Selfies With Wanted Fugitives

Despite disgraced former Mayor Alice Guo's attempt to flee justice she was finally caught in Indonesia. DILG Secretary Abalos and PNP Chief Marbil flew to Indonesia to accompany her home. While in Indonesia both Abalos and Marbil took a selfie with Alice Guo which was then posted online. This picture caused a lot of anger.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3277509/philippine-officials-under-fire-after-smiling-selfies-fugitive-alice-guo-spark-anger

Philippine officials are facing a storm of criticism after images surfaced of authorities treating infamous fugitive Alice Guo with what many described as undue “deference” during her extradition, sparking allegations of double standards in the country’s justice system.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr on Friday shrugged off the anger directed at officials who appeared to be enjoying photo opportunities with the former mayor, as he insisted the Philippines was called the “selfie capital of the world”.

Guo, wanted for failing to assist a Senate investigation into her alleged connection to Chinese organised crime groups, was extradited from Indonesia to the Philippines on Thursday following her arrest in Jakarta.

Outrage erupted on social media overnight after photos and videos were posted showing Guo smiling and posing for selfies with officials including Department of Interior and Local Governments Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police Director General Rommel Marbil, as well as arresting officers from the National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Immigration.

One photo with over a million views and dozens of angry comments showed a beaming Guo making a double peace sign while seated between a smiling Marbil and Abalos.

PNP Spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo explained the purpose of the picture as a means to document her capture. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/8/nagpa-cute-pala-pnp-tells-the-story-behind-viral-photo-of-alice-guo-abalos-and-marbil

The supposed success story in the hunt against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo was clouded  by her controversial photo with two of the ranking officials of the Philippine government.

On Sunday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo apologized anew and narrated the story behind the photo which went viral on social media.

In an interview over dzBB, Fajardo said that when Guo was turned over to the Philippine authorities in Indonesia, her first request was for an exclusive meeting with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos and PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.

Abalos and Marbil went to Indonesia to personally oversee the transfer of custody of Guo to Philippine authorities after she was arrested in Tangerang City. 

It was during that meeting that Guo told Abalos and Marbil of the death threat she has been receiving.

This was the reason, according to her, why she decided to go out of the country.

But during the meeting, there was a decision to document it and it was then that an official photographer was asked to take a photo of the three.

“It’s normal for us to smile whenever we or somebody take a photo of us,” said Fajardo in explaining why Abalos and Marbil were seen smiling.

“But they are not aware that she (Guo) made a cute pose,” she added.

While the photo was supposed to be for documentation, it was not immediately clear how it leaked and was uploaded on social media.

As a result, the photo went viral and both Abalos and Marbil were ridiculed and bashed on social media for having a photo opportunity with a “fugitive”.

“”We apologize to the people who were offended by that photo,” said Fajardo.

It is interesting that they don't know how the photo was leaked online. The pool of suspects isn't very deep. Also interesting is that Marbil and Abalos claim they did not know "she made a cute pose." Is their range of vision limited to only what is in front of them? Did they not review the picture after it was taken?

DILG Secretary Abalos and PNP Chief Marbil were not the only government officials who posed for a selfie with fugitive Alice Guo. Several NBI agents thought it was a good idea to snap a photo with her while driving her to jail. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/248055/hontiveros-on-alice-guo-lets-see-how-photogenic-she-is-at-mondays-probe

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros criticized the suspected human trafficker and dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo for gamely posing for pictures, emphasizing that the Senate wants answers on her Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) links and not a photoshoot.

(After she hid from us, Alice Guo used her arrest as a fan meet. The only thing that’s lacking is a red carpet.)

(Let’s see how photogenic she is during our hearing on Monday. She’ll have unlimited pictures there.)

Before issuing these remarks, Hontiveros already issued a stern warning against government officials who were seen taking pictures with Guo.

Now-viral photos show some agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Bureau of Immigration posing for photos with Guo.

Some images likewise show Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Police chief Rommel Marbil with the dismissed local official.

(One reminder to our fellow government officials, we should not use the arrest of a fugitive involved in multiple cases of human trafficking, money laundering, fake identity, gross misconduct, illegal recruitment and detention, as well as corruption as a social gathering.)

Goodness knows what these people were thinking. President Marcos has brushed off these photos as no big deal because the Philippines is the "selfie capital of the world." This claim goes back to 2014 and you can read about it here in Time Magazine. 

So, why was Alice Guo all smiles knowing she was on her way to jail? She said she feels safe.  

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/248008/why-is-alice-guo-all-smiles-in-pics-i-feel-safe-she-says

Dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo appeared cheerful in photos despite her arrest in Indonesia after being on the run for months.

Guo, who returned to the Philippines through a chartered flight early Friday morning, said this is because she felt relieved under the custody of Philippine authorities.

“I feel safe,” she said in a media briefing upon her arrival when asked about her smiling in photos.

She also said she was “happy” to see Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil whose help she sought after being subjected to death threats.

“As you can see in her picture earlier, she felt relieved,” Abalos said, partly in Filipino.

Photos circulating on social media showed Guo grinning while doing a double peace sign next to Abalos and Marbil who fetched her in Indonesia on Wednesday.

Another photo released by authorities showed Guo sporting a smile together with National Bureau of Investigation operatives inside a car.

However, Guo appeared somber when she faced the Philippine media.

Guo was wearing an orange shirt for detainees and was also handcuffed but she concealed it with a white towel.

She also refused to take her face mask off, despite being coaxed by the press.

When not being talked to, Guo turned away from the cameras and faced the wall.

If she feels so safe why did she refuse to remove her face mask and face the wall? Maybe she is simply putting up a good front. Why give the media a chance to publish photos of her sulking and looking angry? It's certainly a good publicity stunt. 

Alice Guo is not the only fugitive with whom government officials took selfies. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1981164/apollo-quiboloy-has-been-arrested-dilg-chief-abalos

Fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. announced on Sunday.

Abalos bared the news in a short Facebook post, but he did not reveal details of Quiboloy’s arrest.

“NAHULI NA PO SI APOLLO QUIBOLOY,” his post said.

He likewise posted a photo of the religious leader with the same caption.

Well, it's not every day one gets a photo opportunity with the Appointed Son of God.

Years ago I wrote an article about how Filipinos love lawsuits. They will file a lawsuit and then pose for the cameras holding the suit for all to see. I think this explains the reason why government officials took selfies with fugitives Alice Guo and Apollo Quiboloy much better than saying the Philippines is the selfie capital of the world. These officials are showing off. 

Just be grateful none of these government officials made a TikTok video with Alice Guo. 

The Parable of the White Russian Part 2

This is a follow up to an article I wrote a few years back about my quest to drink a White Russian. It's an ordinary drink one can easily make and any well stocked bar should have the ingredients to make it. But the restaurant I was at did not have it on the menu so I was denied despite the ingredients being on the shelf. 

That night was just a whim and I did not think anything more of it until I was out to eat recently. I flipped over the menu to the drink section and lo and behold White Russian was listed as a selection. Of course the waiter had to make sure it was available. Thankfully it was.

But take a look at this list:

A screwdriver? That is such a basic drink any bartender should be able to make. Why is it on a list? Why is it that in the Philippines you cannot order a drink unless it's on the menu? If I went to any bar in the rest of the world and requested a drink they would make it without having to check the menu first. Not only that but the waiter had to make sure the materials to make my drink were available. There are only three ingredients in a White Russian: vodka, Kahlua, and milk or cream. Any properly stocked bar would have those items.  

Now, perhaps there are bars in the Philippines that will make anything you ask. However that should be the case EVERYWHERE. Being able to order the drink you want is the point of going to a bar. Bartenders are trained how to mix and pour drinks of all kinds. Apparently that is not the case in the Philippines. This issue likely has little impact on foreign tourism but no doubt there are plenty of disappointed tourists once they learn Filipino bartenders are forbidden from mixing drinks unless they are listed on the menu. 

Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap Disrespects Blood Compact Commemoration by Carrying Around Her Mobile Phone

Thursday March 16th, 2023 marks the 458th year of the blood compact made between the natives of Bohol and Miguel de Legazpi.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/493629/458th-year-of-the-blood-compact-remembering-friendship-and-unity

Boholanos on Thursday, March 16, 2023, commemorated the 458th year of the blood compact, which marked the celebration of friendship and unity between the natives led by Datu Sikatuna and the Spaniards led by General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

Mayor Jane Yap said that the commemoration of the historic event “is a timely reminder for us that friendship and unity can be forged despite differences in languages, race and religion.”

“The blood compact monument is a testament of this alliance, and forms part of our heritage and character as Boholanos,” Yap said in her message.

“We are doing this every year to ensure that many generations that will come after us will also experience the pride and happiness that comes with being Boholanos, whose ancestors were trailblazers in forging the first international treaty of friendship,” Yap said in a program that was held at the city’s Friendship Park late on Thursday afternoon.

The gathering was also held to mark the official start of the Saulog sa Tagbilaran 2023 celebration.

Ahead of the program, a wreath laying ceremony was held at the Blood Compact Shrine in Barangay Bool.

That sounds like a rather big deal. It sounds very important. So why is the mayor walking around clutching her cell phone like she's expecting a call any minute? 

Even in the the group photo she cannot put it down!

Now. you might say, "It's just a phone, who cares?" Well, it's these little details that matter all the more. Look how she dolled herself up in a terno pantsuit to look her best. She knows image matters that the mayor of all people cannot show up to an important ceremony as if it's any ordinary day. So why grip onto that phone? Is there no one who could be trusted to hold it? Are there no pockets in her pants? If someone  had called or texted during the ceremony would she have been so brazen as to respond?

I haven't seen anyone else call out Mayor Jane Yap yet but I am. How could I not?  It's not hard to miss. Her cell phone stands out like a sore thumb. 

Two News Stories That Proves the Philippines is Awful

We all know the Philippines is an awful place but let's take a look at two news stories which exemplifies this fact. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740917/member-of-terror-group-in-surigao-del-sur-faces-9-arrest-warrants-total-bail-at-p460000

A total of nine arrest warrants were issued against a wanted member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army tagged as Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) listed as the priority target of the police force in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, the police said.

According to PRO 13 director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, the manhunt operation last March 8 resulted in the arrest of Dante C. Sanchez, 46.

Sanchez is a Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU) member under Guerilla Front 19, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), the PRO 13 said in a statement issued Thursday.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lianga, Surigao del Sur, filed warrants after charging Sanchez with four counts of murder with no bail; frustrated murder (no bail); and two counts of attempted murder.

Aside from these, the RTC of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, also filed warrants after charging him with theft and attempted murder.

Total bail for all the other bailable cases was set at P460,000.

What!? This TERRORIST has been granted bail but Leila De Lima remains in jail with no bail after six years even though her accusers have all recanted!!! So disgusting and a total lack of justice. To anyone who says the Philippines justice system is perfectly functional they are wrong. In the case of De Lima to remain in jail for six years with NO trial is proof positive the Philippine justice system is broken. And now we have the case of a terrorist who has been granted bail but he will never be released even if he paid that bond because his murder charges are nonbailable.  So what is the point of setting bail in the first place?

Now, let's look at the next story.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1740920/maguindanao-jail-inmates-lack-food-as-budget-impasse-remains-unresolved

Some 128 inmates of Maguindanao del Norte provincial jail are feeling the pinch of the budget impasse facing the province at the start of the year.

In a letter to acting Gov. Bai Fatima Ainee Sinsuat, a copy of which the Inquirer obtained recently, jail warden Ato Dimananal said they “lack provision for the food of the inmates and they are already getting sick for lack of proper nourishment.”

Because of this, Dimananal asked Sinsuat to provide the jail with the funds needed for its operation. Dimananal said the release of the subsistence allowance of the inmates was urgent.

Lawyer Mohajiroe Lauban, Maguindanao del Norte provincial administrator, told the Inquirer they received the letter from Dimananal on Feb. 27.

Apart from food, Dimananal said he was worried that the jail’s water and electricity service connections would be cut off due to non-payment of its bills.

He further said that their transport vehicle was unserviceable, rendering them unable to bring inmates to their scheduled court hearings.

“Without these basic necessitates, we cannot expect to keep the safety and order of our provincial jail,” Dimananal said.

The jail, located in Barangay Rosary Heights in this city, houses inmates from Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur provinces. It is among the assets and facilities of the then-undivided Maguindanao province that went to Maguindanao del Norte.

Dimananal said they had been incurring debts for the jail’s operation since the start of the year “without even knowing how we can pay with this current situation.”

It cannot be that they don’t eat, so in the meantime, I am using my own funds to procure food for the inmates,” Dimananal said. “But it cannot go on forever or for a long time.”

“I have no choice, it is my responsibility to take care of them,” he said.

When asked where he gets the funds from January to February, Dimananal said from his funds and quickly added: “This is temporary, mauubos din personal budget ko (my personal budget would get depleted).”

Dimananal suggested that the budget issue should be addressed immediately. “Basic services from the provincial government like food for the inmates should be exempted from delays,” he said. “We cannot tell the inmates, ‘hey you cannot eat in the meantime because there are delays in fund releases.’”

Although it has received its national tax allotment for January and February, the provincial government could not disburse the funds as it has no treasurer.

Apart from the governor, the treasurer is required as a signatory for fund disbursements.

The Department of Finance (DOF) has yet to appoint a treasurer for the province. Under the Local Government Code, the DOF Secretary appoints the local treasurer and assistant local treasurer “from a list of at least three ranking eligible recommendees” of the local chief executive.

In December 2022, Maguindanao del Norte had requested the DOF, through its Bureau of Local Government Finance, to designate the provincial treasurer of Maguindanao del Sur as their concurrent treasurer, Lauban had said.

Sinsuat assumed as acting governor of Maguindanao del Norte in October 2022, according to the results of a plebiscite in September favoring the split of Maguindanao into two provinces.

But the Bangsamoro regional government’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government has not recognized the act.

Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo had said that Sinsuat needed to be appointed to the post by President Marcos.

So, in Maguindanao del Norte there is no treasurer?  And that means prisoners have to starve? Apparently YES! But if there is no treasurer who is required to distribute funds that means no funds have been distributed! That means there is no functional provincial government in Maguindano del Norte at the moment because in order to function properly funds need to be distributed. The problem is easy rectified by the DOF appointing a treasurer but they have failed to do so. Why? Do they not know the urgency of the problem? The headline should read "Maguindanao Jail Inmates Lack Food Because the DOF Refuses to Appoint a Treasurer."

So there you go. Two news stories which show that the Philippines is not paradise and, especially in the case of Maguindanao del Norte, the government is inept and inefficient. Of course if you point this out like I do then you are accused of hating the Philippines. Ridiculous!

The Philippines Commission on Appointments is a Joke

The Commission on Appointments is a body of lawmakers tasked with vetting Presidential appointees. Their job is very important as it is through the process of vetting that the public learns if the appointee is worthy of the position assigned to them. But in the Philippines it seems the CA is a joke. In particular I am referring to the hearing of DOST Secretary Renato Solidium. 

Three questions were asked of him that reflect quite poorly on the men the people elected to represent them. First up is Representative Jurdin Jesus Romulado.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702689/solon-to-science-secretary-can-a-volcano-be-punctured

With suggestions about puncturing a volcano and inventing astronauts’ food, the confirmation hearing for Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. at the legislative Commission on Appointments descended into a theater of the absurd.

Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo asked if the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) could fashion a metal drill used to make spaceships to pierce volcanoes.

The lawmaker from an island province with seven volcanoes in Mindanao raised the rather ridiculous suggestion, and deadpanned: “I want to ask if the material used for rockets that can withhold heat in going to the moon or (space) exploration can be used to drill holes on volcanoes.”

“The lava will come out so that the volcano will not erupt. Is there a study on that? I’m so curious,” he said.

“Imagine, (space rockets) do not melt when they return from space. Why can’t we use it to drill holes so that volcanoes will no longer erupt?”

Solidum explained that volcanoes spew out materials due to the buildup of pressure and high temperature from within.

“Even if one would tamper with the volcano, it may trigger eruption, not stop it because the magma is more enormous than whatever trigger we want to do,” Solidum said.

“We cannot control it. It might actually cause the volcano to explode as we lessen the pressure,” added Solidum, who served the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology for 14 years.

“If we lessen the pressure of the volcano at the top, it might trigger the sudden rise of magma and it will explode. That’s why nobody has tried to do that,” he said.

It's easy to laugh at this idiot for suggesting volcanoes can be drilled in order to let off pressure thereby preventing an eruption but let's get behind the question. The fact is there are active volcanoes in the Philippines, notably Mayon and Taal. People have been displaced and have died as a result of eruptions. Obviously Representative Romulado wants to avert any future disasters and save lives.

But there are ways to do that without planning something as ridiculous as drilling into a volcano. How about cordoning off the area and forbidding habitation within a certain limit of all active volcanoes? It is a fact that residents are reluctant to leave their homes despite the danger. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/826425/some-residents-around-taal-refuse-to-flee/story/

Perhaps Representative Romulado prides himself for thinking outside the box but he is doing no such thing. He dreaming impossible dreams when there are solutions at hand. It's like using a hammer to open a can of beans. It can be done but why do it when you can use a can opener!? Why is he asking this question anyway? What bearing does it have on the fitness of Solidium to the post of DOST Secretary? It has none and it only serves to make Romulado look like a complete incompetent fool. 

The next Bozo is worst than the first.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702514/astronaut-food-or-food-pill-for-poor-broached-at-dost-chiefs-confirmation-hearing

Feeding the poorest Filipinos with food pills that could last for days or months like what astronauts eat in space has crossed the mind of a lawmaker.

Sagip Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta broached this idea on Wednesday during the confirmation hearing of Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Umali Solidum Jr.

Marcoleta noted that astronauts survive in space even without cooking food there.

"I’m thinking aloud that if we could invent food that they can eat, I will give it to our poor countrymen. Even for months that they don’t eat, they will not die," the lawmaker said during the hearing of the Commission on Appointment’s committee on science and technology.

"Do we have that kind of food? Can we do that?," he asked. 

Solidum answered in the negative, noting that what is available right now are meals ready to eat for disaster victims, which have a shell life of six months.

Explaining further his idea, Marcoleta cited an example of a food pill that could be taken only once but could last for weeks already.

"Because when astronauts eat their food, it will last for several days, if not months. The poorest of the poor really have no food to eat,"  he said.

"This is just palliative. Meaning to say, we just have to fill up the gap. In case we can help the poorest of the poor, you can invent a pill or whatever, and I will accept it,"  he added.

“If the poor can take the pill, they can go two weeks without buying food or cooking, and that is a huge deal. Can we make something like that?” the lawmaker further asked.

Solidum said they would look into it but assured the committee that food security is a concern of the DOST.

You have to hand it to Solidum for maintaining his composure while this pompous ass is questioning him about magic food pills that will suppress the appetite for weeks and months on end. There is no such thing and if there were procuring them would be vastly more expensive than actually increasing the harvest yield. Astronauts eat real food that is specially prepared for their needs. Not only that but they can also "cook" their food.

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

Modern astronauts have a greater variety of main courses to choose from and many astronauts request personalized menus from lists of available foods including items like fruit salad and spaghetti. Fresh fruits and vegetables that can be safely stored at room temperature are eaten on space flights. Astronauts sometimes request beef jerky for flights, as it has an extended shelf life and a strong flavor.

The International Space Station is fitted with rehydration chambers and food warmers to prepare the packaged food before consumption. The first and only kitchen on ISS was located in the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS), containing a hydration system for reheating food, and a food warmer for canned food. The United States developed the second food warmer system in a briefcase-like shape to provide the reheating function for packet-style food items. A second galley was added to the Unity module due to the crew size increase. Combined dinners were rare, as Russian, Space Shuttle, and other ISS astronauts were often eating in their own segments with different schedules.

On Tiangong Space Station, the kitchen is located in the Tianhe core module, alongside with living quarters and entertainment systems. Huang Weifen, the chief astronaut trainer of China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), explained that the station is equipped with a small kitchen table for food preparation and the first-ever microwave oven in spaceflight so that astronauts can "always have hot food whenever they need."

Representative Marcoleta deserves nothing but laughter for this asinine line of questioning. And he admits that it "is just a palliative" and that they "have to fill up the gap!" How about he ask Solidum questions regarding how he would fill that gap? What about increasing food production and bringing down prices and ending rampant food smuggling which undercuts famers? I suppose reality is too much for this politician that he'd rather resort to magical solutions to feed the poor people of the Philippines. Is this the modern equivalent of let them eat cake? 

By the way Marcoleta loves to brag about how he helped destroy ABS-CBN by voting no for a franchise renewal. 

https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom/status/1508980933638377474

Great job, bobo!

The third and final clown in the Commission on Appeals' theater of the absurd is Camarines Sur Representative Luis “Lray” Villafuerte. 

At the start of the hearing, Camarines Sur Representative Luis “Lray” Villafuerte asked about Solidum’s favorite movies.

“Just to know the character of  the person, my colleagues might laugh again, but this is  in relation to your fitness.  Your hobby is watching  Netflix…My question is, what is your favorite movies in Netflix?” Villafuerte asked.

When Solidum said he was into investigative series, Villafuerte commented that the nominee should have been  in the cyberlab section of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The lawmaker explained that if the DOST chief really loves science and technology, he should be watching  documentaries like how other countries prospered because of science and technology.

Senator  Grace   Poe   interjected,  saying: “I think many of us, although we like our jobs, when we go home, we like to watch something that is a little bit different from what we do.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702589/can-rocket-materials-be-used-to-stop-volcanic-eruptions-solon-asks-dost-chief

How does what Solidium enjoy watching on Netflix have any bearing on his fitness to his being DOST Secretary? It does not! And then Villafuerte has the gall to tell this man that if he "really loves science and technology" then "he should be watching  documentaries like how other countries prospered because of science and technology." What?

So, this career politician, who has been charged with graft multiple times over the past decade, thinks the DOST Secretary should be watching documentaries in order to learn skills that can aid him in causing the Philippines to prosper because of science and technology? How would that transfer to prosperity for the Philippines? And what documentaries does he have in mind? Can he name even one? Does he watch documentaries about proper governance in order to cause the Philippines to prosper? Does this moron not understand that it is corrupt politicians and bureaucrats like himself who stand in the way of progress in the Philippines? 

Here is my take away from this "theater of the absurd." Filipino politicians have ZERO solutions for this nation. From drilling into volcanos to feeding the poor appetite suppressing food pills they are engaged in magical thinking that has no bearing on reality whatsoever. It's as bad as someone planning his life around winning the lottery instead of actually fixing his life. These men simply refuse to deal with the problems in the Philippines in anything like a forthright and honest manner. 

Senator Robin Padilla is Stupid but at Least He Keeps His Promises

Senator Robin Padilla is without doubt the dumbest member of the Philippine Senate. He is even dumber than Bato who proves to the nation that he is above his pay grade every time he opens his mouth. But at least Robin has kept the one promise that was important to him as a Filipino. Try to guess what it is without reading ahead. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1696472/robin-padilla-insists-ph-try-legalizing-drug-use-and-just-amend-law-if-ineffective

Senator Robin Padilla is still gung-ho about legalizing drug use in the country, even after hearing all the opposing arguments.

He said the law is always open to change if it doesn’t work.

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs heard about drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers, and Senator Ronald Dela Rosa wondered if the country could “afford an experiment” to determine if decriminalizing drug use would be beneficial or not.

Padilla responded: “We can always amend the law. English iyon ah. Kailangan lang natin sumubok. Kailangan natin pakinggan rin iyong medical point of view kasi nagawa na natin iyong law enforcement point of view. Wala naman masama. Kung hindi naging epektibo, eh ‘di next year, palitan natin. Tanggalin natin iyong batas.”

(We can always amend the law. Wow, that’s English. We need to try. We also need to hear the medical point of view because we’ve already acted from the law enforcement point of view. There’s nothing wrong with that. If it’s not effective, then let’s change it next year. Let’s remove that law.)

Did you catch it? Understandably the whole notion of trial and error law, (that's not how legislation works!), might obscure the promise he kept so here it is in black and white:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1610647/senator-elect-robin-padilla-to-debate-in-filipino-im-not-facing-americans

Neophyte Senator-elect Robin Padilla said Tuesday he is “100 percent” ready to join the Senate, but will opt to debate in Filipino, saying he would be facing Filipino legislators, “not Americans.”

Padilla, who topped the 2022 senatorial elections, attended a legislative briefing  in the Senate ahead of the opening of the 19th Congress in July.

“One-hundred percent,” said Padilla when asked about his readiness to join the Senate.

Padilla said he is also ready to debate with his fellow legislators, but will do so using the vernacular, and not the English language.

“Tagalog… una, hindi naman Amerikano mga kaharap ko para mag-English ako. Siguro kung Amerikano, well I’m willing to debate. Pero mga Tagalog sila eh, eh ‘di Tagalog tayo,” Padilla said.

(Tagalog… for one, I will not be facing Americans for me to speak in English. If I am facing Americans, well I’m willing to debate. But they are Filipinos, so let’s use Tagalog.)

Robin Padilla promised he would not be speaking in English in the Senate. He started out in English but then caught himself and switched to Tagalog. 

But who does this promise help? No one. It's posturing plain and simple and it makes him look like a complete idiot. 

Robin Padilla's refusal to speak in English because he "will not be facing Americans" is full of hypocrisy and stupidity. What does he have against Americans when he claims to be more American than English speaking Americans because he has Native American blood? His two children and wife are American citizens!

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/346969/robin-padilla-defends-mariel-rodriguez-having-baby-in-us

Robin Padilla justified his and Mariel Rodriguez’s decision to have the TV host give birth to their second child, Gabriela, in the United States. 

Rodriguez gave an update about her pregnancy last Saturday, Sept. 28, days after she flew to the US to prepare for the delivery of their second child. 

“Another update is her head is now down getting ready for delivery,” she said in her Instagram post on Saturday. “[Please] pray with me I really want to push for another vaginal birth.”

“Enjoying the last stretch of my pregnancy,” Rodriguez added. 

Many of her fans wished her well, but one Instagram user, a certain @georg_supreme, did not seem to be in favor of Rodriguez’s giving birth in the US.

The netizen, addressing US President Donald Trump’s Instagram account (@realdonaldtrump), pointed out that Rodriguez only goes to the US to give birth. He/she added that it made Rodriguez a “birther,” and that it was not allowed.

After being asked by another Instagram user about what was wrong in giving birth in the US, the netizen chose to “research” about the celebrity couple. He/she then asked why would Rodriguez leave the Philippines to give birth if Padilla prided himself on being nationalistic. The said comments have since been deleted. 

In response, Padilla said, “Ang pagiging [Filipino-American] ay hindi pagtataksil sa Inangbayan (Being Filipino-American is not betraying the motherland).”

He then claimed that he and his wife are more American than those who speak English and live in the US, after pointing out that Rodriguez is an American citizen, and stating that he bears some Native American blood.

It's simply amazing that this man was elected to the Senate. It's amazing that Filipinos consistently vote for people who are incompetent and who brazenly show they do not care about this nation. Make no mistake, Robin Padilla does not care about the Philippines.

The Things Robin Padilla Does Not Know Could Fill A Library

Of all the people who won a seat in the new Senate Robin Padilla is certainly the least qualified. The man has no inkling of how the political machine works. But don't worry he is going to surround himself with qualified people to tell him what to do.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1597385/robin-padilla-to-hire-panelo-as-legislative-consultant-adviser-mentor

Potential winner in the 2022 senatorial race Robin Padilla was considering hiring Atty.  Salvador Panelo as his “legislative consultant, adviser, and mentor.”

The political rookie in a Facebook post admitted that he would need Panelo’s help in crafting laws in the Senate, notably in his plan to push the country’s shift to federalism.

(I need someone in legislative discussions in the Senate. Charter change will not be easy since this would go against the rule of oligarchs under the 1987 Constitution.)

(Panelo will be my legislative consultant, adviser, and mentor.)

In effect Robin Padilla will be a front for Salvador Panelo and that is quite fitting. Panelo was the defense lawyers for the Marcos family in their ill-gotten wealth cases. 

There's a lot of talk going around that we must all give this massively unqualified dimwit who has no business being in the Senate the "benefit of the doubt."

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1605633/study-hard-zubiri-tells-robin-padilla-on-possible-committee-chairmanship

Zubiri said Padilla may end up being the chairperson of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments since he has asked for it and no other senator would like to head it.

(He should study the Constitutional amendments and revision of laws well. Laws that need to be amended, especially in issues surrounding criminal law and other corporate law, will pass through him and his committee.)

Zubiri said the committee is usually headed by a lawyer since revising laws, apart from Constitutional amendments, is also part of the tasks of the committee.

(In truth, lawyers usually head that committee but he wants it so he may show an effort for it.)

His only one appeal to the incoming neophyte senator: study well.

“I have to appeal to him and bigyan ko ng payo at advice, mag aral nang mabuti. Kailangan mag-aral ka nang mabuti kasi ang kausap mo diyan justices eh, constitutionalists,” Zubiri said.

Zubiri said that there is nothing wrong with hiring lawyers as part of his staff, but said Padilla would still have to study since he will be the one talking on the floor and debating with resource persons.

Zubiri, however, said that Padilla should be given the “benefit of the doubt” since he can study for the job before assuming the post.

Give him the benefit of the doubt because he can study for the job before assuming the post!?? Do you hire someone as a surgeon because they really want the job and then give them the benefit of the doubt because they can study before they assume the post?? Of course not! This man is not a lawyer and he cannot be expected to digest the law in a matter of days or weeks before assuming the job as Chairman of the Constitutional Amendments Committee. Zubiri is showing what a poor leader he is by encouraging Robin Padilla to be given the chair of any except the most basic committee and even then such a job would be leagues above his pay grade. 

Once his term officially begins and he has to debate or otherwise speak to his colleagues Robin Padilla says he will being doing so only in Tagalog.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1610647/senator-elect-robin-padilla-to-debate-in-filipino-im-not-facing-americans

Neophyte Senator-elect Robin Padilla said Tuesday he is “100 percent” ready to join the Senate, but will opt to debate in Filipino, saying he would be facing Filipino legislators, “not Americans.”

Padilla, who topped the 2022 senatorial elections, attended a legislative briefing  in the Senate ahead of the opening of the 19th Congress in July.

“One-hundred percent,” said Padilla when asked about his readiness to join the Senate.

Padilla said he is also ready to debate with his fellow legislators, but will do so using the vernacular, and not the English language.

(Tagalog… for one, I will not be facing Americans for me to speak in English. If I am facing Americans, well I’m willing to debate. But they are Filipinos, so let’s use Tagalog.)

Padilla topped the senatorial elections after receiving over 26 million votes.

As a neophyte senator, Padilla took lessons at the Development Academy of the Philippines in preparation for his role as a legislator.

Asked if he found preparing for the Senate to be easy or difficult, Padilla said: “Lahat madali. Wala namang mahirap kasi gusto mong gawin eh.”

(Everything’s easy. Nothing is difficult when you like what you’re doing.)

(If you wanna do something, it’s easy. It was just different. I was summa cum laude in cutting classes back in the day.)

Robin Padilla is so stupid that he thinks only Americans speak English. Incredible. It's like he has no idea that Canada, Ireland, Singapore, India, and the United Kingdom all speak English. English is the lingua franca of the world. It is spoken EVERYWHERE by billions of people. Filipinos are actually sought out to teach English as a second language to South Koreans. Tagalog is only one of many Philippine dialects which means Padilla is literally shutting out Cebuanos, Visayans, and others by insisting on using only that dialect. 

His arrogance is through the roof. He took a few classes to prepare him to be a Senator and he says it's easy?? Sure it's easy if you are a slacker who has no idea what he is doing. And then he brags about "cutting classes back in the day." What a moron. 

His refusal to use English because he "will not be facing Americans" is full of hypocrisy and stupidity. What does he have against Americans when he claims to be more American than English speaking Americans because he has Native American blood? His two children are American citizens!

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/346969/robin-padilla-defends-mariel-rodriguez-having-baby-in-us

Robin Padilla justified his and Mariel Rodriguez’s decision to have the TV host give birth to their second child, Gabriela, in the United States. 

Rodriguez gave an update about her pregnancy last Saturday, Sept. 28, days after she flew to the US to prepare for the delivery of their second child. 

“Another update is her head is now down getting ready for delivery,” she said in her Instagram post on Saturday. “[Please] pray with me I really want to push for another vaginal birth.”

“Enjoying the last stretch of my pregnancy,” Rodriguez added. 

Many of her fans wished her well, but one Instagram user, a certain @georg_supreme, did not seem to be in favor of Rodriguez’s giving birth in the US.

The netizen, addressing US President Donald Trump’s Instagram account (@realdonaldtrump), pointed out that Rodriguez only goes to the US to give birth. He/she added that it made Rodriguez a “birther,” and that it was not allowed.

After being asked by another Instagram user about what was wrong in giving birth in the US, the netizen chose to “research” about the celebrity couple. He/she then asked why would Rodriguez leave the Philippines to give birth if Padilla prided himself on being nationalistic. The said comments have since been deleted. 

In response, Padilla said, “Ang pagiging [Filipino-American] ay hindi pagtataksil sa Inangbayan (Being Filipino-American is not betraying the motherland).”

He then claimed that he and his wife are more American than those who speak English and live in the US, after pointing out that Rodriguez is an American citizen, and stating that he bears some Native American blood.

It's simply amazing that this man was elected to the Senate. It's amazing that Filipinos consistently vote for people who are incompetent and who brazenly show they do not care about this nation. Robin Padilla literally said EJK's are part of fighting crime. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1549310/robin-padilla-says-ejk-part-of-crime-fighting-duterte-drug-war-most-successful

Actor Robin Padilla, who is running for senator in the May elections, said Thursday that extrajudicial killing or EJK is part of the government’s fight against crime, especially in the battle versus illegal drugs.

Padilla was asked during an interview with ANC’s Headstart about his thoughts on the brutal anti-drug campaign of the current administration and EJKs, which has largely marred the so-called drug war of President Rodrigo Duterte.

(That’s really part of it, the EJK. Andres Bonifacio was the first victim of it. It’s part of it.)

To recall, Bonifacio was tried and sentenced to death for treason on then-President Emilio Aguinaldo’s orders after trying to establish his own rebel government. He and his brother Procopio were killed in the mountains of Marogondon.

This man thinks killing people is a part of fighting crime. He does not know the law and he does not even know Philippine history. What exactly does he know? That could fill a library.