Comelec notes drop in number of registered voters for 2016 polls in Samar

Voters Registration (File photo from www.catbalogan.gov.ph)

CALBAYOG CITY -- A total of 490,420 names appeared on the final list of registered voters for the May 9, 2016 elections in Samar province, lower than what the Commission on Elections (Comelec) recorded two years ago.

The drop in the number of voters, according to the Comelec, was the result of the cleansing/deactivation of some voters due to absence of biometric data, unable to vote for the past two elections as well as the transfer of registration of some voters to other places.

Among the 24 towns and two cities in the province, this city remains a vote-rich area with 110,028 registered voters.

Other top five areas with high-voting population are Catbalogan City (60,033), Basey (31,643), Daram (25,607), and Sta. Rita (24,877).

Samar province has 951 villages. It has a total of 3,385 established precincts and 1,165 clustered precincts.

Meanwhile, the local police has already stepped up its plan to secure the peace and order of the province for the coming elections.

In Calbayog City, city police chief Supt. Salvador Tagle said that stricter conduct of checkpoint will be implemented starting Jan. 10 as election period starts. Gun ban will be enforced during this period.

Tagle calls on the support and cooperation of the public for the smooth conduct of checkpoints.

“We would like to appeal to the public to support the authorities and follow what are prohibited during the election period, especially carrying of guns,” he added. (PNA)

Samar political dynasty expands turf

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Oct. 17 -– The Tan political dynasty in this province will attempt to expand their turf in the 2016 polls by fielding a family member as mayoralty candidate in this city.

Angelie Tan, daughter of Samar Rep. Milagrosa Tan, the matriarch of the most powerful political clan in the province, formally joins the mayoralty race for the second time, facing the same opponent - Mayor Ronaldo Aquino.

Calbayog Politics AQUINO vs. TAN in 2016 #Calbayog #VotePH2016 #HatolngBayan2016 #Samar pic.twitter.com/rcvyl9bSP9

— Jennifer Sumagang (@jhenysumagang) October 15, 2015

She will run under the Nacionalista Party (NP) in an attempt to control the oldest city in the province.

In 2013, Angelie lost the three-corner fight against Aquino and Rey James Uy, son of late Rep. Reynaldo Uy.

“If given the chance I will do everything whatever that I need to do to make Calbayog a better place to live in” Tan said.

Tan added that she would closely look into the peace and order situation and livelihood programs for city residents.

Introduced as her running mate is Board Member Lolita Daguman.

Angelie is a sister of Samar Govenor Sharee Ann Tan and Vice Governor Jimboy Tan.

Their mother, Milgarosa sought a seat in the provincial board in 1998 to replace her brother-in-law Ruben Tan, who was in turn a substitute for her late husband, Ricardo.

After three years, she ran as governor and served for nine years. In 2010, she became a member of the House of Representatives, representing the second district of the province.

Milagrosa is now seeking a third and last term as district representative. (Jennifer S. Allegado/PNA)

Army official to join Samar gubernatorial race

CATBALOGAN CITY -- An Army official who will be retiring from military service Wednesday is eyeing to run for governor in Samar province next year.

After 25 years of military service, Lieutenant Colonel Emilio Zosa returned to Sta. Margarita town, where he grew up and disenchanted with what he has observed of Samar political scene.

“I have been very disappointed with the way the province was being run by some politicians. They always say they want to be the voice of the people, but it ended up differently,” Zosa said.

Zosa is a graduate of class 1991 of the Officers Candidate School (OCS) Philippine Army. He served as the Military Intelligence Commander of the Philippines to Middle East, where he had to travel abroad and to different areas in the country.

Zosa, the provincial chairman of Liberal Party in Samar province, believes that he all need that “determination and a whole lot more” for the 2016 gubernatorial race in the province.

A neophyte in politics, he paints his inexperience as an endowment. He remains untainted by corruption scandals compared to any other politicians in Samar.

He is calling for “transformation” in the entire province. According to him, solutions must be based on policies and ideas. “The people in Samar want a new message and a new messenger,” he added.

Those who once commanded the soldiers, visited Samar villages, carrying his own luggage, wear jeans and rubber shoes. The military, he said, taught him not just to give orders but to lead by example.

“Soldiers are the sons of poor people. I have worked with them for 25 years and I always consider things for their welfare. That's why I have a bond with the people," the official said. "I came from a poor family and have lived in poor villages without water or electricity, and I was fine. I don't think other politicians know how to do that."

Zosa pledges to crack down existence of Private Armed Groups in Samar, fight against corruption, improve the education, medical and health services to the people, livelihood and uphold justice to all the people in the province.

“Reality tells me that there is desperation in Samar,” Sousa said. “We’ve had economic growth, but no development.”
Zosa will be challenging the Tan family, who is in control of key positions in the province.

In 2011, Zosa was reported to be one of the two military intelligence officers who disclosed to senators the names of officials who ordered to wiretap the phones of several officials, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, during the 2004 elections. (PNA)