Gloria Arroyo thanks kabalens for another term

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Former President and now re-elected Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (second district, Pampanga) expressed gratitude to Kapampangans for another term.

Arroyo, who will serve the towns of Lubao, Floridablanca, Porac, Sta. Rita, Sasmuan and Guagua, was proclaimed winner by the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) on Thursday evening, after she garnered 168,718 votes against former Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu with 18,547.

Re-elected, new BMs eye ‘greater Pampanga’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Re-elected board members Ric Yabut, Nestor Tolentino, Salvador Dimson Jr., successful comebackers Dinan Labung and Rosve Henson, together with newcomers Cherry Manalo and outgoing Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang recently professed to “move in unison for a greater Pampanga” and pass more beneficial legislative measures which will benefit Kapampangans.

The local legislators, who expressed excitement over their first session together with Vice Governor-elect Dennis Pineda, said they are optimistic that the “new complexion” of the august body will not, in any way, affect their objectives for the bigger development of the province of Pampanga.

Bondoc calls for unity

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Congressman-elect Juan Pablo Bondoc has called for political unity in his district following his win against congressional rivals here, adding there is much to do in terms of infrastructure, tourism and agricultural development of the district.

Bondoc was proclaimed winner of the congressional race for the fourth district of Pampanga after garnering 105,610 votes or 55.58 percent of the 207,749 of voters.

Butil still Central Luzon’s choice

SANTA RITA — The Butil Farmers Party reigned as the top party-list choice in Central Luzon region after gaining 257,009 votes or 9.03 percent of the total voters who voted in the region, said the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Butil was followed by Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) with 162,470 or 5.71 percent at 2nd place in the regional ranking. Buhay Hayaang Yumabong (Buhay) followed close at third place and Binhi at 4th place.

Groups urge fast probe on Malampaya fund scam

MASANTOL -- Members of the Masantol Eastern Coastal Communities (MECC) urged the Commission on Audit (COA) on Friday to speed up the investigation on the Malampaya fund scam involving multi-million pesos worth of "ghost project" intended for farmers here.

Former Vice Mayor Marcelo Lacap, a member of MECC, said their "innocence had been taken advantage by some individuals who successfully enrich themselves" by facilitating the release of some P89.2 million at the expense of the supposed beneficiaries in the localities.

Rimpy to prioritize agri dev't

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Congressman-elect Juan Pablo "Rimpy" Bondoc said on Thursday he will prioritize agricultural development in the fourth district to give Kapampangan farmers more opportunities for growth.

Bondoc made a successful comeback after he overwhelmingly won over his closest rival, Mayor Jerry Pelayo of Candaba.

New heritage sites unveiled

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Two houses were added to the heritage map of the City of San Fernando on Friday as the City Government led by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and the San Fernando Heritage Foundation chaired by businessman Levy P. Laus unveiled the markers and signed the memorandum of agreement for their preservation.

The first site opened for viewing to visitors was the century-old Paras-Hizon house along V. Tiomico Street right along the city's main Heritage District.

Mayor-elect asks fishpond owners to get insurance

MASANTOL -- The newly elected mayor in this town said he would ask fishpond operators to consider obtaining insurance policies for their businesses.

Dan Guintu of the Liberal Party got an overwhelming support from the electorate after he defeated Paul Flores, brother of incumbent mayor Peter Flores.

Masantol’s most wanted falls

MASANTOL – Police arrested the town's number one most wanted person in his residence in Barangay San Isidro here.

Senior Superintendent Oscar Albayalde, Officer-In-Charge of Pampanga police provincial office, said Sonny Yabut, 31, was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Josephine Mercado of the Regional Trial Court Branch 55, Macabebe, Pampanga.

Pineda proclaimed as Pampanga guv

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Re-electionist Lilia "Nanay Baby" Pineda was officially been proclaimed governor of Pampanga on Thursday.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) approved the motion of the Pineda's lawyers to declare her winner in the recent polls on the basis of the number of official votes tallied from 16 municipalities and the City of San Fernando.

Village chief calls for 'politics of unity'

ANGELES CITY --- A village chieftain has called for "politics of unity", saying that the recent political exercise has divided the people.

Balibago chairman Rodelio "Tony" Mamac, who lost to incumbent Vice Mayor Vicky Vega Cabigting, said the city cannot afford a "politics of vengeance."

Kuliat Foundation to host Sabat Santacruzan

ANGELES CITY - The Kuliat Foundation Inc., together with the Center for Kapampangan Studies, is organizing the Sabat Santacruzan on May 22, to create awareness among Filipinos of its inherent religious significance and its cultural value in our nation's history.

The foundation, in a statement, said the month of May is traditionally set for the Santacruzan which was originally intended as a method of evangelization but has become a Filipino heritage worth keeping.

Newbie councilors eye projects

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Newly elected city councilors Angie Hizon and BJ Lagman said recently that they are looking at legislating and implementing new programs and projects for Fernandinos.

After their official proclamation at City Hall on Tuesday, the two members of Team Fernandino -- with Hizon emerging as number one councilor -- will immediately submit their respective proposals to the City Council during the first session in July.

San Luis mayor retains post

SAN LUIS, Pampanga – Re-elected Mayor Venancio "Asyong" S. Macapagal, his running-mate Vice Mayor Leonardo Salas and seven of his councilors,

Despite reports of alleged vote buying by rival candidates, it was an overwhelming victory for re-elected Mayor Venancio "Asyong" S. Macapagal, his runningmate Vice Mayor Leonardo Salas and seven of his councilors, Macapagal of the Kambilan party got 13,770 votes against his rival Rey Santos (LP) who got 11,040 votes. Salas (Kambilan), meanwhile, got 13,333 against Erwin Clarin (LP), with 10,432 votes.

Flores stages successful political comeback

MINALIN, Pampanga -- Former mayor Edgar Flores has made a successful political comeback after defeating incumbent Mayor Arturo Naguit in the May 13 midterm elections.

As this developed, Flores bared that first in his list of priorities after being sworn into office next month is to come up with a comprehensive initiative to address the flooding problem in the locality.

Wong warns politicians involved in harassment

SAN SIMON -- Re-elected Mayor Leonora Capule-Wong recently warned losing candidates allegedly responsible for massive harassment during the campaign period of appropriate action to hold them accountable for their illegal activities.

"Yung mga taong may kinalaman sa nangyaring massive harassment sa ating mga botante ay kailangan silang managot. Paaalisin natin dito ang mga bad elements para umunlad ang ating bayan," Wong said.

Pineda leads unofficial count

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Reelectionist Governor Lilia Pineda was leading Tuesday morning against former governor Ed Panlilio in the partial unofficial canvass of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Pineda was leading in the count, as of 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, with 444,989 votes, over Panlilio who had 111,794 votes.

Pamintuan, Guiao win over veteran bets

ANGELES CITY -- Reelectionist Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and congressional candidate Joseller Guiao won over veteran politicians from known political families in the city.

Pamintuan, who ran under the Partido Abe Kapampangan, received 51,368 votes or 56.51 percent of the total 93,970 votes in the mayoral post, according to data gathered from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Lawmaker to retire from politics

ANGELES CITY -- A lawmaker said on Tuesday he is planning to retire from politics following his defeat in the mayoral race here.

"Magre-retire na tayo sa pulitika, matanda na rin tayo. Ipapaubaya na natin sa mga susunod (na nanunungkulan) ang pagseserbisyo sa bayan (I am retiring from politics, I've aged anyway. We'll leave public service to the next leaders)," the 78-year-old Representative Carmelo Lazatin said.

Butil, Pampanga’s top party-list choice

PORAC -- The Butil Farmers Party remains to be the top choice for party-list group in Pampanga, according to the canvass of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday.

The Butil Farmers Party received 71, 533 votes or 13.94 percent of the total 696,672 votes cast.

Gordon, Legarda lead in Pampanga

STA. RITA -- Former senator Dick Gordon and reelectionist Senator Loren Legarda were Pampanga's top picks in the senatorial race on Monday.

Data obtained from the Commission of Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday showed Gordon of the United Nationalist Alliance at the number one spot with 345,321 or 6.53 percent of the total votes cast.

Naguit, Arceo set record

STO. TOMAS -- Mayor Joselito Naguit and running mate Mark Louie Arceo set the record in the town as the first ever three-term mayor and youngest vice mayor in the province, respectively.

The Commission on Elections proclaimed on Tuesday Naguit as elected mayor and Arceo as vice mayor in a ceremony led by municipal election officer Imelda Manalastas.

New Candaba mayor proclaimed

CANDABA -- An official of the Commission on Elections led on Tuesday the proclamation of Rene Maglanque as the duly elected mayor of this town.

Maglanque was former assistant secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Group: Elections in Central Luzon chaotic

MABALACAT CITY - Peoples' organizations in Central Luzon declared the elections in Central Luzon (CL) as chaotic and vulnerable to fraud.

Mayor vows clean, honest public service

MAGALANG - Reelected Mayor Romulo Pecson vowed Tuesday to continue a clean and honest public service for his constituents.

Pecson, who was proclaimed winner in the mayoralty race here, thanked the people for their trust.

Career advocacy congress held

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Regional Office recently held its first Career Guidance Advocacy Congress at the Colegio De Sebastian in this city.

The congress, themed "Follow the Guide. Tag a Career. Like the Future," aimed to address unemployment and jobs mismatch in Central Luzon.

PCOS glitches delay polls

STA. RITA - Technical problems in the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines caused delays and irked voters who were in long queues for the midterm elections.

The PCOS machine in precinct no. 70 at the Sta. Cruz Central School in Lubao town failed to read ballots.

Candidates shun 'VIP lane'

MAGALANG - A congressional candidate joined the long queue of voters for the midterm elections.

First district congressional candidate Vice Governor Joseller Guiao, along with his wife Jenny and uncle Pastor, waited in line at his precinct in San Miguel Elementary School in Barangay San Miguel, this town.

Mayor: Back to work after polls

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Following the vigorous campaign period, a mayor said they are buckling down in office until June 30.

"It will be business as usual. We will be back to work and continue serving our people because there is still much to do, as now we set aside politics in the name of service," third district congressional aspirant Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said.

Erroneous voters' list criticized

CANDABA - Voters here criticized Monday the Commission on Elections for failure to provide electors a correct master list.

Some people failed to cast their vote, saying their names are not in the list.