By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga With demonstrations expected in Bacolod City today, as part of the “National Day of Protest” observance, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has requested its officers to exercise “maximum tolerance” when it comes to encountering protesters. BCPO acting director, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, said police officers will be securing …
HEADLINE
SRA abolition would bring the industry to a ‘precarious state’ –NACUSIP Braza: The sugar industry could go bankrupt
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP) General-Secretary Hernani Braza said the proposed elimination of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) would have dire consequences on the industry, especially in Negros Occidental. “They are already threatened by the onset of artificial sweeteners on the market, it …
One dead, 31 injured following multi-vehicle collision in Bago City
By Ma. Irish Joy M. Sabio, Intern One person died, while another 31 were injured, following a collision between a truck, a tricycle, and a Ceres bus along the national highway at Purok Paghidaet, Barangay Taloc, Bago City over the weekend. Police identified the fatality as 24-year-old bus passenger April Rex Villegas, a resident of …
Town Councilor, two others killed in Murcia ambush
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga An ambush by armed men yesterday in Barangay Lopez Jaena, Murcia in Negros Occidental claimed the lives of a Don Salvador Benedicto town councilor and two others. Police identified the fatalities as Town Councilor Eden Bacordo, his girlfriend Lea Mae Saldoa, and his bodyguard Arnold Larida. According to eyewitness reports, …
Partylist Representative calls P1K CHR budget a ‘political statement’ Paduano: CHR chairman Chito Gascon should resign
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano called the recent approval by the House of Representatives of a P1,000 budget for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) a “political statement.” In a radio interview yesterday morning, Paduano said his vote was in the name “delicadeza,” and noted he does not bear …
City Councilor calls for more police visibility
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito urged the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to promote more police visibility throughout the city, where petty crimes are reportedly escalating. “They should be on the streets and visible, rather than staying in their office,” he stressed, adding policemen should be proactive, instead of reactive. …
Court of Appeals clears Mayor, eight others over P49M furniture purchase
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said yesterday he felt “vindicated” after the Court of Appeals-Visayas Station overturned the Office of the Ombudsman decision, which dismissed the mayor and eight others surrounding alleged anomalies regarding a 2008 P49 million furniture purchase. According to the decision, signed by Associate Justice Germano Francisco …
Negros Bishops issue pastoral letter condemning the war on illegal drugs Letter: PNP’s ‘One Time, Big Time’ results in extrajudicial killings
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The four bishops of Negros issued a pastoral letter over the weekend condemning the war on illegal drugs, claiming the poor are unfairly targeted. According to the letter, issued by Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon; San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza; Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes; and Kabankalan Administrator, the Very Rev. Rolando …
One dead, one wounded in NPA-related violence in southern Negros Occidental
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga One person was killed, while another was seriously wounded, following separate incidents allegedly perpetrated by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in southern Negros Occidental, over the weekend. Police identified the fatality as 51-year-old Jovanie Banista, a former commander of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) and resident …
NIR as a state depends on Negros representatives –Federalism Advocate
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga According to Hublag Federalismo convenor and incoming Presidential Assistant for Economic Concerns Mary Jane Locsin, it is up to the Negros congressional delegation whether the now-defunct Negros Island Region (NIR) becomes a state if the country transitions to a federal form of government. “It will depend on congressmen because …