News Briefs

Sinulog Burglary Case

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said he supported Councilor Edgar Labella’s call to tap the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas to investigate the Sinulog office robbery, which resulted to the loss of over P1.6 million worth of funds.

Rama asked for the reports and other paperwork on the case after the prosecutor’s office dismissed the case of the police’s suspect then security guard Joselyndo Jabagat.

“Dili mahimo nga undangon tana diha kay nay kwarta nga nawala,” said Rama of the Sinulog robbery case investigation.

“Mas mayo kung naa ang NBI especially since there is an issue on how it was handled by the police,” he said.

The mayor said he also felt that it was his responsibility to bring the matter on the dismissal of the Sinulog case to the attention of the members of the board of trustees.

Yesterday, Rama also warned City Police chief Melvin Buenafe and heads of different police stations to be serious in performing their duties. He said he was prepared to recommend the transfer of non-performing policemen.

He said he didn’t want an incidents similar to the recent Talisay city ambush to happen in the city. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

Vidal’s 81st birthday

FOR his 81st birthday, Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal wished that he can continue to preach and teach about the church values to the Cebuano flock.

“ I wish that I can continue to preach and teach. I think it’s the most important,” Vidal told reporters in an interview on his residence yesterday morning.

Vidal was serenaded yesterday dawn by his close friends, family members and the choir from the Oasis of Love who led the celebration with a melodious tune of English, Tagalog and Cebuano songs.

Vidal led the mass in his residence, which was also attended by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma,  Auxilliary Bishop  Julito Cortez, retired Bishop Antonio Racelis Rañola, Msgr. Cris Garcia, Archbishop  Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran and Archbishop Filomena Bactol of Nawal.

In his homily, Vidal said that he has nothing to ask for since he felt an overwhelming gratitude from the love  given by the Cebuanos.

“ I do not claim to be strong, after 80 years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s gift of life,” Vidal said. /Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya