Nanay Baby

“IT IS not true that President Aquino is withholding government aid to Pampanga. He has given considerable support to my administration,” Governor Pineda confided to this writer during her birthday party for the media at Hotel Stotsenberg.

“I proudly acknowledge and am truly grateful to the President for extending funding assistance to my priority program for health, education, public infrastructure, and agricultural production,” Mrs. Pineda said.

P-Noy’s unpublicized budgetary support to her lead projects has increased the scope and impact of her development initiatives in the province, she admitted.

Her statements were a rebuttal of her rival’s contention (Eddie Panlilio) who keeps warning the public that Pampanga maybe deprived of -- nor will receive -- help from the Palace because she lacks P-Noy’s trust. “P-noy has been a great help,” she added.

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Nanay Baby also threw cold water on the proposition from local leaders of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) that her own political organization, the Kambilan, gets into a merger with the former.

She said her advisers are not disposed to a merger “which may bring her administration more troubles than benefits.” In fact she has her own favorite candidates from Team Pinoy whom she will support for being potential cooperators to her work agenda. In her list, too, are two three aspirants from UNA.

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In a program hosted by Capitol spokesman Joel Mapiles, officers of local media organizations paid tribute to the birthday celebrant. Each took turns in citing her salient achievements, governance, and programs. SPC head Bong Lacson summarized the accolades saying that among all the governors of Pampanga, “she is the best of them all.”

Peter Alagos, Deng Pangilinan, Ambeth Lacanlale, and Ian Ocampo Flora -- the great singers from media -- sang love songs for Nanay Baby. She was dressed in her patented blue jeans and immaculate white long-sleeved blouse. The Gov is partial to white that according to Manila Bulletin is symbolic of “kindness and purity.”

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The kabalen are fascinated with the undiminished energy and enthusiasm of the Nanay 24/7. She explains her untiring efforts: “I love and enjoy what I’m doing.”

Her governance style revolutionized the concept of public service in Pampanga. She is immersing herself deep into the desolate villages of Pampanga, attends to the sick and needy while listening to the plaints and demands of the less privileged everywhere she goes. She spends her own money for charitable commitments.

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The Pineda couple has the most successful marriage in this part of the country. Every time my wife and argued on pecuniary matters, she always brought up her concept of a model union in the First Couple saying “a successful marriage is when a woman marries a husband who earns more than she could spend.”

Escorting the Gov was her official retinue: Reelectionists Board Member Monz, BM Trina, BM Cris “Derek Ramsey” Garbo. Cris doubles as a close-in security, with additional support from former BM Engr. Dinan Labung who is making a comeback. The Gov likes Monz with whom there is no boring moment and Trina for being kind and intelligent.

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An opinion survey had just been conducted when I arrived at the Pamintuan birthday luncheon last week. Voice Weekly editor Rogie Pangilinan initiated the caper, asking the gentlemen and ladies of the press who they “thought” would win the city elections if these were held the next week. When the ballots were opened the count was 30 for Pamintuan, 1 for Lazatin and two abstentions. Informed of the mock poll, a visibly overjoyed Edpam said he hoped the opinion trend is truly indicative of the future outcome of the mayoralty race in Angeles.

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Asked what he would wish new CDC Pres. & CEO Arthur Tugade, Col. Nic Targa who is back to his job as OIC of public safety department, said: “We should unite in supporting his innovative work ethics, understand his love for discipline and appreciate the lasting effects of his reform agenda.”

Targa had been recently cleared of any culpability in connection with a Clark holdup involving a member of the PSD. Locators and business establishment owners at Clark were glad to have the multi-awarded police officer back. He plans to have his personnel undergo a retraining program in line with Tugade’s rigid work performance goals.