Saturday, November 12, 2005 (Philippines)

All allegations, no proof, says Cebu Customs collector Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang. She calls it a “demolition job” timed with the Asean Directors General of Customs international assembly.(Sun.star file photo) For Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, holding a congressional inquiry on the unsolved vigilante killings will simply be a “witch-hunt” and not in aid of legislation. He did not categorically say, however, that he will not show up if summoned, but does not believe the House probe is intended to discover the truth about the killings. He even joked that local reporters will be able to ask more meaningful questions from him than members of the House committee on human rights led by Akbayan party-list Rep. Etta Rosales, because “this is a local issue.” [full story]