PNP, Army downplay
bomb scare in Negros
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Military and police authorities yesterday downplayed bomb scares and rumors being spread through text messages in Negros Occidental, but are not taking chances, following the bombings in Cagayan de Oro and Cotabato City that claimed the lives of 18 people and injured more than 50 others.

Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, urged Negrenses not to entertain those text messages, and assured that there is no reason to panic.

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, also said there is no confirmation of reports that Abu Sayyaf terrorists, who are on a test mission, will stage bombings in Negros Occidental, especially in Bacolod City.

PCL wants more
funds for LGUs
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Officers of the Philippine Councilors League are pushing for a bigger Internal Revenue Allotment share for local government units, its chairman Alan Zulueta and president Alma Moreno said at the election of the PCL-Negros Occidental chapter officers at the Bacolod Pavillon Resort Hotel yesterday.

Raul Rivera of Kabankalan Ciy, who won a third term as president of the PCL-Negros Occidental chapter, said he supports the call for a bigger IRA share for LGUs.

Rivera, who represents the PCL in the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan, also thanked the councilors and all the provincial officials for his unopposed re-election.

Book, statue honor Fortich
BY CARLA GOMEZ

A book will be launched and a statue unveiled this weekend in honor of Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich, who would have turned 100 tomorrow.

 A motorcade at 7:30 a.m. today will usher in “Insta: A Festival of Faith” that will celebrate the birth centenary of Fortich.

The celebration is spearheaded by the Blessed John Paul II National Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, headed by Msgr. Victorino Rivas, which was organized by the late pope himself. The pope had visited Bacolod in an event that is now considered one of the highlights of Fortich’s episcopacy.