Local News

The family of slain Kabankalan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Henry Arles yesterday filed a motion for partial reconsideration on the ruling of the Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissing their murder complaint against three Negros Occidental officials.

Lawyer Ma. Estelita "Ria" Arles, daughter of the slain judge, said they have filed yesterday afternoon before the DOJ their petition to review the resolution in clearing three of the 10 respondents in the murder complaint they filed last year.

In a 16-page resolution dated November 19, 2012, but released only last May 6, or about five months there-after, the DOJ dismissed the complaint against Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., who ran for governor in the May 2013 election but lost, his son Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, who ran for vice mayor and won, and Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara for "insufficiency of evidence."

A couple in San Enrique town is facing drug charges following their arrest in a raid jointly conducted by operatives of the Negros Occidental Provincial and Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force and local police authorities, at about 2PM, yesterday.

PSSupt. Ricardo T. De la Paz, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) head reported that Roberto and April Sy, of Sitio Pangpang, Brgy. Poblacion were nabbed in a search and seizure operation through warrant number 13-02 issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 62 Judge Manuel Cardinal.

The warrant was effected against the couple for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Bacolod’s number one winning councilor and incumbent El Cid Familiaran, has indicated his willingness to forge a working alliance with councilors of the aggrupation, MKK and newly-elected chief executive, Monico Puentevella.

Familiaran also discussed developments which he says should be carried out in the city, for the good of its residents.

Changes, he said, taking into mind the interest of the whole populace, should include necessary developments in the city’s three public markets to include the Central, North or Burgos Market and the South Market or the Libertad St. public market.

Sikat Academy 4-in-1 Summer Workshop ended with a blast on May 19, 2013, Sunday during its Grand Finale at Robinsons Place Fountain Area. The Grand Finale which had a KPOP theme showcased the talents of Sikat Academy workshoppers on Acting, Dancing, Singing and Newscasting/hosting. Popular Kpop hits like Gentleman, Ring Dingdong, Sorry, Sorry and Fire were featured in the dance numbers of Sikat Academy Kids and teens choreographed by Rodney Ascalon. While popular hits like Payphone, Titanium, Live While We’re Young, Kiss you and Beauty and the Beat were sang by the kids and teens, as mentored by Kulay Pikata. The acting class of Jade Dionzon featured the well-loved Koreanovelas in a parody. Meanwhile, students who took interest in newscasting and hosting were given the chance to host the show.

Charie Ginete-Ilon with Sikat Academy facilitators

"The workshop as promised, successfully gave the children an opportunity to explore their talents, build their self confidence and interact with other kids", Charie Ginete-Ilon, General Manager of CGI Excel and head teacher of Sikat Academy said. Ilon added a lot of kids have overcome their shyness and discovered their hidden talents during the workshop. It was a happy and memorable experience for workshop participants. In fact, a lot of participants this year already look forward to the next season of Sikat Academy.

Defeated senatorial candidate Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, who was No. 14 in the senatorial race, thanked all those who supported and voted for him in the May 2013 elections.

"I would like to thank all the 11.7 million people who voted for me and gave me their trust and confidence," Zubiri posted on his Facebook account.

Zubiri, a former senator, and with roots in Kabankalan and Bacolod cities, got 402,210 votes in Negros Occidental, and 93,666 votes in Bacolod. He ranked 5th among top senatorial candidates in Negros Occidental, and 8th in Bacolod.

"I owe you all a debt of gratitude that a lifetime would never be able to repay," he added.

Shortly after the May 13 elections where Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer again bagged the congressional seat of the 4th District of Negros Occidental, he is already back to work.

In connection with the implementation of K-12 curriculum by the Department of Education, which was recently signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino, Cong. Ferrer is busy looking for ways to add more classrooms, furniture, and equipment to public schools in Bago City, La Carlota City, Valladolid, San Enrique and Pontevedra.

He is currently working with the Angelicum Foundation of Barcelona, Spain, through the efforts of the Fundacion Familia Barcelona led by its president, Alfredo G. Barcelona, in order to construct a total of 10 classrooms for the towns and cities under the 4th District. The Angelicum Foundation funded the construction of the classrooms in coordination with Negros Volunteer for Change. Meanwhile, Cong. Ferrer personally funded the furnitures, equipment, and other amenities to make learning very conducive for young children in those classrooms.

Cong. Ferrer fully supports the K-12 program and he firmly believes that pre-school is the basic foundation of education. That is the reason why he will do everything that he can to help this sector.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. has appealed anew to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to approve the 2013 Annual Budget, even as he rallied the incumbent and newly elected board members to work together for the progress of Negros Occidental.

"I appeal to the SP to approve the budget now. The election is over," he said in a press conference yesterday.

The governor claims that since the disapproval of the budget was politically-motivated, there is no more reason to further delay its approval as the election is over.

"Let’s work together, let’s forget politics. Come 2016, maybe we will fight again, but for now, let us unite and talk to each other for the future of this province," he added.

Some people say the extraordinary appearance of the sun at 12noon of May 2, 2013, was already a sign of the times. This photo was taken by Josephine Diaz, employee of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO).

Actually, in the other shots of Jo, first a bloodstain looked dropped in the outer light of the sun. But as the time went nearer at 12 high noon, the blood spot slowly moved to the center of the sun, until it looked like a bloodstain dropped at the center of the sun, and surrounding the sun seemed a bloody color too.

Fire investigators esti-mated at least P2 million worth of properties were damaged by fire that broke out at about 6:45AM, yesterday along Lizares Avenue, Brgy. 40 in Bacolod City, near the chapel of UNO-R.

Fire Investigator 1 (FO1) Jerson Ganaba reported to NDB that three estab-lishments namely; DAAL-CO, Kabalagnan Office and Marby’s Internet Cafi damaged by fire which allegedly originated at the ceiling of the said internet cafi.

Thick black smoke attracts (L) early morning joggers and motorists along Lizares Avenue near a chapel at UNO-R yesterday when a P2M fire caused damage to properties of three establishments.* (RGT/ NDB photo)

The St. La Salle Academy for Arts and Culture (SLAAC) showcased the talents of its graduates at the summer workshops Graduation Performance held in Gallaga Theater last May 17.

Fifty-twoworkshoppers from the different classes: Stage Production by Tanya Lopez and Jaime Chua, Popular Piano by Gerry Grey, Voice by Romeo Gamilla and Serry Repique, Creative Writing for Beginners by Jonathan Davila, De la Salle Shidokan Karate Clinic by Dennis Ferrales and Lope Jan Alcazar, and Basic Acting for Kids & Teens by Nonilon Torpez and Adelyn Maluluy-on, received their certificates of completion in the event where art became a venue for students’ transformation.

The students from the St. La Salle Academy for Arts and Culture Voice Class during the summer workshops Graduation Performance at the Gallaga Theater last May 17.*