Comelec execs proclaim Cordillera poll winners

Reelectionists Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (left), Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan (center) and Congressman Marquez Go are proclaimed winners in the local election. (Photo courtesy of Baguio City Public Information Office)

By Liza Agoot

BANGUED, Abra – Winners for the different elected posts in the six provinces and two cities in the Cordillera Administrative Region have been proclaimed, some as early as Monday evening and the last batch on Tuesday evening.
    As early as Monday evening (May 9), the Commission on Elections proclaimed incumbent Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong reelected following the completion of the canvassing of the precincts that covered 128 barangays in the city.
    As early as Monday evening (May 9), the Commission on Elections proclaimed incumbent Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong reelected following the completion of the canvassing of the precincts that covered 128 barangays in the city.
    He was proclaimed with reelected Rep. Marquez “Mark” Go and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan.
    Winning city councilors were Benny Bomogao, Jose Molintas, Arthur Allad-iw, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Leandro Yangot, Isabelo Cosalan Jr., Mylen Yaranon, Elmer Datuin, Peter Fianza, Vladimir Cayabas, Fred Bagbagen and Leah Farinas.
    Also proclaimed on Monday night were Tabuk City winners Darwin Estranero for mayor; and Dick Bal-o for vice mayor together with the councilors.
    Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. Niño "JB" Bernos, who ran for mayor of La Paz municipality, was also proclaimed on Monday evening.
    He ran unopposed for the position.
    In Ifugao, reelection of Rep. Solomon Chungalao and Vice Gov. Glenn Prudenciano with Lamut town mayor and governor-elect Jerry Dalipog were proclaimed around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
In Benguet, the winners for leading provincial posts -- Congressman-elect Eric Go Yap, reelected Gov. Melchor Diclas, and newcomer Felipe Tagel as vice governor -- were proclaimed also at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
    Elected board members were Johannes A. Amuasen, Alexander T. Fianza, Florencio V. Bentrez, and Juan “Coy” M. Nazarro Jr. for District 1. For District 2 were Marie Rose Fongwan Kepes, Fernando Balaodan Sr., Roberto K. Canuto, Ruben E. Paoad, Joel Tingbawen Jr., and Neptali Camsol.
    In the capital town of La Trinidad, Benguet, reelectionists mayor Romeo Salda and vice mayor Roderick Awingan won as mayor and vice mayor respectively.
    At press time winning La Trinidad Sangguniang Bayan winners were John Botiwey, Jayson Dangwa, Guiller Galwan, Belmer Elis, Teddy Walang, Francis Lee, Henry Kipas and Bartolome Baldas Jr. 
In Kalinga, the provincial canvassers proclaimed around 5 p.m. Tuesday reelected Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, while former Vice Governor James Edduba was elected governor and former Governor Jocel Baac won for vice governor.
    In Mountain Province, incumbent Rep. Maximo Dalog, Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, and Vice Gov. Francis Tauli were all reelected to the same position and proclaimed around 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Abra winners were proclaimed around 7 p.m. on Tuesday led by governor-elect and incumbent Bangued Mayor     Dominic Valera, incumbent governor and vice-governor-elect Joy Valera-Bernos, and incumbent La Paz Mayor Ching Bernos, who won as congresswoman of the lone district of Abra.
    In Apayao, where most of the positions went to unopposed candidates, election supervisor Ricardo Bulintao, in a private message through social media, said the winners were proclaimed around 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
Abra election officer and Provincial Election Board chairman Ricardo Lampac said, “This is the fastest so far that Abra finished and proclaimed the winning candidates and transmitted the result to the national board of canvassers."
    He said that they could have finished earlier had it not been for two municipalities that were traditionally the last to submit results due to their distance from the provincial capital.
    Lampac said the municipalities of Tineg and Lacub, which have precincts located in far-flung sitios, did not have an internet signal that will allow the transmission to be done.
    He said Sitio Talipugo in Lacub is not accessible by road and had to use air assets to transmit and deliver its election supplies and results.
    “If they walk, it will take about two days to reach the place but with the air assets provided by security forces, they were flown to the location of the municipal canvassing and the municipal result also flown to the capital town,” Lampac said.
    Lampac said the Commission on Elections' strong partnership with the different government agencies allowed it to complete its task faster and deliver the necessary results earlier. -- PNA

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BBM, Sara, incumbents win in MP; actor Robin Padilla is top senator

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Former senator and presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas) emerged as top choice among 75,705 voters representing 78.6% of the 96,217 electorate who voted among 115,925 registered voters of Mountain Province, official records from the Provincial Commission on Elections revealed.
    Here in Mountain Province, Vice President  and presidential candidate Leni Robredo (Independent) came in a far second with  8,765 votes representing 9.1 percent of the total votes cast followed by fellow presidential  aspirants  Sen. Manny  Pacquiao (PROMDI- Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives or Probinsya Muna Development)  with 3,693 votes; incumbent senator Panfilo Lacson (PDR- Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma)  with 2,705 votes; incumbent Manila Mayor Domagoso Isko Moreno (Aksyon Demokratiko)  with 1,985 votes:  labor leader Leody de Guzman  (PLM- Partido Lakas ng Masa ) with 176 votes; businessman Ernie Abella  (Independent) with 154 votes, Dr. Jose Montemayor (DPP-Democratic Party of the Philippines) with  165 votes; former Defense and national security secretary Norberto Gonzales (PDSP-Philippine Democratic Socialist Party) with 106 votes and businessman Mangondato Faizal (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi) with 57 votes.
    Marcos’  running Uniteam  mate Davao City Mayor and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte  (Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats) emerged winner as Vice President with 69,970 votes  followed by vice presidential aspirants  incumbent last termer  Senate President and vice presidential candidate Vicente Sotto (National Peoples Coalition)  with 10,002 votes;  incumbent re-electionist Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan (Liberal Party) with 6,977 and Doc Willie Ong (Aksyon Demokratiko) with  2,625 votes.
    Mountain Province incumbent Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr (NPC- Nationalist Peoples Coalition) retained his post with 52,927 votes over congressional candidate former Sabangan mayor-engineer Jupiter Dominguez (Lakas-CMD) with 41,437 votes.
    Incumbent Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan (PDPLaban) also retained his post having secured 76,104 votes against gubernatorial candidate Albert Paday-os (Ind) with 9,121 votes.  
    Also, incumbent Vice Gov. Francis Tauli (PDP Laban) had 43,143 votes against vice gubernatorial candidate Bauko mayor Abraham Akilit (Nationalista Party) with 40,240 votes and Alexandre Claver (+) (Aksyon) with 2,489 votes.
    In Mountain Province, Number 1 senatorial candidate actor Robin Padilla  (PDPLaban) won  with overwhelming 52,599 votes  followed by broadcaster Ramon Tulfo (Ind) with 45,150 votes; former senator and incumbent Antique congresswoman Loren Legarda with 37,077 votes; former Ifugao congressman Teddy  Baguilat (LP) with 34, 446 votes; former Highways (DPWH)  Secretary Mark Villar (Nationalista Party) with 34,194 votes;  former senator and Taguig-Pateros congressman Allan Peter Cayetano  (Ind)  with 29,105 votes;  re-electionist senator Sherwin Gatchalian( NPC) with 25 591 votes;   former senator Jingoy Estrada ( PMP-Pwersa ng Masang Pillipino) with 25,569 votes;  former senator JV Ejercito  (NPC) with 24528  votes ; former senator  and Sorsogon governor Francis Chiz Escudero, former  senator Joel Villanueva and former senator and former vice president Jejomar Binay(UNA-United Nationalist Alliance) with 23,961 votes.
    Top five winning party lists in Mountain Province were IWI(Igorot Warriors International) with 9,702 votes, Peace Epanaw with 9,431 votes; ACT-CIS with  3597 votes; Philreca with 3,880 votes and DIWA with  2,416 votes.
    Winning Board Members for District 1 composed of Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig, Bontoc and Sadanga were former board member Ezra Gomez (LDP-Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino) with 19,066 votes; incumbent board member Joshua Fronda (PDPLaban) with 18,931; incumbent board member Onsat Federino (PDPLaban) with 18,275 votes and former board member Carino Tamang (+) with 18,233 votes.
    Nurse by profession Angel Moises Tamang filed his certificate of candidacy and certificate of nomination and acceptance on April 11 as a substitute to his father board member candidate Cariño Tamang who died of gunshot wounds on March 6 this year. 
    District 2 composed of Sagada, Besao, Sabangan, Tadian and Sagada recorded winning Board Members incumbent mayor of Besao Johnson Bantog (Ind) who got 24,876 votes followed by Ricardo Masidong (NP) with 23,222 votes; incumbent board member Henry Bastian (PDPLaban) with 19,159 votes and incumbent board member Jose Danglose (PDP Laban) with117,407 votes.
    Meantime, unofficial counts from Comelec data transmitted to Halalan 2022 of ABS-CBN showed most mayors of Mountain Province were new.
    The municipality of Bauko has incumbent board member of Mt Province Randy Awisan (PDPLaban) with 10,014 votes who won as Mayor of Bauko; and Vice Mayor Badecao, Bartolo (NP) with 6,367 votes.
The winning councilors of Bauko are Sili, Ashley (PDP Laban) of 8,295 votes, Lumpisa, Gil (Ind) Of 7,261 Votes,     Tanggacan, Tomas (PDPLbn) of 6,053 votes; Capuyan, Edna (Ind) of 6,035 votes; Patnay, Eduardo (Ind) of 5,858 votes; Gaoken, Mario (Ind) of 5,639 votes; Codod, Jackson (Ind) of 5,548 votes and Taganas, Arcadio (Pdplbn) of 5,466 votes.
    Winning Besao mayor was Butch Bacwaden  (IND) with 2,686 votes and winning vice mayor Elizabeth Buyagan (IND) with 2,602 votes.
    Winning councilors of Besao are priest Ambucay, Johnny (Ind) with 2,258 votes; Pekas, Arleigh (Ind) with 1,993 Votes; Clemente, Raphael (Ind) 1,883 votes; Lacsigen, Joel (Ind) with 1,738 votes; Mangallay, Marcos (Ind) 1,733 votes; Ballang, Benny (Ind) 1,566 votes; Bosigen, Henry (Pdplbn) with 1,540 votes; and Beyden, Alfredo (Ind) with 1,417 votes.
    Incumbent Sabangan Mayor Marcial Lawilao Jr (PFP) retained his post with 4,516 votes and vice mayor elect Rodolfo Mencion (IND) as 2,762 votes.
    Winner-Councilors of Sabangan are Bacog, Roman (Ind) with 3,084 votes; Lipawen, Venancio (Ind) with 3,032 votes; Boguilis, Henrico (Ind) with 2,917 votes; Altaki, Crispin (Ind) With 2,876 votes; Litilit, Enrique (Pdplbn) with 2,874 votes; Malamion, Wily (Ind) With 2,672 votes; Bas-Ilen, Roger (NP) with 2,581 votes and Sudicalan, Gabin Rhey (Ind) with 2,572 votes.
    In the tourist town of Sagada, incumbent Vice Mayor and contender for mayor Felicito Dula  (IND) won with 3,984 votes. And so with incumbent councilor David Tallusen Buyagan (IND) who won 3,514 votes as vice mayor.
Winning Councilors of Sagada were a lone woman number one winning councilor candidate Taltala, Andrea (Ind) with 3,270 votes; Gomgom-o, Kapon (NP) with 2,707 votes; Aclayan, Mokyat (Ind) with 2,546 votes; Dapliyan, Davis (NP) with 2,361 votes; Padawil, Tambol (Ind) with 2,355 votes; Lumbaya, Fermin (Ind) with 2,347 votes; Capuyan, Benjamin (Ind) With 2,310 votes; and Kibatay, Felicito Jr. (Ind) with 2,182 votes.
    Tadian with unopposed incumbent mayor Constito Masweng (PDPLBN) with 8,193 votes retained his post and so with unopposed George Bisen Jr. (Ind) with 7,606 votes as vice mayor.
    Winning councilors of Tadian were Kidit, Juniper Sr. (NP) with 5,353 votes; Ladiong, William (Ind) with 4,978 Votes; Adeban, Rey (Ind) with 4,806 votes; Malamnao, John Jr. (Ind) with 4,663 votes;     Cawalo, Edmund (Ind) with 4,409 votes; Balangoy, Adolf (Ind) with 3,837 votes; Atipen, Laurence (Lakas) with 3,833 votes; and Abadod, James (Ind) With 3,764 votes.
    In District 1, incumbent Mayor Clark Ngaka of Barlig won with 2,370 Votes along with vice mayor Delio Focad (Ind) with1,853 votes.
    Winning Barlig councilors are Sapguian, Benjie (NP) with 1,471 votes; Agyao, Rolly (Ind) with 1,376 votes; Awe, Rodrigo (NP) with 1,368 votes; Polec-Eo, Boas (NP) with 1,328 votes; Mad-Eo, Consuelo (Ind) with 1,293 votes; Awingan, Conard (Ind) with 1,186 votes; Sidchayao, Edmundo (Ind) with 1,138 votes and  Kumanab, Artimas (Ind) with 1,107 votes.
    In the capital town of Bontoc, incumbent Councilor Tudlong, Chagsen (PRP) won with 3,378 votes with a close fight with incumbent Councilor lawyer Patingan, Alsannyster (Ind) with 3,215 votes and mayoral aspirant Dacyon, Robert (Ind) with 3,063 votes. Unopposed incumbent Vice Mayor Kabluyen, Eusebio (Ind) remained with 9,363 votes.
    Winning Councilors for Bontoc Municipality are Sokoken, Dan Evert (Ind) with 5,054 votes; Kalangeg, Jupiter Jule (Ind) with 5,031 votes; Bacala, Glenn (Ind) with 4,765 votes; Pongad, Timothy Jr. (Ind) with 4,632 votes; Kedawen, Peter (Ind) with 4,329 votes; Chumacog, Julian (Ind) with 4,174 votes; Odsey, Benedict Ii (NP) with 3,907 votes and  Okko, Viola (NP) with 3,844 votes.
    Incumbent Natonin Mayor Jose Agagon (Ind) won with 3,737 votes while    Lapasen, Raymundo (Ind) with 4,472 votes won as vice mayor.
    Winning Councilors of Natonin are  Bulawe, Rafael (Ind) with 3,328 votes; Biangalen,Jose (Ind) with 2,974 votes; Chumilang, Jerry (Ind) with 2,875 votes;  Pangsiw, Leon (Ind) with 2,817 votes; Magranga, Fernando Jr. (Ind) with 2,699 votes; Linggayo, Fernandez (Ind) with 2,615 votes; Fangonon, Oscar (Ind) with 2,481 votes and Todco, Jimmy (Ind) with 2,454 votes.
    Vote -rich Paracelis’ winning Mayor is Avelino Amangyen (Ind) with 9,220 votes followed by incumbent Mayor Dr. Ayangwa, Marcos (Ind) with 5,185 votes.
    At press time, the Comelec second division ordered the cancellation of the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Avelino Amangyen for lying about a conviction in a criminal case in an April 19, 2022 ruling.
    The Comelec division ruled “in view of the respondent’s conviction by final judgment of an offense which carried with it the accessory penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification, Respondent (Amangyen) is in effect ineligible to run for office pursuant to Section 12 of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code).
    Such ineligibility, which took effect as soon as the judgment against him attained finality contradicts material representations in his COC.”
    Winning Paracelis vice mayor is Djarma Rafael (Ind) with 6,968 votes
    Winning Councilors of Paracelis are Basungit, Lito (Pdplbn) with 7,663 votes; Calunnag, Crispin (Ind) with 6,654 votes; Gusimat, Ateneo Sr. (NP) with 5,697 votes; Lappao, Marciano Jr. (Ind) with 5,348 votes; Banggolay, John (Ind) with 5,290 votes; Assud, Alfredo Jr. (Ind) with 4,624 votes; Pudlao, Andrew Sr. (Ind) with 4,334 votes and  Sinoli, Willy (Ind) With 4,332 votes.
    Sadanga’s candidate for mayor the late Mayor Engr Gabino Ganggangan (NP) won with 2,757 votes; and winning vice mayor Paul Farong-ey (NP) with 3,086 votes.
    The late Mayor Ganggangan died due to cardiac arrest January 29 this year and substituted by his son,  Engr Adolf “Angili” Ganggangan.
    Winning  Councilors of Sadanga are Ackut, Geraldo (Ind) with 1,730 votes; Fattit, Alonso (Ind) with 1,582 Votes; Dawadeo, Dongpop (Pdplbn) With 1,543 votes; Ayao-Ao, Albert (Ind) with 1,524 votes; Gayyaman, Jonathan (Ind) with 1,497 votes; Chakiwag, Rufino (Ind) with 1,408 votes; Atiwen, Ruben (Pdplbn) with 1,357 votes; and Terpaken, Jose Jr. (Ind) with 1,346 votes. – With a report from Alpine Killa-Malwagay

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Candidates endorsed by Iglesia win polls

By Celso M. Cajucom

CABANATUAN City, Nueva Ecija -- Majority of local candidates endorsed by the Iglesia ni Cristo emerged victorious in the May 9, 2022 local and national elections.
    Presumptive President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and presumptive Vice President Sara "Inday" Duterte-Carpio had been endorsed by the politically influential religious group and both won by landslides in Nueva Ecija, a known Marcos bailiwick.
    Marcos got 945,388 votes from the reported 1,541,685 reported registered voters and Duterte-Carpio, 703,042 votes.
    Palayan City Mayor Adrianne Mae Joson Cuevas reportedly helped push the candidacies of Bongbong and Inday, who ran under the banner of the UniTeam.
    The provincial board of canvassers of the Commission on Elections officially declared the winners of the races for governor, vice governor, provincial board and congressmen (four districts) in the province on Wednesday.
Incumbent Gov. Aurelio Umali garnered 826,876 votes while his brother Vice Gov. Emmanuel Anthony "Doc" Umali got 786,167 votes.
    The governor's wife Czarina "Cherry" Umali did not make it with 159,922 votes against her opponent in the battle for the third district, Rossana "Ria" Vergara, who got 180,888 votes or a margin of 20,966 votes.
In the fourth district, Gapan City Mayor Emerson "Emeng" Pascual was proclaimed winner, beating incumbent Rep. Maricel Natividad Nagaño by a margin of 23,477 votes.
    Pascual obtained 177,046 votes and Nagano 153,599 votes.
    Pascual's sister Emmary Joy Pascual was declared winner as Gapan City mayor-elect with her reelected vice mayor Inocencio "Dodong" Bautista, including the whole ticket.
    Second District Rep. Joseph Violago and Mica Suansing in the first district also triumphed.
    Provincial board winners were Rap Rap Villanueva, Ler de Guzman, Eric Salazar (first district), actor Jayson Abalos, Dindo Dysico (second district), Eduardo "EJ" Joson, Jojo Matias (third district), Nap Interior, Maritess Patiag and Mary Liberty Cruz (fourth district).
    In Talavera town, proclaimed winners were mayor-elect Nerito "JayR" Santos and his sister Nerivi Santos Martinez as vice mayor.
    The eight winning councilors were Aries Gaboy, Reichel Ann Rosas Villanueva, Belinda Palilio, Renieleo Rayo, Joel del Rosario, Manolito Silva, Rafael Reyes and Erwin Chico.
    Proclaimed mayors were Ramil Rivera (Cabiao), Flor Esteban (Cuyapo), Isidro Pajarillaga (Gen. Tinio), Josefino Angeles (Santa Rosa), Femy Domingo (Licab), Imee de Guzman (Sto. Domingo), Hanna Katrina Andres (Rizal) and Froilan "Elan" Nagaño (San Leonardo).
    Ronnie Pascual ( Llanera), Joey Ramos (Peñaranda), Roberto Agdipa (Pantabangan), Anita Arocena (Gen. Natividad), Jobby Emata (Gabaldon), Pacifico Monta (Talugtug) and Arvin Salonga (San Antonio).
    Sylvia Austria (Jaen), Mariano Cristino Joson (Quezon), Alex Romano (Lupao), Jose Dizon (Guimba), Myca Vergara (Cabanatuan City), Mario Salvador (San Jose City) and Christopher Daus (Laur).
    Also mayoral winners were Florentino "Ante" Tinio (San Isidro), Gilbert Moreno (Aliaga), Ricardo Padilla (Bongabon), Rogelio Abad (Carranglan), Vianne Cuevas (Palayan City), Armi Alvarez (Science City of Muñoz) and Lally Belmonte (Zaragosa).

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Mayor, 8 aides detained in road gun mess with Ecija gov, PNP chief

By Celso M. Cajucom

SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija -- Eight aides of this town's mayor were arrested for violating the Commission on Elections gun ban night before the May 9 election day, town police here said.
    Police said Mayor Arvin Salonga and town budget officer Armando Cruz voluntarily surrendered to authorities on May 8.
    Lt. Franklyn Sindac, provincial head of the public information office, in a telephone interview, said provincial assistant prosecutor Edison Rafanan personally went to the municipal hall to investigate the suspects.
    Sindac said the prosecutor was still determining whether Salonga, Cruz and the mayor's bodyguards can post bail despite being caught in possession of high-powered weapons.
    The police said the incident took place at around 9 p.m. on May 8.
    Witnesses said Salonga was leading a convoy of seven vehicles, all with sirens blinking, when his entourage stopped as armed aides stepped out of the vehicles to question two minors, both girls, for not wearing masks in public.
    "The girls got scared when they saw the guns of the bodyguards, and they sought help," a witness said.
    "The minors texted mayoral candidate Agripino Javier, a retired police general, who immediately went to the scene of the incident to help the two girls, who turned out to be his nieces."
    When Javier arrived at the scene, one of the cars (Mitsubishi Montero, UUI 774) from his convoy accidentally hit a vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser without license plate with conduction sticker AS 0412) that was part of Salonga's group.
    The police said tensions arose from the "accident."
    The police said Salonga did not step out from his car even as at least 90 policemen led by Col. Jess Mendez, Nueva Ecija police provincial director, arrived at the scene.
    Salonga disembarked from his vehicle at 11:30 p.m. along with his budget officer and one of his bodyguards, Joseph "Golden Boy" Guinto, when Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali arrived.
    The three suspects reportedly surrendered peacefully and were brought to the police station where they were investigated by Maj. Abraham Atencio, San Antonio chief of police.
    The other suspects who were arrested were identified as Benedicto Figueroa, 52; Rances John Lozada, 24; Jerick Santos, 25; Herbert Bundalian, 32; Garry Vicente, 37; and Arturo Garcia, 26, all residents of San Antonio; and Arnold Mariano, 36, a resident of General Tinio town.
    Also apprehended was Cpl. Edgardo Nitoliano, 36, from the Regional Mobile Force and a resident of Barangay Poblacion, San Antonio, whose assignment was still being validated as of this writing.
    Seized from the suspects were one Armscor.45 caliber pistol with an allegedly tampered serial number, one Armscor Cal. 9 mm pistol, one Glock 9mm pistol, one Colt Cal. 45, one Cal. 45 Para Ordnance, a Maverick shotgun, one M16 A1 rifle, six assorted ID cards, one Philippine National Police identification card, three hand-held radios and six bulletproof vests.
    Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 in relation to Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines were prepared against suspects.

 

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7 nabbed, for robbing, shooting Kalinga rep’s campaign headquarters

 Manhunt on for 3 others 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The swift action of cops resulted in the arrest of fleeing suspects of a robbery incident at the campaign headquarters of Rep. Allen Jesse “Sonny” C. Mangaoang here.
    Reports reaching Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee identified the arrested suspects as Ruben Bannas, Jil Binto, Valentin Valdez, Denmark Siag, Micahel Bista, Allan Jay Palicpic and Jeramil Pinated.
    Three other suspects are still at large and subject of manhunt operations were identified as Adso Bawas Bali-iwang, Dino Mangik, and Roy Mangik. 
    Police said on the evening of May 6, 10 suspects aboard two forward trucks and two motorcycles stopped in front of the campaign headquarters of Rep. Mangaoang. 
    The suspects suddenly fired gunshots into the air while the others drew their firearms and approached the staff of the congressman then took all folders and papers on the table including a shoulder bag of one of the victims. 
    The men immediately fled the scene prompting Rizal town police to alert nearby police stations to establish checkpoint operations on all possible escape routes. 
    A checkpoint operation here in Barangay Nambaran resulted in the interception of one of the trucks reportedly used by the suspects with seven individuals aboard. 
    Rizal police with some victims immediately went to the checkpoint in Nambaran where the victims positively identified one of the men aboard the said truck as Ruben Bannas.
    The shoulder bag containing the personal belongings of one of the victims was also recovered inside said truck. 
    The suspects are now facing charges of robbery with violence and intimidation against persons. 
    "Bagamat tayo ay natutuwa sa mabilis na aksyon ng mga kapulisan ng Kalinga pulis, aking pinapaalalahan ang lahat ng mga police chiefs sa Cordillera, Lee said in a statement.

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Santiago folks hit ‘vote-buys’

By Villamor Visaya Jr.

SANTIAGO CITY–About 1,000 villagers on Wednesday (May 11) took to the streets to condemn the alleged vote-buying, non-inclusion of 4,255 ballots, and other irregularities during the conduct of the May 9 elections here.
    Carrying placards, the protesters allied with losing mayoral bet Joseph “Otep” Miranda and met with Santiago City acting election officer Wilma Binbinon and city police chief Col. Reynaldo Dela Cruz to thresh out the issues.
    Miranda’s counsel, Nelia Natividad, and his father, former mayor Jose “Pempe” Miranda, claimed that they have documented incidents of massive vote-buying, the non-inclusion of 4,255 rejected and misread ballots that would have allegedly brought Miranda into victory, and other other election offenses.
    Both Binbinon and Dela Cruz advised the protesters to file formal complaints with legal courts, the Commission on Elections, and the police, if necessary.
    Isabela Fourth District Rep. Sheena Tan-Dy, who won the mayoral race here, has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
    Tan-Dy obtained 43, 416 votes, defeating Miranda, who got 42,631 votes—barely 785 votes separating the two.

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Singsons, De Venecias lead Ilocos, P’sinan

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Members of the Singson family won 15 local seats in the province in the May 9 elections.
Gov. Ryan Singson, son of Narvacan Mayor Luis ”Chavit” Singson and his younger brother Vice Gov. Jeremias Singson, who both ran unopposed, will switch positions on July 1.
    Chavit’s other son, Ronald, won the congressional race in the first district against Rep. Deogracias Savellano, Ryan’s father-in-law.
    In the second district, Kristine Meehan, daughter of former congressman Eric Singson, ran unopposed.
Eric, a former congressman, will succeed his son Ericson as mayor of Candon City.  
    His brother Alfonso was reelected to the city council while their nephew Jaime also won a council seat.
Probinsyano Ako party-list Rep. Bonito Singson defeated his niece former Vigan mayor Eva Medina in the mayoral race. Bonito’s running mate and Chavit’s son Randolf won as vice mayor.
    Chavit’s sister Germelina Goulart won another term as mayor of Caoyan. Her son Paolo Ancheta was elected vice mayor.
    Chavit did not run for any post. He instead endorsed former Free Legal Assistance Group chairman Pablito Sanidad as mayor of Narvacan.
    In Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Christopher de Venecia, son of former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and former congresswoman Gina de Venecia, was reelected for another term.
    Meanwhile, in Abra, newcomers beat the Someras in Pilar town.
    Tyron Beroña, who obtained 6,210 votes, beat Mayor Maro Somera, who got only 291 votes.
    Somera’s sister Vice Mayor Jaja Somera-Disono, whose bodyguards were involved in a shootout and standoff with police at a checkpoint on March 29, lost to Beroña’s runningmate Samson Laguesma.
    The Somera patriach Rolando served as mayor of Pilar for three consecutive terms, board member and vice governor.
    The Someras are facing various charges, including trafficking in persons, after a dozen former military men they hired as security aides surrendered following the standoff.
    In Negros Occidental, fifth district Rep. Marilou Arroyo, sister-in-law of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was seeking reelection, conceded to former vice governor Dino Yulo. – Miriam Desacada, Delon Porcalla, Eva Visperas, Roel Pareño, Gilbert Bayoran

 

 

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Ifugao town attains high vax rate, opens doors to tourists

By Liza Agoot 

KIANGAN, Ifugao – This town has opened its doors to tourists after achieving 80-percent vaccination rate against Covid-19, thanks to the vaccine and people’s adherence to protocols, the mayor said recently.

    Mayor Raldis Andrei Bulayungan, in a message during the "Gotad Ad Kiangan", a gathering for thanksgiving after the lockdown, said they have a target of less than 10,000, or 80 percent of the eligible population.
    He said only this town, Lagawe, and Lamut, among the 11 Ifugao municipalities, have achieved herd immunity.
    “The people's obedience to the elders and following the example of officials who have received the Covid-19 vaccines contributed to the high vaccination rate in the town,” he said.
    Bulayungan assured all programs of the local government and the Dept. of Health (DOH) are relayed to villages and made known to the residents, especially the benefits of vaccines.
    Based on the DOH-Cordillera Administrative Regionreport on April 26, Ifugao's vaccination rate is at 53.10 percent, having fully vaccinated 91,395 of 172,134 eligible residents.
    The Dept. of Tourism-CAR likewise expressed confidence in the revival of the region’s tourism industry.
    "All tourism-oriented establishments are now open," said Jovita Ganongan, DOT-CAR director, in her speech at the event. “We continue to accredit tourism-related establishments as part of the government's effort to assure the safety of the tourists visiting the different destinations."

    Local and foreign tourists frequent Sagada in Mountain Province, Banaue, Mount Pulag in Benguet, and Baguio City.

    Among Kiangan’s famous sites are the War Memorial or the Yamashita Shrine where Japan’s Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita surrendered to American and Filipino soldiers in 1945 and Nagadacan Rice Terraces, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization heritage site.

    Bulayungan said they plan to allow anew the entry of foreign tourists starting this month.

    Ganongan said DOT will continue to provide trainings to upskill workers, help displaced workers acquire new skills, and provide stimulus packages with assistance from the Labor department. -- PNA

 

 

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DOH, LGUs partner for ‘last mile’ vacs drive in Cordillera

LAST-MILE VACCINATION. Dr. Amelita Pangilinan of the Department of Health - Cordillera Administrative Region, in this photo taken in April 2022, says the agency has teamed up with local governments and other agencies to downgrade the entire region to an Alert Level 1. She said they are focusing their efforts on eight communities in Benguet and Ifugao that have low vaccination coverage. (PNA file photo by Liza T. Agoot)

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) has gone into the "last mile" phase of its vaccination campaign as it attempts to downgrade all provinces in the region to an Alert Level 1 by vaccinating more people against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
    In a phone interview, Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, assistant regional director of the DOH-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the agency’s spokesperson, said its "Oplan Alert Level 1" aims to bring the vaccine and the vaccination program to the farthest places in the municipalities and place all the municipalities under the lowest existing alert level status.

    The provinces of Benguet and Ifugao remain under Alert Level 2 with the said areas having below 70 percent vaccination accomplishment.

    In Benguet, only the town of Buguias has been placed under Alert Level 1, with the 12 other municipalities still under Alert Level 2.
    In Ifugao, the towns of Lamut and the capital town Lagawe are under Alert Level 1, while the nine other towns are under Alert Level 2.
    An area should have vaccinated at least 70 percent of its target eligible population before it could be considered to be downgraded to an Alert Level 1, Pangilinan said.
    The following municipalities are being targeted under the Last Mile program: Kibungan, Bakun, and Tuba in Benguet; and Tinoc, Asipulo, Hungduan, Banaue, and Aguinaldo in Ifugao.
    In Kibungan, none of the 272 target senior citizens have been vaccinated in the villages of Badeo and Tacadang yet. In the villages of Bagu and Kayapa in Bakun, only 4 percent and 8.75 percent of the 75 and 160 elderly target population, respectively, have been vaccinated.
    Meanwhile, only 28 of the 219 targets in Barangay Ansagan, Tuba town have been jabbed.
In Ifugao, the five targeted barangays have also recorded low vaccination coverage.
    Tinoc has a 31.57-percent vaccination accomplishment out of the 1,134 targets; Asipulo with 39.28 percent of the 1,046 targets; Hungduan with 52.55 percent accomplishment of the 645 targets; Banaue with 56.16 percent rate of the 1,497 targets; and Aguinaldo with 66.75 percent accomplishment of the 1,330 targets.
    Pangilinan said, “the identified common denominator of the identified areas for the last mile program is access to vaccination and vaccination hesitancy.”
    The doctor said the department in the region has resorted to the emergency hiring of additional personnel who will help in the information campaign and vaccination in the identified areas and bring their accomplishment rate to a level of herd immunity by June this year.
    “Malayo ang lakaran ng mga vaccinator pero kinakaya nila para matulungan tayo na ma-attain ang goal to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the whole eligible population (Vaccinators walk for long distances but they have to persevere so that they can help in attaining the goal of at least 70 percent of the whole eligible population),” Pangilinan also said.
    She said they are working closely with the local governments and agencies to meet the target vaccination accomplishment.
    “Vaccination is a whole of nation approach, everyone is asked to help because the vaccination of one is contributory to the attainment of the protection of all people,” the doctor said.
    “With unprotected citizens may come a surge in cases and which can lead to a lockdown and we all know what that means to us in terms of the economy that is why we do not want that. Vaccines work. Take the booster after receiving the primary vaccines,” she added. -- PNA

 

No. 7, 3 cols

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PMA plebe dead from blood ailment named grad class member

BAGUIO CITY––A freshman cadet died in March from a blood-ailment, which could not be detected by routine medical screening, officials of the Philippine Military Academy said on May 10.
    The late Fourth Class Cadet John Robert Arroyo of South Cotabato died on March 7 from aplastic anemia, a serious condition akin to cancer when the bone marrow stops producing blood cells, said Brig. Gen. Julius Tomines, the commandant of cadets, after the military school presented this year’s top ten graduating cadets of “Bagsik Diwa” Class of 2022.
    Arroyo was a member of PMA Siklab Laya Class of 2025, which was recognized formally as part of the Cadet Corps during in-person ceremonies on April 30.
    Before the recognition rites attended by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Air Force Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Cartujano, PMA Superintendent, took a minute to pray for Arroyo, who was recognized posthumously as a member of the Corps.
    Tomines said Arroyo had been healthy “and was well loved by his classmates.”
    But before Christmas last year, “he developed rashes all over his body,” the official said, prompting his confinement at the Fort del Pilar Station Hospital and later at the V. Luna Hospital, where he died after three months.
    The cadet’s condition there “worsened every day,” Tomines said until the cadet began suffering frequent hemorrhages.
    His mother, a migrant worker, flew back and was with the cadet when he died, the PMA official said.
    The condition is not an ailment that could be detected by the medical screening board when the cadets were examined before their acceptance at the military school, said Tomines.
    He said the cadet’s mother referred to relatives who suffer from the same ailment.
    During the recognition ceremony for Arroyo’s classmates, Gesmundo said the Armed Forces of the Philippines benefits from PMA graduates who continue to practice the ethics and morality shaped by their honor system once they graduate and commissioned as junior officers.
    Often represented by the oath, ‘cadets do not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate those who do,’ the cadet’s Honor Code is “a set of basic fundamental, ethical and moral principles [that has built] men of honorable character,” Gesmundo told them in a speech he gave to the plebes.
    The country’s top magistrate urged the plebes to practice the Honor Code “with the end view of applying it outside as officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

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Cagayan lady board member wins vs mayor

By Vince Jacob Visaya

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- Cagayan board member Maila Ting-Que won and was proclaimed as the first woman city mayor of this city on May 10 at 5:30 a.m., outlasting incumbent City Mayor Jefferson Soriano here.
    Ting-Que rallied her supporters and rivals to unite after the elections. Ting-Que's late father Delfin and brother Randolph have been longtime mayors in the city before Soriano took over.
    Soriano ran but lost on his fourth consecutive term — claiming interruption of service on his first term due to an involuntary suspension for a graft case. Ting-Que got 39,919 votes to edge out Soriano who got 37,552.
    The third mayoral bet, Rey Blancaflor, got 532 votes. In the vice mayoralty race, Soriano's running mate, Bienvenido de Guzman, was the runaway winner with 49,025 votes while lawyer Alipio Pagulayan got 22,592 votes.
    The top 12 councilors who won include Mark Angelo Dayag, 44,429 votes; Charo Soriano, 40,728; Ronald Ortiz, 38,984; Marjorie Martin, 37,119; Claire Callangan, 35,180; Gilbert Labang, 33,090; Jude Bayona, 32,103; Karina Gauani, 27,013; Arnel Arugay, 26,358; Grace Arago, 25,896; Tirso Mangada, 25,230 and Danilo Baccay, 24,764.
 

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176 ballots missing in Isabela, voters relocated

By Vince Jacob Visaya

NAGUILIAN, Isabela -- At least 176 missing ballots were uncovered in Barangay Rang-ayan in this town, forcing the electoral board to convene and send the unaccommodated registered voters to four nearby villages with voting that ended at past 8 p.m.
    The registered voters trooped to the nearby villages of Flores, Santo Tomas, Manaring and Aguinaldo.
Lawyer Michael Camangeg, an Isabela provincial election supervisor, said the electoral board has followed Comelec Resolution 10759, which assigns protocol in such cases of missing ballots.
    "We identified nearby villages with still available ballots and asked the unaccommodated registered voters within the 7 p.m. period in Rang-ayan to proceed to the identified nearby villages and vote there," he said.
    Camangeg said the ballots used by the villagers from other villages would also be included in the boxes of respective communities where they voted, not in Rang-ayan village.
    One of the voters, Racquel Pagaling of Rang-ayan, said she and others were forced to vote in Flores and nearby communities due to the missing ballots.
    "We were forced to vote here in Flores and nearby villages just to pick our candidates," she said.
 

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Keon gets 2nd term as Laoag City mayor

WINNER -- Michael Marcos Keon (2nd from right) is proclaimed May 10 as Laoag City mayor. -- PIA Ilocos Norte 

By John Michael Mugas 

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—It was a sweet victory for Michael Marcos Keon after he prevailed in the tight mayoral race of this city.
    The local Commission on Elections at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10, proclaimed Keon the winner.

    It was a hairline victory for Keon, who led by 160 votes over ex-Mayor Laoag Chevylle Fariñas. Keon received 25,502 votes against Fariñas’ 25,342 votes.

    In 2019, the two also faced off, with Fariñas being defeated by a margin of only 1,541 votes.

    After his proclamation, Keon said he was “overwhelmed by all the support given to me… so many people stood with me.”

    “Despite all the obstacles and such a long journey, I was able to prevail in the end,” said Keon.

    The mayor-elect ran as an independent candidate after the Marcos clan dropped him dropped from their slate. Team Marcos backed another mayoral bet, incumbent Vice Mayor Vicentito “Toto” Lazo, who came in third place with 16,095 votes.

    During his second term, Keon said he would “work to the best of my ability and fulfill the promises that I made.”

    The Fariñases, who used to rule the city hall for three decades before a member of the Marcos family took over, secured the Laoag vice mayoral post. Carlos Fariñas was also proclaimed the winner in the second top local post, with 35,345 votes against his opponent, Team Marcos bet, and lawyer Ameurfina Respicio with 27,407 votes.

 

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LGUS, candidates have 3 days to clean up poll mess – DILG

By Christian Crow Maghanoy

ALL local government units (LGUs) and candidates were told by the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government to remove and dispose of all campaign materials within three days.
    "Cleanup of election litter is the first order of business after the polls. Aside from incumbent LGU officials, we urge all candidates, winners and non-winners alike, to take it upon themselves to lead in the removal of their campaign materials," Interior Secretary Eduardo Año told the media Wednesday.
    In an advisory to local chief executives (LCEs), Año urged the proper disposal of election propaganda materials in line with environmental laws and local ordinances and regulations against illegal dumping, open burning, and littering.
    He also prods the utilization of barangay (village) and LGU material recovery facilities to collect and restore reusable materials as well as in coming up with innovative and safe strategies to recycle or upcycle reusable campaign waste materials.
    Año pointed out that campaign propaganda made of plastics and other nonbiodegradable materials, if improperly disposed of, may have detrimental effects on public health and the environment.
    "Impose the responsibility to the organizers of political activities, to ensure that waste generated by their activities, and their attendees will be properly managed and disposed of," he said in the advisory to LCEs.
    "Hinihimok din po natin ang ating mga kababayan na makiisa sa cleanup drive ng kanilang LGUs at barangay (We also urge our countrymen to join the clean-up drive of the LGU and barangay). We have done our part in exercising our right to vote. Let's continue to participate in governance through our simple ways of cleaning up our neighborhood from election litter," he said.
    Año said campaign propaganda made of plastics and other nonbiodegradable materials, if improperly disposed of, may have detrimental effects on public health and the environment.
    He said that section 10 of Republic Act (RA) 9003, known as the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act," says that pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the "Local Government Code," the LGUs shall be primarily responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of RA 9003 within their respective jurisdictions.
 

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Baguio sets database to curb upped VAWC cases

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The city government said it has begun working with a network of organizations to come up with a unified database for cases of violence against women and their children (VAWC).
    Chief city information officer Aileen Refuerzo, in a message, said the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) made the initiative after the city recorded 29 VAWC cases just in the first three months of 2022.
    With the help of its partners, the CSWDO said the database aims to bridge gaps in the reporting of the status of VAWC cases and ensure victims are well-attended and accounted for at all levels, from the barangay, hospital, and the police.
    Refuerzo said that initial services provided to VAWC victims include counseling of both the abused and abuser and if needed, the provision of a temporary shelter for the abused.
    She said that victims are also provided with other forms of assistance to empower them and help them protect themselves.
    She said among the types of abuses suffered by women and children are physical, psychological, economic, and sexual abuse.
    “Iyong iba, nase-settle sa baba pa lang pero yung iba umaabot sa court (Some get settled at the onset but others reach the courts),” Refuerzo said.
    She said that one possible immediate course of action to prevent a repeat of the abusive act is through a barangay protection that prohibits the abuser from going anywhere near the victim. -- PNA

 

 

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DOLE: CAR unemployment down; sectors back on track

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. Nathaniel Lacambra, Department of Labor (DOLE)-Cordillera Administrative Region director, says the region's unemployment rate went down from 45 percent in 2020 to 5.4 percent in 2021. In a press conference on Wednesday (May 4, 2022) at the regional office in Baguio City, he said "employment (in Cordillera) is very rosy and improving little by little." (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Labor and Employment Cordillera said the region's employment is greatly improving with almost all sectors back on track.
    In a press conference last week, Nathaniel Lacambra, regional director of the DOLE-Cordillera, said unemployment rate in the region went down to 5.4 percent in 2021 from 45 percent in 2020, the year the global pandemic started.
    "Little by little, our employment status has improved. It is almost close to normal except for a few who have not resumed operation like the night establishments," he said.
    He added that while some establishments end the day's operation earlier than they used to before the pandemic, "marami na ang nakabalik sa trabaho (many have gone back to work). But because of the shorter operating hours, they need fewer workers."
    He added that placing Baguio City under Alert Level 1 is reaping benefits not only for the government but also for individual workers.
    The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Cordillera during the regional economic performance report last week reported that the region's economic performance improved, posting a gross regional domestic product of 7.5 percent in 2021.
    The industry sector posted the fastest growth at 16.3 percent and services logged a 65.5 percent share in the increase.
    Lacambra said 34 employers joined the regional jobs and livelihood fair in Baguio City last May 1 to offer over 10,432 vacancies for local and foreign job placements.
    He said 1,574 applicants registered during the activity.
    Twenty-two were hired on the spot and 762 nearly got hired and were required to undergo further screening.
    Marvie Fulgencio, Board Secretary of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), said 1.25 million people aged 15 and above are of employable age, 63.8 percent of which or 798,777 are already working. – PNA
 

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CAR declared malaria-free; ups surveillance

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Health Cordillera said malaria regulation hubs have been established to improve the region's surveillance against the disease.
    The entire CAR was earlier declared malaria-free, with the addition of Apayao which achieved the status last year or a full year after Ifugao and Kalinga provinces were declared malaria-free as well.
    “Dapat at least five consecutive years na walang single case na ma-record bago ma-declare na malaria-free ang isang lugar (An area should have no recorded malaria cases for five consecutive years before it could be considered malaria-free),” said medical technologist Roy Fianching, the malaria-free program focal person of the DOH-Cordillera, in a media interview.
    He said Mountain Province got the declaration in 2018, Abra in 2016 while Baguio and Benguet got their declaration in 1993.
    In partnership with the local government units, Fianching said the DOH established the malaria regulation hubs to make the surveillance continuous in addressing malaria-related problems.
    The hubs are also used for the stockpiling of documents, medicines, and vector control like insecticides.
    The Center for Disease Control, on its website, said the natural history of malaria involves cyclical infection of humans and female Anopheles mosquitoes.
    In humans, the parasites grow and multiply first in the liver cells and then in the red cells of the blood. In the blood, successive broods of parasites grow inside the red blood cells and destroy them, releasing daughter parasites (“merozoites”) that continue the cycle by invading other red blood cells.
    The website also said infected mosquito carries the disease from one human to another acting as a “vector,” while infected humans transmit the parasite to the mosquito.
    Fianching said, “we remain aggressive because there are still provinces in the country where there are cases like in Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, and Sultan Kudarat.”
    Fianching said that the continued presence of malaria in other provinces makes it possible for insects to be revived with the help of humans acting as carriers.
    “One case lang pwede ng ma-consider as outbreak kaya may tuloy-tuloy na surveillance and zero reporting of the provinces (one case recorded is already considered an outbreak that is why we have continuing surveillance and zero reporting of the province),” he said.
    He said the country is targeting to be malaria-free by 2030. “Tingin ng experts natin, ma-attain natin ito (experts think we can achieve this),” he said.
    Fianching said that medicines for malaria are not available in drugstores, but have been provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) to countries worldwide, thus the stockpiling of supplies. -- PNA
 

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