Vice mayor wants street lights reset

ILOILO City Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III has asked the Panay Electric Company and electrical division of the city engineer’s office to switch on early the streetlights in the city every afternoon.

Espinosa said he received several complaints regarding the evening lights that usually start after 6 p.m.

Guv wants contractors to address riverbank erosion

THE Provincial Evaluation and Monitoring Committee (PMEC) unanimously approved a resolution asking the Public Works department not to accept the Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP) unless the problems raised by Pavia residents are resolved by its contractors.

The resolution was passed based on the suggestion of Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., who called the PMEC special meeting Friday at the Provincial Capitol to help address the problem on rapid erosion and scouring of riverbanks along Tigum River in Pavia, Iloilo.

Senator supports decision to deny Arroyo travel request

SENATOR Francis Pangilinan, an ally of the Aquino administration, has thrown his support behind a Justice department decision to deny Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo permission to leave the country for medical treatment.

"I think the former President should explain why she will travel to four countries when they say her health is poor," Pangilinan said in a press statement Friday.

Prisoner takes fellow inmates hostage

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO (Updated) -- A suspected mentally and emotionally disturbed inmate detained at the Pampanga Provincial Jail took Friday two of his fellow inmates hostages and threatened to kill them with a bladed weapon.

Provincial Warden Edwin Mangiliman and Provincial Administrator Andres Pangilinan Jr. identified the hostage-taker as Wilfredo Lorilla, 37, of San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

Curfew in Dagupan Muslim community to curb illegal drug trade

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan -- City officials, police, and Muslim leaders here have agreed to establish a curfew in Sitio Silungan, Bonuan, Binloc, a predominantly Muslim community in the city.

The curfew will also require anyone who enters the area past eight in the evening to present an identification card.

Remains of Pangasinan cop, wife flown to Surigao for burial

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The late Superintendent Lloyd Millan Sr. of Alaminos City was flown to Surigao del Norte by in-laws where he and his wife Cherryl will be buried.

Fellow police officers and friends of Millan remain distraught over his fate since even during his last day in Pangasinan, none of his immediately family visited his wake.

No truth to destabilization plots, says Army

NO DESTABILIZATION plots have been reported in the Philippine Army, its chief said on Friday, adding that officers and personnel "are too busy with their jobs."

Army chief Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz made these remarks after San Juan Representative Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito warned that six retired generals close to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are conspiring to overthrow the government.

No parole for crimes against children pushed

A PROPOSAL to deny probation and parole to convicts of crimes against minors is ready for sponsorship on the Senate floor.

Committee Report 59, signed by all members of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, will amend the Indeterminate Sentence Law to include offenses against children in a list of crimes disqualified from parole and probation.

Police to file raps vs 2 ‘NPAs’ over jail raid

POLICE in Eastern Samar will file criminal charges against two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who raided the province’s sub-provincial jail in Oras town recently.

Drug agency gets award from narcotic officers group

PALO, Leyte -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) received an award from the Philippine Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association (PNEOA) on October 10, 2011 at the Penthouse of Midas Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

The award was given during the grand launching and awarding ceremonies of the PNEOA in recognition for PDEA’s commitment and dedication as the lead anti-drug agency in the campaign against dangerous drugs as provided in Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

DOJ, Ombudsman urged to file court case vs Arroyo

A CRITIC of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima should immediately file a case in court if she wants to prevent the former President from leaving the country.

Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino said de Lima and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales should already take action on the numerous charges filed against Arroyo so that they can secure a hold departure order against her.

Aquino debunks underspending claims

CONTINUOUSLY criticized for his government’s slow disbursement of funds, President Benigno Aquino III said in an interview Friday on video sharing site YouTube that fiscal prudence is not underspending.

“The criticism is that we’ve been underspending. But it’s actually a question of managing the resources because we are talking about the people’s money,” he told Ross LeJounesse, head of Google Asia Pacific’s public policy and government affairs.

Search on for ‘Happiest Pinoy’

THE Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions (CLIS) has announced the opening of nominations for the 2012 search for the country’s “Happiest Pinoy.”

CLIS general manager Jonathan Batangan said that the giant pawnshop chain launched on October 20 the second year search, which aims to highlight the positive things that come with obtaining quality and affordable insurance—security, peace of mind, and ultimately, happiness.

Army chief refuses retirement rites

THE Philippines' Army chief has decided to forego traditional ceremonies for his retirement, saying that funds should instead be used to improve conditions of soldiers.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz will turn 56, the retirement age, on November 13, said the savings "could be used for worthwhile activities," including improving soldiers' conditions.

Bill seeks to strengthen, allot more funds for Aids law

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker is calling on the House leadership to swiftly approve a bill that would strengthen and allot more funds for the country's Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) law.

The proposed legislation filed by LPG/MA party-list Representative Arnel Ty and four other lawmakers will allow a fresh allocation of P400 million to fight the disease under the Aids Prevention and Control Law.

Ram's sister: My conscience is clear

MANILA (Updated 1:10 p.m.) -- The sister of slain actor Ramgen "Ram" Bautista who was tagged in his murder on October 28 denied involvement in the killing and said she was not abducted by the killers.

Maria Ramona "Mara" Bautista, in an interview over ANC Friday, said that "Malinis ang konsensya ko (My conscience is clear)."

Pempengco's killer faces murder raps

MANILA (Updated 10:56 a.m.) -- Police filed murder charges against Angel Capili, the suspect in the killing of international singer Charice Pempengco's father.

Capili admitted responsibility for the crime during inquest proceedings Friday morning at the Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Laguna.

100 rescued from capsized boat off Cebu

CEBU CITY (Updated 10:37 a.m.) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said about 100 passengers on board a motorboat that capsized off Cebu province were rescued Friday.

A radio report said RD Express was headed for Cebu City from Bohol when it capsized off Hilutungan Island and Cordova town around 2:10 a.m. Friday.

Man holds daughter hostage to win wife back

CEBU CITY -- In a bid to win his wife back, a security guard held captive his 15-year-old daughter for 17 hours inside their house and held off the police in Poblacion, Borbon, Cebu last Wednesday afternoon.

Anthony, 39, released his daughter unharmed on Thursday afternoon. His wife, Gina, reconciled with him and returned to their home.

Gullas wrangles P62M for 1st district

ASIDE from a City Government-funded diversion road, another road will be opened in Carcar City next year to decongest traffic near its rotunda and heritage sites, and cut travel time to other southern Cebu towns.

The highway from Talisay City to Carcar will also be widened to have one more lane on each side, Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas (Cebu, 1st district) said yesterday.

PUJ ban must be lifted: Young

CEBU City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young agrees with Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes over the need to lift the ban on Mandaue City public utility jeepneys in Cebu City streets.

Young, in an interview yesterday, said he and the Cebu City council have discussed amending City Ordinance 1837, which they consider as “anti-poor” for banning the jeepneys from Mandaue.

Guv considers banning PUJ driver who fought with Citom enforcer

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is considering banning a PUJ driver who had a fistfight with a female Cebu City traffic enforcer inside the Capitol compound.

Capitol allowed one-way traffic through the compound from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. while repairs on M. Velez St. were going on.

Body sets up budget hearing for live streaming on Internet

THEY may not agree on a lot of things, but Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the City Council both consider transparency in government a priority.

The council decided to make the first budget hearing scheduled today open to the public through online video streaming.

Where is Ruben Ecleo Jr.?

RUBEN Ecleo Jr., who is facing a parricide charge for the death of his wife Alona Bacolod-Ecleo in January 2002, reportedly no longer resides in San Jose, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte.

Prosecution lawyer Kit Enriquez told reporters yesterday that Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives in the Caraga Region returned the arrest warrant for Ecleo, the embattled Dinagat Island representative, to the court after a barangay captain in the town issued a certification to the CIDG operatives that Ecleo has not lived there for a year.

Local officials may face suit in int’l court

SOME public officials may face a damage suit in a foreign court for hurling what the defense labeled as “false accusations” against kidnap-slay suspects Bella Ruby Santos and her British boyfriend Ian Charles Griffiths.

The defense said counsels for Griffiths in London are seeking for “international writs” with the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court in England.

5 houses razed, 3 damaged in Bry. Tejero noon blaze

FIRE struck Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City yesterday.

Five houses belonging to Alberto Lahayhay, Diana Paraquilles, Arnel Deraco, Hernan Bayno, and Nestor Cantillas were razed.

Rama to thank PNoy for giving flyover issue an ear

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama wants to write to Malacañang and thank the President for the suspension of the flyover projects in Cebu City.

Rama told reporters yesterday he will be thanking President Simeon Benigno Aquino III and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson for “listening and understanding.”

‘Anti-crime body needs legal mind’

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia asked representations from the judiciary in the Provincial Task Force Against Criminality.

The governor believes that once the judiciary joins the team, possible problems in the complaint process may be discussed in their meetings, but not in reference to a particular case.

70 new cops reinforce CCPO

SEVENTY police officers from the Regional Public Safety Battalion of Central Visayas will be deployed in Cebu City stations.

This comes after the augmentation done by the Cebu City Police Office to increase police visibility in the entire city.

Man, 33, kills self

A PUJ driver allegedly killed himself in his house from depression on his friend’s death anniversary yesterday afternoon at Sitio Tayud, Barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

Carlos Martinez, 33, was seen by his live-in partner Escarlet Gabion sitting on the floor suspended with his neck tied in a red nylon rope to the ceiling.