At least for now

TACLOBAN CITY- Mayor Alfred Romualdez of this city is not too keen to succeed his wife, former mayor Cristina Romualdez, as the next chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC).
However, he was quick to say that if his services will be needed by other local government units, he is ready to lend his hands to them.
The RDC serves as a body where projects of the region that needs funding and support from the national government and its various agencies are being submitted for endorsement.
Mayor Romualdez served as mayor of Tacloban for nine years that ended in 2016 but did not chaired the regional body.
Aside from his wife, his father, Alfredo ‘Bejo’ Romualdez, also served as RDC chairman.
But unlike his wife and father, Mayor Romualdez said that he is not really interested to become the next RDC chair.
The new RDC chair is expected to be nominated by the more than 50 members by August or September this year with the nominees to be forwarded to President Rodrigo Duterte who will have the final say.
“I’d rather stay here,” Mayor Romualdez said, when asked if he is interested to become the next RDC chairman.
He, however, said he will not mind to assist other local government units and even congressmen of the region if his cousin, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez will be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“If my services are needed in order to convey the congressmen the needs of the region in terms of budget requirements, then, I will join the RDC,” Romualdez said.
Aside from the Tacloban city mayor, also seen as a possible RDC chairman is Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez who, in an earlier interview, said that he is not also interested to chair the RDC.
But Gomez, who won for a second term during the May 13 midterm elections, said that if he might just accept the chairmanship if no less than Pres. Duterte will ask him.
Both Romualdez and Gomez are allies to the President.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), also known as the national association of newspapers. This milestone serves as a testament to the enduring two-pronged vision of PPI: 1) To defend press freedom; and 2) to promote ethical standards within the ranks of its member-publications.
“We do not only celebrate its longevity but remind ourselves of its relevance and mandate,” said Alfonso Pedroche, outgoing PPI chairman-president and retired former editor-in-chief of Pilipino Star Ngayon.
As in previous years, PPI is holding yet another edition of the National Press Forum on July 4 and 5 in Manila, not only in celebration of its founding but, more importantly, to bring together the members in a once-a-year opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion on an issue that matters to the public and all of the Philippine media. The publishers and editors from the member-newspapers will be joined by guests from the academe, government, embassies, and civil society organizations.
The theme for this year is “Governance, Media, and Democracy: Building Better Communities”, around which the PPI aims to have a discussion that, among others, will highlight the role of media in both local and national affairs as the fourth estate and watchdog. “Building Better Communities” is the slogan for PPI’s flagship program which is civic journalism.
“We couldn’t stress enough the role of the print media. PPI in fact has been a witness and participant in the evolving media landscapes which also saw the growth of community press since the inception of the organization fifty-five years ago,” said PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino. He also attested that newspapers have survived the tests of time.
Alex Pal, a publisher of a Dumaguete-based community newspaper and PPI vice-chairman said that it is even more challenging for a small paper to sustain its operations despite difficult times. “The last time they said print was dying, we’re still here, active in our role as catalysts for change and a platform for civic engagement.” His weekly newspaper MetroPost is a finalist in this year’s Civic Journalism Community Press Awards.
The PPI Board took note of this year’s conference theme as timely and relevant “as we also try to have an insightful look at a new system of government that has been a subject of discourse for the longest time”.
Senator Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel, Jr., considered as the father of local government code and a staunch advocate of federalism will share his take on it. Atty. Christian Monsod will discuss the (proposed) Puno Federalism in relation to preserving democracy and promoting press freedom. “Social justice and economy are just two of the major shortcomings of the Puno Constitution,” said Monsod in response to the PPI invitation. Atty. Erwin Caliba will talk about autonomy as a mechanism to address exclusion of minorities. Atty. Cheryl Daytec-Yañgot, a staunch advocate of IP issues, will react to all three presentations.
This year’s event is being supported again by Nickel Asia Corporation as its principal partner for the conference and awards, and in part by Kusog Bikolandia and Hanns Seidel Foundation as major sponsors, SM Investments Corporation as minor sponsor, Smart Communications, PAGCOR, Ayala Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, PAGLAS Group, McDonald’s, PCSO, and Hotel Jen.
PPI’s current program partners, led by Nickel Asia Corporation will take center stage in the Industry Forum as they talk about “engaging communities” in relation to their programs and advocacies in the communities they serve.
The Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, now on its 23nd season will highlight the two-day event. There are six dailies and 7 weeklies vying for five major categories, namely: best in photojournalism, best in environmental reporting, best in business and economic reporting, best editorial page, and best edited paper.
The finalists are: Baguio Chronicle, MetroPost, The Mindanao Cross, The Bohol Chronicle, BusinessWeek Mindanao, Herald Express, and Northern Forum for the weekly category; and Sun.Star Baguio, Cebu Daily News, Sun.Star Davao, Sun.Star Pampanga, Sun.Star Cebu, and Edge Davao for the daily category.
The awards program, the only one of its kind by far, is being managed by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and supported by Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC).

TACLOBAN CITY- A total of 102 inmates at the Leyte Regional Prison received their diplomas after passing the 2018 Accreditation and Equivalency (A &E) examination under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program of the Department of Education-Leyte Division on Wednesday (June 26).
“I didn’t expect that I finished my studies inside this facility. I thanked the DepEd(Department of Education) for giving me this opportunity to study which I didn’t take seriously when I still have my freedom outside this place,” said Jefrel who received a medal being a deserving ALS passer from the maximum security camp.
“We failed before, but it doesn’t mean that we will be losers for the rest of our lives. Huwag nating isipin na ang lugar na ito ay libingan ng buhay, kundi libingan ng dati nating buhay,” added Gerald, another ALS graduate who found “hope and redemption” after enrolling in ALS.
DepEd Assistant Secretary G.H. Ambat of Public Affairs Service and ALS admitted that one of the crucial parts in the lives of the inmates or also known as persons deprive with liberty (PDLS) “is their integration to the communities so they can contribute to nation building, to their families, and to their personal lives.”
“Let this be a community effort in giving hope to our learners,” said Ambat as she urged the PDLs, correctional facility officials, and the DepEd to work together for the success of the program.
“I hope that there are changes that happen in your lives through the ALS. I want to thank you for taking this opportunity,” said Ambat while lauding the efforts of Leyte Division officials headed by schools division superintendent Ronelo Al Firmo.
She assured the PDLs that the government will continue to reach out to them by providing them various programs despite their condition so they can contribute to the society by the time they will leave the correctional facility.
Ambat said that they are discussing on the possible opening of a college extension program to the ALS and Senior High School PDL graduates.
Firmo, along with Tenasas and assistant schools division superintendent Marilyn Siao, was instrumental in the opening of ALS and Senior High School classes at the Leyte Regional Prison located in Abuyog town.
She thanked the support of LRP Superintendent Danilo Dador, DepEd Eastern Visayas Regional Director Ramir Uytico and the ALS mobile teachers assigned inside the correctional facility.
Also present during the ceremony were Marilette Almayda of DepEd Bureau of Learning Delivery, Leyte ALS Education Program Supervisor Marie Joy Arias, and other education personnel.
The graduates also witnessed the signing of the contract of usufruct for the upcoming construction of a permanent classroom building inside the LRP. (RONALD O. REYES)