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In Memory of Dr. Leo
I have not been able to update our news website for quite a while. I admit, my attention is more on our Facebook page. But promise you one thing, I will write again at least once a week.
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Bangued, Abra – Mila Valera, the influential wife of Bangued Mayor Dominic Valera and three of her body guards had been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
We all know how Typhoon Lawin devastated the Province of Abra. Millions of pesos worth of damages to crops, infrastructure and houses were reported. Abra was isolated during the typhoon. Powers and Communications were knocked off.
Two weeks ago, multiple sources indicated that Bangued Mayor Dominic Valera has been suspended for 3 months. This report came out just as the Mayor was vacationing in the United States.
San Diego, CA – “To the winners of this election contest, my heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to you all. It’s been 45 days of hot and divisive campaign that ended last May 9, 2016. To the victors, the future of the province and your respective towns rest on your shoulders…To those who failed, wish your opponents well in … Continue reading
First thing comes to mind; A TURNCOAT, and by definition, a person who shifts allegiance from one loyalty or ideal to another, betraying or deserting an original cause by switching to the opposing side or party. Turncoat can be translated to as Balimbing (maybe because this fruit has five faces) in tagalog. Politicians who do so, … Continue reading
(SAN DIEGO, CA). The “fat lady already sang”, the bar is closed and you have your last call for alcohol. You’re ready to go home , have a good night sleep and tomorrow you resume your normal life. You think?
First of all, I would like to apologize to all our readers for not updating the site during the election period. I did gave a blow-by-blow update on our FaceBook Page during election day.
I had the chance to observe the unboxing, set-up and testing of one of the VCM (Vote Counting Machine) located at Bangued West Central School. The Precint covers Barangays Zone 1, Zone 2 and Cabuloan.
the two dominant political party running under Team Asenso Abreno and Team Love Abra are throwing everything against each other including the “kitchen sink”.
by Artemio A. Dumlao Bangued, Abra – The citizens group Abra movement for Change (ABC) is calling on the political leaders and parties in Abra to put an end to the culture of violence and terror campaign tactics.
As I’ve anticipated, Abra is now under COMELEC control. This happened after tensions has escalated in the past 2 weeks leading to May 9.
This is my first time in many years that I actually at ground zero for the Abra Elections 2016.
Bangued, Abra. An administrative and criminal complaints were filed against Incumbent Abra Governor Eustaqui “Takit” Bersamin before the Ombudsman for violations of Sections 3 (a),(e), (g), and (i) of RA 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, violation of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and violations of Sections 84, 87 and 89 … Continue reading
One month before the May 2016 elections, the Vice-Governorship contest suddenly made a twisting turn. Former Bangued Mayor, Ryan Seares Luna, was granted bail paving the way for his candidacy.
By Monique Domingo Yes, we have come to this. The time has come for the youth to take a stand. Perhaps there really is an expiry date for caring about only the “I” and “my” matters. How do I look? How do I impress my friends? What shoe color matches my blue dress?
Bangued, Abra – Religious groups, the Abrenian Voice for Peace, along with the police, military, Commission on Elections (Comelec), Abra youth sector and other stakeholders the other day joined forces in the Unity Walk and candle lighting rites for secure and fair 2016 elections.
Just a few years back, the Bersamin and Luna camps parted ways and became bitter political enemies. They fought during the 2013 elections and there were even legal battles between them.
By RUTH ABBEY GITA SENATOR Grace Poe brought her campaign to Abra last week and promised to end the plight of 234,000 people residing in the province, a third of whom are poor, should she win the 2016 presidential derby.
The two most coveted positions (Governor and Bangued Mayor) in Abra for this coming 2016 Elections are being contested by two families. Two families who at some point where allies in the last elections.
by Abe P. Belena BANGUED, Abra—The Abra Electric Cooperative continues to bleed as debts incurred by resigned manager Marco Bautista have ballooned to about P600 million by early this year.
This brazen practice of politicians to pressure government employees during election should stop. Who can protect them? Let them vote freely. After all, we’re supposed to be in a Democratic Country. —
I met Gen. Antonio Viernes in person during my recent visit in Abra this year. Gen. Viernes, is from Langangilang, Abra. He has an impressive Education Background, a colorful career in the Military Service and served in the United Nations. He is a General who spend his career advocating Human Rights and Peace. How often can … Continue reading
(UPDATED 01/27/2016)Watch video interviews from three candidates for the lone Abra Congressional seat. Different background and some differences in their ideas to properly represent Abrenians in the national level. You decide…(Credits to Personal FaceBook Page)
Philippine Daily Inquirer, By Vincent Cabreza Inquirer Northern Luzon With a report from Leoncio Balbin Jr., contributor BAGUIO CITY—A congressional candidate for the lone district of Abra province and his father are facing a complaint for murders that took place more than 10 years ago.
Bangued, Abra. The mayor of the town of Lacub, Abra, Estelita Bersamina was suspended today, through a Sangunian Panlalawigan resolution filed by SP Bachiller.
By: Gabriel Cardinoza, Kimberlie Quitasol BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—Officials and Tingguian elders in Abra province have signed a peace covenant that they hope would address political violence in the province in the run-up to the 2016 national elections.
In the small town of Tayum in Abra, blood is thicker than politics, or just about anything.
The irony of it all, this killing happened during the celebration of the “Abra Week for Peace” ——- Abra is again living up to its name as “the killing field in the North” after the slaying on December 4 of the aide of La Paz town mayor Joseph Bernos.
The fight for Governorship in Abra just got a twist with an allege filing of disqualification case against Ruby Bersamin’s cadidacy on the basis that she didn’t properly renounced her US Citizenship.
by THOM PICAÑA Bangued, Abra: A Tineg town mayoralty bet, from an influential political family in Abra, mauled an officer-in-charge (OIC) barangay chairman in front of the provincial capitol here Monday morning.
This is one of the municipalities where the main protagonist fought it out in 2013. But this time with a twist.
The filing of COC (Certificate of Candidacy) has passed. We’ve seen a glimpse of what it’s going to be on May 2016 Elections.
A four-cornered fight has developed for the lone Congressional Disctrict of Abra. This position is quite important as the representative will give voice to Abrenians and lobby for the province’s needs at the National Level. Here’s our four candidates:
Who would ever thought it will come down to this? But again it’s politics…crazy things happen. For 9 years, the Bersamins and Valera/Bernos has maintained the political Status Qou, avoiding direct confrontation. But I guess something’s got to give. So here we are, a heavyweight bout featuring the top head huchos of each camp: Takit … Continue reading
I think this is the first time in Abra Politics that we will see two main women candidates fighting it out for the Governorship in Abra.
Anne Valera, the daughter of Ex-Governor Vicsyd Valera said her father was wrongfully accused. This according to a public post on her Facebook account. The young Valera was referring to the court decision where the Ex-Governor was found guilty in the Bersamin killing
By Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star) MANILA, Philippines – Former Abra governor Vicente Isidro Valera was sentenced yesterday to life in prison after being found guilty by a Quezon City court of masterminding the assassination of congressman Luis Bersamin outside a church in 2006.
BANGUED, Abra – The reported uncle of the congresswoman of the province and alleged brother-in-law of the municipal mayor of this capital town was arrested by combined police and anti-narcotics agents after having found in his possession illegal drugs and assorted illegal drug paraphernalia during a recent buy bust operation at sitio Linasin, Zone 1 … Continue reading
abrenian.com just got hold of the Commission on Audit (COA) Report for the Province of Abra for the year 2014. You can download it here 01-Abra2014_Audit_Report. You may also be interested in the Province’s 2014 Financial Statement here 02-Abra2014_FS This was the basis of an earlier report from rappler.com COA Finds irregularities in Abra’s 22 infra projects which stirred a … Continue reading
by Artemio A. Dumlao Bangued, Abra – Abra’s political battle in 2016 has began shaping up with former allies, becoming staunch rivals, though strange bedfellows also are running under the same ticket.
The projects involving roads, bridges and mass housing are worth P135.98 million MANILA, Philippines – Government auditors have questioned 22 infrastructure projects of the provincial government of Abra worth P135.98 million ($3.2 million), noting the lack of basic documents, lapses in bidding procedures, non-compliance with equipment requirements, and duplication of personnel.
This new ordinance was supposed to be in effect last week. But due to the lack of information, the police were distributing this flyer as a warning. No one has been arrested so far.
By Artemio A. Dumlao BAGUIO CITY – The House committee on Public Works and Highways will pursue its scrutiny on the 200-million Abra Provincial Hospital, one among the government infrastructures built by controversial Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation (HCC) being investigated for alleged overpricing and possible corruption.
This just in. The controversial new Abra Provincial Hospital (APH) can’t seem to shake the bad omen. After so many issues on the P200 Million Hospital, here comes another one.
TidBits
- By Dexter A. See La Trinidad, Benguet—The Abra police force seized last Saturday narra lumber worth P1.7 million and arrested four suspects in its continuing anti-illegal logging operations. (more…)
- twit from Jim Paredes after the first the first ever People's Meeting de Avance in Penarrubia. The event was sponsored by Restoring Electoral Integrity in Abra Mayor Geraldine Balbuena seems uninterested in this project. "Talo ka Mayor", according to Paredes. Jim @Jimparedes 5 May. It was a gd meeting & exchange between voters & candidates in Penarrubia Abra. To the incumbent mayor who was a no show, sorry. talo ka
- In May of 1847, Bucay was organized into a mission station and chosen as the the first Capital of Abra. As the easternmost town in Abra, separated from the foothills of the Cordilleras by the very wide Abra River and perched on the east high above it, Bucay became the natural choice for the pivot of the first line of defense of the Spanish against the “Tinguians” of the neighboring mountains. It was only in 1863 that Bangued became the new capital.
- The pharmacy in Bangued did not exist until the early Thirties. It was owned by Major Urbano Banez with his daughter, Lita, as the pharmacist. It was there where you could buy condensed milk, toothpaste and leeches (alimatek) for reducing blood pressure.
- The 'Usok' in Tangadan was built in 1934 and took 2 years to complete. During World War II, Allied forces tried to destroy the tunnel twice to impede the advancing Japanese soldiers. It did not totally collapse. It was restored in 1961 through the efforts of former Congressman Lucas Paredes who worked for the appropriation of over P200,000.00 for the tunnel's reconstruction and improvement.
- In the 2010 Congressional Elections, there were 5,735 ballots not counted because it was either invalid or blank. Joy Bernos went on to defeat Cecilia Seares-Luna by just 1,082 votes.
- Lagangilang, Abra. Four members of the New People's Army (NPA) died in an encounter in Barangay Cayapa. Three of the fatalities were women. According to the reports, the four were asking for food and recruting new members . Classes at Cayapa National High School were suspended because residents were afraid to leave their homes. This is the first recorded encounter with the NPA this year.
- Bangued, Abra. A reported shooting incident occured today in Agtangao Cockpit involving Popoy Barbosa aka "One Eye". Barbosa shot a certain Edwin but missed. According to reports, the shooting was due to some money (a mere P300.00). Barbosa is a known bodyguard of Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin.
- The greatest lie of all times: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you"
- On May 8, 2003 , the Soot Bridge was finally opened linking the towns of La Paz, Danglas and Lagayan to the capital town of Bangued. In attendance on this historic event included La Paz Mayor Israel Bernos, Governor Vicsyd Valera and Congressman Luis "Chito" Bersamin. Mayor Bernos credited Congressman Bersamin for working on the funds that finally completed the PHP130 million bridge.
- In 2006, Two prominent Political Figures were killed by assasins. La Paz mayor Mark Israel Bernos was killed on January 13, 2006 at the height of a basketball game during the town’s fiesta celebration and Abra congressman Luis Bersamin on December 16, 2006, in front of Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City on while attending a wedding. Both were supposedly eyeing the Governorship position for the 2007 elections.
- Politicians' Golden Rule "If you can't convince them, confuse them."
- Did you know? On November 23, 2002, barely two months after abrenian.com was launched, the first ever E-Petition was launched by abrenian.com to petition then Pres. Gloria Arroyo to "Stop the Killing" in Abra. The E-Petiiton was triggered by the assasination of Mayor Clarence Benwaren of Tineg on October 29, 2002. The E-petition, electronically signed by more than 400 internet users eventually found it's way into the hands of Pres. Arroyo on New Year's eve in Baguio City (Dec. 31, 2002) embarrasing the 3 top Abrenian officials (Cong. Chito Bersamin, Gov. Vicsyd Valera and Bishop Artemio Rillera). The three were present to meet the President.
- One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors - Plato
- Politicians would rather be impressive than honest. They let anyone else hold their pen when they are writing their story. Keep safe Abrenians!
- 'The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.' - Will Rogers
- Politicians and diapers have one thing in common: they should both be changed regularly… and for the same reason.
- [12/07/2012] Politician's Golden Rule: If the truth won't set you free, LIE...
- [12/04/2012] Eye in the Sky Report: Woman Killed in La Paz
- [12/04/2012] Eye in the Sky Report: Father shots son in Bangued
- [12/03/2012] Today's public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, and there is some evidence that they can't read them either.
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