Ex-environment agency man shot while jogging

A FORMER employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was shot dead by a still-unidentified motorcycle-riding man while jogging early yesterday morning.

Investigators from Macasandig Police Station said Alfredo Camacho, 51, was rushed to the hospital but died later while undergoing treatment. The shooting occurred at around 6:45 a.m. at the 30th-31st Streets in suburban Barangay Nazareth, where Camacho regularly jogs, police said.

Mayor's 'red light' zone nixed

A FEDERATION of groups advocating women's rights has spurned the proposal to create a "red light district" in Cagayan de Oro, where women engaged in prostitution can ply their trade without fear of arrest and where they can easily be monitored by the local health department.

The plan was broached by Mayor Vicente Emano, who has repeatedly indicated he was in favor of legalizing prostitution in the city.

'Rufus bill' to save Mindanao consumers

CAGAYAN de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez has passed a resolution contradicting the plan of the state-run corporation to sell its four remaining power plants.

Collector claims 'pork barrel' is too much burden

A LOCAL Bureau of Customs (BOC) official has blamed the burgeoning "pork barrel" in the senate and House of Congress for the tremendous pressure they've been dealing now in collecting revenues.

Hearing on plastics phase-out starts

QUEZON CITY - A House of Representatives panel started the hearing on the proposed phase-out of plastic bags as packaging materials filed by Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr.

Gonzales, who spoke in the House committee on ecology chaired by Laguna Representative Ramon Fernandez on Wednesday, said that the use of plastic bags significantly contributes to the amount of garbage that communities generate.

Army vows to 'cleanse' Arayat

ARAYAT - A military official based in this town announced Thursday that the days of private armed groups in various villages in the municipality are numbed.

Col. Gregorio Pio Catapang, commander of the Army's 703rd Infantry Brigade, said that they are now coordinating with the concerned local government units in identifying villages with presence of these private armed groups.

CDC extends support, commitment to Horsefest 2010

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) affirmed its commitment to support the 2nd Annual Clark Freeport Horse Festival 2010 to be held here on November 27 to 28.

The horse fest is part of the state-owned firm's aspiration to promote tourism within the Freeport and contiguous communities.

2 more Mexico officials to face raps

MEXICO -- Councilor Rex Calma said Thursday that at least two more officials here may soon face raps for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Export permit processing at Clark automated

THE Clark Development Corporation (CDC) is set to implement starting December 1 the computerized export documents processing called E-Export Documentation System (e-EDS).

Engr. Mariz Mandocdoc, assistant vice president for Regulatory Group of CDC, said the computerized system will expedite application and processing of export permits to three hours compared to the tedious current manual system where exporters have to wait for three days before permits are approved and released.

Police form covert unit vs robbers

ANGELES CITY -- Elements of Police Station 4 in this city have formed a special unit consisting of officers from the intelligence division who will go after robbers in motorcycles.

Chief Inspector Luisito Tan, Police Station 4 chief, said that the unit will monitor the movement of suspected holdup men and snatchers using motorcycles.

Execs: Sun.Star Pampanga part of province's history

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - As Sun.Star Pampanga celebrates its 15th anniversary Friday, provincial leaders unanimously said that the paper has since been part of history of the province and of Kapampangans in particular.

Governor Lilia Pineda said the newspaper is playing a significant role in public service particularly in disseminating accurate, fair and balanced information to the people.

The tears and joys of being a Sun.Star Pampanga reporter

IT WAS not just once that I thought of quitting my job. It was not easy being a journalist.

Two years back, I bravely told my political science teacher that I will practice journalism - I will write for the people. That sounds very ideal, yes.

CSF Alay Lakad set today

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government of San Fernando, headed by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, will launch today (November 26) an Alay Lakad aimed to generate funds for the city's scholarship programs for out of school youth.

Themed "Takbang King Pamagbayu, Yampang Karing Kayanakang Pilipino," this year's Alay Lakad will kick off at 6 a.m. at three different starting points, which are Petron Gas Station at Tagulod Del Pilar, Dolores Church, and Pampanga Capitol Grounds, respectively.

Farmers call for regulation, ban of imported meat

CEBU CITY -- A federation of farmers raised at a congressional public hearing Thursday the negative impact of the influx of imported meat into the wet markets has on their business.

They called for a regulation of meat importation or, going for the extreme, a total ban of imported meat in the country.

Pope mum on use of condom

POPE Benedict XVI “never approved (condom use to fight Aids) but he never mentioned about it.”

The clarification came yesterday from Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who just arrived from the Vatican City to attend the annual meeting of the College of Cardinals with the Pope.

City gears for more festive Christmas celebration

PUBLIC and private sector leaders have assured that the upcoming "Pasko Fiesta sa Dabaw 2010" is by far the best Christmas celebration the City Government can offer.

City Mayor Sara Duterte also said this year's celebration "is something to look forward to".

International group contests proposed coal plants

INTERNATIONAL organization World Wild Fund (WWF) on Thursday expressed strong opposition to the proposed coal plants in Mindanao.

WWF-Philippines chief executive officer Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan said, during the 1st Davao Biodiversity Summit, the local government and the National Government in general should adopt an energy system with mixed technology that does not only favor coal but also renewable energy.

Frequent reclassification of land use discouraged

A TOP official of the World Wide Fund yesterday discouraged local government units from allowing frequent reclassification of land use in their areas.

WWF-Philippines chief executive officer Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan encouraged local governments to develop a land use zoning plan and discourage constant reclassification of land.

Labor group pushes P125 daily pay hike

THE Kilusang Mayo Uno-Southern Mindanao Region (KMU-SMR) is pushing for a P125 daily wage increase for both government and private employees.

Man charged for trying to kill another

A VAN dispatcher in one of the mall terminals in Davao City has been detained after he allegedly stabbed another man at Bonguyan Beach Resort in Matina, Davao City, last week.

The City Prosecution Office recommended the filing of frustrated homicide charges against Laurence Tano, 22, of Sasa for stabbing Abel Mahilum, 23, of Rizal extension, who is still in critical condition at a local hospital.

Cop face dismissal for robbery charges

Cop face dismissal for robbery charges

A POLICEMAN allegedly involved in robbery incidents was arrested Wednesday.

Armed group torches school in Maguindano

AN ARMED group burned down a school in Maguindanao on Wednesday night.

Reports from the Cotabato Police Provincial Office showed the group burned down Bualan Elementary School in Barangay Bualan, Pikit around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Pangasinan allays fears of 'pseudomonas bacteria'

PANGASINAN -- Officials of the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City have assured the public that they have taken steps to prevent the spread of "pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria" in the hospital facility.

Palace goes slow on Freedom of Information bill

MANILA - President Benigno Aquino III appears reluctant to certify the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill as one of the urgent measures of his administration.

Secretary Sonny Colona, head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), informed the House of Representative committee on public information about Aquino's cautious stand in supporting the FOI.

Cortes says Cebu City didn’t inform him about implementation of Ordinance 1837

MANDAUE City Mayor Jonas Cortes will meet with Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to find a solution to the ban on public utility jeepneys (PUJs) from Mandaue City from entering Cebu City.

The Cebu City Legal Office also wants the Cebu City Council and officials of Mandaue City to hold a dialogue in order to settle the issue.

Binay allays fears of kin of OFWs

VICE President Jejomar Binay yesterday assured families of Filipinos working in South Korea that the government will respond quickly if the conflict in the Korean peninsula escalates into a full-blown war.

Binay, the presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFWs) concerns, said he has talked with the management of Cebu Pacific to ask for help in pulling the OFWs out if the military tension in the peninsula worsens.

29 homes lost in Alang-alang fire

FIRE struck the interior of Perez Compound in Barangay Alang-alang, Mandaue City yesterday afternoon, razing 29 houses and damaging three others.

Clergy group asks biz sector to ‘intervene’

THE Visayas Clergy Discernment Group wrote to four business groups in Cebu, requesting them to persuade the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) to sit down with its union to settle an ongoing labor row.

The letter was signed by Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and addressed to Simeon Chioson, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Gordon Alan Joseph, president of the Cebu Business Club; Eric Ng Mendoza, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Filo-meno Lim, president of Cebu Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

ABC polls should be declared a ‘free zone,’ says bry. leader

BUSAY Barangay Captain Eliodoro “Yody” Sanchez is disappointed with Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) for not considering him for the presidency of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC).

Sanchez also wants the ABC polls on Dec. 7 to be declared a “free zone,” hoping Osmeña won’t endorse anyone in the election.

Project to go on, Kepco or not

WITH or without Kepco coal ash, the Province will develop the Balili property, Capitol Spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda.

Sepulveda said the property will be developed into an industrial zone.