Iggy’s district may get
caretaker from House
Belmonte says needs will be acted on
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte yesterday said that the House of Representatives will ensure that the needs of the constituents of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo in the 5th district of Negros Occidental will be addressed despite his passing.

Article 6 Section 9 of the Philippine Constitution states that in case there is a vacancy in the Senate of House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, Negros Occidental Provincial Elections Supervisor Jessie Suarez said.

However, there does not appear to be enough time to do so with the May 2013 polls fast approaching, he said.

A suspected New People’s Army red fighter was killed, and three others were reported injured, when government soldiers overran a rebel camp in Sitio Mag-asawang Bukid, Brgy. Camindanngan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, 11 a.m. yesterday.

Lt. Col. Rodrigo Sosmena, 47th IB commanding officer, said he believes that they were able to pre-empt the reported plans of the NPA to conduct tactical offensives in Sipalay City, following an encounter with about estimated 30 rebels led by Bernard Alvarez, who replaced the slain Armando Sumayang, as commander of the South West Front Committee.

Sosmena said the identity of the slain NPA member had not been established as of press time, while civilians who had relayed the information on the presence of armed men in the area, reported that three rebels were also injured.

Several business groups in Bacolod City will file a separate appeal before the Department of Justice next week asking for the review of the Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City.

Ben Ortega, president of the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, yesterday said they are filing a separate appeal from that of Puentevella, since they are an apolitical group.

He said they do not want people to think that this was initiated by somebody else but it is just their duty to protect their members and customers.