SOLON CALLS MAYOR’S CLAIMS
‘Half truths, twisted facts’
Says disallowances can be reversed
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia said it is lamentable that his successor, Mayor Monico Puentevella, and his minions continue serving “half-truths and twisted facts” to the people of Bacolod in their desire to tarnish the record of his administration.

Leonardia met with the Bacolod media over the weekend to counter the vicious claims made by Puentevella and his people last week.

Leonardia said it is not true that Puentevella “inherited” P1.2 billion in loans and payables from the previous administrations. These loans have been partly paid for already, Leonardia said. When he left office, the outstanding loan obligations were only P613 million: P465 million in principal, and P147 million in estimated interest to be paid.

Keep memory of Fortich
love for poor alive: Bishop
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.