MANILA, March 21 — How often do many hear this general observation and commentary that when there is smoke, there is probably a fire causing it. Now we read about the multi-million pesos payoff rumor to lawmakers just to make the passage of the much criticized government endeavor on peace […]
BACOLOD CITY, March 21 — This Visayan city is the target of a P35 billion real estate investment project. The biggest real estate investment in Negros Occidental so far, Megaworld Corporation’s development projects are expected to create new business districts and 250,000 jobs in the next 10 years. Megaworld senior […]
MANILA, March 20 — Only four out of every ten Filipinos like President Benigno S. Aquino III to stay in Malacanang and continue what he is doing. Four out of ten Filipinos still believe in his way of leadership. Six of every ten are Filipinos think otherwise. The current result […]
Can the choicest words and the harshest sounds provide power to a people long oppressed under the yoke of feudal and imperialist tyranny? Shall we not cast aside the broken pen that knows all terms and the paper pure prepared for lines? Shall we not transform angry words into […]
VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 20 — Can a bridge connect Catanduanes to the mainland Bicol and facilitate land travel bothways? Cantanduanes governor Araceli Wong made her thoughts ring loud and clear dreaming of the mega infrastructure now called the Friendship-Tourism bridge. Ambitious as it is, the 10.8-kilometer concrete bridge will traverse […]
MANILA, March 20 – Commuters brace for an alternative commute other than the trains. Operations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 will be suspended for four days in observance of the Holy Week and at the same time to give way to annual maintenance works. According […]
CEBU, March 20 — Even the experts, or the learned among us sometimes “bark” on the wrong tree. Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Deles appealed to ASEAN-member states for support on the Bangsamoro Law during the opening of the two-day workshop on “Strengthening […]
MANILA, March 19 — The global movement Earth Hour led by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is giving out safe and economical solar lamps to hundreds of families in Palawan. It is this year’s Gift of Life project of the organization. “Solar lamps rely on power of the sun, […]
Introducing and please welcome NOAH. Newest to debut in our topics and categories is our “NOAH,” news one and half, the satire journal, the comic and satire on politics, events and objects, personalities included, with pun always an intention. In Bicol, we refer to its undertone with “Borobentot, an tamaan […]
Time to tip our hat(s) off to WordPress plugin developers. Without them, the web sites on our watch would be a nightmare to maintain. Yesterday, I spent considerable amount of time and attention at deleting the 20K-plus unsolicited “contributors” in Cbanga360.net’s Bicol Street Journal and 2K-plus on the Bulletin Today.com […]
LIPA CITY, Batangas, March 18 — Police officers confiscated heat-sealed plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be metamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” weighing 25 grams with an estimated street value of P295,000 during a buy-bust operation late Monday afternoon at Lodlod village here. Police commander Supt. Jacinto R. Malinao […]
MANILA, March 18 – There is strong prospect that no additional power for President Benigno S.Aquino is in the offing to address the expected power shortage during the summer. The panel chairman of the House of Representatives committee on energy and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali expressed he had done […]
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) has approved a resolution granting a P15 increase in the daily basic minimum wage and continuing a P15 Cost of Living Allowance in effect since January 2014. The new minimum wage in the National Capital Region has been […]
CAWAYAN, Masbate, March 17 — The appointment of vice-governor Vince Home Revil as acting governor of Msbate province is disrupting government funded projects in this town. Revil allegedly withholds funding of projects alloted to the municpality which are already financed by the provincial government while detained Governor Rozalina Lanete was […]
LIBMANAN, Cam. Sur, March 17 — An official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and four of his men on board a police patrol car were critically wounded when they were ambushed by New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Binubon, Barangay Malinao, in this town, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Police […]
Dae mo ako haputon ngonyan / Kun haen an puso ko. / Dae mo ako hilingon na garo pinipirit / Na simbagon taka. Haen mananggad? / Kadto yaon duman sa pinakamalaad / Na bituon kun maaaga, nagtatago, /
MANILA, March 16 — Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada was granted Monday a three-hour furlough by the Sandiganbayn to attend to his son’s high school graduation on Tuesday. The anti-graft court allowed Estrada to leave his detention in Camp Crame from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to attend the commencement […]
MANILA, March 16 — Speaking on the funding issues surrounding the proposed Bangsamoro region, Department of Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said, “We must consider the prevailing conditions in the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The region requires strong and consistent funding support to lift it out of poverty.” […]
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, March 16 -– Joint police and military operatives arrested Sunday night Ustadz Mohammad Ali Tambako and four of his men in Gen. Santos City. Tambako is allegedly the leader of the Justice for Islam Movement (JIM), a splinter group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Tambako is […]
BACOLOD CITY, March 16– The landmass of the country has limited prospect of increasing, with China continuously chipping away a wide swath of Philippine territory in the South China, yet more local governments get created, like new cities, towns, provinces and now a proposed Negros Island Region, favoring an opportunity […]
LAOAG CITY, March 16 – Among the 81 provinces of the country, Ilocos Norte may be the first to have honored more homegrown heroes through the years. The second batch were honored with five more monuments of Ilocano heroes unveiled Tuesday at the Heroes Walk in Centennial Arena of Laoag […]
Former child actress Leizl Martinez died peacefully at 6:35 am yesterday, witnessed by her loving family, including her mother Amalia Fuentes. She courageously fought but finally lost her final bout with cancer. In 2008, she was diagnosed with a Stage 3 breast cancer and had a mastectomy coupled with successive […]
After relying on built-in functionality provided by the current and previous WordPress themes in searching the archives, both websites The Bicol Street Journal and The Bulletin Today (now deactivated as of January 2015) has the Google search engine fully integrated and working perfectly well. The search, though, limit results to […]
Executive Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations in the PNP-BOI Report on the Mamasapano incident MANILA, March 15 — Following are the complete texts of the Executive Summary, Conclusions, and Recomendations contained in the Philippine National Police – Board of Inquiry report on the Jan. 25 2015 Mamasapano incident: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On […]
MANILA, March 15 — Is the Philippine government peace panel negotiating with Malaysian citizens masquerading as representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front? This is the gist of the concern brought forward by a Davao city congressman. Congressman Karlo Alexei Nograles on Saturday called on the Ad Hoc Committee on […]
LEGAZPI CITY, March 14 – Despite the seeming unpreparedness in offering the proposed new senior high school (SHS) program, the Department of Education (DepEd) confirms that 1,251 schools in Bicol are ready (sic) to offer the K to 12 curriculum by 2016. DepEd V Education Program Supervisor Cecile Ferro disclosed […]
For sometime now, Ginger has appeared in various instances on this site. Ginger is the apple of our eyes for quite four years now. Considered as a little princess in the household, she is a lingering source of joy by simply being around. Adopted in September 2011, she perfectly adjusted […]
WASHINGTON, March 14 — Ground-penetrating radar measurements taken by China’s lunar rover Yutu, also known as Jade Rabbit, revealed at least nine subsurface layers beneath its moon landing site, indicating that multiple geologic processes have taken place there. Yutu is part of China’s Chang’e-3 moon mission, which delivered the rover […]
MANILA, March 13 — There will be no change in the composition of the government peace negotiating panel even with the urging of a senator to replace the peace adviser Teresita Deles and chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In a privilege speech on […]
CALABANGA, Cam Sur, March 12 — The shoreline in barangay Sabang here is taking its natural course, easing out the thatched houses that once were on a safer level. Long time residents were forced to give way to nature’s incursion. During low tide, the muddy shore line is exposed only […]
MANILA, March 12 – The Philippine Senate gave P5.1 million worth of financial assistance to the SAF troopers who were killed, wounded and survived the Mamasapano incident last Jan. 25. Before the Senate session ended Wednesday night, Senate President Franklin Drilon announced the financial assistance worth P100,000 each to the […]
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte, March 12 — In the quest for free solar power, some 700 indigenous trees in Currimao town will be cleared for the purpose. That is why Father Robert Reyes, known as the “running priest” from Malabon, is in Laoag City to join young Ilocanos in their […]
ILOILO CITY, March 12 — Antique guv “cries” for slice of tourism pie, well not literally. The province of Antique appeals to the Department of Tourism (DOT) for a chance to show-off its natural and man-made tourism attractions which remained in oblivion. “Kami naman,” said newly installed Antique Governor Rhodora […]
DAVAO CITY, March 12 — Ten municipalities in the Davao Region earlier identified by the Regional Development Council XI may soon have access to free internet through the TV White Space Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology. Among the 10 municipalities in the region that will soon have […]
MANILA, March 12 — Philippine export of minerals and agro-based products registered strong growth in January 2015, but weaker demand in manufactures and lower sales from petroleum pulled down total exports, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The Philippine Statistics Authority reported Tuesday that the country’s merchandise […]
COTABATO CITY, March 11 — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Wednesday said it is spending Php 12 million a week on food packs alone to support more than 70,000 individuals displaced in the ongoing military law enforcement operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao. ARMM’s […]
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, March 11 — The latest skirmishes between Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Philippine Marine troopers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Tuesday had twenty Moro bandits and two soldiers killed. Speaking for the 6th Infantry Division Capt. Joann Petinglay said the encounter between 8th Marine Battalion Landing Team […]
Legazpi City, March 9– The controversial P47-million Malampaya fund that had been allegedly misappropriated during the 2009 Mayon eruption resurfaced here as Albay province claim it has been fully accounted for. Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda reportedly warned his provincial Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officer to resign after […]
LEGAZPI CITY, March 9 — The suspect in the killing of a cousin of Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Viilafuerte surrendered to Senior Supt. Marlo S. Meneses, Albay Philippine National Police provincial director, on Sunday morning inside Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola. Meneses identified the suspect as Manny Rey, 40 […]
Filipino-American Ralph Kenneth de leon of Ontario, California was sentenced to 25 years in the slammer by a U. S. Federal Court on February 23. Federal Judge Virginia A. Philips handed down the sentence on the 26 year old De Leon for “conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.” At […]
Filipino-American Robert “Bobby” Murphy is listed by Forbes as one of the newest billionaires for 2015. He is listed to have a net worth of US $1.5 billion, making him the second youngest dollar billionaire. He owns an estimated 13 per cent in Snapchat. Murphy is currently the chief technology […]
On March 12, Thursday, pupils belonging to the test groups covered by the National Achievement Test (NAT) program become the focus of a government exercise on education. Much of the whole school year, teachers in the Grade Six level have been preparing for the NAT. It would seem we are […]
A new feat for space exploration was achieved with NASA’s Dawn spacecraft. The mission attained orbit around the dwarf planet when captured by gravity of Ceres approximately 38,000 miles (61,000 kilometers) at about 4:39 a.m. PST (7:39 a.m. EST) Friday. In addition to being the first spacecraft to visit a […]
Nagpuli ako sa harong kan magurang, / Dara an kamera maretrato kan ogma, / Pinsan saka partidaryo nagsabat usyoso, / Kun siisay an iba dai ko na bistado. / Tano ta ngonian lang ika uminabot?
MANILA, March 6 -– When there’s smoke, there’s fire. Malacanang on Friday denied speculations that additional funds will be given to lawmakers who will support the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). ”They might speculate that we will use PDAF. There’s no more PDAF,” Palace spokesperson Abigail Valte said […]
MANILA, Philippines – Reports confirmed that as the Philippine government is hell-bent at passing the much maligned Bangsamoro Basic Law, while military forces are fighting the war with Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom fighters (BIFF) and the Abu Sayyaf Group, another radical Muslim group is emerging as a new player in the […]
MANILA, March 4 — In the continuing hostilities in conflict-torn areas in Mindanao, government forces suffered yet another set of fatalities. Three soldiers, two of them officers, were killed after the resupply column they were in were mined and ambushed by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Patikul town, […]
MANILA, March 4 — AFP pursuit operations are now being conducted against the five foreign terrorists, four of which are Indonesian and one Arab-looking, who are allegedly allied with Filipino bomb-maker Basit Usman. Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, said they believed that […]
MANILA, March 4 – Senator Grace Poe is still waiting for Smart Communications to contact her office regarding the Senate’s subpoena to produce records of short message services (SMS) between PNP chief Alan Purisima and other key persons involved in the Mamasapano debacle of the PNP SAF. ”We want to […]
MANILA, March 4 — Public hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) can continue even if Congress is in recess, according to Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. “We can still continue working during the adjournment. We can still hold hearings even if we are in recess,” Marcos said in […]
MANILA,, March 3 — If we are to believe that passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law into law will not solve the conflict in Mindanao, according to Prof. Miriam Ferrer, then why the heck they still stay at the government peace panel? Professor Miriam Ferrer, who chairs the side of government […]
MANILA, March 3 — A toxics watchdog warned that mercury-laden skin whitening cosmetics can pollute the household environment which endangers users and non-users, including young children who are most vulnerable to toxic exposure. The EcoWaste Coalition conducted yet another study on the amount of mercury that is released to the […]
WASHINGTON, March 2 — Despite helmet scare ISS astronauts complete successful spacewalk. The pair of U.S. astronauts successfully completed their third and final spacewalk in eight days Sunday to update the International Space Station (ISS), under the shadow of a water buildup in a spacesuit helmet at the end of […]
LEGAZPI CITY, March 2 — Almost halfway through its construction phase, only then that a commercial building rising in the city center here is getting its building permit processed by the city engineering office. For months, works on the construction of structure attributed to as the Yashano Mall has been […]
Cry, anti-GMO people, organizations, advocates against the GMO gory phenomenon. The pro-GMO, it seems is gaining foothold in the country fast and easy, with the support of big money, corporations, public and private institutions and not to discount the government and its people within. The Philippines is now the number […]
MASBATE CITY , March 1 — A local tabloid publisher and editor in Masbate province was murdered Saturday. Ariel Verano Lerit, the publisher-editor of the tabloid Masbate Times was stabbed to death while inside a KTB bar in this city with fellow media personnel Bobby Bornillo. The unfortunate incident happened […]
LEGAZPI CITY, March 1– Like a broken record, the press information on Albay tourism bets high hope on visitors mostly from the Chinese mainland. One Chinese tourism agent confirms that his company have selected Albay as a tourism destination for the meantime. Terrence Fang of Yueqiho International Travel Agency recalled […]
MANILA, Mrch 1 – Detained Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. is expected to seek a pass to be with son who was reportedly shot and wounded by himself in accident yesterday. The family lawyer said the shooting was an accident. He clarified that Cavite vice governor Jose Lorenzo “Jolo” Bautista III […]
Sharing here an excerpt of the 3D documentary film by Louie Schwartzberg of mycologist Paul Stamets The film explores how fungi begins to be understood as source nutrients for human consumption and part of ecological sustainability. The renowned mycologist believes that fungi can save the world. More from the duo […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 27 — Calls and suggestions to declare Xian Lim as persona non grata in Albay, which was first suggested and mentioned on this site, yet Governor Joey Sarte Salceda did not yield, saying doing so contradicts their campaign to promote Albay. The tsinito charm and attraction of […]
DAVAO CITY, Feb. 27 — “Hindi (No). I never said it in a very categorical way.” This was the statement of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte when sought if he declared intention to run for president during his “Listening Tour” on Federalism in Dagupan City. In an interview on Wednesday night at […]
The province of Catanduanes has adopted a new local tourism promotion program that gives tourists the privilege of taking part in tree planting during their stay. Dubbed as “One Tourist, One Tree,” the recently launched program is directed towards making the local tourism industry an avenue for keeping the verdant […]
(Image credit: Sarah Brightman facebook page) MOSCOW, Feb. 26 — Popular Englsh classical singer Sarah Brightman will soon fly to space. But wait, while she is scheduled to go to the International Space Station as the next space tourist, she has broken up a schedule of pre-flight training at the […]
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, Feb. 26 — Since when a military covert operation was announced for public and media consumption? This is one for the record when an army regional spokesperson said Wednesday the Army’s 6th Infantry Division has started covert operations against outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Capt. Joann […]
MANILA, Feb. — Like a copy of gas service retail and store outlets in western countries, two investors are up to show the motorists and travelers in the Philippines the look and feel of one. That is, fill your car with gas, shop a little, eat some snacks and buy […]
GENEVA, Dec. 11 — Geneva increased its level of security alert on Thursday as law enforcement personnel actively tracked down individuals thought to be linked to the investigation of the Paris terrorist attacks in November. Heightened security measures have been implemented in potential target areas including Geneva airport and international […]
Malacañang is leaving proposals on total ban on firecrackers up to Congress, as it is the one authorized to amend Republic Act No. 7183 or the law regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. Meanwhile, the number of fireworks-related injuries during the New Year […]
This second post covers the year of 2002. Check out how towns, big and small, tumbled down in their rankings as others managed to stay on the top earning money and spending less. It is interesting to note how municipalities “played” with numbers in allocating tax money.
Watch this. Gamma-ray bursts are the most luminous explosions in the cosmos. Astronomers think most occur when the core of a massive star runs out of nuclear fuel, collapses under its own weight, and forms a black hole. The black hole then drives jets of particles that drill all the […]
Courtesy of our next-house neighbor and also Aunt Lolit, these orchids are blooms in her garden, a source of joy and delight even as she worries about the rainy season this time of the year. When asked permission for the frames, she obligingly lead the way. On a sad note, […]
What will happen if Casureco II can not pay P120 million security deposit? This is not a time to speculate. Member- consumers of the electric cooperative very well know the dark consequence. There is the strong and certain possibility that three of the five power wholesale suppliers of the Camarines […]
Pandemic Ridiculous China exerts effort to change narrative origin of coronavirus from US to Italy Interesting narrative here the disinformation campaign being waged by the Chinese Communist, after blaming the US for inventing the coronavirus, Beijing is now seeding conspiracy theories that Italy may be responsible after all! The Chinese […]
Red Monkey Talks presents new video clip of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno giving his full support and endorsement of Vice President Leni Robredo to the presidency. The campaign rally was held at the Divisoria Mall .
If Bicol wants to see the next vice president of the republic to come from the region, all Bicolanos that include voters, politicians, civic and multi-sector organizations should close ranks and cross party lines to come up with one single candidate to support, campaign and vote come election day. After […]
MANILA — As the 16th congress nears its adjournment, on Monday, resumed from a four-month break to pass on third and final reading 27 measures, including 21 from the House of Representatives which aims to either grant or extend franchises to the telecommunications, radio and television operators in the country. […]
A low pressure area over east of southern Mindanao has intensified into a tropical depression and entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. In a interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the tropical depression, locally named “Zorayda”, is […]
The fiscal administration under President Rodrigo Duterte is boasting of its makeover of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program with the adoption of a “new” approach to fast-track the implementation of two road projects in Luzon. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said that under the hybrid PPP formula, the government selects, […]
Fancy drills of cadets may have engaged the crowd to cheer and swoon. Perhaps, the training and discipline instilled was enough guarantee that not one may not slip in their routine. It must be exhilirating for every participant but over all, they delivered what was expected.
Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said that the transfer of homeless families from Manila to the Boystown in Marikina City was solely an initiative of the local government of Manila. The DSWD statement was in reaction to allegations that Manila street dwellers were removed in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic […]
LEGAZPI CITY — There is no reason to be flaunting about the age of modern air travel in the region via the Southern Luzon international airport. The thing is, the airport’s completion may come beyond the 2016 national elections, yet. Because of this, Bicolanos, more specifically the people of Albay, […]
The province of Albay is preparing to accomodate 10,000 individuals or 2,000 families from among the survivors of typhoon Yolanda from Samar and Leyte. This was known Sunday as governor Joey Sarte Salceda made the announcement, that displaced families will be accommodated in the newly constructed Japan-standard evacuation centers of […]
SORSOGON CITY — All thirty-two international beauties from countries over the world descended on this city Tuesday to compete in the “Resort Wear” segment of the Ms. Earth International competition on Wednesday at the provincial gymnasium. The candidates arrived late Tuesday morning from Metro Manila and proceeded to the Siama […]
MANILA, Dec. 12 –The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines urged the faithful to imitate Pope Francis, named as “Person of the Year by Time Magazine”. “I encourage our Catholics to stay focused on the Pope’s eyes—always on God. The sincerest form of honoring him is to […]
LEGAZPI CITY — Six persons died when a Suzuki sports utility vehicle collided head-on with a passenger bus early Sunday morning along the Maharlika Highway in barangay Bacolod, Juban, Sorsogon, a Philippine National Police official in Bicol said. Inspector Malu Calubaquid, PNP Bicol spokesperson, said the Suzuki SUV with plate […]
NASA is participating in the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission, whose goal is to observe one comet space-bound icy dirt ball from up close — for months on end. The spacecraft, festooned with 25 instruments between its lander and orbiter (including three from NASA), is programmed to “wake up” from […]
LEGAZPI CITY –- Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has announced he is filing charges against the Philippine National Railways for using the premium tourist train not in the Bicol-Manila route where its acquisition was intended. The PNR utilizes the trains on Tutuban-Laguna run instead of the Bicol route where it is […]
The blackout being suffered by Legazpi City, Manito town and some areas of Sto. Domingo town started on Wednesday morning after the 35-year-old 20-MVA transformer of the Bitano sub-station conked out. Imported during the Martial Law years, (during the implementation of establishing electric cooperatives in the country) in 1979, it […]
No lesser than 3,000 estimated former victims of Marcos-era martial law rule are seen to file their compensation suits beginning Monday in Legazpi city. Presumed victims of human rights violations, the claimants will come from Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate and Albay or from all provinces that comprises the region. […]
Calabanga — Putting out forest fire is an emerging challenge for local governments and communities which has no equipment nor dedicated personnel for the task. Take the current case of the huge fire that gutted about 100 to 150 hectares of second forest growth in the shoulders of Mount Isarog […]