Snack Review: Twiny's

I bought this snack because it looked like Twix.  

That shiny red package really builds up the expectations. Can't wait to bite into a chewy chocolate roll with a gooey chocolate centre.  Turns out the package is a lie.

Does that look remotely delicious? Does it resemble in any way what is on the package? No.

The gooey chocolate filled centre is empty! 

This snack was absolutely horrible.  It was supposed to be crunchy but the crunch was stale. The taste, the look, the feel, it was all disgusting. If you ever see this product for sale be sure to buy something else.

Martial Law: Cooperation

The wars in the Middle East have slowed down and ISIS has effectively lost the battles of Iraq and Syria. Men from all over the world made their way to those countries to fight in the jihad. Some of them from Southeast Asia. Now the battle has shifted to the Philippines as those men who survived return home and as new jihadis heed the righteous call to war.

http://www.atimes.com/article/isis-alive-well-philippines/

Security analyst Rommel Banlaoi, chair of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, noted that while the fresh firefight in Maguindanao was an offshoot of a regular military operation, threats from Islamic State-inspired militants remained real. 

“Mindanao, particularly the ARMM, is deeply penetrated by ISIS Philippines,” Banlaoi told Asia Times. 

“ISIS Philippines is discreetly recruiting members like wild fire and it has established strong sleeper cells in key vulnerable cities in Mindanao,” Banlaoi claimed.

This news is not new. It is only a confirmation of what has been playing out since rumours of ISIS establishing itself in the Philippines began to be whispered about in 2014 and since the end of the Marawi siege and what analysts have been saying would be the resultant aftermath. It also puts into context the intermittent fighting happening in Mindanao. Fighting against terrorists is nothing new but now there is an urgency in the matter to root out what is a growing threat.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/03/15/1796801/5-biff-men-killed-6-hurt-air-strikes

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/975795/death-toll-in-sulu-clash-rises-to-6-with-1-more-abu-sayyaf-bandit-slain

Five here, six there, while hundreds, maybe thousands remain in hiding waiting for the right time to launch an attack.  What is the best way to fight these terrorists? Cooperation between nations?

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/165084/experts-push-for-collaboration-between-nations-agencies-to-prevent-another-marawi-siege

“A lot of what was discussed was how do we build resilience in Southeast Asia region…Marawi was a surprise so you have to learn how that did that come by…..What’s happening in [other countries] it could happen in your just country, it just hasn’t come around yet.. It’s a preventative way to be more resilient,” he also said.

“The collaboration, sharing of networks, information sharing, and better understanding between agencies and military is gonna be critical in order to identify these, who’s coming to your country, and who’s coming to your region,” Gumataotao said.

“I believe terrorist groups are cooperating and collaborating, and governments should also do the shift from cooperating to collaborating. If you don’t, the threat will persist,” Gunaratna said.

Nations cooperating together and sharing information to combat ISIS, which threatens the entire SEA including Australia, sounds wonderful but this is the Philippines and the fact is sharing information was not able to prevent the Marawi siege because the officials in the DND did not verify any of the intel reports they received.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/07/27/1722033/dnd-admits-lack-intel-validation-marawi-siege

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted that there was a lack of validation on the government side regarding intelligence reports on the siege in Marawi City. 

Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have earlier warned the Philippines of the possible presence of ISIS-inspired local terror groups in the country, according to a report from UNTV. 

Lorenzana said that the incident in Marawi City would serve as a lesson for the Department of National Defense and the military to validate intelligence reports. 

"Maybe what we can do in the future is restudy what we are doing [in the] intelligence sector... so that we can be better prepared if something like this happens again," Lorenzana said.

Gunaranta is wrong that Marawi was a surprise.

But he is right that "you have to learn how did that come by." Only no one in the Philippines Senate can be bothered to launch an investigation into how it came by and so the nation remains unprepared for whatever horrors lie in its future. 

It's not as if the Philippines has been going it alone. The presence of ISIS in the country has been known since 2014.

https://www.scribd.com/document/351020350/Consolidated-Comment-on-Martial-Law-Petitions

It was in 2015 that Australia and the Philippines pledged to help one another in the fight against ISIS.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-11/australia-philippines-vow-cooperation-against-islamic-state/7020372

What good has cooperation done for the Philippines? None it seems. Despite cooperation with Australia ISIS has maintained and increased its foothold in the Philippines. Even with a continuing American presence (they have never fully gone away) ISIS has grown in leaps and bounds.

The AFP will welcome the hardware and firepower of the USA with Operation Pacific Eagle and the training from the Australians to fight urban warfare as well as maritime patrols in Mindanao but other than that the Philippines appears to want to chart its own course in the way it handles terrorism.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2018/03/16/ph-australia-partners-holds-joint-maritime-patrol-593943

https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines/status/919791175808065536

It's like a beggar who only wants your money and will curse you if you give him food. The Philippines wants weapons and hardware.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/03/14/1796548/philippine-air-force-boosts-intel-gathering-drones-acquisition

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has upped the ante on its aerial intelligence gathering with the acquisition of six unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the US worth $13.36 million.

The DND Is lax to verify foreign intel reports but if you question the intelligence the Philippines has gathered about alleged terrorists then all hell will break loose.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/03/13/1796188/government-stands-firm-terrorist-tag-vs-600-new-peoples-army-members

“This list is a product of research and evidence supplied by police authorities and intelligence agencies,” he told reporters at the DOJ.

Recall that this list features a UN special rapporteur for indigenous peoples. The UN is not pleased with her inclusion which led to a spate of words between the Human Rights chairman and Duterte culminating in his withdrawing the Philippines from the ICC. The UN is adamant that the Philippines remove her.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/16/un-seeks-removal-of-indigenous-rights-defenders-from-phs-terrorists-list/

The Forum expressed its belief that the charges against the indigenous human rights defenders are “unsubstantiated” and that they are being targeted for their advocacy and efforts to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples. 

“We find this unacceptable in a country that is based on principles of democracy and good governance,” the UNPFII said.

Leave it to China to defend their new found ally and plaything.

https://defensejournal.ph/2018/03/13/china-asks-un-respect-ph-sovereignty-war-vs-drugs/

“Relevant sides of the international community, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, shall respect the sovereignty of the Philippines and the will of its people, view the outcomes of the Philippines’ fight against drug and terrorism in a comprehensive, unbiased and objective way, and support its efforts to move forward its human rights cause in light of its national conditions,”  Lu said Monday in a press briefing in Beijing.

What does sovereignty even mean in the case of the war on terrorism? If the Philippines has evidence on Corpus they should show it. They should share this information with the nations they are partnering with on the war against terrorism. Even if it is NPA and not ISIS. The NPA is listed as a terror group by the USA so any information regarding them will certainly help out with Operation Pacific Eagle. By all means they should at least show it to the U.N. Who wants a terrorist on their payroll?

It's not that the Philippines is completely insincere in wanting to cooperate with other nations to fight ISIS-Philippines. 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/976017/southeast-asian-leaders-to-sign-security-agreement-in-sydney

“We must recognize that national security cannot be achieved in isolation from regional security,” Dutton told a counterterrorism conference that coincides with a special ASEAN leaders’ summit in Sydney.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/165126/australia-backs-ph-campaign-vs-terrorism

“We had very good discussions with … Turnbull where we both reaffirmed, among others, our desire to strengthen our cooperation in the fight against violent extremism,” Cayetano said. 

“The Philippines cannot fight and win this war on its own. We need to work with the rest of the international community in the fight against terrorism,” he added.

That sounds good coming from Cayetano but how is cooperation really working out in practice? What are the real world results except that the Philippines receives discounted and/or free weapons and training from the USA and Australia? Mindanao remains an area of extreme Islamic violence.

The problem is that the Philippines seems to be very touchy about wholeheartedly cooperating and sharing information it has gathered and validating information it has received. From the looks of it they want access to either free or discounted training and weapons from any nation who will offer them be it China, Russia, India, Australia, or the USA. Getting freebies won't necessary transform the AFP into a world class army.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/975976/ph-army-wins-palladium-award

Bautista said the implementation of the system was “in keeping with our vision of becoming a world class army by 2028.”

But it will give them the gear to look like one. 

Blackout

There was a blackout from 4am until 3pm on Sunday. I didn't think they would really start so early but they did. I was awake in the dark for a few hours but thats ok because with no lights anywhere, not even on the very busy street/highway, the stars were more clearly visible than ever.  You could stare deep into the heart of the galaxy and marvel at the thin wispy band of the Milky Way sweeping across the sky.

Beautiful isn't it? If only I had a camera that could photograph the miracle that is the night sky.

A blackout means no internet! (Some would say Globe also means no internet.)

Being cut off from the internet is not so terrible. I spend too much time here anyway and I have many obligations that need taking care of.  

The biggest hardship of any blackout where I live is that the water station pump is hooked into the grid so that means no water for as long as the blackout plus as long as it takes for the water company to turn it back on. Until then you have to conserve the buckets you filled up the night before. (Thankfully the electric company gives notice of blackouts before they happen.)

The water did not turn back on until an hour and fifteen minutes after the electricity. 

This blackout was planned but the next one will unexpectedly occur when the transformer up the street randomly explodes in the middle of the night as it does too often.

Jeepney Art 10

The subject of most jeepney art is usually popular whether movies, cartoons, or famous singers and even religious matter. I have yet to see an airbrushed image of Duterte grace the side of an exhaust belching jeepeney and that is odd considering how popular he is.

Retards in the Government Special Edition: Inflation

In American politics there is an old saying, "It's the economy, stupid." In Philippine politics there is a similar saying, "It's the stupid economy." Actually I just made that up. Kind of like how it seems the Philippine government is making up it's economic policies as it goes along. Let's look at a few headlines and see how this story is developing.

The inflation numbers for February were released recently and they were a bit high.

https://www.rappler.com/business/197498-philippines-inflation-rate-february-2018

But not too high.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/06/18/espenilla-faster-february-inflation-in-line-with-expectations

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla said Tuesday the rise in consumer prices last month was "in line" with expectations. 

The consumer price index rose 3.9 percent in February, higher than 3.4 percent in the previous month based on 2012 prices. The January CPI was computed using 2006 costs. 

"The elevated February inflation figure is in line with our updated forecast for a temporarily higher inflation than target range in 2018 due to transitory factors," Espenilla said in a statement. 

"Our forecast remains that inflation will decelerate back to well within target in 2019 whether based on 2006 or 2012 index," he said.

The message is don't panic. Everything is fine. We have taken factors into consideration and were expecting the inflation rate to be higher. It's a hiccup and will adjust itself soon enough. 

But even though this is expected to be temporary the BSP said they were going to investigate to see if policy changes were warranted.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/645644/bsp-to-study-if-inflation-rate-calls-for-policy-change/story/

“The operative word is temporary. How temporary is temporary is what needs careful analysis,” he said.

Yes how temporary is temporary? Is it perhaps four more years? That is the time Duterte has left in office and much of the recent economic rollercoaster has been attributed directly to his infrastructure programs.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-economy-infrastructure/dutertes-build-build-build-plans-hit-philippine-peso-idUSKBN1AM01R

With these projects on the fast track imports of capital goods have increased, exports have decreased, and the peso continues to weaken. 

http://business.inquirer.net/247402/trade-gap-widened-3-32b-january

The surge in imports had reversed the current account to a deficit, which had the market worried and pulled the peso weaker in recent months. 

At end-January, the peso depreciated to 51.341:$1 from end-2017’s 49.958:$1. 

A component of the balance of payments, the current account was expected to swing to a $100-million deficit in 2017 from the $600-million surplus in 2016 amid the government’s push to ramp up infrastructure investments leading to a surge in imports of capital goods. 

This year, the current account deficit is seen to swell to $700 million. 

Economic managers had said that as the administration embarked on the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program and with expectations of sustained robust economic growth, demand for imports would remain strong in the near term.

The peso has been weakening slowly and steadily since 2016. Despite that fact economists have been quick to reassure everyone that this is only temporary and that it is actually a good thing.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/02/17/peso-weakness-vs-dollar-temporary-bdo-unibank

The peso's decline to 10-year lows against the dollar is "temporary" and does not signal trouble for the economy, an analyst said. 

A weak peso also makes the Philippines more attractive to foreign investors, Ravelas said. 

"The weaker peso, in the eyes of foreign investors, makes it cheaper for them to invest in the Philippines," he said. 

"A weaker peso is good for OFW families because they have more money to spend," he said.

Could the weak peso be one of the reasons the Philippines has been listed as the number one country to invest in in the world? If so then that means any growth in foreign investment will also be temporary.

According to the DOF the weak peso is one of the reasons for increased inflation.

http://business.inquirer.net/247358/dof-blames-weak-peso-profiteering-high-february-inflation

Beltran also said “only a little less than 10 percent could be attributed to excise tax adjustment under TRAIN.”

If there is one thing the government does not want to blame for inflation it is the TRAIN bill which has raised excise taxes and increased consumer prices.

The TRAIN law is only 2 months old so it would be better to give it a few more months before it's impact can truly be assessed but it does seem as if it is having a negative impact on the economy and contributing to the rising inflation. And after all the reassurances that the February numbers were just fine now the narrative is that inflation will continue to rise.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/03/11/inflation-likely-to-stay-above-4-bsp/

The average inflation rate for this year will exceed four percent and breaking the government target, based on data and trends that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) keeps track of for the 2018 path. 

“The BSP expects inflation, using the 2006-based CPI (consumer price index) series, to average slightly above four percent in 2018,” according to BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. 

Espenilla has already stated that despite breaking the target, inflation will not top five percent for this year and that average inflation “is expected to return to within target range in 2019, settling slightly above the midpoint of the same target range.”

Will the rising inflation be temporary? Will the rate not top 5% this year? I doubt the DOF and BSP can say this without a note of caution on their tongue. After all this is the same song they have been singing about the peso since 2016.

http://business.inquirer.net/211439/peso-weakness-seen-as-temporary

The peso’s weakness amid a stronger US dollar following the United Kingdom’s “Brexit” vote will only be temporary even as the local currency hit its weakest level since the national elections here last May. 

On Monday, the peso closed at 47.03 to $1, the softest close since hitting 47.09 last May 6, the last trading day before elections were held on May 9. It was also weaker than last Friday’s close of 46.95:$1, which reversed gains made the previous day. 

If election jitters weakened the peso more than a month ago, the UK’s vote to leave the European Union last week was to blame this time. 

But moving forward, the peso is seen bouncing back amid a robust domestic economy.

The peso at 47:1 was alarming enough to some people but now that it is at 52:1 I don't think we can call it's weakness temporary.  Nor do I think the positive forecasts of these economists cant be taken with anything but a grain of salt.

Retards in the Government Part 40

In part 40 of Retards in the Government I have included a few lengthy stories so as to show the context of how they have played out over time. This week there has been a lot of drama coming out of Malacañang but that's ok because now we know who we are messing with.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/03/09/1795065/duterte-hits-that-black-woman-and-undernourished-one

Mahabol nila, eh, pero pagka ngayon magkasalubong kami, ah lalo ‘yung mga abogado nila, ‘yung itim pati ‘yung isa ’yung payat, si Callamard, undernourished, walang kain (They can pursue it, but if we meet along the way now, especially their lawyers, the black one and the other one who is skinny, does not eat)…,” he said. 

On the eve of International Women’s Day, Duterte asked the two ladies not to mess with him. 

“Don’t f*** with me, girls. Kaya ako nasasaktan ho (That’s why I am hurt),” Duterte said.

Obviously he was just joking. It would have been more hilarious if he had called "the black one" a nigger.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/973940/cocaine-coming-in-at-a-fast-pace-duterte

“The rich, be on guard. Cocaine is coming in very fast. The cartels of Mexico and South America have come in,” Mr. Duterte said at an event in Tarlac City on Wednesday. 

He also warned that candidates backed by illegal drug traders could win in the coming barangay elections.

The cartels of Mexico and South America are coming into the country? How's that for foreign investment!

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/03/09/1795045/duterte-my-son-paolo-gangster

“‘Di ako, sinong maasahan ko (For me, who can I rely on)? Si Inday, ‘yung anak ko na (my daughter the) mayor, buti’t na lang nakalusot,” Duterte said in a speech before local officials in Pampanga the other day. 

“O ‘yung anak kong si (my son) Pulong, isa rin ‘yung (he is a) gangster, ‘yun mabubuhay ‘yun (he could survive). O ‘yung si Baste? Pero si Baste naman, babae ang inaatupag (his concern is women), si Adarna,” Duterte said, referring to Sebastian’s former girlfriend, actress Ellen Adarna, who is now involved with actor John Lloyd Cruz. 

“Who will now buy my medicine? Who will pay for my oxygen? Sinong magbayad ng kabaong ko (who will pay for my coffin)? And who will pay for my burial? Son of… ‘Yan ang problema diyan (that’s the problem there),” he said, before complaining of his low salary as a government worker.

Philstar did not include that last bit for some reason so here is the full transcript from: https://pcoo.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/201800307-Speech-of-President-Rodrigo-Roa-Duterte-during-the-Meeting-with-Local-Chief-Executives-of-Luzon.pdf 

Who will now buy for my medicines? Who will pay for my oxygen? Sinong magbayad ng kabaong ko? And who will pay for my burial? Son of... ‘Yan ang problema diyan. Maliit na nga ang kinikita, hindi pa makabili ng p***** i***** medisina lang para... 

Which (badly) translates as: 

Who will now buy for my medicines? Who will pay for my oxygen? Who pay my coffin? And who will pay for my burial? Son of ... 'That's the problem there. It's a small income, it's not worth buying anymore p ***** i ***** medisina lang ...

Very nice for the President to complain about his salary in a nation where some people live in a literal burning  garbage dump.  A few weeks ago he said he needs a raise because he has two wives he needs to maintain. Is he giving a backhand admission that his son Paolo is indeed a rice smuggler and a drug lord?

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/03/09/Roque-Mocha-Uson-is-a-role-model-for-women.html

There are many who would disagree with that statement.

December 13, 2017

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/951972/honeylets-cousin-among-those-sacked-by-duterte

March 9, 2018

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/974054/duterte-appoints-honeylets-cousin-to-new-govt-post

Fired for corruption, allegedly taking too many trips abroad, this lady, a cousin of Duterte's mistress, has now been given a new position in the government. So much for not tolerating even "a whiff of corruption."

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/09/18/ombudsman-files-charges-vs-binays-over-alleged-p13-billion-school-building-anomaly

The Binays are facing four counts of graft and three counts of falsification of public documents each for allegedly conspiring with other Makati City officials and private individuals to rig the procurement for a 10-story building of the Makati Science High School in 2007. 

The Ombudsman also alleged that the contract, which involved six phases during the time of the Binays as city mayors, supposedly included the construction of a four-story dormitory. The structure was never built, prosecutors said. 

Rumour has it that the Binay family is a corrupt political powerhouse. Actually that's basically the facts. 

http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/09/18/boracay-a-tough-sell-at-tourism-expo-in-germany-businessman

At a tourism expo in Germany, sentiment on Boracay is “mixed” due to reported pollution problems in the Philippines’ main draw for travelers, a European business executive attending the conference said Friday. 

Some Filipino tour operators are having a “tough” time selling Boracay to tourists, who fear that their bookings might be cancelled, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines president Guenter Taus said via Skype from Berlin.

Dept of Tourism Sec Wanda Teo should take notice. Nobody wants to visit an open sewer. This is the result of the government not enforcing laws.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2018/03/09/8-cops-dismissed-beating-minors-592818

A POLICE official and seven other cops in Northern Mindanao were booted out from service for beating up two minor suspects after an operation in Opol, Misamis Oriental, sometime in October 2013.

In a decision dated August 25, 2017, the eight were found liable for violation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (Republic Act 9344) and culpable for grave misconduct.

Four years to get a decision. Were they allowed to work while the case was sneaking its way through the courts?

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/10/18/cop-arrested-in-drug-bust-in-puerto-princesa

The three were in a drug session when operatives barged into the apartment after receiving text messages from an asset.

Seems to have been a warrantless no-knock raid based solely on a text message. Funny how they describe it as a "drug session." It's like they made an appointment to get high.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/10/18/china-says-no-natural-resources-collateral-for-ph-loans

"China has never asked and will never ask relevant countries to use natural resources as collateral in loan agreements," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in a press conference in Beijing.  

"In this vein, our assistance and support to the Philippines are provided with no strings attached," he said.

Geng gave the statement days after a Chinese scholar Zhuang Guotu told China's Global Times that “[Chinese] loans are usually accompanied by repayment agreements, which use certain natural resources as collateral." 

Geng said Zhuang's statement "only represents himself, not the official stance of the Chinese government."

Last week I included an article where it was said that natural resources could be used as collateral for Philippines loans. The source was a scholar who is apparently not very scholarly.  He should just shut his mouth and after this official statement from the Chinese government who wants to bet his mouth will be shut forever?

And now for the beginning of this week's real drama.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2018/03/09/un-rights-chief-duterte-needs-psychiatric-check-592784

The United Nations' human rights chief has suggested that President Rodrigo Duterte "needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric evaluation" over his "unacceptable" remarks about some top human rights defenders.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/197829-cayetano-response-psychiatric-test-duterte-un-rights-chief

"There is no reason whatsoever for such an unmeasured outburst directed against President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and it should not be repeated," Cayetano said. 

"The Philippines takes grave exception to the irresponsible and disrespectful comments of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that cast untoward aspersions regarding the President of the Republic of the Philippines." 

"This action of High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein is completely uncalled for and demeans not only the Head of State of a Member-State, but tarnishes the reputation of the Office of the High Commissioner," he added. 

Cayetano also said that Duterte is even worth emulating. 

"The world actually needs more Dutertes – leaders with empathy; leaders who listen to their people; and leaders who are ready to sacrifice their lives to protect their people," he said. 

"The High Commissioner may not be aware of it but he is being used in a well-orchestrated effort to destabilize a legitimate government that is being undertaken by parties with self-serving agendas and who stand to benefit the most by unseating President Duterte," he said.

Duterte routinely tells the UN to f-off, disparages the Human Rights Council, verbally abuses UN rapporteur Agnes Callamard, and now has included another UN rapporteur in his hit list of alleged terrorists. This prompts the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights to say the following:

"This is absolutely disgraceful that the president of a country could speak in this way using the foulest of language against a rapporteur that's highly respected. And really it makes one believe that the president of the Philippines needs to submit himself to some kind of psychiatric evaluation."

Note he does not say that Duterte NEEDS an exam but that, regarding his behaviour, IT MAKES ONE BELIEVE he needs an exam.  Here is the video and audio:

What's more stupid here? The hypocrisy of taking grave offence at these remarks when Duterte repeatedly uses the foulest and most threatening language against the Human Rights Council or Cayetano's insinuation that the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights is an unwitting pawn in a game to destabilise the government of Philippines? The Commissioner should brush Cayetano off by saying he was just joking or speaking in hyperbole.

Harry Roque also decided to jump on this train.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/197868-harry-roque-taunts-un-human-rights-chief

Roque, who once described Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as may tama(not right in the head) and told Callamard she's welcome to swim in the polluted Pasig river, slammed Zeid's use of "harsh language." 

"I reiterate that the language used by the High Commissioner is uncalled for. I'm very tempted to respond in similar language, but I have opted to restrain myself, opting not to respond in the same abominate used by the UN High Commissioner," Roque said. 

"I would hope that although you do not have the same democratic system in your home country of Jordan, you will respect the kind of democracy that we have in the Philippines," Roque said. 

He added: "Your language was not just an insult to the Philippines and the Filipino people, it is an insult to all countries who have democratically elected their heads of state."

Not only is Harry Roque a hypocrite but he apparently did not hear what the Commissioner actually said. His remarks were in response to Duterte's verbal abuses towards the UN rapporteurs and had nothing to do with his legitimacy as President or democracy. There was absolutely no abuse or insult in his remarks contrary to what this administration would have everyone believe. Scroll back up and reread them and if there is any abuse or insulting language in them please make a note in the comments.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/645965/nancy-binay-info-shows-roxas-benefited-from-2016-polls-irregularities/story/

Binay said that a group of experts presented to her last year documents about the irregularities in the election. 

She admitted that she did not fully understand the presentation because she was not an expert in information technology. 

"There was also me but they did not want to name the source of their documents. I'm not techie person so I do not know the truth. They are showing surge of votes, print outs but I do not know if their source is reliable, "Binay said. 

She said she was told that the supposed irregularities occurred during the regular transmission of votes and not on the initial transmission as earlier divulged by Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III in a privilege speech. 

Binay later said that the source of documents was somebody from the Commission on Elections.

I ran this through Google translate so everyone can understand what Binay is saying. She is saying, "I don't know." She is making a damning charge against Roxas, that he benefited from poll irregularities, and then she says she really does not know if that is true! Then she says someone from the Comelec gave her the info last year!  Why didn't they just go public with it? If this is how the investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2016 election is going to go, baseless allegations and admissions of ignorance and all based on anonymous sources, then this will be another politically motivated circus at the expense of the entire country.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/974234/pnp-subpoena-power-harry-roque

Kind of funny how every time the PNP and AFP acquire new powers they have to reassure the public that they won't abuse those powers.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/24/17/martial-law-in-mindanao-wont-be-abused-army-vows

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/technology/276792/pnp-anti-cybercrime-law-won-t-be-abused/story/

It's a real testament to how corrupt both organisations are and have been.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/03/10/1795417/sandigan-oks-honasans-hong-kong-trip

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has granted the request of Sen. Gregorio Honasan to leave the country for four days amid his pending cases in connection with the alleged misuse of P30 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel in 2012. 

In his motion filed last month, Honasan said he was invited by the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. to be the main speaker in two seminars for the Overseas Filipino Workers regarding Charter change and federalism. 

Honasan assured the court that he has no intention of absconding or evading the prosecution of his cases. 

The graft cases against Honasan stemmed from the release of P30 million of his PDAF in April 2012 to National Council on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) for supposed implementation of his programs and projects for the Muslim Filipinos in Metro Manila and Zambales.

Sen. Honasan is charged with the misuse of 30 million pesos in connection with the pork barrel scam of 2012. I am not clear on the rules of the Sandiganbayan but it seems that those with cases pending are not allowed to leave the country without permission. Presumably it would need to be a life and death situation. And what is the pressing need for this man to travel to Hong Kong? For politicking! Completely unnecessary.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/646182/duterte-if-people-chose-an-sob-president-bear-it-and-obey/story/

Now we know who we're messing with!

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/03/11/1795505/cop-nabbed-sniffing-shabu

One cop here, another cop there, when will we see he news that a cop was nabbed for being a drug lord and not just for "sniffing shabu?"

And now for a continuation of the drama between Duterte and the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2018/03/01/duterte-orders-cops-do-not-answer-un-experts-queries-591422

"Do not answer. You're investigating us? Fact-finding? Sorry, do not f*** with me. Do not talk to people who will produce lies out of your statement and who can twist it to the angle that they would like it to," he added. 

"We tell the truth here. And if we deny, it's really because that's part of our duty, it is not time to talk about it, and as of this time, we'd just like to investigate the whole case until there is a conclusion," the President added

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2018/03/09/un-human-rights-chief-criticizes-duterte-statements-592512

“I deplore the President Duterte’s statement last week to élite police units that they should not cooperate “when it comes to human rights, or whoever rapporteur it is” and the continued vilification of this Council’s Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial killings by the authorities,” he said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2018/03/11/duterte-throw-un-experts-crocodiles-593015

"This son of a b****, stupid chief of (UN Human Rights Council)..., they were irked because (my advice to the police is), 'Do not answer question[s] from them. And that is for a reason (that is) legal. That is provided for in the Constitution itself, our Constitution," Duterte said during his camp visit to Zamboanga City. 

"So these stupid (members of the UN) will go here. Are there crocodiles here that eat people? Throw those b****** [there]," he added.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/03/13/1796217/palace-dutertes-crocodile-response-united-nations-appropriate

No apologies. No regrets. No shame or decency either.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/11/ex-comelec-chair-bautista-cant-travel-back-to-ph-due-to-illness/

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Andres Bautista is suffering from “secondary pulmonary hypertension” possibly due to obstructive sleep apnea. 

This was revealed by Bautista’s elder brother, Dr. Martin D. Bautista, a US-based gastroenterologist, to philamessenger.com. 

According to Dr. Bautista, the former Comelec chief, who is currently in the United States, has been complaining of dyspnea, fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Excessive daytime sleepiness! I feel his pain. I am forced to take a nap every afternoon. At least we now know for sure he is out of the country.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/970574/breaking-news-lorenzo-gadon-maria-lourdes-sereno-supreme-court-impeachment-corruption-graft

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/974499/news-larry-gadon-supreme-court-department-of-justice-maria-lourdes-sereno-impeachment

What can you say? At least he kept his word.

Time for a story about the barangay elections.

Feb 26

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/971322/drilon-slams-plot-to-postpone-village-polls

In a radio interview, Drilon said he learned about the plot from sources in the House and at least two had spoken to him about a plan to move the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, set for May this year, to October or November, during which a plebiscite on a new Constitution would also be held. 

“My information is clear. Two sources have told me that the barangay [and SK] elections will be postponed. The mayors will be the ones to seek postponement. That’s not right,” he added.

Feb 27

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/27/palace-barangay-polls-will-push-through-as-scheduled/

March 12

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/12/18/house-panel-wants-barangay-sk-polls-postponed-to-october

It's not official yet but this move to postpone the elections one more shows Drilon was right all along and certainly weakens any confidence in the administration that they have been truthful about this matter.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/974450/news-china-south-china-sea-west-philippine-sea-artificial-islands-he-lei-wang-yi

China needs to build defensive structures on islands in the South China Sea to display its claim to sovereignty over virtually the entire crucial waterway, a leading Chinese general said Thursday.

China needs to arm these islands to defend their sovereignty in Philippine territory! A direct result of weak Philippine foreign policy.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/197943-conscience-subpoenas-pnp-chief

The Philippine National Police (PNP) apparently does not need internal rules in issuing subpoenas. 

"Konsensya lang 'ninyo. Hindi na kailangan pa ng rules diyan, dahil nasabi na sa batas: either or sa amin ang batas. Konsensyahan naman iyan eh. Kung kinakailangan, gamitin, kung hindi, 'wag," Dela Rosa said in a Camp Crame news briefing on Monday, March 12. 

(It depends on your conscience. Rules are not needed there, because the law already said it's either or for us. It's a matter of conscience, really. If you need it, use it, if not, don't.)

Bato is doing everything he can to reassure the people that the PNP really won't abuse this power to subpoena.

Last October Senate leader Koko Pimentel had some choice words for the PNP.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/935743/pimentel-fed-up-with-killings-wheres-modern-professional-capable-pnp

Now, in March, he's still not pleased with the PNP's performance.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/974794/pnp-needs-foreign-aid-to-train-cops-how-to-obey-law-respect-rights-koko

The thing is, the PNP does receive foreign aid in training from the USA. And it's still not good enough. You can train a dog to sit but he will always be a dog.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/974591/drug-case-vs-peter-lim-others-dropped-doj-cites-weak-evidence

The resolution, which was approved by Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan, was issued by a panel of DOJ prosecutors on Dec. 20, 2017, but was apparently kept from the members of the media.

An admitted drug lord, Espinosa, and men whom witnesses testified as being drug lords, one of whom, Peter Lim, was even on Duterte's notorious list, have been set free by the DOJ for lack of evidence. This means those who filed the case did not provide enough evidence.  They left out crucial bits like Espinosa's Senate testimony and they based the whole case on the testimony of one witness. And the DOJ kept this decision secret for 3 months!! There is no way Duterte or Aguirre did not know about this until recently but they are posturing as if they didn't and they are both calling for an investigation into the ruling. But hold the phone look at this:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/198186-duterte-prosecutor-aristotle-reyes-peter-lim-kerwin-espinosa-faeldon-drugs

In summary, Duterte named Reyes RTC judge a month after he started handling the probe into drug trade and conspiracy charges against Espinosa, Lim, and accomplices. However, he was administered his oath only more than a month after he had cleared the suspects.

Aristotle Reyes was promoted by Duterte to the position of RTC on September 21, 2017 but he did not take the oath of office until February 2, 2018.  In between those dates he quashed the DOJ's complaint against customs officials in the shabu smuggling case and he dismissed the charges against Espinosa and the rest. But Duterte did not rescind his promotion despite these two questionable rulings which he surely knew about and which raised the entire nation's eyebrows.

It's stuff like this that should be opening people's eyes and lead them to question the legitimacy and goals of the drug war.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/198054-drilon-praises-bong-go-basketball

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon was all praises for Special Assistant to the President Bong Go for being a “very good” player during the championship game between Malacañang PSC-Kamao and Senate Defender teams for the UNTV Cup.

Malacañang and the Senate each have their own basketball teams!??

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/974941/no-more-late-night-videoke-sessions-if-house-bill-becomes-law

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Order and Safety has begun tackling a bill seeking to limit the use of sing-along and other sound amplifying equipment between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in residential areas. 

But Tan acknowledged in her bill these existing anti-noise pollution laws – such as the Philippine Environmental Code (Presidential Decree No. 1152) and the National Pollution Control Decree (PD No. 984).

My first thought was, "Now that's a law I can get behind." But then I read the article and well....why don't they just enforce existing noise laws?

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/164937/china-un-duterte-philippines-terrorist-tag-sovereignty-rapporteur-lu-kang

The Chinese government has urged the United Nations (UN) to respect the sovereignty of the Philippines amid the Department of Justice’s terrorist tag against a UN special rapporteur. 

“Relevant sides of the international community, including the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, shall respect the sovereignty of the Philippines and the will of its people, view the outcomes of the Philippines’ fight against drug and terrorism in a comprehensive, unbiased and objective way, and support its efforts to move forward its human rights cause in light of its national conditions,” Lu said in a transcript forwarded by the Chinese embassy on Tuesday.

Oh the irony! China demanding the UN respect the Philippines sovereignty!!

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/974968/investigate-us-cebu-politicians-tagged-by-duterte-as-illegal-drug-protectors

“I’ve been pleading to authorities to investigate me. How can I clear my name [if there’s no probe]? That is the sixty-four-dollar question,” he said in a phone interview on Tuesday. 

“Before somebody will murder me, the President should take action because if it’s not for his unfair and irresponsible pronouncement, things like these will not come up,” said Rama in reference to a tarpaulin sign that presented him as the next target of an assassination plot.

Both of these men have been accused by Duterte and Espinosa as being drug dealers but have yet to be investigated leaving not only their names muddied but two alleged drug dealers scot free.

Does anyone remember this?

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/02/10/duterte-ICC-probe-guilty.html

"I hope you come…I welcome you and if you want to find me guilty, go ahead. So be it," he said.  

Duterte even said he was prepared should he be found guilty.  

"Find me guilty, of course, you can do that. I do not want imprisonment. I said, 'I beg of you to find a country where they execute,'" he said.

Apparently Duterte does not remember it or it must have been one of the many jokes he is known for.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/03/14/1796688/duterte-announces-philippines-withdrawal-icc

What an about-face from last month. This is probably the most extreme thing Duterte has done yet. He did it on his own and with no advice from the Senate. But that raises a lot of questions.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/198146-rome-statute-international-criminal-court-duterte-explainer

Can Duterte unilaterally withdraw the Philippines from a treaty without the Senate's approval?  It seems so.  Last year a resolution was introduced in the Senate which required Senate concurrence to withdraw from treaties but legal scholar and bar topnotcher Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao gave that resolution an uppercut which put it out of commission.  I think we will see this action make its way to the Supreme Court. But who knows.  One thing's for sure the Philippine's participation in the ICC was crucial to its existence and now the future for this court is not so bright.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/15/18/ph-withdrawal-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-icc-duterte-spokesman

"The Philippine withdrawal, I am sure, will start an avalanche of other states leaving the court... Secondly, no other Asians would join the ICC now. Only the Philippines has taken the role of advocating that other countries in the region should become a member. This the beginning of the end of the court," he said.

Who knew the Philippines played such a central role in holding the ICC together? That must be why they did not officially become members until 2011.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/03/15/1797023/trillanes-indicted-sedition

In a privilege speech in October last year, Trillanes said that soldiers should shoot the Philippine leader using an M-60 machine gun for his alleged hidden wealth.

Is this the beginning of the beginning of the end for Trillanes? Likely not.