TACLOBAN CITY – House of Representatives Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan urged both the Philippines and China to collaborate in defusing escalating tensions over a maritime dispute, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving the issue.
Both countries should explore all diplomatic avenues to de-escalate the situation, the 4Ps party-list group representative said in a statement.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously affirmed that the Philippines “will not surrender its sovereign rights” amid China’s aggressive actions.
The recent incident involving China Coast Guard vessels water-cannoning and causing significant damage to a Philippine civilian boat during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on March 23 has sparked vehement protests between Manila and Beijing.
Expressing concern, Libanan stressed that international coverage of escalating tensions “may negatively impact the Philippines’ efforts to attract additional foreign direct investments crucial for generating new job opportunities for Filipinos.”
“We are apprehensive that prospective foreign investors might perceive the tensions as a potential security risk,” Libanan said in a statement.
He highlighted President Marcos’s diplomatic efforts, citing his visits to other countries to encourage their corporations to invest in the Philippines.
Libanan also mentioned Congress’s initiatives to relax restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution to entice more foreign investors and create employment opportunities for Filipinos.
In light of these developments, the solon underscored the need for the Marcos administration to reassure potential foreign investors of the Philippines’ stability and safety for profitable business activities, irrespective of the maritime dispute.
“We must emphasize that despite the tensions, the Philippines remains a stable, peaceful, and secure destination for foreign investors to engage in productive business ventures,” Libanan concluded. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The island town of Limasawa in Southern Leyte commemorated the 503rd First Easter Mass in the Philippines on Sunday (March 31) in a simple but significant ceremony attended by hundreds of pilgrims from Southern Leyte province, along with local officials from both the municipality and the province.
The celebration commenced with the Easter Mass officiated by Bishop Precisio Cantillas of the Diocese of Maasin, followed by the commissioning of 500 Lay Eucharistic Ministers of the Diocese.
Approximately 3,000 youth pilgrims from various parishes of the diocese also participated in the event, having arrived in the island town on Holy Saturday to attend the Easter Vigil and Festival of Light.
Addressing the youth in his homily, Bishop Cantillas emphasized their pivotal role as the hope for both the future of the Church and the present time. He urged them to deepen their devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, by embodying it through becoming messengers of hope and proclaiming their love for the Lord.
“The youth should acknowledge Mary as the Mother of Jesus, our mother. Let us reflect on whether we truly know and accept her in our lives. We should also question ourselves about our devotion to her and if we make time to pray for her,” Bishop Cantillas said.
Following the Eucharistic celebration at the National Shrine of the First Mass, the local government unit organized a program graced by provincial government officials led by Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado, Vice Gov. Rosa Emilia Mercado, and the local government unit led by Mayor Melchor Petracorta.
In his address, Mayor Petracorta highlighted the significance of commemorating the first Easter Mass in Limasawa, emphasizing that it marked the beginning of the spread of Christianity in the country.
“This event symbolizes the introduction of faith, which profoundly influenced the culture, traditions, and religious practices of the Filipino people,” stated Mayor Petracorta. “This historic event brings us together to appreciate our roots and the genesis of our faith.”
He further emphasized that this celebration also signifies the convergence of the East and the West and the commencement of brotherhood among different races.
The celebration in Limasawa marked the 503rd year since Fr. Pedro Valderama officiated the first Easter Sunday mass recorded in history, held on March 31, 1521, after Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet reached the island while searching for a new route to Molucca.
Although this part of history has been contested for several years.
In 2020, a year before the 500-year commemoration of the quincentennial year of the first circumnavigation of the world, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines signed a resolution adopting the recommendations of historians, affirming that Limasawa Island was the real site for the 1521 First Easter Sunday Mass. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
PALO, Leyte – Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla of this town recognizes the importance of supporting the local Catholic Church in celebrating Pamalandong during Holy Week, aiming to bolster faith and attract visitors to their town.
“We do not interfere; we allow the church to take charge of all the activities during the Holy Week celebration, and what we do is to support them,” she said during a press conference on March 27.
Pamalandong, according to Petilla, is part of the town’s year-round program known as the “4Ps of Palo,” which includes ‘Patron’ (town fiesta), ‘Pagbalik’ (Leyte Landing Celebration), and ‘Pasko ha Palo’ (Christmas celebration).
These activities are designed to increase awareness of the town’s events and encourage people to visit Palo.
Even before formalizing these activities through an ordinance, the local government of Palo has been assisting the church in its endeavors, Petilla said.
Civil works such as traffic management, safety and security, health and sanitation, as well as beautification, are among the support provided by the LGU to the church.
“We enhance every station with beautiful flower arrangements and additional street lights in Palo. We ensure security at Ginhangdan Hill, a popular destination for the Stations of the Cross. Traffic officers and police are deployed for traffic management and security,” Petilla explained, emphasizing the efforts to attract more tourists to Palo.
The local government unit also offers a free ‘Visita Iglesia’ program for those interested in visiting several churches in Palo, aiming to increase both tourism and faith among visitors.
Overall, Petilla emphasized the LGU’s readiness to support the church’s activities, believing that this collaboration will also benefit the local economy as more people visit their town. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas has reported five suspected cases of pertussis, the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Speaking through its information officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, the health office stated that these suspected cases are distributed across Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte provinces.
Both the provinces of Southern Leyte and Leyte have two each of suspected cases while one in Eastern Samar.
Samples from these cases will be sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for confirmatory testing.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough or the 100-day cough, is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can be prevented through vaccination.
Initial symptoms resemble those of the common cold, including a runny nose, fever, and mild cough. However, these symptoms are followed by severe coughing fits lasting two to three months. During these fits, individuals may emit a high-pitched whooping sound or gasp as they struggle to breathe.
The coughing can be so intense that it leads to vomiting, rib fractures, and fatigue. Infants under one year old may not exhibit a typical cough but may experience periods of breathlessness.
The disease’s incubation period is typically seven to ten days, and although vaccination can reduce symptoms, cases can still occur, albeit with milder symptoms. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY– A buy-bust operation jointly conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the police of Inopacan, Leyte resulted in the arrest of a man in possession of suspected shabu valued at P151,000.
The operation conducted last March 20 in Barangay Osmeña, Inopacan at about 5:10 pm resulted in the arrest of Wenbert Maquited, alias “Bert,” 30, who hails from Navotas, Malabon, and is currently residing temporarily in the said village.
Upon apprehension, one sachet containing the white crystalline substance, suspected to be shabu, was recovered from Maquited, procured by an undercover agent for P500.
Subsequently, during a body search conducted in the presence of an elected barangay official and a representative from the local media, five additional sachets containing the same substance, totaling approximately 23 grams, were seized.
Maquited was duly informed of the nature of his arrest and was apprised of his constitutional rights in a language understood by him.
Charges for violations of Sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) have been filed by PDEA at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Hilongos, Leyte, against the arrested suspect, who is currently detained at the Bato Municipal Police Station. (ROBERT DEJON)
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. (OVP)
Brinkmanship
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. (OVP)
Certainly it is not about being a breath away from the presidency. Rather it is about being caught in the crosshairs between her own father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Vice-President Sara addressed this predicament in a statement issued last March 19 where she declared that politics is a matter she did not discuss with her father and the President.
“On separate occasions, the President and the former President similarly expressed concerns over my well-being. I assured them that I would take care of myself as I carry out my duties and responsibilities as Vice President and the Secretary of the Department of Education,” the Vice-President stated.
What she said opened the door into the dilemma she was forced into, but one she is determined to deal with on her own terms. Consciously or unconsciously, the Vice-President shows the stuff she is made of when she’s torn between a rock and a hard place.
The Oxford dictionary defines brinkmanship as the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics. Going by this definition, this is brinkmanship on display, the Vice-President’s.
In recent months, temperatures have risen between the former and sitting presidents. It was bound to happen, what with all the provocations and harassments coming from the Marcos camp, specifically from First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. The Duterte family simply had enough, and no one can blame them.
Caught in the middle is Vice-President Duterte. Instead of crumbling under pressure, however, she has shown grace that has baffled even her own solid political base.
True to her oath to the Filipino people, the three-term Davao City mayor has delivered beyond the call of duty both as Vice-President and Secretary of the Department of Education. Indefatigable and fearless, she has gone to even the remotest places in the country to be with the people who are often forgotten and neglected after the votes are counted. She has spoken out on the burning issues of the day, and taking unequivocal positions on controversial matters that most politicians won’t touch with a 10-foot pole.
She opposed the move to open the peace talks with communist rebels, spoke out against the so-called people’s initiative to amend the Constitution, warned against dragging the country into war and criticized abuses in government spending. In the same breath, she expressed concern about the worsening economy and the deteriorating peace and order which resonate with most Filipinos who saw a glimpse of hope during her father’s term.
Little wonder that despite the vicious demolition job hatched against her, the Vice-President remains the most popular and trusted official in the Marcos administration. Filipinos can tell the difference between PR work and old-school public service which explains why even the sink thrown at her doesn’t stick.
It wasn’t easy getting to this point, but it is nothing compared to what lies ahead. But if there is anyone who can navigate the slippery slope, it’s Vice-President Sara. Displaying the kind of brinkmanship that has kept her afloat in the murky waters of betrayal, corruption and incompetence, she is showing the nation that she has what it takes to be the one.
“The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art. If you cannot master it, you inevitably get into war. If you try to run away from it, if you are scared to go to the brink, you are lost,” John Foster Dulles, US Secretary of State under President Dwight David Eisenhower once said to describe brinkmanship.
Vice-President Sara finds herself on the verge of a war not of her own making, but she has stayed away from it. And yet, she makes it clear that she isn’t running away from it, or scared of it.
Even when the outcome was beyond doubt, the former President refused to endorse the present. Among other things, the former said the latter was “weak”. Close to two years after the elections, more and more people admit that he is right.
Still smarting from that blunder and paying dearly for it, one trait they will definitely look for in the next leader would be decisiveness. With the country in dire straits and its northern frontier fearing the worst, perhaps the better word would be brinkmanship.
