An old Soviet joke serves as a reminder of the potential distorting hand of government in solving problems like energy: One Russian says to another, “Did you hear the whole world is now communist except New Zealand?” The other asks, “Why not New Zealand?” The answer: “We need some place to determine prices.”

By RICK R. FLORES

ISABELA CITY, Basilan  — The old mansion still stands loftily on the top of the hill. A place where old oligarchs used to map out plans to expand Menzi’s rubber plantation up to Maluso, the Mediterranean-inspired mansion now houses a number of descendants of the once ruling few. Here they are doing the same thing as their forebears did some centuries back—still making plans to further convert these rubber plantations into oil palm orchards while down the compound, workers are still craving for their just share of the land through the government’s agrarian reform program. |

BY BOB JALDON

His corner’s white towel stained with red; his right eyebrow and nose dripping with blood like a busted oil pipe; and his legs wobbling like a dilapidated Oldsmobile, Dangerous David Diaz from the windy city of Chicago, Illinois where Democratic presidential nominee Barack Hussin Obama hails from, finally fell on his knees from a left-right lethal combination delivered like a thunderbolt by Manny Pacquiao in the ninth round that sent him to dreamland. No amount of egging from the dominant Mexican-American crowd at the convention center of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino could get DDD back on his feet. He was a fallen warrior who had dreamed of better fights ahead – fights that would have earned him the big bucks and give him a new sports car to replace his aircon-less Honda Civic and a bigger house for his ailing father.

Walking down the street in Zamboanga City is like crossing a crocodile-infested river or going through the middle of a gunbattle. This is true during peak hours when traffic is heavy and motorists are racing each other, trying to beat the green light or escaping a traffic snarl along the way.

The administration of Mayor Celso Lobregat has initiated a total of P317.6 million worth of projects for the enhancement of education during the last four years in support of the national government’s commitment to win the battle against poverty through education.

by Jemuel Mojica

Acting Mayor Mannix Dalipe yesterday stressed that the victory of Manny Pacquiao against David Diaz in the WBC lightweight championship is also a triumph for the Filipinos here in the country and in other parts of the world.

District 1 Representative Beng Climaco will distribute hundreds of first aid kits to the various barangays in the first legislative district including barangay halls, public elementary and secondary schools and day care centers. 

Acting Mayor Mannix Dalipe today is set to order City Budget Officer Virginia Gara and City Treasurer Soledad Li to release the amount of P500,000 from the intelligence funds to the Zamboanga City Police Office and Task Force Zamboanga.

by Allen Abastillas

Zamboanga Del Sur Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Ramon M. Ochotorena reported to Police Regional Office-9 chief Director Jaime G. Caringal that his office successfully conducted a bomb awareness lecture and security measures in Pagadian City last week

by Dan Toribio Jr.

The holdup took place at the Krishma Bakeshop owned by Edna Hadman around 1:45 a.m.

A farmer narrowly escaped death in a knife and icepick attack in Barangay Poblacion, San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur last Wednesday.

BY JUN SANTOS

For her unusual fondness of feeling the greatest every time she comes up with an out-of-this world story that stormed the nation to the point of staking her very life of going out of her way to any length, in the process of producing the story, ABS-CBN anchor Ces Drilon woke up one morning to find her self and her camera crew the kidnap victims of the dreaded blood thirsty Abu Sayyaf that shocked the world.

(Greetings)
Minamahal Kong Mga Kababayan:
Magandang Gabi Sa Inyong Lahat:

I’m happy to be here with you. Together, let us pause in prayer/ and put ourselves in the presence of the Lord/ and remember the victims and families of typhoon Frank and the ferry disaster.

BY BOB JALDON

The night that Manny Pacquiao scored a controversial split decision against then WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A., WBC lightweight champion David Diaz was in the undercard and escaped with a majority decision over little-known Ramon Montano.

(Lessons my grandfather taught me)

By JANE BASCAR-RUIZ

“I have seen many people grow old, but not graciously. Their eyes reflect pain and disillusionment. They have been beaten by life; they have so many broken dreams. The hope and expectations of youth have vanished – only death awaits.”
Chin-Ning Chu
Thick face, black heart