BACOOR CITY, Cavite — Mayor Strike Revilla has honored the 2011 top 10 city taxpayers in a simple award ceremony during the city’s founding anniversary celebration recently. SM Molino and SM Bacoor were cited as outstanding taxpayers during the ceremony at Golden Bay Restaurant on Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City. SM was also recognized for its continuous support and contribution to the city’s development program. Others honored as top taxpayers were Jollibee, Mercury Drug, National Bookstore, Puregold and San Miguel Brewery. The award for SM was accepted by Edith Ragodo, SM Bacoor manager; Joseph Forrosuelo, SM Molino assistant manager; and Catherine Antonio, PR manager of SM Cavite. Aside from Mayor Revilla, present during the ceremony were Cavite 2nd District (Bacoor) Lanie Mercado-Revilla and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay. (Anthony Giron)

9 MISSING

CANDELARIA, Zambales — Nine Filipino fishermen who were fishing off the Scarborough Shoal have been missing for 12 days, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced yesterday. The PCG said the search is ongoing for the fishermen, who set out at sea on October 1, in areas near the shoal. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Benito Ramos said there were originally two groups of fishermen who had been lost at sea but the other group, composed of six residents of Infanta, Pangasinan, have been found after their boat encountered engine trouble. (Jonas Reyes)

VILLAR VISITS HAPPY OLD FOLKS

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — It was a warm welcome by about 8,000 senior citizens in Quezon for former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar who visited here yesterday for the Elderly Day celebration at the Quezon Convention Center. In her speech, Villar said that the elderly sector plays a vital role in society and needs special treatment from the government. As author of Senior Citizens Act 2003 and 2010, Villar said she thinks senior citizens deserve improved services and as much perks from the government. (Danny Estacio)

POLITICAL PEACE

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — A well-known construction magnate in Bataan has fulfilled his promise to promote political peace and contribute to lifting this city to progress by effective dialogue with opposing political groups, here. Billionaire Jose Rizalino “Gerry” Acuzar, a close friend of President Aquino, said he sees a more united people of Balanga ready to work for progress as political divisions in this city have been straightened out. Acuzar is credited by political kibitzers for convincing his brother Aying Acuzar to back out from the mayoral race to pave the way for a continuance of the programs and projects of the Garcia political family. (Mar T. Supnad)

BIG DREAMS

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government has assured to continue leadership designed to improve the lives of every Pangasinense and fulfill big dreams for the province. Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. said that over the past five years, the his administration has been concentrating on making Pangasinan the best place to invest, work, live, and raise a family. Espino said he has not wavered in resolve to fulfill his administration’s mission to make Pangasinan the country’s No. 1 in the coming years. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)