Probe on ‘rampant mining’ in Samar sought

CONGRESSMEN from Samar Island are seeking for a congressional investigation over the reported rampant mining operations, which they claimed contributed to the recent massive flooding in the area.

The proposed congressional investigation, in aid of legislation, was signed by Representatives Mel Senen Sarmiento (Samar), Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar), Raul Daza and Emil Ong, both from Northern Samar.

Poll body receives recall petition vs 2 Samar execs

AN ELECTION official in Samar formally received a copy of the en banc resolution describing the petition for recall against two top provincial officials to be “sufficient” in substance and form.

Provincial Election Supervisor Corazon Montallana of the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Samar Provincial Office said she will serve copy of the resolution to the parties concerned as soon as possible as she only received the copy of the ruling against Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-Delos Santos and her brother Vice Governor Stephen James Tan just last Friday afternoon.

200,000 mosquito traps to be distributed nationwide

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will roll out 200,000 kits of mosquito traps nationwide in the next six months to prevent dengue fever cases in the country.

LGUs urged to back Aquino’s health agenda

HEALTH Secretary Enrique Ona encouraged local government units (LGUs) to support the health agenda of President Benigno Aquino III’s administration and in achieving universal coverage of all Filipinos in a period of three years.  

Norwegian, fiancée answer criminal raps

CEBU CITY (Updated 2:43 p.m.) -- The Norwegian national and Filipino nurse arrested for abduction and murder of Ellah Joy Pique asked Monday the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office to dismiss the charges filed against them.

In their counter affidavit, Norwegian national Sven Berger and his fiancée, Karen Esdrelon said it was "impossible" for them to commit the crime because "all the time our movement was only confined at the Norwegian school and at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino" last February 8.

Roxas in Taiwan over deportation row

MANILA (Updated 12:24 p.m.) -- Former senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II is now in Taiwan to ask for understanding over the deportation of 14 Taiwanese to mainland China.

In a television interview, Roxas said the issue on deportation is just a misunderstanding and issuance of an apology to Taiwan is not needed.

Energy exec: Visayas will have enough power

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has assured that Western Visayas will have enough power starting next month.    In press conference in Bacolod Friday, Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. said there will be an additional 500 megawatts power supply, which will be available starting March this year in the Visayas from three power plants that will become operational.

"That will certainly stabilize the power situation in the Visayas," Layug said.

10% ethanol blend in gasoline to take effect in July

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a circular mandating the use of 10 percent ethanol blend in gasoline starting July this year, with certain exceptions.    Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr., in his recent visit to the Negros Occidental province, said by February 2012, the government will implement the full E-10 mandate without any exceptions. 

Bago to host national folk dance tilt

BAGO City will host this year's Philippine National Folk Dance Society contest slated May 16 to 20.    Rosseni Mina, tourism officer of Bago City, said more than 600 delegates are coming to Bago City for the said event. 

Bacolod lawmaker files 67 bills in Congress

AS OF February 15, 2011, Bacolod City lone district Representative Anthony Golez has filed 67 bills and resolutions in Congress.

Of the 67, he authored 46 bills and two resolutions while he co-authored eight bills and 11 resolutions. 

City holds hearing on anti-vandalism bill

THE committee on laws, ordinances and good government of the Bacolod City Council conducted a hearing on the proposed Anti-Vandalism Ordinance recently.

School administrators from public and private schools, student government officials, representatives from the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) and Bacolod City Police Office attended in the hearing, Councilor Caesar Distrito, committee head and author of the measure, said.   They discussed the provisions of the bill and their respective roles and inputs on the proposed bill. 

7 arrested in Bacolod gay bar raid

SIX male dancers and their manager were arrested Saturday morning by operatives of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) during a raid in the BND Bar, a gay bar located on Lizares-Lacson Street in Bacolod City.

BCPO officer-in-charge Ricardo De la Paz identified the arrested male dancers as Michael Ian Ganac, 25, of 39-2 Bolton Street, Barangay 1-A, Davao City; Robert Gaudencio Oriente, Jr., 18, of Hibau-an, Manduriao, Iloilo City; Jayson Lauro, 24, and Aljin Lauro, 25, of Barangay Roales, Carmen, Agusan Del Norte; Romeo Lungay, 27, of Iligan City; and Ray Gabriel of Katuparan, Tondo Manila.

Gun replicas seized in Bago City

FORTY-TWO gun replicas were confiscated from nine stall owners by the local police in Bago City during its 45th Charter Anniversary Saturday afternoon.    Bago City police chief Rico Santotome Jr. identified toy gun owners Romel Precalen, Helen Dela Cruz, Gary Sarmiento, Michael Garcia, Gerald Adolfo, Boyet Rosanio, Junil Subo, Jay-r Dela Cruz and Romilo Zabala.      The sale or display of gun replicas, which is similar to the size, color or appearance of a real firearm, is prohibited in relation to the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Letter of Instructions 1264, Santotome said.   

MGB: No permit issued for miners

LARGE-scale mining operations within the Iponon Watershed in the borders of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental had no permit, a mine official said.

Engr. Paul Salise of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Northern Mindanao, said records showed that there were applications for exploration permits involving 14,256 hectares in the hinterlands of Cagayan de Oro City.

Police to monitor all ‘uniform’ suppliers

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) in Northern Mindanao enjoined store and uniform suppliers of police uniforms to impose strict disposal of the items Sunday.

Police Chief Inspector Regina E. Abanales, PNP-10 information officer, said the move is necessary to check on unscrupulous individuals who hide their identity using police outfit.

Misamis Oriental lawmaker glad over cityhood ruling

MISAMIS Oriental second district Representative Bambi Emano said Sunday the Supreme Court decision declaring the constitutionality of El Salvador as a city enhanced economic development of the area.

The High Court, for the fourth time, reversed its ruling and ruled that cityhood of El Salvador and 15 others, mostly in Mindanao, were constitutional.

Army keen in fight vs corruption

THE 4th Infantry Division in Camp Evangelista, here, signaled its eagerness to help the government in eradicating graft and corruption in the armed forces and the insurgencies in Mindanao.

This, after the 4ID took participation in the recently concluded graft and corruption and crime eradication drive launched by the volunteers against crime and corruption (VACC) over the weekend at the Poblacion, Laguindingan in Misamis Oriental.

Hundreds flee after Bulusan blast

SORSOGON (Updated 12:36 a.m.) -- Hundreds of villagers fled to safety Monday after the Bulusan Volcano here belched ash and smoke into the sky after a monthlong lull, officials said.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum reported the steam-triggered explosion was observed at 9:15 a.m.

Cut police investigators some slack, lawyer asks; contributors pool P210T

LAWYER Frank Malilong appealed to the public to “refrain from making any prejudgment” on the case of Karen Esdrelon and Norwegian boyfriend Sven Erik Berger, saying commentaries on the case may influence the decision of the prosecutor’s office.

“My position has not changed. I have always been very consistent. The case is now with the fiscal’s office. Let the prosecutors decide,” said Malilong, who attended yesterday’s funeral mass for Ellah Joy Pique at the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

Cardinal Vidal ‘would’ve wanted’ to keep security, but thanks military just the same

FOR many years, two members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) served as security guards to Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal during his pastoral visits.

But since the 80-year-old prelate stepped down from office last month, his security detail has been reassigned.

Donaire takes 2 world titles

LAS VEGAS—Nonito Donaire Jr. won the WBO and WBC bantamweight championships Saturday night in the United States, stopping Fernando Montiel with a left hook at 2:25 in the second round.

Donaire, a Filipino-American who made his bantamweight debut in December, controlled most of the fight against the Mexican champion.

5 hurt in Mandaue crash

FIVE people were injured in a road accident near a mall in Mandaue City yesterday morning.

A Mitsubishi Canter (GLF-439) driven by Romeo Hipolito, 60, hit a taxi (GWL-762), which Oscar Bartolo, 59, drove, PO1 Rolando Gelido said in a phone interview.

13T senior citizens have yet to get aid promised by City

AT least 13,000 senior citizens in Cebu City have not yet received their P4,000 financial assistance from the City Government, an official said.

Ten months after it was stopped, the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca) head Guillermo Casinillo said the City has not yet resumed the financial assistance to the elderly until now.

Balili children want P7.4M from sale of lot

THE four children of the Balili couple want the court to order the release of their P7. 413 million share in the sale of their parent’s property in Naga City, Cebu. The heirs – Louise Therese, Ma. Carla, Pocholo and Janette –asked Judge Ester Veloso on Feb. 14 to release their share of the proceeds of the sale of the Balili beachfront property.

Dave Villarin, counsel for the four Balili heirs, filed a motion to release a check worth P7,413,996.88, which represents the share of the petitioners in the estate of their father, the late engineer Luis Balili.

Free restrooms opposed

HOTELIERS and restaurateurs believe opening their comfort rooms to public use is anti-business.

This is in answer to the proposed ordinance that comfort rooms of business establishments should be open to non-clients as well.

Prosecution’s comment sought on reversal pleading

JUDGE Ramon Daomilas has ordered prosecution lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo to comment on the pleading that seeks to reverse the conviction of one of the two men in the killing of Ruby Jade Ruba in 2008.

Daomilas, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 11, gave Villagonzalo five days to submit his comment to the motion for reconsideration Noel Archival, counsel for Aivan Barabat, filed asking him to reexamine his Feb. 7 decision.

Rafi’s Kabilin earns role model award

THE Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi) received a public relations award for its unique heritage awareness program that showcases Cebuano history, culture and tradition.

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) recognized the “Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage),” an annual program wherein museums in Cebu City open their doors to visitors until midnight.

Council urged to settle boundary row

THE Barangay Labangon council urged the Cebu City council to finally settle their boundary dispute with Barangay Guadalupe.

Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia and his councilors passed a resolution, which was submitted to the Cebu City Council.

Only archbishop can decide on Lao’s fate

CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma has the lone authority to decide on the parish assignment of priests, says an archdiocesan spokesman.

Msgr. Achilles Dakay was referring to the case of Fr. Jonathan Lao, who accidentally shot a student from the Colegio de San Antonio de Padua in Danao City early this month.

Use fees to reduce waste, students suggest

BANNING or imposing a higher tax on the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags. Charging households and industries that exceed a specific volume of garbage a month. Providing protective gear for sanitation personnel.

These are among the recommendations made by the University of Cebu (UC) law students after conducting an assessment in the top five barangays in the city that dump the largest amount of waste in the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill.