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By Paulo Loreto Lim Diocese of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon used his Easter message to condemn extrajudicial killings and called the proposed restoration of the death penalty “utterly indefensible.” Given the stated positions, he described the current state of the nation as “sad.” “How sad it is to see this life so easily violated and …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Negros Occidental Board Member Alain Gatuslao is reportedly being considered to run for the 5th congressional district in 2019, which will be vacated by incumbent Rep. Alejandro Mirasol who is on his final term. According to the board member, he is “still in the consultation phase.” Also said to be …

By Paulo Loreto Lim In response to Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Paul Emler Clemente slapping Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. with criminal and administrative charges, last month, the governor has since responded with a counter-affidavit, claiming the case filed against him “has no leg to stand in law.” According to the decision by the …

By Paulo Loreto Lim Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, who represents the 6th District, said an increased military presence is currently active in her home district, in response to last week’s terror activity in Bohol. “Because of the recent incident in Bohol, the Philippine Army has increased troop presence in the CHICKS Area,” she stated. …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Last week, Isabela Mayor Enrique Montilla III died after suffering a heart attack. He was 57 years old. In a press conference yesterday, Montilla’s wife, Irene, said they were not expecting the death, noting her husband has been suffering from a condition, to which he has undergone dialysis since July …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga A pregnant mother and her son were declared dead after they drowned along the shoreline of Barangay 35, Bacolod City, Saturday morning. Authorities identified the fatalities as 21-year-old Roselyn dela Cruz and John Carl dela Cruz, 2. Witnesses said the two, along with Dela Cruz’s husband, went in the area …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) reported the city’s observance of the Holy Week was generally peaceful. According to BCPO spokesperson, Police Superintendent Noel Polines, they only recorded minimal incidents. He explained there were no significant incidents, but did record petty crimes such as pickpocketing, wherein all suspects were arrested. …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Residents of Barangay Inayawan, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, were alarmed after mistaking a motorboat with reportedly 10 occupants for Abu Sayyaf terrorist, last week. According to eyewitness accounts, the boat was spotted around 9:00 p.m. on Friday, with the group supposedly disappearing into the mountains. Locals reported the sighting to authorities …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga A resident of Barangay Cudang-dang, EB Magalona, was killed after he was gunned down by unidentified suspects on the evening of Holy Thursday, last week. Police identified the fatality as 47-year-old Alex Alingco, a resident of the said barangay. EB Magalona Police Chief, Police Senior Inspector Bonifacio Aral, Jr., said …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head, Atty. Anna Rosario Paner, said, while she cannot “quantify” the impact of sugar industry’s Coca-Cola boycott, she expressed confidence that it was successful. “I don’t have personal information or firsthand information about the extent of the impact, but there is some impact,” she asserted. “It …