Children laws hamper police work vs TBS gang

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

PRESENT laws governing children in conflict with the law are affecting efforts by law enforcers to bring them to justice for the crimes they committed.

‘They bathed with blood of victim’

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

SIMILAR to satanic cult rituals, members of the notorious TBS-13 bathed themselves with the blood of a taxi driver who hailed from Guimaras province.

‘San Enrique 17’ cleared in illegal firearms case

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office (IPPO) dismissed the criminal charges against the so-called “San Enrique 17” who were accused of carrying illegal firearms last May 10 elections in San Enrique, Iloilo.

Arrogance



Heavily armed security guards of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) gestures for members of the Iloilo media to get out of the building and blocked them from accompanying Atty. Gerry Sumaculub, chief sheriff, to serve the temporary restraining order Wednesday afternoon.  (Photo by Tara Yap)


By Francis Allan L. Angelo
The Daily Guardian/November 25, 2010
YESTERDAY’S display of arrogance by the management of Metro Iloilo Water District towards legitimate media practitioners is an insult to democracy and a big slap on the Aquino administration which acknowledges the public as its boss.

EVIL RITES

Beware of TBS gang

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Police Regional Office (PRO-6) warned parents and schools to prevent student hooliganism following the death of a taxi driver in the hands of three teenage gangsters Tuesday.

MIWD management defiant, courting contempt

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE management team of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) will not recognize the board of directors despite a court order restraining the interim board.

Coal plant’s ambient air within standards

By Tara Yap

THE ambient air quality within several villages surrounding the 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City is normal.

Bomb scare alarms Iloilo town

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A PACKAGE mistaken for a bomb caused alarm in the town of Cabatuan, Iloilo Wednesday afternoon.

Hostage drama wounds tanod

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A MAN believed to be suffering from unstable mental condition held hostage his own aunt and four others and wounded a barangay tanod (village watchman) in Molo, Iloilo City early Wednesday morning.

RTC stops interim board of MIWD

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE board of directors of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) that was ousted a week ago regained their seats after the Regional Trial Court issued a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against the “interim board” installed by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

ANOTHER TAXI DRIVER KILLED

Number of robberies this year now 14
By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A MEMBER of a teenage gang was arrested Tuesday morning for the killing of a taxi driver Tuesday early morning in Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Gorriceta admits writing letter maligning Tupas

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

NO big deal.

This was the justification of Mayor Arcadio H. Gorriceta of Pavia, Iloilo on the letter which he sent to the sister of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as regards the Tupas family and the appointment of the regional presidential assistant.

Letter discredits Tupas before Aquinos

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
MAYOR Arcadio Gorriceta of Pavia, Iloilo declined to comment on the letter which put down one of their own within the Liberal Party (LP) as regards the appointments of key officials in President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s administration.

TF Bakhaw to cover Odicta drug haven

By Tara Yap

MALIPAYON-DELGADO is next on the list of the region’s top cop who makes a high profile pitch on wiping out the illegal drug trade in Iloilo City.

COA audit reports may deliver Tupas to perdition

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A SERIES of memoranda from the Commission on Audit (COA) gave flesh to reports that the Philippine Truth Commission of 2010 is probing alleged anomalous deals during the Tupas administration.

‘Fortress of illegal drugs’

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

WESTERN Visayas’ top cop could only shake his head when he saw the reportedly notorious hub of illegal drug operations at Brgy. Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Cops deployed in 7 entry, exit points

By Tara Yap

THE PNP’s Task Force Bakhaw is keeping vigil in key entrance and exit points of Brgy. Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City after it was reactivated over the weekend.

Why Peco gets conservative with new power supply contract

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

RABID opposition by parties riling against additional power sources in Panay may have forced Panay Electric Co. (Peco) to be conservative in contracting power from the coal-fired power plant of Global Business Power Corp. (GBPC).

P220-MILLION BROUHAHA

Defensor may charge Tupas

By Tara Yap

THERE is a possibility that Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. will file an administrative or criminal case against his predecessor, former Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. over the latter’s P220-million disallowances.

Guv urges revisit of MIWD’s coexistence

By Tara Yap

ILOILO Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. is urging all stakeholders to revisit the co-existence of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) in both the city and province of Iloilo.

“It is not fair that the province is out of the picture,” Defensor expressed.

This is amidst the ongoing conflict at the MIWD wherein an interim board of directors was installed earlier this week through the intervention of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

Defensor clarified he will not comment unless the court decides on whether he or Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has the legal authority to appoint MIWD board based on Presidential Decree 198.

Instead, the governor stressed that MIWD, LWUA and the city government must not exclude the province at all.

“MIWD is part of the province,” Defensor said.

Defensor explained the non-inclusion of the province is unjust in terms of policy-making since the MIWD obtains majority of its water from the Tigum River in Maasin town, which is almost 30 km from the city. MIWD also sources out water from pumping stations in the towns of Pavia, San Miguel and Oton.

“What if Maasin won’t supply MIWD with water? What can it do? The city won’t have any water,” Defensor pointed out.

Defensor also cautioned that it is not only city residents who are affected but also consumers in towns of Pavia, Cabatuan, Maasin, San Miguel, and Oton

Defensor urged the MIWD management, MIWD interim board of directors, the old MIWD board, the city government, the provincial government, and LWUA to have a dialogue.

“I’m not expecting the management, the board, the city, and LWUA to decide on this now… (but) this needs to be addressed,” Defensor said.

Irene dares Bobby to be his own man

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE incumbent president of the Liga ng mga Barangay-Iloilo City challenged her rival to be his own man instead of seeking refuge behind his political patron.

POWER FOR ILOILO CITY

Coal plant still on load test but now mitigating outages

By Tara Yap

LONG power outages may now be mitigated as the region’s first-coal fired power plant is currently generating 50% of its capacity after successfully synchronizing its system to the grid and Panay Electric Company, Iloilo City’s lone power distributor.

Jalaur project funding in nat’l budget

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

PART of the P17.5-billion “private public partnership” (PPP) fund can be used in the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMPP) of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

City may de-annex from MIWD – Jed

By Lydia C. Pendon

MAYOR Jed Patrick Mabilog has directed the City Legal Office to study all possible angles and bring to court all those who instigated the take over of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) and the ouster of the old board of directors.

‘DON’T STOP COAL PLANT’

Drilon: New capacity key to solving acute power shortage

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

AN Ilonggo senator quelled calls to shut down the coal-fired power plant in LaPaz, Iloilo City despite the foul odor being blamed on the facility.

Promotions for cops in P7-M cocaine haul

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

PROMOTIONS await police officers who helped track down and recover P7-million worth of cocaine from a suspected drug pusher in Miag-ao, Iloilo Tuesday.

MIWD interim board bogus - Jed

By Lydia C. Pendon

MAYOR Jed Patrick Mabilog does not recognize the interim board of directors of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) saying the old board headed by Chairman Celso Javelosa is the legal one.

BOARD OUSTED

LWUA, management install new directors at MIWD
By Tara Yap

THE management of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) has installed an interim set of board of directors.

P7-M CATCH

Cocaine seized in Miag-ao

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-6) scored their biggest haul this year after seizing almost a kilo of suspected cocaine in Miag-ao, Iloilo Tuesday.

‘REESTABLISH AUTHORITY’

Querol reactivates TF Bakhaw

By Tara Yap
NO less than the region’s top cop has ordered the reactivation of Task Force Bakhaw to at least curb one of the two most notorious drug groups in Iloilo City operating in Brgy Bakhaw.

Board told to discipline MIWD management

By Lydia C. Pendon

IT is within the ambit of powers of the Metro Iloilo Water district (MIWD) board of director to discipline erring employees especially the general manager and other recalcitrant management officials, according to City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

RE: COAL PLANT ODOR

Fr Celiz: Don’t be alarmed; Fr Cuadras: Shut it down

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A CATHOLIC priest and member of the multi-partite monitoring team (MMT) assuaged fears caused by the odor that was again blamed on the coal-fired power plant at Brgy. Ingore, LaPaz, Iloilo City.

Jed denies getting Excursion as gift

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said he does not own nor received as gift an expensive, bullet-proof sport utility vehicle but he rides one for security purposes.

‘Peco’s supply contract with PEDC conservative’

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

IS Panay Electric Co.’s (Peco) power supply deal with Global Business Power Corp. (GBPC) enough to cover present and future power demands of Iloilo City?

MIWD management defiant

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE management team of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) said they would rather want the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to step in to the water firm to prevent paralysis in their operations.

Lamis suspects still in Iloilo

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE main suspects in the assassination of a police officer are still in Iloilo, according to the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Brgy execs told to pass new annual budgets

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE committee on appropriations of the Iloilo City Council urged newly elected barangay officials to make sure that they pass new annual budgets to ensure continuous developments in their constituencies.

Suspects in slay of cop charged

Hired assassins of a drug syndicate – police

By Tara Yap

THE quest for justice in the murder of PO2 Joemarie Lamis has rolled off as charges were filed against his suspected killers.

Charged with murder Thursday were Rene Esnaldo, 36, of Brgy. Taal in Molo district, Fluvio Libre, 32, of Brgy. Bakhaw in Mandurriao district, and two John Does.

Both Esnaldo and Libre are believed to be members of the Prevendido drug group.

Five witnesses buttressed the charges, particularly the eyewitness who saw the shooting of Lamis last November 2 along Muelle Loney Street, City Proper.

Ma. Luisa G. Lamis, the slain cop’s widow, said this is a significant step in finding justice for the untimely death of her husband who worked hard to minimize the spread of illegal drugs in Iloilo City.

Luisa said she knew first hand of the death threats received by her husband since June.

Lamis, who was then an intelligence operative of the La Paz PNP, first received a threatening text message.

“Pila gid ulo mo man? Halong ka, (Killing you is not that expensive. Beware),” the sender warned.

By August, Lamis, who was then assigned at the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Group (RAIDSOG), confided to his wife that he received another death threat after a buy-bust operation in Bakhaw.

By September, Lamis received another threatening text message. “Congrats parts. Blib kami sa pisan mo, daku gid pirdi negosyo Bakhaw, pero hasta ka lang Kalag2 (Congratulations! Business in Bakhaw suffered a big loss because of your dedication to duty. You will live until Halloween only),” the text messenger warned.

On October 26, Ernesto “Tirso” Regalado, one of close friends of Lamis, went to his residence in Lapuz. It was only his wife who was around. Regalado was accompanying a man who only introduced himself as “Amay,” an alleged friend of her husband from Bakhaw.

According to the widow, Amay wanted to know where Lamis was and she then told him that he was on duty in Guimaras. Amay told her that he would come back some other time to discuss important matters with her husband.

“Considering he said he was a friend of my husband, I did not give it too much importance. I was thinking they might have other personal transactions,” the widow said.

By November 2, Lamis was dead.

Meanwhile, the police are still hunting down the two John Does.

C/Insp. Eleizer Baclagon, City Proper police chief, said they are conducting further investigation on the identities of the two unnamed suspects and other personalities linked to the murder of Lamis.

Iloilo City Police Office director Dennis Basngi said they will file supplemental affidavit with the prosecutors once they have ascertained the participation of the two John Does in the killing.

PDEA twits rumors on death list of cops

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

DRUG syndicates are trying to scare the police and anti-drug agents by spreading yarns that more cops in Iloilo City are on their death list.

Time for solutions at MIWD – Defensor

By Tara Yap
“I DON’T give a damn!”

This was the reaction of Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. as he disassociated himself from the brewing problem on who should appoint the board of directors of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).

INTO THE FOXHOLE

MIWD board girds for legal battle vs LWUA

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE board of directors of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) will resist the ploy of the management team and the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to strip them of their office.

Directors Adrian Moncada and Danilo Encarnacion said the move of MIWD general manager Le Jayme Jalbuena and LWUA is treacherous and inimical to water consumers in the city and province.

LWUA administrator Daniel Landingin earlier stripped the office of the Iloilo City mayor the power to appoint the next MIWD directors.

Landingin based his assertion on the provisions of Presidential Decree 198 which state that the city or municipal mayor can appoint the directors if 75% of the service connections are located within the city or town. Otherwise, it would be the provincial governor who will appoint the directors.

Citing reports from Jalbuena, Landingin said service connections in Iloilo City fell below the 75% benchmark, thus Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. is the appointing authority of the MIWD board.

The LWUA later nullified the appointment of the 5-man MIWD board on the same ground.

Encarnacion said Jalbuena violated protocols when he kept Landingin’s memorandum from their attention.

Encarnacion said the board must be informed of official communications to and from LWUA being the policy-making body of the water district.

“What he did was treacherous because he hid those communications from us. He should have showed simple respect to the board by letting us know about those data he was sending and receiving from LWUA,” Encarnacion said.

Moncada, meanwhile, said Jalbuena’s preoccupation with dismantling the board has kept them from progressing in the bulk water supply project aimed at improving MIWD services to consumers.

“The terms of reference and bidding papers we required the management team to work on was riddled with mistakes. So we had no choice but to return the documents to them. When we showed the papers to Jalbuena, he was also surprised with the mistakes we saw, which is an indication that he does not read the papers we send to them,” Moncada said.

One mistake the directors noticed is the restrictive requirements set by the management to prospective bidders.

Moncada said they will only require contractors to supply the compulsory water volume at a pre-approved price. It is up to the contractor to decide on what technology and strategy to use as long as they deliver the contracted water supply.

Encarnacion said they were supposed to publicize an invitation to bid for the project this week so they can proceed with the bidding process next month but it did not happen.

“The project will be delayed and the consumers will suffer the water crisis. We thought we would be working smoothly with the intervention of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. But here they are again busy in putting us down in cahoots with LWUA,” he said.

Moncada said a similar case happened in Cebu where the city mayor and governor are fighting over the power to appoint the water district’s board but LWUA never intervened.

“Why is LWUA absent from that dispute? Why is LWUA so interested in Iloilo City?” Moncada said.

LWUA chairman Prospero Pichay, a defeated senatorial bet and remnant of the Arroyo administration, has been very active in taking over the MIWD board since last year.

Pichay had offered the takeover move to Mabilog but the mayor decided to take things matter into his hands and rein in the board and management team to work together.

Encarnacion and Moncada said they are ready to wage legal battle against LWUA and the management team as regards their appointments.

Treñas eyes congressional inquiry on water district

By Francis Allan L. Angelo and Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO City Rep. Jerry P. Treñas said he was insulted by the latest brouhaha hounding Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) that he is mulling to conduct a congressional inquiry on the water firm.

Data: Power supply in city short by 9MW

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

AN independent power producer based in Iloilo City said it was never remiss in delivering electricity to Panay Electric Co. (PECO), the sole power distributor in the city.

MAYOR IS MAD

Mabilog vows to get back at MIWD management, LWUA

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

HELL hath no fury like a mayor betrayed.

COA chides Pavia gov’t for irregular use of SEF

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Commission on Audit (COA) regarded as unnecessary and irregular the purchase of notebook cover stickers by the municipal government of Pavia, Iloilo last year.

Capitol hands off IHWA rift

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE provincial government will not meddle in the brewing rift between members and officers of the Iloilo Health Workers Association (IHWA).

BRACE FOR SEVERE H20 SHORTAGE IN ‘11

LWUA’s meddling may delay bulk water project

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

BRACE for a severe water shortage next year, thanks but no thanks to the intervention of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in the internal affairs of the Metro Iloilo Water District.

Lawyers want airtight case against Tan killers

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE filing of criminal raps against the suspects in the murder of businesswoman Rose Gustilo-Tan and her personal assistant was postponed upon request of the lawyers of the victim’s family.

‘LWUA creating crisis at MIWD’

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has apparently created a crisis by nullifying the appointment of the entire board of directors of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).

VIGILANTES VS DRUGS NIXED

PDEA-6: Bakhaw is our responsibility

By Tara Yap

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 6) is urging the citizenry to stay away from being vigilantes in the fight against illegal drugs.

Lamis’ slay: Police probe zeroes in on illegal drugs

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is concentrating on illegal drugs as the motive for the assassination of a police officer in Iloilo City as week ago.

STL operators earn P1-M income daily

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
EVEN the top steward of legalized gambling in Western Visayas is uncertain as to how much Small Town Lottery (STL) operators actually earn daily but she has the net income figures on a daily basis.

Bukas Kotse gang back in business?

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

WARNING to car owners: the dreaded Bukas Kotse gang might be back in Iloilo City.

Slain cop thinking of retirement

By Francis Allan L. Angelo and Tara Yap

SLAIN PO2 Jomarie Benites Lamis was tinkering with early retirement after he was reassigned to Guimaras province when he arrested bet collectors of first two, a form of illegal numbers game in Iloilo City.

Jamora supports Ong

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

FORMER presidential adviser on water Lorenzo H. Jamora has declared support for the reelection bid of Liga ng mga Barangay-Iloilo City president and ex-officio Councilor Ma. Irene D. Ong.

CHAMPIONS OF STL RISE

Pro-STL mayors cite benefits of gambling
By Francis Allan L. Angelo

AFTER being pilloried by anti-gambling advocates in the first public hearing, it was the turn of pro-Small Town Lottery (STL) personalities, especially town mayors, to express their thoughts before the Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

CLO rebuffs LWUA on MIWD controversy

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has no power to determine the appointing authority of members of the board directors of a water district.

WATER DISTRICT’S CONFLICT WIDENS

MIWD manager, LWUA stir mayor, governor

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE protracted conflict between the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) board and management has spilled over to the offices of the two top officials in the city and province of Iloilo.

PDEA dares PNP to get justice for Lamis

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
LAW enforcers should take the cudgels for the slain PO2 Jomarie B. Lamis and go after criminals with resolve and vigor, according to the regional head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Cop shot dead

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE active campaign against illegal drugs and gambling operations could be the motives in the shooting to death of a police officer Tuesday morning (Nov. 2) in Muelle Loney, Iloilo City.

Mayor vows: It’s P250-M or bust for new City Hall

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Iloilo City government will not go over the P250-million budget set for the additional amenities of the new City Hall.

Defensor takes lessons from Tupas’ mistakes

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ILOILO Governor Arthur D. Defensor Sr. will observe budgeting rules in handing out the Christmas bonuses of Capitol employees.

Coal plant test run slated

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE contractor of the 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant in LaPaz, Iloilo City will test run the facility’s first unit next week en route to its actual commercial operations next year.

Love triangle turns deadly

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A CASE of love triangle cost the lives of two cousins in Lemery, Iloilo over the weekend.

CONSULT THE PEOPLE

City dads want public hearing on casino

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

SEVERAL Iloilo City councilors want to gauge the public’s sentiment before allowing the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to operate a casino in the city.

Irene Ong, Bobby D word war escalates

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

PUNONG Barangay Roberto Divinagracia of San Agustin, City Proper has no one to blame but himself for the issues hounding him as the Liga ng mga Barangay-Iloilo City election approaches.

CASINO LOOMS




CASINO AT AMIGO Slot machines, dice, and card games may become a fixture at the Amigo Hotel and mall if a casino opens up in Iloilo City. (Photo by Tara Yap)

 Mabilog registers no objection
By Francis Allan L. Angelo

IT appears that the slot machines will just serve as precursor to the ultimate operation of a casino in the heart of Iloilo City.

Bobby D, Irene O trade barbs

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE two prominent aspirants to the Liga ng mga Barangay-Iloilo City presidency are trading barbs over their capabilities to head the group.

City Hall to expand jaywalking coverage

THE Iloilo City government will also impose the anti-jaywalking ordinance in other districts starting November.

Suspect brgy officials must lead anti-drug campaign

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

BARANGAY officials with alleged links to suspected illegal drug syndicates must prove that they are not in any way involved in the illegal drug trade by joining the drive against the menace, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-6).

Only two violent cases election-related in region

By Francis Allan Angelo

ONLY two of the five shooting incidents that happened during the barangay and SK elections Monday can be considered as politically-motivated.

City College donation inspires benefactors

BENEVOLENCE can be infectious.

The P25-million donation of Ilonggo businessman Edgar “Injap” Sia II for the construction of the Iloilo City public college building has caught the interest of other benefactors.

GAMBLING INVASION

Slot machines follow STL and Poker in Iloilo

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has proposed to operate slot machines in a hotel in Iloilo City.

Case vs suspects in Tan murder readied

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is fine tuning the case to be filed against four suspects in the killing of businesswoman Rose Gustilo-Tan and her personal aide Purificacion Catoera.

Ong faces Bobby D for Liga presidency

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

AFTER the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections Monday, all eyes are on the election of the Liga ng mga Barangay and SK Federation in Iloilo City.

NEDA: WV needs urban planners

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) here said that Western Visayas is in need of urban planners.

Mabilog to meet Ilonggo communities in US trip

By Lydia C. Pendon

AFTER soliciting P25 million from an Ilonggo billionaire, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog will fly to the United States to seek help from Ilonggo communities to fund key projects of his administration.

Ilonggo bloggers push entrepreneurship

By Tara Yap
THERE’S money in blogging.

INJAP DONATES P25M FOR PUBLIC COLLEGE

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ONE of the richest Ilonggos will bankroll the construction of the Iloilo City public college building to the tune of P25 million.

4 men rape girl, stab boyfriend

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

POLICE in New Lucena, Iloilo are on the hunt for four suspects who allegedly raped a woman and stabbed her boyfriend in the town last Saturday.

Many incumbent village heads lose

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE previous barangay elections saw some upsets and changing of the guards in key villages of Iloilo City.

W V aims as RP's forerunner in bio-fuel, renewable energy

BROWNOUTS may be minimized for the people of Western Visayas with the pouring in of renewable and bio-energy projects in the region.

ELECTIONS IN MANY BRGYS POSTPONED

Late arrival of election paraphernalia blamed

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

CANCELLATION of polls and violent incidents believed to be election-related occurred in various parts of Western Visayas as voters trooped to voting precincts for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections Monday.

Truck loaded with voters in Passi turns turtle, 3 dead

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THREE persons were killed in a road accident at Brgy. Magdungao, Passi City, Iloilo Monday afternoon.

Voter complains of disenfranchisement

By Tara Yap
AS the country wrapped up the synchronized barangay and SK elections yesterday, there were complaints of voters’ disenfranchisement.

PNP expects peaceful polls

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Police Regional Office (PRO-6) sees peaceful barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections even as it raised its alert level over the weekend.

Fr. Celiz assures MMT will protect public health

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A MEMBER of the multipartite monitoring team (MMT) which is keeping tabs of the coal-fired power plant in LaPaz, Iloilo City assured that they will monitor the succeeding activities of the plant.

PDEA denies stealing items from houses of drug suspects

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

BALONEY.

This was the reaction of the head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to accusations that they filched valuables from the home of three suspected drug pushers in LaPaz, Iloilo City.

Lending firm robbed

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ROBBERS swooped down on a credit company in Iloilo City over the weekend.

OPPOSITION TO STL MOUNTING

Ilonggos dares PCSO to show lottery’s benefits

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and operators of Small Town Lottery (STL) must present proof of the legalized numbers game’s positive impact on host communities.

WV falls short of MDG target; poverty incidence at 31.1%

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

WESTERN Visayas lags in achieving four key targets of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN-MDGs), according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Some PNP units performing poorly

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A RANKING Ilonggo PNP official lamented the sub-par performance of some police units in Western Visayas during the Annual General Inspection-Operational Readiness Security Inspection Test and Evaluation (AGI-ORSITE).

Miss Dinagyang to higher level

By Lydia C. Pendon

THE prestigious beauty and brain search, Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2011, is up to a higher level as the grand winner will be sent as Ambassadress of Goodwill abroad as part of her prize package.

HARMONIZE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Need for master plan for city, province cited

By Francis Allan L. Angelo and Lydia C. Pendon

THE city and province of Iloilo can harmonize growth and development through the crafting of a master plan for development.

‘Political gimmick at the expense of Capitol workers’

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE disallowance of last year’s P102.7-million Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) to Iloilo provincial government workers is a bitter pill that must be swallowed, according to Gov. Arthur D. Defensor Sr.

Mayor’s hand in brgy polls seen but makes quick denial

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ELECTION issues hound Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog en route to his official trip to China Thursday.

PROMISE FULFILLED

P4-B floodway saved Iloilo City from floods, but…

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Jaro floodway of the Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP) saved Iloilo City and its suburbs from three to four floods when heavy rains fell since last week.

Suspect in Tan murder nowhere to be found

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ONE of the suspects in the killing of a businesswoman in Iloilo City has disappeared, investigators said.

Capitol forays into BPO, mulls big time projects

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Iloilo provincial government will venture in the burgeoning information technology (IT) and business processes outsourcing (BPO) sectors by developing sites for locators under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme proposed by the Aquino administration.

P800-M upgrade of Iloilo hospitals eyed

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
THE Iloilo provincial government under Gov. Arthur D. Defensor Sr. is eyeing to spend more or less P800 million in the next three years to improve the facilities and services of 12 provincial and district hospitals.

COA disallows 2009 P102.7-M extra bonus for Capitol workers

THE Commission on Audit (COA) issued a notice of disallowance to the payment of Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) of Iloilo provincial government employees last year totaling P102,700,000.

Ileco 3 power deal with Artech onerous – NEA

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE board of directors of the Iloilo Electric Cooperative (Ileco 3) committed gross neglect of duty for approving the power supply agreement (PSA) with an independent power producer sans careful analysis of its provisions.

Tan scolded debtor before her death

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

MURDERED businesswoman Rose Gustilo-Tan had an argument with a debtor six days before she was found dead inside a motel in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Iloilo to get only one STL operator

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ONLY one operator will be allowed to handle Small Town Lottery (STL) in Iloilo province, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

‘Twinning to give birth to Ilonggo economic empire’

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The twinning of Bacolod and Iloilo cities is just the beginning of a productive partnership that would give birth to the Ilonggo economic empire in this part of the country underlined by a vision of creating “One Visayas Region”.

RESBAK

Toto E declares war vs cousin, nephew

By Francis Allan L. Angelo and Tara Yap

THE feud within the Espinosa clan might worsen with the declaration of an all-out war of one of its member against a cousin and nephew.

SHOOTOUT AT ZAMORA

Espinosas clash anew in Waterfront

By Tara Yap

OLD grudges could be the motive in the shootout between Espinosa clan members at the waterfront area of Iloilo City early Tuesday morning.

Health workers open to staggered payment

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE legal counsel of Iloilo Health Workers’ Association (IHWA) in Iloilo province said they are open to a staggered payment scheme of the hazard pay and other benefits of health workers.

RTC: HEALTH WORKERS ENTITLED TO HAZARD PAY

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered the Iloilo provincial government to pay the hazard pay of health workers which could amount to almost half a billion pesos.

Indian lender abducted, murdered

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
POLICE are looking into the possibility of a gang preying on Indian nationals engaged in usurious lending business in Panay.

BRACE FOR LA NIÑA

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

VARIOUS sectors are now preparing for a possible occurrence of the La Niña phenomenon in the aftermath of the dry spell brought about by the El Niño.

Mabilog keeps cool over protest

By Herbert Vego

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada – Iloilo City Vice-Mayor and Mayor-elect Jed Patrick Mabilog, now on the second and final week of his United States-Canada tour, has refused to be intimidated by the election protest filed against him by his defeated mayoral opponent, former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, docketed at the Commission on Elections as EPC No. 2010-52.

Banias eyed as prov’l administrator

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

PRESIDENTIAL Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias is torn between returning to private life and public service.

P600M released for Panay rehab

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

AFTER more than a year, the national government released the second tranche of funds for the rehabilitation of areas in Panay damaged by typhoon Frank in 2008.

Drivers want lesser fines

PUBLIC transport drivers in Iloilo City asked newly-elected officials to reduce fines and penalties on erring drivers.

Rape suspect shot, pal killed in shootout

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A RAPE suspect was wounded while another was killed in a clash with the police in Leon, Iloilo 9pm Thursday.

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION ASSURED

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE winners of the 2010 presidential and vice-presidential races will be proclaimed before June 30, according to a top House of Representatives official.

Police looking for fingerprint match in bizwoman’s murder

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE police in LaPaz, Iloilo City have completed “half” of the puzzling murder of a 72-year-old trader in the posh Ledesco Subdivision last week.

Manual recount in 7 Negros towns, cities

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

SEVEN towns and cities in Negros Occidental were ordered to recount the votes in the 2010 elections after some precincts transmitted wrong data to the provincial canvass.

Gonzalez files election protest

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

POSSIBLE manipulation of voting machines, misreading of ballots and missing votes are the justifications presented by the camp of former Sec. Raul M. Gonzalez Sr. in their election protest filed with the Commission on Elections.

2-day rain signals end of El Niño

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

RAINS finally fell in the city and province of Iloilo since Tuesday much to the relief Ilonggos who have been reeling from the dry spell since the El Niño phenomenon which started late last year.

Cooler weather for Panay ahead

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ILONGGOS will enjoy cooler weather with the onset of the rainy season but downpours can also affect power supply and public health.

Still no new budget for provincial govt

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo has yet to decide on the fate of the 2010 annual budget.

MIWD row: Board vs management

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
IS there a rift between the management team and the board of directors of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD)?

Who is in-charge while Treñas, Mabilog enjoy their vacation?

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
ILOILO City has no vice mayor for the moment which could hamper services in the City Hall, particularly today’s regular session.

DENGUE ALARM

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

HEALTH officials in Iloilo have sounded the alarm on dengue fever after more than 200 cases were recorded despite the dry spell brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.

Deadly Arevalo blast alarms city authorities

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE explosion in a makeshift firecracker factory in Arevalo, Iloilo City Sunday afternoon proves that underground pyrotechnics industry exists despite efforts of the City Hall to organize the sector.

No land ownership for foreigners in Boracay

BORACAY Island – The Department of Natural Resources (DENR) will not allow foreigners to completely own parcels of land in this island resort even if they have investments here.