The basic social services program of the Bacolod City government will not be affected by the loan repayment, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in response to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran’s claims. “Let’s set the record straight so that the constant lying of the other party will stop,” Benitez said in a statement on …
Monthly Archives: March 2025
A Pensionado Program for our bright youth
By Sonny Angara Eighteen-year-old Dominic Navarro graduated with honors from the Ilocos Region campus of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) last May. Dominic is one of several who went through the PSHS system and were offered admission at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. This is no easy task as getting in is …
Breaking the silence
By Herman M. Lagon Imagine a day when no one’s talking about Rodrigo Duterte. No Sara Duterte headlines. No drama, no soundbites. No big personalities hogging the political limelight. The cameras turn off; the noise dies down. What is left in the silence should have been front and center — how this country is quietly …
Victorias bet crowned Lin-ay sang Negros 2025
By JEN BAYLON Jada Biaxyl Celeste of Negros Occidental’s Victorias City was crowned Lin-ay sang Negros 2025 during the coronation night at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Friday, March 28. The 21-year-old Celeste, who advocates for women’s empowerment and gender equality, bested 26 other candidates in the highly anticipated pageant. She also clinched the …
Bacolod boosts anti-rabies drive, pushes for pet registration
Fur parents and about 100 cats and dogs joined a pet walk event at Panaad Park in Bacolod City on Saturday, March 29, to kick off the 1st Bacolod Pet Festival in line with the observance of Rabies Awareness Month. Organized by the City Veterinary Office (CVO), the weeklong event, themed “Building a Safe and Rabies-Free …
Candidates urged to voluntarily remove illegal campaign posters
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged candidates and their supporters to take the lead in removing illegally mounted campaign materials and not wait for orders to do so. In a radio interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said those who are running in the May 12 polls may face charges and even disqualification if they violate …
1 dead as vehicle falls into ravine
By JEN BAYLON A woman died while seven others were injured after a sports utility vehicle fell into a ravine at Barangay Pandanon in Negros Occidental’s Don Salvador Benedicto town on Saturday, March 29. Municipal police chief, Major Ryan Villasario, said the fatality, a 58-year-old resident of Bago City, is yet to be identified. She …
2 Malaysians nabbed for labor trafficking
The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) arrested two Malaysian nationals in Bacolod City for alleged labor trafficking. In an interview, PNP-CIDG Bacolod head Major Justin Noel Josol identified the suspects as alias “Sam Phoon,” 60 years old; and alias “Abao” who is in his late 20’s. Josol said they received …
Comelec to donate removed illegal campaign posters for recycling
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it would donate for recycling all illegal campaign materials removed during its “Oplas Baklas” operations. The poll body began removing illegal campaign materials on Friday, March 28, the start of the 45-day campaign period for local positions in the May 12 midterm elections. “Everything that we removed today, we …
Sabete shines as Petro Gazz stuns Creamline
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The Petro Gazz Angels pulled off a surprising 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16 victory against the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference single-round robin semis at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Saturday night, March 29. Negrense Jonah Sabete finished with 19 points, from 14 attacks and five …