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The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has unanimously approved an amended ordinance aimed at strengthening regulations on special cockfighting, also known as "pabulang," for charitable purposes.Authored by Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito and co-authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos, the new measure introduces two key changes to City Ordinance No. 244.The goal is to ensure a more consistent and meaningful financial benefits for the community from these events, Distrito said.The first amendment fixes the minimum financial assistance given to accredited charitable institutions at ₱5,000 per derby day, regardless of the number or type of entries.Distrito said this guarantees a more substantial and reliable contribution to beneficiaries like daycare centers, non-governmental organ...

The police arrested a suspected high-value drug target and seized over P748,000 worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Saturday night, August 9.The City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Dumaguete City Police Station arrested the suspect at around 11 p.m. in Purok Katubhan.Recovered from the suspect were a small heat-sealed sachet containing 4.29 grams of suspected shabu valued at P29,172, and nine more sachets weighing 105.71 grams worth P718,828, police said.Also seized were a black Nike belt bag, an Android phone, and a P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money.The suspect is detained at the Dumaguete City Police Station and will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*

The police arrested a man ranked among the most wanted at the municipal, provincial, and regional levels of the Negros Island Region (NIR) for multiple sexual offenses in an operation at Brgy. Poblacion, Basay, Negros Oriental, on Saturday, Aug. 9.The accused, considered a high-priority target, was tracked down and apprehended through a joint “OPLAN Tracker” operation of Basay Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Unit – Negros Island Region, and the 5th Mobile Company of NIR.The suspect was tagged as the most wanted person in the municipal and provincial level, and 6th most wanted person in the region.The suspect faced multiple warrants of arrest for two counts of qualified rape, acts of lasciviousness and sexual assault.The warrants, iss...

Fuel prices are set to decrease on Tuesday, August 12.Diesel prices are expected to drop by P1.30 to P1.50 per liter, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said.Gasoline prices will also see a reduction, with a projected decrease of P0.50 to P0.70 per liter.*

With what is happening in the senate and the supreme court today, one cannot help but feel frustrated with the present government and cynical about the future of our nation. The upper house, once an august and independent body of statesmen/women, is now infested with members coming from deeply entrenched dynasties, entertainers and populists who know nothing about law-making, and lawyers who are suspect and beholden to partisan agenda. The highest court meant to be the people’s last resort for justice is lost in non-committal legalese and fails to defend the people’s right to hold their elected leaders accountable.Once again, the question continues to haunt us: is there hope? Corruption is so endemic, it has become “normal.” The political machinery that fabricates fake news seems too p...

The CPSU campus in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.* photo courtesy of CPSU president Aladino MoracaThe Negros Occidental provincial government has formally terminated its negotiations for the purchase of the 2-hectare property where the Central Philippine State University (CPSU) Moises Padilla campus is located, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz confirmed Friday, August 8.Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in a July 28 letter informed Francisco Nazareno Jr., owner of the property, of the provincial government’s decision to terminate the purchase of the 20,000-square-meter property in Barangay 7 Poblacion. Moises Padilla, which had been appraised at P25 million.On the recommendation of the Provincial Legal Office and following a comprehensive review of the circumstances surro...

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. says Colmelec needs to focus on the BARMM polls.*photo courtesy of Presidential Photojournalists AssociationPresident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday, August 8, said he will sign the measure postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) .The president said this will allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to focus on the first-ever regular parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Philippine News Agency reported.Meanwhile, the Comelec registered 11,119 new voter applicants for the BSKE in the Negros Island Region (NIR) on Friday.That brought the total number of new registered voters in the NIR on Day 8 to 80,471, with more than half from Negros Occidental, NIR Regional Electio...

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines - Negros Occidental chapter officers take their oaths before Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.*Carla Cañet photoPulupandan Mayor Miguel Peña was re-elected president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines - Negros Occidental chapter at Luk Foo Palace in Bacolod City on Friday, August 8.The newly elected officers took their oaths before Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.The other elected officers are:• Vice President: Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco• Secretary General: Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara• Treasurer: Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso• Auditor: Hinoba-an Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias• Public Information Officer: Murcia Mayor Gerry RojasThe members of the Board of Directors are:• Mayor Nehemiah dela Cruz...

Seven people, including three minors and a 9-month-old baby, were injured in a collision between a motorcycle and a tricycle along the national road in Sitio Kalasag, Brgy. Mansablay, Isabela, Negros Occidental, Thursday evening, Aug. 7.Police identified the motorcycle driver as Alenmar Lindayao, 20, who was traveling from Isabela proper to Brgy. Mansablay with his 18-year-old wife, Rudilyn Lecasio, and their infant daughter.The tricycle, coming from the opposite lane, was driven by 34-year-old Gene Mark Dela Torre, who was with 36-year-old teacher Rona Fuentes and her two minor children.Police Lt. Idelfonso Leonardo, Isabela deputy police chief , said the tricycle veered into the opposite lane and collided with Lindayao’s motorcycle.All victims were rushed to the Ignacio L...

The Mambukal food court*Tourists and visitors can now enjoy a variety of food and authentic Negrense delicacies with the opening of food concessionaires at the food court area of the provincial government–run Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia, Negros Occidental, Provincial Administrator Rayfando Diaz said Friday, August 8.The four concessionaires are Ikeas Seafood Restaurant, Mahens by Ramos Grille, Amigos Mambukal, and EL Grill of Enting's of Sagay City.Provincial Administrator Rayfrnado Diaz (left) led the opening of the food court*Diaz said the wide array of food are being sold at affordable prices.Diaz led the blessing of the food court area, along with the staff and personnel of the Provincial Government’s Economic Enterprise Development Department o...