City observes due process on Baywalk

Friday, April 26, 2013 - 02:18 a.m.

THE City Government of Bacolod has observed due process on Almana Property Development Corporation that owns and operates the Baywalk Restaurant and Entertainment Plaza which was closed last Monday due to the deficiency in its business permit.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the conclusion was made after a series of meetings, discussions and investigation made by the City Government through the Office of the City Legal and the SP Committee on Laws and Ordinances chaired by Councilor Caesar Distrito.

P3M set for Pagla-um plebiscite

Friday, April 26, 2013 - 02:17 a.m.

AS THE Commission on Election (Comelec) has committed to set the conduct of the plebiscite of the creation of Barangay Pagla-um, the City Council unanimously approved during their regular special session on Tuesday an ordinance appropriating the amount of P3 million for the conduct of plebiscite.

The passage of such ordinance was requested by Mayor Evelio Leonardia to appropriate the said amount intended for the realization of the conduct of plebiscite.

Mass, caravan to mark 1 year after Arles’ slay

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 01:49 a.m.

A MASS and caravan is set in Kabankalan City and Ilog town today, Wednesday, for the first death anniversary of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles who was assassinated in Barangay Manalad, Ilog.

"We are hoping that the conscience of those who killed our father would be touched and we could achieve justice for our father," Lawyer Rea Arles, the judge’s daughter, said in a press conference with her older brother Philip on Tuesday.

‘Baywalk given enough time to comply’

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 01:44 a.m.

BACOLOD City Council member Caesar Distrito said Tuesday that the Almana Property Development Corporation, owner and operator of Baywalk Restaurant and Entertainment Center, was given enough time to comply with their legal requirements relative to its application of a new business permit.

In this file photo, Baywalk clients undergo inspection after paying their entrance fees. Now that the establishment was ordered closed by the city, Baywalk has to declare its revenues so that the city can determine the taxes which Baywalk should pay while it operated without a Mayor’s Permit. (Gilbur L. Guarte)

Lay leaders campaign for 12 Senate bets, 3 party-lists

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 01:40 a.m.

LAY leaders belonging to the Lay Initiatives for Elections 2013 (LIFE 2013) is openly supporting and campaigning for 12 senatorial candidates and three party list groups for the May 13 polls.

LIFE, a Cebu-based organization of church lay leaders headed by Dr. Rene Joseph Bullecer, stated that they are campaigning for Team Buhay candidates and groups who are against abortion, death penalty, divorce, and same sex marriages.

Transfer of award to present stall-owners allowed

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 01:40 a.m.

THE City Council of Bacolod has approved an ordinance amending Section 2 of City Ordinance No. 541, Series of 2011 which now allows the transfer of awards to the present market block/stall/table occupants during their regular session recently.

The proposed ordinance is authored by Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito, chairperson of the Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse of the City Council.

Rep. Jules Ledesma to sue petitioner

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 01:15 a.m.

THE camp of First District Rep. Julio Ledesma IV is filing counter charges against a lawyer who has filed a petition before the San Carlos City Regional Trial Court for his guardianship and seeking to declare him as “ incompetent.”

Lawyer Danny Pondevilla, counsel of Ledesma, said on Monday that the petition filed against the congressman is “black propaganda” hatched by his political opponents.

Benitez bares priorities under 'Tourism Loop'

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 01:14 a.m.

THIRD District Rep. Albee Benitez said Monday he will prioritize the construction and concreting of arterial roads under the 'Tourism Loop' that will connect major tourist destinations in the Third District.

Major tourist destinations in the Third District are Mambukal Resort in Murcia, Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City, Patag in Silay City, and Gawahon Resort in Victorias City.

BM Lacson doubts guv's statement on Cyber Center

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 01:14 a.m.

THIRD District Board Member Patrick Lacson on Monday expressed doubts on the statement of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. regarding the potential investors for the Negros First Cyber Center.

Lacson pointed out his observation that, despite the completion of some floor spaces of the cyber center, they are not filled or occupied until now.

P90M of Chiz's PDAF went to W. Visayas

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 01:13 a.m.

RE-ELECTIONIST Team PNoy senatorial bet Francis 'Chiz' Escudero on Monday said that a total of P90 Million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) went to various projects in Western Visayas.

Escudero said the allocation for Western Visayas included P13 Million assistance for indigent patients in Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) and P500,000 for all towns and cities in the province for the repair and renovation of public markets.

‘Abang Lingkod is legitimate party list’

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 01:13 a.m.

STEPHEN Paduano aka Carapali Lualhati clarified Monday that Abang Lingkod is a legitimate party-list group for the May 13 elections.

Paduano, number one nominee of Abang Lingkod, said that based on the latest in-house survey conducted by their group in the province, they are already assured of a seat in Congress because of the overwhelming support province-wide for the party.

Marañon hits Alvarez on Mambukal issue

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 01:12 a.m.

GOVERNOR Alfredo Marañon on Monday laughed off the plan of his political opponent, Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr., to have Mambukal Resort developed by investors into a Boracay-like project.

"What will he do? Haul white sand to the mountain?" Marañon said Monday.

City padlocks Baywalk

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 01:12 a.m.

THE Office of the City Mayor of Bacolod through Secretary Moises dela Cruz has ordered the closure of Almana Property Development Corporation, the owner and operator of Baywalk Restaurant and Entertainment Center.

Lawyer Omar Francis P. Demonteverde, chair of the Investigating Committee which conducted the fact-finding team, with the approval of Atty. Joselito Bayatan, recommended to Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia the revocation of the mayor's permit issued to the said establishment with Mayor's Permit No. 201340649 dated Feb. 5, 2013.

Order to regulate smoking up for final nod

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 01:12 a.m.

THE proposed ordinance that will regulate smoking in public places in Bacolod City is up for third and final reading in the conduct of the regular session of City Council.

Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito, the chairperson of the Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, who is the proponent of the said ordinance, said this measure aims to minimize cases of smoking-related deaths and diseases in the city by promoting proper health and sanitation, to protect the non-smoking citizens of the city from acquiring illnesses due to secondhand smoking.

Contending parties rally in Escalante

Monday, April 22, 2013 - 12:34 a.m.

THOUSANDS of Escalante City residents and supporters of a mayoralty candidate joined a rally on Saturday to condemn the alleged extra-judicial killings in the city that allegedly claimed the lives of 28 victims.

Rallyists spearheaded by the families of the victims and the groups Save Negros Movement and Sanlakas demanded justice for the victims.

Farmers urged to pursue claim on P14B Philsucom-Nasutra funds

Monday, April 22, 2013 - 12:33 a.m.

LAWYER Roger Reyes urged sugar planters in Negros Occidental who are now receiving demand letters from the Philippine National Bank (PNB) for their crop loans all amounting to billions of pesos to file an intervention on the Roberto S. Benedicto (RSB) Estate Proceedings pending before the Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in Manila since year 2000.

"This is one way to avoid foreclosure of hundreds of sugar lands in the province that are now being pursued by the PNB now under the control of business tycoon Lucio Tan," Reyes said in a press conference last Saturday at the Sugarland Hotel.

Ortiz can run as Don Salvador Benedicto mayor

Monday, April 22, 2013 - 12:33 a.m.

THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) has granted the appeal of lawyer Jose Max Ortiz for his inclusion in the list of voters of Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), reversing the order rendered by the Municipal Trial Court.

RTC Branch 46 Acting Presiding Judge Estefanio S. Libutan Jr., in his order dated April 18, 2013, granted the appeal of Ortiz against the Election Registration Board of the Municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental composed of Mary Ann I. Davila, Jeremy G. Celeste and Cleopatra C. Areglado.

Guardianship sought for Jules Ledesma

Monday, April 22, 2013 - 12:32 a.m.

A LAWYER filed a petition for guardianship of incumbent Representative Jules Ledesma IV of Negros Occidental’s first district before the Regional Trial Court in San Carlos City for his alleged physical and mental incapacity.

In his petition, lawyer Epifanio E. Liberal Jr. stated that the petition is filed pursuant to Rules 92, Section 1 and 2 and 93, Section 2 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.

4 more escapees recaptured

Monday, April 22, 2013 - 12:32 a.m.

FOUR more jail escapees were re-arrested last Saturday in Barangay Rafaella Barrera, Sagay City by police operatives led by Police Chief Inspector Edel Jose Manzano.

Police Chief Inspector Rico Santotome Jr., spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, identified those recaptured prisoners as Joemar Libester, Jolito Subteniente, Jonar Quirante and Jimmy Vistar.

Caña laughs off Grupo Progreso survey result

Monday, April 22, 2013 - 12:32 a.m.

LAWYER Lyndon Caña, independent congressional candidate, has found amusing if not insulting to the intelligence of Bacolodnons the recent survey claim made by propagandist of Grupo Progreso showing a sweep victory of all their candidates.

The publication of such survey violates Republic Act 9006, known as the "Fair Elections Practices Act," which requires, among others, a mention of who commissioned or paid the survey, the period of the survey, the methodology used in the area where the survey was conducted, as well as the kind of questions asked.

Puentevella, Leonardia, Novero lead radio-sponsored survey

Monday, April 22, 2013 - 12:31 a.m.

PAMILYA MKK standard bearer Monico Puentevella for mayor, Mayor Evelio Leonardia for congressman, and Renecito Novero for vice mayor lead in a recent survey conducted by Random Access Consultants Inc. (RACI) as commissioned by Bombo Radyo Philippines-Bacolod.

According to the survey, Puentevella is the next preferred mayor of Bacolod as he got 60.1 percent of voters in a mid-April 2013 survey that covered 40 barangays with 1,200 respondents.

2 escapees nabbed; reward offered for arrest of others

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 12:18 p.m.

TWO of 13 escapees from the Sagay Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) were arrested around 4:40 p.m. Friday at the Ceres Terminal in Cadiz City as they were about to board a bus bound for Bacolod City.

Arrested were murder suspects Jake Española and Rolando Bajo, who was reported to be the leader of the group of inmates that bolted from the Sagay BJMP last Wednesday.

SM opens new department store

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 12:18 p.m.

BACOLOD is truly a home to big time investors like Shoemart, as the new three-level SM Department Store officially opened shops Friday with business tycoon Henry Sy’s wife Felicidad Tan Sy, grandson Hans Sy, Jr. and dignitaries in Bacolod and Negros communities.

The opening was star-studded and graced by very important personalities in the province and city, namely Madam Gretchen Cojuangco, wife of former Ambassador and Nationalist People's Coalition Chairman Emeritus Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, Lucy Ponce of Po's Marketing, Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr., Bacolod City First Lady Madam Elsa Leonardia, representing Bacolod Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, Madam Cecile Sayson, wife of Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, popular singer and artist Jose Mari Chan, famous stars and models, among others.

Guv: Negros is now rice-sufficient

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 12:17 p.m.

“NEGROS Occidental is now self-sufficient in rice.”

Gov. Alfredo Maranon, Jr., made the statement adding that “for the first time, the province is no longer engaged in domestic importation of rice for the people’s consumption.”

Rep. Alvarez eyes Hall of Justice in Sipalay City

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 12:16 p.m.

REPRESENTATIVE Mercedes Alvarez of the Sixth District of Negros Occidental eyes the construction of the Hall of Justice for Sipalay City after the President signed into law for the creation of additional court in the city.

Alvarez said she has already discussed the plans with Sipalay City Mayor Oscar Montilla.

‘New mall reflects Bacolod's economic growth’

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 12:16 p.m.

BACOLOD City First Lady Elsa Leonardia said Friday that the opening of the new SM department store is a reflection of the growth of Bacolod's economy.

"It is a beautiful partnership between the government and private sector because it creates job opportunities. Any business will not expand if the consumers will not patronize it and if the LGU will not support it. The fact that SM opened a bigger store is a reflection of how the economy of Bacolod has grown. No investor would come in if they do not see a return of their investment," she said.

Seniors to get free passes at SM Cinema

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 12:15 p.m.

SENIOR citizens will soon enjoy free movie as Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia has requested the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod for authority to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with SM Cinema Bacolod granting free movie privilege to all qualified senior citizens of Bacolod City.

The proposed MOA will be entered into and between by Manny Kho, representing SM Cinema Bacolod, and Leonardia, representing the City of Bacolod.

Street in Reclamation to be named after a bishop

Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 12:14 p.m.

A PORTION of the Reclamation Area will be named as the Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich Avenue on April 24, 2013.

Lawyer John Orola, Jr., city administrator, made the announcement adding the corner stone will be laid down in the area followed by the proclamation.

LP-Negros braces for election day

Friday, April 19, 2013 - 01:47 a.m.

THE Liberal Party (LP) in Negros Occidental chaired by Rep. Albee Benitez (third district) met with the party’s Bacolod and La Carlota City candidates on Thursday.

Benitez said their meeting was more on the arrangement with the watchers and the gathering of election returns.

‘Health center in San Carlos wasn’t closed’

Friday, April 19, 2013 - 01:46 a.m.

FIRST District Board Member Renato Gustilo clarified there is no truth to the allegation that a health center in Barangay Quezon, San Carlos City was closed and that such closure has affected thousands of the residents there.

“It actually continues to serve thousands of people in Barangay Quezon and neighboring barangays," Gustilo said.