ORTIGOZA: Huddling with DFA’s Top Guns on the Spratly’s Conundrum
By Mortz C. Ortigoza
I bumped into Assistant Secretary Roberto “Bobby” Ferrer, Jr. of the Department Foreign Affairs (DFA) at the booth of Pangasinan in the International Food Expo (IFEX) held last Friday at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.
“O Bob kilala mo pa ako?”
“Siyempre si Mortz Ortigoza,” Philippines embassy in Russia former Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General and the illustrious son of Binmaley, Pangasinan told me.
I first met him when was a graduating student of Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science in 1990 when I joined the teaching staff of the Social Science Department of the present Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan City. He is the son of the late Pangasinan’s provincial lawmaker Roberto Ferrer, Sr.
Accompanying Ferrer was DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose A. de Vega who was once acting Secretary of the DFA and Ambassadors to Belgium and Mexico.
We have an animated conversation when I asked De Vega why not the Philippines military used a C-130 cargo plane to air drop provisions and repair materials to the beleaguered Marines holed in at the dilapidated navy ship’s BRP Sierra Madre.
I cited to the duo how the American military delivered with success their stuffs thru low altitude parachute extraction system (LAPES) and ground proximity extraction system (GPES) at the Khe San aerial resupply mission in January 1968.
During that month the mountainous Khe San – the Dien Bien Phu’s version of the gung ho Americans – where guarded by 6,000 U.S Marines and South Vietnamese Rangers against 20, 000 armed to the teeth and blood smelling Vietcong and North Vietnamese soldiers. The enemies took control of the road where supplies like 1.5 million kilos of ammunition and armaments of the besieged allies passed by and six of their transport and combat helicopters and the runway had been destroyed by enemies’ artillery fires.
“Why our military would not emulate the Americans” I posed.
“They have their own reason,” De Vega retorted as I told him about the incessant utilization of the resupply mission through civilian vessels but water cannoned by the bigger ships of the Chinese Coast Guard.
“Are our military continue to use the harassed resupply missions to put in bad light the Chinese before the bar of world’s opinion”? I inquired.
“That’s probably the obvious reason,” the envoy answered.
I told them that incase a coast guard or a Marine die because of the dangerous maneuvering of the Chinese ships it will trigger the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) where the U.S military juggernaut comes to the succor of the lilliputian Armed Forces of the Philippines.
De Vega nodded his head.
He has all ears when I opined that the Chinese is not yet prepared to wage war with the Americans as long as the dilemma of Malacca Strait’s choke point is not yet solved by Beijing.
The Strait is a narrow stretch of water, 500 miles long and from 40 to 155 miles wide, between the Malay Peninsula to the northeast and the Indonesian island of Sumatra to the southwest, connecting the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea.
Malacca is where China’s seaborne import from the Middle East like the 10 million barrels (2019 data) per day crude oil passes to fuel her economy. Because of that the still growing People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) would not gamble to have a shooting war with the blue water navy of the United States of America especially through her nuclear subs that lurk stealthily and treacherously in the three trillion dollars a year South China Sea’s lane.
I told them in that huddle that incase President Ferdinand Marcos succumbed to the pressure of threat of a coup from the military – ala Erap Estrada’s presidency – and he stepped down from office because of that narcotics brouhaha with actress Maricel Soriano, the U.S government would not allow China friendly Vice President Sara Duterte – whose former president father cozied up with Beijing – to succeed as the country’s Commander-in-Chief.
“Do you remember what happened to the bachelor Presidents Ngô Đình Diệm of South Vietnam and Salvador Allende?” I posed
“Of Chile,” Bobby retorted.
They were victims of a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) inspired coup d’état where the military replaced the civilian government because Diem became abusive to the Buddhists, his dictatorial tendency, and enmeshed himself to corruption and favoritism through his younger brother and chief political adviser’s Ngo Dinh Nhu and his wife the prolifigate Madame Nhu that could prejudice the U.S war against the USSR and China through their puppets North Vietnam and the Vietcong while Allende was a Marxist that could undermine the U.S business interest in South America.
“Kalian ka maging Ambassador (When are you going to be an Ambassador)?” I asked Assistant Secretary Ferrer in the vernacular.
“Bahala na si Sir kung kelan niya gusto (It’s up to Undersecretary De Vega when he wants me to be an Ambassador) as he glanced playfully to De Vega.
“Mga after one year puede na siya maging Ambassador,” the high official bantered.
“I doffed my hat to career officials like you who rose from the rank and to your present perches compare to those presidential appointees who were generals, average thinking newsmen, politicians, and others being appointed as ambassadors where some of them did not know the nuances – mga walang alam ang mga p*tang ina! – of the mandate,” I told the amused De Vega as he and Ferrer bid goodbye to end the huddle.
Oh by the way, the amiable De Vega possesses the following credentials: Master in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines (2004-2005), post graduate studies in International Relation at Escuela Diplomatica de Madrid (1993-1994), and Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines – Diliman (1986-1991) where he passed the Bar examination in 1991.
Damn! How can a retired Army or Police General, politician, or an average opining columnist deals with seasoned foreign diplomats without those attainments like what former acting DFA Secretary Ed de Vega can swasbuckle?
READ MY OTHER BLOG:
It’s the U.S not the Colombians that destroyed Escobar
MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA
I am a twenty years seasoned Op-Ed Political Writer in various newspapers and blogs exposing government corruptions, public officials idiocy and hypocrisies, and analyzing local and international issues. I have a master’s degree in Public Administration and professional government eligibility. I taught for a decade Political Science and Economics in universities in Metro Manila and cities of Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Dagupan. Follow me on Twitter @totoMortz or email me at totomortz@yahoo.com.
DTI Praises Guicos for Ushering P’nan Goods for World Market
By Mortz C. Ortigoza
WORLD TRADE CENTER, Pasay City – An official of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) lauded Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III and his mother Arlyn Guico for ushering businessmen to join the International Food Expo (IFEX) held here recently.
“I’m very thankful to the provincial government to Governor Monmon Guico, siyempre si Maam Arllyn Guico and the rest of the provincial government na fully supported iyong ating activity,” Provincial Director Natalie B. Dalaten of the DTI – Pangasinan told reporters.
With the help of entrepreneur Rosemarie Oamil, the chief executive officer of luxury brand Mele + Marie, Mrs. Guico established in October 19-21, 2023 here the Artisan Empowerment Association, which equips budding artisans and entrepreneurs with capacity-building resources like mentorship and training programs. Mrs. Guico tapped 10 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their world-class “Made in Pangasinan” products at the World Trade Center.
Dalaten said as a first time participant of the IFEX for 2024, Pangasinan vaunted products have been given exposure to hit the world market.
“Yes. If naalaala niyo iyong ibang noong exporters notice if all started here”.
One of the advantages of participating in the IFEX, according to Dalaten, the traders are listed in the roster of suppliers in the international markets. The other was the business-to-business (B to B) meeting to importers who were in attendance on the three days’ exhibitions.
IFEX Philippines is the country’s biggest international trade exhibition on the Philippines’ and Asia’s ethnic and specialty food, tropical fruits, vegetables, seafood, beverages, bakery and confectionery products, meat and poultry, Halal-certified products, as well as natural, organic, and healthy food products.
Since its inception originally as the Asian Ethnic Food Festival from 1999 to 2003, the body has provided B-to-B platform for local and international food companies to discover new markets, launch new products, and transact with the biggest importers in various parts of the world.
The requirements needed for businessmen to join the IFEX, one is a single proprietorship, partnership, or a corporation. It needs to register like in the Security Exchange of Commission if one is a corporation, needs a license to operate, and a certificate of product registration (CPR).
Mostly, the CPR is applied at the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).
Roan Rosario – President of Freshious Aquaculture and Food Products based in Binmaley, Pangasinan – said before the provincial government of Pangasinan joined the IFEX, she and businessmen in the province joined through the auspices of the DTI.
“We joined sa DTI before not under Pangasinan,” said to Northern Watch Newspaper by Freshious Vice President Steven Rosario – the husband of Roan.
Her husband said that they have four varieties of bangus products but they brought here their fully cooked ready- to-eat milkfish and their tinapang bangus
”You can eat it straight from the pack. Milk fish steak chips para siyang jerky – di ba pag beef jerky ito this is our milkfish jerky,” Roan told this writer about their ready to eat vacuum sealed milkfish.
The husband said the comparative advantage of the Pangasinan bangus competing in the world market is its inherently tastiest trait.
Evely Co, the owner of Huyang Food, said that despite her and her husband three years old Dagupan City based company, their milkfish products could be seen displayed at Robinsons branches all over the country, Market Places, and Royal Duty Free Shop, they still aspire to penetrate the world market,
Huyang employed as of this moment 10-20 workers mostly from Dagupan City.
According to Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II – who represented the governor – Pangasinan showcased this year here ten homegrown products which are pride of its people.
“This is just the beginning of the great era of Pangasinan for food industry,” he disclosed to reporters.
Under Governor Guico, Patague stressed, MSMEs would be vigorously supported to make them competitive and formidable.
Dalaten said that the DTI hoped to see more exhibitors to join next year in the Pangasinan booth at the center here.
Two Contrasting SPs
Any Angle by Ruel Camba
WHEN the presiding officer of a legislative body (Congress or provincial, city, and municipal councils) takes side, chaos and anarchy in all likelihood ensue. This is the case in the present-day Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dagupan. More often than not, the will of the majority gets twisted. Strong-arm tactics have become the normal procedure in the conduct of sessions.
That situation is a far cry from state of affairs at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in Lingayen. If one is expecting to behold disconcerting scenes that generally typify today’s Dagupan SP session, he would be disheartened when watching a regular or special session of the provincial board. If one comes fishing for controversy, the province’s SP is not the place to be. But if one is craving for a shouting match or grandstanding, the place to visit is Dagupan SP. And entrance is free!
At the provincial SP, we are witness to a pervading atmosphere of solemnity and earnestness befitting a place where laws that govern the lives of Pangasinenses are being churned out. Whereas Dagupan’s SP is disdainful, Pangasinan’s SP is delightful. Take note, Vice Mayor Bryan Kua.
At the Pangasinan SP, there is a palpable harmony among its members and between the members and the presiding officer; all of whom are imbibed with a driving sense of purpose to perform, to achieve and, thus, altogether serve the public good. This is well demonstrated in the sessions and committee hearings that are almost at all times well-attended and regularly productive.
Every order of business is diligently followed and executed in orderly and constructive fashion. Most of the time the sessions are impressive albeit, in some instances, monotonous. In one occasion, the session lasted only a bit more than 15 minutes for the reason that all the important legislative matters have been taken up in previous sessions.
The esprit de corps is unmistakable. Respect is widespread among its members who are quick to acknowledge committed missteps and equally quick to heap praises to their colleagues. There is no room for hubris and rancor. For instance, when a certain municipal council and a big player in the energy sector bypassed the SP and proceeded to construct solar plants in the province contrary to an existing provincial ordinance, there was resentment as expected, but minus the vicious arm-twisting and dressing down as the usual practice in some other local government units. It was clear that public welfare got the better of any personal feeling or any other consideration.
As mandated by the ordinance, failure to get the permission of the SP for big-ticket projects to be put up in the province, especially power, water and other utility facilities, may lead to outright denial and objection to those planned projects.
“We don’t want that to happen because this is a public utility project that will benefit the people. We just want to fix any deficiencies in the documents, to remedy all the issues,” said Vice Governor Mark Lambino, whose mastery of parliamentary procedures and adept handling of the sessions are major contributory factors to the exemplary achievements and performance of the 11th Provincial Council.
Soft-spoken and gifted with a good look and charming personality, Vice Governor Lambino is endowed with deep parliamentary background having worked for years in the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives. During question hours, when everyone thought all questions have been asked by the SP members and answered by the invited resource persons, he springs up with new yet substantive queries. His parliamentary proficiency is a class act altogether. He is always one step ahead in imbibing and sharing information, particularly legislative matters and even subjects of general interest. He shuns triviality and embraces positivity. He digs for matters and ideas and information of great value to the present and the future. All these qualities induce respect as they did for the vice governor, who relentlessly sees to it that the SP functions like a great symphony orchestra dishing out musical masterpieces of Mozart and Beethoven. The situation in Dagupan SP is quite the opposite.
At the provincial SP, it’s difficult to discern whether or not some members are just playing ball with the administration, some kind of modus vivendi. But given the exceptional degree of cooperation being displayed at the session hall, those notions are at best tentative. Alright, there must be some kind of a quid pro quo, but what the heck if it all redound to public interest and welfare. As gauged from the spontaneity and regularity of their statements in support of the legislative and development agenda of the Guico government, which usually translate into enactment of a kaleidoscope of legislative measures, members of the Provincial Council have momentarily junked dirty partisan politics, or have they ultimately decided to hitch up to the Aguila (Alyansang Guico-Lambino) bandwagon? It’s yet early to tell. Meanwhile, for the thrill seekers, shouting matches are sorely missing, rendering the legislative mill at SP to grind soundly, wholesomely, productively and, at times, drably.
At the Dagupan SP, the scenario is quite the opposite. The majority bloc has time and again expressed willingness to cooperate with the administration. Instead of being welcomed, they are being continuously vilified and maligned. This leads to an unrepairable political divide. Is it in obeisance to democratic norms? No. The problem lies in the ignominious failure of leadership.
_______
Camba is a former Public Information Officer of the provincial government of Pangasinan.
P’nan Town Nixes Classes Every Time Sun Hits Danger Level
By Mortz C. Ortigoza
MANGALDAN, Pangasinan – When the heat index reaches the danger degree Celsius, the mayor here ordered that classes from the elementary to high school in public and privates school be suspended.
A report Thursday, for example, from the Department of Science & Technology (DOST)-PAG-ASA that the heat index would reach 46° prompted Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno to suspend the classes to protect the students.
The action of Parayno was not new because in April 3, 2024 she signed Executive Order No. 2024-019 that instructs the suspension of all face-to-face schoolings in pre-school to high school levels in both public and private schools under the local government here.
DOST-PAG-ASA said that the 46° is under the classification “danger” to humans that would cause cramps, exhaustion, or stroke to those who expose themselves under the blistering sun.
To those school officials who would continue the direct mode of classes, it is up for them, according to the Mayor, because they have been authorized by the Department of Education (DepEd) based on DepEd Order No. 037 Series of 2022. The order is about the g𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 c𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 s𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 c𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 w𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯 s𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 e𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 n𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 d𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, p𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 o𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 / p𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 i𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 c𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴.
Parayno, however, said that the parents, guardians and the students should coordinate with the school officials to know the mode of learning the children are going to undertake.
Mayor Parayno cautioned her constituents to protect their health and safety under the sizzling heat felt not only in the Philippines but in the other regions of the world.
Earlier, the mayor advice the people here to drink enough water, stay at shaded area, avoid exposing themselves to the merciless sun, wear comfortable dress, use protection from the sun like umbrella, hat and sunglasses. (With reports from Mangaldan PIO)
GLENN REVILLA: Matteo Tinuruan Magkamay ang Misis
Malaki talaga ang nagawang impluwensya ng asawa ni Sarah Geronimo na si Matteo Guidicelli sa kanyang buhay dahil ang dating popstar na ubod ng sosyal at di mabasagang pinggan ay naging simple na at nawala na ang kaplastikan nito na dulot ng buhay showbiz.
Tila nababalatan na ng paunti unti ang glamorosang misis ni Matteo sa pamamagitan ng pagkain ng nakakamay lamang o kinamot sa Bisaya gamit ang kamay lamang sa pagkain ay nahawaan na itong feel na feel na buhay asawa ng popstar kahit kanin at tuna lang ang kayang ipakain ni Matteo kay Sarah G. ay sobrang saya at enjoy itong kumakain ng nakakamay as in walang kaarte arte itong naubos ang kanilang healthy meals pati pananamit ni Sarah Geronimo ay talagang tinerno na din ang kasimplehan dahil sa laki ng pagmamahal at respeto nito sa asawa tuluyan ng pinatawad at tinalikuran ang pang aasar ng kanyang ina sa kanyang napiling asawa na isang reservist sa Philippine Army.
Marami naman ang sumaludo sa mag asawang Guidicelli dahil sa pinamalas at pinakitang ehemplo sa mga kabataan pati na sa mga pamilyang patuloy na sumoporta sa kanilang karir lalo na lumakas ang aksyon serye ni Matteo na BlackRider na pumalo sa lakas ng ratings sa primetime na kinabog ang mga kalabang show nito sa kabilang parlor kaya haping hapi ang mga big boss ng GMA dahil biglang naunahan ang Batang Quiapo ni Coco Martin.
Ang sabi ng mga nakapanuod sa bidyo ng mag asawa ay kinamot (kinamay) is life dahil ito ang da best way para lalong tumamis ang pagmamahalan ng mag asawa. Bagay lang sa byuti ni Sarah G. na sobrang humble in both real life kaya lalong blessed sila ng Maykapal dahil down to earth ang kanilang napiling buhay nagmukha tuloy yayamanin ang magkamay sa kainan dahil nga pinauso na ito ng mag asawang supersikat na celebrity couple kahit pa nabigyan ng kauna unahang Billboard Awards for Women sa buong mundo ang popstar at natapos kagabi April 15 ang kanyang concert sa Dubai na sold out sa mga kababayan natin sa Middle East kung saan ay sinugod at dinumog ng mga taga Saudi at iba pang bansa doon ang kanilang concert ni Bamboo.
Batang Celeste Aagawan ng Trono si Sual Mayor
MATAPOS TALUNIN NI MAYOR SI EX-CONG. CELESTE SA BATTLE ROYAL
Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza
SUAL, Pangasinan – Nagparehistro dito kamakailan lang si dating Pangasinan Board Member Arthur Celeste, Jr. para agawin ang trono ng nakaupong mayor ng pinakamayamang bayan sa buong Pangasinan.
Tinalo noong May 9, 2022 sa isang magarbo at maingay na mayorship election dito ni two-term mayor Liseldo ”Dong” Calugay ang tiyuhin ni Celeste na si dating Pangasinan 1st Disrict Cong. Jesus “Boying” Celeste.
Si Celeste ay pinalitan bilang pinuno ng Philippines Councilors League – Pangasinan Chapter (PCL-PC) ni Carolyn Dizon-Sison kung saan awtomatiko siyang naging ex-oficio na miyembro ng provincial board matapos maghain ng resignation letter sa opisina ni Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino si Celeste sa pagiging Board Member ng Pangasinan 1st District.
Nanalo si Celeste sa PCL–PC election kontra kay Councilor Antonio Perez ng San Manuel, Pangasinan noong September 9, 2022 kung saan siya ang naging pinuno ng 47 na mga bayan at mga siyudad sa lalawigan na may mga PCL chapters.
Bago magpa rehistro dito, nagbitaw muna si Celeste bilang elected city councilor ng Alaminos City dahil iyan ay naaayon sa batas bago ang isang Filipino ay maging kandidato sa alin mang elective public pusisyon sa ibang bayan.
Ayon sa Local Government Code of the Philippines ang isang “elective local official must be… a registered voter in the… town…; a resident therein for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the election… (Section 39)”.
Ang batang wannabe mayor na kandidato dito ay anak ni Pangasinan 1st District Cong. Arthur Celeste, Sr.
Ang namumuong labanan dito ay nakikita uli ng mga political experts na isang battle royal matapos gapiin ni Mayor Calugay si dating Congressman Boying Celeste sa isang magarbo, maingay at magastos na election noong May 9, 2022 kahit na daang milyong pesos ang bumaha dito sa projects at social services galing sa pondo ni Congressman Noli Celeste.
Nakakuha si Calugay ng API ng 14,735 boto habang si dating congressman Celeste ng Nationalista Party ay merong 12, 125 na boto.
Matapos manalo na vice mayor ng matandang Celeste si incumbent Vice Mayor JC Arcinue, siya ay pinagpapalagay ng diyaryong ito na maging tandem uli ng batang Celeste sa susunod na taong election noong makita siyang kasama si Arthur Jr. noong nag file ito nag voter registration dito.
Estrella Challenges Vice Guv Lambino?
By Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA
The critics of Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico and Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino –dubbed as the vaunted Aguila in the 2022 Election – fail to sow intrigue on the photo of come backing congressional wannabe Manay Gina de Venecia of the Pangasinan 4th District where the De Venecia’s matriarch posed for a photo op with Guico, outgoing 4th District Cong. Toff de Venecia, and Albert Romero Estrella.
Estrella represented his father Department of Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrad Estrella during the Farmers’ Night at a fiesta in Manaoag, Pangasinan.
Some media men at the Capitol suspected that the young Estrella – who has a male twin – was doing a stomp and soiree to countless of places in the huge province for his vice gubernatorial bid.
A high official doused water to the perception of the Capitol friendly reporters that the boy zeroes to unseat the vice governor at his perch in the capital town’s Lingayen.
Albert is ubiquitous nowadays because he is going to replace his uncle – Cong. Eskimo Estrella – as the first nominee of the Abono Partylist while his twin’s Gilbert will be challenging Pangasinan 6th District Marlyn Primicias-Agabas. This after the latter was rumored to undermine the bid of the Estrellas in the district to have another congressional apportionment so their kin could run unopposed for Congress.
I wrote on my blog then: “The cause of the riff, my source who asked on conditioned of anonymity, started when Estrella’s younger brod Cong. Robert Raymund “Eskimo” Estrella, who is the lone Representative of Abono Partylist, passed a bill in the House of Representatives to transform Pangasinan six congressional districts to eight. (MY QUESTION: Why file a bill for an eight- district when we could have up to 12 districts based on our more than three million populations by using the Constitutional barometer of not least than 250, 000 population for creating a congressional district?). My source said that Cong. Estrella’s bill carved out the towns of Asingan, Balungao and Rosales and Sta. Maria – both the bailiwick of the Estrellas – all from the old 6th District for the new 7th District that includes too the towns of Villasis and Sto. Tomas of the 5th District. My mole told me that the actuation of Estrella – whose brother – DAR Sec. Conrad – and him have shaky alliance with 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas – offended the camp of the latter. Agabas’ hubby – a former congressman – is the incumbent Tayug Mayor Tyrone Agabas. “Since she is a Deputy Majority Leader of the 19th Congress, she could torpedo the bill in the committee level before it goes to the plenary for votation,” my source – an avid reader of this column – told me when I pooh-poohed how can a lone congresswoman frustrates a bill for the welfare of the folks in Pangasinan when the 315 members of the House of Representatives resort to the popular votes and not her to catapult the bill into a law (of course with the collaboration of the Senate and the final signature of the President to make it a real law – as what our Prof taught us in Political Science)”
COJUANGCO AND VG LAMBINO’S BROUHAHA
When I crossed path with Vice Governor Lambino last Monday at the Capitol, he reacted to the two sentences of my front page news article in the vernacular titled: Si VG Lambino na ang Gustong Makalaban ni Urdaneta Mayor that saw print on our April 21-27 issue of the Northern Watch Newspaper where I am the Editor-in-Chief.
I wrote: “Noong mag krus ang landas ni Lambino at Cojuangco kamakailan sa Bagoong Festival sa Lingayen, sinabihan ng huli ang una na hahanapan niya ng kalaban sa pagiging bise gobernador si Lambino”.
“Itong pangyayari ay ayon sa insider ng diyaryong ito sa Lingayen na nagsabi na masama pa rin ang loob ni Cojuangco matapos magpatawag noong September 2023 si Lambino sa mga miyembro ng provincial board para imbestigahan ang illegal na P75 million na seawall sa Lingayen na panukala ni Cojuangco na gawin ng Department of Public Works & Highway”.
The young two-term vice governor told me that he met with the solon and was told what I wrote above. He disagreed however that Cojuangco was still smarting on what he did and his lawmakers on the seawall.
“A few days later I met him and everything was fine as if nothing happens,” he told me.
As what the overused phrase said: All well that ends well!
So If Lambino and Cojuanco are chummy again so with Governor Guico and the mestizo 2nd District congressman – the son of the man behind the success of the mammoth conglomerate’s San Miguel Corporation.
In a post at Facebook by Cojuangco dated April 19, Governor Guico was seen in a jovial moment with the solon, Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Art Celeste, and Billionaire Businessman Cezar Quiambao where they dined at a posh restaurant in Imperial Manila, probably, and stood, held their fingers, and raised their hands to project to all and sundry their unity.
Cojuangco captioned it: “Ayon sa mga bali-balita na gawa ng mga Marites at Tolits, nabuwag na raw ang TEAM AGUILA. Ako raw at si Gov. Ramon Mon-Mon Guico III ay hindi na nag-uusap at may samaan ng loob, at tumiwalag na raw ako sa Team AGuiLa. Wala na pong paliguy-ligoy pa, kayo na ang humusga! Sabi nga nila, a picture paints a thousand words. Kaya heto na po ang picture namin na kuha ngayong gabi Paki-share na lang sa mga Marites at Tolits, mga ka-distrito!
I quipped by writing at my Facebook Account after sharing the photos of the meeting of those four powerful men of Pangasinan:
“Ayaw niyo kasi maniwala sa mga blogs ko na walang kalaban sa pagka Gob si Monmon Guico sa 2025 election. Heto, buongbuo ang apat na orig ng Aguila!” after Governor Guico showed me text messages from Cojuangco, Cong. Toff de Venecia, and Manay Gina de Venecia who greet him on his natal day.
The quadrumvirate of Guico, Cojuangco, Quiambao, and Celeste collaborated in the 2022 Election to destroy big time the political machinery of their archrival the perennial ruling Espino family – composed of former Governor Amado, his son and namesake the former Guv, and his congressman son’s Jumel – in the national and provincial politics.
With Guico and Lambino cozying up with Cojuangco, their critics and bashers have lost topics to sow intrigue.
Paano iyan walang kalaban na formidable sa governorship and vice governorship sa 2025 election ang dalawa, another three years kayong insecure na naman niyan mga kritiko at sour grapes?
The Quadrumvirate of Aguila
THE VAUNTED members of the Aguila that destroyed the political machinery of the Espino family in Pangasinan meet recently at a posh restaurant in Manila probably to thwart unceasing rumor that one of them broke away from the group. From left to right: Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Art Celeste, Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico, and Billionaire Businessman Cezar Quiambao.
BBM Seeking U.S Protection will Cost Ph Econ. from China – Imee
By Mortz C. Ortigoza, Editor-in-Chief
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The presidential sister disagreed on the iron clad protection by the United States against the unhampered bullying of the Chinese against personnel of the coast guard ships of the Philippines because it could cost economic sanction by Beijing to Manila.
At the back of Sec. Estrella is Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil.
PHOTO CREDIT: Zoe Adeur
“Mahirap iyan iyong economic sanction, mamatay tayo ng gutom naghihikahos ang marami maraming mawawalan ng trabaho,” Senator Imee Marocs told this writer at the sideline of the national get together of the members of the Kabataan Barangay she headed in the 1970’s. It was held recently in the Sison Auditorium at the Capitol in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
United States President Joe Biden told the senator’s young brother President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr that the U.S defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad.
“They’re ironclad,” Biden said as he began the three-way talks at the White House with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Marcos. “As I said before, any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels or armed forces in the South China Sea would invoke our mutual defense treaty,” the U.S President pledged.
Marcos and the Japanese Prime Minister are with Biden to formulate their strategies to deal with the belligerent Beijing government that threatened the multi trillion-dollar trade sea lane there.
The Philippines and the U.S have a military’s Mutual Defense Treaty since August 30, 1951.
In 2023 the Philippines exported US$10.65 Billion or P573, 201, 750, 000 of goods to China according to Trading Economics.
In Hong Kong alone, Filipino workers there sent in 2022 U.S$732.36 million or P41.7 billion – according to statista.com – for the Philippines economy alone. Filipinos – who could not find works in the Philippines – are employed too in Mainland China and Macau – another part of China like Hong Kong.
Senator Marcos advice the concerned agencies of the government not to side with the U.S and China and avoid harsh languages that could offend the Chinese government.
She said that Beijing was affronted by the certification of Manila of the 17 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the country.
EDCA codifies the conditions of limited military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States. It hands over all operational controls of these “Agreed Locations” to the United States, and allows U.S. forces to pre-position and store defense materiel, equipment, and supplies.
“Sa kanilang Presidente dapat mag-usap usap. Meron silang 11 proposals tinapon natin sa sahig, wag naman tayong ganyan kahit pikon na pikon ang ating mangingisda,” Senator Marcos stressed
The Philippines government she said should resort to dialogue at every level like the Chinese coastguard, lawmaking body of China, and their president.
“So ang sinasabi ko ang dapat we stake our claim in the legal fora that are available among them all the co-claimants, among them ASEAN, also very important we go back to the U.N lahat iyan ang talagang kailangan gawin. So sa pamaraang legal huwag lang iyong note verbal na parang binasura na sa dami at patawag ng patawag ng Ambassador (ng China)”.
She said that we should pursue these steps in spite of Filipino fishermen being harassed by the Chinese coast guard and militia ships in the Spratlys.
Meanwhile, The Philippines may invoke the 1951 MDT if a sailor or a member of its military is killed in an attack in the South China Sea, President Marcos said Monday.
He made the remark when asked at a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on when the MDT could be invoked amid China’s continued aggressive acts in the Spratlys.
“I think (US Defense) Secretary (Lloyd) Austin explained it very well. If any servicemen, Filipino service man, is killed by an attack from any foreign power, then that is time to invoke the MDT,” the President said.
He said that as long as the Chinese have actually caused casualties on the Filipino side and it has killed the serviceman whatever their designation whether they are merchant marine or Coast Guard or those personnel of the navy vessels, it does not matter.
Si VG Lambino na ang Gustong Makalaban ni Urdaneta Mayor
FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT SA AUGUST
Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza
Inihayag sa isang press conference sa Urdaneta City kahapon na tatakbo sa pagka bise gobernador ang kontrobersyal na Alkalde nito pagmaganda ang survey results niya dito.
Ani news reporter Ed Gonzales na andoon sa press meeting, sinabi ni Parayno sa mga reporters na may balak siyang tumakbo sa nasabing pusisyon.
“Kung sakali man na bahagya lang ang diperensiya sa pagtakbo sa mayor mapipilitian akong tumakbong vice governor,” ani Parayno sa isang video, “Nagkaroon ako ng dream na mag preside ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan at ito ay naging forte ko noong ako’y vice mayor ng Urdaneta”.
Nagpatawag si Parayno ng mga media men sa kaniyang opisina kahapon ng alas tres para sagutin ang batikos sa kanya ni Pangasinan 5th District Congressman Ramon “Monching” Guico, Jr. na siya ay kurap at wala siyang nagagawang maganda sa Urdaneta, bilyong peso ang utang ng siyudad sa pamumuno nito, nagagalit daw siya tuwing may flag ceremony sa mga government workers niya, babaero daw siya, at merong maliit na ari.
Hindi kaila na makakalaban ni Parayno sa reelection niya si Maan Guico – maybahay ni Pangasinan Governor Ramon “Monmon” Guico III – matapos mag pa register as new voter siya sa Urdaneta noong March 14 para matupad ang requirement sa batas na one-year residency bago ang isang dayo na galing sa Binalonon, Pangasinan makatakbo sa pagiging alkalde ng 34 villages na siyudad kung saan 16 na Kapitanes ay pro Maan Guico na.
Nakikita ng mga experto na isang Herculean na gawain na labanan ni Parayno si Maan lalo walang nakikitang makakalaban ang kanyang mister sa pagka gobernador sa susunod na taon na eleksiyon. Kaysa gumastos siya ng milyon-milyon kontra sa Guico, makakalibre daw siya sa gastos pag nilabanan niya si reelective Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino.
“Happy ako noong inoffer sa akin iyan parang…may certain degree of happiness o brightness or parang alam mo iyong ito na iyon it is a destiny or a fate,” dagdag niya pa.
Maniniwala ang karamihan, gayunpaman, na hindi ito pakana ni Parayno para maiwasan ang mainit na isyu sa kanilang dalawa ni Cong. Monching kung siya ay makikita ng mga taga Pangasinan na umiikot na sa 44 towns at 3 cities na lalawigan para matupad ang pangarap niyang maging No.2 man ng provincial government.
Hinamon ni Parayno si Cong. Monching dati sa pagiging alkalde ng Urdaneta pero ni kontra hamon din siya ng huli na maglaban sa congressional seat ng 5th District.
“Parayno was once a presiding officer in his home town as elected vice mayor in this city and during his stint years as head of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city lawmaking body) he performed extra-ordinary results in parliamentary procedures,” dagdag ni Gonzales.
Si two-term mayor Parayno ay nagtapos ng Bachelor of Arts sa Political Science major in Parliamentary Rules at Bachelor of Laws sa University of Pangasinan kung saan naging professor si Duterte Administration Secretary Raul Lambino – ama ng kasalukuyang bise gobernador – doon ng matagal.
Kung naging guro ni Parayno si Lambino sa Political Law at Constitution malamang gagamitin ni Mayor ang natutunan niya galing sa ginagalang na academician sa pangangampanya niya at sa pagiging presideng officer sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislature) kung paano tutulungan niya ang Guico Administration at ang pro Guico lawmakers doon — iyon kung manalo siya sa May 12, 2025 election – to hammer laws.
“He said as of now he is conducting a survey whether or not he will continue his dream to run for Vice Governor and appeal to the Pangasinanses that he should be given up to August to finally decide after the survey result has come up”
Pag hindi daw pabor kay Mayor ang survey tatakbo na lang siya sa last reelection niya kasama ang kanyang congressional candidate na si dating Pangasinan Governor Pogi Espino na makakasagupa ni Cong. Monching.
***
Kung tumakbo si Parayno laban kay Lambino siya ba ay susupurtahan ni Pangasinan 2nd District Cong. Mark Cojuangco?
Noong mag krus ang landas ni Lambino at Cojuangco kamakailan sa Bagoong Festival sa Lingayen, sinabihan ng huli ang una na hahanapan niya ng kalaban sa pagiging bise gobernador si Lambino.
Itong pangyayari ay ayon sa insider ng diyaryong ito sa Lingayen na nagsabi na masama pa rin ang loob ni Cojuangco matapos magpatawag noong September 2023 si Lambino sa mga miyembro ng provincial board para imbestigahan ang illegal na P75 million na seawall sa Lingayen na panukala ni Cojuangco na gawin ng Department of Public Works & Highway.
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