Liberal Party (LP) leaders, led by its national chairman Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, will hold a rally at Plaza Miranda on Thursday, Jan. 19, 3 p.m. to mark the party’s 60th anniversary.

President Arroyo, LP’s honorary chairperson whose father, former President Diosdado Macapagal, was a former LP president, is expected to join party leaders including former Senate President Jovito Salonga and other LP luminaries at Plaza Miranda.

With theme "Sulong Liberal, Sulong Pilipinas," the celebration will have speakers such as Senators Rodolfo Biazon and Mar Roxas, Reps. Junie Cua, Fredenil Castro, Rodolfo Valencia, Miles Andrew Roces and Sec. Rigoberto Tiglao; Governors Raul Daza, Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez, Ma. Gracia Cielo Padaca; Mayors Antonio del Rosario, Mel Senen Sarmiento, Francisco Gaddi; Vice Governor David Suarez, Vice Mayor Anjo Yllana, Provincial Board Member Steven Fuentes and Manila Barangay Chairman Dados Gomez; and Councilor Melvin Macusi of L4, Jonathan Malaya of LCCS, Jan-Argy Tolentino of KALIPI, former Representative Lorna Verano-Yap of Liberal Women and Atty. Antonio Eduardo Nachura of the Academe.

Atienza earlier mobilized barangay patrols to help city policemen secure the rally site and facilitate the flow of traffic in the area.

The Manila mayor’s family was among the original founders of the Liberal Party including his uncle Hermenegildo Atienza, and father Jose J. Atienza, Sr.

Massive manhunt vs official’s killer in CDO

Combined elements of the Cagayan de Oro city police and the military launched a massive manhunt against the killer of a high ranking military official slain last week in Cagayan de Oro City.

Reports reaching Camp Crame yesterday said that Lt. Col. Eduardo Peralta, commanding officer of the 10th Artillery Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) station in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City was shot to death by a still unidentified gunman near the motor pool of the 10th FAB inside the camp last Saturday.

Peralta suffered multiple bullet wounds in the body and died on the spot, as the assailant fled towards to a still unknown destination, police said.

Elements from the Cagayan de Oro Police Office, 10-RCIDU, 4-MIB, and 4th Infantry Division, recovered from the crime scene at least four spent shells from a cal 45 pistols and one slug from same caliber, police said. (Ed Mahilum)

Linamon cited for waste mgm’t program

Linamon, a fifth class municipality with a population of about 15,000 residents and the smallest town in Lanao del Norte, was awarded as a model local government unit for its Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) program.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines through its president Mayor Ramon Guico gave the award during their regular national conference held in Pasay City.

Linamon Mayor Cherlito R. Macas, who pioneered the project, "Basura Atras, Linamon Abante sa Kalambuan (BALAK)," gained support and awards in waste segregation and management as his constituents are involved and determined to make Linamon a clean and green environment.

Under Macas leadership, Linamon developed a 2.2-hectare composting site in Barangay Purakan, where biodegradable wastes are converted into fertilizers even as residents practice waste segregation at home.

To date, there are 289 local government units that have visited Linamon to learn how the municipality’s ISWM is being implemented.

Javier is NAST president

Former University of the Philippines president Emil Q. Javier was elected president of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) last October at the Philippine Science Heritage Center, DoST Complex, Bictuan, Taguig.

An esteemed scientist, vibrant administrator and educator, Javier contributed significantly not only to the area of government services but also in community welfare. A scientist by heart, he was aware of the small farmer’s limited resources and has always directed his researches toward developing practical methods of improved crop production, using cheap, indigenous inputs.

Javier has received numerous awards. Two of the latest were the Outstanding Filipino Award (2002) and the Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Illinois (2004).

He obtained his Ph.D. in plant breeding from Cornell University and his Master of Science from the University of Illinois. He finished his Bachelor of Science in agriculture cum laudeat UP Los Baños.

The NAST is the highest advisory and recognition body on science and technology in the country.