Rebels torch tractor of
councilor’s family
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

Six suspected rebels carrying short firearms torched a tractor valued at P1 million at the sugarcane farm owned by the family of a Bacolod City councilor in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana town, Negros Occidental, yesterday.

Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino, son of Delia Agustin-Espino, LN Agustin Farms president, said the suspects arrived at their farm in Hacienda Vicenta at about 6 a.m. and asked driver Hansel Carpio to alight from the tractor.

Carpio reported to the police that the suspects poured gasoline on the tractor and burned it then told him that they did it because the owners of the farm refused to pay revolutionary taxes.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol has directed Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. to implement a decision suspending an employee of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office for three months without pay for simple misconduct.

The Ombudsman found Estrellita Chica, Revenue Collector 1 of the Office of the Provincial Treasurer of Negros Occidental, liable for simple misconduct for a shortage in her cash collection and imposed the penalty of three months without pay, with a stern warning that repetition or commission of the same or a similar offense would be dealt with more severely.

Jose. Ma. Valencia, chief of staff of the governor, yesterday said the order would be enforced.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday calledon the public to pray that the truth will prevail in the impeachment trial versus Chief Justice Renato Coronafor the good of the country.

“Let us all pray that cooler heads prevail and that the Senate judgesact with clear consciences without prejudices and ulterior motives”, he said.

“Our country is at stake, this is not matter that we should take for granted,” the bishop added.