By Rhaydz Barcia LEGAZPI CITY --- The Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Legazpi City has dismissed the criminal case against former Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine Barrameda-Rosal over an alleged violation of Section 261(v)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code. In a 20-page decision penned by Presiding Judge Arnel P. Cezar and dated July 23, 2026, the court granted Rosal’s motion for reconsideration and reversed its earlier resolution dated May 14, 2026, which had denied her mo

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (6a) Remember your mercies, O Lord. Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:28-32 Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man ca

Dear Father Bill, Ano po an pagka ka-iba kan archdiocesan shrine, national shrine asin international shrine? An minagalang, Ruben Dear Ruben, Sa pakasabot kan kadaklan, an "shrine" (santuario -spanish; dambana - Filipino) sarong banal na lugar na itinalaga sa pagtao nin pagsamba o honra sa sarong dios, santo o banal na tawo. Para sa mga Catolico, an "diocesan," "national," asin "international shrines" mga sagradong lugar na pinagtalaga para sa hararom na pagpamibi asin mga p

By Norman Dequia/CBCP News NAGA City — The Archdiocese of Cáceres marked its 75th anniversary Sept. 17 with a call for Catholics to renew the Church by recognizing that every member has a vital role. Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, described the Church as a shared journey in which no one is excluded or considered unnecessary. “The idea of a procession gives us a visual image of what the Church is in her nature: people walking together,” Brown sa

By Fr. Jhonan’z Vibar NAGA CITY — The Catholic Church in Bicol is taking steps toward a more coordinated approach to safeguarding as representatives of the region’s dioceses gathered for a Metropolitan One-Day Orientation Workshop on the Universal Guidelines Framework (UGF) on September 16, 2026, at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary. The workshop served as a working session for four interconnected priorities: understanding the CBCP National Guidelines Framework (NGF), deepening

By Paulo DS Papa “All I have said has factual bases. In short, true.” This was the statement given to the media by Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Nelson Legacion weeks ago, before Gov. LRay Villafuerte announced that he had filed disbarment and cyber libel cases against the legislator. Legacion, who represents the province’s third congressional district, is known for his interventions in issues outside his jurisdiction in the name of public service, including the years-long

By Jason B. Neola VIRAC, Catanduanes --- The Municipal Trial Court (MTC) of Virac has dismissed Criminal Case No. 7174 against former Catanduanes governor Joseph “Boboy” Cua. The case stemmed from allegations of violations of the National Building Code of the Philippines under Presidential Decree No. 1096. In his official statement following the dismissal, Cua said he was pleased with the court’s decision and maintained that he had faced the allegations from the beginning. Cu

By Jordan Domingo OCAMPO, Camarines Sur --- Police arrested a 27-year-old man listed as the province’s No. 7 most wanted person during a manhunt operation in Barangay Hanawan, Ocampo, Camarines Sur, at about 3:35 p.m. on September 20. The suspect, identified only as alias “Cris,” a single forklift operator and resident of Ocampo, was arrested by personnel of the Ocampo Municipal Police Station (MPS) by virtue of a warrant of arrest for statutory rape by sexual assault. Police

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- At least 1,848 poor and near-poor households in Daraga, Albay, each received PHP2,000 in financial assistance on Monday under the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Bicol’s (DSWD-5) Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program. The payout at the Daraga covered court marked the release of the second tranche of the July-to-December assistance, following the first tranche distributed in July. The U

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Bicol (BJMP-5) has intensified dengue prevention efforts through cleanup drives and mosquito-control activities in jail facilities and nearby communities across the region. In a media release on Tuesday, the agency said personnel of the BJMP-Bicol, led by Regional Director Jail Senior Supt. Jose Gemelo Taol, joined local officials and residents in clearing waste, debris, and other potential mosqu

By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has so far disbursed PHP24.14 million in assistance to 2,539 dengue patients and families of individuals who died from the disease in the region this year. In a report on Tuesday, DSWD-Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio said the assistance was provided through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, primarily through the Crisis Intervention Sect

By Benilda Recebido SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- Access to the internet and essential online services has become more accessible for people in Sorsogon, following the launch of the Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the Bicol region. The program was introduced on September 14 during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” service caravan held at the Sorsogon Convention Center. FPI

MEXICO City --- Bikolano poet and filmmaker Kristian Sendon Cordero delivered a poetic meditation on the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia and its relationship to his poetics at the former house of Mexican poet and Nobel laureate Octavio Paz in Mexico City on September 17. The reading brought Bikolano literary and religious memory into conversation with one of Mexico’s most important literary spaces, creating a meeting of places, traditions, and artistic practices. For Cord

SORSOGON --- Photography, poetry and environmental advocacy will come together in “LAKAT-LENTE nan RAWIT-DAWIT SA BAYBAYON: Photowalk x Poetry Reading at Gubat Bay,” happening on October 3, 2026, in Gubat, Sorsogon, as part of Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk and Design Week Philippines, in partnership with the DTI Design Center of the Philippines. Organized by the Kurit-Lagting Art Collective in partnership with the Save Gubat Bay Movement (SGBM), a community movement compo

DAET, Camarines Norte --- More than 6,000 beneficiaries received government aid and services during the Handog ng Pangulo caravan at the University of Camarines Norte on Sept. 14, celebrating President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s birthday. “On behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I extend his heartfelt greetings and gratitude to all of you. Although the past few months have been challenging due to rising fuel prices, heavy rainfall, and flooding, we Filipinos alway