Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
- National
- November 12, 2025
- 7 views
E. Visayas’ inflation slightly rises to 0.5% in October
by evmwb Tacloban City–Eastern Visayas’ inflation rate edged up to 0.5 percent in October 2025, slightly higher than the 0.4 percent recorded in September, according to a Wednesday report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The rise was mainly driven by a bump in the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels commodity group, which climbed to 0.7 percent from 0.4 percent. Faster price hikes in the health sector—up to 2.6 percent from 2.3 percent—also contributed, with inpatient‑care services jumping from 2.6 percent to 4.6 percent year‑on‑year. Additionally, “the faster inflation rate of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, which rose to 4 percent in October 2025 from 3.8 percent in September, likewise helped push the regional inflation higher,” said PSA Region 8 chief statistical specialist Mae Almonte in a press briefing. Among the region’s six provinces, three saw higher inflation: Samar led with 1.9 percent (up from 0.8 percent), Biliran rose to 1 percent from 0.5 percent, and Northern Samar turned positive at 0.2 percent from ‑0.4 percent. In contrast, Southern Leyte’s inflation fell to 0.1 percent from 0.7 percent, Leyte dropped to 0.2 percent from 0.5 percent,…
- National
- November 10, 2025
- 16 views
2 Dead, Found in Fire During Typhoon Uwan’s Onslaught in Borongan City
Borongan City, Eastern Samar — Two victims were found dead in a fire that occurred in Brgy. Alang‑Alang during the onslaught of Typhoon Uwan on Sunday, November 9, 2025, around 1:29 a.m. Borongan City Fire Station, led by FCINSP Victor C. Ygbuhay, RME, MMPA, prompting an immediate response to the fire in the said area. The firefighters conducted a size‑up to determine the fire’s origin and possible entry points for rescue. Authorities then began extinguishing the flames to check for trapped individuals, and inside the house, they discovered the two victims, who were immediately pulled out. The victims were confirmed dead, and the authorities attempted CPR before transporting them to the nearest hospital. The fire was controlled around 1:50 a.m. and fully extinguished by about 2:00 a.m. An initial investigation indicates the fire started in a room of a two‑storey house, causing approximately ₱10,000 in damages. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
- National
- November 9, 2025
- 18 views
Libanan: Tino exposed gaps in land‑use planning and disaster‑risk management; Marcos urged to certify the national land‑use bill as urgent.
by evmwb reporters Tacloban City–House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party‑list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify the passage of a National Land‑Use Law as urgent, following the devastating torrential rains and massive flooding caused by Typhoon Tino, which killed many people and displaced hundreds of thousands across Central Visayas, especially in Metro Cebu. “The tragic loss of lives and the widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Tino once again expose severe gaps in our national land‑use planning and disaster‑risk management,” Libanan said. “We are paying the price for decades of policy inaction.” Libanan emphasized that proper land‑use planning is crucial for disaster‑risk reduction, climate resilience, and environmental integrity. “Proper land‑use planning is a matter of survival in this era of brutal climate change,” he added. “We must stop building communities in inherently unsafe areas—those prone to riverine and urban flooding, landslides, and coastal storm surges.” The minority leader warned that the Philippines will face stronger typhoons bringing more rain in shorter periods, necessitating new…
- National
- November 7, 2025
- 9 views
E. Samar cop nabbed, faced robbery complaint
by Nestor Abrematea TACLOBAN CITY – A member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now facing a robbery complaint before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of the Department of Justice in Abuyog, Leyte after he was arrested last November 4, 2025 for robbing a businesswoman. Police Officer Orly Cumba Corsiga,37, of Purok 4,Poblacion Zone 2,Javier,Leyte and assigned at the Eastern Samar Police Office in Borongan City, is now detained at the Abuyog Police Station and now faces a robbery case after he was arrested by members of the Abuyog PNP in a hospital in nearby Baybay City last November 4. Businesswoman Jocelyn Villar Turalda,30,single,of Sitio Malangto,Brgy.Pagsaan,Abuyog,Leyte filed the robbery complaint against Police Officer Corsiga after she was robbed by the police officer last November 4,2025 at 4PM at Bagsakan Area in Brgy.Nalibunan,Abuyog town. Leyte Senior Asst.Prosecutor Junery Bagunas told The Manila Times that the case against the policeman will undergo the 10-day preliminary investigation by Asst.Provincial Prosecutor Co.…
- National
- November 7, 2025
- 11 views
PBBM VOWS CONTINUED SUPPORT, RELIEF FOR CEBU AFTER DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY ‘TINO’
by EVMWB Hindi namin iiwanan ang Cebu hangga’t lahat na ay in place na!” Thus declared President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday and vowed to continue relief and support for Cebu following Typhoon Tino’s impact across various regions of the country. In an interview following the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) situation briefing at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo on Thursday, President Marcos said government agencies must balance sending personnel to Typhoon Tino-affected areas and to provinces expected to be hit by Super Typhoon Uwan, particularly in northern Luzon. “The same thing. But we will do as much as we can to anticipate dahil marami sa – marami tayong – if we anticipate well, and we prepare well, marami tayong nagagawa para medyo mas mabawasan ang effect.” The President likewise acknowledged the devastating effects of Typhoon Tino, particularly the high number of casualties in the Visayas region. The government can’t provide the total damage and casualty figures at…
- National
- November 7, 2025
- 32 views
Ombudsman clears On̈ate from Graft Charges
Tacloban City–Ombudsman Clears Former Palompon Mayor of Graft, Misconduct Charges. The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the criminal and administrative complaints filed against former Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon C. Oñate regarding the alleged unlawful denial of business permit renewals to several enterprises owned by the Arevalo family. In a Joint Resolution covering cases OMB-C-C-Jul-24-055 and OMB-C-A-Jul-24-060, the Ombudsman resolved the complaint filed on January 10, 2024, by Ian Jay Arevalo, Irving Joseph L. Arevalo, Tristan Ulrich C. Arevalo, and Irwin Juerg Roble. The complainants had accused Oñate of Violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), as well as Abuse of Authority and Grave Misconduct. The Arevalos alleged that their businesses in Palompon were unjustly denied renewal of their 2023 business permits, claiming the denial was rooted in bad faith and political bias on the part of the former mayor.Justification for DenialAfter review, the Ombudsman found no probable cause to charge Oñate under…
- National
- November 6, 2025
- 21 views
FACTS OVER FICTION: THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE BUDGET
by EVMWB Tacloban City–Leyte’s first District Congressman Martin Romualdez is cooperating fully with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), answering all questions and providing evidence to uncover the truth about budget anomalies. NO ROMUALDEZ FINGERPRINT ON BUDGET INSERTIONS Romualdez wasn’t part of the Bicameral Conference Committee, and his name and signature aren’t found in the official bicam reports. The insertions happened in closed-door meetings he wasn’t part of. REAL INSERTIONS HAPPENED UNDER ESCUDERO’S WATCH Sen. Chiz Escudero inserted himself into the 2025 bicam, breaking precedent and controlling last-minute insertions. Sen. Grace Poe was sidelined, and Poe confirmed she was replaced by Escudero. HOUSE CUTS DPWH BUDGET, RELOCATES FUNDS TO SOCIAL SERVICES The House cut ₱73.7 billion from DPWH’s budget, redirecting funds to social services, health, education, and local government units. This move prioritized people’s needs over infrastructure bloat. BICAM RESTORED CUTS UNDER ESCUDERO AND CO The bicameral conference committee restored the cuts under Escudero and Rep. Zaldy Co’s watch, approving…
- National
- November 5, 2025
- 34 views
Tainted Testimony
by Rowel Montes Tacloban City- Earlier Court confirms forgery in affidavit of key Senate witness, exposing political ‘demolition job’The controversial testimony of Orly Regala Guteza, a “surprise witness” presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta in a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, has been rendered completely worthless after a local court officially confirmed that his affidavit was based on fraud. This development shifts the focus from the veracity of his corruption claims against high-ranking officials to the alleged existence of a sophisticated “Witness-for-Hire Syndrome” used for political warfare.The Legal Facts: From Whistleblower to LiarGuteza, a former security aide, was paraded before the Senate, where he claimed to have delivered suitcases of cash to the residences of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co. These explosive claims were immediately used by some quarters to fuel a political firestorm.However, the foundation of his testimony quickly crumbled due to a glaring legal malpractice:• Confirmed Forgery: The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch…
- National
- November 3, 2025
- 45 views
P3 Billion Allocated to Bolster Remote Public Schools
by Miriam G.Desacada Tacloban City—The national government has allocated ₱3 billion to improve access to basic education for children in remote and disadvantaged areas, according to Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales. “The sum will support the Last Mile Schools Program, which seeks to ensure that learners in remote and marginalized communities are not left behind in accessing public kindergarten, elementary, and secondary education,” said Gonzales, noting that his home province, Eastern Samar, has at least 41 barangays classified as GIDCAs. A ₱3 billion allocation under the 2026 National Expenditure Program will fund infrastructure, facilities, and teaching staff for schools in remote areas. “The package includes not just structures but also internet connectivity, technical-vocational laboratories, water and sanitation facilities, and solar power systems for off-grid schools, among others,” Gonzales added. Gonzales issued the statement following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to decentralize the government’s school building program. “We support the President’s decision to transfer school building funds to local government…
- National
- October 31, 2025
- 45 views
Tacloban warmly welcomes Coco Martin at the Toyota Tamaraw Roadshow!
by EVMWB Tacloban City–Multi-awarded actor and director Coco Martin visited Tacloban City on October 26, meeting fans at Robinsons Marasbaras as part of the Toyota Tamaraw Roadshow. Toyota Motor Philippines, together with Toyota Tacloban, Leyte Inc., organized the event as a way to give back to the Taclobanons who have shown support to Toyota and the Next Generation Tamaraw. Toyota Motor Philippines and Toyota Tacloban, Leyte Inc. organized an event to thank Taclobanons for their support of the Toyota Tamaraw. During a press conference, Toyota Tacloban Chairman Jimmy Yaokasin Jr. praised the Tamaraw’s success and introduced Coco Martin, the brand’s endorser, saying he was chosen for embodying the values of strength and action that the vehicle represents. Coco Martin on the Next Generation Tamaraw In his message, Coco said he takes pride in representing a vehicle that reflects his own journey and values. “When I saw the Next Generation Tamaraw, I said, ‘Genius ang gumawa nito.’ (the person who made…
E. Visayas’ inflation slightly rises to 0.5% in October
- November 12, 2025
- 7 views
2 Dead, Found in Fire During Typhoon Uwan’s Onslaught in Borongan City
- November 10, 2025
- 16 views
E. Samar cop nabbed, faced robbery complaint
- November 7, 2025
- 9 views
Ombudsman clears On̈ate from Graft Charges
- November 7, 2025
- 32 views