Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez is presented with documents from the previous administration representing the city government properties, financial records and other public documents during the turnover ceremonies held at the City Hall on Monday,July 1.The ceremonial turnover was witnessed by City DILG Director Atty. Darwin Bibar, Councilors Evangeline Esperas, Aimee Grafil, Dalisay Erpe, and Leo Bahin. (H.J. ROCA)
TACLOBAN CITY- Mayor Alfred Romualdez said that among the things that he would do as he begins his term this Monday is to conduct a ‘house cleaning.’
He was referring to officials and even employees of the City Hall who he may find wanting of their performances.
Romualdez formally assumed the post as city mayor on Monday (July 1), replacing his wife, Cristina, who held the post for a single term which ended on June 30.
“I have worked with them before and they knew that my demands are very high and I set a high standard. So I expect them, no less, really hard work,” the city mayor said.
Romualdez already served as mayor of Tacloban for nine years which ended on 2013, one of the most difficult and challenging periods of the city as it suffered major devastation when it was pummeled by super typhoon ‘Yolanda.’
Asked if there could be some changes among department heads, Mayor Romualdez said that it would be depend on some reasons.
He also answered the same reply when asked if he plan not to continue some of the programs and projects implemented during the previous administration.
Mayor Romualdez, however, stressed that contrary to perceptions by some, he did not intervened during the administration of his wife and gave her full and free hand while she was the mayor of Tacloban.
Meantime, the newly-assumed mayor said that among his priorities is to ensure that all basic services needed by the people of the city would be addressed and provided to them.
He also said that environmental protection will also be high on his administration which include proper implementation of solid waste management.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
Tacloban City Councilors. The newly-elected councilors of Tacloban City,(from left)Leo Bahin, Dalisay Erpe, Brian Steve Granados, Aimee Grafil,Evangeline Esperas and Elvira Casal, took their oath of office before Rep-resentative, Yedda Marie Romualdez of Tingog party-list on June 29 at the Price Mansion.
Speakership candidate and newly-elected congressman of the 1st district of Leyte Martin Romualdez (right) and his wife newly- elected Tingog party-list Rep.Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (2nd right) take their oath of office to Barangay 54 Tacloban City Chairman Cyril Malinao (left) during the oath taking ceremony of elected officials of the first district of Leyte at Price Mansion in Tacloban City. photo by Ver NovenoTacloban City Councilors. The newly-elected councilors of Tacloban City,(from left)Leo Bahin, Dalisay Erpe, Brian Steve Granados, Aimee Grafil,Evangeline Esperas and Elvira Casal, took their oath of office before Rep-resentative, Yedda Marie Romualdez of Tingog party-list on June 29 at the Price Mansion.Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico “Mic” L. Petilla takes his oath as the newly- elected governor of the province of Leyte on June 29,2019 during the mass oath taking of the newly -elected officials of thr province of Leyte. With him were his wife Anna Sharon Cabredo Petilla, former Sec. Carlos Jericho “Icot” L. Petilla and his wife elected Palo Mayor Frances Ann Basilio Petilla,Ms. Patricia Petilla (sister) out going Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” L. Petilla and former governor Atty.Leopoldo Petilla and Children Mic Mic, Nico, Iya and Gelo Petilla.The oath taking ceremony was held at Oriental Leyte Resort Hotel. (Gina P. Gerez)
Said he enjoys support from colleagues
BY: JOEY A. GABIETA
TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin ‘FM’ Romualdez is confident that there is a big chance that he could clinch the hotly-contested race for the next Speaker of the House of Representatives once Congress opens this month.
Romualdez, who took his oath of office together with his wife, Tingog party-list representative, Yedda Marie Romualdez before city village chairman Cyril Malinao last Friday(June 29) at the family-owned Price Mansion this city, said that he has the ‘numbers and support’ of his colleagues.
“God willing and when the congressmen manifest their support, we hope to be there,” he said during an interview, referring to the Speakership post vacated by former President and outgoing Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Romualdez also welcomed the decision of the President not to intervene on the selection of the new Speaker saying it’s ‘very good.’
“That’s very, very good. Whenever the President decides on a policy, we know that he is doing it for the right reason. We not only respect it but we welcome it,” the Leyte solon said.
He, however, said that though the President has issued such statement, he will still respects if the Chief Executive will eventually exercise his prerogative to choose his ‘anointed one.’
During his oath-taking, Rep. Romualdez expressed his gratitude to the people of the first district, particularly his supporters, for giving him another term.
“If you did not support me, I will not be here. It’s an honor and privilege to serve you. I will never get tired of serving you,” he said.
The solon also said that if in case, there will be a ‘higher calling,’ he will be ‘humbled.’
He was referring to his possibly getting elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
During the gathering, Rep. Romualdez was repeatedly addressed as ‘Speaker’ by the host and his supporters.
Meantime, Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso(3rd district), said that he hopes that Rep. Romualdez will get the post as this could prove to be useful not only for Leyte but the entire Eastern Visayas.
He, however, said that it is still the President who will have the final say as to who will be the next Speaker of the Lower House though he made a statement that he would not interfere on the selection.
“I want Martin to become the next Speaker for the good of Region 8. But who will be ‘crowned’ by the President will get the Speakership. I am taking his statement with a grain of salt when he said that he will not interfere on the issue,” Veloso said.
He also said that Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte will also play a vital role in the selection of the new Speaker.
Veloso cited former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who was ousted reportedly with the orchestration of the presidential daughter.
“She just sneezed and Alvarez was ousted,” he said.
For his part, An Waray party-list Rep. Florencio Noel said that whoever will be supported by Rep. Paolo Duterte, son of the President, he will also support.
“I will vote who among he will endorse (as the next Speaker),” Noel said.
TACLOBAN CITY-Twenty-two groups of pedicab drivers took part in the Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez Pedicab Race (Parumba 2019) on Saturday(June 22) held along Magsaysay Boulevard in Tacloban City.
Held as part of the Sangyaw 2019 Festivities, the three-lap race which started 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM covered the areas of the City Hall Grounds and the Leyte Park Resort Hotel.
Below are the winners of this year’s Pedicab Race:
Champion 04 Niño Salvador Casañada – Cash Prize P5,000.00
2nd Place 13 Marvic M. Lagahit – Cash Prize P4,000.00
3rd Place 08 Marlou M. Malate Cash Prize P3,000.00
4th Place 15 Uldarico Virginesa – P2,000.00
5th Place 03 Junvy Campo – P1,000.00
6th Place 02 Marjun Oranos – P500.00
7th Place 18 Cristituto D. Ala – P500.00
8th Place 07 Samuel Dumdum – P500.00
9th Place 17 Elmer Bertos – P500.00
10th Place 01 Jerry N. Boco – P500.00
11th Place 05 Richard M. Cinco – P300.00
12th Place 06 Danilo Hidalgo – P300.00
13th Place 09 Oliver Abaigar – P300.00
14th Place 10 Anthony G. Vidal – P300.00
15th Place 11 Patrick Sungahid – P300.00
16th Place 12 Arnel Endita – P300.00
17th Place 14 Johny P. Esotros – P300.00
18th Place 16 Mariano M. Casañada – P300.00
19th Place 19 Rodrigo E. Malate – P300.00
20th Place 20 Michael Acebuche – P300.00
21st Place 21 Demetrio Dumdum – P300.00
22nd Place 22 Elijah D. Velasco – P300.00.
(D. Abarquez/CIO)
TACLOBAN CITY-Police in Arteche, Eastern Samar arrested an alleged carnapper on June 23.
Authorities identified the suspect as Mark Lito Cerera, 32, single, and jobless.
The victim, a certain Omaimah Matanog, earlier told the police that his vehicle was carnapped in Leyte, Leyte and it could be located in Arteche.
Acting upon the tip from Leyte Municipal Police Station, operatives in Arteche through Police Lieutenant Lysander Camacho conducted an intel-driven operation at Barangay Central in Arteche town which led to the arrest of Cerera, who is a resident of Biliran,Biliran.
Confiscated from Cerera’s possession and control were one white color Toyota Hi-Ace van with plate number VN 8985, one unit Samsung mobile phone GT-E2202, one back pack containing assorted clothes, and personal documents, police said.
The suspect was brought to Arteche Municipal Police station for documentation.
(RONALD O. REYES)
TACLOBAN CITY-At least one person was dead and three others were wounded in two separate attacks by still unidentified gunmen in the region from June 21 to 22.
Police identified the fatality as Alan Barcelon, 43, who was shot in the head while onboard his motorcycle along with his wife Salve, 40, in Barangay McKinley, Catarman, Northern Samar on June 21.
A gunman, who waited along the area, fired at the couple, resulting to Barcelon’s death.
His wife, who sustained gunshot wound on her body, was brought to the nearest hospital.
Motive of the shooting is yet to be determined, Catarman police said.
On June 22, two unidentified gunmen who were standing along the side of the road also fired at another couple onboard their motorcycle in Barangay Puting Bato, Isabel, Leyte.
Police said the victims Jerson, 39, and Jennifer, 27, sustained gunshot wounds in their arm and leg.
They were brought to a hospital for immediate medical attention.
Police recovered three empty shell of cal. 45 pistol from the crime scene.
Police are investigating the incident.
(RONALD O. REYES)
