Kabenguetan News Network, Baguio City (2025)

01/12/2025

LA TRINIDAD OPENS BENGUET PROVINCIAL MEET WITH THREE GOLD HAUL; ITOGON STOPS SWEEP IN THRILLER FINISH

La Trinidad, Benguet — La Trinidad secured three of the four gold medals at stake in the 1,500-meter run events during the opening day of the Benguet Provincial Athletic Meet on December 1 at the Benguet Sports Complex.

In the elementary boys’ division, La Trinidad’s Nygel Yuan Acop topped the field with a time of 5:37.09, followed by Kapangan’s John Kurt Carame who clocked 5:42.69 for silver. Atok’s Ian Mark Balenia finished third in 5:45.00.

La Trinidad also dominated the elementary girls’ 1500 meters, with Erich Bulibu securing the gold in 6:16.15. Itogon’s Roshey Chris Moya placed second with 6:34, while Atok’s Ahlllyza Dawn Ignacio took bronze in 6:38.

In the secondary girls’ category, former CARAA multi-gold medalist Megan Gorospe delivered La Trinidad’s third gold of the meet after recording 5:21.75. Mankayan’s Shayne Guidawen placed second with 6:04, and La Trinidad’s Ryndelyn Tacdoy recorded 6:16 for third.

Itogon prevented a La Trinidad sweep after Hi**er Banglagan Jr. ruled the secondary boys’ 1500 meters, posting 4:36.40 to claim his municipality’s first gold medal of the competition. Buguias’ Zhander Subang secured the silver in 4:47.57, while Atok’s Rhinzel Tad-o finished with 4:58 for bronze.

Qualifying standards for the 1500-meter run were set at 4:59 for elementary boys, 5:21 for elementary girls, 4:20 for secondary boys and 5:06 for secondary girls.

Competition continues as delegations vie for more medals in the succeeding events of the provincial meet.

28/11/2025

FORMER BULACAN DISTRICT ENGINEER RETURNS ₱110 MILLION TO GOVERNMENT — DOJ

MANILA November 28, 2025 — Former Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara has returned roughly ₱110 million to the national treasury as part of a restitution agreement, Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed on Friday.

According to the DOJ, the amount represents funds previously linked to alleged irregularities involving infrastructure projects in Bulacan. While officials did not disclose the specific cases connected to the restitution, Vida said the return of public funds “forms part of ongoing legal processes” and does not preclude further administrative or criminal action.

The DOJ also emphasized that the restitution is a step toward recovering losses from questionable transactions, noting that similar efforts are underway in several other regions as part of the government’s push for accountability in public works.

Alcantara has yet to issue a public statement.

Further updates are expected as the DOJ proceeds with its investigation.

28/11/2025

ROAD COLLAPSES IN PUDTOL, APAYAO AFTER DAYS OF HEAVY RAIN

APAYAO November 28, 2025 — A major stretch of the Kabugao–Pudtol–Luna–Cagayan Boundary Road in Barangay Aurora, Pudtol, Apayao has given way after relentless rains soaked the province, causing severe soil erosion and sending large slabs of concrete sliding down the slope.

The damaged portion is now completely impassable, cutting off a vital link for commuters and residents traveling between Apayao and Cagayan. Photos from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Apayao 2nd District Engineering Office show sections of pavement hanging over eroded ground, with the roadbed beneath it washed out by continuous runoff.

According to the district office, crews are set to build a temporary alternate road to restore mobility as soon as conditions allow. However, officials cautioned that several other sections along the same route remain unstable due to ongoing erosion.

Local authorities are urging residents to avoid the area, stay alert for further rain-induced ground movement, and follow advisories as the province continues to experience saturated soil conditions.

📷 DPWH

28/11/2025

DTI SAYS ₱500 ENOUGH FOR NOCHE BUENA; NATION ASKS WHAT DIMENSION THEY’RE SHOPPING IN

PHILIPPINES (In an alternate reality) - The Department of Trade and Industry has assured the public that ₱500 is sufficient for a complete Noche Buena meal, prompting millions of Filipinos to ask whether DTI officials have discovered a parallel universe where canned goods are still ₱12 and cheese is not priced like gold.

According to the agency, families can already buy spaghetti ingredients, fruit salad supplies, and even ham within the ₱500 budget, an achievement many consumers described as “mathematically impossible” and “spiritually offensive.”

Shoppers who attempted the DTI Challenge reported a different outcome, claiming their ₱500 barely survived the first aisle. One customer said the closest he got to Noche Buena was “staring at the ham section from a safe emotional distance.”

Meanwhile, economists praised the DTI’s optimism, noting that if the agency truly knows where to snag these prices, they should immediately share the location, whether it's a secret market, a time machine, or a grocery branch located directly in the imagination.

For now, Filipinos are advised to approach supermarkets with patience, courage, and possibly a backup wallet, in case the DTI’s version of Christmas magic fails to materialize.

27/11/2025

123 MINERS SAFE AFTER MOUNTAINSIDE COLLAPSE IN ITOGON, BENGUET

ITOGON, BENGUET — All 123 miners working at a small-scale mining site in Camp 1, Acupan, Virac were confirmed safe after a section of the mountainside above the area gave way early Thursday morning, November 27.

Itogon Mayor Bernard Waclin reported that 89 miners were able to exit the tunnels immediately after receiving word of the surface collapse. The remaining 34 miners later emerged safely, with local authorities confirming that no one was trapped or injured.

Miners said the collapse occurred on the surface and did not affect the underground workings. The slide sent soil and debris cascading downslope, uprooting around ten trees. One fallen tree struck a nearby house, causing damage but no injuries.

Mayor Waclin attributed the incident to softened and unstable soil following days of persistent rainfall. He ordered a temporary suspension of entry into the affected tunnels until safety inspections are completed and official clearance is issued.

Assessment and monitoring of the site are ongoing.

27/11/2025

BAGUIO ARTISTS CALL FOR TOURISM OFFICER’S RESIGNATION OVER MURAL ISSUE

BAGUIO CITY — Local artists have launched a petition seeking the resignation of City Tourism Officer Aloysius “Alec” Mapalo after the removal and reported disposal of a mural created for the 2020 Ibagiw Creative Festival.

The petition, posted publicly on November 27, accuses the tourism office of mishandling the artwork and failing to properly consult the artist. It also raises broader concerns about how the city manages cultural works tied to government-supported events.

Organizers said the petition gathered close to 200 signatures within hours. They are calling for a public apology, Mapalo’s resignation from arts and tourism functions, and clearer guidelines for handling creative projects.

Mapalo has acknowledged the petition and said he will issue a formal statement. City officials are expected to review the concerns raised as discussions continue between the creative community and local government.

26/11/2025

ICI READIES CHARGES VS. 8 LAWMAKERS LINKED TO DPWH CONTRACTS

The Independent Citizens Initiative (ICI) is set to file criminal and administrative complaints against eight incumbent and former members of the House of Representatives alleged to have financial or familial links to construction firms that won Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects from 2016 to 2024.

ICI officials said the complaint, which will be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman and the House Committee on Ethics, is supported by procurement records, corporate documents, and project award data covering an eight-year period.

LAWMAKERS NAMED IN THE COMPLAINT

The individuals expected to be included in the filing are:

1. Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co
2. CWS Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola
3. Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. James Ang Jr.
4. Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jernie Nisay
5. Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Augustina Pancho
6. Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara
7. Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas
8. Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera

ICI said the list may expand as investigators continue reviewing documents linked to contractors across several regions.

ALLEGED CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Initial findings point to a pattern in which DPWH-funded projects were allegedly funneled to companies owned by the lawmakers' relatives or long-time associates. In several cases, firms were reportedly registered under proxy names but were traced back to the families of the legislators.

If validated, the allegations could constitute violations of anti-graft laws, grave misconduct, and possible plunder should the amounts involved meet statutory thresholds.

HOUSE BRACES FOR FALLOUT

The looming complaint has sparked concern within the House, with some legislators calling the move politically motivated while others privately acknowledge that the intersection of public office and private contracting has been a persistent issue.

ICI said its forthcoming filing is intended to test the accountability mechanisms of government institutions.

“We are acting on evidence, not rumor,” an ICI official said. “Public office must not be used for private gain.”

The complaint is expected to be formally submitted within the week.

26/11/2025

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT ADIVAY 2025
And Why Benguet’s Good Nature Shouldn’t Be Judged by a Few Bad Moments

The Adivay Grand Cañao has always been Benguet’s annual declaration to the world: our culture is alive, our traditions endure, and our communities remain open-hearted. But this year, the celebration found itself under the unforgiving flare of social media after accounts emerged of visitors being turned away at food booths and a group of children being barred from performing their Kalinga cultural number.

Suddenly, a festival built on unity and cultural respect became the subject of online finger-pointing. And just like that, sweeping statements about Benguet’s hospitality, once celebrated, began to sour in comment sections.

But what really happened?

Let's begin with the obvious, shall we? : Adivay attracts massive crowds. Tens of thousands flow into Wangal every year, all eager to partake in a feast that each municipality prepares with limited resources and volunteer manpower. Crowd control is never an easy task, and in a surge of excited visitors, even good plans can collapse under pressure.

Yes, there were reports of people being told they could not queue for food. Yes, a parent said their children were stopped from performing. These accounts deserve acknowledgement and not denial. But they also deserve context.

Provincial and municipal officials have already clarified: The people being blamed online were not the ones responsible for crowd control.
Many volunteers on the ground were overwhelmed, some perhaps misinformed, and a few, if social media accounts are accurate, acted with unnecessary strictness. Those actions, if true, fall squarely on individuals, not the culture they supposedly represent.

To paint the entire province of Benguet as inhospitable because of a handful of incidents is not only unfair but historically inaccurate. Benguet’s identity has long been grounded in openness. !The same people now being accused online are the same ones who welcome visitors to their homes without hesitation, who share their harvests without expecting anything in return, who sit around the cañao circle with strangers and make them feel like kin.

It is more likely that what we saw were simply *a few bad potatoes. Perhaps overzealous ushers, misinformed volunteers, or well-meaning locals who buckled under the chaos of a crowd larger than expected.

And here’s the part often missing from viral posts:
Benguet apologized.
Benguet explained.
Benguet listened.

Provincial officials did not hide. Municipalities issued statements correcting misinformation, clarifying roles, and assuring that the incidents are being addressed. Accountability, real accountability, is happening, quietly and without defensiveness.

This is what hospitality looks like.
Not perfect, but humble.
Not flawless ex*****on, but willingness to repair what went wrong.

If Adivay is about honoring culture, then let’s honor Benguet culture fully and not just through its dances and rituals, but through its enduring truth: This is a province that welcomes and never excludes.

So what really happened at Adivay 2025?

A celebration that got messy around the edges.
A festival strained by massive crowds.
A few missteps amplified into a narrative too big for their actual weight.

But at its core, the spirit of Benguet remains untouched. Warm, open, and generous as always.
And that is something no viral post can take away.

-GP Abela-

26/11/2025

LTIPO–NGCP NEGOTIATIONS HIT DEADLOCK OVER ROYALTY, PROJECT TERMS

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET — Negotiations between the La Trinidad Indigenous Peoples Organization (LTIPO) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) have reached a deadlock after both sides failed to agree on the proposed terms for NGCP’s continued use of ancestral domain areas hosting transmission lines and power facilities.

The impasse centers on LTIPO’s request for a one-time ₱8-million royalty, along with other community-based concessions intended to support Indigenous Peoples (IP) development programs in the municipality. NGCP’s board of directors, however, approved a counteroffer of ₱5 million, which the LTIPO declined.

LTIPO says offer insufficient for planned IP projects

According to LTIPO leaders, the ₱8-million proposal was formulated to fund ongoing and future IP initiatives, including cultural preservation activities, community-centered initiatives, and livelihood projects. The group said the requested amount represents what they believe to be fair compensation for the continued presence of transmission structures within their ancestral domain.

LTIPO also noted that transmission charges are passed on to consumers through the Benguet Electric Cooperative, arguing that their request falls within what they view as mutually beneficial arrangements for both parties.

NGCP stands by board-approved offer

NGCP maintained its position at ₱5 million, saying the figure reflected internal corporate assessments and board approval. The company has yet to issue a detailed statement on the deadlock but previously expressed willingness to continue engaging with affected IP communities under established procedures.

Next steps unclear

With both sides holding firm, the future of the negotiations remains uncertain. LTIPO has indicated it will review possible next steps, including further dialogue or formal actions within existing IP and regulatory frameworks.

Local observers say the situation highlights continuing challenges in balancing national infrastructure needs with the rights and expectations of Indigenous Peoples whose lands host critical energy facilities.

Both LTIPO and NGCP have yet to announce a schedule for the resumption of talks.

25/11/2025

YAP FIRES WARNING SHOT VS DIGITAL DECEIT: HOUSE BILL 4965 SEEKS TO CRACK DOWN ON FAKE NEWS IN THE AI ERA

BAGUIO CITY — In this age where a single tap can topple reputations, distort history, or ignite unrest, Benguet Lone District Representative Eric G. Yap is drawing a bold line in the sand. His proposed House Bill No. 4965, or the Anti-Fake News and Disinformation Act, takes direct aim at the fast-evolving machinery of digital deception from AI-generated lies to deepfakes designed to mimic truth.

Yap’s message is bold and straightforward: the country can no longer afford a truth crisis.

With Filipinos among the world’s heaviest internet users, Yap warns that misinformation has mutated into a national vulnerability. Simple rumor-mongering has transformed into a high-tech operation capable of manipulating public opinion with frightening precision.

Artificial intelligence, he notes, has turbocharged the creation of “manufactured realities” like videos of people saying things they never said, headlines engineered to provoke rage, content crafted solely to mislead and divide.

“Our laws are fighting a digital wildfire with a garden hose,” Yap’s explanatory note suggests, pointing out that the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act were designed for a slower, simpler era. Today, lies can spread globally within minutes, while accountability struggles to catch up.

House Bill 4965 seeks to fix that imbalance.

The proposed measure introduces clearer, sharper definitions of both fake news and disinformation therefore closing loopholes that bad actors often exploit. It also aims to penalize the intentional creation and spread of fabricated content, distinguishing malicious deception from legitimate expression. Yap emphasizes that free speech remains protected, but freedom cannot be used as a shield for deliberate harm.

The heart of the bill is a call to protect the fragile social fabric now strained by digital manipulation. Unchecked disinformation, the measure warns, corrodes trust in institutions, destroys faith in democratic processes, and leaves communities vulnerable to orchestrated chaos.

As the battle for public truth intensifies, Yap’s bill forces a national confrontation with a difficult question: If technology can forge any reality, who safeguards the real one?

House Bill 4965 asserts a clear answer: the law must evolve, or the truth will continue to bleed unchecked in the hands of those who weaponize lies.

22/11/2025

HAPPY ADIVAY, BENGUET: A TRIBUTE TO THE LAND THAT HOLDS THE SKY AND THE PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO BOW

Today, as Benguet marks its Foundation Day (Adivay), we do more than commemorate a date. We honor a province carved not just by time and topography, but by a people whose unshakable spirit is older than any written chronicle, deeper than any mine, and stronger than any storm that ever tested these mountains.

Benguet is a place where the wind carries stories; of ancestors who walked these ridges long before the word “Cordillera” was ever drawn on a map, of farmers who tamed unforgiving slopes into the vegetable baskets that feed a nation, of elders who kept chants, rituals, and memory alive despite centuries of intrusion, extraction, and erasure.

Here, identity is lived and not only claimed.

This land has endured everything: colonizers who sought its gold, companies that carved its earth, earthquakes that shook its core, typhoons that clawed at its hillsides, and policies that often forgot the very people these mountains cradle. Yet Benguet, unyielding, quiet, steadfast, remains.

And its people? They do more than survive.
They rebuild.
They rise.
They protect.
They give.

From Ibaloy to Kankanaey communities, from farmers braving dawn frost to students walking hours to school, from elders guiding traditions to modern-day advocates defending ancestral lands, Benguet’s strength shines not only in spectacle, but in spirit. A kind of quiet courage that grows from knowing who you are, where you stand, and what you refuse to surrender.

On this 23rd of November, the province stands not as a relic of the past but more of a testament to perseverance. Benguet’s beauty is not merely in its pine-clad ridges, mossy forests, sunlit terraces, and valleys stitched with rivers. Its beauty is in the people who remain rooted despite a history that tried, time and again, to uproot them.

Adivay is more than a cause for celebration. It is a solemn reminder.

That Benguet is a story of endurance.
A homeland defended by memory.
A community strengthened by struggle.
A people who have learned to bend like mountain grass, but never break.

Today, we pay tribute to Benguet as a living legacy. A province that continues to teach us that resilience is not merely surviving hardship; it is choosing, every single day, to rise with dignity, with pride, and with an unyeilding love for the land that raised you.

Happy Adivay, Benguet.

May your mountains remain standing and so will your people.

GP Abela

22/11/2025

TRUTH OR LIE? Week One

1. Illegal gambling persists in Baguio and Benguet because officials are on the take.

2. A high-ranking municipal official is serving two masters at the same time and is just weighing who can ensurse his political survival.

3. The Baguio City Market redevelopment proposal by SM Prime holdings is a done deal right from the start.

4. The chances of former House Speaker Romualdez landing in jail during this current administrstion is zero.

5. There are no "ghost" projects in Benguet.

6. Corruption has grown into an unbelievable level because it was tolerated by both the people and their officials.

7. The adivay festivities should have been tempered down as a sign of respect to other areas in the country greatly affected by the recent typhoons and other calamities.

8. Contractors are scrambling to repair poorly-done projects ahead of continued ICI investigations.

9. The drug abuse allegations against President BBM are not enough to "unseat" him.

10. The NCIP needs a total overhaul in view of FPIC rigging allegations.

Kabenguetan News Network

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