News Briefs: March 25, 2019
‘Don’t vote for candidates from political dynasties’
Do not vote for candidates who belong to political dynasties in the coming May 13 elections.
This was the call of poll watchdog Democracy Watch to voters, saying that familiar surnames must never be sufficient basis in choosing whom to vote for.
“Let us stop electing political dynasty members who will just abuse the power vested in them,” said Democracy Watch secretary general Claudette Guevara. —Tina G. Santos
Ex-mayor of Batangas town accused of graft
The Office of the Ombudsman has been asked to investigate former San Pascual, Batangas province, Mayor Antonio Dimayuga, former Vice Mayor Davis Gregory Fider and six councilors for alleged graft.
In a complaint submitted by San Pascual Councilor Rolando Tamayo, he said that Dimayuga and the other respondents approved several infrastructure projects in the municipality in 2014 without public bidding.
In an 11-page complaint-affidavit submitted to the Ombudsman on March 12, Tamayo said that Dimayuga and the other respondents “approved the constitution, establishment and operation of San Pascual’s water distribution system without any competitive public bidding.”
Other than Dimayuga and Fider, also named in the complaint were Marra Cassandra Fernandez, Efren Reyes, Norman Dimatatac, Moises Chavez, Reyshanne Joy Marquez and Ma. Brenda Dimayuga, all members of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Pascual.
In his complaint, Tamayo sought Dimayuga and the other respondents’ suspension, and asked the Ombudsman to file graft cases against them. —Patricia Denise M. Chiu
Dengue cases surge by 69% nationwide
The Department of Health reported 44,566 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to March 9 nationwide, 69 percent higher than the 26,408 dengue cases recorded during the same period last year.
Based on the latest Dengue Surveillance Report, the number of deaths also went up from 134 last year to 167 this year.
Central Visayas had the most number of cases, followed by the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Caraga.
Deaths caused by dengue were also highest in Central Visayas, followed by Cagayan Valley, Metro Manila, Western Visayas and Calabarzon.
The most affected age group by dengue was 5-9 years old. —Tina G. Santos
