Metrobriefs

Engineer sued by drilling firm guilty of estafa

An engineer was sentenced to four to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay more than P4.2 million to a well drilling company he defrauded 12 years ago. Angelo Canlas was found guilty of estafa in a ruling handed down Monday by Quezon City Judge Germano Francisco Legaspi, for his failure to pay in full and return the deep-well drilling equipment he had rented from Murin Well Drilling Ltd. Co. in 2001. Legaspi noted that Canlas did not present any proof in his defense. Case records showed that Canlas committed fraud in May 2001 when he signed a one-month lease contract with Murin for a rotary drilling rig and its accessories, which he then needed for a project in Tarlac province. Under the contract, he was supposed to pay P125,000 and return the equipment afterwards, something he “refused and failed” to do despite demands from the company. Murin claimed that, without the equipment, it had lost P12.5 million in potential income. Jeannette I. Andrade

Councilor: Wi-Fi a must in QC restos, hotels

A proposed Quezon City ordinance is requiring tourism-oriented establishments in the city to offer free Wi-Fi service. Operating without it would result in penalties like fines or the cancellation of the business permits, according to the draft measure authored by 5th District Councilor Karl Edgar Castelo. If approved, the ordinance would apply to cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, inns, lodging houses and similar establishments frequented by tourists. Castelo argued that all these businesses should be required to be Wi-Fi-ready as an “added service” to patrons. The proposed ordinance seeks to amend an existing city law governing the operation of local tourism establishments, which the councilor said was passed in April 1994, when the Internet was just being introduced in the country. Jeannette I. Andrade

Manila teachers need movie breaks, says dad

Public school teachers in Manila may soon enjoy another perk, one that their own students would also want for themselves. In celebration of Teacher’s Month, a Manila councilor has proposed granting teachers free admission to movie houses twice a month. “It is only just and equitable to promote the welfare and general wellbeing of public school teachers since they play a vital role in nation-building,” according to a draft ordinance authored by Councilor DJ Bagatsing. In the proposed measure, teachers will be able to watch two movies a month, one local and one foreign, in cinemas located in Manila, except during premiere nights and legal or special holidays. Movie cards will be issued at no cost to the teachers by the Manila Division of City Schools in coordination with the City Department of Social Welfare. A teacher would need the special movie card, an ID from the Manila Division of City Schools and from the Professional Regulation Commission as proof of entitlement.  Erika Sauler