Friday, May 25, 2018

Retards in the Government Part 51

Basketball, cable cars, more dismissals from Duterte, accusations of theft from one political official to another, conflicts of interest, it's just another week of Philippine politics.


http://www.interaksyon.com/6-years-after-delivering-his-copied-speech-sotto-is-still-defending-it/
Vicente Sotto III, who was elected Senate president earlier this week, defended anew his 2012 speech about the Reproductive Health Bill that was lifted from another speech without citing it. He insisted that he merely translated the original speech into Filipino, and this does not count as plagiarism. 

Six years ago, Sotto already apologized to the Kennedy family for the gaffe, but recently he again denied that he lifted off portions from the 1966 Day of Affirmation speech of late American Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
Ecce homo! Behold the man! This is the President of the Senate, an unrepentant plagiarist.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/654474/vacc-renews-call-for-duterte-to-reinstate-death-penalty/story/
These are rampant killings that are done in full view of people, like riding in tandem, so it's done with impunity," she said. 
"Ang pinakamatinding dahilan kundi ang rule of retribution. Kung lumabag ka sa batas at pumatay ka sa isang tao kailangan katumbas din ang parusa sa krimen na ginawa mo."
To strike fear in the hearts of criminals, VACC spokesperson Boy Evangelista said the execution should be "bloody." 
"It should be bloody kasi ang point namin dito is to send a strong message through a manner na kakatakutan," he said. "Alam mo ang Pinoy, masunurin 'yan eh. Pag nakita nilang may implementation, may political implementation, may political will, tigil 'yan." 
Duterte has been an ardent supporter of the death penalty. In his State of the Nation Address last year, he said, "It is really an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. You took a life, you must pay it with a life." 
Currently, a bill seeking to bring back the death penalty has made it past the third and final reading at House of Representative. At the Senate, it has yet to be tackled at the committee level. 
Sought for comment, newly-appointed Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the outlook for the proposed law would be better if it only sentenced individuals convicted of high-level drug crimes.
While not a government agency, the VACC wields a powerful influence within Philippine politics. They want bloody executions for killers but as Sotto says the death penalty bill which has passed in the House only sentence drug offenders to death. The reason being that the Congress can amend the bill later after it passes to include other offenders. This is definitely not how legislation works. You don't pass a weak bill into law so you can later amend it. What do these guys mean by "bloody" anyway? The guillotine?

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/994270/2-cops-on-awol-fall-in-rizal-buy-bust
Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, regional police spokesperson, in a text message, said the dismissal order was already out for Tava, who served in the Philippine National Police for seven years until he went on AWOL in March last year. 
Meanwhile, the PNP is processing the dismissal of Sionilo who went on AWOL in  March 2017, after 11 years in the service.
One of these guys served 7 years and the other seven 11 years before he want AWOL. All that time wasted. No retirement package for them.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/203324-ltfrb-dismissal-extortion-corruption
Two Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) employees face possible dismissal from service for alleged corruption, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Friday, May 29. 
Amelita dela Cruz and Jean Gunda, both from LTFRB-National Capital Region (NCR), are facing complaints for allegedly extorting money in exchange for vehicle franchises. 
Gunda allegedly asked P175,000 from a certain Rogelio Colita, a taxi driver, to grant him a franchise to operate in April 2016. After a year of follow-ups, no franchise was granted. 
Meanwhile, Dela Cruz was involved in a video extorting P250,000 from an unnamed complainant in exchange for a UV Express franchise. 
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade urged the public to refrain from being involved in corrupt dealings as well, and to follow the right processes. 
"'Wag niyo ilapit sa tukso ang mga empleyado kasi tayo po mismo ang naglalagay sa mga sarili natin sa alanganin. Gawin natin ang tama. Paalala lang sa lahat: kung ayaw ninyo kaming maging korap, 'wag niyo kaming korapin," said Tugade. 
(Don't tempt employees because you will be putting yourselves in an awkward situation. Let's do what is right. Just a reminder to everyone: if you don't want us to be corrupt, don't corrupt us.)
The response from DOTr Sec. Tugade is out of this world! "If you don't want us to be corrupt, don't corrupt us." He is blaming the public for government corruption!
COA said that the DOJ maintained 3 bank accounts without authority. These are Land Bank accounts for the AMAN Futures Pyramid Scam trust Fund, Yolanda claims, victims compensation fund (VCF), and witness protection program (WPP) fund, among others. 
“We recommended that Management transfer or deposit in full to the National Treasury (NT) the amount of P65,685,647.45 representing bank account balances not authorized to be deposited with authorized government depositary bank,” COA said. 
COA noted that there has been partial compliance beginning 2015, or when Senator Leila de Lima was still head of the DOJ. 
COA also flagged the DOJ’s “practice” of parking unspent money in one of its payroll accounts. 
COA found an “undocumented transfer” of P621.6 million. In its exit conference with the DOJ, state auditors were informed that the fund transfers were for unspent balances of the allotments that the department received.
“The ATM account was used as a parking account for unused (Notice of Cash Allocation) to avoid lapsing,” COA said, in violaton of National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 567 dated January 3, 2017 issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and President Rodrigo Duterte’s veto message in 2017.
Partial compliance beginning in 2015? Then that means these financial irregularities have been occurring for years. And thank goodness because that also means former DOJ Secretary Aguirre is off the hook!
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/994485/aguirre-clears-self-from-questionable-payroll-transactions-at-doj-aguirre-doj-coa-payroll-undocumented-finance
“I have no participation whatsoever in the transactions subject matter of the Annual Audit Report released by the Commission on Audit (COA),” Aguirre said in a statement on Saturday. 
“These transactions involved operations between the Personnel Division and the Accounting Division. They are all below my level as Secretary of Justice,” he added. 
COA said in its DOJ audit report, which is available on their website, that the transfer of P621 million worth of disbursed payroll funds was undocumented. For his part, Aguirre said that the financial transactions under COA’s report did not reach him, nor did he have prior knowledge of it. 
“It is worth highlighting that the financial transactions in the Department of Justice are handled primarily by the Financial Service, from the Budget and Accounting Divisions and under their Director IV,” he said. 
“In the delegation of functions, there is an Assistant Secretary and Undersecretary for Finance. Unless the law requires direct action of the Secretary of Justice, all financial transactions are taken care of by these officials,” he added.
I don't think Duterte is going to like this excuse.
True to cry commitment to proved genuine and meaningful change, I am placing Section 60, General Provisions, “Availability of Appropriations”, Volume I-B, pages 646-647 under conditional implementation and hereby direct all agency heads to ensure obligation of all programs, activities and projects funded under this Act not later than December 31, 2017. Failure to do so might have a devastating effect. This promotes not only good fiscal policy but more importantly, guarantees that public services are given to the people the soonest possible time. 

https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/GAA/GAA2017/VolumeI/VETO.pdf
All agency heads? That means Aguirre!

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/654593/calida-agency-bagged-p39-5-m-deals-to-secure-luneta-paco-parks/story/
The security agency owned by the family of Solicitor General Jose Calida bagged almost P40 million worth of contracts with the National Parks Development Committee, documents obtained by GMA News Online showed. 
Documents showed Calida's wife, Milagros, in her capacity as chairwoman and president of VISAI, signed a contract with the NPDC in June 2017 and another in January 2018 for security services for the Rizal Park and the Paco Park. 
These deals cost P10.3 million and P29.2 million, respectively. 
Calida's camp, however, said there was nothing irregular with the deals worth a total of P39.5 million because these underwent public bidding. 
A fact sheet sent by Calida's office said there was also no conflict of interest as he had already resigned as president and chairman of VISAI on May 30, 2016, a month before he took his oath as the government's chief lawyer.
Nothing irregular? No conflict of interest? If it looks like corruption and smells like corruption then it is probably corruption. Has Duterte caught this whiff coming from Calida?

What is this?

https://sports.mb.com.ph/2018/05/26/senate-seeks-third-straight-victory-vs-afp/
"Oh it's just a charity basketball league comprised of government officials."

https://www.untvweb.com/untvcup/?page_id=123
So the Philippine government officials have time to mess around and play in a charity basketball league? No wonder the country is in such disarray!

http://business.inquirer.net/251515/dotr-endorses-andrew-tans-p3b-bgc-makati-monorail-project
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/05/25/1818354/dotr-eyes-cable-car-system-anew
The DOTr is getting desperate and stupid.  Clear the roads of all obstructions including tricycles, pedicabs, vendors, dogs, and people. Put enforcers on the roads and ENFORCE THE TRAFFIC LAWS. But asking the Philippine government to enforce its laws is like asking a dog not to lick its butt. Maybe the way to solve traffic in Manila is a network of canons which can shoot people across town like they do in the circus?
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/28/1819294/duterte-no-first-family-palace
“You do not use it in a democratic country. Do not use first family, first family. There is no such thing as a first family. All Filipinos belong to the first family. And it is in utter bad taste to use it,” he stressed. 
“You have never heard me say MalacaƱan Palace, especially ‘palace.’ I just say ‘my office.’ See me at my office. Go to my office,” he pointed out.

“And I do not use the word ‘official.’ If you have noticed I use ‘government worker.’ I always say ‘mga kasama ko sa gobyerno’ (my colleagues in government), government worker. It’s not that I am trying to be corny about it. But I think that at this time, this is a democracy. It’s a Republican form of government. Everybody is important here,” he added.
Duterte is so desperate to appear to be just a normal guy when in reality he is not. He is not jus like Juan Tamad in his shanty on the Pasig River.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/994461/security-escort-of-quezon-town-mayor-shot-dead
A security escort of Mulanay, Quezon Mayor Joselito Ojeda was shot dead early Saturday in Mulanay. 
According to Ojeda, he received information five days ago from one of his political leaders about some unidentified persons who were recruiting men supposedly for an assassination job. 
“My men are the first targets,” Ojeda said in a phone interview.
Another mayor targeted for assassination.
“The President has said that. If anyone gets the natural resources in the West Philippine Sea, he will go to war,” Cayetano said in his speech, an official transcription of which was provided to reporters by the DFA’s Office of Public Diplomacy. 
“He said, ‘Bahala na.’ [But] he will go to war,” Cayetano said. 
“Bahala na” is an expression Filipinos use when they don’t know what happens next. The closest equivalent in English is “whatever will be, will be,” from Doris Day’s 1956 song “Que sera, sera.” 
Cayetano’s remarks seemed to contradict the President’s recent pronouncements that he preferred to maintain friendship with China rather than engage the Asian giant in a war over the two countries’ territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. 
Cayetano said the administration’s decision to keep mum did not mean it was not doing anything to deal with China and to defend the country’s territory and sovereignty. 
“Even the President himself told (Chinese) President Xi Jinping, ‘That is ours. The West Philippine Sea is ours. We want to start digging for oil and gas in the South China Sea.’ How much stronger a statement can that be?” he said. 
“At the right time, we will prove you wrong because nothing is secret forever. Even the US, they declassify materials,” he said. 
“When we declassify all of these, once we have achieved our purposes in the future, you will see that the DFA was not remiss in filing diplomatic action,” he added.
Labor Undersecretary Jacinto “Jing” Paras is accused by Rep. Tom Villarin (Akbayan) of attempting to steal his phone. 
Villarin said that he does not know Paras but the latter went up to him and said, “Kayo pala ni Hontiveros ang magkasama.” Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Villarin are both with the Akbayan party-list. 
Villarin continued that after he was distracted for a moment, he realized that his mobile phone went missing. According to the complaint, Paras engaged the Akbayan solon in small talk while Paras placed his cell phone on top of Villarin's, an iPhone X, which was then placed on top of a table.
"Afterwards, the Respondent (Paras) picked up both cellular phones from the table and left the De Venecia Hall. He then proceeded to Zulueta Hall on the second floor of the same building," part of the complaint reads. 
The incident of Paras taking his phone and leaving it in another room were both recorded by the House's CCTV camera.
Sounds like he might have been trying to steal information for the phone and not just steal the phone. Maybe he had some device that could read the information on the phone? Let's see the CCTV footage!

Villarin later went on to give a speech persuading his colleagues to ban Paras from the House.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/655201/jing-paras-mulls-filing-charges-vs-villarin-for-destroying-his-name/story/
“He said he already filed a complaint for theft against me, so why does he not wait for me to receive a copy of his complaint and let me answer it,” he added. 
The Labor official, who has admitted to taking Villarin’s cellphone by mistake, said he is entitled to due process of law. 
He accused Villarin of using squid tactics because the latter’s complaint is very weak and has no leg to stand. 
“That is why he is using the privilege speech as his political propaganda ahead of the dismissal of his  complaint which has no basis in law. He cannot get the proper authority to rule in his favor because he is a big liar,” he added.
Squid tactics? At least he admitted he took the phone! This tit for tat is the essence of Philippine politics.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/29/1819622/duterte-jurado-are-you-here-youre-fired
Duterte said Jurado was a “fool” for allowing the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO) to grant franchises to areas outside Aurora province.  
“May I call the government corporate counsel. Are you (here)? If you are here, come out, you son of a b****. You are fired. I do not need you and maybe you don’t need me,” the President said during the ceremonial enactment of two laws in MalacaƱang.  
“When you are granted a franchise to conduct gambling in a certain facility, it does not include farming out that franchise to other cities and provinces. If that’s the case, ramble on following your theory, you can ramble on to give permits beyond the shores of Luzon and you can do it in Siasi, Jolo,” he added.  
Duterte said Jurado granted himself powers similar to gaming operator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor). 
Jurado previously denied the corruption allegations against him, claiming they were fabricated by subordinates who were affected by his reforms.  
The dismissed government counsel had also responded to criticsms against his legal opinion allowing APECO to grant permits outside its controlled area. 
According to him, APECO is allowed to operate outside the Aurora Economic Zone as long as it is within an area controlled by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). 
Another Duterte appointee accused of corruption and overstepping his authority who will never get his day in court.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1745333/Bacolod/Local-News/Newly-elected-councilor-shot-dead
A NEWLY-ELECTED councilwoman was gunned down by inside her house in Barangay General Malvar in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental Saturday, May 26. 
Salvacion Samson, 51, was having breakfast with her daughter around 9:01 a.m. when the gunman entered the house and approached her. 
The gunman told the victim: ”may pinadala di sa imu (someone asked me to bring this to you).” 
He then drew his firearm and shot Samson in the head and chest said Senior Inspector Ryan Salazar, Pontevedra police chief.
What a nice gift for winning the election.

The new building, which rises several storeys high, is an abstraction of the eight-rayed sun featured on the Philippine flag and has four pillars which represent justice, equality, freedom and representation.
This is what the new session hall would look like. Unlike the classroom-type session hall in the present Senate building in Pasay City, the new session hall would be a semicircle, similar to the designs of the US Senate and House on Capitol Hill and The Assemblee National in Paris.
Is any of this necessary?  Is it necessary to build a costly and garish symbolic structure just for the Senate? Why not build ONE building where both the Senate and the House can meet? You know like the US Senate and House?


https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2009/0527_gordon4.asp
Gordon said the Philippine flag symbolizes the nation's struggle for independence and victory against foreign colonizers. 
The three stars in the flag represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao; while the eight rays of the sun represent the eight provinces that revolted against the Spanish regime, namely: Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac. 
Gordon said that behind the stories of the most celebrated names of national heroes, who fought for our independence, lie the stories of our mostly-forgotten Muslim heroes, including Lapu-Lapu, Sultan Kudarat and Rajah Sulayman, who displayed courage, bravery and integrity. 
The senator explained that it is for this reason that he proposed to add a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine flag to acknowledge the courage, bravery and integrity of Muslim Filipinos who fought for the nation's independence. 
"With their courage, bravery and integrity, our Muslim heroes left an imprint on national history that, at the very least, must be given due recognition in the most heraldic item of national importance--the Philippine flag," he said.
It's not that symbolic architecture or legislation is pointless or wrong per se.  It's just that there is so much work to be done to build this country and these people are engaged in frivolities.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/30/1820071/duterte-fires-customs-official-front-colleagues
Speaking at a BOC event, Duterte announced that he has fired Noel Patrick Prudente, deputy commissioner for management information system and technology group, due to excessive travels. 
The president said that the sacking of Prudente would cut short the agony of the House of Representatives, which is investigating him for corruption. 
“I’ll make it easy for the Congress. I’m firing him effective today,” Duterte said.

Thats pretty cold to be fired infant of your colleagues. The bit about Prudente being investigated by the House for corruption is interesting. He is being looked at for the 105 containers of smuggled goods released a few months ago. So now this man won't be held accountable? Now the investigation is over? I doubt that. What's more is that Duterte thinks by firing Prudente he is now off the hook. What a revealing look into his mind that revelation is! He is literally acting like getting rid of the problem will make it go away. AS of yet there is no word on the contents of the 105 containers of smuggled goods.


http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/655158/barangay-official-shot-dead-by-alleged-npas-in-agusan-del-norte/story/
The peace process is going smoothly. Newly elected Barney official Edgar Panisan is now resting in peace.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/167326/cayetano-uses-gilas-puso-battle-cry-answer-query-ph-edge-vs-china


At a congressional briefing on the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro asked Cayetano what advantages the country have against China. 
Cayetano said: "Ma'am, I'm sorry to answer you in the language of basketball: 'heart.'" 
He was apparently referring to the "heart" battle-cry of the country's national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas.
The Philippines has heart but China has missiles they can shoot right into that heart.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/654516/cimatu-worries-boracay-rehab-may-go-beyond-6-months/story/
In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Friday, Cimatu said he is worried that more time may be needed as he was surprised that there were 43 illegal pipes unearthed on the island's beachfront, where tourists usually go for swimming. 
The Cabinet official said establishments installed pipes on their own without obtaining the necessary permits. The unearthed pipes were also proof of violation of the 25 meters plus 5 meters no-build zone from the shoreline. 
Criminal and administrative cases as well as fines amounting to P10,000 to P200,000 per day await those found responsible for the installation of illegal pipes, Cimatu said.

Does the Philippine government really think they can fix 30 years of environmental damage in six months?

At first Duterte was like:


https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/30/1819975/dutertes-firing-spree-continue-until-all-corrupt-out
“It won’t stop until the government runs out of corrupt personnel, even if it means firing everyone because that is the promise of the President,” Roque said.  
“But he believes that while he is firing a lot of people because of corruption, many others want to serve the country,” Roque added.  
Despite claims that there is double standard in Duterte’s crackdown on corruption, Roque gave the President’s effort a score of nine out of 10. 
“The campaign against corruption is really effective,” the President’s spokesman said. 
But then he was all:
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/31/1820339/duterte-defends-calida-doj-chief-now-eyes-probe
“Calida, his security firm has been around for a long time. Why should I fire him? He is good, he is also from Davao but he is an Ilocano,” the President said yesterday in a mix of Filipino and English in remarks at the Bureau of Customs in Manila where he witnessed the destruction of smuggled luxury vehicles. 
“Why? Don’t we have the right to own a business?” he added, referring to the Calida family’s Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. (VISAI). 
Duterte said it’s alright for officials to be owners of businesses with contracts with government “as long as you do not participate” directly. “The fact that you have divested, you have retired… So why do you have to impute or attribute malice there?” 
Calida had earlier admitted he has yet not divested his 60 percent stake in the security agency. 
Although virtually cleared by the President, Calida may have to face investigation by the Department of Justice.  
At a hearing on his confirmation yesterday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra backtracked from an earlier statement and assured lawmakers he would “take a look” into the contract between the DOJ and the Calida family’s security agency.
Duterte will never get rid of corruption. Its in the DNA of Philippine politics.

Retards in the Government Part 50

Lots of news involving China, murdered politicans and prosecutors, and just good old fashioned corruption. 



http://globalnation.inquirer.net/167039/palace-dutertes-remarks-xi-pledge-taken-context
“The President was just expressing his opinion,” Roque said in an interview with reporters, as he stated that there was actually no threat from the President’s enemies to oust him.
People are always misunderstanding the President. Even he himself said don't believe everything he says. 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/202770-comelec-suspends-proclamation-barangay-sk-election-2018-winners-provinces-bicol
Serrano said the directive from the Comelec central office to suspend the proclamation of these winners did not cite the specific disqualifications, but it's likely that the SK candidates were overaged (or over 24 years old) and that they, including the barangay candidate, had not established enough residency in the barangays where they ran. 
Why would you run for an office for which you are not qualified?

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/653819/graft-raps-filed-vs-35-gov-t-officials-for-boracay-water-supply-agreement/story/
The officials include those appointed under the administrations of President Rodrigo Duterte and former President Benigno Aquino III. 
Lapid, Jimenez, Singson, Paje, and Almendras are among the respondents appointed by then-President Aquino. 
On the other hand, Teo, AƱo, Densing, Cimatu, Montano, and Villar are among the appointees of President Duterte.
Wow! Corrupt officials appointed by BOTH administrations! See how corruption transcends party?


A tale of two village officials.  This one lost his re-election bid.
The suspect is currently being subjected to tactical investigation at the Alegria MPS in preparation for the filing of a charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, Romana said.
Drugs and guns. In the Philippines guns or drugs or both have brought down many a petty village official.

“It’s so shocking because I’m discovering something new every day. And it’s saddening because large sums of money are involved here. Not just P1 million or P2 million, but hundreds of millions,” she said. 
The secretary has ordered the suspension of all DOT projects pending the results of a review by the Commission on Audit (COA). 
Puyat has also ordered a review of the foreign travels made by tourism officials. 
“You did not enter the government service just to tour around the world. That’s why [the government has embassy] attachĆ©s,” she said. 
Teo, Puyat’s predecessor,  was criticized last year after she brought her executive assistant and utility workers to a number of foreign trips.
It's not shocking to anyone paying attention to the way Filipino politicians work. Corruption reigns at every level and no department or branch of government is free from the scourge. What's shocking is that this lady is so naive. She is like those people who think all Yellow party members are evil and everyone else is clean and that Duterte is going to root out corruption. Well....SURPRISE!  Corruption is still here even under Duterte.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/992494/lanao-del-norte-mayor-survives-ambush-4-security-escorts-killed

This is not the first time a Mayor from Lanao del Sur was attacked.  In 2016 one mayor did not escape.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/857901/lanao-del-norte-mayor-killed-in-ambush
It must be tough being a politician in such a violent area. As a mayor you would probably want a gun or two or three. Or 15!
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/990092/mayor-6-others-nabbed-for-illegal-possession-of-firearms-in-lanao-del-norte
Recovered during the raid were 15 assorted high- and low-powered firearms, including a locally made replica of a .50 caliber Barret sniper’s rifle, AK-47, and M79 grenade launchers. 
Tago has been serving as Pantar mayor for the past four months. He replaced Pantar Vice Mayor Hadji Rakim Alingan, who had assumed the town’s mayorship when Exchan Limbona was killed in an ambush on December 29, 2016.
His predecessor was murdered in an ambush in 2016.  He was only trying to protect himself. But this story isn't over yet!

https://www.rappler.com/nation/202847-abdullah-mamao-prevails-military-release-mayor-jabar-tago
A mayor of Lanao del Norte province who was arrested for possession of high-powered firearms has been released to the custody of an adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte. 
The military released Pantar Mayor Jabar Tago after Secretary Abdullah Mama-o, Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers and Muslm Concerns, prevailed upon the military to give him custody of the local chief executive who was arrested on May 13. 
Mama-o was also recently named special envoy to Kuwait
Based on documents shared with reporters, Mama-o wrote the military on May 14 to make the demand. “It’s okay with me if only the mayor, Jabar D. Tago, will be released under my custody. The other detainees prefer to be detained by the military in Iligan City,” Mama-o wrote. 
The release of Tago raises questions about the military's power in Mindanao, which is under martial law. 
How much power do generals hold over their areas of responsibility? Do politicians bow to the military or is it the other way around? 
In this case, the military yielded to a politician. It's a precedent that could affect how politicians perceive the military and the morale of troops implementing a crackdown on illegal firearms.  
Major General Rosseler Murillo, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer“They were released because they could be detained only for 36 hours [in the absence of charges]. We will resort to the regular filing [of cases through the prosecutor’s office]."  
Rappler sources privy to what happened said Mama-o badgered the military. Murillo initially defied Mama-o, but the MalacaƱang executive went to Murillo's superiors. 
Rappler learned Mama-o made repeated requests to the military as early as Sunday, May 13, but he was ignored. On Monday, May 14, the military confirmed the mayor's arrest. 
Mama-o didn’t give up. Later on Monday, he wrote Murillo a letter formally seeking to take custody of 3 of 6 people arrested on Sunday, including the mayor.
“This shall serve as formal request that the foregoing parties be released under my custody while their case is being investigated. I assure you that they will cooperate with the military and the police should there be any investigation scheduled for their appearance,” Mama-o said in the letter. 
“I am taking personal responsibility of their appearance for such investigations,” Mama-o said. The handwritten note was on the same request letter. 
A day later, Tago and 5 others were released to the custody Mama-o's representative, lawyer Nur Jaypha Bacaraman-Asum.
On what grounds were these men released into Mama-o's custody? What legal authority and standing does he have? Aside from being a close friend to Duterte I'd wager none. Why did he want the mayor realised to his custody? The military says they will be filing charges but why didn't they file charges immediately? Why use a lame excuse that one can only be held for 36 hours in the absence of charges? More importantly when it's said that Mama-o appealed to Murillo's superiors just who are those superiors since Murillo is a two-starred Maj. General? Most importantly how big a role, if any, did Duterte play in releasing these men?


“This is very disturbing because this is our main beach. I’m very worried because this is closer to the shoreline than the buildings,” Cimatu told reporters after he inspected the sewerage pipeline Saturday morning. 
The sewerage pipe stretches parallel to beach for at least four kilometers from Angol Road in Barangay Manoc-Manoc at the southern end of the island to Station 1 in Barangay Balabag at the northern end. 
Members of a DENR team use a high-tech ground penetrating radar device to detect underground pipes illegally discharging into the waters of Boracay Island. 
The sewerage pipe installed by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) has at least 70 manholes along the beach. The PTA (now Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), is an agency of the Department of Tourism.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/992580/coliform-traced-to-govt-pipe
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Saturday continued to check for violations of environmental laws in this resort island, only to find that one of the biggest violators was the government itself.
I do not understand why Inquirer often publishes the same stories with different headlines but they do and these stories are basically the same. The compliment each other so I include both. Why is the Philippine Tourism Authority constructing anything? Isn't their job to promote the country? And it turns out former PTA Sec. Teo and her husband along with 33 others are being investigated for this anomalous pipeline.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/18/1816434/wanda-teo-husband-face-graft-raps-over-anomalous-p300m-boracay-sewage-system-deal
The anomaly stems from there being only one bidder but allegations that bidding was never made public. Does anyone care about the details? The gestalt is a culture of CORRUPTION!


Unfavorable road conditions, brought by water pipe repairs and heavy traffic congestion, forced organizers to call off the opening stage of the Le Tour de Filipinas on Sunday.

What was expected to be a relatively flat 157.15-kilometer cruise from Liwasang Aurora at the Quezon City Memorial Circle in Quezon City encountered several restarts due to pipe repairs in Valenzuela and Marilao in Bulacan, then came to a shuddering halt near the halfway mark at the Plazang Luma in Arayat, Pampanga because of an unexpected gridlock. 
"The race was stopped for one reason: unmanageable traffic, which was rather surprising on a Sunday morning," lamented Commissaire 4 Jun Lumibao, who monitored the situation closely with Chief Commissaire Louise Jones from Australia. 
"The organizers made several trips here, around four to five times, on a Sunday morning to test the traffic," Lumibao explained.
Why not name the Philippines bike race something more native? Why try to copy the name "Tour de France?" It would be a perfect time to show case the linguistic culture anyway. This laughable incident belongs in this catalogue of government corruption because it was ground to a halt by road repairs and heavy traffic. Those are two of the most ubiquitous road hazards in the nation. I bet they had already repaired those water pipes ten times in the past 5 years. I am unfamiliar with traffic in this area but I know where I live traffic flow could be greatly improved by getting all the obstacles out of the way. Obstacles like: dogs, people, barbecue stands, shanties, parked vehicles, fruit stands, fishmongers, makeshift sari sari stores, etc, etc, etc.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday showed a matrix of the alleged illicit affairs of a priest in Cagayan who was shot dead in April. 
The President didn't name the slain priest, but the bond paper bore Fr. Mark Anthony Ventura's name and photo. 
"Mangabit ka og asawa og sundalo, police, vice mayor, patay ka gyud," he said as he attended a fiesta celebration in Tabogon, Cebu. 
(If you are having an affair with women married to soldier, military, vice mayor, you're dead.) 
The matrix labeled "Possible Motive (Love Triangle)" showed eight women associated to Ventura. 
Duterte also belied allegations that the New People's Army (NPA) was responsible for the killing.
Why? Why do this? What kind of President inserts himself into a murder case like this by justifying the murder and by insinuating that the murderer might be a government employee!?  If an affair can get you killed then he just put all those women in danger by exposing them.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/18/duterte-cautions-pinoy-soldiers-police-on-us-peers
Here are his comments badly translated:
At this time, I am really playing geopolitics. You know, I have nothing America. I have nothing against the Americans. As a matter of fact, I know the bond that exist that bonds them between ... 
Most of our military men and police, most of them who graduate, go to America to take special courses there. In the police, investigation, they go to Quantico. Of course, I realized that. 
But you know, I am. Keep your camaraderie with them, the ties that bind you. But remember, America is not a country that is [race?] Consistent also. 
One time, they would criticize me even publicly. I do not mean it but I have a country of my own and do not criticize me in public, in a press conference. Just what like [Obama?] Did. 
T *** i ** [Obama?] He is bright. In a press briefing, he criticized the Philippines. He criticized the government as if we were --- the state of Puerto Rico. 
So I got angry, I said, "You're Obama. L **** ka. Go to hell. "The bubbles are over. 
The problem with America is this. They think that they are a separate kind from the rest of the world. They even try to pretentions that they ... It's really out there. Bigots. 
When as a matter of fact, we are more bright in them. Says that, America, Americans, throw it out of the field. You did not visit the two days, all of them dead.
https://pcoo.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/20180520-SPEECH-OF-PRESIDENT-RODRIGO-ROA-DUTERTE-DURING-THE-GROUNDBREAKING-OF-VISTA-ALEGRE-HOMES.pdf
I would really like to see the statistics on how many AFP and PNP graduates deploy for training at Quantico. Often times Duterte does not know what he is talking about and I am applying that assumption to this statement. Quanitco is shorthand for saying the FBI and the Marine Corps. Are AFP and PNP personnel seriously receiving that kind of training? Or does he mean that they get extra training in the USA and not specifically Quantico? Here is one story of PNP officers receiving training in the US. https://ph.usembassy.gov/us-homeland-security-investigations-trains-philippine-national-police-officers-united-states/ How many more are there?

https://www.rappler.com/nation/202966-tito-sotto-elected-senate-president-may-2018

https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/203020-tito-sotto-no-more-eat-bulaga-for-now
Newly elected Senate President Vicente Sotto III bade a temporary goodbye to Eat Bulaga, the country's longest-running noontime television show that helped propel him to power. 
"Papaalam na muna ako (I will temporarily leave)," Sotto told reporters on Monday, May 21. 
Asked if this means he would no longer host the show even on Thursdays and Saturdays where there are no Senate sessions, he said: "'Di na siguro, 'di na muna. Usap kami ni Vic and Joey and Tony Tuviera." (Not yet, for now. I will talk to Vic, Joey, and Tony Tuviera.) 
Sotto, his brother Vic Sotto, and friend Joey de Leon are part of the triumvirate TVJ. Tuviera, meanwhile, is the show's producer. 
In an earlier interview with Rappler, Sotto attributed his "practical" thinking to the show that propelled him to power. He would not be the politician that he is today, he said, if not for Eat Bulaga!
So let me get this straight.  Eat Bulaga!, a noontime variety show which he hosted, is what propelled him to power? Sotto would not be the politician he is today if not for this show?? Not legal training, not university, not real world experience with people or in government institutions but his work as a comic host of a silly variety show made him the politician he is today? Is there any nation who's politicians are as dumb and unqualified as the Philippines?

https://www.rappler.com/nation/202938-coa-bulacan-consultants-no-expertise
The Commission of Audit (COA) recommended the dismissal of 81 "consultants" hired by the Bulacan provincial government in 2017. 
The 81 consultants were hired on 6-month contracts and were paid from P10,000 to P40,000 monthly. In 2017, a total of P20 million was reportedly spent to pay them. 
Many were found to be lacking in expertise, based on COA's evaluation of their records and performance. Their assignments were vague or duplicated the jobs of regular employees. 
The consultants also failed to submit necessary documents for their contracts, and they had no accomplishment reports. 
The COA report released on May 15 said hiring the personnel was a violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. 
"The consultants engaged by the management have no technical or professional expertise, with no definite expected output and their services could be performed or provided by regular plantilla personnel," the report said.
Local governments in the Philippines just throw away money on silly projects and unqualified workers.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/05/22/DOTr-Cordillera-corruption.html
The Department of Transportation announced it has suspended Cordillera Regional Director Jesus Eduardo Natividad for allegedly demanding and accepting money in exchange for approving applications for Certificates of Public Convenience. Natividad is also being investigated for allegedly requiring district heads for monthly remittances.  
Assistant Regional Director Datu Mohammad Abbas also allegedly extorted money in exchange for the release of impounded vehicles. A separate complaint was filed against him for brandishing a gun.  
The two officials were slapped with a 90-day suspension on Monday, the department said in a statement.
Bribery, extortion, and brandishing a gun will only get you a 90-day suspension in the Philippines.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/202999-duterte-fires-transportation-assistant-secretary-mark-tolentino
Roque later on specified that Tolentino's supposed dealings involved a presidential sister, but he declined to give more details. Duterte has two sisters, Eleanore, the eldest of his siblings; and Jocellyn, who is 3 years younger than him. 
"The order of the President to all government officials is not to entertain any of his relatives regarding any contract with government," said Roque. 
While there had been many issues raised against Tolentino, it was his supposed defiance of Duterte's order that drove the President to fire him, said the spokesman.
Why would he consult the President's sister? What leverage does she have?  Maybe this is retaliation for his statement that the Mindanao rail project is being purposely delayed so it can be totally funded by foreign loans?

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/176182/sk-councilor-from-leyte-arrested-in-mandaue-checkpoint-for-illegal-possession-of-drugs
Newly elected politician is a newly arrested politician!

Philippine National Police spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said his killing may be related to cases he had handled.
Gee, you really think so? This is the 9th prosecutor or former prosecutor murdered since October 2016.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/993732/after-spate-of-killings-prosecutors-seeking-to-arm-themselves
“It is high time that a nationwide call to arm the NPS be made. That self-defense trainings and mechanisms be set in place to safeguard the very lives of these selfless public servants,” he said on Wednesday.
Indeed.
Salonga pleaded guilty in misrepresenting his PDS, claiming to have graduated in 1979 with a degree in AB Journalism from the University of the Philippines.
Another fine graduate of Recto University.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/993148/ex-saf-budget-exec-admits-keeping-p37-m-allowances-of-troopers-saf-senate-inquiry-lusad-dizon-allowance
The former budget officer of the Special Action Force (SAF) kept P37 million of undisbursed additional subsistence allowance (ASA) of SAF troopers, a Senate hearing led by Senator Panfilo Lacson revealed on Tuesday. 
During the Senate inquiry into the alleged illegal withholding of SAF allowance, former SAF budget officer Senior Superintendent Andre Dizon admitted that the funds remained in his custody even after he was relieved from SAF. 
But Lacson asked where did the P37 million come from after he was told that the SAF allowances were used for the organized messing of SAF troopers deployed at the National Bilibid Prison. 
“It’s hard to believe that you kept in your custody such amount of money,” Lacson told Dizon in Filipino.
This is a strange little case the details of which are coming out little by little. See the value of  a Senate investigation? This is why there must be an investigation into the Marawi attack. All the details would be revealed.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/654277/con-com-proposes-lawless-violence-as-ground-for-martial-law-declaration/story/
Under the proposal approved on Tuesday's en banc session, this section reads the President may declare martial law "in case of lawless violence, invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it." 
Former inspector general Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Bocobo said "lawless violence" refers to terrorism and violent extremism, including religious extremism. 
He denied the insertion of the phrase was a "downgrading" of the requirements to warrant a declaration of martial law. 
"Hindi naman downgrading. We are adopting what is the present situation and what we can foresee in the near future," he told a press briefing on Wednesday morning.
These people just don't learn. "Lawless violence" is such a broad phrase that it can, and most certainly will be, interpreted in a way that the writers of this new fangled document did not intend. Have they not learned from the Sereno debacle that wording must be exact? The Supreme Court and others interpreted the word "may" in a way the writers of the Constitution did not intend. The entire country is under threat of potential and facing actual "lawless violence" at this moment. It would be better for them to not include a provision for martial law in the first place. Why do they think the need such a provision?

"We are adopting what is the present situation and what we can foresee in the near future" likewise this is also problematic. They should be attempting to write in a way that is as universal as possible and not specific for the present. These writers can look to the present US debates on the second amendment and learn all about that.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/22/18/sereno-allies-tell-8-sc-justices-reverse-decision-or-face-impeachment
Rep. Edcel Lagman, in a press conference, said the 8 justices should be impeached for "culpable violation of the Constitution and patent betrayal of public trust." 
"Verily, the grievously errant eight Justices must be impeached for culpable violation of the Constitution and patent betrayal of public trust, among other impeachable offenses. Only a contrite and complete recantation by reconsidering their unlawful, controversial and unpopular decision can save the eight Justices from impeachment," he said. 
Lagman also said he and his allies will file their complaint soon. 
"Most probably by second week or the end of the first week of June. It all depends on whether the 8 justices would reconsider their decision," he said.
This is what I mean when I say the wording of any new constitution must be EXACT. All this hubbub with Sereno is over the little word "may." Now we have more threats of impeachment and who knows how that will go?

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/993802/charter-reviewers-top-elected-officials-must-have-college-degree
Sounds good but then you realise that most of these degrees will come from a Philippine university and having a worthless degree in tourism and hospitality management will qualify you for elected office just the same as having a law degree.
http://business.inquirer.net/251337/dof-govt-cannot-suspend-fuel-excise-taxes-train-2
http://business.inquirer.net/251344/%E2%80%A8-doe-suspension-excise-tax-oil-products-possible
The Duterte cabinet needs to get on the same page and stay on message.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/167198/dfa-dole-privately-discuss-rescue-video-fiasco-senators
“We don’t wanna talk about this publicly… because of its implications on the MOU [memorandum of understanding],” Villanueva told reporters after the hearing.
Haha! Of course they don't want to talk about such a terrible and undiplomatic blunder publicly!

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/993902/former-village-councilor-shot-dead-in-negros-occidental
Four armed men claiming to be New People’s Army (NPA) rebels shot and killed on Wednesday a defeated candidate for barangay councilor in Sitio Calubihan, Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental province. 
Rodolfo Ambong, 48, a barangay tanod who ran and lost for Tan-awan barangay councilor last May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, died on the spot due to multiple bullet wounds. 
Santos said Ambong was charged with murder but the case was dismissed due to the non-appearance of witnesses against him. 
Police said they were looking into the possibility that the murder case had something to do with his killing.
Interesting. But why would the NPA be involved if this is related to his dismissed murder case?

https://www.rappler.com/nation/203126-kitty-duterte-presidential-grandkids-dengvaxia-shots
Remember when bloggers and tweeters and Congressmen were calling for Aquino's head?  Calling him a murderer? Calling the dengevaxia scandal genocide? And now we learn that President Duterte's daughter and two of his grandchildren have received this vaccine! Is this proof that those people are morons who caused an unnecessary panic?

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/05/24/Ozamiz-Councilor-Parojinog-arrested-Taiwan.html
Well they finally got him.  How long until he has a "heart attack" in a Manila jail?

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/24/1818138/duterte-tells-2-apeco-execs-quit
“The President told them to resign or they would be fired. He told them he did not like gambling. They are from Apeco, not Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.),” he said. 
Bertiz said the President got mad when he learned that the officials granted a 75-year gaming franchise to an unspecified free port locator. 
“He also expressed anger over their issuance of permits for gambling activities outside Apeco,” he said. 
He likened such permits to those issued by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA). 
One firm CEZA has allowed to conduct gambling activities outside the Cagayan free port in Sta. Ana town is Meridien Gaming, which is identified with Charlie “Atong” Ang.
Some Bicol congressmen have complained that Meridien has extended its operations to their region, and that some of its operators were engaged in illegal gambling.
“And you give these contracts for foreigners for 75 years? P..... i... di ka ba gago. Ilang presidente ang dadaanan niyan – 75 years, you must be crazy. (Son of a… you must be crazy. How many presidents will the franchise go through)?” Duterte said.
Now this is kind of strange because these permits to gambling businesses were likely given to Chinese operators who are setting up gambling sites all over the country. And we all now how much Duterte loves China.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-03/in-china-s-new-gambling-hot-spot-property-prices-are-on-a-tear
An estimated 100,000 migrants, mostly Chinese, have flooded into pockets of the Philippines capital since September 2016, and the deluge is rippling through the city’s real estate market in ways that are unique among the world’s urban centers. While Chinese investors have been snapping up big swathes of high-end housing in Hong Kong, London and New York for years to move their money offshore, this new rush is motivated by something different: Manila’s booming gaming industry. 
More than 50 offshore gambling companies that cater to overseas Chinese punters have received permits to operate in the city since President Rodrigo Duterte’s government began awarding licenses 19 months ago. While bets are placed remotely, the operators need Chinese speakers in Manila to handle everything from marketing and customer queries to payment processing for overseas clients.
I would be surprised if Duterte is unaware of this situation. If he really does not like gambling then why is this happening?

More China kowtowing and cowardice from the Palace. Sometimes the headlines speak for themselves.

This headline really gets me because on May 25th a little old lady, Sister Patricia Fox, is being booted out of the country for allegedly messing with Philippine sovereignty for criticising the government. Duterte will go after old ladies but won't dare face the dragon.