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Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez takes his oath before Granada Barangay Captain Alfredo Talimodao in the presence of his son Victorias City mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, daughter Bettina Marie and wife Dominique Lopez Benitez (l-r)* Ronnie Baldonado photoMayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez vowed that there will be no sacred cows in his fight against corruption and outlined his priorities for change in his inaugural speech at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds Friday evening, July 1.Bacolod can become a super city - a global city with a diversified economy and skilled human resource, and a model for green development and good governance, because nothing is impossible if everyone works together, he also said.The biggest portion of the city government’s budget will be for h...

All of the representatives from Cebu and Iloilo registered no objections to the NIR, Rep. Francisco Benitez said.*Members of the Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives are supporting the bill seeking the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR), Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said Friday, July 1.All of the representatives from Cebu and Iloilo registered no objections   during the Visayan bloc meeting at the end of the 18th Congress, he said.They are willing to support the bill, Benitez said.The Visayan bloc is reconvening for the 19th Congress with some new members as others have graduated, he added.Benitez said he is gathering all the signatures for the filing of the bill on Monday or Tuesday.Twelve congressmen  from Negros ...

Crisanto Caballero after he fell from the roof of a house.* San Carlos BFP photoA man died from electrocution at Barangay 6 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Thursday, June 30.The fatality was identified as Crisanto Caballero, 45, who was repairing the roof of a house when he touched an open wire.He fell from the roof after being electrocuted and sustained a head injury, the police said.He was rushed to a hospital where he died.Meanwhile, barangay watchman Steve Decolongon, 51, sustained injuries following a fire on Burgos-Gatuslao street, Purok Kadena De Amor, Barangay 11 in Bacolod City, Friday, July 1.The victim, who was asleep when the fire happened, suffered minor burns on the chest, face, right hand, and left shoulder.The victim’s brother was preparin...

A suspected member of the New People’s Army died in an encounter with state troopers at  Sitio Tamusi, Brgy. Talalak in Negros Oriental on Friday, July 1.A composite team of the 11th Infantry (Lapu-Lapu) Battalion of the Philippine Army, 705th Maneuver Company and the Sta. Catalina Police Station encountered the rebel group that resulted to an eight-minute firefight.The clash resulted to the death of a rebel and recovery of one KG9 rifle with magazine and 20 rounds ammunition, a magazine of an  M-16 rifle with eight rounds ammunition, a magazine of .45 caliber pistol with three rounds ammunition, a bandolier, two handheld radios, a backpack, and subversive documents containing high intelligence value, the Army said.*

The scene of the crime in Barangay Poblacion, San Enrique.*A fish vendor was gunned down by two unidentified men at the corner of Pescadora-Candelaria streets in Barangay Poblacion, San Enrique, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, June 30.The fatality was identified as 57-year-old Alejandro Azcarrate of Brgy. Nayon, San Enrique.The victim was on his way home on board a motorcycle when he was shot in the head by the two assailants, the police said.Both suspects were said to be wearing black jackets and were on board a motorcycle, which had no plate number.Recovered from the scene were three. 45 caliber cartridge cases and the belongings of the victim.The police are still investigating the motive for the killing.*

Bacolod Election Officer Kathrina Trinio Caña*Bacolod Election Officer Kathrina  Trinio Caña is urging the public to register to vote in the December 5 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections early.They should avoid registering at the last minute to avoid long lines and crowding, Caña, who has returned as Bacolod election officer, said Friday, July 1.The registration period for the December polls will only be for a short time, from July 4 to 23, she pointed out.Those registering to vote should bring valid identification cards. SK voter applicants should also bring their birth certificates, she  said.The Comelec said voter applications must be personally filed at the Office of the Election Officer in the city or municipality where the applicant resides from...

The seized drugs*BCPO photoThree persons were arrested in a police drug buy-bust operation at Prk. Neptune, Brgy Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City Thursday night, June 30.Police identified the suspects as couple Rodhah Mae "Barang" Guevara, 38, and Eduardo "Junjun" Pabalinas Villanueva Jr., 43, and 22-year-old Tryshia Ruiz.The drug bust led to the confiscation of seven plastic sachets containing suspected shabu worth P238,000, the P1,000 buy-bust money, and two coin purses.The suspects, who are facing drug charges, are now detained at Police Station 8.*

Former President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law upgrading the bed capacity of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay, Negros Occidental, from 100 to 300 on Wednesday, June 29, the day before his term ended.Republic Act 11890 will take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.The law was based on House Bill 10463 authored by Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District).The bill, which was approved by the House Representatives on Dec. 1, 2021, stated that the augmentation of the TLJPH facilities and personnel is urgently needed to meet the high demand for health care in the Negros Occidental and prevent the unnecessary loss of life.*

Former Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia delivering his farewell message*The camp of former mayor Evelio Leonardia on Thursday, June 30, slammed the “Truth Commission” of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez for allegedly spreading “fake news”.“It is clearly a vehicle for political vendetta, a tool for propaganda to discredit only the good image of Mayor Leonardia, a zarzuela, a colorum if you may want to call it, a venue for witch-hunting coupled with malicious imputations, a channel for trial by publicity laced with defamatory labels,” Dr. Chris Sorongon, spokesperson of Leonardia, said in a press statement.He said Benitez may have been ill-advised by his loyalists.Benitez has red-flagged more than P1.5 billion in Bacolod City government transactions for investigation, his ...

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. waves to the crowd after taking his oath*Negros Occidental and Bacolod City’s leaders welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s message of hope and promise to promote unity and progress during his inaugural address Thursday, June 30.Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took his oath as the 17th president of the Philippines before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo in the presence of his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who has roots in Negros Occidental, and sons Sandro, Simon, and Vincent.Present at Marcos’ inauguration at the National Museum in Manila were Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez, his son Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, and brother Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District).Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez with Liza Araneta-Marcos aft...