TACLOBAN CITY – Matag-ob, Leyte Mayor Bernardino “Bernie” Tacoy has denied any involvement in the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts (“sabungeros”) as he filed his counter-affidavit before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with its ongoing probe into the high-profile case.

Tacoy, through his lawyer Gerenstein Banzon, submitted his response on September 17 to the subpoena issued by the DOJ. In a statement on Thursday (Sept. 18), the mayor expressed confidence the case would be resolved in his favor.

“We already submitted our counter-affidavit yesterday, Sept. 17. We are hopeful that this will be resolved in our favor,” Tacoy said.

Tacoy has been linked to the case by Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as “Totoy,” who alleged a connection between the mayor and retired Police General Jonnel Estomo. Tacoy, however, reiterated he has no direct ties to Estomo or any transactions related to cockfighting or game fowl breeding with the retired officer.

“I also have no personal knowledge regarding General Estomo’s involvement in the game fowl business,” Tacoy said, adding that any association with Estomo was limited to mutual acquaintances.

Other individuals issued subpoenas by the DOJ include businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and former actress Gretchen Barretto, who have both denied any involvement in the missing sabungeros controversy.

Tacoy, known in Eastern Visayas as a prominent game fowl breeder, admitted seeing Patidongan previously at Ang’s Batangas game fowl farm but said he only knew him as a caretaker at the time.

He described the accusations as “concerning,” stressing that his participation in the Alpha Group—a cockfighting community—was conducted “in good faith.”

The DOJ investigation into the missing sabungeros continues as authorities work to determine the circumstances behind the disappearances that have attracted national attention.(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Residents and students of Barangay San Isidro in MacArthur, Leyte now enjoy safer and more convenient travel with the completion of a P7.8-million concrete road project funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), the project covers a 660-meter stretch of concrete road, five meters wide, with 3,300 square meters of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) designed to withstand heavy use and harsh weather. Reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings were also added to enhance road guidance and safety.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura reported the road’s completion recently, saying the project fulfills a long-standing need for a durable and accessible route in the barangay.
Angelica Suganob, a teacher at San Isidro Elementary School, said the new road has transformed daily commutes for students.

“Before DPWH’s road concreting project, our students—especially when it rained—really had a hard time walking because the road was muddy, slippery, and full of potholes. Now, students can walk more comfortably, motorcycles and bicycles have easier access, and travel is much faster,” she shared.

Suganob expressed gratitude to DPWH for finishing the project on time, adding that it benefits not only students but also residents, workers, and visitors going to and from the barangay.

The new road is expected to improve access to schools, markets, and health centers, while also boosting economic activity in the community.

Construction began on February 14, 2025, with RCC Builders and Enterprises as the contractor. The project was designed to ensure durability and long-term reliability.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

The Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office VIII conducted a two-day training session on business writing that took place on August 28-29, 2025, at the DPWH-RO8 Multi-Purpose Hall, Baras, Palo, Leyte.

The training was aimed for DPWH employees who are responsible for drafting and reviewing correspondence. After completion of the program, all participants are expected to be equipped to write effective and ethical communications that adhere to the standard formats used in professional setting. In today’s rapidly evolving workplace driven by technological advancements, effective communication has become increasingly vital. The Department aims to strengthen written communication skills, which are essential for daily operations, stakeholder engagement, and achievement of organizational objectives.

The training session began with a warm welcome from Regional Director Edgar B. Tabacon, CESO IV, followed by Dr. Christine Dawn S. Mombay, a seasoned professional in communication arts with a wealth of experience in business writing and professional communication across various sectors, including government and corporate environments. Her presentation covered essential topics such as business English, fundamentals of business writing, sentence structure, fluency, common sentence issues, and effective office communication. The session concluded with a practical workshop to reinforce the concepts discussed.

DPWH NSSDEO was represented by Ms. Glea C. Gloton-Rubenecia, Ms. Brisa E. Añonuevo, and Ms. Ma. Aiza B. Lozano. The attendance of NSSDEO personnel in the said training serves to enhance skills for drafting and reviewing of DEOs correspondence, which may be imparted to other employees performing similar task.

Furthermore, through this training, participating employees were able to practice a formal style of correspondence that is utilized within the organization. Such correspondence encompasses a variety of documents, including reports, letters, memoranda, and emails, which play a vital role in conveying important information related to internal processes and external interactions. Beyond merely delivering content, effective business writing ensures that messages are communicated with clarity, precision, and professionalism.

The two-day training, driven by the department’s strong dedication to professionalism and excellence, was designed to enhance participants’ skills in creating written communications that are straightforward, succinct, and aligned with the organization’s goals.

(Kristin Kalayaan R. Flores/PR)