Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday issued a pastoral letter of concern and opposition to what he called a signature campaign for a "fake people's initiative" for charter change.

Navarra, in his two-page pastoral letter written in Ilonggo and read in churches throughout the Diocese of Bacolod, said that, according to some of those who had signed the "people's initiative", they were paid to do so.

This is an unjust move of the government on the many who were made to sign something they did not even understand, Navarra said

Oppositors can
go to SC: Lacson
BY DONALYN GUERRERO

Rep. Jose Carlos "Kako" Lacson (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) yesterday said those opposing the people's initiative for Charter Change can always go to the Supreme Court to question it, saying that it is still within the ambits of the Constitution.

Lacson said the government is doing the right thing by using the people's initiative apparently because both Houses in the Congress could not seem to understand each other.

He said the Senators can roam around the country and explain to the people what this people's initiative is all about. In their end, Lacson said they are doing the same thing.

SM to start hiring in Bacolod,
lauds city's business climate
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

MANILA - An executive of SM said the company decided to open a branch in Bacolod this year because they believe the city now has the right business climate and the right leadership, when asked why their group decided to construct a mall in Bacolod only now.

Annie Garcia, SM vice president for operations, also said SM is putting up an office in Bacolod City in May so it can start hiring workers in preparation for the opening of its 26th mall this year in the city.

During a press conference with the Bacolod media in Manila Thursday, Garcia said SM plans to open its Bacolod branch during the MassKara Festival in October. She said SM will also be opening its 24th mall in Clark and its 25th in Manila on May 20, which is the Mall of Asia. SM Bacolod will have two 1-storey buildings that will be connected by two bridges, she said.