THREE COUNCILORS SCORE PERFECT ATTENDANCE
ILOILO CITY: Three city councilors scored perfect attendance to 46 regular sessions and 2 special sessions in January to December 2012.

A report from the office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod showed that Councilors Joshua Alim, Ely Estante and Perla Zulueta never have a vacation leave, sick leave, special leave and other excused absences. Presiding officer, Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa 3rd scored nine absences for being acting mayor eight times and a vacation leave. City councilors Jeffrey Ganzon scored seven absences, Edward Yee with five, David Jamora with four, Lyndon Acap three, Jason Gonzales three, Sheen Marie Mabilog three and Roberto Divinagracia three. Other absences are two by councilors Rodel Agado, two by Plaridel Nava and two by Nielex Tupas. Councilor RLeone Gerochi scored one absence. The absences are mostly on official travel and special leave. LYDIA C. PENDON

CALABARZON DRUG PUSHER COLLARED
Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested a big time pusher during an entrapment operation in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr. , PDEA director general, identified the arrested as Monik Alonzo, 38, married, of Block 39 Lot 9 Datu Ismael, Dasmariñas. On January 8, 2013, at about 12:05 a.m., joint elements of PDEA-Special Enforcement Service under Director Jeoffrey Tacio and Regional Office IV-A (Calabarzon) under Director Emerson Margate conducted an entrapment operation at Central Mall parking area along Aguinaldo Highway, Barangay Salitran 2, Dasmariñas, which resulted in the arrest of Alonzo. Agents seized from Alonzo a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, weighing some 50 grams, of about P250,000. JING VILLAMENTE

CONSTRUCTION OF P135-M FERRY TERMINAL ON HOLD
ILOILO CITY: While everything is settled to start the construction of the P135 million Parola ferry terminal at the Parola area, the project was put on hold pending the completion of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) building at the site. Construction of the PCG building is starting at the other side of the Parola lot. However, construction of the Parola terminal project will have to wait for about eight months, or before the end of 2013 as the project lot will have to be vacated first by the PCG. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that the Parola lot, formerly the Rotary Park. was awarded through a presidential proclamation of President Benigno Aquino 3rd to the city government, PCG and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. LYDIA C. PENDON

CORDILLERA LAWMEN GEAR UP FOR MAY POLLS
BAGUIO CITY: With the yuletide season over, the Cordillera police are now focused on the peace and order preparations for the forthcoming May midterm election. Police Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, regional police director, said that primary focus is given to the province of Abra and Kalinga particularly on the dismantling of private armed groups and in continuously engaging all the stakeholders in the two provinces. Abra is listed as among the 15 provinces considered high-risk areas for election violence earlier released by the national government. Kalinga has also election-related incidents in the past. GABY B. KEITH