Preliminary hearing on raps vs. Lim to start soon
Cong. Maria Vanessa Aumentado
Reports say that the preliminary hearing on the cases filed by Cong. Maria Vanessa Aumentado against three personalities may happen soon.
Aumentado said that it is possible the preliminary hearing will happen before the elections, which are a few days from now.
To recall, Aumentado filed cyber libel charges against gubernatorial candidate Dan Neri Lim, his son, Dan Ismael Lim and barangay kagawad Arlene Karaan before the Quezon City Prosecutors’ Office.
Aumentado also filed a complaint before the Commission on Elections against Lim for alleged violation of the anti-discriminatory resolution.
The Comelec has already issued a show cause order against Lim.
Aumentado filed charges against the respondents for alleged malicious statements against the congresswoman’s daughter.
Lim allegedly made statements questioning the daughter’s paternity.
Meanwhile, Lim remains unfazed and will be facing the charges head on.
Karaan said in a radio broadcast that the show cause order should not be a cause of concern among Lim’s supporters.
The Comelec has asked Lim for reasons why he should not be disqualified as a gubernatorial candidate.
PRO-7 says no armed groups detected in CV
Gen. Redrico Maranan
Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7) chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said the police forces have yet to detect any armed group being used by politicians in Central Visayas.
However, the police already received some reports that there are groups that could be potentially used by some politicians and as a result, the PRO-7 has enhanced its
monitoring against loose firearms.
The police will also be going after criminal gangs in the region.
Maranan said it is possible to deploy more personnel in areas under the yellow category to repel any possibility of disruptions in peace and order due to the intense political rivalry.
He has ordered the station and ground commanders in areas under the yellow category to focus on security to prevent any escalation.
The elections are just a few days away and the political rivalry is expected to become more intense as election day nears.
15 CV areas placed under yellow category says Comelec
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reportedly placed about 15 areas in Central Visayas under the yellow category with a few days left before the elections.
Conelec regional director Francisco Pobe said the agency placed under the yellow category, the entire city of Cebu, Daan bantayan, Argao, San Fernando, Dalaguete, Balamban, Mandaue City, and Dumanjug all in Cebu province.
Moreover, in Bohol the areas under yellow category are Buenavista. San Miguel, Trinidad, Ubay, Inabanga, Tubigon and Tagbilaran City.
Pobe said the areas under yellow category were placed in such state following the recommendation of the police and the military in a recent regional joint security control center meeting due to perceived heated political situation in the said areas.
Despite the placement of these areas under the yellow category, Pobe allayed the public’s fear and they should not be alarmed as the yellow category placement will only ensure proper focus for the security forces in order to maintain peace and order.
This means the police and the military will have a more focused deployment of personnel in these areas to ensure peace and order during the elections.
The Comelec is concerned about the possibility of disruptions in peace and order as the political contests in these areas are seen to become intense.
It is possible that armed groups may be employed to sow fear among voters and discourage them from voting.
Pobe said that one of the basis for the placement of these areas under the yellow category is the intense mudslinging where some instances resulted to cases filed in court.
It is possible the supporters may end up creating issues in defense of their candidates.
The election fever is less intense in the third district as several towns have mayoralty candidates without any opponents.
Public clamor re lack of public transport gets louder
Public clamor on the lack of public transport in Panglao has been getting louder, according to reports.
In line with this, some sectors expect the Department of Tourism to inspect the transport situation in Panglao.
Moreover, during Tuesday’s consultation with tourism and transport industry players. senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson listened to the issues affecting the leading industries in Panglao.
Lacson said he will help push a solution to the lack of public transport in Panglao with the DOTr.
Lacson is running for another term at the Senate after an unsuccessful run at the presidency in 2022 and is a candidate under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas helmed by President Marcos Jr.
He thinks the tourism industry in Bohol has the potential for growth given that it has an international airport making the area more accessible for tourists.
He said the tourism industry has the potential to boom and he decided to listen to issues where he will try to help solve the woes once he is elected again as senator.
Construction worker arrested after hostage/hacking attempt
A construction worker who tried to hostage his wife and attempted to hack a police officer using a long machete known locally as lagaraw in Inabanga on Tuesday was arrested as he also caused injury to himself.
The incident took place in barangay Cambitoon on April 29, 2025.
A barangay official reported the incident to the police who identified the suspect as Gino Pepito. The suspect using a lagaraw, tried to keep as hostage his own wife Mirasol/
Fortunately, the wife was able to extricate herself from the clutches of the suspect.
A police officer tried to convince the suspect to surrender but the suspect attempted to hack the police.
Then, the suspect hacked himself causing injury and as the suspect became wobbly, the police then took the suspect into custody.
It was learned that the couple had a fight before the incident.
The suspect will be facing charges of disobedience, alarm and scandal, and direct assault.
A construction worker who tried to hostage his wife and attempted to hack a police officer using a long machete known locally as lagaraw in Inabanga on Tuesday was arrested as he also caused injury to himself.
The incident took place in barangay Cambitoon on April 29, 2025.
A barangay official reported the incident to the police who identified the suspect as Gino Pepito. The suspect using a lagaraw, tried to keep as hostage his own wife Mirasol/
Fortunately, the wife was able to extricate herself from the clutches of the suspect.
A police officer tried to convince the suspect to surrender but the suspect attempted to hack the police.
Then, the suspect hacked himself causing injury and as the suspect became wobbly, the police then took the suspect into custody.
It was learned that the couple had a fight before the incident.
The suspect will be facing charges of disobedience, alarm and scandal, and direct assault.
Comelec-Bohol delivers ACM to localities
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has delivered the automated counting machines (ACM) to the various localities in the province.
On Wednesday, three huge delivery trucks were deployed to deliver the machines to different towns in Bohol.
On Wednesday, about 24 towns received their share of the ACM to be used during the elections, which will be just a week away. These towns were Bien Unido, Trinidad, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Carmen, Batuan, Bilar, Danao, Sagbayan, Catigbian, San Isidro, Balilihan, Maribojoc, Antequera, Cortes, Loay, Albur, Baclayon, Anda, Dauis and Panglao.
The trucks that delivered the ACM were escorted by security forces and the machines were stored in a warehouse in Dauis after their arrival from Manila
Provincial supervisor Eliseo Labaria ssid the delivery of the machines were completed on Wednesday with the principal machine, contingency machine, external battery and consolidation and canvassing kit.
About 1,542 ACM were delivered and aligned with the total number of voting centers in Bohol.
The ACM were received by the respective election officers in each town who will be taking care of the machines in custody and will undergo final testing and sealing later.
Reports say the official ballots arrived on Tuesday and these will be used in the May polls.
Authorities raid alleged drug den in Tagb
Authorities raided an alleged drug den in Tagbilaran on Tuesday and three persons were arrested.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided a home which was allegedly being used as a drug den.
At least three persons were arrested as they were caught allegedly using drugs at the time of the raid.
One of the suspects caught was a certain Rendon Lumbab 24, of barangay Booy.
Another suspect was arrested and identified as Gino Arellano 28, of barangay Cogon and the third suspect was identified as Darwin Gaborno, 27, also from barangay Cogon.
Agents from the PDEA led by agent Chona Egam conducted an anti-illegal drug operation against Lumbab in barangay Booy and was detected that the suspect was allegedly selling alleged shabu.
A sting operation against Lumbab was conducted under the supervision of PDEA-Bohol head Ferdinand Kintanar, with the help of Tagbilaran City Police Station and Maritime Police.
A poseur buyer engaged with the main suspect who was arrested after the transaction was consummated.
Arellano and Gaborno were inside the house being allegedly used as a drug den and both were also arrested.
At least nine packets containing alleged shabu were seized from the suspects with an approximate weight of 10 grams valued at P68,000
Charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of. 2002 will be filed against the suspects.
DA explains why cheap rice will be sold in the Visayas
Agriculture Sec, Francisco Tiu Laurel explained why the affordable rice will be sold initially in the Visayas as part of the pilot run.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has revealed plans to sell rice for only P20 per kilo.
This means the affordable rice will be sold in Bohol apart from areas in Western and Eastern Visayas as well as in Central Visayas.
He said Visayas was chosen to be the pilot area because of the high poverty rate.
The poverty rate in the Visayas is higher compared to the national rate, a report said.
The natoonal poverty rate is at 10.9 percent but the rate in Negros Island is at 22.6 percent and in Eastern Visayas, it is at 20.3 percent.
The affordable rice could be bought starting on May 2, 2025 in local government units and Kadiwa Centers.
Vice President Sara Duterre chided the plan of selling affordable rice asking why the rice is sold only in the Visayas.
She said it would be prudent to sell the affordable rice in Mindanao too as there are plenty of indigents there too.
Capitol reveals palay buy-back sked
Capitol has released the schedule of the palay buy-back program.
The Capitol is keen on buying the palay of Bohol farmers at a more favorable price and the Capitol will be selling the well milled rice.
Capitol said the farmers who wish to participate in the program need to contact the focal persons in each town for more information.
In Candijay, the program will be implemented on May 6, 2025 and the contact person is Pablo Juaton Jr..
The next day, the program will be in Talibon and the contact person is Mary Grace Garcia .
On May 8, 2025 the program moves to Dagohoy and those interested may get in touch with Jeds Mae Timbal.
The program will go to Ubay on May 9, 2025 and the focal persons are Tyrell Von Valientos and Janet Tubal.
It has been known that palay will be bought by the Capitol at a price higher than the prevailing prices and will be sold at competitive prices to consumers.
Pizarras unable to get Sara’s endorsement
Jordan Pizarras
Congressional candidate Jordan Pizarras was unable to get the enforcement of Vice President Sara Duterte, during the latter’s visit to Bohol on Monday,
Pizarras who positioned himself as a supporter of the Dutertes was unable to secure an endorsement of the vice president.
There was a report that a group of Duterte supporters endorsed Pizarras for congressman.
Moreover, a video of a Duterte online commenter, known as Banat By, endorsed Pizarras and acknowledged the bet’s uphill climb as he goes up against incumbent Cong. Edgar Chatto.
The One Bohol for Good Governance vice chairman Dodong Ursos said the group, which is aligned with the Dutertes decided not to endorse a candidate for congressman in the first district because of Pizarras’ ties with Speaker Martin Romualdez.
There were unconfirmed reports where Pizarras’ tarpaulin that found its way inside to the Cogon gym where the vice president had a rally was allegedly removed.
The visit of the vice president was made possible because of the connection between the vice president and Inabanga mayor Jono Jumamoy.
The Jumamoys secured the endorsement of the vice president in a rally on Monday evening in Inabanga.
It was alleged that Pizarras wanted to get Duterte’s endorsement but the plan broke down as there was a virtual tug-of-war on who will get the vice president’s enforcement.
Pagar’s camp admits Baja snub
The camp of Vice Mayor Teofisto “Jojo” Pagar admitted that it excluded Vice Gov. Tita Baja from attending the proclamation rally of Jagnaanon for Progressive Governance.
One of Pagar’s camp members, Anthony Aniscal was quoted in a radio report that the group decided to exclude Baja, who is running for third district board member.
The rally featured Abante and Kumbati bets running in the said district and in the province as well as in Jagna.
Aniscal said Baja was excluded for allegedly not following what was agreed upon.
It was said that Baja and incumbent Jagna mayor Joseph Rañola had a conflict but was settled in front of Cong. Kristine Alexie Tutor and Candijay vice mayor Christopher Tutor.
It was settled that Baja would be allowed to deliver a speech during the rally but the plan broke down when Baja escorted the team of barangay captain Louie Monungolh to meet with Sen. Ronald de la Rosa in mid-April.
De la Rosa endorsed the group of Monungolh. It was also alleged Baja endorsed Pagar’s opponents.
Pagar’s camp met with Cong. Tutor and revealed what happened and it was decided to exclude Baja in the proclamation rally.
Pagar is seeking to replace Rañola as mayor of Jagna as the latter decided not to seek a third and final term.
Lacson endorses the both the mayoralty bets of Dauis
Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
Senatorial bet Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has endorsed the two mayoralty bets in Dauis
Lacson who was in town on Monday as a senatorial bet, went on the campaign trail here. He is running for a senate seat under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition of President Marcos Jr.
Lacson endorsed first former Mayor Marietta Sumaylo during an event in Panglao and then went on to endorse Incumbent Dauis mayor Roman Bullen who is a member of the Reporma Party.
Lacson initially ran under the Reporma Party during the 2022 elections.
Lacson endorsed Bullen on Tuesday during a public consultation at a hotel in Dao, Tagbilaran City.
Reports say that during the event in Panglao on Monday, there were some mayoralty candidates who allegedly received P20,000 each, a radio report said.
Lacson also had a chance to touch base with several sectoral representatives during an event in Dao, Tagbilaran City.
ASF infects Antequera
Antequera has been included in the expanding list of localities affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF),
A report has quoted Antequera councilor Johnny Coquilla, who chairs the panel on agriculture at the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Antequera regarding this information.
As this developed, an emergency meeting was held on Wednesday and discussed the ASF issue that hit the landlocked town.
Officials from the Capitol also attended the said meeting and laid out the necessary protocol to contain and prevent the further spread of ASF.
Coquilla said the town government is bent on providing protection to hog raisers.
Reports said there were infections detected in barangay Can-onay and in barangay Bitaugan.
The Department of Agriculture also sent instructions on how to contain the issue.
At least a couple of dozen towns in Bohol were affected with ASF and some of these have already contained the problem.
The ASF is becoming increasingly problematic as it poses threats to the pork supply in the province.
Pork prices have moved as there have been instances that the supply was impacted.
Despite the number of affected towns, the Capitol said that it is on top of the situation.
Hog raisers whose swine will be affected by depopulation are eligible for financial aid from the government.
Chatto files bill for BISU sports, tourism
Rep. Edgar Chatto
Rep. Edgar Chatto has filed a bill to create a sports and tourism institute within Bohol Island State University (BISU), according to chief of staff Abeleon Damalerio.
Damalerio, in a radio interview on Wednesday said, House Bill 09901 is seeking to establish the said institute within BISU’s Balilihan campus.
The said institute will have modern sports facilities enabling Bohol to host major sporting events such as the Palarong Pambansa.
Damalerio also said BISU acquired a lot in front of the current campus and this lot will be used to host the sports and tourism institute.
The project obtained an initial budget of P50 million and this project was presented to the Provincial Development Council (PDC), said Damalerio.
A law, he said, will help institutionalize the said project in Balilihan, which will not only benefit the first district but also other districts in Bohol.
The location of the institute will soon attract more economic activity in an interior part of the province, Damalerio explained.
The bill was approved at the House committee on higher and technical education, said Damalerio.
Meanwhile, another bill, House Bill 09290 seeks to establish a satellite office for the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Bohol.
Just like what Chatto did with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), he wants to bring convenience to Boholano overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
Boholano OFW need not travel to transact with the POEA, which could both a hassle and expensive experience.