News Briefs

SUSPENSION ORDER NOT YET SERVED

THE Bureau of Customs has yet to receive the Ombudsman’s order suspending  Cebu Customs collector Maximo dela Peña Reyes.

Reyes was ordered suspended for six months   last Monday by the Office of the Ombudsman on charges of serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The charges stemmed from Reyes’ unexplained wealth of P89,194,806.37 and misdeclared assets amounting to P44,562,440.67.

Cebu Port collector Edward dela Cuesta, however, told Cebu Daily News that even the BOC main office in Manila has not yet received the suspension order.

Cebu Daily News was told that Reyes did not report for work yesterday./Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag

VESSEL REFLOATED IN MACTAN CHANNEL

AFTER almost three months since the sinking of MV Maria Angelica Grace at the Mactan Channel, the vessel was finally re-floated last Friday.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Cebu Station head Capt. Winiel Azcuna said the vessel was towed to PKS Shipyard in Consolacion town for repairs shortly after it was re-floated by salvor company Uni Orient Pearl Venture. The vessel capsized in Cabahug wharf last March 11.

Azcuna said the owner of the vessel will be paying charges for the damage caused by the oil spill.

The fines, however, are still to be  determined during the adjudication hearing that will be set by the PCG on a later date as they are still enforcing now the heightened alert for Balik Eskwela. /REPORTER Jucell Marie P. Cuyos