Manila– On May 14, the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), also known as Fulbright Philippines, represented by Chairperson Jessica L. Simon, and the Legal Education Board (LEB), represented by Chairperson Jason R. Barlis, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the U.S. Chief of Mission Residence in Makati City that seeks to contribute to the further development of the Philippine legal education sector through international academic exchanges.

This MOU allows both organizations to collaborate to provide scholarship grants and develop training programs for the benefit of the legal education sector. It will direct funds toward projects that develop comprehensive human resource development initiatives to empower future Filipino leaders. Additionally, this collaboration seeks to update teaching methods in legal education by incorporating digital technology, ensuring that students and future legal professionals remain globally competitive. Additionally, PAEF and LEB aim to develop training programs for law professors, lecturers, and administrators.

“The MOU between PAEF and LEB represents the convergence of interest of both parties in improving legal education and legal scholarship through educational exchange. The United States has always been a favorite destination of Filipino lawyers for higher studies. Future grants that will be established will support Filipinos to take their LLMs at prestigious law schools in the United States or support research that will contribute to further developments in Filipino legal scholarship,” said PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III.
“This memorandum is more than a formal agreement—it is a bridge between local potential and global opportunity. In partnership with PAEF, we are opening doors for legal educators and their institutions to pursue innovation, build global linkages, and share knowledge across borders,” said LEB Chairperson Jason Barlis.

The MOU between PAEF and LEB creates a framework for both organizations to plan and develop specific details to implement a Fulbright program dedicated to legal education. These details will be formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement and will outline proposed programs, outcomes, timelines, and budgets. In the long term, this partnership aims to develop highly skilled and competent Filipino law lecturers who will leverage their international experience to improve the country’s justice system.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– A day after the May 12 midterm elections, over 200 members of poll watchdog Kontra Daya, the Makabayan bloc, and religious organizations staged protests in Manila, decrying alleged voting irregularities and disenfranchisement.

University professor Danilo Arao, convenor of Kontra Daya, blamed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for widespread issues, particularly errors with automated counting machines (ACMs), illegal campaigning, and voter exclusion. Arao said legal options are being considered.

Pastor Irma Balaba of the Promotion of Church People’s Response criticized the automated system as a tool for “automated cheating,” calling for a return to manual vote counting to restore public trust.

A final report from watchdog Vote Report PH confirmed ACM problems as the top complaint, making up 50% of the issues logged, followed by disenfranchisement and red-tagging of progressive candidates.

Sanlakas secretary-general Atty. Aaron Pedrosa urged COMELEC to take firm action, including prosecuting vote-buying and conducting an audit to preserve electoral integrity.
Despite these concerns, Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia claimed the 2025 polls were among the most peaceful, citing only 44 cases of election-related violence—down from 128 in 2019.

Meanwhile, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas lamented that money, lies, and blood tainted the elections. “No elections are perfect. We keep on hoping,” he said.

The European Union Election Observation Mission, invited by the Philippine government, criticized its limited access to polling precincts, saying it hampered their ability to observe the process meaningfully.

(RONALD O. REYES)

2025 elections

TACLOBAN CITY – While some political dynasties faltered elsewhere in the country, Eastern Visayas remains tightly held by powerful clans following the 2025 elections.
According to Prof. Ladylyn Mangada of UP Tacloban, dynasties in the region persist due to limited access to services, low incomes, and lack of political alternatives.

In Leyte, the Romualdez and Petilla families extended their dominance. House Speaker Martin Romualdez was reelected unopposed in the 1st district, while his sons, Martin Jr. and Julian Andrew, secured seats in the city council and the Tingog party-list, respectively. Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his son Raymund also made history as the first father-son mayor-vice mayor tandem.

The Petillas also retained power. Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla won another term, while his mother, Remedios, was reelected as mayor of Palo.

Allied families — Cari, Loreto, and Veloso — also won big. Rep. Carl Cari and Ma. Victoria Veloso-Tuazon were reelected, along with their respective relatives in various posts.
In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family swept top positions: Gov. Damian, Vice Gov. Rosa Emilia, and Rep. Roger Mercado all won. In Maasin City, Luz Mercado replaced her son as mayor.

Ormoc City’s power couple Richard and Lucy Torres-Gomez retained their congressional and mayoral seats, respectively, with Lucy’s siblings also reelected in nearby towns.
In Biliran, the Espinas held nearly all key posts, with Rogelio Espina returning as governor, while siblings, children, and cousins dominated other local offices.

In Samar, the Tan family continued their unbroken hold on the province since 1998. Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, Reps. Stephen James and Michael Reynolds, and Vice Gov. Arnold Tan were all reelected.

In Eastern Samar, Gov. Ben Evardone’s son Ralph Vincent succeeded him. Other relatives also won in various towns.

In Northern Samar, power remains split between the Ongchuans and Dazas. Harris Ongchuan moved up to governor, while cousin Edwin took the 2nd district seat. The Dazas retained control of the 1st district, with Nikko Raul Daza taking over from his father.

Comelec assistant regional director Ma. Corazon Montallana said these families owe it to voters to deliver. “They win through name recall and machinery, but public service must remain their priority,” she said.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)