By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Broadcaster Boy Duran, president of the Negros Press Club (NPC), backed a legislation to decriminalize libel saying journalists need to be protected in their duty to report the truth. In an exclusive phone interview, Duran, an industry veteran, evaded questions on the merits of the planned charges by Moises Padilla …
HEADLINE
Magsie to sue local paper for P20M ‘They are setting me up for another ambush’
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno ‘Magsie’ Peña, in an expletive-laden phone interview yesterday, vehemently denied he was behind a statement published in a local paper last week, in which he allegedly called the boycott of Coca-Cola as “stupidity,” and said he plans to file charges against the publication amounting to P20 …
Legal woes continue for beverage giant Coke faces raps for HFCS smuggling
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Sugar Anti-Smuggling Organization (SASO), an organization which coordinates with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), has sued Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines for alleged “outright smuggling” of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) into the country. In an e-mail sent to the press yesterday, SASO Deputy Chief …
Diocese leaves SJI after bitter row Buzon: Queen of Peace no longer church nor chapel, mere building
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The withdrawal of church ministries at the Queen of Peace Parish at St. John’s Institute (SJI) or Hua Ming will push through on May 31, after talks between the school and the Diocese of Bacolod agreed to part ways. In a statement yesterday, Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said SJI did …
Albee may seek Senate seat – Bong
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The administration Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has reserved a slot in its 2019 senatorial lineup for 3rd District Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Vice Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson yesterday said. Lacson, a stalwart of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and one of the leaders of local political bloc Love …
Hinoba-an officials looking for relocation site as locals buck ship recycling facility
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The municipal government of Hinoba-an is now looking for a relocation site for residents who will be affected by the construction of a ship recycling facility, amid the protests from locals and environmental groups in Negros Occidental. During a weekend interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, Jimwel Caniedo, lead convenor of the …
Bill splitting Bacolod lacks backing of city officials
By Dominique Gabriel G. Banaga Two separate bills in the Lower House proposing the splitting of Bacolod into two legislative districts have failed to get the needed endorsements from city officials, months after these have been filed by two solons. One of them, Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano, is puzzled. “I cannot understand why. …
Sugar stakeholders express concern over low sugar prices
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Sugar planters in Negros Occidental remain concerned as to what the sugar industry will face in the coming crop year as composite prices of sugar are still down at P1,200 to P1,250. Lawyer Emilio Yulo, spokesperson of the Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP), in a statement, said they are …
Extortion cases on the rise in Bacolod City –BCPO Familiaran: This is not the work of the NPA
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) warned city businessmen of an increase in extortion cases, with some cases involving individuals introducing themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). According to BCPO spokesperson, Police Superintendent Noel Polines, their office has received several complaints from business owners who were receiving …
City Councilor claims ordinance was copied, opposition calls him a ‘cry baby’ Distrito: Ordinances can be copied or used at anytime
By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr. Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. claimed an ordinance authored by City Councilor Caesar Distrito, regulating the use of e-cigarettes, which recently passed its second reading before the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), is a copy of his 2014 E-Cigarette Ordinance. “The 2014 E-Cigarette Ordinance was landmark local legislation as …