President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed the Professional Regulations Commission to resolve the problem that caused its withholding of the nursing board exam results of West Negros College graduates at the earliest possible time.

The president, who was in Iloilo over the weekend, was informed that the CHED and PRC are working on a common position on the matter, Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Rafael Coscolluela said yesterday.

The President wants an appropriate investigation to be conducted on why the exam results of the WNC graduates had to be withheld and for sanctions to be imposed on whoever is found to have had deficiencies.

Rebel killed as
soldiers overrun camp
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Fojas: Helicopters brought in additional troops*

Soldiers of the 61st Infantry Battalion yesterday overran a suspected New People's Army camp in Sitio Malabago in Brgy. Camalanda-an, Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores , 61st IB commander, said one rebel was killed and five were reportedly wounded.

There were no casualties on the government's side, he said. Brig. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, commanding general of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said a gunbattle between the rebels and government soldiers lasted for about 20 minutes, and the NPA fighters withdrew in different directions.

Bishops oppose NoEl
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Catholic bishops of the Philippines yesterday said they will oppose moves by allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to cancel elections next year.

"Elections in 2007 should not be cancelled," said a Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines statement issued by its president, Jaro Archbishop Angel Ladameo, yesterday following a conference of the country's prelates, also attended by Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra. "As a first step we strongly urge our political leaders to undertake electoral reforms posthaste," the bishops said.

Confidence and trust in the political process have to be restored, they said.