Mayors favor ConAss
but want consultations
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Majority of the mayors in Negros Occidental favor the amendment of the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly but are asking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to direct members of the Consultative Commission to conduct more consultations.

In a vote taken by Gov. Joseph Marañon at the Provincial Development Council meeting at the Capitol in Bacolod City yesterday, 23 mayors said they were in favor of a Constituent Assembly, while three said they are for change through a Constitutional Convention.

Five mayors - Anthony Lizares of Talisay, Caroll Guanco of Hinigaran, Renato Malabor of Isabela, John Paul Alvarez of Ilog and Francisco Bilbao of Hinobaan - were absent.

MOST BOARD
MEMBERS WANT CONCON
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

It's eight against six in favor of a Constitutional Convention to amend the 1987 Constitution among members of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The resolution authored by Board Member Reynaldo Depasucat urging the Philippine Senate to opt for a Constitutional Convention, was approved by the SP during its regular session yesterday.

Eight of the 14 board members present - Depasucat, Yulo, Miller Serondo, Macario Zafra, Man-Man Ko, Francis Joseph Tuvilla, George Gitano and Edgardo Acuña - voted for Con-Con, while Ike Barredo, Elmero Layumas, Fernando Leonor, Corazon Diploma, Mae Javellana and Adolfo Mangao opted to go for a Constituent Assembly. Depasucat, chairperson of the Committee on Human Rights, said the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land, must be framed with people's participation as part of our well-enshrined democratic system of government.

Solon's aide denies
link to generator case
BY CARLA GOMEZ

I had nothing to do with the purchase of a generator for the Southeast Asian Games by Central Negros Electric Cooperative, a member of the staff of Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella said yesterday.

In fact I only came to know about the generator when CENECO personnel informed us that they were placing it at the Paglaum Sports Stadium, Eldy Estrañero, Puentevella's barangay coordinator, said.

Estrañero was a reacting to reports of a text message that has been circulating in Bacolod that says "CENECO purchased generator worth P800,000 but with actual cost of only P600,000. Kickback was P200,000. Ildie, Monico's staff, and Guillem involved. Genset not even used once during SEA Games."