NEWS BRIEFS

Dept store, security personnel face raps over mauling

THE family of a suspected shoplifter who died at the hands of security personnel filed a complaint against them and the Viscal Development Corp. which owns the Metro Gaisano department store before the court yesterday morning.

Chief security officer Mauricio Doblados, Jr., security camera operator Jeffrey Aquino, security guard Melvin Boyles and Metro Gaisano  face civil cases filed by the Ducayag family who are seeking P19.5 million in damages.

Cerwin Eviota, Metro Gaisano spokesman, said they will face the complaint in court.

“We will respond after we received the summons together with the copy of their complaint,” he said.

Fe Solidad Ducayag, mother of Mario Alfie Ducayag, said the family is happy that their case is moving forward in court.

The P19.5 million amount covers damages and lawyers’ fees.

Mario Alfie Ducayag was allegedly mauled to death after he was suspected by security personnel of stealing items in Metro Gaisano last April. Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag

Annabelle invited to attend Team Rama oath-taking

CEBUANA talent manager Annabelle Rama was invited to attend the oath-taking ceremony of her cousin Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and his Team Rama allies at the Plaza Independencia tomorrow morning.

But her brother, Basak San Nicolas barangay captain George Rama said she has yet to confirm her attendance.

Annabelle also didn’t respond to calls or text messages sent by Cebu Daily News.

Rama’s secretary Belenda Navascues said invitations were also sent out to other Team Rama members who didn’t win in the May 13 election.

Vice President Jejomar Binay will administer the oath to Rama, Vice Mayor-elect Edgar Labella and Councilors-elect Mary Ann delos Santos, Dave Tumulak, James Cuenco and Hanz Abella.

Annabelle earlier issued a press release demanding a refund of the P3 million contribution she gave to Rama during the campaign.

She alleged that the mayor betrayed her and failed to deliver the victory which he promised her. The talent manager has been mum since the publication of her press release in the local media.

Councilors and officials belonging to the Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) camp will have their oath taking today at the Pedro Calungsod chapel at the South Road Properties (SRP) following a 10:30 a.m. mass at the same venue.

Interior and Local Governments (DILG) Secretary and Liberal Party (LP) national president Manuel Roxas will administer the oath of office./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

Mike, Tom in farmers assembly

AN assembly of 53 farmers’ groups from 26 barangays in Cebu City were told to plant more fruit bearing trees to sustain their livelihood.

The Cebu City Hillyland Farmers Forum and Festival held at the Barangay Sudlon II sports center also marked the first time that both Mayor Michael Rama and Rep. Tomas Osmeña were seen together in the same event after the elections.

All government officials were acknowledged and invited to sit at the presidential table after the opening ceremonies.

But Osmeña declined to join Rama and left the venue with his wife re-elected Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña.

Osmeña said he did not have any intentions to participate in the program.

“I just came to greet some barangay officials and I just met Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala,” he said.

Rama didn’t comment much about Osmeña’s early departure.  “Wala man sad iyang ngalan diha (His name is not there anyway)” he said.

Alcala said he saw the two officials greet each other before they proceeded to the sports complex.

Most of the participants to the event were given farming equipment, carabaos, seedlings, fertilizers and tilapia fingerlings through raffle draws.

Alcala encouraged farmers to raise rabbits because they could feed on their extra vegetable cuts as well as sheep since they are easier to take care of compared to goats.

As a former congressman of Quezon province, Alcala said he wants farmers in Cebu to sell their goods directly to the market rather than go through middlemen.

He said Quezon province farmers now own sports utility vehicles because of the profit they gained from the system he set up which emphasized high value crops. Correspondents Patricia Andrea D. Pateña and Jose Santino S. Bunachita