Press Release

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has unanimously approved a resolution urging the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), through Mayor Greg Gasataya, to increase the monthly allowance of the city’s Senior Citizen and PWD association presidents from ₱500 to ₱1,000.Authored by Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito, Chairperson of the SP Committee on PWD Affairs, and Councilor Celia Flor, Chairperson of the SP Committee on Senior Citizens, the measure highlights the critical role played by barangay-based association leaders in ensuring that government programs and services reach senior citizens and persons with disabilities efficiently, a press release said Thursday, ...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said electricity sales should be exempt from the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT), saying this targeted relief in the power sector under his proposed bill would have immediate impact and ease household and industrial burdens without undermining fiscal stability.Escudero acknowledged the recent remarks of Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, who cautioned against proposals to revert the expanded VAT to 10 percent owing to the government’s P1.6 trillion debt, and emphasized that his measure differs fundamentally as it does not reduce VAT across the board but instead zeroes in on electricity, a sector where relief is most urgently needed.“While broad tax cuts may strain government revenues, lifting the tax on electricity is a fiscally responsible choice...

The Riverside Medical Center, Inc. (RMCI) has officially been granted Accreditation Platinum status by the Accreditation Agrement Canada under the Qmentum International Accreditation Program.With the strong support of RMCI Management, led by President & CEO Genesis Goldi Golingan, Riverside successfully underwent a rigorous and comprehensive accreditation process. This milestone was made possible after an in-depth in-house self-assessment spearheaded by the Total Quality Division, through the highly capable Mr. Rodel Llave.Following this, both local and international peer surveyors conducted an on-site evaluation, thoroughly assessing Riverside’s leadership, governance, clinical programs, and services against Accreditation Canada’s internationally recognized standards for q...

 Globe is speeding up efforts to restore broadband services in Bacolod after Typhoon Tino damaged fiber lines and electrical posts across the city. Staying true to its Alagang Globe commitment, the company is prioritizing customers’ needs as teams work round the clock to bring connectivity back to homes. While the main network systems are operational, much of the impact remains in the lines that connect directly to homes, which took the heaviest hit during the storm. Globe teams continue to work across affected barangays with the support of LGUs and power partners to safely access and repair damaged routes. “We’re moving quickly to bring services back,” said Adonis Evangelista, Head of VisMin Broadband Field Operations at Globe. “Bacolod’s recovery is...

Mayor Greg Gasataya issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against the construction of a concrete riprap structure along Sulom Creek in Barangay Villamonte on Friday, November 28,   as part of the city’s intensified campaign to clear waterways and protect the environment.The order followed an inspection of the perimeter fence on November 21, by city officials led by Gasataya, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.“When we inspected the area, we noticed that the land was very loose and may be prone to landslides, especially since there are residents living below the site. We do not want any casualties, which is why urgent action is necessary,” City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu said, citing multiple violations related to the ongoing construction.Earli...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero commended on Tuesday President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for pursuing evidence-based investigations into the flood control budget irregularities that have led to the filing of corruption and malversation cases, stressing the importance of accountability and cautioning against diversions that only protect the guilty and harm the innocent.During the Senate plenary deliberations on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget, Escudero said the administration, as stated by Secretary Vince Dizon, has indeed chosen to follow the evidence wherever it leads, even when politically sensitive.“Binabati ko po ang administrasyon dahil hindi sila sumunod at nagpadala sa anumang script o sarswela para ilihis ang mga tunay na salarin tulad ng sinabi ko ...

Former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo  claims against Senator Chiz are not new. These allegations have been denied and and refuted before. This according to Atty. Ramon S. Esguerra. Counsel for Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.There is no direct evidence presented in the testimony of Bernardo linking Senator Chiz to any criminal act. Bernardo revealed that Escudero, who was earlier linked to P142.7 billion in budget insertions in the 2025 spending program, pocketed 20 percent in “commitment” fee for allegedly facilitating the funding for P1.4 billion worth of DPWH contracts.Esguerra added that Speculations and insinuations are not evidence. These are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements that ...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing for the institutionalization of budget transparency and accountability safeguards for all infrastructure projects introduced in the national budget as a way of preventing irregularities and the abuse and misuse of government funds.To ensure that only government infrastructure projects that are technically and financially viable are included in the national budget, Escudero has filed Senate Bill Number 1461 or the proposed Infrastructure Appropriations Integrity Act.Under the measure, all infrastructure projects will have to incorporate mechanisms such as station numbers, geotagging, geodetic coordinates, and other technology-based methodologies that will allow anyone to locate these at any time.“Ang geotagging ay isa sa pinakamahal...

The management of Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges (ABML) has clarified that Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero does not own any property within the development, contrary to claims circulating online and in private circles.In a text message, ABML said that while the residential village does not publicly release its list of homeowners for privacy and security reasons, it was able to verify that no home is listed under the name of Sen. Escudero or any company associated with him.“ABML, like any other residential village in the country, does not divulge a list of its residents or homeowners. However, we are able to confirm that there is no home listed as owned by Sen. Chiz Escudero or any company associated with him,” according to management.ABML added that Escudero and his famil...

Let the people who know best about what they need decide on what projects should be implemented in their respective areas.In the forthcoming 2026 General Appropriations Act and beyond, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said this should be the guiding principle in proposing infrastructure projects, and their inclusion in the national budget, and in the release of funds for their implementation.“Sa dami ng mga lumitaw na problema sa mga government infrastructure projects kabilang na ang mga substandard at ‘ghost’ flood control projects, kailangan talaga na gumawa ng makabuluhan na solusyon para hindi na nasasayang ang pera ng bayan sa katiwalian,” Escudero said.The veteran legislator explained that most, if not all of the abuses committed with regard to the funding of infrastru...