By Jason B. Neola BISHOP Louie Occiano of the Diocese of Virac has called for unity, calm leadership, and a return to the true spirit of public service amid the intensifying conflicts and disputes among some local leaders in the province. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the bishop expressed concern over the impact of political infighting on public peace and the people’s trust. “When a happy island is no longer happy because of politics, something precious has been

By Manuel T. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY — A series of deaths involving public works officials has cast a pall over the Bicol region, following the ongoing probe by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) into alleged ghost and anomalous government projects. The first reported incident occurred in Sorsogon on November 13, when a 60-year-old Engineer III, identified as Larry Reyes, chair of the Bids and Awards Committee of the Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office, repo

By Paulo DS Papa A person deprived of liberty (PDL) at the Naga City District Jail may face tougher conditions after his brother was caught attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the facility. The Naga City Police Office identified the suspect as Joe, 25, a resident of Barangay Cararayan, Naga City, who allegedly tried to bring in two sachets of suspected shabu worth P54,400 on the morning of Saturday, January 10. The illegal drugs were discovered concealed in Joe’s underwe

By Manuel Tugalde LEGAZPI CITY --- Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has tapped the regional director of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to take over the Bicol Region, long tagged as a hotbed of corruption and insider contractors. Bicol DPWH Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte has reportedly been reassigned to the Office of the Secretary, along with Assistant Regional Director Annie de la Vega. De la Vega, who hails from Surigao, had been in Bic

“Do everything in Love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14) THE MARONITES ON MISSION – AUSTRALIA embarked on their 2026 Philippine Mission under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” carrying a message rooted in St. Paul’s exhortation: “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). In a world often marked by division and fatigue, their journey became a living witness to Pope Francis’ call for the Church to walk together, renewing hearts and restoring dignity through faith in Christ. The mission

THE prospect that both the President and the Vice President may soon face impeachment complaints has once again thrust the House of Representatives into the political spotlight. As February approaches, the talk of impeachment—against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte—underscores not only the volatility of Philippine politics but also the fragility of public trust in institutions meant to safeguard accountability. Impeachment, by design, is an extr

Last Friday, a friend sent out an invitation to other friends to drive all the way to Legazpi to find a best spot for spectators of a breathtaking scene of Mayon lava flow. I have to admit, if I had been a lot younger, I might have taken him up to his offer, and hitched the ride and maybe stayed there for a few days until I realize that I have depleted my allowance. I understand that the sight could be a spectacle to behold especially at night. I imagine that thick, deep, br

Atty. Paolo Tolentino Abusado sa posisyon na barangay officials Atty., ano po an pwedeng gibuhon laban sa mga barangay officials o government personnel na nag-aabuso kan saindang posisyon, partikular sa kakulangan sa accountability asin transparency—halimbawa, dae pag-report sa mga constituents kan saindang performance o liquidation reports, o limitado lang sa 10 an inaanyayahan sa general assembly? Pano man po kung may sala o malisyosong pag-akusa laban sa sarong tao, o pagl

For twelve years, the past has come to the present. This phrase captures the long and unfinished legislative journey of the bill on social enterprises with the poor as primary stakeholders—from its early incarnation as House Bill No. 6085 during the 15th Congress (2012–2013), widely known as the Magna Carta for Social Enterprises, to what is now the Poverty Reduction Through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Act. That earlier bill, formally titled An Act Promoting Social Ente

“Marhay na sana ta halaba ang pisi mo.”, sabi ini kan dati kong superior kan ako nagtutukdo pa nin part-time sa sarong eskwelahan digdi sa Naga. Naabala kaya kadto si sueldo ko nin halos sarong bulan. Enot na pakadangog ko to kan mga tataramon, anong pisi man ang sinasabi niya? Nasukol niya baya. Kan nakaaging semana, kapistahan kan Nazareno sa Holy Cross Parish sa Barangay Tabuco, sa concelebrated na Santa Misa na pinangenotan ni Archbishop Rex Alarcon, nadalan ko ang saiyan

Kitang mga Naguenio iguang mga kanya kanyang istorya manonongod sa satuyang mga tugang o amigo na matriunfo na nakalaog sa US Naval Forces o US Navy na kaidto yaon sa Sangley Point, Cavite asin naitransfer sa Subic Bay, duman sa Olongapo City. An amigo kong si Berting member kan Ateneo Batch 63 asin ngonian nag eerok sa Houston Texas, iyo ang saro sa nagkakaperang taga Naga na nakapasar sa US Navy sagkod na nakapag retiro asin an intero niyang familya naipetisyon pasiring s

By Fr. Roy Cimagala IT’S a verse from Psalm 40 (8a,9a) that is often used as the Gospel Acclamation in many Holy Masses. It expresses the ideal condition of how our will should be, a tremendous challenge for all of us since we have the strong tendency to make our will exclusively as our own. If ever we concede to the will of another, it is mainly for our own convenience or advantage which in the end is just doing our own will. We need to learn to live by God’s will which is w

By Jason B. Neola A proposal that could dramatically reshape the country’s tax system is expected to spark wide-ranging reactions from various sectors, following the filing of a resolution by Naga City Councilor Nathan Sergio calling for a study on the possible exemption of public and private employees from paying individual income taxes. Sergio said the idea—once unthinkable—may no longer be far-fetched if the national government seriously considers its potential economic be

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (Apsemo) is preparing for the possible evacuation of nearly 80,000 residents, or about 19,758 families, should Mayon Volcano’s alert level be raised to Alert Level 4. In a phone interview, Apsemo chief Roderick Mendoza said the families come from 59 barangays in nine local government units located within the extended seven- to eight-kilometer danger zone. Mendoza said the provincial gov

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- Despite the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano, the Albay Provincial Tourism, Culture and the Arts Office (PTCAO) assured on Friday that the province remains safe and open to tourists, provided safety guidelines are strictly followed. In an interview on Friday, PTCAO chief Dorothy Colle said the provincial government continues to balance visitor safety with the livelihood of communities dependent on tourism by closely monitoring the situation a