Sta. Ana folk cheer Laus-Dizon motorcade

STA. ANA -- Locals here cheered and lined up along the streets of Barangay Sta. Lucia as third District Board Members Monina Laus and Trina Dizon and other local candidates conducted a motorcade Sunday.

Laus, wife of former Board Member Ceferino Laus, said she will continue the legacy of the late board member, a known philanthropist and a public servant during his time.

Nepomuceno eyes citizen empowerment

ANGELES CITY – Re-electionist Councilor Bryan Nepomuceno vowed to push for the empowerment of Angeleños through the implementation of livelihood projects for residents of the city, especially the urban poor.

“Gusto po natin na ma-empower ang mga mamamayan at tulungan silang maiangat ang kanilang pamumuhay, (We want our people to be empowered and help them develop their livelihood)” Nepomuceno said.

Vice guv's CDA plan for Clark gets support

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Vice Governor Joseller Guiao’s plan to transform the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) into the Clark Development Authority (CDA) is gaining considerable support from the business sector.

The CDA plan, which will give the new entity more legroom for development, management and exploitation of the full potential of the Clark Freeport as an engine of national development, has gotten the support of businessman Rene Romero.

Hagedorn vows to push for term extension

ANGELES CITY -- Former Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn said he would push for the extension of national and local officials’ terms of office if gets elected Senator.

During a meeting with various groups in this city, Hagedorn said the three-year term limit of an elected official is short to implement programs properly and completely.

PamCham council to review ordinance

THE Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) recently requested the 4th City Council of San Fernando City to evaluate and consider the group’s suggestion regarding ordinance no. 2003-18.

Ordinance No. 2003-18 supposedly covers the prohibition on hanging streamers and installation of advertisements at the newly constructed Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Jasa) pedestrian overpass.

Bizman not happy with conduct of campaign, politicians

A BUSINESSMAN decried on Friday the low level of maturity of how national and local candidates are conducting their campaigns, stressing the need for a more professional conduct among politicians and campaign handlers.

SM to host job fair on May 1

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) together with the Municipal Public Employment Service Office (Peso) will hold “Labor Day Job Fair” in May 1 at the SM City San Fernando Downtown.

SM City San Fernando Downtown will participate for the first time in the nationwide activity to help unemployed Filipinos to find jobs.

Senior citizens rooting for Angara

A GROUP of senior citizens in the Philippines expressed support to Liberal Party senatorial candidate Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

In their manifesto of support, the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP) and the Aagapay sa Matatanda Inc. (AMA) party-list group justified their decision in choosing Angara as their top senatorial candidate.

Senatoriable appeals to SUCs to freeze tuition, fees

TEAM PNoy senatorial candidate Edgardo "Sonny" Angara appealed to the more than 100 state colleges and universities (SUCs) across the country on Friday to freeze their tuition and other fees.

This, following the wake of petitions for tuition increase filed by private tertiary schools.

Housing board orders developer to fulfill obligations

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Northern Tagalog Regional Field Office ordered on Friday Sta. Lucia Realty and Development Inc. to immediately fulfill its obligations with the Beverly Place Homeowners Association headed by Engr. Allan David.

HLURB also slapped Sta. Lucia with an administrative fine of P30,000 for continuously failing to maintain and complete the posh subdivision project.

INC lauds Guiao’s proposed railway station

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) lauded first district congressional candidate Joseller "Yeng" Guiao's proposal to establish Manila-Clark fast train's substation near the Philippine Area in Bocaue Bulacan.

"Kung matutuloy maganda ito para aming mga miyembro ng Iglesia ni Cristo dahil magiging lalung madali ang pagpunta namin sa arena. Sigurado yan sa simula pa lamang ng taong 2014 ay magiging madalas na ang pagpunta namin WSdyan," said Don Don Ombina, a member of the church.

After ‘Big Brother’ comes ‘Big Utol’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Councilor Alex "Big Brother" F. Patio now looks ahead to Congress as Append Party-List representative, after making a mark at the fourth City Council as majority floor leader and passing important legislative measures.

But the Big Brother's legacy will not be left forlorn as another "AFP" -- Allan "Big Utol" F. Patio -- steps up his bid to create his own mark in the City Council.

Yabut: Stop political bickering

ANGELES CITY -- Former councilor Ares Yabut said Friday that candidates should avoid political bickering for the sake of their constituents.

Yabut, a three-term city councilor from 2001 to 2010, said this during his campaign rally at his bailiwick in Barangay Santa Trinidad here.

‘Shabu queen’ nabbed in Candaba

CANDABA -- A suspected drug pusher known in the locality as “shabu queen” was arrested on Thursday in a buy-bust operation conducted by the town police.

Superintendent Benjamin Medina, town's chief of police, identified the suspect as Daisylyn Leano Enriquez, 38, married, and a resident of Pulong Gubat here.

Aquino to Santiago: ‘Clear name on CGS deals’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Former mayor Rey Aquino has called rival Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago to clear his name on his alleged involvement in the firm CGS Solid Aircon and Refrigeration Inc. which was reported to have been cornering “cooling” transactions of the City Government here.

Aquino, in a press conference at Bliss Hotel here, said that CGS stands for Caylao, Santiago and Gopez with the first and the last names in reference to Vice Mayor Santiago and City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao.

Bishop to voters: Pick eco-conscious bets

ANGELES CITY -- Auxiliary Bishop Pablo “Ambo” David of the Holy Rosary Parish Church urged the people to elect candidates who care for the environment.

David issued the statement during a press conference set by the Subli Taya in Upaya, Bie, at Leguan ning Indung Yatu (Subli) which highlighted the launching of infomercial on environmental consciousness at the Kamalig restaurant here Thursday.

City College churns out first batch of grads

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City College of San Fernando on Tuesday churned out its first batch of graduates in grand commencement rites at the Mini Convention Center of Heroes Hall.

Angara asks Brillantes to stay

TEAM PNoy senatorial candidate Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Thursday asked Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. to reconsider his resignation plan so he can lead the poll body into a peaceful and credible election next month.

“Chairman Brillantes should remain as Comelec head. He is on top of things and most of the major preparations for this election season. There are elections matters that he is the master of,” Angara said.

Folks thank GMA for water system

STA. RITA, Pampanga – Locals here, particularly from Barangay San Basilio, thanked Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (second district) for putting up a water system in their area, which they said has “changed their life tremendously.”

Residents welcomed Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Mikey Arroyo, who represented his mother, and Mayor Yolly Pineda, Vice Mayor Homobono Guanlao, and re-electionist Board Member Art Salalila, during a house-to-house visit in the village where they thanked the younger Arroyo for the project.

Ato won’t bow out of vice-mayoralty race

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Vice-mayoralty candidate Councilor Renato “Ato” Agustin said on Thursday that he will not quit the race for the post versus lawyer and Board Member Rolly Macalino and fellow Councilor Jimmy Lazatin amid reports that “he will back out” because of alleged “poor survey ratings.”

“Some observers have been asking me in my sorties if it is true I am backing out of the race. Definitely I will not. Not in the thick of the fight,” Agustin told Sun.Star Pampanga.

Dong storms downtown with supporters

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Re-electionist Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. (third district) visited barangays in downtown San Fernando on Thursday with hundreds of supporters drumbeating his programs for the various sectors of the district.

Gonzales visited Barangays Del Pilar and Sto. Rosario here, making pit stops at the City Hall, various public terminals and City of San Fernando Public Market where Gonzales was welcomed eagerly by cheering supporters and market vendors.

Shipbuilding firm delivers 2 bulk carriers to UK

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. – Philippines (HHIC-Phil Inc.) has reached yet another milestone when it held the simultaneous unveiling of two newly-built bulk carriers in its modern 30-hectare shipyard in Redondo Peninsula on Tuesday.

The vessels, named after famous explorers Christopher Columbus and Abel Tasman, were the seventh and eighth ships purchased by leading international mining group Rio Tinto Shipping Limited.

Voters urged: Use simple criteria in choosing senator

ADVOCATES for a better Senate should base their support for senatorial candidates mainly on their public and private careers -- the only criteria which can be readily be proven, a candidate said Wednesday.

Team PNoy senatorial candidate Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said that a senator -- above all things -- has to write good laws and do policy making and advocacy work for specific sectors that need legislative intervention.

Dong to field more lawyers on Election Day

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Third district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. will be deploying more lawyers in the field in his district in the Election Day on May 13, his chief of staff said.

Ramon Navarra Jr., Gonzales’ chief of staff, said in a statement that he did not reveal exactly how many lawyers the congressman would deploy but said the numbers would be more than enough to meet any legal problem that may arise.

Teens defy call not to swim in Pampanga River

SAN LUIS, Pampanga – Teenagers in Barangay Sta. Catalina in this town have been seen swimming in the Pampanga River on Tuesday disregarding the call of local authorities not to swim in the river following the deaths of seven individuals there recently.

Observers also noted that some were even seen drinking liquor.

AUF to honor Dominican leader

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) will confer the distinguished University Medal of Honor upon  University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Rector Rev. Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa Jr., OP during its college commencement exercises at the school’s Sports and Cultural Center today.

Out-of-school youth laud Capitol's scholarship program

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO –- Several out-of-school youth who passed the recent Non-Formal Education Accreditation and Equivalency Test under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education lauded the Provincial Government for its scholarship program.

“Doble po ang saya namin dahil mayroon na kaming diploma na katumbas ng diploma na ibinibigay sa mga high school graduates, at ngayon ay pwedi pa kaming mag-aral ng college sa tulong ng Kapitolyo,” Jasper Mendoza, ALS graduate said.

Rey challenges EdSa: Explain ‘anomalies’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayoralty candidate Dr. Rey B. Aquino on Monday challenged Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago to answer alleged anomalies at the City Hall, even as he decried issues being thrown at him by his rival.

Aquino, flanked by members of his slate, went on to defend himself from what he called a "black propaganda" of his political opponents here.

Customs execs find ‘sludge, not diesel’ in drums

CLARK FREEPORT -- Bureau of Customs (BoC) officials were surprised when they discovered water and sludge inside 94 drums supposed to be containing diesel fuel.

The 94 drums form part of the 165 drums seized by authorities from 2009 to 2012 for non-payment of tax and other duties, according to Atty. Ronnie Silvestre, District Collector of the Port of Clark.

Angara: Coast Guard should revert to the Navy

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), severely handicapped by its purely civilian functions, should revert to the Philippine Navy (PN) to make its patrol work more effective, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, said Team PNoy senatorial candidate Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Monday.

Republic Act No. 9993 stripped the PCG of its military functions and attached it to the Department of Transportation and Communications with a purely SOLAS (safety of life at sea) mandate before the breakout of the disputes in the West Philippine Sea, Angara said.