Edition

NAGA CITY (14 April) --Some high profile politicians in Bikol on Monday night had the chance to tell the public their presidential bets and campaign for them at the same time.

In a political forum in the Plaza Quezon here in the city, Camarines Sur Representative Luis Villafuerte (3rd District) said he would only vote for the candidate who both had executive and legislative experience-obviously referring to Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar.

CANAMAN, CAMARINES SUR (12 April) - DURING A BRIEF gathering of local World War II guerillas in this Camarines town to commemorate "Araw ng Kagitingan," surviving members of the once famous "Tancong Vaca Guerilla Unit" have revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs of the US Government had denied their claims under the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC), to receive some $9, 000 to $15, 000 dollars in benefits from the US government.

LEGAZPI CITY, April 16 - Local artists across Bikol region have decided to promote Bikolano visual arts during the month-long Magayon festival here.

Taking center stage, over and above the cacophony of sights, sounds and colors the festival dishes out, is Pintados sa Magayon -- dubbed as ArtRuption 2010 -- an exhibit that features the works of foremost Bikolano artists -- this time numbering to more than 30 strong -- at the Albay Provincial Capitol Atrium.

NAGA CITY (14 April) -THIS TIME 20 other transient bet collectors for "Virtual games" operated by the Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation (MVGC) were charged for violation of the Anti-illegal Gambing Law, or RA 9287 before the provincial prosecutor's office here, after they were apprehended in another series of raids on illegally operated betting stations in the localities of Libmanan, San Jose, Sangay and Goa towns, all in Camarines Sur province.

NAGA CITY (16 April) -Two hundred fifty soldiers from the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy arrived in Masbate City this morning to assist in maintaining peace and order in the island province during this election period.

The soldiers were the same contingents sent to Haiti and Liberia last year to help in the peacekeeping efforts of the United Nations.

LEGAZPI CITY, Apr.15--The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Bikol is urging Bikolanos to ensure the recovery and continued protection of the environment by signing up for the 10 million movement (10MM).

EMB Bicol regional director Gilbert Gonzales said the 10MM was part of the campaign to gather 10 million commitments for the environment from all over the country.

"Under the movement, every Filipino is encouraged to commit to an environment-friendly act, which can be as simple as turning off the lights and all electrical appliances when not in use," he said.

Legazpi City (16 April) -- Errol John Suarez, a Grade 4 pupil of the Bicol University Integrated Laboratory School (BUILS), has qualified, along with some 122 qualifiers and 137 alternates from different schools nationwide, to represent the country in forthcoming international Math Olympiads.

Suarez was selected from among the 700 elementary math wizards vying for the slots during the 2010 Young Mathematicians' In-house Intensive Training Program (YMIITP) in Balanga City, Bataan March 26-29.

Iriga City  -- Selected personnel from the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) participated in the programming workshop conducted by AMA Computer Learning Center for Programming NCIV.  The training, in coordination with the University Registrar of the University of Saint Anthony here, started on April 5 and lasted until April 14.

The skills exercise aims to produce quality graduates who will soon become qualified trainers after stepping out of their colleges.  This is also to ensure their employability after graduation.

PILI, Camarines Sur, April 14  -- Army soldiers recovered two high powered assault rifles following a clash on Monday with communist rebels in a village in Panganiban town in Catanduanes, an Army officer said.

Army Lt. Col. Romeo Basco, commander of the 83rd Infantry Battalion said his men encountered about 10 heavily armed New People's Army (NPA) rebels led by Daniel Fria aka Tabs, secretary of Nerissa San Juan Command, in Barangay San Miguel, Panganiban, Catanduanes at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

DARAGA, Albay, April 14 -- Three people died and another injured on Tuesday in the worst vehicular accident that occurred here, a ranking police official said Wednesday.

Police identified the fatalities as Fernando Lisay, 32, Christopher Attractivo, 17 both of barangay Balinad, this town, and Junely Espinas, 19 of barangay Penafrancia while the injured was Jay-R Lasi, 16, of Kimantong, all in Daraga town.

LEGAZPI CITY, April 14, -- The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) assured the public that there will be an adequate power supply on the scheduled national and local elections on May 10, this year.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) director Raffy Alejandro said the various disaster council will be ready with functional electric generator sets for deployment as backup power supply in case power brownouts on the election day.