Magsaysay sees greater chances for a senate comeback
Monday, April 15, 2013 - 10:43 a.m.TEAM PNOY Senatorial bet Ramon Magsaysay Jr. sees a greater chance for his comeback to Senate.
Magsaysay, who was in Bacolod City last Saturday as guest in the Panaad Festival, said that his performance and true service to the people will bring him to the Senate again.
El Shaddai endorses senatoriable JV Ejercito
Monday, April 15, 2013 - 10:42 a.m.UNITED Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate, Joseph Victor (JV) Ejercito Estrada, got the nod of El Shaddai leader Mariano ‘Bro. Mike’ Velarde as one of the aspirants that the biggest Catholic group in the country will vote for in the coming May 13 elections.
Velarde’s endorsement, with his followers of more than five million, is seen as a big boost to Estrada’s candidacy and will increase his chances of inclusion in the Magic 5.
Dela Paz is new Negros Occidental police chief
Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 12:28 a.m.SENIOR Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz, appointed as the new director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo), pledged Friday to be neutral as the political situation in the province heats up.
"I promise that the police force in Negros Occidental will be neutral and remain apolitical," said Dela Paz, who paid a courtesy call on Friday on Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.
Guv: Grenade attack on Escalantes is poll-related
Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 12:28 a.m.GOVERNOR Alfredo Marañon Jr. bared Friday that after the grenade attack on the house of Manapla Mayor Lourdes Escalante and her husband Manolet, the governor's executive assistant, the couple continued to receive threats.
Marañon said the attack is apparently election-related.
Zubiri bats for annual free immunization day
Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 12:27 a.m.TO REDUCE sickness and death among children from the most common but vaccine preventable diseases, UNA senatorial candidate Migz Zubiri urged the government on Friday to implement every year a mandatory and free immunization day nationwide for babies and children up to 10 years old.
"That very special day when all that mothers need to do is bring their kids to the barangay health stations will enable the health department to erase a backlog on immunization," Zubiri said in an interview with the Bacolod City media on Friday.
Capitol welcomes complaint to COA on sheep acquisition
Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 12:26 a.m.PROVINCIAL administrator Enrique Pinongan said Friday that any taxpayer or official has the right to press for an investigation regarding public-funded programs.
"Anybody can ask COA (Commission on Audit) for a probe," said Pinongan, in reaction to the letter signed by Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez and eight of the 14 members of the Provincial Board asking COA Commissioner Rowena Guanzon to look into the Provincial Government's alleged overpriced sheep importation from Australia.
Zubiri hopes to land No. 2 in Negros
Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 12:26 a.m.SENATORIAL candidate Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri held his two-day campaign sorties in Negros Occidental, visiting 20 towns and cities in Northern and Southern Negros last Thursday and Friday.
"I am happy that I came back to Negros. I came to dedicate these two days to Negros Occidental and Bacolod City. The people have warmly received me in the home of my father who hailed from Kabankalan City where we also lived and grew there. The people are happy that I am back home," he said.
Alvarez, board members ask COA to probe sheep purchase
Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:50 p.m.VICE GOVERNOR Genaro Alvarez and eight members of the Provincial Board asked newly-appointed Negrense Commissioner Rowena V. Guanzon of the Commission on Audit to investigate the overprice sheep undertaken by the Provincial Government.
In a letter dated April 2, they requested COA “to conduct an investigation on a transaction entered into by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Provincial Veterinary Officer Renante J. Decena of Negros Occidental with their Australian supplier International Livestock Export Pty. Ltd. involving the purchase of 5,840 heads of sheep at a very expensive price.”
Legarda: CPSU should receive higher subsidies
Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:50 p.m.REELECTIONIST Senator Loren Legarda promised on Thursday to push for higher government subsidies for State Colleges and Universities (SCUs) in Negros Occidental.
Legarda made the statement during the 63rd commencement exercises of the Central Philippine State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City.
Vice guv denies link to grenade attack
Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:49 p.m.NATIONALIST People's Coalition (NPC) gubernatorial bet Genaro Alvarez labeled as “black propaganda” the reports linking his group to the firing of two M203 grenades at the house of Manapla Mayor Lourdes Escalante last Wednesday night.
No one was hurt in the said incident.
Zubiri pushes biofuels to save sugar industry
Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:48 p.m.ILONGGO senatorial bet Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri reiterated the relevance of the use of biofuels which, he said, is the top saving grace for the sugar industry in Negros by 2015 when tariffs for sugar will reach the lowest level.
Zubiri, who is now in a campaign sortie in the province, said that Thailand has a huge excess of sugar supply because they produce 10 million metric tons (MT) of sugar annually and that they consume less that is why bulk of the imported sugar that comes to the Philippines is from Thailand.
Leonardia: Retired cops backing MKK are not Bacolodnons
Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:47 p.m.BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that the police retirees, who are linked with the Negros Occidental Constabulary Police Retirees Association, Inc. which has expressed its support for the candidates of Pamilya Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan (MKK), are not Bacolodnons.
He said they are from different towns and cities and that, in their communication, their address is Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.
Power coop consumers to enjoy P3.2M dividend
Friday, April 12, 2013 - 12:47 p.m.JOHN Peter Millan, chairman of Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco), revealed that their consumers will enjoy a refund of P3.2 million, because of net surplus in 2012.
Millan said that the refund will be reflected as discounts on the future electricity bills of Noceco consumers.
Susan Roces campaigns for Grace Poe
Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 11:06 a.m.ACTRESS Susan Roces, mother of senatorial bet Grace Poe-Llamanzares, visited Wednesday the Burgos Public Market and Central Market in Bacolod City.
“I am happy to see the people in the market. Thank you so much that you have made me feel so welcome. I miss all of you. I am here to ask for your support for my daughter Grace Poe. She will continue the plans of her father Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ) for the people, especially the less fortunate individuals. Her number in the official ballot is No. 28. Please vote for Grace Poe for the Senate," she appealed to the public.
Impasse continues at Provincial Board
Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 11:00 a.m.THE Provincial Board of Negros Occidental failed anew to hold its regular session on Wednesday, because of lack of quorum.
During the session, only six members of the SP were present. They are Board Members Miller Serondo, Helen Zafra, Emilio Yulo III, Pedro Zayco, Renato Gustilo and Mae Javellana.
Pace files raps vs SP for non-passage of budget
Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 10:59 a.m.THE Executive Board of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (Pace) approved Wednesday the filing of charges against the members of the Provincial Board, including Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, for the non-passage of the 2013 budget.
Pace president Ruben Diamanté said that after the approval and ratification of the Executive Board for the filing of charges, a signature campaign will be held to get the consensus of the Capitol employees about the legal move.
NPA attempts to rescue arrested leader
Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 10:58 a.m.NEGROS Occidental Police Office (Noppo) chief Celestino Guara said the New People's Army (NPA) rebels attempted to rescue their top leader including other rebel members who were nabbed in Barangay Dancalan, Ilog last week.
The rebels were arrested during a checkpoint in the said barangay in relation to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.
Lacson clarifies stand on Capitol loan issues
Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 10:57 a.m.VICE gubernatorial bet Eugenio Lacson reiterates his stand with his running mate Vice Governor Lim-ao Alvarez that they are against loan.
Lacson invoked that the resources of the Provincial Government is actually sufficient to deliver health services that includes construction of hospitals and building of classrooms that can directly benefit the people.
Metrowaste: We are improving on our work
Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 10:57 a.m.THE Metrowaste Solidwaste Management Corporation operations manager Manuel Baal said Wednesday that they are improving on their work performance in the collection of garbage in the city of Bacolod.
He said that they are still on the familiarization stage and need to adjust more. He appealed to the public for understanding because they are doing their best to normalize and attain efficiency in their work.
Ex-Pulupandan cop chief faces admin raps
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 01:39 a.m.SENIOR Inspector Edfiel Balibadlan, the relieved police chief of Pulupandan Police Office, will be facing administrative charges for Serious Irregularity in the Performance of Duty, a police official said Tuesday.
Senior Superintendent Celestino Guara, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo), said the charges are in line with the presence of Balibadlan and two other police officers when Mayor Magdaleno Peña arrived at the Provincial Capitol for his debate and boxing match challenge against Atty. Jose Maria Valencia.
‘Baywalk should be fair to all businesses’
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 01:35 a.m.BACOLOD City Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the City Council Committee Chair on Laws and Good Government, said that Baywalk Restaurant and Entertainment Center should be fair to all businesses in the city that comply with the requirement of a business permit before they operate at the Bacolod Reclamation Area.
He said the city is assisting Baywalk on their needs for permits but as they still process their permits, they need to voluntarily close down.
Paduano: RPA transformation underway
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 01:34 a.m.STEPHEN Paduano alias “Carapali Lualhati,” former National Chair of the Revolutionary Proletarian Armg-Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPA- ABB), revealed the ongoing transformation conference held by his former comrades.
Paduano has already resigned from the RPA-ABB after he decided to join in the political system of the country. He is now the number one nominee of 136 Abang Lingkod Party-list group.
NPC-Grupo Progreso eyes landslide victory
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 01:33 a.m.THE Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) Grupo Progreso is eyeing a landslide victory in the coming May 13, 2013 polls.
Re-electionist Councilor Caesar Distrito made the declaration who considered himself as the lawyer of the poor.
War vets ask for P2,000 pension hike
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 01:33 a.m.AS THE country celebrated the “Araw Ng Kagitingan” or National Heroes Day on Tuesday, war veterans asked for a raise of P2,000 to P5,000 in their monthly pension.
A wreath-laying program was held Tuesday at the Monument of the Unknown Soldiers at the Bacolod City Public Plaza to honor the heroes of World War II. The event was attended by the veterans who were also given the honors during the celebration.
2013 Panaad sa Negros Festival opens
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:48 a.m.THE 20th Panaad sa Negros Festival formally opened Monday with around 10,000 Negrenses and visitors, including a 32-man contingent from Korea at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. formally opened the “festival of all festivals” in Negros.
Alvarez denies politicking during Panaad
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:47 a.m.VICE Governor Genaro Alvarez denied that his camp is employing politics even in the celebration of the Panaad sa Negros Festival that opened on Monday at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Alvarez said that he sent on his behalf his daughter, Sixth District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, who gave the opening message during the opening ceremonies.
Peña welcomes new police force
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:47 a.m.PULUPANDAN Mayor Magdaleno Peña on Monday said that he welcomes the assignment of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Provincial Safety Company personnel in Pulupandan in lieu of the previous police personnel assigned in the town.
“It is usually a standard operating procedure during election period,” said Peña in a statement Monday.
Escalante sees budget approval after May polls
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:46 a.m.PROVINCIAL BOARD Member Salvador Escalante sees the passage of the 2013 provincial budget after the May 13 elections.
“We may see the budget approval after the May elections. How I wish I am wrong this time. That is my fearless forecast,” said Escalante, a re-electionist under the United Negros Alliance headed by the tandem of Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and Dr. Melvin Ibañez, concurrent SP Member representing the Fifth District.
Capitol loans ‘tool for development’
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:45 a.m.BOARD Member Melvin Ibañez of the Fifth District on Monday defended the need for the Provincial Government to avail of loans for its flagship programs that will redound to the benefit of most number of Negrenses.
Ibañez, runningmate of re-electionist Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. under the United Negros Alliance, justified the ongoing construction, expansion and modernization of district hospitals and building of more classrooms using approved loans because they are the right investment.
Puentevella pushes for scholarships
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 11:44 a.m.PAMILYA MKK’s Monico Puentevella-Vladimir Gonzalez tandem vowed to provide more scholarship grants to deserving students as the party outlined its priority agenda for education when it held its nightly sorties in Barangays Pahanocoy and Punta Taytay late last week.
Speaking before jam-packed crowds in separate events, the standard bearer of the Pamilya Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan (MKK) stressed the value of education, especially among young Bacolenos.
