Retards in the Government 288

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

  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1703005/two-village-officials-suspended-over-delayed-salary-of-councilors-barangay-workers

Two village officials here are facing a 10-month suspension for the delay in the release of the honoraria, salaries, and other benefits of their councilors and other barangay workers in 2021 and 2022.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod adopted a Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government decision to suspend Barangay 16 Captain Joseph de los Santos and treasurer Rachel Jamandre.

Councilor Al Victor Espino, the committee chairman, said De Los Santos and Jamandre should be suspended for grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

They were also cited for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for “falsifying the 2021 Annual Budget” of Barangay 16.

The administrative case was filed by Barangay 16 councilors and the Sangguniang Kabataan chairman.

Two Bacolod City councilors are facing suspension for delaying "the release of the honoraria, salaries, and other benefits of their councilors and other barangay workers in 2021 and 2022."

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/09/coa-holds-davao-city-engineering-officeliable-in-haphazard-road-safety-projects/

The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed the P11.6 million liability of the Davao City District Engineering Office (DCDEO) and a contractor in the “irregular and haphazard” road safety projects done from 2009 to 2012.

In 2014, COA issued the P11.6 million notice of disallowance (ND) to DCDEO of the Department of Public Works and Highways. The ND was appealed by Engineer Lorna T. Ricardo of DCDEO.

Records showed that DPWH-DCDEO undertook 15 traffic safety projects with a total project cost of P289,500,000 from March 6, 2009 to March 12, 2012. The projects were all awarded to E. Gardiola Construction, a single proprietorship based in Quezon City.

However, COA said its Special Audit Team (SAT) found that the construction was “done in a manner that deviates or departs from, or which does not comply with the standards set by the DPWH.”

It said the SAT found that the construction of the guardrails, road signs, and foundation blocks was “substandard and deficient.” The reflective pavement studs were also “of inferior quality and overpriced,” it said.

At the same time, COA said that the SAT found that the cost of materials and labor was “unreasonably high and beyond just measure of amount.” The total amount disallowed was P11.6 million it said.

In the appeal, Ricardo told COA that there was no criteria or standard set in determining the disallowance. COA found the appeal bereft of merit.

COA ruled that the projects were indeed implemented in an “irregular and haphazard” manner, and the petitioners (Ricardo and DCDEO) failed to refute it. The COA affirmed that the contractor was liable for the transaction, as well as the other persons held liable under the ND.

The Davao City District Engineering Office has been found liable for several “irregular and haphazard” road safety projects done from 2009 to 2012.

https://journalnews.com.ph/cavite-kagawad-shot-dead-in-broad-daylight/

A barangay kagawad was shot dead by a motorcycle riding gunman along R. Basa St. in Barangay 54, San Roque on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

Police Lt. Colonel Jerry Corpuz, local police chief, identified the slain victim as Filimon Ambrocio Jr., 50.

A report revealed the victim was driving his motorcycle with his live-in partner Susan Alejo as back rider when he was shot dead by the suspect on board a Yamaha Mio motorcycle at around 7:57 a.m.

Footage from a CCTV camera showed the suspect to be between 5’2″ to 5″5 in height and was clad in white shirt, black jacket, bull cap and maong pants.

Local authorities led by local police chief Corpuz are now conducting a massive investigation and manhunt operation for the immediate arrest of the suspect.

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

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/12/ex-dpwh-official-former-lapu-lapu-city-mayor11-others-guilty-in-p83-9-m-street-lighting-project/

The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Robert G. Lala, former Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo O. Radaza, and 11 others of graft in the P83.935 million contract for a street lighting project.

The street lighting project was undertaken in Lapu-Lapu City for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit which Cebu hosted from Jan. 9 to 15 in 2007.

Also convicted were former DPWH Assistant Regional Director Marlina S. Alvizo; Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Maintenance Division Pureza A. Fernandez; OIC-Assistant Chief of the Maintenance Division Cresencio T. Bagolor; bids and awards committee (BAC) members Agustinito P. Hermoso and Luis A. Galang; technical working group (TWG) members Ayaon S. Manggis, Marilyn A. Ojeda, and Teresa B. Bernido; Lapu-Lapu City Engineer Julito H. Cuizon; Engineer IV Rogelio D. Veloso; and FABMIK Construction and Equipment Supply President Isabelo A. Braza.

They were sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Their guilt was established in the award of Contract ID No. 06HO0050 on Feb. 6, 2007 for the supply and installation of street lighting facilities amounting to P83,935,000.

The prosecution said that the contract was in excess of P18,045,890, since its computation for the project was only P65,889,109.99. At the same time, no public bidding was done for the project, it said.

The Sandiganbayan’s seventh division found credence in the prosecution’s evidence and held that all the accused were accountable for graft.

The court did not give weight to the accused’s defense that they were pressed for time and had to resort to an alternative mode of procurement to ensure the safety and security of the ASEAN Summit delegates who will be using the roads.

“The totality of the evidence gives the impression that accused themselves created a situation where they will appear to be pressed for time to give the alleged procurement a semblance of legitimacy,” the court said.

It pointed out that Braza already knew of the Summit-related projects as early as Aug. 25, 2006 and has already been preparing for it.

“The prosecution was able to establish the presence of collusion between and among the accused in making it appear that the preparation for the procurement and the award of P83,935,000 contract to FABMIK was regular, proper, and legal, through a bogus negotiated procurement done with manifest partiality in favor of Braza and evident bad faith to the detriment of the public,” it said.

The issue of overpricing, the court said, has been “rendered immaterial” given the evidence pointing towards the collusion of the accused.

A former DPWH official, ex-mayor of Lapu-Lapu City and 11 others have been convicted of graft over a street lighting project. 

 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/13/qc-pleb-dismisses-cop-who-shot-traffic-enforcer-to-death/

The Quezon City government announced on Tuesday, Dec. 13, that its People Law Enforcement Board (PLEB QC) has dismissed the police officer from Manila who shot and killed a traffic enforcer who was helping a motorcycle rider in the city in October.

The PLEB QC removed from service Lt. Felixberto Tiquil of the Manila Police District (MPD) Anti-Carnapping Unit for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer charges which were filed by the common-law wife of Edgar Abad Follero, the slain traffic enforcer, and the person he assisted when the incident happened.

The six-page decision of the QC PLEB was released on Tuesday, Dec. 13, the city government said.

The shooting incident occurred in front of Munoz Market along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Brgy, Veterans Village in Quezon City at around 3:40 a.m. on Oct. 13.

Follero, a resident of Novaliches, Quezon Cit,y and a member of the QC Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), was helping his friend, Paul Timothy Delos Reyes, a delivery rider, whose motorcycle broke down in Pandacan, Manila.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said that when the traffic enforcer and the delivery rider reached Munoz Market, Tiquil suddenly approached and shot the victim on the body. Follero still managed to ask for help from police officers who were on duty in the area.

The cops immediately arrested Tiquil and recovered a 9mm. G17 GEN4 handgun loaded with 11 bullets.

Follero was rushed to the Quezon City General Hospital where he was declared dead-on-arrival, according to the police.

The local government said the PLEB QC did not buy the suspect’s defense that he thought the victim and his friend were carnappers.

“We do not buy the alibi of Tiquil that he shot Follero because of self defense. He claims to be a seasoned police officer, and yet at the slightest instance, his first instinct is to inflict a mortal wound against an innocent person,” PLEB Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan said.

“This is a clear violation of the PNP (Philippine National Police) Rules of Procedure. Further, Tiquil also claims to have chased the victims from Nagtahan, Manila up to Roosevelt, Quezon City. How can people pushing a defective motorcycle outrun a seasoned cop on a motorbike? We are more than convinced that Tiquil was not being truthful in his narrative of what happened,” he added.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that Tiquil’s dismissal should serve as a warning to rogue cops that they will be held accountable in the city.

A cop who shot a traffic enforcer back in October has been dismissed from service. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1704772/cop-in-hot-water-after-theft-suspect-dies-following-arrest-in-maasin-city

A policeman is facing homicide charges after a theft suspect he arrested died three hours later in Maasin City.

Corporal Ronald Gamayon of the Maasin City Police Station is currently being investigated in relation to the death of Gilbert Dologdog Ranes in the evening on Friday, Dec 9.

Based on the investigation, Ranes, 32, was caught by bystanders after he allegedly ran away with an iPhone S cellular phone worth P50,000 from a certain Sharon Gloria Daclan at around 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9.

After Ranes was apprehended, he was turned over to Gamayon along with the recovered cellular phone.

Ranes was then brought to the Maasin City Police for proper disposition.

At around 10 p.m. of the same day, Ranes had difficulty breathing and was immediately rushed to the hospital.

An hour later, Ranes died.

Dr. April Gervie Macabuhay of the Urban Rural Health Unit of Maasin City declared that the cause of Ranes’ death was severe head trauma.

In her examinations, Macabuhay found hematoma and multiple abrasions in Ranes’ body.

Police investigators approached the family of Ranes and informed them about the ongoing probe. The police said a criminal case is set to be filed against Gamayon in court as soon as the supporting documents and evidence are completed.

A PNP officer is facing homicide charges over the death of a suspect in his custody. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/14/ex-camarines-norte-provincial-council-memberfound-guilty-of-failure-to-timely-liquidate-funds/

The Sandiganbayan has convicted Angelo Timoteo P. Molina, former ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Norte, after he pleaded guilty to liquidate public funds within the period required by law.

Molina was found guilty of violating Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 89 of Presidential Decree No. 1445, the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.

He was sentenced to pay a fine of P1,000 and was held civilly liable for P25,571 which he has to return to the provincial government. The amount represented his cash advances for local travels in 2007.

A former provincial council has been found guilty of not liquidating funds in a timely manner.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1705006/ex-soldier-partner-nabbed-in-naga-city-buy-bust

A former member of the Philippine Army and his live-in partner were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Naga City in Camarines Sur province on Tuesday night.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Tobias Bongon, Naga City police spokesperson, said Wednesday, Dec. 14, that John Mark Brizo, 39, and Sharmain Joy Madamba, 41, sold at 11:51 p.m. a sachet of shabu (crystal meth) worth P2,500 in Barangay Sta. Cruz.

A total of two grams worth P13,600 of shabu were confiscated from the suspects.

Bongon said Brizo left the service in 2015 due to several administrative cases.

Both suspects were in police custody and will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

A former solider has been busted for drugs. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1705137/son-of-sultan-kudarat-mayor-employee-slain-in-gun-attack

Two persons, including the son of a town mayor, were killed, while two others were injured in a gun attack Tuesday night in Sultan Kudarat, police said Wednesday.

Police Captain Leonel Delasan, Lutayan police chief, said Datu Naga Mangudadatu, 30, a defeated vice mayoral aspirant of the town in Maguindanao del Sur, and Dennis Hadji Daup, 25, of Barangay Paitan, were shot at 6:30 p.m. at the town’s public market.

Datu Naga, son of Lutayan mayor and former provincial governor Mayor Pax Mangudadatu, was sitting in front of his business establishment at the town market, when the suspects arrived on board a pick-up vehicle and opened fire, said Colonel Lino Capellan, speaking for the police in Sultan Kudarat provincial police office.

Datu Naga, a resident of Barangay Tamnag and a younger brother of former Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu, was declared dead by physicians in a Koronadal City hospital.

Daup, Naga’s employee and confidante, died while undergoing medication.

A former vice mayoral candidate and son of a mayor has been assassinated. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1948659/cebu/local-news/8-cebu-city-officials-7-others-charged-over-garbage-collection-deal

PLUNDER, graft and corruption charges, among others, have been filed against 15 individuals, including former and incumbent Cebu City Government officials, before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas over the controversial P239-million garbage collection deal.

The deal was signed by the Cebu City Government and Docast Construction and JJ & J Construction and General Supply for the collection, hauling, and dumping of Cebu City’s garbage.

The charges were filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Central Visayas on December 14, 2022 after the agency found out that there were unlawful acts committed such as overbilling, padding and ghost garbage deliveries in carrying out the garbage collection deal.

Charged were former Cebu City administrator Floro Casas Jr., Department of Public Services (DPS) head John Jigo Dacua, Garbage Collection and Disposal OIC Grace Luardo-Silva, DPS inspection officer Allen Omlero Ceballos, DPS City Treasurer's Office inspector Romelito Asinjo Datan, General Services Office inspector Mark Abarquez Ugbinar, OIC-City Accountant Jerome Visarra Ornopia, and acting city treasurer Mare Vae Fernandez Reyes.

Other individuals charged were Docast officials Jayra Angelic Maningo Ruiz-Javier, John David Sevilles Javier, Erika May Quino, Jay Alexander Aguilar Ruiz, Maridel Maningo Ruiz, Robert Jay Maningo Ruiz, and Jayvic Castrenz Maningo Ruiz.

Graft and plunder charges have been filed against 8 Cebu City employees over unlawful acts committed during garbage collection.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190844

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified Cagayan governor Manuel Mamba in the May 2022 National and Local Elections for violation of Omnibus Election Code (OEC) in connection with the disbursement of public funds during the campaign season.

In an 18-page decision, the Comelec Second Division granted the petition filed by Ma. Zarah Rose De Guzman Lara, also a gubernatorial candidate in the province during the last polls, accusing the elected official for allegedly using provincial government funds under the "No Barangay Left Behind" (NBLB) programs and/or "No Town Left Behind" (NLTB) and "Oplan Help in Barangay."

The petitioner also claimed that respondent distributed a total of PHP550 million to all registered voters of Cagayan, where each voter received PHP1,000 under the "Krusada Against Corruption" (KKK) program.

In its decision which was promulgated on Dec. 14, the Second Division found the respondent of violating a provision of the OEC based on the pieces of evidence presented by Lara.=

Under Sec. 2 of the said Resolution, it prohibits public officials or employees, village officials and those corporations owned or controlled by government and their subsidiaries, to discharge, disburse or spend any public funds from March 25, 2022 to May 8, 2022 under the provisions stated.

The Comelec added that despite having a Certificate of Exception under Sec. 13 of Comelec Resolution No. 10747, such an exemption applies only to NILB and on the condition that the amount paid during the 45-day restriction must be submitted and no exemptions were provided for the Barangay Assistance and KKK Programs.

A governor has been disqualified by the COMELEC for illegally disbursing funds. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Free Universal Access to COVID Jabs, Decouple Restrictions, and More!

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

The Philippines has joined a global effort to make COVID vaccines free for all. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190355

The Philippines on Wednesday joined the international community in its initiative to provide free and universal access to quality jabs against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

During the 2nd Vaccine Cooperation Forum in the Indo-Pacific Region, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-de Vega said the Covid-19 pandemic taught countries a lot of lessons and gave the Philippines the opportune time to engage with its partners in the region and worldwide.

"And these are on the best practices for health management, data-driven governance and smart governance, for our health system and hopefully, we could take away some inputs, which we can use, which we can modify, depending on the needs of our public citizens in the Philippines," she said.

The very first person in the world to administer a COVID-19 jab was a Filipina nurse in the United Kingdom. She is now being honored in the Philippines. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190330

Senators Imee Marcos and Grace Poe on Wednesday highlighted the pride and honor brought by May Parsons, the Filipina nurse who received the George Cross Award in the United Kingdom for being the one to administer the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

Marcos, who sponsored Senate Resolution No. 230, said the prestigious George Cross Award from Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness then Prince Charles, was given to Parsons for her courage, compassion, dedication, and bravery in the face of grave and mortal danger.

"It is yet another highlight in the extraordinary history of Filipino nursing and May today stands proudly in the llocana tradition of her mother Zenaida and Philippine Nursing's founder Anastacia Geron Tupas from 1922," she said in her sponsorship speech.

Born and raised in Pasay City, Parsons graduated from Jose Abad Santos Highschool and finished her nursing degree at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Meanwhile, Poe said that Filipino nurses, as heroes of the country’s healthcare system even before the pandemic, deserve not only praise but also higher perks and pay.

Poe made the call as she commended Parsons in a separate resolution (No. 347) which also reaffirms the role of Filipino nurses in the global healthcare scene.

“Nurse May is a real inspiration for the whole nursing profession. Like her peers in the health sector, her commitment to saving lives, delivering the best care possible, and creating a better and healthier future is truly commendable and worth these recognitions,” Poe said in her speech.

The lawmaker said her resolution should not only be about recognition and commendation for Parsons from the government.

“Hindi lang dapat bragging rights ang ambag ng gobyerno dito (The government should not only contribute bragging rights). Our nurses can only do these heroic sacrifices to the extent that they are taken care of. We need to resuscitate our nursing profession,” Poe said.

“We should give back not just in terms of recognition but also in terms of actual benefits to make the nursing practice a genuine livable career for practitioners. Upgrading the minimum salary of nurses is the least that we can do for the sacrifice they gave in nursing us all back to health,” she added.

Parsons left after three years of working at the UST hospital to join the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. She has since been with the University Hospital’s Coventry and Warwickshire and is presently a Modern Matron for Respiratory Services.

Britain was the first country to start a COVID vaccination program so if this lady had not fled the Philippines for greener pastures it might have been some other Filipina who administered the first dose of the experimental and sometimes deadly COVID vaccine. Funny to note that Senator Grace Poe admits nursing is not a livable career in the Philippines! No wonder they all want to leave. 

The economy is opening but you know what would really open up the economy even further? If the public got booster shots.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/11/go-covid-19-vaccination-booster-will-hasten-ph-economic-recovery/

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said that while the unemployment rate in the Philippines is now decreasing, the government should still pursue its COVID-19 vaccination program in order to hasten the country’s economic recovery.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography said the higher vaccination rates resulted to more relaxed health protocols and eventually opened up more sectors of the domestic economy and bringing in more employment opportunities.

The senator said the gradual reopening of the economy has led to the creation of jobs for Filipinos, which in turn has reduced the unemployment rate.

“I’m happy that the number of unemployed has decreased, we are now returning to normal,” said Go during a recent interview in Malvar, Batangas.

“Because this is part of our vaccination program, what former president Duterte did to gradually open the economy… when vaccinated, we are more protected, we can return to our normal lives,” the senator said.

“When the economy opens up, investors will come in, businesses will come in again and go back to work. That means, businesses will open and our livelihoods will restart ,” said Go.

A report recently released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the unemployment rate in the country dropped from 5 percent in September of this year to 4.5 percent in October of 2022.

“That’s why I am calling on our countrymen to get vaccinated, when you are qualified for booster shots. Don’t waste the opportunity,” he urged.

Does that mean the high inflation rate will go down once every one is vaccinated? Never mind the fact that vaccines do not prevent transmission or infection.

The DILG thinks it's about time LGUs can decide on which health restrictions to implement based on the alert level system.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/11/dilg-studying-proposal-to-decouple-restrictions-from-covid-19-alert-levels-doh/

The government’s pandemic task force instructed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to further study the proposal on decoupling restrictions from the Covid-19 alert level system. 

This was discussed during the recent Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) meeting, said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. 

“As to the decoupling of restrictions…the DILG was instructed by the collegial body to study further if local governments really [have] that capacity to assess their respective areas and of course, to implement the restrictions on their own based on the risk level for each of their areas,” she said in a recent press briefing. 

“So we’d like to decouple these restrictions from this Alert Level System wherein the Alert Level system will be used just like the PAGASA storm signals in order to inform you like ‘oh we’re on signal 4 now’- and so that families and communities know what to do. There is no need for restrictions to be tied to the Alert Level system,” she then said. 

Since most areas are on alert level one which comes with hardly any restrictions this system is pointless now.

Christmas party season is here and Davao is bracing for a possible COVID surge. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190564

The Davao City Covid-19 Task Force is bracing for the possible surge of Covid-19 cases due to gatherings during the Yuletide season.

In a radio interview Monday, task force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said Dabawenyos should not be complacent despite the low cases recorded in the past weeks since there are still Covid-19 deaths included in the list.

“We are preparing, bracing for the yuletide season. There are a lot of gatherings, parties, and activities that people go to,” she said, reiterating that Dabawenyos should understand that the only way to combat Covid-19 is through vaccination and booster shots.

She noted that it is still quite alarming to have Covid-19 deaths amid the city’s low Covid-19 cases.

From Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, the city managed to keep a low positivity rate but recorded six deaths.

Two of the six individuals who died of Covid-19 were unvaccinated while the four vaccinated deaths did not receive any booster shots.

Schlosser said free vaccinations are available daily from Mondays to Fridays at district and barangay health centers and at the People’s Park during weekends.

She added they are now more focused on preventing Covid-19 deaths, although they continue to monitor the number of active Covid-19 cases.

“Getting vaccinated and boosted is a gift for yourself and your loved ones. It will give us a good battle against Covid-19 and protect us from death,” she said.

Four deaths were from vaccinated people. See how they vaccine offers no protection? But wait they weren't boosted. Surely if they just had that extra boost they would not have died right? Right? 

In Antique students will need their parents' permission to attend school Christmas parties and it will be up to the schools as to how they implement health protocols. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190584

All schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique are to strictly observe the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health protocol as they hold their Christmas parties this week.

Antique Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Adonis Mosquera, in an interview on Monday, said schools have to follow the guidelines set by the regional office of DepEd.

“School heads are being empowered, based on their judgment, on how to implement the strict Covid-19 health protocol,” Mosquera said, referring to DepEd Order No. 52 and Memorandum 929 issued by the regional office.

Mosquera was particularly referring to a prohibition in the order that parents must have to sign a consent first, agreeing that they allow their children to attend the party due to the threat of the coronavirus disease.

“Learners have to secure their parents’ consent if they would like to join the party,” the official said, adding that they have printed forms that learners could secure for their parents to sign.

If the virus is such a threat why not just ban all parties?

It's the end of the year and still no official DOH Secretary. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1704887/vergeire-to-remain-acting-doh-chief

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire will stay onboard as the officer in charge (OIC) of the Department of Health (DOH) even after the end of the month as her appointment is not covered by the memorandum circulars issued by the Office of the President (OP). 

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Vergeire clarified that she was “not affected” by the first three memos released by the OP in relation to appointments of OIC in departments and agencies in the executive branch where no successor has been named because she was a career executive. Under the latest memorandum circular, OICs as well as noncareer executive officials (Ceso) occupying Ceso posts “in holdover capacity” are ordered to “perform their duties” and “discharge their functions” by Dec. 31, 2022, or until a replacement has been designated. A career health official, Vergeire had been at the DOH for almost three decades.

Looks like it will be that way for quite some time. 

Picture of the Week: Applying for a National ID in the Street

The government is campaigning hard for everyone to get a national ID. In fact, they are literally going into the streets for the cause!

These hard working government employees did not bring their own tables or source of electricity and they were working on Bonifacio Day. I asked if one of them if they were getting extra holiday pay and he said no. Sounds rather odd to me since working on Bonifacio Day ensures one will be receiving substantial extra wages. Given the strange circumstances I wondered aloud if these were even real employees of the Philippine Statistics Authority and was assured they were. 

Insurgency: Philippine Government Looking for "Right Time" for Final Settlement With Reds

The secession of sovereign Philippine territory to a group fo terrorists known as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the MILF, is going so well that Presidential Peace Advisor Galvez claims it will become a model for the world. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190067

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) chief, said the various normalization mechanisms of the Bangsamoro peace process will make the Philippines a model for other countries to follow.

“We (Philippines) will become the model of the world in terms of our peace process,” Galvez said in his message during the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) meeting and assessment workshop held on Dec. 2 and was posted on the OPAPRU Facebook page on Sunday.

He said these mechanisms are helping the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in fulfilling commitments made by the national government under all signed Bangsamoro peace agreements.

Galvez also said the successful implementation of these normalization mechanisms allowed the President to make the Bangsamoro peace process as the "centerpiece" of his administration’s bid to become a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by 2027.

Galvez noted that these mechanisms, which are under the oversight of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panels, "aim to transform former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and their families into peaceful and productive individuals, and their areas into progressive and resilient communities.

It's not clear which countries exactly will be taking the BARMM as a model. Will Russia cede Chechnya  as an act of appeasement molded on the BARMM? Doubtful. 

Remember the leader of the MILF Ebrahim Murad  is on record saying decommissioning does not mean surrender.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1162067/milfs-murad-decommissioning-is-not-surrender

“We have not given up on our struggle.” 

“We are not surrendering. Decommissioning is not tantamount to surrendering,” said Ebrahim, who is also Chief Minister of the interim Bangsamoro government. 

“I would like to emphasize that the decommissioning doesn’t mean we have given up on what we used to fight for,” Ebrahim emphasized.

What the MILF used to fight for, the reason the group broke away from the MNLF, is the formation of an independent Muslim Mindanao. Will they continue to pursue this goal? According to Murad the answer is yes. How they continue this fight remains to be seen.

This is the first time I have seen joining the UN Security Council as a goal of the Marcos administration. Has this ben kept under wraps? Why bother joining the UNSC when the Philippines clearly rejects international law by refusing to enforce the WPS ruling? 

As I have noted before with each new President the clock on the insurgency gets reset back to zero. Marcos is no exception. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185663

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has dismantled five guerilla fronts during the first 100 days in office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The military likewise neutralized 310 members of the New People's Army and 58 members of local terrorist groups, and recovered some 350 firearms, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, Col. Jorry Baclor, said in a statement on Saturday.

Honestly who cares? Did Marcos dismantle these fronts? Was the AFP suddenly inspired by Marcos to dismantle these fronts? This is a 52 year insurgency at this point. Instead of looking at the small picture why not look at the whole? When Marcos is gone we will see the same kind of reporting with the next president and it will be just as asinine and unhelpful. 

In fact it is certain the Communist insurgency will continue at least for a few more years. At least until the time is right. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/08/22/govt-looking-for-right-time-for-final-settlement-with-reds-peace-adviser

With what he describes as successes in local peace engagement with communist rebels, the Philippine government’s peace advisor said on Wednesday he remains optimistic the world’s longest insurgency will be brought to an end “at the right time”.

Sec. Carlito Galvez, presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation, and unity, said a “non-lethal approach” implemented by the government in recent years has helped win over former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - New People’s Army (NPA).

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also focused on amplifying localized talks as its main tool of engaging with rebels, but Galvez said they are waiting for the “perfect moment” to finally put the insurgency to a close.

“We will keep still kahit ‘yong small opening for the final settlement—political settlement—of the conflict. And we are looking for the right time for that. And hopefully the right time is really now,” Galvez told reporters at a forum in Manila.

“Even though we are engaging now massively with local peace engagement, there should be a complete termination of the conflict, and that is the political settlement. And we are waiting for the time the CPP-NPA will commit itself for very goodwill engagement with the government.”

The peace adviser, who is a retired military general, said they will look at having a final settlement with the Reds once the government is “convinced they are sincere” in that commitment.

Since 2019 when the Duterte administration terminated peace talks with the Reds, around 27,000 communist guerrillas have surrendered to the government, Galvez said.

Armed confrontations, he added, have “completely diminished into negligible levels”, as police and military have been able to implement what he calls a “perpetual ceasefire.”

It sounds like they are waiting for the CPP-NPA to complete stop fighting before they will engage in any peace talks as any other situation shows they are not sincere. Confrontations still happen so it is not right to call the current situation a perpetual ceasefire. This is the kind of dismissive attitude that always leads to trouble. 

On December 8th the AFP engaged with 5 rebels in Kalinga. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1703434/army-troops-npa-rebels-clash-in-kalinga

Army soldiers and seven alleged communist rebels clashed in Tinglayan town, Kalinga province on Thursday (December 8), the military said Friday.

Army Capt. Rigor Pamittan, chief of the military’s 5th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said the government troops chanced upon the rebels belonging to the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya-Abra Mountain Province Ilocos Sur during a security operation at Sitio (sub-village) Balay in Barangay (village) Tulgao West before noon.

A five-minute firefight ensued from the encounter, forcing the rebels to eventually withdraw.

Pamittan said no soldiers were wounded in the skirmish, but bloodstains were spotted at the clash site, an indication that some of the rebels could have been wounded in the firefight.

Two days later in the same province they found an abandoned arms cache. 

https://www.kalinawnews.com/50ib-pnp-recover-arms-cache-in-kalinga/

An arms cache containing several war materiel was recovered in a joint operation of the 50th Infantry Battalion and Kalinga PNP at Sitio Kalakatan, Barangay Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga on December 9, 2022.

The said troops acted upon the information provided by a concerned citizen on the alleged hideout of the Communist NPA terrorist believed to be members of the Weakened Komiteng Larangang Guerilla – Baggas.

Upon verification, combined troops discovered an enemy hideout that was abandoned for months based on the tracks found.

After a thorough search in the area, the combined troops located an arms cache containing one colt M16A1 rifle with four magazines, two Garand rifles with five magazine clips, one carbine rifle, three rifle grenades, 27 pieces of 7.62mm ammunition, two M203 live ammunition, one 60mm live ammunition, two sticks of Ammonium nitrate, three improvised explosive devices, electric wire, blasting cap, medical paraphernalia, NPA flag other personal belongings, and subversive documents.

The dwindling number of the KLG-Baggas may have sorted in leaving the war materiel to escape the government forces. Moreso, the sustained campaign of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) of Kalinga draws close to the dismantling of KLG-Baggas.

To recall, on December 8, troops of the 54th Infantry Battalion encountered the members of Weakened KLG Ampis in Brgy Tulgao, Tinglayan, Kalinga.

Get it? The KLG is being weakened. But on December 6th the AFP engaged he KLG in Apayo. 

https://www.kalinawnews.com/firearm-ammos-recover-after-firefight-in-apayao/

High-powered firearm owned by the members of Komiteng Larangan Guerilla North Abra were recovered after an armed encounter on December 06, 2022, in Barangay Maragat, Kabugao, Apayao.

Along with the high-powered firearm, ammunitions and subversive documents were also retrieved by the troops of the 102nd Infantry Battalion after scouring the encounter site.

Prior, troops of the 102nd Infantry Battalion conducted combat operations when the locals tipped off the presence of the terrorist group.

It should be recalled that back in August this year 2 soldiers died during an firefight in this same town and province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181718

Two Army soldiers died on Thursday in a running gunbattle between the soldiers and communist guerrillas in the mountains of Lenneng in Kabugao town, Apayao province, the military reported.

Captain Rigor Pamittan, 5th Infantry Division public affairs chief and spokesperson, identified the fatalities as 2nd Lt. Nasser Dimalanes of Maguindanao, and Private First Class Jaime Fontanilla Jr. of La Union.

The Army soldiers chanced upon the 30-member communist guerrillas operating along the Apayao-Abra area of the Cordillera in a combat patrol following tips from villagers that armed men have been spotted in Lenneng village.

30 NPA fighters is nothing to sneeze at nor is the death of these two soldiers. For Sec. Carlito Galvez to say that encounters "have completely diminished into negligible levels” and that there is a "perpetual ceasefire" is ridiculous propaganda belying the facts on the ground. 

Last month the AFP said they have reduced the number of active guerrilla fronts from 80 to 5. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/07/22/afp-active-communist-guerrilla-fronts-down-to-5

Only five communist guerrilla fronts remain active, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro said Monday.

During the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, there were as many as 89 guerrilla fronts.

Bacarro said there are 19 communist guerrilla fronts that are being pursued, but these are classified as “weakened.”

“Insurgency is already in the down trend. It has reached the level na kaya na natin sila. This is a commitment we have given to the former president and to the current president,” Bacarro told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

He went on, “We have a thinking enemy also. For every action we do, there is always a reaction. So kailangan natin ng counteraction. But I am happy to report that out of the 89 active guerrilla fronts that we had starting 2018, right now, we have around 24 guerrilla fronts."

"But out of these 24 guerrilla fronts, only five are active. The remaining 19 are now classified as weakened.”

Most of the active communist armed groups are based in Samar and Cotabato.

The AFP chief said he expects the remaining guerrilla fronts to be dismantled “within a short period of time,” adding that communist rebels are losing relevance due to the continuous decrease of their forces.

“We are gaining traction. We are gaining a lot of accomplishments in further reducing the capabilities of the enemy, particularly insurgents. This comes in the form of manpower nila, firearms nila, resource generation, even the support they’re getting from the people and the community, medyo mababa na,” said Bacarro.

According to the AFP, there are only around 2,100 communist rebels holding arms.

If there are 19 "weakened" fronts then they are still active. Weakened does not mean dismantled. And with the AFP constantly warning about recruitment they know these "weakened" fronts could see a resurgence. Note that the estimated number of NPA fighters holding arms is 2,100. A few months ago it was a flat 2,000.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/844943/insurgents-present-manpower-no-more-than-2-000-says-military/story/

The current number of insurgents in the country is only about 2,000, a military official told lawmakers on Thursday, even as he admitted that "social ills" continue to inspire individuals to join armed anti-government struggle.

"Based on our assessment, the manpower is no more than 2,000 insurgents and approximately the same number of firearms," said Vice Admiral Rommel Anthony Reyes, deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, during a budget presentation at the House of Representatives.

2,100 could be said to be "about 2,000" but why would the AFP raise the estimate to 2,100 only two months later? Is this another simple mistake or something more? 

The Philippines Commission on Appointments is a Joke

The Commission on Appointments is a body of lawmakers tasked with vetting Presidential appointees. Their job is very important as it is through the process of vetting that the public learns if the appointee is worthy of the position assigned to them. But in the Philippines it seems the CA is a joke. In particular I am referring to the hearing of DOST Secretary Renato Solidium. 

Three questions were asked of him that reflect quite poorly on the men the people elected to represent them. First up is Representative Jurdin Jesus Romulado.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702689/solon-to-science-secretary-can-a-volcano-be-punctured

With suggestions about puncturing a volcano and inventing astronauts’ food, the confirmation hearing for Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. at the legislative Commission on Appointments descended into a theater of the absurd.

Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo asked if the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) could fashion a metal drill used to make spaceships to pierce volcanoes.

The lawmaker from an island province with seven volcanoes in Mindanao raised the rather ridiculous suggestion, and deadpanned: “I want to ask if the material used for rockets that can withhold heat in going to the moon or (space) exploration can be used to drill holes on volcanoes.”

“The lava will come out so that the volcano will not erupt. Is there a study on that? I’m so curious,” he said.

“Imagine, (space rockets) do not melt when they return from space. Why can’t we use it to drill holes so that volcanoes will no longer erupt?”

Solidum explained that volcanoes spew out materials due to the buildup of pressure and high temperature from within.

“Even if one would tamper with the volcano, it may trigger eruption, not stop it because the magma is more enormous than whatever trigger we want to do,” Solidum said.

“We cannot control it. It might actually cause the volcano to explode as we lessen the pressure,” added Solidum, who served the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology for 14 years.

“If we lessen the pressure of the volcano at the top, it might trigger the sudden rise of magma and it will explode. That’s why nobody has tried to do that,” he said.

It's easy to laugh at this idiot for suggesting volcanoes can be drilled in order to let off pressure thereby preventing an eruption but let's get behind the question. The fact is there are active volcanoes in the Philippines, notably Mayon and Taal. People have been displaced and have died as a result of eruptions. Obviously Representative Romulado wants to avert any future disasters and save lives.

But there are ways to do that without planning something as ridiculous as drilling into a volcano. How about cordoning off the area and forbidding habitation within a certain limit of all active volcanoes? It is a fact that residents are reluctant to leave their homes despite the danger. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/826425/some-residents-around-taal-refuse-to-flee/story/

Perhaps Representative Romulado prides himself for thinking outside the box but he is doing no such thing. He dreaming impossible dreams when there are solutions at hand. It's like using a hammer to open a can of beans. It can be done but why do it when you can use a can opener!? Why is he asking this question anyway? What bearing does it have on the fitness of Solidium to the post of DOST Secretary? It has none and it only serves to make Romulado look like a complete incompetent fool. 

The next Bozo is worst than the first.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702514/astronaut-food-or-food-pill-for-poor-broached-at-dost-chiefs-confirmation-hearing

Feeding the poorest Filipinos with food pills that could last for days or months like what astronauts eat in space has crossed the mind of a lawmaker.

Sagip Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta broached this idea on Wednesday during the confirmation hearing of Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Umali Solidum Jr.

Marcoleta noted that astronauts survive in space even without cooking food there.

"I’m thinking aloud that if we could invent food that they can eat, I will give it to our poor countrymen. Even for months that they don’t eat, they will not die," the lawmaker said during the hearing of the Commission on Appointment’s committee on science and technology.

"Do we have that kind of food? Can we do that?," he asked. 

Solidum answered in the negative, noting that what is available right now are meals ready to eat for disaster victims, which have a shell life of six months.

Explaining further his idea, Marcoleta cited an example of a food pill that could be taken only once but could last for weeks already.

"Because when astronauts eat their food, it will last for several days, if not months. The poorest of the poor really have no food to eat,"  he said.

"This is just palliative. Meaning to say, we just have to fill up the gap. In case we can help the poorest of the poor, you can invent a pill or whatever, and I will accept it,"  he added.

“If the poor can take the pill, they can go two weeks without buying food or cooking, and that is a huge deal. Can we make something like that?” the lawmaker further asked.

Solidum said they would look into it but assured the committee that food security is a concern of the DOST.

You have to hand it to Solidum for maintaining his composure while this pompous ass is questioning him about magic food pills that will suppress the appetite for weeks and months on end. There is no such thing and if there were procuring them would be vastly more expensive than actually increasing the harvest yield. Astronauts eat real food that is specially prepared for their needs. Not only that but they can also "cook" their food.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_food

Modern astronauts have a greater variety of main courses to choose from and many astronauts request personalized menus from lists of available foods including items like fruit salad and spaghetti. Fresh fruits and vegetables that can be safely stored at room temperature are eaten on space flights. Astronauts sometimes request beef jerky for flights, as it has an extended shelf life and a strong flavor.

The International Space Station is fitted with rehydration chambers and food warmers to prepare the packaged food before consumption. The first and only kitchen on ISS was located in the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS), containing a hydration system for reheating food, and a food warmer for canned food. The United States developed the second food warmer system in a briefcase-like shape to provide the reheating function for packet-style food items. A second galley was added to the Unity module due to the crew size increase. Combined dinners were rare, as Russian, Space Shuttle, and other ISS astronauts were often eating in their own segments with different schedules.

On Tiangong Space Station, the kitchen is located in the Tianhe core module, alongside with living quarters and entertainment systems. Huang Weifen, the chief astronaut trainer of China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), explained that the station is equipped with a small kitchen table for food preparation and the first-ever microwave oven in spaceflight so that astronauts can "always have hot food whenever they need."

Representative Marcoleta deserves nothing but laughter for this asinine line of questioning. And he admits that it "is just a palliative" and that they "have to fill up the gap!" How about he ask Solidum questions regarding how he would fill that gap? What about increasing food production and bringing down prices and ending rampant food smuggling which undercuts famers? I suppose reality is too much for this politician that he'd rather resort to magical solutions to feed the poor people of the Philippines. Is this the modern equivalent of let them eat cake? 

By the way Marcoleta loves to brag about how he helped destroy ABS-CBN by voting no for a franchise renewal. 

https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom/status/1508980933638377474

Great job, bobo!

The third and final clown in the Commission on Appeals' theater of the absurd is Camarines Sur Representative Luis “Lray” Villafuerte. 

At the start of the hearing, Camarines Sur Representative Luis “Lray” Villafuerte asked about Solidum’s favorite movies.

“Just to know the character of  the person, my colleagues might laugh again, but this is  in relation to your fitness.  Your hobby is watching  Netflix…My question is, what is your favorite movies in Netflix?” Villafuerte asked.

When Solidum said he was into investigative series, Villafuerte commented that the nominee should have been  in the cyberlab section of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The lawmaker explained that if the DOST chief really loves science and technology, he should be watching  documentaries like how other countries prospered because of science and technology.

Senator  Grace   Poe   interjected,  saying: “I think many of us, although we like our jobs, when we go home, we like to watch something that is a little bit different from what we do.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702589/can-rocket-materials-be-used-to-stop-volcanic-eruptions-solon-asks-dost-chief

How does what Solidium enjoy watching on Netflix have any bearing on his fitness to his being DOST Secretary? It does not! And then Villafuerte has the gall to tell this man that if he "really loves science and technology" then "he should be watching  documentaries like how other countries prospered because of science and technology." What?

So, this career politician, who has been charged with graft multiple times over the past decade, thinks the DOST Secretary should be watching documentaries in order to learn skills that can aid him in causing the Philippines to prosper because of science and technology? How would that transfer to prosperity for the Philippines? And what documentaries does he have in mind? Can he name even one? Does he watch documentaries about proper governance in order to cause the Philippines to prosper? Does this moron not understand that it is corrupt politicians and bureaucrats like himself who stand in the way of progress in the Philippines? 

Here is my take away from this "theater of the absurd." Filipino politicians have ZERO solutions for this nation. From drilling into volcanos to feeding the poor appetite suppressing food pills they are engaged in magical thinking that has no bearing on reality whatsoever. It's as bad as someone planning his life around winning the lottery instead of actually fixing his life. These men simply refuse to deal with the problems in the Philippines in anything like a forthright and honest manner.