LUCENA CITY – It was the end of a long political reign for the political family who has been holding this city in the palm of their hands for almost 2 decades with the poll victory of a close political rival from an equally formidable political clan.
Ex-city mayor Ramon Talaga Jr., wife Ruby Talaga, and sons Romano and Ramil all lost for various city, provincial and congressional positions they have chosen to run as political candidates in the recent local elections.
Rodel Aguilon: Lumikha-ng Pahinang DAGSAWIN
Matagal ko nang nadidinig na gusto daw akong kuning guest speaker sa paaralang kung saan ako ay nagtapos ng elementarya. Hindi daw ako masabihan ng deretsahan at baka daw hindi naman ako uuwi. At saka, baka daw galit pa ako, pabirong sinabi sa akin ng nagmamagandang-loob na gustong paratingin sa akin na nagpapahalaga naman daw sa akin ang Quezon Elementary School. Ang sagot ko naman ay bakit ako magagalit? O nagalit? O nagagalit pa rin?
Mahirap lang talagang umuwi at mahal ang pamasahe. Isa pa ay mahaba pa lalo ang biyahe kung lilipad ka na, ipapagmaneho ka pa at sasakay ka pa ng bangka. Hindi ko naman sigurado kung may mapupulot naman silang aral sa aking sasabihin. Mas masarap tuloy maging pari. Mas maraming gustong makinig ng sermon ng pari kaysa speech ng hindi naman kakandidato. Palibhasa ay wala namang gustong kumuha sa akin na maging guest na magmisa kahit kaya ko naman, ay di sige na nga kung mangyayari nga.
stories in my head…..
Joe Arrueges of Calauag, Quezon
Our personal encounters were few and far between. The first one I recall was in the late 70s when he was a top honcho at Jolly Benitez’ Ministry of Human Settlement. I could not recall what we exactly talked about as I was there in the company of my friend Tony Kalaw of the Development Academy of the Philippines. While Tony K was busied up somewhere in the labyrinthine office along Buendia in Makati, I went up to his room to introduce myself and while coffee was being served we had that first conversation.
LUCENA CITY—A former Quezon provincial board member and now a practicing private lawyer is asking the Commission on Audit (COA) to probe the questionable disbursement of funds by a non-governmental organization (NGO) supposedly set up by Quezon Third District Rep. Danilo Suarez to implement projects in Tiaong, Quezon, but whose beneficiaries apparently have not received funds.
Lawyer Sonny Pulgar wrote a letter request dated March 5 to Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, asking for a copy of the COA audit report regarding the disposition of funds of Unlad Quezon Foundation (UQF) which received P10 million from the Department of Agriculture .
Enverga vs. Suarez sa 2016
Scheming Old Man
Willie Enverga, the grand patriarch of the Enverga dynasty tried to pass one over the Alcalas. But his gambit was seen early on by the Alcalas and the old man is fidgety right now and is bent on breaking his alliance with the former.
The ploy of the wheelchair bound former governor is to get the assurance of the Alcalas that no one shall oppose his son Mark in his quest for his last and third term. Having beaten the former Secretary of Justice, Agnes Devanadera, the father and son believe that no viable candidate has the logistics like Agnes that can pose any challenge with the reelectionist congressman of the first district.
“No Person other than a Rider may use a whip on a horse, or otherwise strike it in any way, while it is under the control of the Starter before and during the start of any race… The Starter is there to ensure that each race begins on time and as fairly as possible, with each horse and rider given the greatest possible opportunity to perform well.” British Horse Racing Authority, Rules of Racing
“No Rules Barred”
Talaga Dynasty of Lucena City, “Bawasi!”
It is election season alright, but we are still at a distance to the starting line. The Comelec has rued that, unlike horse racing, it is powerless to crack the whip on members of one family running simultaneously in the coming elections in the absence of an anti-dynasty ban law; and it could not stop the early campaigners because while there is Fair Elections Act, the Supreme Court has not found anything wrong in premature campaigns.
The Cayetano Siblings
At 89, JPE is still in his elements: fighting some fights of his life. We have grown familiar with the man. For 46 years and counting he graces and continues to dominate the front pages and morning and evening newscasts. His adrenal gland remains autonomous, pumping the needed epinephrine in the midst of a constant brawl. He is our own Aaron Burr.
Vic Siman’s SUV’s shattered windshield (courtesy of Peewee Bacuno of GMA7 News)
In the aftermath of the Atimonan Massacre that saw 13 persons dead, attention is now focused at the Palace as to who is the well-placed protector of one of the deceased, Vic Siman. In one of the pictures taken by the NBI and the media, the Montero SUV where Siman was found dead sported a Malacanang Palace decal, proof that he has access at the Office of the President.
The Laguna Province Small Town Lottery franchise holder Ramloid Gaming Corp is owned by Don Ramon Preza of Tiaong, Quezon. That of Quezon Province STL is exclusive to Pirouette Gaming Corporation owned by Dona Rosario “Charing” Lee Magbuhos de los Santos and because of failing health is now operated by Eddie “Kabayo” Gonzalez.