CHED raises 46 units
issue of WNC

The West Negros College of Nursing graduates may find themselves in real trouble. Several of them had apparently been given loads of up to 46 units, far in excess of what is considered allowable by the Commission on Higher Education.

That also puts WNC in more trouble. Their graduates could sue the school for having allowed them to take so much additional load which may actually have been turned down by the CHED.

CHED regional director, Dr. Helen Correa, however, did not outright condemn that practice, although she did say that the overload of 46 units per semester may just be too much.

The Professional Regulation Commission had withheld the release of the test results of 400 WNC nursing graduates precisely citing that academic overloading as the issue.

Anyway, we hope that the PRC main office in Manila will be able to solve the issue by January 13 when Dean Zenaida Hilado explains the school's side on the issue.

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The revolting news from Iloilo City - the murder of businessman Bobby Tan, his wife, Cynthia and their daughter Katherine Monday morning or night.

That killing touched Negrenses who were aware that Cindy as, Cynthia is better known, was the daughter of the late Kabankalan City businessman Enrique Zayco and Rosalinda Garcia, the latter daughter of former Kabankalan City Mayor Celestino Garcia.

Cynthia was also the niece of Negros Occidental Vice Governor Isidro Zayco and Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco.

Bobby was the owner of Crown Agro-Chemicals Inc., with three branches in San Miguel, Oton and Pototan.

The killing remains shrouded in mystery. As of press time, the only significant statement was that of PNP Regional Supt. Doroteo Reyes that all the persons at the Tan mansion in Molo, Iloilo, including his two sons from a previous marriage, are all considered suspects. That includes security guard Ramel Loberiza, who is now in the custody of the Molo PNP.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, however, allayed public apprehensions. He dubbed that an isolated incident and asked the public to remain careful pending the outcome of the police investigation.

But Felipe Uygonco, president of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Iloilo, appealed for a speedy investigation. This will help the business community know the real motive for the killings and "to warn our constituents."

He also said this was the second such incident in the city. He pointed out that two years ago, businessman Serafin Wong of Majestic Plaza and Primeco Marketing was also found dead in his room from a gunshot wound.

Well, I expect the CIDG, the lead agency in the PNP probe of the incident, to come up soon with the identities of the suspected killers as well as the motive for the slaying of the Tan family members.

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You know, I heard about the details of the Tan family slaying during the wake for my brother-in-law, Ernesto Llavore. But that was just one of the startling news developments I scooped up in conversations at the wake held in the house of my brother-in-law, Arturo and his wife, Carmen.

It was then that I heard from several Montevista Tennis Association members the report that the alleged mastermind in the killing of an 18-year-old GRO was named as Helen Aguadilla. It was learned from them that "Helen" is reportedly head of a money-changing business in downtown Bacolod.

Helen allegedly suspected her husband, Cesar, of having an affair with the GRO. Later, I learned that Ms. Aguadilla had denied any participation in the murder plot.

Police had already rounded up five suspects - Romeo Kalalang, of Dawis; Mark Enriquez ,19; and two 17-year-old boys from Barangay Sum-ag.

The victim, Irene de la Peña, died 19 days after having been stabbed inside a motel in the city.

It was actually Sandy Biaco, 37, of Purok Mapalaron, San Sebastian, Barangay 30, who named Ms. Aguadilla as the one who allegedly wanted Irene killed. Biaco is Irene's stepfather.

Aside from the three times Helen allegedly went to their house and threatened Irene, Aguadilla also was reported by Lita Decendario Villanueva, Irene's landlady, as having berated Irene in their boarding house last October 30.

Well, that's just one story learned during the wake. But there are more. And, I suggest that Mayor Bing Leonardia and some of his subalterns, listen in to the talks during wakes. They could pick up a lot of feedback about public impression of the management of the city.

And, of course, Supt. Pedro Merced will learn a lot more from the wake attendees. For example, the most common gripe is about the worsening traffic situation of the city.

"There's a wide gap between press statements and action," pointed out one who looked like Junior Cuaycong.*

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