News Briefs: Oct. 24, 2018

Truck driver jailed after fatal crash

Police detained and charged a truck driver after a road crash in a Zamboanga del Sur town killed four people and injured three others.

Fructoso Ponce Bation, 54, was charged with multiple homicide after he lost control of the truck he was driving and caused a seven-vehicle collision.

Senior Insp. Ryan Wakat, police chief of Ramon Magsaysay town, said Bation tried to unsuccessfully overtake a dump truck and rammed into six vehicles. —Leah Agonoy

Legislator challenges Ecleos’ grip on Dinagat

A representative is challenging the grip of the Ecleo political dynasty in the island province of Dinagat.

Dinagat Rep. Arlene Bag-ao filed her certificate of candidacy for governor under the erstwhile ruling Liberal Party.

Bag-ao is challenging Vice Gov. Benglen B. Ecleo, who is running for governor under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan.

Benglen is running to replace his mom, Glenda, who is the incumbent governor on her last term. —Erwin M. Mascariñas

Sandiganbayan: Evidence vs Sajid Ampatuan strong

The Sandiganbayan has denied former Maguindanao Gov. Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan permission to contest the sufficiency of the Ombudsman’s evidence in the alleged misuse of P22.37 million to purchase diesel from his brother, Andal, to be used in what turned out to be ghost projects.

In a 10-page resolution dated Oct. 17, the court’s Fifth Division said the prosecution’s evidence was strong enough to lead to Sajid’s conviction for graft and falsification.

Sajid, the court said, should instead present evidence to prove his innocence.

The case, for eight counts each of graft and falsification, concerned the Maguindanao provincial government’s purchase of 614,650 liters of diesel from the Shariff Aguak Petron gas station in 2009. Andal owned it. —Vince F. Nonato

68 DQ petitions filed in Comelec

A total of 68 petitions for disqualification have been filed in the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Aside from the case filed against Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, 67 other petitions to disqualify candidates have been filed on Monday.

Among the prominent petitioners was former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who wants to disqualify senatorial candidate Lemicio Jesus Roxas.

Antique Gov. Exequiel Javier and a certain Robin Rubinor want to disqualify Sen. Loren Legarda from running for representative of Antique’s lone district.

Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, who is running for Cebu governor, is facing two disqualification cases. —Tina G. Santos

Child rights group: Fight high prices, breastfeed

At a time of high prices, a child rights group urged women on Tuesday to breastfeed not only to cut expenses on milk formula but also better ensure the health of their children.

Save the Children Philippines, in a statement by its head, Albert Muyot, said breastfeeding allowed families to reallocate budget that would otherwise have been spent on formula milk.

He said breast feeding was being drowned out by milk formula marketing and promotion. —Jovic Yee

BI stops 2 Senegalese, 1 Kiribati citizen at Naia

Airport immigration officers have intercepted three foreigners who tried to enter the country with fraudulent travel documents.

In a report to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Port Operations Chief Grifton Medina said the three foreigners — a Kiribati citizen and two Senegalese — were caught on separate occasions at Terminals 1 and 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). —Tina G. Santos