Give people freedom
on Cha-cha, guv asks
But 2 senators score use of brg'y assemblies
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said he does not believe the campaign for Charter Change through a people's initiative is a ploy to keep President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in power as "She is strongly holding on."

The people should be given the freedom to choose if they want changes made to the Constitution or not, he said.

The governor's call came amid allegations from Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Francis Pangilinan yesterday that the people's initiative to push for a shift to a unicameral parliamentary form of government does not have an enabling law, and that government resources should not be used to carry it out through barangay assemblies tomorrow.

SP kills bid to take
over BREDCO
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Dead on the spot.

The proposed ordinance on the takeover of the Bacolod port was "killed" on first reading yesterday, even before members of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod had seen the supporting documents or listen to arguments, Councilor Lyndon Caña said.

In fact, no motion was yet made but objections were already "raining," he said.

Six voted in favor and six voted against the proposed ordinance providing for the basic policies, guidelines and procedures for the takeover of the city of the unfinished reclamation project and port, as well as, the port operation at the Reclamation Area in Bacolod City.

Jinggoy: A fair trial
would acquit Erap
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Senator Jinggoy Estrada yesterday denied the claim of Senator Panfilo Lacson that his father, former President Joseph Estrada, knew that the money going to his pet project to educate Muslim youths and send some of them to Harvard, came from jueteng.

"That is his (Lacson's) own position, he has no proof about it," Senator Estrada said.

The senator said he did not know what had motivated Lacson to make such allegation.