Iloilo media to miss Miriam’s words of endearment

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 30 (PNA) -- As the nation grieves over the passing of former

senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, members of the Iloilo media remember her generous use of Ilonggo words of endearment, aside from her pick-up lines, during her speaking sorties in this city.

Loving Ilonggo words such as “Toto, Nonoy, Inday, Nene and Palangga”, were freely used by Santiago in addressing members of the local media, as if they were her relatives and longtime friends.

Station manager of Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Henry Lumawag said her compassion with the workers of the local media industry was legendary.

Lady reporter Rod Jaen Losbanes of Bombo Radyo aired the same. “No one can take the place of Miriam as a lawmaker and public servant and she is nonpareil as the last of the senators to truly fight graft and corruption in the government. She is brave and frank and she is not controversial in her advocacies,” Losbanes said.

Reporter Joel Franco of RM774 said Miriam’s "hugot" and pick-up lines will remain in the hearts and minds of Ilonggos, especially students who look up to her as the forever campus sweetheart. The radio reporter said that Miriam will remain an inspiration to the people and the model of what a lawmaker should be.

Journalist Mayin de los Santos of The Daily Guardian said Miriam is forever Miriam, the Iron Lady of the Senate while fellow journalist Glenda Sologastoa of Panay News said no one can be at par with Miriam in terms of intellect and wit.

Reporter Rudjiemar Sucaldito of Super Radyo said the Ilonggos lost a friend, a caring mother and sister and a true public servant who showed how to stand firmly against corruption in the government.

The Ilongga senator succumbed to cancer of the lungs on Thursday that stunned her admirers, friends, students, the religious sector and the media. (PNA)

8 witnesses bare two suspects in Davao bombing

By Perfecto T. Raymundo

MANILA, Sept. 3 (PNA) -– The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now focusing on two suspects in the bombing incident in the Roxas night market in Roxas Avenue, Davao City that claimed the lives of 14 individuals and 71 others injured.

In a press conference Saturday night in Camp Catitipan in Buhangin, Davao City, PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said that they were investigating two suspects, including, a male and a female.

Dela Rosa added that they had eight witnesses which they were using as basis in the conduct of the “cartographic sketch” of the authorities.

However, he could not say whether the two suspects are still in Davao City.

Meanwhile, the PNP chief said that the ongoing war between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) may be the motive behind the bombing incident and not the all-out war against illegal drugs.

Authorities have also created on Saturday a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) night market who will focus on the bombing incident.

At the same time, Dela Rosa also said that the “state of lawlessness” was far from Martial Law and the same would not violate human rights.

A state of lawlessness only means that the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will implement a more stringent security measures to prevent another similar violent incident.

Dela Rosa noted that the bomb used by the suspects could have been made of “mortar” because of the strong explosion and its destructive effect. (PNA)

RMA/PTR/RSM