Revilla case a warning
to public officials: guv
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the surrender yesterday of Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, who is facing plunder and graft charges, is a big warning to public officials that even senators and presidents are vulnerable to suits in the Philippines.

"It's about time that we send to jail those who deserve to be in jail (because of graft and corruption) like in some cases in South Korea. So far, we had President Erap but he was later pardoned (by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo)," he said.

On fears raised by Revilla, 47, that the administration may use its influence over the judiciary, the governor said: "It's now up to the Sandiganbayan. I still believe in our justice system that the court will be fair. The proceedings will be open to the public anyway. The media is there so they cannot intimidate the court."

RTC extends
Cabuga resort TRO
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The Regional Trial Court yesterday granted another 18-day temporary restraining order on the development and construction of facilities and other structures in the Metro Safari Resort without the required building permit and other mandatory clearances.

The order enjoins the Mushroom Realty Development Corp. under the name "RFC Metro Inn, Yaku Moo Restaurant, Bacolod Safari Zoo and Resort" represented by its president, Francis Rey Cabuga, and Office of the Building Official head Isidro Sun Jr., to refrain from continuing work on the project.

Poachers in south cut
P16M worth of lumber
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

About 400,000 board feet of banned species of trees, with market value estimated P16 million, have been cut by poachers at the "Wilderness" area in Brgy. Damutan, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Andre Untal reported yesterday that the illegally-cut lauan square timber were transported by poachers through rafting in the Culipapa and Basay rivers, in Hinobaan, Negros Occidental, and Bayawan in Negros Oriental, respectively, and are being sold to fishermen for use in making boat hulls.

Initial investigations by PENRO showed that the trees cut by poachers ranged from 50 to 100 years old.