Entire Pulupandan
police force sacked
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The entire police force of Pulupandan Police Station, except for its newly-installed officer-in-charge, was relieved Saturday, and replaced by troopers of the Public Safety Company of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, provincial police caretaker Senior Supt. Celestino Guara yesterday said.

Guara said the replacement of about 20 policemen assigned in Pulupandan town was ordered by Camp Crame, and is aimed at preventing them from being influenced by politicians.

This was also after Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. wrote to Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, who recommended the relief of several police officers in Negros Occidental, and the filing of charges against Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña.

Albee: LP-NPC
coalition still intact
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Despite complaints and misunderstandings among coalition members, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said Friday that the agreement on the coalition of the Liberal Party and the National People’s Coalition still holds.

Benitez, LP provincial chairman, said they are still campaigning for candidates of their coalition partner, apparently referring to NPC, and their party mates in Negros Occidental.

The gubernatorial bid of Vice-Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. (NPC) got the backing of Benitez and business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco.

Panaad Fest on
BY GILBERT BAYORAN & ADRIAN NEMES III

In politics, there are no permanent friends or foes.

Former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, who lost to Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. in the 2010 gubernatorial elections, will be among those to be honored today by the provincial government for spearheading the Panaad’s maiden staging in 1993.

“It is appropriate that we recognize the pioneers of the festival which is now in the annual calendar of events of the Department of Tourism. The Panaad, over the last two decades, truly served as a venue to showcase the best in Negros Occidental arts and culture scene, tourism, economy and agriculture,” Marañon said.