Tagb councilor alleged to be linked with Dauis road accident van
Allegations surfaced saying that the van involved in a Dauis road accident is linked to a Tagbilaran City councilor.
The allegation has been spreading all over social media and the identity of the councilor has not been mentioned.
To recall, a van driven by a person from Parañaque allegedly ran over two motorists in barangay Tinago, Dauis on Aug, 10, 2024.
Reports said that Dauis police chief Lt: Rogelio Baluranis unable to make any comments on the allegations, as the authorities are still in the thick of investigating the said incident.
Baluran said the police already coordinated with the victims’ families.
As of this writing, a case has yet to be filed against the suspect, whose identity was withheld.
Baluran said the police are gathering pieces of evidence in order to build an air-tight case against the suspect.
To recall further, the suspect surrendered to authorities but was released as the authorities don’t have the capacity to take the suspect in custody.
Baluran assures the public that the police will soon file charges against the suspect once everything is in order.
LnB president elated over moves to lengthen brgy, officials’ terms
Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB)-Bohol chapter president, board member Romulo Cepedoza, expressed elation over the moves to increase the length of the terms of elected barangay officials.
This comes as House speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced that the House has approved a bill extending the term limits of barangay officials from three to six years.
House Bill No. 10747 is authored by Romualdez himself and co-authored by Congs. Aurelio Gonzales, Manuel Jose Dalipe, Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Jedda Marie Romualdez, Jude Acedre, and Faustino Dy.
The proposal also includes the term extension for officials of the Sangguniang Kabataan .
Romuadez announced the proposal during the Ligangmga Barangay National Congress in Pasay City on Tuesday, Aug 13, 2024.
Cepedoza said that LnB national officials will definitely discuss the proposed bill as the league’s national president is the sibling of Cong. Dy, one of the co-authors of the bill.
According to the Speaker, he and House lawmakers decided to set a fixed six-year term for barangay officials to do away with confusion brought by recent term extensions, poll suspensions, and other laws.
Under the bill, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials are not allowed to serve more than two terms in office.
The proposed measure also sets the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to the last Monday of October 2029, with subsequent elections held every six years after.
City Hall to inspect weighing scales in markets
Authorities from the City Hall will conduct a random inspection of weighing scales used in the markets located in Tagbilaran City.
This move is made to curb unscrupulous traders who tamper with weighing scales and scam consumers.
The move was announced by LeonidesBorja, chief of the Local Economic Enterprise Office.
The said office is the one that exercises oversight on city’s markets.
The move is also a knee-jerk reaction to complaints alleging that weighing scales used in public markets are not properly calibrated or are tampered with, with the goal of scamming or shortchanging consumers.
Reports said that once caught, erring owners of tampered with or non-calibrated weighing scales will face penalties including the confiscation of the scales.
Rumors of the use of non-calibrated scales have been existing for so long and action coming from city hall is a welcome development especially among consumers from the city.
NGCP plans to finally switch on CBIP within August
The National Grid Corporation eyes to finally switch on and let electricity flow through the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project (CBIP) within the month of August.
The CBIP is the secondary line that will bring electricity from other provinces into Bohol.
It serves as a back-up line when the Leyte-Bohol line bogs down, which happened in several occasions in the past.
The 230-kilovott CBIP, will also help distribute excess electricity produced by power sources across Bohol to the national grid.
The CBIP is a product of the efforts of One Bohol Power and the members of the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group (BEDAG), formed during the incumbency of then Gov. Edgar Chatto.
Sources within NGCP said that the plan is to switch on the line and let electricity flow from Cebu to the terminal station in Maribojoc and then to Corella substation.
In the meantime, NGCP engineers are conducting technical tests on the line.
To recall, President Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address announced the completion of the CBIP.
Chatto, for his part, says the CBIP is a gamechanger and could enchance the province’s economy.
NBI to probe missing funds of 11 barangays
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating the alleged missing funds of 11 Lila barangays, amounting to P14,858,658.92.
The alleged missing funds, saved for a long period of time, are for the Sangguniang Kabataan.
The barangays of Cayupo, Banban, Tiguis, Jambawan, Lomanoy, Nagsulay, BonkokanIlaya, Calvario, Cogon, Candulang, and Macalingan were among those with allegedly missing funds.
Lila mayor Arturo Piollo said on Aug. 14, 2024, the alleged missing funds started to be siphoned in 2018 and the siphoning went on over drive during the pandemic.
It was said the suspects that siphoned the funds took advantage of the pandemic to steal the said funds.
Trinidad Lagnason, the Municipal Accountant,reportedly discovered the funds were allegedly missing back in July.
The discovery came about when there were discrepancies noted in the financial statements of the affected barangays.
There were reports saying that the books of accounts were allegedly doctored, documents were faked and signatures were forged, as well as other documents and bank statements were faked.
According to the mayor, there were alleged double withdrawals for honoraria, where one withdrawal was legal and the other withdrawal was allegedly without voucher but was able to draw funds.
There were alleged tampering with of checks or reporting that checks issued were cancelled but in reality, the checks were encashed.
Allegedly, there were also fake bank statements submitted to the Commission on Audit and to the Municipal Legal Office.
The NBI reportedly has gathered pieces of evidence that will be used to file a case against the suspects.
Capitol to form task force focusing on BLCI share sale
The Capitol is going to form a task force focusing on studying the options regarding the Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) shares being sold by Salcon Power Corporation (SPC).
The SPC is looking to offload its 70% share in BLCI and has given the provincial government the opportunity to purchase the stocks.
It has been reported that SPC has a deal in place with More Power Corporation to buy the BLCI shares.
As one of the shareholders, SPC had to respect the right of first refusal of the provincial government to get the first crack at the shares.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) already declined to buy the shares upon the advice of the Local Finance Committee (LFC) but the Center for Government Accountability and Review (CGAR) made a manifestation that led to a revisiting of an earlier SP decision.
The task force will be formed following the filing of a resolution at the SP during the recent regular session and was sponsored by Board Member BenjieArcamo.
The task force will hasten the arrival of a decision whether or not to buy the BLCI shares back.
The SP, earlier, asked SPC to hold in abeyance the sale of shares until the provincial government has thoroughly studied the proposal.
It was reported that SPC is selling the shares at around P206 million, and once purchased, the provincial government will get complete control of BLCI.
BLCI is a joint venture of SPC and the provincial government, where the latter sold the Provincial Public Utilities Department in 2001.
The task force will consult the public on the matter as the issue affect consumers living in Tagbilaran City.
NUP needs to resolve the issue of CONA for 1st district congress bet says Aris
The National Unity Party (NUP) will have to ultimately decide who among its members will get the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for congressman in the first district.
The issue stems from the situation where incumbent Cong. Edgar Chatto and former Tagbilaran mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap are members of the NUP, together with Mayor Jane Yap.
As it is, Chatto is the provincial chairman of NUP he being the highest elected official of Bohol whois a member of the said party.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado said that as both Chatto and Baba Yap are NUP members, the party needs to resolve the issue on who between the two members willget a CONA.
The CONA is a document issued by a political party, indicating the party has nominated a certain member to run for a certain position.
An aspirant who does not get a CONA may run as an independent candidate carrying a lot of risks.
If something happens that will disable the candidate from running, no substitutions are allowed among independent candidates.
Candidates that get disabled before election day and are unable to continue may be replaced through a party’s decision by a relative with the same surname, according to the Commission on Election rules.
In this year’s filing, substitutions are no longer allowed after Oct. 8, 2024.
Aumentado never mentioned in the press conference at the Capitol that he will be giving a CONA to Yap if the NUP decides to go with Chatto.
The governor said that the NUP needs to resolve the issue internally and at this time, it is a wait-and-see game.
Aumentado said his choice for congressman is in his head and heart, but did not reiterate earlier reports that he supports Baba Yap for congress.
Baba Yap has expressed his desire to run for congress against Chatto, a former ally.
As this developed, it is believed that Chatto has switched his support from Baba Yap’s wife, Jane, to Coun, Melvin Torralba’s.
Torralba has gained the endorsement of Aumentado, too.
Aris skeptical on Bohol’s take over of BLCI
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado expressed skepticism over the possibility of the provincial government getting full control of Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI).
During a recent press conference at the Capitol, Aumentado said finances could be the biggest hurdle that may prevent the full control of BLCI,
He said the provincial government, at times, would have difficulty with salaries of regular employees. What more if it needs to shell out P206 million to buy 70% of BLCI shares owned by the Salcon Power Corporation (SPC)?
Aumentado said it would be difficult for the provincial government to buy the BLCI shares back considering finances including the procurement procedures of government.
He pointed out that procurement procedures take time and when there is an immediate need for parts, the government could not simply buy parts without observing proper procedures, which would time.
if processes take time, there is a possibility that consumers may not be served well, he added.
Moreover, consumers may end up skipping payments and using their votes as leverage against politicians if ever the provincial government would end up controlling BLCI, he explained.
It is possible that some consumers may not pay and would threaten political leaders that the latter will not get votes if the former are forced to pay the bill.
Aumentado insists that the provincial government is incapable of purchasing the shares to take full control of BLCI.
Also, Aumentado said that as the franchise expires, there is no guarantee of renewal and the investment of P206 million might go to waste.
He also mentioned the risk of buying an enterprise where there’s no guarantee of franchise renewal.
His comment comes as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is revisiting its earlier decision to decline the purchase of BLCI shares.
Jagna inaugurates new town hall
Jagna town inaugurated its new town hall worth P44 million as well as the Calamay Stage located at the town plaza.
The stage is worth at least P10 million, reports say.
The inauguration took place on August 13, 2024, and was attended by municipal officials led by Mayor Joseph Rañola with Cong. Kristine Alexie Tutor and Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado in attendance.
The funds used to build the town hall were from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the stage’s budget was courtesy of the Office of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Mayor Rañola himself navigated his way to access funds from the national government.
For her part, Tutor said that she has noticed improvements within the town including the new infrastructures.
She also said that Jagna continues to prove itself as the economic hub of the third district.
Bohol still reels from brownouts
Bohol continues to reel from brownouts with power interruptions still happening from time to time.
On Aug. 13, 2024, a brownout inconvenienced some Boholano consumers after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced the power interruption was due to an emergency hotspot correction at the Corella substation.
The power interruption lasted around a couple of hours.
On Aug. 10, 2024, severalareas in Bohol also experienced a lengthy brownout, according to reports, where there were pockets of power interruption the following day.
With this development, the public asks what is happening with Bohol’s power supply.
The public is hopeful that power interruptions would become fewer if the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project (CBIP) would be finally operational.
The CBIP serves as a back up line for Bohol in case problems arise with the Leyte-Bohol line.
Bohol has yet to fully develop its inland power sources, as there are some renewable energy projects but it has been projected that the province’s power needs will increase as the economy flourishes.
Lawyer eyes seat as 3rd district BM
A lawyer has signified his intent to run for a seat at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), representing the third district.
Domenic Olaer Villafuerte said that he aspires to run for board member in next year’s election.
He said that following his introspection, he has decided to run for board member representing the third district of Bohol.
It is unclear which group Villafuerte will join when he runs for board member.
Reports show that Abante Bohol’s slate for board members in the third district is already full with incumbents Vice Gov. Tita Baja, Board Members Nathaniel Binlod and Greg Jala filling up the slate with DJ Balite, son of the late Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite.
City awaits DBM guidelines on wage increase
City Budget Officer Marysol Perocho said that the city government awaits the guidelines for the wage increase of government employees coming from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
This comes as the city council is also holding a special session to tackle the issue on wage increase.
To recall, President Marcos Jr. issued a directive causing an increase in the salaries ofemployees from the national government and also from the local government units.
The said guidelines are needed in order to fast track the implementation of the increase in wages among government employees.
Even without the guidelines, Perocho said the city government already included the salary increase in the supplemental investment plan 3 (SIP 3).
She said the computation of the budget for the increase considers the statement saying that the increase is retroactive to January 2024.
The city council approved SIP 3, which touts a price tag of P76.1 million, which includes the allowance forsalary increase amounting to P10.4 million.
PAGASA sees no typhoon threat to Bohol
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that there is no apparent threat of typhoons in Bohol and the rains experienced locally are due to normal thunderstorms.
Ariel Abalos of PAGASA Bohol said the localized thunderstorms are causing the rains experienced lately in some areas of the province.
The rains due to thunderstorms often happen late afternoon or evening, he said.
He also said the southwest monsoon affects other areas in the country.
A low-pressure area (LPA) has been detected outside the Philippine area of responsibility and this weather status is unlikely to affect the country.
However, it is possible the LPA might boost the monsoon and bring rains to some parts of the country.
He said localizedthunderstorms may cause increased winds and may cause huge waves resulting to an unpleasant sea travel, he explained during an interview with Newsmakers ugUban Pa’s ArdyAraneta-Batoy on Aug. 14, 2024.
Oliva believes PH politics is heating up
Catigbian mayoralty aspirant BenjieOliva believes that politics in the country is heating up and he told this to ArdyAraneta-Batoy in an interview about this development.
Speaking on Aug. 14, 2024 over Newsmakers ugUbanPa, Oliva said that politicalalignments have brought the situation towards boiling point, less than two months from the first day of filing for the Certificate of Candidacy (COC).
The Commission on Election (COMELEC) has scheduled the filing of COCs on the first day of October until the 8th of October, with substitutions only allowed until the last day of filing.
Oliva saidhe is awaiting for signals that would determine which party he will he be joining as he makes his bid for mayor of Catigbian.
Oliva said regardless of party affiliation, people know where his loyalty lies.He is a known ally of Cong. Edgar Chatto.
He said he wants to wait for the smoketo clear as parties continue to form coalitions, especially in the national level.
The ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) has entered into a coalition with several other parties including the National Unity Party (NUP). The NUP is Chatto’s party.
Oliva believes the midterm elections is a way of posturing for 2028 when voters will be choosing a new set of officials including president and vice president.
Veloso confirms Aris’ endorsement of Atoy-Toto tandem
Former Tagbilaran vice mayor Jose Antonio “Toto” Veloso has confirmed the endorsement of Gov. Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado of his candidacy as running mate of mayoralty aspirant Coun. Melvin “Atoy” Torralba.
Veloso told ArdyAraneta-Batoy during the OPEN FORUM RADIO program of The Bohol Tribune that he and Torralba are the candidates for Tagbilaran mayor and vice mayor, respectively, of Abante Bohol.
This is a bit tricky, as Asenso Pa More of incumbents Mayor Jane Yap and Vice Mayor Adam Jala are in alignment with Abante.
Aumentado has expressed support for former mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap, the husband of Mayor Jane.
Veloso denied having knowledge about Aumentado’s supposed support for Baba Yap and insisted he is only privy to the fact that Abante Bohol’s bets are Torralba and Veloso.
Veloso said he and Torralba endorse incumbent Cong. Edgar Chatto for congressman. Chatto is Veloso’s brother-in-law.
The Torralba-Veloso tandem is also supported by incumbent second district Cong. Maria Vanessa Aumentado.
A photo was posted on social media showing Aumentado raising Torralba and Veloso’s hands. The photo was taken inside the governor’s home in Dauis.
New Panglao coalition out to oppose incumbent mayor
A Panglao political coalition has been formed with the goal of opposing the incumbent town mayor Edgardo Arcay.
The interesting twist in this story is that the two major groups included in the coalition, used to be sworn enemies.
Former mayor Doloreich Dumaluan’s group has joined forces with the side of former mayor Leonila Montero in a bid to topple the incument mayor of Panglao, according to reports.
For several years, Montero and Dumaluan had never seen each other eye-to-eye and had even thrown occasional tirades against each other.
Now, the political climate has changed with the former adversaries now joining forces to battle a common enemy.
Reports say that under the set-up, Vice Mayor Noel Hormachuelos will run for mayor as Dumaluan will settle to run for vice mayor of Panglao.
Along with this change was the seismic event that saw some of Arcay’s allies at the town council, shifting alliances to the newly-formed coalition.
The coalition will be supporting the candidacy of former Tagbilaran mayor John Geesnell Yap, while Arcay’s group reportedly support lawyer Jordan Pizzaras for congressman.
Homachuelos used to be Arcay’s running mate, and so far the incumbent Panglao mayor has not named a running mate for 2025.
It was also reported that former Panglao vice mayor Brian Velasco is eying to run for town mayor. It is possible Velasco will support incumbent Cong. Edgar Chatto.
Panglao is one of the vote-rich towns in the first district aside from Dauis and Tagbilaran City where there are at least 24,000 voters
Aris bets on Atoy, Toto for Tagb mayor, VM
Gov. Erico “Aris” Aristotle Aumentado has endorsed Tagbilaran mayoralty aspirant Coun. Melvin “Atoy” Torralba for mayor of Tagbilaran.
As this shapes up, it seems that the governor is supporting two candidates for mayor of Tagbilaran City in 2025.
Earlier, the camp of Mayor Jane Yap already announced to the public that her group has forged an alliance with Abante Bohol of Aumentado.
Aumentado has, in several occasions, announced his support for the congressional aspirations of John Geesnall “Baba” Yap, Mayor Yap’s husband.
With the alignments slowly getting clearer, Torralba is set to gain support even from a coalition across the aisle, with PadayonBol-anon stalwart Cong. Edgar Chatto providing support for Torralba.
Furthermore, Torralba’s running mate, former Tagbilaran vice mayor Jose Antonio Veloso is Chatto’s brother-in-law. Chatto also has expressed support for Veloso’s bid to return as vice mayor.
Torralba posted a photo of him with Veloso and Aumentado on Aug, 12, 2024, where the governor was seen in a posted photo raising the hands of the mayoralty and vice mayoralty aspirants, Torralba and Veloso, respectively.
It was reported that the photo that Torralba posted was taken inside Aumentado’s residence in Dauis.
Reports said that also present during the endorsement event were former Poblacion 2 barangay captain Gloryvicdela Serna, and Capitol’s human resources chief Kit Oppus.
Earlier, Aumentado was seen in public with Torralba and Veloso during an orientation for beneficiaries of the TulongPanghanapbuhay Para saAting Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) held in barangay Cogon, early in August.
Meanwhile, Aumentado has been seen with Baba Yap in different town sorties, especially among first district towns.
Man nabbed for drugs in Calape
Calape police arrested a man following a drug buy-bust operation on Aug. 12, 2024 at barangay Ulbujan.
Reports identify the suspect as a certain WinvicAncog, also known as alias Vic, 25, of Liboron, Calape.
He was arrested by members from the Municipal Drug Enforcement Team of the said town, led by Major Sam Dacullo.
The suspect is considered as a street-level individual, the police said.
The suspect was arrested immediately after allegedly transacting with an undercover police officer in a sting operation, the report adds.
Seized from the suspect were four packets containing alleged shabu valued at P1,360. Also, recovered by the police from the suspect was the buy-bust money.
The suspect is now under police custody and will be facing charges of violation of Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.