One of the suspects in the celebrated Unitop and First Consolidated Bank (FCB) hold-ups was arrested while fleeing the scene of another hold-up in Talibon. The suspect was identified as one Joseph Moraga alias Barodog, 23, single, jobless and a native of San Isidro , San Miguel town. Moraga was arrested in San Jose , Talibon town. The suspect, who was riding a motorcycle, was nabbed near a gasoline station that was just victimized by hold-uppers. According to Senior Insp. Alex de la Serna, responding policemen had monitored the presence of Moraga from San Miguel to Tubigon town.--- Full story

Panglao Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes has petitioned the Court of Appeals (CA) to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued to Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan after he was suspended for six months by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. In a motion for reconsideration filed before the CA in Cebu City , Fuertes also asked the appellate court to deny the prayer for a writ of preliminary injunction and affirm the execution of the decision suspending Dumaluan. Fuertes, assisted by lawyer Urbano Lagunay, argued that the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman dated March 3 was “already received, executed and implemented” on Jan. 23. Full story

THE House of Representatives Plenary adopted during the special session called by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Feb. 20, House Resolution No. 1505 urging Government Service Insurance System General Manager Winston Garcia, to grant all GSIS pensioners an option to use their e-cards or avail of the mailing system to secure their monthly pensions, amid mounting complaints that in Bohol and in many provinces, government retirees, most of them old, disabled and can even hardly walk, are compelled to queue for long grueling hours at the Union Bank, as well as other GSIS-accredited banking institutions before they can secure their much needed monthly retirement benefits. Full story

Yap invites Bohol businessmen to “be suppliers” for his ‘bagsakan'

“I CAN bulk buy your products at a good price and still sell at reasonable rates at the bagsakan and barangay food terminals in Manila .” Thus Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap the other day urged Boholano businessmen to “be suppliers” of products and goods. Yap was the keynote speaker during the general membership assembly of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) headed by Norris Oculam held at the Le Eng Hall of the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City. Gov. Erico Aumentado welcomed Yap 's challenge, saying that he himself is also tasked by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to energize and improve agriculture in the country. Full story