Victorias City Mayor denounces ‘Imperial Manila’ in advocacy of federalism

Posted by watchmen
October 18, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

By Paulo Loreto Lim While revealing plans by the Association of Chief Executives-Negros (ACE-Negros) to hold a meeting to discuss federalism, Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, who serves as president of the association, yesterday affirmed his endorsement of a shift to federalism, while denouncing “Imperial Manila.” “I have been against Imperial Manila,” he stated. …

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Vice Governor lauds freeport zone proposal for Negros

Posted by watchmen
October 18, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson lauded the recommendation made by incoming Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño for the establishment of freeport zones in Negros island. In a message sent by Lacson yesterday morning, he said such a project would …

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Incoming DILG undersecretary plans to recommend freeport zones in Negros

Posted by watchmen
October 17, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Incoming Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño yesterday said he plans on recommending the establishment of freeport zones in Negros. According to the former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman, the geographic location and depth of the local waters makes the area …

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MassKara Festival: Gun ban in effect, police to shut down cell sites during highlights

Posted by watchmen
October 17, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, yesterday declared the implementation of a gun ban for the remainder of the ongoing MassKara Festival. During a press conference, he said permits to carry firearms for licensed gun holders will be temporarily suspended until Monday, October 23. In addition, …

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Court of Appeals approves Leonardia, Nifras motions

Posted by watchmen
October 17, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

Bayatan questions motives in pursuing furniture case By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Court of Appeals recently approved motions for reconsideration filed by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and former Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman, Atty. Goldwyn Nifras, in relation to the alleged anomalous purchase of P50 million worth of furniture and fixtures for …

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Electricity rates surpass P11/kWh for October

Posted by watchmen
October 17, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

8¢/kWh hike not factored in yet By Paulo Loreto Lim The Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) revealed the residential rate for October 2017 will be P11.0280 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), an increase of over one peso as compared to last month’s P10.0130/kWh. The utility co-op blamed the changes on fluctuations in the generation charge, transmission …

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Transport Strike: Iloilo drivers, operators stage caravan

Posted by watchmen
October 17, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

While drivers and public utility vehicle (PUV) operators in Iloilo did not formally join the nationwide transport strike, as jeepneys and buses continue to operate normally throughout Panay and Guimaras, the Panay chapter of transport party-list Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) said they staged transport caravans at various locations throughout Iloilo. …

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House bill to provide retirement benefits for barangay officials

Posted by watchmen
October 17, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

By Paulo Loreto Lim House Bill 619, submitted by Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano, seeks to provide retirement benefits for barangay officials, whom the bill refers to as “the frontline of government services.” Currently before the House Committee on Local Government, Paduano said barangay officials receive “meager allowances.” The bill seeks to amend Section …

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Drug lord’s son, three others charged for illegal drugs, gun possession

Posted by watchmen
October 16, 2017
Posted in HEADLINE

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga   The son of recently-captured drug lord Arturo Balume, Sr., along with three others, were brought up on illegal drugs and illegal firearm possession charges over the weekend. Police identified the four suspects as Arturo Balume, Jr., Hany Grace Balume, Pamela Balume, and Ryan Cainglet. Hinoba-an municipal police said the …

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