TACLOBAN CITY — Mayor Alfred Romualdez played down the renewed debate over the proposed anti-dynasty bill, saying the measure remains legally complicated and risks being struck down unless it is carefully aligned with the Constitution, even as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed support for its passage.

Speaking at a media conference on December 13, Romualdez was asked to share his position on the long-pending anti-dynasty measure in Congress, which seeks to regulate the concentration of political power among related individuals—a provision mandated but not clearly defined under the 1987 Constitution.

Romualdez said one of the main reasons Congress has failed for decades to pass an enabling law is the difficulty of crafting a definition of political dynasty that would withstand scrutiny by the Supreme Court.

“What dynasty? As you can see now, even siblings do not agree with each other,” Romualdez said, alluding to the disagreement between his cousins, Pres. Marcos and his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos.

Under the Constitution, a political dynasty generally refers to the concentration or perpetuation of political power by individuals related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, including siblings. However, the absence of a clear, enforceable definition has stalled the passage of an enabling law for decades.

Romualdez said he hopes the proposed anti-dynasty bill—co-authored by House Speaker Faustino Dy and his nephew, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, the President’s son—will be carefully crafted to conform to constitutional standards.

“Congress cannot just pass a law. It should conform with the Constitution. Sometimes it sounds good but does not conform with the Constitution,” he said.

He added that once enacted, any law could be challenged before the Supreme Court. “Anyone can file a petition questioning its constitutionality because they have the right to vote and to run for office. That’s why it’s complicated,” Romualdez said.

Asked whether he plans to seek another elective post in the 2028 elections as he completes his third and final term as mayor, Romualdez dismissed the idea, saying, “My doctor’s advice is not to run but just to walk.” His son, Raymund Romualdez, currently serves as vice mayor of Tacloban City.

The mayor also said the anti-dynasty bill should not be treated as an immediate priority, citing more pressing national concerns such as flood control projects.

“I’m okay with the anti-dynasty bill, but we are confronted with the flood control controversy,” he said. “I am really concerned about flood control because we have lost thousands of lives during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda, and flood control projects are critical to the lives of the Filipino people.”

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

KANANGA, Leyte– A 33-year-old truck driver was injured during a family altercation in Sitio Balimbing, Barangay Aguiting, this town on December 3, 2025, after being hacked by his uncle, police reported.

The victim, identified only as ‘Rolet’, had just returned from a drinking session in Barangay Montebello when he visited his aunt’s house, the sister of the suspect. The suspect, 57-year-old Dingdong, a barangay tanod, allegedly became enraged after hearing negative remarks from Rolet, sparking a heated argument.

Police said Dingdong first struck the victim several times with a wooden stick, prompting Rolet to flee to his house. The suspect reportedly retrieved a long-bladed weapon from his residence, and a second confrontation ensued outside their homes. During this encounter, the victim sustained a hack wound to his left hand.

Rolet was immediately taken to Kananga Municipal Hospital for treatment. Responding personnel from Kananga Municipal Police Station arrested the suspect and confiscated the weapon, which was turned over to authorities for proper disposition.

The case remains under investigation as police continue to document the incident.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Three alleged members of the New People’s Army(NPA) operating in Leyte have surrendered to the 93rd Infantry Battalion following persistent calls from their families to come home ahead of the Christmas season.

The military identified the surrenderees as alias Alon, of Sitio Utap, Barangay Canlampay, Carigara; alias Rod/Ryan/Billy, of Barangay Mahilum, Hindang; and alias Sendo, of Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Rizal, Kananga. All three were reportedly members of Squad 2, Island Committee LEVOX under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, commanding officer of the 93rd IB, Rod and Sendo turned over their caliber .45 pistols during their surrender.

Brigadier General Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, confirmed that the group yielded at the 93rd IB headquarters in Barangay Aguiting, Kananga, Leyte. He described their decision as a positive and timely move toward rebuilding their lives.

“Natutuwa tayo dahil nakinig sa mga panawagan ng kanilang pamilya at ng gobyerno itong mga sumuko,” he said, adding that the AFP, PNP, and partner agencies are prepared to support their reintegration.

The Army noted that the latest surrender further weakens NPA presence in Leyte and Southern Leyte, where communist influence continues to decline.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — About 52 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, were issued safe conduct passes during a ceremony held on Wednesday, December 17, in this city.

Col. Rico Amaro, deputy commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said the passes allow the former rebels—who are undergoing reintegration—to move freely without the risk of arrest while their applications for amnesty are being processed.

“These individuals have pending amnesty applications, and once approved, their criminal cases may be dismissed,” Amaro said in an interview.

He stressed the importance of the document, noting that it provides temporary legal protection. “This safe conduct pass is very important because it assures them that they will not be arrested despite their pending criminal cases,” Amaro said.

The safe conduct passes will remain valid until the National Amnesty Commission, through the local amnesty board, either grants or denies the applications.

Amaro clarified that if an application is denied, the corresponding safe conduct pass will automatically be revoked.

One of the recipients, identified only as alias “Donna,” 34, said the pass would allow her to reunite with her family, particularly her two children who are currently under the care of her widowed mother.

“This safe conduct pass will allow me to visit my two children,” she said.

Donna is currently under the custody of the 93rd Infantry Brigade, which operates under the 802nd Infantry Brigade. She voluntarily surrendered in 2023 after spending nine years with the communist armed group. She faces charges that include violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act and frustrated murder.

“I am happy that after nine years with the communist group, I can now visit my mother and my two children, aged 15 and 10, without worrying that I will be arrested,” she said.
Donna cited the hardships of armed struggle and her desire to live a normal life with her children as the reasons for leaving the movement. She added that once her amnesty application is approved, she hopes to work abroad to provide better opportunities for her family.

She also shared that she has attempted to persuade her husband, who remains active in the armed group in Samar, to surrender, but without success. “He could not leave because he is already deeply involved with the armed group,” she said.

Donna disclosed that her husband was previously arrested in 2002 but managed to escape a few months after his capture.

(JOEY A. GABIETA, ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Rice priced at P20 per kilo is now available in all three provinces of Samar following the inclusion of Eastern Samar in the government’s subsidized rice distribution beginning December 15, completing the rollout of the food security initiative across the island.

The program, “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” was launched by provincial local government units in Samar on December 4, Northern Samar on December 8, and Eastern Samar on December 15. The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s push to make affordable rice accessible to economically vulnerable households, particularly during the holiday season.

The P20-per-kilo rice is also being offered under the banner “Pamaskong Handog ng Pangulo”, making low-cost rice available not only in the three Samar provinces but also in nearby Leyte.

According to the Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office 8 (DA-RFO 8), the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program is implemented through several modalities, including provincial government-led distribution, partner agency initiatives, and the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program. Accredited farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) serve as partner outlets to ensure wider reach at the community level.

The confirmation came from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of DA-RFO 8 during the final provincial launch held in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, on Monday, December 15.

In each provincial rollout, about 400 bags of locally sourced rice were made available to some 2,000 household beneficiaries. Each household was allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice at the subsidized price of P20 per kilo.

Francis Rosaroso, head of AMAD-DA 8, said the availability of P20-per-kilo rice will now be sustained beyond scheduled Kadiwa activities.

“From Monday to Friday, the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses are open for walk-in buyers,” Rosaroso said. He explained that while the program initially targeted Rice Business Subsidy Assistance (RSBSA)-registered farmers cultivating two hectares or less, it has now been expanded to include other vulnerable sectors.

He added that some farmers’ cooperatives and associations are also selling theP20 rice, though not on a daily basis. “All of them are authorized to sell P20 rice,” he said.

Provincial local government units in the three Samar provinces have likewise joined FCAs in selling the subsidized rice. However, Rosaroso noted that the withdrawal of rice stocks by LGUs depends on how quickly they can liquidate previous allocations.

With Eastern Samar now on board, officials said the full rollout across Samar is expected to ease the burden of rising food costs on low-income families, especially as demand increases during the Christmas season.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Manila-The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) trained more than 140 national and provincial government officials and civil society representatives in a three-day workshop designed to strengthen the Philippines’ capacity for tsunami preparedness and response.

From December 8 to 11, NOAA and PHIVOLCS organized the Tsunami Ready National Workshop in Quezon City, gathering experts from NOAA’s International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC), the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the workshop equipped participants with the skills to conduct risk assessments and develop effective warning systems and evacuation plans in case of tsunamis.

“Preparedness saves lives. The Tsunami Ready Workshop demonstrates our two countries’ shared commitment to ensuring every community has the tools to face tsunami threats with confidence,” U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Y. Robert Ewing said at the workshop’s opening ceremony on December 8. “For decades, the United States and the Philippines have worked together on disaster preparedness, which keeps Filipinos and visiting Americans safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

The workshop supports the Philippines’ implementation of IOC’s Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP), which guides high-risk coastal communities in meeting the 12 key indicators required for “Tsunami Ready” recognition, including mapping tsunami hazard zones, approving evacuation maps, conducting regular community tsunami exercises, and ensuring reliable alert systems. The TRRP was modeled after the United States’ TsunamiReady® program.

“Tsunamis are no-notice events. We don’t know when the next big one will be, so we need to always be ‘Tsunami Ready,’” said Dr. Laura Kong, Director of the ITIC, the primary provider of tsunami preparedness training in the Pacific.

In his opening remarks, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. recognized over 20 years of collaboration with U.S. scientists for tsunami preparedness. “With your help, we hope to finally see our very first internationally recognized Tsunami Ready community—or communities—in the Philippines very soon,” said Secretary Solidum.

For decades, the United States and the Philippines have worked together to strengthen disaster resilience to ensure the safety of Filipinos and Americans. Through agencies like NOAA, the United States supports initiatives that build the resilience of Philippine communities against natural disasters. (PR)