By Jason B. Neola THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Naga City is continuing preparations for the November 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), with local election officer Maico Julia saying he would prefer that the polls push through as scheduled because a city plebiscite is set to be held simultaneously. Julia said the Naga City government could save about P20 million if the plebiscite is conducted together with the BSKE. If held separately, however,

By Jordan Domingo THE Supreme Court has ruled that banks cannot compel depositors to return money they were able to withdraw prematurely because of the bank’s own negligence. The ruling stemmed from a case involving BDO Unibank and Cristina Barcellano, whose withdrawal of funds was made possible after a bank teller mistakenly processed a regional check as a local check, allowing it to clear earlier than the prescribed period. In a decision penned by Associate Justice Japar Di

By Paulo DS. Papa THE Bicol’s cultural community is mourning the death of cultural advocate, writer and film scholar Tito Valiente, who passed away at the age of 70 on Saturday, August 22. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) announced Valiente’s death and honored his contributions to the promotion and preservation of Bicol’s culture. He served as director of the Institute of Bikol History and Culture at Ateneo de Naga University. Born on December 11, 1955

THE recent school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga should force the country to confront an uncomfortable truth: keeping children safe can no longer be treated as the sole responsibility of parents, teachers or school administrators. The warning from Senator Risa Hontiveros is timely. Preventing another school shooting requires a multi-faceted response because the factors behind such violence are no longer confined to the physical spaces where the incidents occur. They can

We should be talking about the more important things—like understanding why and how adolescents access arms during academic hours with the intent to inflict injury and death, and how we can prevent this vile violence from occurring again. Instead, the focus has turned to pushing back against controversial comments declared on the sidelines. I understand—it’s disrespectful, offensive, in bad taste, and inappropriate. It was not the right time for such an opinion. I understand

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has reached an interesting stage. If we were keeping score purely on evidence, I would give the prosecution the lead: 65%–35%. But impeachment is not fought on one scoreboard. Inside the chamber, the prosecution is constructing a case around confidential funds, financial transactions, witness testimony and Duterte’s own recorded words. What began as a collection of allegations is becoming a more interconnected evidentiary n

“Maximum tolerance.” It is a phrase we often hear when police deal with people who are unruly, emotionally distressed, or apparently experiencing a mental-health crisis. But what happens when maximum tolerance meets a bolo? That question became painfully real in San Jose, Camarines Sur, on August 22, when police responded to a report of an armed man running amok in Barangay Calalahan. Police Staff Sergeant Noli Miraña and his fellow officers initially tried to communicate wit

An notice of dishonor sa kaso nin BP 22 o ang Bouncing Checks Law puwede nang ipadara sa drawer o nag isyu kang tseke sa paagi nin rehistradong koreo, o email, Viber, Facebook Messenger, o iba pang kaparehong digital platform, basta nasusunod an mga kondisyon na itinakda kan Supreme Court. Sa Arnel Carlos and Marivic Carlos v. People and Tire Star, Inc., G.R. No. 277047, April 15, 2026, pinagtibay kan Supreme Court, En Banc, ang conviction kang mag-agom na Carlos sa anom na k

By Fr. Roy Cimagala THIS is the lesson hidden in Christ’s command to his disciples: “Watch therefore, because you do not know what hour your Lord will come.” (cf. Mt 24:42-51) It is one of those simple sayings that become more mysterious the longer one reflects upon them. We sleep not because night has conquered us, but because we have forgotten that dawn is always approaching. Watchfulness is not reserved for days of sorrow or moments of extraordinary danger. It is just as n

Excited ako tuwing may tinatanong si Senador Robin Padilla sa impeachment hearing dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin o itatanong niya. Kung minsan natutuwa ako sa mga tanong o sinasabi niya. Kung minsan naman ako ay napapaisip at namamangha kung paano siyang mag-isip. Sa totoo lang, na-mimiss ko siya pag-absent sa impeachment hearing dahil iba siyang mag-isip kung ihahambing sa ibang senador-judges. Isip talangka, sabi ng iba. Minsan tinawag niyang “one-sided” ang pro

By Rhaydz Barcia TIWI, ALBAY --- The Diocese of Legazpi celebrated the 250th anniversary of devotion to Nuestra Señora de Salvacion and the golden anniversary of her canonical coronation as Patroness of the Diocese during a solemn ceremony here on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. Adorned with yellow and white flowers, His Eminence Jose Cardinal F. Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, together with Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, Archbishop of Caceres, and Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon, D.D.,

Historian Dr. Filomeno V. Aguilar Jr. and poet, translator and filmmaker Kristian Sendon Cordero — are set to join the Philippines’ delegation to the 39th Feria Universitaria del Libro (FUL) in Mexico, where the Philippines will be the festival’s country of honor. The 39th edition of the Feria Universitaria del Libro will take place from Sept. 4 to 13, 2026, at the Ciudad del Conocimiento in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo. Organized by the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de H

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Second Reading: Romans 12:1-2 Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:21-27 Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lor

Dear Father Bill, Táno po ta kaipuhan mayo nin tsinelas o sapatos kun mabali sa pag-voya? Tanô po ta dapat mga lalaki sana an magpasan ki Ina asin an magsakay sa pagoda? An minagalang, Arsenio Dear Arsenio, An mga prusisyon sarong porma nin relihiosong paglalakbay na enot nang ginibo kan mga Judio para iri-presentar an mga importanteng pangyayari. An mga Catolico kadakul na man ginibong mga prusisyon sa mga espesyal na okasyon tanganing ipagiromdom na an buhay Cristiano pada

By Marecil Sta. Maria Francia, RSW, JD JOSE PANGANIBAN — As World Vision Philippines formally concluded its Area Development Program (ADP) in Jose Panganiban on August 20, the gathering served not as an ending but as a celebration of a legacy that continues through empowered young leaders, strengthened communities, and enduring partnerships. Held at the MCEL Building, under the theme “Celebrating the Journey, Honoring the Impact, and Sustaining the Legacy of Child Well-Being