Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra is calling for volunteers to help the Church effort to ensure clean and honest elections by joining the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Director, yesterday said the bishop is especially calling on young people to help the church ensure that the May 14 elections are credible.

The bishop will hold a consultation with the priests of the Diocese of Bacolod today and a diocese-wide meeting with Parish Pastoral Councils on Feb. 24 on the Church effort to ensure clean polls.

Probe Paglaum rehab,
Negros Occ. SP asked
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

A Bacolod resident has requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental to investigate the alleged poor rehabilitation of the Paglaum Sports Complex that was undertaken without the required public bidding.

In his letter dated Feb. 16, to Emilio Yulo III chairman of the Committee on Education, Narciso San Miguel also asked that the simulation of the contract in order to pay the advances made by the contractor be investigated and if evidence warrant, to institute appropriate charges against Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella and all those who may be involved in the alleged anomalous project.

He said the rehabilitation of the Paglaum Sports Complex for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Nov. 20 to Dec. 5 was a project cost P19,249,758.71.

James says sorry,
Kris forgives him
BY CEDELF TUPAS

Talk about giving marriage a second chance.

Professional basketball player James Yap yesterday apologized to his wife, celebrity Kris Aquino, on national television in an effort to put to rest a controversy sparked by an alleged extra-marital affair.

"I am really sorry. Whatever happens, I will fight for you. I won't give up. This won't happen again," Yap told Aquino on ABS-CBN's showbiz-oriented talk show "The Buzz" last night. The couple has been married for a year.