COMELEC proclaims Samar First District winners

Comelec Provincial Officer Atty. Maria Corazon Montallana (center) as she officially proclaimed earlier today the winners in Samar 1st District. In photo are (l-r) Prudenciado 'Tong' Dy (Board Member-electNoel Sermense (Board Member-elect), Renato Uy (Board Member), Mel Senen Sarmiento (Congressman-elect) Charlie Coñejos (Board Member) and Jasper Sumagang (Board Member-elect). (Photo by Jennifer Sumagang-Allegado)

COMELEC-Calbayog proclaims elected officials

COMELEC - Calbayog today proclaimed the winners in the recently concluded polls in Calbayog. The proclamation was held at the Conference Hall of the Old Barracks Building where the Consolidated Canvassing Board / City Board of Canvassers convened on the evening of May 10, 2010.

In photo are Mayor-elect Reynaldo Uy and Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino (2nd & 3rd from the right) seated with them are (l-r) Calbayog Election Officer Jesus Java, Calbayog City Schools Division Superintendent Edita Paculan and Fiscal Feliciano Aguilar. Also in photo are (l-r) Councilors Sonny Salurio and Jonas Montealto, Councilors-elect Roger Casurao and Mark Aquino, Councilors Danny Bernate, Jim Uy, Virgil Clemens, Julius Mancol, Ina Rabuya, Arturo Pasacas, Mon Uy and Ver Porlares. (Photo by Henry Puyat)

Officials ballots delivered to Calbayog

The official ballots for the May 10, 2010 election have been delivered to Calbayog. Assistant City Treasurer Evelyn Junio received earlier this afternoon 210 boxes containing the official ballots for the 210 clustered precints in the two districts of Calbayog. The boxes are now stored at the City Treasurer's Office lobby. PNP officers have been assigned to provide security in the area.

COMELEC Task Force removes campaign materials

A team composed of COMELEC Calbayog, PNP Calbayog, the City Solid Waste Management Office and the PPCRV-Calbayog went to work today and yesterday after Mayor Mel Sarmiento on Monday ordered for the removal campaign materials that are placed in areas not designated as common poster areas. The team was able to cover Carayman, the City Proper all the way to Barangay Lonoy.

COMELEC Calbayog Election Officer Salvador Cruz (right) with Fr. Ted Perez of PPCRV-Calbayog (in white shirt) and some PNP officers as they supervise the removal of campaign materials in Barangay Bagacay.

The team members removing campaign material in the downtown area.

(Photos courtesy of the CSWMO)

PNP neutralizes armed group, confiscates 41 firearms

(This article appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO,Leyte - An alleged leader of a private armed group (PAG) operating in Samar and a long time fugitive from the law was killed while a policeman was seriously wounded in a raid conducted by the police authorities yesterday morning, Chief Supt. Rey L. Lañada, Eastern Visayas PNP regional chief reported.

Lañada said that around 11 a.m. yesterday a joint operation of the Special Task Group composed of the Regional Public Safety Management Battalion (RPSMB), Regional Intelligence Division (RID), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) along with operatives of the Calbayog City police and Gandara PNP both in Samar province conducted the raid resulting to the killing of Michael Terga believed to be the leader of “‘Terga” private armed group and the arrest of two other wanted persons in their safe houses in Brgy. San Jose, Patong and Sinatan in Calbayog City.

He said that 20 other armed persons allegedly member of the Terga armed group were apprehended separately in the three mentioned barangays during the raid and 41 firearms were confiscated from the suspects.

Senior Supt. Raul Saysay, commander of the RPSMB-8, said that the police operatives was fired upon by the armed group wounding PO1 Alexis Ablinga. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Tacloban City. In recognition of their exemplary performance in line of duty resulting to the neutralization of the Terga armed group, Ablinga and the other policemen will be awarded with a medalya ng Kagalingan by Chief Supt. Lañada on Tuesday.

The confiscate firearms as reported by Lañada were seven short guns, 4 M16 Armalite rifle, two .45 pistols, one INGRAM machine pistol, 1357 revolver, three Cal. .38, one Cal. .22 Magnum, 18 Improvised shotguns, and six magazine fed shotguns, one KG9 Submachine gun, five cal. .22 rifles, three airguns, five magazines for M16, three magazines for cal. 45 pistol and assorted ammunitions.

“This is so far the biggest accomplishment of the command in the campaign against private armed groups, and we are looking ahead to completely dismantle other existing PAGS in Samar in our future operations. We are hoping the cooperation and support of the community”, Lañada told reporters.

Only last week, the police regional office 8 ranked number-one among other 15 regions nationwide in the campaign against PAGs.

Early this year when Lañada assumed office here he created a special unit that would focus and concentrate on the neutralization of PAGs operating all over the region as part of the measures to ensure an honest, orderly and peaceful elections on May.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the police authorities in the region also dismantled the Moloboco private armed group allegedly controlled by a former mayor in Samar.

Nine members of the Moloboco private armed group operating in the first district of Samar were also arrested in a special police operations.

The PNP officials have named eight private armed groups in the region which is now subject for their intelligence build-up and surveillance operations. (MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA)

COMELEC conducts voters' education program in Calbayog

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) conducted a Voters' Education Program in Calbayog. The said event was held last Saturday at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

Atty. Nick Mendros, the Acting Regional Director of COMELEC-8 led the activity. Invited to the event were personalities from the various political parties, City and Barangay Officials, the local media and members of various socio-civic groups.

Here are some photos courtesy of Henry Puyat.

Atty. Nick Mendros explaining some features of the official ballot for the forthcoming elections.

Some local officals, members of the media and non-government organizations as they participated in the open forum.

List of Candidates

Here's the list of Candidates for the May 10, 2010 elections:

Calbayog City, Samar
List of Candidates
May 10, 2010 Elections

(Name / Nickname / Political Party)

FOR MAYOR:

1. RIVERA, Diego P. / Diego / Nacionalista Party
2. UY, Reynaldo S. / Ining / Lakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1. AQUINO, Ronaldo P. / Onald / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
2. RICAFORT, Cesario M. / Totoy /Nacionalista Party

FOR SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD MEMBER (District 1)

1. AQUINO, Ronald Mark F. / Mark Lakas-Kampi-CMD
2. AYONG, Sylvan Josef B. / Sylvan / Nacionalista Party
3. CLEMENS, Virgilio B. / Vergel / Liberal Party
4. DURMIENDO, Romeo S. / Romy / Nacionalista Party
5. GAL, Bernardo O. / Narding / Nacionalista Party
6. LUATON, Genaro S. / Enar / Nacionalista Party
7. MARTIRES, Billy J. / Billy / Nacionalista Party
8. MONTEALTO, Jonas A. / Onx / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
9. PASACAS, Arturo D. / Nonoy / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
10. SALURIO, Susano D. / Sonny / Liberal Party
11. TAN, Jocelyn A. / Jocie / Nacionalista Party
12. UY, Raymund C. / Mon-Mon / Lakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD MEMBER (District 2)

1. BAGSARSA, Ligaya N. / Ligaya Noroña / Nacionalista Party
2. BERNATE, Danilo G. / Danny / Liberal Party
3. CASURAO, Rogelio T. / Roger / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
4. DEAN, Teresita C. / Tetet / Nacionalista Party
5. JOHNSON, Nancy R. / Nancy / Nacionalista Party
6. MANCOL, Julius A. / Jul / Liberal Party
7. PERITO, Fernando P. / Fred / Independent
8. PORLARES, Virgilio B. / Ver / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
9. RABUYA, Regina B. / Ina / Liberal Party
10. SABI, Aquilina P. / Ann-Ann / Nacionalista Party
11. SALIBIO, Ramon C. / Mon / Nacionalista Party
12. TANGARAN, Dennis M. / Patod / Independent
13. UY, Rey James R. / JimJim / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
14. VENTURES, Cesar L. / Sar / Nacionalista Party
15. YRIGAN, Alfredo S. / Botoy / Independent

Samar Province
List of CandidatesMay 10, 2010 Elections

(Name of Candidates / Nickname / Political Party)

FOR GOVERNOR:

1. BOLOK, Pilar L. / Laling / Independent
2. LABID, Pedro M. / Peter / Bangon Pilipinas Party
3. LIM, Casilda C. / Ida / PDSP
4. REDAJA, Jesus B. / Jess / NPC
5. TAN, Darwin Z. / Erwin / Independent
6. TAN, Sharee Ann T. / Ann Tan / Lakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR VICE-GOVERNOR

1. GREY, Joseph V. / Jojo / NPC
2. ROSALES, Rosenaida A. / Nancy / Independent
3. TAN, Stephen James T. / Jimboy / Lakas-Kampi-CMD

FOR CONGRESSMAN (1st District)

1. ROÑO, Mario S. / Mait / NPC
2. SARMIENTO, Mel Senen S. / Mel / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
3. TUAZON, Alex C. / Alex / Independent
4. TUAZON, Rodolfo T. / Rudy / Nacionalista Party
5. TUAZON, Rodrigo R. / Rudy / Independent

FOR CONGRESSMAN (2nd District)

1. ABEJUELA, Alvin V. / Bliss / PDP Laban
2. ALLI, Urbano Paul Jr. C. / Banni / Independent
3. ESTORNINOS, Wilfredo O. / Didi / Liberal Party
4. FIGUEROA, Catalino V. / Cata / Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino
5. TAN, Milagrosa T. / Mila / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
6. TORREVILLAS, Manuel Van A. / Van / PDSP

FOR BOARD MEMBER (1st District)

1. COÑEJOS, Charlito L. / Charlie / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
2. DY, Prudencio Jr. A. / Tong / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
3. EDEM, Yanicita D. / Nick-Nick / Nacionalista Party
4. PALLONES-LIM, Arlene G. / Dra. Lim / NPC
5. ROSALES, Jose Precioso K. / Jojo / Nacionalista Party
6. RUMOHR, Vicky P. / Vicky / Nacionalista Party
7. SABENECIO, Cesar T. / Boy / Nacionalista Party
8. SERMENSE, Noel G. / Noel / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
9. SUMAGANG, Jasper D. / Jas / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
10. TIU, Antonio A. / Tony / Independent
11. UY, Renato P. / Poli / Lakas-Kampi-CMD
12. WHITE, Beatres A. / Edna /Nacionalista Party

(More listings for Eastern Visayas candidates at Samarnews.com's Pinili-ay 2010)

Images from the COC filing

As reported earlier, Congressman Reynaldo Uy and Mayor Mel Sarmiento led the city officials in filing their certificates of candidacy (please check this link).

Here are some pictures taken during the event.

The officials as they attended mass at the Poor Clare Monastery Chapel.

Congressman Reynaldo Uy with COMELEC Calbayog head Salvador Cruz, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, Councilor Sonny Salurio and Councilor Ver Porlares.

Congressman Reynaldo Uy showing his COC.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino with COMELEC Calbayog Head Salvador Cruz.

Councilor Sonny Salurio, Councilor Jonas Montealto, Mark Aquino and Councilor Virgil Clemens.

At the COMELEC Samar Provincial Office where Mayor Mel Sarmiento filed his COC. In photo are (l-r) Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Samar 2nd District Board Member Casilda Lim, Mayor Sarmiento and Gandara Councilor Prudencio Dy, Jr. (Photos by Henry Puyat)

Sarmiento runs for Congress; Uy for Calbayog City mayor

(This news item appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

TACLOBAN CITY — Samar outgoing Representative Reynaldo Uy and Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento of Calbayog are to swap positions as both have filed their respective certificates of candidacy for mayor and congressman, respectively, before the local Commission on Elections.

Sarmiento’s bid to become the next congressional representative of Samar’s first district came at a time when the Comelec en banc has dismissed the electoral protest filed against him by a former political adversary, Rodolfo Tuazon, who contested the results of the 2007 mayoralty race.

Uy, who is serving his third and last term as a congressman, filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor of Calbayog City on Saturday around 10 a.m. together with his complete line up headed by his running mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino.

Uy, who already served as mayor of the lone city of Samar province, is running under the ticket of the Liberal Party-Lakas-Kampi- CMD.

Sarmiento, meantime, filed his own certificate of candidacy before the provincial Comelec office based in Catbalogan, the provincial capital, together with his gubernatorial candidate, Casilda Lim, an incumbent board member.

But while Sarmiento is running under the ticket of Liberal Party, the gubernatorial candidate belongs to the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

The outgoing Calbayog City mayor filed his certificate of candidacy Saturday around 2 p.m. before elections provincial supervisor Ma. Corazon Montallana. His close political ally, Rep. Uy, also witnessed the filing of his CoC, Ronald Ricafort, a close aide of Mayor Sarmiento, said over the phone.

“They were in jovial mood all throughout,” Ricafort said.

Among those who will be running for provincial board members under the lineup of Sarmiento and who filed their CoCs were Renato Uy, Jasper Sumagang, Prudencio Dy, Jr., Noel Sermense and Charlie Conejos.

Meantime, those who will be running for council seats of Calbayog, which is divided into two districts, under the ticket of Uy were Susano Salurio, Arturo Pasacas, Virgil Clemens, Jonas Montealto, Regina Rabuya, Julius Mancol, Danilo Bernate, Ver Porlares and Roger Casurao, an incumbent board member.

Also part of the line up were Rey James and Raymund Uy, son and nephew of Rep. Uy, respectively, and Mark Aquino, nephew of the vice mayor.

It was learned from Ricafort that before Uy filed his certificate of candidacy, he and his team attended first a Holy Mass at the Poor Claire Monastery with Father Bloyd Guiuan as the presiding priest.

Meantime, Sarmiento, who is on his third and final term as mayor of Calbayog, won the electoral protest filed against him.

In an en banc decision issued by the Comelec earlier this month, the commissioners, voting seven against two, junked the petition of rival Rodolfo Tuazon.

Based on the 2,977-page Comelec decision, Sarmiento garnered a total vote cast of 32, 259 against Tuazon’s 28,530 votes or a difference of 3,729 votes.

“Though the decision came rather late, the mayor was very happy that he won on this electoral protest against him,” Ricafort said. (By JOEY A. GABIETA, Staff writer)