TACLOBAN CITY — As global oil prices climb due to renewed tensions in the Middle East, Tingog party-list has thrown its support behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s proposal to seek congressional authority to temporarily suspend the excise tax on fuel.
Tingog Representative Jude Acidre said the move could help shield Filipino families and vital sectors from the ripple effects of rising fuel costs triggered by geopolitical instability abroad.
“At a time when Filipino families, transport workers, farmers, and small businesses are already struggling with rising costs, government must act decisively to provide immediate relief and protect our people from external shocks beyond our control,” he said.
Acidre stressed that with oil prices continuing to spike, swift and concrete measures are needed. If suspending the excise tax would ease the financial burden on consumers, he said, the proposal deserves serious consideration in Congress.
Tingog reiterated its commitment to push for responsive fiscal policies to help maintain economic stability during periods of global uncertainty.
FROM AKIN TO ATIN. The author(2nd from right) joins his foster family in Bohol who live “sakto lang, may konting sobra”—just enough for themselves, with a little extra to help others—proving that true abundance is measured not by wealth, but by the willingness to share.
FROM AKIN TO ATIN. The author(2nd from right) joins his foster family in Bohol who live “sakto lang, may konting sobra”—just enough for themselves, with a little extra to help others—proving that true abundance is measured not by wealth, but by the willingness to share.
Among the classes that completed SALDiWA, including our very own SALDiWA 59, tales of struggle and hardship are all too common.
Career officers often recount the absence of food, the toll of sleepless nights, the indignities of inadequate facilities, and the myriad challenges of poverty—all underscoring the humbling experiences and profound realizations they encountered along the way.
Yet, my SALDiWA story unfolds differently. It is not one of immense wealth or abject scarcity, but rather a narrative of “sakto lang, at may konting sobra”—a life that is just enough, with a little to spare.
I found myself embraced by a household of five. Giovanni, a 40-year-old entrepreneur, and his 36-year-old wife, Aisa, are the proud parents of three children: EJ, a 16-year-old in Senior High School; Ivan, a 14-year-old in Grade 8; and Vanessa, a bright 9-year-old in Grade 3. The couple runs a small event styling business, securing contracts almost daily across various municipalities in Bohol.
For the past five years, they have transformed ordinary venues into enchanting, themed environments through their artistry—using creative décor, captivating lighting, stylish furniture, and exquisite floral designs to craft immersive, Instagram-worthy experiences. In my eyes, they are no longer merely poor; rather, they hover at the threshold of the “near-poor,” precariously balanced with little to no safety net against economic shocks. For now, they live sufficiently, but when calamity strikes or economic downturns loom, their stability falters.
When I inquired Aisa about their earnings amounted to, she smiled and replied, “Kuya, sakto lang po, at may konting sobra.”
SAKTO LANG: Enough to Maintain a Family
Aisa, the driving force and creative soul behind their business, confided that they both hail from deeply impoverished backgrounds. She completed high school, while Giovanni did not finish elementary education. Their family circumstances denied them the opportunity for a tertiary education.
Their entrepreneurial journey began in Manila, where they toiled tirelessly. Giovanni labored in a glass supply chain while Aisa worked in the textile industry. For more than five years, they saved diligently and when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, they returned home to Bohol.
It was their innate talent that propelled them to their current standing.Aisa began with simple balloon arrangements, progressed to floral design, and eventually mastered full-scale event styling.
In this household, modesty reigns. While 48% of households in Brgy. Poblacion Weste live below the poverty line, according to PSA data, my foster family stands as a hopeful exception. They have WiFi, a smart TV, a refrigerator, and a gas stove. They enjoy running water and, most importantly, they send their children to school without the kids needing to worry about daily meals and essential needs.
In my few days with them, I observed the children diligently completing their assignments, researching through their parents’ smartphone, and watching educational YouTube videos about chemistry experiments.
Thus, they embody a life that is enough for a contemporary family.
MERONG KONTING SOBRA: Enough to Share with Others
One incident that deeply moved me occurred when a neighbor approached Aisa asking if her daughter could print a two-page paper for an assignment. Without hesitation, Aisa gladly obliged.
I also learned that their vehicle—a Rusco Pick Multicab—serves the community by transporting harvested rice and root crops. They never charge for this service; instead, neighbors often repay them in kind—with a cavan of rice, or a bunch of bananas or sweet potatoes.
Moreover, I learned also that during village gatherings and inter-barangay competitions, Aisa generously lends out equipment and materials from their styling business to support community activities.
When I teased her about their apparent prosperity, playfully suggesting that their income allowed them to share with others, she simply replied, “Hindi naman, kuya. Sakto lang po talaga. May konti lang talagang sobra.”
KAILANGAN SOBRA PARA MERONG PARA SA IBA: From akin to atin
The story of Giovanni and Aisa is ultimately one of “Kailangan Sobra para Merong para sa Iba.”
During my stay, our family interactions were limited to dinner table. One evening, I playfully urged them to take a day off so I could spend more time with them, as their schedules were overwhelmingly busy. I joked, “Huwag naman kayo maghangad ng sobra-sobrang pera kasi importante din ang pahinga.”
Much to my surprise, Giovanni responded with a heartfelt smile: “Kailangan sobra para merong para sa iba.”
At that moment, a profound realization washed over me—they were undeniably correct. As the saying goes, “Nemo dat quod non habet.” We cannot give what we do not have.
Some people do not seek greater wealth or achievements for themselves but instead for the benefit of others.
I see the goodness in Giovanni and Aisa, the authenticity of their compassion, their understanding of what it means to possess little. Although they may not yet be categorized as non-poor or wealthy, they extend a helping hand, for they know the depths of struggle.
As a leader-manager tasked with promoting local economic development in my province, I now recognize the invaluable impact of our work within the community.
Our office is dedicated to nurturing livelihood training and skills development, and through this encounter, I have come to understand that from a single success story, a powerful domino effect can unfold.
What Aisa calls “sakto lang” should never be the ceiling of our aspirations; instead, it should be a stepping stone toward a more profound goal- “may konting sobra.” This surplus transforms homes into veritable channels of blessings for others.
While its true that not everyone will ascend to the heights of success- such is life’s reality- we, as stewards of governance, must uphold sacred the concept Kapwa. This foundational tenet of Filipino psychology is rooted in empathy, dignity, and respect that nurture our personal relationships and bolster our community ties. Ultimately, when families possess not only enough for themselves but also that ‘konting sobra,’ they can extend their blessings, enriching the Kapwa.
When families achieve “sakto lang na may konting sobra,” they embody Pakikiramdam—that shared inner sensitivity allowing us to understand others without words.
In this state of abundance, the value of Kaganda ang-loob shines bright. Humanity and kindness flow naturally, a testament to our shared existence and the wealth of love we can offer one another.
And in such homes, Pakikiramdam thrives—a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for communal harmony.
My own time with my foster family in Poblacion Weste was a poignant reminder: in a world where we share our “konting sobra,” the spirit of community thrives. As I learned there, kung merong konting sobra, ang para lang sana sa akin ay magiging para sa atin!
As duty-bearers, let us not settle for “sakto lang.” Let us strive for that glorious surplus—“konting sobra”—igniting a chain reaction of generosity. After all, a society that thrives shares its bounty- not just for survival, but for the beautiful tapestry of life!
ORMOC CITY — Police arrested a 21-year-old woman listed as the No. 3 most wanted person at the city level in the city after she was served warrants for 34 counts of estafa allegedly committed through online transactions.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Jona,” was apprehended on March 2, 2026 in Barangay Liloan by operatives of the Ormoc City Police Station 3.
Police said the suspect is a resident of Sitio Bahay in the same barangay and is currently unemployed.
Authorities said the arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant for 34 counts of estafa under Article 315, paragraph 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Investigators said the cases stemmed from alleged fraudulent online transactions in which the suspect reportedly used digital platforms to deceive victims.
Court records showed that the total recommended bail for the charges was set at P1,020,000.
Police said the suspect was informed of the nature of her arrest and apprised of her constitutional rights, including those under Republic Act No. 7438 and Republic Act No. 9745.
She was subsequently taken into police custody for proper documentation and detention while awaiting further court proceedings.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH FACILITY. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez poses with personnel from the humanitarian organization World Vision for the possible inclusion of the city in the expansion of the KOICA-supported maternal, newborn and child health project in Eastern Visayas. The city hopes to boost maternal and child healthcare services by building stronger local health systems, upgrading facilities, improving medical support, and ensuring continuous professional training for healthcare workers.(ALFRED ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK)
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH FACILITY. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez poses with personnel from the humanitarian organization World Vision for the possible inclusion of the city in the expansion of the KOICA-supported maternal, newborn and child health project in Eastern Visayas. The city hopes to boost maternal and child healthcare services by building stronger local health systems, upgrading facilities, improving medical support, and ensuring continuous professional training for healthcare workers.(ALFRED ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Tacloban City government is in talks with humanitarian organization World Vision for the possible inclusion of the city in the expansion of the KOICA-supported maternal, newborn and child health project in Eastern Visayas, Mayor Alfred Romualdez said.
Romualdez said discussions are ongoing to make Tacloban part of the project’s next phase, which aims to strengthen maternal and child health services across the region.
“We are currently in discussions with World Vision to include Tacloban City in the expansion of the KOICA Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Project in Eastern Visayas,” the mayor said.
Under the project, the city hopes to boost maternal and child healthcare services by building stronger local health systems, upgrading facilities, improving medical support, and ensuring continuous professional training for healthcare workers.
“This project seeks to strengthen maternal and child health services through more resilient health systems, upgraded facilities, better medical support, and sustained professional training for our healthcare workers,” Romualdez explained.
The mayor emphasized that the city government fully supports initiatives that enhance healthcare delivery, particularly those that safeguard the well-being of mothers and infants.
“The city government gives its full support to initiatives like this, especially if they will further improve the care and protection of our mothers and babies, and give every family a safer start,” he added.
The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Project is funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented in partnership with local stakeholders to help reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and improve access to quality healthcare services.
If approved, Tacloban’s inclusion in the project would further strengthen the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance public health services, particularly for vulnerable sectors, as it continues to rebuild and modernize its healthcare system years after major disasters impacted the region.
Congress and the Senate are failing to confront the country’s most urgent issues. At a time when serious economic and governance concerns demand attention, legislative energy is being consumed by a politically charged campaign. Such misplaced priorities raise serious questions about the sense of responsibility within the nation’s lawmaking body.
One pressing concern that deserves immediate scrutiny is the growing instability in the Middle East and its likely impact on the Philippine economy. The region remains a critical source of oil and employment for millions of overseas Filipino workers. Any prolonged conflict there threatens to drive up fuel prices, strain transportation costs, and trigger inflation across basic commodities. A responsible legislature would already be examining safeguards for the economy and preparing support mechanisms for Filipinos working in affected areas. Instead, little urgency is visible in confronting these looming consequences.
Equally alarming is the continuing silence on the alleged billions of pesos lost to corruption in flood control projects. These funds were intended to protect communities from destructive flooding, yet every rainy season still brings submerged roads, ruined homes, and disrupted livelihoods. If public money meant to prevent disasters has indeed been plundered, the scale of that wrongdoing demands relentless investigation. Allowing such allegations to linger without decisive action sends the message that large-scale corruption can be ignored when political convenience dictates.
Meanwhile, legislative attention remains fixed on the impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte. Impeachment is a constitutional process and should proceed if evidence warrants it. However, focusing almost exclusively on one official while far larger questions of corruption remain unresolved creates the impression of selective accountability. If government funds have been misused, then every official involved—regardless of rank or political alliance—must be pursued with equal determination.
The country does not benefit from a legislature distracted by narrow political battles while broader threats to public welfare remain unattended. Congress and the Senate must widen their focus and pursue accountability wherever public funds have been stolen. Address the consequences of global conflict, investigate the massive losses tied to flood control projects, and enforce the law against every offender. Justice cannot be partial, and governance cannot survive on selective outrage.
The hearings are broadcast live: lawmakers thundering at each other, congressmen pounding tables, television anchors counting the votes like it’s a championship match. Meanwhile, the same country that funds the spectacle continues to wait for action on runaway prices, failing flood control, and corruption that seems to travel faster than the monsoon. Watching it, I cannot escape the uneasy thought that many of the people entrusted to guard the public interest are busy guarding something else.
I have followed politics long enough to know that public office in the Philippines has always been a complicated mix of service and ambition. But lately the balance seems to tilt in one direction. The language of public duty still fills speeches—those long, echoing words about nation, sacrifice, and people—but when the dust settles, the results often look suspiciously like political positioning. The public agenda gets crowded out by personal score-settling, coalition maneuvering, and the endless choreography of the next election.
One sees it most clearly in how time and attention are spent. The country wrestles with issues that are neither abstract nor distant: rising food prices that gnaw at family budgets, infrastructure projects that collapse under the weight of corruption allegations, and communities that flood whenever the skies decide to open up. Yet the loudest debates in our halls of power often revolve around who embarrasses whom, who gains advantage, and who emerges stronger in the shifting alliances of Manila politics. It is difficult not to feel that the priorities are upside down.
What makes the situation even more frustrating is that the government’s resources are immense. The national budget now runs into trillions of pesos, a sum so large that ordinary citizens can only grasp it by imagining endless columns of zeros. In theory, that money represents classrooms, hospitals, roads, and disaster protection. In practice, we keep hearing about investigations into overpriced projects, missing funds, and the peculiar habit of public works washing away with the first serious rain. The problem is not the lack of money; it is the lack of faithful stewardship.
I sometimes think of government as a large house that all Filipinos are forced to share. The officials we elect are supposed to be caretakers—people entrusted with the keys to the pantry and the safety of the roof. But too often the caretakers behave like tenants who are merely passing through, grabbing whatever they can carry before the lease expires. When public office becomes a temporary marketplace for influence, the national house inevitably grows shabby.
Of course, not every official fits this bleak picture. There are still public servants who work quietly, refusing to treat the government like a personal business venture. But they are often drowned out by the louder figures whose political instincts resemble those of professional gamblers—always calculating odds, always looking for the next move that benefits their camp. The tragedy is that governance begins to resemble a chess match when what the country really needs is simple, steady management.
As a citizen, I find myself caught between irritation and weary humor. We Filipinos have developed a strange tolerance for political theatrics; we watch hearings the way some people watch afternoon dramas. Yet beneath the laughter lies a deeper worry. Every moment wasted on political maneuvering is a moment stolen from the serious work of running a nation that faces storms, economic pressures, and a rapidly changing world.
Perhaps the answer is less dramatic than the problem. Public office must return to its plain meaning: a position of trust, not a ladder for personal glory. That shift will not happen through speeches alone; it will require citizens who pay closer attention, voters who remember longer than a campaign season, and officials who understand that power borrowed from the people must eventually be returned—with interest—in the form of honest service.
