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By Tara Yap Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Flor Villar opened the 22nd senior officials committee meeting for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), yesterday, at the Iloilo Convention Center. She addressed the group by highlighting its priorities. “I would like to underscore two priorities which concern the ASCC pillars, a people-oriented and …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Three people are confirmed dead after their motorcycle collided with a tanker truck carrying molasses at Purok Trese y Media, Barangay Taloc, Bago City, early Monday morning. Police identified the fatalities as Lonie Benguelo, Eljohn Iña, and Gerald Iña, all of whom are residents of Purok Putat, Barangay Balingasag, in …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Diocese of Bacolod welcomed a proposal from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, requiring the presence of a priest or a representative from any religious order in order for police to conduct drug operations with the newly-revised “Oplan: Tokhang.” In a message sent by …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga In response to reports Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno called Executive Order 183, which created the Negros Island Region (NIR), “unconstitutional,” both Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the region has a “legal basis” for its existence. In a …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga According to Bacolod City Administrator, Atty. John Orola, organizers for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) canceled the meeting scheduled between March 14 and 16 in Bacolod City, but the second meeting, planned from March 21 to 25, is still confirmed. Based on previous reporting, the first session was …

By Paulo Loreto Lim Following the decision by San Carlos City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Danilo Amisola to dismiss three counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder against Negros Occidental Rep. Melecio Yap, the attorney for the families of the alleged extrajudicial killings victims, Atty. Renecio Espiritu, Jr., called into question the …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The son of former Pontevedra Vice Mayor Larry Parroco was arrested by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR) in Barangay Buenavista Gibong, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, Saturday afternoon. PDEA agents identified the suspect as Aliguerre Parroco, who currently works for the Pontevedra mayor’s office. PDEA-NIR Director, Atty. …

By Paulo Loreto Lim The Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) lobby played host for a testimonial dinner, last Friday, for the 74 Bacolod City College (BCC) alumni who passed the elementary level licensure examination for teachers (LET). Among the group was Ma. Fatima Ofracio, who ranked ninth nationwide, and received a plaque of recognition and …

By Tara Yap Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas, the 31-year-old doctor who was gunned down last week in Lanao Del Norte, was posthumously awarded the Bayani ng Kalusugan honor by the Department of Health (DOH) over the weekend. His body was transported to his hometown, Kalibo, Aklan, over the weekend. “Dr. Perlas’ passion, commitment, and dedication to …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga An alleged member of the infamous “Akyat Bahay” gang was arrested by members of Police Station 2 (PS2) at an establishment at 6th-Lacson Street, Bacolod City, Friday afternoon. Police identified the suspect as Ruben Santillan, a resident of Barangay Santa Rosa, Murcia, Negros Occidental. PS2 commander, Police Chief Inspector Benedicto …