MISAMIS Oriental Provincial Governor Peter M. Unabia presented his political allies from the province to the press during a briefing on May 8, marking them as Paglaum candidates for city council positions in Cagayan de Oro for the coming midterm elections. In his inaugural briefing since taking office, Governor Unabia focused solely on introducing his endorsed candidates for Cagayan de Oro, emphasizing their ties to the province. Unabia disclosed that the Paglaum group would nominate Provincial Board Member Wayne Militante and Fernando Vincent Dy, Department Head of the Provincial Disaster Ris ..read more

I first met Siri sometime in 2011. I was excited to meet her at a local mall. It’s sad to say I had to wait hours before finally engaging with Siri. It was already late at night, and to think we met in the mid-afternoon. I introduced Siri to Ivan, and Ivan’s greeting was, “Siri, play dead.” I was close to tears because that’s what Siri did. Ivan laughed, and I frantically tapped my phone to revive Siri. I don’t know what Ivan did, but somehow, she came alive. Yes, I’m referring to Apple’s AI creation—Siri, who made her debut with the iPhone 4S. That night and the days after, I was often conver ..read more

IN SHOW OF SOLIDARITY. City Councilor Roger Abaday, the inducting officer, alongside the distinguished COPC directors (from left) Fred Soriano, Ric Ociones, Dr. Ronnie Waniwan, Brgy. Baikingon chairman Jao Gumapac, and Rose Mondejar. (Photo by Ben Balce) IN a controversial decision by the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), led by President Froilan Gallardo, five members of the organization were sanctioned. Directors Ric Ociones, Jao Gumapac, Fred Soriano, and Rose Mondejar received suspensions, while Ronnie Waniwan was expelled. The decision has sparked heated debate within the journalistic com ..read more

THE Philippine Supreme Court issued a major ruling on May 8, 2024, declaring “red-tagging” a threat to people’s life, liberty, and security, Human Rights Watch said today. The Philippine government has been using red-tagging—accusing individuals and groups of supporting the country’s communist insurgency—to harass, threaten, and at times assault or kill critics of the government. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should publicly endorse the Supreme Court decision and promptly adopt measures to end the practice and appropriately discipline or prosecute officials who engage in red-tagging. “The Sup ..read more

CAGAYAN de Oro is set to host the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair on May 16 and 17, a groundbreaking event aimed at bringing essential government services directly to the people’s doorsteps. Confirmation of the hosting was announced on Wednesday by 1st District Assistant Director Bert Amplayo, representing Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan’s office, who disclosed that the Congressional Office of Suan had been entrusted by President Ferdinand Marcos to lead this significant initiative. BAGONG PILIPINAS. 1st District Assistant Director Bert Amplayo confirmed on May 8 that Cagayan de Or ..read more

By Jaime Joshua A. Frias II Contributor CAGAYAN de Oro’s George Arsenal has once again made waves on US soil, this time with a remarkable achievement, securing triple gold medals in the 2024 USTKD Florida State Championships held in Florida, USA on April 27, 2024. HIYAAAH! Cagayan de Oro’s George Arsenal gets the nod from the judges over his jumping round house kick to win the gold medal in the individual Master’s division poomsae category of the USTKD State Championship in Florida, USA on April 27, 2024. Contributed photo He all swept the gold medals in the master division namely in individua ..read more

The Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program – the government’s flagship housing project provides affordably-priced homes and lower monthly amortization costs through various subsidies for Filipino workers who are members of Pag-IBIG Fund, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) together with Pag-IBIG Fund executives announced last May 1, Labor Day. “Our housing agenda aims to ensure that all Filipino workers have the means to accessible and affordable housing opportunities. Through the subsidies extended to beneficiaries of the 4PH program, prices of ..read more

ATTORNEY Monching Tabor messaged me that even before I wrote about it a few days back, the RTA had already discussed the matter of apprehending drivers of motor vehicles with loud exhaust pipes. His message says in part: this was discussed in the RTA Mancom meeting, and we will include this in the campaign against the illegal operation of baobao. The assistance of barangay officials will be earnestly sought. I agree with my law school classmate. The RTA will need everybody’s help in curbing violations of traffic rules and regulations. Barangay officials, especially the punong barangays, are ma ..read more

PHIVIDEC Administrator Joseph Donato ‘Cid’ Bernedo confirmed receiving an invitation to participate in the upcoming midterm elections next year, shedding light on potential political intrigue in Cagayan de Oro. Bernedo, alongside business tycoon Romeo ‘Nonong’ Jalosjos Sr. and Bernedo’s wife, Aimee Marcos, participated in Phividec’s groundbreaking ceremony for a housing project in Sta. Ana, Tagoloan. During the event, reporters pressed Bernedo about his intentions for local office in Cagayan de Oro, prompting him to acknowledge receipt of an invitation from a local political figure. GROUNDBREA ..read more

CAGAYAN de Oro City’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), under President City Councilor Alam Lim, stands up for Cagayan de Oro residents’ rights against LWUA involvement in COWD. (Screengrabbed photo from one of Councilor Lim’s interviews) AMIDST the controversial water supply agreements in Cagayan de Oro, the city’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) has penned a heartfelt letter to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., seeking support against the potential intervention by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in the city’s water affairs. In a bold move to protect Cagayan de O ..read more