Fire hits
Puerto Princesa market
MORE than P20 million worth of property were lost after a
12-hour fire destroyed the old public market in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
late Wednesday night.
Senior Supt. Dennis Peña, Palawan police chief, said the fire
of still unknown origin started at around 11:30 pm Wednesday, based on the
report of a security guard who smelled burning rubber and saw thick black smoke
coming from the market before the flames burst.
Peña said the fire out was declared some 12 hours after it
began.
Arson investigators said that close to 30 percent of the
market was destroyed by the fire. - Raymond Africa
Misuari asks for leave to
visit 3 countries
MORO National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari has asked
Makati regional trial court Judge Winlove Dumayas to allow him to travel to
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Kempala, Nairobi; and the United Arab Emirates, all
Islamic countries, to meet Muslim leaders and discuss ways of helping resolve
armed conflicts in Mindanao.
Misuari said these trips were "in line with his commitment to
the cause of peace in southern Philippines and its sustainable development."
Misuari is set to fly to Jeddah on June 15 and return at the
end of the month. In his petition, he pledged to follow the court's orders
regarding the duration of his trips, to inform the court of his whereabouts
before, during and after his travel, and not to engage in any partisan political
activity.
Misuari is facing rebellion charges after leading his
followers in Jolo, Sulu in a failed uprising in November, 2001 which left
several hundred combatants and civilians dead. He was arrested in Sabah and
deported by Malaysian authorities before he could flee to Saudi Arabia. He was
allowed to post bail last month. - Ashzel Hachero
LTO to provide banks,
financing houses access to its database
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday announced that
it is developing a system where banks using the internet could check on the
driver's license and record of individuals transacting with the bank on the
matter of loans, opening of accounts, and financing deals.
LTO chief Alberto Suansing said he met last week with
officials of the Bankers Association of the Philippines Credit Bureau Inc.,
Philippine Finance Association, and the agency's information technology provider
Stradcom Corp. to finalize the development of a web-based facility which will
provide banks and financial institutions access to the LTO database on driver's
license and motor vehicle records.
Suansing said this access will allow banks and financing
companies to check the registration history of motor vehicles used as loan
collateral. He said it will also simplify and facilitate verification of
driver's license and motor vehicle records, resulting in more revenues for the
LTO and cost/man-hour savings for the banks and financing companies.
Suansing said his office will sign a memorandum of agreement with the
bankers' and financing associations and Stradcom next month. - Ashzel
Hachero
