Bacolod Dateline

18/03/2026

STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN ALBEE BENITEZ
On His Election as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives

I am deeply honored and grateful to my colleagues in the House of Representatives, and to Speaker Bojie Dy, for the trust and confidence they have given me through my election as Deputy Speaker.

I accept this responsibility with humility and with a strong commitment to serve the Filipino people with integrity, diligence, and unity.

I thank the leadership of the House and my fellow members of the Visayan Bloc for their support and solidarity.

At this important time for our nation, I look forward to working closely with Speaker Dy and my fellow legislators in building a stronger, more responsive, and more compassionate government.

Maraming salamat, at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino.

18/03/2026

Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has been elected as one of the new Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives of the Philippines during the 20th Congress, 1st Regular Session on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (Session No. 33, Day 3).

Benitez joined Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas of the Third District of Pangasinan and Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco of the 5th District of Cebu, following their nomination by Majority Floor Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos during Wednesday’s session.

The motion was approved by Speaker Faustino Dy III, who presided over the proceedings, formalizing the trio’s elevation to the House leadership. | via Cesar Jolito III/WDJ

15/03/2026

BACOLOD City — The city government will conduct today, March 16, a “Serbisyo Para Kay Juana” One-Stop Shop service for women at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) as part of its month-long celebration of National Women’s Month 2026.

BACOLOD City — The city government will conduct today, March 16, a “Serbisyo Para Kay Juana” One-Stop Shop service for women at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) as part of its month-long celebration of National Women’s Month 2026. The initiative aims to make government services more...

15/03/2026

BACOLOD City — The Philippine National Police has allocated 279 recruitment slots for the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) as part of efforts to strengthen police manpower and improve public safety services across the region.

BACOLOD City — The Philippine National Police has allocated 279 recruitment slots for the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) as part of efforts to strengthen police manpower and improve public safety services across the region. Of the total allocation, 111 slots are under th...

14/03/2026

Never expected to be awarded again for my career as a former broadcast journalist. 😊 Thank you for conferring me the Order of Mic and Gavel Award, KBP Negros Occidental! Mabuhay ang mga Broadcaster!

14/03/2026

Nagpalipad umano ang North Korea ng humigit-kumulang 10 ballistic missiles patungo sa Sea of Japan, ayon sa ulat ng militar ng South Korea. | via AFP

14/03/2026

12/03/2026

Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya on the statement on the social media post alleging a mass shooting threat in a private school in Bacolod City

The City Government has been alerted to a social media post alleging a mass shooting threat against a private school in Bacolod City. Acting promptly, authorities secured the area, while the school prudently shifted to online classes to protect its students and personnel.

I am in direct coordination with Bacolod City Police Office Director PCol. Eugene Rebadomia, and SWAT and additional police units have been deployed around the campus to maintain order and ensure public safety. The matter has been referred to the PNP Cybercrime Unit, and investigative leads are actively being pursued. Closed-circuit television systems on campus have been checked and confirmed operational to support the ongoing investigation.

Anyone responsible for issuing or spreading threats that sow fear and endanger our people will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The safety of our students, educators, and families in Bacolod City is absolute. We urge the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information as authorities continue with the investigation.

via/Greg Gasataya-FB

12/03/2026

12/03/2026

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified as urgent House Bill 8418, a measure that would allow the President to suspend or lower excise taxes on petroleum products during national or global economic emergencies.

11/03/2026

The Department of Education (DepEd) issued a memorandum dated March 11, 2026, clarifying the implementation of work-from-home (WFH) every Friday.

11/03/2026

𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒! 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐨!

Labis na ikinatuwa ni Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Chairperson Sen. Idol Raffy Tulfo ang pag-apruba sa 2nd Reading ng Senate Bill No. 1910 o “Free Financial Literacy Education for Overseas Filipino Workers and their Families” ngayong araw, March 11.

Ayon kay Sen. Raffy, na principal sponsor at isa sa mga pangunahing authors ng SB No. 1910, saklaw ng panukalang batas na ito ang mga OFW, maging land-based o sea-based, dokumentado man o hindi, pati na rin ang kanilang pamilya o mga dependent.

Ipinaliwanag ni Sen. Raffy na makakatulong ang SB No. 1910 na mabigyan ng sapat na kaalaman ang ating OFWs tungkol sa pagse-save ng kanilang pera habang nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa para pagbalik nila sa Pilipinas ay mayroon silang sapat na ipon.

Binigyang-diin ni Sen. Raffy na sisiguraduhin ng panukalang ito na matuldukan na ang dumaraming insidente kung saan matapos magtrabaho nang deka-dekadang taon ng ating mga bagong bayani abroad, kadalasan ay uuwing luhaan ang iba dahil walang ni-sentimong ipon.

Sa ilalim pa ng SBN 1910, lahat ng OFW ay sasailalim sa mandatory at tuloy-tuloy na financial education o literacy training seminars na magiging bahagi na ng Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS) para sa mga OFW na papaalis ng bansa.

Bukod pa rito, tuturuan din silang mag-impok, mamuhunan, mag-invest at iba pang maraming paraan para alagaan, palaguin at protektahan ang kanilang hard-earned money nang sa gayon ay hindi sila uuwing “empty-handed” pabalik ng Pilipinas.

Sa huli, pinasalamatan ni Sen. Tulfo ang kapwa niya mga mambabatas sa mabilis at napapanahong pag-apruba ng kanyang proposed measure para sa kapakinabangan ng ating mga bagong bayani.