony Meloto, Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud, other local officials and representatives from the PWD sector.

Umali said that livelihood projects will be set up in the community so the residents need not travel to the city to work.

He added that the houses will be customized based on the needs of the disabled residents.

Meloto, on the other hand, expressed the hope that the project will become a model village not only in Nueva Ecija but in different parts of the country as well.

"Sana po maging magandang halimbawa sa iba't ibang probinsiya na sana they can design a village where even those with disabilities can live with dignity and they can live productive lives,” Meloto said.

Rodolfo Mendoza, president of the Nueva Ecija Association of Persons with Disability, expressed gratitude for the project.

"Kasama na kami sa sosyedad. I am thankful na marami kaming leaders from the national level na iniiba na namin ang pananaw ng tao with us. Ayaw namin kami'y kaawaan but to be the partner of the government,” said Mendoza. ###
 
 

Street dancers use Gapan City slippers as part of their costumes.

Tsinelas headdresses create an awesome sight.

Giant slippers take center stage in the Grand Tsinelas Parade.

The grandmother of all slippers -- 30 feet long!

Galman ma expresses love for Ninoy, Cory

The mother of Rolando Galman, the alleged killer of Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr., lights candles for her son and the late senator every August 21.

Saturnina Galman, 81, said that she and her family rented a van and left Aliaga for Metro Manila to pay their last respects to the late President Aquino and attend her funeral.

"I love her so much," Mrs. Galman said, "“Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya dahil kahit minsan, hindi siya naniwala na anak ko ang pumatay kay Senador Aquino."

She said that the late former president had been accommodating to her and her lawyer at the height of investigation into the killing of Sen. Aquino and her son, Rolando.

“Napatunayan na ng Agrava board na wala siyang kasalanan, si Pangulong Aquino ay hindi naniniwala na siya ang may kasalanan, kaya ako din ay naniniwala na wala siyang kasalanan," Mrs. Galman said. ###
 
 

Ecija onion farmers stage Manila rallies

Some 300 Nueva Ecija onion farmers affiliated with the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magsisibuyas ng Nueva Ecija (KASAMNE) staged rallies in Manila last August 24, wearing red arm bands and yellow ribbons on their wrists.

KASAMNE Chair Rudy Niones said that the red armbands had nothing to do with political ideology -- they symbolized their hate for onion smuggling that threatens to destroy the livelihood of 125,000 onion farmers and 325,000 other stake holders in the industry.

The yellow ribbons, on the other hand, represented their hope for immediate government reforms after seeing the massive support of the people during the wake and funeral of the late President Corazon  Aquino.

The onion farmers went to the Bureau of Plant Industry, Liwasang Bonifacio, the Bureau of Customs which was the main target and the Senate.

At the customs bureau, Commissioner Napoleon Morales promised that charges would be filed that day against the two identified sources of smuggled onions.

At the Senate, the farmers were able to discuss their problems and recommendations with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Mar Roxas and Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. in three separate meetings. The three senators all expressed their support for the onion farmers. ###
 
 

Skeletons of 2 missing men recovered in Cabiao

The skeletons of two persons believed to be victims of violence were dug up by policemen in Barangay Entablado, Cabiao.

The recovery team was led by PO3 Danilo Ramos of the Cavite police and Supt. Raul Apostol R. Valencia of the Nueva Ecija police.

Chief Inspector Teter B. Madria, Cabiao police chief, said the skeletons were identified by relatives as those of Arnaldo Balmeo y Villacorte, 40, and Cristo Rey Delfino y Baculbaz, 33, both of Barangay Poblacion, San Ildefonso, Bulacan. They were identified through their clothes and belts. 

The skeletons were traced through information provided to the Cavite police by Roger Santos, 29, a member of the dreaded Apeng Santos Kidnap for Ransom Group.

The victims were abducted on July 2, 2008 in San Ildefonso, Bulacan and were never heard of again until their remains were recovered in Cabiao. ###
 
 

Barangay councilman, neighbor nabbed for loose firearms

A barangay kagawad of Obrero, Cabanatuan City and his neighbor were arrested after unlicensed guns were found in their houses.

Supt. Efren Ramos, city police chief, identified the two as Modesto Bacani alias Medes of Purok 4, and Freddie F. Pantilinan, 35, of Purok 1, both in Barangay Obrero.

The houses of the two were raided after search warrants were issued by Cabanatuan City Regional Trial Court Branch 30 Judge Virgilio Caballero.

Found in Bacani's house were one Shooter caliber .45 pistol with serial number M02041048, and one Taurus PT92 caliber 9mm pistol with serial number TPD795900 and several assorted ammunition.

Pantilinan's house, on the hand, yielded one Smith & Wesson caliber 9mm pistol Model 639 with serial number TBM1035 and assorted ammunition for caliber .22 and 9mm.

The two failed to present documents for the firearms and ammunition. ###
 
 

Man's body found in Gen. Tinio

The body of a man with fractured skull was discovered during the early morning of August 25 along Ramos Street in Barangay Padolina, General Tinio.

Insp. Danilo Pajarillaga identified the victim as Bernard Bote Bautista, 43.

Investigation showed that the victim was last seen at past midnight in a drinking session with Bernard Jose Mariano Bote y Nicolas, 20; Marka Allen Kenneth Ramos y Ladignon, 19; and Allen Floyd Reyes y Antalan.

Found beside the body of the victim were his watch and cell phone, while a few meters away
was recovered a blood-stained rock believed to have been used in the killing. ###
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Santa Rosa man shot dead

A 30 year old man who had just alighted from a jeepney with his sister, was shot dead last August 23 along the national highway in Barangay General Luna, Santa Rosa.

The victim was identified as Johnny Ravelo Cabo, a  native of Contabon, Guinantuan, Surigao del Sur and presently living in that town.

Cabo and his sister Jocelyn had just gotten off a passenger jeepney when two men approached them and shot the victim at close range. The suspects then escaped on board a motorcycle.

Witnesses said that the killing seemed to have been planned as the suspects pulled out their guns the  moment they saw the victim. ###