By ;LIWAY C. MANANTAN-YPARRAGUIRRE

POLICE Regional Director, Chief Supt. Leopoldo N. Bataoil announced in an interview last Friday that Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1) was adjudged as the best police regional office nationwide.

Bataoil attended the State of the Province Address of Gov. Victor E. Agbayani.

“I’d like to make it clear that it was a product of dedication, sacrifice and outstanding performance of our policemen on the ground. We, officers, just highlighted their accomplishments, ipinaramdam namin sa national headquarters that our officers and men on the ground deserved to be recognized.”

” I just orchestrated their accomplishments and I brought out the best in them. These accomplishments were appreciated by the national headquarters when it was presented to the validation team.” Bataoil disclosed.

The awarding ceremony will held on January 31at 2 p.m. at Camp Crame on the 16th Philippine National Police (PNP) Anniversary. The awards will be presented by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and PNP Chief Director Gen. Oscar Calderon.

“PRO-1 has a lot of good accomplishments. Truly the PRO-1 motto: Home of the community friendly policemen and the protector of the human rights, is imbedded in the minds and hearts of our policemen. This gives them inspiration to work and accomplish more nor only in the administrative aspect but also on operational,” he said.

He also credited his predecessor retired Gen. Alfredo de Vera as some of PRO-1’s accomplishments were undertaken during De Vera’s incumbency.
*****

Another firm and determined third district congressional aspirant is Rachel “Baby” Arenas. Last Saturday, Rachel and San Carlos City Vice Mayor Ayoy Resuello visited the BJMP district jail in San Carlos City.

Jail warden Chief Insp. Roque Constantino Sison said Rachel sponsored the cementing of the frontage of the two-storey jail building which now serves as the detainee’s recreation area. Seeing the set-up inside, she pledged support for the construction of a visiting area for the inmates to have privacy when relatives visit them. At present, visitors are let inside the detention cell and mixed with the other inmates when they visit a relative.

Sison thanked the Resuellos (Mayor Julian and Vice Mayor Ayoy) for their full support because of which the living condition of the inmates has improved greatly.

Forthcoming is the sports supplies and basketball stands and rings from Board Member Jolly R. Resuello, Provincial SK Federation president.
*****

Friday evening, Atty. Galant Soriano was the guest speaker at the joint induction of the Kiwanis Club of Sombrero Calasiao and Princess Urduja. Galant is also eyeing the same post.

His driving force: “I still remember vividly what my father who served as mayor of San Carlos and congressman had told us - Kapag dumating ang pagkakataon na kailangan ninyong iganti yong mga pagmamahal sa akin ng ating mga kababayan, huwag kayong mag-atubili at gawin ninyo. Palagay ko ay ito na yong pagkakataon, at nakikita ko marami pang dapat gawin, maraming dapat tulungan na mga kababayan natin. Naniniwala ako na malaki ang magagawa natin para makatulong at maglingkod sa ating mga kababayan .”

Did his desire to run come out naturally or was he pushed to run?
He said: “In politics, there are three factors that must concur, at sabay-sabay ito dapat. It must be the right position, you must be the right person and it must be the right time. I feel that this is the right position. I feel that I am the right person for that position, and I feel that this is the right time.”

He added: “I think these three factors concur in my situation. I never knew it was there, awakening lang. But then I realized some time July na andun pala yon. That’s why I made an announcement last September 23 that I will be seeking an elective post.”

Of such epiphanies are public servants convinced to run for office..