W. Henry Streegan
Opinion: The Truth Will Out Eventually!
No Matter how Governor Marañon hides the facts about the OVERPRICED SHEEP, it
will continue to bug him no end! For one thing, employees of the Capitol are
providing us with facts and figures, and all the data to bolster our contentions
on the "GOLDEN SHEEP!"
Looking back when the unsavory news was filtering out from the Capitol, Governor Marañon stated that some 400 of the sheep were eaten by dogs (???) and so the following questions were aired:
1. When and where were the dead sheep eaten by dogs? How big were the dogs, as big as carabaos?
2. Considering that 400 of the sheep were eaten and of course died, where they buried, together with skins, entrails and all?
Opinion: Twisting the Facts on the Budget
Apologists of Governor Alfredo Marañon are twisting the facts on the 4th
tranche of salary increases as well as on the retirement and the remaining
P20,000.000 performance enhancement incentives.
Just as soon as the 2013 budget is approved, all capital employees will the 4th tranche of salary increases, with differentials, RETROACTIVE January, 2013. The Capitol employee need not worry that they cannot get all their benefits because this will all be given to them just as soon as the budget is approved!
With what is now going on at the Capitol, one can see clearly that the allies of the Governor are being misguided when statements come out like the fact the 4th tranche of the salary increase cannot be retroactive.
Events: JCI-Bacolod Starts Off Jaycee Year Auspiciously
The 2013 officers of JCI Bacolod started off their term with a big bang last Saturday, March 2, 2013 with a very colorful induction ceremonies. Their affair was not only impressive, but also very colorful. Ivy Pangantihon, 2013 president presided over the ceremonies which personified the determination and commitment of her group to make this year as productive as the previous years of the club.
2012 JCI-Bacolod Martha Isiderio (center) turning over the gavel to 2013
President Ivy Pangantihon (right)
The 2013 officers are: Ivy Pangantihon, president; JCI Mem. E, executive Vice President; JCI Mem. Maricel Sy, secretary; Asia Margaret Cunanan, treasurer; Nea Cecille Quiachon, busines development; Jenni Reen Entrata, community development; Francis Intia, international affairs; Dexter Alincastre, individual development; and, Martha Isiderio, immediate past president. JCI Senator Ryan Ravanzo, 2013 National President of JCI Philippines was the inducting officer, who, in his speech paid tribute to the past officers of the club. He expressed his confidence that the 2013 officers with the dedication and cooperation of the members will carry on the noble traditions of the club as well as the legacies of its former officers during the last 64 years of its existence. As the club starts on its 65th year, he stated that he believes they will continue to progress and develop as it has done so since the club was launched in 1948.
Local News: Distrito, Ang ‘Threaten’ Broadcasters
Councilors Caesar Distrito and Em L. Ang have allegedly threatened broadcasters Chito Berjit, Big Boy Urbanoso, Larry Concepcion, Fred Sapa, Ray Carmona and Ramon Viva with libel charges.
Their complaint against these broadcasters stemmed from the P1.2 million donation of the Bacolod City government to the 1980 class of the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) who allegedly requested funds to buy computers and which was severely castigated by the six broadcasters, for being a selective donation. Broadcaster Chito Berjit, when interviewed by NDB yesterday, stated, "In truth and in fact, it was Dr. Raca who requested for the donation in behalf of Class 1980, which was also the class of Councilor Em L. Ang and not the principal of NOHS. However, we very well know, based on the records of the City Council, that it was Em Ang and Distrito who facilitated the request. These two councilors have threatened us because we have persisted in our radio programs that the donation of the funds is very anomalous, considering that the donation carried a proviso that the amount would be advanced and paid to Councilor Ang. On the threats against us, we are ready to face them any place anytime. We are not afraid and we will stand by our complaints against them.
Enough is enough, as they are using the people’s money for their own selfish ends. One thing is very clear that they have no respect for us and the people of Bacolod."
Opinion: Purchase of Sheep Should be Duly Investigated!
The news items that were published in the three dailies in Bacolod City
(incl. NDB) that two businessmen were demanding that the payments that they made
to buy the Australian sheep from the Provincial Office of Dr. Decena, Provincial
Veterinarian, be reimbursed showed once again that the present budget of the
Province of Negros Occidental deserves the scrutiny of the Provincial Board
headed by Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez!
Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña should be commended for bringing this matter to the attention of the Negrenses! Most especially, his contention that the purchase and subsequent sale to private businessmen was grossly OVERPRICED!
This recent expose has again besmirched the integrity and reputation of the provincial Governor, Alfredo Marañon! Most especially since the businessmen demanding for reimbursement of their payments claim that the 5,840 heads of Damara Dorper-bred sheep from Australia has reached their attention that the sheep were OVERPRICED!
Events: JCI-Bacolod Induction Ceremonies - a Grand Affair
The induction ceremonies of the 2013 officers and swearing in of new members was indeed a grand affair!
The affair was held at the Ayala Northpoint Social Hall last Saturday, February 2, 2013.
It had the pomp and splendor, "Hollywood" style, which was very unique and entertaining for the guests and members. You have to give it to JCI-Bacolod to provide such entertainment which de-lighted everyone no end!
The affair started off with a fashion show which show-cased the talents of all the incoming officers as well as that of the outgoing pre-sident, Ms. Martha Isiderio. Incoming president Ivy Pangantihon must really have racked her brains and that of the entertainment committee to come up with such a delightful performance.
Opinion: Valedictory Address of JCI-Bacolod President Martha Isiderio
(We are giving way to the Valedictory Address of JCI-Bacolod 2012 President Martha Isiderio)
"A full year later, here I stand, still the same Alice I had been before I
was inducted as a JCI Bacolod President. Still the same periwinkle blue dress
and bow, still the same curiosity and awe courses through me, but this time I
see things from the other side of Wonderland. I had emerged from the hole with
mixed and contrasting emotions. To put it in Alice’s words: "I wonder if I’ve
been changed in the night. Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this
morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I’m
not the same, the next question is `Who in the world am I?’ Ah, that’s the great
puzzle!"
Opinion: Who is to Blame for the Non-approval of the 2013 Budget?
The Office of Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon has been pointing at
Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez and the Provincial Board as the ones responsible
for the non-approval of the 2013 Negros Occidental budget, which to our mind is
very unfair.
This, being the Lenten season, it is about time that both protagonists in the May, 2013 elections be more truthful about the present situation in the province. As we said in our previous column, the finger is already pointing at Governor Marañon. Why? How could the Sangguniang Panlalawigan act on the budget, when there are so many items to be satisfactorily explained?
Opinion: A Question of Discernment?
The ongoing controversy between Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez and the majority
members of the Provincial Board against Governor Alfredo Marañon as far as I am
concerned, boils down to a simple discernment of one’s duties and
responsibilities as against that of a body that just wants everything crystal
clear!
Having worked for a large sugar mill in the past, I can understand the principle of CHECK AND BALANCE. That in everything that we do, we must be held accountable for all our actuations and decisions. This is to mind, an essential aspect of any business or even in the government functions. That the Provincial Board wants TRANSPARENCY is commendable and should be the main essence of any relationship. That the SP wants everything defined or itemized to the smallest detail of any budget is commendable and which should be understood by Governor Marañon! After all, are they not supposed to safeguard the money of the people of this province?
Opinion: Is Congressman Golez a Me-Centric Person?
Through all the years that we have been in the media profession-roughly over
fifty years already, we have met all types of individuals, some we learned to
respect and admire a few who have offended greatly our sensibilities.
One such person who have offended us greatly is incumbent Bacolod Congressman Anthony Golez!
We met a good number of personalities like former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr., former Secretary of National Defense Alejo Santos, the late President Sergio Osmeña, the late President Ramon Magsaysay, the late Island Governor Alfredo Montelibano, Sr. and his son, the late Alfredo L. Montelibano, Jr., the late Fr. Gratian Murray, the late Rolando R. Dizon, the late Pablo O. Torre, Sr. and many others who, to this day, we profoundly respect and admire, who, in many ways shaped our life.
These personalities were WE-CENTRICS, who, for most of their lives worked to make our country, even our beloved province, a better place to live in.
