Balibago News May-2011
31 May 2011 - Kapampangans leap to 6th in global tweets site
PAMPANGA -- The Kapampangan Indigenous Tweets Page, which is just over a month old, has climbed to sixth place in the worldwide Indigenous Tweets Page, a site featuring 91 languages from around the world, and promotes indigenous languages used in Twitter.It now has 649 users, which is nearly double the number a month ago. It has surpassed national languages such as Tswana (a national language in Botswana and official language in South Africa, with 4.5 million speakers); Malagasy (a national and official language of Madagascar, with 7.5 million speakers); Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo, the three biggest languages of Nigeria (at least 18.5 million, 18.9 million and 18 million speakers, respectively), which are taught in their respective areas; and Tetun, the national and official language of Timor Leste.
31 May 2011 - Angeles participates in 113th Independence Day rites
ANGELES CITY -- The tourism office here announced that the city was chosen as one of the sites in the country where the ceremonial hoisting of the Philippine Flag will be held on June 12, the 113th Independence Day commemoration.Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said the National Government officially included Angeles City in the list of historical sites where the anniversary of the Philippine Independence will be celebrated.
31 May 2011 - Memorial Day celebration at Clark Veterans Cemetery
CLARK FREEPORT -- In celebration of the US Memorial Day, the historical monument honoring the Unknown Dead United States soldiers, sailors and marines killed during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) has been restored.The six-and-a-half-foot white marble obelisk was originally erected in 1908 at Fort McKinley in Manila by the local chapter of the Ladies' Memorial Association, a national organization founded after the US Civil War.
30 May 2011 - Cop shoots hostage-taker inside bus
PAMPANGA -- A plainclothes policeman shot dead a 44-year-old man who held hostage two children on a bus travelling in Mabalacat town, authorities said Monday.Pedro Brine of Catarman, Northern Samar seized the children while onboard a Five Star bus headed for Alaminos, Pangasinan while traversing the North Expressway around 1:50 p.m.
30 May 2011 - Landfill proposes low rates per truckload of garbage
PAMPANGA -- The Metro Clark Landfill or Kalangitan has offered the Provincial Government lower rates for its garbage, from P800 per truckload to just P500.Kalangitan information chief Alex Laguisma said the offer was made during the recent meeting with Capitol officials headed by Governor Lilia Pineda at Holiday Inn-Clark.
30 May 2011 - Angeles City Dialysis Center to open in June
ANGELES CITY -- The local government unit has slated the launching of the Angeles City Dialysis Center for patients suffering from kidney diseases this June.Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan made the announcement as the construction of the new renal care unit at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) -- formerly Ospital Ning Angeles -- is nearing its final stage.
30 May 2011 - Flores de Mayo grand winner named
ANGELES CITY -- Venessa Sagmit was named as this year's grand winner in the annual Search for the Reyna Ning Flores de Mayo 2011 organized by the Angeles University Foundation, in cooperation with the SM City Clark over the weekend.Sagmit was chosen among over a dozen candidates who participated in this year's event. Flores de Mayo, as distinguished from the traditional Santacruzan, refers to the whole flower festival celebrated in the month of May.
30 May 2011 - 2nd seminar on transparency reporting slated
PAMPANGA -- Journalists and media practitioners are set to hold this week training on transparency and anti-corruption reporting.The one-day training is sponsored by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), in coordination with its Pampanga chapter.
30 May 2011 - Philippines longest mall holds 1st fun run
PAMPANGA -- The country's longest mall, SM City Pampanga, over the weekend held its first ever Fun Run -- a run to a healthy and fit lifestyle.As early as 5:30 a.m., health enthusiasts jogged their way to the country's longest mall to participate in a friendly race along the mall's vicinity. A total of 135 participants joined the run, which started at 6 a.m.
29 May 2011 - Energy department hands out fuel cards to Angeles drivers
ANGELES CITY -- Officials of the Department of Energy (DOE) led by Undersecretary Jay Layug recently distributed Pantawid Pasada cards to passenger jeepney drivers here.Some 2,000 drivers were given assistance under the government’s program to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices to the transport sector.
29 May 2011 - TMC awards photo contest winners
ANGELES CITY -- The Tollways Management Corporation, builder and operator of the North Luzon Expressway, has awarded winners of a photo contest that highlighted new facilities of the highway over the weekend.Winners of the 2011 NLEx-SCTEx (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) Photo Contest were Cheryl Falqueza (first place), Patrick Mina (second place) and Aaron Del Rosario (third place) for the employees category.
28 May 2011 - Ex Manager wanted
ANGELES CITY -- The LaPasha Group of Bars offers Peso 50000 reward for information that leads to the apprehension of one of their Ex-Managers, Stefan Mayr.He is wanted for Theft and Embezzlement and believed to still be in the Philippines.
Send information to: wanted@pashagroup.ph
27 May 2011 - Balibago to put up P3-M worth fire department
ANGELES CITY -- Damage to properties and loss of lives caused by fire incidents prompted village officials of Balibago to put up a fire department at the main entrance of Clark Freeport.Balibago chairman Rodelio Mamac said during the fire summit Thursday that the council is raising some P3 million to construct a new building for the fire station, which will be erected near the Police Station 4.
26 May 2011 - City braces for Mt. Pinatubo commemoration
ANGELES CITY -- The city's tourism office has released the list of activities lined-up for the 20th commemoration of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.With the theme "Turning Tragedy into Triumph", the city will celebrate life after the widespread destruction caused by the eruption with a series of activities aimed at giving tribute to the city's ability to rise after a disastrous calamity.
26 May 2011 - Biz chamber to host European seminar
CLARK FREEPORT -- The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) will host a seminar on European Union (EU) general system preference on May 30 at the Holiday Inn here.The seminar, dubbed "Taking Advantage of the Benefits from the Utilization of the Revised European Union General System of Preference (EU-GSP)," is presented though the Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (U-ACT), with the assistance of the European Union Trade Related Technical Assistance II (EU-TRTA II) Project.
26 May 2011 - Apalit school-based Peso set
PAMPANGA -- A computer school based in Apalit town is set to become the latest educational institution in Pampanga to have a school-based Public Employment Service Office (Peso).The AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC) Apalit branch will soon have its school-based Peso as Labor Regional Director Leopoldo De Jesus recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Provincial Government and ACLC Executives for the establishment of the office.
25 May 2011 - Village recovery facility cleared of garbage
ANGELES CITY -- The City Government has already cleared of garbage the material recovery facility (MRF) in Barangay Pampang, this city.Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, in an interview at a local radio station here, said his commitment of removing the accumulated trash at the Pampang MRF has already been fulfilled.
25 May 2011 - New Foreign Affairs head targets zero backlog by July
The Department of Foreign Affairs Regional Consular Office is working to resolve the problem of delayed release of passports, as it predicts zero backlog before July of this year.Arturo V. Romua, officer-in-charge of the DFA-Consular Office here, said Wednesday that due to the recent increase in passport application and other technical concerns, the DFA is currently experiencing a backlog in the processing and releasing of passports.
25 May 2011 - Koreans to build classroom at Northville 15
ANGELES CITY -- Residents of Northville 15 in Barangay Cutud here will have their own public high school building donated by a group of Korean nationals.City officials led Monday's groundbreaking ceremony of the soon-to-be constructed Northville 15-Good People International High School.
The project will be funded by the Good People International Philippines (GPIP), a Korean organization based in the Metro-Clark area.
25 May 2011 - Military gears up for 'Chedeng'
PAMPANGA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains on full alert as it issued a command preparedness directive to be incorporated in the Brigada Eskwela program, as Typhoon Chedeng is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday.Chief of Staff General Eduardo Oban Jr. issued the directive commanding its units, particularly those in the field, to coordinate with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council upon the arrival of the typhoon.
25 May 2011 - Rotary holds social service mission
ANGELES CITY -- The Rotary Club of Balibago held a series of social service programs in Barangay San Nicolas 2, Magalang on Wednesday, with the group offering free dental and medical services, among others.Club president Roger Santos said the mission included free medical and dental check-ups, tooth extraction, circumcision, de-worming and a feeding program for local children.
24 May 2011 - P200-M worth tourism park to rise in Clark
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE -- Donggwang Clark Corporation (DCC) is set to put up a $200-million project inside this Freeport.DCC chair Lee Shin Kun said the project consists of a 36-hole golf course, clubhouse, condominium with 330 rooms, water park, spa and gymnasium, eco park, business center, store and function, international school, golf academy and driving range, clinic and drug store, hotel, casino, 500 units of villas and a shopping arcade.
24 May 2011 - Yokohama starts expansion project in Clark
CLARK FREEPORT -- The Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. (YTPI) held its groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, officially starting its manufacturing plant expansion.The company decision is part of YTPI's third phase implementation of its Grand Design 100 (GD 100) and the medium-term management plan set on 2012.
24 May 2011 - AUF, SM City Clark to stage Flores de Mayo tilt
ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation, in cooperation with the SM City Clark, will stage the annual Search for the Reyna Ning Flores de Mayo 2011 at the mall's event center on May 28.AUF president Joseph Emmanuel L. Angeles said a total of 24 young women from different towns and cities of Pampanga will compete, wearing original creations of local designers.
24 May 2011 - Songwriter arrested
MABALACAT -- A veteran songwriter who wrote "Biyaheng Langit", "Bilog Ang Buwan", "Magulang" and other popular hits was arrested recently on charges of attempted homicide, reports said.Sigfred Marcelino Tiglao Ranada, popularly known as Ysagani Ybarra, 60, is now detained at the Mabalacat Police Station after a certain Jimmy Mede Flores, 53, charged the former with frustrated murder.
The Pampanga Provincial Prosecutor's Office, however, downgraded the charge to attempted homicide after learning that Flores sustained only minor injuries.
23 May 2011 - Officials support 'Brigada Eskwela' program
PAMPANGA -- Pampanga officials showed their support to uplift the status of public education in the city by assisting the Department of Education (DepEd) in its Brigada Eskwela 2011 program.In Angeles City, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, assisted by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega Cabigting, turned over 60 big cans of paint, 60 broomsticks and other tools to various schools all over the city for the DepEd program, which kicked off Monday at the Rafael L. Lazatin Memorial High School (RLLMHS).
23 May 2011 - Overloaders warned of P1 million penalty
PAMPANGA -- With its 48 security cameras and intensified Anti-Overloading Law campaign, North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) officials warned errant cargo lines of sanctions of up to P1 million and five-year imprisonment.The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC), builder of NLEX, collaborated to boost the implementation of Republic Act 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law.
23 May 2011 - Ched grants tuition hike to 35 Central Luzon schools
PAMPANGA -- Thirty-five colleges and universities in Central Luzon will raise tuition and school fees effective in June this year, the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) regional office said.Dr. Virginia Akiate, Ched-Central Luzon regional director, said the tuition hike is 12.22 percent or an equivalent of P50 per unit, which school authorities claimed will be used to pay for the teachers' salaries and upgrading of school facilities.
22 May 2011 - Green group foresees end of Earth
ANGELES CITY -- An environmental organization said the end of Earth would start in 20 to 25 years unless humankind makes drastic measures to reverse global warming.Audie Anthony F. Menez, vice president for operations of Global Linkages for the Filipino Youth Foundation Incorporated, said humans should plant trees and minimize the use of fossil fuel in order to reverse the progression of climate change.
22 May 2011 - Governor to utilize unused funds for agriculture
PAMPANGA -- Governor Lilia Pineda over the weekend said she is set to use the funds intended for agricultural programs here that were not utilized during the administration of former Governor Eddie Panlilio.Pineda, who was guest speaker during the Department of Agriculture’s Small-Scale Irrigation System-Farmers' Field School (SSIS-FFS) program at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, said the funds are still intact and will be utilized for various development projects under her administration.
22 May 2011 - Police prioritize disaster readiness
PAMPANGA -- The Police Regional Office (PRO) of Central Luzon will prioritize its disaster preparedness in anticipation of the coming rainy season.PRO-Central Luzon director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao said preparedness is essential in keeping the police ready to respond in case of worst situations.
22 May 2011 - Villagers complain vs sloppy league handling
MABALACAT -- Residents in Barangay San Joaquin here are in outrage over sloppy officiating and gross mishandling of a basketball tournament that resulted in a “shameful outcome”.A technical error in the computation of points under the quotient system has caused a team’s undue exit for the second and last spot in the championship round.
21 May 2011 - Anti-overloading efforts intensified
PAMPANGA -- The Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) collaborated with the Department of Public Works and Highways to boost the implementation of Republic Act 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law.Officials of the MNTC warned errant cargo lines passing the expressways of sanctions as much as P1 million and five-year imprisonment. MNTC is the builder of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).
21 May 2011 - Small town lottery bookie nabbed
PAMPANGA -- Police recently nabbed a small town lottery (STL) bookie in Arayat town after failing to show an identification card.Rodolfo Cunanan, 36, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, was caught while revising bets for an illegal numbers game and used STL to cover up his operation.
20 May 2011 - Harro found dead
ANGELES CITY -- Harro, a long time resident and investor in the Club scene was found dead this morning.He was recently involved in the Blind Beggar Bar on Perimeter Road.
20 May 2011 - Mayor insists 'there's proof of cheating'
ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan insisted that several documents are available to prove his claim that ballots, which are subject of an electoral protest filed by defeated candidate Francis Nepomuceno, were tampered.Pamintuan said the cheating was allegedly done while the ballots were in the custody of Nepomuceno.
20 May 2011 - Porac aetas get aid from guv, board members
PAMPANGA -- Governor Lilia Pineda, along with board members of Pampanga, led social services missions in two mountain villages here in a bid to improve the lives of aetas.Pineda visited the villages of Sapang Uwak and Mawacat along with Board Members Trina Dizon, Fritzie David-Dizon, Teresito Lingad and Tarcicio Halili to deliver relief goods to some 800 residents of the said villages.
20 May 2011 - Mabalacat folk laud Lazatin for cityhood bill
MABALACAT -- Residents of this first-class town lauded Congressman Carmelo Lazatin for sponsoring the cityhood bill of this municipality.The House of Representatives committee on local government approved Tuesday House Bill 2509, "An Act Converting the Municipality of Mabalacat in the Province of Pampanga into a component city to be known as the Mabalacat City," during its preliminary hearing.
20 May 2011 - Honeypot bar raided
ANGELES CITY -- Honeypot bar had been raided by a CIDG operations team from Manila last night.At least 46 female workers and 3 foreign staff including one Ray Kelly, the alleged owner, were brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City for investigation.
19 May 2011 - Poll case vs Pampanga mayor withdrawn
ANGELES CITY -- Former Angeles City mayor Francis Nepomuceno has withdrawn the election protest he filed against incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan in connection to alleged massive cheating during the May 2010 elections here.The former mayor earlier sought the manual recount of the official ballots to assail the integrity and result of the elections.
19 May 2011 - Police get equipment from guv
PAMPANGA -- The Pampanga Police Office's Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) team received new equipment from the Provincial Government on Thursday.Donated were 10 ammo rigs, 10 low carry holsters, 10 body armor vests, 10 global positioning systems, five binoculars, five tactical sniper scopes and one sniper riffle.
Led by Governor Lilia Pineda, the provincial police also received four Kawasaki motorcycles, six Suzuki tricycles and additional 10 helmets, as well as six Nokia 1280 mobile phones.
19 May 2011 - Suspect in minor's rape-slay arrested
PAMPANGA -- Police arrested the suspect in the rape and slaying of a six-year-old girl from Florida Blanca.Senior Superintendent Edgar Tinio, Pampanga police provincial director, identified the suspect as Jayson Dabu, 29, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu).
19 May 2011 - School to launch Pinatubo book
ANGELES CITY -- The Holy Angel University (HAU) will launch the book "Pinatubo: The Volcano in Our Backyard" as part of the province-wide celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Mount Pinatubo's eruption.The book, written by Robby Tantingco, director of the University's Center for Kapampangan Studies, will be launched on June 14 (Tuesday), at 5 p.m. at the Academic Lecture Hall, St. Joseph Building.
19 May 2011 - Pelco 3 inaugurates own building, offices
PAMPANGA -- The Pampanga Electric Cooperative 3 (Pelco 3) inaugurated Monday its very own building and offices in a self-acquired property along MacArthur Highway in San Simon.The power distributor has for many years been renting space at a spot in the town proper.
18 May 2011 - Cops hot on trail of van-riding thieves
Operatives of Pampanga Provincial Police Office and City of San Fernando Police Office are now pursuing robbers riding a white Nissan Urvan.The van-riding robbers struck early morning Sunday in Mexico, where they held up a freight truck of some P10,000 in cash before striking a gasoline station in Barangay Telabastagan, robbing it of an estimated P100,000 in cash, then proceeding to Mabalacat to rob another party.
18 May 2011 - Pamintuan's supporters ready for mass actions
ANGELES CITY -- Members of several non-government organizations (NGOs) here said Wednesday that they are ready to mobilize and march to the streets to show their support to incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.The move came amid the ongoing electoral protest and revision of ballots at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) initiated by Pamintuan's political rival, former mayor Francis Nepomuceno.
18 May 2011 - Lawmaker to file ordinance to go after illegal fishing
Fourth district Board Member Nestor Tolentino said Wednesday that he will forward the committee on environment's recommendation to create a provincial ordinance penalizing illegal fishing activities along the Pampanga River Delta.The move is in response to the report of Masantol's Liga ng mga Barangay president Bernardo Guevarra that there is rampant use of sodium cyanide among fishpond operators and fishermen in coastal villages of the province.
18 May 2011 - Central Luzon police ready for class opening
PAMPANGA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Luzon is all geared to provide assistance to students during the opening of classes on June 6.PNP-Central Luzon Director Edgardo Ladao said guidelines have already been established in accordance with Oplan Balik-Paaralan, a directive that is being conducted annually.
18 May 2011 - Seair starts Macau flights
CLARK FREEPORT -- Southeast Asian Airlines (Seair) will commence daily flights, Clark-Macau-Clark, on May 27 at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).The new flights at DMIA were announced recently by Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president Victor Jose I. Luciano.
18 May 2011 - Mabalacat cityhood bill approved
MABALACAT -- The House of Representatives committee on local government approved Tuesday Mabalacat's bid to become a city, paving the way for the town to become a component city within this year.House Bill 2509, "An Act Converting the Municipality of Mabalacat in the Province of Pampanga into a component city to be known as the Mabalacat City", went easy sailing in the committee chaired by Negros Representative George Arnaiz, meeting no objection at all from committee members.
18 May 2011 - Ex-mayor reiterates: No ballot tampering
ANGELES CITY -- Former mayor Francis Nepomuceno insisted Tuesday that his camp did not tamper with the contested ballot boxes in relation to the recount he filed against incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan."They are casting absurd allegations near to impossibility. How can we tamper with ballots when all ballot boxes are sealed, padlocked and guarded by PNP (Philippine National Police), Comelec and city treasurer's staff?" Nepomuceno said.
18 May 2011 - University to stage exhibit for Blessed John Paul II
ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) is set to stage "The Life and Times of Blessed John Paul II: A Photo Exhibit" from May 20 to 26 at the Events Centre of SM City Clark.AUF president Joseph Emmanuel L. Angeles said the exhibit will show in photographs the life of Blessed John Paul II from the time of his youth in Wadowice, Poland; his life as a Pontiff; and to his recent candidacy for sainthood.
17 May 2011 - Board members back task force for river patrol
PAMPANGA -- Fourth district Board Members Nestor Tolentino and Ricardo Yabut are supporting the proposal to create a provincial monitoring task force that will monitor the Pampanga River and the Pampanga Bay.The two officials declared their support as Provincial Environment and Natural Resources chief Art Punzalan, during Monday's committee hearing on fish kill along the Pampanga Delta, moved for the creation of the task force to effectively monitor and curtail illegal fishing activities in the area.
17 May 2011 - Cardiovascular diseases 'leading cause of death'
CLARK FREEPORT -- PhilHealth president Reynaldo Aquino said that for years, cardiovascular diseases have been the country's leading cause of death and dilemma for many Filipinos.Aquino made the pronouncement during Saturday's launching of the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center (AUFMC) Cardiovascular Institute at the Holiday Inn hotel here.
17 May 2011 - Mayor to go 'bundling' to boost regional tourism
ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said last week that he intends to use the "bundling" concept to promote tourism in Central Luzon.Pamintuan was appointed Tourism Committee chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC) during its full council meeting last month at the Heroes Hall.
17 May 2011 - Murdered girl found in Pampanga river
PAMPANGA -- The body of a 6-year-old girl was found dumped in a river in Sitio Timber, Barangay Pabanlag, Floridablanca in Pampanga Sunday afternoon.The victim was identified as Reanne Katharina. Autopsy reports showed the victim died of drowning.
However, authorities said Katharina was also raped and stabbed in the neck and chest by an alleged member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) before she drowned.
17 May 2011 - Pregnant 14-year-old rape victim kills self
ANGELES CITY -- A 14-year-old girl in Angeles City committed suicide after allegedly being raped by her own father.An autopsy showed that the victim “Karen” was pregnant at the time of her death.
The body of the victim was discovered by her mother hung from the ceiling of their home in Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City around 1 a.m., reports said.
16 May 2011 - Retired Aussie Cop found dead
ANGELES CITY -- A retired Australian policeman was found dead in his hotel room in Barangay (Village) Malabanias here on Sunday.Police did not find evidence of foul play in the death of William John Roach, 62, a former member of the Federal Australian Police who was in the Philippines as a tourist.
16 May 2011 - Massive ballot tampering found in Pampanga
ANGELES CITY -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has stopped opening contested ballots from four villages of this city after finding massive ballot spoiling.The opening of ballots was made in relation to the protest filed by former mayor Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno against Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.
16 May 2011 - Water testing on Pampanga river set
The Provincial Board committee on environment has ordered the conduct of toxicity tests on the Pampanga River after alarming reports of fish kills.Committee on environment chair Nestor Tolentino said the testing should be done by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
16 May 2011 - Panlilio still eyes returning to priesthood
PAMPANGA -- Despite a reported offer for a Cabinet post, former Pampanga priest-turned-governor Ed Panlilio said Monday that he is keen on going back to priesthood.Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said during the recent good governance forum at Clark Freeport tha there is a Cabinet position waiting for Panlilio under President Benigno Aquino III's administration.
16 May 2011 - Mabalacat execs to attend Congress' cityhood hearing
MABALACAT -- Officials in this town led by Mayor Marino Morales will attend Tuesday a committee hearing slated by the House of Representatives committee on local government.The said committee, chaired by Negros Oriental Congressman George Arnaiz, invited officials of the Land Management Bureau (LMB), National Statistics Office (NSO), and Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF).
16 May 2011 - Drug pushers nabbed
PAMPANGA -- Two drug pushers from Arayat town were arrested over the weekend while allegedly trying to sell five plastic sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (locally known as shabu).Raymundo David, 43, and Jannette Galang, 33, both residents of Barangay Poblacion of the said town, were arrested by police following a brief chase.
16 May 2011 - Sasmuan bags DILG recognition
CLARK FREEPORT -- The town of Sasmuan recently received a plaque of recognition for being a regional nominee in the seal of the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Good Housekeeping Program.The plaque, awarded by Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, is given to local government units with outstanding performance in fiscal management and transparency.
15 May 2011 - Cabinet post awaits ex-guv in Aquino administration
CLARK FREEPORT -- Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said there is a Cabinet position waiting for former Pampanga governor Eduardo Panlilio.“I think there is always a place for Among Ed (Panlilio),” Robredo said. “The only problem is he does not know yet whether he’ll go back to priesthood or to public service.”
15 May 2011 - Mayor explains high city crime rate
CLARK FREEPORT -- Mayor Oscar Rodriguez has an explanation for the city’s high crime rate -- the police blotter includes even the smallest crimes committed in villages.Rodriguez explained that City Police Director Luisitio Magnaye affirmed that even the smallest crimes were reflected on the police blotter.
15 May 2011 - SM City Clark celebrates 5th year with tenants, affiliates
CLARK FREEPORT -- SM City Clark on Sunday celebrated its fifth anniversary here with thanksgiving lunch and recognition for tenants that have been with mall for years of its operation.SM City Clark mall manager Anna Datu said that the anniversary of the mall calls for renewed programs for corporate social responsibility and better mall services in cooperation with mall tenants.
15 May 2011 - Pampanga museums, art studio join Museum Day celebration
ANGELES CITY -- Museums and art studios here and in the entire province will be opening all their galleries for public visitation from May 18 to 20 in celebration of the International Museum Day.The International Council of Museums said the International Museum Day has been celebrated all over the world since 1977.
15 May 2011 - Police impound 416 motorbikes
At least 416 motor vehicles were impounded during a simultaneously two-day anti-criminality campaign conducted by Central Luzon police.Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao, Central Luzon police director, said this was the result of the two-day region wide anti-criminality campaign particularly on carnapping and crimes perpetrated by men riding in tandem on motorcycles.
14 May 2011 - Tornado victims get aid
PAMPANGA -- Some 16 families in Sitio Batasan of Barangay Colgante in Apalit hit by a tornado last May 7 received financial assistance from Mayor Jun Tetangco and food supplies from the Provincial Government of Pampanga.Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management chief Engineer Lulu Alingcastre said that Tetangco had approved the release of P5,000 for each family, while the Provincial Social and Welfare Development Office had sent food assistance.
14 May 2011 - New Clark prexy visits firms
CLARK FREEPORT -- Newly-appointed Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Felipe Antonio B. Remollo on Saturday met with officials of two international semiconductor firms as part of the state-owned firm's objective to further strengthen ties with local and foreign investors of this bustling Freeport.Remollo met with top executives of semiconductor giants Texas Instruments (TI) and Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corporation (PSPC) during a plant tour and briefing of the companies' operations.
14 May 2011 - Robbers strike in Mexico, City of San Fernando
PAMPANGA -- Robbers on Saturday morning robbed two separate victims in this town and in the City of San Fernando.Superintendent Wilson Santos VI, Mexico police chief, said the suspects were riding a white Nissan Urvan with no plate number. The suspects held up a cargo truck driver here and took an estimated P7,000 to P10,000 cash.
The same suspects, according to City of San Fernando police chief Superintendent Luisito Magnaye, then robbed a gasoline station in Barangay Telabastagan where some P100,000 in cash was taken from the cashier.
13 May 2011 - Nepomuceno vs Pamintuan recount set May 16
ANGELES CITY -- The poll body has ordered the start of the manual recount in connection with the election protest filed by former Angeles City mayor Francis Nepomuceno against incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan."The recount will be done manually and the ballots will be physically reviewed before comparing their results to the election returns produced by the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines," Nepomuceno's legal counsel lawyer Romeo Yusi Jr. said.
13 May 2011 - Kapampangan officials commit to good governance
CLARK FREEPORT -- Top Kapampangan officials have officially expressed their support to President Benigno Aquino III's "tuwid na daan" (straight path) advocacy.Led by Vice Governor Joseller Guaio, Kapampangan mayors and government employees signed a covenant of commitment to government transparency and accountability during the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Tapatan Roadshow at the Fontana Leisure Parks on Wednesday.
13 May 2011 - Ex-guv told: Abandon wish of becoming priest again
PAMPANGA -- Suspended Catholic priest and former Pampanga governor Eduardo Panlilio was advised to let go of his wish to return to Church service, instead of insisting on returning to priesthood.Panlilio should just learn to embrace his new "calling", which is politics, said former Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz.
13 May 2011 - Task force formed to go after village exec killers
ANGELES CITY -- The city police recently created a task force that will handle the double-slay case involving a village official in Barangay Amsic here.Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Recomono, city police director, said Task Force Canda is tasked to resolve the killing of Amsic councilman Jovito Canda and his friend Rene Gutierrez.
13 May 2011 - German, cohort nabbed for cybersex operation
MABALACAT -- A German and his cohort reportedly operating a cybersex den were arrested by police operatives in a raid in Barangay Dau, Mabalacat town last Thursday.A report to Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao, Central Luzon police director, indicated that the raiding team of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID), armed with a search warrant, swooped down on the suspect's house at Balaba Street, Barangay Dau.
During the raid, German national Michael Dreyer and a certain Vivian Unay were arrested by the RID personnel.
12 May 2011 - Cyanide, dynamite cause fish kill: official
PAMPANGA -- The environment committee chair of the Pampanga Provincial Board (PB) on Thursday said his investigation into the fish kill in Masantol town points to cyanide and dynamite use by local fishermen."Local fishermen from Masantol told me during the course of our investigation that some fishpond owners are using cyanide to poison their fish pens. Many more, I was told, are into dynamite fishing that is polluting our rivers," said PB member Nestor Tolentino, environment committee chairman, in his privilege speech before the PB session Thursday.
12 May 2011 - Ex-mayor's camp claims 'errors' in compact flash cards
ANGELES CITY -- The camp of former Mayor Francis Nepomuceno on Thursday claimed that there were "errors" recorded during the duplication of compact flash cards (CFCs) during the last elections.According to Nepomuceno’s legal counsel, Romeo Yusi Jr., the said CFCs are placed in a ballot box bearing serial number CE-07-111837. It has one outer seal and steel wire with serial number 0003607, with one outer Comelec metal seal with serial number CE-09-08031 and two outer Comelec padlocks, he added.
12 May 2011 - American, Filipino friend nabbed in 'pot session'
ANGELES CITY -- Police arrested an American national and his Filipino friend while having a "pot session" inside a car parked along the MacArthur Highway here shortly before midnight on Wednesday.Police identified the suspects as Brian Edward Sams, 33, an American tourist; and Bernard Upton Bondoc Bueno, 46, married, of 59 Saint Anthony Subdivision, Sindalan, City of San Fernando.
12 May 2011 - Cops arrest 2 for robbery, grave threat
ANGELES CITY -- Elements of the Police Station 6 on Thursday arrested two men for robbing a woman of some P48,000 along Barangay Agapito Del Rosario here.Police reports reveal that police operatives led by Chief Inspector Marciano Banola were conducting patrol when they received a radio alarm of a robbery perpetrated by men riding in tandem.
12 May 2011 - Labor agency, local government assist entrepreneurs
ANGELES CITY -- Scores of entrepreneurs who finished a business course under Manpower Skills and Livelihood Center of the Public Employment Service Office (Peso) here received assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Region III and the City Government.The funding for some 60 new entrepreneurs is part of Dole's "Capacity Building Program and Livelihood Enhancement of Ambulant Vendors” and the "Pangkabuhayan Starter Kit Program."
11 May 2011 - Jail escapee nabbed in robbery try
MABALACAT -- A 25-year-old man who escaped on April 23 from the Mabalacat police detention cell was arrested Wednesday after he tried to rob a residence at Santa Maria Village in Balibago, Angeles City.Noel Garcia David, a resident of #85 Mampan Street, Camachiles, this town, was arrested again by joint elements of the Angeles City police intelligence division, Balibago Bantay Bayan, and the Mabalacat town police around 2 a.m. Wednesday.
11 May 2011 - Exhibit set for late master Kapampangan artist
ANGELES CITY -- Local art enthusiasts will have a chance to see majority of the works of the late surreal painter Perfecto Mercado on May 27 at the Museo ning Angeles here.The tribute exhibit, dubbed "Paninap: A Tribute to the Dreamscapist Perfecto S. Mercado," is organized by the family and friends of the late artist who died late last month. The exhibit will last until June 10.
11 May 2011 - Crab vendor found dead in river
PAMPANGA -- Police discovered a man's body early morning Monday along the Pampanga River in Barangay San Isidro, this town.The body, which was swollen and retrieved around 6 a.m., belongs to a crab vendor. The victim was identified as Ramon Nabong Pascual, 47, married and a resident of the same barangay.
11 May 2011 - Free birth registration launched
PAMPANGA -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Luzon officially launched a month-long free birth registration program for indigent children across the region.Adelina Apostol, chief of the DSWD in Central Luzon, said the program seeks to imbibe into the minds of the Pantawid Pamilya household beneficiaries, particularly the indigents, the importance of having a birth certificate, which is a basic requirement in almost all government and private transactions.
10 May 2011 - Board to hold hearing on fish kill
PAMPANGA -- The Pampanga Provincial Board’s committee on environment will formally start the investigation on the alleged “man-made fish kill” in the Pampanga Delta area next week.Environment chair Nestor Tolentino, in the Board’s regular session Tuesday, called for the probe to verify reports that the fish kill was perpetrated by fishermen coming from other provinces.
10 May 2011 - 1st open heart surgery in Central Luzon performed
ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation Medical Center (AUFMC) Cardiovascular Institute successfully performed the first open heart surgery in Central Luzon last May 2.AUFMC president and chief executive officer Gabriel Martin L. Angeles said Tuesday that with the efforts of the AUFMC officials, the medical team and generous benefactors, the surgery was performed on a 23-year-old male indigent patient suffering from rheumatic heart disease.
10 May 2011 - Summit for good governance held in Clark
CLARK FREEPORT -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Central Luzon conducted a summit on May 12 targeting local government units (LGUs) in the region at the Fontana Leisure Parks.The summit is part of the Tapatan Roadshow on Full Disclosure Policy titled “Take P.A.R.T. (Participation, Accountability, Responsiveness, Transparency) Governance.”
10 May 2011 - Angeles trike drivers get fuel subsidy
ANGELES CITY -- TRICYCLE drivers have started receiving P150 fuel subsidy from the City Government and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).Some P1.2 million was earmarked by the government for the “Pantawid Pasada” program to subsidize a portion of the average fuel consumption of tricycle operators and drivers here.
9 May 2011 - 4 arrested over illegal drugs
ANGELES CITY -- Elements of Station 6 arrested four individuals reportedly engaged in selling illegal drugs in Barangay Malabanias over the weekend.Police reports said operatives conducted a buy-bust operation, which resulted in the arrest of suspects Marites Rubo, 53; Manuel Lopez, 50; Edwin Nicdao, 27; and Jay-Jay Quito, 22.
9 May 2011 - Pampanga flood situation normal
PAMPANGA -- After two nights of heavy rains brought about by Tropical Storm Bebeng, Kapampangan officials said the situation in the province remains normal.Officer-in-charge at the Pampanga Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) Engineer Lulu Alingcastre has not issued any warning or situational report regarding flooded villages in the province.
9 May 2011 - Crime rate in Pampanga 3rd district 'alarming'
PAMPANGA -- The Provincial Board committee on peace and order led by third district Board Member Rolly Macalino expressed alarm over the high crime rate in his district, particularly in the City of San Fernando.Macalino and first district Board Member Crisostomo Garbo's reactions came after Deputy Provincial Director for Operations of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office Superintendent Elbert Pagente reported that from January to April of this year, some 132 high-profile crimes (murder, rape, theft, robbery and encounters with riders in tandem) were recorded by police.
8 May 2011 - Hog farms monitor group reactivated
PAMPANGA -- The Provincial Board (PB) committee on environment over the weekend reactivated the multi-sectoral monitoring team (MMT) checking on the environmental compliance of hog farms in Porac.After a flurry of brickbats and heated exchanges during the committee hearing at Capitol led by committee chairman Nestor Tolentino, his fellow board members, hog farm owners, local officials of Porac and environment officials, the group agreed to reactivate the “once discontinued” efforts of the MMT.
8 May 2011 - Village councilman killed
ANGELES CITY -- A village councilman and his companion were killed while another was seriously injured in a shooting incident in Barangay Amsic here Saturday night.The fatalities were identified as Amsic village councilman Jovito Canda and Rene Gutierrez. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Cayanan was seriously hurt when two gunmen assaulted them, police said.
7 May 2011 - Trader charged for cutting Gita tree
ANGELES CITY -- A member of a group of environmentalist group has charged a businessman who allegedly effected the cutting and nearly killing of a century-old Gita tree at a vacant lot near the Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Barangay Balibago here.Cecile Santos Yumul, of the Save the Trees Coalition, recently filed the criminal case against Wilfredo Adorador before the Office of the City Prosecutor here.
6 May 2011 - 3 kids drown
ANGELES CITY -- The bodies of three children who reportedly drowned at an alleged quarry site in Barangay Margot here were retrieved on Thursday, according to reports.Police identified the victims as Mary Grace Salado, 11; her brother Ruzzel John, 9; and Adrian Jerome Suba, 10.
6 May 2011 - Police trace getaway car in dealer killing
PAMPANGA -- San Fernando Police Chief Luisito Magnaye said Thursday that investigators were able to trace the license plates of the getaway vehicle used by suspects in killing a car dealer to an old man from Nueva Ecija.The license plate -- RGB 461 -- was attached to the white FB van used by the suspects who shot to death on Tuesday morning pre-owned car dealer Raul Mallari of K2M Auto Sales along Jose Abad Santos Avenue in the city.
5 May 2011 - Masantol fishkill 'man-made'
PAMPANGA -- Fourth district Board Member Nestor Tolentino said Wednesday that the tons of dead fish discovered along the Masantol portion of the Pampanga River over the weekend was not environment-related, but may have been a result of man-made indiscriminate fishing.Tolentino, chairman of the Provincial Board committee on environment, has been tasked by Governor Lilia Pineda to immediately investigate the root cause of the fishkill.
5 May 2011 - Mayor reiterates crusade vs waste
ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan reiterated his crusade against indiscriminate waste disposal during the solid waste management summit held at the city library on Wednesday.Pamintuan said he will not repeat the alleged inefficiencies of the previous administration with regard to the issue of waste management.
5 May 2011 - Guv calls for clean-up of coastal village
PAMPANGA -- Governor Lilia Pineda recently enjoined officials of various government agencies to conduct a clean-up drive in the coastal barangay of Paguiaba, Masantol town.Officials of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office led by Art Punzalan, policemen led by town's police chief Diosdado Nolasco, and soldiers from the Philippine Army led by Colonel Gregorio Pio Catapang, commander of the 703rd Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Barangay Paguiaba chairman Alex Bernarte participated in the clean-up of the riverbanks where informal settlers had built their houses.
4 May 2011 - Poll body orders recount on Angeles mayoral race
ANGELES CITY -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has ordered the manual recount of ballots in relation to the election protest filed by former mayor Francis Nepomuceno on May 24, 2010 against incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.The division, presided by Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, issued the order directing the transfer of ballots of 20 percent of the pilot precincts, or a total of 37 priority precincts out of the 185 contested precincts in the city, from the Angeles City Treasurer's office to the Comelec Philpost Warehouse in Manila within five days prior its actual recount.
4 May 2011 - Province optimistic on coastal management program
PAMPANGA -- The Pampanga Provincial Board (PB) on Wednesday agreed to pursue an agreement with the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (Pemsea) for the implementation of an Integrated Coastal Management program.The move came as Pemsea executive director Rafael Lotilla met with the PB members, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro), and mayors of coastal towns in the province.
4 May 2011 - Group holds environment forum
ANGELES CITY -- Green Youth Brigade, in cooperation with the Sigma Kappa Pi (Ekit) Fraternity Alumni Pampanga chapter, held last April 29 an environment forum themed "Climate in Crisis: What is the next step?" at the Coffee Academy in Balibago here last April 29.Cecile Yumul, a member of the Save the Trees Coalition, talked about the importance of trees to the environment.
3 May 2011 - Car dealer gunned down
PAMPANGA -- A car dealer from San Fernando was shot to death by unidentified suspects at his auto sales shop along Jose Abad Santos Avenue here.Superintendent Luisito Magnaye, city police chief, identified the victim as Raul Mallari alias Matoy, owner and manager of K2M Auto Sales, a dealer of pre-owned cars most of which are luxury vehicles.
3 May 2011 - Guv eyes probe on fish kill in Pampanga River
PAMPANGA -- Governor Lilia Pineda on Monday has asked fourth district Provincial Board member Nestor Tolentino investigate the tons of dead fish floating along the Masantol portion of Pampanga River.The governor personally saw dead fish floating along the Pampanga River while en route to two coastal villages in Masantol town for medical missions last Saturday.
3 May 2011 - New regional police chief installed
PAMPANGA -- Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao formally assumed Tuesday the top post of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Luzon, replacing Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima.PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Raul Castañeda witnessed the change of command between the incoming and outgoing regional police director in behalf of PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo.
3 May 2011 - Morales cites value of IT in country’s progress
MABALACAT -- Mayor Marino ‘Boking’ Morales has cited the importance of information technology (IT) to a developing country like the Philippines.The mayor, who acted as inducting officers during the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation, Incorporated (Psite) at the Shanghai restaurant in Angeles City recently, said that everything that man does across different fields today is driven by powerful information systems.
3 May 2011 - Tax bureau intensifies mapping campaigns
ANGELES CITY -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here on Tuesday started an intensified tax mapping campaign to raise local tax revenue and apprehend tax evaders.BIR regional director Romulo Aguila Jr., in an interview during the tax mapping campaign in downtown Angeles City, said that the move aims to apprehend violations of failure of to register the business with the BIR; failure to issue duly registered receipts or invoices; use of unregistered receipts or invoices; and unauthorized cash register point-of-sale machines.
2 May 2011 - CDC prexy to employees: Think global
CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) formally welcomed its new president, lawyer Felipe Antonio B. Remollo, in a ceremonial turnover rites held here.Former CDC president Benigno N. Ricafort formally handed over the CDC flag to Remollo before CDC’s more than 700-strong workforce.
2 May 2011 - Congressman provides multicabs to villages
ANGELES CITY -- First district Representative Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin on Sunday deployed at least P7.1 million worth of multicabs to different villages in his district.The 25 units of multicabs were given to pre-selected villages in the city, and the towns of Mabalacat and Magalang.
2 May 2011 - Rape victim's family wants second judge out of case
PAMPANGA -- The lawyer of a rape victim from Angeles City filed a motion to inhibit a second judge from hearing the case, following impartiality issues cast on him.Lawyer Jeffrey John Zarate, legal counsel of the Holy Angel University (HAU) student allegedly raped by his professor, filed the motion to inhibit against pairing Judge Gerardo Santos of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 62 in Angeles City.
2 May 2011 - Masantol most wanted arrested
PAMPANGA -- One of the most wanted persons in Masantol town was arrested in an operation in Apalit, Pampanga over the weekend.Reggie Salaveria, 24, was arrested in an entrapment operation jointly conducted by the Masantol and Apalit police in Barangay Sulipan, Apalit town.
2 May 2011 - Firm launches new e-commerce website
ANGELES CITY -- SAVER’S Group of Companies has launched the only true electronic commerce (e-commerce) appliance site in the city, where orders can be placed online.In one click of the button -- http://www.saversappliancedepot.com -- customers’ orders can be delivered right to their doorsteps.
1 May 2011 - NorthRail suspends engineers, architects
PAMPANGA -- Starting Sunday, Labor Day, about 70 crew members, engineers and architects of the North Luzon Railways Corp. (NorthRail) lost their jobs after working for the still unfinished railway project since 2008.Many of these workers were the technicians who designed and laid out the foundations for the railway that would connect Caloocan City to the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga, said Jessie John Ibañez, president of the United Employees of NorthRail
1 May 2011 - Osama Bin Laden is dead
WORLD -- Not related to AC but Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11 attacks against the United States, IS DEAD, and the U.S. is in possession of his body.CIA operation kills him in Pakistan; Obama to speak
1 May 2011 - 2 charged for swindling Finnish trader
ANGELES CITY -- Two locals here were charged for allegedly swindling a Finnish businessman temporarily staying in the city.The city police filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor a robbery extortion case against Rodrigo Santos Mananis, 55, of 1919 Tayag Street, Claro M. Recto, this city and Rannie Balibat, of Citycenter, Pandan here.
Chief Inspector Luisito M. Tan, Police Station 4 chief, said the two were suspected of threatening and swindling Matti M. Martsalo, 33, a Finland national, temporary residing at Eliza Street, Santa Maria 1, Balibago, this city.
1 May 2011 - Labor groups stage protests; applicants troop to job fairs
ANGELES CITY -- While labor groups in Pampanga renewed their call for job security and wage increase, thousands of applicants trooped to a jobs fair sponsored by the government.More than 700 laborers from Clark Freeport, Mabalacat and San Simon staged separate protests in Angeles City that both ended in short programs at the Plaza Miranda.
1 May 2011 - Church group joins labor call for secure jobs, living wages
ANGELES CITY -- Religious groups and laity from Church-Labor Conference (CLC) on Sunday joined the militant groups here in calling for the scrapping of employment contractualization and higher wages and salaries for workers in Central Luzon.The rally that started in Angeles City’s main thoroughfares and ended at the Plaza Miranda here was led by the Koalisyon Kontra Kontraktwalisasyon (Kontra) and the Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (Makabayan). Hundreds of local workers and laborers attended the event.
1 May 2011 - 41 companies offer 3,000 vacancies at SM job fair
CLARK FREEPORT -- Around 3,271 job vacancies were offered to hundreds of jobseekers and applicants at the SM City Clark Labor Day job fair on Sunday, in cooperation with the Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) and Clark Development Corporation (CDC).Cila office manager Joanne Pangilinan said some 41 companies inside the Freeport and SM City Clark participated in the event at SM City Clark’s Event Center.