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CEBU DAILY NEWS | THURSDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2008

COPYAEDITOR

Dennis B. Singson

NEWS

MISSING LAMPPOSTS PROBE

Ø Ombudsman: Officials of DPWH may be liable TODAY’S WEATHER

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23 C to 30 C METRO CEBU

Partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers

METRO MANILA

by Jhunnex Napallacan CORRESPONDENT

S

ome officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) may be administratively liable if found that they have been negligent in the missing and vandalized lampposts and streetlights in the streets of Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City. Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said yesterday that the Office of the Ombudsman ordered a separate fact-finding inquiry on the possible negligence committed by the government officials, who are considered custodians of the lampposts and streetlights. Apostol said the Ombudsman's investigator informed him verbally that the custodian is still the DPWH-7 because the lampposts and the streetlights had not been turned over to

THE FOUNDATION of one of the missing decorative lampposts is all that is left after it was illegally CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA removed at A.C. Cortes Avenue in Mandaue City. the local government units. “Posibeng may administrative liability diyan kung pababayaan nila na mawala iyong government properties na custody nila,” he said. “It’s basic that it’s a government property and it’s in

your custody. You are obliged to take care of that property otherwise you will be charged of negligence.” Apostol, however, clarified that the disappearance and the looting of the lampposts could not affect the investigation of the alleged

overpricing of the streetlights project for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. He said he ordered the inventory of the lampposts and streetlights to ensure that no more looting will happen again.

The DPWH officials yesterday told the Ombudsman investigator they will give their explanations on the issue on Friday. Apostol said DPWH asked for more time to submit their response because the agency is conducting also their own investigation. On Tuesday, a DPWH official reported the "theft" at the Mandaue City Police Office after of the missing 44 decorative lampposts along A.C. Cortes Avenue DPWH legal officer Agustinito Hermoso informed the MCPO Station 5 in barangay Opao, Mandaue City about the missing lampposts. SPO1 Reynaldo Urot said Hermoso did not name any suspect and what was written in the blotter was they were taken by "still unknown suspects." Urot said the recording of the theft of the lampposts at the blotter was for "record

Partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers

M E T R O D AVA O Mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms

SUNRISE

SUNSET

6:22 a.m.

5:58 p.m.

M E G A LOT TO 6 / 4 5

30 03 27 05 32 43 ANY ORDER

JACKPOT PRIZE: P75,163,090.80 S U E R T R E S MID-DAY DRAW RESULT

EVENING DRAW RESULT

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OMBUDSMAN 39

18 Life

Private sector No Palace order to discuss urged to back fight federalism – PIA 7 director against corruption

20 Bliss

THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) yesterday urged private sector to practice good governance in business and reiterated the chamber's support for organizations that fight against corruption. The group issued the call after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña challenged the businessmen last Tuesday to take a strong stand against corruption and for what is good and just for the country. Osmeña gave his message in a speech during the launching of Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2008 at Cebu City Sports Club. The chamber said they support Coralpoint Educational Foundation, headed by businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr., when it filed charges against Lapu-Lapu City officials over an alleged overpricing of 240 computer units. “We are still vigilant over the developments of cases such as this and shall support all moves that affirm transparency, accountability and honesty in conducting the affairs of the state,” CCCI said in a statement. The chamber also said good governance is needed for sound economic management and sustained development. CCCI said that the chamber believes that corruption is not only confined to government but also to private sec-

32 Enterprise

PRIVATE SECTOR 39

“IT WAS just coincidental.” Philippine Information Agency in Central Visayas (PIA-7) Regional Director Minerva Newm a n s a i d ye s te rd ay ' s Kapihan sa PIA forum on federalism was not part of a reported nationwide campaign by administration allies to revive Charter Change. Newman made the denial after the Inquirer yesterday bannered the story on moves by administration allies to resurrect Charter Change and introduce a federal form of government The Inquirer story also mentioned that the road tour of the movers to amend the Constitution began yesterday in Cebu to “test the waters for fed-

eralism.” The move is being seen by administration critics as a way to extend the term of President Arroyo. Se ver al PIA offices throughout the country were also repor ted to have held forums on federalism, like the one held by PIA-7 at Club Ultima along Osmena Boulevard yesterday. Their panelists include National Youth Commissioner Michael Lopez, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) vice president for external affairs Ted Locson, National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Assistant Regional Director Efren Carreon, Political Science Professor Ricky Poca and Sr. Supt. Alexan-

der Abadinas, chief of the Police Community Relations (PCR) of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO 7). But Newman said that nobody from Malacañang ordered PIA-7 to start the discussion on federalism and neither did they know anything about the reported road tour of the Charter change movers. “Amo lang na nga decision sa (It was our decision in) PIA 7 as we tackle different issues every week,” Newman said. She said they decided to discuss the federalism issue because President Arroyo had stressed in her recent State of the Nation Address the importance of political reform and that it’s high time to discuss the NO 39

22 Showbitz 23 Clique 24 Horoscope 27 Classified

34 World 35 Sports

PALACE: FEB.25 WORKING HOLIDAY M A N I L A — M a l acañang has declared February 25, the 22nd anniversary of the 1986 People Power uprising that restored democracy in the country, as a working holiday. " Fe b r u a r y 2 5 i s a working holiday," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told his weekly news conference at the Palace on Wednesday. / I N Q U I R E R