“A New Era of Peace: Catanduanes Police Leadership and Community Trust”
Every transition in police leadership carries with it a renewed sense of hope from the people. With the assumption of Police Colonel Virgilio R. Buena as the new Provincial Director of the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office, Catanduanes is not merely welcoming a new officer...
Catanduanes Must Hunt the Network, Not Just the Courier
The seizure of P3.4 million worth of suspected shabu in Virac is, without question, a major operational victory for the Philippine National Police. It deserves recognition. A haul of more than 500 grams of suspected illegal drugs, packaged in 91 sachets, is not a...
Impeachment Vote of Catanduanes Solons: Constitutional Accountability or Political Calculation?
The recent decision of Catanduanes representatives—Eulogio Rodriguez and Jose Teves Jr.—to support the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte has intensified both national debate and local division in Catanduanes. For some, it is a principled act rooted in constitutional duty. For others, it...
Political Reset in Catanduanes? Withdrawal of “Persona Non Grata” vs. Gov. Azanza Signals Possible Reconciliation and Governance Realignment
The move to withdraw the “persona non grata” declaration against Gov. Patrick Alain Azanza is far more than a symbolic legislative action. It is a political statement that signals a possible shift in the power dynamics and governance climate in Catanduanes. After months of...
ELA: The Missing Link in Restoring Harmony in Catanduanes Governance
Amid the growing tension between the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Executive branch of the Provincial Government of Catanduanes, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has delivered a timely and crucial reminder: effective governance is not sustained by authority alone, but by...
QUICK RESPONSE FUND OR QUICK POLITICAL WAR?
A Legal and Constitutional Commentary on Catanduanes’ QRF CrisisThe brewing controversy over the Quick Response Fund (QRF) in Catanduanes is no longer a mere policy disagreement — it has evolved into a dangerous political squabble disguised as “checks and balances.” What we are witnessing...
It’s Time to Treat Every Typhoon as a Lesson — and a Responsibility
The typhoons hitting us today are no longer the storms we once knew. They are stronger, more unpredictable, and more destructive. Each typhoon has its own “signature”—its own behavior, pattern, and impact. And as the “typhoon-manufacturing province” of the Philippines, Catanduanes must go beyond...
Typhoon Exposed the Strengths—and the Weak Spots—of Local Governance
The recent devastation brought by Super Typhoon Uwan has again reminded Catanduanes of a painful but necessary truth: no matter how “typhoon-hardened” we believe we are; our systems will always reveal their cracks when communication fails and leadership falters. The province has long prided...
A Firm Stance: Ending “Palakasan” and “Lagayan” in DepEd Catanduanes
A bold and welcome announcement has been made by the new leadership of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Catanduanes: they will not tolerate the "palakasan" (patronage) and "lagayan" (bribery) systems within the agency. In the midst of the challenges facing the education sector,...
A Critical Examination of Change at EBMC: Challenges and Potential Under New Leadership
The convening of the Provincial Development Council under the new administration is a positive sign, signaling a commitment to a comprehensive approach to governance. It is particularly commendable that the council is prioritizing the major renovation of the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC). This...