It’s hard when the mayor
doesn’t want you: Ordaniel
BY SHIELA GELERA

“It is hard to stay here with the mayor who does not want you.”

This was the statement of Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel, acting Bacolod City police director, yesterday when asked about his status.

Ordaniel said he is prepared to be relieved from his post as acting city director, adding that he has a new assignment in one of the provinces in Western Visayas.

His transfer will take effect when Chief Supt. Josephus Angan, officer-in-charge of the Police Regional Office-6 will give Mayor Monico Puentevella a list of nominees for city director, Ordaniel said.

Capitol employees
face more taxes
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government, especially about 500 of them working at hospitals, will have to pay more taxes this year.

The provincial government has to comply with the very strict requirements of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, or face a penalty that could amount to P5 million, Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado Jr. said yesterday.

Starting this year, the provincial government will automatically deduct taxes on the additional benefits of its employees, especially those working at hospitals who receive hazard, subsistence and laundry allowances, as well as from doctors and nurses who receive PhilHealth professional fees, Salado said.

NPA ends unilateral ceasefire
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Occidental is maintaining its full alert status against possible attacks by the New People’s Army, during the suspension of military operations that ends January 15, its commander, Col. Jon Aying, yesterday said.

The unilateral New Year ceasefire declared by the Communist Party of the Philippines, meanwhile, ended January 2, with the CPP ordering its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to launch more tactical offensives against government security forces throughout the country.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said yesterday that Army units in Negros and Panay island will continue to observe the SOMO until January 15, but they will not lower their guard, and will conduct continued security patrols, peace and development activities, and support to humanitarian programs.