High alert up as ‘Yolanda’
threatens northern Negros
Guv calls for prayers,
some mayors suspend classes
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said the Negros Occidental provincial government and its towns and cities are now on high alert status as super typhoon “Yolanda”, which is likely to hit northern Negros, entered the country last night.

The governor again called on Negrenses to pray that the typhoon changes direction and spares Negros Occidental.

Some local governments in northern Negros Occidental have cancelled classes today.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that, as of 10 last night, the eye of “Yolanda” was located 1,110-kilometer east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

Ombudsman throws out cases
against Leonardia, 23 others

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed criminal and administrative cases against Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia and several city officials and employees filed when he was still mayor.

Dismissed last month were cases Omb-V-C-09-0082-C and Omb-V-A-09-0076-C that were filed by Sarah Teresa Esguerra and Othello Ramos, known allies of Mayor Monico Puentevella.

Cleared along with Leonardia were City Treasurer Annabelle Badajos, Teresita Guadalupe of the Office of the Building Official , City Accountant Eduardo Ravena, City Legal Officer Allan Zamora, Secretary to the Mayor Rogelio Balo and 18 other functionaries of their office.

Cadiz election officer
faces gun complaint
BY SHIELA GELERA

Joseph Nazareno, 41, of Brgy. Taculing, Bacolod City, reported to the police that Cadiz City Election Officer Revo Sorbito, of Brgy. Mansilingan pointed a firearm at him and discharged it in front of the Regional Intelligence Unit safe house.

Nazareno said that at about 11:30 p.m., he and his companions were in a Nissan Navarra pick-up when Sorbito, who was with a woman passenger, opened the window of his Chevrolet Spark car and pointed a gun at them.

Nazareno and his companions, who are members of the Community Investigative Support of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said they thought Sorbito was a police officer and followed him.