NEWS BRIEFS

Rama to bow out as RDC-7 head

The Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC-7) is expecting to have a new chairperson to preside over their fourth quarter meeting on December 5.

Council members decided in yesterday’s meeting to allow President Aquino to pick a new chairperson and co-chairperson from among a list of nominees to be submitted to Malacañang in a month’s time.

“We are giving a hand to the president whom he will choose as RDC chairman. I do not want to expect (that I will get the President’s nod) because I am not with the Liberal Party (LP),” said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Rama, who was elected RDC chairperson shortly after his assumption as mayor in 2010, presided over yesterday’s third quarter meeting. But he was unable to finish the meeting and asked his vice-chairperson, NEDA regional director Efren Carreon to take over as he had to catch his flight to Manila.

Sources said that Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, an LP member, has signified his interest to be the next RDC chairperson. Davide was at the RDC meeting yesterday, but left during the lunch break and after the council agreed on their list of nominees for the next RDC-7 chairperson and co-chairperson./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

All set for Sunday’s anti-pork move

It’s all systems go for the inter-faith anti-pork barrel rally this coming Sunday.

The Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System, composed of more than 50 organizations from religious, academic, business and civil society groups urges “patriotic” Cebuanos to go out on Sunday afternoon, September 29 “to denounce the pork barrel system and call for the end of corruption in government.”

“What makes this rally different is that we are not just there to complain but to offer solutions as well,” said Marc Canton, on of the convenors, of the Movement for a Livable Cebu.

Organizers are expecting between 8,000 and 10,000 to attend the rally.

The assembly area will be at the Fuente Osmeña Circle at 1p.m. They will then march to Plaza Independencia where a Mass and program will be held. A stage will be set-up in front of Fort San Pedro.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has called on members of the Catholic church to join the protest./Correspondent Jose Santino Bunachita