Two allies of Albee join PMP
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Two allies of Rep. Alfredo Albelardo “Albee” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District), chairman of the Liberal Party in Negros Occidental, took their oaths as members of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino before former president Joseph Estrada at his home in San Juan City Thursday.

The two are Negros Occidental Board Member Patrick Lacson and Silay Vice Mayor Mark Golez, who renounced their membership with the former ruling Lakas CMD party.

They said they had informed Benitez that they were joining the PMP and he had no problem with it.

Fireworks lit up the sky at past 11 last night as Allysa Marie Villarico of Bacolod City was crowned the 18th Lin-ay sg Negros at the jampacked Panaad stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Villarico, 20, and a third year Mass Communication student at the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos was named Miss Globe, People's choice award, Miss EDC and Miss Marycay.

Villarico, who is also one of the hosts of Kapamilya mas Winner Ka of ABS-CBN Bacolod, received P60,000 and full scholarship at a school of her choice.

The blaming by SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the provincial government for the delay in the development of the 7.7-hectare Capitol prime property was brushed aside yesterday by Provincial Assistant Legal Officer Mary Ann Manayon-Lamis, who called it a “matter of opinion”.

“We believe otherwise,” Manayon, who heads the defense team of the Provincial Legal Office, said.

Vince Bayhon, SMPHI legal counsel, who maintained that it was not the fault of the SM, stressed that it would not have been delayed, if the provincial government had followed the procedures.