Mondias, Peña meet,
hearing tension-filled
BY NIDA BUENAFE

Tension filled the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Bacolod City yesterday as the Mondias of Pulupandan and Mayor Magdaleno Peña faced each other during the preliminary investigation of the case arising from the May 30, 2007 ambush on Peña.

Former Pulupandan mayor Luis Mondia, with sons Louie and Luis, brother Samson and other respondents in the case arrived early at the Prosecutor's Office while Peña arrived minutes before the proceedings started.

Members of the Regional Mobile Group were requested by the prosecutor to secure the place while Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco and Supt. Celestino Guarra were called in to attest under oath the report they submitted in connection with the case.

Magsie back, but not son
BY NIDA BUENAFE

Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña said yesterday he left his 3-year-old son abroad to protect him from possible kidnap-for-ransom attempts and that they both had a happy celebration of the holidays.

He said the custody case of his son remains pending and he does not want to second-guess the decision of the court.

Peña, who went to the National Bureau of Investigation Bacolod office yesterday, also called premature the Supreme Court directive to the NBI to turn over custody of the child to his mother Marie Roxanne “Plinky” Recto.

Gov. Marañon going on
leave, doc orders rest
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, who continues to work from his home, has been advised by his doctors to go on leave and get some rest, his chief of staff Jose Ma. Valencia said yesterday.

The governor has lost weight due to lack of appetite, and his doctors are trying to determine its cause, Valencia said.

Valencia denied reports that Marañon was hospitalized, saying he only went to the Riverside Medial Center in Bacolod City on Sunday for an ultrasound test and returned home immediately.