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Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said that accountability is essential not only to uphold the integrity of professional basketball but also to protect the reputation of Bacolod City and its cultural identity.*BCCO photoBacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya is seeking accountability and full transparency following an alleged game-fixing incident involving  the Bacolod MassKara and the Bulacan Kuyas team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) game on July 28.Gasataya said pursuing those responsible for the alleged scheme is necessary to protect the integrity of the MPBL and Bacolod City’s local sports program, as well as the city’s cultural identity, a press  release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said Monday, August 17.The mayor welcomed the league’s immedi...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing for a nationwide ban on gambling advertisements across all media platforms to curb addiction and protect vulnerable Filipinos.In his “Chiz Wiz! Usapang May Laman” podcast aired on Sunday, Escudero discussed his proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 2347, which seeks to set firm, legally enforceable limits on how gambling platforms promote themselves.“Iyan ‘yung logic ng ating proposed legislation, huwag padaliin … Paano ba pahirapan ‘to para hindi basta-basta makapaglaro,” he stressed, noting that online gaming has become pervasive and easily accessible to adults and minors alike.According to Escudero, there is a need to institutionalize the ban on gambling‑related advertising through legislation, to include the Ad Standards Council’s ...

Association of Negros Producers external affairs manager Sybel Nobleza receiving ANP's plaque*The 79th Infantry "Masaligan" Battalion (79IB) of the Philippine Army honored the Association of Negros Producers Inc. (ANP) as a key partner-stakeholder during its 20th Founding Anniversary at the unit's headquarters in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City, on Saturday, Aug. 15.Theme for the milestone event was "Pinagbuklod ng Tungkulin, Hinubog ng Kagitingan, Dalawampung Taong Paglilingkod sa Bayan (Bound by Duty, Shaped by Courage, Twenty Years of Service to the Nation)," marking two decades of military service, valor, and regional security collaboration.As part of the ceremony, the 79IB recognized the ANP for its sustained commitment to peacebuilding, community development, and economic empowerm...

The 105 houses built with funds from NVC donors.*La Carlota PIO photoThe blessing and official turnover of 105 houses built by the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation for residents of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, whose homes were washed away by Typhoon Tino, was held on Saturday, August 15.Fr. Gerardo “Tata” Caro, Jr. blessed the houses located at the Ferlou Relocation Site in Barangay Cubay owned by  the La Carlota City government .NVC turned over the houses, now occupied by the beneficiaries, to the La Carlota City government.La Carlota Mayor Jose Luis “Joelu” Jalandoni thanked NVC Foundation, its donors, and everyone who made the housing project possible.“It’s a model of public-private partnership,” he said.La Carlota Mayor Jose Luis “Joel...

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Negros Island Region (PDEA RO-NIR), in coordination with local police, arrested a suspected drug personality in a buy-bust operation that yielded approximately 620 grams of shabu in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, at around 2:44 a.m. Saturday.The operation was carried out by the PDEA RO-NIR Regional Special Enforcement Team, together with the PDEA Seaport Interdiction Unit–Negros Occidental Provincial Office and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit–NIR.The suspect, identified only as alias “Jimmy,” 41, a driver and resident of Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, was apprehended after selling illegal drugs to an undercover agent.Confiscated from the suspect were six knot-tied transparent plastic bags and four hea...

A 43-year-old man was shot dead allegedly by a 60-year-old neighbor while cleaning along a roadside in Murcia, Negros Occidental, on Saturday morning, Aug. 15.The Murcia police  identified the victim only as  “Joelito” and the suspect as “Manuel” of Purok Gemilina, Brgy. Amayco.Police investigation showed that the victim was cleaning the side of the road when the suspect allegedly confronted him.The suspect then allegedly drew an unidentified firearm from his waist and shot the victim, hitting him on the left side of his  waist.The victim fell onto the cemented road while the suspect fled the area after the shooting.The victim was rushed to the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center in Bacolod City but was declared dead  by the attending physician.Poli...

Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi”  Benitez (4th from left) lead the groundbreaking rites.*Third District Congressional Office photoRep. Javier Miguel “Javi”  Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) led the groundbreaking of evacuation centers in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, and Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City, as well as a legislative building in Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City, on Friday, August 14.The one storey Mambulac evacuation center will rise on a 1,447.89-square-meter site,  on a local government-owned lot, and will have a maximum capacity of 106 persons.Punong Barangay Hazel Cordero said that  Mambulac serves as a catch basin for water flowing down from highland areas during heavy rain, increasing the flooding risk in the area and nearby communities such as G...

Seven men were arrested while about P21 million worth of allegedly smuggled cigarettes were intercepted during a seaborne operation off Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, Aug. 15.The Philippine National Police said personnel of the Maritime Group’s 4th Special Operations Unit, with support from other police and Philippine Coast Guard units, intercepted a motorized banca during a patrol in the waters off Sipalay.The vessel, identified as “AMOR PATI,” was reportedly carrying 525 master cases or 26,250 reams of cigarettes with an estimated total value of P21 million.Police said 220 master cases of one cigarette brand were valued at P8.8 million, while another 305 master cases were valued at P12.2 million.The seven arrested men are all from Zamboanga City, including ...