PARO Teresita Depeñoso: Complainants have no legal personality*

Sixty-six farm laborers yesterday filed criminal complaints against Negros Occidental Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer, Teresita Depeñoso, for alleged violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 6657, or Acts Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Public Service, before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

Farm laborer Erlito Batallon said the complaints are due to her alleged defiance against implementing the order of then Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza dated Sept. 5, 2001, re-affirmed by DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman on Dec. 6, 2006, that directs the PARO, Negros Occidental, to file a petition for the cancellation of Certificates of Land Ownership Award issued to agrarian reform beneficiaries in Hacienda San Benito in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, before the Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board, and to generate and issue new CLOAs, to include new beneficiaries.

Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco and Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela yesterday said sugar industry leaders need to come up with plans to assist their workers with a longer “dead season” expected this year.

Zayco said planters associations in the different mill districts should come up with plans for helping their workers.

The province will also assist, but it has limited resources, he pointed out.

ILOILO CITY – Prosecutors in Western Visayas yesterday voiced their support to their beleaguered colleagues in Manila who have been dragged in the controversy over the dismissal of charges against suspected drug pushers belonging to prominent families.

In a two-page manifesto, the regional chapter of the National Prosecutor's League of the Philippines Inc. also condemned what is said was the “trial of publicity” against members of the Department of Justice's Task Force on Anti-Illegal Drugs, Chief Prosecutor Jovencity and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez.

DOJ Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, Zuño and two senior prosecutors are on indefinite leave upon orders of President Macapagal-Arroyo over the bribery scandal involving the so-called “Alabang Boys.”