Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th District) yesterday called the plan of Senator Panfilo Lacson to resurrect the “Jose Pidal” controversy “a shameless and monumental waste of time and resources”.

The solon also said he is sure his sister-in-law, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, will be able to defend herself against charges poised to be filed against her.

“Let them file them, she is innocent,” he said, in reaction to President Benigno Aquino’s announcement Monday that the government is building at least four cases against her, including for the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.

Two inmates of the Negros Occidental Provincial Jail in Bacolod tagged in the killing of their fellow prisoner Monday night said they were promised P10,000 each to do it,  Provincial Jail Warden  Dionisio Silva Jr. said in a report to Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday.

The governor yesterday directed the warden to dig deeper into the reason for the killing, saying it appears to have been triggered by more than just an altercation while they were waiting to get water at the jail.

“I expect to get an update from then warden today, the governor said.

A barangay kagawad and his two companions were arrested during a buy-bust operation in Brgy Zone 1, Murcia, Negros Occidental, yesterday and five sachets of suspected shabu were confiscated from them, police chief Senior Inspector Edencio Gregorio said.

The buy-bust operation, a joint effort of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Murcia police force, led to the arrest of Kagawad Cirilo Getida, 47, chairman of the Peace and Order committee of Brgy. Zone 1, Murcia, Elmer Gasataya, 51, and Zenaida Jingco, 45. Five sachets of suspected shabu, estimated at 0.8 gram, and P500 in marked money were confiscated from them, Gregorio said.

Gregorio, however, also said that the prime target for the buy-bust operation, identified as Ariel Colimbo, alias Kambang, eluded arrest.