Email: check_baluma@yahoo.com

To the Boholano balikbayans, welcome back to Bohol and may your stay be a meaningful and delightful one!

There is no stopping balikbayans from returning to their beloved “Republic “ of Bohol and participating in the activities of the TBTK. Although there were suggestions made to postpone the TBTK activity because of the A(H1N1) scare, it is all systems go for the biggest gathering of Balikbayans here in the province of Bohol. The influx of Boholano balikbayans from abroad have started as early as last week.

The family- oriented nature of Boholanos’ is shown by the warm welcome extended by the relatives and friends of the Boholano balikbayans to them. It cannot be denied that the A(H1N1) virus has already been classified as pandemic, but we have heard from health authorities that said virus is not as fatal as compared to the ordinary influenza or the dreaded dengue fever.

Our constitution afford citizens the right to travel and the liberty of abode. Our government has performed well in addressing the A(H1N1) scare issue. Let us just understand the situation of our balikbayans. They have planned a long time for their vacation here, their longing to be back in the company of their loved ones is beyond compare. To us local residents, we could do our own share of fighting the A(H1N1) by keeping ourselves healthy. To the Boholano balikbayans, welcome back to Bohol and may your stay be a meaningful and delightful one!

The bombing incidents that happened recently has revived the fears of several quarters of the return of the Martial Law. No matter what distancing Malacañan projects in connection with the ConAss issue, there are quarters who have expressed their belief that the latest chaos and disorders are just part of a grand plan to have NO-EL next year.

Presently, the move to amend the constitution has not gone down, and it seems the present dispensation still have cards to lay in order to achieve constitutional amendments before June 2010.

Charter change can wait. Elections next year must proceed as scheduled. Whether we have poll automation next year or not, let us not despair. What is key to every election is not the method to be used to count the votes. Voter education is a key to a successful holding of an election. All concerned sectors of society must work hand in hand in ensuring an honest, orderly, truthful and peaceful election next year.