P459k bounty raised for student’s killers

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro—Provincial officials and concerned citizens on Saturday pooled their hard-earned cash to put up a P459,000 bounty on information leading to the arrest of architecture student Eden Joy Villacete’s killers.

The fundraising activity was spearheaded by Gary Valera, chief executive officer (CEO) of local radio station Care FM Network, through the station’s program, “Pag-Usapan Natin,” which is hosted by broadcaster Mariboy Ysibido. Organizers said that in less than a day, the radio program has managed to raise nearly half a million pesos in reward money.

It was revealed that of the total amount raised, P100,000 came from Rep. Odie Tarriela, P100,000 from Governor Eduardo Gadiano, P100,000 from Vice Governor Diana Tayag, and the municipality of San Jose contributed another P100,000.

Smaller donors included the staff of CARE FM, who managed to put up P25,000, board member Alex Robles del Valle, who contributed P25,000, and Barangay Bagong Sikat Captain Ismael Cacayurin, who gave P5,000, while another P4,000 was donated by anonymous sources.

San Jose Mayor Rey Ladaga told reporters Saturday morning that he has ordered police to conduct a speedy and thorough investigation, assuring that the local government will see the case through its resolution.

Villacete, 21, an incoming fifth-year student at Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC), was stabbed to death and found naked inside her rented room in Barangay 7 on Friday morning.

Hazel Lim and Thea Samantha D. Ablola; Angeles City: Vicky V. Cabigting; and Olongapo City: Sarah Lugerna Garcia.

Women vice governors, provincial board, vice mayors, and municipal council including ex-officio members are considered as 4L regular members while female barangay captains and councilors, and Sangguniang Kabataan are associate members. Butch Gunio

Citing the rules promulgated for WESM, the CA found out that PEMC’s investigative powers came from its designation under EPIRA as the autonomous group tasked to implement the electricity spot market and formulate rules.

It further noted that this was also made clear in the assailed protocol, which delineates the actions that the ERC and the PEMC may take.

THE Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) welcomed Taiwan’s decision to extend its visa-free entry scheme for Filipinos for another year starting Aug. 1.

“We thank the Taiwan government for their decision extending by another year the visa-free entry for Filipinos into their country.

Such move will definitely further enhance trade and friendly relations between our countries,” MECO chair Silvestre Bello III said in a statement over the weekend.

On Friday, Taiwan announced that it is allowing all Filipinos to travel to Taiwan without a visa for a maximum of 14 days citing the purpose of tourism, business, transit, visiting relatives, and attending functions or events.

This year, Taiwan targets to attract more than 320,000 visitors from the Philippines.

“We look forward to stronger exchanges in the field of labor, trade, investments, and culture with this renewed display of benevolence by Taiwan,” Bello said.

Taiwan on Friday extended for another year its visa-free entry policy for the Philippines, starting from Aug. 1 to July 31, 2024.

The announcement was made by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs as it ramps up its efforts to revive prepandemic tourism figures.

AID FOR BADJAO FISHERS. Rep. Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol Party-List (second from left) hands out certificates and checks for P15,000 to Badjao fishermen to signify their support for their livelihood. The awarding was held during the National Irrigation Administration Region V IA Congress in Legazpi. At right is Albay Rep. Joey Salceda.