The family of slain Kabankalan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Henry Arles yesterday filed a motion for partial reconsideration on the ruling of the Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissing their murder complaint against three Negros Occidental officials.

Lawyer Ma. Estelita "Ria" Arles, daughter of the slain judge, said they have filed yesterday afternoon before the DOJ their petition to review the resolution in clearing three of the 10 respondents in the murder complaint they filed last year.

In a 16-page resolution dated November 19, 2012, but released only last May 6, or about five months there-after, the DOJ dismissed the complaint against Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., who ran for governor in the May 2013 election but lost, his son Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, who ran for vice mayor and won, and Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara for "insufficiency of evidence."

A couple in San Enrique town is facing drug charges following their arrest in a raid jointly conducted by operatives of the Negros Occidental Provincial and Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force and local police authorities, at about 2PM, yesterday.

PSSupt. Ricardo T. De la Paz, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) head reported that Roberto and April Sy, of Sitio Pangpang, Brgy. Poblacion were nabbed in a search and seizure operation through warrant number 13-02 issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 62 Judge Manuel Cardinal.

The warrant was effected against the couple for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Bacolod’s number one winning councilor and incumbent El Cid Familiaran, has indicated his willingness to forge a working alliance with councilors of the aggrupation, MKK and newly-elected chief executive, Monico Puentevella.

Familiaran also discussed developments which he says should be carried out in the city, for the good of its residents.

Changes, he said, taking into mind the interest of the whole populace, should include necessary developments in the city’s three public markets to include the Central, North or Burgos Market and the South Market or the Libertad St. public market.

The Board and Management of Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CENECO) informs its electricity consumers that the residential rate for May 2013 billing is P10.16/kWhr from last month’s P8.90/kWhr. The P1.26/kWhr increase is attributed to the following factors:

* Increase in Generation System Charge of P1.0416/kWhr;

* Increase in Systems Loss Charge of P0.1382/kWhr;

* Increase in NPC Stranded Contract Cost of P0.1938/kWhr;

* Total Increase in EVAT Generation & Transmission of P0.0363/kWhr;

* Decrease in Transmission System Charge of P0.1114/kWhr;

* Decrease in Lifeline Rate Subsidy of P0.0211/kWhr; and

* Decrease in Mandatory Rate Reduction of P0.0101/kWhr.

Sikat Academy 4-in-1 Summer Workshop ended with a blast on May 19, 2013, Sunday during its Grand Finale at Robinsons Place Fountain Area. The Grand Finale which had a KPOP theme showcased the talents of Sikat Academy workshoppers on Acting, Dancing, Singing and Newscasting/hosting. Popular Kpop hits like Gentleman, Ring Dingdong, Sorry, Sorry and Fire were featured in the dance numbers of Sikat Academy Kids and teens choreographed by Rodney Ascalon. While popular hits like Payphone, Titanium, Live While We’re Young, Kiss you and Beauty and the Beat were sang by the kids and teens, as mentored by Kulay Pikata. The acting class of Jade Dionzon featured the well-loved Koreanovelas in a parody. Meanwhile, students who took interest in newscasting and hosting were given the chance to host the show.

Charie Ginete-Ilon with Sikat Academy facilitators

"The workshop as promised, successfully gave the children an opportunity to explore their talents, build their self confidence and interact with other kids", Charie Ginete-Ilon, General Manager of CGI Excel and head teacher of Sikat Academy said. Ilon added a lot of kids have overcome their shyness and discovered their hidden talents during the workshop. It was a happy and memorable experience for workshop participants. In fact, a lot of participants this year already look forward to the next season of Sikat Academy.

Defeated senatorial candidate Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, who was No. 14 in the senatorial race, thanked all those who supported and voted for him in the May 2013 elections.

"I would like to thank all the 11.7 million people who voted for me and gave me their trust and confidence," Zubiri posted on his Facebook account.

Zubiri, a former senator, and with roots in Kabankalan and Bacolod cities, got 402,210 votes in Negros Occidental, and 93,666 votes in Bacolod. He ranked 5th among top senatorial candidates in Negros Occidental, and 8th in Bacolod.

"I owe you all a debt of gratitude that a lifetime would never be able to repay," he added.

[ DISCLAIMER: Opinions and reactions posted in this section do not necessarily reflect those of NDB and NDBers. - A rman Toga, moderator. ]

[7114] CENECO & BACIWA. Nugay na kamu kareklamu sa Ceneco kag Baciwa. Wala kamu inyo nga power plant. Magdusa kamu sang privatization. Hahaha! (09207242552)

[7113] May 20 Negros Daily Bulletin (NDB) NEWS-INFO ALERT** (ndb-online.com) ::: (1) Fire razed parts of a commercial structure at the Lizares compound beside UNO-R church along Lizares Street, Bacolod City early this morning (2) Kins of OFWs in Taiwan are having sleepless nights as fresh anti-Pinoy attacks killed 2 more OFWs (3) Woman died, 2 injured when 2 motorcycles collided in Ma-ao, Bago City (4) Boarding house owner’s son was shot dead in Mansilingan, Bacolod (5) "Police visibility a better crime deterrent"; Prov’l PNP OIC Dir. De la Paz orders cops to sustain visibility (6) No storm, just localized thunderstorms.

*[7112] MADING ADORIO IN GUIMARAS. Ginapahibalo sa mga paryente kag kakilala ni lola Magdalena "Mading" Gamusa-Adorio sang Alibjon, Jordan, Guimaras nga sya nagtaliwan kag yara nahaya sa ila puluy an sa Alibjon, Jordan. Sa Mayo 26 ang lubong ala una sa hapun. Contact kamo sa iya bata nga si Bella Adorio De Juan sa 09089015430.

[7111] POWER PLANT. Power plant gid ang kenanglan para madayun na tanan nga planu ni Monico kag Marañon. Wala power plant, wala progress kag wala development ang Bacolod kag Negros. (09207242552)

AND EXULTATIONS OF VICTORIES. The recent senatorial, congressional and local governments’ election was one of surprises, even more so shocking defeats for well-entrenched candidates vying for reelection or political clans.

In some cases the pains of defeat were marred by incidents akin to applying salt on gaping wounds.

The recent elections also, in a way pinpointed the ills and weaknesses, the glaring imperfections of the country’s electoral system.

Among the most exulting victories was that of the hotly-contested gubernatorial battle, nay, war between Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and erstwhile political ally Lim-ao Alvarez which also meant a humiliating defeat for a once-assumed political honcho, a billionaire twice over.

Yesterday, I visited Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. in his office to inquire from him what he was doing about the case of Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña.

For Marañon it was a matter of waiting for the outcome of the preliminary investigation to the case filed by the CIDG against Peña. In short, this was something Marañon is not interested in. Just curious.

And that was the same reply from Atty. Jose Ma. Valencia, the governor’s subaltern.

"The case had been submitted to Manila, and, I supposed the hearing must be there. All we have to do is just wait for the results," said Joe Val.

The only quip I heard from Marañon was his wish to meet with "Magsie" again.