Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
- National
- October 24, 2025
- 8 views
Ombudsman junks 2 graft, grave misconduct raps vs Oñate, et al.
by Miriam G. Desacada Ormoc City–The Office of the Ombudsman, in joint resolutions issued on 11 September 2025, dismissed two similar but separately filed cases of graft and corruption, and grave misconduct against former Palompon mayor Ramon C. Oñate and other municipal officials.One of the two dismissed cases was filed by Francisco Y. Dysam Jr., with docket numbers OMB-C-C-OCT-24-0081, a criminal case for violation of Section 3(a) and (e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), and OMB-C-A-OCT-24-0094, an administrative case for grave misconduct. Respondents to the Dysam complaints were Oñate, and other former municipal officials: legal officer Phoebe Charis A. Albaño, municipal engineer John Erwin G. Aquino, vice mayor Ferdinand T. dela Calzada, and Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members—Burt Marie M. Bregaudit, Esperanza L. Sumalinog, Edgar P. Pacaldo, Jonathan T. Yap, Emmanuel M. Laurente, Margarito C. Bensig Jr., Ranulfo O. Gaspan Sr., Consuelo J. Bonghanoy, Rene A. Camposano, and Yvanna Kirstie H. Misagal. The other dismissed case was…
- National
- October 21, 2025
- 15 views
Ex-congressman Veloso slams Soho’s docu on FMR project, land grab claims
by Miriam G. Desacada TACLOBAN CITY — Former Leyte 3rd District Representative Ching Veloso has written a letter-complaint to broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, accusing her recent television documentary of airing misleading and erroneous claims imputing him to violations of law. Veloso said the documentary tackled two issues: 1) An alleged overpriced farm-to-market road (FMR) project in Barangay San Roque, Tacloban City; and 2) he and his family grabbed lands surrounding the FMR site. Both issues, in Soho’s documentary, portrayed him and his family of breaching the law—completely without taking his side—prompting him to air his complaint to the TV program host. In his letter, a copy of which was furnished to the local media, Veloso denied any involvement in the questioned overpriced FMR. He clarified that the subject FMR project, which is in Tacloban City, falls under the First District of Leyte, far from his jurisdiction as Congress representative of the Third District of Leyte (2016-2022). Veloso told Soho that…
- National
- October 13, 2025
- 20 views
50,096 successfully pass 10 August 2025 Career Service Exam
Tacloban City–Thousands of individuals are now civil service eligibles after passing the 10 August 2025 Career Service Examination – Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) conducted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) nationwide. Of the 302,028 examinees who took the Professional Level, 45,730 passed, representing a 15.14% passing rate. Meanwhile 4,366 or 14.73% of the 29,647 examinees successfully passed the Subprofessional Level. “We congratulate all passers of the August 2025 examinations. Passing the CSE is a significant step toward a career in public service, and we hope that this achievement inspires more Filipinos to join the civil service,” said CSC Chairperson Marilyn B. Yap. The CSC announced that the List of Passers may be viewed through the Examination Results widget on the CSC website at csc.gov.ph. Examinees—whether passed or failed—can generate their individual test results using the Online Civil Service Examination Result Generation System by 25 October 2025. In addition, examinees are reminded to prepare their Examinee Number to access their…
- National
- October 12, 2025
- 11 views
A 28-km undersea tunnel across San Bernardino Strait to link Luzon and Visayas proposed
By Miriam G.Desacada Tacloban City– Some Eighteen members of Congress from Eastern Visayas—led by House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan—are calling for the construction of an undersea tunnel or long-span bridge across the San Bernardino Strait to finally establish a permanent land connection between Luzon and the Visayas. Libanan said that they have filed House Bill No. 4589, which seeks to establish a fixed 28-kilometer crossing between the provinces of Sorsogon and Northern Samar. “This is an investment in national economic integration and long-term growth,” Libanan said. “A fixed link—whether a tunnel or a bridge—will cut travel time, guarantee year-round mobility even during storms, and unlock new opportunities for trade, tourism, and employment.” “Imagine being able to drive seamlessly from Metro Manila to Samar and Leyte without having to queue for a ferry. This will completely change the way people travel, move goods, and connect across our islands,” Libanan added. He identified other Congressmen authors of the bill are Representatives:…
- National
- October 12, 2025
- 87 views
REP. COCO: I will never betray the trust of my people
by Miriam G.Desacada Maasin City—Representative Christopherson “Coco” Yap of the 2nd District of Southern Leyte is a man whose leadership style involves understanding, listening, and adapting the feelings of his constituents by connecting with them and engaging with them on a personal level.This is what we call empathetic leadership, which focuses on understanding people’s views and needs. This is achieved by taking a genuine interest in them and providing the service they deserve. His legislative efforts, community interactions, and support for the people are rooted in his holistic understanding of their personas. There may be downsides to his type of leadership, one of which is his vulnerability to personal attacks and mistreatment. However, his upbringing shaped his character, fostering a deep empathy for his people and a sincere desire to help them grow independently. This connection drove them to question how he was linked to the alleged anomalies. They believed that Coco could not afford to betray their trust.COCO’S UPBRINGINGCoco…
- National
- October 10, 2025
- 90 views
Northern Samar Wind Farm Project Gets ERC Nod
By Miriam G Desacada Tacloban City-Congressman Edwin C. Ongchuan of Northern Samar’s 2nd District has welcomed the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) approval for the grid connection of the Lihangin Wind Energy Corporation’s (LWEC) San Isidro Wind Power Project. The 206-megawatt wind power project, located in San Isidro, Northern Samar, is a joint venture between Aboitiz Renewables Inc., Vivantc Energy Corp., and Singapore-based Vena Energy. The ERC approval authorizes the project to connect to the Visayas grid through the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) substations in Calbayog and San Isidro. This milestone supports the government’s goal of achieving a 35% renewable energy share in the national power mix by 2030. The project is expected to commence commercial operations by February 2026 and will contribute to reducing dependence on imported fuels, promoting affordable and sustainable electricity, and strengthening the overall stability of the Visayas. The San Isidro Wind Power Project is one of several renewable energy initiatives in Northern Samar,…
- National
- October 7, 2025
- 52 views
Samar Police Identify Suspect in Lifeless Newborn Case
By Miriam G Desacada Tacloban City–The Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO) has made significant progress in the investigation of the lifeless newborn baby girl found in a drainage canal in Barangay UEP Zone II, Catarman, Northern Samar, on October 6, 2025. Under the leadership of Provincial Director PCOL Sonnie B. Omengan, the NSPPO identified the suspect as a 19-year-old college student from Palapag, Northern Samar. Initialninvestigation revealed that the suspect’s landlady received a text message from her at around 8:45 PM on October 5, asking for medicine for dysmenorrhea. Another tenant reported hearing unusual noises coming from the comfort room early morning, which sounded like someone was in pain or distress, accompanied by splashing sounds. CCTV Footage Plays Crucial Role: Based on the breakthrough in the case came when investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the boarding house. The footage showed the suspect leaving the comfort room at 3:15 AM on October 6, carrying a white pail labeled “Davies Megacryl.”…
- National
- October 5, 2025
- 72 views
Lawmakers Rally Behind Creation of Samar Island Region
by Miriam G Desacada Tacloban City– In a remarkable display of unity, six lawmakers from Samar’s three provinces have joined forces to advocate for the creation of a new Samar Island Region (SIR), a move aimed at unlocking the island’s untapped potential and driving long-stalled growth and development. This rare show of solidarity among lawmakers could be the key to bringing about much-needed progress to the region. They have jointly filed House Bill No. 4218, which seeks to carve out Samar Island as a distinct administrative region, separate from Eastern Visayas. Leading the group is House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan (4Ps Partylist), who once represented the lone congressional district of Eastern Samar. He is joined by Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Samar First District Rep. Stephen James Tan, Samar Second District Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan, Northern Samar Firstf District Rep. Niko Raul Daza, and Northern Samar Second District Rep. Edwin Marino Ongchuan. “This is not just…
- National
- October 4, 2025
- 70 views
Young leaders gain career advantage with new eligibility for Sangguniang Kabataan
Tacloban City–Elected and appointed Sangguniang Kabataan Officials (SKOs) in good standing are now entitled to civil service eligibility, provided they have completed a full three-year term of office or its equivalent. Under Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 2500752, or the Rules Governing the Grant of Eligibility to SKOs promulgated on 24 July 2025, the Sangguniang Kabataan Official Eligibility (SKOE) shall be considered appropriate for first level positions in the career service, except those covered by board laws and/or requiring other special eligibilities. “This privilege, granted exclusively to duly elected and appointed SKOs, recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and affirms their contributions to public service,” said CSC Chairperson Atty. Marilyn B. Yap. “Through the SKOE, we empower young leaders to pursue careers in government and continue their service to the Filipino people.” The SKOE applies to SKOs who were in office upon the effectivity of Republic Act No. 11768, also known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform…
- National
- October 3, 2025
- 112 views
Fire Claims Life of Government Worker, Leaves Over 200 Homeless in Catbalogan City
by Miriam G.Desacada Tacloban City–A devastating fire broke out on Wednesday evening, October 1, in Barangay Canlapwas, Catbalogan City, Samar, resulting in the death of a 30-year-old government worker and leaving more than 200 residents without homes. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), report to Samar PNP provincial Office, the fire started around 5:30 p.m. coinciding the power restoration after the power shut down due to 6.9 magnitude eqrthquakein, Purok 3 due to faulty electrical wiring that ignited the roof of a house owned by Rizalda Magallanes. The blaze quickly spread to nearby residences, fueled by the light materials used in their construction. Firefighters from the Catbalogan City Fire Station, assisted by fire volunteers, police personnel, and reinforcements from neighboring towns, battled the flames for nearly four hours. The incident was raised to second alarm and was declared under control at 7:20 p.m. and fully extinguished at around 9:23 p.m. The victim, Reynold Muñez, an employee of the…
Ombudsman junks 2 graft, grave misconduct raps vs Oñate, et al.
- October 24, 2025
- 8 views
50,096 successfully pass 10 August 2025 Career Service Exam
- October 13, 2025
- 20 views
REP. COCO: I will never betray the trust of my people
- October 12, 2025
- 87 views
Northern Samar Wind Farm Project Gets ERC Nod
- October 10, 2025
- 90 views