INC endorses Marañon,
Ibañez, 4 congress bets
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The influential bloc-voting Iglesia Ni Cristo yesterday endorsed the candidacy of Negros Occidental re-electionist Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., his running mate Melvin Ibañez, four congressional bets and several mayors.

The Negros Occidental congressional candidates endorsed by the INC are Rafael Leo Cueva for the 2nd district, Alfredo Abelardo Benitez – 3rd district, Jeffrey Ferrer – 4th district, and Alejandro Mirasol – 5th district.

It was not known yesterday whom the INC had endorsed for representatives of the first and sixth districts.

Backs Bing,
Thaddy, Greg, too
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Iglesia Ni Cristo endorsed Grupo Progreso bets Evelio “Bing” Leonardia for congressman, Jude Thaddeus Sayson for mayor, and Greg Gasataya for vice mayor of Bacolod City, in an announcement made last night.

“This is an endorsement that will spell the difference in the elections. We are overwhelmed by the support and thank the Iglesia ni Cristo for it,” Leonardia said.

“We are humbled by their endorsement. It all the more firms up our commitment to serve the people according to their expectations, and even beyond,” he added.

‘Cop says no
explosives found in Ubay’
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña said yesterday that Senior Police Officer 1 Rosendo Bersal of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bacolod City has executed an affidavit saying that no explosives were found at his ancestral house in Brgy. Ubay in the town during the CIDG raid last week, and that the guns seized were licensed.

However, CIDG Region 6 chief, Supt. Mafelino Bazar said that Bersal had told his superior, Chief Insp. Fernando Salvatierra that he did not execute any affidavit in favor of Peña.

Bersal, who had been suspended before when Peña filed charges against him and (ret) Brig. Gen Raymundo Jarque, could not be located as of press time yesterday, although Salvatierra told the DAILY STAR that he will appear in a press conference today to clarify his alleged affidavit.