The resignation of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri from the Senate is a big loss to Negros Occidental and the sugar industry, Negrense leaders said yesterday.

Zubiri, whose father is from Kabankalan City, in a privilege speech yesterday afternoon delivered before the Senate, said he was resigning with honor and dignity, amid claims that he benefited from alleged cheating in the 2007 senatorial elections.

”I did not cheat nor ask anyone to cheat for me and my family. We would never tolerate any form of electoral fraud,” Zubiri said.

The alleged gunman of Ilog Councilor Antonio “Karem” Gequillana, 42, yesterday denied having killed him and claimed that the Bacolod police were forcing him to admit the crime.

Ryan Gatoc, 31, of Brgy. 1, Kabankalan City, said that contrary to the police claim he was not arrested but he surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives.

Gatoc, who was taken from his residence at about 3 p.m. Tuesday, alleged that Bacolod City Police Deputy Director and Task Force Gequillana head, Supt. Santiago Rapiz, forced him to admit killing Gequillana so the case will be solved.

AyalaLand’s presentation of its P6 billion development plan for the 7.7-hectare prime property of the Negros Occidental provincial government in Bacolod City that it intends to buy and lease was met with applause from Negrense government, business and non-government organization leaders yesterday.

AyalaLand vice president Joel Luna presented his firm’s Capitol Civic Center plan to the multi-sectoral group of leaders at the Capitol’s Social Hall, saying it will greatly boost Bacolod and Negros Occidental’s economy and potential as competitive destinations.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said if a referendum were held today in Bacolod and Negros Occidental the AyalaLand plan would win by 90 percent of the votes.