Insurgency: Shun Leftist Candidates

Recently a group of ex-insurgents submitted a two-page manifesto denouncing armed violence and declaring their willingness to work for peace. The title is "A Call for Unity, Progress, and Collective Healing."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234272

Former rebels have condemned acts of violence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front and expressed willingness to work with the government in attaining peace.

The former rebels made the commitment in a two-page manifesto titled "A Call for Unity, Progress, and Collective Healing," the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said in a news release Friday.

"Our decision to condemn armed struggle does not mean abandoning our principles. We do not turn our backs on the fight for social justice. Instead, we embrace a new approach to struggle, one that aligns with the rule of law and collaboration among all sectors of society," the manifesto read.

The manifesto was signed at the La Breza Hotel in Quezon City during the culmination of the National Peace Advocate Summit 2024.

"It is a powerful declaration from those who have walked the path of conflict, now committed to forging a new way forward for themselves and for future generations," NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said.

It also serves as a guiding document for the anti-insurgency body in implementing programs and initiatives that support the reintegration of former rebels.

The manifesto appears to not be available online so its contents cannot be read. However one take on it is that these former rebels are basically rallying against leftist candidates. 

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/09/27/shun-leftist-candidates-say-ex-rebels

Former top members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) have called on all candidates and voters to renounce armed struggle and violence.

How convenient such a document would be submitted just as election season begins. Is this a real, organic manifesto or is this the work of the AFP and the NTF-ELCAC in an attempt to persuade Filipinos to not vote for the various leftist party lists? 

In Aurora Province 91 former rebels pledged allegiance to the Philippine government. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234404

The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion on Monday said 91 supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Aurora province have officially declared their withdrawal of support to the communist terrorist group and pledged their allegiance to the government.

In an interview, Lt. Col. Aries Quinto, acting commanding officer of the 91st IB, said a ceremony for the group’s withdrawal of support took place at the Aurora Trading Center Covered Court here last Sept. 27.

Apart from signing the oath of allegiance to the government, he said the group, who hails from the towns of San Luis and Maria Aurora, also burned the replica of the NPA flag, which signifies their abandonment of the terrorist communist group.

“The gathering is part of the participants love and loyalty to the government, as they have awakened from the lies and deceptions of the terrorist rebels that sow terror in the community,” Quinto said.

“They ended support for the rebel groups to maintain lasting peace and development in Aurora. A clear manifestation that the Whole of Nation Approach, or E.O. 70, was implemented successfully in coordination with the local government units, and other civic clusters successfully facilitated the group’s withdrawal to the NPA with their formal reintegration into the community.”

He also thanked the government agencies and security forces efforts to maintain peace and development in the province.

These include the regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Agrarian Reform, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace and Reconciliation and Unity.

He also acknowledged the continued full support from the Aurora Police Provincial Office and the local government units.

Meanwhile, Maria Aurora Mayor Ariel Bitong said a large number of projects are ongoing for his constituents – including the concreting of roads, construction of barangay roads, farm-to-market roads, and multi-purpose buildings, among others – with the help of Aurora Rep. Rommel Angara.

In a separate statement, Ka Danger thanked the government for the continued support and help for former rebels like him.

“I am one of the living FRs who testify that the government is sincerely rebuilding our lives. I visited far-flung areas to inform the public that our government is doing its best to help us,” he said.

Of course they burned the NPA flag and signed an oversized oath of allegiance in a big show for the public. But how long has it been since these people abandoned the NPA? Years? Months? From the sound of it they have been out of the fight for quite sometime since one of them testified the government is helping him to rebuild his life. 

Vice President Sara Duterte is facing harsh criticism for not being able to account for how her confidential funds were spent when she was the Department of Education Secretary. P112.5 million were spent on Youth Summits which were handled by the AFP as part of their counterinsurgency program. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1987456/house-probe-questions-depeds-use-of-p112-5m-for-youth-summits

The use of confidential funds given to the Department of Education (DepEd) when it was still headed by Vice President Sara Duterte continued to be scrutinized by the House of Representatives.

This time, questions were raised about the DepEd’s use of P112.5 million in confidential funds for “youth leadership summits” in 2023.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel brought it up on Wednesday’s hearing of the House committee on good government and public accountability, which Duterte again snubbed and had accused of being politically motivated.

Pimentel, the committee vice chair, asked how such a large sum could be justified for such events.

“To feed 3,000 students, you’d spend p112.5 million? Even if they stay in a hotel for three months, they can’t possibly use up P112.5 million,” the lawmaker said.

He also cast doubts on the “certifications” issued by military officials for the conduct of the seminars, which were among the documents submitted by DepEd for an accounting of the discretionary fund.

Pimentel cited the audit observation memorandums (AOMs) of the Commission on Audit (COA) which flagged the cash advances and liquidation reports for the summits.

The AOMs, he noted, raised concerns about the total expenditure and the lack of supporting documentation, such as receipts and photographs of the seminars.

Pimentel highlighted two AOMs, dated Feb. 1 and Aug 8, which were both addressed to Edward Fajarda, DepEd’s special disbursing officer.

Edward’s wife, Assistant Secretary Sunshine Fajarda, was said to be the DeEd officer who handed out monthly cash envelopes to the agency’s former Head of Procuring Entity (HoPE), Gloria Mercado, who also testified before the committee on Wednesday.

The lawmaker asked that Edward be called to the next hearing since he was responsible for the P112.5 million in cash advances used for seminars and their liquidation.

The first AOM involved P75 million disbursed from July 12 to Sept. 29, 2023, while the second memo was for P37.5 million covering the period from Feb. 22 to June 29, 2023.

Pimentel asked the COA personnel present at the hearing to confirm if the youth summits actually took place, noting that the liquidation documents only included certifications from at least three Philippine Army officers.

“Do we have documentation? Do we have evidence that indeed they conducted this Youth Leadership Summit or is this only on paper?” he asked.

According to one of the certifications, he said, 531 participants took part in eight summits, while another said 205 attended one summit. The third certification reported 860 participants in nine summits.

Former DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa, who appeared at Wednesday’s hearing, explained that the summits were not directly handled by DepEd but by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in line with its campaign against the communist insurgency.

“The youth Leadership Summit is not something that DepEd had conducted, but actually received certification from the AFP,” Poa said.

But Pimentel maintained that “even if that’s (done using) confidential funds, that is still taxpayers’ money. P112.5 million is such a huge amount for a youth leadership summit.”

The committee will look deeper into the matter in the next hearing, where Edward should explain the expenditure, he said.

Otherwise, “it’s very clear this is just on paper,” Pimentel added.

Lots of questions here. If the DepEd did not conduct these summits then why did the department spend the money on the summits? Why didn't the funding for this project come out of the AFP's coffers? Most importantly how was so much money spent in such a short period of time? Hopefully we will hear from the AFP.

Another NPA leader has been neutralized. This time he was arrested rather than killed in combat. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234668

Police have apprehended one of the most wanted New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the Caraga Region, an official said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Alan Nazarro, director of the Police Regional Office-Caraga (PRO-13), identified the rebel as "Rudy Amara," 31, the vice commanding officer of the weakened NPA Guerrilla Front 30.

The arrest took place on Tuesday in Carmen, Surigao del Sur.

“Amara faces six counts of murder, five counts of frustrated murder, three counts of attempted murder, and a charge of slight illegal detention,” Nazarro said.

Amara is listed as the region's second top communist priority target and the second most wanted person.

On top of the murder charges, Amara faces three charges under Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Surely the "leaderless NPA" has more leaders out there. 

Isablea City in Basilan has been declared Abu Sayyaf free. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/1/isabela-city-in-basilan-declared-asg-free

Authorities declared Isabela City in Basilan province Abu Sayyaf Group-free during a simple ceremony at the Isabela City Civic and Cultural Center in Binuangan, Isabela City on Monday, September 30.

Isabela City was the latest area in Basilan to be declared free from the terrorist group after Al-Barka, Maluso, Lantawan, and Ungkaya-Pukan. 

The declaration was part of a campaign initiated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to free Basilan from ASG influence.

Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman asked residents and visitors to give importance and deep meaning to the occasion. 

“It’s freedom from the fears of the past by moving forward from the violence that once held us back,” the lady mayor said.

House Deputy Minority Leader Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman thanked the Nagdilaab Foundation, the Ulama Supreme Council, military, and police for making Isabela City ASG-free.

Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, said that the declaration has a major impact on the security situation amid the peace and stability that the city have been enjoying for some time.

"This move reinforces the continuous development and progress not just for the city but also for the entire province of Basilan," said Luzon.

Present during the ceremony were Joint Task Force Orion chief Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña; Luzon, Police Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Police Regional Office-9 director, Mayor Hataman, Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Isabela City Vice Mayor Jhul Kifli Saliman, and other officials of Isabela City.

Several towns in Basilan have been declared ASG-free this year. This declaration is one more step as Basilan Province is soon set to be declared ASG-free 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/917793/basilan-abu-sayyaf-free/story/

Several "wanted" posters and tarpaulins in Basilan have been taken down in preparation for the declaration of the province as free of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

According to the 101st Infantry Brigade, the forthcoming declaration of Basilan as ASG-free province will be "a historic milestone, underscoring the successful efforts to eradicate terrorism and radicalism."

"This initiative is anticipated to encourage further regional development and investment, reinforcing the hard-won peace," 101st Infantry Brigade said.

The military said removing the ASG "wanted" posters marked the culmination of the long-standing security campaign against the Islamic extremist group in the province.

"The decision to remove the ASG WANTED posters and tarpaulins is expected to foster a renewed sense of normalcy and security among the Basileños," the 101st Infantry Brigade said.

Remnants of the ASG were considered and declared "criminal elements" as they continue to do criminal activities, including extortion and grave threats, among others.

"They can no longer influence the community and are without a support system for survival," the 101st Infantry Brigade added.

Even as Basilan is set to be declared free of Abu Sayyaf the AFP admits there are still ASG remnants in the area. How is that ASG-free?

No More Nuisance Candidates?

It's election season again. The first step in the 2025 elections is the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy. Lot's of people want in on the government gravy train. However, in the past it has not been so easy for the little guy to attempt a run for office without being disqualified for being a nuisance candidate. That is now a thing of the past. Perhaps. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/2/comelec-in-a-tight-spot

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) finds itself in a tight spot when it comes to which election candidates should be declared as "nuisance".

This, after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the unpopularity of a candidate, or non-membership in a political party, as well as the lack of financial capacity to run a campaign, were not sufficient grounds to declare one a nuisance candidate.

"Although our chances of getting an opportunity to appeal for a declaration of disqualification as a nuisance candidate in the law department are limited, we still have two other options to determine if you're a bona fide candidate," Comelec spokesman lawyer John Rex Laudiangco told the media during the second day of filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs).

Many of the perennial poll aspirants who have so far filed their COC for senator have criticized Comelec for disqualifying them due to their lack of financial capacity or for being not well-known. 

With these two factors out of the picture, Laudiangco said that they will observe the aspirants during the filing to check their actions, or to find out if they know what they're running for.

"You may be running for senator, but the job you're referring to doesn't quite suit that of a senator. Perhaps there's a lack of full understanding of the position involved," he said.

The other thing Comelec is looking at is those who filed their COCs only to disrupt or confuse the voting public in an attempt to get votes at someone else's expense.

Laudiangco assured the public that they'll make a factual assessment to establish that someone does not have a bona fide intention for the position they're running for.

"Because we can see that, if he or she is really serious or if he or she just wants to be seen filing a COC, getting photographed, being on TV, because there are people like that," he added.

No longer is lack of membership in a political party or lack of financial capacity enough to consider someone a nuisance candidate. Instead the COMELEC will be looking at a would-be candidates actions and checking to see if they know what they have even filed for. 

How is that fair? All the candidates make big promises that exceed the office for which they aspire. Are we really supposed to believe the clowns who are actually in office understand their own office? 

This new doctrine from the Supreme Court could shake things up at the polls. I wouldn't expect the media to cover any so-called nuisance candidates in an honest or comprehensive way but at least it won't be the same-old, same-old. 

Take Eric Negapatan who has tried to run for office thrice and has been declared a nuisance each time. He wants to return the Marcos wealth to the Filipino people. Turns out it was actually willed to him by Marcos Sr's mom when he was her servant. 

https://www.inquirer.net/414924/senatorial-aspirant-vows-to-return-marcoses-alleged-p800-quadrillion-wealth/

A senatorial aspirant on Wednesday vowed to bring back the alleged wealth of the Marcos family, reportedly amounting to “800 quadrillion pesos” for the benefit of all Filipinos.

Eric Negapatan made the campaign pitch, which resembled the debunked Tallano Gold claims as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) at Manila Hotel Garden City on Wednesday.

Negapatan promised to distribute this amount, supposedly hidden somewhere in London, to all Filipinos for their basic needs.

(No one will need to buy rice anymore. No one will pay for water. No one will pay for electricity anymore.)

He claimed he inherited this “800 quadrillion” from Doña Josefa Marcos, mother of late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., when he was her servant in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

(All of this was left in my name. In other words, it was not named after Marcos.)

(If the heir is a Marcos, the PCGG would have confiscated it.)

Negapatan said he previously ran for the presidency in 2016 and 2022 and in the senatorial polls in 2019, but he was declared a nuisance candidate in all these political attempts.

Of course he sounds crazy but why shouldn't he be able to run for office?

Likewise why should the COMELEC forbid the "chosen one of God" from running for the Senate?

https://www.inquirer.net/414985/senatorial-aspirant-to-curse-anyone-who-will-disqualify-her/

Senatorial aspirant Beth Lopez, who claimed to be the “chosen one of God,” on Wednesday said that she would “curse” anyone who would disqualify her from the 2025 elections.

Lopez said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified her in the previous polls due to poverty.

(This is my third time running for senator of our country. So brave. Thick-skinned despite being disqualified by Comelec because of being poor. I apologize for being emotional.)

When asked what she would do if Comelec disqualified her again, the teary-eyed senatorial aspirant raised her voice at the end of her answer.

(If Comelec does not allow me to run for senator, everyone who is involved in my disqualification will be cursed, and I will declare this government agency as nonsense.)

A Comelec official then went up to the stage to calm her down. She smiled and said that she was just being “emotional.”

Lopez also claimed that she is the “chosen one of God.”

(I hate politics. Now, who made a way for me to do something I don’t like? God. God made a way for me to not to run for public office.)

(I declare that of all the miracles in my life, I am the chosen one of God. If I die, I will declare that my soul will come back to punish you all.)

Lopez tried to run for senator in the 2019 elections, but she said she was not permitted to enter the Comlelc office to file her certificate of candidacy (COC).

The security forces at Comelec clarified that she was instructed to first secure a copy of the COC application form at the office.

Don't anybody get in her way.

Don't get in the way of this half-zombie either. 

https://www.inquirer.net/415733/rastaman-known-as-half-human-half-zombie-seeks-senate-seat/

Rastaman,” who usually passes himself off as “half-human, half-zombie,” is seeking a Senate seat after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Saturday.

Rolando Plaza in real life, the tattooed-faced character filed his COC at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

Plaza previously filed his COC for senator in 2019 but was disqualified after being declared a nuisance candidate.

“Rastaman” gained virality overnight as a result of an interview where he claims to be “half-human, half-zombie.”

Media analytics firm Isentia PH says this man is a joke and the electorate needs such humor during election season. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1516474/coping-mechanism-firm-says-rastaman-popularity-shows-humor-still-vital-to-ph-elections

Prior to COVID-19, the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) is one of the most colorful events in Philippine politics — not just because of rival politicians but due to some “out-of-this-world aspirants” often branded as nuisance candidates.

With lockdowns still present, Filipinos turned to the internet to put some color to an allegedly dull COC filing from October 1 to 8, through the culture of memes and shitposting — which eventually gave way to the resurgence of a person known in social media circles as the “Rastaman.”

It is unclear whether the man is indeed a follower of Rastafarianism, but the rise of this tattooed man deemed as an “alternative candidate” may be the best proof that humorous story lines are still very important for people vying for elective posts, a media analytics firm said.

Isentia PH said in their report titled “Prelude to the Polls” that the seemingly undying popularity of Ronaldo Plaza, the senatorial aspirant in the 2019 midterm elections, can be attributed to a yearning for a funny twist to an otherwise serious political exercise.

Plaza, sporting a bandana and with several tattoos on his face — including the words “Rasta” on his forehead, nose and upper lip and the word “Man” on his chin, plus a motorcycle on his temple — became an internet sensation among people supposedly tired of politics.

“A video of him filing his COC from the last elections, accompanied by an interview, resurfaced this period. Netizens began posting memes giving him their ironic support and earning traction across social media platforms. Rastaman gained virality overnight as a result of an interview wherein claims to be ‘half-human, half-zombie,’” Isentia PH said.

“His popularity may be attributed to Filipinos finding humor in the candidate amidst the seriousness of the election season,” it added.

According to Isentia PH, the Filipinos’ desire for some laughs may be an attempt to hide a great frustration over what has happened in the country — from the issues on the COVID-19 pandemic response and the effects of lockdown restrictions.

“The period leading to the polls has been marred with an overall sense of frustration in the middle of the pandemic, and the internet gave Rastaman a platform and his persona has ensued popularity because of a ‘comforting absurdity’ — a key element in getting audience’s attention,” the firm said.

“As the internet shifted from memes to serious conversations, a swing of emotions and sentiment could come from various factors especially with news coming the public’s way daily. Rastaman’s popularity is a clear showing of how important humor is to storytelling, messaging, narrative, public relations, leading to a comforting nature that drives engagement,” it added.

Now with the SC ruling he will have to be taken seriously. What's wrong with that?

What about the common man? An electrician wants to run for office and why shouldn't he? Why should the political class only be composed of well connected monied families? 

https://www.inquirer.net/414472/electrician-man-who-wants-to-marry-sen-marcos-to-run-for-senator/

An electrician and a man claiming to be Sen. Imee Marcos’ fiance said they would run for senator in the 2025 elections.

Alexander Encarnacion, an electrician and a carpenter, lodged his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday, the first day of COC filing.

(An electrician and carpenter can do many things for the country.)

Encarnacion said he filed COC in two previous elections but was disqualified as a nuisance candidate.

(I am penniless. They said I can’t launch a nationwide campaign.)

Daniel Magtira, who said he wanted to marry Marcos, also went to the COC filing venue at the Manila Hotel tent, but he has yet to lodge his COC as of posting.

In 2021, he also claimed to be the husband of actress and host Kris Aquino.

(I don’t know where Kris Aquino is, so I’ll just marry Imee Marcos.)

Pressed to disclose his plans should he win a Senate seat, Magtira said: “Let us implement the promise of salary increase.”

In 2021, he also filed a COC for president for the 2022 elections.

Magtira was alone when he faced the media on Tuesday. He was wearing a blue-green barong and a pin bearing the Philippine flag.

The man who wants to marry Imee Marcos may not be in his right mind but why stop the common laboring man from aspiring to do great things for his country? Don't forget men like Bato and Robinhood Padilla are in office. Both of them had no political training and only won because of their popularity.

The case of those two men illustrate the problem with elections in the Philippines. The COMELEC decides who can and cannot run and the people are forced to choose between who is left over. How exactly can voters be vigilant when so many unqualified men are on the ballot?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234745

House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday urged Filipino voters to “practice discernment” and exercise “perpetual vigilance” in choosing candidates for next year’s midterm elections, or suffer the consequences of more “Alice Guos” in the country’s electoral system.

“To the Filipino voters, I encourage you to exercise your right with discernment. Your role is crucial in this process. By remaining vigilant, we ensure a future where our leaders uphold the values of integrity, competence, and a commitment to the well-being of our nation,” Romualdez said in a statement as the filing of certificates of candidacies (COCs) for the May 2025 senatorial and synchronized local polls entered its fourth day.

He said the classic case of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, a certified Chinese national, should be a constant reminder to everyone to practice increased vigilance or face similar embarrassing consequences.

“The recent disqualification of Guo is a significant reminder of our challenges in ensuring that only qualified individuals are elected to public office. The Comelec (Commission on Elections) is crucial in accepting candidacy applications,” he said.

Romualdez appealed to the Comelec, under the leadership of Chairman George Garcia, that while the processing of COCs may be “ministerial” in nature, it is still important they safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

“The law provides transparent processes for challenging unqualified candidates, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these mechanisms are used appropriately to maintain public trust. We all share the responsibility of safeguarding our democracy, and by working together, we can prevent any recurrence of past issues,” he said.

“Together, let us build a government that truly reflects the aspirations of the Filipino people – one that is transparent, accountable, and dedicated to genuine public service,” he said, noting that voters should always bear in mind that by choosing right, “we get the government we deserve.”

Romualdez's advice is well-intentioned but does not take into consideration the reality that voters do not choose who is on the ballot. In local elections the number of choices are usually low. Sometimes there is only one candidate. How can the people be discerning when the COMELEC allows suspended politicians to run for office merely because their suspension is not final?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234695

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here said the suspended board members of Antique province can still file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) and run for the 2025 midterm elections.

“The preventive suspension of the board members is not a problem or a ground for their disqualification because it is not yet a final decision from the Ombudsman,” said Acting Assistant Regional Election Director and concurrent Antique Provincial Election Supervisor Wil Arceño in an interview on Thursday.

He said that the Comelec, since the first day of the filing on Oct. 1, has been receiving COCs of suspended board members, citing, as the basis, Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Suspended board members Mayella Mae Plameras-Ladislao, Egidio Elio, Alfie Jay Niquia, and Plaridel Sanchez IV filed their COCs on Oct. 1.  Ladislao is running for vice governor, while Elio, Niquia, and Sanchez IV are seeking reelection.

They were slapped with a six-month preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman effective Aug. 5, 2024, pending the hearing of their administrative cases for oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect of duty.  

Perhaps the Ombudsman should act more quickly on these matters. Or perhaps the COMELEC should change its rules so that suspended politicians are not allowed to run no matter what.

And what about self-confessed criminals?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234603

Self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor of his hometown, Albuera in Leyte province, the same post held by his slain father.

In a social media post by his official Facebook page, “Care Win," Espinosa was seen holding a copy of his COC filed on Oct. 1. 

He also posted photos and videos of his supporters who accompanied him in the COC filing. Joining him are candidates under the Bando Espinosa-Pundok Kausaban (BE-PK) party.

Supporters of the Espinosa camp were seen wearing blue shirts with BE-PK prints distributed during the first day of filing.

“I am running to help those who are oppressed regardless of your age and economic status,” he told the cheering supporters.

He is reportedly running against incumbent Mayor Sixto Dela Victoria.

Kerwin was released from jail after the Regional Trial Court in Baybay City junked a case against him for lack of evidence.

In 2016, he was one of the personalities linked by then President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas.

Duterte accused Espinosa and his father, Rolando Espinosa, Sr., then mayor of Albuera, of their involvement in the narcotics trade after a police raid that found PHP11 million worth of shabu near the family’s residence in Albuera town.

The elder Espinosa surrendered in mid-2016 but was later killed inside his jail cell in Baybay City.

Sure, Espinosa was found not guilty but that's not the point. The point is the COMELEC is allowed to decide who can and cannot run. When the people have to choose between a self-confessed criminal and someone equally worthless what are they to do? Not vote? 

The Supreme Court decision to allow candidates to run despite their financial ability or membership in a political party is a welcome decision for all. People talk a big game about democracy but denying people the right to run because they are poor is not very democratic. 

Are there nuisance candidates? Of course. The Duterte's, the Marcoses, and practically every political family have had their day in the sun and they have not done a very good job of running the Philippines except into the ground. Why not let the common man have his day in the sun?

The God Culture: 100 Lies About the Philippines: Lie #25: The Spanish Destroyed Philippine Documents

Welcome back to 100 lies the God Culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns Tim's claim that the Spanish destroyed all Filipino documents relating to their history. As we shall see this is another lie.

In his videos Tim says the following:

Bathala Origin. Hebrew? Who Was This Ancient Creator God? Solomon's Gold Series - Part 6C Bathala Origin. Hebrew? Who Was This Ancient Creator God? Solomon's Gold Series - Part 6C

3:34 We have shared other references in other parts of this series regarding the Spanish friars bragging about all but eradicating the previous history of the Philippines prior to their arrival. Here's one from the American Historical Association of all places from Washington DC saying as much. "The written record of the Philippine Islands starts with the coming of the Spaniards. Not that the country had not had a history and a culture and a literature before, exclamation point, but the Spaniards in their religious zeal destroyed the earlier records as completely as possible therefore much of what is known about pre-Spanish days and there is still much to be uncovered."

This same claim is made in Tim's book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure.

The Search for King Solomon's Treasure, pgs 155 - 157

You will notice the history of the Philippines prior to the Spanish seems non-existent in native records. This sparks a debate as to whether Spanish Jesuit friars or the like destroyed the history of the Philippines. Some demand an admission from the Spanish as such which is a false paradigm in expectation. The track is simple to test. When the Spanish arrived, they record a literate people who could read and write. If one can read and write, it means they do so. In areas, Filipinos were a literate people in whole.

Even in the early Spanish occupation, Filipinos are known to be a literate people both reading and writing with their own language.

Notice the significant distinction of the Filipino people in contrast with other Oriental nations. This is affirmed in the Boxer Codex and many times in history. This was a set-apart people who was depicted as wealthier and more literate as one would expect of ancient Ophir. We do not find similar history anywhere else on earth. In applying reason, in the early Spanish days before conquest was even fully recognized, Chirino saw Filipinos writing as well as reading. They wrote something. They read something. Where is it? If insignificant, why destroy it?

That being the case, they wrote something and it is gone and under Spain’s watch, thus the Holy Roman Empire is responsible regardless. They wanted to conquer and control and they also have to accept such responsibility for things which occurred during their reign. One defies logic in assumption that Filipinos would not have written especially the name of their country or area previously for instance and the notion that every writing was pagan is one of the most ridiculous, illogical assumptions one could make. There is no need to produce an admission of guilt by the Spanish to conclude the Spanish destroyed history as they document a literate people and the writings have disappeared during their era of control.

How can anyone peruse these records that the Filipinos wrote things and then, develop a lapse in reason to absolve the Spanish for their erasing history? Filipinos did not wipe out their own history and the Spanish have been caught doing so with the Aztecs and other cultures as an established pattern of behavior. If nothing else, they are guilty of negligence. Even the American Historical Association believes this and remember, the Americans controlled the Philippines after the Spanish.

However, no consensus is required as the documents existed and they are no longer regardless of how they may have disappeared. If hidden by the Filipino people, they would have resurfaced by now. They were taken and likely eradicated.

Everything Tim writes in his book is presumptive bunk. His thesis is that because Filipinos had a script called Baybayin they wrote and preserved their own history. Then the Spanish came along and destroyed all those documents. But this presupposes several things such as Filipinos writing on lasting material like papyrus, paper, or vellum, that these writings were preserved somewhere, and that Filipinos had a sense of history enabling them to write such things down. Tim is very adamant that Filipinos had no architecture. So, if they had no temples or buildings where and how exactly would these writings be preserved from the elements?

Tim has already muddied the waters by saying the Spanish would never admit they destroyed these writings which means Father Pedro Chirino, a man Tim cites, lies when he says the following:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=miun.afk2830.0001.040&view=1up&seq=73&q1=history

It is not found that these nations had anything written about their religion or about their government, or of their old-time history. All that we have been able to learn has been handed down from father to son in tradition, and is preserved in their customs; and in some songs that they retain in their memory and repeat when they go on the sea, sung to the time of their rowing, and in their merrymakings, feasts, and funerals, and even in their work, when many of them work together. In those songs are recounted the fabulous genealogies and vain deeds of their gods. 

Father Chirino says Filipinos did not have any writings about their religion, government, or history. Does that mean Filipinos did not write? Of course not. Father Chirino continues his testimony by noting they wrote on very perishable surfaces like leaves. 

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=miun.afk2830.0001.012&view=1up&seq=247&q1=writing

They used to write on reeds and palm-leaves, using as a pen an iron point; now they write their own letters, as well as ours, with a sharpened quill, and, as we do, on paper.

According to Tim we have to reject this testimony that before the Spanish arrived Filipinos wrote only on reeds and palm-leaves and that none of that writing contained a word about their history. But if we have to reject that because the Spanish are lying then there is nothing they wrote that we should believe. 

Of course Tim offers no proof that Filipinos wrote history or on paper or vellum and preserved it. Tim offers no eyewitness testimony to the destruction of ancient Filipino documents. In fact, no one can offer such testimony. Not even the American Historical Association. If the Jesuits  did destroy Filipino documents what sense would it make for Father Chirino to preserve and explain the Baybayin writing system? 

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=miun.afk2830.0001.012&view=1up&seq=246&q1=writing

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=miun.afk2830.0001.012&view=1up&seq=246&q1=writing

Of course it does not make any sense and Tim does not discuss the fact that the Jesuits preserved Baybayin.

This idea that the Spanish destroyed ancient Filipino documents was described by H. Otley Beyer who wrote the following:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.d0001528223&view=1up&seq=311&q1=mexicans

The fanatic zeal of the Spaniards for the Christian faith and corresponding hatred for all other forms of belief led them to regard the native writings and art as works of the Devil—to be destroyed wherever found. In Mexico and Peru many old records were preserved in more or less modified form in the writings of early native Christians and Spanish half-castes, but in the Philippines the destruction was more ruthlessly thorough and only a few fragments have survived. It cannot be said that such writings did not exist, since the early Filipinos were even more literate than the Mexicans; they used syllabaries of Indian origin. One Spanish priest in southern Luzon boasted of having destroyed more than three hundred scrolls written in the native character.

This alleged fact has no source or basis in reality. Beyer offers no reference for the outlandish claim that one Spanish present in Southern Luzon destroyed more than 300 scrolls. How did they have scrolls if, as Father Chirino testified, they wrote on palm leaves and reeds?  According to one scholar Beyer's claims have never been verified.

Many people today, both ordinary Filipinos and some historians not acquainted with the Philippines, are surprised when they learn that the ancient Filipinos actually had a writing system of their own. The complete absence of truly pre-Hispanic specimens of the baybayin script is puzzling and it has lead to a common misconception that fanatical Spanish priests must have burned or otherwise destroyed massive amounts of native documents as they did so ruthlessly in Central America. Even the prominent Dr. H. Otley Beyer wrote in The Philippines before Magellan (1921) that, “one Spanish priest in Southern Luzon boasted of having destroyed more than three hundred scrolls written in the native character.” Historians have searched for the source of Beyer's claim, but until now none have even learned the name of that zealous priest. Furthermore, there has never been a recorded instance of ancient Filipinos writing on scrolls. The fact that they wrote on such perishable materials as leaves and bamboo is probably the reason why no pre-Hispanic documents have survived. 

Although many Spaniards didn't hide their disdain for Filipino culture, the only documents they burned were probably the occasional curse or incantation that offended their beliefs. There simply were no “dangerous” documents to burn because the pre-Hispanic Filipinos did not write at length about such things as their own beliefs, mythology, or history. These were the subjects of their oral record, which, indeed, the Spanish priests tried to eradicate through relentless indoctrination. But, in regard to writing, it can be argued that the Spanish friars actually helped to preserve the baybayin by continuing to use it and write about it even after it fell out of use among most Filipinos. 

http://paulmorrow.ca/bayeng1.htm

The facts are plain. Filipinos did not write history but transmitted their history orally. The Jesuits did not burn books en masse because there were no books to burn. In fact, the Jesuits preserved the Filipino script Baybayin which wouldn't make any sense if they were out to eradicate Filipino literature. Thus the claim that the Spanish burned Filipino documents is simply one more lie about the Philippines taught by Timothy Jay Schwab of The God Culture.

Assassinated Businessmen July to September, 2024

This is a list of businessmen who have been assassinated or survived an assassination attempt or who were kidnapped in the third quarter of 2024.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/8/businessman-gunned-down-in-batangas-1

A 39-year-old businessman was gunned down in Barangay Luyos here on Sunday afternoon, July 7.

Police identified the victim as Elmar Fabroa, of Banay-Banay, Davao Oriental and Gapan, Nueva Ecija. 

Lawmen said the victim was inside his truck waiting for vegetables to be loaded when a man wearing brown jacket and jeans arrived and shot him.  He died on the spot.

The suspect fled onboard a motorcycle.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/3/pnp-probes-kidnap-slay-of-2-foreign-traders-persons-of-interest-identified

The Anti-Kidnapping Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-AKG) has stepped into the investigation of the reported kidnap-slay of two foreigners whose bodies were found in a remote area in Camarines Sur.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said that, based on initial investigation, the Chinese and Chinese-American businessmen arrived in the country on June 20 to meet with potential Chinese business partners.

Later, the relatives of one of the two foreigners informed them about the kidnapping, and that the alleged kidnappers were demanding five million yuan as ransom. The ransom demand was later reduced to three million yuan, and was sent to the kidnappers.

After the ransom was paid, the kidnappers could no longer be contacted which prompted the relatives of the victims to seek police assistance.

On June 24, Fajardo said two bodies were reported to have been found in Sitio Rawis,  Barangay Patitinan, in Sagñay, Camarines Sur, which were later confirmed to be the two missing businessmen.

Fajardo said they have not yet established the motive behind the incident, but assured that the AKG is continuously investigating the incident to identify the perpetrators.

‘The AKG already took cognizance of the case after the coordination with the Chinese Embassy and right now, the AKG has persons of interest,” said Fajardo.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/9/indian-bizman-hurt-in-gun-attack

An Indian businessman was shot and wounded in Purok 7, Barangay Poblacion 1, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Sunday night, July 7.

Police said the 36-year-old victim was driving his motorcycle on his way to the city proper and stopped to answer a phone call.

A man suddenly appeared from a dimly-lit area and shot the victim several times in the leg and arms.

The victim was taken to a hospital by a countryman who passed by the area. He was later referred to a private hospital here.

Recovered from the crime scene were a live ammunition and four fired .45 caliber cartridge cases.

Police continue to probe the incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/23/businessman-shot-dead-by-companion-in-bacolod

A businessman was allegedly gunned down by his companion inside a sports utility vehicle (SUV) during a heated argument on uncollected remittances in Barangay Villamonte here on Monday, July 22.

The victim was identified as Jun Alaba, 59, of Barangay Estefania here.

Police Capt. Francis Depasucat, head of Police Station 4, said the victim was driving a maroon vehicle when his companion, 34-year-old Ronel Rafael of Toboso, Negros Occidental, was allegedly irked after he was asked about uncollected remittances.

A commotion followed until the victim was shot. Depasucat said they are unsure if both grappled with the firearm.

Depasucat said the victim sustained a bullet wound in the stomach and was declared dead in a hospital.

Recovered from the crime scene were a fired cartridge, two dud cartridges, and a short firearm with magazine. 

Depasucat said that Rafael gave them a statement pertaining to the incident.

Rafael was initially not linked to the shooting but later in the investigation, Depasucat said that circumstantial evidence pointed him as a suspect.

Depasucat said that Rafael was subjected to a paraffin test on Monday night and the recovered firearm was turned over to the PNP Crime Laboratory for ballistic examination and identification.

He said that paraffin test results will be released within two to three days. Homicide charges were filed on Tuesday, July 23, against Rafael, who is under police custody.

Depasucat said that the suspect had been working for the victim for a year now and would also refer clients to the victim’s lending business.

He said that they are still probing the incident and checking the background of the suspect if he had previous offenses.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/14/businessman-live-in-partner-slain-in-laguna-by-trade-rival

A businessman and his live-in partner were allegedly gunned down by a competitor in the handicrafts business during a heated argument in Barangay Nanguma, this town, on Tuesday afternoon, August 13.

Police identified the victims as William Talisik and Margie Serrano.

Investigation said the victims arrived in front of the house of the suspect, Isagani Hiyas, and confronted him about a misunderstanding in their business, resulting in a furious discussion.

Serrano was armed with a stick and struck Hiyas who went inside his house. The suspect returned armed with a gun.

Hiyas shot the couple who died of bullet wounds. The suspect escaped and a manhunt operation is underway against him.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/10/businessman-wife-shot-dead-while-opening-store-in-batangas

A businessman and his wife were gunned down and robbed while opening their store at the public market in Poblacion 3, this town, before dawn on Monday, September 9.

Police identified the victims as Marlon, 52, and his wife Angelina, both from this town.

Investigation said the suspects arrived at around 4:30 a.m. and shot the victims at close range.

The suspects barged inside and took cash estimated at P80,000 and pieces of jewelry.

The victims were taken to the Bauan General Hospital where they were declared dead by Dr. Lilio Okchid Gran Jorbina.

Police said a witness, Victoriano Castillo, heard gunshots and hid in his store.

Lawmen are conducting follow-up investigation and and manhunt operations against the suspects who fled in an unknown direction.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/28/female-vendor-shot-dead-by-motorcycle-rider-in-quiapo

A female vendor was shot dead by a motorcycle rider in Quiapo, Manila, on Saturday, September 28.

The Manila Police District (MPD) did not disclose the name of the victim yet. 

Witnesses said the woman was standing in front of a bank at the corner of Palanca Street and Quezon Boulevard when a motorcycle rider suddenly pointed a gun at the victim and shot her.

The suspect immediately left after committing the crime, they added.

Police said they are still backtracking and reviewing all closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) in the area to identify the suspect.