THE proponents of the Lapu-Lapu Expressway (LLEX), also known as the skyway project, have signed a memorandum of understanding with a China-based company to help in the construction of the 12-kilometer toll road. LLEX Corp. composed of Premium Megastructures Inc., Ulticon Builders Inc. and MTD Philippines Inc. signed the MOU with China First Highway Engineering […]
Tag: mayor
‘A complete success’; Face-to-face Dinagyang exceeded expectations
With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas. A “complete success” was how he described the festival’s return to a face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. “Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It […]
Mayor Rama sued for nepotism
A CONCERNED citizen has sued Mayor Michael Rama before the anti-graft office for alleged nepotism, grave misconduct and graft and corruption after he hired his wife’s two brothers to work as casual employees for the Cebu City Government. Jonel Saceda, sporting the name “Inday Josa Chiongbian Osmeña” on Facebook, filed a complaint against Rama before […]
CoA holds Nueva Ecija mayor accountable for P22-M municipal hall fire damage
THE COMMISSION on Audit (CoA) declared the town mayor of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija accountable for a P22-million damage in the municipal hall caused by a fire in June 2013. In a decision dated May 30, 2022 but only posted on CoA’s website recently, state auditors said Mayor Arvin C. Salonga’s “negligence as an official […]
Espinoza: It’s done
The religious celebration of the feast in honor of the Sto. Niño on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 is already over. As usual, it was peaceful and orderly. There were no adverse comments. It was all praises to Cebu’s patron, the Holy Child. Despite the threat to health brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the worshipers’ […]
Cebu media loses veteran journalist Elias Baquero [1959-2023]
Cebu Citizens-Press Council’s official statement Saturday, January 14, 2023 *** CEBU just lost a multi-media practitioner whose work in community media had spanned more than three decades. Elias O. Baquero died of cardiac arrest Saturday, January 14, 2023. He would’ve turned 64 this July 10. Elias O. Baquero (EOB) was one of a few Cebu […]
Ahong to contractor: finish Road project or see you in court
GOLDFIN Construction and Development Corp., the contractor of the long-overdue drainage project on the Ibabao-Agus Road in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City, has until Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, to finish it. Otherwise, Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan will press charges. “Mao na nga I’ll give an ultimatum with the contractor. Until Monday, if dili nila buhaton (if […]
Deals, controversies but also cheer in 2022
1. LIGHTS OUT. Cebuanos spent the first part of the year in the dark and queuing for water, fuel, and aid to buy goods and rebuild their homes after Typhoon Odette (Rai) hit central and southern Cebu on Dec. 16, 2021, toppling power lines and causing blackouts in several areas. Two months after the storm, […]
Carcar treasurer: Councilor did not get P22M check
CARCAR City treasurer Nenet Abellana has defended City Councilor Harold Nacua from accusations allegedly made by Association of Barangay Councils president Anthony John Apura that he got a P22 million check intended for a contractor from the treasurer’s office. The issue stems from the release of an audio recording allegedly of Carcar Mayor Patrick Barcenas […]
Carcar dad: audio recording discussing bribe authentic
AN EX-OFFICIO member of the Carcar City Council says an audio recording posted on Facebook allegedly of Carcar Mayor Patrick Barcenas discussing accepting a bribe with members of the City Council is authentic. Anthony John Apura, Valladolid barangay captain and president of the city’s Association of Barangay Councils, told SunStar Cebu Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, […]
Carcar Mayor: Not me in audio recording on accepting bribe
IT’S not me. This was Carcar City Mayor Mario Patricio “Patrick” Barcenas’ reaction to what appears to be a recording of his voice allegedly taken in September 2022, in which the owner of the voice in the recording talks of accepting a bribe. The more than nine-minute audio recording, posted with a photo of the […]
Carvajal: Where is our pasungan?
The definition of woman/man as a rational animal has been near-indelibly etched in our psyche that we instinctively live by it. We always look for the most rational thing to do. For most of us what is right is that which is rational. Yet, if we look closely at our life, we discover we are […]
Seares: Mayor Mike wants to do nine years of work in three. Will he compromise on P50B budget, bundling of tax increases? …Kons Noel denies the mayor threw a newspaper at him.
WHAT’S UP ON THE BIG ISSUE. Amid the public hearings of the Cebu City Council committee on budget and finance, along with “bicameral” meetings of the mayor’s staff and the councilors to reach some agreement, two things: [1] What does Mayor Mike Rama really want for his 2023 budget: the full P50 billion or much […]
Rama to CH officials embroiled in ‘Garbagegate’: Go on leave
THOUGH the Cebu City Hall employees allegedly involved in the questionable garbage collection deal have not been proven guilty yet, Mayor Michael Rama wants them to take a leave of absence. During a press conference at the City Hall on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, Rama said the employees would be asked to go on leave […]
Espinoza: Is Mayor Rama’s Singapore-like dream bound to fail?
I feel so positive that not one Cebuano would ever oppose the dream of Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama to transform the city into like Singapore. Those who’ve been to the island state could attest how orderly and neat the city is all because the Singaporeans are disciplined and the laws are strictly enforced without […]
Carvajal: Runaway bus
Up till now Singapore-like remains a hazy concept. But with the recent report that P50 billion will be raised through higher taxes to finance it, it’s time Mayor Mike Rama answers some core questions of his dream, or is it fantasy? Foremost is the question—does he intend to bring the quality of life of Cebu […]
SC affirms misconduct ruling on ex-Panglao mayor
THE SUPREME Court (SC) has upheld the Ombudsman’s guilty verdict on a former mayor of Panglao, Bohol for grave misconduct and negligence over a violation of the election appointment ban in 2013. In a 15-page decision dated July 27 and made public on Oct. 20, the SC Second Division said the Ombudsman correctly ruled that […]
Marcos directs Bacolod mayor to ERC on solar energy joint venture plan
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. told the mayor of Bacolod City on Sunday to seek the position of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on the local government’s plan to enter into joint venture agreements with solar power generators for a cheaper source of electricity. During a recent meeting with Mr. Marcos, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo […]
SC acquits ex-Binmaley mayor, businessman of corruption
THE SUPREME Court (SC) has acquitted a former mayor of Binmaley, Pangasinan and a businessman of graft charges over the approval of a P2-million contract for construction equipment without public bidding. In a 20-page decision on Oct. 10 and made public on Oct. 11, the SC First Division said government prosecutors failed to prove former […]
Carvajal: High-and-mighty bluster
No way people who know enough of this prosperous city-state can object to Cebu City becoming like it. I myself, having toured it and known its stable financial condition, could easily dream with Mayor Michael Rama of a Singapore-like Cebu City.Instead, however, I am smarting from his utterly galling pronouncement for us to leave Cebu […]