The chairmen of six barangays in District 2 that were affected by District 1 Congresswoman Climaco-Salazar’s own re-apportionment of barangays in her bill seeking the creation of another congressional district, yesterday protested Salazar’s action and stressed that they do not wish their barangays to be carved out of the present District 2 under Congressman Erbie A. Fabian.

by Jimmy Villaflores

Clydelyn Pablo, an auditor of the Commission on Audit (COA) assigned in the preparation of the Annual Audit Report (AAR) of Zamboanga City, yesterday clarified that based on the 2008 AAR, Mayor Celso Lobregat’s  administration has not committed any irregularities in so far as the implementation of projects are concerned.

Residents of Barangay Curuan were quick to defend Mayor Celso Lobregat against criticisms hurled against his administration for failure to introduce developmental projects in any of the city’s 98 barangays, saying certain quarters only want to further their political ambitions at the expense of the mayor.

In reaction to the losing IBT (Integrated Bus Terminal) bidder’s allegation, the city’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chaired by City Veterinarian Mario Ariola clarified that a notice was already sent to the former right after City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr signed the notice of award on April 13, 2009.

by Allen  Abastillas

Western Mindanao Command Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ramirez handed over yesterday afternoon a P1 million reward to an informer who helped in the capture of four Abu Sayyaf members.
The informer provided the military information that led to the capture Ersad Sabung y Aheren alias Kaka/ Abu Amama, Salim Mas-od Tangal alias Salim Ali, Jol Akraam Marun Hadjial alias Dudung and Abdulkabir Balahem alias Abbas.

by Allen  Abastillas

Western Mindanao Command Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ramirez handed over yesterday afternoon a P1 million reward to an informer who helped in the capture of four Abu Sayyaf members.

by Jemuel Mojica

The Office of Congressman Erbie A. Fabian has urged the different barangays in District 2 to continue with their anti-dengue fumigation as it also advised that small barangays which still do not have their own fogging machines should visit the office and borrow the machines.

District 1Congresswoman Beng Climaco-Salazar expressed elation over President Arroyo’s appointment of Atty. Jose Manuel Mamauag as CHR Commissioner.
Salazar strongly lobbied to Arroyo for his appointment.
The congresswoman and Atty. Mamauag sit together as Board of Trustees in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and share the same advocacy of peace and defending human rights especially those of women and children.

by Vic Alvarez

TACLOBAN,Leyte — Hundreds of visitors, athletes, coaches and housewives yesterday complained of the traffic scheme cduring the visit of President Arroyo. Mrs. Arroyo who was the guest speaker during the opening program of the Palarong Pambansa 2009 here in Tacloban City.

by Vic Larato

While the entire world is now on high alert against the swine flu outbreak, the Philippines, particularly Zamboanga City remains safe from the deadly disease as of yet, according to City Health Officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos.
Dr. Agbulos attributed this to the ongoing surveillance in place at the Zamboanga City Medical Center and Puericulture Hospital where random samplings are taken from patients with influenza-like syndrome.

by Dan Toribio  Jr.

A man wanted for carnapping was arrested and jailed after he was caught picking the sling bag of a radio reporter along Gov. Lim Avenue last Tuesday night.
The suspect was identified as Sarabil Damsali, 32, of Campo Islam, this city. He was taken to the police station.

The National Food Authority (NFA) regional office yesterday disclosed that some 120,000 sacks of rice imported from Vietnam aboard a commercial cargo vessel are expected to arrive in this city on Friday.

 A House of Representatives clerk receives the 3rd district bill filed by Rep. Beng Climaco yesterday.

by Noning Antonio

A business couple was shot and critically wounded and lost almost half a million pesos to highway robbers in Kumalarang, Zamboanga Del Sur, last Sunday night.
The victims were identified as Ernie Japollet, 35, and his wife Josephine, 31, both of Ozamiz City.

Now that fuel prices have reasonably stabilized at least with the entry of Sea Oil in Zamboanga City, Mayor Celso Lobregat has trained anew his gun this time on the local construction industry, particularly the skyrocketing prices of sand and gravel materials.