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PNA file photoThe more than 1.9 million ballots for Negros Occidental are set to arrive on May 1 and will be distributed to the local government units (LGUs) the next day, Acting Provincial Election Supervisor Roberto Salazar said Monday, April 18.The 2,906 vote counting machines for the May 9 polls in Negros Occidental arrived on Thursday, April 14, and are being stored in a secured warehouse, he said.The VCMs will be transferred to LGUs and their final testing and sealing will be on May 7, Salazar said.Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections is conducting refresher training for teachers who will serve on election day to remind them of their tasks, he added.*

Bacolod mayoralty bet Alfredo “Albee” Benitez cited the high spirit of volunteerism that marks the community rallies of Team Asenso Bacolod as campaigning gets into high gear this April.He noted the many volunteers zeal and cry for change that propels the Asenso campaign’s momentum in the past several weeks, a press release from his camp said Monday, April 18.The highest number of volunteers are from the youth sector that provide well- prepared production numbers in the program to the delight of people who flock the caucuses in the different barangays.Talented supporters render dance and song numbers in expressing their support for Team Asenso.Benitez praised the enthusiasm of the volunteers, saying they have inspired and motivated people.Volunteers also help during hou...

Easter Sunday was a wrong day for presidential candidate Isko Moreno to self-destruct.That was the reaction of Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela, former Negros Occidental governor, to the call of Moreno for Vice President Leni Robredo to make the “ultimate sacrifice” and withdraw from the presidential race.Moreno issued the call during a joint press briefing with two other presidential candidates - Senator Panfilo Lacson and Norberto Gonzales in Makati City. They also announced that they are not withdrawing from the presidential race.Coscolluela, in a Facebook post, said he really thought the press conference would be a call for unity behind a "third force" offering real options.“There was unity indeed in one thought: that no one would withdraw, there would be no common candidate a...

There are now six local government units in Negros Occidental under Alert Level 1, while the rest of the province remains under Alert Level 2.Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, in Executive Order No. 22-17, Series of 2022 issued Friday, April 15, placed Victorias, Sagay and La Carlota cities, and EB Magalona, Pulupandan and San Enrique towns under Alert Level 1 until April 30.Lacson said the national Inter-Agency Task Force in Resolution 165-E Series of 2022 downgraded the status of Sagay and La Carlota cities, and EB Magalona, Pulupandan and San Enrique towns to Alert Level 1 and issued Resolution 166-A updating the list to include Victorias City.Travellers entering Negros Occidental should present verifiable vaccination cards that they have been fully vaccinated, Lac...

Hinobaan PNP photoA jealous partner allegedly beheaded a man in Brgy. Bacuyangan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, on Holy Thursday, April 14.Police identified the fatality as Rene Caño, 34, of the barangay.The suspect identified as Jerry Del Carmen, 26, allegedly got jealous and assumed that the victim had feelings for his live-in partner, police investigation said.This prompted the suspect to hack the victim, who was on his way home, several times until his head was cut off, police said.The suspect is now in police custody.*

A fire hit a Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative substation in San Enrique town at about 6:20 p.m. Friday, April 15.NOCECO said it will issue an official statement on the cause of the fire on Monday, April 18.A source said the fire started at a power line in Pontevedra that is connected to the San Enrique substation.However, the San Enrique Bureau of Fire Protection is still investigating the cause of the incident.The fire caused a blackout in San Enrique reportedly while a Good Friday procession was underway.The fire also caused power interruptions in Pulupandan, Valladolid, Pontevedra, and portions of La Carlota City,Hinigaran and Bacolod.*

Ronnie Baldonado photoNegros Occidental religious and government officials celebrated Easter Sunday, April 17, by reminding everyone that because Christ lives there in hope amid the numerous uncertainties that prevail today.“Christ is alive, and he lives in us. With such certainty, we know that all shall be well”, Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said in his Sunday homily.The bishop said the world faces a disturbing uncertainty not only of its future, but of its very existence amid climate change.The uncertainly of our country makes us shudder when we think that its future hangs on the kind of men and women we choose on election day, he also said.But because Christ is alive we have more than hope, we have certainty, Buzon said.Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson...