Nov 29, 2009
Archbishop asks media:
Keep on proclaiming truth
By Joey A. Gabieta
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines -- The slaying of more than 20 journalists in Maguindanao should not keep the members of the media from fulfilling their job of providing information to the public.
Archbishop Jose Palma of Palo, made the appeal Saturday in reaction to the Maguindanao massacre that claimed the lives of at least 64 persons.
"My point here is that the horrendous crime (Maguindanao massacre) should not deter our media people from doing their job for they proclaim the truth just like any evangelization. Media is doing a wonderful service in proclaiming the truth. But sometimes, we have to put ourselves to danger," Palma said on Saturday.
On Friday night, close to 60 media practitioners in Tacloban City gathered at the junction named after Ramon Noblejas, a radio broadcaster, who was based this city and gunned down by still unidentified men 22 years ago. The journalists joined in condemning the brutal murder of their colleagues.
The next day, a Holy Mass at the Santo Niño Church, led by its parish priest Monsignor Benjamin Bacierra, was offered for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre, particularly the members of the media who died.
Archbishop Palma said that he could not help but feel outrage over the mass killings purportedly carried out by politicians who professed to protect the people they served.
"How could this unbelievable crime happen, people killing other people just to achieve their political ambition? Is this the essence of public service?" he said.
Palma also urged the families of those killed to always "put their trust in God" even as he urged the national government to waste no time in filing appropriate charges against those responsible for the massacre.
Nov 28, 2009
City police requests 2 additional police stations
By Sylvia Alvero Abadingo
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- The office of the City chief of police here is requesting the City Government to provide them with two additional police stations being a Highly Urbanized City.
Sr. Supt. Sergio Dimandal, chief of police, said that City Mayor Alfred Romualdez informed that they will be putting up a new police office at the Balyuan area.
Dimandal added that Mayor Romualdez is very supportive hence they are requesting to include it in the 2010 budget so that the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod can allocate the needed funds.
He said that at present there are sub-police stations in the City like the Marasbaras Police Station 1 and the Market Police Station 2.
At the moment, Dimandal said they are focusing on peace and order in the City and communicating with residents in the community level.
"Sa pagtutulungan ng community at dahil din sa aktibong response ng community mabilis ding reresponde ang pulisya at agad na mahuhuli yung gumagawa ng masama," Dimandal said.
He added that for crime prevention the City police office deployed an officer to safeguard the area of Imelda Village 24 hours a day.
Meanwhile, he also said that their office had already designated a police officer in every area for this coming Christmas and the elections.
"May inasign na rin ako sa mga highways para agad may masumbungan at may magresponde sa mga biktima," Dimandal said.
Nov 27, 2009
25 barangays in the city receive P50,000 each from city gov't
By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- Twenty-five barangays in this city recently received P50,000 each as financial assistance from the City Government of Tacloban through City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.
The 25 barangays that received the financial assistance were Barangays 103-A (Paglaum), 97 (Cabalawan), 93 (Bagacay), 98 Camansihay, 105 (Suhi), 100 (San Roque), 107 (Sta. Elena), 106 (Sto. Niño), 102 (Old Kawayan), 101 (New Kawayan), 99 (Diit), 103 (Palanog), 37-A, 3 (Upper Nula-Tula), and 73 (PHHC-Mountainside).
Other places that received financial aid from the city government were Barangays 71 (Naga-Naga), 70, 69, 68, 67, 66-A, and 65
Mayor Romualdez, who went to every one of the barangays to personally turn-over the amount, said the financial aid is meant to help the barangays with some of their needs and expenses.
"Barangay officials no longer need to go to the City Hall to request for some of their minor needs like, for example, replacement bulbs, said Romualdez, adding that the 113 other barangays in the city will receive their share in the coming days.
He said that the recipient-barangays can add the amount to their General Funds and use the money to purchase items like chairs, sound system, electric fan, uniforms for tanods, and other minor needs of the barangay.
The mayor added that all barangays in this city will each receive another P50,000 financial assistance this coming January.
On their part, officials of the recipient-barangays thanked Mayor Romualdez and other city officials for the help extended to them.
Said Chairwoman Rosita Placa of Brgy. Paglaum," Dako it amon pagpasalamat kan Mayor Alfred kay tungod han iya bulig mayada na kami kadugangan nga pondo para hit amon mga kagarastusan dinhi ha barangay."
Nov 26, 2009
42 couples avail of
free mass wedding
By Nyll Acedo
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- Another set composed of 42 couples in this city, mostly coming from the northern barangays, were given the chance to avail of a free service from the City Government through a mass wedding held recently at the Balyuan Convention Center.
Judy Borja, City Civil Registrar, in an interview told Leyte Samar Daily Express that said activity has long been planned by their office with the Missionaries of Charity headed by Sister Mystica who committed this time to sponsor the mass wedding.
"The part of the city here is to organize all legal documents for married couples. At the same time we make sure that only couples who cannot really afford are given such priority," Borja said.
According to Borja, around 85% of couples here in the city are living together outside marriage. Most of them have been together for long years, some are even elderly yet they are still encouraged to get married.
"As what I always stress during orientations and seminars, I emphasize the value of marriage not only to couples but most especially to their children," she said.
Mayor Alfred Romualdez stood as the solemnizing officer in the mass wedding. In his message before he started the ceremony, he pointed out the importance of marriage and the linking obligations of this sacrament, specifically their role as parents in molding their children to grow as productive citizens in the society.
Meanwhile, the City Civil Registrar has an early announcement for interested couples that the next mass wedding sponsored by the city government is tentatively scheduled in January next year.
Nov 24, 2009
Mayor Romualdez orders closure of night club
By Fred Padernos
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez has closed down the M/V Schooner night club complex on Saturday located along Real st. here, for violation of nationals laws.
Romualdez in his one page closure order, slapped Condrada D. Cababahay, registered operator of said establishment, with several violations of national laws, namely;
(a) Republic Act 7610, otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act";
(b) Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003."
...for having employed minors and thus promoting and/or facilitating acts of prostitution, child trafficking, indecent shows and other forms of child abuse within the said establishment.
Mayor Romualdez further mentioned in his closure order, that Jaime Eclavea, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office 8, has recommended for the immediate closure of said establishment.
"Hence, it is hereby ordered that your establishment is closed and off-limits to the public by virtue of Section 11 Article VII of Republic Act 7610. Also, your permit to operate your business is also hereby cancelled and revoked by virtue of the aforementioned provision of law," Romualdez's closure order said.
Rescue of minors prior to the closure
On November 17, or prior to the closure, two of the minor entertainers of the night club escaped from their quarter located at the back of Schooner complex and reported their plight to City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Taking quick action on the complaint, Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez, Chairman, Committee on Women and Children, led the composite team of CSWDO, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regional office 8, and City Police Women's Desk in conducting a lightning rescue operation at said entertainers quarter. The operatives were able to get nine women wherein three of them were minors aging 14, 15, and 16. These minors are now under the care of DSWD.
Subsequently on the following day after the rescue operation, the CIDG here filed the case in court against the operator of said establishment for the same violation mentioned in the closure order.
Nov 23, 2009
Bejo to construct tenement housing for homeless residents if elected
By Fred Padernos
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- Former City Mayor Alfredo "Bejo" Romualdez expressed his big dreams for the city when he formally announced over the weekend his vice mayoralty bid in the coming national and local elections on May 10, 2010.
According to the former local chief executive, aside from what he called professionalizing the legislative body, he is pushing for a legislation in the city's law making body for the construction of a tenement housing in Cancabato and Anibong areas for the homeless residents of the City.
He clarified that with this ambitious project this will go on without necessarily squatting the already in placed houses which is usually the fear of the would -be affected informal settlers.
According to the older Romualdez, this was one of his plans when he was still the city mayor that he would like to continue in close partnership between the legislative and the executive department with his son, Alfred, being the mayor.
"My son, he said, has also his own plans for the development of this highly urbanized city. I'm sure he will be very supportive to the legislative department for further betterment of the city," said the older Romualdez.
Councilors Bianco Mate and Rufino "Pax" Pacanan, who were present during his announcement , both said former mayor Romualdez' intention to lead the city's lawmaking body is very much welcome and this would mean flawless partnership between the local chief executive and the city council.
His recent announcement to run for vice mayor had ended the rumors that he is going to run for mayor again in the coming elections because he is very visible in the on-going Barangayan programs.
Incumbent mayor Alfred S. Romualdez told members of the local media during a press conference last week that " I intend to finish what I have started", referring to the on-going development projects and those that are set for implementation.
I fought for the HUChood of the city so that we will be able to get direct assistance from the national government for the necessary development projects of this growing capital city of the Eastern Visayas region, he said.
Nov 19, 2009
Kringkring vows to lead in prosecution of recruiters of minors
By Valentino B. Lopez
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CIY -- Enraged by the recent discovery of trafficked minors working as entertainers in one of the night spots in the city, Sangguniang Panlunsod Floor Leader Cristina Romualdez vowed to lead in the prosecution of whoever had a hand in the recruitment of the supposed minors.
Rescued from a boarding house recently in Sampaguita District, four youthful looking girls with ages ranging from 14 to 16 and another six believed to be in their legal ages, were taken into custody by the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (RCIDG) upon the earlier request of the City Social Welfare Office who was also acting on the tip of an informant.
It came out, that 3 women minors went to the office of the CSWD early morning of Tuesday to report the hiring of women minors as Guest Relation Officers by the management of the Schooner Nite Club.
One of the three girl informants even asked assistance from the welfare office that a pregnant co-worker of theirs still left in the house be immediately rescued, as it could be dangerous for her if their employer happens to know that some of them have already sought assistance over their ordeal.
Informed of the development, Councilor Romualdez rushed to the RCIDU Headquarters where she also briefed the media about the relentless efforts of her office and the City Social Welfare Department regarding the unmasking of human trafficking cases here.
Early this year, a similar rescue operation was conducted on a sing-along joint cum massage parlor in Kalipayan Street, where later authorities also found out that the lady masseurs in the said establishment were also minors.
Asked if it would require her passing of an ordinance to put a stop to this flesh trade, the lady councilor said: "I don't think we still need to pass more ordinance to this effect as I know that there are already many. All we need to do is just strengthen our surveillance and monitoring coupled with more vigilance on this aspect and maybe in time we can catch up with these violators."
According to RCIDG Chief Police Supt Leo Quevedo, violation of Republic Act 9208 on Women Trafficking and Republic Act 7610 on Child Abuse may be filed against the owner of the M/V Schooner Nite Club, where the minors were said to be working, and a woman named Lina, aged 55 years old from Caloocan, who was tagged by informants as the handler of the trafficked women.
On initial investigation, however, Lina denied having anything to do with the recruitment of the rescued victims, as she only admitted to being the cook and caretaker of the house from where these women were taken from.
Nov 18, 2009
Mayor Romualdez swears in new member of city council
By Joey A. Gabieta
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- City Mayor Alfred Romualdez sworn into office Antonio Lopez Jr. as the new and 11th member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday afternoon.
The appointment of Lopez, 51 years old and a lawyer by profession, was by virtue of Tacloban's new status as a highly urbanized city. As an HUC, Tacloban would now have 12 city council members.
The appointment of Lopez was signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, dated November 3.
In an interview, Councilor Lopez said that he would work and advance the interest of the people of Tacloban.
"Anything that will work for the advantage of our people, I will work for it. And as a member of a legislative body, I can do that by crafting ordinances that will redound to the common good of the people of Tacloban," the new councilor said.
Mayor Romualdez recommended Lopez to fill up one of the two vacant seats at the city council with the upgrading of Tacloban as an HUC. The city mayor admitted that Lopez would be included on his slate in next year's elections.
The city mayor said that he chose Lopez on ground of his being a lawyer.
"As a lawyer, he has a good track record. We need a lawyer at the Sangguniang Panlungsod," he said.
The city mayor said that he is confident that Lopez, being a Taclobanon, will really protect the interests of the people of the city at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The new councilor is a son of former Councilor Antonio Lopez, who served as a member of the legislative body from 1988 up to 1998.
While it was him who recommended Lopez to become the new member of the city council, the city mayor said that he did not make any preconditions to the new councilor.
"Never did I intervene at the Sangguniang Panlungsod," Romualdez said, stressing that the legislative body is an independent body and is a co-equal branch of his office.
Lopez said that he was happy to be named by the city mayor and promised to buckle down to work right away.
The new council member is expected to join in today's regular session of the city council whose majority members are allies of Mayor Romualdez.
Asked if he is aware of the issues affecting the current city council, Lopez admitted that he has a vague idea on the goings on of the city council.
"But heated debates is common in our city council," he said, referring to the heated exchange of words among its members.
The city council, presided by opposition Vice Mayor Arvin Antoni, has been rocked with issues that tend to polarize its members.
At present, members of the city council are in a war mode over incident involving a security escort of Councilor Cristina Gonzalez Romualdez who was suspected to be carrying a gun.
Councilor Romualdez had vehemently denied that her security escort was carrying a gun at that time. A policy on gun carrying inside the premises of the legislative building has been imposed.
Nov 18, 2009
Christmas lights, lanterns to glow in Tacloban City this Christmas season
By Joey A. Gabieta
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- Expect a brighter Tacloban on Christmas time.
This was vowed by City Tourism Officer Jake Ligan whose office has set aside around P300,000 intended to buy Christmas decors like "parol" (lantern) and Christmas lights that are to be displayed in major thoroughfares in the city.
The purpose of putting these Christmas decors and lights in major streets of Tacloban is for the people to "feel" the spirit of the season despite the problems facing the city and the country at present, the city tourism officer explained.
"In fact, we also encouraged our people in the barangays to display Christmas decors and lights. This way, we can really feel the spirit of Christmas despite of the problems that we are facing," Ligan said.
He also said that a giant Christmas tree will be put up by the city government at Balyu-an amphitheater with "a robot-like" toy among its come-on. Mayor Romualdez is expected to lead in the lighting ceremony this November 26, Ligan added.
The premises of the City Hall itself will also be aglow with lights and decors during this season, Ligan said.
Meantime, the city tourism office is now accepting entries for those who will join in the parol and Christmas tree contests.
Ligan said that those interested to join either category could enlist themselves at their office. For those who will join the best Christmas tree contest could receive a P1, 250 subsidy from their office, he said.
The winning entries for both categories are to be put into display at the Robinsons' Place, which co-organized the competition.
Winners are to be adjudged based on their creativity, vibrancy and use of indigenous materials, among others.
Winners are to receive cash prizes ranging from P2, 000 up to P10, 000 for both categories.
Nov 18, 2009
Another course to be added to CLEP
By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- Another course will be added next month to the Cristina's Learn and Earn Program (CLEP).
CLEP coordinator Lily Cagara in an interview Monday disclosed that as part of program expansion, City Councilor Cristina Romualdez and program partners are looking into introducing one more course to the program.
CLEP is jointly undertaken by Councilor Romualdez, Department of Education-Alternative Learning System (DepEd-ALS), and the City Government of Tacloban headed by City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.
The program aims to arm interested individuals, primarily women and out-of-school youths (OSY), with the necessary livelihood skills for them to earn extra income for themselves and their families. Since last year, more than a thousand persons, mostly women, have undergone livelihood skills training under the program.
According to Cagara, the new course to be introduced soon to complement the existing courses is furniture-making. Currently, the program offers cosmetology, food processing, haircut, baking, jewelry-making, reflexology, t-shirt printing, and dressmaking courses.
Furniture-making is the art and practice of using various woodworking skills to create chairs, cabinets, beds, desks, bookcases, dressers, and other movable objects intended to support various human activities.
The program coordinator said the plan is to hold furniture-making classes at the Roycegleen General Upholstery and Furniture Shop in Sagkahan.
"Enrollees will be taught basic skills in furniture-making for two months at the said venue," Cagara revealed.
Cagara added that the new course is open to both men and women.
"Given the skills that they will learn, those who will graduate from such course will have a big opportunity to find jobs. Some can put up their own furniture-making business not only to earn but also provide jobs to others," she said.
Nov 18, 2009
Editorial:
Politics by affinity
By Bong Austero
Manila Standard Today
I've been traveling to my home province of Leyte a lot in the last few weeks. No, it's not because I am running for public office although like most everyone else with some kind of pseudo popularity I also have been asked to run by some well-meaning individuals and groups. I've been going home mostly for work but these trips have been quite insightful in the light of political developments shaping up in the province in the run up to 2010.
It seems this idea of change in politics is something that a lot of people are taking seriously because there seems to be a mad race to get as many "new names" as possible into the political arena. The problem is that many people are taking the clarion call rather literally-they interpret the need for change as the opportunity to recruit fresh faces as candidates, including those without any inclination or aptitude for politics or public service. The general attitude is that anyone who is not a politician or has not run for public service is potentially a better bet compared to someone who has been in politics for quite sometime and therefore presumed to have succumbed to corruption in the course of being a politician.
I think that making generalizations is a dangerous thing but it's difficult to argue with people with strong convictions based on years of observation. It's almost impossible to single out politicians who have remained untainted with accusations of corruption or abuse of power while in office. However, I still think that politics is a career that requires certain competencies. Thus, getting any Juan, Pedro and Jose to run for office without any regard for qualification, or skills, or platforms is potentially disastrous.
In response to the call of the times, there are those who have shamelessly abrogated unto themselves the mantle of "new politics" even if they represent the status quo. Like Chiz Escudero, they use the mantra of change, or as Escudero likes to say so himself, "new change," merely as a convenient political slogan rather than as an advocacy.
Thus, in Leyte, and I presume anywhere else, husbands are giving way to wives or vice versa, parents are giving way to children, or siblings to another sibling. Political dynasties are playing a game of musical chairs. The strange thing is that these families actually expect voters to believe that the change in candidates already represent change in politics.
And then there is this new development of politics by affinity-that is, husbands or wives of residents of the province gunning for elective posts in the province.
Actor Richard Gomez is seeking to represent the people of the Fourth District of Leyte, home turf of his beautiful wife, Lucy Torres Gomez. Former actress Christina "Kring Kring" Gonzales Romualdez, currently councilor of Tacloban City, is reportedly intent on becoming its next mayor.
I talked to a number of voters in the Fourth District to get a sense of how people are responding to Gomez' candidacy. I didn't meet anyone who had a nice word to say about it. Everyone I talked to felt that Gomez didn't stand a chance of winning. First, he is up against a powerful political clan-the Codillas of Ormoc-whose family is well entrenched in the district. Practically all the mayors of the towns in the Fourth District are related either by blood or marriage to the Codillas. Second, Lucy Torres Gomez' family is not exactly endeared to the masses of the district. The Torreses are hacienderos who don't socialize with the poor. Third, there is a backlash directed at celebrities like Gomez who are perceived as opportunists.
"But what about Gomez' matinee idol appeal?" I asked. Apparently, Gomez is not that popular in Leyte, which is Kapamilya country. "It would have been a different story altogether if it were Piolo Pascual running," the women I talked to shrieked.
Christina Gonzalez Romualdez, who is married to Alfred Romualdez, current mayor of Tacloban, already won the most number of votes as councilor in the 2007 elections. If we are to believe the scuttlebutt, Alfred Romualdez will challenge Jericho Petilla for the governorship leaving his wife, the former actress, at the helm of the city. If things go as planned, she will be up against Dan Palami, a young charismatic leader who seems to have the support of the youth. Palami was born and schooled in Tacloban City while Romualdez' ties to the city is purely by marriage. The talk around the city is that most people have had enough of politics by affinity.
Nov 18, 2009
CIDG-8, CSWO rescue 6 women including 4 minors
By Lito Abala Bagunas
Leyte Samar Daily Express
TACLOBAN CITY -- Joint operatives led by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-8) Special Operation Team, City Social Welfare Office and Tacloban City Police Office Women Division conducted a rescue operation of 10 women including four minors aged 14, 15, 16 years old in a boarding house at the rear of M/V Schooner complex located in Brgy. Sampaguita, this city, yesterday morning.
Supt. Leo Quevedo, regional chief of the CIDG-8, told Leyte Samar Daily Express that the raid was conducted based on the complaint of the City Social Welfare Office that also sought a police back-up to rescue the women.
Immediately, the CIDG-8 formed a team to rescue the women especially the minors inside the boarding house.
Col. Quevedo said that the four minors were from Caloocan City, Bulacan and Mindanao who were recruited to work in Tacloban but they were not aware of the kind of work that awaited them in Tacloban.
He said the rescued women were immediately brought to the CIDG-8 office for investigation in coordination with the City Social Welfare Office.
Quevedo said the CIDG-8 would formally file a case for violation of RA 9208, otherwise known as Trafficking in Persons, and RA 7610 or child abuse law before the City Prosecutor's Office against the owner of the M/V Schooner.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, chairperson of the Committee on Women and Family, who went to the CIDG-8 office, said she will recommend to the local chief executive the closure of M/V Schooners after it was found out that minors were illegally working in the said establishment.
"I'm congratulating the CIDG-8 kasi na rescue nila itong mga minors na mga bata na nagsasayaw. At saka hindi lang ito sa M/V Schooner, maraming mga club dito sa Tacloban na nagpapasayaw nang mga bata. Hindi naman puede ‘yan," Councilor Romualdez said.
The lady councilor said she received information that some of the night clubs in Tacloban City are using female minors as "dancers" and that she immediately ordered for the surveillance of these night clubs.
Nov 18, 2009
Cops rescue 'sex workers' in Tacloban City
By Jenette Fariola-Ruedas
ABS CBN News - Philippines
TACLOBAN City -- Authorities have rescued 7 female sex workers from a well-known night club in Tacloban City.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operative in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the local police rescued the women on Tuesday morning from the "Schooner" club.
Operatives said three of the seven workers are minors and another rescued woman was actually pregnant. Police said the workers were from Caloocan City.
However, the club's caretaker denied allegations that they hire minors.
"We don't allow minors to work because we know that it is not allowed and it's a violation of the law," the unidentified caretaker said.
She, likewise, denied allegations that they are engaged in prostitution.
Meanwhile, Councilor Cristina Romualdez commended authorities on the rescue operation.
"This is a breakthrough. This proves that we are serious with the campaign. Prostitution should be stopped here in the city," said Romualdez.
Romualdez said he is more than willing to continue supporting the local government and authorities to stop prostitution in the city.
Police said the club's owner and recruiter will be charged with violation of the Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
Nov 18, 2009
Clans rule politics in
Eastern Visayas
By Vincente Labro
Inquirer.net - Philippines
TACLOBAN CITY -- The political horizon in Eastern Visayas appears no different from what it looked like in previous elections as known political clans were expected to preserve their hold on key elective positions in the region.
The Romualdezes of this city, the Codillas of Ormoc, and the Dazas of Samar, this early, appear to have the early advantage over whoever their opponents would be in the coming elections.
In this city, Alfredo "Bejo" Romualdez, former mayor, said he would run as vice mayor under his son, Alfred, who is incumbent mayor seeking reelection.
The elder Romualdez said he wanted to be vice mayor because he wanted to make the city council "one of the best in the country." Local government rules allow vice mayors to preside over city councils.
Bejo, however, said the family was also busy consolidating its force to help Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. win a Senate seat. Bongbong is a nephew of Bejo.
Alfred Romualdez's wife, Tacloban City Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez is seeking reelection. So is Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, son of former Leyte Gov. Benjamin "Kokoy" Romualdez.
In Ormoc City, incumbent Mayor Eric Codilla would run for reelection. So would his brother, Elmer Codilla, as mayor of nearby Kananga, Leyte.
Their father, however, Rep. Eufrocino Codilla Sr., is on his last term and is ineligible for reelection. Winnie Codilla Jr., one of his sons, would run in his place.
In Samar, Gov. Milagros Tan, now on her last term, is likely to seek election as congressman in the second district, a post that is currently held by her daughter, Rep. Sharee Ann Tan. Governor Tan was recently suspended for 90 days over a graft case.
In Northern Samar, Gov. Raul Daza, now on his last term, is running for congressman in the province's first district. The governor's son, Rep. Paul Daza, will run as governor in his father's place.
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