Massacre death toll now 46,
Negros lawyer among dead
Arroyo declares state
of emergency; NPC slams killings
BY CARLA GOMEZ

President Gloria Arroyo declared a state of emergency in parts of the volatile southern Philippines yesterday as anger spiraled over a savage political massacre that left at least 46 people dead in Maguindanao.

Of the 46 dead, those from Negros Occidental rose to three.

Aside from two reporters from Negros Occidental identified among the dead, yesterday Executive Judge Ray Allan Drilon of the Regional Trial Court of Bacolod said lawyer Concepcion Brizuela was also reported among the casualties.

Providing universal health care, retaining the ban on Genetically Modified Organisms, and making Negros great again through agriculture.

These are among the targets of United Negros Alliance gubernatorial candidate Alfredo Marañon III, which he outlined during the oath-taking of the UNA candidates for Silay and Victorias cities at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City yesterday.

Albee Benitez, UNA congressional candidate for the third district, said if all of Negros Occidental's officials support the universal health care program it will greatly benefit the people of the province.

Three sugar groups yesterday vehemently opposed the proposal of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila to import sugar, saying there is no shortage of supply.

Favila proposed the importation following the rise in sugar retail prices to P44 a kilo, which sugar leaders blamed on sugar traders.

To address the problem, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela yesterday said the SRA is going to make sugar available at its Quezon City office at P41 per kilo starting today.