Umali launches new political party

Gov. Aurelio M. Umali led the grand launching of Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago, a new political party that aims to raise the awareness of Novo  Ecijanos in shaping the province's political, social and economic future.

Some 500 barangay officials and the new party's candidates for the 2010 elections were sworn in at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center in Palayan City.

On hand to witness the event was outgoing Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, guest of honor and speaker, who hailed Umali and his party mates for unveiling the new local political group.

“Suportahan natin ito, sapagkat mahirap kung tayo ay watak-watak,” he said in his remarks. 

Teodoro was welcomed by Umali's wife, Third Dist. Rep. Czarina Umali; Gay "GP" Padiernos, said to be Umali's "partner" in the 2010 elections; Second Dist. Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago; and former First Dist. Rep. Renato Diaz.

Teodoro also joined Umali and his party mates in a candle lighting ceremony to signal the rebirth of "Unang Sigaw", alluding to the 1896 historical event when Novo Ecijanos revolted against Spanish rule. ###
 
 

Local politicos react to Taruc's gubernatorial bid

The plan of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Director Jose Taruc V to run for governor in 2010 drew varied reactions from local politicians, both allies and foes.

Gov. Aurelio Umali first expressed doubts that Taruc -- his running mate in the 2007 elections -- is serious in running.

“I respect him but I don't think he is serious in running for governor,” a source quoted the governor as saying.

A couple of days later, he said he welcomes Taruc's candidacy, saying that “politics is an open game and anybody can join the contest and be judged by the electorate in the process.”

Umali said that despite their political differences, he still considers Taruc a dear friend.

Meanwhile, the Josons welcomed Taruc's intention to run, saying this will work ultimately to their advantage .

Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson said that if Taruc runs, Umali's votes will be split, ruining his reelection bid.

Former Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson who reportedly plans to run again in the First District, said that if Taruc pursues his bid, "this will mean only one thing: the Tarucs love us so much". She said that it would be easier for the Josons to return to the Capitol. ###
 
 

So, which Joson is running for gov?

First, the name of  First Dist. Rep. Eduardo Nonato Joson was floated as the Josons' candidate for governor in 2010. Then, former Gov. Tomas N. Joson III was mentioned as the clan's candidate. A few weeks afterwards, it was former Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson's name that was being bruited about.

Now, it's Vice Gov. Edward Thomas F. Joson.

Sources said that the Josons agreed to field the vice governor because of his strong showing in the last elections and his appeal to the youth. His running mate will reportedly be Board Member Rommel Padilla, topnotcher in the Sangguniang Panglalawigan election in 2007.

It was learned that Edno agreed not to run for governor to give way to his nephew.

Meanwhile, Gov. Aurelio Umali said that his running mate will be Gay Padiernos, a businessman from Gapan City.

A third gubernatorial candidate, Jose Taruc V, is eyeing three term San Jose City Mayor Alex Belena as his running mate. ###
 
 

Aquino, Roxas, Teodoro visit Ecija

Novo Ecijanos had an early opportunity to see and hear two possible presidential candidates in 2010.

One day after returning from his honeymoon with his wife, Sen. Mar Roxas visited San Jose City to speak at a rally of Pinoy Power, a sectoral group that supports the Aquino-Roxas tandem at the Knights of Columbus clubhouse last November 7.

His team mate, Noynoy Aquino, failed to show up because of stomach upset.

"We need a leader who will bind us for a future that will translate to us in real terms our dream for a better life, better education, better health, cheap medicines and good and honest governance," Roxas told some 1,200 people who attended the affair.

Aquino and Roxas then met in Talavera, and later motored to Cabanatuan City.

The two attended a multisectoral forum in a local radio station where they were welcomed by former Mayor Julius Caesar Vergara, and then joined a motorcade around the city that ended at the Nueva Ecija Colleges gymnasium.

In his speech, Aquino outlined his agenda -- regaining the trust of Filipinos in their government, job creation and peace and order.

The last stop of the duo's Nueva Ecija sortie was Gapan City.

The day before, in Palayan City, Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, the administration's official candidate, spoke about who should be the country's next leader during the launching of Gov. Aurelio Umali's new local party, Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago.

"He should not only have the opportunity to serve but he must be a deserving leader who has good foresight," Teodoro said.

He said the country's stabilization, commerce and industry, social welfare, health, education and other concerns should be addressed by the next leader. ###
 
 

Ecija has region's highest number of lepto cases and deaths

Ten of the 18 persons in Central Luzon who died of leptospirosis came from Nueva Ecija.

The regional health office said that the other fatalities included three from Tarlac, two from Bulacan, two from Aurora and one from Pampanga.

Nueva Ecija also recorded the highest number of leptospirosis cases in the region, with 226. Bulacan had 22; Tarlac, 21; Pampanga,. 9; and Aurora, 4.

Health officials advised residents to have themselves vaccinated as a precautionary measure.

Gov. Aurelio Umali alerted the Provincial Health Office of the increasing number of leptospirosis fatalities in the province.

Dr. Benjamin Lopez, provincial health officer, assured that the situation remains under control. ###
 
 

P1.9M for Cabanatuan senior citizens from DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) donated P1,939,000.00 to the Cabanatuan City government as part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's "Ang Katas ng VAT: Tulong Para Kay Lolo at Lola".

The check for the donation was turned over by DSWD Regional Director Minda Brigoli to Mayor Alvin Vergara last November 9.

The amount is for a P500 financial assistance to be given this month to each of 3,8789 indigent senior citizens aged 70 and older, who do not receive any form of pension or financial assistance from any institution.

Vergara said that the financial assistance, though small, will help the senior citiens in dealing with their daily expenses, especially those affected by the recent typhoons.

Last February, some P2.3 million were also distributed to the city's senior citizens.

The city government presented Brigoli with a certificate of appreciation for the donation. ###
 
 

Cabanatuan offers mobile passporting service

As part of the celebration of Cabanatuan's 60th cityhood anniversary in February 2010, Mayor Alvin Vergara launched the mobile passporting service to enable residents of the city and nearby towns to get passports without having to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Manila.

This will be the fifth time that the mobile passporting service will offered in Cabanatuan City.

Passport applications will be received and processed on February 6, 2010 at Robinson's Mall, for release on February 27.

The project is in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs-Regional Consular Office at Clark Field, Pampanga.

Those interested can get application forms from the PESO office at Cabanatuan City Hall. The last day for the submission of application forms will be on January 6, 2010.

The mobile passporting service is on "first come, first served" basis. For more information, those interested can call telephone number 600-4561. ###
 
 

Jaen Water District boss, wife lose P600k to robbers

Unidentified hold-uppers took more than half a million pesos from the manager of the Jaen Water District and his wife last November 6 in Cabanatuan City..

The victims were identified as Lamberto L. Roxas and his wife Shirley, both 51, of Barangay Sapang, Jaen.

The two were about to board their car after having lunch at Vicentico's Restaurant along del Pilar Street when two unidentified suspects approached and pointed a gun at them.

One of the suspects grabbed the shoulder bag of Shirley containing P600,000 that she had just withdrawn from Land Bank of the Philippines, two cell phones, a wallet containing P10,000 and ATM cards.

The victims said that the robbers then casually walked away. ###
 
 

Currency trader, 2 robbers killed in Cabanatuan heist

The owner of a currency exchange shop and two holduppers were killed during an afternoon robbery at the Cabanatuan City public market last November 11.

Ben Puyat, owner of the B.L. Pawnshop and Money Changer, was shot and killed by the robbers after he tried to resist.

The robbery happened at about 1:15 PM at the Burgos Avenue side of the market. Two of the suspects posed as customers and pretended to pawn a ring. Once inside the counter, they pointed a gun at Puyat and announced the hold up. Puyat tried to fight back by reaching for a gun inside a drawer but was immediately shot by one of the suspects.

Puyat's nephew tried to help, took the gun and fired back, hitting three of the robbers, two of them fatally.

A wounded suspect, identified as Jose Montilla, was taken to Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center.

Police were checking the identities of the two dead suspects, reportedly residents of Amulong, Cagayan.

The alleged leader of the group, a certain Alvin of Barangay Dolores, Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija managed to escape by commandeering a tricycle which was later found by the police. Recovered inside was a 9 mm pistol.

It was the second street robbery in Cabanatuan city within a week. ###
 
 

Bodies of 2 shooting victims found in Peñaranda

The bodies of a woman and her nephew, both with gunshot wounds, were discovered beside an irrigation canal in Barangay San Josef, Peñaranda last November 6.

The victims were identified as Lucena dela Cruz Esteban, 47, of Barangay Puting Tubig, and her nephew, Brigido Salaysay Jose, 41, of Barangay Kapalangan, Gapan City.

The bodies were found by Roy dela Cruz Vasquez, 37, of Sitio Tumana, Barangay San Josef at about 6:00 AM.

It was learned that the victims, both slipper makers, failed to return home the previous night.

The victims' families could not give any information to the police as to the possible motive for the killings. ###
 
 

Baby dies after getting anti measles vaccine

The Regional Crime Laboratory and the Nueva  Ecija Police Crime Laboratory are jointly investigating the case of a ten-month old Guimba baby boy who died after receiving an anti measles vaccine.

The body of the baby, Adrian Apaga, was exhumed from the Pura, Tarlac public cemetery last November 6 and examined by Chief Insp. Reynaldo Dave, medico legal officer of the Regional Crime Laboratory, together with Insp. Angelito Angel of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Crime Laboratory.

The baby's mother, Hazel Ann Tabliga Apaga, 23, of Barangay Lamorito, Guimba, sought the help of the police in investigating the mysterious death of her baby after receiving an anti measles vaccine from Rose Umali Corpuz of the Guimba Rural Health Unit last October 19. ###
 
 

8 farm workers killed in San Jose traffic accident

Eight farm workers died and another was injured when the ten wheeler truck they were riding fell on its side while traveling along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Tayabo, San Jose City last November 14.

The driver, Glorioso Tobias, lost control of the steering wheel causing the truck loaded with sacks of palay to tilt and fall on its side.

Six of the fatalities were identified by the police as Romeo Ortiz; Salvador Villareal; Renato Villanueva; Narciso Ortiz Jr.; and Jerry Gaspar, all residents of Barangay Sta. Monica, Rizal town; and Fidel Ayap, of Barangay Sto. Niño 3rd, San Jose City. 

They all died on the spot due to head injuries.

The incident happened on an accident prone portion of the highway.

The driver immediately surrendered to the police. He faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide. ###