By Manly M. Ugalde TABACO CITY, Albay — Four barangay kagawads of Barangay San Roque in this city have been suspended for one month without pay after repeatedly failing to attend the mandatory Monday flag-raising ceremony. One of the suspended officials, a female barangay kagawad, reportedly failed to attend the weekly flag ceremony for six months. According to reports, the three other suspended kagawads followed the same practice in Barangay San Roque, which is located near

By Jason B. Neola MAYOR Leni Robredo has called on parents to have their young children vaccinated against measles and rubella during the Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA) from August 10 to 28, stressing that the city cannot afford even a single case of these highly contagious diseases. Robredo said the local government remains committed to protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases, emphasizing that the government should never relax its e

By Jordan Domingo BAAO, Camarines Sur --- A 44-year-old Grab driver was arrested after police seized about 95 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P646,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sta. Teresita, Baao on Tuesday afternoon, August 4. The suspect, identified only by the alias “Jam,” is a resident of Manila. He was apprehended at around 2:37 p.m. after allegedly selling one sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover police officer for P12,500

By Rhadz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- On the first day of August, thousands of Albayanos from the four island communities of Albay paid tribute to the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de Salvacion through the 45th Annual Maritime Procession, held three weeks before the celebration of 250 years of devotion and the 50th anniversary of the image’s Canonical Coronation. The annual maritime procession brings together devotees from the BARACAS Islands—Batan, Rapu-Rapu, Cagraray, and S

(As part of its advocacy for healthier lifestyles, The Bicol Mail is publishing this article to encourage smokers to take the first step toward quitting. Giving up smoking is one of the best decisions a person can make for their health, and the benefits begin almost immediately. Understanding the remarkable changes that take place in the body after quitting can inspire smokers to break free from this harmful habit and embrace a healthier, longer, and more fulfilling life. –Ed

THE Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading Senate Bill (SB) 1905 or the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), which seeks to institutionalize their roles and provide them with incentives and benefits. Sponsored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, SB 1905 was passed with a vote of 20-0 during plenary session. The bill will provide BHWs a monthly volunteer benefit of P3,000, financial support for transportation, hazard allowance, cash gift, loyalty incentive, insuranc

BUSINESS owners, self-employed professionals, and individual taxpayers in the country can expect easier access to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) services as the agency rolls out reforms aimed at simplifying tax compliance while offering relief to qualified micro taxpayers. BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the agency is expanding its digital services and implementing a one-time tax abatement program that allows eligible micro taxpayers to settle outstanding tax

By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- Bishop Joel Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi has lauded the City Government of Legazpi’s “Gift of Life” program, which provides cash assistance to pregnant mothers to help cover childbirth-related expenses. Baylon said the city government’s initiative would significantly help mothers meet their immediate needs, particularly those from underprivileged families, while also supporting the welfare of their new-born children. The bishop made th

The year 2076 may seem unimaginably far away, but it is only 50 years from now. The children born today will likely live to see it. The question is not whether they will witness a more advanced world—they almost certainly will. The real question is whether that world will still be a safe and livable place to call home. The warning signs are already before us. Every year, the world experiences stronger storms, longer heat waves, devastating floods, prolonged droughts, raging w

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is more than a legal proceeding. It is a constitutional process that will test not only the strength of the evidence presented but also the integrity of those entrusted to decide the case. An impeachment court derives its credibility from one fundamental principle: no verdict should be reached before all the facts are laid on the table. Evidence—not political affiliation, public opinion, or personal belief—must remain the f

The new speed limits in Naga City have already sparked predictable reactions. “It’s too slow.” “Traffic will get worse.” “Thirty kilometers per hour? We’ll never get anywhere.” Others welcome the ordinance, saying it’s long overdue if it means fewer crashes and safer roads. I’m not here to argue whether the limit should be 30 or 40 kilometers per hour. The ordinance already says what it says. The debate over numbers belongs to engineers, traffic planners, and law enforcers. T

The impeachment trial of the Vice President may ultimately determine the political fate of one individual. History, however, may remember it not for the person on trial, but for the constitutional questions it compelled the nation to confront. Every impeachment begins with an accusation against a public official. Some, however, become far greater. They become an examination of the Constitution itself. Born from the experience of martial law, the 1987 Constitution sought to en