By SR. ALICE S. CANDIDO, FSP

The Daughters of St. Paul (Paulines) together with the Association of Pauline Cooperators (APC), who form the Pauline Family in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, joined in celebrating the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on January 25, 2008, in St. Ignatius of Loyola Tetuan Parish Church.

Newly-freed priest killer Norberto Manero Jr. has brushed aside the reported threats on his life saying they are just “normal.”

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels released on Sunday three Nestle Philippines ice cream vendors in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, following earlier suspicions that they were military intelligence operatives.

The latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey that showed that the number of Filipinos who consider themselves “poor” declined in the fourth quarter of 2007 is a solid proof that the government’s anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs are on the right track and their benefits have trickled down to the poor.

By CHARLIE S. APOSTOL

This is an engaging bit of good news to all political adherents in Zamboanga City.
The long moribund CONCERNED CITIZENS AGGRUPATION (CCA) a regional political party founded by the late MAYOR CESAR C. CLIMACO is currently undergoing a rebirth. The historical revival of the party is initiated by its co-founders and preliminary organizational meetings are ongoing.

BY Jimmy L. Montejo

If Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon can deliver on his promise to ultimately break the backbone of the New People”s Army (NPA) within his three-month extension period which ends on May 9, I will gladly nominate him as presidential candidate in 2010.

BY BOB JALDON

LOS ANGELES, CA. — Everybody here is talking about the effects of global warming, as rains continue to drench the southern part of California (who says it never rains in southern California?). It’s been pouring here since last week that umbrellas have become a fad. Factor that with strong and chilly winds and you have a winter in California that’s more than usual. Hell, they say, it’s winter and anything can happen. Right, they are. And that silly remark is going to linger till the end of February when the weather becomes uglier and when the electric bills shoot up because of the constant use of heaters.

By REMEDIOS F. MARMOLEÑO

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon  presented the threat of water shortage  at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “There is still enough water for all of us — but only so long as we can keep it clean, use it more wisely, and share it fairly.” 

Anything first and memorable event in our lives usually calls for a celebration. It gives us ultimate happiness and joy that we want to share with others.

District 2 Congressman Erbie A. Fabian yesterday disclosed that a House-Senate Bicameral Committee of which he is a member approved the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008 last Tuesday night.

Task Force Zamboanga Commander Col. Darwin Z. Guerra has commended the Sangali Police under Insp. Jesus Belarga and soldiers of the 11th and 15th Division Reconnaissance Company under 1Lt. Domingo Saavedra and 1Lt. Lemuel A. Baduya for a job well done during a clearing operation at Km 18, Sitio Campo Uno, Upper Bunguiao, this city that resulted in the identification of three gunmen who robbed some residents in the area last January 21.

Mayor Celso Lobregat has expressed confidence that the mass protest against the undue conversion of municipalities launched by the League of Cities is gaining momentum but stressed that the protest moves should be continued and          expanded.

Mayor Celso Lobregat has expressed gratitude to Hon. Persida Rueda-Acosta, chief Public Attorney for personally spearheading the legal jail          decongestion and medical mission at the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center Wednesday.

by Allen Abastillas

A police chief and two of his men were wounded in a firefight with suspected Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) rebels in Sitio Kakawan in Barangay Lakiki, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte yesterday morning.

Former Councilor Mila Velasquez ended her 8-month battle with leukemia shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, January 29 at the Doctor’s Hospital. She was 55.