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The Supreme Court has cleared a lawyer previously sanctioned in a dispute over the ownership of Vallacar Transit Inc., one of the country's largest bus companies.In a resolution dated Jan. 27, 2025, the Supreme Court's First Division dismissed the case against lawyer Jun Maxell C. Orlina, reversing an earlier ruling that found him liable for professional misconduct, a press release from Dindo Danao, media consultant of Vallacar Transit Inc., said on Tuesday, April 1.The court previously found Orlina in violation of ethical standards related to alleged unlawful, dishonest or deceitful conduct, and for failing to uphold the law. However, upon re-examination of the evidence, the court determined the allegations against Orlina lacked substantial proof."There is no substantial evide...

The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) issued an advisory on Tuesday, April 1, on increasing cases of typhoid as reported by its epidemiology and surveillance unit.Data showed that from Jan. 1 to March 22, some 27 cases of this infectious disease also known as enteric fever, were reported, higher by 145.5 percent compared to only 11 cases during the same period last year.“Go to the nearest barangay health station or center, or consult with your personal physician if experiencing signs and symptoms of typhoid fever,” Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environment Sanitation Division, said.Symptoms include sustained high fever, headache, malaise or weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation, and abdominal discomfort.Antibiotic treatment is given by a physician upon consul...

A Bagonhon was shot dead allegedly by two brothers while he was walking to his house in Purok Yellowbell, Brgy. Binubuhan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday evening, March 30.Alias “Rene”, 37, of Purok Yellowbell was allegedly shot by alias “Ikit” and “Dennis” at a sugarcane farm, the police said.The victim was found dead with gunshot wounds on his left arm that penetrated to the left side of his body.Rene had attended a birthday party and was headed home when suddenly a concerned citizen heard a gunshot.The victim managed to shout that he was hit and another two gunshots were heard.A police pursuit operation led to the arrest of the suspects at about 11:45 a.m. Monday.A misunderstanding was the probable motive for the crime, the police said, without elaborati...

The police seized P1.22 million worth of illegal drugs in Bacolod City last week, March 24 to 30.Nine persons were arrested and 194.7 grams of suspected shabu with estimated street price of P1,221,960 were seized, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) reported on Tuesday, April 1.The Bacolod cops also arrested three most wanted and five other wanted persons last week, the BCPO added.*

A joint police-military team examines vehicles at a checkpoint in Negros Oriental.*NOPPO photoSecurity forces in Negros Oriental have significantly bolstered election-related checkpoints as the local campaign period intensifies ahead of the May 12 midterm polls, police officials said Tuesday, April 1.The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) has expanded its daily checkpoint operations from an initial nine to a comprehensive network covering all major thoroughfares.Lt. Stephen Polinar, NOPPO spokesperson, attributed this escalation to both the creation of the new Negros Island Region Police Regional Office and the heightened mobility of candidates crisscrossing municipal boundaries.The 24-hour checkpoint system operates in three shifts, combining joint Comelec-PN...

Mayor Raymund Tongson and the 17 Himaya Queen candidates*The 17 candidates vying for the Himaya Queen 2025 crown were introduced at a sashing ceremony held at the jampacked Brgy. 1 Poblacion Gymnasium in Himamaylan City, Monday night, March 31.“Himaya Queen is not just a platform for ladies to showcase their beauty, wit, and talent, it is also a stepping stone for Himamaylanon beauty queens to join bigger national pageants,” Mayor Raymund Tongson said.The candidates, supported by their barangay councils, received their sashes from Tongson, a press release from Himamaylan City said Tuesday.The Himaya Queen 2025 candidates are Maria Teresa Banatasa (Brgy. Mambagaton), Jane Chloe Poblacion (Brgy. Talaban), Alyssa Delgado (Brgy. Saraet), Ellachristina KN Liboon (Brgy. 2), Rache...

Edsil Jess Adalid and his wife, Alexis, from Bais City are among the Filipinos reported missing following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar on Friday.* photo courtesy of Adalid familyThe local government of Bais City in Negros Oriental is assisting the families of two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are still missing in Myanmar following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake on March 28.Mayor Luigi Marcel Goñi said Monday, March 31, that his office has written the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Central Visayas to endorse a request for family members to travel to Myanmar.“The families were here this morning and we are doing our best to arrange with the national government through the OCD the possible travel to Myanmar. We also have to follow their protocols considering that ...

Notices will be sent to several barangay captains in Negros Occidental to remove illegally posted campaign materials at barangay halls and government buildings, Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said on Monday, March 31.Ananoria said he was waiting for reports from the election officers in the towns and cities of Negros Occidental on the total number of barangay officials they will be sending notices.He has instructed the town and city election officers to send notices to barangay officials who have allowed campaign materials to be illegally posted on government property because that is abuse of state resources.Failure to remove illegally posted campaign materials would result in the filing of charges against the barangay captains and the candidates whose campai...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (right) led the Task Group Panaad Festival 2025 Deactivation Ceremony at the Panaad Park and Stadium Monday morning.* Richard Malihan photoThere were zero major crimes at the 29th Panaad Sa Negros Festival held from March 24 to 30, which was a resounding success, the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOCPPO) reported Monday, March 31.“The festival's success, in large part, can be attributed to the comprehensive security measures implemented throughout the week,” it said.A dedicated force of 1,063 security and emergency personnel was deployed, utilizing a range of resources including 17 patrol units, 20 motorcycles, four fire trucks, and ten ambulances, the NOCPPO said.The festival grounds were strategically divided into n...