From eight, the number of jueteng operators and protectors in the country has increased to 18, anti-gambling prelate Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said.

Cruz attributed the increase to the big money that the illegal numbers’ game brings.

Although Cruz did not identify the names of the said operators and protectors, he said most of these people are local government officials.

“As far as I can remember, four of them are females,” said Cruz, during broadcast over Catholic-run Radio Veritas 846.

“I think these are public officials who are trying to save up for the 2010 elections,” he added.

“From what we’ve gathered before, a governor who is both the jueteng capitalist and protector gets about P3 to P5 million a month from commission only,” Cruz said. (Leslie Aquino)

Ex-solon appeals

Former Quezon City Rep. Dante Liban yesterday appealed to Senate ethics committee chair Sen. Panfilo Lacson for the speedy resolution of his petition to declare Richard Gordon as having forfeited his Senate seat due to his chairmanship of the Philippine National Red Cross.

Liban urged Lacson to deny a suggestion by Gordon that complaints from private persons like him be ignored by the committee unless it is endorsed by another senator, which could only result in an unnecessary delay in resolving the petition.

Liban reiterated that under Section 13, Article 6 of the Constitution, “no senator or member of the House of Representatives may hold any other office or employment in the Government … Including Government-owned or controlled or their subsidiaries during his term without forfeiting his seat.”

Liban said the Supreme Court had ruled in August 1999 that the PNRC “is a government-owned and controlled corporation with an original charter under Republic Act No. 95 as amended” in the case of Camporedondo vs National Labor Relations Commission. (ODL)

Feast of St. Damiani

Today is the feast day of St. Peter Damiani (San Pedro Damian), an Italian bishop and Doctor of the Universal Church.

A reforming Benedictine monk in the order of Pope Gregory VIII, St. Peter was known for his spiritual writings and excellent knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. He led a life of prayer, penance, fasting, and service to the poor.

Born in Ravenna, Italy in 1007, St. Peter was a great predecessor of St. Francis of Assisi. He served as abbot of the Benedictine monastery in Italy. In 1057, he was appointed cardinal and bishop by Pope Stephen IX, working zealously for the reform of the Church and in defense of the faith.

He died in 1072. In 1823, Pope Leo XII extended his feast to the Universal Church and declared him Doctor of the Church. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Brit schools exhibit

International Education Specialists of Makati announced that they will be holding an exhibit of British Schools and Universities at the British Council today, Feb. 21 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Situated in Taipan Place, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, The British Council is the focal point of British Education in the Philippines and Inter-Ed are the specialists for advising students about studies at High School, Foundation, Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate level.

The exhibit will feature over 30 institutions including Cardiff University, London Metropolitan University, Bellerbys College and Study Group, Bournemouth University, University of Bedfordshire, Manchester, Exeter, Newcastle, East Anglia, Glascow Caledonian, Nottingham and range of private boarding schools across the UK. (IESM)

Adoption booth opens

The Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA Welfare Philippines) will open its adoption booth today and tomorrow at the CARA Adoption Booth at Bonifacio High Street, at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nancy Cu Unjeng, president, CARA Welfare Philippines, said that rescued pets — dogs and cats — may be adopted during the event.

Formed in 2002, CARA is a non-government organization that demonstrates how consideration for animal welfare can not only improve the lives of animals, but also support a healthier environment for the people who live their lives surrounded by strat cats and dogs.