DOJ junks murder raps
vs. Alvarezes, Tabujara
BUT RECOMMENDS CASE VS. 7 OTHERS
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Department of Justice has dismissed the charges filed against Negros Occidental Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., his son Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez and Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara for the murder of Kabankalan Judge Henry Arles for “insufficiency of evidence”, but recommended the filing of a case against seven others.

“We are vindicated… I have said from the start that we had nothing to do with the murder of the judge,” the vice governor said at a press conference called late yesterday afternoon at his house in Bacolod City to announce the DOJ decision.

The vice governor, who is running for governor of Negros Occidental, said he hopes the decision will clear his name and that of his son since, for months, they have been unfairly accused through the media of being criminals.

A sad day for
justice: judge’s kin
BY CARLA GOMEZ

“If it is true, it is a sad day for justice.”

That was the reaction last night of Philip Arles to the news that the charges against Negros Occidental Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., Ilog Mayor Paul Alvarez and Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara for the murder of his father, Judge Henry Arles, had been dismissed.

Arles said if it is true that a decision adverse to their complaint had been made by the Department of Justice, he is surprised because he really thought they had a strong case, but also kind of expected it, considering that those cleared of the charges are very powerful.

Huge crowd in La Carlota;
Game over, Marañon says
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

The show is over!

That was the reaction of  Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon  Jr. and Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer  (Neg. Occ., 4th District) after seeing the huge  crowd at their campaign rally at the La Carlota City Public Plaza yesterday afternoon.

With the huge turn-out, Marañon said their political foes are already knocked out.