Nota Bene (Voice of the Capiceños)

by Gerry T. Pagharion, Editor In Chief – The Capiz Times

Why Mar Roxas’ sudden decline in surveys?

It could be largely attributed to the NOY-BI (Noynoy Aquino and Jojo Binay) campaign as well as  the campaign mounted no less by  Sen. Francis Escudero. SMAR (or short for Sen. Mar Roxas) was over confident of winning that he decided to  focus more on  helping the LP candidates at the local level than focusing on its own.

–– Name Withheld, Provincial Capitol employee

Surveys are just surveys. The figures  should have been converted into actual votes.  How to convert the votes was  the Roxas camp’s dilemma.

––– Jessie Calmorin, former writer, The Guardian

Party loyalty? Tell that to the marines!

The so-called political season in Capiz has practically begun with some reports that this or that politician is planning to run in 2010 against an incumbent official who, ironically, also happens to be a party-mate at the Liberal Party.  And not to be outdone, the opposition in Capiz  led by former Roxas City vice mayor and defeated first district congressional candidate Alan Celino and the  group of former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante (which includes former  Capiz Gov. Jose “Ting”Borda, Tabby Blanco, former board member Henry Reyes, among others),  has lately become visible as if trying to send a urgent  “political message” that something is awash in 2010 insofar as the opposition ranks in Capiz are concerned.

Bolante is reportedly seriously considering running either for  congressman of the first district of Capiz or for governor.  But since Celino’s original plan  is to run against Del Rosario for their much-awaited second bout, Bolante may yet  opt for the governorship.  But this may depend on the decision of last term second district congressman Fredenil Castro, who is also believed to be eyeing  the top Capitol post. Will Castro give up his gubernatorial ambition in favor of Bolante?   And, is Castro now willing to severe his ties with Senator Mar Roxas by going against the perceived reelection bid of incumbent governor Tanco who, it is believed, remains to be “pet” of the Roxases?

Indeed, will the senator and his mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas, “give” the Capitol post on a silver platter to a non-LP supporter?   I can almost imagine them protesting  in unison: “over our dead bodies!”

But what is surprising is the reported plan of former Panay mayor and now Vice Gov. Felipe Barredo, an LP stalwart,  to run for  congressman of the

Are Capiceños ready to ‘gamble’ on Joc Joc Bolante?

Okey.  We, Filipinos, in general, and Capiceños, in particular, have very short memories. We easily forgive and forget. But will this kind of mentality  work in favor  of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, believed to be the architect of the P728-millon fertilizer scam, when the controversial Capiceño from Dao, Capiz  finally decides to throw his hat into the political ring?

As of presstime, the buzz was that Bolante is  all set to run for governor in Capiz in  next year’s election.  Should this happen, he will face the likely candidate of the powerful Roxas clan — incumbent Gov. Victor Tanco,  who is expected to seek a second term under the Liberal Party.   Of course,Tanco alone could make himself win the election.  Though he  is popular and has charisma, still it boils down to such factors as enough  campaign funds and greater political influence.   And this is where the role of Sen. Mar Roxas ll and his mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas, comes in.

Bolante’s latest saga could actually be interpreted as a challenge not to Tanco but to the leadership of the Roxases in Capiz. Which means that any Bolante victory could be

All set for Nov. 5 Coop Month in Sapian, Capiz – Martin

        ROXAS CITY – The chair of the committee on cooperatives of the Capiz provincial board said that, except for some details, captivating Capiz is all set to celebrate the Cooperative Month on Nov. 5 this year to be hosted by the municipality of Sapian this year.

        Board member Enrique Martin disclosed that the provincial government has committed the amount of P150,000 as its share for the one-day celebration.

        Martin said that Sen. Juan  Miguel Zubiri, the  chair of the Senate’s committee on cooperatives, could not make it as a guest speaker of the celebration as he would be out of the country by that time.

        Local officials wanted Zubiri to be the guest speaker in this year’s Coop Month celebration to remind him of his promise a year ago that he would give P1-million assistance to each of the 16 towns of Capiz for their cooperatives.   

        In the absence of Zubiri, this year’s organizers are zeroing in on between a Presidential Management Official and Sen. Bong Revilla as guest speaker of the forthcoming Nov. 5 event.

        Earlier, Sapian Mayor Arturo Orosco and his executive assistant Lani Arnz Caberte said that the municipal government of Sapian is ready to mount the Nov. 5 event.

        In fact, Caberte said, T-shirts, caps and other giveaways were made available as early as September by the Sapian’s first lady, Evangeline Orosco.

        Martin said the organizers  of this year’s Coop Month celebration, which has its theme “Cooperatives: Breaking Through Barriers and Beyond,” will hold their final meeting on Oct. 25 at the office of Mayor Orosco to finalize all the details related to the celebration.

by Gerry T. Pagharion – The Capiz Times

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Capiznon Online talks about everything and anything you want to know about Capiz and Roxas City, its allure, its beauty, the latest issues being talked about, the happenings as well as the latest landmarks, recreational centers, watering holes and all the things that make Capiz truly captivating and bewitching.

‘Clean’ idea from ‘Mr. Clean’

        Gov. Victor Tanco wants this year’s clean and green competition (Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran) open to all local government units in the province without any distinction of income category.

        Regardless of their financial status (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Class), the municipalities would be put on the same level and evaluated altogether.

 

        And what else, Governor Tanco stressed at a conference that the evaluation should be un-announced in order to really determine the “innate sincerity” of the LGUs in living up to the values and goals of the GPK program.

 

        The program is so much relevant nowadays when the issue and problem of global warming cum climate change has cropped up , posing a serious threat to human survival.

        Governor Tanco, you’ve got a “clean” idea. (The governor has earned the moniker ‘Mr. Clean” for his flawless actions as public official amidst corruption charges against some erring legislators and government executives).

– Eavesdropping (The Capiz Times)

‘Dagway’ makes it as finalist in 21st Aliw Awards

      

Dagway Sigmahanon, Inc.

The list of finalists for the 21st Aliw Awards was recently announced by its president, Mrs. Rema Manzano. Included in the list for the Best Cultural Group category is the Dagway Sigmahanon,  a community-based theater from Sigma, Capiz.

        Awards night is slated at the Fiesta Pavillon of the Manila Hotel on Nov. 11.

        Dagway Sigmahanon, Inc or DSI, which has become the most-sought after cultural group in Capiz and in the country in recent years, is into advocacy on social issues through the performing arts. Performers are out-of-school youth, students and professionals.

Capiz National High School (CNHS) student wins Rotary Central’s speaking contest

“Voice of Our Youth” seeks to develop the students’ ability to form their points of view on a particular topic within a limited preparation time and to effectively convey their message to an audience in plain English

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Two students from  the Capiz National High School (CHNS) shone in the recent “Voice of Our Youth” impromptu speaking contest sponsored by the Rotary Club of Metro Roxas-Central.  The project was handled by  PP Ging Oquendo in collaboration with the Department of Education, Allied Bank, Philippine National Bank with Rotary Districts.

         From the 8 finalists, three emerged winners during the contest’s final round held Oct. 4 at the  Gaisano City Mall on Arnaldo Boulevard.  They are Thresdale Andrada (CNHS), first; Don Wade Comoro (Capiz State University), second; and Cara Micah Trogo, CNHS).

Food caterer says sorry to senior citizens; can’t also figure out ‘what happened’

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The caterer who prepared the food for senior citizens during the recent celebration of the “Senior Citizens Week” (Oct.1-7) has apologized for the alleged “food poisoning” incident but stressed that she, too, was baffled by the sad turn of events.

        Heloise de la Cruz Mendoza said that she and her husband have  been in the food catering business for many years.  But it was the first time that she was confronted with the “food poisoning” incident.