Bulacan marks Del Pilar’s 167th birth anniversary
THE legacy of the country’s great propagandist, Gat. Marcelo H. Del Pilar, was celebrated in the hearts and minds of thousands of Bulakenyos (Bulacan residents) who commemorate the hero’s 167th birth anniversary at his monument in Barangay San Nicolas, Bulakan town on Wednesday.
First District Rep. Jonathan SyAlvarado exhorted everyone to set aside personal interest and be a good example to the younger generation and emulate Plaridel’s (Del Pilar’s pen name) heroism for them to grow as responsible citizens who value the sacrifices and deeds of the Philippine’s greatest heroes.
Last year, Alvarado filed a bill seeking to declare August 30 of every year as the Marcelo H. Del Pilar National Responsible Press Freedom Day. The bill is pending in the House committee.
Fernando said that Bulakenyos should be proud that they have a native son and hero like Del Pilar who played an important role in the quest for national freedom and independence.
Meanwhile, Gutierrez expressed the club’s call to the national government for the declaration of August 30 of every year as National Press Freedom Day in honor of Del Pilar’s birth anniversary.
He also encouraged the press
First District Rep. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado (2nd, right) leads the wreath-laying with Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando (right), Mayor Patrick Meneses (3rd, right), National Press Club president Paul Guitierez (left), Board Member Allan Andan (2nd, left) and Bulakan police chief Supt. Jaquilin Puapo. to practice responsible journalism and uphold freedom of information and expression, which are vital elements of a democracy.
Del Pilar founded the first bilingual newspaper in the Philippines— Diariong Tagalog—in 1882. He also advocated reforms during the Span- ish Era by publishing including the La Solidaridad which sought civil liberties for Filipinos. spokesman, said Bartolome was allowed to go on an overnight pass by his battalion head to visit his family. He underwent debriefing where he was tested “negative for crisis stress” before leaving the camp.
BATAAN POLICE SEIZE SMUGGLED CIGARETTES
BALANGA CITY, Bataan: Police confiscated from the house of Ronald Lopez in Barangay Pag- asa in Orani some 667 reams or more than 10 boxes of assorted cigarettes suspected of being smuggled from China. Police Officer 3 Joseph Mejia, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group investigator, said the seized items were variants of Marlboro, Marvels, Fortune, Mighty Jackpot. Mejia said what they found were only the remaining stocks of Lopez as most of it have been disposed of in various stores in Bataan. Lopez, however, denied knowing the cigarettes were smuggled saying he bought them from a Chinese supplier in Blumentrit, Manila. He said he is into the business of buying and selling of cigarettes to different stores in Bataan in the last two months. Also seized were an unlicensed caliber .38 revolver with six bullets.
SBMA EXECUTIVE APPOINTED TO KEY FINANCE POST
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT: President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Deputy Administrator Randy Escolango as deputy Insurance commissioner under the Department of Finance. His appointment was signed August 23. Escolango started in the government service as Clerk III (Civil case in- charge) at the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 4, Manila (1999-2002) and in 2002, established his own law office specializing as corporate and litigation lawyer. He also taught law subjects at Gordon College in Olongapo City. On May 4, 2010, Escolango was appointed as SBMA’s deputy administrator for legal affairs and held the position until October 19, 2016. The President designated him as officer-in- charge, administrator and chief executive officer of SBMA late last year. Escolango earned his Bachelor of Arts from the New Era University and Bachelor of Laws at Far Eastern University. In 2010, he completed his Masters in Public Management and his PhD in public administration in 2014.