By MANUEL T. UGALDE LEGAZPI CITY --- Despite the much-publicized presidential probe that cast the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol as deeply mired in corruption, not a single engineer in the region has reportedly been charged by the now-defunct Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created the ICI on September 11, 2025, following his State of the Nation Address, where he revealed that billions of pesos allocated

By Bobby Q. Labalan and Rhaydz B. Barcia LEGAZPI CITY — Eleven members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Catanduanes and the provincial vice governor have been ordered suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman, according to an order dated May 22, 2026. The preventive suspension, signed by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, covers Vice Governor Robert Fernandez and the following board members: Josevan Balidoy, Giovanni Balmadrid, Jose Romeo Francisco, Edwin Tan

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has warned the public, including Bicolanos, against fake online investment advertisements that use the names and images of government officials, business personalities, and financial experts to lure victims into fraudulent schemes. The warning came after a fake social media post circulated online claiming that BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. appeared in an interview on ANC Headstart together with financial coach Chinkee Tan to endorse an in

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- Amid the country’s deepening political and economic crisis, Bishop Joel “Bong” Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi has called on Filipinos, particularly Albayanos, to repent for their participation in corruption and dishonesty, and to remain vigilant in demanding integrity, transparency, and accountability from those in public service. In a pastoral letter issued in light of the current situation, the prelate warned that graft and corruption

Legendary actor Cesar Montano made a quiet visit to Naga City from May 25 to 26 — with no fanfare, no press conference, and no public announcement. The award-winning actor was in the city to film a teaser trailer for an upcoming musical film project by renowned Nagueño composer and film director Ferdinand Dimadura. According to Dimadura, the project has been in development for nearly a year. “We have been working on this project for almost a year now. Once everything finally

BPTC Taekwondo Main Gym, Naga City May 30, 2026 Congratulations to all BPTC Bong Peralta Taekwondo Center - 11888 students and their supportive parents. Your hard work, discipline, and perseverance have paid off. Special thanks to our R5 RMC Chairman Benjamin L. Custodio and Vice Chairman Efren Relativo Avestruz Jr. for their invaluable support in making this event possible. Every belt earned is a symbol of dedication, growth, and the true spirit of Taekwondo. To all BPTC Bla

The looming return of El Niño is not just another seasonal inconvenience—it is a convergence of crises waiting to unfold. As warned by climate advocates and economists, the Philippines now faces a more intense episode than in recent years, colliding with rising fuel prices, high electricity costs, and an already strained food system. This is not merely about hotter days; it is about a nation’s resilience being tested on multiple fronts. At the center of this unfolding challen

… and the drama goes on. It’s all about power. Did we vote for senators so they could have power, and protect, preserve and prolong their power? Well, indirectly, yes. It may not sound ideal, but when we voted for Congressman Manhik-manaog, we gave him the power of the office of his position, and indirectly, the power to vote for positions that may serve the interest he, by the power of his own volition, decides to pursue. All this drama (with some action interludes) or

The continuing drama at the Senate goes on. But wait. Just as I wrapped up a board meeting on Zoom this evening, I came across social media reports that Senator Sherwin Gatchalian had been elected Senate President Pro Tempore and was presiding over a newly formed majority bloc. Then I saw another post celebrating Bicolano Senator “Chiz” Escudero as a hero for showing up and helping establish a quorum, allowing the Senate to resume business. What exactly happened? For days, th

Sa loob lamang ng tatlong linggo nang maging presidente ng Senado si Alan Peter Cayetano sa pamamagitan ng power grab, dumarami ang mga Pilipinong nagsasabing bumaba na ang kalidad ng pamamalakad ng Senado. Hindi na nito magampanan ang paggawa ng mga batas na syang mandato nito. Kapag ang Senado ay hindi na makapaglabas ng mga batas na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan talaga naman magiging bulok na institusyon ito. Maikukumpara ito sa isang “headless chicken” na

Consistency is the key. Garo si sarong amigo kong may kaya, may kaya-bangan man talaga. Kinumusta siya nin sarong kabisto sa trabaho na namarapara, nahiling niya sarong aldaw sa centro. Kan kinumusta siya ang simbag niya, “uya, dai na mapugolan ang pag-asenso!”. Dai nakagirong si kabisto niya sa simbag niya, siguro nakaiba ang tataramon sa makusog na duros na dara kan simbag kan sakong amigo. Si ngirit sa saiyang lalawgon napara, dai man nagaba kundi nawara. Luminupad ang mga

The Senate today is making headlines—but for all the wrong reasons. For two consecutive days, the nation watched an extraordinary spectacle unfold in the chamber supposedly known as the world's greatest deliberative body. Senators argued about independence, about leadership, about loyalty. And while they argued, the Senate itself struggled to function. Pending measures sat untouched. Legislative work stood still. The chamber fell silent. Perhaps every side believes it is stan

Marhay na aldaw po, Atty. Si kapitbahay mi po nagkudal sa agihan na haloy mi nang ginagamit pasiring sa samong harong. Dahil digdi, nagkaigwa kami nin iriwal. Bago ako magsangat nin kaso sa korte para mabawi ang posesyon kan daga, kaipuhan ko daw po na iatubang an bagay na ini sa barangay? Kun direkta po akong magsangat nin kaso sa korte na dai nag-agi sa barangay mediation, ano po an epekto kaiyan sa sakong kaso? ----- Sa kadaklan na kaso na tungkol sa mga indibidwal na naka

By Naga City Arts and Culture Coalition, Inc. - Cultural Heritage Sector In 2026, Naga City will mark a significant milestone: The bicentennial of the old Spanish-era storehouse (Almacen) of the Administracion del Correo complex. These two buildings are testament to Naga City’s place in history as the Third Spanish Royal City, after Manila and Cebu. Yet as this bicentennial approaches, the future of one of the city’s most important historic landmarks remains uncertain. The im

BIKOLNON poet and filmmaker Kristian Sendon Cordero has been selected as one of the fellows for textual practice (literature and language) for the 2027 cycle of the prestigious Akademie Schloss Solitude Fellowship in Stuttgart, Germany. In a letter conveyed by Dr. Anne Fleckstein, Cordero is entitled to a nine-month residency in Germany beginning January 2027. Every two years, the Akademie Schloss Solitude awards residential fellowships to around 50 to 60 international artist