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Vice President Sara Duterte Facebook page photoAs the  impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte officially gets underway today, July 6,  Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Negros and Kabataan Partylist have launched a unified call for public vigilance, demanding absolute accountability over allegations of massive corruption and abuse of power. Duterte and her defense team have  denied all accusations, labeling the impeachment raps as "void" and a politically motivated.“Impeachment proceedings must be guided by the Constitution and due process. The respondent has the right to be represented by counsel, and the decision to personally testify is a matter of legal strategy and constitutional rights,” Duterte said in a Facebook post on Monday.“The burden remai...

The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Sagay City government signed an agreement for a P10-million climate-resilient salt production project in Brgy. Molocaboc.The memorandum of agreement was signed on July 1 by NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, BFAR National Director Elizar Salilig, and Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, a press release from Sagay City said Monday, July 6.The two-year project, titled “Advancing Climate-Resilient Salt Production through Desalination By-Product and Process Mechanization,” aims to modernize salt production through research, technology, and mechanized processes.It seeks to improve production efficiency, enhance salt quality, and provide sustainable livelihood op...

A 51-year-old sugarcane worker was killed after he was allegedly hacked several times by a drinking companion in Murcia, Negros Occidental, on Sunday night, July 5.Police identified the victim as alias “Pido,” a resident of Purok La Roca, Brgy. Sta. Rosa, while the suspect was identified as alias “Jojo,” 41, a truck driver and resident of the same area.The incident happened at around 10:45 p.m. inside the victim’s house.Police investigation showed that the victim and the suspect were having a drinking session when a heated argument broke out.Police said the suspect allegedly drew a bolo and repeatedly hacked the victim in different parts of his body.Pido was brought to the Murcia Rural Health Unit, where he was pronounced dead by the attending physician.The suspect ...

The seized shabu on Sunday.*PNP photoThe police arrested a high-value individual and seized more than P14.1 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City on Sunday night, July 5.The suspect was identified as alias “Fraze,” 25, a resident of Brgy. 1 and listed under the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council watchlist.The operation was conducted at around 9:50 p.m. in Purok Kamunsil, Brgy. 3, by personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office’s City Drug Enforcement Unit, with support from the City Intelligence Unit and Police Station 2.Police said the suspect was arrested after allegedly selling suspected shabu to an undercover operative.Authorities recovered four sachets and 21 knot-tied plastic bags containing about 2,075 grams of suspected shabu....

The University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City is suspending in-person classes from Monday to Wednesday, July 6 to 8, citing unspecified security concerns.In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, the university administration announced that classes during this three-day period will shift to synchronous online sessions via Zoom."The University of St. La Salle places the highest priority on the safety and security of the Lasallian community. USLS takes all concerns seriously and is committed to the welfare of the community," the statement read.The university explained that a "security matter" had been brought to its attention. "While the matter is being verified and the necessary assessment is ongoing, classes from July 6 to 8 will shift to synchronous online via Zoom," USLS ...

The area where the fuel tanker hit the food carts*PNP photoA 36-year-old female food cart vendor was killed and two teenage vendors were injured Sunday afternoon after a fuel tanker truck plowed into them along the national highway in Barangay Palaka, Valladolid in Negros Occidental, Sunday afternoon, July 5.The incident occurred at around 4:15  p.m.  when the 57-year-old driver of a HOWO T7 fuel tanker claimed he fell asleep at the wheel while heading north toward Bago City, PMSgt. Eduardo Combong, Valladolid traffic investigator on duty, said.The tanker is owned by PRO Logistics Solutions Phil. Inc. of Alabang City, Muntinlupa.The driver lost control of the massive vehicle and veered onto the roadside, running over the three victims who were working at their food carts. ...

Councilor Al Victor Espino* The City Light photoThe Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Good Government will conduct a consultation on the technical aspects of a recommendation to authorize the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that  would allow Victorias City to deliver its residual waste to the Bacolod sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, Councilor Al Victor Espino said Sunday, July 5.The Solid Waste Management Board of Bacolod City has already approved Victorias' request to dispose of its residual waste at the sanitary landfill, and the proposal has been submitted to the City Council.Lara Ann Garcia, officer-in-charge of the Victorias City Environment and Natural Resources Office, said the residual waste they are seeking permissio...

Arby Villaruz being awarded his prize by Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante (right).*Cadiz PIO photoA 23-year-old tapasero (sugarcane cutter) with no formal training defied the odds to claim the grand prize at the Negros Island Region (NIR)-wide painting competition held in Cadiz City on July 1. Arby Villaruz, a resident of Barangay Jerusalem in Cadiz City, took home the P100,000 top prize after the panel of judges unanimously selected his masterpiece.The art tilt was a major highlight of Cadiz’s 59th Charter Anniversary celebration, which ran from June 27 to July 5.For Villaruz, the victory is a life-changing milestone.As the eldest of four siblings, his daily life has been defined by poverty and intense sacrifice. Unable to afford a college education, he to...