HEADLINE

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 …

By JEN BAYLON Three soldiers sustained minor injuries in another encounter with remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town on Tuesday, March 18. Colonel Erwin Rommel Lamzon, 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson, said the injured soldiers are already recovering at a hospital and are now in stable condition. Lamzon said the …

Several officials of the Bacolod City government are planning to file counter charges against a radio blocktimer who filed graft and administrative complaints over the alleged anomalous P971.86 million land banking project. At a press conference, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said there was nothing anomalous in the purchase of the 74.76-hectare property — about P13 …