Negros solons, officials
back GMA amid attacks
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The congressmen, provincial officials and mayors of Negros Occidental have issued a joint manifesto of full support for the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Acting Governor Isidro Zayco said yesterday.

Zayco said the Senate should hasten its probe into the revelations of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada on the alleged graft-ridden national broadband network agreement so the people will know the truth immediately.

If the hearings are not resolved soon and are dragged on they will be detrimental to our improving economy because investors will lose confidence in our country, Zayco said.

The Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex Boncayao Brigade under Carapali Lualhati yesterday denied that it had ordered one of its members to assassinate Labor Arbiter Phibun Pura Sunday, while the RPA-ABB faction under Nilo de la Cruz said it was their work.

Pura, 60, a labor arbiter of the National Labor Relations Commission and resident of Talisay City , was gunned down by Edgar Nicor, alias Ka Joshua, as he was leaving a cockpit at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday in Brgy. Zone 14, Talisay City , Negros Occidental, the police said.

Kenneth Tirthdas, brother-in-law of Pura, then reportedly shot and killed Nicor.

Feb. 25 is a non-working holiday nationwide to mark the 22nd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolt, a Malacañang press statement said yesterday.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1462 declaring Feb. 25 as a Special (Non-Working) Day throughout the country in connection with the observance of the 22nd anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

The theme of this year's celebration is “Kapayapaan at Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Kaunlaran!”