Tacloban City Undertakes Major Drainage Declogging to Prevent Flooding

Tacloban City Vice Mayor Raymund Romualdez has initiated an extensive program to clear clogged drainage systems throughout the city. The recent completion of declogging activities in Barangay 109 V&G forms part of this ongoing campaign aimed at enhancing the city’s drainage infrastructure. The City Engineer’s Office promptly implemented these measures to reduce the threat of flooding, particularly during intense rainfall. Vice Mayor Romualdez emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining the efficacy of the drainage network. He urged residents to report any drainage problems promptly to enable swift coordination and resolution. He stated, \"These declogging operations are a collaborative, citywide effort, and we remain committed to addressing drainage concerns at other designated sites. Continuous reporting and cooperation will help prevent more severe issues in the future.\"

Cavite City Welcomes Its First Polish Chick at City Aviary

Cavite City has proudly announced the arrival of a new feathered resident at the City Aviary. Mayor Denver Chua introduced "Uno," the first Polish chick to hatch naturally within the aviary's care. In a social media post, the mayor shared the joyful news, highlighting the successful natural incubation of this unique bird. "Say hello to Birdie Uno! Ang bago nating baby sa City Aviary at ang unang Polish chick na nag hatch dito," he wrote, expressing excitement over this new addition. Uno's birth represents a significant achievement in the city’s efforts to enhance its avian collection and promote wildlife conservation locally.

Man Arrested After 16 Years on the Run for Alleged Childhood Rape of Niece in Valenzuela

Authorities in Valenzuela City have arrested a man accused of raping his niece when she was nine years old. The suspect, who has been evading law enforcement for 16 years, is currently facing charges in Legazpi City, Albay. Police investigations revealed that the alleged crime occurred when both the suspect and the victim were minors—the suspect was 14 years old at the time. "He raped his nine-year-old niece while he was only 14 years old. The suspect then went into hiding in the National Capital Region for 16 years," stated Police Lieutenant Colonel Benedick Poblete, chief of the CIDG Northern District Field Unit. In addition to this case, authorities are examining an unverified report indicating the suspect may be linked to another rape incident involving a male victim. "We have received unconfirmed information about a separate rape case involving his nephew, which differs from his primary charges," Poblete said. When interviewed, the suspect expressed an inability to recall the incidents and sought forgiveness. "I cannot remember, sir. I am asking for forgiveness," he said. The man is set to be transferred back to Albay to face legal proceedings where the case was originally filed. Law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of parental vigilance regarding child safety. "Rape is not limited to female victims; times have changed and males are also at risk," Poblete reminded the public. This arrest underscores ongoing efforts to bring justice in long-standing abuse cases and highlights the broadening recognition of victims across genders.

La Trinidad Honors Community Champions in Health and Wellness

Mayor Roderick C. Awingan recently presided over the 3rd La Trinidad Salun-at Awards, a ceremony dedicated to honoring local "Binnadang heroes" for their vital roles in advancing health and wellness in the municipality. The event acknowledged the efforts of partner agencies, schools, organizations, and barangays that have substantially supported community-based wellness programs in La Trinidad, Benguet. Awards were presented to distinguished partner agencies and health advocates, outstanding barangay health responders and surveillance teams, as well as exemplary clean and green schools. Additionally, organizations that contributed to the expansion of wellness initiatives through collaboration and shared services were recognized. This ceremony reflects the local government’s commitment to fostering a healthier and more resilient community by celebrating volunteerism, innovation, and consistent dedication to public health. Mayor Awingan emphasized the importance of sustained cooperative efforts to further strengthen the municipality’s wellness projects.

Muntinlupa Public Schools Now Equipped with Internet Access as Part of Education Initiative

Muntinlupa City has successfully connected all 29 of its public schools to the internet, ensuring students have reliable online access. Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced that this development is a key component of the city’s three-year education roadmap, which focuses on integrating technology to bridge learning gaps. The initiative aims to provide students with easier access to information, thereby preparing them for the demands of digital education. Mayor Biazon emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, \"If our youth are connected and have fast access to information, they become better prepared for digital learning. This is also a step forward in achieving our goal of becoming a smart city, particularly in the field of education.\" He also expressed gratitude towards PLDT Enterprise for their partnership in this project, which ensures that no student in Muntinlupa will be left behind in accessing educational resources.

Cebu RTC Dismisses ATM Skimming Case Against Three Romanian Nationals Due to Insufficient Evidence

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 11 in Cebu City has formally dismissed the criminal case against three Romanian nationals accused of stealing over P150,000 from Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) accounts through alleged ATM skimming activities. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to tie the accused to the crime. The accused—Ion Costel (also known as Alin Dumitru Chirita and Daniel Dawis), Ionut Alexandru Mitrache, and Razvan Aurelian Stancu—were charged with violations under Section 9(c) of Republic Act 8484, in conjunction with Section 4(a)(1) of Republic Act 10175, following unauthorized withdrawals from LBP Capitol and Banilad Extension offices in Cebu City in early 2017. According to prosecution documents, the defendants, allegedly working in concert with another individual identified as Mircea Iordan (alias Josef Gal), used cloned ATM cards and skimming devices to illegally access multiple bank accounts, including that of Marie Fe Francis W. Seville-Ang, resulting in unauthorized cash withdrawals amounting to P150,101. The case originated from reports of suspicious ATM transactions made by depositors at the two LBP branches, prompting investigations by banking and security personnel. Technicians from Diebold who inspected the Banilad ATM discovered adhesive residue, suggesting the installation and removal of a skimming device. CCTV recordings showed a Caucasian man performing several ATM transactions using various cards at unusual hours, behaviors deemed suspicious by security staff. Branch Manager Monico Balingit and security guard Ahmed Masong testified that the individual used multiple ATM cards, including a P50,000 withdrawal at Land Bank Bacolod and another P100,000 from other banks’ machines. However, both witnesses acknowledged they only had side views from the footage and could not conclusively identify the suspects. Further complicating matters, key CCTV videos were excluded from evidence due to improper documentation and the absence of the necessary USB device containing the recordings. An investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) traced the suspects to units 605 and 2010 of the Padgett Place Condominium in Lahug, Cebu City. Upon executing search warrants, agents recovered passports, laptops, microchips, clothing, and approximately P30,000 in cash, items allegedly connected to the skimming operation. The NBI also reported a red Ford Mustang with a horse emblem linked to the suspects. Despite these findings, the court noted procedural irregularities with the search warrants, both bearing identical serial numbers, causing confusion over which condominium units were authorized for search. Additionally, the warrants did not specify the seizure of the red Mustang or other recovered items. In its November 28, 2025 decision, the RTC emphasized that the prosecution did not conclusively establish that the accused were responsible for the unauthorized ATM withdrawals. The judgement highlighted that most evidence presented was circumstantial and insufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Key points from the ruling include: - Branch Manager Balingit lacked firsthand knowledge of the withdrawals. - Security guard Masong’s testimony was based on indirect information and vehicle observations. - Critical CCTV footage was missing from the evidence. - Search warrants suffered from procedural ambiguities. - No direct connections were made between seized items and the criminal acts. The court concluded, \"Considering the totality of the evidence admitted, the court is constrained to conclude that the prosecution failed to establish and substantiate its claims. The evidence on record leaves the court with nothing more than suspicion and conjecture.\" The accused, who had posted bail of P120,000 each and pleaded not guilty in 2017, were granted a demurrer to evidence, effectively concluding the protracted five-year legal proceeding related to the alleged skimming case.

Pasig City Councilor Maria Luisa De Leon Shares Heartfelt Birthday Tribute to Husband

Pasig City 2nd District Councilor Maria Luisa "Angelu" De Leon recently posted a heartfelt birthday message dedicated to her husband, Angelito Alcala Estrada. Reflecting on their time together, De Leon celebrated the lasting nature of their relationship, writing, \"From then until now, we\'ve been together. There\'s forever. Happy birthday, Angelito! Mahal kita.\" The former television personality turned public servant also expressed her hopes for her husband\'s continued health and happiness. She shared that she often prays for his strength, joy, peace, prosperity, and above all, love. Highlighting Angelito Estrada\'s good character, De Leon emphasized, \"You deserve all the good things because you are a good person. I love you! I thank God I have you in my life.\" She acknowledged his multifaceted role in her life, saying, \"You are not just a handler or manager, but truly family to me. Thank you for your love and understanding. Thank you for never leaving me and always standing by my side.\"

Cesafi Basketball Semifinals Advanced Due to Typhoon Wilma

The onset of Typhoon Wilma prompted the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) to reschedule the semifinals of its college and high school basketball tournaments, originally set for Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Cebu Coliseum. Deputy Commissioner Danny Duran explained that the decision to move the games forward to Friday, December 5, was made in response to appeals from the involved schools. According to the revised schedule, the semifinals will pit the number one seeded team against the fourth seed, and the second seed against the third seed in both divisions. The top two teams will benefit from a twice-to-beat advantage, rewarding their higher rankings during the elimination rounds. Currently, the college division has finalized its semifinal pairings. The No. 1 University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters will face the No. 4 University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, while the No. 2 and defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers will challenge the No. 3 Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs. The UC Webmasters, coached by Kernn Sesante, hold a psychological edge over the USC Warriors led by Paul Joven, after having defeated them twice during the double-round elimination phase. Their first encounter on September 20 ended with the Webmasters winning 55-42, followed by a 69-56 victory on November 27. Despite these results, the Warriors are expected to make significant tactical adjustments based on lessons learned from their two losses against the Webmasters this season. Key players for the Webmasters include Ricofer Sordilla, Ray Charles Libatog, Carlo Salgarino, Jepherson Nonol, and John Carl Angelio. The Warriors will rely on the talents of James Paolo Gica, Kyle Maglinte, Jhoernel Vince Tangkay, Reil Einer Aureo, and Rey James Enriquez. The semifinal matchup between the Green Lancers and the Cheetahs is anticipated to be highly competitive, as the two teams split their elimination games. The Cheetahs captured their first meeting on October 26, 76-65, but the Green Lancers avenged the loss on December 3 with a 72-63 win. Meanwhile, the high school division semifinal matchups are still to be confirmed pending the outcome of the ongoing game between the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu Mandaue (UCLM) and Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC) Greywolves, which was underway on Friday, December 5. This schedule adjustment ensures that athletes and teams can safely prepare and compete despite disruptions caused by Typhoon Wilma.

Residents of Barangay Umapad Continue to Evacuate Amid Tropical Depression Wilma

In Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, evacuees remain sheltered inside the barangay gym due to the persistent effects of Tropical Depression Wilma. Initially, officials had planned for residents to return home on Friday, December 5. However, Barangay Captain Reb "Biboy" Cortes announced that it was still unsafe for residents to go back because of the continuing storm impact. According to Cortes, between six to eight houses have been severely damaged, and many residents are hesitant to return due to the lack of electricity, water supply, and widespread flooding around their properties. Among those staying at the evacuation center is Lorena Montebon, who shared that the current flooding has brought back painful memories of Typhoon Tino, which caused significant damage to her home in the past. She explained that floodwaters rose drastically, forcing her family to seek refuge on their roof as water reached the second floor of their house. Montebon and her family have been residing at the Umapad Gym evacuation center for nearly a month. Another resident, Nenita Del Carmen, expressed the difficulty of returning to her residence after discovering that her house had been washed away by the floodwaters. The local government continues to monitor the situation, prioritizing the safety of residents amid the effects of Tropical Depression Wilma.

Wing Van Loaded with Snacks Falls into Ravine in Oslob but Driver Escapes Unharmed

A wing van transporting approximately 1,500 kilograms of snacks accidentally fell into a ravine in Barangay Calumpang, Oslob, Cebu, on Sunday afternoon, December 7, 2025. The vehicle became lodged in tree branches mid-ravine, preventing it from tumbling further and averting a potentially more serious accident. According to the Oslob Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at 1:20 PM along the National Highway. The driver, identified as Noel Banlaygas Donday, had been seeking assistance at Barangay Gawe after his 10-wheeler wing van, bearing plate number CAE6167, experienced mechanical failure and lost power. Another 10-wheeler truck driven by Jhoy Rey Decipolo, with plate number GBD 5006, responded promptly and attempted to tow the disabled vehicle. However, upon reaching Barangay Calumpang, the steering wheel of the wing van unexpectedly locked, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and fall into the ravine. Fortunately, the driver was unharmed as the van became stuck among tree branches, which prevented it from falling deeper. The accident resulted in significant traffic delays along the highway as authorities managed the situation. Officials continue to investigate the cause of the steering malfunction. No other injuries or damages were reported.