Employees doubt GSIS P10T emergency loan

Borongan, Eastern Samar (16 Oct.) -- Eastern Samar capitol employees are divided in their response to the ten thousand peso emergency loan offered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

As early as 8:00 AM the day after the announcement of GSIS President and General Manager Winston Garcia was aired, some GSIS members were looking for the form of the ten thousand emergency loan at the PIA Provincial Office. In a PIA visit to the capitol, one department head urged other members of the employees union to request GSIS to establish an emergency extension office just for this "special GSIS offer."

Meanwhile, another department head remarked that the request for this extension office is tantamount to saying that we accept the kind of appeasement when what the members really need is the resumption of the usual GSIS loan services for members.

The employee said Garcia should tell the GSIS members the truth and nothing but the truth and not just waylay the poor members.

He also said that Garcia's press releases are all blatant lies, that it is their duty to collect, that he should not pass the responsibility to the agencies as his primordial mandate is to collect the members' dues and payments and to manage the finances of the system. (PIA)

Tension marks GSIS-sponsored dialogue in Samar

Catbalogan, Samar (13 Oct.) -- Emotions ran high during the dialogue held Thursday morning here in Samar's capital between members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and GSIS officials led by President and General Manager Winston Garcia over the issue of the temporary suspension of the processing of loans and the alleged mismanagement of GSIS funds.

GSIS members blamed Garcia for the inconvenience they experienced in the last four months after a temporary suspension of the processing of loan applications was effected while GSIS geared up for the computerization of its data bank.

They likewise charged Garcia of mismanagement of GSIS funds when it bought sometime last year a painting of Filipino artist Juan Luna worth Php 41 million saying it is a waste of their money.

Garcia, however, claimed that the measures that he instituted in the past few months, though unpopular, were saving measures to secure the funds of GSIS from the rotten system adopted and perpetuated by past administrations.

He cited the large volume of documents that have been dumped at the GSIS storeroom which are very important in accurately tracing the transaction of its members. This, he said, prompted him to come up with the computerization of all the GSIS documents although it means monetary delay of GSIS operations, thus exposing him to the ire of its members.

To his surprise, Garcia said, they discovered that a large amount of money remain uncollected from the loans incurred by its members in the past five years. In salary loans alone, some Php 35 billion were in default, not to mention the Php 20 billion for housing loans which were also in default.

According to Garcia, this situation will surely get worse if actions will not be taken. He, however, regrets that they failed to inform the public on the importance of the move as evidenced by the protest rallies staged by its members throughout the country.

But he assured the members that computerization is over and that they now resume the processing of loan applications.

He likewise brushed aside accusations of mismanagement saying that GSIS funds were never lost when he bought the Luna painting. He even justified that, aside from its historic value, the Luna painting is a good investment as its price increases through the passage of time.

Garcia clarified though that the money used in buying the said item was not taken directly or indirectly from the members' premium but from the profits derived from its property insurance. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

LAKASS Program to help solve malnutrition in Biliran

Naval, Biliran (10 Oct.) -- Nutrition authorities here have resolved to remove Biliran from list of nutritionally-at-risk provinces. Carina Z. Santiago, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator in Region 8 of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and members of the Biliran Provincial Nutrition Council (BPNC) yesterday expressed solidly support for the implementation of LAKASS (Lalakas and Katawang Sapat sa Sustansya) Program in order to help solve the problem of malnutrition in the province of Biliran during the consultative meeting held at the Biliran Provincial Hospital conference room.

This developed after the recently released results of the 5th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted last 2001 by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) indicated that the province of Biliran is one of the three provinces in the country to be at risk of malnutrition.

LAKASS is a nutrition action program aimed at improving the nutrition situation in the identified nutritionally municipalities (NDMs) by providing effective and sustainable services.

This program is already implemented in 223 NDMs nationwide since its inception in 1989 where in Region 8 only 35 NDMs were granted LAKASS assistance.

In the province of Biliran, the municipalities of Naval and Caibiran were identified as the recipients of the program considering the high incidence of malnutrition in the area based on the results of the operation timbang (OPT) and conducted for three consecutive years by the Biliran Provincial Nutrition Council from 2000 to 2002.

The recepient municipalities will receive the amount ranging from Php 200,000.00 to Php 230,000.00 which will be used for consumptive and productive type of projects.

The consumptive type of project which is 20% of the total project cost will be devoted to supplemental feeding, purchase of micronutrients and nutrition information education (NIE) materials and the other 80% for the productive type of project will be used for livelihood projects such as swine dispersal, goat raising, payao fishing and sari-sari store.

The program fund will be given to identified families with malnourished children in order to sustain their daily consumption needs which is a big attribute to good nutrition.

Meanwhile, several recommendations, feedbacks and areas for improvements regarding the nutritional status in the province of Biliran were presented and discussed by Carina Z. Santiago of RNPC to the members of BPNC for further comments, suggestions and recommendations. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Coloma warns policemen anew against indescriminate firing

Tacloban City (9 Oct.) -- The PNP Regional Director warned police personnel to avoid indescriminate firing of their issued firearms especially that the Christmas holidays is fast approaching.

Chief Supt. Dionesio Coloma, Jr. explained during Saturday's Express it at the Park weekly forum that even though there is a standing order from the higher police headquarters he still keeps on reiterating this orders since indiscriminate firing is punishable by dismissal of erring police officers from the service.

"If they don't love their job as police officer, then they should fire their guns indiscriminately and face the consequences," he said.

In the past, indiscriminate firing incidents, especially during Christmas seasons, happen every now and then where innocent people are hit by stray bullets resulting to deaths. "Kung gaano kabilis ang takbo ng bala kapag ito'y ipinutok pataas, ganon din ang lakas nito pababa- kaya ito ay makamamatay kung sino man ang tamaan," Coloma said.

Meantime, Coloma also said that for the past few days he has been meeting with bankers in Region 8 to discuss matters on how to possibly counter or avoid bank robberies.

Coloma said he gave briefings to bankers on what to do should there be any bank robbery in their respective banks.

He suggested that banks could immediately alert the police if through their installed alarm systems.

According to Coloma, there are, at present, a series of bank robberies; in Metro Manila which could also happen in the region anytime.

For this reason, the police is now on 24 hours alert to respond to calls from banks or to monitor other possible nefarious activities in the streets, Coloma also said. (Express It at the Park/PIA)

PDA holds free medical mission in Sulat town

Borongan, Eastern Samar (3 Oct.) -- Some 50 patients from all over Sulat town were served by the province's Philippine Dental Association (PDA) on the occasion of the recent induction for their new set of officers.

It was learned that Sulat Mayor Javier Zacate who also served as guest of honor also provided the anesthesia.

PDA Eastern Samar has been involved actively in medical and dental missions in the province. Recently, dentists from Guiuan participated in the medical-dental missions sponsored by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes and the Presidential Assistant Poverty Alleviation Unit under Ex-Mayor Lee Magno in Matarinao, Salcedo, Sung-an, Mercedes, and Guiuan and Lawaan.

The group of young dentists offers their services to any local government unit or charitable institution provided the sponsoring agency shoulders the anesthesia and medicines for the patients. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

New PNP provincial director vows to curb illegal activities in Biliran

Naval, Biliran (3 Oct.) -- Police Senior Superintendent Felipe L. Portacio, provincial director of Biliran Provincial Police Office (BPPO), has vowed "to boldly fight all illegal activities in the province of Biliran."

The newly installed provincial director asked the full support of the different heads of national agencies, local government chief executives, people's organizations and the constituents during his formal acceptance speech in a simple turnover ceremony the other day.

P/Sr. Supt. Portacio also said that the able support and cooperation of the officers and men of BPPO is also an important factor in the successful implementation of the mission, vision, plans and programs under his leadership.

He said that a concerted effort of all sectors is a vital element in the fight against the rise of criminality and proliferation of illegal activities which if not controlled or eliminated will destroy the peace and order condition of the province.

He promised to continue the plans and programs implemented by out-going provincial director P/Supt. Cesar Darantinao who is currently appointed as Division Chief of Police Community Relations Office in PNP Regional Office No. 8.

He also extended his gratitude to Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina for chosing and by giving confidence to be the new provincial director of the province where he assured to do his best to be an able partner in maintenance of peace and order situation in the province.

Meanwhile, Police Senior Superintendent Edwin Pfleider, Deputy Regional Director for Operations in PNP Regional Office No. 8, who represented PNP Regional Director P/Chief Superintendent Dionesio Benito Coloma in the turn- over ceremony, said that P/Sr. Supt. Portacio is handipicked by the regional director to head the Biliran PNP command based on his record, performance and background in the place.

The newly installed provincial director of BPPO is not a newcomer as far as geographical situation of the province is concerned considering his stint as company commander of 532nd Company in Caibiran in 1980, 355th Company in Busali in 1985 and in the same second company in 1995. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

KALAHI in full swing in Sulat, others

Borongan, Eastern Samar (3 Oct.) -- Sulat residents now feel the KALAHI implementation, says KALAHI coordinator Paul Lomuntad in a recent radio interview with PIA.

According to the coordinator, some 2.7 million pesos of the total 5.4 has been released directly to the different barangays who were given priority with regards to the project proposed.

In enumerating the accomplishment, Lomuntad stated that 40% of the multi- purpose facility with solar dryer can be seen in San Vicente, 37% of the drainage project in the Riverside and barangay folks of San Isidro have now started excavating for the source of their water system.

The work is relentless and expectations are that by the end of the year, all projects will have been in place, says KALAHI regional engineer Gerry Pinera. The engineer has observed that most of the projects have something to do with water system, even in the second batch municipalities of Can-avid, Maslog, Jipapad, Balangiga, and San Policarpio.

"I'd say 50-70% have signified that it is the water system that they have proposed," observes Pinera.

The final say though has to be with the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum or Municipal Inter-Agency Committee which projects will merit priority. In the case of Sulat, some four to five barangays have not been given funds as they waived their rights in favor of other barangays. Presently however, Pinera brought a word that DSWD has found a funding source for the remaining barangays not covered by KALAHI. The proponents of the projects have submitted their proposals once again. Sec. Dinky Soliman in her previous meeting with the barangays concerned promised that she will personally source out funding for the unfunded projects. Today, her promise seems to be true, with the news Pinera brought along. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Podpod makes way to the Asian Ethnic Food Festival

Borongan, Eastern Samar (29 Sept.) -- The lowly PODPOD (Fish Cake) may soon find its way to the Asian market. This was learned from the Sulat Community Development Information Officer Nestor Almaite in a message to PIA. PODPOD will be "brushing shoulders" with sushi, and other Asian treats as it will be displayed in the Asian Ethnic Food Festival at the World Trade Center Manila slated on November 21-23, 2003.

A few weeks ago, the Center for International Trade Exposition and Mission had some villagers of San Vicente, Sulat, attend a three-day training on Good Manufacturing Practices and hazards Analysis right in San Vicente, an island barangay where the fabled PODPOD is manufactured.

Villagers were made to understand proper sanitation as the best preservative and that from the training, the organizers chose PODPOD as one of a kind dish not only in the province but nationwide, eventually with its LGU municipal partners, the trainers and consultants nominated PODPOD to be brought to the Asian Ethnic Food Fair. Trainers believed that PODPOD is only produced in this part of the country.

The legendary Podpod is a host's special offering to a guest in the Sulat area. Guests and visitors are always treated with sea foods and Podpod.

With the active involvement of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the LGU Sulat the training went on.

Podpod manufacturers meanwhile are apprehensive that they might be coerced to demonstrate how PODPOD is made. One elderly maker of Podpod who frequents the government offices in the capitol, said she will never show how she makes the dish as it is their "trade secret". If they agree to show how Podpod is done publicly, they may not be able to enjoy the patronage they do presently.

Whatever it takes, there is no stopping Podpod from being in the limelight as it takes a bow in the Asian Ethnic Food Fair. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Philhealth takes in more Samar indigents

Borongan, Eastern Samar (29 Sept.) -- The partylist Akbayan has enrolled a total of 450 indigent households (HHs) in the province in its Philhealth program based on a report validated by account management specialist Vernard Pinangay of PhilHealth, Borongan office.

The PhilHealth office claimed it was Akbayan Partylist Representative Etta Rosales who personally coordinated with their office.

Pinangay said that the families come from Guiuan, Mercedes, Quinapondan, Gen. MacArthur and Salcedo. In this program, the indigent families stand to avail of hospitalization benefits from the program.

If the beneficiaries are to be counted individually, Pinangay offered, with an average of five members per family, close to 3,000 beneficiaries are then covered.

In this type of social services, the office of the Social Welfare and Development Officer is task to enumerate household members through the Family Data Survey Form. In the list all members of the family are enumerated thereby automatically covering them in times of hospitalization.

In a related development, the municipality of Quinapondan has intensified its PhilHealth coverage with its partnership not only with Akbayan but also with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). In this scheme, the LGU pays a certain counterpart based on the duration of its enrollment while the PCSO sponsors a bigger amount. This is part from the regular PhilHealth coverage of Quinapondan LGU that it wholly shoulders. With Mayor Rico Magno at the helm, indigent families totaling 1,7000 in his area are assured of hospitalization benefits should the need arise.

In a larger sense, Philhealth Borongan office revealed that of the 23 municipalities in the province, only San Policarpio has not been enticed to embrace the program. Comparing all LGUs, Pinangay noted that it is the municipality of Guiuan which has released some Php 598,395.00 from its coffers to pour into its Philhealth indigency program benefiting some 2,129 HHs. With this the LGU of Mayor Cornelio Sison gets the so called capitalization benefits wherein part of the fund returns to the LGU when out-patient indigents seek treatment in the Rural Health Unit (RHU).

Indigent skeptics however, do not appreciate the LGU efforts judging from the numerous financial aid requests the Quinapondan MSWD Officer Leonora Baula, has received. She said that patients just wish the aid could come in cold cash. PhilHealth though is quick to counter that the financial aid if received in cash to beneficiaries do not always end up with the purpose but rather to unnecessary expenditure the misguided indigent falls into. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

OCT Distribution Highlights PENRO Biliran People's Day

Naval, Biliran (29 Sept.) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the other day celebrated Naval town's 6th Pueblo Day with a DENR People's Day highlighting distribution of Original Certificates of Title (OCTs) to 27 landowners, free seedlings, chainsaw registrations, and other DENR services.

Biliran Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Robin Tomulva led the DENR activities at the Municipal Building Ground.

The holding of People's Day is in line with the memorandum issued by DENR Secretary Elisea Gozun to all DENR Regional Executive Directors, CENROs and PENROs to hold DENR People's Day in their respective jurisdiction every month starting the month of August until December 2003.

People's Day activities included distribution of patents, CBFMA/CSCs, MOA signing with NGOs or LGUs; information and education campaign on DENR programs, projects and concerns; consultation/open forum allowing the public to raise their problems on any DENR concern; aw well as medical services in coordination with DOH, LGUs, private practitioners and other civic organizations.

The OCTs that were distributed covered 189,057 square meters of private agricultural and residential lands in Naval.

It was learned that PENRO-Biliran already held similar activities in the municipality of Culaba last month where the agency likewise distributed OCTs and conducted lectures on the different programs, projects and activities undertaken by the DENR.

Another DENR People's Day is set for October in the island municipality of Maripipi where a free patent distribution to identified recipients will highlight the day-long affair.

Five other towns in the province of Biliran will also hold similar activities. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Anti-drug covenant signed in Biliran

Naval, Biliran (29 Sept.) -- Gov. Rogelio J. Espina, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 8 Director P/Supt. Amado E. Marquez, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 8 the other day signed an anti-drug covenant with seven widely suspected drug pushers in the province in a move to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs.

The unorthodox pact has been hailed as a "secret weapon to help eradicate if not end the proliferation of the nefarious illegal drugs activity in the province of Biliran."

The covenant renounces the proliferation of illegal drugs, recognizes the right to health and of a happy family of all the members of the community, and emphasizes the protection of the youth from the dangerous consequences of using illegal drugs.

Gov. Espina urged the suspected drug pushers who signed the covenant to encourage other drug pushers to join the crusade to make Biliran a drug-free province to help attract more tourists. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Village chiefs in Biliran implement Kadugo Tayo Program

Naval, Biliran (29 Sept.) -- All 132 barangay captains in the province recently expressed support for Gov. Rogelio J. Espina's Kadugo Tayo Program in their respective barangays to complement the National Voluntary Blood Donation Program (NVBDP) of the Department of Health (DOH).

Governor Espina was recently conferred the Sandugo National Award by DOH in recognition of his full support to the blood donation program, along with three other governors.

Governor Espina said the implementation of the NVBDP in the barangays will help solve the problem on the unavailability of blood for immediate use for patients who needed it.

In line with the implementation of the NVBDP, a search for the Kadugo Tayo Masigasig Award for the barangay chairmen, Kadugo Tayo Mapanghikayat Award for barangay donor recruitment officers and the Kadugo Tayo Galloner Award for an individual who has donated 9-27 times of 450 ml. of blood or an individual with the highest number of voluntary blood donation will be conducted.

Early this month, the Kadugo Tayo Program was launched at the Provincial Capitol Grounds as initial activity in the implementation of the blood donation program. The activity was attended by the barangay captains of the different barangays in the province of Biliran together with the staff of DOH in region 8 who is responsible for the effective implementation of the program.

A blood letting activity followed where a number of government employees of the provincial government of Biliran donated blood. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

SC administrator dialogs with Samar island judges

Catbalogan, Samar (29 Sept.) -- Municipal and Regional Trial Court judges from all over Samar Island trooped to the Bulwagang Pangkatarungan (Hall of Justice) in this town early this week to dialogue with Senior Deputy Administrator Zenaida Necesito-Elepanio of the Supreme Court (SC).

In an exclusive interview, Elepanio deplored the numerous vacancies for judges prevailing in courts throughout the country. She said the SC has found it difficult to attract the best legal minds to the courts because of the lack of incentives and the low salaries which are not commensurate to the responsibilities which a judge has to assume.

She also said that another concern which inhibits the appointment of judges are the stringent personal qualifications which a judge-candidate has to satisfy. Considering the public's high expectations from this position, a judge must be fair, objective, morally upright and incorruptible, Elepanio stressed.

While the SC official admitted that low salaries, lack of incentives, as well as the lack of courtrooms are issues which are now being tackled by government and the national leadership, she emphasized that something needs to be done about the imbalance in budget allocation now obtaining in the judiciary. She said that in comparison with the executive and legislative branches of government, the judiciary receives only a little over one percent (1%) of the total national budget. This is a discrepancy which needs to be addressed, Elepanio said.

According to Elepanio, with more resources, more well-qualified and competent lawyers would be attracted to join the judiciary, more courts established, as well as declogged of unattended cases, and more importantly, the judicial system can move forward.

Elepanio, who sails from Sulat, Eastern Samar, said she was very glad of the opportunity to visit Samar, particularly, Catbalogan, where she spent part of her teenage years as high school student of the Samar High School, now Samar National High School. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Catbalogan barangay leaders push for solar energy

Catbalogan, Samar (22 Sept.) -- Seven barangays in Sierra Island, Catbalogan, Samar recently submitted a joint resolution to the Congressional Extension Office of 2nd district representative Antonio "Eddie" Nachura requesting for the installation of the Solar Energy Electrification System in their barangays.

This was revealed recently by Reynaldo Macabidang, staff member of the Congressional Extension Office, who identified the barangays of Rama, Bagongon, Cagutsan, Canhawan, Bulo-an, Monbon and Cinco, as those leading the clamor.

Barangay chairmen and officials who signed the resolution said existing small electric generators in their localities operate only for limited hours and incur high fuel and maintenance costs.

The resolution argued that solar energy is now being used successfully in some island municipalities of Samar and that they expect Congressman Nachura, who is receptive and sympathetic to development efforts to alleviate poverty and uplift economic conditions in disadvantaged and far-flung barangays, to extend positive assistance geared to the fulfillment of their desire to avail of solar energy.

Meanwhile, the Civil Service Provincial Office (CSPO) is currently celebrating the 103rd anniversary of Philippine Civil Service with month-long activities.

Director Victoria E. Valeriano, head of the Samar CSPO, said a month-long showcase of best Human Resource Development (HRD) practices will be on display in the lobby of the Provincial Capitol. Government agencies were each assigned an exhibit booth where various improved HRD systems and practices, as well as those with maximum impact on the transacting clients, exercised by different government offices and line agencies will be shown for public scrutiny.

Last September 9-10, the Provincial Council of Personnel Officers (PCPO), Samar chapter, conducted a Public Service Delivery Enhancement Seminar in Catbalogan. The seminar catered to frontliners in the province.

To cap the month-long observance, a cultural and awards night has been scheduled on September 25. The evening will showcase Filipino culture, particularly Samar songs and dances. The conferment of Gantimpala Agad Awards and the awarding of eligibilities to qualified barangay officials will also highlight the culminating activity.

The month-long celebration kicked off September 1st with a motorcade and a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Msgr. Anton Verzosa, Parish Priest of Catbalogan.

This year's anninversary celebration revolves around the theme, "Sama-sama...Tulong-tulong, Republika Patatagin" which translates into "All Together...Helping Each Other Build a Strong republic". (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

GSIS resumes operation in Southern Leyte

MAASIN CITY (Sept. 1) -- Slowly but surely.

This was how Leonardo "Boy" Lambonao, branch manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Office here, described the resumption of their work in mid-August since they temporarily stopped doing business in May this year in a nationwide effort to upgrade systems technology, install new computer software programs, and other technical innovation.

However, during a special Kapihan at the GSIS Office August 28, Lambonao clarified that applications for new loans and claims would be delayed inasmuch as those pending for months now - four months at most - would be prioritized in processing.

Although transactions were put on hold starting in the first week of May, applications for salary and policy loans were still accepted but were not duly processed, resulting in untold work backlog, it was learned.

Lambonao once again appealed to the members' patience, sobriety, and understanding saying the changes now being undertaken were meant to enhance service efficiency.

In a notice issued to all the members in the government sector, the collective force of GSIS Management and Staff sued for more time to return to normal, pre-May operations, with assurance of a better, much faster delivery of service. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)

Lakas-NPC coalition draws varied reactions in Maasin City

By Bong Pedalino

MAASIN CITY (Sept. 1) -- It's official. But only time can tell, pessimists say.

One thing was certain: what was widely speculated for many months as a very unlikely scenario, where former Congressman Atty. Roger Mercado would run for Congress in May 2004 with political arch enemy Gov. Rosette Lerias as his ally, has finally taken flesh.

And serving as a vehicle to carry a ride on this strange match of a tandem was the convenience brought about by the Lakas-NPC party coalition, at least in the provincial level.

On August 24, leaders of the two dominant political parties from various towns around the province converge at the house of Gov. Lerias in Barangay Ibarra, Maasin City, to air their full support to the newly hatched coalition.

Gov. Lerias and Atty. Mercado, now Assistant Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), sat beside each other in the head table, listening intently as every leader, incumbent official or not, took to the microphone and spoke of unfailing commitment to their common interest, or cause, or whatever that spells development for the province.

But not everyone was happy with the way politics in the province developed in the unexpected manner it has turned out this far, as it is.

Some mayors expressed utter confusion, or subdued reservation, as to the impact the coalition may bring in their town, particulary in the choice of a unified coalition candidate.

City Mayor Damian Mercado, younger brother of "Oging," was conspicuously absent during the August 24 gathering sending a strong message that everything was not yet quiet and final in the frontlines -- or so it seemed.

Mayor Mercado, now considered as the political king-maker for next year's polls, has refused to comment in public on the electoral derby pitting his brother against incumbent Cong. Aniceto Saludo, Jr., who was widely respected as the "Father of Maasin City" for successfully passing into law RA 8796, the Maasin Cityhood Law. Rep. Saludo has not issued any official statement, either, in reaction to the telling twist of events threatening his reelection.

The Bando Saludo, once a formidable group combining Lakas and Angara's LDP, now has to face the reality of a crack, a leak among its ranks.

Forget the helicopter-shooting incident in 1998, and it would follow that the level of personal forgiveness Saludo extended to Mercado in the ensuing years should also be forgotten, as if nothing happened at all.

But then, in Philippine provincial politics anything can still happen, and many factors have yet to be considered to insure a win, not just a combination of characters.

These were just some of the varied reactions to the current marriage of the Lakas and NPC in the province.

How long can this marriage last?

The general response was satirical as much as it was brutally frank and candid: wait until the ultimate filing of certificates of candidacy. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA)