HEADLINE

By JEN BAYLON The first three days of the local campaign period in Negros Occidental commenced without any reported disruptions or violations, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office said yesterday. Provincial election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said no notices of violation have been issued so far by his office or any municipal and city Comelec offices against …

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 …

A total of 785 candidates are vying for 369 electoral positions in Negros Occidental for the May 12 midterm elections as the campaign period for local aspirants kicked off yesterday. Records from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental show four candidates — Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, business owner Ernesto Librando, Paul Octaviano, and …

By JEN BAYLON and MA. THERESA LADIAO Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) Director Brigadier General Jack Wanky officially assumed his role as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the newly activated police office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) yesterday. Wanky, during the inauguration yesterday, said he will oversee police operations in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental …

By JEN BAYLON A day before the start of the campaign period for local candidates, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged political aspirants to keep the campaign “civil” and respect the outcome of the elections. “Let’s be calm. I know it’s noisy during the campaign period,” Lacson said. The governor said candidates should focus on sharing …

By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced the launch of a nationwide grand “Oplan Baklas” this Friday, March 28, coinciding with the official start of the campaign period for local candidates in the May 12 midterm elections. Oplan Baklas will target illegal campaign materials, including tarpaulins, posters and banners, as part of efforts to ensure …

By JEN BAYLON Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson considers this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival “non-political.” “We did not invite national candidates for the midterm elections,” Lacson said. “Most of the incumbents will be here to support their respective local government units [LGUs]. That in itself could be considered campaigning,” he said when asked if local …

Three development workers in Negros Occidental are planning to file countercharges over wrongful prosecution following the dismissal of terrorism financing charges filed against them. In a radio interview, legal counsel Rey Gorgonio said his clients — Federico Salvilla, Perla Pavillar and Dharyl Albañez — will take legal action against those who filed baseless charges, fabricated …

By JEN BAYLON The Office of Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) is still awaiting the contingency plan of the La Castellana municipal government for disaster response, particularly in the event of a major eruption of Kanlaon Volcano. Despite previous presentations, OCD-NIR Regional Director Donato Sermeno III said La Castellana has yet to submit …

By JEN BAYLON The recent encounters between government troops and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Cadiz City and Toboso town in Negros Occidental will not impact the May 12 midterm elections in Negros Island Region (NIR), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. Comelec-NIR Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano said the NPA’s recent activities do not …