Top Stories

PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay and Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Governor’s Office at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 15.* Richard Malihan photo“Just make sure we have orderly and peaceful elections in the Negros Island Region”.That was Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson’s call when PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, the newly-installed officer-in-charge of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), paid a courtesy visit at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday, May 15.“The election period is the biggest festival in the country, everybody is celebrating with all kinds of gimmicks and noise,” Lacson said.Let us enjoy it and avoid resorting to anything that is physically harmful, he said.Voters are turned off by negative campaigning and mudslinging...

A farmer was shot to death by unidentified suspects in Sitio Bairan, Brgy. General Luna, Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, April 15.Alias “Rick” was shot inside his house on Tuesday morning, the police said.He tried to run out of his house but was chased by the suspects who shot him multiple times.Meanwhile, a 72-year-old farmer died after he fell from a tree house in Toboso on Monday morning.Prior to the incident the victim had joined a drinking session with a neighbor, the police said.The victim had a wound in his face after he fell from the tree house about 20 feet above the ground.He was brought to the Rural Health Unit of Toboso but was declared dead.A 35-year-old woman was found dead inside her residence in Sitio Lupni, Brgy. Hilamonan, Kabankalan Cit...

The police arrested a "high value drug personality" and seized suspected shabu worth P816,000 in a buy-bust operation at San Juan Street, Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City, on Tuesday, April 15.Arrested was Joshua Gustilo, 24, of Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2 and temporarily residing in Purok Tomaro, Brgy. Pahanocoy, Bacolod.The City Drug Enforcement Unit recovered from him suspected shabu weighing 120 grams.The suspect is now detained and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*

Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez led the groundbreaking for three new projects in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday, April 15.The three projects are the new Victorias City motorpool and two child development centers, a press release from Victorias City said.The motorpool will rise at Hda. Ofelia in Barangay XIV.The facility is designed to provide ample space for the maintenance, repair, and storage of city vehicles — ultimately improving the efficiency of fleet operations and meeting the growing transport and logistical needs of Victorias, the press release said.Benitez, in his message, explained that he recognized the long-overdue need for a new motorpool to enable the city to procure additional service vehicles to address various operational requirements....

Ipil Bishop-elect Glenn Corsiga*Pope Francis has named Monsignor Glenn Corsiga as the new bishop of the Diocese of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province.The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website reported that Corsiga's appointment was announced by the Vatican at 12 noon (6 p.m. Manila time) on Monday.The diocese's top post has been vacant since August 2023 after the transfer of Archbishop Julius Tonel who is now heads the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.The diocese has been under the care of Monsignor Elizar Cielo as diocesan administrator.Corsiga was born in Dumaguete and studied philosophy at St. Joseph Seminary College in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. He later studied theology at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City.He was ordained a priest f...

Thirty-three graduating electrical engineering students from STI West Negros University recently visited the facilities of Negros Electric and Power Corp. as part of their industry immersion programThe visit on April 10 provided students with valuable real-world insights into the operations of a major power distribution company, a press release from Negros Power said.Engr. Leomel H. Tambanillo, Negros Power Assistant Vice President for Business and Operations, welcomed the students and emphasized the company's commitment to supporting future generations of engineers."We are honored to welcome future engineers to Negros Power…It's part of our advocacy to inspire and educate the next generation of professionals who will play vital roles in building a more efficient, reliable, and...

Kanlaon Volcano emitting ash between 11:52 a.m. to 2:12 p.m. on Monday, April 14.*Marvin Escander photoMt. Kanlaon emitted voluminous ash on Monday, April 14, but only thin layers fell on La Carlota City and Bago City.The ash emissions on Monday were not explosive eruptions like the one on April 8 that was accompanied by a booming sound, Mari-Andylene Quintia, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) resident volcanologist, said.The first ash emission at Kanlaon on Monday began at 11:52 a.m. and lasted until 2:12 p.m., followed by a second one from 2:53 p.m. to 3:24 p.m., and a third one from 5:17 p.m. until nightfall, she said.Thin ash fall hit eight barangays in La Carlota City and three in Bago City, officials said.The 11:52 a.m. to 2:12 p.m. Kan...

PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay (3rd from left) was accorded arrival honors at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr.* NOCPPO photoPBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, the newly-installed officer-in-charge of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), stressed the need for the police to adopt proactive crime prevention measures.Ibay, who was accorded arrival honors at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, on  Monday, April 14, in his arrival speech said the police should “maintain sharp focus on crime prevention, crime solution and community partnerships”.He also stressed the need to strictly adhere to Philippine National Police's operational procedures.“There will be accountability at all levels, there will be zero tolerance for wrong doin...

This Holy Week let us respect the no campaigning rule, COMELEC Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano said.*Ronnie Baldonado file photoThe Commission on Elections is reminding candidates and their supporters that campaigning on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, April 17 and 18 is prohibited.“This Holy Week let us give our time to the Lord,” COMELEC Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano of the Negros Island Region said on Monday, April 14.He said campaigning on Holy Thursday and Good Friday is also a violation of the Fair Elections Act and is considered an election offense.It can be the basis of a disqualification case, Castillano said.Campaigning is also not allowed on the day before the election and Election Day on May 11 and 12, he added.*

The ACM machines arrived at the BREDCO port in Bacolod City on Monday.*Revo Sorbito photoThe automated counting machines (ACMs) for the May 12 polls in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City arrived Monday, April 14, Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said.He said 2,016 ACMs arrived at the BREDCO port in Bacolod under heavy guard on Monday and more will arrive on Tuesday.The ACMs will be stored at a secure warehouse. Political parties may place watchers if they wish to in coordination with the Comelec, Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano of the Comelec Negros Island Region said.Negros Occidental will have 2,484 ACMs, Negros Oriental – 1,289 and Siquijor – 149.ACMs have also arrived for Negros Oriental, Castillano said.*