Pampanga

EdPam faces libel charges

Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 03:42 p.m.

BARANGAY officials of Angeles City have denied the libel charges filed against them by the camp of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

Appearing before the Office of the City Prosecutor in April 11, barangay officials Roy Ogurida, William David, Nenita Ferrer, Renato Coronel, and Oliver Chaneco and flier distributors submitted their joint statement where they denied the libel charges filed against them by the complainants, Amro Rasul, Jaime Dizon, Jr., Lauriano Tiamson, and Alinader Ariong, all of whom are known as close in security of Pamintuan.

2 suspected drug pushers arrested

Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 03:41 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Two suspected drug pushers were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the city police and Pampanga Police in Barangay Calulut, City of San Fernando, Thursday.

Superintendent Ricardo David, city chief of police, identified the suspects as Alvin David, 28, resident of 1st Dolores Crossing, Barangay Dolores; and Francis David, 30, alias Kiko, a resident of Lourdes Heights, Barangay Del Carmen.

Pineda asks cops: Ensure safe polls

Friday, April 12, 2013 - 01:00 a.m.

FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga -- Incumbent Governor Lilia Pineda asked on Thursday the chiefs of police assigned in various municipalities in the province to ensure the safe conduct of elections in their respective areas of responsibility.

Pineda said she is more concerned about the province’s peace and order stability as it would totally compromise the reforms and development already introduced in Pampanga should the upcoming elections be tainted with violence.

Sison looking at elder, woman reps in council

Friday, April 12, 2013 - 01:00 a.m.

ANGELES CITY -- This city’s vice-mayoralty bet Mark Allen Sison, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s “anointed one” on the United Nationalist Alliance list, said Thursday that once Angeleños give him the mandate to become the “working vice mayor” he intends to be, he will see to it that senior citizens and women are well represented in the City Council.

While doing his rounds of various senior citizens’ and women’s groups listening to their needs and concerns, he told Sun.Star Pampanga that the plan is “well within the spirit of Senate Bill 1418.”

2 more kids drown at Pampanga River

Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:59 a.m.

CAMP OLIVAS – Two more children on Wednesday drowned at the Pampanga River in Barangay Sulipan, Apalit town.

Both the bodies of Lolita Mandap, 13, of Barangay Cansinala and Khaela Rufino, 12, of Barangay Sulipan, both in Apalit town, were recovered Thursday, Superintendent Jhoana Ponseca-Rosales, chief of the Pampanga police operations branch, said..

Jose S. Lapid District Hospital inaugurated

Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:59 a.m.

PORAC, Pampanga – A district hospital named after the father of Senator Lito Lapid was inaugurated Thursday by officials from the provincial and municipal government here.

The inauguration of the Jose S. Lapid District Hospital (JSLDH) was led by Governor Lilia Pineda and Mayor Condralito Dela Cruz along with other local elected officials.

Pimentel: Develop Clark airport

Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:58 a.m.

CLARK FREEPORT – Re-electionist Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said that Clark International Airport (CIA) should be developed as another gateway to the world.

This, he said, would decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which already “overshot its physical capacity.”

No probe on Oban’s involvement in fuel smuggling

Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:58 a.m.

CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Arthur P. Tugade said there is no investigation linking his predecessor, General Edgardo Oban, to the alleged fuel smuggling inside the Freeport.

Media reports cited that Oban, the former officer-in-charge of CDC, was allegedly linked to fuel smuggling during his time as CDC top honcho.

332 students complete courses in Mabalacat College

Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:57 a.m.

MABALACAT CITY -- Some 332 students recently completed Basic Education, Information Technology and Hotel and Restaurant Management courses at the Mabalacat City College for the school year 2012-2013.

MCC President Leonardo Canlas said 134 students finished Basic Education; 142 students, IT; and 56 students, HRM this year.

C. Luzon forest to expand in 10 years -- DENR

Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:57 a.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The forest cover of Central Luzon region is expected to increase from 589,495 to 728,995 hectares in 10 years because of the implementation of the twin policy on National Greening Program (NGP) and a total logging ban on natural and residual forests, environment officials in the region announced recently.

Maximo Dichoso, executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Luzon said the 80 percent projected increase in forest areas within the decade is by far unprecedented.

5 drown in Pampanga River

Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 12:37 a.m.

SAN LUIS, Pampanga -- Five people, including three children, drowned in the Pampanga River after the boat they were in capsized during a sudden, heavy downpour last Tuesday afternoon, reports said.

Pampanga police director Senior Superintendent R'Win Pagkalinawan identified the fatalities as Alvin Guevarra, 32; wife Rhea, 33; and their children Aldrea, 6; Jovilyn 8; and Nigel, 9.

P25-M prison facility for inmates inaugurated

Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 12:19 a.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Provincial officials led on Wednesday the inauguration of the P25-million dormitory-type prison facility that now houses 700 inmates at the Pampanga Provincial Jail.

Governor Lilia Pineda, accompanied by Provincial Board members Trina Dizon, Monina Laus and Fritzie David-Dizon, said the construction of the facility -- built beside the older prison here -- came as the older building could no longer accommodate the current number of inmates.

Mayor laments election ban on giving aid

Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 12:19 a.m.

SAN Luis Municipal Mayor Venancio Macapagal said that various prohibitions during the campaign period are preventing them from helping people in extreme situations.

Macapagal said that incumbent officials, following strict laws governing the conduct of midterm elections, could not readily extend assistance to residents particularly to those in dire need.

City of San Fernando pays tribute to war veterans

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:31 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government of San Fernando paid tribute on Tuesday to some 25 survivors of the War World II, particularly the infamous Death March of 1942.

The rites commemorating the 71st "Araw ng Kagitingan" started with a "salubong" between city officials headed by City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao and the "modern day marchers" SAFER Run, Inc. Club at the San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor.

Ex-guv's statements branded as 'reckless'

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:31 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A Capitol official has branded the statements of former governor Eddie Panlilio as "reckless" after the latter said that Governor Lilia Pineda’s administration has "forgotten and neglected" the agriculture and education sectors.

In his statements, Panlilio said he had released during his term some P94.06 million for agricultural development and millions more for education and scholarship grants.

School to open with 500 students in June

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:30 p.m.

STO. TOMAS, Pamp. -- The satellite campus of the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) is expected to open this June 2013 with some 500 students enrolled in different programs.

DHVTSU president Enrique Baking said the initial population is indicative of the strong possibility of expansion in the program offerings in the years to come.

LP bet denies involvement in kidnapping

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:30 p.m.

CANDABA, Pampanga -- Liberal Party (LP) bet for Municipal Council denied Tuesday his involvement on an alleged kidnap-for-ransom activity, as reported in various media entities.

Randy Turla, who is running for councilor under the administration party, branded the inclusion of his name in the said illegal activity as "purely politically motivated" and intended to ruin his popularity to deny him of the opportunity to get a seat in the Municipal Council.

Angara: 'No Work, No vote vs absenteeism in Congress'

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:29 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Edgardo Angara, instead of the proposed “no work, no pay”, advocated Tuesday a "no work, no vote" policy as a better solution to the chronic absenteeism of lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

The three-term congressman from the lone district of Aurora urged voters to junk candidates with a record of repeated absences in legislative sessions "thereby neglecting their sworn duties and responsibilities to the people."

Lazatin eyes payroll system

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:29 p.m.

ANGELES CITY - Representative Carmelo Lazatin said he will implement full computerization of employees' payroll if he gets elected again as mayor in this city.

Lazatin said the electronic payroll will also include hand recognition for employees, which is expected to prevent the prevalence of so-called ‘ghost employees.’

Oca's survey not credible -- Dong

Monday, April 8, 2013 - 10:48 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The camp of reelectionist Congressman Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. said the recent survey results released last week by the camp of Mayor Oscar “Oca” Rodriguez was “far from credible.”

“In the first place, the firm that conducted the survey, Asian Professional Enterprises and Consultancy Services (Apecs), appears to be non-existent, or if ever, is not duly registered and has no credible track record,” said Ramon Navarra Jr., Gonzales's chief of staff.

Emotional farewell for Board member

Monday, April 8, 2013 - 10:48 p.m.

LUBAO, Pamp. – It was an emotional farewell for Board Member Olga Frances “Fritzie” David-Dizon (second district), who decided not to seek re-election to concentrate on being a mother of two.

David-Dizon, who was described as a sure winner had she filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the May 13 elections, cried after she asked Governor Lilia Pineda and her fellow officials to take care of her scholars in a meeting at the Lubao Gym on Saturday.

Angeles City receives P3M

Monday, April 8, 2013 - 10:47 p.m.

ANGELES CITY – The City Government here received a P3-million check from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as incentive from the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) for being a recipient of a Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH).

City treasurer Juliet Quinsaat received the check on Monday in behalf of the City Government from DILG regional director Florida Dijan.

Scholar to graduate cum laude

Monday, April 8, 2013 - 10:47 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Twenty-year-old Ela Dessarie Sanchez of Barangay San Agustin here will be graduating as cum laude in April 26 from the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman.

Sanchez, who took a course in Bachelor of Science in Economics, is among the 29 college scholars of the Alay Lakad Foundation Inc. (Alfi) who were given checks amounting to the equivalent to their tuition and other fees.

Residents urge groups to sponsor 'candidate forum'

Monday, April 8, 2013 - 10:46 p.m.

CANDABA, Pampanga -- The residents here are urging the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and other organized groups in the town to sponsor a forum for the voters to fully screen the candidates.

According to the locals, the forum is needed before the electorates can finally decide whom to vote, depending on the qualifications and platform of government these candidates will present.

Folks offer houses as 'poster sites' for Pinedas

Monday, April 8, 2013 - 10:46 p.m.

CANDABA, Pampanga -- Residents had volunteered their houses and other properties where campaign posters of Governor Lilia Pineda and vice gubernatorial candidate Dennis Pineda may be installed.

Candabeños pledged full support to the re-election bid of Lilia, after having been satisfied with her accomplishments involving health, infrastructure, education, livelihood and tourism, including delivery of basic services.

SC decision on party-list accreditation lauded

Monday, April 8, 2013 - 10:45 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Sanduguan Farmers Association (SFA) lauded the Supreme Court (SC) for its new parameters in party-list accreditation.

In a decision dated April 2, the Court said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) did not commit grave abuse of discretion when it denied the accreditation of 54 groups for the May 13 elections.

Guv favors work than campaigning

Sunday, April 7, 2013 - 09:49 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Lilia Pineda over the weekend said she would rather work, for "there is more to be done," rather than campaign for her re-election.

Pineda said she will focus on her priority projects on health, education, livelihood, infrastructure, peace and order and agriculture in the remaining days of her first term as governor.

Lawmaker reiterates support for PAC university conversion

Sunday, April 7, 2013 - 09:49 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Senatorial candidate Edgardo "Sonny" Angara assured over the weekend that he will push for the conversion of the Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) into a state university, and bring the matter before President Benigno Aquino III.

The House of Representatives has been waiting for the Senate counterpart of the bill for ratification. The House version was authored by Representative Carmelo Lazatin (1st district, Pampanga) and co-authored by Representative Angara (lone district, Aurora).

Angara wants P33,000 wage for public school teachers

Sunday, April 7, 2013 - 09:48 p.m.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Liberal Party senatorial candidate Edgardo "Sonny" Angara said Saturday that he is pushing for a bill seeking a minimum monthly salary of P33,859 for public school teachers in the country.

Angara, during a press conference with the Pampanga media over the weekend, said the current basic pay for teachers is set at P17,225 a month.

Nepomuceno vows jobs for Angeleños