Retards in the Government 348

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

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1891325/jinggoy-estrada-acquitted-of-plunder-convicted-of-bribery

Senator Jinggoy Estrada and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles have been acquitted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Friday, in connection with the infamous pork barrel scam.

But the anti-graft court division convicted Estrada of one count of direct bribery, and two counts of indirect bribery.

This plunder case against Estrada, Napoles, and others stemmed from the transfer of Estrada’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) owned by Napoles.

Estrada was charged with plunder for allegedly receiving kickbacks worth P55.79 million from Napoles due to the scheme.

Over the years, there has been a debate as to whether Estrada could be considered the “main plunderer” in the case.  The Senator, however, asserted that the prosecution was not able to prove such allegations and failed to substantiate their case against him, as there are supposedly no pieces of evidence pointing to him as the “main plunderer” or the pork barrel scam’s mastermind.

The prosecution accused Estrada of accumulating ill-gotten wealth after he allegedly gained P55.79 million from the shady scheme aside from being “an active participant in the conspiracy to commit plunder.”

Eventually, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division allowed Estrada and Napoles to file a demurrer to evidence or seek outright dismissal of the cases against them. But these were denied in June 2019, as it was established that he gave approval to the transfer of his PDAF to Napoles’ NGOs.

Estrada is one of three senators who were charged for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam.  The two others were incumbent Senator Bong Revilla, who was acquitted in December 2018, and former Senate president and current Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, who is out on bail in consideration of his advanced age.

Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada has been convicted of bribery in connection with the PDAF scam.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1891413/calamba-city-village-exec-shot-dead

A 65-year-old barangay councilman was gunned down early Friday, Jan. 19, by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Calamba City, Laguna province.

The Calamba City police identified the victim as Mario Castillo Cogay Jr. of Barangay Canlubang.

Initial reports said Cogay was drinking coffee on the balcony of his house when two men aboard a motorcycle arrived and, without provocation, repeatedly shot him in different parts of the body.

Investigators said the assailants fled after the incident.

The bloodied barangay official was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Citing witnesses, police said the motorcycle driver wore a black jacket, denim pants, and a silver helmet, while his back rider had a black crash helmet.

An investigation is ongoing to establish the motive behind the killing.

A barangay councilman has been assassinated. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/894570/bi-lawyers-linked-to-visa-issuance-to-fake-companies-relieved/story/

Four immigration lawyers allegedly involved in the issuance of pre-arranged employment (9G) visas to fake corporations have been relieved, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced Thursday.

A 9G visa is required for foreign nationals to work in the country.

“Yes, they were relieved po doon sa position nila sa pag issue ng mga visa habang nag u-undergo po ng investigation,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(They were relieved from their position in issuing visas while undergoing investigation.)

“During the investigation po, pag may nakita talaga na sila ay may direct involvement doon sa hindi tamang pag i-issue ng mga visa na iyon ay sila po ay ire-rekomenda natin sa Department of Justice (DOJ) na makasuhan po at mabigyan ng appropriate sanctions ng DOJ,” she added.

(Should they be found to have direct involvement in the issuance of the visas during the investigation, we will recommend complaints against them before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for appropriate sanctions.)

Sandoval issued the remark days after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said that the BI legal department helped fake corporations get visas.

Four BI lawyers linked to issuing visas to fake corportaions have been relieved. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1891728/pnp-dismisses-4-cops-linked-to-robbery-in-zamboanga

Four police officers who were involved in a robbery last year were dismissed from the service.

Zamboanga Peninsula Police Director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding said the erring police officers were found guilty of grave misconduct and were removed from the police service effective January 12, 2024.

He identified them as Lt. Ariel Jolatoria, 43, Staff Master Sgt. Al-Najir Ynawat, 41, Staff Sgt. Edcel Nicolas, 42, and Pat. Ryan Apostol, 31.

“The Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9) upholds its commitment to the highest standards of integrity, morality, and uprightness. Any misconduct or criminal behavior by police officers will not be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary actions, such as dismissal, will be taken to maintain public trust and ensure accountability,” Masauding said.

The four were charged with armed robbery, carting away some P2.1 million along with several mobile phones from the house of businessman Al-Ghabid Umabong Abdul in Barangay Tetuan last November 14, 2023.

Four cops involved in a robbery back in November, 2023 have finally been dismissed from service. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/21/24/ched-commissioner-darilag-suspended-for-90-days

The Office of the President has ordered the suspension of Commissioner Aldrin Darilag of the Commission on Higher Education for allegedly committing grave misconduct, abuse of authority and neglect in the performance of duty.

In a statement, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera said Darilag's preventive suspension is for 90 days. 

CHED has also been instructed by the Office of the President to conduct a fact-finding investigation to determine the existence of a prima facie case to warrant the issuance of the formal charge against Darilag.

"CHED will look into the matter seriously and fairly. We are committed to President Bongbong Marcos Jr.'s directive and vision that only the best, brightest, and most ethical individuals should lead our government,” said De Vera.

 

“This preventive suspension is imposed so that Commissioner Darilag cannot use his office and position to influence the investigation and due process can be observed in the process."

CHED commissioner has been suspended for 90 days following a complaint of grave misconduct and abuse of authority. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/23/2327876/6-pnp-officers-test-positive-drugs

Six members of the Philippine National Police have tested positive for drugs, the PNP reported yesterday.

At a press briefing, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said five operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office and one from the PNP Region 8 tested positive for drugs.

“Confirmatory tests were done and the results were positive,” Acorda said.

Those who tested positive for drugs include a police senior master sergeant, a staff sergeant, three patrolmen and a chief master sergeant.

Acorda said the PNP would not tolerate any wrongdoing of police personnel, especially those involved in drugs.

“The proactive approach reflects the PNP’s commitment to maintaining a drug-free police force,” he said.

Six cops have tested positive for drugs. 

 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/23/2327860/traffic-enforcer-gunned-down

A male traffic enforcer was killed in an attack by an unidentied assailant in Bangued, Abra on Sunday night.

Geraldine Peralta was in a tricycle when he was killed in Sitio Kabildatan, Barangay Zone 7 at around 9 p.m.

The victim died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds.

A traffic enforcer has been assassinated. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/21/24/airport-policemen-who-passed-through-carousel-lane-suspended

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) suspended two airport policemen who got involved in a confrontation with MMDA personnel after they were caught illegally passing through the EDSA Bus Carousel Lane on Sunday afternoon.

MIAA General Manager Eric Ines ordered the immediate suspension of APO2 Raymond Anuran and APO1 Michael Lilis who were on an official mission.

“We cannot just tolerate this kind of abuses. It is embarrassing and this must stop,” Ines said in a statement.

The airport policemen were reportedly caught passing through the northbound lane of the EDSA Busway and were accosted by an MMDA traffic enforcer.

The driver refused to present his driver’s license. When the MMA enforcer tried to take a video of the driver, the man attempted to grab the phone, leading the scuffle.

Ines ordered the two relieved from their assignment and instructed Retired BGen. Manny Gonzales, the Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services, to personally handle the investigation.

Two airport policemen have been suspended for driving in the bus lane on EDSA. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/24/2328141/sc-upholds-homicide-raps-vs-4-cops

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld a resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman to charge only four of 21 police officers with homicide for the killing of Luis Bonifacio and his son Gabriel in a drug bust in 2016.

In a 22-page ruling dated Oct. 11, 2023 and released on Monday, the SC’s Third Division dismissed a petition by Bonifacio’s widow, Mary Ann Domingo, that sought to indict the 21 Caloocan police officers on two counts of murder.

The SC’s Third Division affirmed the order of the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (OMB-MOLEO) finding probable cause to charge M/Sgt. Virgilio Cervantes and Cpls. Arnel de Guzman, Johnson Alacre and Artemio Saguros Jr. with two counts of homicide.

The ruling was written by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting, with Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Samuel Gaerlan and Japar Dimaampao concurring.

The SC has upheld the homicide conviction of four cops. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/24/criminal-charges-filed-vs-ex-camarines-norte-town-mayor-for-misuse-of-p2-8-m-medicine-funds

Criminal charges for graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents have been filed before the Sandiganbayan against former mayor Senandro M. Jalgalado of Capalonga town in Camarines Norte.

Jalgalado was indicted in the alleged misuse of P2.8 million that was intended for the purchase and distribution of medicines in 2012.

In the criminal complaints filed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Sylvester D. Alcazar, Jalgalado was indicted for failing to account and liquidate P2,819,994 worth of medicines.

The amount was a portion of the medicines purchased using the P14,500,000 priority development assistance fund (PDAF) allocated for residents.

Despite demands from the Commission on Audit (COA) to account for the said funds, the prosecution said that Jalgalado failed to do so.

At the same time, Jalgalado was accused of feloniously preparing "Letter-Requests" and "Acknowledgment Receipts" in relation to the distribution of medicines.

He reportedly made it appear that the barangay chairmen of barangays Mataque, Capalonga; Macolabo Island, Paracale; Bayabas, Labo; Pinya, Labo; Napaod, Labo; Malibago, Labo; Baay, Labo; San Antonio, Labo; Cabatuhan, Labo; Bagong Silang III, Labo; and Old Camp, Capalonga received the medicines even though the barangay leaders and their constituents never participated nor received the medicines.

Bail bonds for Jalgalado’s temporary liberty have been recommended at P90,000 for graft, P120,000 for malversation, and P24,000 for falsification.

A former mayor has been charged with graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1893566/barmm-parliament-employee-slain-in-gun-attack-in-cotabato-city

Gunmen shot on Tuesday night the staff of a member of the interim Bangsamoro parliament along a busy street fronting a mall in this city.

Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr, city police director, identified the fatality as Sulaiman Macabangon, 50, of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Sur.

He is the staff of Member of Parliament Datu Romeo Sema.

Macabangon was on a family-owned Toyota Vios parked at the Gov. Gutierrez Avenue waiting for his wife to come out from Citi Mall when attacked around 6:30 p.m., Manalang said.

Citing initial reports, Manalang said two men riding on a motorbike shot Macabangon at close range.

Responding police rushed the victim to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police found empty shells for a 9mm pistol at the crime scene.

A BARMM parliament employee has been assassinated. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/23/2327960/another-maguindanao-del-sur-school-official-perish-ambush

Gunmen along a highway shot dead a school principal in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday afternoon, the second education official in the same town killed in an ambush in just two months.

Mamadatu Dalandas, principal of Datu Tecson Elementary School in Sultan sa Barongis, was riding his motorcycle when he was attacked by armed men positioned at one side of the highway in Barangay Manungkaling in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur while on his way to the center of the municipality.

In a report to Bangsamoro regional police director Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza on Tuesday, Lt. Lou Christian Villones, chief of the Mamasapano municipal police, said that Dalandas died on the spot from gunshot wounds.

His killers managed to escape before responding barangay tanods in Manungkaling had reached the scene.

An elementary school teacher in the BARMM has been assassinated. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/24/2328132/soldier-probed-abusing-helper

A member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is under investigation for allegedly physically abusing her house helper.

The soldier, with the rank of master sergeant, has reportedly been maltreating her housemaid, a 20-year-old woman, who was rescued by her relatives at the suspect’s residence along Pastolero street in Barangay Camp Aguinaldo on Monday.

The victim recounted to police investigators the last time she was abused by the soldier was last Jan. 15 at around noon when the suspect poured boiling water on her right foot.

She said the suspect maltreated her on several occasions since she was hired as a housemaid in May 2020.

In all the instances she was physically abused, the victim said the suspect barred her from seeking medical treatment for her injuries.

The victim underwent a medicolegal examination in a hospital and then reported her ordeal to the police.

The suspect faces charges of physical injuries.

A member of the AFP is being investigated for abusing her helper. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1893093/dismissal-case-starts-vs-34-cops-linked-to-illegal-detention-of-4-chinese

Thirty-four police officers who allegedly committed irregularities for unlawfully arresting and detaining four Chinese nationals in Paranaque City in September last year are undergoing summary dismissal proceedings, a police official revealed on Tuesday.

During the House of Representatives public order and safety committee hearing on the case, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. reported that 44 personnel from the Southern Police District – Detective and Special Operations Unit (SPD-DSOU) and Parañaque police were directly linked to the operation.

Initially, he said, “35 personnel were recommended for summary dismissal proceedings, while nine were not charged with administrative cases for lack of probable cause.”

Of the 35, Nartatez said 34 respondents face summary dismissal proceedings.

Two of those facing summary dismissal proceedings are also undergoing administrative disciplinary proceedings, pending the issuance of Presidential Clearance under the National Police Commission 2016-002, he added.

Dismissal proceedings against 34 cops who illegally detained 4 Chinese nationals have begun. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1892432/village-watchman-slain-in-gun-attack-in-bulacan-2-assailants-killed

A village watchman in the City of Meycauayan in this province was killed while a resident there was wounded after armed men attacked the village hall on Jan. 20.

In a belated report on Monday, Jan. 22, Colonel Jordan Santiago, Meycauayan police chief, identified the slain watchman as Rodolfo Santiago, 63, of Barangay Bahay Pare, who suffered bullet wounds during the attack.

The police said the two armed men strafed the village hall at 8:12 p.m., hitting Rodolfo and a bystander.

The gun attack could have been carried out by the culprits after their companions were arrested for illegal drug trade in the locality, investigators said.

Bulacan Police Director Colonel Relly Arnedo said members of the Meycauayan police immediately responded and engaged the assailants in a gunfight.

After the armed encounter, the two culprits were also killed. They were later identified as Andy Bernardo, 40, and Jerome Ballares, 30, both from Caloocan City.

Policemen recovered two.45-caliber firearms and magazines owned by the slain assailants.

A village watchman was killed after two men attacked the village hall. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Return of PH Movie Industry, Marcos Shares COVID-19 Experience, and More!

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

Residents of Iloilo have been told to obey health protocols after four people have died from COVID-19. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217240

The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has reminded the public to continue observing health protocols as the new strain of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) claimed four lives in Iloilo.

IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon, on Thursday afternoon, said the province posted 88 of the contagious JN.1 variant, with four deaths in three months based on the Department of Health Western Visayas records.

“The four deaths were all immune-compromised. The oldest death was 87 years old, and the youngest was less than a year old. The two others in their adult stage have underlying conditions,” she said in a media interview.

The cases, she said, were recorded from November 2023 until January this year.

Quiñon added that it has been observed lately that people were suffering from flu-like symptoms. However, it was not immediately known if it was a new strain of Covid-19 because of limited testing.

The health officer said the new strain of Covid-19 is contagious, hence this festival season, the public is encouraged to wear masks, always disinfect, and observe physical distancing, especially the senior citizens, immune-compromised, and even children who still have weak immune systems.

“If possible, don’t get exposed in crowded areas and enclosed spaces,” she said.

So, the people are being given scare propaganda against the JN.1 variant despite it not being known if it was that strain these people had! There are certainly other factors involved and the death rate remains low. 

Puerto Princesa has seen a decrease in adolescent birth rates since the end of the pandemic. 

https://palawan-news.com/puerto-princesa-sees-decrease-in-adolescent-birth-rates/

Puerto Princesa City, in the Mimaropa region, bucks the trend of rising adolescent birth rates in Mimaropa region, recording a decrease in 2022, the Commission on Population and Development reported based on the latest civil registry statistics results released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The population commission stated Friday in a release that according to the statistics authority, the highly urbanized city registered 180 live births among adolescents, showing a decline from its 2021 data.

This situation in Puerto Princesa contrasts with the broader regional trend, where there has been an increase in childbirth among young girls, particularly in the 10 to 14 age group. Palawan province, in contrast, recorded 1,484 live births among adolescents aged 10 to 19, the highest in the Mimaropa region.

Palawan is followed by Oriental Mindoro with 1,448 live births, Occidental Mindoro with 788, Romblon with 422, and Marinduque with 288.

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) said the region reported a total of 4,610 adolescent births, which is 3.07 percent of the national figure. This includes a rise from 63 live births in 2020 to 94 in 2022 among the 10-14 age group.

Nevertheless, the number of live births registered in Mimaropa is notably less than those in the three adjacent regions with the highest figures, specifically Calabarzon with 19,018 live births, Central Luzon recording 17,107, and the National Capital Region reporting 12,540 live births.

As a result, the Commission is now strongly pushing for the immediate passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill to protect young mothers from potential harm.

“The glaring statistics demand immediate and concerted action and intervention. The rise in adolescent live births not only poses a threat to the well-being of a young mother but also underscores the urgency to pass the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill pending in Congress,” CPD Mimaropa Regional Director Reynaldo Wong said.

The House of Representatives passed House Bill 8910, known as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act, in September 2023. House Speaker Martin Romualdez explained then that it aims to tackle the issue of early pregnancy and parenting, a social problem that negatively impacts the mother, the child, and society as a whole.

Based on surveys, he said the matter seemed to have intensified during the pandemic,  a period when the government recommended everyone, including young people, to remain indoors as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“The social cost of this issue and the negative impact on the national budget could run into billions – in terms of the government having to take care of young mothers and their babies. There is also the human development aspect,” the speaker stated then.

Kind of odd that the lockdowns intensified adolescent pregnancies but overall the Population Commission has said the lockdown actually decreased the birthrate. 

A local movie has grossed P800 million which is proof the movie industry is back according to Senator Robin Padilla. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217405

Senator Robin Padilla has said the PHP800-million gross profit of the local film “Rewind” in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival is an indication that the Philippine movie industry is recovering from the pandemic.

"This achievement is a testament to the return of a vibrant and flourishing Philippine film industry - attributed to the hard work and commitment of artists, writers, directors, and all members of the production teams," Padilla said in Senate Resolution 909 he filed on Monday.

Padilla lauded the victory of "Rewind," directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar.

He also congratulated the artists, producers, directors, writers, and all behind the movie starring real-life couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera-Dantes.

Padilla said Dingdong and Marian remain an inspiration not just in reel but in real life, promoting "family values, entrepreneurship and philanthropic deeds

He noted how the pandemic forced the film industry to grind to a halt-prompting "indefinite delays in film production, closure of movie theaters, and imposition of social distancing restrictions to the general public."

Padilla also said he is happy that the MMFF 2023 was the "highest-grossing edition of all time" due in large part to the hard work of the artists, writers, directors and production teams.

It's another industry revived from the lockdowns.

The DOF wants to change tax rates. Senator Gatchalian says this will affect the pandemic recovery. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217382

The proposal of the Department of Finance (DOF) to change tax rates on certain sectors was welcomed on Monday by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian but warned that it might have an impact on the economy which is still recovering from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The Senate Ways and Means panel, led by Gatchalian, tackled various measures that seeks to "simplify" the taxation of passive income, financial services, and transactions by reducing the number of tax rates and harmonizing the tax rates on interest, dividends, capital gains, and business taxes imposed on financial intermediaries.

This is through the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA) or the Package 4 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) which is expected to provide PHP25 billion additional revenues to the country.

"I read PIFITA. I read the entire bill and there are three words that I would like to describe PIFITA -- “Simplify, Simplify, Simplify”. Simplify in terms of understanding the taxation covering the financial industry, simplify compliance from the point of view of our taxpayers and simplify tax administration from the point of view of our revenue collecting agencies. Three words that will enhance the experience in terms of administration and tax collecting covering our financial institutions," Gatchalian said.

"There might be some negative impact in terms of revenue collection, in my point of view, this negative impact might not be timely because we’re still reeling and recovering from the effects of the pandemic and one of the huge effects of the pandemic to our fiscal health is the increase in terms of public debt, during the pandemic we actually increased public debt from 30 percent of our GDP (gross domestic product) to almost 60 percent of our GDP," he added.

He said outgrowing a public debt means that tax collection must be efficient and should not reduce revenues.

Does the Honorable Senator not know that Marcos has already declared the Philippines is back on its feet? 

President Marcos is full vaccinated yet has contracted COVID-9 three times, two of those being while fully vaccinated. Now he has shared his experience. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1893049/marcos-recounts-experience-having-covid-19-during-pandemic

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday recounted his experience getting COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic.

Marcos tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, three times — once in March 2020, a second time in July 2022, and a third time in December 2023.

“It was unfortunate because it was the first time in my life that I went to the doctor and I asked them ‘what’s happening to me?’ and the doctors would tell me ‘we are not quite sure,’” said Marcos at the launch of the Lung Transplant Program in Quezon City.

“The next question, of course, is ‘how do I get better?’ and the answer also is “well, we’ll try everything, but we are not quite sure yet,’” he added.

The President said that treatment for COVID-19 has dramatically improved, and the pandemic has ended.

Marcos said that he is a longtime asthma and allergy sufferer, so he supports the Lung Center, vowing to help rehabilitate the specialty hospital.

Having COVID is the first time Marcos went to the doctor or the first time a doctor said he was not sure what was wrong with him?

Abby Binay: The Ultimate Toxic Philippine Politician

Makati mayor Abby Binay is a prime example of everything toxic about Philippine politics. She is currently serving her final term as Mayor of Makati and was recently asked about her upcoming plans. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/20/mayor-binay-sees-husband-as-successor-in-makati

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said she sees her husband Congressman Luis Campos Jr., as her successor in Makati.  

In an ambush interview on Thursday, Jan. 18,  she said she believes that her husband could sustain the upcoming local projects for Makati.

"It's clear. Many more projects need to be done after 2025, there is only one person I can trust to do it and that is none other than my husband," the mayor said.

Binay said she is still giving herself time to plan her next political steps as she serves her last term.

The lady mayor said she may have a decision by March on whether she will run for Taguig mayor in 2025 or not.

She also cited several options that make it difficult for her to decide what to do next.

“I can go national, I can run for Congress, I can run for the Senate, I can run for mayor, I can decide not to run diba, I can become a full-time wife, I can study. So I'm lucky to have such options, so it's a bit difficult to choose what will be or the path we will take,” she said.

Let's break down both of her statements.

"It's clear. Many more projects need to be done after 2025, there is only one person I can trust to do it and that is none other than my husband," the mayor said.

This is truly an atrocious comment illuminating her mindset. Do not forget Abby is a member of the Binay family which, along with the Dutertes, Cayetanos, and Marcoses, is one of the most corrupt political families in the nation. 

Why exactly does she trust ONLY her husband to be Mayor? Because he can complete the projects that SHE has planned for Makati. What a lot of hubris! Only the people can decide who will be the best mayor after her term ends. Surely there are more qualified candidates than her husband who just happens to be a current Congressman. Why would a Congressman want to step down and become Mayor? For the same reason Abby left the House of Representatives to become Mayor...POWER!

Abby is not sure what she will do next but one option is to run for Mayor of Taguig.

The lady mayor said she may have a decision by March on whether she will run for Taguig mayor in 2025 or not.

She also cited several options that make it difficult for her to decide what to do next.

“I can go national, I can run for Congress, I can run for the Senate, I can run for mayor, I can decide not to run diba, I can become a full-time wife, I can study. So I'm lucky to have such options, so it's a bit difficult to choose what will be or the path we will take,” she said.

Why in the world would she want to run for Mayor of Taguig? Again, the answer is POWER. But how could she even run for Mayor of Taguig when she is not a resident of Taguig? In order for her to establish residency she would need to resign from her current position.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1825327/serious-or-not-abby-binays-run-for-taguig-mayor-faces-rough-road

Binay has a “chance” of winning, Dr. Maria Ela Atienza, a professor of political science at the University of the Philippines Diliman, told INQUIRER.net, saying that should she win, she can “break the monopoly of the Cayetanos in Taguig.”

Atienza pointed out that Binay seeking election in Taguig is “entirely possible,” explaining that for members of political dynasties, it is “usual to switch political posts because of the limit imposed on their terms.”

But in her possible bid to win Taguig, having enough votes is not the only thing to consider, with election lawyer Emil Marañon III saying that there are certain qualifications that should be met.

Marañon told INQUIRER.net that should Binay decide to seek Taguig’s highest post, “the most material qualifications [that should be considered], I think, are the ones related to being a registered voter and a resident.”

As stated in the Local Government Code of the Philippines, for someone who has the intention to seek election as mayor of a highly urbanized city, he or she should be:

• a citizen of the Philippines
• 23 years old on election day
• able to read and write Filipino or any other language or dialect
• a registered voter in the city where he or she intends to be elected
• a resident of the city for at least one year

It was pointed out by Marañon that the two latter qualifications would require Binay to resign as mayor of Makati, saying that being a resident and registered voter is a “continuing requirement” for an incumbent mayor.

This, as he said if Binay will have her voter registration transferred from Makati to Taguig without first resigning from her post, she can be liable “because she is no longer satisfying the requirement that she should be a registered voter of Makati.”

As for the residency requirement, Marañon said Binay should already be a resident of Taguig by May 2024, however, he said the Comelec has been consistent that one cannot establish a new residence while he or she is an incumbent official.

If she does decide to run for Mayor of Taguig and thus resigns Abby Binay will show beyond all doubt she does not care about the people. The citizens of Makati elected her as Mayor and it is incumbent upon her to fulfill her term. But what does loyalty to the people matter when her family can begin a new reign just a few Barangays away? 

In 2022 the Supreme Court decided with finality that ten Makati Barangays actually belonged to Taguig.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/27/sc-affirms-rtc-ruling-for-taguig-city-in-territorial-dispute-with-makati-city/

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the 2011 Pasig City regional trial court (RTC) ruling which declared the 729-hectare Bonifacio Global City Complex and several barangays in Makati City as owned by Taguig City government.

In a decision released on Wednesday, April 27, the SC ruled that based on historical, documentary, and testimonial evidence, the contested areas fall within the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City.

The decision, written by Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, declared permanent the 1994 injunction issued by the Pasig City RTC which stopped the Makati City government “from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory Parcels 3 and 4, Psu 2031, comprising Fort Bonifacio, including the so-called Inner Fort comprising of Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo.”

The Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, JUSMAG area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village and the so-called six villages are situated in the said areas.

With Abby as Mayor of Taguig and her husband as Mayor of Makati the Binay family will be in control of a two municipalities. What is there for her to lose? 

As with any election it is the people who will decide her fate. Abby is at least honest enough to state that she is not familiar with Taguig.

"I have yet to decide because this will be a hard and heavy task — running for Taguig — because first of all I am not familiar with the place."

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1820836/to-run-for-mayor-in-taguig-is-an-option-says-abby-binay

But with Taguig now being in possession of 10 former Makati Barangays, which translates to roughly 300,000 people, she might be a shoo-in. 

It's all about power with these families. It is not about the people. If it were about the people then she would not even contemplate running for Mayor of Taguig while having her husband as Mayor of Makati. Truly Abby Binay is the ultimate toxic Philippine politician. 

Insurgency: Marcos In Dreamland

A few weeks ago the AFP declared there are not more active guerrilla fronts in the Philippines. In a weekly talk on his Facebook page President Marcos repeated this declaration. The CPP-NPA says he is living in dreamland. 

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/15/cpp-npa-marcos-guerrilla-fronts.html

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was dreaming when he claimed that its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), no longer has active guerrilla fronts in the country.

"Marcos Jr is in dreamland when he claims there are no more active NPA guerrilla fronts. The NPA remains active in 14 regional commands across the country each with a number of guerrilla fronts," CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena told CNN Philippines on Sunday.

The CPP's statement was a response to Marcos' earlier pronouncement that there are no more active NPA guerilla fronts as of December 2023 after government forces neutralized some 1,400 members of extremist groups. 

"If Marcos's declarations were true, why is it that around 60-70,000 military and police combat troops (or around 150 battalions of AFP and PNP counterinsurgency units) remain deployed against the NPA across the country?" Valbuena said. "Why do they continue to squander hundreds of millions of pesos to drop bombs and fire their howitzers?"

The CPP official said Marcos made the declarations to play to the desires of foreign investors, whom, Valbuena said, the president "desperately wants to entice with promises of unlimited access to the country's land and natural resources".

Valbuena added that while the NPA suffered setbacks over the past years, it is "far from defeated" and remains determined to thwart the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) "brutal offensives."

"The NPA continues to carry out guerrilla maneuvers to break out of the AFP's encirclement, to quietly build a bigger mass base and expand its guerrilla fronts," he added.

Despite the AFP's alleged bloody campaign of state terrorism in the countryside, taking away peasant farms and ancestral land, Valbuena stressed that the Filipino people, especially the peasant masses, continue to support and join the NPA to defend their economic and political rights.

"The NPA will make sure that it will outlast Marcos, just like it outlasted his father and all the governments of the past 35 years who all bragged of crushing the NPA," he said.

The National Security Council strongly disagrees saying the NPA is no longer a force to be reckoned with. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/15/npa-is-no-longer-a-force-to-reckon-with-says-nsc-exec

The New People's Army (NPA) is no longer considered a force to reckon with by the national government after it supposedly lost its support from the mass, an official of the National Security Council (NSC) said Monday, Jan. 15.

NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya made the remark after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared that there are no longer active NPA guerilla fronts in the country.

However, there remains 13 "weakened" guerilla fronts, or those that lost their mass base support, because of focus military operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and socio-economic intervention programs by the government.

"They are no longer considered a force to reckon with because they are classified as weakened which means they lost support from the mass)," Malaya said in a radio interview with dzBB.

"They are no longer a significant threat," he added.

According to data from the AFP, 76 out of the total 89 guerilla fronts have been dismantled by the military as of 2023.

Last year, a total of 1,399 members of communists and local terrorists groups were neutralized while 1,751 firearms were seized by government troops.

Even if the weakened guerilla fronts manage to regroup, Malaya believes that it will be difficult for them to be as powerful as before since they already lost most of their leaders, particularly Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Ma. "Joma" Sison who died in 2022.

"I think the Philippine government is in a better position to demand from them kasi nga may leverage tayo ngayon (because we have a leverage now). Pansin naman ng ating mga kababayan na obviously talagang panalo na tayo (The people obviously know that we are the victors here)," Malaya said.

While the NSC says there are 13 weakened fronts the AFP says there are only 11.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1889572/only-eleven-weakened-npa-guerrilla-fronts-are-left-says-brawner

The number of guerrilla fronts of communist New People’s Army (NPA) has declined from 13 to 11.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the decrease was reported to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The Commander in Chief attended the military command conference at AFP Commissioned Officers Club House at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon city on Monday.

“It was announced that there were 13 (weakened guerrilla fronts),” Brawner said in an ambush interview after the event.

“In our presentation this morning, we presented to the President that from the 13th, it’s now down to 11,” he told reporters.

Now that the NPA is weakened the NTF-ELCAC says it is timely to shift focus to external threats. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217076

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday backed the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) shift of its focus to territorial or external defense amid the waning threat of communist insurgency.

"Indeed, the NTF-ELCAC is fully supporting the defense sector to transition from internal security operations to external defense," the task force said in a social media post.

"What’s left now of the NPA are just small teams engaging in pure banditry. We commend the active participation of local government units in eliminating communist terrorist groups in their communities," the NTF-ELCAC added.

"So we gave a new set of targets to our commanders for them in order for us to totally defeat the communist terrorist group, by doing that we will be able to shift now to territorial defense," AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. noted, adding that he cannot make this public for security reasons.

Brawner also said the AFP will try to defeat the remaining NPA forces within the year. 

The first month of the year is a little more than half over and already the AFP is promising to defeat the NPA by year's end. 

Whether that happens or not the Army is committed to making Negros Island insurgency free. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217057

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) remained firm in its goal to end the local communist armed conflict in Negros Island after receiving recognition from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its successful peace campaign in its area of operations.

In a statement on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of 3ID, said the campaign streamer award given to its units, 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) and 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), is a “solid testament to our unwavering efforts to achieve peace and prosperity in the island,” highlighted by the dismantling of all five New People’s Army (NPA) guerilla fronts in Negros as of the end of 2023.

“This recognition is a source of our endless commitment and dedication to liberate Negrenses from the shackles of insurgency,” he said.

AFP commander-in-chief, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., presented the awards to Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303IBde, and Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, commanding officer of 94IB, during the AFP Year-End 2023 Command Conference held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday.

The said units were awarded, specifically for dismantling guerrilla fronts, and significantly contributing to the AFP’s overall victory against communist terrorist groups.

In Negros, the 303IBde and the 94IB dismantled the Central Negros 2 of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor last Dec. 21, following the dismantling of the first three, including the South East Front, Northern Negros Front and Central Negros 1.

The remaining South West Front, already considered “weakened,” has also been recommended by the 3ID for a formal declaration of being dismantled by the AFP Visayas Command and the Joint Peace Security and Coordinating Committee.

Edralin, whose unit is based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, thanked the AFP leadership for recognizing the relentless efforts of the troops in Negros in ending the decades-long insurgency.

“This award is also a triumph for all Negrenses who have been our partners in all our endeavors. It is also a testament to our genuine commitment to end the local communist armed conflict. We will continue our efforts until Negros Island is declared insurgency-free,” he added.

The war is not over, the gains have not been sustained over a long period of time, and the Army is already handing out awards. Note that the AFP says the South West Front is considered weakened but is now being recommended "for a formal declaration of being dismantled." On what basis?

Davao has been declared insurgency free since October, 2022 and yet the AFP is still working to sustain the gains. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216937

The 10th Infantry Division (I0ID) and the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao (OPAMINE) have vowed to further strengthen efforts in sustaining the peace gains of being an insurgency-free Davao region.

Maj. Mark Anthony Tito, the 10ID spokesperson, said the exertions of their unit include focused military operations, conduct of localized peace engagement, and strengthened integrated territorial defense system (ITDS).

“We also conducted information and education campaigns and outreach programs with stakeholders to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) as well as conducted sectoral engagement activities including Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities,” Tito said in an interview on Monday.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Allan Hambala, 10ID commander, said he and Secretary Leo Tesoro Magno have already discussed the assistance that the OPAMINE could extend to the military unit.

For instance, Hamabala said ground troops need support for their training and supplies to further boost their morale while on the field.

Being the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for the Davao Region, Magno acknowledged that maintaining the region as insurgency-free is a gargantuan task not just for the security forces but the entire populace as well.

On Jan. 8, Magno also met with Philippine Army chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, to map out security measures and other programs for the region that would contribute to peace stability, order, and security.

“The strategic planning meeting was intended to help the security forces in Davao region strengthen their measures in maintaining peace in the area,” Magno said.

It seems what peace there is, is fragile and the insurgency is ready to break out at any minute if the Army is not conducting peace initiatives. 

The fight continues despite awards ceremonies and declarations of peace. The Army recently captured an NPA camp.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/16/army-captures-npa-camp-in-negros-occidental

The Army 79th Infantry Battalion captured a New People’s Army (NPA) camp in an encounter in the hinterlands of Sitio Martesan, Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Monday, January 15.

Several firearms and war materiel were recovered after the gun battle with about eight remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front, NNF (D), Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS). 

Retrieved were a .30 Garand rifle, a Carbine rifle, a .38 caliber revolver, long and short magazine for Carbine rifle, a magazine for Garand rifle, two rifle grenades, 21 ammunition for Carbine rifle, five ammunition for Garand rifle, two ammunition for .38 caliber, assorted medicines, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and personal belongings. 

Capt. Dan Carlo Samoza, 79th IB civil-military operations (CMO) officer, said soldiers were conducting operations to hunt down a group of NPA rebels tagged behind the killings in the town and neighboring areas when the firefight broke out. 

This NPA band killed  businessman Juvinie Sarona in Toboso town, Negros Occidental early this month, according to the 3rd Infantry Division (ID). 

Samoza said no casualty was recorded on the government side but bloodstains were found on the withdrawal route of the NPA. 

The Army had earlier vowed to bring justice to Sarona and his family and hunt down the perpetrators behind the killings. 

“We attribute these successful operations to the vigilance and cooperation of the Negrenses,” said Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, in a statement. 

With their strong support, your Army and PNP, will not rest until justice is served to the bereaved family of Sarona and other victims of NPA killings in Negros, Sison added.

Another NPA leader has been killed in a firefight with the AFP.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216941

A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) died in a clash with government troops in Barangay Togawe, Gubat town in Sorsogon province over the weekend.

In an interview on Monday, Maj. Frank Roldan, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) spokesperson, identified the slain as Baltazar Hapa (alias Patrick), commanding officer of NPA's Komiteng Larangang Guerilla 1, Sub-regional Committee 3.

"The encounter occurred Sunday evening, as the government forces conducted a hot pursuit operation related to an earlier clash in Barangay Sangat, Gubat, Sorsogon, which occurred on Sunday afternoon. The firefight from both sides lasted for 25 minutes, resulting in the death of Hapa and the seizure of an M4 rifle, magazines, and improvised explosive device," Roldan said.

No casualties were recorded on the government side during the operation

Funny how the AFP says the NPA is leaderless yet the keep killing leaders!