The Ilocos Times

DAVAO CITY—Presidential frontrunner Rodrigo R. Duterte extended his hand of reconciliation to political rivals as he called for national healing following a bitter campaign in the race for the presidency that saw all candidates throwing mud at each other on May 10. “I would like now reach my hand to my opponents and let us begin the process of healing,” Duterte said in a well-attended press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, where he went straight after casting his vote at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Matina. Although acknowledging that the exchange of innuendoes is part of the election process in the Philippines, he admitted that the mudslinging during the campaign period was very intense and virulent. “Let us begin to forget, and let us be friends,” he said. The 71-year-old local chief executive is contesting the presidency against administration candidate Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas II, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and senators Mary Grace Natividad

Dan Steinbock , an economic expert affiliated with the Difference Group, gave a dynamic lecture on the future of global and emerging economies at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies’ first public seminar for 2016. Mr. Steinbock discussed trends in global affairs and finance that are important for the Philippines as an emerging economy to take note of. Odds are more uncertain in the post-2008 crisis world because the global order is less rigid. Mr. Steinbock said leaders must weigh policy choices holistically. Pure market analysis is not enough. There should be comprehensive consideration of not only the economic growth but also the noneconomic growth of both advanced and emerging economies. “If we advocate solutions that have worked in advanced economies to emerging economies, irrespective of their cultural context and history, you may have the best of intentions, but you maybe [mistaking] the way to help,” explained Mr. Steinbock. That is not to say situation

No high hopes for change A women’s research and training institution puts no high hopes on the election results to resolve the persisting violence against women (VAW). The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), which has been working for women since 1982, do not see a change in scenario with more spaces allotted to the rich and the powerful, even in the party-list system. "The party-list system has supposedly opened a space for the under-represented sectors.  But even this limited opportunity now accepts any group or party that will further push the marginalized sectors like women to the way side,” remarked Jojo Guan, CWR executive director. The Supreme Court has revised in 2013 the rules, allowing political parties and groups not representing marginalized sectors to run under the party-list system. Guan said, "Party-list groups need to provide legislation for the sectors that they represent.  So if the traditional political clans and businessmen dominate the p

The Capitol light show (PGIN) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—After a three-month long campaign season that ended with candidates and their campaigners a little darker and skinnier, the Ilocos Norte government staged the first of its kind lights show on May 8 to usher in the La Virgen Milagrosa festival. Launched in 2012, the La Milagrosa provincial fiesta features a series of events celebrating both classic and contemporary Ilocano culture while honoring Ilocos Norte's patron saint, La Virgen Milagrosa. Signaling the start of the celebration, a rainbow of lights illuminate d the entire facade of the neo-classical Ilocos Norte Capitol building on May 8. Preparing the light show (PGIN) As thousands of local, domestic and foreign tourists visit the province, the magnificent Capitol located at the heart of the city, with established water fountains on both sides became a constant attraction among tourists, where people never missed the

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Commissioned barangay ranger officers (BROs) have intensified the planting of mangrove propagules in Ilocos Norte covering at least nine coastal municipalities. Early this week, around 6,000 mangrove propagules were delivered at Barangays La Paz and Gabu in this city to rehabilitate and improve its existing mangrove plantations here. Hustler Garalde of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) under the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte said hundreds of BROs are assigned in various mangrove plantations located within the 155-kilometer coastline of the province. Aside from guarding the forests, the BROs also help in improving the state of mangroves here which serves as a breeding ground of fish and natural barrier to protect coastal residents should there be a storm surge or strong tidal wave. In Ilocos Norte, at least 80 percent of its population depend on fishing as a major source of livelihood, 10 p

Badoc mayor-elect Maximo Cajigal (in blue) is proclaimed. (Lei Adriano photo) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter BADOC, Ilocos Norte—Over the past 15 years, the Torralbas of Badoc, Ilocos Norte have ruled this town; the 2016 elections saw their downfall. Badoc Vice Mayor Thomas “Tom” Torralba, a former Badoc mayor himself, tried to reclaim his old post currently held by his wife, Arlene; but he toppled by former Badoc councilor and Liga ng mga Barangay president, now mayor-elect Maximo Cajigal. The incumbent mayor, ran for her husband’s current post but was also beaten by Mr. Cajigal’s running mate, Alwyn Rubio. The Torralba couple have been swapping positions as mayor and vice mayor of this town from 2001 to 2016. Mr. Torralba was mayor for three terms; while Mrs. Torralba had two terms as local chief executive. Mrs. Torralba was expected to finish her third and last term, after running unopposed in 2013, but the emergence of Messrs. Cajigal and Rubio forced

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter LAOag City —J/Insp. Herminigildo Rivera clarified that they have not given special treatment to any inmate detained at the Laoag City jail. Mr. Rivera, the Laoag City jail warden, made the clarification following the aborted transfer of two detainees to the New Bilibid Prison in Metro Manila. One of the detainees, Atty. Jaime Agtang, was supposed to be transferred to the national jail but due to health reasons, this was aborted. Mr. Agtang, former legal officer of the Ilocos Norte provincial government, was diagnosed with benign prostatic hypertrophy . Aside from this, he is also suffering from upper gastrointestinal bleeding and colon problems. Benign prostatic hypertrophy is an enlarged   prostate   gland. The   prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As the   prostate   gets bigger, it may squeeze or partly block the urethra. This often causes problems with urina