By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga After a whistleblower came forward over the weekend, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed several Negros Occidental politicians and police officers have links to illegal drugs. However, PDEA Provincial Chief Jose Tumabini would not disclose the names as they are still validating information. “It is not clear yet …
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Legal team handling restraining order issue against P1.7B loan –Mayor
Leonardia: Without the loan, the people will ‘lose something’ By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia addressed the temporary restraining order sought against the P1.7 billion loan the city government plans to borrow from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), saying, the matter is being handled by his legal …
Leonardia adds voice to sugar liberalization opposition
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga With a number of local trade organizations and legislative bodies disapproving of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) proposal to liberalize sugar importation, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia is the latest to add their voice to the opposition. He said anything and everything that affects the sugar industry …
Ordinance calls for regulations on amusement rides
After a mother and her two children fell from a ferris wheel during the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival over the weekend, Iloilo City Councilor Plaridel Nava introduced an ordinance calling for regulations on amusement rides. He pointed out, there are currently no regulations on such rides and suggested items such as seatbelts or safety bars be …
Family of slain deputy station commander deny drug allegations
Aunt claims the victim previously received death threats By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Relatives of a deputy station commander who was killed last Saturday denied their kin was involved in illegal drugs. The victim’s aunt, who asked that her identity be withheld, said Senior Police Officer 4 Oscar Exaltado was the victim and …
Security raised on churches following Jolo cathedral bombings
IS claims responsibility for the attacks By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has stepped up security on all churches in the city following the bombings at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu. BCPO officer-in-charge, Police Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas, said, after receiving a report …
Task group formed to investigate deputy station commander’s death
Security guards arrested in Brgy. Felisa may have been involved By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has formed a special investigation task group to investigate last Saturday’s murder of deputy Police Station 6 commander, Senior Police Officer 4 Oscar Exaltado. BCPO officer-in-charge, Police Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas, said, …
Petition opposing proposed joint venture forwarded to Baciwa
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga A petition letter opposing the proposed joint venture between the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation was forwarded yesterday to Baciwa Board of Directors chairperson, Atty. Lorendo Dilag, and the Baciwa board of directors. The letter claimed Baciwa consumers and various multi-sectoral organizations vehemently oppose the …
Nigerian envoy credits Iloilo City for its educational opportunities
Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines Adekunbi Abibat Sonaike-Ayodeji was in Iloilo City over the weekend to attend the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival. While in town, she also met with Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III, where she credited the city for its educational opportunities. “Iloilo has been accommodating in terms of our students,” she said. “I …
Barangay officials reminded not to support NPA rebels
Former NPA member: Leftist party-list groups have NPA links By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) commander, Colonel Benedict Arevalo, reminded barangay officials in Negros Occidental to not support terrorist organizations, such as the New People’s Army (NPA), during the Barangay Summit on Good Governance, which was hosted by the Department …