The Ombudsman has approved the elevation to the Sandiganbayan the criminal complaint filed by the Commission on Audit Regional Office against former Bacolod Mayor Luzviminda Valdez and nine other city officials after probable cause was found against them.

The criminal complaint for Malversation of Public Funds through Falsification of Public Documents involved the alteration made on a receipt to claim reimbursement.

Included in the case filed by COA VI, aside from Valdez, are former Executive Assistant Susan Robles, former Secretary to the Mayor Brendo Elegio, former City Accountant Pioquito Quiñones, former Executive Assistant Renato Rojo, acting Management Service Office head Ricardo Dahildahil Jr., former City Administrator Andrea Si, Assistant City Treasurer Lilia Ursos, City Budget Officer Luzviminda Treyes and Cooperative and Livelihood Development Officer project officer Leo Villanueva.

‘Unity needed to end
violence in Escalante'
Barcelona : dismantle private
armies; Yap : no reign of fear
BY CARLA GOMEZ & GILBERT BAYORAN

Vice Mayor Santiago Barcelona yesterday called for the dismantling of private armies in Escalante following the death of two and wounding of a barangay captain in the city Thursday night.

Barcelona also reiterated his call to Gov. Joseph Marañon for Escalante to be placed under Army control with police powers to put an end to what he called the “reign of fear” in the city where, he said, there has been a proliferation of loose firearms.

At the same time, he called on everyone in Escalante to unite in working at restoring peace in the town, amid what he said have been numerous unresolved crimes.

Barcelona also charged some of the police with being partisan.

Give justice to
social worker – kin
BY PATRICK PANGILINAN

Mary Ann Marañon.*

Mary Ann Marañon will turn 47 years old on November 12 but as of today, her family said she is yet to get justice for the suffering brought by the men who shot her last week.

While asking for help from reporters to air their pleas to the provincial and city governments yesterday, Marañon's family said they hope the investigations on the shooting in Brgy. Pandanon Silos, Murcia town on the night of October 28, will eventually bring them justice.

“We really hope they will help us. My mother used to skip meals just to help people but then this happened to her. We really hope justice will be given to her,” Marañon's son, Novem Kris, said as tears rolled down his face.