Wednesday, February 09, 2005 (Philippines)

Grounded to a wheelchair after injuring his foot in an accident, former environment secretary and art enthusiast Heherson Alvarez chats with reporters at the Supreme Court (SC) building last February 7. A photo exhibit on Mindanao was being sponsored by the High Court. (Sun.Star Manila/Benjamin Pulta) MALACANANG said Tuesday that Silvestre Bello III, government peace panel chairman in negotiations with communist rebels, will be replaced and appointed as chairman of the Philippine National Oil Company-Development Management Corp. (PNOC-DMC). Press secretary and presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye made the announcement following reports that Bello would be replaced for being "too soft" on the rebels. [full story]