AT CAPITOL
381 jobs end tomorrow,
Freddie names key men
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The contracts of 63 co-terminus and 318 contractual employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government end tomorrow, and the fate of those who will be rehired depend on incoming Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

All 381 co-terminus and casual employees are considered terminated by July 1 unless reappointed by the governor-elect, his Chief of Staff, Jose Ma. Valencia, said yesterday.

Marañon yesterday told the DAILY STAR he is retaining Valencia as chief of staff and legal officer, and  Enrique Pinongan as provincial administrator.

Governor-elect Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he hopes to resume talks with the New People’s Army that were stalled after the death of his brother, Gov. Joseph Marañon, his Chief of Staff Jose Ma. Valencia said yesterday.

The incoming governor, in his inaugural speech Saturday, appealed to the rebels to put an end to struggle and division.

“Let us channel our energies to work together to fight poverty, not each other,” he said.

Three unidentified armed men shot dead a Muslim businessman Saturday, while he was praying at his residence in Brgy. 1 poblacion, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the victim as Julbbari Aharajah, 43, who succumbed to a lone gunshot wound in the abdomen, inflicted with a .45 caliber pistol.

Responding policemen recovered four empty shells of .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.