Former Mayor Luis Mondia Jr., 53, of Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, was shot at close range as he was leaving the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo City at about 6:45 last night, with his wife, Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, Western Visayas police operations chief, said.

Mondia is running for mayor of Pulupandan against incumbent Mayor Magdaleno Peña, fueling speculation that the shooting could have been politically motivated.

Mondia was rushed to the Iloilo Mission Hospital accompanied by his wife, Evelinda. He remained unconscious and was still in critical condition as of press time, De la Paz said.

German Ambassador to the Philippines Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch yesterday said his government is committed to provide assistance for the conservation of natural resources and climate protection in Negros Occidental and other parts of the Visayas.

The ambassador, who was in Negros Occidental to inspect projects the German government is assisting in the province, yesterday also cut the ribbon at the blessing of the GTZ (Deutsche Gesselschaft fur Techniche Zussamenarbeit) regional office at the second floor of the Provincial Administration Center Building in Bacolod City.

Today Zayco will also sign a P22.4 million grant contract with the European Union for “effective natural resource management through Inter LGU alliances in Negros Occidental”.

The Commission on Elections First Division yesterday dismissed disqualification cases filed against two congressional candidates and a mayoralty bet in Negros Occidental.

Dismissed were the petitions to disqualify Murcia Mayor Esteban Coscolluela and businessman Albee Benitez from running for congressman of the third district, and Judith Coscolluela from running for mayor of Murcia.

In a press statement he issued, Mayor Coscolluela said he was pleased that the politically motivated move was foiled, which “is an indication that the playing of dirty politics will not bring anyone far.”