He has been praised to high heavens by national and local media as the “poor boy from a Dumaguete fishing village who (through sipag at talino) topped the 2010 graduates of this country’s premier military academy.”

Cadet First Class Eraño “Rani” Belen now the famous son of a tricycle driver and a home beautician mom, is in town to pay homage to the city that brought him up to be the country’s no. 1 military school graduate. But how can he repay this city that has nurtured him to fame?
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At first everybody thought reelectionist Gov Emilio Macias was backing the presidency of Noynoy Aquino, but his perceived impending switch to the Villar camp was becoming clearer last Wednesday when Macias was conspicuously absent from the NoyNoy Aquino rally even as it was held at Macias’ home court at the Freedom Park fronting the capitol building. Macias reportedly politely declined the invitation to introduce Noynoy in that mammoth rally.
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Former Senate President Franklin Drilon gave his fearless forecast that in the most unlikely event of a failure of elections, military adventurists might take advantage by staging a coup over the civilian authority, and imnpose military rule, with the promise of holding normal elections in due time.

Drilon revealed his anticipation in an exclusive interview with DYEM ENERGY FM during his visit to Dumagete This grim scenario has a ripening reality because after June 30, if no president is proclaimed, and Pres. Arroyo’s term shall have expired, a hiatus might ensue causing a political vacuum at the helm of political power and leadership.
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CRITICAL REPORTING
by: ELY P. DEJARESCO

In the most unlikely event of a failure of election, and after June 30, the country will be leaderless unless the Senate will hold a special session to choose a new senate president who will temporarily take over as head of State until a new president shall have been elected and qualified.

Better still, while the functions of government are still intact, the Office of the President should take the initiative of filing a petition for Declaratory Relief (Rule 63 of the Rules of Court) to ask the Supreme Court to rule with finality, whether or not, a new Chief Justice can be validly appointed by the President without violating the ban on appointments during the election campaign period.
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Habitat for Humanity intends to expand and build houses also for the poor families in some neighboring municipalities as Dumaguete City has already eight housing sites with over 830 homes built for 20 years now.

Habitat for Humanity board member Engr. Greg Uymatiao said while a blitz build for 10 additional houses will take place on March 6 to 12, 2010 at Barangay Candau-ay, Dumaguete City, “we also encourage private individuals or local government units in Metro Dumaguete to offer some vacant residential lots for some poor resident-families to avail a decent house built through of Habitat.”
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Saying that he is running to restore the honor of his short-lived presidency, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada barnstormed the province and held a miting de avance at the Quezon Park, which was briefly interrupted by a drunk man who heckled Estrada midway in his speech Tuesday night.
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Amlan’s Association of Barangay Councils President and Bio-os Barangay Captain Emelyn B. Rosales has already taken her oath of office before Nationalist People’s Coalition party chieftain Gov. Dodo Macias II to sit as the newest member of the Provincial Board of Negros Oriental following the February 7 death of BM Apolinario “Enar” Arnaiz.
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Security forces are now closely monitoring the activities of the New People’s Army who have reportedly started asking candidates to secure Permit to Campaign and Permit to Win in the areas where the communist movement has significant influence.

Col. Manny Ochotorena, 302nd Brigade Commanding Officer bared this information during last week’s Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting at the Capitol.
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