Joavan eats CPDRC’s breakfast ration; pa visits

ACTING Governor Agnes Magpale said Joavan Fernandez will not be harmed inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), but he won’t get any special treatment.

Joavan was transferred to the CPDRC last Wednesday after he and two other companions were arrested in the southwestern town of Moalboal last Monday. They were preparing to board two pump boats for Negros Oriental.

‘Metro Cebu’ swindlers claim 2 more victims

TWO more complainants surfaced yesterday as police continue to search for the swindlers who issued bouncing checks to several stores in Metro Cebu last week.

Businessman Mark Loreto, 28, of Liloan, Cebu, said he lost five coffee vending machines worth P76,000 after the buyer who ordered the items over the phone issued a check that turned out to be of no value.

Cebu City Hall needs P70 million a month

IF THE City Council will have its way, the Cebu City Government will have to set aside at least P70 million every month for the allowances of barangay officials and workers, and the financial assistance for senior citizens.

City Treasurer Emma Villarete said the monthly release of the allowances and financial aid can be done if made through the distribution of cash cards.

City Hall needs P70M a month

IF THE City Council will have its way, the Cebu City Government will have to set aside at least P70 million every month for the allowances of barangay officials and workers, and the financial assistance for senior citizens.

Election bet’s female supporter shot, another killed in Tuburan

MORE than a week after the elections, supporters of opposing political parties in Tuburan, Cebu were shot in separate occasions this week.

The incidents — the first occurred last Tuesday and the second on Wednesday — prompted Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador to order police station chiefs of areas where there was intense political rivalry during the elections to hold a dialogue between opposing politicians.

COA answer on tour buses lacks specifics

AS the management of Capitol’s funds is the responsibility of the head of the Provincial Government, the Commission on Audit (COA) said that it is up to the acting governor to decide whether to pay the supplier of the Suroy-suroy buses given to the towns.

In a May 21 letter to acting Gov. Agnes Magpale, COA state auditor 5 Eva Cabrera said fiscal responsibility “resides with management” as provided under COA Circular 2011-002.

Mayor sued for vote-buying

DUMANJUG Liberal party mayoralty candidate Cesar Baricuatro filed a disqualification case against newly-elected Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia before the Cebu Provincial Comelec office on the day of the election on the grounds of vote-buying.

Baricuatro, in a phone interview, said Garcia gave the policemen of Dumanjug Police Station P10,000 each sometime before May 13.

Pelaez wants Radaza victory voided

DEFEATED mayoral candidate Ephraim Pelaez Jr. will file today a petition before the Comelec in Manila for the nullification of the proclamation Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza and her entire slate as winners in the May 13 election.

In a press conference at his mansion in Rahman St., Cebu City, Pelaez said Radaza and her camp engaged in terrorism, threats and intimidation against his supporters, and many of them failed to vote.

‘Drug addict’ uses kid as shield

A KNIFE-WIELDING man used a nine-year-old girl in Barangay Suba, Cebu City at 8 p.m. last Wednesday, to shield himself from pursuers.

Joy (real name withheld) was rescued unscathed, but hostage-taker Polinario Nanoy, who is allegedly a drug addict, suffered injuries after he was beaten up by the angry residents.

2 brods face drug charges

TWO brothers, who were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 for their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade, will face trial after they were charged by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Associate Prosecution Attorney Van Russel Inopiquez found enough evidence to indict Michael Cavan with violations of Sections 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs) and 12 (possession of paraphernalia), Article 2 of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Young stops demolition of a stage in Apas; Ayuman says it’s mere politics

CEBU City Acting Mayor Joy Augustus Young issued a cease and desist order on the alleged demolition of a stage in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Apas.

But if one had to ask Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman, there was no demolition, and Young and his supporters are just politicking.

3 Aspins to join in 1st dog agility tilt in Cebu City

AMIGA, a two-year-old asong pinoy or aspin, will be one of three aspins that will compete in the First Philippine Dog Agility Championships this weekend.

Aspins are not known to compete in agility contests but officials of the Philippine Dog Agility Association (PDAA) said this was only because of the lack of time that people spend on their pets for training and brain stimulation.

Philippine Army joins Brigada Eskwela in Cebu school

MEMBERS of the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army participated in Brigada Eskwela 2013 at Cebu City Central School (CCCS).

Headed by Technical Sergeant Mateo Piadop, the group helped in repainting, repairing, and renovating classrooms and one school bakery in preparation of the school opening this June.

Joavan transferred to CPDRC

CEBU CITY -- Two days after his arrest in Moalboal, Cebu early this week, Joavan Fernandez was transferred to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) Wednesday noon.

Inmates from the nearby Cebu City Jail applauded when they saw the Talisay City mayor’s adopted son’s arrival at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Target: 602 rooms

THE good news is that public school classrooms in Cebu City and Province need no major repairs. The bad news is that there still won’t be enough for all classes.

This year, government agencies set a target of 602 new classrooms for Central Visayas. So far, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has built 80.

OWWA hasn’t received any request for help from Taiwan

NONE of the almost 3,000 Cebuanos who are working in Taiwan have reported being harassed by the Taiwanese, according to the Office of the Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Some Filipinos were reportedly harassed in Taiwan after the Philippine Coast Guard shot a Taiwanese fisherman on board a vessel that encroached in Philippine territorial waters early this month.

School, with only 3 classrooms, mulls using gym for classes

BARELY two weeks before the opening of classes on June 3, the Candulawan Elementary School in Talisay City still lacks classrooms, tables, chairs and other equipment.

Its 10 classroom were destroyed by fire last March.

Gwen has 11 days to resume post

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will have a few days left to serve as governor after serving her six-month suspension.

Garcia was suspended last Dec. 19 for a grave abuse of authority case that was filed by the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez in 2010.

‘Electrical sparks’ start compound blaze

AN EARLY afternoon fire hit a residential compound in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City yesterday.

While fire officials have yet to determine the cause, residents of Sitio ESCO (Englis-V. Rama Social Circle Organization) believed it may have started from the electrical wirings.

BEI honorarium in the banks for distribution

THE honorarium of some teachers in Central Visayas who served as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) were already distributed, said an education department official.

Family holds rally for justice

AS THE filing of the complaints against the two persons involved in the death of shopper Mario Alfie Ducayag did not push through yesterday, the 23-year-old housekeeping student’s family led a prayer rally outside Metro Gaisano on Colon St., Cebu City.

City lawyer resigns ‘to rest’

CEBU City Atty. Joseph Bernaldez resigned immediately after the proclamation of Mayor Michael Rama.

Bernaldez submitted his resignation letter on May 15, just a day after Rama was formally proclaimed as mayor of the city, beating outgoing Rep. Tomas Osmeña by more than 6,000 votes.

Young suspends clearing operation, sets consultation with homeowners

ACTING Cebu City Mayor Joy Augustus Young has ordered to stop any clearing operation in Sitio Bato, Barangay Ermita.

“As acting mayor of the City of Cebu, I am directing you not to conduct or implement any clearing operation in the burnt area in Barangay Ermita until further notice,” the memorandum signed by Young read.

Winners seek mayors’ help

ACTING Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale called on all city and town mayors to work with the incoming provincial administration, while Governor-elect Hilario Davide III said that Rep. Tomas Osmeña may advise him, without intervening in Capitol affairs.

In yesterday’s 888 News Forum, Magpale said that of the 51 town and city mayors, at least 21 are allied with the Liberal Party (LP), where she and Davide belong.

DENR inquiry confirms damage to corals

DIVERS from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 found some damaged corals in an area where a tourist submarine briefly operated in Lapu-Lapu City.

The initial findings DENR released also showed that in Kontiki Wall, a popular dive site, only about 31 percent of its corals can be classified as in good or fair condition.

Prosecutor files cases of illegal possession of firearm, bullets vs Joavan

JOAVAN Fernandez is facing more criminal cases as he was carrying a gun and bullets when law enforcers caught him on a beach in Moalboal, Cebu last Monday.

Prosecutor Jerome Abarca of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office filed charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition (Republic Act 8294), and violation of the election gun ban against Fernandez before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 60 in Barili.

Team Rama’s fears ‘baseless’

POLL watchers need to watch carefully in the next elections.

This was the advice of Cebu City south district election officer Ferdinand Gujilde after Team Rama complained about the ballot box from a clustered precinct in Barangay Mambaling that was in the custody of the City Treasurer’s Office and two other ballot boxes from Barangays Luz and Cambinocot that were stored inside the canvassing center.

2 suspects in shopper’s death will be charged today: NBI 7

CRIMINAL complaints will be filed today against two suspects in the death of shopper Mario Alfie Ducayag inside the Metro Gaisano Colon last month.

They will be charged with murder and obstruction of justice before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office, said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 supervising agent Bernard dela Cruz.

Talisay policeman faces dismissal

A TALISAY City policeman is facing dismissal from service for allegedly failing to attend court hearings that resulted to the dismissal of a drug-related case.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office’s Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB) has recommended to charge PO2 Roy Lofranco for serious neglect of duty over his non-appearance as a prosecution witness.

Police, teachers prepare for class opening

THE Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) and the Cebu City Police Office are now preparing for the opening of classes in June.

All Cebu City Station Chiefs are instructed to coordinate with school principals.