The "we need time-zero documents" situation last June 13 coordinative meeting of the transition teams of incoming Mayor Monico Puentevella and outgoing Mayor Evelio Leonardia resulted to more documents demanded by the former to satisfy "smooth turn-over of official business."

File photo of the June 13, 2013 meeting of the transition teams organized by incoming Mayor Monico Puentevella and outgoing Mayor Evelio Leonardia. Chairman of the Puente-vella team Atty. Rolando Villamor and member Sarah Esguerra are seen standing. Photo taken at the Masskara Hall shortly after the teams transferred from the Mayor’s Ceremonial Hall (Gil Severino photo)

This was stipulated in a letter sent and received by the Office of the Secretary to the Mayor, Moises de la Cruz, who at the same time is the OIC Head of the transition team organized by Leonardia.

The 2013 Transition Team of Mayor-elect Monico Puentevella demanded 54 sets of documents "over and above" the 28 sets of documents to be turned-over by Leonardia himself as Chairperson of his organized transition team.

MAKATI - The mining exploration of Philex Mining Corp. in Sipalay City and Hinoba-an town in southern Negros Occidental was stopped and its scheduled full operation was put on hold following the May 3, 2013 New People’s Army (NPA) attack.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, Philex chairman bared this during an exclusive round table discussion and press conference with some provincial media people at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel Friday.

MAKATI - Additional state-of-the-art equipment and facilities are eyed to further boost the capability of Riverside Medical Center (RMC) in Bacolod City.

Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan also said that similar with the other hospitals his conglomerate has acquired, RMC will continue to evolve "so those in the provinces need not come here (Metro Manila) to seek medical tests and treatment."

Pangilinan said during a press conference with provincial media people at Makati Shangri-la that the staffing of Riverside and of its other hospitals are also at par with other medical centers.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Hinigaran, Negros Occ. yesterday reported that as of 5:01pm Thursday, June 13, 2013, the Comelec office has received twenty four (24) statements of election contributions and expenditures (SOCE) out of twenty five (25) candidates who ran in the recent May 13, 2013 national and local elections.

According to Elmer V. Era, Election Officer of Hinigaran, "those who submitted their SOCEs are: 1. (Re-elected) Mayor Hermilo L. Aguilar - P100,000.00; 2. Caroll Y. Guanco - P45,000.00; 3. (Elected) Vice-Mayor Teresita G. Gabrido - P70,000.00; 4. Jose Nadie P. Arceo - P50,000.00.

Magdalo Para sa Pilipino or Magdalo, for short, the partylist group of ex-military men and former policemen, whose representative, former marine captain Gary Alejano, were among the leaders of the series of mutinies in Makati during the period former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was in power, took his oath as proclaimed representative of his group in Congress and his oath-taking ceremony in Sipalay City before a barangay captain yesterday, signaling his ascendancy as legislator. As of the latest report, it said Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and an aide, Nonong Verdeflor arrived. Before the oath-taking ceremony in the public plaza of the city, Alejano and local Magdalo head, Max Magracia, led a motorcade from Mambaroto Village to the public plaza. There, the oath-taking ceremony took place. Administering the oath of office was Mambaroto barangay captain Eustaquio Duayan. Magracia declared in an interview over radio station DYRL, now heard all over Negros Island and nearby provinces including Palawan, Panay and parts of Mindanao, with its newly-installed transmitter. It can be heard as far as Hinobaan town in Southern Negros and San Carlos City in Northern Negros, hitherto not heard before. Also present was Hinobaan Mayor-elect Ernesto Esrao. Invited by Magdalo were local Sipalay City officials led by Mayor Oscar Montilla.

L-R: Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon Jr., Mrs. G. Alejano, wife; Mrs. Angelica Alejano, mother; and their four children.*

The documentation team for victims of the then Marcos dictatorial regime which committed atrocities in the province, including the whole island, advised those who suffered during the period of martial law, September 21, 1972 and one month after the EDSA Revolt, to file compensation claims now, Lily Limaco, previously of the Mothers and Relatives Against Tyranny (MARTYR) with her, along with Claims and Assistance Processing Office (CAPO) Chair Edgar Cadagat, took charge of processing claims, years back.

Limaco and this reporter established the group, CAPO which took charge of documenting the victims’ claims, for filing of the class suit of those from Negros Occidental in the US Hawaii Court. There was yet no inkling of any kind that victims will get compensation for human rights violations they suffered during martial law declared as Presidential Decree 1081 by the then late President many say, a dictatorial regime then.

A revolver was voluntarily turned-over to police authorities in Escalante City through the station’s balik baril program.

Armando Lausa, 42, of Purok Bayong, Brgy. Balintawak endorsed a homemade caliber .38 without serial number, recently following a pulong-pulong at the said barangay.

Over in Victorias City, PSupt. Santiago Y. Rapiz, police chief led the arrest of Enrique Palma Jr., 28, of Hacienda Gloria 1, Brgy. 13, for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions.

A father and son tandem was reportedly robbed by four unidentified persons, recently who waylaid them at Crossing Sitio Sambag, Brgy. Mangahoy, La Castellana town.

Police report said Richel Abendan, 23, and his father, Reynaldo, 57, of Brgy. Biak na Bato were on their way to Hacienda Taborda from their home on board a motorcycle when blocked by the suspects who declared hold-up.

The older Abendan attempted to get away from the group when one of the suspects shot him at the back and robbed him of his P1, 000 cash. The suspects immediately left the scene.

Meanwhile, Reynaldo Abendan was brought to Isabela District Hospital and later transferred to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital for further treatment.

[ DISCLAIMER: Opinions and reactions posted in this section do not necessarily reflect those of NDB and NDBers. - Arman Toga, moderator. ]

[7188] ILLEGAL GAMBLING. Indi mauntat illegal gambling kay indi man gusto sang mga authoridad untaton, do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. (09396579527)

[7187] VENDORS’ RENTALS. Bacolod officials, administration, listen: May mga inadlaw o tini on pa kamu nga a daw indi nyo gid ma sulbar ang mga vendor. Nga ara na sa dalanon. Kay nakita gid namon nga may naga pang kulekta kada gab i. Arkabala? Sa diin na ga kadto. (09087150206)

[7186] STILL NO WORK. While the economy expanded by 7.8% in the first quarter, the number of unemployed rose 7.5% or 3.09 million have no jobs. This is higher by 6.9% than last year. But PNoy explained the loss of 21,000 jobs resulted from the delayed planting season in the agriculture sector. (09286282072)

[7185] BISHOPS. Ano ba talaga ang gustong mangyari ng CBCP at mga Katolikong pari? Talamak na ang kanilang pakialam sa lahat na bagay. Kahit sa politika nakisawsaw sila. Tumulong at huwag na lang sila makialam sa gobyerno. Hindi naman sila sinusunod ng kanilang mga sakup sa Simbahan. (09198078904)

Atty. Alain "Len" Gatuslao has been sworn in as one of Negros Occidental’s youngest Board Members. The 40 year old lawyer was elected representing the 5th District comprising of his home city of Himamaylan and the towns of Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla.

Board Member Dr. Melvin Ibañez, Rep. Bebot Mirasol, Board Member-elect Atty. Len Gatuslao and family, Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Mrs. Aming and former Usec. Tony Gatuslao.*

Gatuslao took his oath of office in Himamaylan City before Judge Rolando Balgos in simple rites attended by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Rep. Alejandro "Bebot" Mirasol whom the Gatuslaos supported for re-election, as well as outgoing 5th District Board Member Dr. Melvin Ibañez and former APEC Rep. Rene Silos.

The Liberal Party Himamaylan chapter likewise came in full force with City Councilors-elect Nonoy Javelosa and Julie Ann Vasquez also taking their oaths of office in the presence of former Mayor Luz Bayot and various barangay officials.