TACLOBAN CITY- Carigara town Mayor Eduardo Ong, Sr., handily won on his reelection bid with his son and namesake also winning as vice mayor.
Mayor Ong, who will be serving his third term, obtained votes of 23,571 compared to the 4,228 votes of his opponent, Rachel Makabenta.
His son, Eduardo Jr., received total votes of 20,585 votes or higher by 13,268 votes compared to his rival, Mildred Modesto who only obtained 7,317 votes.
The incoming vice mayor of the town said that he considers it as a huge privilege to be trusted by the people of their town.
“Even though I’m one of the youngest to hold a vice mayoralty position in Eastern Visayas, I won’t take the responsibility lightly. Rest assured, I, together with the eight newly-elected councilors, will maximize this opportunity to change the lives of the people of Carigara. Thank you so much!” he said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY- A man who was under the influence of liquor punctured a vote counting machine (VCM) in Catubig, Northern Samar on Monday night.
The suspect, identified as Efren Rosco, punctured the VCM carried by members of the board of election inspectors assigned in Barangay Osang on their way to the town proper at around 6:30 pm.
The victim also threatened the polls member headed by Clarito Irinco.
Village chairman Arnold Rosco was able to pacify the suspect until the electoral board reached the town proper safely.
According to the Police Regional Office based in Camp Ruperto Kangleon in Palo, Leyte, a total of 66 violators were arrested throughout Eastern Visayas in line with the 48-hour liquor ban imposed from May 12 to 13.
“Of these 66, 27 were arrested in Biliran in 7 operations; 23 in Northern Samar out of 6 operations; 11 in Eastern Samar out of 3 operations; 2 in Southern Leyte out of 2 operations and 3 in Tacloban in a single operation,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, regional public information officer.
“We did not fall short of constantly reminding the public to abide by the rules being imposed for the whole duration of the elections. Our reminders are very clear to do away from selling, buying and getting drunk while the liquor ban is still not lifted or else we will run after you,” added Police Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos, police regional director in Eastern Visayas.
During the liquor ban, selling and consuming of all alcoholic products were prohibited to prevent possible violence during the conduct of the elections.
Arrested suspects were charged for violation of Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.
(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY- About 65 vote counting machines (VCMs) used in various polling precincts in the region have malfunctioned.
This was disclosed by Police Director Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos.
During the conduct of the balloting on Monday, 5,503 VCMs were used across the region.
Based on their monitoring, Carlos said that of the 65 VCMs that developed technical problems, 21 were in Leyte; 17 in Biliran; 12 in Eastern Samar; five in Southern Leyte; four each in Samar and Northern Samar and two in Ormoc City.
The technical glitches encountered in the polling precincts ranged from paper jams to malfunctioned machines which resulted in the delay of the voting process.
Some of these defective machines failed to read the ballots as reported.
However, the regional office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) immediately replaced them or have them repaired.
“(But) despite of these technical problems of the VCMs, there is really nothing to worry about. It has been properly addressed by the Comelec,” Carlos said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY-Major political families of the region are to continue their grips as they won during Monday’s midterm elections.
In Leyte, the Petilla and its subgroup Loreto-Cari families, continue to dominate its political landscape.
Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla won his third term as well as his sister-in-law, Ann, wife of former energy secretary Carlos Jericho, as mayor of Palo.
Also winning were Carlo Loreto as vice governor for his third term; Carl Nicholas Cari as congressman of Leyte’s fifth district; and Jose Carlos Cari as mayor of Baybay.
The Romualdezes will also continue to dominate the other parts of Leyte, particularly its first district which includes Tacloban City.
Former congressman Martin Romualdez won on his congressional bid, replacing his wife, Yedda, who is projected to return to Congress via the party-list group. She is the first nominee of Tingog.
Romualdez’ cousin, Alfred, is sure to reclaim his post as mayor of Tacloban City, currently occupied by his wife, Cristina.
In Samar, the Tans hold of power in the province will be extended by another three years with the family’s matriarch, Milagrosa, winning the gubernatorial post currently held by her daughter, Sharee Ann.
Sharee Ann, in turn, is to occupy the post currently held by her mother. Another brother, Michael, is set to become the province’ vice governor.
However, another member of the family, Stephen James, who is the current vice governor, lost on his bid to unseat Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento for Samar’s first congressional representative.
The Espinas dominance in Biliran will continue as outgoing congressman Rogelio Espina is to switch position with his younger brother, Governor Gerry Boy Espina.
Rep. Espina’s son, Gerard, was elected as mayor of the provincial capital of Naval with an uncle, Rudy, also reelected as mayor of Kawayan town.
In Southern Leyte, Rep. Roger Mercado was reelected for the lone congressional district of the province with his younger brother, Damian, also reelected as governor.
In Northern Samar, the Ongs continue to dominate with Rep. Edwin Ong won as governor of the province, replacing his uncle, Jose, who would take his congressional post for the province’ second congressional district.(JOEY A. GABIETA)