Nueva Ecija's Mariano to take Beltrans seat in the House

Rafael Mariano, the former party list representative of Anakpawis in the 13th Congress, will return the House to replace Rep. Crispin Beltran who died last May 20.

Cherry Clemente, Anakpawis secretary general, confirmed that Mariano is the party list's second nominee and would take Beltran's seat in the House.

Mariano, 51, a native of Nueva Ecija, first became a party list congressman in 2004, together with Beltran when Anakpawis was entitled to two party list House seats. He was then the national chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said there is no need for a special election for Beltran's vacated seat. He said that Anakpawis only needs to file a manifestation before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on what happened to its original representative and who will replace him. The commission will then issue a resolution naming the new party list representative and this will be presented to the House secretary general.

Makati Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" Binay visit Nueva Ecija

Makati Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" Binay was a frequent visitor of Nueva Ecija. He was welcomed by Novo Ecijanos last August, 2008 at the Nueva Ecija National High School (NENHS) Gym which was attended by close to three thousand people from across the province.

In his speech he reiterated his plan to run for the presidency this coming 2010, his declaration of intention was well received and applauded by all attendees.

Mayor Binay is the founder of the much vaunted United Opposition and Genuine Opposition (UNO-GO) that won mudslide the last 2007 senate election. He is also the president of the PDP-Laban, one of the major political parties of the Philippines.

Central Luzon Provinces and Cities

Central Luzon contains the largest plain in the country and produces most of the country's rice supply, earning itself the nickname "Rice Granary of the Philippines" and "Rice Bowl of the Philippines". Its provinces are: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Central Luzon Region is located north of Manila, the nation's capital. Bordering the region are the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley regions to the north; National Capital Region and CALABARZON to the south; and of waters of Manila Bay to the south; South China Sea to the west; and The Philippine Sea to the east.

There are thirteen cities which include: Balanga in Bataan; Malolos, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan; Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose in Nueva Ecija; Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga; Tarlac in Tarlac; and Olongapo in Zambales.

The City of San Fernando, in Pampanga, is the regional center.

Aurora Province was transferred from Region IV to Region III by Executive Order No. 103.

Cities and Provincial Governors

The thirteen cities of Central Luzon.

• Angeles City, Pampanga
• Balanga City, Bataan
• Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
• Gapan City, Nueva Ecija
• Malolos City, Bulacan
• Meycauayan City, Bulacan
• Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
• Olongapo City, Zambales
• Palayan City, Nueva Ecija
• City of San Fernando, Pampanga
• San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
• San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan
• Tarlac City, Tarlac

Incumbent Central Luzon Governors serving their 3 year term 2004-2010:

• Bellaflor Angara-Castillo - Aurora
• Enrique T. Garcia jr. - Bataan
• Joselito R. Mendoza - Bulacan
• Aurelio Matias-Umali - Nueva Ecija
• Eduardo Panlilio - Pampanga
• Victor Yap - Tarlac
• Amor Deloso - Zambales

Noynoy Aquino bows in Erap's birthday party

Stars come out for Erap's private birthday party

abs-cbnnews.com | 04/20/2008 9:53 AM

Showbiz friends and political allies of former president Joseph Estrada came out in force to attend his private birthday party at his Polk St. residence Saturday night, ABS-CBN reported.

Among the early arrivals were movie stars Boots Anson Roa, Amalia Fuentes and Eddie Garcia, followed closely by stars of the political scene John Osmeña, Senate President Manuel Villar, San Juan Representative Ronaldo "Ronnie" Zamora, columnist Ninez Cacho-Olivarez, Makati mayor Jejomar Binay, Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Mar Roxas, and Juan Ponce Enrile, former press secretary Rod Reyes, and former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza.

Although most of the attendees admitted they were only there to celebrate Estrada's birthday, there was still talk about his speculated presidential campaign in 2010.

Senator Loren Legarda, who also attended, was asked to comment regarding this and she smiled and said, "interesting."

Media was not allowed to cover the event.