NEWS BRIEFS

Robredo meets Cebu, Negros LP officials

Interior and Local Government Sec. Jesse Robredo met with Liberal Party members of Cebu and Negros Oriental provinces yesterday.

“No discussions yet who we’ll field, where except probably that Junjun Davide is the gubernatorial candidate in the province,” Robredo said.

LP Cebu province chairman lawyer Hilario “Junjun” Davide III said he told Robredo there are political groups and prominent political personalities who are set to join the administration party.

When asked to confirm if the Durano clan-led Bakud party is finally supporting LP, Davide said there is “none at the moment”.

“All these still remains to be seen. Di ko ganahan mohatag og statement kay premature pa man gud. (I don’t want to make any statement on alliances. It is still premature), Davide said.

Robredo said his meeting with LP members from the Central Visayas provinces was more “developmental than political.”

He also dismissed claims his going around the country is connected to supposed plans in 2013.

“No, I do not have political plans for 2013,” Robredo said.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale of the Bakud Party said they will make formal announcement next week. Magpale has been courted by One Cebu and the LP to be their vice governor candidate in 2013.

She said they are still consulting Cebu 5th district Rep. Red Durano who arrived from a trip abroad yesterday and also former tourism secretary Ace Durano before announcing their plans and alliances in 2013./Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus

Robredo visit PRO-7, deny loyalty check

Interior and Local Government Sec. Jesse Robredo yesterday held a dialogue with non-commissioned officers of the Philippine National Police in Central Visayas.

Robredo said he just want to personally check the situation of members of the Police Regional Office 7, especially those in the frontlines. “I’d like to know if there are issues and concerns from the police force here that the national office can address,” Robredo said.

He laughed off questions from the media if his meeting is a form of loyalty check on the PNP as the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona enters the homestretch.

“If I am concerned with the impeachment I should be in Manila and not here in Cebu,” Robredo said.

He, however, did not comment on the impeachment which may conclude next week./Correspondents Gabriel C. Bonjoc and Chito O. Aragon

USS Pearl Harbor arrives in Cebu

The amphibious landing ship, USS Pearl Harbor of the US Navy will be in Cebu for a goodwill visit today.

Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) spokesman, Ensign Joseph Ison said the USS Pearl Harbor is scheduled to arrive at 11 am today at the Cebu International Port (CIP).

Aside from the goodwill visit, the US ship will also be here for its replenishment of supplies and rest and recreation of its crew.

Arrival honors will be rendered by sailors and marines of the Navforcen upon their arrival, Ison said.

A briefing will then ensue among the Navforcen officers and the ship’s officers and personnel.

Ison added that Navforcen officers and personnel will also have the chance to tour the ship and familiarize with some of its operations.

USS Pearl Harbor is the last of the United States Navy’s four new cargo variants of the Whidbey Island class of Landing Dock Ships. It is the first ship to carry the name Pearl Harbor to commemorate the heroic actions of the members of the armed services as well as the citizens of the Island of Oahu during the attack on Dec. 7, 1941.

It carries at least 300 officers and enlisted personnel and another 300 marines.

USS Pearl Harbor previously visited the Philippines in 2008, but today’s visit will be its first here Cebu./Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus