Carla P. Gomez

The Senate of the Philippines*PNA file photoRep. Julio Ledesma IV  (Neg. Occ., 1st District) said in the wake of the current Senate quorum controversy several provisions of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) are relevant.Ledesma, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 2, cited the  following:Commitment to Public Interest – Senators are expected to place the public interest above political or personal interests. If legislators deliberately absent themselves to block proceedings or gain political advantage, critics may argue that this conflicts with the spirit of RA 6713. On the other hand, senators may contend that their actions are part of legitimate parliamentary strategy.Professionalism and Responsibility – Public of...

A 79th Infantry Battalion soldier was killed in an encounter with remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Tamlang, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, at 2:10 p.m. on Monday, June 1.The 79th IB troops encountered  the “Communist terrorists responsible for the killing of civilians in Northern Negros”, Lt. Col. Eric Alfonso, 79th IB commander, said.Alfonso said "the 79th IB was monitoring the area in response to intelligence reports indicating that the communist terrorists were targeting more civilians".The 79th IB soldiers engaged about five remnants of the NPA Northern Negros Front in a firefight that lasted 10 minutes, 1st Lt. Fevie Fajardo, the 79th IB civil-military operations officer, said.On Monday night the Army was still conducting hot pursuit op...

More than 100,000 public school students In Bacolod City  will receive free school supplies and backpacks starting June 8, coinciding with the official opening of classes.Mayor Greg Gasataya  on Monday, June 1, announced that the initiative will cover students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 under the Department of Education (DepEd) Bacolod City Division.Gasataya said  the program aims to ease the financial burden on parents and allow students to focus entirely on their education."It is the responsibility of the city to ease the burden of parents to send their children to school, and also to enable students to focus on their studies without worrying about where to buy their school supplies," Gasataya said.The Bacolod City Communications Office  (BCCO) said...

The area where the body of the teenager was found at the Bacolod reclamation area* Romeo Subaldo photoRape and homicide charges have been filed against two persons tagged in the brutal killing of a 17-year-old Bacolod resident in October last year, Col. Eugene Rebadomia, Bacolod police director, confirmed on Saturday, May 30.Rebadomia, at a press conference called by Bacolod Mayor Greg Gastaya at the Bacolod City Government Center, said the charges were filed against the suspects in the killing of Freya Mae Go on Friday.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said the charges were formally filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor against alias “Jac” and alias “Bry,” both residents of Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City."After months of extensive investigation and e...

The Barangay Granada arena dance competition champions* Bacolod City Tourism Office photoBarangays 12 and Granada claimed the top spots at the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival 2026, dominating the Street and Arena Dance Competitions, respectively, at Megaworld’s The Upper East on Saturday, May 30.Thousands of spectators gathered to witness the cultural showcase, where participating groups delivered colorful, high-energy performances inspired by the diverse cultures of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).Street Dance Competition WinnersChampion: Barangay 121st Runner-Up: Barangay Granada2nd Runner-Up: Barangay EstefaniaArena Dance Competition WinnersChampion: Barangay Granada1st Runner-Up: Barangay 122nd Runner-Up: Barangay TangubTh...

Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya and Col. Eugene Rebadomia at a press conference Saturday*BCCO photoThe Bacolod City police seized 11.17 kilograms of shabu and 117.53 grams of marijuana, with a combined estimated street value of nearly ₱76 million from January to May 2026.Police data shows that authorities conducted 269 anti-illegal drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 319 individuals and the filing of 451 cases, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office (BCCO) said.Among those arrested were 235 alleged drug pushers, 82 alleged drug users, and two minors.A substantial portion of the seized illegal drugs came from what the BCPO described as the largest buy-bust operation ever recorded in Bacolod City, resulting in the confiscation of more than 6.8 kilogra...

Mayor Greg Gasataya officially opened the three-day Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival on Friday morning, kicking off a weekend celebration of the city's top culinary icon.The festival opened  at the temporary Manokan Country site located at SM City Bacolod, where the festival's opening day gave  guests an immediate taste of the various styles of local chicken inasal.“The grills are all fired up to celebrate the culinary pride that perfectly matches the warmth and vibrance of Bacolod's world-renowned smile,” Gasataya said, urging the public to join the festivities. “Come savor the flavors of the undisputed best grilled chicken in the world. Let us support the local culinary artists turning the skewers of our history, and feast on the very dish that brings every Baco...