Kidnapping in Booy is fake news says TCPS police chief
Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober
The chief of Tagbilaran City Police Station (TCPS) Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober described the alleged kidnapping report of a kagawad as fake news.
To recall, a kagawad posted information on social media saying someone was kidnapped in barangay Booy, based on a post by Booy barangay kagawad Clement Paul Ingking.
Allegedly, a netizen confirmed the alleged incident where a man allegedly saw the kidnapping.
Booy barangay captain Jun Telmo also said that there was no kidnapping that supposedly happened on Feb. 20, 2025.
The supposed kidnapping allegedly happened in Booy Cainget area.
Based on the inquiry of the police, Escober clarified that no kidnapping happened in Booy despite what was posted on social media.
The police concluded that there was no kidnapping after a review of CCTV footage and a thorough probe.
Moreover, there were no recorded incidents of kidnapping at the said area.
Escober said the post may be intended to mislead the police and such fake news was exploited politically.
Escober said no one filed a complaint with the police about any kidnapping in Booy.
The police chief urged the public to be responsible in posting information on social media.
For his part, Telmo said an inquiry took place and determined no kidnapping happened.
NHA aid may be released in Inabanga after polls
The release of the financial aid from the National Housing Authority (NHA) may be released after the elections after the distribution of aid to Inabanga beneficiaries was marred by disagreements.
Inabanga residents affected by typhoon Odette and whose homes were damaged are supposed to get P10,000 in aid.
Sources said that the beneficiaries will still get the aid probably after the May polls.
It was reported that the 27 barangay captains and Mayor Jono Jumamoy had a disagreement over the list of beneficiaries causing a delay in the distribution of the aid.
It was learned 7,000 slots were allocated by NHA to Inabanga beneficiaries.
Mayor Jumamoy denied the allegation made by Nabuad barangay captain Jun Cenabre with the letter stating that the local government unit of Inabanga was the one to blame for the delay.
NHA-Bohol OIC Genesis Manalili said Inabanga officials are still in disagreement and as such the distribution of aid has been delayed.
AICS issue remains in SP limbo
It seems the issue on the alleged scandal in the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) has remained in limbo as the issue remains undiscussed at the Provincial Board for almost a year after it was exposed.
Board member Aldner Damalerio said that Board Member Benjie Arcamo delivered a privilege speech about the alleged AICS scandal but still the issue remains at the backburner with no clear path or plan when the issue will be discussed by the board members.
Opposition board members have been harping on the schedule when the discussions about the issue will take place.
Observers are losing patience as the issue remains in limbo and unresolved.
Damalerio said the committee chairman where the issue has been referred to has yet to call a meeting and Damalerio is clueless as to the why there are no discussions being done on the issue.
Damalerio made his position known during his appearance over Open Forum hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy on Wednesday.
JOB ORDER ISSUE
Damalerio said his job order request has been granted despite the delay.
To recall, the wages of some job orders assigned to opposition board members allegedly got delayed.
Damalerio, out of his own initiative, provided some relief to job order workers whose wages were delayed.
He commended the job order workers for their patience despite delays in their wages and they remained committed to work despite the delays.
Allegedly, the delay was caused by issues in the budget as other projects were prioritized. But the opposition board members contended that the wages for the job order workers have already been budgeted and the workers have been diligent and dedicated to their work, Damalerio said.
FREE WIFI
He still dreams of providing free Internet connectivity as he has been involved in the information and communications technology industry before entering politics.
He still maintains links in the industry so he could get help in terms of improving connectivity such as providing free public wifi and better connectivity.
WIND FARM INVESTMENT
Damalerio revealed that a firm involved in wind energy generation is keen on investing in Bohol.
He said the firm expressed its desire to invest during a committee hearing of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Public Utilities on Monday.
He said that solar farms need a lot of space; and in order to generate one megawatt of a power solar farm, one hectare of space is needed.
Wind energy needs smaller space to generate a megawatt of power, he said.
A wind energy farm needs only 5,000 square meters of space to generate 10 megawatts, enough to provide electricity to 10:000 households, he explained.
The board member did not mention the name of the specific investor during the interview.
Damalerio shares the view of several observers that solar farms take too much space and it may take those spaces otherwise allocated to other worthwhile endeavors.
According to reports, the firm interested in building a wind farm is Blue Haven Windcraft Corporation and their project will be built in Anda.
Tagb CPCF focuses on dengue containment
The spokesman of the City Primary Care Facility (CPCF) or the City Health Office:, Robin Culpa said that the agency has been working to control the spread of dengue in the city, which wreaked havoc last year, not just in Tagbilaran City, but also in the entire province reaching outbreak level in 2024.
Culpa revealed this during his Open Forum guest appearance on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
He was happy to reveal that the cases in the city this year are lower in number compared to the same period last year.
Last year, during the period spanning January to February 15, there were 108 cases compared to the same period this year where there are only 40 cases.
However, he said, that despite the low number of total cases this year, people should not be complacent and should observe the proper ways to avoid dengue infections.
He also said that dengue vaccines are not feasible during an outbreak and should be given when the person is stable and never had any experience of dengue before.
FREE VACCINES
The health office has been providing free vaccines especially those needed by infants and toddlers, he said.
However, a shortage of vaccine may happen as the vaccine supplies are imported from abroad, he added.
Dan Lim reiterates support for Atoy
Gubernatorial aspirant Dan Neri Lim said on Wednesday that he fully supports the candidacy of Coun. Malvin “Atoy” Torralba for Tagbilaran city mayor.
Lim made the reiteration of his support for Torralba during his Barog Bohol radio program.
He said that despite Torralba supporting Gov. Aris Aumentado (his political opponent), Lim is bent on supporting Torralba because he believes in Torralba’s advocacies.
Lim said he is no longer looking at party lines but on advocacies and abilities.
Lim also chided the move of Mayor Yap’s camp not to include the name of Gov. Aumentado in tarpaulins.
Aumentado has endorsed Torralba but endorses John Geesnell “Baba” Yap for first district congressman.
John Geesnell is Lim’s nephew and Lim opted to support incumbent Cong. Edgar Chatto’s reelection bid.
Lim who used to be a Chatto critic, crossed partylines and is currently joining the Padayon Bol-anon in this year’s polls.
When asked if Mayor Yap will support Dan Lim for governor, the latter said the world would end first before she would support his candidacy.
Lim said that even in the unlikely scenario where Mayor Yap will support him, he will still stick it out with Torralba.
COGON MARKET ISSUE
Lim chuckled off the claim of Mayor Yap’s camp that the construction of the Cogon market is on schedule and has never been delayed.
Lim said that if people believe that the Cogon market construction is not late, then people should vote for Mayor Yap’s ticket.
If not, then choose the alternative, which is Torralba, he said.
Suspected ASF cases in Tagb being monitored
Authorities are monitoring a suspected case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Tagbilaran City.
There are suspicions that there is a case of ASF and elements of the City Agriculture and Veterinary Office (CAVO) are currently monitoring the situation in two barangays in the city.
Sources said that the CAVO is monitoring suspected cases in barangay Bool. The CAVO added that they took 10 blood samples and seven tested positive for ASF via the rapid test.
The samples were taken from swine that where still alive and are currently being monitored.
The CAVO said that some swine already died atter getting sick and were buried in the previous days.
Reports say that several cases of ASF are being monitored.
Reports add that another case tested positive based on a rapid test in barangay Mansasa, where the CAVO was able to get samples from the swine before it eventually died.
The sample has been forwarded to the regional test center for confirmatory tests.
The CAVO said that based on their monitoring, there are no reports of suspected ASF reaching barangay Dao.
The CAVO said, further, that it is monitoring possible ASF spread as some hog raisers in the city are practicing swill feeding. Swill feeding is the use of food wastes as materials to be fed to animals such as swine. This is according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Sports facility slated to be turned over by April
A multi-sports facility in barangay Bool is slated to be turned over by April, according to reports.
As this developed, Tagbilaran City mayor Jane Yap expressed elation that among the projects facilitated by Sen. Pia Cayetano is the multi-sports facility.
Cayetano paid Bohol a visit recently and oversaw some of her projects including the said facility.
The sports facility could be used by city athletes for their training and serve as an additional family area.
There is a playground for the children with a clubhouse, according to a report.
Cayetano also helped in the building of the Super Health Center in barangay Dampas, which will tremendously help Tagbilaranons’ healthcare needs.
Chatto facilitates funding for infra projects in Antequera
Rep. Edgar Chatto has facilitated the funding for various infrastructure projects in Antequera town including some road concreting, flood control and bridges.
In a radio report, Chatto said that he oversaw the concreting of various road networks that would link the various barangays of the said town.
The road network will facilitate the linking of Antequera to Cortes town.
Chatto said that once the road network is completed, it will bring travel convenience to the people of Antequera and Cortes, and vice versa.
He added that with this infra development, it would be easier for people from Antequera to visit the Gov. Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center, which is located in Cortes town.
Moreover, students will have an easier time traveling from one part of the town to another.
It will also help easier access in going towards Balilihan town, Chatto added.
He also said that he made sure Antequera’s connectivity improves so that it will be convenient for the residents the area.
Moreover, he reported that he initiated a flood control project aimed to help farmers in order to contain the effects of too much flooding.
The flood control project is built along the Abatan River, he said as he inspected the projects he facilitated as part of his oversight functions.
Anda hosted forest protection confab
Anda town played host to the Advisory Council Meeting of Model Forest Network Asia, according to a report on Feb. 26, 2025.
The Carood Watershed Model Forest Management Council organized the meeting of the International Model Forest Network.
Participants said the meeting was an avenue to share lessons in proper model forest management especially in the management of Carood watershed.
Several delegates coming from different countries attended the meeting. These delegates belong to countries who maintain model forests.
Bohol holds a unique proposition as the Philippines’ only UNESCO-declared geo park.
The province is home to unique geological features including some interesting flora and fauna.
The meeting was a way to share best practices in managing forests and watersheds.
Delegates from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and South Korea attended the event.
Moreover, Philippine environment and natural resources officials were also in attendance.
14 people rescued after banca capsized in the waters off Panglao town
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was able to rescue about 14 people after a motorbanca capsized in the waters off Panglao town on Monday afternoon.
Reports said that there were 12 tourists and two crew members who were on board the ill-fated motorbanca.
The accident took place in the waters off Balicasag Island, which is part of Panglao town.
The PCG said the motorbanca capsized due to strong winds and the motorbanca’s engine died.
The tourists came from Balicasag Island and was about to return to mainland Panglao when the tragedy struck.
The incident was easily seen from the shoreline, which prompted a resident to call for help, reports say.
The PCG immediately sent rescue teams to aid the victims. At that time, there was no gale warning or any information about bad weather issued by the weather bureau.
Observers hailed the prompt action by the PCG in rescuing the tourists and crew who were in peril.
The rescued victims were given appropriate atrention by the local government unit of Panglao.
Evasco to play it cool with politics this time
Former Cabinet Sec. Leoncio “Jun” Evasco
Former Cabinet Sec. Leoncio “Jun” Evasco said that he would not be grossly involved in politics this time but hinted he would throw some assistance if some candidates would seek his endorsement.
Evasco issued a statement following images circulating in social media that he raised the arms of some candidates for the coming elections.
Usually, raising of arms means that there is endorsement being given.
One of the candidates whose arm was raised by Evasco was gubernatorial aspirant Hardy Leopando.
Evasco explained that he recently visited a remote part of Buenavista town for an event including some candidates not just from Bohol but also from other provinces.
Evasco said that during that event, some candidates asked him to raise their arms as as a form of endorsement including Leopando.
Evasco also said that out of courtesy, he agreed to the request of some politicians to raise their arms.
He said people should not dwell deeply on the raising of arms. He emphasized that he cannot shrug off the requests made by the politicians wanting their arms to be raised by a staunch ally of former President Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Evasco said he will be sitting on the fences this election season.
Evasco is a known ally of Gov. Aris Aumentado in the past elections and was even appointed as chairman of the Office of Governance Accountability and Review (OGAR).
Castañares, Orillosa discusses alleged corruption in Bohol
Third district congressional aspirant, lawyer Mc Aldous “Makdo” Castañares and whistleblower Ronie Orillosa both stated that corruption has been plaguing Bohol.
Castañares laid down one of his platforms, which he intends to implement once he is able to win in the May polls.
In an appearance on Tuesday’s Newsmakers ug Uban Pa wth Ardy Araneta-Batoy, Castañares said he will work on several projects as well as push his advocacy for good governance and against alleged corruption once he wins a seat as member of the House of Representatives.
He is running against incumbent Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor who, like him, tags Candijay town as base.
On the other hand, Orillosa who was an interactor during the said program also presented his advocacy for good governance.
Orillosa said corruption allegedly occurs in almost all levels and this prompted him to start is crusade for good governance and fight corruption.
Orillosa became known as a whistleblower when he started to expose alleged corruption in the provincial government as he called out the administration of incumbent Gov. Aris Aumentado to do something about the situation.
Orilosa exposed alleged corruption at the Capitol as he mentioned the so-called League of Governors, indicating that several people are allegedly “running the show” at the Capitol.
Castañares, echoed the sentiments of Orillosa by saying corruption is an elephant in the room and is seeing said corruption allegedly taking place.
He said the properties and assets of a congressman doesn’t add up to the legal source of income; he is making a point that a congressman surely cannot afford extravagant assets and fund the acquisition of these assets using the monthly salary of a member of the House of Representatives.
Earlier, Castañares exposed the alleged extravagant lifestyle of a congressperson.
Catañares said a congressperson could earn only P11.5 million in one three-year term and surely will not be able to afford alleged extravagant assets.
He is claiming that Tutor’s salary alone cannot fund the acquisition of what he called as “confirmed assets” of a congressperson, including luxury cars worth P15 million, which defies logic as the congressperson only earns only a little over P11 million yet was able to acquire a car worth P15 million.
He said surely there are other assets that are allegedly questionable.
He laments that members of the House are allowed to liquidate expenses through certification only and they could skip the need to liquidate using receipts and other documents.
This, he said, runs counter to the Constitutional mandate of accountability of public officials.
Orillosa said he talked to a lawmaker in private about the liquidation of their funds where it is now practiced that there is no more need to liquidate expenses. Instead what is needed is only to certify that such funds have been used.
Orillosa said that this practice has been in place for quite some time and not just prevailing in the current Congress.
He questioned the possible conflict of interest in allowing to just certify expenses instead of liquidating these expenses.
He slammed second district Rep, Maria Vanessa Aumentado and third district Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor who are allegedly frequently jetsetting.
He asked whose money is spent on these trips abroad. He also asked if these trips were indeed essential.
He said that the practice of presenting only the certification of the expenses (instead of liquidating them) is prone to corruption.
PLANS
Meanwhile, Castañares plans to stamp out corruption once he wins a seat in Congress.
He wants to eliminate what he calls as the SOP culture where kickbacks are given by contractors to some officials, where infrastructure projects are involved.
He alleged that in the third district, the SOP rate is exorbitant and he wants to remove this corrupt practice.
He will bat for zero corruption legislation once he wins a seat in Congress.
Orillosa for his part, chided the corruption allegedly happening in the second district which is under Rep, Aumentado.
He challenged Rep. Aumentado to prove that the second district is no longer the most impoverished district in Bohol.
Orillosa slammed the alleged ostentatious spending of Rep. Aumentado especially when she led the proclamation rally of the Abante Bohol coalition, as well as the alleged extravagant baptismal rite of Aumentado’s youngest child held in a posh hotel in Manila.
He appealed to the Aumentado couple to show some “delicadeza” in their activities as the first couple of the province and to explain where they are getting the money spent on the alleged lavish lifestyle here in the Philippines included their travels abroad.
IMPEACHMENT
Castañares also chided Tutor for siding to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
FREE WI-FI
One of the programs he wishes to work on is the provision for free public wi-fi access.
He has seen the need to bring internet access especially to rural areas of the third district.
He reckons that like water and power, internet access has become a necessity.
He said normal cellphone signal is not strong enough to bring data connection and to provide internet access.
He estimated that about half of the third district’s areas still have no stable or reliable internet connection.
To remedy the situation, he said, he is looking at working towards providing better and more reliable access to the internet.
He is looking at providing free public access wifi especially in barangay halls located in the hinterland barangays.
He also wants to provide the same in the campuses of local elementary and high schools in the said mountain barangays.
He believes a program of providing free wifi access is doable and possible once he gains a seat in Congress.
“There are a lot of ways to skin a cat. We’re looking at a long-term solution ug kaloy-an ta (if we are blessed to win) we would explore a short-term solution first,” he said.
He thinks there is a need to give financial support to the barangays in order to engage with Internet Service Providers (ISP) who would provide the necessary access to the internet.
Perhaps, he added, the barangays who are largely dependent on their national tax allocation (NTA), formerly known as the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), may not have the necessary resources to provide public wifi access.
He believes that bringing internet access to the hinterlands and remote areas may help spark growth and development especially among the learners who belong to the lower rung in the socio-economic class. These learners would be at a disadvantaged situation if they do not have internet access especially if learning resources are available only through the internet.
He gives premium priority to education as he sees it as a great equalizer.
HNU joins other PH Catholic schools in suspending classes to celebrate EDSA anniv.
Holy Name University (HNU) joined other Catholic learning institutions in the country as it suspended classes to commemorate the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.that happened 39 years ago.
The said institution resumed classes and work the next day, Wednesday, based on the advisory released by the said university.
The suspension comes as Malacañang declared Feb. 25, 2025 as a special working holiday unlike in previous years when it was declared a special non-working holiday.
As this developed, public schools across the country had classes on Tuesday as the holiday was a working day, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Some netizens chided the decision of the Palace not to declare the event as a non-working holiday, which was seen by some as an affront to the ideals of EDSA.
The EDSA revolution was a bloodless revolt where the people gathered at the main highway in Metro Manila to call for the outster of dictator President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of current Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
This is the second time that the holiday was declared a non-working holiday as it was also done last year.
The EDSA revolution toppled the 20-year dictatorship of the Marcos regime and installed the widow of Benigno Aquino Jr.,
Corazon as president.
The revolution also paved the way for the creation and ratification of the 1987 Constitution.