113th Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija commemoration
Enrile: Novo Ecijanos winning the economic revolution

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said that the importance of "Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija" in the nation's  history must be emphasized especially among the youth because it signaled the participation of the province in the revolt against Spanish rule.

Enrile and House Speaker Prospero Nograles were the guests of honor and speakers in the 113th commemoration of "Unang Sigaw" at the Provincial Convention Center in Palayan City last September 2. They were introduced by Gov. Aurelio M. Umali

"More than anything, that event showed the uncommon valor, extraordinary courage and strong determination of the Novo Ecijano revolutionaries to liberate our country from Spain. It is really remarkable that armed only with bolos, pointed sticks and a few guns, the revolutionaries then headed by Generals Mariano Llanera and Pantaleon Valmonte stormed the Spanish garrison in the town of San Isidro and took the Spaniards by surprise," Enrile said.

He said that 113 years later, Novo Ecijanos are waging a different kind of revolution -- "economic revolution" or the war against poverty and hunger.

"I am proud to note that Novo Ecijanos are also winning this war," the senate president said.

He cited the emergence of Nueva Ecija as one of the most progressive provinces in the country today, earning titles such as "Rice Granary of the Country" and "Milk Capital of the Philippines", among others.

Enrile said that the theme of the celebration "Novo Ecijano, Ang Galing Mo" is a testament to the values and notable traits of the people of the province -- hard working, determined, courageous, resilient, prudent and fearless in the face of challenges.

He pointed out that this century offers limitless possibilities and enormous challenges. He mentioned the country's vulnerability to the effects of the global economic system and climate change.

He assured his listeners that foremost in his list of priorities is the protection of the welfare of farmers and agricultural workers, noting the irony that while that sector contributes significantly to the economy, it is also considered as the nation's poorest of the poor.

"Hence, I believe that the best way to address poverty, increasing unemployment and rising hunger in many parts of the country is to give the agriculture sector and our farmers all the necessary support such as good farm-to-market roads, irrigation networks, post-harvest facilities, fish ports, ice plants and cold storage and lower electricity cost. Apart from the agricultural infrastructure, farmers and agricultural workers must also be provided access to credit and technical expertise," Enrile said.

"Government must invest more in modern technology and research and development to boost farm productivity. Moreover, we must ensure that farmers are the direct beneficiaries of the government's agriculture programs," he added.

He asked Novo Ecijanos to make a commitment to work relentlessly towards the achievement of the development goals and for a prosperous and peaceful Philippines.

Nograles, for his part, observed how productive Nueva Ecija is.

He said that from the air, he and Senate President Enrile “viewed the wide irrigation network of Nueva Ecija which is responsible for the food production efforts of the government.

He also pledged to work with Enrile to increase the budget for the province's irrigation, farm to market roads and increased dairy farming projects, calling the province as "Luzon's top food producer”.

Also present in the affair were Gov. Edward Thomas Joson, Butil party-list Rep. Leonila Chavez, former Rep. Rene Diaz, former Philippine National Police chief and now Bureau of Jail and Management Penology chief Oscar Calderon, and other national and local government officials.
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Ecijano group urges CJ Puno to run for President

Members of a group called People's Unity and New Order Foundation Philippines Inc. launched the Moral Force Coalition Movement (MFCM) timed to coincide with the commemoration of "Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija" last September 2, to gather support from Novo Ecijanos and groups in the province to urge Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno to run for president in 2010.

On the same day, streamers and posters urging Puno to run for president appeared in major cities and towns in the province.

Teofilo Parilla, PUNOFP secretary general, said that MFCM is different from the Moral Force Movement (MFM) that Puno launched last August 31 at the Far Eastern University Auditorium in Manila with a core group that the chief justice had gathered. Puno's movement calls on Filipinos to reject candidates in the 2010 elections who cheat, lie and bribe.

Leila Abarientos, presiding chair of the Novo Ecijanos Moral Force Coalition Movement, said "We believe that Chief Justice Puno has all the qualities of a good leader that can bring back the values of morality and ethics in our government."

Some 50 core members of MFCM signed a manifesto of support for Puno and started accepting P5 contributions for the campaign and the group's vision of eliminating corruption and irregularities in Philippine elections and politics.

Abarientos said that their members will go to the five cities and 27 towns of the province to recruit members and gather signatures to support their vision.

She said that the group would also be organized in Metro Manila, other Luzon provinces and key areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Parilla said that the acronym of the foundation -- PUNO -- was only a coincidence and that the chief justice has yet to know about the MFCM.

She said that the group will meet with Puno in November to present its manifesto of support together with two million signatures urging him to run for president.

Abarientos said that the movement was launched in Nueva Ecija because Puno's mother had roots in the province. ###
 
 

Umali, 3 other officials face 4 graft  cases

Gov. Aurelio Umali and three other provincial officials were charged with four counts of graft at the Office of the Ombudsman for Luzon for implementing projects allegedly without the required approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Aside from Umali, charged in separate affidavit complaints were Giovani Agtay, provincial trade and industry officer; Vicente Santos, provincial engineer; and Randolph Alingig, provincial budget officer. Agtay is a brother of Dennis Agtay, an executive assistant of Umali.

The complaints filed by Vice Gov. Edward F. Joson accused Umali and the other respondents with violations of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code), RA 7160 or the Local Government Code and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees).

The cases arose from the provincial government's spending of its 20% development fund for 2008 worth P180 million without an appropriate ordinance approved by the provincial board;  the illegal construction of stalls along city streets at the Benigno Aquino Freedom Park in front of the old capitol building in Cabanatuan City; spending huge amounts for the Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Coliseum; and the appointment of Dr. Raul Aglima, San Jose City health officer, as chief of the provincial government run San Jose District Hospital.

Umali, Agtay and Santos were charged for closing a street perpendicular to the park in 2008 and allowing the construction of 16 rentable commercial stalls, stores and canteens for lease without building and business permits and SP approval. Santos even wrote to Cabanatuan City Engineer MacArthur Yap asking that the stalls be exempted from paying building permit fees.

With this recent development, Umali now faces a total of ten cases at the Office of the Ombudsman. 

Meanwhile, the Umali camp called the filing of the new cases "pure politics".

"Alam niyo naman election year na at gusto nilang siraan nang husto si Gov. Umali," a supporter said. ###
 
 

Talugtog barangay chair shot dead

Barely three weeks after a village chief in San Antonio town was killed, a barangay chair of Talugtog was shot and killed while attending a wake.

Chief Insp. Wilfredo Grospe identified the fatality as Barangay Chair Rolando Duque of Baybayabas, Talugtog. He was shot several times while attending a wake in the house of a certain Rogelio dela Cruz.

Wounded the attack was Mark Anthony Oroy, 23, a farmer of Barangay Alula.

Duque was reportedly watching a card game when the suspect arrived and approached him.  The suspect then pulled out a gun and repeatedly shot Duque who was hit in the head and the left eye.  Oroy was hit by a stray bullet.  The suspect then escaped on a motorcycle driven by a cohort.

Duque was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital. ###
 
 

Josons support COMELEC control, gun ban

The Josons support the proposals for a total gun ban and the imposition of COMELEC control over Nueva Ecija to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections next year.

Former Gov. Tomas N. Joson III, titular head of the Joson party Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (BALANE) said that the family favors COMELEC control of the province and the enforcement of a total gun ban.

However, Joson said that he wishes that the Philippine National Police will allow only a maximum of four security escorts for local politicians, adding that others tend to go beyond the allowable number of escorts.

At the other side of the political fence, Gov. Aurelio M. Umali also favors placing the province under COMELEC control. He said he would not have been governor had not the province been placed under the control of the poll body during the 2007 elections.

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Ricardo Marquez, Nueva Ecija police director, said that some policemen do not tell the truth as to the actual number of loose firearms.

“How can you believe that we only have 200 loose firearms when we have recovered 200 loose firearms in last year's operation alone?” he asked. ###
 
 

SC unseats Guimba vice mayor for foreign citizenship

The Supreme Court, voting 13-0, granted the disqualification petition filed against Guimba Vice Mayor Roseller de Guzman for his failure to renounce his American citizenship before joining the 2007 elections.

De Guzman, a close ally of Gov. Aurelio M. Umali, assumed the post of vice mayor of Guimba only in May after unseating the proclaimed vice mayor, Angelina dela Cruz.

De Guzman said that despite the SC ruling, he is still the town's vice mayor as the SC decision is not yet final and executory. He said that his legal counsel has filed a motion for reconsideration.

He explained that while he is a naturalized American, he had applied for dual citizenship under Republic Act 9225 and took his oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines on September 6, 2006.

After having reacquired Filipino citizenship, de Guzman said that he was entitled to exercise his full civil and political rights and qualified to run for vice mayor of Guimba.

The SC however cited Section 52 of Republic Act 9225, which stipulates that taking an oath of allegiance to the country and renunciation of foreign citizenship are two different acts that must be complied with. ###
 
 

Landslides again strand hundreds in Carranglan

Hundreds of motorists were stranded due to landslides caused by heavy rains last September 7 in the Putlan, Carranglan section of the Nueva Ecija-Cagayan Valley Road.

The landslides between Kilometer 193 and 194 were the second to hit the area since August 7 when typhoon Kiko brought torrential rains.

The stranded vehicles on the Nueva Ecija side stretched for some four kilometers; six kilometers at Dalton Pass and Minuli, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya.

Residents said that the rip rap on the mountainside was overwhelmed by mudflows that covered some 100 feet of the length of the road with seven to eight feet of mud.

Personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways conducted clearing operations, with elements from the police and the Army's 71st Infantry Battalion providing security to the motorists.  ###
 
 
 

DTI-Ecija wants local products to go international

Director Brigida Pili of the Department of Trade and Industry-Nueva Ecija, said that while most of Nueva Ecija products have gained wide domestic recognition, the intention is for them to penetrate the world market.

She said this during the awarding rites for key players in the One Town One Product (OTOP) program last September 5.

Aside from the widely popular foot footwear of Gapan City, other Nueva Ecija products include agriculture based industries producing dairy products, rice and its by-products, wine, onions, garlic, citrus and meat products, among others.

This year, the Kababaihang Masigla ng Nueva Ecija (KMNE) based in Quezon town was awarded as "Outstanding One Town One Product (Small-Medium Enterprise) Partner". The group started in 2000 with 30 members and now generates employment opportunities in fruit and vegetable processing, producing the best quality sweet tomatoes, sweet tamarind, karamay and guava jelly. The products have penetrated local supermarkets and pasalubong stores and about 10 in Metro Manila, including Robinsons.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agrarian Reform North Nueva Ecija was recognized for upgrading the livelihood of farmers and their families within its area of jurisdiction by providing technical support in dairy production under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The agency was named "Most Supportive One Product Partner Agency".

The Bongabon municipal government under Mayor Amelia Gamilla was cited as "Most Supportive One Town One Product Local Government" for championing the protection and improvement of the town's onion industry which started in 1935. ###
 
 

Talavera Water District personnel among 'Outstanding Public Servants of 2009' awardees

Leandro Jun Lacsamana of the Talavera Water District is among this year's finalists for the Lingkod Bayan (LB) Awards category of the Outstanding Public Servants of 2009, part of the month long celebration of the 109th anniversary of the Civil Service Commission.

The LB Award is given to an individual or group for exceptional contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had a nationwide impact on public interest.

Aside from Lacsamana, the other LB finalists are Eric Noble (Philippine National Police, Pangasinan); Gumersindo Lasam, posthumous (Department of Agriculture, Cagayan);  Maximo Tandang (University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna); Persons with Disabilities Coordinating Office (Municipal Government of Carmona, Cavite); Naga City PSEP Team (City Government of Naga, Camarines Sur); Raulito Datiles (Barangay Bagumbayan, Quezon City); Jesusa Antiquiera (Padre M. Gomez Elementary School, Manila); Nimfa Vilches (Supreme Court of the Philippines, Manila); and Eugene Patinglag (Adiwang Elementary School, Benguet).

Another category, the Pagasa Award is given to an individual or group for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of the government, while the Dangal ng Bayan Award is given to an individual for extraordinary acts and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of observance of the norms of conduct provided under Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The winners will receive their awards from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on September 17 in Malacañang. ###
 
 

BIR shuts down 4 abusive Cabanatuan firms

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) padlocked four business establishments in Cabanatuan City as part of Oplan Kandado, a drive against abusive businessmen.

Lawyer James Ferrer, chief of the BIR District Office 23-B covering south Nueva Ecija, said that besides intensifying the tax campaign, Oplan Kandado also aims to level the playing field among businesses.

Among the establishments closed were three branches of Weng Enterprises registered under the name of Danilo Martinez, and MSQ Fair Plaza owned by Madelaine Sanchez.

BIR Central Luzon Dir. Romulo Aguila who led the team in implementing the closures, said that notices were sent to the owners of the establishments suspected of malpractice, including false declaration of taxes and issuing receipts short of the actual amount of purchases. However, the notices were apparently ignored.

Ferrer said that the erring businesses could reopen only after their owners settled the discrepancies. ###
 
 

84 year old Japanese lady hangs self

In her third attempt to take her own life, an 84 year old Japanese lady temporarily living in Barangay San Roque, San Isidro succeeded by hanging herself beside a window of her bedroom.

Insp. Armando Taruc identified the fatality as Fumiko Deguchi, originally from Aichiken, Aichi Gun, Nagakute Cho, Nenogami, 801 Sanou Mansion, Nagoya, Japan and temporarily living in the barangay.

SPO1 Renato Pangilinan said that Deguchi's body was found by Armida Santos Belarmido, 29, and Mary Rose Ramos Santiago, 17, hanging from an improvised rope made of blanket that was tied to an iron window grill. ###
 
 

Santa Rosa housewife shot dead

A 51 year old housewife was shot in the head and killed just a few meters away from the Catholic church in Barangay Rizal, Santa Rosa.

The victim, was identified as Jocelyn Beley, a farmer of the same barangay.

She was driving a motorcycle at about 9:00 AM when she was tailed by the suspect, who then fired a shot to her head and quickly escaped.

Santa Rosa Mayor Otep Angeles ordered an investigation of the shooting and condemned the perpetrator for his irreverence for committing the crime near a church where Mass was going on. ###