Ablan Day and President GMA

RAIN OF FIRE
Cesar Bonilla

LAOAG CITY -- The recent celebration of Ablan Day in Ilocos Norte was significant since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was chosen as guest of honor and speaker. Rep. Roque Ablan,Jr..and family including Gov. Michael Marcos Keon with mayors, lawmakers, educators and students from different universities and colleges, elementary and secondary levels welcomed visitors.

Those given honors were Deputy House Speaker Eric Singson, National Defense adviser and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Rep. Victor Ortega of La Union, Secretary Gabby Claudio, Undersecretary Esqueta and the rest of the group.

President Arroyo praised the late Gov, Roque Ablan,Sr. as a revered son of Ilocos Norte responsible for the construction of hospitals, schools and giving quality education to poor students. The president expounded on different programs of her administration like upgrading of rural health units, primary hospitals and secondary hospitals for the people to have easy access to medical services.

I would like to recognize the kindness of two students of Ilocos Norte National High School Ma. Lourdes Natcher and Joelyn A. Macapulay during the occasion. One of them held my tape recorder during the speeches of prominent leaders, My gratitude to a kind and competent barangay kagawad in the person of Napoleon Uy for the lunch he sponsored at Max Restaurant where popular radio announcer Rene Paguirigan of DZEA was my companion at that time. Kudos to all!
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Ilocos Norte provincial board member Renato Peralta, a man of dignity, believes money could be immaterial as in the cases of prominent leaders like US President Barack Obama, Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, and Pampanga Gov. Ed "Among" Panlilio who rose into political prominence despite insurmountable odds.

Love can change the world and reconciliation is possible only if there is love, he said. Peralta narrated Ilocos Norte is generally peaceful compared to other provinces since recent incidents of violence in the province were considered personally motivated crimes and not necessarily high-profile.

Peralta served the government in various capacities as director of National Economic Development Authority in the region for so many years during the Marcos administration, acting governor and vice-governor and board member. He would like to use the golden moments of his life to help his provincemates. Good luck Sir!
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The “Dialogue of the five pillars of our judicial system” led by lawyer Richard Tumaneng at Renzo Hotel could help in prevention of violence like extrajudicial killings. The “pillars” include law-enforcement agencies, judiciary, prosecutorial service, correction and penalogy, and the community could provide solutions to remedy these problems to maintain peace and order in our society.

Tumaneng said at least two lawyers are killed every year in the performance of their duties and it would be difficult to seek justice in some cases because witnesses are afraid to come out in the open and testify. The president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines mentioned the Vicar General of the Diocese of Laoag in the person of Msgr. Danny Laeda as the one responsible in discussing "values forgotten" that could solidify spiritual and moral values.

Msgr. Danny Laeda in my short interaction with him voiced out the importance and due respect for life." An ounce of prevention is better than a lot of cure," he said. Everybody including the Church, family, school and the government should be united in stopping the menace of eliminating life. Nowadays, life is just like an ukay-ukay or baratilyo so there is a need to act before it;s too late, the good priest said.

Police Chief Insp. Jay de Guzman, representing Laoag City PNP Chief Supt. Sterling P. Blanco was he agreed with the opinion of Apo Laeda. He told us that the five pillars of the criminal justice system worked as a team to ensure peace and order in the community.

Tumaneng invited some respectable members of the legal profession like executive judges Conrado A.Ragucos, Angelo M.Albano, Phillip Salvador and Jonathan A. Asuncion, lawyers Ameurfina A. Respicio, Emilio Edgar Doloroso, Michael M. Garces, Cherry Grace Bareng, provincial legal officer Jaime V.Agtang, city prosecutor Lourdes M. Layugan, provincial prosecutor Melecio M. Felipe, lawyer Richard B.Baluciol Ms.Marieson R.Pastor,wife of slain lawyer Pepoc Pastor, Bonifacio Tagatac, provincial jail warden, Adelina Malasig of the Laoag City Parole and Probation Office and Emilia A.Agonoy, OIC provincial parole and probation officer.