NEWS BRIEFS

RADAZA CASE DISMISSED

THE Sandiganbayan dismissed a graft case filed by businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr. against former Lapu-Lapu City Mayor and now Rep. Arturo Radaza.

The case stemmed from the alleged illegal demolition of the causeway on Agus Cove that Pelaez owned.

In Dec. 2003, the Lapu-Lapu City Council passed a resolution that construction of structures must comply with related laws and ordinances, and the compliance should be the basis in the issuance of building permits.

In 2007, the city government declared Pelaez’s causeway illegal but his lawyers asserted that the causeway, which has been there for 15 years, was covered by an application for special registration with the Philippine Reclamation Authority.

They were told to get the necessary permits from the Office of the Building Official but Pelaez did not comply. So the city government proceeded with the demolition.

Radaza said he received complaints that the structure is causing pollution in the place and fishermen could no longer fish.

Radaza received a copy of the dismissal order last Tuesday and announced this to the media yesterday./Correspondents Fe Marie Dumaboc, Norman Mendoza

SIMPLE MISCONDUCT

THE Visayas Ombudsman ordered the suspension of a worker from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Cebu City for his failure to settle a loan more than six years ago.

The anti-graft office found Epifanio Cañete guilty of simple misconduct and was meted a one-month suspenion without pay for deceiving a man whom he borrowed P71,860 from.

The anti-graft office also warned him that a similar infraction will be dealt with more severely.

One Angeles Denoyo filed a case against Cañete after the latter refused to settle the amount that he loaned.

Denoyo said Cañete turned over his Land Bank of the Philippines ATM card as guarantee of his loan.

They agreed that Denoyo would collect the payment of the loan through the ATM.

However, when Denoyo’s complainant attempted to withdraw from the ATM, the machine responded that the personal identification number entered was wrong.

He found out that Cañete gave him the wrong PIN number. The complainant requested Cañete to settle his obligation, but the latter refused to heed his request. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol

REDUCED BUDGET

THE delivery of services especially to job seekers may be affected with the budget reduction of the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP).

DMDP head Fidel Magno said his proposed budget of P17.334 million was cut to P13.920 million by the City Council.

They planned to hold 35 barangay job fairs, four mega job fairs and overseas job fairs. “”Wala nay budget para sa job fairs,” he said.

Magno said he already complained to Councilors Margot Osmeña, the council’s budget committee chairperson, and Sisinio Andales, the employment committee head.

Osmeña told him to prepare a budget proposal, which may be included in the Supplemental Budget 1.

Magno said Osmeña explained to him that slashing their budget was an oversight. The lady councilor promised to make sure that his office gets additional funds.

Organizing jobs fairs, which offers a one-stop shop employment desk, has been helping the city government address its unemployment problems, said Mayor Michael Rama.

He said one time, the city hired 1, 000 electronic and communications engineers to Taiwan through DMDP.

Magno said DMDP does not only organize jobs fairs, but they also help workers acquire skills that they could use in job application.

DMDP holds free trainings on automotive, electronics, refrigeration, dressmaking, computer literacy, cosmetology and soap and candle making among others.

Meanwhile, Magno said that his office has been conducting special hiring for displaced employees of the burned Gaisano South Mall.

Their special hiring has already employed at least 38 persons. Employers are those involved in sales like Metro Gaisano, SM City, Rustan’s, Mitsumi and Golden Cowry. chief of reporters Doris C. Bongcac