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All of Leyte’s incumbent congressmen are in the running for the May 12, 2025 balloting

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1st district: Speaker Martin Romualdez

Led by Speaker Martin Romualdez

1st district: Speaker
Martin Romualdez

TACLOBAN CITY – All five representatives from Leyte’s congressional districts have officially filed their certificates of candidacy (CoCs), signaling their intent to seek re-election in the upcoming May 12, 2025 polls.

The filing period, which ran from October 1 to October 8, was set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and the race is shaping up to be both competitive and familiar, with several incumbents facing challengers while others remain unopposed.

1st District: Speaker Martin Romualdez

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, representing Leyte’s 1st district, is running for his third term. He was the first candidate to file his CoC at the Leyte provincial Comelec office, demonstrating his intention to continue his leadership role in the district.
Romualdez, a key ally of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., his cousin, has been instrumental in securing national-level projects for Leyte and has enjoyed widespread support across the province.

However, Romualdez will not go unchallenged.

Two other candidates—Raymundo Junia and Danilo Chua—filed their CoCs on October 4, setting the stage for a three-way race in the district. Both Junia and Chua are relatively lesser-known figures compared to Romualdez.

2nd District: Lolita Karen Javier

In the 2nd district, incumbent Rep.Lolita Karen Javier is seeking her third and final term. As of October 7, no one has filed to challenge her, making her bid for re-election seem secure, at least for now.

Javier, who is also the wife of Leyte Vice Governor Leonardo Javier, has built a strong political base in the district, with her advocacy focused on education, health, and infrastructure development.

3rd District: Anna Veloso Tuazon vs. Emmanuel Veloso

The race in Leyte’s 3rd district presents an interesting family dynamic.

Incumbent Rep. Anna Veloso Tuazon filed her CoC on Oct. 4, seeking a second term. However, her bid for re-election will face a challenge from within the family. Emmanuel Veloso, a relative and former political figure in the district, filed his CoC on October 3, just a day before Tuazon.

The race between the two could lead to an intriguing contest, with both candidates likely to draw on family ties and local political alliances.

4th District: Richard Gomez vs. Vicente Veloso

Leyte’s 4th District will see a high-profile contest between incumbent Rep.Richard Gomez and former Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, Vicente Veloso.

Gomez, a former actor and mayor of Ormoc City, is seeking his second term as the district’s congressman.

His challenger, Vicente Veloso, is a seasoned politician and legal expert who previously represented Leyte’s 3rd district.

The 4th district race is likely to be one of the most closely watched contests in Leyte.

5th District: Carl Cari

In Leyte’s 5th district, incumbent congressman Carl Cari is running for his second term.

As of October 7, Cari is unopposed, indicating strong support from his constituents.

Cari has expressed his gratitude to the people of the 5th district, emphasizing that he seeks re-election to continue the projects and programs initiated during his first term.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Official candidates for Miss Leyte Liberation 2024 announced

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MISS LEYTE LIBERATION 2024. At least 14 lovely ladies from different areas in Leyte are vying for the title of Miss Leyte Liberation, one of the highlights for the 80th Leyte Landings celebration. The beauty pageant is slated on Oct. 18.(PHOTO COURTESY)
MISS LEYTE LIBERATION 2024. At least 14 lovely ladies from different areas in Leyte are vying for the title of Miss Leyte Liberation, one of the highlights for the 80th Leyte Landings celebration. The beauty pageant is slated on Oct. 18.(PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY – The official list of 14 candidates for the Miss Leyte Liberation 2024 pageant has been released.

Organized by the provincial government of Leyte, this annual beauty pageant is one of the highlights of the activities commemorating the historic Leyte Gulf Landings.

This year’s candidates represent various municipalities and cities across the province, and they include Corinne de la Cruz of Abuyog;Khristel Loirah Pulga of Alangalang; Christina Vanhefflin of Babatngon; Shimeah Riz Monge of Barugo; Sheena Margarette Abayabay of Baybay City; Kristine Llaneta of Carigara; Laijan Sel Chan of Dulag; Michelle Balderas of Hilongos; Maxine Sophia Comaling of Javier;Shaan Morata of Ormoc City; Karen Janario of Palo;Frances Aimela Villablanca of Pastrana;Jamby Belegorio of Tacloban City; Stephanie Ocaña of Tolosa; and Niña Athena Ariza of Tunga.

In addition to vying for the coveted Miss Leyte Liberation 2024 title, the contestants will also compete for two other prestigious crowns: Miss Leyte Heritage 2024 and Miss Leyte Tourism 2024.

The pageant will also award first and second runners-up.

The winner of Miss Leyte Liberation 2024 will take home a cash prize of P80,000, a custom-made crown, and the honor of representing Leyte in a national pageant.

Meanwhile, Miss Leyte Heritage 2024 will receive P50,000 along with her crown, and Miss Leyte Tourism 2024 will be awarded P40,000 and a crown.

The first and second runners-up will be awarded P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.
The grand coronation night is scheduled for October 18, as part of the province’s commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landings, a pivotal event in World War II that led to the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Free film screenings, photo exhibits set for Leyte Gulf Landings 80th anniversary

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TACLOBAN CITY – As part of the 80th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration on October 20, the provincial government of Leyte, through the Provincial Tourism Office, is organizing free film screenings and a photo exhibit at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park view deck.

The film screenings, running from 9 am to 6:40 pm, will feature three movies that explore significant moments during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II.

One of the films, ‘Honor: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos’, is a documentary about the late Supreme Court Chief Justice who was executed by Japanese forces on May 2, 1942, at age 52, for refusing to cooperate while serving as the acting president of the Philippine Commonwealth. This film will be shown on October 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, and 19.

Another feature is ‘Quezon’s Game’, starring Raymond Bagatsing, which tells the story of how President Manuel L. Quezon offered refuge to 1,200 Jewish people fleeing the Nazi occupation in Germany. The movie will be screened on October 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17.

The third film, ‘Aishite Imasu’ starring Judy Ann Santos, Dennis Trillo, and Jay Manalo, revolves around a guerilla fighter’s memories of the Japanese occupation and her entanglements with her husband and a childhood friend. This film is scheduled for October 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18.

For details on the film schedules, interested viewers are encouraged to visit the official Leyte Gulf Landings Commemoration Facebook page.

In addition to the film screenings, visitors to the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park view deck can enjoy a photo exhibit featuring images from Leyte’s Liberation Period and portraits of the 10 surviving World War II veterans.

The exhibit also showcases the province’s top tourist destinations, festivals, and local culinary delights that Leyte proudly offers.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Palompon mayor dismissed from service for grave misconduct and dishonesty

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Mayor Ramon Oñate

But Oñate claims political harassment

Mayor Ramon Oñate

TACLOBAN CITY – Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate has been dismissed from government service after being found guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The decision also includes his perpetual disqualification from reentering government service.

The ruling, issued by the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila, stems from Oñate’s actions during his tenure as vice mayor of Palompon in 2021.

Based on a 22-page decision approved by Assistant Ombudsman Pilarita Lapitan and dated September 10, Oñate, along with several co-accused, including seven members of the Sangguniang Bayan, was found guilty of misusing public funds.

The case was filed by Ian Jay Arevalo, who alleged that Oñate and his co-accused authorized the purchase of fuel, oil, and lubricants for three “unserviceable” vehicles between January and March 2021, amounting to P57,870.05.

Arevalo claimed that the vehicles had been decommissioned since 2020, as certified by the municipal motor pool officer and the general services officer.

He described the vehicles as being “parked in the junkyard, with mutilated plates and completely dilapidated.”

The Ombudsman ruled that Oñate and his accomplices committed grave misconduct by “unlawfully using their public offices to procure benefits for themselves.”

The court also found them guilty of serious dishonesty for falsifying public documents related to the transactions.

“Wherefore, judgment is hereby rendered finding Oñate… guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty. He is hereby meted with dismissal from the service, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from government employment,” the ruling stated.

Also found guilty were Sangguniang Bayan members Margarito Bensig Jr., Esperanza Sumalinog, Emmanuel Laurente, Consuelo Bonghanoy, Ranulfo Gaspan Sr., Jonathan Yap, and Rene Camposano, along with local legislative staff assistant Debbie Ann Dignos.
However, former councilors Evana Kirstie Misagal and William Balasabas, as well as driver Ranulfo Gaspan Jr., were acquitted as they were no longer part of the town council when the complaint was filed.

In response, Oñate claimed the Ombudsman’s decision was politically motivated, asserting that his role in signing the vouchers was merely ministerial as head of the town council.
He pointed out that the Sangguniang Bayan secretary, who prepared the documents, and the town mayor, who released the funds, were not included in the complaint.

“We were all found guilty, yet the SB secretary who prepared the documents and the mayor who released the funds were not part of the complaint,” Oñate said in an interview on Friday, October 1.

Oñate further alleged that the complainant, Ian Jay Arevalo, is the wife of former Mayor Georgina Arevalo, who is expected to run against him in the next election.

He noted that the same case was dismissed by the Ombudsman in Cebu in February of last year but was refiled in October 2023 at the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila, which led to the recent decision.

The decision, delivered to him on September 30, came just one day before the filing of certificates of candidacy (CoC) for the upcoming elections.

“It was meant to distract me, but I am not bothered because I did not steal a single centavo from the government,” Oñate said, adding that he filed his CoC on October 2 despite the ruling.

Oñate also questioned the manner in which the order was delivered, claiming it was handed to him by a representative of the Ombudsman rather than the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which he said should have been the proper protocol for an elected official.

He has already discussed the matter with his legal team to plan their next move.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Necessity of competition

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Competition, whether in business, politics, or education, serves as the engine that drives improvement. It forces individuals and organizations to constantly innovate and improve, as the pressure to outperform rivals is an inherent motivator. When competition is stifled, complacency often takes its place, leaving consumers, citizens, and students with subpar goods and services.

Business-wise, competition spurs companies to innovate, cut costs, and improve product quality. Without competition, monopolies form, and they typically raise prices while offering fewer choices. Consumers benefit from a marketplace where businesses strive to outdo one another by creating better products, improving customer service, or providing more value for money. In a free market with healthy competition, we not only ensure that businesses thrive but that the public gets access to the best goods and services at the fairest prices.

The same principle applies to politics. A political environment dominated by a single party or leader often results in stagnation, corruption, and policies that cater to a select few rather than the general population. When political competition is robust, elected officials are held accountable by their constituents, knowing they can be replaced if they fail to meet expectations. This drives better governance, transparency, and more inclusive policymaking. Healthy political competition forces leaders to be more responsive and thoughtful in addressing the public’s needs.

In education, competition between institutions drives academic excellence. When schools and universities strive to outperform each other, students benefit from better curricula, more resources, and higher standards. Educators become more invested in the success of their students, pushing for innovative teaching methods and ensuring that students are prepared for the challenges ahead. In a highly competitive academic environment, institutions must constantly evaluate and improve their offerings, thus raising the quality of education for all.

Having competition across these sectors benefits everyone by creating a culture of excellence. To maximize these benefits, we should promote fair competition while regulating practices that can lead to monopolies, corruption, or the exploitation of consumers and citizens. We should maintain a balance between healthy rivalry and ethical standards to ensure that competition continues to serve as a positive force for the public good.

The thin line

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DOMS PAGLIAWAN

I’ve always been fascinated by the creativity and energy that bloggers bring to the table, especially those who push the boundaries of content creation. At times, however, I can’t help but question the growing trend of extreme bloggers who take on dangerous stunts or visit perilous locations just to create viral content. It seems to me that in their pursuit of clicks and views, these individuals are risking more than just their safety—they’re sending a dangerous message to their audience. While pushing limits can be admirable, I believe there’s a fine line between innovation and recklessness.

Many extreme bloggers seem to think that the more outrageous or death-defying their content, the more attention they’ll get. And to some extent, they’re right. In a world where attention spans are short and the competition is fierce, they feel the need to outdo each other in more audacious ways. But what they often fail to acknowledge is the real risk they are taking with their own lives. I can’t help but wonder: is it worth risking serious injury or death for a few minutes of viral fame? I think not.

The effect on their viewers, particularly younger audiences, is troubling to me. Many of these extreme bloggers are seen as role models, and their followers might be tempted to mimic their stunts without considering the potential consequences. I’ve seen videos where bloggers scale dangerous cliffs, jump off high buildings, or travel to conflict zones, all while downplaying the dangers involved. These actions not only put their own lives at risk but also encourage impressionable viewers to do the same. It concerns me that this culture of one-upmanship has become so normalized.

Another issue I see is the glorification of recklessness as a badge of honor. I’ve come across content where bloggers pride themselves on “surviving” dangerous situations as if the thrill of escaping unscathed justifies the risks they’ve taken. But in reality, luck often plays a significant role. How many times have we seen stories of bloggers who pushed too far and paid the ultimate price? Their tragic stories serve as stark reminders that the line between thrilling and foolhardy is thin and all too easily crossed.

I also think about the impact on the places these bloggers visit. Many of them head to remote or unstable regions, where their presence can cause harm or disrupt local communities. Some extreme bloggers have been criticized for disrespecting cultural sites or trespassing in restricted areas, all in the name of creating “unique” content. I believe that these actions show a disregard not just for personal safety but for the people and places they exploit for clicks. To me, this is irresponsible and unethical.

There’s a growing problem with the way content is monetized. Bloggers are incentivized to create content that gets the most views, and often, the most outrageous content wins. I think this system needs to change. While I understand the desire for unique content, there has to be a better way to reward creators without encouraging dangerous behavior.

Platforms that host these videos need to take more responsibility for what they promote.
I find myself asking: where does the responsibility lie? Is it with the bloggers themselves, the platforms that showcase their content, or the audience that rewards such behavior with views and shares? I think it’s a combination of all three. Bloggers need to recognize the risks they’re taking and the message they’re sending. Platforms should set stricter guidelines on what content they allow, and viewers should be more critical of the content they consume and share.

Creativity should always be celebrated, but it should never come at the cost of safety or ethics. Bloggers need to draw a line between pushing boundaries and risking their lives for content. As a society, we should encourage more responsible content creation, and platforms must do their part to ensure that dangerous behaviors aren’t incentivized. Only then can we strike a balance between innovation and safety, ensuring that creativity continues to thrive without crossing into recklessness.

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