Mayor's driver faces raps for boy's death

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Authorities in Sultan Kudarat filed Monday homicide and frustrated homicide charges against a Maguindanao town mayor's driver who shot and wounded a balut vendor on New Year's Eve.

Complaints filed vs village chief

SOME councilors of Barangay Bakakeng Central in Baguio City filed complaints against their chairwoman for committing grave misconduct in office and abuse of authority.

The administrative complaints were filed at the City Council against incumbent Bakakeng Central captain Helen Miranda.

Jai alai bookies face arrest

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Arrests for operators of jai alai is imminent in the Valley, Provincial Police chief Wilben Mayor said.

Permits to operate two wagering station owned by Meridien Vista Corporation along Kilometer 3 here have already expired on December 31.

Councilor cancels snow show

THE snow show that was supposed to be staged until December 31 in time for the welcoming of the New Year did not resume following its dismal show last December 4.

Councilor Elmer Datuin said he has decided not to proceed with the snow show despite announcing that it would resume after improvements were done.

Compost machine transformers arrive

TRANSFORMERS needed to begin operation of the giant compost machines installed recently at the Irisan dumpsite were delivered early morning Thursday.

Baguio tourism rise felt

LOCAL tourism officials are optimistic that domestic and foreign arrivals in the summer capital are increasing.

Quiet time for Aquino in Baguio

WITHOUT much fanfare, President Benigno Aquino III celebrated his New Year's Eve in the Summer Capital.

Mayor hopes for a better year with council

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Mayor Greg Abalos is hoping for a smoother relationship with the local council this year.

Bishop confident in Aquino's administration

BENGUET Bishop Carlito Cenzon trusts the sincerity of President Benigno Aquino III.

Flashflood displaces 100 families

THE City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has provided relief assistance to families displaced by flashflood in Zamboanga City.

CSWDO chief Francisco Barredo said more than 100 families in the village of Putik, four kilometers east of Zamboanga City, have to evacuate to safer places shortly before 1 a.m. Monday due to floods.

Abu Sayyaf bandit arrested

A SUSPECTED Abu Sayyaf bandit was arrested in one of the west coast villages in Zamboanga City, the local police reported Monday.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) identified the arrested suspect as Habir Samlon Isah, who carries the aliases of Abu Usman and Abu Poy.

Man stabs pal over political plan

A MAN landed in jail after he stabbed a friend while on a drinking spree in one of the villages of Zamboanga City, police reported.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) said the incident took place on New Year's Day in the village of Tumaga, four kilometers northwest of the city.

Mayor orders demolition of illegal structures

ALL illegal structures, especially those along the diversion road and other main thoroughfares, will be demolished, said Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

In his New Year message to constituents over a radio program, Mabilog assured that the City Government will coordinate with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the demolition of illegal structures early this year.

15 co-terminus city officials allowed to work

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has allowed 15 co-terminus officials who recently tendered their courtesy resignation to continue serving the City Government.

Mabilog said the officials, mostly executive assistants, are experts in their assigned field who give direct inputs to the mayor in the planning and formulation of city development projects.

Bizman warns of power rate hike's negative effect

ANY power rate increase this year would spell a bad forecast among businessmen and investors, said an official of an influential business group in Leyte province.

Willy Julio, president of the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said the power rate hike could drive away potential businessmen and investors in Tacloban City.

Labor official lauds Eastern Visayas

A LABOR official lauded Eastern Visayas region for achieving a zero strike among workers for the past seven years, citing public and private tripartism as a major factor.

In his visit to the city earlier, Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Undersecretary for Labor Relations Hans Leo Cacdac said the region could be a "shining example" in the country for consistently achieving industrial peace for seven years in a row.

Water, sanitation program to benefit 22 towns

THE 22 waterless municipalities in Eastern Visayas will benefit from the water and sanitation program to be implemented jointly by three National Government agencies.

Exec worries unstable 2011 for mining

A TOP official of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) regional office is worried that 2011 would remain an "unstable year" for the mining industry in Eastern Visayas region.

335 families evacuated in Caraga due to floods

CARAGA (Updated 12:55 p.m.) -- More than 300 families from this Mindanao region fled their homes Monday due to continuous rains that triggered floods.

Magdalo leader granted provisional freedom

MANILA (Updated 12:15 p.m.) -- Detained Magdalo leader Nicanor Faeldon was released from detention Monday morning as he was granted a two-day provisional liberty by the military.

Faeldon was released after posting P100,000 cash bond on Thursday before two civilian courts. He had to secure the approval of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff before he be given provisional liberty.

Military: Holiday truce with rebels a success

MANILA (Updated 9:51 a.m.) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared the 18-day holiday ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) a success with minor breaches.

AFP spokesperson Jose Mabanta said the Christmas and New Year ceasefire was only violated twice by the communist rebels -- the first took place in Negros Oriental, and the second in Occidental Mindoro.

No storm, but keep umbrellas ready: Pag-asa

NO tropical cyclone threatened or affected the country as of yesterday, but scattered rains may be expected in the next few days, the weather bureau said.

Rains in the past two days were brought about by the northeast monsoon, said Luciano Villamor, a weather observer at the Mactan, Cebu Station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Cebu town mayor wants cop's apology

CEBU CITY -- If he won't make a public apology, Senior Superintendent Erson Digal will "face a barrage of cases" and the Medellin Police Station will lose "logistical support."

Among victims were those who used ‘Bin Laden’ and ‘Goodbye, Philippines’

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday there were fewer victims of firecracker-related injuries this year, compared to the previous New Year’s Eve.

Dr. Susana Madarieta, DOH 7 director, said there were 36 people treated for blast or burn injuries in Central Visayas. Of that number, 30 came from Cebu, while three each were in Bohol and Negros Oriental.

City Hall asks police to keep Sinulog safe, too

THANKING residents for their cooperation during the New Year’s Eve revelry, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama also said he was impressed by the way the police department kept the celebration safe.

Destruction of P3M in pyros upsets ex-mayor

BUSINESSMAN Brian Lim admitted he was upset when the police destroyed P3 million worth of pyrotechnics confiscated from his mall outlet, on orders of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Easy cash advances, lack of inventory spotted by COA

MALABUYOC town did not submit an inventory report of its properties amounting to P32.2 million, and it has “a weak internal control in the granting of cash advances,” the 2009 Commission on Audit (COA) report said.

The town, state auditors said, granted the mayor a cash advance for the freight and handling of one Toyota Hilux, to be used by the town’s police, even though under COA Circular 97-002, elective officials may only be granted a cash advance for official travel.

Vidal hits critics in New Year mass

CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal raised the bar in the debate on the Reproductive Health Bill during his New Year’s Eve message.

He lifted quotes from the World Day of Peace message of Pope Benedict XVI that dealt with the right to religious freedom and equated this with the right of the Catholic Church to teach moral principles.

Ship carrying smuggled rice still missing after 9 yrs.

NINE years ago, mv Great Faith disappeared at the Port of Cebu with P40,000 sacks of smuggled rice, an incident that turned into a political circus, attracting occasional intervention by religious leaders.

The House of Representatives spent money for congressional hearings in Cebu. Several officials and personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and businessmen were summoned to testify. But the mastermind of Cebu’s biggest smuggling scandal remained unidentified.

Electric coop to strictly enforce anti-pilferage law

THE Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) will strictly implement this year the anti-pilferage law, otherwise known as Republic Act (RA) 7832.