By Danny Estacio   GENERAL LUNA, Quezon – Quezon Third District also known as Bondoc Peninsula congressional bet and this town Mayor Erwin Matt Florido that his priority bill once he won this 2025 elections is to file a bill that would prohibit the use of tarpaulins and plastic banners as campaign materials by candidates, said during his campaign sorties. Florido said that apart from harming the environment, it is also unfair to all candidates. He added that in the present electoral system, wealthy candidates benefit because they can spread thousands of tarpaulins, often exceeding the campaign spending limits, and often falsifying their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE). He said that while candidates who are short of funds almost do not see any campaign materials on the streets. Because of this, the system becomes biased in favor of the wealthy. Florido said, “Instead of tarpaulins and plastic banners, a series of debates should be made mandatory for local and national candidates.” The candidates’ forum is where the true capabilities and platforms of each candidate can be seen, and the number of tarpaulins is not the basis for people’s votes. Using plastic campaign materials and the impact of this waste on our environment should not be ignored either—several tons of plastic waste are accumulated every election. Florido urges “we must change the way we campaign: make the distribution of flyers and leaflets, the use of online platforms, and attending debates and forums the main methods. This way, all candidates—rich or poor—will have an equal fight, and our environment will also benefit.”

Dalawang proyektong pang imprastraktura mula sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan na may kabuuang halagang P2.9 milyon ang magkasunod na pinasinayaan sa Brgy. Evangelista sa bayan ng Naujan, noong Abril 22. Pinangunahan ni Governor Humerlito “Bon,z” A. Dolor at kaniyang maybahay Hiyas Govinda Ramos-Dolor ang ribbon cutting ceremony ng P1.5-M halaga ng Day Care Center at P1.4-M halaga ng Multi-Purpose Building ng Farmers’ Association. Ang okasyon ay sinaksihan nina  Board Member Alely Casubuan-Tan, Board Member Fay Ilano-Navarro, dating Provincial Administrator Doc Hubbert Christopher A. Dolor at Barangay Captain Cesar Pedrozo. Taos-pusong pasasalamat ang ipinaabot ni Barangay Captain Pedrozo sa administrasyon ni Governor Bonz dahil sa patuloy at walang sawang pagkalinga at pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng kanilang barangay. “Sa pagkakataong ito ay ako naman ang magpapaabot ng pasasalamat sa ating mga magsasaka sa Brgy. Evangelista sapagkat dahil sa inyo may pagkain ang ating mga mamamayan”, ang mensahe ng Gobernador. Nakiisa rin sa naturang gawain ang ilang myembro ng Sangguniang Bayan ng Naujan at iba pang mga opisyal.

By Danny Estacio   TAYABAS CITY, Quezon- House deputy speaker David “Jayjay” C. Suarez announced on Friday the next growth area of development in the country in the Quezon Second District, particularly, the town of Sariaya. Suarez made this statement during the assembly of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials’ assembly of Sariaya town, at St. Jude Hotel Cooperative in Barangay Isabang, here. Suarez said that the option was being mapped out by the national government when he attended the business forum in Manila. The next business growth areas of development in our country in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), is the second district in the province, specifically the municipality of Sariaya, Quezon, aside from Clark. Suarez said that notably biggest investors in the country are now putting up their business in Sariaya, and that is why the town is soon to be a city, which is the priority of his new term for 2025-2028. Suarez is running for re-election and in his last term as representative in the district, and is unopposed. He urged the barangay officials to submit, before the May 12 national and local elections, their proposed projects in their area of responsibility. Aiming to immediately implement their projects as early as possible. He sought support from the barangay officials of the local candidates, the Gayeta-Maghirang team, and the Alona Party list for the coming 2025 elections. House Deputy Speaker David Jayjay C. Suarez (center) joins with the local candidates, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials of Sariaya, Quezon during the assembly on Friday, April 11, at St. Jude Hotel Cooperative in Tayabas City.      

 By Danny Estacio   CATANAUAN, Quezon- The people of Bondoc Peninsula district were disappointed after some district candidates failed to show up at the Candidates’ forum organized by the Gumaca Diocese on Sunday evening, April 6, at Enverga University gymnasium, here. Only this district will have candidates running for the position in the House of Representatives between re-electionist Rep. Reynante Arrogancia and Gen. Luna Mayor Matt Erwin Florido, but only Florido attended the forum. Organizers aimed to let the voters know the platforms of candidates, whether for the provincial boards that represent the district, and most importantly position for the House of Representatives. Arrogancia failed to attend, and the voters were deprived of knowledge about his development programs in the economic, infrastructure, social services, education, health, and livelihood that will uplift the living of the Bondoc Peninsula. Political observers said the battle between Arrogancia and Florido is just like David and Goliath. On the part of Florido, his presence on the forum is to prove that he is ready to face the issue and let the people know his platform, especially on poverty. The province’s first district Representative Mark Enverga, second district Rep. David Jayjay Suarez, and fourth district Rep. Mike Tan are unopposed for the 2025 national and local elections come May 12.    

The Criminal Investigation and Detectiion Group Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Unit together with the Provincial Intelligence Team of Lanao del Norte, Regional Intelligence Unit 10, 51st Mechanized Infantry Company of the 5th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army and territorial police units arrested a National Level fugitive, on April 4 in Barangay Poblacion, Sapad, Lanao del Norte, by virtue of Warrant of Arrest for Murder issued by Biñan City, Laguna court in 2006. CIDG Director PMGen. Nicolas Torre III, identified the arrested accused as Jalal, listed as a National Level – Most Wanted Person with P150,000.00 rewards pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular Number 2009-46. Jalal is wanted for the alleged murder of journalist Robert Ramos—a broadcaster for the Katapat community paper in Laguna- who was shot to death in Cabuyao, Laguna in November 2005. Ramos sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the head causing his instantaneous death. For almost two decades, the accused went into hiding and transferring places from Laguna to Lanao del Norte to evade arrest. However, he was pursued and collared by the relentless CIDG tracker team. I commend the CIDG Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Unit and joint teams for your unrelenting efforts and commitment to capture this fugitive. With this arrest, we have helped the victim and victim’s family attain the justice they deserve. Rest assured that your CIDG is steadfast in investigating all crimes involving our journalists and relentless in arresting suspects and fugitives to ensure a safe environment where all our journalists and members of media can work without fear of reprisal. This is a warning to all criminals and fugitives, your free days are numbered. The CIDG will catch you, wherever you are, added PMGen Torre III.    

CALAPAN CITY — Umabot sa 160 permanenteng empleyado ng Pamahalaang Palalawigan ang sumailalim sa dalawang araw na Mental Health: Emotional Intelligence and Positive Psychology Seminar na ginanap noong Marso 27 at 28 sa Vencio’s Garden Resort and Hotel sa Calapan City. Ayon kay Provincial Human Resource Management (PHRM) Officer Anna Marie DC. Reyes, habang ang mga empleyado ay nahaharap sa mga personal at propesyunal na hamon sa kanilang buhay, mahalaga rin na maunawaan nila at maangkupan ang kanilang emosyon pati na ng kanilang mga kasamahan sa trabaho. Dito pumapasok ang pagtataguyod ng emotional intelligence at positive psychology na makatutulong ng malaki sa pagharap sa mga hamon ng buhay. Naging facilitator ng naturang seminar si Dr. Gladiola A. Eje-Dimaculangan na Director ng Counselling at Psychological Wellness Center at Program Head ng Graduate School in Psychology and Counselling ng University of Batangas. Isinusulong ng pamunuan ni Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor ang adbokasiya ng Pamahalaang Nasyunal na pangalagaan ang mental health ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan. Alinsunod na rin ito sa Republic Act No. 11036 o ang Mental Act of 2018 at sa Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 04 o ang Mental Health Program in the Public Sector. Pinangasiwaan ang gawain ng Training, Education and Development Division na pinamumunuan ni Administrative Officer IV Angelica S. Eje ng PHRMO. (From PIO-Oriental Mindoro)

  Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized P272,000,000.00 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, during a buy-bust operation in Rizal province. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez said the estimated weight of the confiscated shabu is more or less 40 kilograms. On March 19, 2025 just before midnight, joint elements of PDEA Intelligence Service; PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region (RO-NCR) Regional Special Enforcement Team 2; PDEA Regional Office IV-A, Rizal Provincial Office; and the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PNP-PDEU) Rizal, conducted a buy-bust operation at Rizal Cement Village, Barangay Pantok, Binangonan, Rizal that led to the arrest of one drug personality identified as alias “Ronald”. Confiscated during the operation were 40 black gold foil packs containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, weighing approximately 40 kilograms. The arrested suspect will be charged for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Undersecretary Nerez commended the concerned drug law enforcement units for the high-impact operation. “Operation of this magnitude dealt a major blow to the supply chain of illegal drugs in the streets. There are more to come”, the Director General said.

Hindi naging hadlang ang maulan para maihahatid ang programang “Kalinga sa Mamamayan Libreng Gamutan” o Medical Mission para sa mga mamamayan ng Patnanungan, Quezon, noong Marso 18. Umabot sa 3,279 na residente ang nabigyan ng iba’t ibang libreng serbisyong medikal gaya ng medical ang check-up para sa bata at matanda, cervical cancer screening para sa mga kababaihan, libreng gamot, ECG, X-RAY, Ultrasound, CBC, FBS/RBS, Urinalysis, Uric Acid, Cholesterol, check-up sa mata at libreng pasalamin. Sinigurong mayroon din makukuhang serbisyo ang mga pasyenteng hindi available ang iniresetang gamot at inirekomendang laboratoryo, kung kaya’t sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) at Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) nakapamahagi ng medical assistance sa 314 pasyente sa nasabing bayan. Sa pagsusumikap naman na mas mapaigting ang serbisyong dala ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa pamumuno ni Governor Doktora Helen Tan, naging katuwang ang mga doktor at espesyalistang nagmula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas. Kaugnay pa rito, kasamang naghatid ng libreng serbisyo para sa may mga halagang hayop ang Office of the Provincial Veterinarian. Tinatayang nasa 49 ang nakapagpakonsultang may alagang hayop habang 135 alaga ang naturukan ng anti-rabies vaccine.