SP okays P59M for
gov't center
TO AVERT DAMAGE SUIT FROM HCC
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday approved the request of the Mayor for a supplemental appropriation of P59.2 million, which includes the 15 percent mobilization fund to be paid to Hilmarc's Construction Corp. for the construction of the government center project.

Those who voted in favor were Councilors Greg Gasataya, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Homer Bais, Dindo Ramos, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Napoleon Cordova, Al Victor Espino, Arturo Parreño and Marx Louie de la Rosa.

Councilor Elmer Sy voted against it while Councilors Lyndon Caña, Reynold Iledan and Catalino Alisbo abstained. Councilor Ana Marie Palermo was not present.

Chiz: It's administration
that's hurting RP
BY CARLA GOMEZ

House Minority Floor Leader Francis "Chiz" Escudero yesterday denied that the opposition is the reason why the country has failed to move forward.

"If at all, someone should be blamed for the instability the country is suffering from, I think we should look at what the administration has done or is doing," he said.

At a press conference in Bacolod City, Escudero, who is running for the Senate under the Genuine Opposition ticket, was reacting to the call of President Gloria Arroyo for the opposition not to hurt but to work with the administration in building up the economy. It is not the opposition that cheated in 2004, stole from the government, abused the use of power, and failed to follow the laws, Escudero said.

Media urged to unite
vs. FG libel raps
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The media should band together and fight the libel cases being filed by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo against their colleagues to prevent his moves from having a chilling effect on press freedom, House Minority Floor Leader Francis Escudero said yesterday.

Escudero, who is running for senator under the Genuine Opposition ticket, said in a press conference in Bacolod City that if the First Gentleman files a "libel case against one reporter today, who knows if it is going to be you or me against whom he will file a libel case the next day, or the following week or month."

"I hope the First Gentleman will be more reserved in so far as filing libel cases are concerned. I hope he would think once twice, thrice over before he does it," Escudero said.