In part 43 of Retards in the Government we meet familiar faces and say goodbye to a dear Retard in the Government whom we shall miss greatly.
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/978984/tugade-dotr-mrt-3-spare-parts-train-transportation-records-inventory-maintenance |
(The inventory is important because that’s where we’ll find out if it’s not enough or if you’re over-ordering. It can’t be done by hand. If you don’t address this now, time will come when spare parts will run out again because your account isn’t in order.)
With the constant breakdowns of the MRT one would think the maintenance warehouse would be in order.
 |
| http://globalnation.inquirer.net/165349/china-hold-monthly-combat-drills-south-china-sea-china-south-china-sea-news-navy |
The report of the drills comes after the US-guided missile destroyer USS Mustin sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Spratly archipelago. It is an island controlled by China but the international court ruled in The Hague ruled in 2016 that it belongs to the Philippines.
China referred to the US operation as a serious “military provocation.”
With the Korean situation cooling off this could be the next big flashpoint in Asia. And all because the Philippines closed Subic Bay to the Americans and then did nothing to discourage Chinese encroachment on their territory.
 |
| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/648393/chr-treating-suspects-innocent-until-proven-guilty-does-not-mean-defending-criminality/story/ |
 |
| http://www.interaksyon.com/phs-tourist-havens-pollutions-not-the-only-problem-lack-of-medical-facilities-is-too/ |
The reason given by the mayor about the lack of medical facilities and equipment – that they are a 5th-class municipality and lacked doctors and was not ready for the surge of tourists – also stunned her, the broadcaster said.
Siargao has been “marketed” for years as one of the best surfing destinations in the world, and was allocated over a billion pesos for infrastructure improvement in order to boost tourism.
“Wasn’t a multi million sports complex built?! All this infra and Siargao can’t afford to professionalize its trainers, put full time first aid clinic and life guard for tourists to support the VERY industry that put it’s name on the map?” Karen wondered aloud.
The pitiful state of medical facilities and services to handle tourist emergencies was also highlighted a few years ago when a Fil-American nurse on vacation in picturesque Coron island in Palawan died after suddenly falling ill while snorkeling with friends. He vomited, had tremors and collapsed, but when brought to the nearest facility, no one had the medical skills to attend to the tourist, who, it turned out, had anaphylactic shock or an allergic reaction from having stepped on a stone fish.
Sadly it's taken an incident involving newsreader Karen Davila's family to bring this issue to the forefront. Where has all the money gone? Why are the Philippines hotspot destinations lacking in medical facilities, lifeguards, and proper infrastructure to maintain the one industry that sustains them? But tourists have been vocal about the sorry state of the Philippines for years and have been cursed by Filipinos for such honesty. Now that Filipinos are calling out these places maybe the DOT will finally take notice.
 |
| https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/31/panelo-some-rome-statute-provisions-unconstitutional/ |
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also said that the ICC should not compare the Philippines to an African country and said that the only way the High Court can save itself is if it drops the case against Duterte.
“So if the Court knows what is good for it, for the institution to survive, they will just throw the case. And again, please, the very biggest reason we withdrew from the Court is we’re not a Burundi. That’s an insult to all officers of the Court in this country,” Roque said.
Funny how the Duterte administration keeps attempting to justify its withdrawal from the ICC. Why justify it? If it is all about sovereignty then the Philippines has the right to do as it pleases and need not justify the decision to anyone. Now Panelo says there were unconstitutional provisions in the Rome Statute. The very treaty that was signed and years later debated about before finally being ratified. Are we really to believe that with the scrutiny this treaty received that the Senate unknowingly agreed to a treaty that is fundamentally opposed to Philippine law? The notion is absurd.
Equally absurd is Roque pushing the false narrative that there is a case against Duterte at the ICC. There is not. There is a preliminary investigation which means an investigation to see if an investigation is warranted and then a case brought.
 |
| http://globalnation.inquirer.net/165375/democracy-alive-ph-medialdea-tells-un-rapporteur |
“Democracy in the Philippines is vibrant and strong,” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said in a statement.
“All the branches of the government are functioning and the rule of law thrives,” the statement added.Oh really? I thought there was evidence of election tampering in 2016. Senators have been bewailing recent decisions of the DOJ some even asking Aguirre to resign! Isn't the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on the way out? Can these guys stay on message or what?
“The administrative case will be filed before April 14 or the start of the (barangay) election ban. We are initially looking at the local chief executives, most probably the mayor, and the municipal council… Maybe including the barangay captains and governor. We’re not yet through with evidence gathering against the governor,” Densing said.
Densing said the DILG investigators are questioning the discrepancy in the latest financial report issued recently by Malay town officials, showing only P91 million in environmental fees collected last year.
“Unbelievable. They declared the tourist arrivals at two million… times P75 (charged for each tourist) that is P150 million. We will still see why there is discrepancy in the numbers,” he said.
If cases are filed it will likely be years before they are ever resolved.
If Filipinos cannot be bothered to follow environmental regulations at tourist spots how can they be trusted with all the responsibilities that come with running a nuclear power plant? I can just imagine some corrupt official dumping barrels of nuclear waste in the ocean. A much better solution to cheaper energy and to getting rid of garbage is waste to energy plants.
 |
| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/01/1801649/senator-wants-bataan-nuclear-power-plant-revived |
 |
| https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/23/denr-says-waste-to-energy-viable-solution-to-garbage-problem/ |
 |
| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/02/1802096/mocha-faces-raps-spreading-fake-news |
Akbayan Youth is set to file charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Like it or not, whether these charges are warranted or not, what's important is that another government official is facing charges before the Ombudsman.
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/979582/negros-oriental-exec-killed-in-ambush |
Eight months after he survived an ambush, Councilor Edison dela Rita of Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental was again attacked by still unidentified gunmen on Monday.
Only this time, he was not able to escape death.
Dela Rita died after his assailants repeatedly shot him while he was aboard his motorcycle around 7 a.m. in Brgy. Poblacion.
He also suspected that the New People’s Army might have a hand on this attack against Dela Rita, citing that the communist rebels had attempted to kill Dela Rita in 2017.
It could have been the NPA. But it also could have been a political rival. In the Philippines anything is possible. And I don't mean that in a positive way.
 |
| http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2018/04/02/cop-nabbed-drug-bust-face-possible-dismissal-596460 |
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/979770/peter-lim-drug-case-alleged-drug-lord-respondents-max-miro-nelson-pepito-doj |
 |
| https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/04/03/sandiganbayan-oks-mike-arroyos-hk-japan-trips/ |
Arroyo did not state the reasons for his travel motion, but he said that “he continuously enjoys the right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Hence, as such, he likewise enjoys the constitutional right to travel, subject to the restrictions of law and those which this Honorable Court may impose.”
He maintained that he is not a flight risk, since he has been allowed to travel several times in the past and he has always returned to the country “where his family and business interests are.”
Arroyo is facing graft charges in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of overpriced helicopters by the Philippine National Police (PNP) back in 2009.
Meanwhile, he also has another graft case before the Fourth Division involving the anomalous national broadband deal worth $329 million with ZTE Corporation back in 2007.
Another politician charged with graft has been allowed to travel outside the country. This time he gave no reason for it except the it's his right. Pretty cheeky. These cases also stem from 2009 and 2007. It is now 2018. Justice when?
 |
| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/648517/manual-recount-for-bongbong-robredo-poll-protest-begins/story/ |
If Leni wins then Marcos is proven to be a corrupt politician seeking to usurp an office. If Marcos wins then the 2016 election will be tainted with corruption and fraud. Either way corruption carries the day! Yay Pilipinas! Land of Corruption!
Wet ballots and missing audit logs? See!? Corruption is already winning this recount!
 |
| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/03/1802282/wet-ballots-missing-forms-raised-recount |
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/979817/villar-senate-to-shed-role-in-deciding-fate-of-boracay |
The Senate committee on environment looking into alleged violations of environmental laws in Boracay will now keep its hands off on the issue of whether or not to shut down the island, its chair Senator Cynthia Villar said on Tuesday.
The committee will resume its hearing next week but Villar said the focus would be on a possible legislation to ensure that Boracay would be managed well.
“Ang hearing namin is not whether to open or close Boracay because it’s obvious that the executive will decide what they will do with Boracay. Kami ang hearing namin will be ano yung mangyayari sa kanila and may be pass a legislation,” she said in an interview at the Senate.
Interesting. Is the Senate abdicating its powers and role in deference to the President? Sure sounds like it.
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/979440/duterte-easter-message-humble-forgiveness-selflessness-sunday-faith |
“As we remember Christ’s triumph against death, may we nurture humility and forgiveness in our hearts as these will free us from the shackles of hatred and greed,” he said.
"Nurture humility and forgiveness in our hearts"? Who is this impostor!?
 |
| http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/03/18/duterte-blasts-un-rights-chief-over-psychiatric-evaluation-remark |
Duterte said he was told by his Cabinet advisers not to hurl insults at Zeid due to the Philippine government’s ongoing negotiations with Jordan for the purchase of Cobra attack helicopters. Zeid is a cousin of King Abdullah of Jordan.
Duterte said he held back on hurling insults at Zeid. He, however, in his speech Tuesday, failed to contain his emotions and spewed invectives at the Jordanian prince.
“I will kill you, I’m sure of that,” he said, addressing himself to corrupt officials.
Now that's the Duterte we all know and love!
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/979970/news-carmen-north-cotabato-ambush |
One month before the barangay elections, unidentified gunmen ambushed a village chair and a village watchman here on Tuesday, in what police suspected was a politically-motivated attack.
This is why guns are banned during election time.
 |
| http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/18/police-officer-caught-gambling-in-paraaque-casino |
Authorities recovered casino chips worth P600,000 from Antonio. A presidential decree bans government officials, including police officers, to play in casinos.
The NCRPO said they had been monitoring the police officer in the past months. They said the arrest of Antonio is in cooperation with the casino security
Monitoring for the past months? Does this mean that this is related to the acknowledged gambling lords within the PNP ranks?
 |
| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/648881/duterte-appoints-customs-collector-implicated-in-p6-4b-shabu-mess-as-boc-assistant-commissioner/story/ |
Duterte continues to fight the good fight against corruption by appointing men accused of corruption to high office. It's that old maxim, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" in action. With all these corrupt men occupying the highest offices in the land Duterte can keep a close eye on them.
 |
| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/05/1802921/nfa-buffer-stock-good-less-day |
NFA Council chairman and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. said the agency’s buffer stock is good for just 0.35 days, way lower than the required 15-day rice reserve it is required to maintain at any given time.
Someone has not been doing their job!
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/980224/cop-moved-to-basilan-from-manila-shot-dead |
A rogue Manila police officer was shot dead in Isabela City on Wednesday months after he was transferred to Basilan province as part of his punishment.
No suspect had been identified and the motive for the killing was unknown, Torred said.
What a coincidence!
Labor groups said companies have avoided giving benefits and other incentives, usually given to regular employees, to their contractual employees by terminating them before their 6-month probationary period ends. This practice is called “endo”, which is short for “end of contract.”
Rising inflation. A weak peso. Contract jobs without regular benefits and which end in termination before workers can become regularised employees. All this adds up to one thing.
Success!
Success!
 |
| https://www.rappler.com/business/199454-philippines-upper-middle-income-2019-neda |
To become an upper middle income economy, a country should have a GNI per capita of between $4,036 and $12,475, data from the World Bank showed.
At present, the Philippines is a lower middle income countrie or a country with GNI per capita between $1,026 and $4,035.
With the right policies in place, Edillon said the Philippines can become near to a high-income country by 2040.
The 25-year vision foresees a Philippines that is a "prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor." It also envisions Filipinos with "long and healthy lives," being smart and innovative, and living in a "high-trust society."
It is impossible to doubt the reality of the economic miracles which are South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam. But miracles do not happen overnight or even in 2 years. Not the kind of miracles the Philippines wants anyway.
This 25-year vision is very ambitious to say the least but how realistic is it? The sad truth is the Philippines has not changed in 300 years. If you have not read the observations from a Jesuit priest on Filipino personality and cultural traits please do so. It is a revelation. In order for the Philippines to become a "high-trust" society EVERYTHING about the culture and society will have to change.
http://www.philippinehistory.net/views/1720sanagustin.htm
Paranoid! This will be easily verified.
 |
| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/649013/trillanes-suspects-boracay-was-shut-down-so-construction-materials-for-new-casino-can-come-in/story/ |
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/980378/raps-filed-vs-doh-officials-execs-from-2-firms-over-dengvaxia-mess |
Facing four separate complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violation of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 is former Health Secretary Janette L. Garin.Homicide and torture? Sounds like overreach. I doubt these charges will stick but it certainly makes for a good show.
 |
| http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/04/05/jinggoy-estrada-senate-run-pdp-laban.html |
"First of all, I have a lot of things to do in the Senate. I have a lot of bills that haven't been passed. Marami pa ring unfinished business, contrary to what my brother said," said Estrada. "Please, don't spin the story."
Only in the Philippines can a guy out on bail on a non-bailable plunder charge even begin to think about running for office under the party of the president who helped him make the bail he should not have been able to make!
 |
| http://globalnation.inquirer.net/165465/duterte-turn-cia-something-bad-happens-duterte-cia-us-war-on-drugs-palace |
He also said the Americans “really do not honor their word.”This paranoid man forgets that the Americans have done more than any country to assist the AFP in the fight against ISIS. He forgets about Operation Pacific Eagle, an open-ended US military operation in Mindanao. The ungratefulness is unbelievable.
 |
| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/hashtag/content/649054/school-honors-certificates-with-politicans-photos-draw-flak-online/story/ |
Cruz claimed that the politicians had used the ceremony to "promote" themselves for reelection.Faces of politicians on ambulances. Names of politicians on construction projects. Names of politicians on basketball backboards. Faces of politicians on banners congratulating "Batch 2018." Filipino politicians are ALWAYS campaigning. They want you to know they are there and they want your vote! Strangely you will never see "This CR bought and paid for public use by Councilman Jun-Jun Gonzalez."
 |
| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/980364/breaking-duterte-aguirre-resignation-doj |
