Raps filed vs. councilor
for showing porn films
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Councilor Warlito Go was a no-show at the regular session of the Silay Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday after the police filed charges against him for violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, known as Obscene Publication and Indecent Shows, and RA 7610, or the Child Abuse Act, at the Silay City Prosecutor's Office.

Senior Inspector Rico Santotome, chief of the Negros Occidental police Special Operations Group, said two employees of Go identified as Teresita Ferrer and John Onate, who were arrested during a raid at the Wilmar Theatre on Friday in Silay City , were included as respondents in the two criminal complaints.

Go owns the movie theatre that allegedly showed pornographic films, and among those arrested during the raid were two minors, police said.

Guv responds to treatment,
public thanked for prayers
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, 73, was responding to treatment at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City yesterday and his wife, Aida, and family are very happy and grateful for the prayers and concern of the public for him, his chief of staff Jose Ma. Valencia said.

“Mrs. Marañon and the members of the governor's family would like to express their profound gratitude for the overwhelming concern and prayers that the public has shown,” Valencia said.

Numerous concerned groups and individuals have been praying for the governor's recovery.

SP to hear all sides
on buffer zone
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Board Member Emilio Yulo III, acting presiding officer of the Negros Occidental Sanggunian, yesterday said the provincial board will also listen to those opposed, or have other opinions on the planned entry of the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone in Bago City .

PNOC-EDC is seeking the conformity of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for its entry into 29 hectares of the 169-hectare buffer zone to tap more geothermal power for its Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant in Barangay Mailum, Bago City .

The plant is currently producing 20 megawatts from outside the park and is seeking entry into the buffer zone to produce 20 megawatts more to meet an expected power shortage in Negros Occidental in 2010, a PNOC-EDC statement said Monday.