ben balce

Ben Balce is the Associate Editor of Mindanao Gold Star Daily. A veteran journalist since 1997, Ben has served as a city reporter, editorial cartoonist, and regional correspondent for national dailies like Malaya and Abante. An active member of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club, he specializes in regional governance, investigative reporting, and visual commentary.

1453 stories

Cracked earth and dry soil in a Mindanao farm during an El Niño dry spell advisory.

Cagayan de Oro

El Niño alert up; Oro told to save water now

PAGASA warns of a 79% chance of El Niño developing by June 2026. Cagayan de Oro residents are urged to conserve water and prepare for heatwaves.

Apr 23, 2026000

FFW President Atty. Sonny Matula issues a warning regarding the link between low wages and the rise of illegal recruitment into overseas scam hubs and war zones.

News

Hunger pushes Filipinos into risky job traps — FFW

Federation of Free Workers president Sonny Matula warns that hunger pushes Filipinos into dangerous overseas job traps, calling for living wages and stronger anti-trafficking enforcement.

Apr 21, 2026000

Aerial view of the Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Complex, a vital 1,001-megawatt power source in Mindanao currently under review for a multi-billion peso rehabilitation

Cagayan de Oro

Keep power rates Low, Mindanaoans tell gov’t

Consumers and business groups demand transparency and low electricity rates as the government reviews multi-billion peso proposals to rehabilitate the vital Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Complex.

Apr 16, 2026000

FFW President Atty. Sonny Matula and civil society leaders gathering at Our Lady of Remedies Church in Malate to demand a wage hike and fuel tax suspension.

Cagayan de Oro

Prayer to policy: Labor calls for relief, wage hike

Labor leaders urge the government to turn "prayers to policy" by implementing a ₱200 wage hike and removing fuel taxes to shield workers from rising prices.

Apr 16, 2026000

Newtech Pulp workers and FFW members holding a protest picket in Lanao del Norte to demand fair pay and better labor conditions.

Investigative Reports

Job gains on paper, strains beneath the labor market

While February 2026 employment figures show on-paper gains, high underemployment and a reliance on contractual labor suggest underlying vulnerabilities in the Philippine workforce.

Apr 10, 2026000

FFW President Sonny Matula issuing a statement of condolence for a Filipina OFW killed in a Haifa missile attack and calling for worker protections.

Cagayan de Oro

Worker killed in Israel: FFW urges peace, protection for OFWs

The Federation of Free Workers mourns a Filipina killed in a Haifa missile strike, urging the government to strengthen protections for OFWs in conflict zones.

Apr 8, 2026000

Atty. Sonny Matula and Joel Tongco lead the Macajalar Labor Union–FFW general assembly in Initao, Misamis Oriental, to support Newtech Pulp Inc. striking workers.

500 workers back strikers at Lanao pulp firm

Over 500 supporters joined the Federation of Free Workers in Initao to stand with Newtech Pulp strikers facing a wage deadlock in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte.

Apr 7, 2026000

Lawyer Sonny Matula, Federation of Free Workers president, speaking about the 1987 Constitution and West Philippine Sea sovereignty at the National Anti-Poverty Commission Forum.

Cagayan de Oro

Labor group backs arbitral ruling in WPS talks

Led by Atty. Sonny Matula, the NAGKAISA Labor Coalition demands that the 2016 arbitral victory serve as the mandatory foundation for any diplomatic negotiations with China.

Apr 7, 2026000

Cagayan de Oro

NGCP urges parents, LGUs to keep kites away from power lines

Apr 4, 2026000

Cagayan de Oro

Oro sets guidelines for safe Holy Week observance

Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy activated Cagayan de Oro’s Incident Management Team to oversee safety, health, and security guidelines for a peaceful Holy Week observance this 2026.

Mar 31, 2026000

Federation of Free Workers (FFW) members protest outside the Asia Brewery, Inc. plant in Cabuyao, Laguna, following a violent dispersal of workers and the sudden termination of 139 contractual employees on the eve of Holy Week.

Cagayan de Oro

Holy Week violence: Asia Brewery workers dispersed, 139 fired

The Federation of Free Workers condemns the violent dispersal of Asia Brewery workers and the sudden, unjust termination of 139 employees, demanding accountability and dialogue.

Mar 31, 2026000

Official portraits of Barangay 31 officials Delia Wabe, Diosdado Wabe, and Lycellie Quilantang, who are facing graft charges in Iligan City for an alleged ghost basketball tournament.

Cagayan de Oro

RTC orders arrest of 3 Oro barangay execs in alleged ‘ghost’ tourney

An Iligan City court has ordered the arrest of three Barangay 31 officials for allegedly misusing ₱151,000 in public funds for a non-existent basketball tournament.

Mar 31, 2026000