Filipinos Prepare for Trump 2.0

Filipinos both in the Philippines and the USA are preparing for Trump's second term as President. His cornerstone proposal is to put a halt to illegal immigration and deport all illegal aliens currently living in the USA. Illegal Filipinos are being urged to self-deport.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/11/08/2398606/philippine-ambassador-warns-mass-deportation-under-trump

The Philippines' ambassador to the United States has called on undocumented Filipino workers there to start the process of obtaining legal status before US President-elect Donald Trump assumes office next year. 

With an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 undocumented Filipinos currently in the US, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez advised them to immediately seek legal aid or face deportation, which could permanently bar them from re-entry.

Trump secured a return to the White House in a decisive electoral victory earlier this week after leading a campaign that promised "the largest deportation effort in American history." 

On Friday, November 8, Trump told NBC News that his administration has "no choice" but to carry out that promise and that it will not have a price tag.  

"My advice to many of our fellow men who actually are still here but cannot get any kind of status, my advice is for them not to wait to be deported," Romualdez said in a forum with international and local media on Friday.

The ambassador said it is likely that Trump will proceed with his plans of deporting illegal immigrants en masse. But this will "take a lot of resources," he added.

The increased exchange of information among American immigration authorities now makes it nearly impossible for undocumented individuals to remain undetected, Romualdez said.

He estimated that nine out of 10 "TNTs" (tago nang tago or always hiding) — a term coined for Filipinos abroad who are in hiding or overstaying — "will be discovered at some form or another." Different US departments from immigration to the transportation security administration (TSA) are now interconnected, he added.

"Plus, anybody can just simply send a picture of you or whoever it is to the [US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.] That's the one that goes after illegal immigrants, and then you have a problem," Romualdez said.

The Philippine ambassadors advice to self-deport comes with the caveat "if you cannot get any kind of status." Lucky for all those illegals the Pilipino Worker's Center is holding free legal clinics to educate illegal Filipino aliens of their rights. You see, they can't simply be deported. 

https://usa.inquirer.net/160023/mass-deportation-help-hotline-free-legal-clinics-for-undocumented-filipinos

The Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) has announced initiatives to support undocumented Filipinos as Donald Trump’s return to the presidency sparks anxiety among immigrant communities.

“(Trump’s) return is causing a lot of anxiety, fear and stress among many in our communities,” said PWC Executive Director Aquilina Soriano Versoza during a virtual post-election town hall Friday night.

“We gather here to prepare to protect and stand strong for our communities, especially the immigrant families.”

PWC announced the launch of a rapid response hotline that undocumented Filipinos can call for deportation defense.

The center will also hold free legal clinics and “Immigration Know Your Rights” trainings, and launch new communications plans “to make sure that our community is able to have up-to-date information.”

Versoza has urged undocumented immigrants “not to panic and self-isolate” and to make sure they are “connected to reliable information.”

She reminded undocumented immigrants that “ICE can’t just deport you…there’s a legal process and that’s why it’s important to connect to legal support.”

Versoza also stressed that undocumented immigrants should not feel they need to voluntarily leave the United States to avoid deportation as “they have rights and don’t need to leave.”

She was reacting to the statement of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez advising undocumented Filipinos to voluntarily leave the US instead of facing deportation.

“There are real economic reasons why (undocumented immigrants) are here,” she said. “They don’t have to self-deport. There are resources…and pathways to citizenship and we’re ready to support the immigrant community.”

PWC is preparing for their legal advisors “to be paired” with their 24/7 rapid response hotline, Versoza said.

Perla Santos, one of the more than 100 town hall participants, shared that “many of our kababayans are feeling downhearted” in the face of Trump’s mass deportation plan and the shifting immigration policies.

“We’re not liabilities. We are assets,” Santos said, bewailing Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Looks like there is no need for illegal Filipino aliens to panic. The PWC has their back. All they have to do is reach out and grab that lifeline. 

Trump's 2nd term is also being seen as bad for remittances. This would seem to be related to the mass deportations of illegal Filipino aliens but this article does not make that very clear. 

https://business.inquirer.net/489317/trump-2-0-seen-bad-for-ph-remittances

Remittances to the Philippines and receipts from the business process outsourcing sector could take a hit from US President-elect Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, while the possibility of diminished security support from Washington could stir up more tensions in the West Philippine Sea, said Japanese investment bank Nomura.

Those are the channels where the Philippines is most vulnerable after Trump won the race to the White House again following a divisive Nov. 5 election.

Zooming out, Nomura said in a commentary that Trump 2.0 will be negative for growth in Southeast Asia, albeit at varying degrees.

“The Philippines does not have a similar cushion and will be at risk from the impact on workers’ remittances from a possible tightening of US immigration policy and on the outsourcing sector,” Nomura said.

“Increased geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea due to the lack of US security support could put the Philippines on the front line. This could be an issue for the broader region, if China’s assertiveness in the disputed waters intensifies,” it added.

There are thousands if not millions of legal Filipinos in the USA working in every sector sending big bucks to the Philippines. What are they worried about exactly. Besides this just goes to show how fake much of the Philippine economy is as it relies so much on remittances.

Senator Escudero is urging the government to prepare for a Trump presidency. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/255157/escudero-urges-ph-govt-prepare-for-trump-presidency

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday urged the national government to start preparing for potential policy shifts in the US with the looming fresh administration of  Donald Trump.

Escudero referred to Trump as a “major macroeconomic assumption” that the Philippines must be “one step ahead” because his moves as US president would impact not only Americans but also Filipinos.

He pointed out how Trump has always been transparent about his plans as US president, encouraging the Philippine government to assess his promises and see how they would affect the Philippines.

“From trade to security to immigration, what he said he plans to do, some on day one of his administration, would certainly impact us,” the Senate president stressed.

For one, Escudero pointed out Trump’s commitment to carry out mass deportation of illegal immigrants. The Senate leader noted there are 300,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US.

“How many of the estimated 300,000 vulnerable Filipinos will be in the first wave of expulsion?” Escudero asked.

According to the Senate president, even if the US deported only one percent of the 300,000, it would already require 10 big airplanes.

He also suggested that the national government think about how Trump plans to impose high tariff walls and how it would affect the Philippine economy, especially how almost $1 of every $7 in its economy comes from its trade with the US.

“If because of him the dollar will strengthen, what effect will it have on us if it causes the peso to weaken? The value of our foreign debt is sure to balloon,” Escudero said in mixed Filipino and English.

Escudero further urged the national government to revisit the US-Philippines relations, noting that the alliance was only boosted because of the Biden administration.

“On the security front, will a second Trump administration be hawkish or dovish against China?  We must be ready in case they have a new position in Washington,” he said.

“There is no reason for the Philippine government to be caught flatfooted and stand helpless as the ground beneath it caves in,” he added.

Escudero is out of his mind! He's thinking too much about all those illegal Filipino aliens that might be deported calling them "vulnerable." Is he going to stop the Philippines' deportation of illegal aliens who are here to work, most notably the Chinese? Of course not. 

As for his questioning as to whether or not Trump will be hawkish or dovish against China, has he listened to a single thing Trump has said? US-Philippine relations weren't boosted becasue of Biden. They were great under Trump who was a good friend of Duterte. He even visited the Philippines in 2017 for the ASEAN meeting. EDCA was signed into law while Trump was President. 

Ambassador Romualdez has a different take on Philppine-US relations under Trump. 

https://www.reuters.com/world/philippines-confident-us-alliance-under-trump-amid-china-tensions-envoy-says-2024-11-07/

The Philippines expects U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific and support for its treaty ally amid South China Sea tensions to remain steady under Donald Trump, driven by bipartisan resolve in Washington, its ambassador to the U.S. said on Thursday.

Both Democrats and Republicans prioritise countering China’s influence, including in the South China Sea, Jose Manuel Romualdez said, suggesting that military cooperation, economic ties and security commitments with the Philippines will continue.

"It is in their interest that the Indo-Pacific region remains free, peaceful and stable, especially given the economic part of it, with trillions of dollars passing through the South China Sea," Romualdez told Reuters in an interview.

U.S.-Philippine security engagements have deepened under President Joe Biden and Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with both leaders keen to counter what they see as China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.

Marcos said in a congratulatory message after Trump's victory: "I am hopeful that this unshakeable alliance, tested in war and peace, will be a force of good that will blaze a path of prosperity and amity, in the region, and in both sides of the Pacific."

Under Marcos, the Philippines has increased the number of its bases accessible to U.S. forces to nine from five, some facing the South China Sea, where China has built artificial islands equipped with runways and missile systems.

The U.S. has proposed $128 million for infrastructure improvements at those bases, in addition to a $500 million pledge for the Philippine military and coastguard.

Romualdez expressed confidence that these commitments, including joint U.S.-Philippine maritime exercises that began last year, would continue under Trump.

"We have very strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress where the money comes from. Every single one of our friends in the Republican side has signified their concern and strong support for whatever we're doing right now in relation to the challenges we face with China today," Romualdez said.

He suggested potential changes under Trump would be "minimal" and could even be favourable.

During Trump's previous term, the U.S. dispelled any doubts about its defence commitments when then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured Manila in 2019 that Washington would defend its ally if attacked in the South China Sea, reinforcing the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. 

Beijing claims much of the South China Sea, where about $3 trillion in ship-borne trade passes annually, with the area becoming a flashpoint for Chinese and U.S. tensions around naval operations. There have been recent clashes over territorial claims between China and the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Romualdez emphasized Manila's intent to manage disputes peacefully, and "will continue to dialogue with China as long as it's not detrimental to our interests."

"We're not at war," Romualdez said, adding there are many areas where Philippines and China can work with.

How much more reasonable is Romualdez thats Escudero. It seems Chiz forgot he was a Senator during Trump's first term and everything was fine.

President Marcos has assured the nation PH-US relations will be normal under Trump. After all he did get the overwhelming support of the Filipinos-AM community.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/255960/marcos-calls-to-congratulate-trump-cites-fil-am-votes-he-got

President Marcos said he had personally congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump in a “very friendly and productive” phone call on Tuesday morning, where he expressed his desire to see the Philippine-American alliance enduring under Trump’s second term.

Marcos said he reminded the incoming Republican president that Filipino Americans “overwhelmingly voted for him” and that “I’m sure he will remember that when we see each other.’’

“I expressed to him our continuing desire to strengthen that relationship between our two countries, which is a relationship that is as deep as can possibly be—because it has been for a very long time,” Mr. Marcos said.

“[I]t was a very good call; it was a very friendly call, very productive. And I am glad that I was able to do it, and I think President-elect Trump was also happy to hear from the Philippines.”

The conversation, he said, did not touch on Trump’s immigration policy, a key issue of his campaign that can potentially affect the Fil-Am community.

“We didn’t talk about that. It was just a congratulatory call,’’ he said when asked if the subject came up. “But, of course, our ambassador (to Washington, Jose Manuel Romualdez) is already working on that.”

“The overwhelming support of Filipinos in the United States on your triumphant win is a testament to the deep and enduring friendship between our nations.”

Democrats and liberals in the USA are losing their minds over Trump's election and Filipinos also seem to be losing their minds or are at least being cautious. But there is nothing to worry about. Philippine-US relations were great under Trump. Mass deportation of illegal Filipino aliens won't be so easy and there is legal help available for them. Remittances will likely not change because there are many legal Filipinos slaving away for their deadbeat families in the Philippines. It's very doubtful Trump 2.0 will change the status quo.

Philippines Wants to Sue the World For Typhoon Damage

In one of the most ridiculous political maneuvers ever made the Philippines Ambassador to the United Nations demanded the world pay reparations to the Philippines for all the damage caused by recent typhoons. Why? Climate change. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/climate-and-environment/2024/12/04/2404974/internationally-wrongful-act-govt-demands-legal-remedy-climate-change-damages-top-un-court

The Philippine government asserted before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Tuesday, December 3, that countries most responsible for driving climate change are committing an "internationally wrongful act."

It called on these nations to provide reparations, marking one of the Marcos Jr. administration’s boldest statements on climate justice.

At the landmark climate change hearings in The Hague, Netherlands, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra emphasized that the Philippines' position is to hold nations accountable for the largest contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Philippines submits that any act or omission attributable to a state which results or has resulted in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions over time, thereby causing climate change, is a breach of a state's obligation under international law,” he said. 

Guevarra presented the escalating climate challenges faced by the Philippines, including record-breaking heat and increasingly severe storms.

He referred to the recent train of cyclones, many of which were super typhoons, which battered regions with no memory of strong storms. Guevarra also mentioned how the country reached 55°Celsius in May this year. Both have caused several class suspensions.    

For 16 consecutive years, the Philippines has been ranked the most disaster-prone country on the World Risk Index, with its score worsening slightly in 2024.

Guevarra also said that nations failing to “faithfully conform to their international obligations” under existing laws, conventions and treaties established with the United Nations are committing an “internationally wrongful act.”

“The commission of such internationally wrongful act triggers state responsibility with its necessary consequences, and carries with it the obligation of the responsible state to cease the wrongful conduct and make full reparation therefore,” he said. 

Examples of legally binding international agreements include the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted by nearly 200 nations. 

The Paris Agreement, ratified in 2015, compels countries to cooperate in limiting the rise in global average temperatures to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

Meanwhile, the UNFCCC places the burden of responsibility on developed, heavily industrialized countries, as they are the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions inducing global warming.

As developing countries like the Philippines are disproportionately affected by climate change, Guevarra argued that countries should have the right to “demand the enforcement of remedial actions.” 

This could include ceasing the “internationally wrongful act” and obtaining reparations for the damages caused, he added.

An international legal remedy. Drawing on the Philippine legal concept of the Writ of Kalikasan, which safeguards environmental rights, Guevarra suggested that the ICJ consider a similar international remedy.

He said that the Philippines “has no inch of doubt” that international law imposes a broader responsibility on countries contributing to climate change, stressing that these nations can do more to reduce their emissions.

Acknowledging that climate change is also caused by goals of economic development, Guevarra said that a country “must operate within a paradigm of non-compromise.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Representative to the UN Carlos Sorreta said that climate change does not only affect the environment but it is also a “serious threat to [the] maintenance of peace and security.”  

“Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and resource scarcity fueled by the climate crisis destabilize regions, exacerbate conflicts, displace peoples, and imperil sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Sorreta added. 

Amid threats to its territorial waters, including the West Philippine Sea, Sorreta also said the fundamental role of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration ruling also mandates protection from “future damage and preservation.”

“States are bound to address the climate crisis within a legal framework that maintains peace and security, respects sovereignty, and upholds human rights,” he said. 

The ICJ, in the biggest case on climate change to date, began hearing arguments from 98 countries and 12 international organizations on Monday, December 2.

This is totally ridiculous. The world's top biggest polluters are China, the USA, and India. Does the Philippines really expect to receive reparations from China and India? The USA already gives the Philippines billions each year and always renders aid after typhoons. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238119

The United States (US) has pledged USD1 million in humanitarian funding to the Philippines after a series of typhoons battered parts of the archipelago.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin III made the announcement Monday in a courtesy call to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

Austin offered the US’ condolences to the victims of the six typhoons in the Philippines, which all hit the country within weeks.

He assured that the US, as the Philippines’ longstanding ally, is ready to assist Filipinos.

“I have authorized US troops and all the Philippine forces to provide life-saving aid to the Filipino people. The US have also secured another million dollar in urgent humanitarian aid and that will enhance the work of the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and the World Food Programme,” he said.

The real issue is the Philippines is so backwards, corrupt, and broken that the government cannot build proper infrastructure to prevent massive flooding and landslides. They also cannot provide housing to house people in safe areas. It's not climate change that is causing the damage to the Philippines. It's an inept government that is the problem. 

Living in a War Zone is Preferable to Living in the Philippines

The war in Israel which began last October 7th has now expanded to Lebanon. OFWs in the country are being urged to avail of the government's repatriation plan but many are refusing to return. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/27/they-rather-die-in-war-than-in-hunger-ph-gov-t-faces-difficulty-convincing-filipinos-in-lebanon-to-go-home

The Philippine government is having difficulty convincing ​Filipinos in Lebanon to be repatriated ​despite start of Tel Aviv's continued bombard​ment on the country, stoking fear of a regional tension.

​It was not only with Palestine-based Hamas that Israel is in conflict.

​Currently, the Jewish state ​is fighting two more rebel groups: the Yemen-based Houthis and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah, who are​ both sympathizers of the Palestinian people.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Beirut have already advised the 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon to avail of the repatriation being offered by the government; but only a handful wants to leave the country.

"They will only decide to leave when the situation is so bad, when the war is at their doorsteps, saka lang magpapa-repatriate (they will only ask for repatriation)," Philippine Ambassador in Lebanon Raymond Balatbat said in a press briefing.

From a thousand who initially applied for repatriation, only half want to push through after the remaining withdrew their application.

"The mentality is they (would) rather take their chances here than go home," Balatbat said.

According to him, most of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are refusing to go home are "the old timers," who have been through various wars.

They are saying that "they've seen it all and they survived. There's also an "element of loyalty to their employers," added Balatbat.

"They would always tell me that their employers are there for them. So they do not have any fear," Balatbat said.

For Filipinos abroad, they think that "it's better to die in war than to die in hunger in the Philippines," added DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega.

What more is there to say? These words speak for themselves. The Philippines is so awful these people would rather live in a war zone than return. It's doubtful the government will do a bit of self-reflection about the matter but that's life. That's life in the Philippines. 

Stopping The Taylor Swift-Ready Entertainment Complex Won't Save the Philippines' Education System

The Philippines missed out on Taylor Swift's worldwide tour in 2024. That is due wholly to the fact that Singapore contracted with Taylor Swift to hold concerts in Southeast Asia exclusively in Singapore. However, the Philippines hopes to attract Taylor Swift with a brand new entertainment complex.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/12/philippines-is-taylor-swift-ready-by-2028-ciac-exec-says

The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) is now on the process of receiving proposals for the construction of an entertainment and event center that may encourage pop icon Taylor Swift to consider Philippines in her next round of world tour. 

“By 2028, we will be Taylor Swift-ready,” said CIAC president and chief executive officer Arrey A. Perez during the Build Better More Infrastructure Forum at the New Clark City in Tarlac on Friday, July 12.

In planning on Taylor Swift for the construction of its entertainment and even center, Perez explained that the intention is to showcase the flagship projects that will transform the Civil Aviation Complex into an Airport City.

Perez revealed that at least three investors have already shown interest in building the entertainment and event center— a Singaporean company, a US company and local firm— with some of the investors planning to join forces in building the facility. 

The beauty of the planned entertainment and event center that they are planning to build, according to Perez, is that it would just be a walking distance from the Clark International Airport.

“You will not see that in other countries. Just imagine that after the plane lands, you will just walk—no traffic hassle— to the concert of Taylor Swift,” said Perez.

But that's if, and only, if they would be able to convince Taylor Swift to hold a concert in the Philippines as Perez himself said that Singapore has already bought the exclusivity of her concerts in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines was not included in the recent Eras Tour of Taylor Swift that prompted Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey  Salceda to complain and later asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to question the Singapore's exclusivity contract. 

The CIAC head, however, is optimistic: “We will court her because we are aware of the restrictions. But I hope that by that time we build our complex, and we are ready to host her, she would agree because the Philippines has been a music-loving country.”

Perez said the plan on an entertainment and event center started in November last year and by next year if they would receive the proposal before the end of 2024, they are expecting the signing of the contract with the private company that would be chosen to build the facility.

“Give us six to nine months to process the proposal and signing of contract definitely happens next year,’ said Perez.

“And the construction immediately starts by 2025, then you have two to three years to build this entertainment complex,” he added.

Perez said the plan is for the entertainment and event center to have 25,000 to 35,000 capacity since it is the ideal seating capacity based on their study.

Isn't it great that a whole new entertainment complex is being built with one entertainer in mind? The Alliance of Concerned Teachers says "no." They think the money would be better spent on education.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/21/group-criticizes-government-for-prioritizing-taylor-swift-ready-stadium-over-education-needs

Calling it a “gross misplacement” of priorities amidst the country's worsening education crisis, a group of education workers on Sunday, July 21, strongly criticized the government's plan to build a Taylor Swift-ready stadium at Clark Airport.

“As we approach Brigada Eskwela next week, it's appalling to see the government prioritizing a concert venue over the urgent needs of our education system," said Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Chairperson Vladimer Quetua in a statement.

"This decision clearly demonstrates how out of touch our leaders are with the realities faced by millions of Filipino students and teachers,” he added.

Quetua emphasized the stark contrast between the proposed stadium project and the severe shortages plaguing the education sector.

The country’s basic education system, Quetua said, is “facing a staggering shortage” of 165,000 classrooms and over 100,000 teachers.

“Add to that the persistent backlogs in learning materials for the coming school year,” Quetua said. “These are the real issues that demand immediate attention and resources from our government," he added.

Quetua also questioned the wisdom of investing in infrastructure that primarily caters to entertainment when basic educational needs remain unmet.

"How can we justify building a stadium for international pop stars when our own children are crammed into dilapidated classrooms if they're lucky enough to have classrooms at all?” he asked. “This project may benefit a few, but it's certainly not addressing the needs of the majority of our people, especially our students,” he added.

ACT then called on the government to “reassess its priorities and redirect funds” towards addressing the critical shortages in education.

"Instead of dreaming about Taylor Swift concerts, our government should be losing sleep over how to provide quality education to every Filipino child,” Quetua said.

“We demand that they cancel this misguided project and channel those resources into building classrooms, hiring teachers, and producing learning materials. That's the kind of 'infrastructure' our nation truly needs,” he added.

Bluntly stated money will NOT save the Philippine education system. While it is important to have classrooms and books if the teachers are not of high calibre then the education will be no good. Take the instance of this newly minted teacher. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/22/failure-not-an-option-five-time-antipolenyo-let-taker-finally-becomes-licensed-teacher

A 40-year-old mother from Antipolo City did not just become famous because of a now viral TikTok video. 

She also became a true testament to hard work and perseverance after finally achieving her dream of becoming a licensed teacher despite taking the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for five times.

Theresa Abibas, a resident of Barangay Mayamot, captured the hearts of netizens after being featured in a TikTok video where she was seen crying with joy after passing the March 2024 LET while riding a public utility jeepney (PUJ).

"According to Theresa, this is her fifth time taking the board exam after first taking it in 2005. She tried to take the exam again together with her sibling the following year but unfortunately, she had once again failed it while her sibling passed," Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares said Monday, July 22.

Abibas said that it took her another three years to once again try to take the LET. However, she also failed on her third attempt.

"Despite failing to pass the board exam on her first three tries, Theresa did not failed in giving her family a comfortable and happy life by focusing on her work to provide for her children," Ynares said.

After 13 years of putting her dream on hold, Abibas' dream of passing the LET was once again reignited after her younger sibling passed the exam. This inspired her to once again take the board exam for the fourth time.

However, luck was still not on her side as she got a 74.4 percent rating, just shy of .6 percent for her to pass. This prompted her to enroll in the city government's review center to help her prepare for the March 2024 LET.

"Because of her financial constraints, we helped Theresa through our Review Assistance Program for board exam takers to pay for her review center fee," Ynares said, adding that in May of this year, Abibas finally passed the board exam.

Abibas is now working as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.

The mayor said Abibas expressed her wish to finish her masteral studies while also preparing herself and her documents for applying to the city's public schools.

"If ever she will continue her master's or PHD, the city government has financial assistance and scholarship programs available for those who wish to enter graduate school," he noted.

"We are so proud of you Theresa. Thank you for teaching us the beauty of determination, perseverance, and patience. Your story proves that if we keep trying, we will eventually succeed," the local chief said.

It took Theresa Abibas 5 times over 14 years to finally pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers. While her final score is not noted her fourth score was 74.4% just .6 points shy of passing. More than likely her passing score is not much better.

And the government of Antipolo City not only paid her exam fee but the local Barangay Chief congratulated her for "teaching us the beauty of determination, perseverance, and patience." He goes on to say, "Your story proves that if we keep trying, we will eventually succeed." 

No kidding if someone keeps at it they will likely meet their goals. But this is not a sporting event. This is a woman who will now be tasked with teaching children. It is a shame that she will be allowed to do so because her failure at the exam has showed she is unqualified. The DepEd needs to put a limit to the number of tries to weed out people like her. 

Could it be the reason she failed four times is because she obtained a poor education from a teacher who also took multiple attempts before passing the LET? Perhaps. One teacher took FOURTEEN ATTEMPTS before she BARELY PASSED with a score of 76.80%.

While building an entertainment complex just to attract Taylor Swift is unbelievably daft so is thinking tossing money at the DepEd will solve a single thing. It is past time for the DepEd to prevent test takers who fail the LET multiple times only to end up barely passing from becoming teachers. The majority of passers in 2022 were repeaters. 

It is further announced that of the 8,737 elementary teacher passers, 2,678 are first timers and 6,059 are repeaters. For the secondary teachers, 4,652 passers are first timers and 7,422 are repeaters.

https://www.prc.gov.ph/article/january-2022-results-licensure-examination-teachers-released-thirty-30-working-days/5508

But that won't happen. The DepEd won't act and the ACT won't speak up. Idiots who can barely pass the LET after multiple times will continue to be praised as paragons of perseverance. Filipino students will continue to be dumbed down as they are taught by those idiots. It is time to end this vicious circle of stupidity. 

The Philippine Government Cannot Afford to Upgrade the Military

The Philippine government has been upgrading the AFP for decades. Why has it taken so long? Why is the AFP still in need of upgrading? It turns out the government cannot afford to pay for the upgrade. That is why Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has gone hat in hand to he business sector asking for handouts. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1960274/gibo-asks-biz-leaders-help-finance-afp-upgrade

Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has sought the help of business leaders in crafting “creative financing solutions” to ease the financial burden on the government in implementing the military’s modernization program.

Speaking before members of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) in Taguig City on Wednesday, Teodoro highlighted the significant resources needed to fund the continuing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that must be balanced with the government’s mandate to spend for infrastructure, social services, education, and many other priorities.

“We need to find off-budget, nontraditional financing sources for modernization but not [based] on the model of the old BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Authority), where land was traded for modernization,” he said.

“Therefore, I ask your help for creative financing for us where we can spread out the terms of whatever financial arrangements we can make to limit the size of amortizations that the national government will make to make it more palatable,” he noted.

Teodoro also stressed the importance of the support of the private sector in the quest to develop a self-reliant defense posture “in order to deter—in order to prevent—those that would poach or appropriate the resources that rightly belong to future generations of Filipinos, not only us.”

“We will need your support in the future because this is a continuing struggle for our territorial integrity, sovereignty, and sovereign rights amid significant challenges to try not only to make our EEZ and other areas where we have jurisdiction smaller, to constrict it, but also weaken our resolve to stand up and resist attempts to change the narrative of what international law is and what belongs to the Filipinos,” he told the MAP members.

Off-budget, nontraditional financing sources? Creative financing? 

How is any of that legal? The government has a budget that not only must be approved by the President but is audited by the Commission on Audit to ensure funds are being procured and spent properly and within the confines of the law. There is no room for off-budget, nontraditional financing sources or creative financing. The fact that the Philippine government has to hold out its hat out to the private sector is shocking and goes to show this government simply cannot maintain the defense of the nation.

What about all the money and material given to the Philippines every single year by the United States of America? The US Senate is contemplating increasing the amount given to the Philippines from 40 million per year to 500 million per year.

 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225972

The United States Senate is waiting for a detailed analysis from the US Department of Defense (DOD) on the proposal to increase the annual USD40 million US military aid or Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to the Philippines to at least USD500 million.

Republican Senator William Francis Hagerty of Tennessee and Democrat Senator Tim Caine of Virginia proposed the Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act of 2024 (PERA) last April 10, which seeks to authorize a total of USD2.5 billion in FMF grant assistance to the Philippines for a span of five years, from 2025 to 2029.

In an interview at Fairmont Makati on Friday, US Senator Christopher Coons said he did not sign the bill as a co-sponsor due to “some debate about the absorption capacity of the Philippine military” for them to deploy USD2.5 billion in defense financing.

Coons is a member of the US Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees.

“I’m waiting to get the analysis of the US Department of Defense on whether we can allocate USD500 million a year. This would lock us into doing that for five years, I’d like to see us do it once and have it be successful,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

“To go from USD40 million to USD500 million in one year would be a significant move. My argument would be, let’s show that we can do that first,” he said.

Coons sees the bill as an important bipartisan indicator that there is support for the “deepening and strengthening” of the US-Philippines military partnership.

“I take it as a good sign, but I'd like to see us prove that we can actually do it. I am waiting to hear the analysis from the US Department of Defense about what the systems are, what's needed, on what timeline, and what can actually be absorbed,” he said.

Through the FMF, the measure aims to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program and allow the Philippines to safeguard its territorial sovereignty; improve maritime domain awareness; counter coercive military activities; and strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism, among others.

As of January 2024, the Philippines is the largest recipient of US grant assistance for defense capabilities in the Pacific region, according to the US Department of Commerce-International Trade Administration.

This increase is not a done deal but the Philippines already receives millions every year to support the AFP's modernization program. Note that Senator Coons says he is waiting for the analysis from the US DoD to learn "what can actually be absorbed." That means how much the Philippines can actually use for modernization without it ending up in the pockets of corrupt politicians and generals. The issue of corruption cannot be overstated.

President Marcos recently approved a P35 billion modernization program. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/02/2351946/marcos-jr-approves-military-procurement-wish-list

Amid continuing maritime aggression by China, President Marcos has approved a $35-billion budget to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the Philippine Navy getting the largest chunk to strengthen capabilities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The budget will be used to finance various acquisitions enumerated in a lengthy “wish list” submitted by the AFP to the President, and will be spread out over 10 years, Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said yesterday at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum.

“As to the proportion, I would say that the larger chunk goes to the Navy, and then the Air Force, and then the Army, and then the General Headquarters. Because the thrust now is already external. It says there that there are different capabilities that will allow the Philippine Navy to fight across a broad spectrum of warfare,” he said.

Trinidad explained that broad spectrum warfare refers to air, surface, sub-surface and electronic spectrum.

“So our ships or our capabilities, including those on land, should have the capability to fight in the air, on land, on surface, at sea and sub-surface undersea, and of course in the electronic spectrum,” he said.

“The details of this are with the Department of National Defense and they will determine which will be prioritized, where and how will it be acquired and how it will be developed. Will it be bought? Will it be manufactured locally, so that the local labor force can be utilized and the money will be spent here? So we are thankful that the AFP is fully supported,” he added.

WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad says with this program "the AFP is fully supported." Even more so with the millions in aid given by the US each year to support the modernization program.

So, why exactly is Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. asking for handouts from the business community? Where is the money really going?

Filipino Man, 26, Wins P10,000 for Getting Circumcised

 What would you do for P10,000? One 26-year-old man was willing to get circumcised.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/22/man-26-earns-p10-000-cash-for-being-oldest-to-be-circumcised-in-lapu-lapu-city

No guts, no cash.

Such was the case for a 26-year-old man in Lapu-Lapu City who received P10,000 for being the oldest individual who was circumcised during the “Operasyon Libreng Tuli” (Operation Free Circumcision) in Lapu-Lapu City on Friday, June 21.

Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan identified the man as a certain Alfredo Jr., a resident of Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu.

Chan handed the P10,000 cash to Alfredo, who was among the 1,350 individuals who availed of the free circumcision spearheaded by volunteer schools and the Department of Health-Central Visayas.

"Alfredo is very lucky. Aside from becoming a real man, he also got P10,000!,” Chan said.

Chan said Binibining Lapu-Lapu 2023 Cheron Kisses Co was also there to assist Alfredo during the circumcision.

Free ice cream and burgers were  given to those who were circumcised at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu.

With the theme “Transforming lives, one cut at a time,” the city government started the free circumcision last June 14.

Another Operation Tuli will be held on June 28 in nine areas in the city.

This is quite the lurid story. 

A 26 year old man, for reasons not specified, decided it was finally time to have his genitals mutilated. Not only does he get a free burger and an ice cream but he also wins P10,000. The headline says he earned it but getting circumcision is not a job.

While the doctor snipped his Johnson he was being assisted by a beauty queen named Cheron Kishes Co. 

How exactly was she assisting? Did she hold his hand? Did she hold something else?

To top it off the mayor declared that Alfredo Jr. has now become "a real man" as if he were still a child until he removed a bit of flesh from his hog. Does this mean the fourth graders who get snipped are "real men?"

Thank goodness Alfredo Jr. is covering his face because in this embarrassing picture it appears he is not wearing any pants or underwear. Did he go straight from the operating table to the photo-op? 

It is simply a bizarre story all around. Only in the Philippines?

Dog Rice

A while back I bought some "Dog Rice" for my dogs.

I bought it because it was cheap. But that may not have been the best idea. I mix the rice with squash and pour dog food on top of it and the dogs eat it up but perhaps "dog rice" is not so hygienic. In fact, dog rice is being sold to the poor because regular rice prices have increased substantialy.

https://www-gmanetwork-com.translate.goog/news/balitambayan/talakayan/883956/bigas-na-para-pagkain-ng-aso-na-p30-k-binibili-na-rin-ng-mga-hikahos/story/?_x_tr_sl=tl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true

Due to the hardships of life and the expensive price of rice, the poor are now forced to pay for the rice that is sold at P30 per kilo with "dog food" written on it.

In Darlene Cay's special report, she met 53-year-old Mylene Canoy in Catmon, Malabon, who makes a living from charcoal.

According to Canoy, their income as a couple is not enough to feed their children, and they also have a grandchild.

In fact, even if he earns P50 a day, it is still not enough to buy a kilo of good quality rice. Sometimes, there are days when they don't eat three times a day.

To fill his stomach, he buys the cheapest rice he can find. Similar to Melba Sacayanan's store, which is P30 per kilo but considered dog food or food for animals.

Based on the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the year 2013 was the last time the price of regular milled rice reached P30 per. Today, the good variety of rice reaches P50 per kilo and above.

That is why the government issued an order last month to put a price ceiling of P41 per kilo for regular-milled rice and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice.

Compared to regular rice, the P30 per kilo "dog food" rice grain has a dark and yellowish color. Its grain is also crushed and there are also small black things that look like stones mixed in.

But for people like Canoy who have little income now, rice that is considered for animals can be theirs.

After Canoy bought cheap rice for a kilo and a half, he had nothing left to buy a dish. That's why he just borrowed a few pieces of tilapia.

According to Canoy, he washes the rice four times to get rid of the "smell."

As for senior citizen Lolita Mabborang who only relies on P5,000 pension per month, it is also difficult to find cheap rice for her husband and wife.

"The P41 [per kilo] is like us who can't buy a delicious dish, you can't even eat the color [that] because it's brown. The P45 [per kilo] is crushed," he commented.

"It's like the poor are poorer because you can't even eat what you buy, especially if you don't buy a delicious dish," he added.

According to Sacayanan who sells "dog food" rice, each kilo used to cost P33. It used to be that people only bought it for animals.

But now, it is hard for him to call such rice for dogs or for animals because it is insulting to people that they can only buy that.

As for Cathy Estavillo, spokesperson of Bantay Rice, it is said that it is sad that poor consumers are forced to buy this type of rice because the price of the good type of rice is already very high.

He said, the sold rice that is considered for animal use is rice that is old stock or flooded. The appearance is no longer pleasant, there are stones, and even insect excrement which is said to be proof that it is not for human consumption.

Aside from the steps taken by the government to lower the price of rice in the country, the Department of Agriculture will also investigate the rice that is sold as animal feed.

Canoy said the rice he bought smelled bad but I did not not notice a peculiar smell. However I did have to wash it several times to get rid of the chaff, stones, and other questionable particles which I hope were not insect excrement. When cooked it looked this:

It certainly does not look tempting or delicious. You can see it is peppered with black specks despite having been washed several times. The dogs had no issues with this rice. No one got sick or had irregular bowel movements. However I do not believe I will be buying this rice again. 

But it's not just "dog rice" which Filipinos are buying for their dogs or themselves. NFA rice is also being bought for dogs. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/07/1899398/nfa-slams-neda-exec-over-rice-dogs-quip

The National Food Authority has expressed disgust over the comment of a ranking official from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) that NFA rice is for dogs.

In a radio interview, NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon had said some people buy the cheap NFA rice for their dogs, saying that there is a “quality difference” and that some people buy NFA rice for other uses.

NFA officer-in-charge administrator Tomas Escarez said such remarks, coming from a ranking government official, is a slap to the more than 10 million poor Filipinos who have relied on the low-priced NFA rice for their daily meals.

“This is the highest form of arrogance, callousness and being matapobre,” Escarez said.

He added that the remark is also an insult to the more than 4,000 NFA employees nationwide who have been delivering the staple to marginalized consumers in far-flung areas, isolated island provinces and poor urban areas.

The video of Edillon’s remarks also gathered negative reactions from netizens, including NFA employees, retailers and ordinary citizens.

One netizen said Edillon was being insensitive and unprofessional, emphasizing that such comment should not even come from a public servant.

“We, retailers of NFA rice, do not sell food for dogs. There are about 200 to 500 people lining up every day for the cheap rice, do you call all of them dogs?” an NFA retailer said.

The backlash from NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon's comments are totally unwarranted. She did not call poor people dogs. She simply noted that some people are buying NFA rice to feed their dogs and for other uses. It is neither callous nor arrogant to point out this fact because it is true.

A few months after this remark was made someone on Reddit admitted that they feed their dogs NFA rice. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/phmoneysaving

• corn grits, mix it with NFA rice and dog food

So, while NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon was called out for being insensitive this person was feeding her dog NFA rice. And she is most certainly not alone.

In 2008 the NFA advised people to not buy NFA rice for their dogs, chickens, and other pets.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/99768/nfa-to-pet-owners-don-t-use-rice-as-pet-food/story/

The National Food Authority in Aklan has appealed to pet owners in the province not to use NFA rice as feed to their pets, the Philippine Information Agency reported Friday. "One of the (saving) tips suggested by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the NFA in the brochure for our Rice Conservation Program is for people to refrain from using rice or palay to feed their chickens, birds, and other pets", PIA quoted Judith Tindog of NFA-Aklan Information as saying. According to the PIA report, Tindog recently learned that a woman wanted to buy NFA rice for her pet dog. She told PIA: "I appealed to the pet owner to buy dog food instead. The NFA rice sold here in the province is for our poor provincemates who are experiencing hardships due to the price increase in commercial rice and other daily commodities, coupled with expenses due to the opening of classes." Tindog said the NFA-Aklan is only selling rice by the kilos and not by bags at 5 kilos per person at P18.25 per kilo. Malacanang has also appealed to the rich not to take advantage of NFA rice.

The fact is everyone is looking for ways to save money. One of the ways to save money is to buy cheap rice especially for your pets. But if you are going to feed your animals cheap rice I would not recommend buying "dog rice." Just buy cheap regular rice.