Renowned artist presents original artwork to UB President
An authentic oil-on-canvas masterpiece by internationally acclaimed artist Elvin Perocho Vitor was formally handed over to University of Bohol President, Dr. Victoriano B. Tirol III, in a ceremony held at the Office of the President on April 15, 2025.
Titled Victory Horses, the one-of-a-kind original artwork is a product of Vitor’s keen observation, vivid imagination, and artistic expression. Specially crafted for the University’s 5th President, the piece embodies both personal symbolism and artistic brilliance.
Vitor, a proud alumnus of the University of Bohol, graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in Advertising Arts, in March 2018. His achievements in the international art scene continue to bring pride to the UB community, and this generous contribution is a testament to his deep and lasting connection with his alma mater.
On April 14, 2024, Vitor received the prestigious Leonardo Da Vinci International Award at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, Italy. Later this year, in October, he is set to showcase his work at the Louvre Museum in Paris—the world’s largest and most visited art museum, home to timeless masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Liberty Leading the People. (Leo Armando B. Boncales)
No water woes in barangay Tanday, Corella
There is no truth to allegations that there is no water service in barangay Tanday, Corella.
Mayor Juan Manuel Lim said there is no truth to the allegations by a concerned citizen aired in a local radio station.
Lim said there are personnel monitoring the situation round the clock and they are monitoring the water supply in Corella.
He said he never received any report of issues in barangay Tanday but still he will get into the bottom of the issue.
Corella is one of the towns near Tagbilaran and has been fast moving as a residential area.
Its proximity to the city makes it ideal for residential purposes.
Boholano bishop blames people for corruption
Boholano bishop of Borongan, Crispin Varquez, blamed the people for corruption in the Philippines.
He said the people allow their votes to be sold as some would even demand money in exchange for votes.
He said the country has become corrupt because the people accept money from candidates to buy votes.
In his homily on the first day for the feast of St. Joseph on Tuesday at the St. Joseph Cathedral, he said that the people are equally guilty on why the country is corrupt as they would accept money in exchange of votes.
He said everyone is part of the problem and should be blamed why the country is so corrupt.
He urged the people to be part of the solution and to shun vote selling or vote buying.
He said if no one will change, it is difficult to provide the youth of a brighter tomorrow.
He called on the electorate to know their candidates well and choose the leaders who will really serve the people.
He urged the people to choose the ones who will sacrifice for the country just like what St. Joseph did when he was alive.
He said there are plenty of candidates who are just good at giving promises but will provide an empty bag after.
Bohol Comelec mum on alleged disqualification report
The Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Bohol is tight lipped regarding a report where candidates in Bohol and Aklan are facing disqualification raps.
This comes as an ABS-CBN report alleged that some bets in Aklan and in Bohol are facing charges of disqualification:
It was not revealed which candidates are in hot water.
It was reported that the whole line-up of candidates in Bohol and Aklan are affected.
They are said to be facing charges of disqualification before the Comelec.
It was unclear what were the violations made by the affected candidates.
There is detail on the disqualification against an Aklan bet who allegedly bought votes.
It is unclear if the local Comelec has received any information in relation to the report.
Bullen wife cries foul on attacks
Carmel Bullen, the wife of Dauis mayor Roman Bullen, is crying foul on attacks against her and cannot understand why she is the target when she is not a candidate,
She said that it is possible the opponent of her husband is panicking and has directed the attacks on her.
This is her reaction following issues hurled at her person as the campaign period moves along,
Carmel said she is being attacked because the mayor’s opponents could not find any issue to use in the campaign.
Carmel said she is being targeted because her husband has been doing a splendid job as Dauis mayor.
Carmel said she will be supporting her husband in the campaign for reelection.
She also said that no law was violated as she continues to help her husband in the campaign.
She added that it is normal for spouses of candidates to help in the campaign just like in any other town in Bohol.
Fire erupts in Cabilao Island
A fire erupted in Cabilao Island burning a house on Wednesday.
The report said the house was owned by Nicanor Lanzaderas.
Initial investigation revealed that Lanzaderas’ grandchild was culling some rice and was unable to secure the embers.
Allegedly, the grandchild fell asleep and was unable to guard against the fire from the stove spreading.
Neighbors tried to fight the fire but it was too late.
Fire fighters were too late as the house was razed to the ground when they fire fighters arrived.
The fire fighters used a sea ambulance as the fire truck was unable to cross the seas and into the island.
The fire totally damaged one house while another one was partially damaged.
The damage is pegged at P198,000.
Bohol PPO condemns fake news on alleged buy bust
The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) condemned the alleged drug buy bust and calling it fake news,
This stems from reports posted on social media about a purported buy bust in Tagbilran City.
In a post on its official Facebook page, Bohol police said there is no truth about the alleged incident reported on social media particularly in Bohol Flash.
The fake report said that a huge stash of alleged drugs was seized in a buy bust in April 21, 2025 around 2 pm.
The BPPO said there was no operation that took place in that date.
There were no surveillance activities of drug deliveries going to Buenavista by a certain Elvira Centino Gaskill.
The fake reports also included the blame of Board Member Mimi Boniel-Maglasang.
The police denied that Gaskil and the board member are involved in drugs.
Those implicated in the fake report are not included in the drug watch list .
The police urge the public not to believe everything they read on social media especially when the information has no clear sources.
The police also ask the public to refrain from sharing fake news and to report incidents with authorities.
DA plans to sell P20 per kilo of rice in Visayas region
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to sell rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas region.
Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laural Jr. said the program will be implemented in May and the poor and indigents may avail themselves of this advantage of the more affordable rice stocks.
The project is seen to last until the final few months of the term of President Marcos Jr. in 2028.
The program is part of the promises of Marcos during the campaign period in 2022 where rice prices will be lowered and made more affordable.
The promise is to make rice priced at P20 per kilo.
The DA will prioritize the senior citizens, persons with disability, indigents, and other marginalizes sectors to purchase the affordable rice stock.
They will be allowed to purchase up to 40 kilos of rice in a month, reports say.
The current stock is eyed to last until the end of 2025 but the president wants the project to last longer.
Ae slams negative campaign against Chatto
Former Provincial Administrator Alfonso “Ae” Damalerio II slammed the negative campaigns against Rep. Edgar Chatto.
Damalerio served as Chatto’s provincial administrator for nine years.
Speaking to Ardy Araneta-Batoy on Monday over Open Forum Program, he said that he has been seeing fake news being hurled against Chatto.
Chatto is now gunning for his third and final term as congressman of the first district.
He said the congressman is gunning for another term to finish the projects he started including the establishments of an economic zone along the coastal areas of the first district.
The project will not only benefit the fiesta district but the entire province.
Chatto was governor of Bohol for nine terms and saw the recovery of the province from the devastating earthquake in 2013.
He said that some sectors have been pointing out the solon’s disability.
However, the disability is not a hindrance to Chatto’s service as congressman. For as long as his mind is sound, Chatto can very well serve the people.
Damalerio laughs off the demolition job against Chatto and has been tracking the anonymous social media pages that spread lies against the solon.
CHO spokesman provides advice as people converge in public gatherings
Robin Culpa. the spokesman of the City Health Office (CHO) of Tagbilaran City has provided gentle reminders for people who would gather in public events as the city is moving closer to the city fiesta.
Tagbilaran is celebrating its fiesta on May 1 in honor of St. Joseph the Worker.
He said too much heat may cause dehydration and may affect the respiratory system and cause colds or coughs.
Irritations may happen when dust or any pollutant enters the body, he added.
As much as possible, one should avoid going outdoors in certain times of the day, where the conditions may not be favorable to the health.
He recommends bringing along water or any form of hydration to keep the body hydrated.
He recommends also that people drink plenty of water instead of any other drink as it can help detoxify the body as well as rehydrate it.
INCREASED CASES
He pointed out that cases of health issues related to hot weather might increase.
The public is advised to be aware of these issues as they may surge during the summer season.
Mendez denies using negative campaigning tactics
Reelectionist San Miguel mayor Ian Gil Mendez said he has shunned away from negative campaigning.
He explained on Wednesday to Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Gloria Araneta over Open Forum that he focuses on letting the people know his platform and plans for the town.
Mendez is seeking a second term as mayor of San Miguel.
He believes that cheap theatrics no longer work with the voters.
In fact he has been at the receiving end of negative campaigning but the people are taking pity on him
Mendez is up against vice mayor Lito Bulaga. He and Bulaga were allies before but since parted ways as Bulaga ventured to become mayor of San Miguel.
He is happy that he has an opponent so that the people of San Miguel will have a choice and will chart their destiny by choosing the leader that they want.
Mendez says he is utilizing technology to serve the people even if he is out of office.
This way, he can serve without limits and such services could be delivered in a timely manner.
TOP PERFORMER
Mendez has been cited as among the top performing mayors in Bohol in the first quarter of 2025. He earned a rating of 90 percent.
He said he was not expecting the survey results as he attributed his lofty standing to the team effort of all personnel of the local government unit (LGU).
Jayoma looks to reclaim Mabini mayoralty seat
Former Mabini mayor Juanito “Jun” Jayoma is bent on reclaiming his seat as mayor of the said town.
Speaking to Ardy Araneta-Batoy on Wednesday’s Newsmaker program, Jayoma said that he is in the thick of campaigning for the May polls.
He has been connecting with voters through caucuses and house-to-house visits.
He has been explaining to the people that the allegations against him were untrue.
He was accused of delaying the release of aid due to typhoon Odette victims.
Jayoma was vice mayor in 2013 and then became mayor in 2016 and in 2019.
He ran in 2022 but lost because of the aid controversy due to Odette victims.
He said that the machinations within the town council made it difficult for him to provide assistance to the victims.
He even gave a litany of allegations against the current Mabini administration.
He is also lamenting about issues on their water system.
He said that he stayed for more than three decades in Manila but he has settled back in Mabini.
Habal-habal driver shot dead by cousin in Bilar
A habal-habal driver was shot dead by his own cousin at barangay Yanaya, Bilar on the evening of April 20, 2025.
The victim was identified as Lucilo Doria and the suspect was identified as Alberto Doria.
On the evening of April 20, 2025, the Bilar police station received a report in relaxation to an alleged shooting incident in barangay Yanaya.
The victim was taken by first responders to a nearby hospital but he eventually expired.
Initial investigation showed that after the victim arrived from work the suspect confronted the victim without any provocation, and the suspect accused the victim to be allegedly the reason why the suspect and his live-in partner parted ways.
Allegedly, all of a hidden the suspect drew out a gun and opened fire at the victim.
The victim sustained at least four gunshot wounds as the suspect fled after the shooting.
Sambog, Corella residents complain of foul odor
Sambog, Corella residents complained of foul odor allegedly coming from a septic tank truck.
Residents trooped to social media to post photos of the truck coming from CCTV footage of a septic tank truck allegedly entering a narrow street in Sambog from the national highway, which is near the substation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
Allegedly the content of the truck was released from the vehicle causing the odor.
Reports say that the owner of the truck remains unknown.
The residents are calling on the public to report incidents to the barangay in order to facilitate charges against the perpetrators.
Septic tanks are usually emptied at a certain point where homeowners would hire contractors to remove the sledge kept in the tanks.
There are environmentally-sound ways to dispose of the sludge that emits odor and causes disturbance if terms of air pollution.
Bato endorses both Atoy, Jane
Reelectionist senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa has decided to endorse both reelectionist Mayor Jane Yap and challenger Coun. Malvin “Atoy” Torralba, according to reports.
The senator first endorsed Torralba in a gathering at JJ’s Seafood Village in Poblacion 2.
Before the endorsement, de la Rosa joined the caravan of Abante Tagbilaran Uswag Tagbilaranon led by Torralba.
Then, de la Rosa endorsed Yap and running mate Adam Jala plus John Geesnell Yap II in a caucus at Lindaville Subdivision phase 2 in barangay San Isidro.
This led to a confusion among observers on which bet really does de la Rosa support for mayor in Tagbilaran Cify.
However it seems say that it is normal for national candidates to endorse any local candidate as the national bet is after the most number of votes coming from one locality.
De la Rosa is running for a second term as senator under the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas (PDP).
He is a known ally of President Duterte and even was rumored to be one of the possible defendants before the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
De la Rosa has since sought the protection of the Senate to shield him from possible extradition to the Hague if a warrant of arrest is issued against him by the International Criminal Court.
Additional ACM arrive in Bohol
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) revealed that additional automated counting machines (ACM) arrived in Bohol on Tuesday and they will be used in the midterm elections this May 12.
As this developed; the Comelec started the deployment of the ACM to various towns across Bohol.
Election supervisor Eliseo Labaria said the machines arrived in Bohol on Tuesday afternoon from Manila, and arrived at the Tagbilaran port and was transported by a ship.
However, the official ballots will come to Bohol later, Labaria said.
The ACM were stored in a warehouse in Dauis where the first batch of counting machines were stored including some laptops.
Other election paraphernalia such as the indelible ink will also come later.
The ACM will be deployed in the over 1,000 voting centers across Bohol before election day.