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Kerwin cleared officials from illegal drug trade

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BY: ROEL T. AMAZONA, VICKY C. ARNAIZ, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA, JAZMIN
BONIFACIO and JOEY A. GABIETA

TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte officials who were earlier implicated to the illegal drug activity felt vindicated after Kerwin Espinosa cleared their names as among their protectors.
Espinosa, considered as the region’s drug lord, during his appearance at the Senate on Wednesday (Nov.23) said that no officials from Leyte received money from them.
Earlier, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Vice Gov. Carlo Loreto, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, Baybay City Vice Mayor Michael Cari and Rep. Vicente Veloso were tagged as among drug protectors of the Espinosa drug group.
The officials were allegedly named by murdered Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. in his affidavit.
But Kerwin said that he had no dealings with the five officials as he claimed that the signature of his father that appeared at the affidavit was forged.
Rep. Veloso said that he was sure that eventually he would be vindicated as he never knew or met either the slain mayor or his son.
“I don’t even know them from Adam,” the solon said.
Veloso added that the affidavit alledegely containing the signature of Mayor Espinosa was defective and a sham reason why he was confident that he would be vindicated.
“I am very, very innocent on this issue. I knew all along that the affidavit was defective. I am thankful that I was vindicated and cleared,” Veloso said.
Gov. Petilla also sounded victorious on Kerwin’s clearing his name to any illegal drugs activity.
“I feel victorious. This is one of the victories on battle against illegal drugs because the truth was revealed about the questionable affidavit that was executed with our names on it,” Gov. Petilla.
“If the truth was not revealed, the innocent people are the ones who will suffer and get implicated and the people who are actually involved will remain free. That is why I would say that this is a victory in the battle against illegal drugs,” the governor added.
Vice Gov. Loreto, meantime, said that he was sure that his name will be cleared as he insisted that he had not dealt with the Espinosas in so far as their illegal drug trade is concern.
“I am happy that I have been finally cleared from the issue. This is a vindication of my name and we are glad that the truth has come out,” he said.
Vice Mayor Cari, a cousin to both Petilla and Loreto, said that he could now sleep soundly after Kerwin cleared him.
“I’m glad my name is cleared. I can now sleep soundly. But the damage has been done to me and to my family,” Cari said.
Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez also said that finally, the truth has come out as no less than Kerwin cleared him.
“We will never be involved in drug trade. And what happened the past months are political handiworks by Albuera police chief (Chief Inspector) Jovie Espenido and the Codillas,” Gomez said.
Kerwin tagged Espenido as close to the Codillas, a political clan in Leyte’s fourth district considered as the arch political enemy of the Gomezes.

Tacloban city gov’t supports 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women

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Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez has always been an active supporter of women’s right and empowerment. Among the projects started by her benefiting women are the Shelter for Abused Women and Children institutionalized in June 2010, and CLEP started
Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez has always been an active supporter of women’s right and empowerment. Among the projects started by her benefiting women are the Shelter for Abused Women and Children institutionalized in June 2010, and CLEP started
Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez has always been an active supporter of women’s right and empowerment. Among the projects started by her benefiting women are the Shelter for Abused Women and Children institutionalized in June 2010, and CLEP started

TACLOBAN CITY- The city government of Tacloban through Mayor Cristina Romualdez joins the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with the theme: “VAW –Free community starts with me” which had its kick-off on Friday, November 25, 2016.
The campaign will run until December 12, 2016.
This year’s theme shifts the campaign to positive advocacy messaging with a strong emphasis on everyone’s commitment and contribution.
Activities of the campaign started with a motorcade around the city and were followed by the kick-off program at the Tacloban City Convention Center.
The program was attended by Mayor Romualdez and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Restituto Macuto, together with other VAW advocates and stakeholders.
The campaign observed annually to raise awareness among all stakeholders the threat that VAW poses to women, supports the national government’s commitment to address all forms of VAW and protect Women’s Right.
Proclamation 1172 series of 2006 and Republic Act 10398 (2013) institutionalized the annual observance.
Among the pervasive forms of violations of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children are physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuses; of which 27, 403 have been reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Mayor Romualdez has always been an active supporter of women’s right and empowerment. In fact, she inspired the putting up of a Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Tacloban in June 2010.
According to Shelter Head Carmela Bastes, the facility which offers psychosocial support and temporary shelter for abused women and children, has 28 admitted clients.
About 163 walk-in clients have also availed of their counseling services from January to October 2016, said Bastes.
After a social case study of each client has been made, in-house social workers will file court cases and seek protection orders for the victim.
The facility is the only one of its kind in the region maintained by a local government unit and is accredited by DSWD National Office. It conducts center-based advocacy and education of RA 9262.
Among the women empowerment initiative of the local government is the Cristina’s Learn and Earn Program which offers 8 short-term livelihood courses.
Started in 2006 by then Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez, it has graduated more than 8,000 beneficiaries mostly women.
Victims of VAW are advised to seek help from a sympathetic family member or friend and report to the barangay, social worker, or the police. (HENRY JAMES G.ROCA/CIO)

OWWA organizes OFW family circles in 2 Samar provinces

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FWO Jessabel Lucinario discussing to the participants the programs and services of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

TACLOBAN CITY-With the increasing number of OFWs in the region, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Regional Welfare Office VIII, organized two OFW Family Circles in the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar last October 17 and 21, 2016 respectively.
Twenty-five OFWs and beneficiaries were able to attend the OFW organizing activity in Catbalogan City and twenty-eight (28) attended in Brgy. Bolusao, Lawaan town in Eastern Samar.
FWO Jenelyn Gacus discussed the proposed organizations constitution and by-laws of Catbalogan Overseas Workers and Families Association (COWFA).
They elected their first set of officers for their organization as follows: President: Hilda L. Samonte; Vice President: Reynaldo Duzon; Secretary: Gisela Polido; Treasurer: Sozeta S. Labendia; Auditor: Bonifacio A. Tamayo; PIO: Josefina D. San Miguel and Bookkeeper: Yolanda R. Canedo.
COWFA members also agreed to have their monthly meeting on the third Saturday of the month to update their members with the association’s plans and projects.
The Bolusao OFWs and Beneficiaries Association (BOBA) in Lawaan, Eastern Samar also elected their set of officers as follow: President: Francisco Catalogo; Vice-President- Noel Galera; Secretary Elsie Yangao; Treasurer Lorna Bumaltao; Auditors, Richardson Villamin and Racky Litang; PIO Roselyn Evina and Bookkeeper Darly Gabito.
As the newest OFC members they are looking forward to attend to the Family Day Celebration of the agency this December.
Establishing these OFCs will help the agency provide more accessible services to the OFWs and their families in the said areas. (PR)

Boy, eagle scouts forged agreement to strengthen scouting movement in PH

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The historic MOA signing between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the Eagle Scouts Organization of the Philippines. Representing the BSP is its national president, Atty. Wendel E. Avisado and signing for ESOP is national chairman Chito L. Morante and witnessed by new ESOP president, Dr. John R. Vallado and other officers and members.
The historic MOA signing between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the Eagle Scouts Organization of the Philippines. Representing the BSP is its national president, Atty. Wendel E. Avisado and signing for ESOP is national chairman Chito L. Morante and witnessed by new ESOP president, Dr. John R. Vallado and other officers and members.
The historic MOA signing between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the Eagle Scouts Organization of the Philippines. Representing the BSP is its national president, Atty. Wendel E. Avisado and signing for ESOP is national chairman Chito L. Morante and witnessed by new ESOP president, Dr. John R. Vallado and other officers and members.

TACLOBAN CITY-The Eagle Scouts of the Philippines (ESOP) and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) forged a memorandum of agreement to carry out a shared undertaking in the propagation and promotion of scouting ideals and strengthening of the scouting movement in the Philippines.
The agreement defines, clarifies and specifies in details the roles and functions of both the BSP and the ESOP in order to further improve and strengthen its partnership and contribute to overall development of the scouting movement.
The agreement takes effect for two years subject to renewal upon mutual consent of the parties or unless revoked, amended or superseded by another agreement.
Chito Morante, national chairman of the Eagle Scouts Organization of the Philippines, said the newly-signed agreement made more significant their commitment to promote the scouting movement in the community and through school-based programs where they both are interested to assist
Morante emphasized that ESOP has had more supportive role to BSP and continue to seek out objectives that enables the organization to become distinct and provide value to its membership.
Under the MOA, ESOP has the responsibility, among others, to assist and help the BSP in the promotion of its advancement program and encourage all scouts to attain the highest rank; to assist and help the BSP by serving as merit badge counselors and members of the board of review if or when qualified; and, to encourage all former scouts who have attained the highest rank to become active members again in the scouting movement by registering and coordinating with respective local and regional councils and to be able to help in the development of young boys to become good citizens of the country.
Meanwhile, the BSP shall issue a national memorandum to regional offices and local councils informing them about this agreement and the roles and functions of ESOP in the promotion, development and implementation of the Eagle Scouting programs, among others.
“We have to redefine ourselves as a relevant resource, and show our fellow Filipinos that we are a touchstone for values and vision. We need to include and engage all members of the Scouting family, including those who have gone on to other things in life,” Morante said.
ESOP is a non-stock and non-profit organization formed to perpetually kindle in the hearts and minds the true spirit of the scout oath and law to strive and spread the values of leadership and service by leading and guiding other community and school-based scouts to achieve the highest rank in the scouting movement.
The BSP, meanwhile, is a public corporation organized under Commonwealth Act No. 111, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 460 and Republic Act No. 7278, existing in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
(AHLETTE C. REYES)

Mondejar Steiner caught the eye of world-famous lensman

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A Taclobanon

monBy: VICKY C. ARNAIZ

TACLOBAN CITY – One of this city’s beautiful women caught the eye of a world-class photographer, Rupert Jacinto.
Minerva Mondejar Steiner, who is from this city but now lives in Switzerland, is one of Jacinto’s models in his annual photo exhibit being held at the The Gallery of the Pensinsula Manila since November 24 which is to end on December 6.
Steiner is the daughter of Rene Bing Mondejar and Lucita Dublas and sister to Bernadette Schuelter who was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Women 2016 by the Female Women’s Network.
Jacinto annually tapped beautiful and fabulous people known for their elan, style and substance.
Mondejar Steiner now lives in Zurich, Switzerland but often returns to Tacloban, mostly to do some charity works.
She is married to acclaimed Swiss movie director Michael Steiner and a mother to commercial models Dean
Mondejar Steiner is a gallerist and a philanthropist. She studied Art History at Oxford University and Fashion Styling at Central St. Martins in London.
She opened the Mondejar Gallery at the heart of Zurich, Switzerland in 2007 showcasing Philippine contemporary art.
Her humanitarian spirit led her to establish the M. Mondejar Steiner Foundation and provided immediate relief to Taclobanons after the supertyphoon “Yolanda” swept the area in 2013.
Her charity organization helped rebuild the damaged facilities of JE Mondejar Computer College and provided scholarships to support students’ uninterrupted education and the school faculty members.
In the aftermath of the typhoon, she invited kids in the neighborhood numbering almost a hundred and enrolled them in the school day care learning center affording them meals and psychosocial therapy.
Her interest to promote cultural exchange led her to produce children’s cooking shows on cuisines from around the world.
Other endeavors include the art space and cinema club featuring independent films at Once-Upon-a-Time in Boracay.
Mondejar Steiner was crowned Miss An Maglipayon in 2007 – a charity ball in Tacloban City.

Mayor Romualdez raised alert due to “Marce”

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marce

TACLOBAN CITY- Classes up to secondary level across the city were suspended on Friday (November 25) amid the threat of tropical storm “Marce” by Mayor Cristina Romualdez.
The city mayor issued Executive Order Number 2016-11-039 declaring the cancellation of classes in both private and public schools covering elementary and secondary levels.
The chief executive had earlier convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) to monitor the tropical storm that was hoisted Tacloban and the rest of the region under signal number 1.
Mayor Romualdez, together with CDRRMC co-chair Brando Bernadas, conducted an ocular inspection on flood prone areas of the city as Tacloban experienced heavy rains dumped by Marce.
In the light of Marce’s threat to the city, Mayor Romualdez, through the CDRRMC issued an advisory to the public as to where they would go to seek temporary shelter if the need should arise.
(GAY B. GASPAY/TIM CANES)

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