Jai-teng, the new game in town By Ermin Garcia Jr. FOR the uninitiated in the ways of illegal numbers gambling, jueteng was never licked because there was always a convenient legal response front for it. For too long, local government officials and police chiefs thought it was enough to disavow…
BSL’s “pet project” By Ermin Garcia Jr. IS Dagupan’s Mayor Benjie Lim for real? A PIA press release last June 4 quoted Mayor Benjie as having “expressed his desire to revive the landfill project in barangay Awai in San Jacinto town, which was his pet project in his first two…
The political scandal in Bani By Ermin Garcia Jr. “ONLY in the Philippines” is how I can describe the ongoing political scandal that now rocks the town of Bani. Where else can you find all the town’s elected officials being the subject of a petition for recall initiated by all…
When men are worthless By Ermin Garcia Jr. THE debate on the Reproductive Health BILL has gone bonkers. It has been reduced to name-calling and worse, to claims and counter-claims of what God is like, what makes a good Catholic or a Christian. From where I sit, it’s a no-win…
Another case for the Ombudsman By Ermin Garcia Jr. HERE we go again in Dagupan City. We are seeing another potential corruption case for the new Ombudsman to investigate. This time, a bigger bunch will likely be caught in the web of corruption, namely City Mayor Benjie Lim, with Councilors…
Guv Spines’ “staggered” option By Ermin Garcia Jr. THE decision of Guv Spines to endorse the “staggered payment scheme” as “recommended” by the Liga ng mga Barangay led by his brother, is clearly an indication that the controversial ordinance increasing the real property tax in the province by as much…
No more Mr. Cool Guys? By Ermin Garcia Jr. SOMEBODY punched a hole in the dam…and the oodles of money leaking out from the jai-alai operations are taking its toll on friends and allies in the Capitol! Just when I thought nothing could set Guv Spines and Bokal Alfie apart,…
Foolish brinkmanship By Ermin Garcia Jr. IT looks like Dagupan Mayor Benjie Lim’s “shared responsibility” vision is now nothing more than a quote better left forgotten. The “divided responsibility” is already there for everyone to see. Just when I thought lessons about good governance have been learned after the city…
A sight to behold By Ermin Garcia Jr. SOMETHING really good has happened in Dagupan City. The main tributaries are 99% clear finally of fish pens and other eyesores. Mayor Benjie Lim should take a bow although he must acknowledge it couldn’t have happened without a helping hand from Guv…
© 2026 Sunday Punch. Dagupan.
