News Briefs

PALMA: SHUN PRO-RH SENATORS

Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma called on the Roman Catholic faithful not to support senators who are supportive of the Reproductive Health bill.

“The moral values should be instilled in the minds of all members of the church, so everyone must vote wisely,” Archbishop Palma said.

“I believe that it is an anti-life law, so we must not support it as well as those who are behind the RH bill,” Palma said.

Palma also asked the political leaders to be morally upright. “Leaders should act as leaders. They should be the front liners of good morals,” Palma said./Correspondent Careen L. Malahay

LAWYER OF CONTESTED APAS LOT ASKS JUDGE TO STAY ON

The legal counsel of the contested Apas lot Mariano Godinez has formally requested Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras not to inhibit himself from the case.

The same sentiment was raised by lawyer Piedad Gonzales, counsel of sheriff El Cid Caballes, who was tasked to implement the Writ of Demolition.

Judge Peras is substituting for Regional Trial Court Branch 9 Judge James Himalaloan in hearing the case filed by the 168 families under the Archangel Residents Mergence Inc. (Armi) who are affected by a 2008 court ruling declaring Godinez owner of the 4.7-hectare lot in sitio San Miguel, barangay Apas in Cebu City.

“Whatever are these personal reasons that prompted his honor to inhibit from further resolving the issues at hand, plaintiff respectfully appeals to reexamine his conscience and ask himself whether at this stage he should voluntarily inhibit,” said Godinez’ counsel Roberto Palmares in a pleading submitted to the court.

Peras had earlier ruled that the Writ of Demolition, which resulted in a 2008 ruling declaring Godinez as the lawful owner of the contested land, can be implemented already as it does not have any legal impediment.

As this developed, Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City Police Office director, said police officials are ready to assist the sheriff during the demolition.

When interviewed by reporters, Sheriff Caballes was tight-lipped about the date of the demolition.

He, however, said he is hoping that he will be able to implement the Writ of Demolition within this month.

Judge Peras, last week, opted to inhibit from handling the case.

He cited “personal circumstances” in his order of inhibition and and sent the case records back for reraffling to another judge.

Peras mentioned about “portions of the camp (which) are included in this case” as reason for him to back off from this case. His reference to a “camp” was clearly Camp Lapu-Lapu where the judge resides. The judge is an Army reservist./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol

DSWD TO ROLL OUT YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 7 has more than 7,500 government internship slots to out-of-school and unemployed youth in Central Visayas.

Grace Subong, chief of Technical Assistance Division of DSWD-7, said more than 5,000 slots are still available to qualified young people in the region.

The Expanded Government Internship Program (GIP) aims to “strengthen youth participation in nation building, expose them to government service, train them on life skills and contribute to their economic well-being.”

Subong said DSWD has received many applications but are “carefully screening” them, especially their willingness to be assigned in different local government units (LGU).

“Basically, they will be helping in the implementation of 4 Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), supplementary feeding and other programs,” she added.

DSWD-7 is still waiting for the release of the budget for the Expanded GIP; they are confident the internship program will start this month./Correspondent Jessa J. Agua