By LIWAY M. YPARRAGUIRRE

UNDERSECRETARY for Local Governance Antonio “Bebot” Villar Jr. has been appointed the new anti-smuggling czar of the country.

Villar’s appointment as Presidential Assistant for Anti-Smuggling (under the Office of the President) was signed by President Gloria Arroyo on May 21, 2007.

On the same date, Arroyo signed Executive Order (EO) Number 624 “Creating the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) to apprehend, seize, investigate and prosecute acts involving smuggling, importation and other similar violations, and providing measures to curtail smuggling and expedite seizure proceedings.”

EO No. 509 dated March 15, 2006 has been repealed. The Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group replaces the Task Force on Anti-Smuggling which was created through that executive order.

“I know this is a tough job. I am determined to do my best in order not to fail the President’s expectations,” said Villar as he thanked Arroyo for her trust and confidence in him.

Executive Order 624 states that “the prevention of smuggling and other related fraudulent practices against existing laws is one of the urgent concerns of the administration, an essential requirement in fact, for the success of the government’s economic reforms.”

It further stated that “the creation of a presidential body directly mandated and empowered to investigate and prosecute smuggling and other unlawful importation is necessary to effectively counteract this form of activities which are inimical to the economy.”

The Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group shall be under the control and supervision of the Office of the president.

It shall be composed of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, National Food Authority, Philippine Maritime Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Navy, Bureau of Food and Drugs, and the Bureau of Customs.

It shall also include other government agencies as may be determined by the PASG head.
As specified in EO 624, PASG shall be headed by a Presidential Assistant for Anti-Smuggling (with the rank of Undersecretary), to be appointed by the President.

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Ma. Rachel Jimenez Arenas, the unica hija of socialite and philanthropist Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas made history in Pangasinan in the just concluded elections.

Arenas became the first woman to be elected as congressman in Pangasinan.

But wait, how about Corazon Primicias of Sta. Barbara who sat as congresswoman also of
the third district in 1969? Some media old hands tell me Mrs. Primicias was unseated through the electoral protest filed by her opponent Fabian Sison. (I’m very sure of that said Kuya Ding Micua) and thus her claim can at best be debatable.

At the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where the Provincial Board of Canvassers were housed during the canvassing of votes. Mrs. Baby Arenas was unusually quite and glued to her seat praying silently when the results from San Carlos City arrived.

She was deep in prayer with her rosary while Rachel who was seated beside her was relaxed.

It was the overjoyed mother who shed a tear when Rachel was finally proclaimed as the duly-elected congressman of the third district, a doting mother from start to finish to the very young Rep. Rachel Arenas..