No More Hell Run By Filipinos 4: Public Feuds

One thing Filipino politicians and government officials lack is dignity. This political and bureaucratic class loves to engage in feuds and then air their dirty laundry for all to see and smell. Exhibit one: the constant filing of cases against political opponents, not in the name of justice, but in order to smear their names. 

Exhibit two: the threat of violence. Acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte has been at odds with PNP Chief Torre for quite some time. The tiff started when all of Davao City's PNP Commanders were relieved from duty because crime statistics had been fabricated to make Davao look safe. On top of that issue was the arrest of his father, former President Duterte, which the Duterte family has labelled an illegal kidnapping. 

Lashing out in anger, Baste challenged PNP Chief Torre to a fistfight. Now, Torre has agreed, but he has done so under the cover of a charity boxing match to raise funds for flood victims. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254933

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Wednesday challenged Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte to a charity boxing match.

In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, Torre said the proceeds of the match would go to relief efforts for those affected by widespread flooding in Metro Manila and other areas due to the southwest monsoon and recent tropical cyclones.

“This is timely because a lot of people were affected by the typhoon and flooding. Maybe we can use this moment as an opportunity to raise funds in a well charity boxing match,” said Torre.

Duterte earlier challenged Torre to a fistfight.

“He made a challenge for a fistfight and for me, whether he is serious or not, let's just put this to better use if that is what he wants. Let’s make it a boxing match because it is easy to set up,” Torre said when sought for a comment.

Torre proposed holding a 12-round match at 9 a.m. on July 27 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. He said he hopes sponsors can fund each round, with the proceeds going to those affected by the inclement weather.

“I will be there in Araneta. I’ll ask Araneta to set up a boxing ring. Hopefully they will oblige. Siguro you can find sponsors per round may mag sponsor. So let’s place their merchandise before each round. Maybe we can find sponsors. There should be sponsors per round. For 12 rounds, that would be a lot of sponsors and that means we can raise more funds,” said Torre. 

If not at the Araneta Coliseum, Torre said he is ready to do it at any gym with a boxing ring.

“Whether he’s serious or not, let’s just put this to better use. If that’s what he wants, that’s easy to grant—let’s just go with boxing because it’s easier to set up,” Torre told reporters when asked to respond to Duterte’s statement.

In an previous media appearance, Duterte cursed Torre and challenged him to a fistfight. 

The two have been at odds, with Torre, then chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, leading the arrest of Baste's father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Torre, however, was quick to clarify that his decision to accept the younger Duterte’s challenge is meant to raise funds, especially for millions affected by the weather disturbances in the past days. 

“I just see this is an opportunity to help our kababayan and maybe there would be sponsors, for the proceeds that we will raise we will donate to charity,” said Torre.

“On my part, I will donate to charity whatever my share, and that would be for those affected by the typhoon and flood,” he added.

Torre said he plans to hit the gym on Thursday for a quick workout.

“He was the one who issued the challenge. He issued the challenge. For my part, I’m simply accepting it,” he said.

Torre said he is open to air the boxing match on social media platforms but he urged those who would watch to donate for storm victims.

This is not the first time that Duterte threatened physical harm on the PNP chief.

When Torre was the regional director of Police Regional Office-Davao, Duterte threatened to slap him for relieving all police commanders of Davao City.

This, after reports that Davao City commanders were misreporting crime incidents allegedly to make it appear that the city is safe.

Everyone knows the Duterte family has no decency, but in this case neither does Torre. Though he makes it appear as if he is turning the violence of Duterte into something positive, he is actually agreeing to the fistfight. Albeit he is attempting to spin a negative into a positive by suggesting a charity boxing event for flood victims. To top it off, Torre says he will donate his share of the fight proceeds to flood victims. That is not how charity events work! If it were a real charitable event neither Torre nor Duterte would receive a single dime. What a joke!

Where will it happen? How much will it cost? Who will get the remaining funds? How will they be distributed to victims? The government already has programs in place to help those affected by flooding. Torre knows Baste isn't going to take the bait because along with having no decency, the Duterte family is deeply craven and cowardly. However, Torre is not taking the high ground. He is stooping to Baste's level and then sinking even lower by pretending this fight would be all about charity and not about giving Baste a whooping for continually smearing his name. 

Let's not forget: Duterte issued the challenge and Torre is merely accepting it. How about taking the real high ground and ignoring the bluster from Duterte? Instead he has given in to it under the guise of charity. 

These two officials cannot control themselves. Filipinos do not deserve leaders like Torre and Duterte. They are just more evidence of the hell that is the Philippines being run by Filipinos. 

Update: All of the above was written four days ago on July 24th, 2025.  Since then the "fight" has occurred. Shockingly Torre was declared the winner. Unshockingly Torre was declared the winner because Baste flew off to Singapore and was a no-show. He claimed he had other commitments but he also set a ridiculous condition for the fight, namely all government officials nationwide being subject to a drug test. Over P20 million was raised for charity. 

Baste also claims he never challenged Torre to a fistfight. 

Duterte also said that he never challenged Torre and blamed media for public attention to his comments on Torre, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group when former President Duterte was arrested last March.

"I did not challenge you. What I really said was that if we were in a fight, I would beat you up. I didn't challenge you, you idiot," he said. 

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/27/why-the-bout-with-torre-didn-t-happen-according-to-baste-duterte-1301

I stand by all my previous comments. 

The God Culture: The Shipwreck That Changes Nothing

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture is doing a deep dive into The Philippine Islands series by Blair and Robertson. As I have previously documented, this series of books mentions the Lequios Islands as a place separate from the Philippines and close to Japan. Tim continues to ignore all that, calling it a "Jesuit conspiracy" and has found a new narrative to latch onto: Three Shipwrecked Lequian Indians.

https://thegodculturephilippines.com/the-shipwreck-that-proves-lequios-was-in-the-philippines---not-ryukyu/

Buried in the pages of Volume XVI of The Philippine Islands, 1493–1898 (Blair & Robertson), there lies a maritime account that has gone largely unnoticed — yet it may contain one of the most direct pieces of evidence placing Lequios in the Philippines , not Ryukyu.

This is the story of Juan Bernardo de Fuentidueñas , a Spanish pilot who survived a shipwreck near Macao in January 1610 — and discovered something unexpected on a remote island.

Three survivors.

Three Lequian Indians.

And no sign of Ryukyu anywhere.

⛵ The Voyage and the Wreck

In early 1610, pilot Juan Bernardo de Fuentidueñas set sail from Manila aboard a small vessel bound for Macao. His mission was urgent: warn a departing ship to delay its journey until Dutch forces had cleared the seas.

But fate intervened.

Near Macao, his boat struck an unseen reef far from land. As dawn broke, he and his crew spotted the wreck of a large Chinese vessel nearby — empty, save for scattered silver coins and signs of struggle.

Then came the discovery that changes everything.

On a nearby islet, they found three indigenous men who had been stranded for months.

“...they found three Lequian Indians , who had been there for months. They were the only survivors of ten who had left their country.” 

🧭 Who Were These "Lequian" Men?

The term “Lequian” appears nowhere else in colonial records. But here, it seems clear: these men hailed from Lequios .

Crucially, the text does not say:

• “Japanese”

• “Ryukyuan”

• “Okinawan”

• “Chinese”

Instead, it identifies them by place of origin : Lequios.

Now consider the context:

• The voyage began in Manila

• The route followed known Philippine sea lanes

• The stranded men spoke Tagalog or another native language

• There is no mention of Ryukyu at all

These men were almost certainly from the northern Luzon coast — part of the Ilocos-Zambales-Batanes corridor that we’ve long argued was the true location of Lequios .

🌊 Why This Matters

This passage isn’t just a forgotten footnote. It’s a smoking quill — direct testimony from a Spanish chronicler that places Lequios within the Philippine archipelago , not 1,000 miles north in Japan’s Ryukyu Islands.

Here’s why this matters:

1. Maritime Context Matches Luzon

• Ships traveling between Manila and Macao hugged the Philippine coast.

• Ryukyu was off-route and rarely involved in Manila-based voyages.

2. Lequios Was Known to Spanish Navigators

• Lequios appeared on early maps like the Cantino Planisphere (1502) and Diego Ribeiro’s Royal Charts (1529).

• These maps placed Lequios along the northern Luzon arc , not in East Asia.

3. Indigenous Participation in Colonial Voyages

• Native laborers, sailors, and interpreters often traveled aboard Spanish ships.

• These “Lequian” men likely worked on such a vessel before being stranded.

4. No Evidence Supports a Ryukyu Connection

• No language clues

• No cultural markers

• No navigational alignment

Just one phrase: “Lequian Indians.”

🧾 What This Changes

For centuries, historians have assumed that Lequios = Ryukyu , based largely on later Jesuit-era reinterpretations and editorial biases.

But this account from 1610 predates many of those shifts.

It shows that:

• Lequios was understood as a Philippine region

• Its people were part of the colonial maritime network

• Its geography fits Northern Luzon — not Okinawa

This is not speculation.

This is firsthand testimony from a Spanish pilot who saw it with his own eyes.

Now, this is an interesting story. However, as always, Tim gets it wrong. Let's take these claims one by one. 

1. The term “Lequian” appears nowhere else in colonial records.

What does Tim mean by this? If he means that this term only appears once in The Philippine Islands series he is wrong. This term appears in volumes 17, 33, and 54. It does not appear in volume 16 which Tim lists as his source. 

In the beginning of January, 1610, a fragata was sent to Macao with warning for the said ship to remain there until the Dutch were driven from these seas. As commander in it was the pilot, Juan Bernardo de Fuentidueñas, who was sick with the fever. He went on the voyage, and before dawn of Thursday, January 28, ran foul of a reef, where no land could be seen in any direction, except a few rocky points at low tide. The fever left the pilot at this sudden catastrophe, and at dawn the Spaniards saw on the reefs a large ship, that looked like a Chinese vessel, which had been wrecked. They went to this vessel to get its small boats. Entering it, they found not a soul, living or dead. But they found considerable silver scattered about. Not content with what they found in the vessel, the Indians began to dive into the water to see if they could find any more. Their efforts were not in vain, for they must have found in that way about eight thousand reals of eight to the peso, although somewhat oxidized by the sea-water. From the top of the little elevation, an islet was discovered, of not more than one legua in circumference. They went thither in successive trips of the small boat, and found three Lequian Indians, who had been there for months. They were the only survivors of ten who had left their country. On this island, the Spaniards refitted, as well as possible, their boat and another one that the Lequians had at hand, although it was also small. They divided themselves between the two boats, and taking as much of the money as they could carry, started for Macao.

The Philippine Islands, vol. 17, pgs. 130-131

Two days' journey thence to the northwest is found a large island called Lozon, where six or eight junks belonging to the Lequian people go yearly.

The Philippine Islands, Vol. 33, pg, 207

The reference in volume 33 is Pigafetta's journal. As I have pointed out many times Pigafetta says the Lequios travel to Luzon for trade. They are not from Luzon. That makes this claim:

• Ryukyu was off-route and rarely involved in Manila-based voyages.

WRONG!

2. The stranded men spoke Tagalog or another native language

This is pure conjecture. Nothing in the passage says what language they spoke. Yet, Tim rightly notes:

• Native laborers, sailors, and interpreters often traveled aboard Spanish ships.

So, it would not be surprising that these stranded sailors could be understood. But nothing in the passage even hints at what language they were speaking. 

3. Lequios was understood as a Philippine region

This is wrong. The third time "Lequian" appears in The Philippines Islands series is on page 434 of volume 54 which is an index. That reference leads to volume 8 which contains a letter from the King of Japan who says he has conquered the Island of Lequio. 

An Embassy from Japan 

Letter from the King of Japan

It is more than one thousand years since Japon has been governed by one sovereign. During this period the wars and dissensions among the rulers of the country were so many, that it was impossible to send a letter from one part to the other; until now the Lord of Heaven has willed that the country be united in my time, and that it be reduced to my obedience. In accomplishing this, everything was so favorable to me, that as yet I have lost no battle, but have been victorious in every one for ten years. Likewise I have conquered the island of Lequio, which was not under my sway, and Acoray [Korea]; and even from Eastern Yndia embassies have been sent to me. Now I am about to invade Great China in order to conquer it, for heaven, and not my forces, has promised it to me. I am much surprised that that country of the island of Luzon has not sent me ambassador or messenger, and I was therefore of a mind, on my way to China, to attack Manila with my fleet, were it not that Faranda, a Japanese noble, told me of the good treatment accorded to my vassals, the Japanese traders, who go to those islands from here. When I asked him if the ruler there was my friend, he answered and assured me that, if I should send a letter to the governor, he would send me an ambassador. And should he not do it since I am well established in my kingdom, I am so powerful that I have men who can go to conquer any kingdom whatever. Although this messenger is a man of low rank, I have accredited him, because of the good account he gives. And also, since I am not sending the troops I thought to send, I shall descend, within two months, from where I am now, to Nanguaya, my seaport, where are stationed the forces composing my army; and if an ambassador comes to me there from those islands, and I ascertain that the governor is my friend, I shall lower my banner in token of friendship. If an ambassador is not sent, I shall unfurl my banner and send an army against that country to conquer it with a multitude of men; so that that country will repent at not having sent me an ambassador. In order to become the friend of the Spaniards, I am sending this embassy from Miaco, in the year 19, [_sic_] from the country of Japon, to the country of Luçon. 

The Philippine Islands, pg. 260-261

This letter was written in 1591 and at that time Korea has not been attacked let alone conquered by Japan. The King is doing what all kings do, he is boasting. A note on the text clarifies this situation. 

The conquest of Korea was not accomplished until 1592, although the preceding year had been spent in vigorous preparations for the campaign. Hideyoshi evidently made this statement in boastful anticipation of success. His design was to conquer, at one blow, both Korea and China.

The complete conquest of the Ryukyu Islands would not happen until 1609 which is one year before the shipwreck story Tim cites. 

The invasion of Ryukyu (琉球侵攻, Ryūkyū Shinkō) by forces of the Japanese feudal domain of Satsuma took place from March to May of 1609, and marked the beginning of the Ryukyu Kingdom's status as a vassal state under the Satsuma domain. 

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

However, before 1609 the Ryukyu Kingdom was assisting the Japanese and paying them tribute. When the Ryukyu Kingdom refused to pay tribute the Japanese invasion occurred as a punitive measure.

In the final decades of the 16th century, the Shimazu clan, along with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ruled Japan from 1582 to 1598, requested or demanded various types of aid or service from the kingdom on a number of occasions. King Shō Nei (r. 1587–1620) met some of these demands. Shō Nei sent a tribute ship, the Aya-Bune, to Satsuma in February or March of 1592, and agreed to provide approximately half of his allocated burden in preparation for the invasion of Korea in 1593. However, Shō Nei also ignored many communications from Shimazu and Hideyoshi, which spurred the Shimazu, with the permission of the newly established Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1867), to invade Ryukyu in 1609, claiming it to be a punitive mission.

It is not unreasonable for a king to declare he had conquered a nation when that nation is paying tribute.

The point is the King of Japan wrote a letter to the Spaniards in which he differentiates between the Lequios Islands and Luzon. It would be the height of absurdity to claim the King of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was part of a Jesuit conspiracy to conceal the Philippines. That makes Tim's claim:

These men were almost certainly from the northern Luzon coast — part of the Ilocos-Zambales-Batanes corridor that we’ve long argued was the true location of Lequios .

WRONG!

4. There is no mention of Ryukyu at all

This is a non-sequitur as Lequios was the Spanish name for what we now know as the Ryukyu Islands. 

'The place from which the letter was written was probably the town of Shiuri, the chief port of the Riu Kiu (or Loo Choo) Islands, known to the Spaniards as Lequios. See Basil Hall's "Bibliography of Luchu," in Transactions of Asiatic Society of Japan, xxiv, pp. I-11.

The Philippine Islands, vol. 8, pg 263

The shipwreck story Tim cites doesn't prove or change anything. For one thing few details about the Lequian Indians are given. For another, just 18 years prior the King of Japan claimed to have conquered the Lequios Islands and asks for an ambassador to be sent from Luzon. That is is proof that not even the Japanese thought Luzon was the Lequios Islands. There is literally no evidence anyone, anywhere, at anytime equated the Lequios Islands with Luzon. It's simply more ignorance parading as restored knowledge from Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture. 

No More Hell Run By Filipinos 3: Sara Duterte Stole 100 Million Pesos And No One Cares

It is an indisputable fact that Vice President Sara Duterte is a lying thief. She claims to have spent over 100 million pesos in the space of a week with some of the recipients being totally made up like Mary Grace Piattos. When questioned before the House Sara bizarrely claimed she was being persecuted instead of revealing how the money was spent. It's no wonder then that the House floated several impeachment complaints before compiling them into one complaint. 

The Senate was then handed the impeachment complaint but they REFUSED to act on it. And maybe that was for the best. If Sara had been found guilty, as she undoubtedly is, the verdict would have been tossed because the Philippines Supreme Court has ruled the impeachment complaint is unconstitutional. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2087079/supreme-court-impeachment-complaint-vs-sara-duterte-unconstitutional

The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte is unconstitutional, effectively halting the Senate’s scheduled trial.

In a decision handed down Friday, “the Supreme Court en banc declared that the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte are unconstitutional,” SC spokesperson Camille Ting said.

She said: “The Supreme Court has ruled that the House impeachment complaint versus Vice President is barred by the one-year rule and that due process or fairness applies during all stages of the impeachment.”

“Therefore, the Senate could not acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings,” Ting said.

The high court’s 13-0 decision, which is immediately executory, was issued just days before the Senate was set to reconvene and proceed with the trial.

The 1987 Constitution provides that “no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.”

In this case, four impeachment complaints were filed against the Vice President before the House of Representatives by various groups on December 2, 4, and 19, 2024. The fourth complaint was lodged by a resolution approved by more than one-third of House members on February 5, 2025, which was transmitted as the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate on the same day.

The ruling, penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, differentiated the first three complaints—filed by citizens under Article XI, Section 3(2)—from the fourth complaint, which was filed under Section 3(4) via a verified resolution signed by at least one-third of House members.

The court ruled that the first three complaints were “archived and therefore deemed terminated or dismissed” on February 5, 2025, meaning no new complaint can be initiated until after February 6, 2026.

The SC emphasized that the one-year ban is counted from the time an impeachment complaint is dismissed or otherwise rendered no longer viable.

It also reminded the House of Representatives that such complaints must be included in the Order of Business within 10 session days from endorsement, and that the Constitution does not grant discretion to the House Speaker or Secretary General to delay this.

The Supreme Court outlined the following guidelines to ensure fairness in impeachment proceedings:

1. The Articles of Impeachment and supporting evidence must be included when shared with House members for endorsement.

2. The evidence must be sufficient to support the charges.

3. The Articles and evidence must be made available to all members of the House of Representatives.

4. The respondent must be given an opportunity to respond to the charges and evidence before transmittal to the Senate, regardless of the number of endorsements.

5. The House must be allowed reasonable time for independent deliberation.

6. The charges must involve impeachable offenses committed in relation to the respondent’s official duties and within the current term, and must be of sufficient gravity.

7. For complaints filed under Article XI, Section 3(4) of the Constitution, the House must provide the respondent with a copy of the Articles and evidence, allow a reasonable period to respond, and circulate both the evidence and the respondent’s comment to all members prior to the one-third vote for transmittal to the Senate.

At the press conference, Ting clarified that the ruling does not absolve the Vice President from any of the charges.

“Our ruling does not absolve petitioner Duterte from any of the charges. Any ruling on the charges against her can only be accomplished through another impeachment process, followed by a trial and conviction by the Senate,” the SC said.

“It is not our duty to favor any political result. Ours is to ensure that politics are framed within the Rule of Just Law,” the court emphasized.

“The end does not justify the means. There is a right way to do the right thing at the right time. This is what the Rule of Just Law means. This is what fairness or due process of law means, even for impeachment,” it added.

Although a motion for reconsideration may still be filed, the ruling is immediately executory, according to Ting. 

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February, citing an alleged threat she made during a November 23 online news conference to have President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated if she were killed amid their political rift.

Duterte later said the remark was not a threat but an expression of concern for her own safety.

Other allegations included graft, corruption, sedition, terrorism, and failure to support Philippine efforts to oppose China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.

She was also accused of supporting her father Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, which allegedly led to extrajudicial killings in Davao City.

Among those who signed the impeachment resolution were Rep. Sandro Marcos, the president’s son, and Romualdez.

Last month, the Senate briefly convened as an impeachment court but returned the complaint to the House within hours, citing constitutional concerns. Some of Duterte’s allies, including Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, argued that the earlier House complaints already constituted proceedings and triggered the one-year bar.

Duterte, 47, is widely believed to be a contender for the 2028 presidential elections.

She was elected vice president in 2022 alongside Marcos but resigned from her Cabinet post as education secretary in 2024 amid growing tensions. Their alliance quickly deteriorated following accusations of weak leadership and corruption against Marcos and his allies.

Wow. The Supreme Court ruled so we must respect it right? That's what some Senators are saying.  

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/25/move-on-na-heed-scs-decision-on-vp-saras-impeachment-case-some-senators-say

Some senators seem already keen on attending to other matters following the Supreme Court's decision declaring the articles of impeachment against the Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional on Friday, July 25.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said that while he cannot speak for or on behalf of his colleagues on this matter, but stated that the Senate has always been firmly committed to the rule of law, and that he expects the body, when they convene the 20th Congress, to take a collective stand by acceding to the High Court’s decision. 

"Nonetheless, I welcome this decision, which serves as a vital reminder that all efforts to hold public officials accountable must be firmly grounded in legality and due process," he said. 

"As a co-equal branch of government, we must abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. Even in a political process like impeachment proceedings, we must adhere to established procedures and due process to ensure that our actions are neither arbitrary nor solely driven by political agendas," he added. 

Estrada said that they can focus on more pressing issues confronting the country, as well as the rehabilitation of areas devastated by the spate of typhoons that have hit the country over the past several days. 

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, a known Duterte ally, didn't shy away from expressing his elation to the ruling, stating that the "Holy Spirit" has defeated the "forces of evil". 

"When I moved for the dismissal of the impeachment complaint vs VP Sara, I was guided by the Holy Spirit. When the SC ruled it as unconstitutional, I’m sure they were guided also by the Holy Spirit," he said in a Facebook post. 

On the other hand, Senator Imee Marcos, a member of the Upper Chamber's Duter7, said that the decision of the Supreme Court should be respected. 

"To my fellow senators — let’s get back to work. Let’s focus on the welfare of the people," she said. 

"Let’s set politics aside for now,"  she added.

Bato was guided by the Holy Spirit? What the heck!? SO now the Holy Spirit supports graft? But Senator Estrada goes further and shows just how unimpartial he really is. 

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/25/senate-impeachment-trial-court-to-vote-on-sc-ruling-estrada-says-2101

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Friday said the Senate impeachment court will vote on the Supreme Court ruling effectively ending the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

"I am very much elated by the decision of the Supreme Court in declaring the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte as unconstitutional," Estrada said. "Time and again, even before, based on my interviews before, I have said always that impeachment against any public official is very divisive for our country."

"Now that the Supreme Court has already decided, we can continue on our legislative work. We can file bills that will redound to the benefit of our people. We will vote on the decision of the Supreme Court. Of course, we will have to abide by the decision of this Supreme Court," Estrada said in a phone interview.

This man is ELATED by the SC's decision and says "impeachment against any public official is very divisive for our country." Apparently Senator Estrada favors corruption! If a public official is accused of being corrupt and stealing millions of pesos Estrada DOES NOT WANT an investigation because it is divisive. 

Probably the most interesting thing about this matter is that the Supreme Court ruled on Sara's petition within a matter of weeks. Compare that to their ruling on Duterte's withdrawl from the ICC. Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2018. A petition was filed before the Supreme Court but they did not make a ruling until 2021!

https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/67374

The Petitions are moot. They fail to present a persisting case or controversy that impels this Court's review.

Why did it take the SC THREE YEARS to rule on something so important and yet it took them a matter of weeks to rule on Sara Duterte's petition to junk her impeachment case? The world may never know. 

The only thing to do now is to wait until February 2026 and refile the same exact impeachment complaint with the same exact evidence. There is no doubt Sara is guilty as sin.  There is also a case filed before the Ombudsman so that is also something to watch. The gist of it is Sara stole millions and has gotten away with it and nobody cares.  These people need to be eliminated. It's another reason to end the hell run by Filipinos that is the Philippines.

The God Culture: 100 Lies About the Philippines: Lie #40: Mt. Apo is a Greek Word

Welcome back to 100 lies The God Culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns Timothy Jay Schwab's claim there are Greek place names in the Philippines. According to Tim Tarshish, the son of Javan who founded Greece, sailed with Ophir to the Philippines, stayed here, and named a few landmarks in the Greek language. As we shall see that is a totally bogus claim and another lie.

In his videos Tim says the following. 

Solomon's Gold Series - Part 7: Track of the Hebrew to the Philippines. Ophir, Sheba, Tarshish

41:06 There's one mountain we have saved for the last and it holds the clue to Tarshish we believe. One we have never seen anyone propose but first who was Tarshish again. Genesis 10:4 and 5 and the sons of Javan Elisha and Tarshish, Kittum and Dodanim, Dodan Dedanan, by these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands everyone after his tongue after their families in their nations. Javan founded the area of Greece and that's pretty well supported from what we've seen. In other words he probably spoke Greek and not Hebrew. We know that his sons took to the Seas began boating and founded the Isles according to this very passage after their own tongue Greek. So we are looking for a Greek tie in language to the land of Tarshish not necessarily Hebrew, How about a big one. Now, we mean a really big one. Now, we mean the biggest one. How about 9,000 ft tall? 

Okay you guessed it, it's Mount Apo the tallest mountain in the Philippines. The grandfather of all Philippine mountains. 

Apo is a loanword from Greek. It means away from denoting the furtherest point in the orbit of a body in relation to the primary. It is practically the furtherest point east in the Philippines at the uttermost parts of the earth. We've seen that as a description of Ophir and Tarshish many times. In Tagolag Apo means Elder, ancestor or grandchild. Perhaps regarding Tarshish the grandson of Japheth Noah's son and survivor of the flood or even better Noah himself the ancestor or elder both of which who lived in this area prior to the flood.we believe. But this is Greek. Certainly not a Spanish word in any sense and Tarshish Son of Javan who founded Greece likely spoke Greek and would have named the largest mountain in his land in Greek after his ancestors in his own tongue as the passage says or it was referring to himself either way. But if this is true wouldn't there be more Greek near there maybe something really significant close by that would be undeniable? Well we'll get to that. 

Tim reiterates this claim in his book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure.

The Search for King Solomon's Treasure, pg. 197

Not only did the Hebrews of Ophir and brothers migrate to the Philippines but also the Greek Tarshish supplied the ships for their journey. We find references to him on Mindanao especially but none more fascinating than the Greek loan word Apo.

Most point to Apo as a Greek loan word not originating in the Philippine languages. How does Greek enter the Philippines in use especially in naming it's highest mountain and used in language Grandparent/elder or grandchild? Tarshish left his family migrating far away from his elders and likely some of his grandchildren. It makes sense. 

What exactly does Tim mean by "most point to Apo as a Greek loanword not originating in the Philippine languages?" Who does he mean by most? His one and only source for the claim that Apo is a Greek loanword is from dictionary.com. 

Solomon's Treasure Sourcebook, pg. 202

A close look at the origin of "apo" according to dictionary.com reveals that it is NOT a loanword but a prefix in Greek loanwords and not a loanword itself.

a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Greek, where it was joined to verbs, deverbal forms, and other parts of speech. Among its functions in Greek, apo- has the spatial sense “away, off, apart” ( apogee; apocope; apostasy; apostrophe ); it occurs with deverbals that denote a response or defense ( apodosis; apology ) and is found on verbs having perfective force relative to a corresponding simple verb ( apoplexy; aposiopesis ). In modern scientific coinages in English and other languages, apo- marks things that are detached, separate, or derivative ( apocarpous; apoenzyme ).

In fact "apo" is actually a preposition. 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g575/kjv/tr/0-1/

This word is translated variously in the KJV according to the context.

From, of, out of, for, off, by, at, in, since, and on.

What is a preposition?

https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/prepositions

A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like "in," "at," "on," "of," and "to."

A preposition all alone without a noun or pronoun to indicate a spatial relationship is worthless. And we are to believe that Mt. Apo is Greek for "from" or "away" because allegedly a Greek man named Tarshish sailed with Ophir to the Philippines and due to his being sad his grandparents and grandchildren were far away from him he named a big mountain "from?"

The whole notion is ridiculous. The fact is the origin of Mt. Apo's name is well known.

Apo is a title of respect meaning "revered elder" in various languages of the surrounding Lumad indigenous peoples. It is the shortened form of the original Manobo and Kalagan name Apo Sandawa ("Elder Sandawa" or "Grandfather Sandawa"), the name of the spirit of the mountain. Apo Sandawa is also regarded as an ancestor spirit by the various Manobo and Kalagan tribes living in the foothills, including the Obo, Manobo Bagobo, Manobo Apao, Tagabawa, Matigsalug, Ata, Arumanen, Tinananen, Kulamanen, Tagakaulo and Kagan peoples. The mountain itself is considered sacred grounds. Various rituals to Apo Sandawa are conducted by the supreme walyan (shaman) known as the diwata, who also serves as the medium for Apo Sandawa and the ancestor spirits of the Manobo and Kalagan tribes

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

Apo "is the shortened form of the original Manobo and Kalagan name Apo Sandawa ("Elder Sandawa" or "Grandfather Sandawa"), the name of the spirit of the mountain."

A real look at the etymology of the word Apo shows that is an Austronesian word used throughout the Philippines and even in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

https://acd.clld.org/cognatesets/24864#4/6.66/125.88

It is very clear that not only is the origin of the name of Mt. Apo not Greek but as a Greek preposition it would not make a lick of sense. The claim that Mt. Apo is a Greek loanword is one more lie being taught about the Philippines by Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture. 

Retards in the Government 427

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

 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/irregularities-found-in-cebu-city-province

REPORTS from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the 2024 fiscal year have uncovered significant fiscal and administrative irregularities within both the Cebu City and Provincial Governments. The audit cited issues of mismanagement, procedural violations and possible wasted public funds.

In Cebu City, medical equipment worth nearly P71 million, purchased for the Cebu City Medical Center, has remained idle for over five years. State auditors found the equipment, which includes a digital radio fluoroscopy system and an X-ray machine, languishing in a warehouse, leading to expired warranties and deterioration. The non-utilization was attributed to inadequate planning.

COA also flagged the City’s P19.8 million expenditure on 92 consultants, citing irregularities such as vague terms of reference, hiring for roles that could be filled by regular employees and paying for services before contracts were legally perfected.

Meanwhile, a P12-million artificial intelligence-aided traffic system and four motorcycles donated for the South Road Properties were never recorded in the City’s books. This omission resulted in the traffic system becoming non-functional after damage and the motorcycles being improperly used without official registration.

At the provincial level, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has ordered the recovery of P143 million in disallowed and suspended expenditures from previous administrations. The directive followed a COA report detailing financial liabilities spanning from 2013 to 2025. The Provincial Legal Office is now tasked with compelling the recipients to return the funds.

The COA has flagged Cebu City for financial irregularities. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/18/2-anti-drug-cops-nabbed-for-printing-shop-robbery

Two members of the Pampanga Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) were arrested for allegedly robbing a printing shop in Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Wednesday night, July 16.

Investigation said five unidentified armed men wearing black jackets, bonnets, and face masks barged inside the establishment in Barangay Tabun at around 10 p.m.

The owner and companion were accused of involvement in illegal drugs and the closed-circuit television camera system was dismantled.

They were hogtied and the suspects seized nine assorted high-end smartphones and fled on board a black Toyota Vios with no license plates.

The victims freed themselves and reported the incident to the police.

A follow-up operation resulted in the recovery of the getaway vehicle in Bamban, Tarlac.

Police recovered a document that linked the vehicle to members of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit-Pampanga Police Provincial Office.

Lawmen coordinated with the unit and three suspects – the two lawmen and a civilian – were arrested and the stolen items were recovered.

PRO-3 Director Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. denounced the suspects and assured the public that their internal cleansing program remains firm and uncompromising.

“We do not and will never tolerate abuse of power by anyone in our ranks,” Peñones said. “This incident only strengthens our resolve to cleanse our organization of erring personnel and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”

The suspects have been charged with robbery with intimidation and attempted kidnapping and face administrative cases before the Philippine National Police.

Their two remaining civilian accomplices are the subjects of a manhunt operation.

Two members of the Pampanga Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) were arrested for allegedly robbing a printing shop in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/19/coa-orders-tpb-to-pay-dentsu-philippines-p1023-m-return-p299-m-bond-for-media-plan-on-its-more-fun-in-the-philippines

The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to pay Dentsu Philippines, Inc. P102.3 million and to return the firm’s performance bond of P29.9 million for the development and implementation of the media plan for “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” in 2015.

On top of ordering the payment and refund, the COA asked the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) to investigate and file appropriate charges against those responsible for the botched contract that caused “significant financial loss" to the government.

The TPB is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and responsible for marketing and promoting the Philippines as a tourist destination, both locally and internationally.

TPB and Dentsu entered into a Contract for Services dated Feb. 9, 2015 for the procurement of the Development of Media Plan for January to June 2015. “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” project was budgeted at P600 million.

Under the contract, Dentsu is obligated to develop a media plan for the year 2015 on or before June 30, 2015, while TPB is obligated to pay a professional fee of two percent of the total approved and implemented media placements.

But even after Dentsu had fulfilled its obligations, TPB refused to issue a Certificate of Completion/Certificate of Final Acceptance and release Dentsu's performance bond.

Arbitration proceedings were instituted, and in its final award, the Arbitral Tribunal ordered TPB to pay Dentsu P102,313,174.26, to release the certificate of completion, as well as to release the performance bond of P29,994,400.

Dentsu likewise filed a Petition to Confirm the Domestic Arbitral Award before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City Branch 148, which confirmed the award but deferred its enforcement as the claim should be brought before the COA.

The case was then filed before the COA, which granted the petition. "The final award in favor of Dentsu should not be disturbed. It is only proper for TPB to pay the amounts awarded by the Arbitral Tribunal," the COA said.

"However, this Commission finds that this case should be forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman for proper investigation and filing of appropriate action against the then Chief Executive Officer and other persons liable or involved in the contract at that time, for causing significant financial loss to the government," it added.

The eight-page decision was signed by Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba and Commissioner Mario G. Lipana. Commissioner Roland Cafe Pondoc dissented.

The Commission on Audit has ordered the Tourism Promotions Board to pay Dentsu Philippines, Inc. P102.3 million and to return the firm’s performance bond of P29.9 million for the development and implementation of the media plan for “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” in 2015 and to investigate whoever was responsible for the botched contract.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/20/2-cops-sacked-for-truck-driver-confrontation

Police Regional Office-3 Director Police Brig. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. said two policemen were relieved from their posts after a viral confrontation with a truck driver on MacArthur Highway in Angeles City last week. 

“We do not condone any form of unprofessional behavior from either drivers or uniformed personnel,” he said.

"While we understand the driver’s reaction, we would like to clarify that the action of our personnel was based on their immediate judgment at the time to ensure road safety and order. Nevertheless, we recognize that such situations should always be approached with professionalism, calmness, and respect," Peñones said.

“If any lapses are confirmed, appropriate administrative measures will be implemented,” Peñones said.

A police mobile patrol unit and a truck were traversing the highway when the patrol car turned left from the middle lane. The truck abruptly stopped and the driver honked at the police car.

Police chased the truck, flagged it down, and asked for the driver’s license and the vehicle’s registration.

A video of the incident was recorded and uploaded online and currently under review. The video was posted on social media by hundreds of netizens.

Two policemen were relieved from their posts after a viral confrontation with a truck driver on MacArthur Highway in Angeles City. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2085350/ombudsman-suspends-gsis-chief-execs-over-p1-45-b-share-deal

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a six-month preventive suspension of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, along with six other executives, over the purchase of P1.45 billion in preferred shares from Alternergy Holdings Corp. (AHC) in November 2023.

In a seven-page order dated July 11 and released to the media on Tuesday, the anti-graft body directed the suspension of Veloso and the following GSIS officials:

• Executive vice president Michael Praxedes
• Executive vice president Jason Teng
• Vice President Aaron Samuel Chan
• Vice President Abigail Cruz-Francisco
• Officer II Jaime Leon Warren
• Acting Office IV Alfredo Pablo

As stated in the order, the Ombudsman said it found “sufficient grounds” to impose a preventive suspension on Veloso and six others, citing “strong evidence showing their guilt” for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and violation of reasonable office rules and regulations.

The order is deemed “immediately executory” under Section 27 (1) of Republic Act No. 6770, or the Ombudsman Act of 1989.

According to the anti-graft body, the suspension stemmed from a recommendation based on the results of an investigation (ROI) dated January 30 this year.

On November 7, 2023, the GSIS subscribed to 100 million preferred shares of Alternergy at P14.50 per share under a private placement.

Citing the ROI, the Ombudsman said the perpetual preferred shares purchased by the government agency were acquired without the approval of the GSIS board of trustees.

Investigators also found that the seven officials violated provisions of the 2022 GSIS Investment Policy Guidelines due to the following, as stated in the order:

• The perpetual preferred shares were not listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange on the dates of the execution of the agreement and payment of the subscription.
• The investment was non-compliant with the minimum market capitalization and exceeded the free float market capitalization cap.
• The preferred shares were purchased without the necessary endorsement from the assets and liabilities committee and the risk oversight committee for the approval of the board of trustees.

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a six-month preventive suspension of Government Service Insurance System President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, along with six other executives, over the purchase of P1.45 billion in preferred shares from Alternergy Holdings Corp. in November 2023.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/23/coa-to-dpwh-pay-jad-builders-p27-m-plus-interest-attorneys-fees

The Commission on Audit (COA) has instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office III to pay JAD Builders six percent interest and attorney’s fees on top of the P2.37 million as rentals for various heavy equipment used in the construction of Gugu Dike in Pampanga.

In a decision, the COA partially granted the petition of Thelma G. Domingo of JAD Builders based on the Feb. 6, 2012 ruling of the regional trial court (RTC) in Bulacan.

Initially, the COA granted the principal claim but denied JAD Builders' claim of interest, attorney's fees, and costs of suit since they were not awarded by the RTC.

JAD Builders contested the June 10, 2019 decision of the COA and filed a motion for reconsideration on July 19, 2019.

The COA said that JAD Builders’ motion was filed beyond the reglementary period.

However, it said that since the case involves a claim that had already been adjudicated by the RTC, the commission decided to relax its procedural rules and evaluated the motion for reconsideration based on its merits.

It noted that the RTC decision has already reached finality and may no longer be modified in any respect, even if the modification is meant to correct erroneous conclusions of facts and law.

However, it said that while it respects the final, immutable, and unalterable character of RTC decision, it decided to grant the pleaded six percent per annum “from the time of filing of the complaint before the RTC until fully paid."

The COA denied with finality JAD Builders’ claim for costs of suit.

The six-page decision was signed by Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba and Commissioner Mario G. Lipana. Commissioner Roland Cafe Pondoc issued a dissenting opinion.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office III to pay JAD Builders six percent interest and attorney’s fees on top of the P2.37 million as rentals for various heavy equipment used in the construction of Gugu Dike in Pampanga.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/23/lady-leyte-town-mayor-suspended-for-6-months

The Ombudsman suspended Mayor Fe Renomeron of Burauen, Leyte, for six months without pay for allegedly falsifying a certificate of marriage by making it appear that she solemnized it.

Renomeron was administratively charged with grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service when she made it appear that she solemnized a marriage on Dec. 10, 2014, but did not appear during the ceremony.

The complainants argued that Renomeron only sent a representative to have them sign the marriage certificate together with the witnesses.

These acts, they said, allegedly violate Article 3 of the Family Code, which requires that a marriage ceremony take place in the presence of the solemnizing officer and the contracting parties' personal declaration that they take each other as husband and wife in the presence of not less than two witnesses.

Article 4 of the Family Code states that any party who committed irregularity in the formal requisites of marriage such as the conduct of a wedding ceremony could be held civilly, criminally, and administratively liable.

Renomeron presented documents that she solemnized the marriage, banked on the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties, and noted the recantation of the witnesses.

However, the Ombudsman, in its July 12, 2025 decision, said that the respondent’s act or omission has tarnished the integrity of her office, and committed conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.

Renomeron said that the case was politically motivated since it was initiated by the son of her political opponent.

“I understand that such accusations can cause concern, and I want to assure you that I have full faith in the legal process. I will address these allegations thoroughly and appropriately within the established legal framework. The truth, as it always does, will prevail through the proper legal channels.”

The Ombudsman suspended Mayor Fe Renomeron of Burauen, Leyte, for six months without pay for allegedly falsifying a certificate of marriage by making it appear that she solemnized it.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2086226/village-exec-killed-wife-wounded-in-samar-gun-attack

A village chief in Calbayog City, Samar was killed while his wife was wounded after unidentified gunmen opened fire on the couple in broad daylight on Wednesday, July 23, police said.

The victims were aboard a tricycle, locally known as a “timbol,” on their way home past 1 p.m. when the attack occurred along the boundary between the villages of Guinbaoyan Norte and Guinbaoyan Sur.

Police identified the victims as Anastacio Catalan 59, village chief of Barangay Tapa-e, and his wife,Remegia, 53.

According to Lt. Col. Dinvir Revita, Calbayog City police chief,  the police were alerted about the incident through a phone call from a concerned citizen at around 1:15 p.m.

Responding officers arrived to find Catalan slumped over his motorcycle in a supine position, already lifeless, while his wife had already been taken to the Calbayog District Hospital.

Initial investigation revealed that two unidentified men on a motorcycle approached the victims from behind and fired without warning, hitting Catalan in the head while his wife suffered a gunshot wound to her left thigh.

The suspects fled in the opposite direction after the shooting. Scene investigators recovered a fired cartridge case from a caliber .45 pistol.

Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive and identify the perpetrators.

A village chief in Calbayog City, Samar was killed while his wife was wounded after unidentified gunmen opened fire on the couple in broad daylight.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/23/calbayog-city-village-chair-shot-dead

A barangay chairman was gunned down and his wife was wounded on their way home in Calbayog City, Samar on Wednesday.

Police Lt. Col. Dinvir Revita, Calbayog City police chief, identified the fatality as Anastacio Catalan, 59, chairman of Barangay Tapae, Calbayog City, and the wounded as Remegia, 53. 

Investigation said the victims were on their way home onboard a tricycle when two men appeared and shot Anastacio in the head. Remegia was wounded in the left thigh. 

The suspects fled onboard a motorcycle. 

Anastacio died on the spot and Remigia was taken to the Calbayog District Hospital. 

Recovered from the crime scene was a caliber .45 cartridge case. 

Revita said that one of the suspects was arrested in a pursuit operation after Remigia identified him.

A barangay chairman was gunned down and his wife was wounded on their way home in Calbayog City, Samar.