Arroyo renews warning,
local protestors unfazed
BY CARLA GOMEZ

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo warned in a radio interview yesterday that she would not hesitate to use emergency powers again to fight groups seeking her ouster.

And we will also not hesitate to continue to contest such move through creative and non-violent concerted actions to ensure genuine freedom and democracy, was the answer of Cesar Villanueva of the "Concerned Negrosanons for Freedom and Democracy" yesterday.

Members of CONFREDEM, a coalition of groups and individuals opposing any reimposition of a state of national emergency and martial law, and calling on Arroyo to step down, are joining a prayer rally called by Bacolod Bishop Navarra to be held at the Bacolod Public Plaza this afternoon.

Mixed views aired
on GMA support
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said he can fairly say that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has the overwhelming support of the Negrenses.

The governor was reacting to the statement of Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra Monday that Negrenses want the president to step down.

"The records of the last election show that Arroyo won in Negros inspite of the fact that I supported the presidential bid of Fernando Poe Jr.," Marañon said. Other Arroyo allies also insisted on Monday that the president has the support of the majority of Negrenses, but lawyer Rodolfo Parreño yesterday said what they are probably referring to are just the local elected officials "but the president definitely does not have the support of the masses in Negros Occidental".

Probe sugar
importation plan - solon
BY NANETTE GUADALQUIVER

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella is seeking an investigation on the approval by the Department of Trade and Industry of the proposal of a beverage company to import sugar, a plan which, he said, poses grave danger to the country's economy.

"This situation is worth investigating at the earliest time so that the stakeholders in the sugar industry will be given opportunity the opportunity to adequately present and consequently protect their interests," Puentevella said in his privilege speech at the House of Representatives yesterday.

Cebu Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez concurred in his position after an interpolation, Puentevella said.