Educational assistance forms now available at GSIS Antique

Saturday, 18th May 2013

15-0 SWEEP GOOD BUT…

By: Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE complete sweep accomplished by the administration group of the Iloilo City government is a seal of satisfaction for the present dispensation but it does not mean that the private sector, especially the business group, will become fence-sitters in the next three years.

Ma. Lea Victoria E. Lara, Iloilo Business Club executive director, said the 15-0 score of the ruling bloc led by Rep. Geronimo Buenaventura “Jerry” Treñas and Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is an indication that the public wants continuity and stability in the city.

Aside from Treñas and Mabilog, other winning candidates from the administration bloc are Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III and Councilors Nielex Tupas, Lyndon Acap, Joshua Alim, Liezl Joy Zulueta, Armand Parcon, Rodel Fullon-Agado, Lady Julie Grace “Love” Baronda, Jose Efrain “Jay” Treñas, Jason Gonzales, Eduardo Peñaredondo, R. Leone Gerochi and Plaridel Nava.

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Jun Biron tells Tupas to retire

By: Tara Yap

DESPITE having all the resources of the national and provincial governments at their disposal , the Tupas clan failed to completely topple the Birons in Iloilo’s political landscape.

Former governor Niel Tupas Sr. of the Liberal Party had the backing not only of Senator Franklin Drilon but also of President Benigno Aquino III but it was not enough to defeat Board Member Hernan “Jun” Biron Jr. (United Nationalist Alliance) in the race for the 4^th congressional district seat.

Biron edged out Tupas by 3,517 votes after garnering 80,296 votes against the latter’s 76,779 ballots.

Votes from Biron’s hometown Barotac Nuevo, Anilao, Dueñas and Passi City boosted his victory despite Tupas’ surprising wins in San Enrique, Dumangas, Banate and Dingle.

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End of the line for Syjucos

By: Tara Yap

CONGRESSMAN Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco Jr. and his wife will end their 15-year rule in the 2^nd district of Iloilo province on June 30.

Syjuco lost to Pavia Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta in the May 13 elections in a three-way race with I-Care party list Rep. Salvador Cabaluna III in the 2^nd district.

“The people have finally been awakened,” Gorriceta said.

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By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique – Application forms for educational assistance is now available at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Antique branch. Likewise, it can also be secured from the internet through the GSIS website.

Leo Frigillano, manager of GSIS Antique, said they started accepting application forms since May 7 and they will continue until December 28, 2012.

This will give members the choice on when they will avail of such assistance, he added.

Recently, the GSIS launched its educational assistance program following the announcement of President Benigno S. Aquino III on Labor Day that the fund is available in the amount of Ph11.2 billion.

Frigillano said the educational assistance program is open to all active members of the pension fund, regardless of salary grade. They are entitled to Php 4,000, payable in five years at six percent interest rate.

GSIS disclosed that the monthly payment is only Php20 through salary deduction, and the first payment of the loan will start three months after the grant.

Applications forms should be submitted per agency or by batch to facilitate easy processing with transmittal from the office concerned.

“The way the processing is going on, considering the bulk of the application forms, where Antique has more than 1,000 applicants (in about 4 days of accepting the application), it will take us about five days of processing and three to five days before it can be credited to the ATM/ e-card account of the member applicant.”

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New old

May 18,2013 12:52 AM

By: Artchil B. Fernandez

And the winner is – the politics of the stomach. This is the verdict of the recently concluded national and local elections. Unprecedented vote-buying ruled the day. Vote buying had been around since the time the dictator Ferdinand Marcos made it a regular fixture in Philippine elections but in the last election it has worsened. Read more...

Various Roles of the Holy Spirit

May 18,2013 12:50 AM

PENTECOST SUNDAY

Gospel Reading: John 14:15-16.23-26

This Sunday the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Pentecost or the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples after the Lord’s resurrection (Acts 2:1-13). The term “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word pentekosté meaning “fiftieth (sc. day).” Fr. Roland de Vaux, OP – a prominent Biblical scholar – in his monumental work Les institutions de l’Ancien Testament (Paris 1958-1960), Read more...

‘Strike a match’

May 18,2013 12:48 AM

By: Juan L. Mercado

(FOR A post-election change in pace, we'll skip discussing PCOS machines, losing candidates, to economics this Sunday. It happens to be the end of the Easter season. Therefore, we're sending in a column on Pentecost written by Deacon Greg Kandra. You'll find Kandra's writing snappy and to the point. Enjoy. – JLM)

If you had to name one of the most quoted speeches of the 20th century, one near the top of any list would be the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy in 1961, with his call: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Read more...

Dynastic grip

May 18,2013 12:46 AM

By: RANIE Z. JANGAYO

YESTERDAY’S banner story of The Daily Guardian, “LP-backed dynasties maintain grip in Iloilo” clearly proves that the electorate does not give a hoot whether a candidate belongs to a political dynasty or not.

Meaning, the dynasties will continue to rule. Look at all the winners in the provincial local elections. Read more...

Saving the mills

May 18,2013 12:44 AM

By: Modesto Sa-onoy

FIRST, LET me reiterate my earlier announcement that I do not have a Facebook account so that whoever is using my name is a fraud. I hope my friends who get into this faked account can tell the owners that they are committing a crime for misrepresentation and misuse of the internet. There is such thing as a cybercrime.

I promised history buffs that after the election, I will again give time and space to articles dealing on history. Read more...