Board Member Sermense on the Samar Budget controversy

Board Member Noel Sermense called for a press conference yesterday (September 3, 2010). It was held at the I's Plant Hotel conference room. Among the issues on hand was the budget of Samar Province. With him were Board Members Charlie Coñejos, Tong Dy and Eunice Babalcon and Atty. Ernesto Arcales.

Board Member Noel Sermense with (l-r) Atty. Ernesto Arcales, BM Prudencio Dy, Jr., BM Charlie Coñejos and BM Eunice Babalcon.

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)

Courtesy Call

Mayor Mel Sarmiento received Congressman Bongbong Marcos yesterday. With Congresman Marcos during his courtesy call were Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Councilor Christina Romualdez.

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)

Courtesy Call

Mayor Jojo Binay paid a courtesy call on Mayor Mel Sarmiento yesterday. Calbayog was one of the stops of Mayor Binay during his Samar visit. The Makati Mayor was in the province to sign Sister-City Agreements with Catbalogan, Sta. Rita and Villareal.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Mayor Jojo Binay (r) and Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino (l)

Mayor Sarmiento and Mayor Binay with their City Administrators. Engr. Arnol Trani (standing) the Acting City Administrator of Calbayog and Makati City Administrator Marjorie De Veyra.

Mayor Sarmiento with VM Ronald Aquino, Linda Calesa and Bebot Beso.

Bibeth Orteza with Atty. Pio Kenneth Dasal, the Assistant Legal Officer of Makati

Assistance for the Leyte-Samar-Biliran Peace and Development Council

(January 13, 2009) Calbayog Officials led by Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino visited the 8th ID Headquarters in Catbalogan, Samar. They were on hand for the official turn-over of a five hundred thousand-peso assistance for the operating expenses of the Leyte-Samar-Biliran Peace and Development Council.

The said council which is something akin to the RDC, has as its members (or is spearheaded by) the Governors of the Provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Biliran and some Military Leaders in the region. The council aims to have just that - peace and development - by having the governors themselves getting their acts together and coordinating to put into place programs and projects that they deem most beneficial for the region.

(seated) Congressman Reynaldo Uy with (r-l) Col. Alexander Caballes, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, Col. Romeo Gan and Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino.

Images from People's Day

The first People's Day for year 2009 was held today. As with the the previous People's Days, the City Officials led by the City Mayor together with the Department Managers were at the City Hall Sala to attend to the concerns of a good number of Calbayognons.

People's Day is an LGU program which aims, among others, to bring the City officials and the various offices of the LGU closer to the people (literally, if I may add). I fondly refer to it as the weekly (as it happens every Wednesday at 8:00 am to 12 noon) one-stop-shop of city officials and department managers.

Last year, some People's Days were held in various barangays and one at the City Hall stage.

Here are some pictures from today's acitvity.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento attends to a client at Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino looks on.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino with Councilors Ver Porlare and Danny Bernate.

The Mayor's State of the City Address (SOCA 2009)

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento delivered his 2009 State of the City Address yesterday. His speech was part of the agenda of the first session of the City Council for the year 2009.

Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino presided over the session. In attendance were Councilors Rey James Uy, Ver Porlares, Julius Mancol, Danilo Bernate, Regina Rabuya, Noel Sermense, Raymond Uy, Susano Salurio, Arturo Pasacas, Jonas Montealto, Virgil Clemens Florencio Enriquez and Charlie Boy Coñejos.

Also present during the session were the various Department Managers of the LGU. The session was broadcast live over DYOG Radyo ng Bayan and Community TV Channel 6.

The City Mayor opened his report with some LGU highlights from year 2008. The highlights showed that it was a busy year for the LGU. The acitvities presented included among others, the following:

- the USNS Mercy ENCAP and MEDCAP in Samar.
- the visits of President Gloria Arroyo, U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Secretary Arthur Yap.
- the introduction of the weekly People's Day at the City Hall and in some barangays.
- the campaign to reassure the public about the availability of rice in the city and the region.
- the continuing Secure Tenure Program of the City Urban Housing Division.

(For more highlights cited by the City Mayor, you may check the 2008 archives of this blog.)

Mayor Sarmiento also gave the Officials and the People of Calbayog an update on what the various Departments are doing with regard to the service they have rendered to Calbayog. This was done through the presentation of score cards of the various LGU Departments.

(It should be noted that it was the same score card system that the City Mayor presented to President Arroyo during the RDC meeting in September 2008. The same was ordered by the President to be implemented in various RDCs all over the country).

The City Mayor also included the various awards the recognition that the LGU received, foremost among which is the recognition from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) citing Calbayog as one of the Most Competetive Small-sized Cities in the Philippines.

(You may check the reports on the awards and recognition for the LGU in the 2008 archives section of this blog)

The City Mayor cited a good number of projects for 2009. Some of these projects are the following:
- the completion of the Calbayog City Sports Complex (Gymnasium)
- the new Market
- Convention Center
- Landfill
- a new Park

While he ended his report on a positive note, he noted the not-so-good forecast for the year ahead. He called on everyone to join hands to work hard for Calbayog and for the country. He did that by quoting a message that Finance Secretary sent him via text:

"Despite the generally unfavorable forecast, we are hopeful that 2009 will be better than expected if we continue to work hard, have faith in ourselves and pray together for our country."

Here are some pictures from yesterday's activity:

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino presiding over the session

Councilors Bombie Enriquez, Charlie Boy Coñejos and Julius Mancol

(l-r) Councilors Jonas Monatealto and Virgil Clemens with some Department Managers as they listened to the SOCA.

This just in . . .

I recently got hold of some pictures of Mayor Mel Sarmiento when he attended the 4th World Urban Forum in Nanjing, China. It would be recalled that Mayor Sarmiento was invited to moderate two events during the said Forum. We are still waiting for pictures taken during the said events. In the meantime let me share these pictures:

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Vice President Noli De Castro who was one of the Keynote Speakers from the Philippines.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Senator Rodolfo Biazon (the other keynote speaker from the Philipines) and Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte.

Mayor Sarmiento with other Filipino delegates to the WUF-4

Board Member Nancy Rosales sworn in as Acting Samar Vice Governor

Board Member Rosenaida "Nancy" Rosales (Samar, 1st District) was sworn in as Acting Vice Governor of Samar yesterday. She took her oath before Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento.

Board Member Rosales was sworn in to the position after Samar Vice Governor Jesus Redaja took oath as Acting Governor of Samar following the 90-day preventive suspension that the DILG served on Governor Mila Tan.

MOA Signing

The City Government today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP). The said MOA is aimed at pooling the resources and expertise of both the LGU and LBP in the development and implementation of The City Government of Calbayog - Landbank Cooperative Strenghtening Partnership Program.

Among the aims of the program are:

1. The establishment of cooperative sponsorship programs between Landbank and the LGU thru the City Cooleratives Office with the support of the Calbayog City Cooperative Development Council to accelerate and enhance the growth and sustainability of cooperatives in the city.

2. The strengthening of the operations and management capability of the cooperatives through transfer of technology and expertise of the concerned parties to the cooperatives.

3. The development and strengthening of viable city-based multi-sectoral cooperatives, capable of handling diversified socio-economic activities on a sustained basis.

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento with (r-l) Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino,Cooperative Development Authority Samar Director Acila Cabañas and Landbank Tacloban Development Assistance Head Manuel Buenaventura. Standing (2nd from the left) is Councilor Ina Rabuya, Chair of the City Cooperatives Development Council.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he delivered his speech.

Mr. Manuel Buenaventura as he delivered his message.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino delivering his closing remarks.

A Post-Valentine Mass Wedding

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento presided over the Civil Wedding of 26 pairs of amancebados today. The activity was held at the GSP Home where the couples (with grooms who are mostly tricylce drivers) also received gifts from the City Mayor.

In his message, Mayor Sarmiento qouted a message by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez by calling on the couples to practice responsible parenthood. One important line from that messge said, "... paglarang kam nga hinga-upay an iyo mga anak nga lahusan pa nira an iyo nahimo ..."

The activity was made possible by the coordination of the City Mayor's Office through the Community Affairs Divison, the National Census and Statistics Office and the Local Civil Registry Office.