ORMOC CITY– A tragic road accident claimed the life of an employee from Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) on Thursday (Feb.8) at about 6:10 pm along National Highway Brgy. Libertad in PALO, Leyte.
The victim, identified as Nacio, 33, and a resident of 114 Real St. Holy Child 1, Poblacion Alang-alang, Leyte, was riding a motorcycle when it collided with a truck driven by Enal, 45 years old and a resident of Guinadiongan, Capoocan, Leyte.
According to local police reports, they received information from a concerned citizen about the vehicular incident and promptly responded. Upon arrival at the scene, they found the victim being assisted by a local rescue group to transport him to the hospital.
Initial investigations revealed that both vehicles were traveling in opposite directions. The truck, an Isuzu with plate number CAT 4497 registered under JLM of San Botero Tambis Javier, Leyte, was headed from Sta. Fe, Leyte to Palo.
Meanwhile, the victim was traveling from Palo towards Sta. Fe, Leyte.
It was determined that as the motorcycle attempted to overtake a vehicle ahead, it encroached into the truck’s lane, resulting in the collision.
Both drivers sustained injuries from the impact.
The motorcycle driver was declared dead on arrival by his attending physician at the Governor Benjamin Romualdez General Hospital.
The truck driver, on the other hand, was taken to Leyte Provincial Hospital for medical attention. (ROBERT DEJON)
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte– Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez has expressed his support for Charter Change(Cha-Cha) but was quick to say that his support would depend on what provisions would be amended.
“If the aim is simply change for the sake of change, I am not inclined to support it. However, if the proposed changes will enhance the competitiveness of the Philippines on the global stage, then count me in,” he stated on Monday (Feb.12).
The city mayor was interviewed after attending the 33rd founding anniversary of the Philippine National Police here where he was the main guest.
Romualdez emphasized the importance of considering the sacrifices made by our heroes, who fought for the nation’s sovereignty and the ability to determine its own path.
He stressed the need for broad stakeholder involvement in the Charter Change process, encompassing economic and political sectors alike.
Reflecting on past political systems, Romualdez noted, “We had a political system where a president served two terms of four years each, and it worked.” He highlighted the significance of open communication, dialogue, and due process in resolving issues.
“I believe in lively debate rather than silence. Let us return to the approach of the 1950s, where members of Congress engaged in vigorous debate, leading to innovative ideas,” the city mayor said.
He viewed the ongoing discourse between senators and congressmen, particularly the exchange between House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senator Imee Marcos on Charter Change, as a positive example of public deliberation.
Romualdez expressed confidence in the process, trusting that thorough discussion and debate will lead to informed decisions. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
VOTERS REGISTRATION. The Commission on Elections(Comelec) in the region urged individuals who are eligible to avail of its ‘Register Anywhere’ program which is to start on Feb.26. Photo shows qualified voters trooping to the Comelec office in Tacloban City who availed of the Register Anywhere program.(Comelec-8)
VOTERS REGISTRATION. The Commission on Elections(Comelec) in the region urged individuals who are eligible to avail of its ‘Register Anywhere’ program which is to start on Feb.26. Photo shows qualified voters trooping to the Comelec office in Tacloban City who availed of the Register Anywhere program.(Comelec-8)
TACLOBAN CITY – Six offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Eastern Visayas are set to participate in the “register anywhere” program, as the agency resumes voter registration in preparation for the 2025 midterm elections.
This move coincides with the resumption of voter registration, which commences on Monday (Feb.12), and will run until September 30 of this year.
The participating Comelec offices are strategically located in the capital cities and key towns across the six provinces of the region. These offices include those in Maasin City, Southern Leyte; Tacloban City, Leyte; Catbalogan City, Samar; Borongan City, Eastern Samar; and the provincial capitals of Naval, Biliran, and Catarman, Northern Samar.
The “register anywhere” program is scheduled to kick off on February 26, with an official launch event slated to take place at the University of the Philippines Tacloban campus.
“We aim to provide people, especially those who are not yet registered, with the opportunity to exercise their right to vote,” stated lawyer Jose Nick Mendros, the Comelec regional director.
The primary targets of this program are eligible individuals of voting age who reside in different localities due to work or study commitments.
For instance, students from Biliran province studying in Tacloban City or workers from Eastern Samar employed in Samar province can now register without the need to return to their hometowns.
Mendros emphasized that this program addresses the barriers preventing some Filipinos from participating in elections.
Under the “register anywhere” program, the application forms submitted by registrants will be forwarded by the poll personnel to the respective Comelec office where the registrant wishes to be listed.
“We advocate for an inclusive election, ensuring that all eligible voters can exercise their right to vote,” Mendros explained.
Comelec will accept registrations from individuals who will turn 18 on or before May 12, 2025, the scheduled date of next year’s mid-term election.
As part of the program, Comelec offices in the region will conduct voter education campaigns and registration fairs in state universities, colleges, and selected private schools across the region.
Institutions such as the University of the Philippines Tacloban, Visayas State University in Baybay City, Southern Leyte State University in Sogod, and Saint Joseph College in Maasin City are among those included.
Applicants for voter registration are advised to bring their birth certificates and valid identification cards to the election office where they intend to submit their registration forms.
Comelec offices operate from Monday to Friday, even on holidays, except for Holy Thursday and Good Friday. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
For a country like the Philippines which is plagued by persistent poverty, corruption acts as a catalyst that perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty. We have yet to see how corruption exacerbates poverty in the Philippines, and how detrimental the effects of corrupt practices are on the economic, social, and political fronts. Imagine the Samar Highway as a classic effect of alleged corruption.
Corruption not only diverts funds intended for public welfare but also hinders foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth. Rampant corruption undermines investor confidence, discouraging both domestic and foreign investment. With limited private sector participation, job creation becomes sluggish, leaving millions in poverty. Moreover, corrupt practices inflate the cost of public goods and services, disproportionately burdening the poor. Inefficient allocation of public resources due to corruption restricts economic opportunities and amplifies income inequality, further deepening poverty.
Within the public sector, corruption heightens social disparities and weakens social programs designed to alleviate poverty. Limited government resources are usually misappropriated, reducing the reach and quality of public services such as education and healthcare. This disproportionately affects the poor, who depend heavily on these services. Access to quality education and healthcare then becomes a privilege, perpetuating intergenerational poverty.
Corruption in our country undermines democratic processes and erodes the public’s trust in governance. Corrupt practices allow influential elites to capture political power, impede policy reforms, and weaken institutions that are essential for poverty reduction. The diversion of public resources into private pockets subverts the notion of public service and creates a sense of hopelessness among citizens. The poor lose faith in their government, making it increasingly difficult to effectively foster social inclusion and implement poverty alleviation policies.
Indeed, the corrosive influence of corruption on the economy, society, and politics exacerbates poverty, stifles progress, and perpetuates inequality. It requires a comprehensive strategy that includes robust legal frameworks, transparency, and accountability mechanisms, as well as citizen participation to address corruption. We hope we can still break free from its grip and pave the way for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.
Before the last presidential election, Sarah Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was the leading presidential contender next to her father’s regime. She was leading far ahead in the surveys. She could have potentially become the country’s next leader, as her father could see it, but she chose to ignore him in her political decisions and partnered instead with the present chief executive, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) as the latter’s running mate, thus creating a superior tandem.
It turned out that her decision not to challenge BBM was a missed opportunity that seems to hinder her present and future presidential ambitions, ultimately affecting her chances. Her proximity to power, as the daughter of the controversial yet popular President Rodrigo Duterte, granted her significant political influence and a loyal following. Her tenure as Mayor of Davao City demonstrated her capacity to govern effectively and maintain public support. With her reputation and solid track record, she possessed the necessary foundation to launch a formidable presidential campaign.
Although BBM is the son of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and represents a political dynasty with deep historical clout in the country, his family’s controversial rule is remembered for corruption, human rights abuses, and economic turmoil. Despite this, BBM has successfully endeavored to rebrand its image and appeal to younger voters. By challenging BBM, Sarah Duterte could have capitalized on the public’s distrust of the Marcos name and positioned herself as a viable alternative with a cleaner political background.
But she refused, thus missing the opportunity to present a progressive, alternative vision for the country. While the Duterte administration was known for its hardline policies, Sarah Duterte had the potential to distance herself from her father’s controversial practices and articulate a more inclusive and forward-thinking platform. In doing so, she could have attracted a wider range of voters seeking genuine change and reform.
In fact, challenging BBM would have allowed her to forge alliances with other opposition candidates or established parties aiming for regime change. By refusing to contest against BBM, Duterte may have inadvertently isolated herself, limiting cross-party collaboration and missing the chance to pool resources, expertise, and broader support to strengthen her campaign. But then again, it didn’t happen, to her political disadvantage.
Launching a presidential campaign is not merely a matter of personal popularity. Timing and momentum play a crucial role in political success. By failing to challenge BBM, Sarah may have missed her chance at a political environment wherein her message could resonate effectively. Waiting for a future election cycle might have resulted in a different landscape, potentially less favorable for her prospects. Whatever chances she has had at capturing the highest office in the land must have now diminished.
She did possess the necessary qualities, political clout, and public support to mount a credible presidential campaign, but her decision not to confront Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ultimately hindered her aspirations. This missed chance emphasizes the importance of calculated political choices that can significantly impact a candidate’s electoral prospects. Despite this setback, though, her political journey is far from over, leaving room for future opportunities to arise and shape the Philippine political landscape in unforeseen ways.
THE simple reason is that by over-reacting, evil can get worse and can have a greater chance to have a stronger hold on us. We should stay calm and focus our attention on who can best handle any form of evil. And that can only be God.
We are somehow reminded of this very practical indication in that Letter of St. James where he says: “Count it all joy, when you shall fall into diverse temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience. And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing.” (1,2-4)
What wisdom this piece of advice has! It is truly divinely inspired and should be made a principle to follow in our life where we are going to encounter all sorts of evil and to contend with our own limitations and the supernatural goal we are meant to pursue.
We should always remember that evil cannot exist by itself. It has to refer itself to something that is good which it denies, distorts, corrupts, etc. And if we are smart enough, we should not worry too much about all the evils we can encounter in our life. As long as we know how to refer them to the good and the truth that they stand on, we would know how to deal with these evils properly.
As to the many limitations we always have, given the challenges of our life, we have to be ready for them and know not only how to deal with them but also how to derive something good from them. In these instances of the hard predicaments, for example, when we seem to be at a loss as to what to do, we should just see at what God does, after we have done all things possible to solve our problems.
We need to trust in God’s providence and mercy. We have to learn to live a spirit of abandonment in the hands of God. Yes, if we have faith in God, in his wisdom and mercy, in his unfailing love for us, we know that everything will always work out for the good. If we are with God, we can always dominate whatever suffering can come our way in the same manner that Christ absorbed all his passion and death on the cross.
Let’s always remember that God, in his ineffable ways, can also talk to us through these crosses. In fact, he can convey precious messages and lessons through them. It would be good that we have a theological attitude toward them, and be wary of our tendency to react to them in a purely human way, based only on our senses and feelings and on worldly trends.
In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even if the outcome of our prayers and petitions appears unanswered, if not, contradicted.
This should be the attitude to have. It’s an attitude that can only indicate our unconditional faith and love for God who is always in control of things, and at the same time can also leave us in peace and joy even at the worst of the possibilities.
We have to follow the example of the many characters in the gospel who, feeling helpless in the many predicaments they were in, earnestly rushed to Christ for some succor. They went to him unafraid and unashamed and they got what they wanted.
