An appeal to the Pangasinan Congressmen

To Rep. Arthur Celeste (1st District), Rep. Amado Espino Jr. (2nd District), Rep. Generoso Tulagan (3rd District), Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. (4th District), Rep. Mark Cojuangco (5th District), and Rep. Conrado Estrella III (6th District):

There is no doubt in the minds of a good majority of Pangasinenses that our Constitution needs to be amended. There are provisions in the present charter that restrains our people and government, preventing us from moving forward in step with global economic trends. Consequently, the pressure to keep the nation financially sound and  healthy lies on our people’s capability alone to create jobs, pay taxes and shore up support for our development, resulting not only in our government depending heavily on foreign loans but compelling  our people to seek employment overseas.

Yes, our people support your vision to amend the charter. But what our people will not support is your plot to convene a Constituent Assembly to serve mainly your political agenda at all costs to the extent of challenging what our present Constitution mandates — going it alone without the Senate.
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SHOOTFEST COMPETITION — Members of the 104th 1st Regional Community Defense Center, Army Reserve Command led by commanding officer Major Danilo Germono (OS)/PA (second from right) fire at their targets during the 1st Doy Doloiras Cup Invitational Shooting Competition (Level I) held at the Dagupan Practical Shooting Association Firing Range in Bonuan-Binloc, Dagupan City last November 25-26. With Major Germono are (left-to-right): Sgt. Angel Gumarang, Sgt. Jimmy Soriano, CPL John Quinto, M/Sgt. Ely Reintar, and Sgt. Ruben Quinto. - (Photo by Jun Figuroa)

When idealism is lost

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

The move in the Dagupan City Council to refer the draft resolution authorizing Mayor Benjie Lim to enter into a contract with Metrostate Realty Corporation, for the lease of the commercial area fronting the city plaza, on an after-the-fact basis was a clever trick to launder that dirty deal. It was clearly aimed at obfuscating the issues and keep the public in the dark on the deal.

They not only fast-tracked but short-circuited the legal process by submitting that draft resolution just to give the impression that the bidding process was in order. But as Councilor Alex de Venecia correctly pointed out, the council had not even passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to conduct the bidding, much less spelling out the terms for the bidding! How can the city council now authorize the mayor to enter into a contract as a result of an illegal and unauthorized bidding? But even more telling are the pertinent questions that Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez has raised to the city legal officer. (Wow, this is certainly a different and better Alvin for the city)!
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We too remember and grieve over Max

By Gerry Garcia

OUT here in the province, a week after the unexpected passing of journalist icon Max Soliven in Japan, radio and print media, especially The Sunday Punch, could not help being aggrieved. This feeling of grief is no more or less than that expressed by Max himself, some 44 years ago, over the fatal gun-shooting of a close friend of his at the Punch office — Ermin Garcia, Sr.

Max, together with some Manila-based  journalists, like Times publisher Joaquin “Chino” Roces, Nereo Andolong, then NPC president Tirso Rodriguez, PPI director Johnny Mercado  and  Press Secretary Jose Aspiras, was at  Ermin’s necrological rites at the Pangasinan Medical  Society  building, this city, on May 29, 1966… up to the time when Ermin’s  remains were interred at the cemetery in San Fabian where he was born.
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Sportswriter in Texas

By Jun Velasco

SOMEONE sent us this thoughtful text message:

  The poem was nominated 4 de best poem of 2005, written by an African kid..          

        Wen i born, i black,

         wen i grow up, i black,

         wen i go in d sun, i black,

         wen i  scared, i black.

         wen I sick, i black.

         And wen I die, I still black.

        And u white fella,

         Wen u born, u pink.

         Wen u grow up, u white.

         Wen u go in d sun, u red.

         Wen u cold, u blue.

         Wen u scared, u yellow.

         Wen u sick,

          u green.

         And wen u die, u gray. .

         And u calling me

              colored?”
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Game of the generals (& their lieutenants)

By Gonzalo Duque

THE Christmas decorations and expensive lights in Dagupan City have created the impression that all is well in many a Dagupeño’s life.

But is it?

Many of my friends, including those who worked like hell for the election of  some of   our officials, remain jobless. Worse, their cousins and relatives have lost their jobs in the name of retrenchment. The city is bankrupt.

When I queried a budget office staff about this alleged bankruptcy, he answered this way:  How come, but I still receive my salary regularly. Tama nga naman but what about those who were relieved by the city’s observance of austerity measures. How about the impoverished families? Is not government’s first and fundamental responsibility to provide jobs… so that families and people will live?

But the Christmas sights and sounds say “everything is all right.”  Even the over-powdered and beautified pogi and pretty looks of our city officials have suddenly appeared in every corner of the street.
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Pacquiao’s possible foe is 20-0, with 20 KOs

By Al S. Mendoza

THERE is this Venezuelan they want Manny Pacquiao to fight.

Edwin Valero is his name.

Based on his fight record, Valero is tough.

As an amateur, he won 87 fights and lost only 5. He knocked out 57 of them.

Venezuela’s boxing laws seem weird because Valero was listed as starting his amateur career at the age of 12. 

Maybe at 12, Valero was just starting to toy with the boxing gloves?  But in the process, he kept knocking out opponents?

He turned pro at age 18 but not after suffering a motorcycle crash that injured his skull.
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Feelings and truths

By Eva C. Visperas

Everything has its first time. Last Tuesday, in his long years in politics, Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, easily the darling of the press, purposely called for a press conference, for the first time, to clarify some issues.

I have followed Lambino’s political life. Newsmen always seek him for interviews especially after the session in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where he is the presiding officer.

But last Tuesday was different. Prior to his trip to Kuala Lumpur, he deemed it proper to correct some write ups in local newspapers to tell the truth particularly about his anti-drugs abuse campaign and the political situation. But let’s focus on the second, which to our readers, is hotter and more interesting to discuss.
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Key to higher rice, corn yield in upland areas found

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

Crop diversification and contouring plus lime application  and fertilization based soil analysis may very be the key to higher rice and corn  yields in upland areas, as shown by results of a PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) study in an upland community in Ilagan, Isabela.

In an adaptation trial in Brgy. Sta. Victoria, Ilagan, the income derived from crop diversification by the farmer cooperator increased by 25,000 a hectare compared to a single crop of low-yielding rice, which is normally planted by farmers in the community. 

The cooperator planted the upland rice variety NSIC Rc9 and the glutinous corn variety IES  Glut # 4 as his main crops, as well as pineapple, banana, and Napier grass as hedgerows.  He also applied organic and inorganic fertilizers on all his crops following an integrated nutrient management scheme, knowing fully well that organic fertilizer is not enough to produce a decent yield.
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The poor

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

It is sad but true. To be poor in this country is a big living and continuing curse. During elections, all local and national candidates shout their avowed commitment to help the poor. When they are in office and in power, they still say they are pro-poor. Even the national leadership loudly and repeatedly claims its pro-poor plan, programs and projects. It goes all over the world, attends assemblies, hosts meetings—yes—to eventually help the poor.

With the possible 2007 Elections, exactly the same pro-poor speeches will be delivered ad nauseam. Campaign materials, slogans and advertisements will infallibly proclaim the basically pro-poor promises of the candidates, and it has been this way for decades on. The poor have always been in the primary concern of all the election candidates, in the priority agenda of all governments officials—from to the local, to the regional up to the national levels.
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