Palace emissary wooing Angara rival as running mate in 2013?

BALER, Aurora, August 7, 2012-A Malacanang official has been attempting to convince Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras - who is running for governor - to give way to the gubernatorial bid of Sen. Edgardo Angara.

A highly reliable source, who sought anonymity, said former Cagayan Rep. Manuel Mamba, now the chief of the Presidential Legislative Liason Office under the Office of the President, is trying to persuade Noveras to abandon his Capitol run and instead give way to Angara in 2013.

The source said Mamba first tried to convince Noveras to instead seek a third and last term as vice governor “in deference to” Angara right after President Aquino’s visit in the province last February 19 as guest of honor and speaker on the occasion of its 33^rd foundation anniversary and the 124^th birth anniversary of Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon.

At the sidelines of the anniversary rites, Mamba and Noveras were seen talking to each other. The two both belong to the administration party with Noveras holding the post of provincial party chairman.

Mamba and Noveras have both declined to comment on the supposed negotiations.

President Aquino and the Angaras – this province’s political kingpins - are from different parties. The clan belongs to the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino. But they became close due to the impeachment trial that led to the eventual ouster Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Senator Angara and Congressman Angara played key roles in the impeachment, with the former acting as one of the senator-judges and the latter as one of the spokesperson of the House prosecution panel.

Mr. Aquino even announced that the younger Angara is running for senator under the LP ticket.  

According to the source, Mamba told Noveras to give way to Angara since the latter is just eyeing one term as governor to continue the programs he initiated in the province in partnership with the other Angaras – Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Rep. Juan Edgardo and Baler Mayor Arthur – who are all on their third and last terms.

“Nakakahiya naman na Senador e lalabanan mo sa pagka-gobernador (It’s embarrassing he’s a Senator and you will run against him for governor),” the source quoted Mamba as telling Noveras.

The source said Mamba even offered Noveras a position as Regional Trial Court judge if he wants. Noveras reportedly told Mamba he would give the matter a “serious thought.”

The elder Angara, a veteran lawmaker and one of the senior statesman in the Senate, earlier denied he is eyeing the Capitol but reports said he reconsidered after Mayor Angara, who earlier expressed intention to seek the governorship, would lose when pitted against Noveras.

          Noveras announced his intention to run for governor in July last year, two months after reports came out that the Angaras were planning to field him as their standard-bearer in tandem with Rommel Angara, the senator’s nephew Rommel, whom he defeated in the 2007 polls.

When Noveras learned of the plan, he looked excited, saying he would gladly accept it when offered. But negotiations fell through after the Angaras’ political leaders reportedly rejected the “Dream Team” tandem.      

          The senator’s Capitol bid has been the subject of much speculation, particularly due to his “increasing visibility” in the province. Since last year, he has been going around the province, meeting ward leaders of the Angaras, particularly local chief executives.

A Capitol official said the senator can run for governor even without physically campaigning around the province.

“He is very well-known, he has extensive connections and he has the solid support of leaders who can do the campaigning for him while he is attending to the campaign of Congressman Angara,” the official said. (Manny Galvez)     

Senator Loren Legarda today expressed grave concern over the condition of various communities affected by the present weather disturbance that has caused massive flooding in many parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, and called on the government to make the nation’s laws work to avert disasters. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and author of several environmental laws, stressed that both the government and the citizenry should engage in heightened flood prevention measures and other disaster preparedness efforts. “Despite experiences of the past, flooding persists. Now we ask, was there declogging of esteros? Was garbage in open dumps collected? Were roads that needed repair done? Is flood control implemented? Are there updated flood warning protocols for dam water releases? With flooding comes sickness, loss of livelihood and chaos. Laws and policies are in place but when will the executive start implementing our laws and when will people follow laws enacted?” the Senator remarked. Legarda said that laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), Clean Water Act (RA 9275), Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729), and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121), if fully implemented, are enough to avert the disasters that have been plaguing many parts of the country every time a natural hazard strikes. She added that with the present condition of communities in Metro Manila, the government should urgently undertake an NCR-wide clean up of drainage, waterways, and riverbanks; engage in more tree-growing activities; craft and implement comprehensive flood prevention and mitigation program in NCR; and create a program to address the problem of ground subsidence. “No to open dumps. We must clean esteros and canals, segregate garbage, plant trees on vacant lots and roadsides, relocate urban settlers living in vulnerable areas, do rainwater catchment basins so that water is stored during rains and used during dry season,” Legarda said. The Senator also stressed that agencies of government, particularly the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and all local government units (LGUs) should coordinate closely with one another for disaster prevention, effective disaster risk communication, and disaster response. “Government must make the National Climate Change Action Plan and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan work. Adopted more than a year ago, they should serve as blueprints in mainstreaming climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the government’s plans and programs, from the national down to the local level, not just in paper but in practice,” she explained. “We now experience the ‘new norm’ and disaster response preparedness, such as warning and alert for evacuation, rescue and relief, can never be enough in this era of weather uncertainty brought by climate change,” Legarda concluded.

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, August 7, 2012-A top official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources whom police tagged along with a former municipal vice mayor as the brains behind the February 4 assassination of a sitting mayor and the wounding of his bodyguard has remained in his post, escapingg suspension by the DENR in Central Luzon.

Rafael Otic, DENR provincial environment and natural resources officer for Nueva Ecija, has not been suspended nor relieved from his post in spite of the gravity of the charges against him.

Maximo Dichoso, DENR regional executive director for Central Luzon, clarified, however, that he is not coddling Otic. He said the latter has not been relieved because he has not yet received a copy of the resolution of the Department of Justice indicting Otic for murder.

Otic and businessman Teodoro Ilagan, former vice mayor of Licab town, were both charged allegedly for killing Mayor Restituto Abad. Otic is the brother of Jose, who ran but lost to Abad in the 2010 elections. Another brother, Luvimindo, used to be a long-time mayor of the town.

          Ilagan also ran for mayor in Licab but lost to the incumbent Mayor Wilfredo Domingo.

          Dichoso said Otic can be relieved once the order from the DOJ has come out. “We have no other recourse but to relieve him. Murder, after all is a non-bailable offense,” he said.

The PACC and the Philippine National Police’s Intelligence Group filed before the Department of Justice murder and frustrated murder charges against Otic and Ilagan.

          Abad died five days later while undergoing treatment at the St. Luke’s Medical Center. Duclayan survived.

Chief Supt. Charles Calima, IG director, said Gov. Aurelio Umali put up a P1 million reward for any information leading to the arrest of Abad’s killers. This is on top of the P100,000 put up by Abad’s relatives.

          Lawmen were able to arrest one of the suspects, Jose Bernalin Pascual of Barangay Pagas, Cabanatuan, driver of the motorcycle ridden by the gunman Jonathan Carpio who shot Abad and Duclayan.

         

Judge Serafin Cruz of the Regional Trial Court Branch 86 based in this city issued a warrant for the arrest of Carpio who is also facing 12 counts of electric pilferage filed in 2007 and 2008 by the Cabanatuan Electric Corp.

          Carpio, 32, who carries the alias Atan was arrested by IG operatives led by deputy director for operations Senior Supt. Allen Bantolo and the PACC in Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City last April 28 while allegedly casing his next target. He yielded a caliber .45 Armscor pistol used in killing Abad.

          Carpio has admitted to the crime and pointed to Ilagan as the one who hired him to assassinate Abad. He said it was Otic and Ilagan who gave him P300,000 as payment for killing Abad, some six days after the incident. The money was handed to him at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

Ilagan surrendered to IG and Regional Mobile Group operatives but not after engaging them in a shootout in his house in Barangay San Cristobal, Licab last June 21 which led to the death of his security escort Lorenzo Bote, a retired police sergeant.

Ilagan yielded two caliber 45, a black 40 pistol and a handgrenade. He is now detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.  (Manny Galvez)

Legarda: Make Our Laws Work to Avert Disasters Gov’t and Citizens Must Engage in Heightened Flood Prevention, Disaster Preparedness Measures

MANILA, August 7, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today expressed grave concern over the condition of various communities affected by the present weather disturbance that has caused massive flooding in many parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, and called on the government to make the nation’s laws work to avert disasters.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and author of several environmental laws, stressed that both the government and the citizenry should engage in heightened flood prevention measures and other disaster preparedness efforts.

“Despite experiences of the past, flooding persists. Now we ask, was there declogging of esteros? Was garbage in open dumps collected? Were roads that needed repair done? Is flood control implemented? Are there updated flood warning protocols for dam water releases? With flooding comes sickness, loss of livelihood and chaos. Laws and policies are in place but when will the executive start implementing our laws and when will people follow laws enacted?” the Senator remarked.

Legarda said that laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), Clean Water Act (RA 9275), Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729), and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121), if fully implemented, are enough to avert the disasters that have been plaguing many parts of the country every time a natural hazard strikes.

She added that with the present condition of communities in Metro Manila, the government should urgently undertake an NCR-wide clean up of drainage, waterways, and riverbanks; engage in more tree-growing activities; craft and implement comprehensive flood prevention and mitigation program in NCR; and create a program to address the problem of ground subsidence.

“No to open dumps. We must clean esteros and canals, segregate garbage, plant trees on vacant lots and roadsides, relocate urban settlers living in vulnerable areas, do rainwater catchment basins so that water is stored during rains and used during dry season,” Legarda said.

The Senator also stressed that agencies of government, particularly the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and all local government units (LGUs) should coordinate closely with one another for disaster prevention, effective disaster risk communication, and disaster response.

“Government must make the National Climate Change Action Plan and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan work. Adopted more than a year ago, they should serve as blueprints in mainstreaming climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the government’s plans and programs, from the national down to the local level, not just in paper but in practice,” she explained.

“We now experience the ‘new norm’ and disaster response preparedness, such as warning and alert for evacuation, rescue and relief, can never be enough in this era of weather uncertainty brought by climate change,” Legarda concluded.

KIKO: LET's USE PEOPLE POWER, VOLUNTEERISM TO ENSURE SAFETY, RESCUE OF FLOOD VICTIMS

MANILA, August 7, 2012-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan calls on fellow Filipinos to use "people power" and "citizen-powered volunteerism" to send information and rescue efforts to those who are badly affected by this week's floods.

"Thanks to social media and the efforts of ordinary Filipinos to pass on crucial, life-saving information, we are able to respond to the onslaught of floods much better than was possible during the time of Ondoy," Pangilinan says. "We call on our countrymen to continue to be vigilant and keep their families safe, but also to hopefully extend help when and where it is needed."

"We've received reports that rubber boats are urgently needed, as are clothes, slippers, medicines and other medical supplies, food, water, and other emergency items. We urge those who can spare such items to get in touch with government agencies such as the DSWD and MMDA for such donations."

He adds, "Nakikiusap rin ho tayo sa mga nakatira sa mabababang mga lugar--sundin po sana natin ang abiso ng mga kinauukulan at lumikas na kung kailangang lumikas. Buhay natin at ng ating mga mahal sa buhay ang katapat nito. Tayo po at magsama-sama at magtulung-tulong para maiwasan ang matinding sakuna." 

Legarda: Constant Vigilance Needed Amid Torrential Rains, Increasing Weather Uncertainty

MANILA, August 7, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today called for constant vigilance among government authorities, communities and citizens as floods cover many parts of Luzon and Visayas, and water levels of some rivers and major dams exceeded the warning mark due to torrential rains.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that everyone should be on heightened alert especially that with continuous rains, floodwaters rise swiftly and landslides are more likely to occur.

“Flood warnings, especially in areas affected by overflowing rivers and overspilling dams, should give enough time for communities to evacuate and take shelter. There must be a balance between information provision, dissemination, and understanding of the communities, coupled with preparedness and accountability,” she said.

The Senator also urged citizens to be on full alert for severe floods and cooperate with national and local authorities by heeding warnings.

She also stressed that is important to reduce vulnerability over the longer term in order for communities to better cope with climate variability and uncertainty.

“During these times, early evacuation should be implemented to avoid citizens being trapped in their homes due to high floodwaters. But more than the short-term solutions, we must address the lingering problem of recurring floods every single time we experience heavy rains. We have early warning system for flood and evacuation but this is not enough. We need serious flood prevention and mitigation measures such as drainage and river clean-up, relocation of informal settlers along waterways, and effective solid waste management at local level,” Legarda pointed out.

“While heavy and excessive rainfall is part of the ‘new norm’, we need not live with recurrent flooding that put lives at risk and disrupt our social and economic activities. Prevention is always better than cure. We must learn from our past experiences, practice enhanced disaster preparedness and response, and be proactive in reducing the risk of disasters,” Legarda concluded.

Police Regional Office 3 to improve communication skills

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 7, 2012-The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) had launched its Toastmasters Club Division which is also known as Philippine National Police (PNP) Speech Club that will further enhance police’s skills and confidence in public speaking.

Members of the organization include the chiefs of different offices of the regional headquarters.

Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Senior Superintendent (PSSUPT) Noli Taliño said “Toastmasters Club is another opportunity for us to forge effective community relations through good communication.”

Meanwhile, Regional Intelligence Division Chief PSSUPT Oscar Albayalde said that “through this club, our communication skills will be honed, polished and developed as well as the ability to speak professionally and eloquently in public or in front of the media will be enhanced.”

PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome initiated the organization of the said club in regional level mid April.

This, according to him, will improve the communication skills among police officers as part of the objective of the PNP to forge effective community relations. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)

Three PNP CL provincial offices successful in anti-illegal gambling campaign

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 7, 2012-The elements of the Pampanga, Tarlac, and Bulacan provincial offices had successfully carried out a series of anti-illegal gambling operations recently which resulted to the arrest of 19 persons and confiscation of five Video Karera machines and one fruit game machine.

Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Regional Director PCSUPT Edgardo Ladao said this undertaking is the agency’s way to eradicate all forms of illegal gambling specifically in Central Luzon.

And in order to totally eliminate this problem, Ladao said that the police operatives continuously conducts and monitors operations especially to the areas where illegal gambling activities have been previously reported.

Case of Violation of Presidential 1602 as amended by Republic Act 9287 is being readied against the suspects.

RA 9287, the Philippine law on illegal gambling is an act increasing the penalties for illegal number games, amending certain provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602 that prescribes stiffer penalties on illegal gambling.

Woman nabbed for drug selling

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga August 7, 2012-A woman was nabbed after selling illegal drugs in Barangay Poblacion, Bulacan province.

According to Police Regional Office Region 3 (PRO3), the suspect was identified as Rebecca Palad, 31 years of age and a resident of the said Barangay.

Prior to her arrest, the Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Norzagaray had received an information from a concerned citizen that selling of illegal drugs occurs in Barangay Poblacion. And upon hearing this, they conducted an anti-illegal drug operation where they captured Palad.

Confiscated from her possession were four pieces of small plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu,” which were brought to Bulacan Crime Laboratory Office for laboratory examination.

And a criminal complaint against the suspect was prepared against her under Violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or known as Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

Palad is presently detained in Norzagaray Municipal Jail.

In a recent development, Aries David Escarpe, 31 years old, was arrested by the virtue of the warrant for violation of section 15 or use of dangerous drugs of RA 9165 by the San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) City Police Station.

The suspect is a resident of Brangay Gumaoc East, SJDM City.

He has a recommended bail of P40,000 which was issued by Hon. Judge Manuel Ortiguerra of Regional Trial Court Branch 8, Malolos City, and is presently detained in SJDM City Jail for proper disposition. ( Joelyn G. Baluyut)

Tarlac’s calamity fund at P62.3M

TARLAC CITY, Tarlac, August 7, 2012-The calamity fund of Tarlac province which will be used for disaster plan for the year 2012 is P62.3 million.

 

In a report sent by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Deputy Executive Officer Engineer Manuel Agustin, said the fund is divided into three areas which are Pre-disaster, post disaster, and quick response.

 

Pre-disaster area will have a share of P27.1 million, where Agustin disclosed that activities under this include updating of provincial evacuation or hazard and rescue plan (P50,000); reproduction and distribution of hazard or risk maps and DRMM flyers/posters (P400,000); conduct of Fora/symposia (P250,000); emergency drills like fire, earthquake, flood, water search and rescue (WASAR) (P500,000); trainings for Disaster Action and Response Team, BLS/CPR Swift Water Rescue and DRRM related trainings (P1.5 million); purchase of rescue/communication equipments (P5 million); repair and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures and facilities (P12 million).

Fuel for equipments and other service vehicles (P1.2 million); stockpiling and prepositioning of relief goods (P2.5 million); provision of certified seeds, probiotics, organic fertilizer, vegetables seedlings, vitamins for livestock and garden tools (P1.2 million); purchase of empty sacks for sandbagging (P750,000); hazard pay and insurance premiums for disaster operatives (P500,000); and stockpiling and prepositioning of medicines (P1.2 million.)

 

P16.5 million will be allotted for post disaster for the repair and rehabilitation of infrastructures and other activities related to the effects of calamity.

 

Under the area include agriculture, long term rehabilitation, food for work, repair of heavy equipments, and repair and maintenance of rescue equipments, said Agustin.

 

And the quick response will have P18.7 million for the purchase of additional relief goods, medicines, fuel, financial assistance; procurement of additional sacks for sandbagging; and procurement of additional seeds, fertilizers and probiotics. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)

3 Central Luzon provinces free from red tide

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 7, 2012–The provinces of Bulacan, Zambales, and Bataan remains free from paralytic shellfish poison or most commonly known as Red Tide.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Shellfish Bulletin dated August 3 reported, “The coastal waters of Bulacan in Manila Bay; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; and coastal waters of Mariveles, Limay Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal in Bataan are now free of the toxic red tide.”

BFAR said shellfish from the mentioned areas can now be gathered, harvested, and sold in markets and are safe for human consumption.

Meanwhile, shellfish collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcialagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; and coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

And all types of shellfish and Acetes ap or alamang from the areas mentioned are not safe for human consumption.

“Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” BFAR said. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)