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Cebu News Digest: March 24, 2015: 6 armed men rob P1.9M from bingo club; Police to heighten security during Holy Week; Concreting of A.S. Fortuna St. to be completed on May 26

March 24, 2015 9:06 am March 24, 2015

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In less than 25 minutes under broad daylight, six armed men robbed an electronic bingo outlet in City Time Square on Mantawi Drive in Mandaue City. The Department of Public…

In less than 25 minutes under broad daylight, six armed men robbed an electronic bingo outlet in City Time Square on Mantawi Drive in Mandaue City.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 announced that the concreting in A.S. Fortuna Street will be completed on May 26.

Expecting rise of local and foreign tourists in Bantayan Island and of workers going home to their provinces during Holy Week, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) will set up measures to heighten security during that period.

Here are the top stories for today, March 24, 2015:

E-Bingo Club robbery an inside job?

After robbing E-Bingo Club in the City Time Square yesterday afternoon, six armed men fled on board two motorcycles, carting away almost P2 million in cash.

The E-Bingo Club in City Time Square along Mantawi Drive in Mandaue City was robbed last night by six armed men. (Photo taken from City Time Square Facebook page)

Part of the cash (P1.156 million) came from the club’s vault and the rest from the club’s income for three days (P794,137).

The robbers had locked the seven employees of the club—the security guard, two cashiers, gaming head and three attendants—inside the comfort room. One of the robbers carried a .45 pistol while another carried a KG9 pistol.

Then they fled in the direction of Barangay Subangdaku.

The police received a call for help at 2:14 p.m. Because the robbery looked thoroughly planned, they are not discounting the possibility that someone working inside the bingo place may be involved with the robbers.

Sun.Star Cebu: Bingo place loses P1.9M to 6 men
The Freeman: Bingo club loses P1.9M

CPPO to deploy more police personnel

The CPPO will deploy 120 police personnel in Bantayan Island during the Holy Week due to the increase in the number of tourists going there.

They are also bracing for traffic problems with workers expected to go home to their provinces during the period. Traffic problems may also come in the form of some other towns having activities along the highway during the Holy Week.

“We discourage activities that are done along the highway kay makapasamot sa traffic.” — CPPO Director Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac

The Freeman: CPPO preps for Holy Week events in Bantayan Island

Several factors delay road concreting on A.S. Fortuna Street

Since February 15 last year, commuters and motorists have endured the traffic caused by the ongoing road concreting along A.S. Fortuna Street.

But it wouldn’t be long, as DPWH 7 announced that the concreting in A.S. Fortuna Street will finish on May 26.

“Our construction has been delayed because our work during the day is sometimes being cut due to the heavy volume of vehicles passing by.” — DPWH 7 Project Inspector engineer Reymond Catalunia

Another cause for the delay is the movement of pipes owned by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to safer ground to ensure that water supply in Cebu City and some parts of Mandaue City is not cut off.

Cebu Daily News: Concreting in Mandaue’s AS Fortuna to finish in May 26

TOP CEBU HEADLINES. The front pages of Cebu’s 3 English dailies.

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: SMEs paired with potential buyers in DTI’s speed matching event

The Freeman: Revisions in certification scheme to affect PS license holders – DTI

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News

Cebu News Digest: March 23, 2015: Businesswoman tied, robbed of P7M worth of items inside home; Personal grudge eyed as possible motive in Saturday shooting in Mandaue

March 23, 2015 8:55 am March 23, 2015

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A 51-YEAR-OLD businesswoman who is a a casino financier was robbed at gunpoint by five men inside her house in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday. According to the police,…

A 51-YEAR-OLD businesswoman who is a a casino financier was robbed at gunpoint by five men inside her house in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday.

According to the police, a personal grudge is being investigated as the possible motive of the lone biker for shooting a 15-year-old girl and her mother who were aboard a public utility jeepney along A.S. Fortuna Street, Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City Saturday afternoon.

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Check out Eagles’ Nest by Primary Homes — a great option especially for students of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. The school has endorsed it as alternative living arrangement for its students. (Read more about the project here.)

Here are the top stories for today, March 23, 2015:

Relatives, classmates, and friends of Kim Espina, the 15-year-old who was gunned down on board a jeepney along A.S. Fortuna St., start social media campaign asking #justiceforKimEspina.

5 robbers inside home

Joy Chan, 27, who owed businesswoman Marites Amit P500,000, was a guest at Amit’s house. She was suspected to have left open the gate, main door and door to Amit’s room to allow entry of four accomplices.

The suspects pointed a gun at Amit, tied her and her helper and taped their mouths as their robbed her of valuables. They stripped Amit of the following:

P682,000 in cash, and jewelry,
bags and gadgets worth P4.9 million
post-dated checks worth P2 million
black Mitsubishi Montero Sport (YLB-565), worth P1.5 million
jewelry worth P3 million
three Louis Vuitton bags worth P300,000
solid gold Cartier watch worth P1.5 million
Louis Vuitton wallet worth P60,000
one iPhone 5S worth P35,000
Compaq laptop worth P25,000
Samsung phone worth P1,000
land titles, credit cards and IDs

About four hours after the robbery in the Deca 4 Subdivision, a team of Alcoy policemen arrested five persons in Oslob, around 120 kilometers south.

Sun.Star Cebu: 5 caught after P7M robbery

Personal angle?

Senior Police Officer 2 Marcos Noval Jr. of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Mandaue City Police Office said that they are currently looking into a personal motive of the suspect for shooting Kim Espina, a high school student who died on the spot after getting shot in her head and her mother Prescilla Espina who was taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.

Related Story: Sun.Star Cebu: Lone biker shoots, kills girl, 15, leaves her mother critically hurt

Noval discounted the possibility that the shooting could have been related to the alleged involvement of Prescilla’s son, Tibor, in illegal drugs.

Tibor was arrested on the first week of January this year for his alleged illegal drug activities. The victims often visited Tibor while he was still detained in the station.

Noval admitted that they do not have any leads yet on the identity of the suspect.

Kim succumbed to a gunshot wound on her neck and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Gullas Medical Center while Prescilla is already in stable condition but is still recuperating at VSMMC after she was shot near her right eye.

The Freeman: Personal grudge eyed in Mandaue shooting

Cebu Business headlines:

The Freeman: DOLE: Jobs available but… Employability of fresh grads remains an issue
Sun.Star Cebu: 28M Filipinos covered by micro-insurance as of 2014
The Freeman: CBM 2015 to highlight ‘Glocalization’

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Cebu News Digest: March 21, 2015: BPO towers, mall, hotel to rise in Cebu IT Park; 120-ha. reforested land in Oslob catches fire; CV asks for P108B in 2016 nat’l budget

March 21, 2015 11:50 am March 21, 2015

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In 2019, the public will see the rise of two BPO towers, a mall and a hotel inside the 24-hectare Cebu IT Park in Lahug. A fire went up in…

In 2019, the public will see the rise of two BPO towers, a mall and a hotel inside the 24-hectare Cebu IT Park in Lahug.

A fire went up in a reforestation project in Barangay Canangcaan, Oslob town at 2 p.m. last Sunday and spread to cover 120 hectares.

Central Visayas is asking for P108.86 billion in projects in the national budget for 2016.

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Here are the top stories for today, March 21, 2015:

More development in IT Park

Property developer Ayala Land Inc. will invest around P8 billion for a 2.2-hectare mixed-use project inside its own development, the Cebu IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City.

A night shot of the Cebu IT Park, where property developer Ayala Land, Inc. plans to put up a Central Bloc of 2 BPO towers, five-level Ayala mall, and Seda Hotel. (Creative Commons photo by George Parilla)

The project is called the Central Bloc. It will house two business process outsourcing (BPO) towers, a five-level Ayala mall, and a 214-room Seda hotel.

The new project, which broke ground on Friday, is expected to generate 17,000 jobs upon completion in 2019. About 14,000 of these jobs are expected to come from the BPO sector.

The BPO towers will accommodate local and multinational firms that wish to expand their operations in Cebu while the mall is expected to house a total of 500 local and international brands and offer a gross leasable area of 24,000 square meters.

The management said they will add two more access roads to Banilad to support the road requirements of Ayala’s existing and future projects in the Cebu IT Park.

Sun.Star Cebu: New mall, towers in IT Park

No response to the fire?

The fire department in Oslob admitted they were not able to respond to the forest fire in Barangay Canangcaan because no one told them about it.

Authorities are now verifying reports that a 14-year-old boy may have caused the fire, which broke out in steep terrain. Residents in the area failed to stop the forest fire because of the steep terrain and their lack of water sources.

The fire destroyed around 60,000 trees of varying species, such as kakawati, robles, ipil-ipil and molave, and worth Php 285,000, according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7.

It was one of the critical plantations under DENR’s National Greening Program (NGP). The nine critical NGP plantations in Central Visayas are in Oslob and Argao in Cebu; Ubay, Buenavista, Getafe, Pilar and Talibon in Bohol; and Ayungon and Bindoy in Negros Oriental.

DENR 7 director Dr. Isabelo Montejo ordered the immediate monitoring of all 20 NGP plantations in the region and setting up of community fire brigades to counter the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

Sun.Star Cebu: Flames cover 120 hectares

Proposed budget for CV

With the endorsement of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7, Central Visayas is asking for P108.86 billion in programs and projects, including roads, in the national budget for 2016.

The budget proposal is divided into four parts: development administration (P427.44 million), social development (P55.310 billion), economic development (P3.730 billion) and infrastructure (P49.395 billion).

Cebu has the biggest budget for social development at P38.285 billion and infrastructure, at P21.858 billion.

However, the total amount does not include yet Cebu City’s infrastructure projects because these lacked an endorsement from the Cebu City Development Council.

Sun.Star Cebu: Central Visayas asks for P108.6B
The Freeman: Projects put on hold pending endorsement

Cebu Business headlines:

The Freeman: DOLE allocates P76M for summer job program
The Freeman: Sy-led mall chain to expand Visayas operations
Sun.Star Cebu: ‘Embrace what makes the PH unique’

News

Cebu News Digest: March 20, 2015: P10M worth of ‘ukay-ukay’ seized in Mandaue; Talisay City College in trouble over courses

March 20, 2015 9:15 am March 20, 2015

2 min read

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 seized in a raid about P10 million worth of used clothing in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City yesterday. The Commission on Higher Education (Ched)…

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 seized in a raid about P10 million worth of used clothing in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City yesterday.

The Commission on Higher Education (Ched) 7 called the attention of Talisay City College after its officials reportedly failed to get government accreditation for four courses they offered.

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Here are the top stories for today, March 20, 2015:

‘Illegal importation’

NBI raided what is considered as one of the biggest warehouses of used clothing in Mandaue City.

The agents arrested Korean national Jonghoi Goo and his secretary Cecil Belocura and held for questioning four other men from the trucking agency.

During the raid, NBI caught caught Goo’s men unloading 500 sacks worth P20,000 each, which contained used shoes and apparel, from a cargo container and a mini-dump truck without plate numbers. They denied knowing that Goo’s business was illegal.

Goo and Belocura will be facing complaints for allegedly violating RA 4653, which prohibits the commercial importation of used clothing to safeguard the health of the Filipino people and maintain “the dignity of the country.”

Sun.Star Cebu: P10M worth of ‘ukay’ seized by NBI
The Freeman: P11M in used clothes seized

Have courses accredited or graduates will suffer

Ched 7 said that the Talisay City College (TCC) has to accredit its courses immediately or its graduates could suffer for its lapse. Some students of these courses are set to graduate on March 27.

TCC’s caretaker Dr. Edgar Martinez said that the four courses they offered are legal.

These four courses that are being questioned over their lack of accreditation are Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, Master in Public Education, and Master of Arts in Education, and Doctor in Education.

Sun.Star Cebu: Talisay college grilled by Ched
The Freeman: TCC offering courses without CHED nod?

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: DTI provides equipment for farmers
Sun.Star Cebu: Online needs to mirror offline ones: Better infra, please
The Freeman: DTI: Cebu to get over P19M for 18 shared service facilities
The Freeman: CPA execs, business groups meet to settle port concerns

News

Cebu News Digest: March 19, 2015: MCDCB to DPWH: Widen major roads, not destroy serviceable ones; Gaisanos to PAL: Apologize or we’ll sue

March 19, 2015 10:23 am March 19, 2015

6 min read

The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) sub-committee on infrastructure and utilities appealed to MCDCB to widen major roads in Metro Cebu instead of “destroying” serviceable roads that only result…

The Gaisanos threatened to sue flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) after a minor member of the family suffered second degree burns during a Bangkok-Manila flight last month.

The relatives of the car crash victims at the South Road Properties (SRP) reached a settlement with truck driver Danilo Cojo, who was released from jail after the charges against him were dropped.

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Here are the top stories for today, March 19, 2015:

“No improvement” in Metro Cebu traffic

During the MCDCB full council meeting at the Talisay City Hall yesterday, Engr. Fortunato Sanchez Jr., chairman of the MCDCB sub-committee on infrastructure and utilities, said there is a need to widen major roads instead of “fixing” those that are not damaged, such as S. Osmeña Blvd. and the national highway in Minglanilla town.

Using Japan International Cooperation Agency’s survey on Metro Manila’s purported loss of P2.4 billion per day because of its congested roads, Sanchez said that Cebu’s traffic problem is 1.4 percent of that in Manila, thereby the province could also be losing P145 million a day due to traffic congestion.

“In Cebu, we destroy good roads. We are not improving traffic.” – Engr. Fortunato Sanchez Jr.

According to DPWH 7 Regional Director Ador Canlas, while some roads appear to be in good condition, they no longer meet DPWH standards and need to be repaired.
Sanchez pointed out that it is not the quality of roads that solve the traffic problem, saying that “poor system and lack of planning” are the two problems that are causing the current traffic situation in Metro Cebu.

Canlas also said that DPWH also has several road-widening and drainage projects in the pipeline, but problems with the road right-of-way acquisition are delaying the implementation.

Sun.Star Cebu: No quick fix seen
The Freeman: P145M daily losses

Damage control goes awry

For negligence after a paper cup of hot water accidentally spilled on the leg of their 10-year-old daughter, members of the prominent Gaisano family in Cebu is looking at filing a complaint against PAL.
A demand letter was sent since the girl suffered second-degree burns on the left thigh and leg. She had asked for some warm water to drink.

The child is the granddaughter of Eddie Gaisano of the Cebu-based Gaisano Capital Group which runs a family-owned chain of malls in the Visayas and Mindanao.

PAL President Jaime Bautista allegedly set as condition that he would only see the Gaisanos, especially the child, between 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on March 10, as he had to return to Manila at 11 a.m.
Eddie Gaisano, the child’s grandfather, was not happy about it.

“If they really are sincere in asking for an apology they cannot order the Gaisano family to meet them (PAL) at their own sweet time and convenience.” – Lawyer Baldomero Estenzo

The Freeman: Gaisanos eye case vs PAL after scion got hurt in flight
Cebu Daily News: Gaisano mad at PAL

Spared from raps

The families of the victims of the car crash at the South Road Properties (SRP) last Sunday dropped their complaint against the truck driver after both parties reached a settlement.

Truck driver Danilo Cojo was released after the victims’ families withdrew the complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide.

The families of the crash victims in SRP and SGE Trucking, the company of Cojo, reached a settlement yesterday.

Cojo left for his hometown in Davao del Norte last night to attend the wake of his mother, who died while he was in detention.

Sun.Star Cebu: Families drop plaint v. driver
The Freeman: Settlement spares truck driver from raps

Former cop shot to death, graduating student wounded

Two unidentified men shot to death a former police officer and wounded a graduating architecture student on Tres de Abril St. in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City yesterday morning.

The former cop is ex-PO3 Roy Nudalo Tolentino who died from two gunshot wounds in the chest and neck.

A bullet grazed the neck of Kenneth Jone Garcia Homeres, an architecture graduating student, who was rushed to a private hospital and released later.

The police are looking at different angles related to Tolentino’s murder, including the possibility that he was involved in illegal activities.

Sun.Star Cebu: Killing a cop
The Freeman: Ex-cop killed, passerby injured

CDU grad lands 9th place in med tech board

Maria Cindy Estoce’s effort of studying six hours a day from Monday to Friday while reviewing for the licensure exam landed her in the ninth place of the Medical Technologist Board Examinations with an overall rating of 88 percent.

Estoce, 21, a native of Barangay Nabuad in Inabanga, Bohol, graduated from the Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU).

Her past experiences—her mother figured in an accident and their house damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October 2013—motivated her to do her best. She wants to be a doctor.

“I wanted to be a topnotcher because that is the only way I could get a scholarship when I pursue a medical degree. I want to help the poor who are like me.” –Maria Cindy Estoce

CDU is planning to give Estoce a full refund of her tuition. She can also be given priority in the university’s scholarship program.

Sun.Star Cebu: CDU grad in top 10 of med tech board

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Retailers urged to develop e-commerce to reach online Chinese shoppers
Sun.Star Cebu: Microinsurance provider pays up to P695 million in claims in 2014

News

Cebu News Digest: March 16, 2015: SRP collision kills 5; Former TV actress, model crowned Miss Universe-Philippines; Cebu City gets ready for El Niño

March 16, 2015 9:43 am March 16, 2015

3 min read

Five persons were killed in another car accident at the South Road Properties (SRP) shortly before dawn on Sunday. The car they were in crossed the center island and collided…

Five persons were killed in another car accident at the South Road Properties (SRP) shortly before dawn on Sunday. The car they were in crossed the center island and collided with a truck on the opposite lane.

After three tries, former television actress and model Pia Wurtzbach was finally crowned Miss Universe-Philippines on Sunday night.

With the assistance of the Cebu City Government, farmers of Cebu City’s mountain barangays are preparing for the dry spell this summer and for the rains that are expected to arrive about two months from now.

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Here are the top stories for today:

SRP crash claims 5 lives

Rustico Bas, a seaman who was on vacation, and four of his passengers were killed when his Hyundai sedan collided with a prime mover carrying around 700 sacks of cement.

Killed together with Bas were Alma Basalo, 45; Gwendolyn Basalo, 49; Rosette Capala, 44; and Owen Juinio, 39. They were all residents of Talisay City. The group had been invited to dinner at Bas’s house the night before.

Sun.Star: 5 die in car crash at SRP
Cebu Daily News: Accident site ‘well-lighted’

‘Responsible use of the Internet’

The newly-crowned Miss Universe-Philippines Pia Wurtzbach bested 33 other candidates in the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 competition at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. She represented the city of Cagayan de Oro.

“I think that we should be careful with what we post online, especially our thoughts and our opinions that we don’t hurt anybody. We have to be careful with what we post, especially with our bodies and our faces. So always think before you click.” – Miss Universe-Philippines Pia Wurtzbach, when asked for her thoughts on Internet censorship, during the question and answer round.

Wurtzbach also won the Miss Cream Silk award.

Here is the list of winners during the pageant:

Miss Universe-Philippines 2015: Pia Wurtzbach
Bb. Pilipinas International 2015: Janicel Lubina
Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2015: Rogelie Catacutan
Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2015: Christi Lynn McGarry
Bb. Pilipinas Tourism International 2015: Ann Lorraine Colis
First Runner Up: Hannah Ruth Sison
Second Runner Up: Kimverlyn Suiza

Sun.Star Manila: Pia Wurtzbach wins Ms. Universe-Philippines crown

Prepping up for dry spell

About P5 million was budgeted last year to purchase hoses and drums for Cebu City’s farmers.

Another P2 million worth of seeds and fertilizers were distributed last year.

“As far as our observation, it’s a normal summer season. It’s normal that water supply decreases. It’s not alarming. There’s still water.” – City Agriculturist Joselito Baclayon

Temperature in the upland areas ranged between 22 to 24 degrees Celsius during the day but would lower to 18 degrees in the evenings.

Cebu Daily News: Cebu City readying measures for El Niño spell

Cebu News Digest: March 14, 2015: P550M church structure for IEC next year ‘halfway done’; Citom serves warrants to drivers with unsettled traffic violations

March 14, 2015 11:22 am March 14, 2015

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Church officials said the construction of the pavilion for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) that will be held in Cebu City next year is “halfway done” and that the…

Church officials said the construction of the pavilion for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) that will be held in Cebu City next year is “halfway done” and that the construction work is “ahead of schedule.”

Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) has 307 bench warrants for private and public vehicle drivers with unsettled traffic violations. It served seven warrants yesterday and will serve more next week.

Meanwhile, traffic improved significantly in the North Reclamation Area (NRA) when Logarta Street was opened to two-way traffic between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

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Here are the top stories for today, March 14, 2015:

TOP STORIES. The front pages today of Cebu’s 3 English dailies.

Building for IEC halfway done

The P550-million Eucharistic Pavilion will be used for the gathering of the religious during the 51st IEC in January 2016.

But once the gathering is over, the facility will be used as a pastoral center and a new minor seminary for the Archdiocese of Cebu. It would also serve as the “biggest evacuation center” in Cebu.

“I was a bit anxious in the past but when I saw the development in the Pavilion, I’m now very excited about the forthcoming event. From all angles, people know that we are prepared.” — Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma

“Cebu is making a miracle, beyond human effort.” — Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the IEC (words were echoed by Palma)

Under a memorandum of agreement, contractor Duros Development Construction fully shouldered the cost of building the pavilion in exchange for usufruct rights over part of the seminary property for 25 years.

The Eucharistic Pavilion is now 50.8 percent complete. The estimated completion date is in September this year.

Cebu Daily News: Cebu pavilion half-way done
Sun.Star Cebu: Work on church pavilion ‘ahead of schedule’

Citom shows it means business, serves arrest warrants

Citom served seven warrants yesterday to drivers who have unsettled traffic violations. It will serve more warrants, which were issued by Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 7 Judge Francisco Seville Jr., next week.

It has 307 bench warrants for private and public vehicle drivers.

“We prioritized the serving of bench warrants to private vehicle owners to show that they are not exempted.” — Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) operations chief Jonathan Tumulak

Common traffic violations included disregard of road signs, making wrong turns and parking on no-parking zones.

Meanwhile, at least eight erring taxi drivers were reported to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 for refusing to comply with the provisional taxi fare decrease.

Sun.Star Cebu: Citom looks for erring drivers
The Freeman: 8 erring cabbies reported in one day – LTFRB-7

2-way flow on Logarta ‘improved traffic’

Citom noted that that traffic improved in the NRA when Logarta St. was opened to two-way traffic between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The new adjustment is the third one implemented by Citom for the NRA. Implemented starting last Thursday, it coincides with the truck ban, giving opportunity for more light vehicles to pass the NRA.

However, jeepney passengers are confused with the several changes made in the rerouting plans since March 5 when traffic in the North Reclamation Area was disrupted by rehabilitation work on the S. Osmeña Road.

Sun.Star Cebu: 2-hour window
Cebu Daily News: PUJ riders confused

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: PLDT offers custom deals for SMEs

Sun.Star Cebu: PH lags in digital banking in Asia, says survey

The Freeman: Bankers appeal for BSP to accept damaged notes

Sun.Star Cebu: New packages want tourists to go ‘beyond picture-taking’

3 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: March 13, 2015: 60-year-old tanod in Carcar dies after trying to break up catfight; Taxi driver to LTFRB: I did not threaten couple with knife

March 13, 2015 9:11 am March 13, 2015

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A 60-year-old barangay tanod in Carcar City died when he tried to break up a fight between two women. Cesar Pantonial was kicked in the crotch by one of the…

A 60-year-old barangay tanod in Carcar City died when he tried to break up a fight between two women. Cesar Pantonial was kicked in the crotch by one of the women and was declared dead upon arriving at the local hospital.

Joel Ramos, 45, driver of SD taxi, was more upset about being lambasted on Facebook than getting fined P1,000 for overcharging, saying the negative publicity is distressing his family.

In light of the conflicting claims, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) asked both sides to bring witnesses when the first formal hearing is scheduled.

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Dave Seyjorca, who accused taxi driver Joel Ramos of threatening him and his wife with a knife, posted an account of their experience on his social media account.

Here are the top stories for today, March 13, 2015:

Death by kick

Cesar Pantonial, a tanod of Barangay Ocaña in Carcar City, was declared dead upon arriving at the local hospital after he was kicked in the crotch allegedly by Rosarie Sarsa, one of the two women who were fighting.

Sarsa denied doing so, claiming she fainted from the injuries received from her neighbors she had a fight with.

She was looking for her husband, Robin, earlier that day when she saw Alicia Padin, 40, her neighbor. She suspected Padin of having an affair with her husband. Padin, irked, confronted Sarsa. The confrontation turned violent and worse when Padin’s two daughters, husband and mother joined the fight.

Pantonial, who happened to be passing by, tried to break up the fight. During the incident, he got kicked in the crotch and passed out.

The police is preparing a homicide complaint against Sarsa.

“How can I kick him (Pantonial) when I was on the ground being mauled by Alicia and her companions.” –Rosarie Sarsa

Sun.Star Cebu: Death kick

Driver, passenger face off at LTFRB

Facing his accusers at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7, Joel Ramos, driver of SD Taxi, denied the allegations that he threatened his passengers with a knife after he was told to follow the P10 flag down cut.

Ramos, 47, from Consolacion, challenged the couple to present the CCTV footage taken from the security camera of the establishments at the Cebu I.T. Park where the alleged incident happened.

Related Story: Couple threatened with knife over flagdown rate cut

“Di na tinuod nga giti-unan nako siya og kutsilyo. Wa na nahitabo… Naa man gyud nay CCTV ang I.T. Park, ipatan-aw nila og naa ba koy dala nga kutsilyo. Ako pa man gani ang nagsulti niya nga kung naa kay reklamo adto reklamo sa LTFRB.” –Joel Ramos

Due to conflicting claims, LTFRB asked both sides to bring witnesses when the first formal hearing is scheduled.

“Gipakauwawan ko niya ug gihimong criminal sa iyang Facebook nga ako daw ang tawo nga angay pugotan ug ulo sa ISIS… Akong pamilya ug akong mga igsoon ug my kaliwat, akong anak, nauwaw.” –Joel Ramos

The Freeman: Driver, passenger meet at LTFRB
Cebu Daily News: Two taxi tales

Cebu News Digest: March 12, 2015: Court orders Balilis to refund Capitol P37.8 for submerged property; 3 fires hit Cebu City in one afternoon

March 12, 2015 10:19 am March 12, 2015

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The court has ordered the estate of Luis Balili, Amparo Balili and lawyer Romeo Balili to return to the Province of Cebu P37.81 million, the amount Capitol paid for the…

The court has ordered the estate of Luis Balili, Amparo Balili and lawyer Romeo Balili to return to the Province of Cebu P37.81 million, the amount Capitol paid for the submerged and mangroves areas of their property in the City of Naga that the former administration purchased.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Raphael Yrastorza Sr. said:

“Whether or not plaintiff knew of the submerged areas, the law would not allow the other party to take advantage of the ignorance of the party affected.”

Halfway through the Fire Prevention Month in March, three fires were reported in Cebu City yesterday. One was in South Road Properties (SRP), another in Barangay Guadalupe and the third in Barangay Sambag I.

Here are the top stories for today, March 12, 2015:

‘Simple justice’

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Raphael Yrastorza Sr. ordered the estate of Luis Balili, Amparo Balili and lawyer Romeo Balili to return P37.8 million to the Cebu Provincial Government. This is the amount Capitol paid nearly seven years ago for a property in the City of Naga, which turned out to be submerged (80,124 sq. m.) and covered by mangroves (14,402 sq. m.).

In his 16-page decision dated Feb. 16, 2015, RTC Branch 14 Judge Raphael Yrastorza Sr. wrote:
“It is only simple justice, therefore, that the defendants should return what plaintiffs claimed; otherwise, it would be an injustice to allow defendants to be unjustly enriching themselves at the expense of the plaintiff (Cebu Province) for the value of the submerged area of 80,124 square meters on Lot SP-07-01-000048, and the mangrove area of 14,402 square meters on Lot SP-07-01000062, a total of 94,562 square meters, at P400 per square meter.”

“In the case at bar, defendants who received the benefits are not entitled to it and there is no legal right to receive it, considering that the areas supposedly sold to plaintiffs are inalienable and indisposable parts of public domain.”

Atty. Balili said he will file a motion asking the court to reconsider its decision.

Speaking for Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, lawyer Christina Frasco said that the decision confirms that former governor now Congresswoman Gwendolyn Garcia should not be held liable for relying on the titles of the properties when the Province acquired these.

Sun.Star Cebu: Capitol to get P37.8M refund
Cebu Daily News: ‘Pay Capitol P37.8 million’
The Freeman: Court orders Balili heirs: Return P37.8M

3 fires reported in Cebu City in 1 day

A grass fire was reported at 1:12 p.m. near the San Pedro Calungsod Shrine in SRP. The fire was put out at 1:46 p.m.

Another grass fire broke out in a subdivision in Barangay Guadalupe eight minutes later. Residents doused the fire before Cebu City firetrucks arrived.

At 2:24 p.m., another fire was reported in Barangay Sambag I, which began inside a room of a two-storey boarding house owned by Virginia Ngosiok. The blaze was controlled after 11 minutes.

Sun.Star Cebu: Fiery afternoon
The Freeman: 3 fires in Cebu City in one day

Cebu News Digest: March 11, 2015: Fastcraft rams Cebu City pier; Couple threatened with knife over flagdown rate cut

March 11, 2015 10:21 am March 11, 2015

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M/V St. Sealthiel of the SuperCat line owned by 2Go Shipping crashed into the docking area of Pier 1 in Cebu City early Tuesday morning. The accident wounded 18 passengers…

M/V St. Sealthiel of the SuperCat line owned by 2Go Shipping crashed into the docking area of Pier 1 in Cebu City early Tuesday morning. The accident wounded 18 passengers and three crew members.

A call center agent and his wife were allegedly threatened when a taxi driver flashed a knife at them and shouted curses when they asked for a P10 discount as mandated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

2Go Shipping said it would shoulder the medical expenses of the stranded passengers. Cited as the cause of the accident was a “maneuvering control failure.”

Are you thinking of buying a house? How about getting one in Argao?

Primary Homes Inc. makes it possible for you to easily enjoy the charms of Southern Cebu with its resort-inspired community Argao Royal Palms and Tropical Flats. Built alongside Argao’s aquamarine seas in Barangay Suba, the development features two-storey houses, bungalows, townhouses, and condominium units. (Read more about the project)

The M/V St. Sealthiel crashed into a docking area of Pier 1 in Cebu City. (Photo taken from prworksph.com)

Here are the top stories for today, March 11, 2015:

‘Stay seated’ until the vessel has safely docked

M/V St. Sealthiel, coming from Tagbilaran City, was maneuvering toward its berth at 8:25 a.m. when it rammed the pier in Cebu City.

Many of the 130 passengers, who were already standing before the ferry could dock, were thrown by the impact. A “maneuvering control failure” was cited as the cause of the accident.

At least 21 persons were wounded and were rushed to Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City. 2Go Shipping will shoulder all the needed medical expenses.

Capt. Lyndon Landoy, assistant vice president for operations of SuperCat said that fewer passengers would have been injured if they had stayed in their seats until the vessel had safely docked.

He assured that the incident is an isolated one.

Sun.Star Cebu: ‘Cat’ strikes dock
Cebu Daily News: SuperCat rams Cebu City pier
The Freeman: Fastcraft runs into pier, 21 people hurt in port mishap

Angry driver points knife at him over P10 discount

Irked for being asked for the LTFRB-ordered P10 discount on the flagdown rate, Joel Ramos of SD Taxi allegedly pointed a knife at Dave Seyjorca who was with his wife.

“Mikuha gyod siyag kutsilyo, then giti-unan mi. Nangurog na pag-ayo akong asawa. Dayon miingon ang driver, ‘Mosukol mo? Isog mo? (He pointed a knife at us. My wife was shaking in fear. Then, the driver said, ‘Will you fight back? Are you brave?’),” –Dave Seyjorca

This prompted Seyjorca to file a complaint at the LTFRB 7.

SD Taxi is owned by operator Sinforiano Doncillo of Barangay Cambinocot, Cebu City. Doncillo and Ramos were summoned by LTFRB 7 for a hearing on March 12.

The incident took place on the first day of the implementation of a nationwide rollback of the taxi flag down rate from P40 to P30 due to lower fuel prices.

Sun.Star Cebu: Couple gets a threat with P10 taxi discount
Cebu Daily News: Threatened by cab driver
The Freeman: Taxi flagdown fight, Driver ‘threatens’ man with knife

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Asean an ‘important’ bloc for US
Sun.Star Cebu: DOT backs eco-tourism zone for Ga-as, Balamban
Sun.Star Cebu: Cebu exporters welcome Fair Competition Act
The Freeman: RDC-7: Port woes may cause food price hikes

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Cebu News Digest: March 10, 2015: MCWD assures no water shortage during dry season; Heavier traffic felt in Mandaue City

March 10, 2015 9:02 am March 10, 2015

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Due to the dry season, Buhisan Dam is now at a “critical level” but the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MWCD) assured consumers that there is sufficient water supply. After the…

Due to the dry season, Buhisan Dam is now at a “critical level” but the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MWCD) assured consumers that there is sufficient water supply.

After the rerouting plan at the North Reclamation Area was carried out, Mandaue City’s traffic congestion become heavier compared to Cebu City whose traffic condition is described as “manageable.”

Some taxi drivers and operators in Cebu refuse to follow the P30 flagdown rate, calling the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 order unreasonable. The board urged passengers to report these taxi drivers.

Are you thinking of buying a house? How about getting one in Argao?

The Buhisan Dam is at ‘critical’ level due to the dry season. (Creative Commons photo by LeylanR.)

Here are the top stories for today, March 10, 2015:

As dry season starts, Buhisan Dam is drying up

MCWD confirmed that the Buhisan Dam is drying up and is already at a “critical” level. The dry season has just began.

There will be no water shortage, MCWD assured, because it gets additional water from the Carmen Bulk Water Supply Project. Buhisan Dam is not the main water source of MCWD.

From the usual 7,000 cubic meters of water per day, Buhisan Dam now only produces 3,000 cubic meters of water per day.

“On our own, we define it as a critical level, but we would like to assure the consumers nga di gyud maapektuhan ang ilang supply even if modugay pa ang dry season (that their supply will not suffer, even if the dry season lasts long).” –MCWD public affairs manager Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara

Still, MCWD is asking the public to conserve water, such as by recycling water to flush toilets.

Sun.Star Cebu: Dry season starts
The Freeman: Buhisan Dam at ‘critical level’

Traffic in Mandaue heavier than in Cebu City

Cebu City Traffic Operations Management Executive Director Rafael Yap said that heavier traffic congestion is felt in Mandaue City while the traffic in Cebu City had turned “manageable” after the rerouting plan at the North Reclamation Area was implemented.

Hence, there is a need for coordination between the traffic organizations of the two cities. The identified bottlenecks are found along Ouano Avenue near the Aboitiz Football Field.

“It is unfortunate that Mandaue City is suffering the brunt of traffic impact, but this is simply reality. We (Mandaue City and Cebu City) both agreed that roads need to be repaired. We both agreed that it is an urgent necessity. We both agreed that it is for APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation).” –Cebu City Traffic Operations Management Executive Director Rafael Yap

The Freeman: Mandaue’s traffic woes worse than Cebu City’s

Some taxi drivers refuse to give P10 rate cute

Some taxi operators and drivers in Metro Cebu did not follow the order of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 to lower the flagdown rate from P40 to P30, saying it was unreasonable.

The Metro Cebu Taxi Operators’ Association (MCTOA) under Chairman Richard Cabucos and Cebu Integrated Transport Service Cooperative (Citrasco) under Chairman Benjamin Ryan Yu said that on their behalf, the Philippine National Taxi Operators’ Association (PINTOA) has filed a motion asking LTFRB to reconsider the flagdown rate cut.

MCTOA and Citrasco have passed resolutions supporting the motion for reconsideration filed by PINTOA.

Sun.Star Cebu: Some cabbies defy rate cut
The Freeman: Report violators of P30 flagdown rate

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Cebu vital to Lexmark success
Sun.Star Cebu: Qatar preparations for World Cup present opportunities for Filipino workers: Dole
The Freeman: Insurance firms beef up Cebu operations

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Cebu News Digest: March 9, 2015: LTFRB to taxi drivers, operators: Impose P30 flagdown rate starting today or be fined P5T-P15T; Get protection order, battered husbands told

March 9, 2015 8:49 am March 9, 2015

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Taxi drivers or operators who will refuse to reduce their flagdown rate by P10 starting today, as ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), will face stiff…

Taxi drivers or operators who will refuse to reduce their flagdown rate by P10 starting today, as ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), will face stiff penalties.

Battered husbands can secure a Barangay Protection Order from the barangay captain to prevent their spouses from staying at their conjugal homes and avoid another incident of domestic abuse.

This school year’s graduates of Cebu City public schools are spared from paying fees, after the City Government decided to subsidize the P150 that each student was supposed to pay this month.

Are you thinking of buying a house? How about getting one in Argao?

The P30 flagdown rate for taxis takes effect today. (Creative Commons photo by Daniel Y. Go.)

Here are the top stories for today, March 9, 2015:

P5T-P15T fines await taxi operators, drivers for noncompliance

Under the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-001, taxi drivers and operators refusing to follow the new LTFRB en banc order of P30 flag down rate starting today will be fined P5,000 each for the first offense.

A fine of 10,000 will be imposed for the second offense. The taxi unit will also be impounded for 30 days.

On the third offense, the driver and operator will be fined P15,000 each and the Certificate of Public Conveyance or franchise for the taxi will be revoked.

According to LTFRB, passengers can file complaints of noncompliance. Once filed, both the driver and operator will be summoned. If the evidence is sufficient, LTFRB can impose penalties immediately.

LTFRB also informed the public that the P40 flag down rate will still reflect in the taxi meter until it is re-clibrated but the drivers should already deduct P10 from the total fare.

This does not include yet the 20-percent discount for senior citizens, students and Persons with Disabilities.

Sun.Star Cebu: Violators face P5T-P15T fine

Protection order available for maltreated husbands

A battered husband can proceed to the barangay hall and ask for a Barangay Protection Order, which will disallow the wife of the complainant from entering their conjugal house to prevent more incidents of domestic abuse.

This is covered by the domestic violence ordinance authored by Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo, which also gives equal protection to husbands who are being maltreated by their wives.

“Amo g’yud nga gihatagan og equal protection ang mga bana diha sa ordinansa kay duna may mga sitwasyon nga ang mga bana maoy gidagmalan sa ilang mga asawa.” –Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo

The ordinance was crafted a few years after the enactment of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, in 2004, which only covers the rights of women and children.

The Freeman: Battered husbands urged to secure protection order

2 men behind bars for cursing, insulting cops

Jurevel Simeni, 18, of Iligan City, and Vivencio Rocamora, 20, of Barangay Luz, Cebu City are jailed for allegedly insulting and cursing policemen who confronted them following a complaint by tourists whom they kept on following.

They are believed to be “gays” looking for customers.

During the confrontation, Simeni allegedly shouted at the police, said “buang ang mga pulis sa Cebu City,” and spat on the faces of PO1 Berlino Ricafort and PO1 Ariel Nuñeza.

Simeni resisted arrest while Rocamora tried to pull him away from the policemen. The former fractured his shoulder during the struggle, prompting the police officers to immediately bring him to Cebu City Medical Center for medical attention.

The Freeman: 2 men jailed for cursing, insulting, spitting on cops

City Gov’t to subsidize graduation fees of public school students

The Cebu City Government decided to disburse P3.7 million as subsidy for the P150 graduation fee each of the students were supposed to pay this month.

Some 26,050 elementary and high school students are expected to graduate in Cebu City public schools.

The subsidy is covered by the newly approved City Ordinance 2412 (Ordinance Providing for Graduation Fees Subsidy to all Public Elementary and secondary Schools in the City of Cebu) that City Councilor Alvin Dizon authored.

The Freeman: Public school students spared from grad fees

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: More Filipinos poor in 2014
Sun.Star Cebu: Pag-ibig sets P5.22 B as Visayas loan target
Sun.Star Cebu: Local furniture market doing well: Cobonpue
The Freeman: PEZA: CV has 42 registered ecozones
The Freeman: Retail prices of chicken and pork down by P5
The Freeman: Cebu CFI Community Cooperative mulls real estate investments
The Freeman: International retail brands drive Phl tourism growth
Sun.Star Cebu: Belo beauty company sees double-digit growth this year

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News

Cebu News Digest: March 7, 2015: Taxi flagdown rate reduced to P30 starting Mar. 9; Tiu open to settlement in Ungab case, wants apology; Road repairs may not be finished by APEC events in August

March 7, 2015 8:51 am March 7, 2015

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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered the drop of the flagdown rate for taxis nationwide from P40 to P30 starting Monday. Commuters welcome the move but taxi…

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered the drop of the flagdown rate for taxis nationwide from P40 to P30 starting Monday. Commuters welcome the move but taxi operators plan to go to court to stop the rollback.

Lawyer Jiecel Tiu, according to her spokesperson lawyer Rex Fernandez, is amenable to enter into a compromise agreement but would like to set the conditions. One of the things she’s asking for is a written public apology from the vice mayor, his wife, and two other family members.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered a P10 cut in the flagdown rate for taxis nationwide. Creative Commons photo by Andrionni Ribo.

The bidding process and securing approval from the Cebu City Council for road rehabilitation projects is causing the delay of road repairs.

Are you thinking of buying a house? How about getting one in Argao?

Here are the top stories for today, March 7, 2015:

While the flagdown rate for taxis will be reduced by P10 from P40 to P30, the rate of P3.50 for each succeeding 300 meters of travel remains. The yellow taxis that serve the Mactan-Cebu International Airport are also included, with flagdown rate from P70 to P60.

The provisional rollback is due to lower fuel rates. Pump prices of premium gasoline and diesel have dropped more than P10 per liter between September 2014 and March 4, 2015.

The rollback is a welcome move for the commuters but some taxi operators in Cebu are planning to go to court to stop the rollback.

The last time the flagdown was P30 was in December 2010.

Sun.Star Cebu: Taxi fare reduced
The Freeman: Taxi flagdown down by P10
Cebu Daily News: Taxi flagdown rate cut to P30 Monday

‘Ridiculous, stupid offer’

Tiu’s camp turned down the offer Vice Mayor Jonnah John Ungab presented when he visited Tiu’s residence in Minglanilla, Cebu Thursday night, calling it a ridiculous and stupid offer.

Fernandez denied that Tiu asked for P500,000 from Ungab to settle the case.

Tiu wants to set the conditions to the settlement, first of which is that Ungab, his wife Pearl and two of the vice mayor’s family members issue a written public apology to Tiu.

Pearl Ungab allegedly rammed Tiu’s car and attacked Tiu with a baseball bat last Feb. 26 over suspicions of an extra-marital affair between her husband and the lawyer.

Tiu is also seeking “restitution for damages incurred.”

Sun.Star Cebu: Parties in Ungab cases explore settlement
Cebu Daily News: ‘Apologize first’

Road repairs may be delayed, new traffic schemes to be explored

Cebu City may not be able to finish the road rehabilitation projects in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) whose meetings would start in August this year.

According to City Department of Engineering and Public Works Chief Jose Marie Poblete, accomplishing all the required documents may take two to three months. Also, since the appropriation for road projects are in lump sum, the budget per project need to be forwarded to the council for approval.

If there is no problem in the road right of way, road projects would usually take at least three months to finish in the urban areas.

Meanwhile, another traffic experiment will be implemented along Escario Street in Cebu City, with the inclusion of the internal road of the Capitol grounds for vehicular access, to address the traffic congestion in the Capitol area.

In the North Reclamation area, Mandaue City Traffic Manager Edwin Ermac said he would seek another coordination meeting next week to restore the two-way access in Ouano Avenue, to ease the severe traffic congestion in Mandaue City after the closure of S. Osmeña Road for rehabilitation work.

The Freeman: Road repairs may go beyond APEC dates
The Freeman: Traffic trial to use inner Capitol road

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Delegates fine-tune Cebu Action Plan
The Freeman: Phl at risk of losing designing advantage
The Freeman: Business groups encourage members to conserve power

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News

Cebu News Digest: March 5, 2015: Heavier traffic expected in North Recla today; Former law student, old case surface vs. Ronda vice mayor

March 5, 2015 9:50 am March 5, 2015

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Heavier traffic is expected along the North Reclamation Area starting today, as some public vehicles on the S. Osmeña Blvd. route will be diverted as concreting work continues. A former…

Heavier traffic is expected along the North Reclamation Area starting today, as some public vehicles on the S. Osmeña Blvd. route will be diverted as concreting work continues.

A former law student claims that Vice Mayor Jonah John Ungab of Ronda town is father of her child. She filed a sexual harassment case against the politician. Pearl, the vice mayor’s wife, is facing charges for attacking lawyer Jiecel Tiu with a baseball bat last week over allegations of infidelity.

Are you thinking of buying a house? How about getting one in Argao?

This stretch of road will be closed to vehicles coming from Mandaue City. Motorists coming from the Mandaue City side of the North Reclamation Area will have to turn right to the access road going to the Aboitiz football field.

Here are the top stories for today, March 5, 2015:

Traffic rerouting today

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 will start implementing the next phase of its road-widening project on S. Osmeña Blvd.

This is expected to cause heavier traffic along the North Reclamation Area (NRA), prompting the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to advice the public to leave their houses earlier than usual to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

Here are some route changes:

Public utility jeepneys (PUJ) with route number 12I, or those bound for SM City Cebu from Barangay Labangon, and 03Q jeepneys from Barangay Mabolo will not be allowed to use Cabahug St., the road between the Total gas station and the City-owned Block 27 lot in NRA.
12I jeepney drivers will have to turn left to Kaoshioung St., left to A. Soriano Ave. then back to Kaoshioung St. and proceed to their usual route while 03Q jeepneys will be asked to take J. Luna St. and turn right to Humabon St. toward the SM PUJ terminal and back to their usual route.
Vehicles coming from the Mandaue City side of the NRA will have to turn right to the access road going to the Aboitiz football field and turn left to Logarta St. before turning right on either F. Cabahug St. or Kaohsiung St.
Trucks going inside the Cebu International Port will be directed to take Logarta St. and turn left to Cabahug St. and cross S. Osmeña Blvd. to enter the port.

Private vehicles bound for Mandaue City may pass through S. Osmeña Blvd. since the northbound lane is open to vehicular traffic. Those coming from Lapu-Lapu City may take the ferry.

Sun.Star Cebu: Traffic in recla ‘heavier today’
Cebu Daily News: More traffic rerouting today for S. Osmeña roadwork
The Freeman: Traffic on S. Osmeña Blvd rerouted anew

Another incident against Ronda vice mayor surfaces

Ronda Vice Mayor Jonah John Ungab’s former law school student filed a sexual harassment case against him last December. She posted a “Dear John” message on her Facebook account saying she would pursue her complaint which is about to be resolved by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Prosecutor Ma. Theresa Casiño confirmed that the case is now due for resolution.

In the earlier investigation, Ungab denied the 27-year-old woman’s allegations that she was forced to have sex with him when he, as her law professor in Southwestern University in 2013, refused to release her grades.

In response to this development that happened after his wife, Pearl Ungab, attacked lawyer Jiecel Tiu with a baseball bat last week over allegations of infidelity, the vice mayor wants to maintain his silence.

Meanwhile, Tiu wants the court to suspend proceedings in the slight physical injuries against Pearl Ungab, while her bid to pursue a more serious case against the vice mayor’s wife is being reviewed.

Cebu Daily News: Vice mayor’s new thorn
Sun.Star Cebu: Injuries ‘not slight’; lawyer asks for review
The Freeman: Tiu: Reconsider downgrade

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Port congestion ‘now affecting business’
Sun.Star Cebu: App built by students will soon allow people to order rice, veggies
Sun.Star Cebu: Japan’s second largest bank Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. set to open in PH
The Freeman: January 2015 BIR 13 collection falls short of target
The Freeman: Cheap oil price has minimal impact to power cost – Veco

4 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: March 3, 2015: Lady lawyer denies being mistress, presents more proof against wife of Ronda vice mayor; 11-year-old CVIRAA athlete accuses coach for molesting him

March 3, 2015 11:46 am March 3, 2015

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Lawyer Jiecel Tiu presented additional proof against Pearl Ungab, the wife of Ronda Vice Mayor Jonah John Ungab. Pearl allegedly rammed Tiu’s Toyota Vios with a pick-up then hit her…

Lawyer Jiecel Tiu presented additional proof against Pearl Ungab, the wife of Ronda Vice Mayor Jonah John Ungab. Pearl allegedly rammed Tiu’s Toyota Vios with a pick-up then hit her with a baseball bat in Barangay Cogon-Ramos. At the same time, Tiu denied Pearl’s accusations of her being Ronda Vice Mayor’s mistress.

A young participant of the Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (Cviraa) tournament in Balamban, meanwhile, has accused a coach of molesting him Thursday night in the middle of a regional sports meet.

Due to cheaper raw materials and not necessarily due to the current cheap oil prices, prices of milk have started to drop.

Are you thinking of buying a house? How about getting one in Argao?

Primary Homes Inc. makes it possible for you to easily enjoy the charms of Southern Cebu with its resort-inspired community Argao Royal Palms and Tropical Flats. Built alongside Argao’s aquamarine seas in Barangay Suba, the development features two-storey houses, bungalows, townhouses, and condominium units. (Read more about the project)

Here are the top stories for today, March 3, 2015:

CHASED, RAMMED. Lawyer Jiecel Tiu said Pearl Ungab, the wife of Ronda Vice Mayor Jonah John Ungab, rammed her car and attacked her with a baseball bat. (Photo posed on Facebook by TV 5 reporter Ryan Sorote)

Accused of being a mistress, lawyer calls on Ronda VM to speak up

Lawyer Jiecel Tiu, who earlier filed a complaint for frustrated murder against Pearl Ungab, presented supplemental affidavit, medical certificate, affidavit of arrest, and pictures of the Toyota Vios owned by Tiu that was allegedly smashed by Ungab to prosecutor Liceria Rabillas

She also urged Ronda Vice Mayor Jonah John Ungab to speak up about the real score between them to put an end to the issue.

“If you still consider me as a friend, please make a public statement. Just this once, I would like to set matters straight, dili ko kabit (I am not a mistress).” — lawyer Jiecel Tiu

Today, the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor will file a criminal case in court against Pearl for allegedly attacking Tiu with a baseball bat last Feb. 26.

Sun.Star Cebu: ‘I’m not a mistress’
The Freeman: Ramos “Encounter” more proof submitted vs Ronda VM’s wife

11-year-old athlete: Coach touched my private parts

Ben (not his real name), 11, from Talisay City told the police that a coach had touched his privates and that he received P100 from him with the instruction not to tell anyone what happened.

But Ben told his other teachers that the coach abused him. The incident was reported to the Asturias Police Station’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk last Saturday.

The coach, who is also a high school teacher, will be charged with violating Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Sun.Star Cebu: Athlete: Coach molested me in regional meet

Decline in milk prices, no change in costs of other basic goods

Amidst drop of prices of raw materials and the plunging oil prices, prices of milk have started to go down. However, the market rates for basic commodities have remained unchanged.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the price of a 150g Bear Brand powdered milk, for instance, has decreased by 1.96% from P51 to P50 effective early last month while a 150g Birch Tree full cream milk powder will go down 1.72% from P58.10 to P57.10 starting March 15. Price of imported skimmed milk, which accounts at least 50% of price components of powdered, condensed and evaporated milk has also dropped.

The trade department hopes that manufacturers would now think of slashing prices of other basic commodities, such as coffee, noodles and canned sardines.

The Freeman: Milk prices decline; costs of basic goods unchanged

TOP CEBU NEWS STORIES. The front pages today of Cebu’s English dailies.

Cebu Business headlines:

The Freeman: CBM 2015 focuses on bracing entrepreneurs for globalization

The Freeman: Upbeat tourism boosts Lapu-Lapu revenues

The Freeman: Cebu hotels performance at all-time-high in 2014

Sun.Star Cebu: Entry of luxury brands ‘to boost shopping tourism’ in Philippines

Sun.Star Cebu: P4B project to rise in Lapu-Lapu City

Sun.Star Cebu: Radisson Blu sees great year ahead

4 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: March 2, 2015: Woman caught with P1.3M shabu; COA casts doubt on validity of Cebu City’s asphalt procurement

March 2, 2015 1:31 pm March 2, 2015

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Around P1.3 million worth of illegal substance was confiscated from a mother of three, an alleged big-time drug pusher, at Sitio Buli, Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City, early morning yesterday. According…

Around P1.3 million worth of illegal substance was confiscated from a mother of three, an alleged big-time drug pusher, at Sitio Buli, Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City, early morning yesterday.

According to the Commission on Audit (COA), the Cebu City Government has procured P61.2 million worth of asphalt materials allegedly in violation of existing laws.

To prevent trouble from breaking out, Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes wants a time limit in all disco activities in the city.

Are you thinking of buying a house? How about getting one in Argao?

Here are the top stories for today, March 2, 2015:

TOP CEBU NEWS STORIES. Today’s front pages of Cebu’s English dailies.

Duljo-Fatima resident named level-one drug pusher

In a buy-bust operation, the Cebu City Police captured Emelyn Dingal, 49, in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, after being caught with packs of illegal substance that weighed 110 grams and would have fetched P1.298 million.

Dingal was described as a level-one drug pusher who can sell about a kilo of shabu per week.

She was cornered after handing a pack of suspected shabu to a police decoy in exchange for P2,000. Later, the police confiscated from inside her house three large packs, three medium packs and 30 small packs of suspected shabu as well as a weighing scale and P23,000 of suspect drug money.

“Tungod sa kalisod kapit na lang ta sa patalim (The times are hard. I had to do what I could to survive).” — Emelyn Dingal

Sun.Star Cebu: Woman, on being caught with P1.3M shabu: ‘Kapit sa patalim’
The Freeman: Alleged pusher yields P1.3M shabu

COA: City did not use its asphalt batching plant

COA said the P61.2 million for Cebu City Government’s procurement of asphalt materials could not be properly validated since the transaction lacks pertinent documents, program of work, plans, inspection reports and inventory of roads/city streets where the paving and retreading took place.

In an audit report, it stated that the Cebu City Government did not use its own asphalt batching plant but instead “procured its bituminous asphalt from private entities, thus defeating the purpose of maintaining the plant and incurring unnecessary maintenance and manpower cost while being utilized.”

State auditors said the procurement of construction materials for paving and retreading of various city streets could not be validated due to absence of documents, thereby casting doubt as to the validity of the deliveries.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama pointed out that there was no proper audit query conducted to determine the exact status of the facility.

“With all due respect, the said COA audit observation is lacking in diligence and somewhat shows the propensity of COA to be judgmental rather than to be inquisitive first. It tends to show a seeming lack of appreciation to local government mandates and service exigencies.” — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

The Freeman: Cebu City’s asphalt procurement illegal?

JVR wants time limit on neighborhood dances in Talisay City

The plan for a time limit in all neighborhood dances in Talisay City came after a number of incidents involving drunk persons were reported in the police station during the weekend because of the fiesta celebration in Barangay Lagtang.

One incident involved a partygoer who was shot in Barangay Lagtang while attending the disco at 4 a.m. yesterday.

“Kutob nalang na alas dose ang mga disco kay kargado gyud sa gubot kana na’ng nangahubog ang mga tawo. So para malikayan na, (ta)gaan nalang nato og limit ang mga disco.” — Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes

The Freeman: JVR eyes time limit for disco in Talisay City

Cebu Business headlines:

The Freeman: Developer targets to start Lapu-Lapu project by Q3

Sun.Star Cebu: Fuel ‘just small part’ in power generation

Sun.Star Cebu: ‘PH needs auto industry road map’

4 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: Feb. 27, 2015: 7 men involved in shooting that killed German: task force; 17-year-old accused of raping 3 girls

February 27, 2015 10:33 am February 27, 2015

4 min read

4 min read

For allegedly raping three girls—his two stepsisters aged six and seven, and their cousin aged three—a 17-year-old boy was taken into custody by the police. The Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office…

For allegedly raping three girls—his two stepsisters aged six and seven, and their cousin aged three—a 17-year-old boy was taken into custody by the police.

The Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office indicted the assistant coach of the elementary and high school basketball teams of Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, for two counts of child abuse.

Here are the top stories for today, Feb. 27, 2015:

CEBU HEADLINES. Today’s front pages of the 3 English dailies in Cebu.

7 men involved in killing of German, shooting of 2 foreigners: task force

Police say 7 men were involved in the Feb. 20 shooting at a fastfood chain in Tabunok, Talisay City that killed German national Heinrich Haffner and injured 2 other foreign nationals.

Three suspects have been arrested. Supt. Rex Derilo, a member of Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Haffner, said they are after four more suspects, including a certain Dexci Gomonte, also known as Tata.

Gomonte was one of two gunmen caught by the food chain’s security camera going after Haffner, police said.

Sun.Star Cebu: Task force: 7 suspects in death of German
The Freeman: Regional police still looking for German’s killers

Teenage boy accused of raping relatives

A 17-year-old boy allegedly raped three girls inside their house in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City Wednesday dawn.

Police picked up the boy and turned him over to the City Social Welfare Services after the parents and grandmother of the girls sought their help last Wednesday.

The minor is a fourth year high school student who would help babysit the three girls and sell mangoes at a stall rented by the family at the public market in Barangay Poblacion. They lived in the same house and slept in the same room.

The boy hails from Tacloban City in Leyte Province. He denied molesting the three girls.

“He might face a complaint for statutory rape but it depends now on the court, considering he is a minor,” –Senior Insp. Judith Besas, chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Women and Children’s Protection Desk.

Sun.Star Cebu: Yolanda survivor picked up for ‘raping’ 3 girls
The Freeman: Boy, 17, ‘raped’ 2 sisters, cousin

School basketball coach charged with two counts of child abuse

The Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause to charge Ias Thaddeus “Sai” Bacalso, the assistant coach of the elementary and high school basketball teams of Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, in court for two counts of child abuse.

Bacalso alleged called a pupil “baboy” (pig) and “bayot” (gay) in front of his teammates during basketball practice starting when the boy was in grade 4. The boy is now 15 years old.

“He would hurl invectives and insult me and I was very scared and intimidated by his acts and humiliating words. Cuss words like bogo (moron), bayot (gay) were uttered even at my slightest infraction.” — complaint-affidavit of the boy

Bacalso will have to face trial in a case of violation of Republic Act 7610 or the special protection law against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

He maintained his innocence.

”Of course I’m nervous because I’ve never faced anything like this. But I’m trying to look at it with a positive light. If you haven’t done anything wrong, then there’s nothing to be afraid of. The only thing I’m wary of is that I don’t have the finances to fight this case.” — Thaddeus Bacalso

The Freeman: Court indicts school coach for child abuse
Cebu Daily News: Raps for school coach

Cebu Business headlines:

Cebu Daily News: ‘Tech-driven entrepreneurship should be taught in school’

Sun.Star Cebu: Population in Megaworld townships to hit 1M

The Freeman: Group to set up enchanted farm in Cebu

The Freeman: SM Group to expand operations in rural areas

3 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: Feb. 26, 2015: Capitol endorses study on opening old Philippine Railways as alternative road from Naga to Cebu City

February 26, 2015 12:58 pm February 26, 2015

3 min read

3 min read

With the hope of decongesting Natalio Bacalso Ave., the Cebu Provincial Development Council (PDC) endorsed the proposal to study the opening of an alternative road. For the construction of the…

With the hope of decongesting Natalio Bacalso Ave., the Cebu Provincial Development Council (PDC) endorsed the proposal to study the opening of an alternative road.

For the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center, City Councilor Noel Wenceslao asked the Cebu City Council to authorize Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to avail of a grant from the World Bank to cover 90 percent of the cost and apply for a loan to cover 10 percent.

Here are the top stories for today, Feb. 26, 2015:

CEBU HEADLINES. The front pages of Cebu’s 3 English dailies today.

Alternative Naga-Cebu City road to be studied

Yesterday, the Cebu Provincial Development Council endorsed a proposal by the Minglanilla town council to study the opening of the old Philippine Railways as an alternative road from Naga to Cebu City.

The proposal sought to fund and to conduct a study on the feasibility of building a road on what used to be the Philippine Railways tracks, which ran parallel to Natalio Bacalso Ave. It was located along the Minglanilla shoreline, about a kilometer away from the main highway. To the south, the track used to stretch all the way to Argao town.

According to Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña, there is a great need for an alternative road since the national highway from Naga to Talisay is seeing heavy traffic and bottlenecks in some areas.

Sun.Star Cebu: Capitol endorses Naga-SRP road plan

Cebu City to get P120-million loan for CCMC construction; loan to pave way for WB grant

The Cebu City Government’s executive department is looking at availing itself a P120-million loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for the construction of the new Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

The amount is only about 10 percent of the total estimated cost of the project, which ranges from P1.2 billion to P1.5 billion.

But the loan will pave the way for the City Government to avail itself of a grant from the World Bank’s Support for Strategic Local Development and Investment Project, according to Councilor Noel Wenceslao in a proposed resolution filed by before the City Council yesterday.

Sun.Star Cebu: P120M loan eyed
Cebu Daily News: World bank aid for hospital?
The Freeman: City dad eyes loan to rebuild CCMC

Cebu Business headlines:

Sun.Star Cebu: Filinvest turns over to owners units in One Oasis Kasambagan

Sun.Star Cebu: Organization to work with GK on ‘social tourism’

The Freeman: Cebu as “second home” gets additional boost

The Freeman: SMEs told to implement energy saving measures

4 min read

News

Cebu News Digest: Feb. 25, 2015: 4 face murder raps for Talisay fastfood shooting; CITOM buys P5M towing truck for campaign against illegal parking; 10-wheeler collision with 6 vehicles causes heavy traffic in Mandaue

February 25, 2015 12:04 pm February 25, 2015

4 min read

4 min read

Four suspects—three under police custody, the other still at large—were charged yesterday with murder and frustrated murder after the shooting inside a fastfood outlet in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City last…

The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) yesterday acquired a new towing truck that will enable them to continue its operation of towing illegally-parked vehicles in national roads and city streets.

Mandaue City experienced heavy traffic yesterday after a 10-wheeler Isuzu truck collided with six other vehicles at the corner of H. Abellana Street.

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Here are the top stories for today, Feb. 25, 2015:

CEBU HEADLINES. Today’s front pages of Cebu’s three English dailies.

No bail for suspects in killing of German, shooting of 2 other foreigners

Talisay residents Ricci Edwin Ramirez, Allan Velos and Roger Cal and Dexci Gomilao, were charged with the death of German national Heinrich Haffner and the injuries caused to French national Julian Maillard and Indian national Cheten Saparaiya who were customers at a fastfood outlets in Talisay City.

Police filed charges of murder, two counts of frustrated murder, and illegal possession of firearms against Ramirez, Veloz, and Cal. No bail was recommended for three arrested suspects.

Gomilao remains at large. Police are still trying to get the full identity of a fifth suspect, known only as “Macmac”.

In yesterday’s proceedings, a previous case against Maillard also surfaced. He was arrested, using a warrant, for a case filed three years ago by his Filipina ex-wife in Siquijor for alleged violations of Republic Act 9262, or the Violence against Women and Children Act.

“Somehow, I’m happy with how the investigation has been conducted. I’m satisfied with how things go although not all the suspects were captured for now.” — Sheila Jane Gimutao, Haffner’s Cebuana girlfriend

Sun.Star Cebu: 4 face murder rap
Cebu Daily News: No bail for 3
The Freeman: Police arrest Talisay shooting survivor

New towing truck for Citom

Since 2014, Citom has been using clamps to seize vehicles illegally parked on the roads and streets.

With a new towing truck that costs the City P5 million, the traffic agency will pursue a massive operation of towing illegally-parked vehicles along roads, sidewalks and barangay access roads.

Doing this will ensure public safety since illegally-parked vehicles are an obstruction to the passage of emergency vehicles in times of crisis or urgencies, Citom said.

“Usa pud ning illegal parking nga naka-cause og traffic kay naka-obstruct man sa dalan maong dili gyud na pwede mo-park sa dalan; 24 hours gyud na.” — CITOM operations chief Jonathan Tumulak

The Freeman: Campaign vs illegal parking city acquires new truck for towing
Sun.Star Cebu: Aggressive drive vs. illegal parking

7 vehicles collide; 5 injured

An Isuzu truck owned by Cenapro, Inc. that is based in Jagobiao, Mandaue City was driven by company driver Gerardo Pepito, 52, towards Mandaue City proper.

Due to a malfunctioned braking system, the truck hit a Toyota Revo Wagon then another Isuzu truck still owned by Cenapro, Inc. at the corner of H. Abellana Street, Barangay Canduman and Basak National Highway. It happened at 8:30 a.m.

Pepito’s truck moved forward to hit a multicab that was carrying six persons, including the driver. The multicab hit the second Cenapro truck and another Isuzu van that hit the rear portion of another Isuzu van.

The injured were brought to Mandaue City Hospital and Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City.

Pepito will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to properties. He is currently under police custody.

The Freeman: Another Mandaue incident involves 7 vehicles, driver killed in Naga accident
Sun.Star Cebu: 2 killed in 4 separate road mishaps in Cebu

Cebu Business headlines:

The Freeman: Radisson is 100% ready for APEC Summit 2015

The Freeman: Stakeholders must come up with solutions to power crisis

Sun.Star Cebu: Mobile commerce ‘growing in PH’

Sun.Star Cebu: Microsoft offers solutions to make health care workers more efficient