Bank manager: 'Corona bank documents' are fake
MANILA (Updated 8:53 p.m.) -- Chief Justice Renato Corona’s lawyers said Monday that testimony from the past week may be stricken off the record if the photocopied documents attached to the prosecution's request to subpoena Corona’s bank records are found to have been faked.
Doubts on the authenticity of the documents were raised during the testimony of Philippine Savings Bank-Katipunan branch manager Annabelle Tiongson on the 16th day of the impeachment trial Monday.
City awaits trader to get back e-jeeps
THE Iloilo City Government is awaiting the appearance of businessman Larry Jamora, tasked by businessman Rommel Ynion, to get back the donated 10 units of electric jeepneys (e-jeeps).
According to Jeffrey Celis, spokesman of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, the inventory and inspection of the donated 10 units of e-jeeps are already completed.
Guimaras home to 21 migratory bird species
THE Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) in Guimaras, under the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), recently recorded a total of 21 migratory bird species in five identified sites in the province.
According to Guimaras Penro officer Jesse L. Vego, his office conducted a sampling in January 26-28 in five identified sites of Barangay San Antonio in the municipality of Nueva Valencia; Barangays Alegria and Sabang in the municipality of Sibunag; Barangay Suclaran in the municipality of San Lorenzo; and Barangay Getulio in the municipality of Buenavista.
Agriculture department to farmers: Plant corn early
THE Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas is urging corn farmers to plant early and take advantage of the mild La Niña for the first six months of 2012 as the weather condition is most favorable to corn production.
In 2011, the region posted a total yield of 310,328 metric tons (MT) of yellow and white corn in a total of 122,240 hectares.
US Embassy invites students to special writing tilt
THE US Embassy in Manila invites students from Western Visayas to participate in the writing competition called the America in 3D Kabataan Challenge.
The writing competition is part of the “America in 3D: A Roadshow in Diplomacy, Development, and Defense” program that will visit Iloilo on March 2-4.
Experts: Capitol building has no structural defect
The Iloilo Provincial Capitol building is safe and sound despite several noticeable cracks on its walls.
Provincial Engineer Gracianito Lucero said the inspection conducted by Architect Leonard Viado of WV Coscoluella & Associates and Engr. Filomeno Sanchez of R.S. Caparos & Associates last Friday showed that the Capitol building did not incur a structural defect following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake last February 6 that jolted several areas in the Visayas.
‘Goducate’ camp opens
ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. graced the inauguration and grand opening of Goducate Camp and Training Center (GCTC) in Barangay Sto. Angel, San Miguel, Iloilo last Friday.
Goducate is a non-profit organization, which intends to help needy Asians by equipping them with skills through trainings in agribusiness and livelihood enterprises.
GCTC has an area of 11.3 hectares characterized by rolling hills planted with mahogany, gmelina, mangoes, bamboos, and other trees and plants endemic in the area.
55 towns, cities included in 600 focus areas for budgeting
AT LEAST 55 poor cities and municipalities in Eastern Visayas were included in the 600 focus areas in the implementation of bottom-up budgeting, an approach that will incorporate in budgets of key departments the priority requirements of poor local government units (LGUs).
In a listing released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) this week, 22 of these focus areas are in Samar, 15 in Leyte, 12 in Northern Samar, and six in Eastern Samar.
Lawmaker favors High Court decision on Corona dollar accounts
A RANKING legislator in the House of Representatives has favored the Supreme Court (SC) when it issued an order restraining the Senate impeachment court on examining the foreign currency deposits of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.
House chair of committee on banks and financial intermediaries and Representative Sergio Apostol (Leyte, second district) said the High Tribunal made the right decision of stopping the Senate to require the officials of Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) to release any information regarding the five foreign deposits of Corona.
Tourism stakeholders told to improve facilities, services
LOCAL stakeholders in Eastern Visayas were told to improve tourism facilities and services in destinations, or else the region will be the least priority in the National Government’s promotional effort under the new campaign – “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”
Department of Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said the regions are “shifting its paradigm” this year from promotion to “preparing the house.”
Senate votes to abide by Supreme Court injunction
MANILA (Updated 4:27 p.m.) -- The Senate voted on Monday afternoon to abide by a Supreme Court injunction barring the disclosure of the details of Chief Justice Renato Corona's dollar accounts with Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank).
Voting 13-10, the impeachment court decided to hold in abeyance its subpoena on Corona's dollar-account records. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said, however, that the Senate reserves the right "to vigorously defend" the basis for the subpoena it issued last week.
Corona lawyers told to explain 'bribe try' claims
MANILA (2nd update, 3:37 p.m.) -- The impeachment court ordered Monday lawyers of Chief Justice Renato Corona to explain why they should not be cited for contempt over claims of bribe try by Malacanang to senator-judges.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the defense team should submit by the end of the week a written explanation why they should not be cited for contempt.
Corona lawyers ready to face raps over ‘bribe try’ claims
MANILA (Updated 1:11 p.m.) -- Lawyers of Chief Justice Renato Corona are ready to face contempt charges as they stand against naming their source on the alleged attempts of Malacañang to bribe senators.
Former justice undersecretary Ramon Esguerra said the lawyers are willing to be cited in contempt and even go to jail to protect their source.
Sanctity of family to highlight Totus Tuus Week
“FAMILY is the wealth of society. We cannot serve as children of God if we don’t know what it is to be a child… what it is to be born in a home, in a family,” said Rev. Fr. Jose Granados, SthD, vice president of the Vatican-based John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.
Fr. Granados issued the statement during a press conference to usher in the Totus Tuus Week celebration, which runs from Monday until February 20.
Almost 90,000 join Jam Step
ALMOST 90,000 participants braved Sunday’s early morning rain and simultaneously danced at the old Bacolod airport in the first 2.12.12 Jam Step event.
The event was organized by Ang Batang Pinoy, Bacolod City lone district Representative Anthony Golez and Jewel Mae Lobaton-Pimentel, wife of Senator Koko Pimentel.
Organizers reported an attendance of 87,700 students and physical fitness advocates who danced for 30 minutes, occupying almost entire the 1,300-meter runway of the old airport.
Education office clarifies role in Jam Step
DEPARTMENT of Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the central office neither issued nor endorsed any memorandum, circular or order requiring students to participate in the February 12 activity dubbed as “Jam Step.”
“I understand the confusion and concern this activity has brought about and appreciate your initiative in communicating with us to address these concerns,” he said in his letter to the City Council.
Luistro stressed that DepEd welcomes all activities that are in line with its thrust of developing students who are not only academically competent but physically fit as well.
Police to put up detachment in reforestation project
NEGROS Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo) chief Allan Guisihan said Noppo will establish a detachment in the reforestation project of the Provincial Government in the upper portion of Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, which had been reportedly intentionally burnt twice already.
“It is underway,” Guisihan said.
He said he has already discussed the matter with 303rd Brigade commander Colonel Oscar Lactao.
Guisihan said they are just waiting for the go signal from the Provincial Government for the putting up of the detachment.
COA puzzled on delay of Capitol-Ayala deal ruling
PROVINCIAL auditor Ernie Villa confirmed that his office has not yet received any decision or any communication from its national office regarding the contract between the Provincial Government and Ayala Land Inc. on the lease and purchase of the 7.7-hectare prime Capitol property.
“It is still a wait and see situation,” Villa said.
He added that if ever a decision has been made, it will be coursed through the regional auditor’s office.
He said he is also wondering why it has been talking quite a long period for the Commission on Audit (COA) central office to decide.
Aftershocks scare survivors from returning to homes
SURVIVORS of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Negros Oriental refused to go back to their homes because of the continued aftershocks, which can be felt not only in the area but also in neighboring provinces of Negros Occidental and Cebu.
According to Undersecretary Benito Ramos of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (NDRRMC), the survivors opted to stay in the open field rather than go back to their homes for fear that the aftershocks would cause their houses to collapse on them.
2 nabbed for illegal drugs
TWO drug suspects were nabbed in stakeout operation by operatives of Station 2 at 27th Lacson Streets, Bacolod City Friday evening.
Station 2 commander Police Senior Inspector Robert Dejucos identified the suspects as Joefric Omega, 21 and Romeo Monteflor, Jr., 27, both residents of Silay, City Negros Occidental.
Dejucos said the suspects were arrested in stakeout operation at 27th Lacson Streets at about 8:30 p.m.
Police recovered from them one improvised tooter and a motorcycle with plate number YI 1128.
7 arrested for illegal gambling
SEVEN were arrested in separate operations by Regional Special Operations Group, Stations 8 and 9 for illegal gambling in Bacolod City Friday.
The suspects were identified as Roperto Carlon, 67, of Purok San Roque, Barangay Tangub; Moises Gallinero, 24 and Almar Lariosa, 25, both residents of Barangay Pahanocoy, Vicente Arnado, 27, Peter Pasilan, 27, Ranny Lariosa, 34 and Leo Lariosa, 36, all residents of Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City.
200 avail of medical mission in La Castellana
TWO hundred adult and children availed themselves of the medical and dental mission organized by the Katilingban sang Naghiliusa (Kasanag) Inc. and Kasanag Youth League Pilipinas.
This was in cooperation with the Office of Vice President Jejomar Binay and the local government of La Castellana headed by Mayor Alberto Nicor Jr.
The medical mission was conducted last Saturday at Bipoy Hall, Barangay Robles, La Castellana.
SDL seeks ‘win-win solution’ over La Carlota tension
AMID the escalating exchanges of heated words and accusations between the members of the small bus SDL lines and its splinter group La Carlota City (LCC) Express, the former aired that they are for win-win solution.
But it quickly clarified that it is possible only when parties concerned listen to each other, deal openly not discreetly and treacherously, and come to the negotiating table and present their respective cards with sincerity and transparency.
BPO company to help City set up crisis center
CEBU City will have its own 911 or rescue hotline soon, Mayor Michael Rama said yesterday.
The mayor recently met with representatives from a business process outsourcing company, which will provide the centralized command center at no cost to the City Government.
Some residents in Ronda barangay refuse to leave danger area
CAPITOL’s Engineering Office has yet to check the reported cracks in the mountains of Ronda, saying the issue is not their concern yet.
Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre said the matter is the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
