Tan-Zayco children
custody battle starts
BY CEDELF TUPAS

The hearing on the petition for guardianship filed by Rosalinda Garcia-Zayco of the five minor children of slain Iloilo businessman Robert Francisco "Bobby" Tan and his wife, Cynthia Zayco-Tan, is set at 8:30 a.m. today at the Branch 61 of the Regional Trial Court in Kabankalan City.

Tan's aunt and family matriarch, Conchita Tan, had filed a motion through her lawyer Joe Max Ortiz to dismiss the petition filed by Zayco. The five children are now with the Zayco family in Kabankalan.

In her motion, Conchita Tan claimed Kabankalan is not the proper venue for the hearing on the custody because the children are residents of Iloilo City.

Capitol addressing
English proficiency woes
BY NANETTE GUADALQUIVER & CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Top officials of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City yesterday admitted that the English proficiency of Filipinos have indeed declined, and that the province has taken steps to address the problem.

Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said that Negros Occidental is working closely with the Department of Education in implementing an English proficiency program. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, meanwhile, said he believes that the English language should be given importance, considering that it is now an international language. Leonardia said he was one of those who were against the move of government to give more focus on Tagalog than on English.

Leonardia: Work first before politic
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon has denied involvement in the politics of Bacolod City, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said yesterday, when asked about speculations over the radio that Marañon is supporting the candidacy of former Bacolod police director Senior Supt. Vicente Ponteras.

Leonardia said that Marañon called him up a few days ago, and told him that he is not getting involved in Bacolod politics because he has nothing to gain from it.

Perhaps the Governor heard his name being dragged in, Leonardia said, and being my godfather, he was just concerned.