BEAUTY QUEEN. Christina Vanhefflin was crowned as Mutya ng Pilipinas–Intercontinental 2025 during the coronation night held on November 17, 2025 in San Juan City. She will represent the country for the international pageant to be held in Egypt January next year.(PHOTO COURTESY)
BEAUTY QUEEN. Christina Vanhefflin was crowned as Mutya ng Pilipinas–Intercontinental 2025 during the coronation night held on November 17, 2025 in San Juan City. She will represent the country for the international pageant to be held in Egypt January next year.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Leyteña beauty queen Christina Vanhefflin has been crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas–Intercontinental 2025 during the coronation night held on November 17, 2025 in San Juan City.
Vanhefflin received the crown from outgoing titleholder Alyssa Redondo, who was Mutya ng Pilipinas 2025 and finished as second runner-up at the Miss Intercontinental 2025 pageant.
With her victory, Vanhefflin will represent the Philippines in the Miss Intercontinental 2026 competition to be held in Egypt this January. Established in 1971 in Aruba, Miss Intercontinental is one of the world’s longest-running beauty pageants and is currently headquartered in Germany.
Since the Philippines joined the pageant in 1981, the country has won two Miss Intercontinental crowns — Karen Gallman in 2018 and Cinderella Obeñita in 2021.
The Philippines has also produced five runners-up: Koreen Medina (3rd runner-up, 2013), Kris Tiffany Janson (2nd runner-up, 2014), Christi Lynn McGarry (1st runner-up, 2015), Katarina Rodriguez (1st runner-up, 2017), and Alyssa Redondo (2nd runner-up, 2024).
Before competing nationally, Vanhefflin gained prominence in the local pageant circuit. She finished first runner-up in ‘Mutya han Samar’ 2025 and holds the current ‘Miss Leyte Liberation’ 2025 crown.
TACLOBAN CITY — The Visayas Command (VISCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has reaffirmed its loyalty to the Constitution and assured the public of its non-partisan position, amid renewed calls to preserve democratic institutions in the country.
In a statement released Wednesday, November 19, VISCOM Commander Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg emphasized that the command remains committed to protecting the Filipino people while maintaining professionalism and allegiance to duly constituted authority.
“The Visayas Command (VISCOM) reaffirms its steadfast commitment to uphold the Constitution, preserve democratic institutions, and serve the Filipino people with honor, discipline, and unwavering professionalism,” Reyeg said.
The declaration comes as communities across the Visayas continue to rebuild from recent calamities, including strong typhoons that battered parts of the region. Reyeg highlighted that unity is crucial to ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
He assured Visayan communities that VISCOM troops remain apolitical and focused on safeguarding peace and stability across the region.
“Our commitment to constitutional order is not merely a duty; it reflects the values we uphold,” he said. “Every soldier under VISCOM understands that our strength lies not in force, but in fidelity to the rule of law and service rooted in integrity.”
Lt. Gen. Reyeg also appealed to the public and local leaders to pursue initiatives that “heal, unite, and move the Visayas forward.”
“You can rely on us to stand firm, serve honorably, and protect the welfare of the people in the region,” he added.
VISCOM, headquartered in Cebu City, oversees security and peacekeeping operations throughout the entire Visayas region.
CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR. Leyte Rep. and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez strongly denied the claim of former congressman Zaldy Co that he and his cousin, Pres. Ferdinand `Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. pocketed billions of pesos as kickbacks of the flood control projects. “My conscience is clear,” says Romualdez (FILE PHOTO)
“My conscience is clear”
CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR. Leyte Rep. and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez strongly denied the claim of former congressman Zaldy Co that he and his cousin, Pres. Ferdinand `Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. pocketed billions of pesos as kickbacks of the flood control projects. “My conscience is clear,” says Romualdez (FILE PHOTO)
TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday, November 16, denied claims linking him and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to alleged kickbacks from government-funded flood control projects, stressing that his conscience remains clear amid ongoing inquiries.
The statement follows allegations made by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who claimed that Romualdez and Marcos received illicit commissions tied to flood control projects aimed at preventing flooding in low-lying towns. Co’s statements, however, have not been made under oath or presented in any formal legal proceedings.
“My conscience remains clear. Throughout this inquiry, no public official, contractor, or witness has pointed to any wrongdoing on my part,” Romualdez said in a press release. He declined further comment on Co’s claims, noting that they “do not hold water in the court of law.”
Romualdez expressed trust in government institutions investigating the matter, including the Inter-Agency Committee on Infrastructure (ICI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Office of the Ombudsman. “I am confident that all statements will be evaluated fairly and strictly on the basis of evidence,” he said, adding that he is ready to cooperate with any lawful process.
In a video message, Co alleged that President Marcos and Romualdez received as much as P56 billion in kickbacks from flood control projects nationwide. The issue gained public attention after President Marcos himself raised concerns about irregularities in flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address earlier this month.
The ICI, together with the Office of the Ombudsman, has recommended the filing of criminal charges against individuals involved in the flood control project irregularities, as the investigation continues. Romualdez was not among those charged relative to the controversy.
SUPPORT. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho `Icot’ Petilla urges Leyte mayors to support the alternative childcare program of the National Authority for Child Care during its memorandum of agreement signing for the NACC-LGU Partnerships in Palo, Leyte on Nov. 13.
Led by Gov. Petilla
SUPPORT. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho `Icot’ Petilla urges Leyte mayors to support the alternative childcare program of the National Authority for Child Care during its memorandum of agreement signing for the NACC-LGU Partnerships in Palo, Leyte on Nov. 13.
TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla urged local chief executives in the province to actively support the alternative care program of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), which promotes foster care and administrative adoption for children in need.
The call was made during the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between NACC, represented by Undersecretary Janella Ejercito-Estrada, and Leyte’s municipal mayors, led by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Leyte Chapter President and Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla on Nov.13 at the Leyte Academic Center, Palo, Leyte.
Governor Petilla stressed that the commitment goes beyond signing documents.
“We cannot just rely on the national government. Our role is to give support that is more than support because we are also parents,” he said, emphasizing the need for mayors to ensure proper implementation of the program in their communities.
Representatives from all 40 towns, including municipal social welfare officers, affixed their signatures to the MOA, pledging to actively identify potential foster and adoptive parents, provide training, and support families to ensure every placement succeeds.
Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla shared the challenges faced by adoptive families in the past, noting that the approval process could take years. “Now that the process has been shortened, it should be supported as it helps in creating families for children who are longing to have parents,” she said.
Tingog party list Representative Jude Acidre also pledged support, citing the hurdles that existed before the enactment of Republic Act 11642, the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, including bureaucratic delays and high costs.
“This event is not just a signing, it’s a commitment, a visible sign that our laws are working, our partnerships are growing, and our compassion is taking direction,” he said.
NACC Undersecretary Estrada thanked the Leyte mayors for their support, noting that the program ensures abandoned, neglected, orphaned, abused, and exploited children can grow up in loving and caring families. “Today we all commit to make it possible by all means necessary so that whenever a child loses a parent or family, the option of adoption is always available,” she said.
The MOA strengthens local government units as frontline partners in promoting alternative child care and legal adoption, helping children in vulnerable situations secure stable, nurturing homes.
TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas emerged as the top performer in the 2025 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA), bagging three national championships and two runner-up titles during the awarding ceremony on November 14 at the M.I.C.E Center in Quezon City.
Barangay Pob. Zone 20 of Baybay City led the region’s victory after winning the highly urbanized/independent component city category for the second time. Also earning national champion titles were Barangay Barugohay Norte of Carigara, Leyte (2nd class municipality) and Barangay Magallanes of Limasawa, Southern Leyte (6th class municipality).
The region also secured two runner-up citations — Barangay Bool West in Culaba, Biliran (1st Runner-Up, 5th class municipality) and Barangay Poblacion 2 in Babatngon, Leyte (2nd runner-Up, 4th class municipality).
DILG-8 Regional Director Arnel Agabe described the results as a “historic victory for Eastern Visayas,” crediting the commitment and innovation of barangay officials in maintaining peace at the community level.
Each awardee received a plaque and cash prize to support continued excellence in grassroots dispute resolution.
ORMOC CITY— Residents were shocked to discover a homeless man lying lifeless on a concrete pavement behind a Cebuana Lhuillier branch in Brgy. Zone V, Sogod, Southern Leyte at around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 10.
Police identified the deceased as “Edel,” of legal age and a resident of the same barangay. A concerned citizen alerted authorities after seeing the man motionless in the area where he was often seen roaming the public market.
Responding officers said the victim had been homeless and had been staying in the vicinity for some time. Unlike his usual routine of walking around the terminal to look for food, he was not seen moving that afternoon.
The victim was rushed to Sogod District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by attending physician Dr. Johnry Ojas.
A post-mortem examination found no signs of foul play, and the cause of death was ruled as cardiac arrest secondary to complications of diabetes.
