By Rhaydz B. Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- Governor Noel Rosal is once again facing a tough political battle after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division ordered the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor in the May 2025 midterm polls. The decision stemmed from a petition filed by Adrian Loterte in October 2024 seeking to cancel Rosal’s COC, arguing that the governor was ineligible to run for public office following his dismissal by the Offic

By Jason B. Neola FROM humble beginnings in 1926, the Naga-based funeral company stands as one of Bicol’s leading service providers — expanding its facilities, strengthening community outreach, and upholding a nearly century-old tradition of care. Funeraria Imperial (F.I.) has grown into one of the most trusted and enduring funeral service providers in the Bicol Region. As it approaches its 100th year in 2026, the family-run business continues to blend tradition with innovati

All offices of the city government will soon be displaying “No Gift Policy” posters in their entrances and public areas, following Mayor Leni Robredo’s issuance of Executive Order No. 58, which institutionalizes a comprehensive prohibition on the giving and receiving of gifts in any form. The directive mandates that the “No Gift Policy” be prominently displayed in all city offices and integrated into contracts, bid documents, and official correspondence. This move reinforces

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI City --- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified on Friday that its 2nd Division's decision granting the petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Albay Governor Noel Rosal is not yet final and executory. Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said Rosal has five days to file a motion for reconsideration (MR) with the Comelec en banc. “The decision is not yet final and executory, may pagkakataon po si Mr. Rosal na i-elevate ang ca

THE latest OCTA Research survey offers both reassurance and warning about the state of Philippine democracy. The good news: an overwhelming 80 percent of Filipinos still prefer democracy, even with all its flaws. The sobering reality: fewer than half—only 41 percent—are satisfied with how it actually works. This duality speaks volumes about the Filipino political temperament. It reflects not apathy, but discernment. Filipinos have not given up on democracy; they are demanding

Trick Some weeks ago, a friend asked me when will this troublesome issues of corruption in our nation end. I say, they won’t. Well, maybe, after some weeks, it will look like they have ended, because we won’t see and hear much of it on media anymore. It won’t be because the issues have been resolved. It’s because, we may admit it or not, regardless of an issue’s significance or relevance to our lives, we’ll eventually get tired of it and would want to hear something new.

Some roads to memory lane are rivers now. Every 1st of November, Filipinos walk memory lane. Cemeteries fill with families honoring the departed—parents, siblings, grandparents, friends who shaped our lives. For me, UNDAS brings back Daddy Jaime and Mommy Eliza, Auntie Lung, Kuya Dante, Boboy, and Kuya Pepe—and Lola Sisang and Lolo Binong, Lola Maria and Lolo Juan. Their laughter, stories, and lessons live in every ILAW candle we light, every flower we lay. UNDAS is a day of

Undas, the Filipino term for the Spanish phrase “Un dia de los muertos” (a day of the dead), is a tradition among Filipinos where families visit the cemeteries to pray and light candles to remember the dead. Some even bring food and spend the day retelling stories of the deceased. Unlike Halloween, which is more of a secular festivity, Undas is a national holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, coinciding with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. It is a tradition that rei

KADAKLAN kan mga seniors nag aasa sa mga pang mantener nindang medesina. Pamilyar na marhay sa mga may edad an mga bulong arog kan para sa kolesterol, presyon, asin diabetes. Siring man sa gabos na tawo, pamilyar man an pag pa reseta asin an mag sarig sa parmasya na mag tao kan tamang bulong. Kan naka aging duwang aldaw kinua ko sa parmasya si mga pang mantenar kong bulong para sa kolesterol saka presyon. Labing sarong dekada na akong parokyano kan parmasyang ini. Kada duwang

Sarong bangui, sa sarong harong na tiklad sa bukid na lugar kan Binanuanan Pequenio, nag uurulay sinda Gurang Bastian na agom ni Lola Talya, asin an mga parientes na an pinag oorolayan iyo an pag presenter kan saindang aki na si Rodrigo na gustong agomon si Rafaela na taga Barrio Santa Teresita sa banwaan nin Canaman. Kan panahon na idto ang lugar kan Binanuanan mayo pang toltol na tinampo ta ini, malaboy kung kaya kadaklan nag uusar nin pamaba nin damulag, alagad ang Bar

Atty. Paolo Tolentino May kabit si mister na katrabaho Atty., pwede po ba ipatanggal sa trabaho ang kabit ni mister? Jocelyn ——— Dae iyan pwede sa normal na sitwasyon. Mayo man direktang koneksyon sa trabaho an personal na relasyon ninda. Ang pagkakaigwa nin kabit o affair, bagaman imoral sa pananaw kan iba, dai awtomatikong rason para mapatanggal sa trabaho lalo na kung dai man iyan nakakaapekto sa trabaho o sa reputasyon kan kumpanya. Iba an kaso kung may klarong company po

By Ana-Liza Macatangay LEGAZPI CITY --- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Bicol continues to place education at the heart of its mission by prioritizing scholarships for poor but deserving members of indigenous communities across the region. One of NCIP’s key initiatives—the Indigenous Peoples Education and Advocacy Services (IPEAS)—supports IP learners through two major programs: the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) and the Merit-Based Scholarship Prog

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 5 (Bicol) has placed its Emergency Operation Center under “blue alert” status to ensure readiness in case of emergencies during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2. In a memorandum, RDRRMC-5 chairperson and Office of Civil Defense (OCD-5) Director Claudio Yucot said the alert will be in effect from Tuesday until Nov. 3, in observance of Unda

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) has extended aid to the family of radio broadcaster Noel Samar, who was killed by a still unidentified gunman in Guinobatan, Albay earlier this week. Social workers visited his family to offer support by providing psychosocial interventions to help them cope with the tragic loss of a loved one, funeral expenses, and financial support for burial arrangements. In a statement, DS

By Ana-Liza Macatangay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Bicol has encouraged the local pharmacies in the region to apply for accreditation for the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program. Alberto Manduriao, regional vice president of PhilHealth Bicol, said that PhilHealth GAMOT is not yet accessible in Bicol as the accreditation for local pharmacies is still ongoing. “At this point, we still don’t