Newsbriefs
Ombud told: Apply permit requirement to others
IF the Ombudsman-Visayas requires a permit for Cebu City Hall’s “Piso Mo, Hospital Ko” fund raiser, they should also require the same for the private sector, local government units (LGUs) and even churches.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella said this yesterday, a day before he was scheduled to meet with Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol to resolve the issues raised in relation to the fund-raising campaign.
“Offhand, I want to discuss with the ombudsman that there could just be a conflict of interpretation. First and foremost, this is for the welfare of the people. But I think this is not an irreconcilable conflict,” Labella said.
Apostol earlier said the city should first secure a permit from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as mandated by Commonwealth Act 4075, a 1933 law that was amended by a 1978 Presidential Decree.
“There is nothing wrong if we follow the directions of the Ombudsman. Under RA 6770 the mandate of the Ombudsman is not just limited to investigating, but also to direct government offices to perform duties required by law,” Labella said.
But Labella said the requirement should also extend to other entities holding fund-raisers.
“The Ombudsman should also require other local government units, churches, parishes, nongovernment organizations, TV and radio stations that are also collecting donations to also secure the DSWD permit,” Labella said.
Labella said he visited the Ombudsman’s office last week but was told that Apostol was out.
Labella said he was told that Apostol visited Estancia, Iloilo which was hit by supertyphoon Yolanda and an oil spill. Correspondent Jose Santino S. Bunachita
Lapu barangay hall ‘ransacked’
THERE was no Christmas welcome that greeted barangay Agus chairman Jovencio Lauron when he visited the barangay hall yesterday.
Instead, he found his office equipment in disarray and assorted vehicles losing a part or two during the turnover rites attended only by the barangay treasurer Benjie Tampus.
Lauron said he will file a complaint with the mayor’s office and the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) against his predecessor Remigio Oyao whom he blamed for the mess.
Lauron said his office computer and two toilet bowls were destroyed, while the brass nozzle of the fire truck was missing.
There was only one handheld radio left in the barangay hall, he said.
Tampus said he didn’t know who was responsible for ransacking the office and hall.
He said the barangay hall facilities were in good condition before yesterday’s turnover.
“I’ll make an inventory of the destroyed and damaged facilities and report it to the DILG and the mayor’s office,” Lauron said in Visayan.
Oyao beat Lauron in the 2010 barangay elections despite being persuaded by the ruling Radaza administration to yield in favor of Lauron.
Oyao was the lone opposition candidate in Lapu-Lapu City’s barangay elections./Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza
More traffic aides for Mandaue City
AN additional 30 traffic enforcers will be hired by the Mandaue City government to replace those who left or were terminated.
Edwin Ermac, chief of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), said some traffic enforcers were fired for habitual tardiness and dishonesty. There are 175 traffic enforcers detailed in the city’s thoroughfares.
Despite the installation of a traffic lights system during the city’s 44th charter day last Aug. 30, Ermac said they still need traffic enforcers for roads that don’t have traffic lights.
Each traffic light is equipped with close circuit television cameras, digital timers and sensors.
The system is handled by Mandaue City’s Bantay Command Center located beside City Hall.
Applicants should be residents of Mandaue City and are at least second year college level or have taken 72 units.
They should also present a certificate of good moral character. Applications may be forwarded to the Team Office at the Mandaue City Sports Complex. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos
2 Brothers Killed In Minglanilla Ambush
TWO brothers were killed while their three relatives were wounded when unidentified gunmen waylaid them while they were walking home in barangay Camlo 8, Minglanilla town, southern Cebu last Saturday night.
Killed were Rene Secretaria, 30, and his 33-year-old brother Julius. The two were declared dead when they were brought to separate hospitals.
Jojo, the 22-year-old brother of the fatalities, was wounded in the face, while their 57-year-old father was shot in the left leg. Their seven-year-old brother, Mark, also sustained gunshot wounds in the stomach and shoulder.
PO2 Vincent Aliñabo, desk officer of the Minglanilla Police Station, said the surviving victims tagged some of their relatives as culprits.
Aliñabo said police are withholding the names of the assailants to prevent hampering operations to arrest them.
Personal grudges were the motive of the attack, police said.
Police said the victims came from a benefit dance which was part of the barangay’s fiesta celebration.
The alleged gunmen were also in the gathering prior to the attack.
Police said the victims decided to go home past 11 p.m.
Police said the victims scampered when shots were fired at them.
The assailants figured in a shootout with two policemen who happened to be near the crime scene.
A joint effort to corner the assailants by PO3 Humprey Alpas, PO2 Homar Parajes and barangay tanods failed.
Three empty shells for a .45 caliber pistol were found in the crime scene. /Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza
Money-Lender Shot Dead
A 29-YEAR-OLD man engaged in the money-lending business was shot dead in barangay Arpili, Balamban town, Cebu.
Rojelito Banguran succumbed to gunshot wounds in the chest and shoulder.
Banguran was attacked while he was walking home in barangay Arpili Saturday night.
SPO1 Jose Ranielito Villarino, investigator of the Balamban Police Station, said an investigation on whether the killing was related to the victim’s business is underway.
No witnesses to the attack have come forward, police said.
The victim’s relatives told police said they heard bursts of gunfire and later found a bloodied Banguran slumped on the ground. /Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza
