P168-M bidding rigged?

A Japanese heavy equipment dealer complains on the alleged rigged bidding for the purchase of some P168-milllion worth of heavy equipment conducted by the provincial government recently.

International heavy equipment trader Kowa Tsusho Ltd.. failed to qualify in the multi-million bidding but said the procurement process "gave undue advantage to preferred suppliers" which threatens to explode into another anomaly bigger than Capitol's alleged overpriced purchase of a backhoe and air-conditioning units two years ago. FULL STORY

HOPEFUL depositors of PRBank troop to the local branch last week to get assured that they can still withdraw their deposits up to the limit allowed by Philippine Depositors Insurance Corporation (PDIC).

EDITORIAL
THE LEGAL BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN

"Be careful with what you wish for, you might just get it," the old sage says. City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso indulged the arrogant challenge of City Accountant

Ex-mayor cleared of graft

The Sandiganbayan, through its 5th Division, recently cleared former Loon mayor Wilfredo Caresosa and five co-accused of charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In a decision penned on July 18, 2008 and promulgated on January 30, 2009, the graft court found that "the prosecution failed to discharge its burden of proof, hence, the acquittal of the accused is inevitable". FULL STORY


First Consolidated Bank to
open 5 new branches

The First Consolidated Bank will open five new branches this year as part of its ongoing expansion program to strengthen its reach and capabilities in the countryside and growth centers nationwide.

The forthcoming FCB branches and their location are: FCB Tagbilaran City Square Branch, Tagbilaran City Square, Tagbilaran City; FCB Lazi Branch, Lazi, Siquijor; FCB Larena, Siquijor; FCB Roxas Branch, Roxas, Palawan; and FCB Bataraza Branch, Bataraza, Palawan. FULL STORY

SPORTS
Donaire dedicates coming
fight to dad
MANILA. In a major step towards reconciliation, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. said the other day he is dedicating his next defense against unbeaten Mexican Raul (Cobra) Martinez to his estranged father Nonito Sr. from whom he severed ties after a falling out.

Nonito Sr., 50, had trained Donaire since his amateur days and was in his corner when the Flash dethroned previously undefeated Vic Darchinyan to wrest the IBF crown two years ago. But after Donaire repulsed challenger Moruti Mthalane in his second defense last November, things soured between father and son. FULL STORY

OPINIONS