By CESAR JOLITO III The Council of Concerned Citizens (C3) has raised serious questions over the transparency, necessity and quality of P11 billion worth of flood control projects in Bacolod City, following an independent inspection and review of completed structures. On Monday, September 22, 24 C3 inspectors, joined by representatives from the Department of Public Works …
Monthly Archives: September 2025
Doctrine of fair use in copyright infringement cases
By Dennis Gorecho The “fair use” doctrine allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder for specific purposes. Copyright infringement is a trespass on a private domain owned by the owner of the copyright and protected by law. Copyright infringement occurs when someone performs an act that is the exclusive …
Rage is not enough
By Herman M. Lagon The streets were loud again last weekend. Across Luneta, Iloilo, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro, we filled the streets with chants, placards and even dogs in protest vests — united against corruption that washed away trust and flood funds. An ordinary Sunday turned historic as rally veterans from the 90s marched …
Negros Oriental steps up fight vs. human trafficking
Negros Oriental has filed eight court cases against 11 human trafficking suspects, with 16 victims recorded as of April 30, 2025. Fiscal Emmylou Bendanillo of the Provincial Prosecution Office revealed the latest figures as efforts to combat human trafficking continue nationwide. In a recent media seminar organized by the US Embassy in Bacolod City, Cagayan …
OCD orders preemptive evac near Taburong Creek
By CESAR JOLITO III Authorities have directed the preemptive evacuation of residents living near Taburong Creek at Barangay Biak na Bato in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town whenever heavy rains occur, as lahar sediments from Kanlaon Volcano continue to block the waterway. Donato Sermeno III, director of the Office of Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR), said …
93 houses razed in San Carlos fire
By CESAR JOLITO III An electrical overload from an alleged octopus connection caused a massive fire that razed 93 houses at Barangay Rizal in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City on Monday, September 22, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said. BFP-San Carlos City Fire Marshal, Chief Inspector Erwin Johannes Gimotea, said their initial investigation revealed that the …
HVI, minor nabbed; P1.7-M ‘shabu’ seized
By CESAR JOLITO III A suspected high-value individual (HVI) and a 15-year-old boy fell into the hands of authorities after the confiscation of an estimated P1.7 million worth of suspected shabu during a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Singcang-Airport on Monday night, September 22. Police identified the arrested HVI as alias Roy/Bulato, 25 years old, a …
Negros Oriental LGUs back SRA’s drive vs. sugarcane pest
Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental are rallying behind the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) initiative to combat the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), which threatens the province’s sugarcane farms. A statement released yesterday said Governor Manuel Sagarbarria committed the province’s support during a technical discussion initiated by the SRA with provincial and municipal officials …
Army vows to improve case handling after acquittal of Mabinay 6
The Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade in Negros Oriental respects the court’s decision to set free six youth activists who were incarcerated for seven years for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives. “We always abide by the rule of law and we respect the decision of the court in the case of the Mabinay …
Berayo powers NUNS past UST in UAAP opener
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Negrense Diza Berayo rose to the occasion, carrying defending champion National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups to a 22-25, 32-30, 25-21, 25-21 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 88 high school girls’ volleyball opener at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City …