The Department of Education (DepEd) is appealing to politicians not to use graduation ceremonies as venues for their campaign. This would seem that many politicians are looking forward to desecrate the sanctity of graduation week with their empty speeches and rhetorics.

The Comelec instead should come out with a ruling that candidates should not become graduation speakers because they will just misuse the occasion for politicking. But has the DepEd not long “politicized” our schools? “Sec. Lapus must check first if his own department has kept schools free from politics long before the campaign period. Exactly how many large billboards do we see with his and his president’s face on them? You tell me,” a young lawyer mocked.
Full story…

Technical glitches and even force majure hitches constitute the big worries of the Commission on Elections amidst the dreadful fear of possible failure of elections on May 10 because of many first-time conditions that are about to confront both voters and the poll body.

The Commission on Election has expressed concern that certain problems might mar the country’s first ever automated elections noting that there are delays in the printing of ballots, delivery of counting machines, mechanical problems, as well as logistical deficiency.
Full story…

by: DEMS REY DEMECILLO

Education Department officials frown on those political candidates, who inch their way to be invited as graduation speakers, making all kinds of juicy promises in their vain efforts to maximize their political mileage without regard that they are desecrating the sanctity of commencement exercises both in the public and private schools.

The Department of Education appealed to politicians particularly those seeking elections on May 10, to at least spare the graduation exercises as venues to promote their candidacies in order not to dilute the significance of the occasion to the graduates and their families.
Full story…

The PNP has a new combatant battalion designed to contain possible election violence even as the army here featured changing of the guards.

Newly-promoted Army Brigadier General Cesar B. Yano formally relinquished his post as commander of the 302nd Brigade to his long time deputy, Colonel Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena in a simple turnover ceremony at Camp General Leon Kilat, Tanjay City, Friday, as various sectors of the society express hope that the new commander can preserve, if not, surpass the gains of his predecessor, who has so far kept the communist rebels on the run and secured peace in many of the formerly rebel-infested communities.
Full story…

A DISPLAY OF MEDIA UNITY. Dumaguete Press Club and KBP discuss a joint and pool coverage of the 2010 elections in a meeting last Monday at the Press Club Building, fully aware of the delicate political situation. (NC Foto by Blas)

Unlike in the past, Negros Oriental Election Supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba has assured the approximately 3, 090 public school teachers who will serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors in the 1, 000 clustered precincts of the province that they will be getting their full compensation immediately after completing their election duties.
Full story…

Did they escape in order to take a less than noble role in the coming May 10 elections? This question was raised by some quarters following a report that two detainees of the Guihulngan City PNP Detention Center escaped from their police escorts on March 6 in a bizarre manner.

Police Officer 3 Anacurido Tangeres Catubo and Senior Police Officer 1 Nestor dela Torre were escorting two inmates identified as Marvin Villagracia and Jovy Vergara ostensibly to answer the call of nature. However, since the comfort of the city police station was “out of order,” the two were escorted to the beach front near the station situated in Sitio Bateria, Barangay Poblacion.
Full story…

When you put together a group of enthusiastic volunteers, a team of qualified construction workers and some dedicated Dumaguete families, you’re bound to create something special. Dumaguete City Habitat has done just that in the past week, building 10 houses in only 5 days at Candau-ay Habitat.

The event was an overwhelming success and created a buzz in the community and around the city. It was a festive occasion with building, laughing and a wonderful community spirit in the air as the ten houses shot up in record time. The Lotiff Construction team led the pace with their house ready for the roof to be installed by just day three. A new record! However, other volunteer teams from companies like Ventus, NORECO-2 and SUMC were following close behind.
Full story…