From dual citizen Bo Rodulfo comes this comment on the recent local elections in Catanduanes:
“The political playbook that money and machinery as factors needed to win an election in our province is losing its steam.
In the 2022 election, Cesar Sarmiento, then running for congress, garnered 33 thousand votes without the use of money.
The latest election results wherein money wasn’t that much of a factor anymore, in some areas, speaks volume.
The ” lucrative ” buyer-seller partnership during elections seems headed for bankruptcy.
The ripple effect of vote-buying on our people finally dawned on us – which is welcome news for the next generation of leaders in the province.”
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Informed sources claim that the Board of Regents is set to hold a meeting this June 2 or 3 to select the next president of the Catanduanes State University.
Among those who will vote for their choice are the newly elected Supreme Student Council president and CatSU College of Law Dean Atty. Santiago T. Gabionza Jr., who is back as regent.
The Tribune sought to publish the background information, vision, mission and development plans of the three aspirants and accordingly sent an official request to the search committee the other week.
However, the chairperson refused the request, saying it would be a violation of the Data Privacy Act, despite the fact that the three aspirants themselves already divulged the same information during the public presentation on May 14.
This writer sent emails to the three aspirants but only two responded: Dr. Alex Navarrosa said he would comply, in case he would be chosen as the next president, while Dr. Maria Edna Iñigo immediately sent the requested data. The third bet, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gemma Acedo, did not reply to the request.
To level the playing field, as far as the Tribune is concerned, the publication of the information from the aspirants would not push through, especially if the other two candidates decide not to send the information sought.
With the election of former President Dr. Patrick Alain Azanza as the incoming governor, it would be safe to say that VP Acedo, whom he appointed to her present post, is the prohibitive favorite to win the post.
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The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has informed all city and municipal mayors, as well as concerned DILG officials, that based on a letter from PCL National Chairmen Atty. Raul Corro and National President Handy Lao, the Provincial Federation and City Chapter elections will be held sometime between July to September 2025.
This early, there are speculations as to who among the newly elected Sangguniang Bayan members in the 11 municipalities will be backed by the incoming governor to replace the current ex-officio PBM and PCL Catanduanes federation president, the honorable Joselito Alberto.
The favorite among knowledgeable political observers are two young legislators who are well known outside their territorial jurisdictions: the independent youth leader Joal Cocjin of San Andres and former CatSU SSC president Renz Mickenley Tanael of Bato.
Any of the two would be a welcome addition to the SP, as seven of the 10 elected PBMs are near or over 60 years old: Sonny Francisco, 65; Doc Zafe, 63; Boy Balidoy, 61; Edwin Tanael, 64; Bolotoy Templonuevo, 65; Arnel Turado, 59; and Dean Vergara, 63).
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THE SECRET OF LONGEVITY. Everyone asked a 100-year-old man and his 98-year-old wife for their health secrets.
The old man said: “I’ll tell you my secret. I’ve been married for 75 years. I promised my wife when we got married that when we quarrel, the loser has to walk for 5 kilometers. So I’ve been walking 5 kilometers every day for past 75 years!”
Everyone applauded and asked again, “But how come your wife is very healthy as well?”
The old man answered: “That is another secret. For 75 years every single day she has been following me to make sure I really walk the full 5 kilometers!”