Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., and the members of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Committee on Awards and Disposal of Real Properties are seeking the dismissal of petitions filed by SM Prime Holdings Inc. against them before the Court of Appeals and Branch 50 of the Regional Trial Court of Bacolod.

SMPHI is seeking to stop the Negros Occidental provincial government from selling and leasing its 7.7-hectare prime property in Bacolod City to AyalaLand Inc.

Public interest is superior to and must prevail over the private business interest of SMPHI, the respondents told the Bacolod RTC.

Three southbound public utility vehicles under the United Drivers Operators Center that entered the DAALCO waiting station in Libertad, Bacolod City were apprehended yesterday by the Traffic Management Unit for illegal establishment of a terminal.

The incident happened after a dialog was held at the government center between the city officials and the sectors affected by the transfer of the terminal to Sambok south terminal at Lopez Jaena-San Sebastian streets.

UNDOC secretary general Jessie Ortega said it was clear during the dialog with the city officials in the presence of Social Action Center director Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, that they were granted by the city the second option they have chosen.

Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III was proclaimed  the real winner of the 12th and final seat of the 2007 senatorial election yesterday after a four-year long and lonely struggle for truth and justice, his wife, the former Jewel Mae Lobaton of Bacolod City, said.

“During his oath-taking before Senior Associate Justice (Antonio) Carpio I realized that his fight was all worth it in the end. I am very proud of him,” she told the DAILY STAR.

The former MassKara Queen also said she is excited to see her husband work as a legislator.