COA bares N. Vizcaya fund ’scam’
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya–The Commission on Audit has chided the provincial government here over the alleged illegal granting of honorarium and incentives to officials, which has bled government coffers some P4.6 million in the past two years.
In its 2006 audit report, the COA noted that provincial officials continued to illegally award [...]
Quirino capitol loses power over P8M debt
CABARROGUIS, Quirino–Power supply at the provincial capitol on Thursday was cut off due to the failure of the provincial government to settle more than P8 million unpaid bills, officials of the local cooperative here.
Lawyer Eleazar Balderas, legal counsel of Quirino Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Quirelco), said power supply to government [...]
Court order won’t stop tribes’ fight vs mining firm
KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya–Opposition against the planned mining exploration in a village continued to grow as tribal residents from six villages here trooped to the site of a road blockade to prevent the entry of a mining firm in their community.
On Wednesday, more than 400 villagers belonging [...]
Tribes slam granting of exploration permit to ‘bogus’ firm
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya–Tribal leaders and environment groups on Monday assailed the alleged anomalous issuance of a permit to a foreign company that is aiming to conduct mining exploration activities in several villages in upland Kasibu town, about 40 km from here.
Kalanguya, Ifugao and Bugkalot villagers from Pao, [...]
Tribal folk block mining firm’s entry in N. Vizcaya
BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya–Members of tribal communities from three upland villages in Kasibu town on Saturday fortified barricades to prevent the entry of equipment and building materials that were to be used for an Australian firm’s exploration activities in the area.
About 80 villagers, composed of bolo-wielding local officials [...]
Australian mining firm gets new name–again
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya–An Australian mining firm that is eyeing to conduct large-scale mining activities in upland Kasibu town has changed its name for the second time in nearly three years, with company officials claiming the move was part of a corporate packaging strategy.
Australasian Philippines Mining Inc. (Apmi) is now known [...]
Ombudsman dared: Get big fish, too
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya–Local treasury officials on Wednesday assailed the supposed double standards being imposed by the Ombudsman in sanctioning employees who have failed to account for missing funds in their custody.
Sources, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, challenged Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierres to evenly apply the anti-graft [...]
Canvass board scores Isabela gov for ‘boycott’
The now-defunct provincial board of canvassers of Isabela scored re-elected Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca for boycotting her proclamation on the evening of June 28, moments after she was declared winner in the controversy-plagued gubernatorial contest.
Lawyer Abraham Johnny Asuncion, erstwhile PBOC chair, expressed disgust over the decision of Padaca [...]
Aussie mining firm moves into N. Vizcaya’s citrus watershed
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya — An Australian mining firm has begun moves to conduct exploration activities within the watershed areas of the province’s biggest citrus-producing villages in Kasibu town, drawing concerns from local farmers and environmentalists.
Geologists from the Australasian Philippines Mining Inc. (Apmi) presented its expansion program and [...]
Bishop’s bash no chummy moment for GMA, N. Vizcaya gov
They may share a lot of things in common, but they don’t seem to enjoy each other’s company.
The cold shoulder that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Gov. Luisa “Banti” Cuaresma gave each other at a public gathering on Monday drew attention that rivaled the main [...]
