PAMISAUPAN AWARDS FANS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

APALIT, PAMPANGA - September 29, 2008, PAMISAUPAN in cooperation with Buklud Kabalen Incorporated, a municipal based civil society organization in Apalit, Pampanga awarded 60 units of ceiling fans and wall fans to public schools in the said municipality.

Each public school in Apalit is alloted 4 units of fans that they can use in their respected classsrooms so that the students will be more comfortable during class hours.

The fans were delivered in the San Vicente Central School and were awarded to the school beneficiaries that same day by the district supervisor of Apalit.

KDP STATEMENT

Gov. Ed Panlilio Recall Campaign: A Malacañang Orchestrated Scheme

Less than 18 months into his first term as governor of Pampanga, “among” (Fr.) Ed Panlilio faces a well-funded recall campaign against him. The recall campaigners, organized as Kambilan, keep mum about the source of their finances though the province is awash with stories about money flows from Malacañang and the jueteng lord and lady. Circumstances nevertheless expose the forces and their motives behind he recall move.

The Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya - Central Luzon (KPD-CL) sees this as another case of Malacañang’s handiwork. In the kind of elitist politics the Philippines has, how could Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) be relaxed and comfortable with her own home-province if its governor is neither her ally nor supporter? Its less than 2 years before the 2010 elections!

Just a few months into his post as governor, Ed Panlilio exposed the P500,000 payola he received when he went to Malacañang. This was his second, but bigger sin against the Malacañang resident. But among Ed’s original sin was defeating the Malacañang -favored gambling queen and quarry prince gubernatorial candidates in the May 2007 elections.

Fr. Ed was the people’s reluctant candidate. The Pampanga residents were tired and fed-up with 12 years of harlequin governorship that was consistently marred by corruption, especially on the quarry operations. They wouldn’t take a jueteng queen for a replacement. So the people sought a priest to be their candidate.

KPD views the victory of Gov. Ed Panlilio, like that of Gov. Padaca of Isabela and a few mayors, breached the prevailing elite politics of local dynasties. These were few and isolated cases of people’s assertion of their will through electoral struggle.

The peculiarity however of among Ed is not only his being a priest. He is the governor of a first class province where the home town Lubao of GMA is located.

Whatever his limitations, mistakes and shortcomings in the last 15 months should be viewed and judged in the particular circumstances that his governorship is in.

As in the election period, among Ed would have to rely on the people in this new challenge being thrown against him by the forces of corruption and gambling riddled elite politics. The people would have to defend their gains or these are reversed by the Malacañang’s breed

STATEMENT FROM BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN-GITNANG LUSON

STOP POLITICAL BICKERING !
SERVE THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE !


We of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Gitnang Luson (BAYAN-GL) are deeply concerned with what is now happening in the political arena of Pampanga.

We wish to remind our leaders and their adherents that their political bickering has been going on for too long already at the expense of the people whose interest and welfare are being unjustly made hostage to their continuing disunity.

As early as July this year, we have already sounded our call for them to end their word war, enjoining them to instead work hand in hand to ease the economic sufferings of their constituents in light of the deepening economic crisis. Considering that due to their prolonged squabbling, the entire provincial government has been unable to provide the most basic needs of their constituents majority of whom are poor, we reiterate that call with the same utmost urgency, here and now!

At the same time, we share our insight on the ongoing dispute to put things in their proper perspective.

It appears that the main reason for the squabble is that Gov. Ed Panlilio wanted to institutionalize in the provincial capitol his platform for good governance, transparency and responsible citizenship. This is the same campaign slogan that Panlilio and other well-meaning Kapampangans collectively hammered out to constitute as their own program of government in the May 2007 gubernatorial election.

Unfortunately, Panlilio's move was met with vehement objection coming from the entire Provincial Board and the Pampanga Mayors' League. But of course, they cannot frontally attack it, lest their leanings be exposed to the public. So, they raised all and sundry issues, including questions on the sharing of quarry collections and budgetary matters, to make it appear that they are merely performing their role as fiscalizers.

No matter what, the basic objection to the disputed platform hinges on the fact that it demands that those running the government be honest, incorruptible, responsive, transparent, and that the people be given substantial and meaningful say in governmental affairs.

Given the complexion of this proposition, no true-blue trapo can be expected to agree to it since it threatens their vested interests. Most especially, President Arroyo's efforts to strengthen her political dynasty and consolidate her political power in her home turf as well as her desire to perpetuate herself in power beyond 2010. Logically, therefore, there is no other way to protect their interest but to nip the threat in the bud.

This is why Panlilio's political opponents have been ganging up on him from day one to this day. Initially, they tried to whip him into line. But in view of his uncompromising stance, they are now whipping up the whirlwind to force him out of capitol. This explains the current recall move against him, raising various issues some of which are obviously caused by the ongoing word war and therefore should be blamed on the ones who caused the problem.

What is more, Malacanang itself sees it fit to directly take charge of the ensuing political events with the help of Arroyo's national political operators who coordinates with existing political dynasties and other trapos in Pampanga. Joining their group are a handful of moneyed and influential people, some of whom are disgruntled former allies of the beleaguered governor, and a few religious people enjoying social graces from the powers that be.

In the main, the situation is a clear indictment of the existing rotten political system characterized by patronage politics which reeks of political opportunism and personal greed among traditional politicians and insults the dignity of the electorates. It is precisely against this odious political order that the Filipino masses have, in every stage of our history as a people, risen to the challenge of changing it for the better in every way they can.

Panlilio's unprecedented victory in the May 2007 gubernatorial election brought some hope that despite the basic flaws of the system, there is still chance to better their conditions through peaceful elections by supporting and electing to office good and responsible leaders who will represent their genuine interests. But what is happening now in the provincial capitol presents a tragic situation negating their expectation, and it would take them longer time to again find, or not anymore, another chance like this. Now, what if they don't find another chance under the present system? Can the government blame them for seeking for it elsewhere?

In any case, the signs of the times challenge us to stand firm and collectively work and act to preserve our gains. This, as we persevere in our struggle for a truly free, democratic, just, peaceful and prosperous Philippine society.






Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Gitnang Luson
City of San Fernando, Pampanga
September 22, 2008

Priests hits Panlilio's detractors

By Jovi T. De Leon

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Running priest Fr. Roberto Reyes has berated Vice Governor Joseller Guiao, members of the Provincial Board (PB), and Malacañang for their alleged attempts to bring the administration of Governor Eddie Panlilio to its knees.

Reyes even described the current political turmoil in the province as "new eruption" in the likes of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo explosion.

He said this would send the province back to its miserable state before the priest-turned- governor assumed the provincial executive's helm. The fiery and outspoken Reyes visited the province last Friday to express his support for the governor and celebrate what he calls as "liturgy of the stone."

The stones that came from Mt. Pinatubo were blessed and later on placed by participants and Panlilio in a "Kubol ng Pag-asa" poster lying at the Capitol's front steps.

Before he celebrated the short "liturgy," Reyes took a crack at Guiao, challenging him to take over as governor and "show that Pampanga is not corrupt and that he could rid the Capitol of all its evil."

He assailed Malacañang for keeping mum on the problems of the province. He also lashed back at the governor's detractors for their "dirty patronage politics."

APALIT AYAW SA ADIK

Apalit, Pampanga - Mayor Oscar D. Tetangco Jr., Vice Mayor Peter Nucom and the Sangguniang Bayan of Apalit launched last September 19, 2008 their Crusade Against The Use Of Illegal Drugs in the Municipality.

The campaign was called "APALIT AYAW SA ADIK", a fight against all illegal drugs, drug sale and drug use.

Mayor Jun as oftenly called by many is concerned about the youth's future. His advocacies to develop the youth to be the future leaders of the country is his greatest passion.

The Apalitenos were glad for the municipal leaders initiative and fully supports the program.

Kasaup: 'We have not lost confidence in guv'

SAN LUIS -- A leader of the group Kasaup here said Monday that their group continues to support Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio and the Crusade for Good Governance despite the call of other sectors for him to resign because of "loss of confidence" and ineffectiveness in governing the province.

Panlilio is the subject of a recall petition initiated last month by the Kambilan Neng Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) and now the object of a "resign" movement elevated by sacked members of protesting Biyaya A Luluguran At Sisikapan (Balas) boys in their month-long picket at the Arnedo Park of the Capitol.

But Arnel Manliclic Sr., a Kasaup municipal coordinator, decried "loss of confidence" as a motive of the recall petition and a reason for other civil society groups to withdraw their support for the Capitol executive, saying he and his group and many more "do not believe Panlilio has lost the confidence of his constituents. "

"Is this what they call 'loss of confidence'? The people in this rally today are farmers, out-of-school youth, businessmen and simply folk who still believe in the governor, good governance and the crusade. Why do they say there's loss of confidence?" Manliclic said.

About 500 placard-bearing members of Kasaup and supporters of Panlilio gathered Monday afternoon at the St. Aloysius Parish here for a prayer rally to denounce the recall move and air their support for Panlilio as well as affirm their allegiance to the principles of the Crusade.

Parish Priest Fr. Fernando David who led the group in praying, said "it was very good to see that the crusade for change and good governance is very well alive" amid the now complex political situation in the province.

The rally was otherwise peaceful, save for the complaints of some members that several barangay officials dissuaded them from joining the gathering by stopping their vehicles. But officials of the barangays identified by the rallyists, belied the allegations.

After a brief program, the group started its own "anti-recall" signature drive by distributing and signing forms that will counter the recall move. (JTD)

BKI ATTENDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR

CLARK FIELD, PAMPANGA - Buklud Kabalen Inc. officers attended the Community Development for People's Empowerment and Self-Reliance Seminar at Clark Field, Pampanga last September 04 - 05, 2008.

The seminar was faciliated by Mr. Lito Manalili, a professor from the University of the Philippines and was also one of the key note speakers last Kapampangan Congress.

Upper photo shows Bro. Manny Quiambao, BOD (BKI) and other civil society organization members during a workshop.

Tulabut: Of Jun and June

By Noel G. Tulabut
My Palm Notes

APALIT town. Rarely hugging the headlines yet never without news. Good at that.

The southernmost municipality of Pampanga is farthest from where I live in Mabalacat, which borders Tarlac to the north. But what the town has been achieving are very near to progress and development.

For starters, it has dynamic and youthful leadership in Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr.

Fondly called Jun by his friends, the good mayor is ably supported by Vice Mayor Peter Nucom and Councilors Jedalyn Dalusong, Zaldy Guanzon, Kenneth Nunag, Elias Mendoza Jr., Edmon Simon, Augusto Manlapaz, Almario Ignacio and Cesar Sigua Jr.

What makes Apalit work even more like a well-oiled engine is the fact that the mayorship finds no enmity with any of the other officials of the town - whether elected or appointed. The unity they have could be a subject of envy by other towns and most especially Angeles City. The unity that they have also inspires and motivates Apalitenos to push their town to prosperity.

The leadership of Mayor Jun goes beyond the day-to-day rounds of the 12 barangays of Apalit. It is more than making decisions right inside his office at the town hall during the day. By nightfall, he continues to think of getting things done for Apalit as he talks and consults with the vice mayor, the councilors and advisers over cup of coffee. I have seen one of their meetings and I could only wish for those productive talks to be emulated by other local government officials of the province.

The son of an equally great leader of Pampanga - Mayor Oscar Tetangco Sr. who had done great wonders for the town in his 20-year leadership, Mayor Jun is delivering what he promised his constituency during the campaign period in 2007.

Foremost of which is the bottleneck in his town where monstrous traffic by vehicles heading south to MegaManila leave not only the town but its former officials weary and almost accursed by people who pass by.

Mayor Jun had squarely faced this problem by instituting discipline among motorists, pedestrians, vendors that did not only help solve the traffic in front of the public market but had also cleaned the area of unscrupulous elements, eyesores, encroachments and overloaded trucks what have you.

The 31-year-old mayor is more than a student of public administration too. He could be a maestro of it at his young age as he turned the finances of the town around. From a P28 million budget deficit, Apalit now has P30 million in its coffers. In 2006, the town had P9 million revenues. He assumed the mayorship halfway through 2007 when income went to P11 million. But for 2008, the target of P13.5 million had already been reached in the first quarter alone, earning for the town an award of excellence for the municipal treasurer by the Municipal Treasurer Association of the Philippines.

Intangibles they may be considered yet this accomplishment definitely transcends to improved social services from education, health, and infrastructure. These and all indicate fulfillment of an objective to provide what the people of Apalit had expected of their new vibrant leaders. And Mayor Jun has just started to do just that.

"Tuloy pa rin ang trabaho"

“Tuloy pa rin ang trabaho” – Gob. Panlilio


Siyudad ng San Fernando, Pampanga – Katulad ng isang ordinaryong empleyado ng pamahalaan, sinimulan ni Gobernador Eddie Panlilio ang kanyang araw ngayon sa pagsakay ng pampasaherong dyip papunta sa Kapitolyo dito sa siyudad.

Sumakay si Among Ed ng dyip kaninang ganap na 7:15 ng umaga mula sa Unibersidad ng Assumption, kung saan siya pansamantalang tumitigil. Pagbaba sa may harapan ng Cathedral ng siyudad ay naglakad ang gobernador papunta sa mga nakapilang dyip na patungo naman ng Kapitolyo sa barangay Sto. Nino.

Pinatunayan ni Among Ed na hindi mahahadlangan ng kawalan ng pondo ang kanyang patuloy na pagtupad sa kanyang mga gawain bilang Punong Ehekutibo ng lalawigan. Sa kabila ng panganib na maidudulot nito sa kanyang seguridad, minabuti ng gobernador na mag-commute papunta sa kanyang opisina.

Nahaharap ngayon ang Opisina ng Gobernador sa kawalan ng pondo para sa gasolina at paubos na rin ang lahat ng alokasyon para sa Operating Expenses ng nabanggit na opisina. Hindi inaprubahan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) ang hinihingi ng gobernador na Supplemental Budget na isinumite sa SP noon pang ika-21 ng Abril taong kasalukuyan.

Ang pagkaubos ng pondo ng governor’s office (GO) sa loob lamang ng anim na buwan sa taong ito ay dahil sa pagtustos nito sa operating expenses ng apat na units na kailangang patuloy na umandar sa kabila ng kawalan ng pondo.

Matatandaang hindi binigyan ng pondo ng SP ang apat na units o opisina na nasa ilalim ng governor’s office para sa taong kasalukuyan. Ang mga units na ito ay ang Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTOP); Provincial Information Office (PIO); Management Information System (MIS); at ang Biyaya a Luluguran at Sisikapan (BALAS) na siyang nagmomonitor sa operasyon ng quarry sa probinsiya.

Hindi rin binigyan ng kaukulang pansin ng SP ang hiling kamakailan lamang ng gobernador para sa isang special session upang ipagtanggol ang pangangailangan sa badyet ng kanyang opisina. Ayon sa SP, hindi “urgent” ang usaping ito para tumawag ng special session.

PRESS RELEASE " Quarry operations, maaring ipatigil "

Republic of the Philippines
Province of Pampanga
Office of the Governor
PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE
Capitol Compound, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Telefax: (045) 961-0917 Email: pio@pampangacapitol.com

01 September 2008

PRESS RELEASE

Quarry operation, maaaring ipatigil


Siyudad ng San Fernando, Pampanga – Mapipilitan ang Panlilio administration na ipatigil pansamantala ang quarry operation dahil sa kawalan ng pondo. Ito ang ipinahayag ni Atty. Vivian Dabu, Provincial Administrator, sa kalipunan ng quarry operators noong Biernes, ika-29 ng Agosto 2008 sa Executive House Conference Hall, Capitol Compound, ng lungsod na ito.

Ipinaliwanag ni Atty. Dabu na kahit kalahati ng Php300.00 na binabayaran ng mga quarry operators ay para sa administrative expenses, kung hindi aaprubahan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) kung paano ito gagastusin ay hindi pa rin maaaring gamitin ang pondong ito. At ito ang nangyari para sa taong ito na kung saan ay kalahati lamang ng hinihinging pampasahod sa mga provincial checkers ang inaprubahan ng SP at wala kahit magkano para sa gastos sa monitoring ng quarry operation.

Magkahalong galit at panlulumo ang naging sagot ng mga quarry operators. Ang ilan ay umaasang magkakaroon ng kaayusan ang bagay na ito sapagkat marami ang maaapektuhan ng pansamantalang pagpapatigil ng quarry operation.

Nagpahayag ng pangamba ang pangulo ng small scale quarry operators, si G. Michael Tapang, sa maaaring paglipat ng kanilang mga customers sa ibang lugar lalo na sa Tarlac na kung saan ay mura lamang ang ibinabayad na extraction fee. Dahil dito ay nagkasundo ang mga quarry operators na dudulog sila sa SP at hihingi ng madaliang pagsasa-ayos ng pondong kailangan upang hindi mahinto kahit pansamantala lamang ang quarry operation.
Liban dito, ipinahayag rin ni Atty. Dabu ang mahigpitang pagpapatupad ng anti-overloading law, paglalagay ng takip na lona (tarpaulin) sa kargadang buhangin o graba, at pagbabawal ng pagkakarga ng basura.