DAGUPAN CITY — “Performance,” said Governor Amado Espino Jr., among others, is his edge against his opponent in the gubernatorial race, second district Representative Victor Agbayani.

“Compare what I have done in just (almost) three years to his nine years at the Capitol,” he said Monday at the press conference held after he and running mate incumbent Mapandan Mayor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) at the provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Espino and Calimlim are bannering Lakas-Kampi-CMD and local political party Biskeg na Pangasinan (Strength of Pangasinan).

Biskeg na Pangasinan was founded and is chaired by Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr. of Sto. Tomas town.

Accredited by the Comelec as a provincial political party, it is now the most dominant political group in Pangasinan having the most number of members as compared to any national political party. It was accredited in 2006 and first fielded candidates in the 2007 election.

Espino’s group which included his wife Precy, their children, and his supporters first heard mass at the Our Lady of Manaog in Manaoag town before proceeding to the Comelec office here.

He said they chose to file their COC on November 30 because of its significance, that being the Bonifacio Day.

Coincidentally, Espino was the 30th candidate to file his COC at the provincial election office.

“Modesty aside, nakikita ng ating mga kababayan ang mga pagbabago sa probinsiya. All that I promised in 2007, we have started. We have finished some, other projects are ongoing. Three years is too short. I want to be back and continue serving to finish these all for the benefit of our provincemates,” he remarked.

Espino said that aside from the projects he started (which include in the area of peace and order, agriculture and fisheries, health and others), he would like to give focus next to education.

“Nagkulang tayo ng pondo sa education sector. Maliit lang ang pondo ng provincial government, at hindi devolved ang mga opisina ng Department of Education (ang capital outlay ng Deped ay nasa national government),” he stated.

“Dinaanan tayo ng apat na malalakas na bagyo. What we did and still doing is to repair instead of construct school buildings. I really would like to give attention sa education sector – i-revive ang dating boy scout, girl scout activities, improve school play grounds but we do not have fund and a lot more,” he added.

Meanwhile, Calimlim said his team-up with Espino is perfect as they are both development-oriented, their programs for the environment, tourism and education perfectly jive.

DAGUPAN CITY   – Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Arturo Lomibao has decided not to pursue his congressional bid against Gina de Venecia for Pangasinan’s fourth district race in the 2010 polls.

Lomibao issued a statement yesterday around 3 p.m., copy of which was furnished The PangasinanToday , which reads in its opening statement

I have decided not to run as congressman for the fourth district of Pangasinan.

He said he has arrived at this decision after consultations with his leaders, family and friends.

In his statement addressed to his districtmates, he said,” This is a painful decision to make, knowing how tirelessly you worked for me, how unselfishly you sacrificed your time, effort and resources, and how steadfastly you believed in me, unmindful of my final decision.”

“I know you were determined to stay with me until the day of the election, hoping that together, we will march onward to victory,” he said.

He said, in his consultations with various sectors – barangay leaders, senior citizens, the youth, farmers, transport, religious sectors to name a few, everyone had one common thing to say: We want change.

He said like them, he wants change. Having served in the executive branch of government for almost four decades, he said he wanted to try another avenue for change by running for Congress because he feels that as their representative, he can make a difference in their lives.

But he said there comes a point in time when decisions had to be made after making an assessment of one’s chances.

“Unfortunately, the avenue for change we call election, is rather dark and hazy. Thus, I have decided to forego with my intention to run and just concentrate on my work and my family,” he said.

“They say that courage is not only having the will to fight but also the will to step back if need be,” he said.

He quoted the prayer of Serenity which said,” God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

He added he prays that the Lord will guide and protect the people as they move closer to election day.

He said he hopes that the candidates who will be chosen by the people will have the purity of intentions and nothing in their hearts but the interest and well-being of the people.

Former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. is now on his third and last term as congressman of Pangasinan fourth district.

Nevertheless, Ma.Georgina De Venecia was not even un opposed as Ma.Cecilla Lim wife of former 4^th district congressman and former Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim filed her certificate of candidacy few hours before the last day of filing of certificate of candidacy joining the 4th district congressional race.

STA BARBARA – Mayor Reynaldo Velasco belied all the allegations and the statements of this town’s former mayor Carlito S.Zaplan against him when he was out of the country attending an official function and meeting with the folks of Sta. Barbara who are now residing abroad.

Velasco in a recent interview at his office branded Zaplan as unrealistic and untruthful to his statements and would like to earn the public’s attention by telling a lie in order to cover up his lack of performance during his incumbency and instead destroy the reputation of his administration by false accusations against him.

 He said Zaplan has nothing to enumerate as projects nor accomplishments during his nine years term and another three years term served by his wife   equivalent to 12 years of Zaplan ‘s administration compared to his accomplishments which enumerates numerous achievements in terms of infrastructure developments focused in education facilities and agricultural development in as short as two years.

“Sinungaling! You know yung  sinasabi nya  na mga eskwelahan we have here all the records since 2001,He has never had any school building project anong mga sinansabi nya (Lier ! all of schoolbuildings that he was mentioning )”

“Ang problema dito yung  unang una yung timing ng pagsasalita nya nasa Amerika ako saka bumabanat hindi naman kailangan dito ang grand standing (The problem here is the timing first I am in America then he hits back grand standing is not needed here)”

“What Sta.Barbara needs now is the truth because the people can actually see the truth and what is really going on and that the people know what is right.”Velasco said. 

Moreover Velasco explained that he went to America to invite his kabaleyans to come home and see the actual Sta. Barbara now.

“As a matter of fact marami na ang gustong mag donate at tumulong sa programa ng ating pamahalaan tulad ng Gawad kalinga at kung anu ano pa (there are so many who would like to donate and help the programs of the government like the Gawad kalinga and many more) but I told them to come first and see for themselves.”

Velasco added that he also did some explaining to the people he met in America since the attacks against him has reached them thru internet.

I told them this is the time to come home and see Sta. Barbara since the local government has also the pawil Sta Barbara program just the right time to see Sta. Barbara and consider investing and going home for good in times of retirement and start anew. He said

Furthermore, Velasco believed that the attacks against him are pure lies and the intention will never materialize.

The records will show that from 2001 and has not build any school buildings for the town of Sta. Barbara.

“Mahirap ang mga ginagawa nyang ganyan ataki ng ataki wala naming facts kaya niya ina ataki ang mga ginawa kong eskwelahan dahil mahigit dalawang taon lang 246 na classrooms na ang naipagawa ko the issue here is performance and they cannot counter that except for telling a lie.”

Velasco explained that this town has a minimal budget but because of proper financial management they were able to deliver the services at a minimal cost but quality results like the building of a classroom amounting to only 250,000 compared to the cost of classrooms built by DPWH and other agencies, donations of individuals and companies in building a lot of projects has been happening because of his transparent management and projects are being done according to its proper specifications.

Velasco however admits that the beautification of the public plaza amounting to six million pesos was an accomplishment of Zaplan’s administration and that the Maramba Bridge was a national government project.

Meanwhile in a webcast interview by this reporter Velasco said that there is no truth that he was being personal with Zaplan with regards to implementing general rules set for the people of this town.

“ Siya lang naman ang nagsasabi nyan Kung talagang pinepersonal natin yan bakit pinapayagan pa nating kumita ang kanyang sabungan ng eight Hundred Thousand  per year“.

Zaplan being a former mayor should also pay his taxes to the government, so the local government having no choice but to run after business establishments who are not paying their duties has to stop him from operating his Sabungan without paying taxes first. He said.

May utang pa nga na 69 thousand and sabungan nayan pero pinayagan na naming nung nag partial siya.”he said.

He added that he has also made an appeal to the management of San Miguel Corporation to set rules regarding the falling in line of truck drivers of the products distributors since he found out that some trucks owned by Zaplan does not follow falling in line rules.

Velasco has also asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to put a stop on the alleged illegal quarrying of Zaplan in the river banks of the said town.

“Anu ba ang gusto nya dyan pabayaan naming siyang kumita habang binabaha ang mga taga rito dahil sa paghuhukay nya sa tabi ng ilog e paaano naman ang perang ginagastos ng gobyerno sa pag aayos niyan.”

We have also help in the filing of case against him in the Ombudsman regarding the Built Operate System scheme in the public market since the local government of this town has been paying 30 million pesos worth of loan for the construction of that market built during Zaplan’s term.

Velasco added that the collections collected from this public market under Zaplan’s term  was not properly accounted for and that the people has the right to know since the people is the one paying for this loan.

“it does not mean that he can always get away with,it  is just right that I have fought for the right of the people in this town  to be informed legally of what is happening if he proves himself not guilty well and good but what if he does not?”

“As what I have sworn I will always protect the interest of this town and that is not personal”

I have never also ordered my men to removed his construction equipments nor told him that I will burn them down if I see them in any construction being done here in my town that it is not my doing as a retired gentlemen in uniform I cannot do that perhaps that’s what he does during his term .

Ang Problema ni former Mayor Zaplan ipinapasa nya sa akin ang mga Gawain niya  e trebaho nya  yan gaya ng sinansabi niya na 55 classrooms sa barangay nya sa Maninding may anim pa diyan na Marcos type na classrooms hindi naman naming ginagalaw yan”

Ang laking kasinungalingan din ang sinansabi niya na pinakuha ko sa mga military men ang mga materyales na inuwi nya nung pinagawa ang Daniel Maramba High school siay ang Mayor nun e tapos kukunin lang sa kanya ng ganun ang mga yun? Napaka sinungaling naman wala kaming paki alam dun dahil siya nag contructor. He said.

Velasco stressed on the issue of the airport that he was just fighting for the Sta Barbara to be the gateway to the world and he never said that he will build an airport what He was doing up to now is to look for possible investors who will finance this program and told Zaplan to stop making noise about this since he has not done any effort to work for the realization of this goal out of his 12 years incumbency.

Velasco challenged Zaplan to elevate his point of arguments and told him to make noise possible if he is around and not abroad.

By: Roland Hidalgo

With reports Danlor Hidalgo

STA BARBARA-Former Mayor Carlito S. Zaplan of this town dared Mayor Reynaldo Velasco that he is very much willing and ready to face the mayor in the next May 2010 elections.

He made this announcement during the Kapihan held last Wednesday Sept 16 at the Besco restaurant in De Venecia Hiway Dagupan City.

“His personal attacks against me and my family even on my own private businesses has not only inflicted damage against myself, my family but has created a very bad impression by the towns people of Sta. Barbara.”

He said that he has no more intention in joining politics when he went back to being a private citizen after he lost the 2007 elections since he was able to concentrate on his usual business being a private contractor in fact he was able to buy more vehicles and expand his business ventures but he said that his love for his town is greater than his own ambitions.

Moreover he explained that the projects claimed by the mayor such as the Construction and beautification of the municipal plaza has been his projects before the 2007 elections since most of this budget allocation was approved during his term which includes the raising of the Daniel Maramba bridge.

He added that the idea of putting up an international airport in the said town was his initiative and it was approved by the Department of Transportation s and Communications during his term which was also endorsed by five of the six congressmen of the province and it was during congressman Gener Tulagan’s last term as the third district representative that time,  along with congressmen former second district now Gov. Amado T Espino Jr.Jose De Venecia Jr of the 4^th district and Marc Cojuangco of the 5^th district and Conrado Estrella III of the 3^rd district of Pangasinan.

Zaplan reiterated that the only project of Mayor Velasco is the repair of different public school buildings and it is not true that this are newly constructed buildings since most of the old materials were being brought to his backyard in Batangas.

He also questioned the V markings in these school buildings since the money used for the construction of these buildings is not his personal money since this is the taxes of the Filipino people.

”Even the buildings that were built by the Filipino –Chinese chamber of commerce were also built with the V markings”which should not be he said.

Zaplan added that Velasco has become arrogant and was no longer the same Velasco when he was not yet the Mayor of this town.

Zaplan who was in the company of councilor Rey Tamayo Santos  told Pangasinan Today  that Velasco does not speak to his leaders with respect anymore  and often times cannot be talked to even if he is in his office and instead talk to those he prefer to talk with.

The former Mayor and his group however have not yet decided on who will be his vice Mayor and is now presently ironing the line ups in the council.

Zaplan will be recalled is one among the co- founders of Biskeg party which was organized under the leadership of Under Secretary now PASG chief Antonio Bebot Villar Jr.

Biskeg is a duly registered by the COMELEC as local political party in the province of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, Mayor Reynaldo Velasco is in the United States of America as of press time.

STA BARBARA- Municipal administrator Albertini De Guzman belies all allegations that former Mayor Carlito Zaplan expounded last Wednesday against incumbent Mayor Reynaldo Velasco.

De Guzman in an exclusive interview told PangasinanToday that this might be one of Zaplan’s way of emphasizing his intentions to run again for Mayor in the next 2010 elections.

The administrator also questioned the timing of Zaplan’s pessimistic statements against Velasco since the Mayor is out of the country and asked why not made these statements while the Mayor is here.

De Guzman also explained point by point some facts that Zaplan has said over the radio in the past few days.

 “Sa mga sinasabi nyang mga proyekto na sinansabi nyang kini claim namin like the Maramba Bridge, Sinu ba ang nag pagawa noon siya ba?”He said.

 He said that while the project was built by the national government.

 He has also explained that what they have been doing at present is implementing projects that the town needs.

“We have seen that this town has no fire truck, the old fire truck that this town used to have is not at a running condition instead it is just park along the road so what we did is find a way to have a new fire truck and gave the fire department a budget in order to rehabilitate the old fire truck  to equipped this town a functioning fire response team during emergency for the town and its nearby town.  He added.

De Guzman also explained that the V sign in some of the projects of Velasco does not necessarily mean Velasco instead it’s a sign of his battle cry against poverty and victory against poverty and victory over ignorance.

“This has been the battle cry of Mayor Velasco from the time of his first campaign up to now and it means Victory since the program of the Mayor in education is to elevate the education system of this town at least to equal the private education by improving the educational facilities of  both elementary and high school education of this town.”

He said that the Department of Education ( DepEd) has already acknowledged the tremendous increased in the enrollment at all of  their public schools which he said is a sign that the parents are now confident that the public schools in this town may now equal to what the private schools have in terms of educational facilities.

He added further that not all school buildings have the V markings like the projects that were built by congresswoman Rachel Baby Arenas instead he questioned the LSZ markings on the municipal Plaza which clearly means Lito Zaplan and the name embossed at the street lights which read Jinky Zaplan.

He has also belied the allegations of Zaplan regarding the putting up of an international airport,  He said that this idea was an initiative of the former third district congressman Gener Tulagan approved by the Department of transportation and Communications (DOTC) then and was endorsed by almost all congressmen except for Congressman Arthur Celeste and it was never an initiative of  Zaplan,.

 And it happens now that Mayor Velasco was the one who told President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that there was a pending bill in congress for putting up an airport in the said town after the President announced that Hundred Island will soon have an airport.

” The Mayor is working hard for the realization of this project so he has talked with the Department of transportation and Communications (DOTC) and they have instructed the local chief to find for an investor and that it is now quite  possible as American financiers have shown interest in making a free feasibility study which could later turn into a realization of the project.” He said

 He also said that there was never an incident to the claim of Zaplan that Velasco was getting personal over his private business,.

 “What he was saying was the time when he was caught quarrying in some parts of Sta. Barbara when the Mayor was looking for necessary permits allowing him to quarry in this town when the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) has said it clear that quarrying is not allowed in this town so the Mayor has to stop him from what he is doing and ordered him to vacate his heavy equipment uinits.” De Guzman explained

 Moreover, there were some instances where the areas where Zaplan quarried and used it for his personal business are now presently irreparable so what the local government did was to make it a livelihood area for the residents like turning it into a fish pond for tilapia culture

 Furthermore, He  said that there is no truth on Zaplan’s allegation that Velasco has been bringing home the old school building materials at his farm in Batangas.

 Meanwhile the administrator has assured the public that Velasco will be ready with his answers as soon as he gets back from the US and said that they will be working on the agenda’s of Velasco’s administration which they are bent to pursue in order to show the people that they mean business now and not politics within the next eight months.

Vice Mayor now OIC Mayor  Ruben M. Jose told  Pangasinan Today that he was saddened by the facts that this things has to happen now and said that he has  not  yet thought of the coming 2010 elections and instead  he has focused himself in working harder to think of what else could be donje in serving the people of this town by presiding in the Sanguniang Bayan and instill discipline  in the hall as the leader of the council and a role model being a chairman of the vice mayor’s League in region 1.

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By: Janice Hidalgo

DAGUPAN CITY-In a bid to offer the people in Western part of the province an inter active choice of leader as the tag name Maki is concern for Maki baka,Maki alam at Maki lahok GMA channel 7’s veteran reporter will be off the air for a while and will join the local politics in the province.

In a press forum dubbed as Kapihan, Anda Mayor Nestor Pulido  has announced that Maki will be joining the first  district congressional race in the next 2010 elections.

 Mayor Pulido said that he is now ready to retire as apolitical figure and go back to his old career being a media practitioner and worked to cover his daughters bid in a different face of public service.

He said that the family’s love for public service in the field of politics has come up with a consensus among them and support Maki’s bid in the congressional race.

“Maraming mga programa ng gobyerno ang dapat ay matagal ng inilaan din sa Bayan ng Anda na hindi masyadong napagtutunan ng pansin pagdating sa countrywide development assistance kaya siguro kailangan na rin na may mag rerepresnta para dito at ganun din ay pagtuunan ang pagpapatuloy sa mga programang may kinalamna sa pag papaunladf ng buong distrito na tutulak sa turismo at ekonomiya nito.” He said

Pulido added that the qualification of Maki being a graduate of the University of the Philippines and her experienced  as among the  top brass in the field of journalism which earned her respect and networks  or connections that she might use in bringing forth developments in the said district if given chance.

He said that the qualifications and experienced that Maki now has might just be the one that will break the barriers between silence and knowledge in the field of legislation representing the people of the province in the first district of Pangasinan.

While her exposure to the real lives of real people could help her in molding the right program of works in the field of infrastructure developments focused in farm to market roads, school buildings and infrastructures that could entice more business investments.

He admitted though that they do not have much to spend but he believes that with the concerted effort of the people who believes that Maki can do something for the district then I guess the election day will speak for itself he said.

Meanwhile, Maki is presently in the US and will soon be around the district by October.  

Maki as her famous name is Ma. Judea “Pulido in real life and is the daughter of Anda Mayor Nestor and Provincial Board member Alice Pilido of the first district of Pangasinan.

 Maki has two daughters of her own.

Maki Pulido became a household name when the whole nation watched her run across Malacaňang (the official residence of the Presidential Family) to her camera crew, keen on delivering the exclusive update on the Estrada family behind Palace gates.

Her passion for the news extends to covering significant national issues.

At the close of the Subic rape trial in December 2006, Ms. Pulido was again running in her effort to deliver the latest on the convicted US Marine as he was brought to the detention center, amid pressure from the foreigner’s security escorts.

Pulido’s zeal for reporting has won her both local and international acclaim.

Her in-depth report on Filipinos who illegally enter Malaysia through the country’s “Backdoor” won the Silver Screen Award at the 2005 US International Film and Video Festivals.

 The same story was also highly commended at the Asian TV Awards the same year. In 2007, the US International Film and Video Festivals awarded third place to her reports entitled “Slaughterhouse” and “Trigger”.

 She has also had the honor of having two of her stories, “Batang Kargador” (Child Haulers) and “Sex Slaves” named Finalists at the New York Film Festivals. In 2008 she won the Gold World Medal for Best Human Interest Story for Batang Kalakal