Perspectives in Antique
By Jun Escalona, Antique Bureau Chief

P600-M 'windfall' a false alarm, says the Japan embassy

Last few months, February to be exact, we published a story about the P600-M windfall from the government of Japan, and that the Governor called the mayors to a conference in Libertad. It was Fiesta time in Libertad then, and it was learned that no municipality should be holding an empty bag in the generous offer of that country, ostensibly for ports development.

The letter to the Governor from the Ministry of Finance of Japan, complete with official logo assured the governor that the development funding can be accessed in the form of long-term development loans through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The “official” letter was signed by Akira Ariyoshi, alleged Councilor and Director, Finance Bureau of that country.

Yesterday during a press conference, however, the governor announced that the letter was a fake. She had written the Embassy of Japan to profusely thank their government for the generous offer of assistance. Satoshi Ikeda, Financial Attaché and In-charge of Yen Loan in the embassy answered that the letter received on February 23 in Antique was fraudulent.

Everyone was flabbergasted to think that there is also such thing in Japan!

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Some Antiqueños had made good in other lands, giving their province honor and prestige. There is one from Tibiao, born November 5, 1954, who was an honor student in high school and was drafted in the U.S. Navy. After retirement from the Navy in 1996 he pursued a BSBA degree in one of the universities in that country. His scholastic rating is reflected in the book Who's Who Among Students In American Colleges , 1996 Edition, thus:

HECTOR IMPORTANTE MIGUEL – Poblacion, Tibiao, Antique : Waipahu Hi, Hawai Pacific University; November 5, 1954; m. Elisa; Born to Ananias and Policornia Miguel; Degree: BSBA Acctg. 1996; Hawaii Pacific Univerity, Super Leadership , National Leadership , AA actg;: Delta Mu, Dean's list; IRS VITA LETTER OF APPL; H & R Block, Intermediate Income Tax Preparation Certificate of Completion; mil: USN 20 years