Sen. Angara umatras sa pagka-gobernador ng Aurora

BALER, Aurora, December 20, 2012-Umatras na sa laban sa pagka-gobernador ng lalawigan ng Aurora si Senador Edgardo J. Angara at ipinalit ang kanyang nakababatang kapatid na kasalukuyang alkade ng bayang ito.

 

Sa text message ng anak ni Senador na si Cong. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, kinumpirma nito ang pag-urong ng kandidatura ng kanyang ama at kinumpirma rin ito ng provincial election supervisor ng Aurora na si Atty. Gilbert Almario.

 

Opisyal na naghain ng kanyang withdrawal of candidacy with substitution ang Senador noong Huwebes ng tanghali sa panlalawigang tanggapan ng Commission on Election kasabay ng paghahain naman ng Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at Certificate of  Nomination with Acceptance (CONA) ni Baler Mayor Arthur J. Angara.

 

Si Mayor Angara ay nasa huling termino bilang Punong Bayan ng Baler at makakatunggali sa pagka-Punong Lalawigan ang kasalukuyang Bise Gobernador ng Aurora na si Atty.Gerardo Noveras.

 

Sa kanyang facebook account, ipinahayag ng Alkalde na tinatanggap niya ang bagong hamon na ibinigay sa kanya. “Nais kong ipagpapatuloy ang aking nasimulan sa bayan ng Baler, sa aking minamahal na probinsya ng Aurora. Ang aking mga nasimulang reporma sa munisipyo ay aking susubukang gawin sa Kapitolyo,” sabi nito.

 

“Ako po ay opisyal na naghain ng aking candidacy para sa pagiging Gobernador ng Aurora ngayong araw, ika-20 ng Disyembre, 2012. Aking papalitan si Sen. Edong Angara bilang standard bearer ng Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino para sa Gobernador ng Aurora,” pahayag ng Alkalde.

 

Wala namang ibinigay na dahilan ang mga Angara kung bakit umatras sa laban ang Senador sa pagka-gobernador ng lalawigan na hawak ngayon ng kanyang kapatid na si Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo na nasa huling termino na.

 

Si Angara-Castillo ay naghahangad na muling bumalik sa Kamara para palitan ang kasalukuyang kinatawan ng nagiisang distrito ng Aurora na si Cong.Juan Edgardo Angara na kumakandidato namang senador sa ilalim ng Liberal Party ng administrasyon..

 

Ikinagulat naman ni Noveras ang naging desisyon ng Senador at hindi diumano niya ito inaasahan. “Ganun pa man, hindi pa rin ako kampante na si Mayor Angara ang kalaban ko, lalo akong magsisipag ngayon at magsisikap para manalo,” sabi nito.

 

Wala namang maisip na dahilan si Noveras sa pag-atras ng senador sa kanilang duwelo pero may hinala ito na tinanggap na ng mambabatas ang matagal ng iniaalok na posisyon sa kabinete ni Pangulong Noynoy. (Ronald Madrid Leander)

Angara withdraws gubernatorial bid in shocking announcement

BALER, Aurora, December 20, 2012-Sen. Edgardo Angara, who is eyeing the governorship of his province in the 2013 elections, yesterday announced he was withdrawing from the race in  a shocking announcement that jolted Aurorans, much the same way they greeted the stunning knockout loss of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

          Less than four months after he launched his gubernatorial bid during his 78^th birthday celebration here last September 30,  Angara made the announcement following a   meeting with local political leaders at his residence in Barangay Reserva at around 11 am   yesterday.

          He will be replaced as standard-bearer of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino by his younger brother, Baler Mayor Arthur Angara.

          The STAR called all the Angaras – Senator Angara,  his Congressman Juan Edgardo, his sister Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and the     senator’s running mate and nephew Rommel - for their statements. But for one reason or another, none of them returned the calls nor can be reached.   

          But a local political leader of the Angaras, who was privy to the meeting but  who begged off anonymity, confirmed  the meeting and the announcement.

          The senator, the leader said,   told those present that he received a position in the Cabinet which he had accepted. He declined to specify what particular position it was.

          Those present were the governor, Rommel and Mayor Angara who was himself reportedly taken aback by the announcement. Some of the Angaras’ political leaders reportedly even shed tears.

          Mayor Arthur was earlier tipped to run against Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras but he was viewed as a “weak” bet to mount a serious challenge  to the vice governor.

          Sources said one of the compelling reasons for the senator’s withdrawal, aside from the offer was the low ranking of his son, Congressman Angara in recent surveys. The Harvard-educated congressman, a recipient of the prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), was ranked 13^th in the latest Social Weather Stations Survey, down from a high of seven a months ago.

          Only last month, the senator called on his political leaders in the province to explain to Aurorans that he would not be able to devote himself full-time in the campaign trail because he would also be helping his son out. “Tell them I have to help Sonny in his own senatorial bid,” he said, adding that anyway, people ask for him in places where his son goes for consultations.    

          Angara is the longest-serving senator in the post-Edsa Senate with Aurora leaders saying it’s about time the province benefit from the services of its own son. (Manny Galvez) 

“We are Bringing Filipino Heritage to the World Audience” Legarda Welcomes Quai Branly Museum President

MANILA, December 20, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today welcomed Musée du Quai Branly President Stéphane Martin, and Ms. Constance de Monbrison, Curator at the Musée du Quai Branly, who are in the country for the 2013 Philippine Exhibition at the Paris, France museum. 

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Committee on Cultural Communities, said that Mr. Martin will give details about the upcoming exhibition “PHILIPPINES: Archipelago of Exchange,” that will be held on April 9 to July 14, 2013 at the Quai Branly.

  

“We are very fortunate to have been chosen as the featured exhibiting country at the Musée du Quai Branly, which is the premier museum in France for indigenous art and culture. Through the agreement to loan Philippine artworks and artifacts for the exhibition, we are bringing Filipino artistry, craftsmanship, and heritage to the world audience,” she said.

Legarda explained that the exhibition, which is a partnership project between France and the Philippines, is another opportunity to create awareness of the rich Philippine heritage within the international community.

“Through this, we reaffirm our commitment to promote Filipino artisanship, uphold traditions that give meaning to our identity, and express pride in our unique history,” she stressed.

Legarda has taken several initiatives to further promote Philippine culture to Filipinos and foreign citizens alike. She has set up several cultural exhibits to showcase exceptional skills and world-class products of indigenous peoples.