Coronavirus Lockdown: Philippines Just Became the Worst Place to be in COVID, Tomato Dumping, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.

Bloomberg profiled 53 countries in a COVID-19 resilience index. The Philippines came in at the bottom, 52. The response from the Palace was quite unexpected. Instead of dismissing the survey they accepted the results but blamed rich countries for hoarding vaccines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155073

“We take note of Bloomberg’s latest Covid-19 Resilience Ranking report,” Roque said in a press statement. “We are not surprised that the Philippines, together with other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam are at the bottom of the list while countries which topped the list are developed countries such as Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, Finland and Denmark.”

Roque acknowledged that Covid-19 vaccines are vital in the Philippines’ fight against the dreaded disease.

He, however, said the Philippines is a “classic case” of poor nations with lack of vaccine supplies because of rich countries’ supposed hoarding of the “life-saving” jabs.

“Vaccines are key towards defeating Covid -19. Unfortunately, as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte articulated in the United Nations (UN), ‘rich countries hoard life-saving vaccines, while poor nations wait for trickles.’ The Philippines is a classic case in point, where inoculation is highly dependent on the availability and stability of vaccine supplies,” Roque said.

In classic fashion Roque ignores some very important details. The most important being that the government has received millions of doses of vaccines and has imposed rotating, economically crippling lockdowns. The most recent one in Manila destroyed thousands of more jobs.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/09/30/2130793/fresh-lockdowns-destroy-more-jobs-august

Fresh restrictions imposed in August to curb the spread of hyper-contagious Delta variant threw more people into unemployment during the month.

There were 3.88 million people who were either unemployed or out of business in the Philippines in August, up from 3.07 million in July, results of a survey of 10,919 households by the Philippine Statistics Authority showed Thursday.

That translated to a jobless rate of 8.1% in August, up from 6.9% in July. For economic officials, the higher unemployment figure was “expected” due to the brief return to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last month to arrest a renewed surge in infections.

Even Bloomberg issued a rebuttal to Roque's assertion that the Philippines' low ranking being due to vaccine hoarding.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-29/why-the-philippines-just-became-the-worst-place-to-be-in-covid

The Philippines’ drop to No. 53 reflects the challenges it’s facing from the onslaught of the delta variant, which has hit Southeast Asia particularly hard amid difficulties containing the more contagious strain and slow vaccination rollouts. The region, which recently had the worst outbreak in the world, populates the September Ranking’s lowest rungs, with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam all in the bottom five.  

The Philippines faces a perfect storm in that it’s grappling with the more ferocious delta variant at the same time as it works with an inadequate testing regime and sees disruptions to its economy and people’s livelihoods as the pandemic continues to rage.  

The country scores low on all four of our metrics related to reopening, and with a vaccine coverage rate of 20% -- among the lowest of those ranked -- the Philippines is engaged in one of the most stringent lockdowns of the 53. Its Flight Capacity, which measures how far air travel has gotten back to normal, is 74% below 2019 levels and the Philippines’ borders remain sealed to visitors.  

On Covid containment, the Philippines underperforms too. While its cases per capita over the past month are a fifth of what vaccine frontrunner Israel has seen, the Philippines had the second-worst positive test rate in the Ranking, at 27% -- only better than Mexico. The metric indicates the government is only testing the sickest patients for Covid and that there’s likely high levels of undetected infection in the community.  

Meanwhile, the outbreak has extracted large economic and social costs, as shown in metrics related to quality of life. Community mobility remains 29% below a pre-pandemic benchmark, and the economy is forecast to grow 4.5% this year, less than estimated before delta’s spread. The Philippines also has weaker healthcare infrastructure compared to other ranked places, and a lower Human Development Index score to cushion the virus hit.  

The most significant impediment to the Philippines’ response has been its limited access to vaccines. The country has used a disparate range of shots to try and ramp up the rollout:   

The Philippines’ handling of the pandemic was also hampered by a 1991 law that made city, town and village leaders responsible for the health system. Without uniform guidance, village-level health teams often follow rules set by mayors or chieftains, resulting in a fragmented response to Covid.  

Lingering lockdowns to quell the persistently high infections pushed the Philippines’ economy back into contraction in the second quarter from the previous three months. 

While Bloomberg does say that the limited access to vaccines is the "most significant impediment to the Philippines' response" it also does not hesitate to mention the crippling lockdowns which are just as significant for the bad economy.

But even though the Philippines has limited access to vaccines that is not stopping the country from harming the economy by limiting the access of unvaccinated persons.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/09/30/ban-on-unvaccinated-not-a-glut-behind-tomato-dumping/

FARMERS in Northern Luzon dumped about 6,000 kilograms of tomatoes not because of oversupply but because of non-arrival of buyers, who were barred from entering the area due to “no vaccination, no entry” policies enforced by local government units (LGUs) in certain checkpoints.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) explained that the reason behind the unsold tomatoes of a farmer named Enza Aguinao of Tubeng, Ap-apid in Tinoc, Ifugao was the stringent implementation of no vaccination, no entry policy in various checkpoints by LGUs.

The DA added that this was according to Ifugao provincial agriculturist Dr. Domingo Mariano, as affirmed by Diego Madino, a stall owner at the Nueva Vizcaya Agriculture Terminal (NVAT). Madino said that about 6 metric tons (MT) of tomatoes were dumped in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya due to lack of buyers.

What did they expect when so little of the population has been vaccinated? They are only just now allowing the general population to receive the vaccination. This is an unbelievable and avoidable waste.

Those who are vaccinated will not only be able to access all the tomatoes they need but they will also be eligible for P3 million in prizes,

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/04/21/p3-m-worth-of-prizes-up-for-grabs-for-those-vaccinated-vs-covid

The Philippine government on Monday said a total of P3 million in cash prizes will be raffled among Filipinos who are vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The prizes include P1 million for the grand draw in December.

The announcement of the raffle promo at an event at SM City Clark in Pampanga said 100 winners will be picked during the monthly draw that begins this month. The prize for the monthly winners was not disclosed.

Partially vaccinated people are entitled to one raffle entry, and will get 2 more entries once they complete their vaccination.

Those who receive single-dose vaccines will get 3 raffle entries.

Senior citizens are entitled to double the number of raffle entries.

The raffle promo is sponsored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, in partnership with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and the Department of Health, according to the announcement.

Different kinds of incentives for those who get COVID-19 shots have been offered in other localities in the country, and in many parts of the world amid vaccine hesitancy among some members of the population.

Senior citizens will get six entires to win P1 million and other prizes. The Philippine government is no stranger to bribing the citizenry. That is how they hope to defeat the NPA.

The film industry in the Philippines has been hit hard by the pandemic with significantly less films being produced and reviewed by the MTRCB.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/805201/mtrcb-reports-significant-drop-in-film-reviews-in-2021/story/

The Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) on Thursday reported a "significant drop" in the number of films it has reviewed so far — only 35 in the first eight months of 2021.

According to MTRCB registration officer Atty. Ann Marie Nemenzo, the average number of films being reviewed by the board per year is about 200 to 300.

“You will see the statistics on the film review [as of August 2021] and you will notice that there is a significant drop in the number of films that we reviewed for this year. Since January, it’s only a total of 35 films,” Nemenzo told the Senate in a budget briefing.

Movie theaters have yet to open in many areas in the Philippines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which also put on hold many movie-making activities not just in the country but globally. 

Aside from reviewed films, Nemenzo also said there is also a significant decrease in film trailers with 39 in total since the start of 2021.

Meanwhile, there are 64,625 television programs and 248 non-video publicity materials that were so far reviewed by the MTRCB.

Nemenzo also reported that they were able to reach 100% of their target number of reviewed materials with 115,320 videos that were reviewed and 

Well. at least they met their target goal which is more than  can be said for the DOH and their vaccination program. But now that election season is gearing up can we expect the government to finally do their jobs?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155696

Booster shots, evaluation of current local government units’ (LGU) policies, and vaccination during election season are part of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19’s recalibrated national vaccination program for the remaining months of 2021 and until next year.

NTF chief Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday night presented the government's key considerations in recalibrating the inoculation plan during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to People aired late Monday.

Among the immediate goals are a "better Christmas and safe election period" and gradual resumption of face-to-face classes, Galvez said.

The key phases of the recalibrated strategies include securing the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of the different Covid-19 vaccines; assessment on the current vaccine rollout of some cities experiencing inflection point; reevaluation of LGUs’ handling capacities; review of sustainable vaccination program in the fourth quarter of 2021; crafting vaccine security roadmap amid the presence of Covid-19 variants and reformulated booster shots; review of the vaccine portfolios; and vaccination strategies during the May 2022 national and local elections.

"(Our most desired outcome here is to have a safe, equitable, and cost-effective vaccination program for the pediatric population, usage of booster shots, and inoculation of the general population by the fourth quarter this year)," Galvez said.

Galvez said the government will continue to adopt the "focus and expand" vaccination strategy in high-risk or critical areas.

"We are negotiating with four to five manufacturers to sign non-binding term sheets to lock-in the allocations of 90 million doses starting first quarter [of 2022]," Galvez said.

The Department of Finance, he added, is already preparing for multilateral funding worth PHP45 billion, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The Philippines is set to complete the estimated 160 million doses of secured Covid-19 vaccines by the end of the year.

"To reiterate, the delivery of 100 million doses before the end of October 2021, and the delivery of 140 to 160 million doses before the end of the year," he said.

The NTF plans to administer at least 100 million doses before 2022.

"And then we are targeting to give, to vaccinate all the targeted population before the start of the election period in February 2022," he said.

It's a very ambitious plan. They should have started working on it last year.

Picture of the Week: Transporting A Stationary Bike on a Motorcycle

In the Philippines the motorcycle is a multipurpose vehicle. It is used to transport whole families as well as deliver packages and other large objects. It is not uncommon to see a back rider holding tightly on to a gas tank. Honestly, nothing is shocking once you have been in this country long enough. But that is not to say one cannot be shocked. Here is a picture of a backrider carrying a stationery exercise bicycle!

It's a bit blurry since I took the picture with a bad camera and through the plastic window on a jeepney. But it's pretty clear what is going on here. Why not hire a tricycle to transport this exercise bike? What sense does it make to hold this unwieldily thing your lap? Absolute stupidity!

Insurgency: UP-DND Accord

For the past two weeks we have seen universities banning books to fight the CPP-NPA. In one case the PNP and the AFP walked into the library and pulled out whatever it deemed to be subversive literature. It would seem they did this without any prior announcement. That is an important detail because right now the government wants to reinstate the UP-DND accord which would mean that the PNP and AFP cannot show up to campus unannounced. Some see this as a bad idea claiming it will allow CPP-NPA recruitment to thrive.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1154968

Concerned civil society organizations protested outside the Senate building on Tuesday to denounce a bill that will reinstate the University of the Philippines – Department of National Defense (UP – DND) accord.

The groups said Senate Bill No. 2002 will make UP a haven for communist terrorist groups (CTGs) as it grants minimal intrusion into the state university that could pave the way for recruitment of students.

Except during emergency cases or hot pursuit, the bill mentioned that no law enforcement agencies and members of the police and military shall enter UP-Diliman premises and other regional campuses.

If the request for assistance is granted, only uniformed personnel will be allowed in, except when the situation specifies otherwise.

Passing the bill would further strengthen CTGs and destroy the future of the Filipino youth, he added.

“(We all know that the CPP-NPA is a criminal organization and no longer has principles unlike before. It has been declared a terrorist organization by other countries. What we don’t understand why we still allow them to thrive),” Goitia said in an interview.

No UP student, faculty or employee can be put under custodial investigation without permission from university officials under the accord.

Senators Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Risa Hontiveros, Miguel Zubiri, and Sonny Angara co-authored the bill that seeks to amend Republic Act 9500, or the University of the Philippines Charter.

In January this year, the DND terminated the 1989 UP-DND Accord.

Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the agreement signed by former president Fidel Ramos and then UP president, the late Jose Abueva, was abrogated so the DND could perform its mandate to protect students from CTG recruitment.

The DND said clandestine recruitment takes place inside UP campuses nationwide, using the UP-DND accord as a shield.

The gist is that without the PNP and AFP being able to patrol UP campuses the CPP-NPA will continue with its CLANDESTINE recruitment. But if it's clandestine how are they supposed to stop it? Under the accord, which is now abrogated, no student, faculty member, or employee of the UP "can be put under custodial investigation without permission from university officials."  That's a very important provision because it was the abduction and subsequent torture of a student which prompted the signing of the accord back in 1989.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/772322/how-the-dnd-up-agreement-came-in-1989/story/

Reyes said the agreement, signed on June 30, 1989, provided the guidelines on the conduct of police and military operations so that the incident, involving one Donato Continente, would not happen again. 

According to UP Professor Danilo Arao, the agreement was signed 14 days after Continente, then a staff of the Philippine Collegian, was abducted and later on tortured and forced to confess to the murder of American soldier Col. James Rowe.

In explaining the termination of the deal, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the agreement has become "obsolete," claiming that UP through the years has become "the breeding ground of intransigent individuals and groups whose extremist beliefs have inveigled students to join their ranks to fight against the government." 

According to Lorenzana, who is a retired military general, the agreement was signed in 1989 as "a gesture of courtesy accorded to UP upon the University’s request."

DND Secretary Lorenzana sure is a real piece of work. He says that the accord has become obsolete and that it was only signed as "a gesture of courtesy." I suppose it's kind of like saying, "Oops, sorry we kidnapped a student and then tortured him into confessing to a murder." 

It's funny how Lorenzana talks as if the DND knows just which groups with extremist beliefs are inveighling students into joining their ranks but he also says they are doing this clandestinely. It's either one or the other. If they know which groups are linked to the CPP-NPA then they should show their proof and then shut them down. 

One point of contention about the abrogation of the UP-DND accord is that it will stifle academic freedom. Former Executive VP for the UP says that is wrong.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1154959

For former executive vice president of the University of the Philippines (UP) System, Dr. Ted Herbosa, House Bill 10171 institutionalizing the 1989 UP-Department of National Defense (DND) Accord does not protect academic freedom.

Herbosa said UP's academic freedom is already guaranteed by Republic Act 9500 also known as "The University of the Philippines Charter of 2008".

"Actually,  it (academic freedom) is already incorporated in the UP Charter. So may batas na nagpapalawig nitong academic freedom (So there is already a law calling for the strengthening of academic freedom)," Herbosa said during Monday's episode of "Tagged! Debunking Lies by Telling the Truth".

House Bill 10171 does not ensure academic freedom protects the lawless elements present in any of the UP campuses.

"(What is it securing? It is securing the lawless elements present in a campus)," said Herbosa, who is also a special adviser to the National Task Force Against Covid-19.

He added that academic freedom is vested in the institution and not the people in it.

"(Institutions have academic freedom. All universities, all institutions of higher learning in the Philippines have academic freedom. They all have the right or freedom to discuss different thoughts like communism, socialism, capitalism, federalism, they can discuss that in the classroom setting)," he added.

Herbosa said many of the congressmen voted for the House bill as they are not really aware of the real meaning of academic freedom.

As former executive vice president of the UP System, Herbosa said he is aware of other things than communist recruitment going on the campuses.

"(But our problem when the (UP-DND Accord) was still existing, incidents of illegal gamblings, illegal drugs climbed in the residential areas of UP Diliman. There was also illegal cockfighting, it was not halted, there were also instances of pushers entering and selling illegal drugs, these were not stopped)," he added.

These are the bad effects of the UP-DND Accord and Herbosa said he is in agreement with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who called for its abrogation last year, 32 years after it was signed on January 30, 1989.

Academic freedom is "vested in the institution and not the people in it?" Does this guy not know that PEOPLE make up the institution? Therefore academic freedom is invested in the people. RA 9500 did not even become law until 2008. Did the UP not have academic freedom until then? 

If the UP-DND accord allowed cockfighting, illegal drugs, and other crimes to flourish that is on the UP police. They do have their own security and police force. If they cannot enforce the laws of the university that is on them. 

But let's take a look at the actual text of the 1989 UP-DND accord and see what it has to say about academic freedom.

https://issuu.com/philippinecollegian/docs/1989-agreement-of-up-and-dnd-on-mil

HAVING IN MIND the relationship between U.P. and its students, faculty and employees, as well as the academic freedom and institutional autonomy of U.P. in the governance of its affairs, and its responsibility to maintain proper behavior and conduct among the members of the U.P. Community; 

That is the second paragraph on page1! So, while this accord may not GRANT the UP academic freedom the recognition of that freedom undergirds its reasoning. In fact this next provision expands upon this opening salvo.

4. Members of the AFP, or the PC-INP, er the CAFGU shall not interfere with peaceful protest actions by U.P. constituents within U.P. premises. U.P. officials shalL be deemed responsible for the behavior of their students, faculty and employees in such activities. 

This provision is from page 3. It sticks out from the others because most of the document is about regulating the presence of PNP and AFP forces on campus. This provision says explicitly that they are not to interfere with protests and that UP officials are responsible for the students' behavior during any protests. 

I think we all know how much the PNP and AFP "tolerate" protests on campus. They don't like them!

https://www.rappler.com/nation/cebu-police-deny-excessive-force-breaking-up-dnd-accord-protest-dispersal

Central Visayas police denied accusations that it used excessive force when it dispersed anti-terror bill protesters and that it violated an agreement that banned the military and police from entering the University of the Philippines. 

Police in anti-riot gear were seen on video manhandling protesters who were maintaining social distancing and assembling in front of the University of the Philippines gate on Gorordo Avenue here at around 10 am on Friday, June 5. (READ: Cops arrest 8 at anti-terrorism bill protest in Cebu City) 

However, the police, who were in riot gear and carrying long firearms, claimed that it was the unarmed protesters who “assaulted” them. 

“Some of the policemen were shoved,” Brigadier General Albert Ferro, Central Visayas police chief, said in a press conference on Friday. “They were pushed.”

Ferro said this was the reason the cops apprehended the protesters. 

"The first time they were asked, our ground commander talked to them. They were asked to disperse. They didn't want to disperse," Ferro said. He said that the ground commanders had already "warned" the protesters to dispserse. "What should we do with them? Just allow them to rally?" he added.

It seems they should not have been on campus in the first place! Did they think showing up in riot gear would be a peaceful gesture? 

There are two bills making their way through the legislature to restore the UP-DND accord. One is House Bill 10171 which seeks to institutionalize the 1989 accord by amending RA 9500 to include it. The other is Senate Bill 2002 which also seeks to institutionalize the 1198 UP DND accord by amending RA 9500. Both bills are practically the same but the Senate version has a few introductory paragraphs that are worthy of note.

The University of the Philippines (UP) has been one of our country’s bulwarks of free expression and activism. However, this status has long been threatened by the state efforts to minimize the unique role and participation of the University in social change. 

The most recent attack on the University’s autonomy was made on January 18, 2021 when the Department of National Defense (DND) unilaterally terminated the 1989 UP-DND Accords, a document that guaranteed minimal state intrusion in the country’s premier university. The 1989 Accords was an offshoot of the 1982 Soto-Enrile Accord, which was an agreement that barred military forces fronr entering U.P. campuses all over the country. 

The UP-DND accord is not a “Do not enter” sign that bars law enforcement from entering the campus. It is not a wall which obstructs justice or deters the solution or prevention of crime. It is unfortunate that its abrogation is being invoked for the wrong reasons. Implying that it has enabled thinking that is critical to the government is a gross misreading of UP’s role as vanguard of independent thought. 

There is no monopoly of ideology in UP. It remains a big tent that shelters all ideas that can be pursued nonviolently. It is not a rebel recruitment station. On the contrary, it hosts many DDS whose are free to compete in the marketplace of ideas. It remains a citadel of excellence where the skills to serve the people are taught. This academic brilliance can only shine under a climate of freedom. 

Let us nurture our youth’s passion for political and social causes; and prevent any attempt to take away these long-cherished values. It is our hope that this proposed measure will continue to foster these traditions of the country’s premier state university. 

http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/3429231092!.pdf

Even if these bills pass the legislative process Duterte will not be signing them into law.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/lorenzana-says-up-dnd-accord-will-not-return-under-duterte-administration

The University of the Philippines (UP)-Department of National Defense (DND) Accord, which the government unilaterally abrogated earlier in 2021, will not be restored under the Duterte administration, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a Rappler Talk interview on Wednesday, August 4. 

Lorenzana said the decision was made after "much scrutiny and study" of defense officials. 

(After much scrutiny and study, we at the defense department concluded that it doesn’t have to be revived because the functions of the AFP before, when the PC-INP was still under it, was transferred to the PNP or DILG. The defense department no longer covers that.) 

Lorenzana explained that the accord only covers the Philippine Constabulary, and not the entire military and police. However, the accord, which was signed on June 30, 1989 by then-UP president Jose Abueva and then-defense chief Fidel V. Ramos provided the guidelines on both military and police operations inside UP campuses.  

The defense chief said that since the PNP is under the DILG, UP should talk to that department instead. 

“As far as we are concerned, the agreement is moot and academic. And dapat makipag-usap ‘yung UP doon na sa DILG (the UP should talk to the DILG),” Lorenzana said.  

Lorenzana also revealed that the military's intelligence operations will continue inside UP campuses. 

(The active intelligence inside the campus will continue because the country is open for intelligence. There’s no exclusive place where intelligence cannot operate.)

If the reason for abrogating the accord is because the constabulary no longer exists then that raises a host of questions such as why did the DND not consult the UP about that fact?  Why not amend the accord with updated language? It's because the DND does not want it in effect. They want to be able to patrol campus at will. But with military intelligence officers operating clandestinely on campus why does the DND need the open presence of the PNP and AFP? And why does CPP-NPA recruitment still continue? It would appear whoever is doing intel on the UP campus is not doing a good job.

Philippine Politics in my Candy Crush Game

Candy Crush is a very fun game. Addictive for some. I prefer Candy Crush Soda. A new feature Candy Crush has introduced in the past year or so is the ability to gain extra power ups or lives by watching an ad. Thankfully they are mostly very short and all of them can be muted. Most of these ads are for games or food. However, one ad I was first shown on Friday, September 17th 2021 was very unexpected. It was a political ad for Vilma Santos-Recto.

What is this political ad doing in my Candy Crush game? No one had yet filed their candidacy and campaigning before the allotted time is illegal. Yet, here is this 10 second ad touting the public service of this woman who is currently the Deputy-Speaker of the House.

Given her history it is unlikely this is simply a testing of the waters. She served as governor of Batangas and the Mayor of Lipa for 9 years in each office and has spent the last 5 years in the House of Representatives. Before embarking on a political career she was a successful actress. One could say the stage and screen are the prefect training ground for anyone who hopes to become a successful politician. 

Next year she is facing a big decision. Retire or run for the Senate. It's a false dialectic. She could just as easily go back to acting or get a job as a fry cook at Jollibees.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1487273/its-senate-run-or-retirement-for-rep-vilma-santos-recto

House Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto is looking at two options for the upcoming 2022 elections—a senatorial run or retirement from politics.

Santos-Recto said as of the moment, she is discerning on her move for next year. Currently, she is serving as the representative of the 6th district of Batangas.

“As of now, I’m still  discerning on my plans for 2022. I may run for Senate or retire from politics,” Santos-Recto said in a text message.

Santos-Recto is the wife of Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.

She was the mayor of the City of Lipa from 1998 to 2007 before she was elected as the governor of the province of Batangas in 2007.

Santos-Recto then ran for a congressional seat in 2016 and won.

Oh, look! Vilma is married to the current Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto. He was first elected to the Senate in 2010. That means his two term limit is coming to an end next year. With his wife taking his place the Recto family will keep a toehold on one of the most powerful branches of government. Why wouldn't she run?

Frankly, I don't care what this lady decides to do. What I do care about is her political ad in my Candy Crush game. This ad, debuting on Friday September 17th, 2021, is a vision of things to come. I fully expect to see ads for Duterte, Go, Pacquiao, and everyone else who runs for office next year. Thank goodness they can be muted.

Retards in the Government 226

    It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/25/21/comelec-official-nabbed-for-alleged-lianhua-sale

Authorities on Friday arrested an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Caraga for allegedly selling Chinese medicines not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Francisco Pobe, Comelec Regional Director for Caraga, was nabbed during an entrapment operation by the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's Surigao del Norte Field Unit, local police, and the FDA Caraga office. 

Pobe was arrested for alleged violation of Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 for selling unregistered capsule Lianhua, which has gained popularity in the Philippines for supposed treatment of COVID-19. 

Authorities confiscated 500 boxes of Lianhua capsule worth P100,000 from the suspect.

A Comelec official was caught with 500 boxes of an unapproved and banned medicine.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1492777/manila-cop-who-pulled-gun-on-curfew-breakers-now-under-custody-eleazar

A Manila police officer accused of pulling a gun on a group of teenagers who broke quarantine curfew is now under custody, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday. 

In a statement, PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar identified the accused officer as Corporal Medel Biloan, assigned to the intelligence section of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 2 in Moriones, Tondo. 

Biloan was caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) video threatening to strike four male teenagers — aged 18, 17, 14, and 12 — with his gun on Friday, according to a separate report from the MPD. 

The MPD quoted Biloan as saying: “Pag hindi kayo pumasok pupukpukin ko kayo ng baril sa ulo at pag naabutan ko kayo dadamputin ko kayo.” 

(If you don’t go back to your homes, I will hit you with my gun and I will arrest you.) 

Another CCTV footage later showed Biloan, now in civilian clothes, drinking liquor outside his house on Friday, said Eleazar. The police officer was also not wearing a mask at the time. 

“The fact that he himself was violating the protocol when he was caught drinking and not wearing a face mask along the street was not only a violation of the quarantine rules and police protocols but also put the entire police organization in bad light,” Eleazar said in a statement. 

Eleazar said Biloan was disarmed and is currently under the custody of the MPD which is also conducting an investigation.

A cop threatened curfew violators with his gun and was caught on CCTV maskless and drinking.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1154693

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday directed the PNP Academy (PNPA) management to review its existing rules and regulations and academic policies following the death of a cadet allegedly punched by his upperclassman as punishment for violating rules. 

“I have already directed the Director, PNPA Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, and Director, DHRDD (Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development) Brig. Gen. Arthur Bisnar, to conduct the necessary review and adjustments on the existing rules, regulations and academic policies to further strengthen the moral foundation of our cadets in the PNPA,” Eleazar said in a statement. 

Armamento earlier reported that Cadet 3rd Class George Carl Magsayo collapsed inside a dormitory room after he was repeatedly punched in the body by Cadet 2nd Class Steven Ceasar Maingat on September 23. 

Magsayo was immediately brought to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead by the attending physician. 

He said similar incidents happened in the PNPA in the past and charges were filed against the violators of the Anti-Hazing Law. 

“(There have been casualties before and many have been punished and kicked out of the PNPA for assaulting fellow cadets. So, it is unfortunate that this tragedy happened again because there are still few cadets who are stubborn and do not seem to understand the rules and law especially the Anti-Hazing Law),” he said.

This is not the first time and will likely not be the last time that a PNPA cadet has died from hazing. Clearly the problem is not regulations but the cadets themselves. Just imagine the dreck that makes it through the cracks and become actual PNP officers.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1493421/pnp-intel-officer-shot-dead-in-albay

A policeman serving as intelligence warrant officer was gunned down in Albay, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Monday.

PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar said the victim was identified as Police Staff Sergeant Allan Madelar assigned at the Guinobatan Municipal Police Station.

Eleazar said Madelar was gunned down on Saturday night by still unidentified suspects in Barangay Peñafrancia where he attended a birthday party.

An intel officer was shot dead by unknown persons for unknown reasons after attending a birthday party.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1493765/town-councilor-shot-dead-in-zamboanga-del-norte

A councilor of Liloy town, Zamboanga del Norte was shot to death in broad daylight along the town’s national highway on Monday, Sept. 27.

Liloy Police Chief Police Major Alexis Bahunsua said Ernesto Bihag Jr., 46, and resident of the town’s Causwagan village, was driving his white Toyota Fortuner on his way to Communal village when men aboard a maroon Toyota Innova overtook him along the highway and opened fire. As a result, his car skidded off the shoulder of the road and bumped into a mahogany tree.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of his body and was rushed by the local rescue team to the nearest hospital, where he was declared dead by Dr. Geraldine Pamunag, the attending physician.

A town councilor has been assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/27/21/pdea-enforces-freeze-order-on-properties-of-micp-drug-trade-suspects

Authorities on Monday enforced the freeze order on properties of personalities linked to the smuggling of suspected shabu seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) a few years ago. 

The properties of suspects Julie Hao Gamboa, and Ruben and Teresita Taguba are located in Barangays Lourdes and Sto. Domingo in Quezon City, and are estimated to cost at least P70 million, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said. 

(We submitted these properties to the Court of Appeals for a freeze order. Ultimately, our objective is to freeze these properties so they can't enjoy the fruits of their drug trafficking activities and drug smuggling.) 

The freeze order covers 173 bank accounts and credit accounts and insurance policies, to include 17 properties and five motor vehicles of the suspects, PDEA chief Wilkins Villanueva said. 

On May 31, 2019, the PDEA filed a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice against Chinese national Xu Zhi Jian, alias Jacky Co, and 16 others for the alleged importation of P1.8 billion worth of shabu. The contraband was intercepted at the MICP. 

Xu, tagged as the owner of the drug shipment, allegedly managed 70 bank accounts with no registered businesses and properties under his name, according to the AMLC. Gamboa, and father and son Ruben and Mark Taguba were tagged as cohorts. 

Gamboa was also identified as Xu's co-accused in the smuggling of 276 kilograms of shabu at the MICP in 2018. The AMLC said it has found 81 bank accounts under Gamboa’s name which transacted millions of pesos. 

Former Customs police officer Ruben Taguba and his son Mark were also found to have 21 properties and had hundreds of millions in bank transactions using 21 different accounts. 

The PDEA has frozen the assets of several people involved in drug smuggling. One, Ruben Taguba, is a former customs police officer and another, Julie Has Gamboa, appears to also have been a former customs employee as she was "allegedly responsible for the illegal release of 105 containers from the Port of Manila back in 2018."

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/29/21/grenade-thrown-at-deputy-speakers-house-no-explosion

A grenade was thrown at the house of Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez in his district in Cagayan de Oro early Wednesday but did not explode.  

Rodriguez said the grenade was thrown at 1:12 a.m.  

"The grenade was lobbed in front of my residence. There were 2 motorcycle riding persons. The grenade did not explode," he told ABS-CBN News.  

The congressman broke the news in a family statement he tweeted Wednesday morning, claiming it was an attack by unknown men. 

"Lives were put at risk in the grenade attack at the ancestral residence of the Rodriguez family in Barangay Nazareth in Cagayan de Oro earlier today. We condemn in the strongest terms this act of violence perpetrated by unknown men," the statement read. 

"The authorities are currently conducting the investigations and justice will be served against all those responsible for the crime."

Looks like election violence has come early this year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155058

Unidentified gunmen riding in tandem on a motorbike ambushed Wednesday a vice mayoral aspirant for Maguindanao town while traveling along the national highway here.

Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Maguindanao police provincial director, said Sam Zailon Esmael, who was seated in the passenger seat of a silver Toyota pickup vehicle, escaped unhurt but one of his armed escorts was killed.

The escort who has yet to be identified was seated at the cargo bed section of the pickup truck died on the spot.

The first casualty in the all too deadly Philippine election season.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1494859/jail-guard-nabbed-in-drug-bust-in-leyte-town

A provincial jail guard of a sub-provincial jail of Leyte was arrested in a drug bust in Barangay Jugaban, Carigara town, Leyte at 8:25 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29.

Ricardito Javines did not resist arrest.

Recovered from his possession were shabu (methamphetamine) packs with an estimated street value of P34, 000.

Jail guard busted for drugs.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155172

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday reminded all police offices to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling activities in their respective areas.

This came after two station commanders and seven police community precinct chiefs of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) were relieved from their posts under the "one-strike policy" in addressing illegal gambling.

Eleazar warned that more police officers could be sacked from their posts if they fail to address this issue.

“(May this serve as a warning to all our police to intensify the fight against illegal gambling especially now that there is a pandemic. The sworn duty and mandate of every police officer includes the suppression of this illegal activity),” Eleazar said in a statement.

He added that it is the responsibility of every police officer to make sure that there is no illegal gambling of any kind in their area as it also becomes the main cause of other types of crimes.

Eleazar also issued a strong warning against those cops who “protect” those behind illegal gambling activities.

“(I will hold you accountable if you actually provide protection to these gambling lords. You will be charged and you may face dismissal from the service),” Eleazar said.

It's pretty dumb to sack cops for the actions of criminals. Its basically an admission that the cops are protecting gamblers but without addressing the problem.