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Teves says he's a victim of a scripted plot*The House of Representatives by a unanimous vote suspended embattled Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Neg. Or., 3rd District) for 60-days for his continued absence despite an expired travel authority, on Wednesday, March 22.All 292 representatives present voted to adopt the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges’ findings that the continued defiance by Teves of the orders to return to the country and perform his duties “constitute disorderly behavior affecting the dignity, integrity and reputation of the House of Representatives, which warrant disciplinary action,” the committee report read.“My only advice to Cong. Teves is as time goes by, your situation will become harder. If you come home earlier, then there will be more options for you,”...

A motorcycle driver and his 12-year-old minor passenger died in an accident at Sitio Nabutahan, Brgy. Quezon, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21.The mortorcycle driver was identified as Ariel Guarin of Brgy Codcod, San Carlos City, while the minor’s name was withheld.A 15-year-old male passenger of Guarin was also injured.The black Rusi 110 motorcycle driven by Guarin with the two minor pillion riders accidentally hit a white Isuzu Panel Van driven by Ian Ceralvo, 35, of Cauayan, Negros Occidental, the police said.*

The Negros Occidental provincial government pledged more bridges for Sagay to help farmers and communities in the upland barangays during the groundbreaking and inauguration of the P139 million bridge projects in two barangays of the city on Wednesday, March 22.Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson together with officials and representatives from the city and provincial governments led the groundbreaking of the P62.8 million Himogaan Bridge III in Brgy. Puey, and inauguration of the P76.2M Himogaan Bridge in Brgy Bato.Lacson, in his speech during the inauguration program in Bato, said that many lives have been lost in the area before the bridge was built and more than saving lives, the infrastructure will also help in ensuring food security in the area and the city.“Let’s ...

Roberto Gracia and the hammer he allegedly used to beat up his live-in partner.*San Carlos police photosA 45-year-old resident of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, was hammered on the head by her live-in partner when she refused to grant his plea for a second chance at 11:25 a.m. Wednesday, March 22.The woman was beat up when she went to the house of the suspect at Sitio Talave, Brgy Punao, San Carlos City, to get her belongings as she had decided to leave him, PLt. Ruby Aurita, San Carlos City police spokesperson, said.Roberto Gracia, a 78-year-old widower, was arrested for Violation of Section 5(a) of RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.Aurita said while the victim was packing her things the suspect was asking the victim for a secon...

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has unanimously approved the resetting of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to August 28 to September 2.Being a COMELEC that listens and hears the clamor of the country’s senators and representatives as well as that of other interest groups and stakeholders, the commission opted to move the election period and the period for filing COCs closer to the October 30 elections, it announced on Wednesday, March 22.The election period and the imposition of the gun ban has been reset to August 28 to November 14. It was previously set from July 3 to November 14.Campaigning is prohibited from August 28 to October 18.The campaign period will be from October 19 to 28.There ...

The seized marijuana plants*A flower vendor was arrested after he was caught planting marijuana at Prk Catugasan 1, Brgy. Minoyan in Murcia, Negros Occidental, 10:25 a.m. Wednesday, March 22.Nabbed was Khieno Landero Rubaton, 34, for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the police said.Recovered were seven fully grown and seven newly grown marijuana plants, and a sack containing suspected dried marijuana leaves, the police said.Estimated weight of the suspected dried marijuana leaves was about 125 grams valued at P15,000.Rubaton was detained at the Murcia police station.*

The founder of Federico’s Island Organic Wine, Federico Barredo, was named Victorias City’s first-ever Sidlak Awardee during the Sidlak and Malihaw Awards Night, at the City Public Plaza, on Monday, March 20.Federico’s Island Organic Wine has been called the wonder wine from the Philippines’ sugar capital, Victorias City. It is made from “bignay” or “bugnay”, a Philippine fruit that tastes like cranberry, a press release from the Victorias City government said Wednesday.The city also recognized this year’s Malihaw awardees, Dr. Ma. Lorline Ortillo for the field of Education, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Nisol for Environment and Agriculture, and Punong Barangay Anna Mae Claro for Public Service, Community Development, and Human and Social Services.It was the first time that...

The photo posted by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez of the employees watching television during office hours*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has called the attention of about five to six employees of the City Treasurer’s Office whom he caught watching an entertainment program on TV during office hours.He reminded the city employees of their pledge to serve the people honestly and efficiently, which should be their topmost priority while at work, on Wedenesday, March 22.City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III said a notice to explain has been sent to the employees involved. They are being asked to explain in 48 hours to accord them due process after which the City Legal Office will act on the matter, he said.A memorandum has also been issued for the removal of ...

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) presides over the Regional Peace and Order Council 6 first quarter meeting in Iloilo City on Tuesday, March 21.* NegOcc PIO photoNegros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson, the newly-appointed chairperson of the Western Visayas Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), has enjoined the local councils to continue supporting the peace advocacies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).Lacson, who thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for choosing him to lead the council, made the call as he convened the RPOC-6 for its first quarter meeting at the District 21 Hotel in Iloilo City on Tuesday, M...

A sceenshot of the CCTV footage of the assault on the Degamo compound on March 4.*Nearly all members of the assault team responsible for the attack on the compound of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4 have been accounted for, with four more suspects surrendering as of Tuesday, March 21.Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters the four gave themselves up to military officials in Negros Oriental."They’re on the way here (Manila) and we hope they’ll be here by tonight and turned over to us in the morning," he said.Prior to the latest surrender, five were already in custody while another one was killed during pursuit operations the morning after the attack in Pamplona town, where Degamo and eight others were killed.All six, in...