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.

Cleanup after polls urged

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - A vice mayoral candidate called on his supporters and other politicians to clean up their campaign materials following the Monday polls.

"We all have a responsibility towards our community and its people. If we can spend for posters and paraphernalia; surely, we can also spend that much for cleaning up what we have put out on the streets," incumbent Councilor Jimmy Lazatin said.

Public urged to vote

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Various local groups and religious sectors called on the public to "go out and vote" as the midterm elections are set today, Monday.

"Go out and vote wisely. Your vote, our future. Today is when we all decide and participate in re-shaping Pampanga in the coming years. It all lies in the hands of the Kapampangan voters," said Rene Romero, Vice Chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

Bets hope for peaceful polls

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Two mayoralty bets here expressed Sunday their hopes for peaceful and orderly elections today, Monday, amid issues of vote buying and harassment in the province.

"It has been a long, arduous campaign and a fierce race. But I am expecting that the election day in the city will be peaceful with God's intervention, that our people will remain vigilant because we still have reports of rampant vote buying," Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, who is seeking re-election, said.

Ex-lawmaker: ‘Withdrawal’ reports ‘bogus’

MACABABE - A former lawmaker who is seeking re-election branded as "black propaganda" and "bogus" the text messages saying he has withdrawn his candidacy in favor of his political opponent.

Former lawmaker Juan Pablo Bondoc (4th district, Pampanga) denied reports of his withdrawal, saying these are the "dirty tactics" of his rival camp to confuse voters.

Massive cleanup after polls urged

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - A senator called on the public, including her staff and supporters, and other political candidates in Central Luzon to join in the "Oplan Linis" scheduled after the election day on Monday.

Re-electionist Senator Loren Legarda, a staunch environmentalist, said all her regional political officers will be responsible for cleaning up and gathering her campaign materials like posters and tarpaulins in every city and municipality across the country.

DOE assures power supply on election day

MABALACAT CITY -- The Department of Energy (DOE) formed a task force to ensure sufficient power supply during the conduct of the midterm elections today, Monday.

DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said the Election Power Task Force (EPTF) is ready with its contingency plans to ensure power supply in the country for successful automated elections.

Public warned vs vote buying

ANGELES CITY - A prelate called on the parishioners Sunday to help prevent cases of vote buying by reporting these to the authorities.

"I would like to call on our people in the parish to be vigilant against vote buying incidents," Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said after a Mass at the Holy Rosary Parish Sunday morning.

Iglesia to launch medical services

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in the Ecclesiastical District of Pampanga will be launching "Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko" project offering free medical, dental, and relief services to Kampangans.

This will be held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, this city.

Police ready for elections

CANDABA -- This town's police chief said Sunday that they are ready for the opening of the polling precincts for the midterm elections today, Monday.

Superintendent Benjamin Medina said their mandate is to ensure the safe conduct of elections by preventing interested individuals and groups from interfering with the regular conduct of the polls.

Arrested mayoral bet supporter released

CANDABA, Pamp. -- A political supporter of Candaba mayoralty bet Reynaldo “Busog” Sagum, who was arrested Friday for alleged vote-buying was ordered released Saturday by the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Pampanga.

Apolinario Dela Cruz, a supporter of Sagum, was charged with violation of Article XXII of Section 261 of BP 881 for alleged vote buying, said lawyer Jeph Deliva.

Naguit calls for sobriety

MINALIN -- Reelectionist Mayor Arturo Naguit pleaded for sobriety amid the reported rising election-related violence in this fourth district town.

On Friday evening, Arnel Mandap of Purok 1, Barangay San Francisco 2, a physically challenged supporter of Naguit, was reported by elements of the Minalin Police to have been mauled -- and is on the risk of getting blind -- by an alleged supporter of comebacking Mayor Edgar Flores, who was identified as one Kagawad Henry Garcia of the same barangay.

Bets end campaign with motorcades, ‘miting de avance’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Candidates from various local parties in Pampanga yesterday punctuated the last day of campaigning with long motorcades and by holding their respective “miting de avance.”

Although the campaign period officially ended at midnight Saturday, most of the candidates for gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial posts, mayors, vice-mayors, councilors, board members and district representatives -- alone or with their teams -- took to the streets and meeting points with their supporters.

PNP Chief expects Monday polls to be peaceful

CAMP OLIVAS – Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Alan Purisima, in an interview at the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3) office, said he expects the midterm elections on Monday, May 13, 2013, to be peaceful and orderly.

Purisima is visiting all Police Regional Offices in the Philippines to see the preparations of all Police Regional Directors for tomorrow’s national and local elections.

Legarda gets pastor’s endorsement

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -International televangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy endorsed Thursday Senator Loren Legarda’s senate bid with hundreds of sect’s membership in Pampanga and the Philippines.

Quiboloy, founding leader and head pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, said that Legarda’s performance as senator and a leading environmentalist have made an impact on people’s lives.

Mayoralty bet supporter nabbed for vote buying

CANDABA - A political supporter of a mayoralty candidate here was arrested by the local police Thursday for alleged "vote buying" in Barangay Mangga this town.

Superintendent Benjamin Medina, town's chief of police, identified the suspect as Apolinario Dela Cruz, 51, married and resident of Barangay Dulong Ilog.

SM CSF Downtown celebrates mother’s day

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The SM City San Fernando Downtown salutes Mother’s Day by giving away treats on Sunday.

Located at the ground floor of SM City San Fernando Downtown is Mom’s Bazaar that offers an array of saccharine chocolates, fresh flowers and stuff for mothers.

Angara calls for more budget on tuition

TEAM PNoy senatorial bet Edgardo “Sonny” Angara urged Saturday the government to provide additional budget to the Department of Education (DepEd) so that more high school students in Grade 7 in private schools can avail themselves of tuition subsidy.

For School Year 2013-2014, DepEd officials said they increased by 24 percent the number of slots for Grade 7 students who are entitled to tuition subsidy in private schools.

INC celebrates founder's 127th birthday

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in the Ecclesiastical District of Pampanga commemorated Thursday the 127th birth anniversary of Brother Felix Manalo.

Manalo was born on May 10, 1886 in Barrio Calzada, Tipas, Taguig, Rizal. His parents were Mariano Ysagun and Bonifacia Manalo.

Peace and order summit held

LUBAO, Pampanga - The provincial police office recently conducted a peace and order summit in preparation for Monday's elections.

Senior Superintendent Oscar Albayalde, officer-in-charge of Pampanga police provincial office, said that at least 600 members of Bantay Bayan Group in the second district of Pampanga joined the peace summit.

Councilmen declare support for Lazatin

ANGELES CITY – Majority of the Councilmen’s League of Angeles City (CLAC) members have declared full support to the mayoral bid of Representative Carmelo Lazatin (first district, Pampanga).   “Sa ngayon ay mahigit 180 na miyembro na ng CLAC ang nagdeklara ng suporta para kay Mayor Lazatin,” said Barangay Cutcut Kagawad and CLAC Vice President for Internal Affairs Roy Ogurida.   Ogurida said that with several controversies incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, several barangay officials have jumped ship and joined Lazatin.  

Supporters attend Dong's thanksgiving mass

MEXICO - Some 2,000 supporters of reelectionist Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales (3rd District, Pampanga) attended the thanksgiving mass offered by the lawmaker for his supporters and allies.

Gonzales attended the mass with wife Beth at the Saint Monica Parish here with Father Homer Policarpio as main celebrant.