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Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.*The legal counsel of Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Neg. Or., 3rd District) requested the House of Representatives to lift the 60-day suspension against him over his continued absence despite an expired travel authority.In a letter dated March 24 to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio urged the panel to take into consideration the matters that "may have been overlooked" in its proceedings against Teves, who has been suspended for his continued defiance to the orders of the lower chamber to return to the country and perform his duties as House member.The letter was released to the media on Monday, March 27.Topacio noted that threats to Teves' life, which were cited as reasons for the lawmaker's inab...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at a press conference Monday, March 27.*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday, March 27, that the proponents of a joint venture agreement (JVA) with Central Negros Electric Cooperative are scheduled to make a presentation, which could be opened to the public.The proponents are More Electric Power Corp. and Manila Electric Co.Some consumer groups and members of the CENECO unions are against the JVA.Benitez said his position is still the same, if they can bring down power cost, stop brownouts and use green energy he will support the JVA.The proponents are set to make a presentation to the city officials next week or after Holy Week, that could be opened to the public, he said.“We should look at the track record of...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Monday, March 27, that he also prefers that a Negrense be appointed to head the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) following the resignation of Acting Administrator David Alba, which takes effect April 15.The industry stakeholders have a better sense of who is qualified, he said.Since Negros produces 60 percent of the country’s sugar it make sense that a Negrense should be at the helm of the SRA, he added.Benitez, however, said he is not making a recommendation and is leaving it to the appointing authority to make the decision.Manuel Lamata, United Sugar Producers Federation president, said they are giving the president a free hand on the choice of the next SRA head but are appealing that the person be from Negros....

Cristine Mansinares*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday, March 27, that he is appointing the former Department of Tourism (DOT) Western Visayas regional director as tourism consultant for Bacolod City.He said Cristine Mansinares came highly recommended by former tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat.Mansinares, who was also former Negros Occidental tourism officer, was replaced by Chrisanta Marlene Rodriguez as DOT Western Visayas regional director in December.Meanwhile, the one year ban on appointing persons who ran for elective post in 2022 has ended.Benitez said he has not spoken to the Asenso Bacolod bets who lost in the last election, he assumes they have moved on.“We will consider whoever is qualified”, he said.Benitez said he has als...

Televisions were removed from city government offices last week.* Nico Delfin photoThe televisions removed from the various Bacolod City government offices may be used for CCTV monitoring or donated to public schools, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday, March 27.The mayor ordered the removal of the televisions last week after five city employees were caught watching a TV show at the Cash Division of the City Treasurer’s Office during office hours.“These things should never happen, I would like to send a message for all of our city employees that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior,” he said.He ordered the removal of the televisions so there will be no temptation, Benitez said, stressing that city employees should be working during office hours....

Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez (left) and his father, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said his son Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez is not running for governor of Negros Occidental, and he does not know of any group plotting to challenge Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson in the 2025 polls.Benitez, at a press conference on Monday, March 27, also debunked rumors that he may not run for reelection as Bacolod mayor and will instead run for senator in 2025.The Bacolod mayor said his son has been seen visiting the towns and cities of Negros Occidental because he is just doing his job as president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives, which is probably why speculation has surfaced that he is planning to run for ...

The Social Security System (SSS) Bacolod Branch served show cause orders to five out of six employers on Monday, March 27, for failure to remit SSS contributions of their employees.The delinquencies of the six businesses total P5,127,807.85 affecting some 204 employees.The SSS officials enforcing the RACE (Run After Contribution Evaders) were only able to serve five notices because one establishment was closed.Lawyer Maria Conchita Antipatia of the SSS Legal Department said the employers who fail to comply by April 11 will face criminal cases for violation of the Republic Act No. 11199, otherwise known as Social Security Act of 2018, which carries the penalty of imprisonment for six years and one day to 12 years.But that is a last resort as employers are given the opportuni...

Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo III and Dina Arroyo Tantoco.*Will it be a Dino vs. Dina fight for the fifth congressional seat of Negros Occidental during the midterm polls in May 2025?There has been talk that Dina Arroyo Tantoco, daughter of the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. may run for the fifth congressional seat previously held by her father.Incumbent 5th District Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo III defeated Tantoco’s aunt, former Rep. Marilou Arroyo, in the 2022 polls.Tantoco has reportedly been visible in the 5th District lately fueling speculation that she may run for representative in 2025.“There is no need for a passport to go around the 5th District,” Yulo said when asked for his reaction.Yulo said he does not know what Tantoco’s plans are and he cannot choose his opponent...

The sausage-like nets (right) absorb the oil before it reaches the shore, Ramon Uy said.*A Bacolod firm is helping contain the oil spill in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.RU Foundry & Machine Shop Corp. has lent its decorticating machines for coconut coir, Ramon Uy Sr., the firm’s owner, said on Monday, March 27.The decorticated coconut husks and other biodegradable materials put inside nets shaped like sausages are being dispersed in areas where there are oil spills, he said.The decorticating machine producing coconut coir in Calapan City*They help absorb the oil spill and block it from reaching the shore, Uy said.The RU Foundry & Machine Shop Corp.’s initiative is being implemented in coordination with the office of the Department of Environment and Natura...