By Gonzalo Duque

 

AS I’m writing this column, we were requested by our publisher that we submit our articles earlier.

But two rallies are to be staged on January 31st, one at EDSA calling for the impeachment of both Vice President Sara Duterte and President Bongbong Marcos. The other will be at the Philippine Sports Arena in Bulacan by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) to reiterate their support for the non-impeachment of VP Sara.

Wait, why is everybody so focused on the so-called sins of Sara Duterte because of the alleged misappropriation of her intelligence or confidential funds?

Another thing that should pre-occupy the INC is the supposed “HOPE” (Honest, Open, Peaceful 2025 Elections) as the COMELEC is about to implement the untested MIRU Technologies.

The COMELEC led by its chairman George Garcia has also been remiss in its duties in not anticipating the different Temporary Restraining Orders of the Supreme Court against the disqualification of a number of candidates for the Senate and Congress, thus wasting the precious money of the people — some P132 million worth of printed ballots that had to be discarded.

So, by the same analogy, if those people calling for the impeachment of VP Sara Duterte because of supposed P125 million alleged and unaccounted confidential funds, will it not stand to reason that George Garcia be impeached too as COMELEC chairman?

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The mountain of residual wastes of our beloved city of Dagupan is slowly but surely vanishing from the old dumpsite in Bonuan.

We understand that such residual wastes that piled up since the dumpsite came about in 1947 are being brought to the Metro Clark Sanitary Landfill in Capas, Tarlac using the newly acquired brand new dump trucks of the city.

This miracle would not have happened without the passage of Supplemental Budget No. 2 of year 2024 on November 5 last year, appropriating millions of pesos to buy four dump trucks and other materials needed for the clearing of the Bonuan dumpsite, which include a backhoe and a pay loader that will still be arriving soon. 

In the meantime, the agreement between the city of Dagupan and Holcim Philippines, Inc. is now being implemented in full.

This was done without interference, interjection, hindrance, obstruction and sabotage from the seven councilors of the opposition, Honorables Librada Reyna, Alvin Coquia, Marilou Fernandez, Celia Lim, Alfie Fernandez, Redford Erfe-Mejia and Irene Lim Acosta,

A snappy salute to Mayor Belen Fernandez!

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The mayoralty race in Urdaneta City is getting to be more exciting and suspenseful.

I was informed that the suspension order issued by the Office of the President through DILG had been derailed due to some technicalities.

The orders were served by DILG to Mayor Rammy Parayno when he was on sick leave beginning January 7.

On the other hand, the camp of Governor Mon-mon Guico contends that the sick leave of Mayor Parayno was not approved. Guico’s wife Maan is re-electionist Parayno’s lone opponent in the May 2025 election.

The suspension order had a merry-go-round because it was not received by Parayno himself.

So, the DILG just posted the suspension order at the entrance door of the office of the mayor.

Not succeeding in the effort to locate Mayor Parayno, and the said suspension order to be duly received by him and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, the DILG on January 13 served the suspension order as well as letters to Councilors Franco del Prado and Warren Andrada, designating them as acting mayor and acting vice mayor, respectively, and left these together with the suspension order on the table of the Sangguniang Panlungsod secretary.

In the meantime, the suspension order might be rendered moot and academic since we are already under the election period starting January 12, wherein COMELEC is in control of most government activities leading to the May 2025 elections.

In other words, if there are suspensions to be implemented, the COMEELC is the proper body to decide and implement any order.

So, as of today, Rammy Parayno is still the occupant of the city hall of Urdaneta until DILG can secure an exemption or approval of the suspension order from the COMELEC.

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