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San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza called for an end to “the systematic erasure of the historical truth” on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.Former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., whom Alminaza called a dictator, signed Proclamation No. 1081 on Sept. 21, 1972, placing the Philippines under Martial Law.“The truth remains – that the Martial Law regime plundered our nation’s wealth and committed massive human rights violations,” Alminaza said in a pastoral message issued Tuesday, September 20.Describing the Martial Law period as a “Golden Age” is a historical distortion, Alminaza said, as he reiterated his call to end “the massive disinformation that escalated in the last presidential elections”.Alminaza said he continues to call “for an end...

The House of Representatives voted on third and final reading Tuesday, September 20, to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to Dec. 4, 2023, Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said.The BSKE is set to be held on Dec. 5, 2022, and a similar vote to postpone it from the Senate is needed in order for it to pass into a law.Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier expressed confidence that the Senate would approve a similar bill.House Bill 4673, which proposes to postpone the BSKE to Dec. 4. 2023, passed with 265 affirmative votes, six negative votes, and three abstentions, Benitez said.It sets the BSKE on the first Monday of December 2023 and every three years thereafter.In the meantime incumbent barangay and SK officials will ret...

The wanted man who survived an attempt on his life.*Kabankalan PNP photoA man wanted for murder escaped an attempt on his life in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, early Monday morning, September 19.The victim was identified as Jimmy Fermo, 37, of Barangay Tampalon.He was sleeping at his friend’s house when he was attacked by four unidentified suspects, who mauled and blindfolded him, police said.When he tried to escape, he was shot in the leg and feet, Lt. Dennis Melgarejo, Kabankalan City Police Station deputy chief, said.He was then taken to a multicab and was left at the diversion road in Barangay Talubangi, where he was found by responding policemen.Following a background check, the police found out that the suspect was wanted for murder. He is also one of th...

Rey Blanco*A radio commentator was stabbed to death at Brgy. Himocdongon in Mabinay town, Negros Oriental, Sunday night, September 18.He was identified as Rey Blanco, a resident of Bais City and an anchorman of Power 102.1 DYRY RFM, a radio station in Mabinay.The victim went to the house of Wilbert Amada, who is the brother of the suspect identified as Charles Amada, when he was stabbed in the neck, an initial police investigation report said.Police said the victim was attacked from behind by the suspect without any reason.The victim was rushed to Mabinay Community Hospital but he did not make it.The suspect surrendered to the authorities and is now detained at the custodial facility of the Mabinay police.Police are looking at grudges as the motive for the killi...

The opening of the 22nd Negros Occidental Tourism Week and fair at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City on Monday.*Ronnie Baldonado photoNegros Occidental is aiming to become a top tourism destination in Western Visayas again, Provincial Administrator Rayrando Diaz said on Monday, September 19.Diaz, in an interview at the opening of the 22nd Negros Occidental Tourism Week at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central, said before the COVID-19 pandemic Negros Occidental came in next to Boracay as a top tourist destination in the region.The province hopes to regain that position, he said.The theme of this year’s tourism week in Negros Occidental is “Rethinking Tourism”.Diaz said they are rethinking tourism to ensure sustainable development and that economic benefits trick...

The man was gunned down at Purok Nangka, Barangay 3 in Bacolod City Sunday night, September 18.*BCPO photoAn alleged robbery suspect was shot to death at Purok Nangka, Barangay 3 in Bacolod City on Sunday night, September 18.Killed was 29-year-old Raymund Apelledo.Capt. Paul Vincent Pendon, Police Station 2 chief, said that the victim had been incarcerated for illegal gambling before and was also linked to several robbery cases in Bacolod.Pendon said that based on the information they received, Apelledo was supposed to meet with his group, also said to be robbers, the night he was killed.Someone called Apelledo on the phone that prompted him to leave their house, the victim's wife said.Apelledo was then shot several times on the road.Police said it is possible t...

"Acute gastroenteritis is a preventable disease that requires us to be precautious about the water we use ,” the DOH said.*The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, September 19, raised an alert against the rising cases of acute gastroenteritis in Western Visayas and called on the public to take precautionary measures.Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz also reminded Negros Occidental residents on Monday to prevent the spread of cholera by ensuring that their water and food are not contaminated.The Negros Occidental Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan for 2023 to 2030 is aimed at eradicating water-borne diseases in the province, Diaz said.Bacolod City’s alert threshold for cholera is up after one case was confirmed on Friday, September 16, Dr. Grace Tan, City Heal...

The Department of Health on Monday, September 19, reported a downward trend in newly reported dengue cases in Western Visayas with below 500 for four consecutive weeks.There were 252 dengue cases for morbidity week 36 (September 4-10) in Western Visayas bringing the total cases to 12,236, the DOH said.That is 606 percent higher than the 1,790 cases during the same period in 2021.Negros Occidental still has the highest number of newly recorded cases at 103 for a total of 4,389, followed by Iloilo Province with 44 for a total of 2,364 and Capiz with 33 for a total of 633, the DOH said.The three newly-reported dengue-related fatalities were in Aklan, Iloilo Province and Bacolod City, bringing the Western Visayas death count to 72 as of September 10. Only Guimaras has zero deng...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has issued an executive order reconvening the Bacolod Anti-Smoking Task Force (BASTF).Executive Order No. 34 , Series of 2022, signed by the mayor on September 13 and released Tuesday, September 19, activates the BASTF with its new members to continue the enforcement of the city’s Anti-Smoking Ordinance.It will also continue the implementation, reinforcement, and monitoring against the threat of non-compliant cigarette products to consumers due to substandard quality, a press release from the Bacolod City Government Center said.The EO also continues to protect and ensure the interest of tobacco farmers, growers, workers and other stakeholders of the industry.BASTF will be led by Benitez as the chairperson, together with the Vice Chairperso...

The 36th Negros Trade Fair will kick off with a Governor’s Night at Glorietta 2 of the Ayala Center in Makati City at 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 20.The theme of this year’s trade fair is “Hidlaw”, with the trade fair returning to Makati after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Christina Gaston, Association of Negros Producers chairperson, said Monday, September 19.Among the guests expected at the Governor’s Night are ambassadors and government officials, she said.Gaston said 56 exhibitors, including 13 local government units, are joining the trade fair that will run until September 25.The last NTF at Glorietta was in September 2019. It had to be held online in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Michael Claparols is the 36th Negros Trade Fair chairperso...