News Briefs
Court nixes PUJ petition
A COURT upheld an ordinance banning passenger jeepneys plying the 21-B Ibabao-Mandaue routes in downtown Cebu City.
In his order, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Enriqueta Belarmino said there were similar pending cases filed by other transport groups.
“This would result not only in the influx of cases but the courts rendering different decisions,” the judge said.
The Kahugpungan sa Mandaue Jeepney Operators ug Draybers Association (Kamjoda) earlier asked the court to stop the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management from implementing a city ordinance banning them from plying Cebu City routes.
City Ordinance 1837 requires inter-city vehicles to load and unload in designated terminals.
City Ordinance 2072, an amendment to CO 1837 , imposes fines on jeepney drivers who enter Osmeña Boulevard.
Citom will impound the vehicle of the erring driver committing the offense for the third time.
An impounding fee of P100 per day was increased to P300 because of the ordinance.
Under the ordinance, 21-B route Mandaue City jeepneys whose franchises allow them to enter Osmeña Boulevard can only transport passengers to the Ayala terminal.
Only jeepneys plying the Manalili route are not covered by the ordinance.
The petitioners’ described the ordinances that bar them from plying their regular routes as “unfair, oppressive, partial or discriminatory.” Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol
SALN fee
Do you want to get a copy of a public official’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN)?
Get ready to pay P200 for each document.
THE Ombudsman-Visayas supported a Civil Service Commission (CSC) resolution imposing a P200 fee for every requested copy of the document.
Deputy Ombudsman-Visayas Pelagio Apostol said the fee is reasonable. Businessman-whistleblower Crisologo Saavedra said he has nothing against the measure.
Public officials are required to submit their SALNs every year under Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
RA 3019 also includes the net worth of the spouses of public officials as well as unmarried children under 18 years of age who are living in their households.
Government officials and employees who fail to submit their annual SALN or stated false items in the documents will face charges.
The disclosure is a way for government to monitor an official’s wealth and determine if his or her lifestyle does not exceed his income. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol
Teban moves up to PB post
Provincial Board (PB) Member Julian Daan assumed the post of speaker pro tempore yesterday , taking over from Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.
Daan garnered the most number of votesin the May 2010 elections after Magpale, who moved up to vice governor.
In a privilege speech, he thanked the Talisay City police and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for helping him recover from last week’s burglary at his home in a Talisay City village.
Garcia approved a security detail for the PB member, known by his radio and TV personality “Teban Escudero.” Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus
