Metrobriefs
Free rides on LRT, MRT for Pasig River runners
PARTICIPANTS of the “Run for Pasig River” race will be allowed to ride the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) trains for free this Sunday as the government throws its full support behind the record-breaking event. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said runners will be allowed to take the trains for free from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Participants just need to present their race bibs to avail of the MRT 3 free rides along the stretch of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa). The event will kick off at Cultural Center of the Philippines, near the Vito Cruz Station of LRT Line 1. Last year, the DOTC also offered free LRT rides to participants of the “10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River,” which broke the world record for the most number of participants in a racing event with 116,086 runners. The “Run for Pasig River,” an advocacy of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. with the support of DOTC, is attempting to break the Guinness World Record, the same record it set last year, for the most number of participants in a foot race generating public awareness in the importance of cleaning up the Pasig River. Registration has been extended until today at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, Athlete’s Foot, Glorietta 3, and ROX. Paolo G. Montecillo
Ivler doctor reveals patient’s unpaid bills
EVEN as he has requested doctors for another operation, road rage suspect Jason Ivler appears to owe at least P250,000 in unpaid bills from past procedures, according to his attending doctor. A Quezon City court learned this after Dr. Romeo Abary testified on the suspect’s latest medical examination to ascertain if he needs to go under the knife again to reverse the colostomy performed on him earlier. During questioning yesterday, Judge Luisito Cortez of Regional Trial Court Branch 84 grilled the doctor from Quirino Memorial Medical Center on Ivler’s past surgeries. At one point, the physician said his patient still has at least P250,000 in unsettled fees for the surgical team that operated on him twice a year ago. This is apart from the still unpaid P21,800 for Ivler’s latest medical examination on Monday, which included a colonoscopy. Abary added that the P250,000 is for the surgical team alone and does not cover other expenses like fees for the anesthesiologist and use of hospital facilities. The revelation came after the accused said in court last week that he would foot the bill for the reversal of his colostomy. Ivler is facing a murder charge for the death of Renato Victor Ebarle Jr. in a road rage incident in Quezon City in November 2009 during a traffic altercation. Julie M. Aurelio
