By Rachel Magday   When the people of Nueva Vizcaya cast their votes in the recent May 12 National and Local Elections, the results for the gubernatorial position was nothing short of historic. Attorney Jose V. Gambito, who assumed the province’s highest post in May 2023 after the death of Governor Carlos M. Padilla, emerged not just as the incumbent but as the overwhelming choice of Novo Vizcayanos. His landslide victory was a testament to years of patience, dedication, and genuine public service—a story that goes beyond politics and speaks to the heart of leadership. A Journey Marked by Patience, Service, and Divine Intervention Gambito’s rise to the governorship was not overnight. For years, he served as a loyal public servant, patiently waiting for his turn to lead. He ran for governor three times before, facing setbacks but never losing hope. “Matagal na po akong nakapila,” he often said, a phrase that resonated with many. His succession in 2023, after the unexpected death of Gov. Padilla, was seen by many as divine intervention—an indication that it was finally his time. For Gambito, the governorship was not just about filling a vacancy; it was about fulfilling a promise—to himself, his mentors, and the people. His experience in local governance, legal expertise, and reputation for fairness made him a natural choice. Supporters believed his long wait and the circumstances of his ascension were guided by a higher power, strengthening their faith in his leadership. Breaking the Chains of Political Dynasty One of the defining issues of the campaign was the question of political dynasties. Gambito’s opponent was not only an incumbent Congresswoman and a former governor but also had two children running for various positions, which many voters viewed as an attempt to consolidate power within their family. In contrast, Gambito’s candidacy was seen as a breath of fresh air—a chance to break away from established political families and promote leadership based on merit and genuine service to the community. His supporters felt that this was an opportunity to embrace a new era of governance, one that prioritized the needs of the people over family ties. Accomplishments that Speak Volumes In his two years as governor, Atty. Jose V. Gambito has proven that leadership is best measured by results. The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya, under his stewardship, has received numerous awards and recognitions—solid proof of effective governance and impactful service. These flagship programs are not just projects on paper—they are realities felt by ordinary people, from farmers in the highlands to students in the lowlands. Under Gambito’s watch, the provincial government also expanded access to health services, streamlined social welfare programs, and promoted youth empowerment through skills training and scholarships. Recognitions and Awards The impact of these initiatives has not gone unnoticed. The Provincial Government, during Gambito’s term, garnered awards for good governance, transparency, accountability and innovation in public service. These awards are more than trophies—they are a reflection of a government that works, a governor who listens, and a province on the move. The Youth Factor One of the most inspiring aspects of Gambito’s victory was the overwhelming support he received from the youth. In a province where young people often feel overlooked, Gambito—affectionately known as “Papa Jing”—has become a father figure to them, embodying a genuine care for their future. His approachable nature and commitment to their voices have allowed him to actively engage the youth in his vision for Nueva Vizcaya, championing education, digital innovation, and empowerment. He often reminds them, “I will prepare the province for you, but you should also prepare yourselves for the province,” emphasizing his belief that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. Social media buzzed with messages of support and enthusiasm, demonstrating that his appeal resonates across generations. By involving the youth in his initiatives, Gambito is not just investing in their future—he is nurturing a stronger, more vibrant province for everyone. A Mandate for Change and Continuity Why did the Novo Vizcayanos rally behind Gambito so passionately? The reasons are clear: his years of service, humility, and commitment to putting others first. In an era dominated by political dynasties and self-interest, Gambito emerged as a leader who patiently waited his turn and truly prioritized the people. As he begins his full term as governor, Atty. Jose V. Gambito carries not only the mandate of the electorate but also the hopes of a province eager for change and progress. His victory is more than a political triumph—it is a celebration of patience, integrity, and the enduring power of public trust.

Maituturing na raw na “endemic” ang vote-buying sa Pilipinas matapos ang National and Local Elections (NLE) 2025, ayon sa European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission. Sa ginawang pananalaksik ng grupo na pinangunahan ng kanilang deputy chief observer na si Manuel Sanchez de Nogues, kabilang sa mga lugar sa bansa na naging talamak ang vote-buying sa nakalipas na eleksyon ang mga probinsiya ng Davao Oriental, Bohol, La Union, Palawan, Quezon, Siquijor, Zamboanga City, at Zamboanga del Sur provinces. Ayon pa kay de Nogues, marami aniya silang natanggap na report na pamimigay ng pera, ayuda o goods tulad ng pagkain na maituturing na vote-buying sa panahon ng eleksyon. Itinuturing naman ang matinding kahirapan sa bansa na siyang ugat ng malawakang pagbili ng boto sa Pilipinas. Bukod sa talamak na vote-buying, na obserbahan din ng European Union Election Observation Mission na ang mga pamilyang nasa politika ang nangingibabaw sa lokal na halalan. Pinuri naman ng European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission ang mataas na voter turnout sa bansa sa naganap na eleksyon 2025. (Reden Delos Santos)

RIZAL, Cahayan — Nagwagi ang 21 taong gulang na alkalde sa bayan ng Rizal, Cagayan na si Jamila Ruma laban sa dalawa nitong katunggali sa puwesto sa katatapos lamang na National and Local Elections 2025. Ang batang alkalde ang nagtuloy sa kandidatura ng amang pinaslang na si Rizal Mayor si Atty. Joel Ruma. Dahil dito, si Jamila ngayon ang pinakabatang alkalde sa buong bansa na humahawak ng pinakamataas na posisyon sa isang bayan. Si Jamila ay nagtapos ng kursong Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies sa De La Salle University Manila. Isa siyang consistent dean’s lister sa kaniyang paaralan at nakakuha rin ng Best Thesis at Best Thesis Presenter nang ito ay nagtapos sa kanyang pag-aaral. Bagama’t namulat na si Jamila sa mundo ng pulitika dahil kapwa lider sa kanilang bayan ang kanyang mga magulang na nagsilbi at nagsisilbi ngayon bilang alkalde at bise alkalde ng Rizal, isang malaking hamon sa kanya ang ipagpatuloy ang sinimulang laban ng kanyang pinaslang na ama. Ang malagim na insidente na kumitil sa buhay ng kanyang ama noong Abril 23, 2025 sa isang campaign rally sa Illuru, Rizal ang nagtulak sa kanya para suungin ang daang bagama’t pamilyar ay isang malaking responsibilidad. Sa kanyang mensahe sa isang Facebook post, ipinarating ni Jamila ang kanyang pasasalamat sa lahat ng sumuporta at nagtiwala sa kanilang laban. Ang serbisyong sapat at tapat ang siyang aasahan ng kanilang mga kababayan mula sa kanilang pamamahala sa bayan ng Rizal. “Gusto nga ipadatang kikkayu ya napapusu nga appa-balas ki ngammin ya nassuporta, nagtiwala, en nangup-uppun kiyaw nga laban tida entre ya Team RUMA. Tuloy ya serbisyong SAPAT at TAPAT nga pinamegapuwanan en nebtang ya Ama.,” saad ni Mayor Ruma. Aniya, hawak niya ang pangako ng kanyang ama na panatilihing ligtas at masaya ang kanilang bayan. Ngayon, sa tulong ng kanyang ina na nagwagi rin bilang Vice Mayor na si Atty. Brenda Ruma, sabay nilang ipagpapatuloy ang legasiyang inumpisahan at ang pagmamalasakit sa kanilang bayan na iniukit na ni Mayor Joel Ruma sa puso ng kanyang mga kababayan. (Kane Manaoat)

Congratulations, Mayor-Elect Maila Rosario S. Ting-Que! VICE MAYOR: Pastor Ross Resuello CITY COUNCILORS Charo Soriano Ronald Ortiz Mark Angelo Dayag Jude Bayona Lope Apostol Atty. Aldous Baccay Tirso Mangada Denden Avila Myrna Te Ayna Ting Karina Gauani Anthony Tuddao (Tuguegarao City PIO)  

ALLACAPAN,Cagayan — Iniulat ng Cagayan Police Provincial Office (CPPO) ang pagkakaaresto ng dalawang lalaking sangkot umano sa pagbili ng boto sa Barangay Tamboli, Allacapan, Cagayan. Ang mga hindi pinangalanang suspek ay kapwa residente sa bayan ng Allacapan, may edad 45 at 52, at kapwa may asawa. Iniulat ng CPPO, na ang matagumpay na pagkakadakip sa mga suspek ay sa pamamagitan ng citizen’s arrest kung saan habang ginagawa ng mga ito ang aktong pagbili ng boto ay agad silang hinuli at tinurn-over ni alyas Jong, isang residente ng nasabing lugar sa mga tauhan ng Allacapan Police Station at sa pakikipag-ugnayan kay Election Officer Maria Rosario T. Catral. Nasamsam sa mga suspek ang dalawang body bag, pera na nagkakagalaga ng 100,000 na may iba’t ibang denominasyon, listahan ng mga pangalan mula sa Brgy. Pacac at Tambol, sample ballot na may nakadikit na campaign pamphlet, isa pang campaign pamphlet ng ibang kandidato, dalawang cellphone, at dalawang ballpen. Sa ngayon, nasa kustodiya ng pulisya ang mga nahuling suspek para sa kaukulang dokumentasyon at disposisyon.(Cagayan PIO)

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Inihayag ng pamunuan ng Cagayan Police Provincial Office (CPPO) na lalong hihigitan ngayon ng kapulisan ang gagawing pagbabantay sa bayan ng Rizal matapos ang inaasahang pagkakasailalim nito sa COMELEC Control para sa National at Local Elections (NLE) 2025. Ito ay kasunod ng pagkakalagay sa “Red Category” bilang Election Area of Concern ang naturang bayan matapos ang pagpatay kay Rizal Mayor Joel Ruma kamakailan. Ayon kay PCapt. Shiela Joy Fronda, tagapagsalita ng CPPO, maigting ngayon ang ugnayan ng pamunuan ng Rizal Police Station at Rizal Municipal Election Officer upang maisakatuparan ang paglalatag at implementasyon ng mga polisya at mga hakbang para sa seguridad ng gaganaping halalan sa naturang lugar. Aniya, hinihintay na rin ngayon ng kanilang tanggapan ang kopya ng resolusyon na nagpapatibay sa pagsasailalim ng bayan ng Rizal sa COMELEC Control habang tiniyak din aniya ng pamunuan ng CPPO ang kahandaan ng kapulisan tungo sa ligtas, maayos, at malinis na halalan sa iba pang mga bayan at siyudad sa Cagayan. “May resolution na po dito po sa request na ang bayan ng Rizal ay mailalagay na nga po under the COMELEC Control at hinihintay lamang po natin ang final na copy [resolution] na ang bayan ng Rizal ay nasa COMELEC Control na po,” “Hindi po magkakampante ang mga Cagayano Cops sa pamumuno po ng ating butihing Provincial Director, nakahanda po tayo sa lahat ng pagkakataon but we are praying na sana wala pong maging insidente at iyon na ang una at huli,” saad ni Fronda. Matatandaang kahapon ay pinangunahan ni Provincial Director, PCol.Mardito Anguluan ang Accounting and Send-off Ceremony ng mga personnel na nagmula sa Provincial Headquarters (PHQ) at Tourist Police Unit (TPU) bilang karagdagang puwersa na ipapakalat at itatalaga katuwang ng mga local police station na magbabantay sa iba’t ibang istratihikong lugar sa probinsya.(Cagayan PIO)  

By Rachel Magday   With less than two weeks before the May 12 election, a recent survey conducted by a group of researchers and professors from a prestigious university has provided a snapshot of voter preferences in the upcoming congressional race in Nueva Vizcaya. The survey, which was conducted from April 23 to 28 across all municipalities of the province, involved 2,000 respondents and boasts a 99% confidence level with a 1% margin of error. The survey employed the Publicus methodology, a robust approach also used by renowned polling organizations such as Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia. This method incorporates random sampling techniques to ensure a representative cross-section of the population, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the results. According to the survey results, Ruth Padilla of the Nacionalista Party (NP) is currently leading the race with 39.57% of the vote. Her nearest competitor, Timothy Cayton of Aksyon Demokratiko (AKSYON), trails with 26.66%. Following closely is Jose Tam-an Tomas of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (LAKAS), who has garnered 21.21% support from the respondents. The survey also highlighted the performance of other candidates in the race. Jun Manghi secured 4.45%. General Val De Leon captured 3.50%,Jay Padilla received 2.40% of the vote of the respondents’ preferences. Notably, both abstentions and Lawrence Santa Ana each accounted for 1.10% of the survey results. The same group of researchers conducted earlier rounds of surveys, with Ruth Padilla consistently emerging as the top choice among voters. The first round, held from January 15-20, and the second round, from March 20-25, both confirmed her leading position. This consistent performance underscores her strong and sustained appeal among the electorate. Adding to her momentum, Ruth Padilla also led in the mock elections conducted by St. Mary’s University in the first week of April, where she garnered 44.64% of the vote. Her consistent lead across various surveys highlights her robust standing in the race.  

        TUGUEGARAO CITY — Nag-alok si Gob. Manuel Mamba ng P1 milyon reward money para sa sinumang makapagtuturo at makapagbibigay ng impormasyon para sa agarang pagkakadakip sa mga suspek na pumatay kay Rizal Mayor Atty. Joel Ruma, habang ito ay nangangampanya noong Abril23. Ang hakbang na ito ng Gobernador ay upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagpatay sa isang lider sa lalawigan. Una nang kinondena ni Gob. Mamba ang pagpatay kay Mayor Ruma at inihayag na walang puwang ang karahasan sa probinsiya. Kasunod nito ang pakiusap ng ama ng lalawigan sa mga mamamayan ng bayan ng Rizal na makipagtulungan sa mga otoridad upang matukoy ang mga nasa likod ng karumaldumal na pagpatay. Si Mayor Ruma ay binaril ng hindi nakilalang suspek habang ito ay nagsasagawa ng campaign rally sa barangay Illuru sa nasabing bayan gabi ng Abril 23, 2025 Kaugnay nito, personal na binisita ni PNP Chief, PGEN Rommel Marbil ang burol ng Alkalde at nakipag-ugnaya sa pamilya nito. Iniutos din Marbil ang pagbuo ng Special Investigation Task Group (SITG), na siya tututok sa malalimang imbestigasyon, para agarang matukoy ang mitbo at makilala ang suspek para sa ikadadakip nito. Tinungo din ni Marbil ang mismong pinangyarihan ng insidente sa Barangay Illuru Sur upang magkaroon ng malinaw na perspektibo ukol sa krimen. Sa opisyal na ulat ng Police Regional Office 02 (PRO2), nagsagawa rin ang kapulisan ng isang conference sa Rizal Police Station na dinaluhan din mismo ni PGEN Marbil kung saan tinalakay ang mga hakbang na dapat ilatag upang mapabilis ang imbestigasyon ng mga kinauukulan. Ipinag-utos pa nito ang pagkakaroon ng “intensified police visibility” lalo na sa mga lugar na may mataas na tensyon kaugnay sa usapin ng eleksyon. Sa ngayon, nakatutok naman ang SITG sa pangangalap ng mga ebidensya tulad ng mga CCTV footages at mga posibleng saksi na posibleng makatulong sa imbestigasyon. (Badz Heralde)

By Rachel Magday   In a move that promises to transform local infrastructure and uplift the community, Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has announced plans to concrete the road from Sitio Nangcalapan, Barangay Salinas, to Barangay Mauan in Bambang. This announcement was made during the inauguration of a newly completed farm-to-market road, a project funded by a one-million-peso investment from the provincial government. In addition to the road improvements, Governor Gambito addressed the community’s long-standing request for a bridge. He promised to work with former Governor Ruth Padilla to make this happen, as long as they are elected as governor and congresswoman of Nueva Vizcaya. Together with former Governor Ruth Padilla, we are committed to turning these dreams into reality. We will work hand in hand to improve our infrastructure and create new opportunities for our people,” stated Gambito. The event was also attended by Board Member Patricio F. Dumlao and Ruthie Maye Padilla, who represented her mother, former Governor Ruth Padilla. Their presence highlighted the collective effort and determination to drive progress in the province. These long-awaited developments are set to enhance connectivity and boost economic prospects in the province. The improved road and proposed bridge are expected to facilitate smoother transport of goods and services, greatly benefiting local farmers.