Kidnap-slay victim buried

CEBU CITY (Updated 2:46 p.m.) -- Ellah Joy Pique was buried Sunday, 12 days after she was abducted and killed allegedly by a Norwegian national and Filipino nurse.

Pique was laid to rest at Pardo Public Cemetery in Cebu past 2:30 p.m.

Palace hails Donaire's knockout win

MANILA (2nd Update, 2:15 p.m.) -- Malacañang hailed the victory of Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire, who snatched the bantamweight titles of Fernando Montiel at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Sunday morning (Manila time).

"We are happy as this is another feather in the cap of our boxers. As you know, this is another Filipino pride," Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in her weekly interview over government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Donaire knocks out Montiel in 2nd round

MANILA (Updated 12:44 p.m.) -- Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. snatched the bantamweight title of Fernando Montiel with a second round knockout at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Sunday morning (Manila time).

The 28-year-old Donaire dominated his older opponent, dropping him to the floor at the second round with a devastating left hand counterpunch.

Execution delay 'an act of friendship'

MANILA (Updated 12:36 p.m.) -- The postponement of the executions of three Filipinos on death row in China resulted from a serious consideration of a "friend's request," the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Sunday.

China decided to postpone the executions of Sally Ordinario, 32; Ramon Credo, 42; and Elizabeth Batain, 38, after Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay's visit there last Friday.

Palace still awaits Binay’s report

PHILIPPINE government officials have yet to breathe a sigh of relief despite China’s decision to defer the execution of three Filipinos convicted of drug trafficking.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte said Saturday over government-run dzRB radio that the Palace is still awaiting the arrival of Vice President Jejomar Binay for more information on the matter.

Rama hopes with Saic’s current composition, probe on missing checks can continue

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama wants the investigation on the loss of Philhealth checks from the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) last year to proceed.

Rama ordered City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete to create a panel of investigators who, this time, cannot be labeled as judge and prosecutor.

Some lot owners affected by project may not get paid

SOME 221 lots will be affected once the road expansion project that stretches from Tayud, Consolacion to Liloan is implemented.

The number may even go up because some of these lots have been subdivided, said Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre.

Change versus continuity

TWO names will likely dominate the contest for the leadership of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter, which will hold its elections on Saturday.

Plastic ban ‘needs political will’

WHILE the Provincial Board (PB) is yet to conduct a public hearing on the proposal to prohibit plastics bags in Cebu, the town of San Francisco has been implementing a ban on the non-biodegradable materials since Feb. 1.

San Francisco Vice Mayor Alfredo Arquillano, who was honored by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) for his advocacy on disaster preparedness, said political will is needed to enforce the ban.

CUSW gets seat in protected landscape management body

A representative of a nongovernment organization has been appointed member of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape-Protected Area Management Board (CCPL-PAMB).

Socorro Atega, Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW) executive director, said the move implies support of civil society involvement in overseeing the management of CCPL, which is Metro Cebu's main source of groundwater.

Vendors to snub illegal fish catch

PASIL fish dealers are just learning the term “market refusal.”

This, as its members signed a memorandum of commitment, supporting the advocacy against illegal fishing.

Familiar faces return to City Hall

FAMILIAR faces are back in City Hall, this time as consultants.

During the regular session last Friday, the Cebu City Council approved the contracts of 16 consultants for the mayor and members of the council.

Brgy. Mabolo to give P3T assistance to each family along Mahiga Creek

IF the Cebu City Government will not give illegal settlers along rivers financial aid, then the barangay will.

Barangay Mabolo approved a resolution giving P3,000 to each house owner affected by the clearing of the Mahiga Creek by the Cebu City Government.

Fact-finding body given extension

THE four-man fact-finding committee was given 15 more days to finish its inquiry on the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the barangay infrastructure projects in Cebu City last year.

Mayor Michael Rama granted the request of the investigating team to wrap up their investigation on or before the first week of March.

Council secretary, dept. heads asked to coordinate

THE Mandaue City Council urged the department heads, particularly the council’s secretary and the City Budget Office, to closely coordinate with each other before submitting the annual budget to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for checking.

“May I request the (City Council) secretary before submitting the budget to confer with us,” City Budget Office Lamberto Marababol said during last Feb. 16’s council session.

Donaire tries to dethrone Montiel today

CEBU CITY -- Nonito Donaire Jr. continues his quest for superstardom as he attempts to dethrone one of his toughest foes to date, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas today.

After a huge upset over Vic Darchinyan in 2007, Donaire Jr. hasn’t been given the chance to go up against the top fighters in his weight division and had to settle for second-tier foes.

6-year-old kidnap-slay victim to be buried today

CEBU CITY -- Ellah Joy Pique will be buried today (Sunday), exactly 12 days after her abduction and amid her family’s worries that authorities aren’t doing enough to bring her killers to justice.

“Morag way hustisya diri kay kwarta may palihokon (There doesn’t seem to be any justice here, because money gets certain things done),” said Adelaida Caparada, the girl’s grandmother.

BPO’s exemption from night-shift ban pushed

MANILA – Senators want to amend a provision of the labor code that seeks to better protect women, especially those in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, working on graveyard shifts.

Senate President Pro Tempore “Jinggoy” Estrada, chairman of the Senate committee on labor, sponsored a committee report that aims to revise Article 130 of the Labor Code.

Ex-professor wins case against university

A FORMER instructor of Saint Louis University (SLU) won his labor case all the way to the Supreme Court (SC).

Jonathan Florendo worked as instructor for three straight years in SLU until the management decided not to renew his contract.

Council nixes fund support for marijuana areas

TABUK, Kalinga - The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) has questioned the livelihood funds for areas producing marijuana, saying such support seems to serve as incentive for farmers to engage in the cultivation of the illegal drug.

The RPOC meanwhile backed Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan's suggestion to transfer the administration of the support fund from the Dangerous Drugs Board to the Department of Social Welfare and Development -- the lead agency in the government’s poverty alleviation campaign.

Armm's experience won’t stop drive – Domogan

THE supposed failure in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) could be attributed more to the system of leadership and not on the set-up itself, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said in response to a presidential spokesman's pronouncement.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was quoted as saying that an autonomous set-up in Mindanao was a failure, but Domogan said this should not stop ongoing plans of drafting a third organic act for an autonomous government in the Cordillera.

Village chiefs urged to help in illegal gambling drive

MAYOR Mauricio Domogan last week called on village chiefs to be steadfast in aiding the local government in its drive against illegal gambling and vending.

Teachers, parents join beautification project

ITOGON, Benguet - Parents, guardians, mentors and PTA officers of Tuding Elementary School (TES) gathered themselves for beautification and cleaning activities within the school and its nearby surroundings.

This is also their community service, promoting environmental awareness and protecting the health of the pupils and their community.

IBP holds 13th national convention

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) will hold its 13th National Convention of Lawyers on April 7-9 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

The theme for this year’s event is “Living Up to the Standards of Integrity and Competence in the Legal Profession.”

Driver’s wife pleads for ailing husband

ADD Eduardo Magat, a former barangay councilman, masseur and off-and-on family driver, to the growing list of patients suffering from chronic or end-stage kidney failure.

Barangay chief John Dongla of St. Joseph village certified last week that the family of the 54-year-old patient, is financially drained, unable to sustain his medications, much less his twice-a-week hemodialysis treatment.

Rebels free cop

DAVAO CITY -- A police officer who was held hostage for 18 days by communist rebels holding talks with the government was freed Saturday, the rebel group said.

The release of police officer Jorge Sabatin came a day after retired army sergeant Mario Veluz was separately released in southern Philippines on Friday.

Toxic waste threatens seafood industry

MASANTOL -- The seafood industry in several villages here, including Barangay Balibago is threatened by the growing problem on toxic waste.

Barangay officials are worried about their main livelihood due to toxic waste coming from the Pampanga River.

‘Adopt a River’ program pushed

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Director Ricardo Calderon has urged the Provincial Board (PB) recently to push for the agency’s “Adopt a River” program.

Calderon made the call during the recent public hearing conducted by PB the Committee on Environment chaired by PB member Nestor Tolentino.

Lawmaker wants police numbers posted on PUVs

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Provincial Board member Tarcicio “Tars” DC Halili is set to file an ordinance that will beef up Capitol’s war against the rising criminality in the province.

In a recent interview with Halili, he said the growing crime rate in the province is alarming, and drastic measures should be implemented to protect Kapampangans from all forms of crime.

AFP commitment to world peace continues

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stands by its commitment to global peace with the continuing deployment of peacekeeping contingents outside the country.