TACLOBAN CITY — With the Senate leadership now settled, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre called for the immediate continuation of the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the proceedings must move forward without unnecessary delays and be conducted fairly and credibly.

Acidre made the statement during a media conference in Palawan following recent developments in the Senate, including the election of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President and the continuation of pre-trial preparations ahead of the scheduled July 6 proceedings.

According to Acidre, prolonged uncertainty surrounding the impeachment case would not serve the interests of the Filipino people, particularly on an issue that has significant implications for public trust in government and democratic institutions.

“Ngayon na mas naging stable na ang pamunuan ng ating Senado, umaasa tayo na makakausad na ang proseso ng impeachment. Hindi makakabuti sa taumbayan kung hahaba pa ito nang hindi kinakailangan. Kailangan tapusin na ang proseso,” Acidre said.
The lawmaker noted that recent pre-trial developments indicate that the process is already underway and should be allowed to continue in the proper constitutional forum.

“Mas lalong kailangang tiyakin na magtutuloy-tuloy ang proseso. The Filipino people deserve clarity, not confusion; resolution, not delay,” he said.

Acidre emphasized that differing opinions among Filipinos regarding the impeachment case are expected in a democracy but should not be used as a reason to delay or politicize the proceedings.

“What matters now is that the process is allowed to move forward in a manner that is fair, orderly, and credible,” he added.

Acidre further underscored that the impeachment proceedings should be guided by evidence, truth, and the rule of law rather than political pressure or public noise.

“Hindi ito dapat daanin sa ingay, pressure, o pulitika. Whatever the outcome may be, ang mahalaga ay makita ng taumbayan na ang magiging pasya ay nakabatay sa ebidensya, sa katotohanan, at sa isang patas at maayos na pagdinig,” he said.

The Tingog representative added that the issue goes beyond the political future of a single official and is ultimately about preserving public confidence in the country’s institutions.

“Hindi lang naman ito tungkol sa kung sino ang mananalo o matatalo. Ang mahalaga rito ay ang tiwala ng ating taumbayan: tiwala na gumagana ang ating mga batas, na kumikilos ang ating mga institusyon, at kaya nating harapin ang mga mabibigat na usapin ng pananagutan nang patas at makatarungan,” Acidre said.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY — Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)-Ormoc Campus showcased its cultural artistry and performance excellence after its contingent, Pundok Sidlakan, captured the grand champion title in the 2026 Piña Festival Grand Ritual Showdown, one of the major highlights of Ormoc City’s annual fiesta celebration.

The colorful competition, held Sunday evening,June 21, featured performances that highlighted Ormoc’s rich heritage, creativity, and community spirit, drawing enthusiastic support from festival-goers and local officials.

Western Leyte College of Ormoc’s Pundok Kasadpan placed first runner-up, while New Ormoc City National High School’s Pundok Piñakabibong Kabataan secured the second runner-up honors.

New Ormoc City National High School also garnered the Best in Musicality award, while Miss Sherlyn Rosie Holmes of Western Leyte College was named the 2026 Festival Queen.
Speaking during the festivities, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez described the Piña Festival as a celebration of the city’s resilience, creativity, and shared identity.

“This festival is the mirror of our community’s journey — a celebration of how we transform our hard work into art and our challenges into triumphs,” she said.

The mayor emphasized that even as Ormoc continues to grow and develop, its people remain deeply connected to their traditions, faith, and cultural roots.

Torres-Gomez also thanked the Ormoc Fiesta Executive Committee and the Ormoc Festival and Cultural Foundation (OFCF) for organizing the month-long celebration, giving special recognition to Estrella Maria Serafica-Pangilinan and Jude Abenoja for spearheading various festival activities.

She likewise acknowledged the support of committee members and festival organizers in implementing a more streamlined celebration this year.

“Smaller does not always mean less. Smaller also means quality and not just quantity,” the mayor said, citing the improved quality of performances showcased during the competition.
Torres-Gomez commended all participating groups for raising the standard of the annual showdown and expressed confidence that future editions of the festival would become even more spectacular.

As the festivities continued, the mayor stressed that the true essence of the Piña Festival lies in the unity and collective pride of the Ormocanons.

“The beauty of this festival lies in our togetherness. Let us hold on to this joy and let it remind us of what we can achieve when we move as one,” she said.

She also thanked members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the city’s congressional representative, and the people of Ormoc for their continued support in advancing the city’s development.

The Piña Festival remains one of Ormoc City’s most anticipated cultural celebrations, showcasing local talent, artistic excellence, and the community’s enduring pride in its heritage.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II) successfully conducted the Board of Director election for District IV, covering Tacloban City’s northern barangays, on Sunday, June 21, coinciding with this year’s Father’s Day celebration.

The election was held at Tigbao-Diit Central School in Barangay 99, Diit, Tacloban City, where qualified member-consumer-owners (MCOs) from 24 barangays gathered to exercise their right to choose their representative to the cooperative’s governing body.

According to Leyeco II, the district election provides member-consumer-owners with the opportunity to elect a director who will help formulate policies, provide strategic direction, and safeguard the interests of consumers while ensuring the continued delivery of reliable, efficient, and quality electric service throughout the cooperative’s franchise area.

Voting officially opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 3 p.m., with the canvassing of votes immediately following. A total of 509 MCOs participated in the electoral process.

After the counting and canvassing of votes, incumbent director Ronnie “Bong” Dayon, who ran unopposed, was proclaimed the winner by the District Election Committee (Decom) headed by Prospero Higinio Yazar, securing another term as representative of District IV.

Leyeco II expressed its appreciation to the member-consumer-owners, election officials, volunteers, and other stakeholders whose participation and cooperation contributed to the orderly, transparent, and successful conduct of the election.

The electric cooperative underscored the importance of active consumer participation in strengthening cooperative governance and ensuring that the interests of electricity consumers remain at the forefront of policy and decision-making.

District IV comprises Tacloban City Areas 5 and 6, also known as the city’s northern barangays, which form part of Leyeco II’s service coverage.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Truckers, transport operators, and businesses across Eastern Visayas can now expect faster and more efficient travel after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed the initial strengthening works on Calbiga Bridge two months ahead of schedule, allowing the vital transport link to accommodate heavier vehicles once again.

The completion of the phase 1 portal shoring works marks a significant step in restoring the bridge’s capacity to handle larger cargo loads, easing transportation bottlenecks that had affected the movement of goods between Samar and Leyte in recent months.

DPWH Regional Director Engr. Edgar Tabacon said the retrofitting and strengthening project was undertaken to improve the bridge’s structural integrity, increase its load-bearing capacity, and ensure safer passage for motorists and freight carriers.

Beginning June 19, 2026, the Calbiga Bridge was reopened to two-way traffic for vehicles weighing up to 15 tons following a successful inspection conducted by DPWH engineers.
Vehicles weighing up to 30 tons are also allowed to cross the bridge under a controlled one-way traffic scheme from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The accelerated completion of the project followed the February visit of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, who ordered the immediate implementation of strengthening measures and the release of funds for the construction of portal shoring structures designed to provide additional support to the aging bridge.

The Calbiga Bridge serves as a critical transportation link along the Pan-Philippine Highway in Samar, connecting communities, businesses, and supply chains across Eastern Visayas.
Restrictions imposed on the bridge earlier this year forced heavy vehicles to take the longer Wright–Taft–Basey route to reach Tacloban City and other key destinations, resulting in increased fuel consumption, longer travel times, and higher logistics costs.

With the reopening of the bridge to heavier loads, transport operators are expected to save both time and operating expenses while improving the flow of agricultural products, construction materials, consumer goods, and other essential commodities throughout the region.

Tabacon said the project aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to address transportation challenges affecting motorists and truck drivers and to ensure the continued mobility of people and goods in Eastern Visayas.

He added that the strengthened bridge will help stimulate economic activity, support regional trade, and improve access to markets and services for communities in Samar and neighboring provinces.

DPWH officials said additional rehabilitation and long-term improvement measures for the bridge remain part of the agency’s infrastructure program to ensure the structure’s safety and reliability in the years ahead.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)