SM City Baliwag to hold 2nd Kite Festival

SM City Baliwag  will hold a Kite Flying Festival today (February 24).  It will start with a forum and the kite making by 2PM.

Pulilan cops tracking bus for Valentine's Day Tragedy

MALOLOS CITY—  The Bulacan police is now tracking a bus that killed three men in a hit-and-run accident along the highway in Pulilan town on Valentine’s Day.

PO1 Russel Libunao, investigator of the Pulilan police station, said they are now in the process of analyzing close circuit television (CCTV) footages taken near the incident.

The said CCTV footage is also being compared with another set of footage taken from at least three interchanges along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).

“We got a big break on the case when we were given a copy of CCTV footages,” Libunao said in Filipino referring to footage from a business establishment along the Donya Remedios (DRT) Highway in Brgy. Taal, Pulilan.

He said the footages were recorded within the time frame when the accident occurred in the said area.

“We don’t have the license plates yet, but we are sure, it is a bus,” said Libunao.

He was referring to the vehicle that rammed a motorcycle along the DRT highway which resulted to the death of Lope San Pedro and Roberto Ortezo of Barangay Lumbac, and Artemio Pabroa of Barangay Dampol 1st, all in Pulilan town around 2:30 a.m. on Valentine’s Day.

Initial investigation said that a bus was heading west towards the NLEx when it hit the motorcycle.

Instead of stopping and bringing the victims to the nearest hospital, the said bus immediately fled the scene leaving the victims.

PO3 Rodrigo De Guzman, chief investigator of the Pulilan police station, said the witnesses heard a loud explosion moment after the accident and saw the victims lying along the highway.

De Guzman also added that a bus was seen fleeing the scene of the accident.

As this developed, the families of the victims demanded justice for the death of their kin.

One of them even asked good Samaritans to provide information about the accident, while others appealed for help from the passengers of the bus who witnessed the accident.

The victims were buried on Thursday.  Dino Balabo & Rommel Ramos

Bro. Eddie explains comeback bid

MALOLOS CITY—Televangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva explained his decision to run again for public office after declaring in 2010 that he would not run again.

In an exclusive interview, Villanueva said that in the interest of public service, one must not limit oneself.

“Kung may magagawa tayong tulong sa bayan, hindi dapat limitahan ang sarili,” he said.

Villanueva added that his declaration after the 2010 elections was meant not to run again for the presidency.

“Hindi naman presidency ang takbo ko ngayon, sa Senado ito,” he said.

The televangelist ran and lost in both 2004 and 2010 presidential races.

After casting his vote at the Bunlo Elementary School on May 10, 2010, he said that he won’t run again if he would lose.

Last December, he replaced Israel Virgines as lone senatorial candidate of Bangon Pilipinas.

On Monday, Villanueva launched his Senate bid at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium and cited better chances of landing in the magic 12

He said that for the first time, political leaders in the province stand in solidarity to support his candidacy.

During his proclamation speech, Villanueva was less than combative compared to his two previous campaigns.

He virtually praised President Benigno Aquino III, his conqueror in the 2010 automated elections.

“The economy is growing very fast because of the tuwid na landas of President Aquino, and we must seize the opportunity to keep that growth by supporting his programs,” Villanueva said. Dino Balabo

Bulakenyos saddened but admire Pope’s decision

MALOLOS CITY—Pope Benedict XVI resignation as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church drew sadness and admiration from Bulakenyo leaders yesterday.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva, the founder of the Jesus Is Lord Movement described the pope’s decision as a “supreme sacrifice” a sign of “selflessness” and said that it must be emulated by all other leaders.

“I salute him for that. It is a sign of greatness,” Villanueva said in an exclusive interview yesterday after the launch of his senatorial campaign at the Bulacan Provincial Gymnasium here.

A religious leader before entering politics, Villanueva said that the Pope’s decision is grounded on the Pontiff’s clear understanding of the power of the cross and  Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

“I read his two books, and he (Pope) has very clear understanding of the power of the cross and resurrection. 

Sana lahat ng leader ay katulad niya na hindi kapit tuko sa posisyon,” Villanueva said.

He added that leaders of any discipline must have a sense of selflessness, greatness and destiny.

“He said he cannot do his job effectively anymore, that is selflessness and other leaders must emulate him.”

Villanueva said.

For his part, former Gov. Roberto Pagdanganan also expressed sadness on the Pope’s decision.

“I am saddened, I thought he was doing well,” Pagdanganan said.

He also expressed admiration of the Pope’s decision and said it was a noble act.

“It is not only an act fo sacrifice, it is a noble act,” Pagdanganan said. Dino Balabo

Bulakenyos cross partylines, throw support to Bro. Eddie

MALOLOS CITY—Crossing party lines, past and present Bulacan political leaders yesterday came together in support of the Senate bid of televangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

This came as Villanueva, the lone senatorial candidate of Bangon Pilipinas, kicked off his campaign here which was also broadcast online.

“Walang ibang higit na kakalinga sa ating lalawigan kundi ang ating kalalawigan din,” said Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado in his opening speech endorsing the candidacy of Villanueva who came from Bocaue town.

He said that the Bulacan is approaching the threshold of fast pace development and the province needs the help of national leaders.

“We need allies in the Senate and our best bet is Bro. Eddie Villanueva,” said Alvarado.

The same was echoed by former governors Roberto Padanganan and Joselito Mendoza, now congressman of the third district, and Josefina dela Cruz, now  postmaster general of the Philippines Postal Corporation (Philphost).

All the above mentioned political leaders along with 92-year-old former governor Tomas Martin earlier signed a manifesto of support to Villanueva.

The same manifesto was signed by past and current congressmen, board members, mayors and vice mayors and councilors from different towns in the province.

For his part, Villanueva expressed gratitude for the support thrown in by his fellow Bulakenyos.

He said that it is the first time in the history of the province that political leaders cross party lines to support a single senatorial candidate.

“I am so grateful for their support despite the fact that they came from different political persuasions. They stand ten feet tall in solidarity to support my attempt to capture a Senate seat. The future of Bulacan is beyond politics,” Villanueva said.

During the launch of his Senate bid, Villanueva also unveiled his 3-E platform –”Ekonomiyang agresibo’t walang napagiiwanan; Edukasyon na napapanahon; Entrepinoy na masang Pilipino ang nangunguna at nakikinabang.”

He said the “3-Es” are needed in the growing economy in the country which he described as a result of President Aquino’s “tuwid na daan” program.

As founder of the Jesus Is Lord Movement (JILM), Villanueva noted the importance of moral leadership.

He said, “we need moral leadership. The bedrock of good economics is good politics.”

Bro. Eddie launches Senate bid at Bulacan Capitol

MALOLOS CITY—Televangelist and Bangon Pilipinas lone senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva is set to kick-off his senatorial bid at the Bulacan Capitol here today February 12.

Villanueva made the announcement over GMA Network when he was interviewed on the midnight program “Diyos at Bayan” early yesterday morning.

On February 12, I will kick-off my campaign at the steps of the Bulacan Capitol building with the political leaders of the province,” he said during an interview with TV host Kata Inocencio and journalists Jarius Bondoc of the STAR and Alex Tinsay.

Villanueva said that political leaders in the province of more than one million registered voters have joined forces to support his candidacy.

He said that even the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Bulacan Chapter pledged to support his candidacy regardless of political persuasion.

“Nagkaroon ng solidarity ang mga political icons sa Bulacan dahil sa desisyon kong ireperesent ang mga sagigilid na mamamayan sa Pilipinas,” said the preacher- turned-senatorial-candidate.

He added that another factor that contributed to the Bulacan politicians’ support for his candidacy is due to the province not having produced a senator since former Senate President Blas F. Ople from Hagonoy town.

Earlier, Villanueva filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as substitute to Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Israel Virgines.

The senatorial-bid of Villanueva will be his third attempt for an elective public post.

In 2004, he ran for President but lost to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; and in 2010, he lost to incumbent President Benigno Aquino.

In both campaigns, Villanueva launched his candidacy in Malolos City.

In the 2004 campaign, he launched his candidacy at the Bulacan State University quadrangle; and in the 2010 elections, he chose the historic Barasoain Church yard.

In an interview after casting his vote at the Bunlo Elementary School in Bocaue town on May 10, 2010, Villanueva said he would not run for public office anymore if he lost. (See video 2010 interview, won't run anymore  )

He did lose in the 2010 elections, and now Villanueva is staging a comeback bid through the Senate.

In the television interview yesterday, he said that he had bigger chances of winning, with 12 slots open at the Senate.

Villanueva said that he is targeting at least 15 million votes to secure a Senate seat, and vowed to push economic rights, and education of the people.

As this developed, Bulacan political leaders affirmed Villaneuva’s claim that he will be supported by Bulakenyos.

Board Member Michael Fermin, and Mayor Feliciano Legazpi of Norzagaray town vowed total support.

The same was echoed by Jose Rey Munsayac, the provincial coordinator of Bayan Muna, along with other candidates for provincial board member’s position like Jose Cundangan and Dax Uy.

Red Cross Million Volunteer Run 2 on February 10

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) gears up for the Million Volunteer Run 2 (MVR) on February 10, this year.

The Million Volunteer Run 2 is aimed at creating a culture of volunteerism in the country that will empower the people and the nation against all humanitarian challenges, especially in times of disasters. MVR was first held on December 4, 2011.

Registration is now open at the PRC headquarters on Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila and in all 100 Red Cross chapters nationwide. Online registration is also available at run.redcross.org.ph.

PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon, proponent of Red Cross MVR is grateful to all PRC partners who have given and continue to give their full support by promoting or by serving as sponsors of the event.

SM supermalls, a long time humanitarian partner of Red Cross in many of its endeavors, has played the MVR commercial in all its 246 cinemas in its 45 branches nationwide during the Metro Manila Film Festival from December 25 to 31 last year.

Focus Media, Light Railway Transit (LRT), Cybertizing, Mercury Drug Stores, Department of Public Works and Highways, (DPWH) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are also full supporters of the event.

Other MVR partners are National Parks partners National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Participants in the MVR 2 will be registered members of the Red Cross 143, a flagship volunteer program of PRC that recruits and trains 44 volunteers in every barangay – one leader and 43 members to serve as Red Cross humanitarian soldiers on the ground in times of disasters and other emergency.

The MVR 2 is open to all. It will be held in Metro Manila and other key cities in the country.

Construction of NLEX Harbor Link to start in March

MALOLOS CITY—The Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) is set to commence construction of the P10-billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link project by the end of the month.

This came as Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson led the ground breaking ceremonies for the multi-billion peso road project at the Smart connect Interchange in Valenzuela City yesterday morning.

The said project is described by officials as “one of the most important infrastructure projects of the year” and is seen to ease traffic towards the Port Area and Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela (Camanava) area upon completion next year.

The eight-kilometer road project forms part of the NLEx phase 2 expansion program being implemented by the MNTC, a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) of the Manuel V. Pangilinan led Metro Pacific Group.

Ramoncito Fernandez, MPTC president and chief executive officer, said that the project is a manifestation of their company’s strong and firm support for the public-private-partnership (PPP) program championed by the Aquino administration.

He said: “Harbor Link is a very good alternative to the C-3 Road and A. Bonifacio Avenue” which is being used by truckers and haulers that go to and from the Port Area.

For his part, Rodrigo Franco, president and CEO of the MNTC explained that the NLEx Harbor Link which will start from Smart connect Interchange in Valenzuela City comes in two segments that will connect the MacArthur Highway and C-3 Road in Valenzuela City and the NLEx Mindanao Avenue link.

Dubbed as Segment 9, the 2.4 kilometer portion linking the NLEx main to MacArthur highway in Valenzuela City is expected to be completed in 12 to 15 months, according to Franco.

The construction cost of Segment 9 is estimated at P1.5 billion to P1.7 billion.

Franco said that even before the completion of the 2.4-kilometer Segment 9, they will start constructing  the 5.65-kilometer Segment 10 which will start where Segment 9 will end.

He said that that Segment 10 which will stretch all the way to C-3 Road in Port Area will be completed within 24 months at the coast of P6.33 billion.

On the indefinite TRO on the Anti-Cybercrime Law: Stay vigilant and remain critical

As the Supreme Court indefinitely suspends the Anti-Cybercrime Law, the public must remain vigilant and critical about the dangers of the law, the manner it was approved, and on the overall, the stubborn position demonstrated by the Aquino administration in crafting it.

As human rights lawyers, members of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) maintain that there is a need to remain firm, steadfast, and even-tempered in our victory today in order to guard against any further breaches and violations of the people's right to freedom of speech and expression.

NUPL is counsel for petitioners for certiorari and prohibition, with application for a TRO, against the Anti-Cybercrime Law or RA 10175 in G.R. No. 203407