Zambales Chromite Mining Corp. Inc. (ZCMC) has warned the people about certain parties passing themselves as representatives of the firm and selling what it termed as non-existent mineral ores.

In a statement, ZCMC claimed that the company has been receiving reports from investment bank officers that a certain businesswoman from the province was trying to sell chromite from the ZCMC area.

The company maintained that it has no previous or current business or contractual relations with them and asked those approached to report the matter to the police.

Neither ZCMC nor the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) authorized anybody to extract ore from or to engage in any mining activity in the area covered by the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) No. 005-91-111 granted by the national government to ZCMC. (Marvyn N. Benaning)

Twenty Filipino seamen are being held hostage by pirates in Somalia since Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported yesterday.

DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said pirates hijacked the Panamanian-registered bulk carrier MV Stella Maris last Sunday, and are holding hostage 20 of its Filipino crew members.

"We received a report last Sunday that the Panamanian-registered bulk carrier with 20 Filipino crew members was boarded by pirates. The ship is drifting towards the northeast tip of Somalia," Conejos said in a press conference in Malacañang. (David Cagahastian)

A non-government organization (NGO) leader noted yesterday that the price of fuel in the country is at a record high, and if the government cannot control the skyrocketing price, then it should promote cheaper and more environmentfriendly forms of energy such as solar and wind.

"We are calling on the government to pursue renewable energy as an alternative mean," said Antonio M. Claparols, president of the Ecological Society of the Philippines (ESP). "Renewable energy is cheaper than fossil fuel and, more importantly, it helps abate the effects of global warming."

Claparols said that such technology is already upon us, "all we have to do is use it."

He clarified that ESP is not supporting the use of biofuel.

The United Nations has imposed a five-year moratorium on the use of biofuels for further study.

The distributor of Lucida-DS, a glutathione product, and Vaniderm dietary supplement has challenged the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to subject the two laboratories that tested its products to independent tests and inspection of facilities.

In a press statement, it said the objective is to resolve once and for all the issue of which among the two laboratories, Adamson University Technology Research and Development Council (AUTRDC), and the Ateneo-based Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC), has the capacity and knowledge to conduct true glutathione tests.

United Shelter Heath Products hurled the challenge following the recent order by BFAD to recall its products based on the alleged finding by PIPAC that LucidaDS and Vaniderm do not have the glutathione content that was claimed in their labels.

Prominent members of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) has appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to desist from the practice of naming commissioners-in-charge (CiCs) for certain tasks or regions.

"For purposes of transparency and legal adherence, the Comelec should desist from creating the positions of CiCs for specific areas and given wide latitude to decide on poll-related issues," PPCRV and Namfrel members said.

They said although the Omnibus Election Code does not prohibit the Comelec from designating CiCs, such act could be challenged before the Supreme Court.

The practice, they added, is not conducive to a balanced conduct of elections, specifically if the CiCs assigned have preconceived notions or are biased against anyone or any party. But the CiC idea could result in small independent fiefdoms being created and pose a threat to free suffrage, they added. (E. T. Suarez)