MALASIQUI, Pangasinan — Pangasinan Vice Gov. Oscar B. Lambino said yesterday that people’s initiative is the most effective way of amending the Constitution.

"We have to respect the people’s decision. It is a constitutional requirement to secure 12 percent of the total registered voters nationwide favoring the holding of a plebiscite on Charter change,’’ he said.

The second highest elected public official of the province added that during the consultation with Pangasineses in Calasiao, Pangasinan on Charter change, majority favored amending the 1987 Constitution, particularly the shift from the presidential to the parliamentary form of government.

Lambino said that the shift in the form of government will bring progress to the nation. "As I have been saying, if we go parliamentary, our country will be very progressive.’’

He disclosed that leaders of the province have been pushing the signature drive for the holding of a plebiscite on Charter change tentatively in the middle of this year.

Lambino also cited the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) of which he is a member on its stand on Charter change. "ULAP is for the benefit of the people and as members, we will support its decisions.’’ (Fa Sison Almazan)

A man was killed while three others were wounded when they were shot by four armed men last Friday night in Parañaque City.

Supt. Ronald Estilles, Parañaque police chief, identified the fatality as Royston Carandang, 20, a resident of Bayabas St., Sampaloc Site 2, Barangay BF, Parañaque. He suffered multiple bullet wounds and died on arrival at the Medical Center Parañaque.

The wounded were identified by Estilles as Mariefe Leonardo, 33; Michael Tan Tula, 27, an optometrist; and Estrellita Carandang, 46, an Overseas Filipino Worker, all of Bayabas St., Sampaloc Site 2, Barangay BF, Parañaque.

Leonardo suffered bullet wounds in the stomach and right knee while Tula was hit in the left knee. Carandang sustained a bullet wound on her left upper buttock. They were all rushed to the Medical Center Parañaque where they are now undergoing treatment.

One of the four gunmen, Diego Verallo, 32, a fish vendor and a native of Cebu, of Purok 5, Calamansi St., Phase 2, Sampaloc Site 2, Barangay BF, Parañaque, was arrested in a follow-up operation by the Parañaque police Special Weapons and Tactics led by Insp. Percival Pineda. (James I. Catapusan)

The Task Force Umale yesterday released the sketch of the fourth gunman who shot dead businessman Leonardo Umale in Pasig City last March 16.

Chief Supt. Charlemagne Alejandrino, Task Force Umale head, said the sketch was based on the descriptions of witnesses on the killing.

Witnesses described the fourth gunman as 5’7" in height, medium built, brown complexioned, and around 45 years old.

Police had said four unidentified gunmen shot dead Umale. Based on initial findings, police said three of the gunmen used .45 cal. pistols in killing Umale. Witnesses had described three of the four gunmen.

Meanwhile, Alejandrino said they are still waiting for the statement of the Umales on the killing.

He appealed to the Umales to give their statements to speed up the investigation. "Nangako naman ang pamilya basta available na ang kanilang abogado," said Alejandrino. (Anna Liza T. Villas)