TACLOBAN CITY- A newly- built evacuation facility located in Barangay 107, Santa Elena, this city, built under the Pacific Partnership was formally turnover on March 22 to the villagers .
According to Capt. Randy Van Rossum, mission commander for Pacific Partnership 2019, the facility is one of the many examples of multilateral efforts for a common good and in fostering friendship and collaboration between the US and the Philippines.
The collaboration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US Armed Forces exemplified what Pacific Partnership came to do, he added.
“Learn from one another, working complete collaboration, and to live their combined mark in profoundly positive way. The impact of disaster emergency transcend corners and requires comprehensive preparation and coordination among nations for effective disaster response,” Van Rossum said in his speech.
“Like this facility, the impact of Pacific Partnership 2019 will last long after the mission ends here today. This morning, I’m happy to celebrate this lasting impact with all of you,” he added.
The two-storey evacuation center, which could also serve as a multi- purpose center, was built at a cost of about $98,000 or P5 million(at P52 against a dollar) that could accommodate 60 persons
“We humbly thank you for a very memorable gift to our people that can be used by our children and the next generation to come,” Letecia Olino, barangay chairman of Santa Elena, said in her speech.
“The Philippine-American friendship is always cherished by us and the partnership has always been welcome. Thank you, not only for your support, but also for the humanitarianism effort you had served us here in Santa Elena. Thank you very much,” Olino added.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by the US Major General Arthur Logan, Mission Cmdr. Capt. Rossum, Col. Tan, and Honorable Olino.
A boodle fight was prepared for the government troops, US Armed Forces and barangay chairman after the ceremony. (RICA NIÑA FABILLAR, MA. ESTERLITA HERMANO, CHRISTINE CARDONA, LY-ANN LANIGAO, EVSU-Interns)
Tacloban village has a new evacuation center built under the Pacific Partnership program
Task force formed to remove unlawful campaign materials
(Contributed Photo)
MAASIN CITY- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) field office here is bracing for the removal of prohibited campaign materials in compliance to the Commission on Election (Comelec) rules.
District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia said their office will deploy nine teams with at least four members on March 29 that will join Comelec and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the lawful campaign drive.
The poll body has set the rules for campaigning through Comelec Resolution No. 10488 or the “Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Fair Elections Act of May 2019 elections.”
“The Comelec will spearhead the activity to determine whether these campaign paraphernalia are legal and posted on designated areas or not. DPWH will provide the manpower for the removal of campaign materials while PNP will provide security personnel,” said Junia.
DPWH Southern Leyte will meet with Comelec and PNP officials to discuss plans and preparations for the synchronized “Operation Baklas” program in Southern Leyte on March 25.
The poll body has allowed the following sizes for the materials in common poster areas: 12 feet x 16 feet, (for political parties and party-list groups), 4 feet and 6 feet, (for independent candidate), and 2 feet x 3 feet (for individual posters).
During public rallies and meetings, considered as lawful are streamers not exceeding 3 feet by 8 feet in size displayed at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally.
According to Comelec rules, said streamers maybe displayed five days before the date of the meeting or rally and should be removed within 24 hours after said meeting or rally.
Candidates may not put up campaign materials at highways, bridges, center islands, flyover, sky walks, under pass, trees and other public places not designated as common poster areas.
Display or exhibit of any election campaign or propaganda material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner is deemed illegal.
In headquarters or residence of candidates, only lawful campaign paraphernalia may be displayed.
The election period for candidates running for national positions has started on February 12. For local candidates, the campaign period will kick off on March 29. (PR)
Leyte board member Villasin withdraws congressional bid to defend sister from legal woes
TACLOBAN CITY- Outgoing board member Niccolo Villasin of Leyte’s second district, withdrew his congressional bid on Friday (March 22).
In a hastily called press conference after he withdrew his candidacy at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections, Villasin said that his decision was more on a ‘personal reason.’
According to Villasin, he was not pressured by anyone in withdrawing from the congressional race.
The board member, who is a lawyer by profession, said that his action stemmed from his decision to defend his sister, Tacloban city councilor Ressa Villasin, who was slapped with two counts of perjury.
Councilor Villasin, who is seeking to take the post of her brother at the provincial board, is facing perjury filed by her opponents citing discrepancy of the entry of her certificate of candidacy she filed at the provincial Comelec office.
With his decision to withdraw from the congressional post, reelectionist Rep. Henry Ong would now have to face lawyer Alberto Hidalgo and neophyte Karen Javier as his opponents.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
Comelec says only final ruling could bar candidates from running
Referring to candidates either suspended or found guilty
TACLOBAN CITY- Candidates who have either been suspended or found guilty by a court are still eligible to run in this year’s midterm elections.
Thus said lawyer Felicisimo Embalsado, assistant regional director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), when asked if these candidates are still qualified to run for public posts relative to the May 13 elections despite of the suspension order or been found guilty by a court meted against them.
According to Embalsado, these candidates are still entitled to run considering that they could contest the ruling by filing their motion for reconsiderations.
“There is no final decision or conviction yet involving these candidates. They can still appeal their cases up to the Supreme Court under our laws,” the elections assistant regional director said.
Among those in the running in this year’s elections whose qualifications were put into doubt were Mayors Stephany Uy-Tan of Catbalogan City and Christopher Sheen Gonzales of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and Rep. Milagrosa ‘Mila’ Tan of Samar’s second congressional district.
Rep. Tan, who is running for governor of the province, was found guilty of graft case by the Sandiganbayan involving alleged anomalous procurement of medicine.
While both Uy-Tan and Gonzales were ordered suspended by the Ombudsman for 90 days.
Uy-Tan for an alleged questionable land deal while Gonzales for his alleged misuse of ‘Yolanda’ funds.
Uy-Tan withdrew the mayoralty race in Catbalogan City and will be running for councilor instead while Gonzales is running for the lone congressional district of Eastern Samar.
The three candidates have all appealed the court decision suspending or have found them guilty of the complaints lodged against them.
Embalsado, however, said that while legally the three could still run, the adverse decisions may affect their respective candidacy.
“There could be perception among their voters, especially those living in remote areas where informations are hard to reach, that these candidates are indeed disqualified,” the Comelec assistant regional director said.
The Comelec official added that whoever will be elected still rest on the voters whom they want to become their next leaders. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
Families fleeing in Samar town part of NPA orchestration, says Major Gen. Farnacio
CATBALOGAN CITY– The reported incident of families fleeing at their village in San Jose de Buan, Samar was orchestrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) and its alleged front groups.
Thus claimed Major Gen.Raul Farnacio, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division.
He was reacting to a report that about 42 families, consisting of 132 individuals of which 51 were children, said to have fled their village of Hagbay in San Jose de Buan last March 17, 10 days after government troops belonging to the 87th Infantry Battalion engaged NPA members in a firefight.
Bayan Sinirangan Visayas, on its social media post, said that village officials issued a warning of another encounter between the military and NPA members as more soldiers were deployed in the village.
“The main reason behind this dirty tactics being used by the terrorists is to discredit the peace and development efforts of the CSP Team in helping conflict affected communities to progress and develop,” Farnacio, in a statement, said.
Farnacio added that the mass evacuation was the same strategy being employed by the communist group in the village of Bay-ang, San Jorge, also in Samar, which is to create a chaotic situation within the community and blame the government troops.
And these terrorists will then demand for the soldiers to pull out from the said community, the Army general official added.
The top military official then call for rebel groups not to resort to violence but instead lay down their arms and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) being offered by the government.
“Go back to the mainstream of our society, and live a normal and progressive life,” Farnacio said. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Chief Superintendent Carlos told candidates: No to NPA extortion
NPA said to demand permit to campaign, win fees
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte – The region’s top police officer issued a warning against elected officials, some of them are in the running in this year’s elections, not to give in to the ‘extortion’ activity of the New People’s Army(NPA).
As government officials, they should support with the government and not with the rebel group, Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos, police regional director, said.
“The intelligence units of the PNP and military are comparing their notes. Since the start of election period this January, we started monitoring and consolidate it and submit to the general headquarters,” he said.
It was learned that of the 349 government officials said to be supporting the NPA members through financial support, in the country, some of them are from the region.
The number of government officials, ranks as high as governors, said to be giving support to the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines were provided by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The DILG, however, did not identify these government officials reason why Carlos could not also reveal their names though he is in favor in unmasking them.
“The people have the right to know but revealing their names must not be on my level but in the department level,” the police regional director said.
During election time, the NPA reportedly asked candidates to give them permit-to-campaign or even permit-to-win fees.
Candidates who said to give to these demands of the NPA rebels are said to be allowed to campaign on areas where they have their presence and asked the residents on these areas to vote these candidates.
However, NPA leaders have consistently denied this claim saying these are just part of the propaganda by the government against them.
But Carlos said that some of these candidates are forced to give in to these demands of the NPA, the amount said to vary depending on the positions being sought by the candidates.
“Their vulnerability depends on the situation and location of the candidates but as government officials they should always take side and support the government, (and) the moment they support the enemy of the state, that is something else,” the police regional director said.
“These are extortion by the New People’s Army. If there are attempts like that let your police know,” he added.
Carlos added that as the deputize agency of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), it is their mandate to ensure that the forthcoming May 13 elections will be peaceful and safe.
BY: ROEL T. AMAZONA