“LAWS can embody standards; governments can enforce laws–but the final task is not a task for government. It is a task for each and every one of us. Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted–when we tolerate what we know to be wrong–when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy, or too frightened– when we fail to speak up and speak out–we strike a blow against freedom

ROBERT ‘Bobby’ F. KENNEDY
(Slain U.S, Attorney-General brother of the late American President John F. Kennedy)

PANGASINAN is not only rich in natural resources, it is also teeming with talented individuals who, together, could showcase a great performance deserving a niche in the world of arts and culture all its own.

Such is the gem that glows out of the fine and classic musicale of Pangasinan orchestras that are all too often tapped to provide entertainment not only in neighboring provinces but even in the big cities.

Pangasinan Orchestra was started by a clan in the small, agricultural town of Basista, now known as the hometown of famous orchestras. In the town’s Barangay Dumpay alone, seven orchestras are always being contracted for fine musical entertainment, especially during big fiestas and other significant occasions. Read more

By FREDDIE LAZARO

VIGAN CITY—A cow in Ilocos Sur became an overnight local sensation when it gave birth to a triplet calves on Monday.

The cow, owned by farmer Wilson Navarro, 37, of Barangay Biddeng Daya, Vigan City, is now the talk of the town after its astonishing birth delivery of the triplet calves. All the three male calves were normally delivered.

Unfortunately, the first calf died a few seconds after it was born as it may have been suffocated in his mother’s womb.
Read more

ALAMINOS CITY—An eight-footer rough-toothed dolphin was rescued last week by concerned citizens and personnel from the city government at barangay Baley-daan here.

Fishermen spotted the dolphin near an oyster culture farm while they were preparing to set out to sea.

The dolphin, later named “bayanihan” in recognition of the fishermen’s effort and concern for its protection, was first sighted swimming at the Lucap Bay area the day before.
Read more

LINGAYEN – The Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO) of Pangasinan facilitated the hiring of 13 job construction and industrial workers to giant corporations EEI Corporation and DMC Incorporated during the Special Jobs Fair held yesterday, January 31 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen.

PESO-Pangasinan Chief Alex Ferrer said that some 171 welders and 36 mechanical engineers qualified during the one-day Job Fair will immediately undergo training in Subic, Olongapo City as shipbuilding staff.
Read more

CAMP OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union—The Deputy Chief of the Philippine National Police asked the entire police force of Ilocos and Central Luzon on Thursday to restore the image of the police by being model enforcers and brave in their actions.

“Restore our moral authority, lead by example and make clear that hard challenges will not frighten us but call us to action,” PNP Deputy Director General Jesus Versoza urged the policemen .
Read more

Season’s Greetings

To Pangasinan STAR
Editors, Staff & Readers

From:

DR. FERDINAND S. PADLAN
DR. EVANGELINE F. PADLAN
DENTAL & ORTHODONTIC CLINIC

CLINIC ADDRESS:RM 209, 2/F Vicar Bldg.
A.B. Fernandez Ave.,
Dagupan City
523-5230

HOUSE OF ENGINE PUMP TRACTOR
THRESHER & RUBBER CONO,

“BRIGGS & STRATON KUBOTA YANMAR MITSUBISHI
KAUNLARAN KATO AGRICULTURAL FARM MACHINERIES

ALBERT Y. FUNG
GENERAL MANAGER

OFFICE : 522-0246 522-8304
BODEGA : 522-8332

Office Address:

No. 162 Rizal St.
Corner A.B. Fernandez Ave.
Dagupan City

THREE bills have been filed in the 14th Congress for “An Act Granting the Right of Reply and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”

 House Bill 162, sponsored by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara
 HB 1001, sponsored by Rep. Monico Puentebella
 Senate Bill 1178, sponsored by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

The bills seek to
 mandate an automatic Right of Reply
 require media to honor the Right of Reply
 impose monetary fines and prison terms for non-compliance

One bill even proposes a 30-day suspension on a media outlet’s franchise.

The Philippine Press Council, set up by the PPI to guarantee a news subject’s Right of Reply, opposes Right of Reply legislation on the following grounds

 Our constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press means, among others, that editors have the sole and final discretion of determining what to print on the pages of their publications.

The Press Council is authorized to require a member newspaper to publish a complainant’s reply, and can invoke penalties. However, the Press Council is a self-regulatory body and its sanctions do not include deprivation of liberty.

We are opposed to any form of State intervention in editorial matters. Passage of this Act will trigger further legislation threatening press freedom.

 Even if not all media fall under the authority of the Press Council, they can set up their own press councils or ethics committees, or cooperate with citizens media councils as in Baguio, Cebu and Palawan. Even if this does not materialize, there is still no justification for Congress to pass a law abridging editors’ freedom to decide the contents of their publications.
Philippine history records pendulum experiences ranging from suppression to liberty and back again. In 1986 we regained press freedom after 14 years of martial law. We do not want to go back to darkness. A society that does not have a free press is not a free society. Ultimately, the victims of Right of Reply legislation will be the public.

This will happen if newspapers start avoiding difficult issues for fear that failure to print a reply within 24 hours will result in jail time.

If you share our sentiments, we would appreciate if you would allow us to add your name, e-mail and address when we communicate with our Congressmen.

AGAPE MEDICAL CLINIC

DANNY A. CLARIDAD, M.D.
Certified Family Physician
Pob. Mangaldan, Pangasinan
Tel. # 513-0244
Cell. # 09205587366