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		Oscar Arenas, Hermano Mayor of Dinagyang 2006, carries the Sto. Niño de Cebu upon arrival at the Iloilo Airport. The holy image was brought by Fr. Roy Margallo, OSA, (right) from Cebu to reenact the first coming of the image aimed at strengthening the devotion to the Sto. Nino which is the root of the Dinagyang. To Arenas' right is his wife Rose, the Hemana Mayor.
EC Garcia

Dinagyang theme apt for country's present political situation

Amid the political turmoil gripping the country, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas exhorted political leaders to heal wounds and unite for the betterment of our nation. He made this call during the opening salvo of 2006 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival last Friday.

City exec assures peaceful Dinagyang festival

Mayor Jerry Treñas assured city residents and visitors that the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has already beefed up security measures to maintain the peace and order situation in this city during the holding of the 2006 Dinagyang Festival that officially started Friday.

Tan family lawyer scores 'abusive' CIDG

Lawyer Leonardo Jiz of the Tan family scored the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG 6) headed by Senior Supt. Renato Gumban for allegedly going out of bounds in Thursday's incident inside the Tan mansion involving the two families—Tans and Zaycos.

ILOILO NEWS

GMA has yet to cancel Iloilo trip.

Amid reports of an impending coup d' etat, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has yet to cancel her trip to Iloilo scheduled on January 28, in time with the Kasadyahan festival.

Armada scoffs at guv's aide

Vice Governor Roberto "Obet"Armada is not, in any way, bothered by the latest complaint and media blitz of the governor's top aide making him the latest target of the 'attack'. In a statement, the Vice Governor went on to dismiss the charges that stemmed from the controversial P100 million loan contracted by the Iloilo Provincial Government to the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Tupas, top Capitol execs subpoenaed

Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. and top Capitol officials were subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over a graft case filed by the Iloilo People's Graftwatch. Contained in DOJ Department Order 702, Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered the corresponding probe as sought with preliminary investigation set Wednesday.

FDC calls for more vigilance as PECO consumers await favorable verdict

If consumer group Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) is to be asked Panay Electric Company (Peco) failed to present compelling evidence to persuade the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to consider and approve its application for amendment to its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

PANAY NEWS

Search for public service exemplars on

The Civil Service Commission announces that the 2006 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees is now open. It is intended to give due recognition to public service exemplars and high flyers in the civil service. The sea rch is by virtue of Republic Act No. 6713, Administrative Code of 1987, and Executive Order No. 508, s. 1992, as amended by Executive Order No. 77, s. 1993.

People's organization conducts Trade Fair

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)- Visayas Regional Office, in coordination with the Ilonggo Producers Association (IPA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will conduct a trade fair dubbed "People's Organizations Regional Trade Fair (PORT Fair)" to be held on 23-29 January 2006 at the Activity Center of SM City, Benigno Aquino Avenue (Diversion road), Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Philam Plans assures protection of plan holders

Two officials of Philam Plans Inc. were in Iloilo City Thursday to correct misconceptions regarding pre-need services which was hounded by controversies recently.