NEWS BRIEFS

RANK CHANGES DELAY BUDGET

THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) cannot pass the province’s first 2011 supplemental budget worth at least P100 million next week. This is due to changes in the positions, salary grades and qualifications of some of the 11 PB employees as pointed out by the Civil Service Commission.
Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale yesterday received CSC Memorandum Circular No. 12 stating the changes.
The PB earlier agreed with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to pass on Monday a supplemental budget to restore staff salaries and pork barrels earlier transferred to the governor’s office.

But Magpale said she still needs to explain the CSC memorandum to the board in a caucus before their session.
Some positions held by employees did not match their job descriptions, Magpale said. Positions like local legislative staff officer 2 and local legislative staff employee 1 no longer exist under the CSC memorandum.

PB Member Alex Binghay said they will look for ways for the 11 employees to keep their jobs.
Magpale said she was “trying my best” to ensure the employees don’t lose their jobs.
“We are doing everything including helping the budget officer so none will be left out of the staff of the board members.” Correspondent Fe Marie D. Dumaboc

TOMAS FOR RH BILL

CEBU City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña yesterday decried the “divisiveness” provoked by the Reproductive Health bill.
“People are now shouting at each other and no one is willing to listen,” he said.

Osmeña said he supports the bill but does not want to argue with the Catholic Church that opposes the passage for as long as the Church does not use morality to sow fear and discourage Catholics from supporting the bill.

Osmeña said he was willing to withdraw support for the bill if this would prevent people from practicing their religion.
He said his position on the bill is in accordance with Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan principles that he crafted on Jan. 21, 1999, which includes not allowing the dominance of one religion.

“In a democracy it is the majority that rules, but the minority also has rights,” said Osmena, adding that “even if there is only one person in Cebu who does not believe in God, that is his right.”

The Catholic Church has been very vocal in the RH bill discussions with priests discussing the bill in their homilies. Chief Of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

GWEN: MARCOS A HERO

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she is in favor of a hero’s burial for the late Ferdinand Marcos.
“Yes, I am in favor of the former president’s being buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Garcia said in a press conference.
Marcos should be judged on tangible evidence like medals he earned as a war hero and the major infrastructures in the country built during his term, she said.
“If an unknown soldier fighting for the country has been given his rightful place in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Garcia said, “doesn’t one who has done and accomplished so much deserve the same?” UPV Tacloban Intern Ana Asteria Erpe

‘REVIEW CONTRACT WITH TOWING FIRM’

MANDAUE City Administrator James Abadia said the city’s contract with a towing firm needs to be reviewed in light of several complaints from motorists.
He said the city’s legal department led by lawyer Giovanni Tianero is compiling the complaints and preparing to review the contract with Jadewell Towing Co.
Employees of Philasia complained when their service vehicles parked outside Rolling Hills funeral homes were towed.
Alex Oracion, sales manager of Philasia, said their establishment and Rolling Hills have an existing agreement on the use of parking space.
Abadia said Jadewell secured accreditation last year but that he didn’t know how in the face of complaints.
He, however, said the company is entitled to due process. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos