By Herman M. Lagon There comes a point when a dispute stops being about personalities and starts becoming about responsibility. That is where the debate over Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano seems to be heading. For many Filipinos, the concern is no longer whether they support or oppose him. It is whether the Senate can …
Monthly Archives: June 2026
Digital rights group: Internet should promote equality, not exploitation
Digital spaces should be used for democratic participation, creativity, inclusion and equality, not for surveillance, exploitation and exclusion, a digital rights group said in its annual report. In its digital rights report for 2025, the Foundation for Media Alternatives’ (FMA) said digital systems meant to promote inclusion “easily deepen inequality, silence dissent and expose communities …
DepEd-Bacolod suggests private school closure
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA Bacolod City Schools Division Superintendent Dennis Develos has recommended to the Department of Education in the Negros Island Region (DepEd-NIR) the closure of a private elementary school in the city for allegedly operating without permits. Develos said they have already sent a letter to the DepEd-NIR office recommending the closure. He …
Bacolod City council reaffirms anti-discrimination policy for LGBT
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government has formally expressed its support for Pride Month after the city council approved a resolution recognizing the annual observance and reinforcing its commitment to equality, inclusivity and non-discrimination. The measure highlights the city’s stance on protecting the dignity and rights of all residents, including members of the …
Army hunts down another fugitive NPA rebel
The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) is pursuing another fugitive New People’s Army (NPA) rebel identified as Alejandro “Kier” Montoya in continuing security operations in northern Negros. Montoya is facing a string of criminal cases, such as carjacking, murder and acts of lasciviousness before he joined the NPA, police records showed. In a media …
234-K NIR learners enroll as registration nears end
By CESAR JOLITO III With the opening of classes set for next Monday, June 8, more than 234,000 learners have enrolled in public schools across the Negros Island Region (NIR) during the first two days of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) official enrollment period, signaling a strong turnout ahead of the start of classes. DepEd-NIR …
NIR focus crimes drop to lowest 18%
By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported a marked improvement in peace and order across the region, recording an 18.42 percent decline in focus crime incidents in the first five months of the year. Crime levels reached their lowest point in May with 62 incidents, signaling strengthened law …
DTI monitors school supplies to prevent overpricing
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is closely monitoring big retail stores in the province to ensure that prices of school supplies and other commodities remain at acceptable levels, an official said yesterday. Krystle Jade Bato, DTI spokesperson and officer-in-charge of the Consumer Protection Division, said in a media interview that …
Rape suspect arrested
By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA A man wanted for statutory rape was arrested during a sustained intelligence-driven operation at Barangay Old Sagay in Negros Occidental’s Sagay City on Tuesday, June 2. Police identified the fifth most wanted person as 76-year-old alias “Moden,” a carpenter and resident of Purok Santan 2 in the village. Police Lt. Colonel …
Clementer, Molde heat up Junior PGT Bacolod leg
By ADRIAN STEWART CO Intense tropical heat and a daunting tight layout couldn’t cool down the fire in Stephen Clementer and Soleil Molde as they braved tough conditions to seize control of their respective divisions at the start of the ICTSI Bacolod Junior PGT Championship in Bacolod City on Wednesday, June 3. With spots in …