MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

HLURB exec urges RTC to cite boss for contempt

BAGUIO CITY – The regional director of the Housing Land Use Regulatory Board in the Cordillera petitioned the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 here to cite the chief executive officer of the agency in contempt for issuing orders in violation of a status quo order issued by the same court.

In a three-page motion to cite respondents in contempt, Rebecca Torres, incumbent HLURB-Cordillera regional director, said she wanted her superior, Romulo Fabol, HLURB chief executive officer, declared in contempt for issuing an order transferring her to Region I and assigning Teresita Galacgac as head of the HLURB-Cordillera despite the pendency of a case in court questioning such act.

Torres argued Fabol shredded the power of the court by preempting its supposed decision in the case.

She added the respondent, being a lawyer by profession, should be the first to show respect to the decisions of the court, especially in the pending case where the status quo order still exists.

Records show that in the summary hearing for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction on January 30, 2009, Fabol expressly undertook to maintain the status quo order until such time that the case filed by Torres questioning her untimely relief shall have been resolved with finality by the courts.

In her motion, Torres maintained the status quo as earlier agreed upon in court is still effective and enforceable considering that the fact the dismissal of the case in the lower court has not yet become final and executory considering the fact that her motion for reconsideration is still pending.

Furthermore, she intends to elevate her case to the Court of Appeals (CA) and eventually to the Supreme Court in the event that an adverse decision will be rendered by the lower court.

However, Fabol blatantly violated the existing status quo order of the court by issuing orders, communications and memoranda transferring Torres to Region I.

Last May 11, 2009, Fabol continued to grossly violate the status quo order when she directed M.s Teresita Galacgac to takeover the functions and responsibilities of Torres at the HLURB-CAR irregardless of the outcome of the case pending decision before the court. – Dexter A See


No return of Jadewell on street payparking
By Julie Fianza

BAGUIO CITY - Acting Mayor Daniel Farinas said the city government will not allow Jadewell Parking Systems Corp. to return to the city with its on-street parking business.

“There’s no cause for worry about a Jadewell comeback,” Farinas said last week adding the city had learned its lesson on the parking issue that caused problems to the city and resulted to a string of court cases, most of which remained pending before the courts.

Farinas’ reaction aims to assuage anti-Jadewell quarters instrumental in overthrowing
Jadewell but who were alarmed by news that Jadewell offered to settle with the city government to resume its business operation.

Farinas did not discount the possibility of the city agreeing to a mediation process in support of the program of the courts but said this will depend on the acceptability of the terms and conditions that will be presented by both parties.

Moreover, the mediation process cannot anymore be applied to the on-street payparking concern as the case involving the celebrated on-street payparking contract between Jadewell and the city has been elevated to the Supreme Court.

Jadewell owner Rogelio Tan last Monday showed up at the city council session and offered an out-of-court settlement with the city government on the issue. He particularly expressed intention to resume its parking business at the Ganza place at Burnham Park.

He said he first made the settlement offer to Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and even his father Reinaldo Sr. but he said the two “seemed not interested” so he decided to go to the city council.

He said he wanted to resume business at the Ganza for the benefit of the more than 60 Jadewell employees displaced after the cessation of their operations.

Tan said his offer of settlement will apply to all cases he filed against the city government and officials except cases that are now beyond the coverage of the court’s mediation process.

Tan said he is open to whatever terms the city may set for the settlement. For his part, he said his ultimate aim is to get repayment for the capital and other costs they invested for the business along with the income they would have generated had their operations not stopped.

The body said the decision on Jadewell’s concern lies with the city mayor thus the decision to forward Jadewell’s offer to the city mayor, the city legal officer and the council committee on laws for information and action.


Police solve Baguio heinous crime cases
By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY — City police claimed it has solved all sensational crime cases in this mountain resort city, and has adapted prevention measures to check worsening crime like youth violence.

The latest sensational case solved by police was the robbery with intimidation committed against environmentalist Tam Jewel Tibaldo, 18, single, sophomore nursing student of the University of the Cordillera.

The suspect, Ryan Alejandrino Elvina, 28, married, native of Gaddi, Tayum, Abra, was arrested by police while attending court hearing.

Another case solved, the police said, was the rape-slaying of 17-year-old nursing student, Chescka Paronable.

Policemen arrested one of the suspects, while a "minor cohort" surrendered.

In the case of recent grenade blast on Leonardwood Road where two persons died, police investigation showed the explosion was caused by fraternity war, but it appeared an accident.

It was found out that one of the eight young men having a drinking spree at the foot of the stairs connecting Upper Session Road to Leonard Wood Road had in his possession a grenade. He accidentally pulled the pin, causing the explosion.

The findings of the police were in contrast claim of injured victims that unidentified individuals on board a pickup truck passed by them and lobbed the grenade.

Chief Supt. Orlando Pestano, regional police director challenged the policemen not to be satisfied by their accomplishments, saying cp[s should always be alert and on the go so they could attend to security needs of the people.



2 charged for illegally transporting 20 piglets
BAGUIO CITY – Charges for violation of R.A 8485 (Animal Welfare Act) were slapped last week against two regular shippers of piglets from Pangasinan indentified as Mario Rosario and Arturo Bustarde.

Police said the suspects loaded 20 piglets, around two to three months old in a public utility bus.

Five of the piglets were reportedly dead and the rest had diarrhea. These were placed in a four basket on the dashboard of a Dagupan-Baguio bus.

The city veterinarian said the two committed violations: no veterinary health certificate, shipping permit, handler's license, not registered transportation, transported through public utility bus.

Rosario and Bustarde also allegedly violated DA-A.O 8 (licensing of livestock and poultry handlers) and RA 8485.

Dr. Brigit P. Piok city veterinarian said the 20 piglets were condemed and disposed (buried).
The alleged violators were advised to register at the Department of Agriculture before next shipment or shipping goods (piglets) and must secure proper documents to accompany pig shipments. -- Deborah Dogillo


Farmer, miner settle dispute in fistfight
BAGUIO CITY -- For unknown reasons, a farmer and miner engaged in a fistfight here at Old Country Videoke bar, 1st Kayang St,.

The victim was identified Mariano Paniyo, 30, private miner, of Hingyon, Ifugao whose lip was smashed by Richard P. Manuel, 40, farmer of Poblacion, Sablan.

The victim did not file a formal complain against the assailant as the latter agreed to pay the victim's medical expenses. – Nestor P. Daliva

Bukas-kotse gangmen strike again
BAGUIO CITY --Bukas kotse gang members robbed another car of its stereo, aircon, rear windows and other gadgets around 12 midnight at Barangay Badihoy, Pinsao Proper here last week.

Investigators said robbers broke the right car door back side of the color gold Honda Civic VTI, with plate number XBN 851.

The neighbor who discovered the incident in the morning and informed the police.-- Nestor P. Daliva


Taxi driver divests Tiong San worker of P11,000
BAGUIO CITY - An taxi driver held-up a sales lady of Tiong San Bazaar along Easter Rd. here last week.

Victim Gina Datuin, 34 told police she rode a taxi going home to Aurora Hill, when the taxi driver stopped the car along Easter Rd., and told the victim that he would get something from the car when the suspect suddenly poked a knife on her stomach.\

He immediately slashed the victim’s pocket and took money worth 11,000 from their “paluwagan”.

The suspect told the victim to get out of the taxi then drove away. The victim failed to get plate number of the taxi. – Nestor P. Daliva