PNP watches San Carlos City, Agno, in 2010 elections

By Yolanda Sotelo

STA. BARBARA – Police Director General Jesus Versoza claimed the coming 2010 elections would be peaceful in Pangasinan, but is watching at least two areas which could be prone to elections-related violence based on 2007 election incidents.

He identified the two areas as San Carlos City where then Mayor Julian Resuello was killed by gunmen weeks before the 2007 elections; and Agno town where Mayor Arthur Cabantac was killed on August 2008.

Versoza also identified nine provinces under the police’ watch — Abra, Nueva Ecija, Masbate, Maguindanao, Sulo, Danao Sur, Danao Norte, Basilan and Samar.

BSP closes four Pangasinan rural banks

By Yolanda Sotelo

DAGUPAN CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has closed down four rural banks in Pangasinan –the Kaunlaran Rural Bank in Manaoag on December 1, and the Rural Bank of Bautista, Rural Bank of Malasiqui and the Corfarm Rural Bank of Umingan on December 10.

The BSP put the banks under receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC).

The closure of four rural banks has sent the rural banking industry into an overdrive to win back the trust and confidence of depositors.

Perspectives: De Venecia’s proposal to save the earth

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Each of our senator and congressman, who is under the graces of the president, receives P200 million and P70 million of pork barrel annually.

With the new national budget of P 1.541 trillion for 2010 and an P80 billion increased of pork barrel from P23 billion this year, each of this pork ballooned from up to P800 million for a senator, and P 35 billion would be appropriated by Malacanang to members of the House of Thieves, er, Representatives through their regular allocation and insertion.

If a member of the House can get his share of pork in January next year, just imagine his edge psychologically against his opponent for the May 10, 2010 polls?

Domantay: Soriano as rival, Soriano as ally

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

MALASIQUI – Town Mayor Armando Domantay wished it was former Mayor Alfonso Soriano who fielded himself for the mayoralty race and not his wife Felicitas for the mayoralty race in May 2010.

Domantay said he wanted to fight Alfonso because of the latter tendency to criticize his administration.

“Dahil salita ng salita. At para magkaalaman na kung sino ang gusto ng mga tao,” he stressed.

Gibo will catch up with Noynoy, says Guico

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BINALONAN – The president of the 1,500-strong League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) was optimistic that Lakas-Kampi CMD Party presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro will catch up with survey frontrunner and Liberal party’s presidential bet Benigno Aquino Jr.

Mayor Ramon Guico, Jr. said Teodoro has picked up in some poll surveys lately. The Lakas-Kampi CMD stalwart stressed that it would be a dilemma if his presidential bet started at the top of the survey and fall down eventually as the polls come nearer.

“Gibo (nickname of Teodoro) takes off from bottom to become a threat to his top rivals in the presidential race,” he stressed.

Urdaneta Market not ‘white elephant’ — Perez

By Virgilio Sar. Maganes

URDANETA CITY- Mayor Amadeo R. Perez, Jr. debunked claims that the newly constructed city market is a “white elephant” because of unoccupied spaces in its second floor.

He said that what was aired over GMA 10-Balitang Amianan on December 21 projecting the market as unoccupied was a product of political scheme to discredit his many accomplishments in the city.

“While it is true that some portions or spaces on the second floor are still unoccupied by business-tenants, the economic activities of the new market is vibrant. In fact, out of its revenues we are able to pay the loan at the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP),” Mayor Perez said.

Police assistance center opens in Sta. Barbara

By Virgilio Sar. Maganes

STA. BARBARA- In his bid to provide a 24-hour police visibility and a center for emergency response in times of calamity, Mayor Reynaldo V. Velasco led the opening of the Community Police Assistance Center (Compact) and Police Emergency Response Center at Tebag East village here last December 22.

The opening of the centers was attended by Police Director General Jesus Ame Verzosa who was the guest of honor and speaker, Chief Supt. Ramon V. Gatan, regional director for Region I, Pangasinan’s Police Director Sr. Supt. Percival Barba, municipal officials and scores of community volunteers of the town.

In his message, Mayor Velasco said that the project was a concerted effort of the police authorities and the communities. He thanked the provincial government through Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. for donating the 2,000 square meters lot owned by the provincial government for the site of the centers.

Eavesdropper: Christmas’ follies

By Virgilio Sar. Maganes

When I was a child, I always looked forward to the month of December, the happiest month ever in the calendar. And who would not? It is the month of merriment, of gift giving, of family reunions and of special bonding with relatives and friends. I looked forward also to receiving gifts – never mind if they are recycled, brand new or hands-me-down. As a child, you cannot choose the gift you will receive.

But as years went by, my eagerness of waiting the month of December has paled. The greetings “Merry Christmas” have became so shallow and putrid. It became an easy way out for mendicancy. The callousness of using even Christ’s name is indeed deplorable. Christmas in December became a commercial activity. Supermalls, supermarkets and big commercial establishments have been capitalizing the season to promote their products and services with all the come-ons trappings for consumers’ enticement.

EDITORIAL

Merry Christmas…Happy New Year!

Through all the challenges that came our way this year, generosity by others has changed the level of hopeless and helpless of the people of Pangasinan.

To all our friends and readers, a blessed Christmas to all of you!

To all our friends and readers, receive our sincerest wishes and hopes for a better 2010.

We thank the Master of Creation for giving us strength through all the challenges that came in 2009.

Ang Maso: Ikaw na nga…Ferdie Calimlim

By Brando Cortez

MERRY CHRISTMAS po kay Andres Flores (Boy Sianang ng Rosales)!

Whether our blessings are big or small, we must share them.

And we should do this all year long, not only during Christmas.

O di ba ang saya pa din ng Pasko sa atin?

Kahit pa sabihin ng iba na maingay ang Pasko sa atin.