Mayor Romel Yogore and members of the Bids and Awards Committee of Valladolid town in Negros Occidental yesterday asked the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) to dismiss its resolution finding probable cause to indict them for violation of the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In their motion for reconsideration, Yogore and his co-respondents asked that the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) resolution, dated Oct. 30, 2012 and approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Feb. 25, 2014 be reversed and set aside, and a new resolution be rendered dismissing the criminal complaint for graft filed against them, their lawyer Rayfrando Diaz II said.

The Ombudsman’s resolution had found probable cause to indict Yogore, Valladolid Municipal Agriculturist Giovanni Robles – chairman of the Valladolid Bids and Awards Committee, Municipal Engineer Joseph Alfonso Manayon – BAC vice chairman, and members – Municipal Registrar Ernesto Genobis, Cashier III Daisy Galve, and Accounting Clerk II Merlene Magbanua.

The Ombudsman also found probable cause to file charges against Jonie Nieve, proprietor of JB Nieve Hardware and Construction Supply.

***

    Despite the fears we experienced while anticipating Glenda, I was imagining the reaction of schoolchildren and even college students, and teachers to the announcements about the cancellation of classes. I remember that when we were in school, announcements that there would be no classes were always greeted with rejoicing. But, as far as I can recall, we never had cancelled classes due to typhoons. It seems it is only this generation that has become frequent victims of natural calamities. All right, say “Climate Change” and I will echo your statement.

***

    Now that workers are mopping up the areas visited by Glenda, maybe we can talk about light matters, like the announcement that  the Miss Universe 2015 is likely to be held in the Philippines. If that is true, this will be the second (or third?) time this has happened. What I remember very clearly is when the contest was held in Manila when our Margie Moran was the reigning Miss Universe. How proud we were as we watched her waving from the Miss U float as it paraded along Roxas Boulevard, with the candidates from all the other participating countries following.